Governor Cooper Announces State Boards and Commissions Appointments

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced appointments to North Carolina boards and commissions.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individuals to the North Carolina Arts Council:

• Ronna Zimmer of Wilmington as a member at-large. Zimmer completed her fifth term as President of Board of Trustees at Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts in 2019. She was also appointed to the New Hanover County Library Advisory Board; appointed by the county commissioners. Zimmer is too a member of the Board of Directors of the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra.
• Kim A. Pevia of Red Springs as a member at-large. Pevia works as an experienced life strategist, an engaging keynote speaker, and a skilled, experiential styled facilitator. She has a company, K.A.P. Inner Prizes, specializing in identifying and addressing issues that can keep people stuck by continually developing a personalized toolbox to help them hurdle over them.  

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the North Carolina Behavior Analysis Board:

• Kendra Smith of Hallsboro as a Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst. Smith is a Board-Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst at A New Leaf Therapeutic Services PLLC.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the Commission on Children with Special Health Care Needs:

• Alyce G. Luna of Concord as a parent of a special needs child with chronic illness. Luna is a volunteer co-administrator for a peer support group for parents of special needs children and is involved in various other groups to support families with special needs children.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the North Carolina Code Officials Qualification Board:

• Thomas Russell Fox of Burnsville as an elected official of a city with under 5,000 in population. Fox has served on the Burnsville Town Council for four years. He was previously an elected member of the Yancey County Soil & Water Conversation District Board for eight years.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the North Carolina Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing:

• Dr. Margaret Knigga-Daugherty of Boone as a person who is deaf. Knigga-Daugherty is a faculty member at Appalachian State University teaching American Sign Language. She has over fifteen years of experience teaching ASL in various post-secondary settings. 

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the Domestic Violence Commission:

• A.W. Burgess of Charlotte as a NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence representative. Burgess is the National Executive Director and Founder of Family Mankind/Impact BDC, a non profit organization that trains and advocates for victimizers and victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and bullying. He is one of the nation’s leading experts on domestic violence and trauma informed care as it pertains to domestic violence and the generational impact associated with the remnants of domestic abuse.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission:

• Robin W. Smith of Chapel Hill as a member with special training or scientific expertise in hydrology or water pollution control, and as chair. Smith is a lawyer with more than 25 years of experience in environmental law and policy. Before starting a private environmental law and consulting firm in 2013, Smith served twelve years as Assistant Secretary for Environment at the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the Global Transpark Authority:

• Leanna Radford of Havelock as a Representative of the economic development industry. Radford recently retired with well over 19 years of experience as a Fleet Support Team Logistic site lead at Fleet Readiness Center East, Cherry Point. Previously, she worked as an engineer in the Naval Aviation Depot at Cherry Point.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the North Carolina Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Licensing Board:

• Dr. Dawn Elissa de Neef of Hickory as a physician preferably specializing in the field of Otolaryngology. Neef works at the Carolina Ear, Nose & Throat–Sinus and Allergy Center. She was nominated as Surgical Resident of the Year at a Children’s Hospital. Neef received the AMWA Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Achievement Citation.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individuals to the Governor’s Advisory Council on Hispanic/Latino Affairs:

• MaríaRosa Rangel of Durham as chair. Rangel is the Senior Administrator for Family and Community Outreach Services in the Office of Equity Affairs and Diversity for Wake County Public Schools. Rangel has served on the council since 2017.
• Carmen Ivelisse Canales of Winston-Salem as a member at-large. Canales is the Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at Novant Health. Prior to joining Novant, Canales was the Chief Human Resources Officer at Wake Forest University. Canales has more than 15 years of experience in human resources at the executive level.
• Yahel Humberto Flores of Winston-Salem as a member at-large. Flores is the Carolinas Director of the American Business Immigration Coalition where he works to support economic development in North Carolina and South Carolina.
• Marilyn Muyshondt Graham of Leland as a member at-large. Graham works in Multicultural Workforce Development and Outreach for Brunswick Community College, where she has helped develop bilingual programs and brought in educational grants.
• Oscar Alirio Hernandez of Sanford as a member at-large. Hernandez is the coordinator of ESL Career Pathways at Central Carolina Community College. Hernandez has created and supervises all 6+ ESL classes in Lee County.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individuals to the North Carolina Historical Commission:

• Barbara L. Groome of Asheville as a professor of history. Groome is a retired teacher of North Carolina History and Geography and English Language Arts from Asheville High School. Groome also did historical research of the Chestnut Hill District of Asheville for UNC Asheville.
• Shana Bushyhead Condill of Cherokee as a professional historian. Condill is the Executive Director for the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. She previously worked for the National Gallery of Art and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individuals to the Historic Hillsborough Commission:

• Nancy Espersen of Hillsborough as a member at-large. Espersen retired with over 20 years of experience in book-keeping and accounting. After retirement she began volunteering at several local historical and civic organizations, like the Burwell School, that shares her passion for history.
• Dr. Kenneth Ostrand of Hillsborough as a member at-large. Ostrand is a retired university professor of Old-World archaeology and ancient history. He has served on Hillsborough’s Town's Cemetery and Tree Boards, created a program to assist the needy with food, and assisted in cleaning and studying the Old Town Cemetery.
• Kathie Lynch Brown of Hillsborough as a member at-large. Brown is the former Director of Interior Design for Duke University Medical Center.
• Katherine Askew Kirschner of Chapel Hill as a member at-large. Kirschner serves as the Director of Finance at Caring House. She previously served as the Treasurer of Cub Scout Pack 451 for four years and is a former Den Leader. 
• Kenneth S. Billings of Hillsborough as a member at-large. Billings has spent over 30 years in the computer industry as a consultant and business manager. He also served as a board member and treasurer at the Person Place Preservation Society.
• Krystal M. Harris of Hillsborough as a member at-large. Harris is the assistant director at the Durham County Department of Social Services.
• Matthew G. Hughes of Hillsborough as a member at-large. Hughes works for Blueprint North Carolina. He was named chair of LGBTQ+ outreach and nationally to the LGBTQ+ Steering Committee by President Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential campaign.
• Beverly A. Scarlett of Hillsborough as a member at-large. Scarlett worked as a District Court Judge for Judicial District 15-B. She previously served on the North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission. Scarlett also created Judicial District 15-B Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Bar.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the Governor’s Advisory Council on Historically Underutilized Businesses:

• Jose A. Coker of Fayetteville as a HUB Owner, minority categories. He is the senior counsel and a shareholder of The Charleston Group. He also served on the Fayetteville Redevelopment Commission.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individuals to the North Carolina Human Relations Commission:

• Rev. Dr. Pierre J. Crawford of Gastonia as the 5th congressional district representative. Crawford is the Senior Pastor of Center Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC. He also served as the former director of Continuing Education at Henderson Christian University.
• Cedric A. Dickerson of Wilmington as the 7th congressional district representative. Dickerson works as an insurance agent at State Farm. He also is the Vice President of State Farm Agent and Associates PAC.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the North Carolina Landscape Contractors’ Licensing Board:

• Henry Junior Hardy of Knightdale as a public member. Hardy is the Principal Member of H&H Enterprises of Knightdale. He was previously a Project Manager at Duke Energy.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the North Carolina Marine Industrial Park Authority:

• Kris Cahoon Noble of Swan Quarter as a member at-large. Noble is the County Manager for Hyde County. She previously served as the Director of Planning & Economic Development for Hyde County. Noble has also completed multiple community development and housing grant projects.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individuals to the North Carolina Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services:

• Oppie N. Jordan of Rocky Mount as a Substance Abuse Services Family Member. Jordan serves as the Vice President of Carolinas Gateway Partnership. She also served as Chairperson on Rural Internet Access Authority.
• Deja Juana Barber of Raleigh as a Developmental Disabilities Consumer. Barber worked as a coordinator for the North Carolina Youth Leadership Forum. She also serves as a voting member of the North Carolina State Independent Living Council.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina:

• Myra Best of Raleigh as a member at-large. Best is the project director for DigiLEARN: Digital Learning Institute where she helps develop its operational and business plan as well as its program of work. Best previously serve as a special advisor in the Governor’s office, focused on eLearning and education innovation. She was also one of the first elementary counselors in NC to establish a development counseling program in Greene and Wayne Counties and served as the program director.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the North Carolina Military Affairs Commission:

• Lt. Col. Walter David Ham of Goldsboro as retired military living near the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Ham has served on the Goldsboro City Council since 2015 and recently became the city’s mayor. Ham served in the US Army for over 25 years.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the North Carolina Minority Health Advisory Council:

• Cherry Maynor Beasley of Pembroke as a Community-Based Organization Representative. Beasley is the Chair and Belk Endowed Professor in Rural and Minority Health in the Department of Nursing at UNC Pembroke. She also received the UNC Board of Governors’ Teaching Excellency Award in 2017.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individuals to the North Carolina Museum of Art Board of Trustees:

• Kendalyn Lutz-Craver of Shelby as the Fifth Congressional District Representative. Lutz-Craver is the founding partner of Lutz-Craver, Karner, and Associates PA and Cornerstone Dental Associates. She currently serves on the Cleveland County Arts Council and Dover YMCA.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the NCWorks Commission:

• Nikki Nissen of Concord as a Business Representative for Healthcare. Nissen is the Vice President of Clinical Operations and Chief Nursing Officer at Novant Health. She has been a member of American College of Healthcare Executives since 2016.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individuals to the North Carolina State Ports Authority Board of Directors:

• Gregory L. Washington of Wilmington as a member at-large. Washington is the International Representative for the International Longshoremen’s Association. He currently serves on the New Hanover County Port, Waterway & Beach Commission, and the Cape Fear Workforce Development Board.
• Susan W. Rabon of Southport as a member at-large. Rabon is the Vice President of Commonwealth Home Health Care and Commonwealth Document Management. Rabon also served as a Commissioner on the NC Utilities Commission, a Deputy Attorney for Administration for the NC Department of Justice, and as a Senior Assistant for Administration for the Governor’s office. Rabon also currently serves as the Chair of the Bald Head Transportation Authority.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice:

• Casandra S. Hoekstra of Durham as the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Representative. Hoekstra was serving as interim secretary for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. Prior to her appointment, she served as the department's chief deputy secretary for Administration overseeing a variety of divisions, including Human Resources, Legislative Affairs, Office of Special Investigations and the Governor’s Crime Commission. Hoekstra also has served on the N.C. Domestic Violence and N.C. Victims Compensation Commissions

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the Roanoke River Basin Bi-State Commission:

• Randall Elbert Lee of Halifax as a North Carolina resident who resides within the North Carolina portion of the Basin. Lee previously held the position of Correctional Administrator of Caledonia Correctional Institution for 18 years and retired with 31 years of service. After this first retirement Lee rejoined the workforce with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, as the Correctional Administrator for Polk Correctional Institute. He was ultimately promoted to Deputy Director; retiring for a second time shortly after.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology, and Innovation:

• Secretary James Weaver of Raleigh as a member at-large. Weaver is the State Chief Information Officer and Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Information Technology. Prior to coming to North Carolina, Weaver was the state CIO at Washington Technology Solutions. Weaver has more than 30 years of leadership and management in the IT Industry.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individuals to the North Carolina Council on Sickle Cell Syndrome:

• Vickie Moseley Jones of Oriental as a member at-large. Jones was the Executive Director of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer at Craven Community College before retiring in 2016. Jones also serves on the Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency Advisory Board.
• Valerie L. Dorsett of Greensboro as a member at-large. She recently retired after serving 19 years as a Supervisory Attorney Advisor for the Transportation Security Administration. Dorsett also chairs the North Carolina Boxing Commission.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board:

• Nathaniel Davis, Jr. of Durham as a Public Member. Davis is the Senior Pastor of Now Church in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area. He is heavily involved with the Athletics Department at North Carolina Central University. He served as the Men’s Basketball Chaplain and assisted with leading the team to the MEAC conference championship in 2014, 2015, and 2017.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the North Carolina Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Board of Examiners:

• Dr. Doug B. Garrison of Durham as an audiologist. Garrison works as the clinical director for Duke University Vestibular Disorders Clinic.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the Underground Damage Prevention Review Board:

• Larry Sanders of Rolesville as the Representative of the Department of Transportation. Sanders is the State Encroachments Engineer in the Department of Transportation’s Utilities Unit. He has over 21 years of engineering experience.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individuals to the U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship Commission:

• Deirdre L. McGlone-Webb of Wilmington as Treasurer. Webb is a Branch Manager with South State Bank. She retired from SunTrust Bank after more than 25 years of service.
• Michael R. Bradshaw of Denver as Vice Chair. Bradshaw worked at Vitex and Caymus Consulting, providing operational, organizational, and leadership consulting services to clients.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individual to the Western Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees:

• Alan LeCroy of Morganton as a member at-large. LeCroy has been the principal attorney and owner of his own law practice, LeCroy Law Firm, PLLC, since 1998. LeCroy has served on the Community Foundation of Burke County, the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council and the Burke County United Way Campaign.

Gov. Cooper has appointed the following individuals to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission:

• Michael K. Alford of Jacksonville as the Second Wildlife District representative. Alford is the president of Marine Chevrolet Cadillac in Jacksonville. Alford represented North Carolina’s franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association. Alford previously served on the North Carolina Board of Transportation.
• J. Carlton Cole of Hertford as a member at-large. Judge Cole retired in 2021 after 12 years as Superior Court Judge in North Carolina’s First Judicial District. Prior to becoming a Superior Court Judge, Cole spent 17 years as a District Court Judge in the same district. Judge Cole’s work was honored by receipt of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state’s highest civilian recognition, and Friend of the Court, the highest award given by the State Judicial Branch.
• Thomas Mitchel Haislip, Jr. of Sanford as the Fifth Wildlife District representative. Haislip spent more than 20 years as the Secretary, Treasurer, and Estimator for Sanford Contractors Inc. in Sanford. Haislip has previously chaired the Lee County Parks and Recreation Commission and is a member of the Lee County Agriculture Advisory Board. 

 

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