Governor McCrory Announces Appointments | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Raleigh, N.C. - The Office of Governor Pat McCrory announced the following appointments today:

• George Little (Moore County)     Little is president of George W. Little & Associates, an insurance agency he founded in 1977. He is a member of the board of directors for Partners in Progress, the economic development organization for Moore County, and chairman of the Pinehurst Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. He is a former Secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Economic Resources and previously served as president of the North Carolina Association of Community Colleges. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

    Board-duties are to elect the president, employ personnel, purchase land necessary for the operation of the college, apply standards for admission and graduation, receive gifts and donations, provide for the administration of all educational and occupational services, and to establish or enter into public or private partnerships for the support of the institution.

• Elizabeth Poole (Cabarrus County) - Poole is a Teacher/Career Development Coordinator for Cabarrus County Schools. She is vice chair of the Board of Commissioners and was first elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2008. She has served terms as vice chair and chair and served 10 years on the Board of Education, four of those as board chair. She is also a member of the Cabarrus/Rowan Metropolitan Planning Organization and Centralina Workforce Development Board. Poole holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from UNC Chapel Hill and a Master's degree in Business Administration from Queens University.
• Neal Alexander (Wake County) - Alexander is the State Human Resources Director. Prior to this appointment, Alexander worked more than 40 years in Human Resources (HR) at Duke Energy. Most recently, Alexander served as Vice President of HR for the U.S. Franchised Electric and Gas operational unit. During his tenure at Duke Energy, Alexander won numerous awards for excellence in HR, including the Duke Power William S. Lee Leadership Award, the Chairman's Award for the Development of Safe Work Practices for Duke Power, and the Employers Association Babcock Award. He retired from Duke Energy in April 2011. A graduate of Gardner-Webb University, Alexander earned a Bachelor's degree in Management in 1984. He was honored as Alumnus of the Year in 2008 and now serves as Chair of GWIJ's Board of Trustees. In May 2015, Alexander was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from GWU.

    The purpose of this board is to serve in an advisory capacity to the Executive Administrator and to carry out its duties and responsibilities fiduciary for the plan.

• Rick L. Carnagua (Wake County) - Carnagua is the owner of Charter Hunting Services in Cary. He is also involved with Rotary International and was twice named Rotarian of the Year.
• Arlene Edwards (Wake County) - Edwards has been named chairman. She is the president and Senior Safety Consultant for Safety & Health Consulting Services, Inc. She previously worked as a Compliance Safety & Health Officer for the North Carolina Department of Labor.
• Frank P. Ward, Jr. (Wake County) - Ward is a sole practitioner in Raleigh. He received his A.B. from Yale University, his J.D. from Duke University, and his LLM. from New York University School of Law. Ward has been listed in multiple editions of Best Lawyers in America, and was listed in 2008 as a "Super Lawyer" by North Carolina Super Lawyers Magazine.

    This board hears and issues decisions on appeals entered from citations, abatement periods and penalties issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Division of the Department of Labor. There are two levels of adjudication. Cases are initially tried before a hearing examiner who issues a decision. The hearing examiner's decision is subject to review by the three member board.

• Elaine Boone (Yancey County) - Boone is a retired teacher and former member of the Yancey County Board of Education.
• Robin Hiatt (Johnston County) - Hiatt is a third grade teacher at Powhatan Elementary School in Johnston County. She has been teaching for about 10 years and has her Bachelors from ECU and Master's degree from N.C. State University.
• Gregory West (Cumberland County) - West is the owner and President of Westan Homes in Fayetteville. The company was founded in January 2012 and he has worked in the real estate industry since 2004. West serves on the Cumberland County Board of Education. This is a reappointment.
• Jeff Clark (Onslow County) - Clark is the Chief Financial Officer at the Jones Onslow Electric Membership Corporation in Jacksonville. He is also active with the Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce.
• D. Scott Penland (Clay County) - Dr. Penland has been serving as the Superintendent of the Cherokee Central Schools System since 2013. Previously, he was the Superintendent of the Clay County School System for 32 years. Dr. Penland earned his Bachelor's Master's and Doctorate degrees from Western Carolina University.
   

    The board shall have full authority regarding all aspects of employment and contracts for the NCCAT in accordance with State Personnel policies and contract procedures. The board will provide career teachers with opportunities to study advent topics in the sciences, arts, and humanities, to engage in informed discourse, assisted by able renters and outstanding leaders from all walks of life. The board will also offer opportunities for teachers to engage in scholarly pursuits through a center dedicated exclusively to the advancement of teaching as an art and as a profession.

• Heyward McKinney (Wake) - McKinney is the retired Chief Operations Officer for the Division of State History Museums where he was responsible for the fiscal and administrative processes for the Raleigh museum and six other regional museums. Prior to this position he served as Associate Director for Administration at the North Carolina Museum of Art and as Assistant Secretary for Administration at the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. While holding these administrative/financial positions, he served as the Treasurer of the Executive Mansion Fine Arts Committee and Executive Mansion Fund. He is also a graduate of East Carolina University with a degree in Accounting.

    The board will administer the Supplemental Retirement Income Plan and the N.C. Public Employee Deferred Compensation Plan.

• Stephen W. Bristow (Johnston County) - Bristow is a soil scientist working for Wake County Environmental Services. He is the former President of the N.C. State College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Alumni & Friends Society and was previously appointed to the NCBLSS by Governor Hunt in 2000.

    The purpose of the board is to protect life, property, health, and public welfare through regulation of the practice of soil science in the state.

• John M. Logsdon (Wilkes County) - Logsdon is an attorney with the McElwee Firm in Wilkesboro. He holds an active professional engineer license.
• Bobbie Shields (Mecklenburg County) - Shields is the owner and manager of SHIELB PLLC - a planning, engineering and management consulting firm. He previously served as interim county manager for Mecklenburg County Government. Shields is a registered professional engineer in North Carolina and South Carolina, certified home inspector and certified North Carolina building inspector.

    The board qualifies applicants for licensure as professional engineers and land surveyors in the state. The board also reviews all applications, prepares and administers examinations that provide evidence of competency, establishes rules of professional conduct, performs investigations, conducts hearings, and assesses disciplinary actions.

• Gail Hobbs (Harnett County) - Hobbs works for the Harnett County Health Department as an Accounting Technician IV. She has worked there for over ten years and previously worked for the Lee-Harnett MD/DD/SA Authority. This seat is appointed by the Governor upon recommendation of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.

    The board establishes the rules and policies of personnel administration for the agencies and universities in the state government system to oversee the implementation of and compliance with the State Personnel Act.

• Robin Ramsey (Buncombe County) - Ramsey has been the western field representative for Senator Richard Burr since May 2013. She previously worked at Long, Parker, Warren, Anderson and Payne, PA as well as the North Carolina General Assembly. She is a graduate of Mars Hill College. She currently serves on the Development Committee and the Governance Committee of Asheville Humane Society; Board of The Governor's Western Residence; and Women's Society for Mission Hospital.
• Joe Brumit (Buncombe County) - Brumit, owner of Brumit Restaurant Group and president of Brumit Development Company, has lived in the Asheville area since 1988 and is very involved in the community through charitable, non-profit and civic organizations including United Way, Mission Hospitals, Asheville Chamber, Western North Carolina Foundation, Appalachian State University, UNC-Asheville, and Western Carolina University.

    Board-duties are to elect the president, employ personnel, purchase land necessary for the operation of the college, apply standards for admission and graduation, receive gifts and donations, provide for the administration of all educational and occupational services, and to establish or enter into public or private partnerships for the support of the institution.

• Steven Clipp (Chatham County) - Clipp is owner of Steven Clipp Architecture with offices in Chapel Hill and Blowing Rock. Clipp graduated at the top of his class from the University of Florida with a Bachelors of Design in Architecture and his Masters from N.C. State University. In 2002, Home Book Publications awarded him Best Home Design in North Carolina Under 5000sf.
• Jimmy L. Norwood, Jr. (Forsyth County) - Norwood is founder and principal in charge of business development, design and design production for Norwood Architect. His architectural responsibilities range from design and project management through construction administration. Norwood received his Bachelor's of Architecture degree in 1989 from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He began his professional career working as an architectural intern and upon receipt of his architectural registration, began a career working in the construction industry for four years. After gaining experience in the construction industry, Norwood Architect was established in 1995. His project experience includes commercial, religious, business, educational, recreational, residential, and multi-family housing facilities.

    The board ensures that only persons with a minimum level of competence are permitted to practice architecture and that practicing architects act according to professional standards.

• Roger Rodriguez (Wake County) - Rodriguez is Senior Pastor at Iglesia Bautista La Rocha in Garner, North Carolina. Pastor Rodriguez oversees administration of church programs, outreach initiatives, and leadership development. He serves in several community outreach programs, including mentor-ship with at-risk youth and homelessness. Prior to being called into the ministry, Roger was employed at CleanNet USA, as a Quality Control Manager. Where he managed 16 cleaning and maintenance crews serving 175 Bank of Americas and Wells Fargo in North Carolina.
• Pamela Sanchez (Mecklenburg County) - Sanchez is a Public Relations Manager and National Sales Executive for Norsan Media. She develops individualized media campaigns for 25 national clients and non-profit organizations in their effort to reach the emerging Hispanic Community. She collaborates with several organizations, including Latin American Women's Organization, Teach For America, Children's Miracle Network, and American Red Cross to promote community outreach. She is a board member of Levine Museum of the New South, member of Taste of the New South (annual fundraiser) planning committee. Sanchez graduated from Boston University with a degree in Management, French Language and Literature.
• Raheem Aleem (Durham County) - Aleem is Community Services Captain at the Durham County Sheriff's Office. Aleem is responsible ensuring the care, security and control twenty-six Durham Public Schools. His community service consists of gang awareness programs, Hispanic outreach activities and defense tactic instructions.
• Edith V. McElroy (Mecklenburg County) - McElroy is Dean of Levine Campus at Central Piedmont Community College - Business International and General Studies. She provides administrative guidance and oversight to the overall operations of the instructional and academic programs. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and a master's degree in English as a Second Language from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
• Steve A. Von Loor (Wake County) - Von Loor is CEO and Founder Von Loor Language Solutions. He is presently the Vice President and Social Media Project Coordinator for the RNHA of USA. He is the CEO and Founder of Medical Interpreter, and the company acts a liaison between Spanish speaking patients and medical staff. Von Loor has expertise in business entrepreneurship, public relations, organizer, negotiation skills and language liaison.
• Elio Gonzalez (Buncombe County) - Gonzalez is Director of Patient Assistance/Community Outreach at Western North Carolina Health Services in Asheville. He has worked as a Communities Liaison and Spanish interpreter for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools for many years. Each year he organizes several event such as the Latin American Festival, Carnaval Carolina and I-AWA. In 2003, Gonzalez received the Excelente Award- Person of the Year.
• Sandra Velez (Johnston County) - Velez is a former investigator for the Office of the Public Defender in the Southern District of Florida. She worked as a sales consultant in the automotive industry developing marketing strategies for the Latino community. Velez currently volunteers in the Bridges Puentes Prison Ministry.
• Cecilia Ramirez (Mecklenburg County) - Ramirez is an active volunteer in the Mecklenburg County community. She is currently on the board of directors for World Affairs Council Charlotte and the board of authority for Johnson C. Smith University. Ramirez previously volunteered with the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and the Latin America Chamber of Commerce Charlotte. She will serve as the council's vice-chair. This is a reappointment.
• Carlos Vidales (Wake County) - Vidales is a Senior Software Manager at Tekelec in Morrisville. He earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech and his master's degree in Business Administration from University of California at Irvine. He is a native of El Salvador and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1985 after being a U.S. resident since 1973. This is a reappointment.
• Raul Herrera (Orange County) - Herrera is a customer advisor on personal and small business accounts at BB&T. He is a past president of the North Carolina Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and a current member of the Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce. This is a reappointment.
• Julia Garza (Wake County) - Garza is a program director and on-air personality at La Ley 101.1FM. She earned her radio-television-film degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 2005 and then moved to North Carolina. She also owns a small event planning business, Julie Garza Entertainment. This is a reappointment.
• Roberto Nunez (Durham County) - Nunez is a lecturer and Senior Construction Extension Specialist for N.C. State University and is affiliated with the Civil Construction and Environmental Engineering. Nunez recently instructed a training program for Efficient Career Transitioning of North Carolina-Based Military Veterans into Civilian Construction and Infrastructure Project Management. This is a reappointment.
• Johanna Kelly (Union County) - Kelly is the Founder/Executive Director of D.E.A.R. Foundation Inc. D.E.A.R. is a new 501(c)(3) non-profit organization provides pro and low bono legal services and assistance to low-income immigrant families and individuals who are unable to afford private legal services.
• Willy E. Stewart (Wake County) - Stewart is President & CEO of i2 Intelligence, a consulting firm which advises and equips CEO's and management with necessary leadership and tools to optimize the integration of human capital and business intelligence. He also established The Fire Yourself Movement, a movement aimed at the new generation of business leaders. This is a reappointment.
• Melissa Gott (New Hanover County) - Gott is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Campbell University School of Law. She is a licensed North Carolina attorney and is a D.R.C. Certified Mediator. She pursued her education at a community college where she obtained her paralegal degree, and then transferred to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she graduated with distinction with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration concentrating in finance and the legal environment of business. This is a reappointment.
• Javier Castillo (Pitt County) - Castillo, a Nicaraguan native, is currently the International Sales Manager for LBA Technology, Inc in Greenville, North Carolina. Prior to this, he worked for Blue Bell, Inc in Greensboro and Madrid, Spain where he held the position of controller and Financial director. He currently sits on various boards (N.C. Center for Public Policy, United Way of Pitt County), and is a Member of N.C. Advisory Council on Hispanic/Latino Affairs and Co-Chairman of its Economic Development Committee. Castillo has also been a Small Business Instructor at Pitt Community College and a speaker East Carolina Business College. He is the host and producer of La Voz Latina, a Spanish radio program. Castillo holds an MBA from Tulane University.

    The council advises the Governor on issues relating to the Hispanic/Latino community in North Carolina, supports state efforts toward the improvement of race and ethnic relations, and provides a forum for discussion of issues concerning the Hispanic/Latino community.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov