James Allen American & Eﬁ rd James Allen is a lifelong resident …files.ctctcdn.com/6520b91a001/911ba47f-a483-4bd2-8e62-d9c3511c… · of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and her MBA

1 United Way of Gaston County

James Allen is a lifelong resident of Gaston County. James has been employed with American & Efi rd for over 32 years. From 2004-2007 James

worked in Southern China at the American & Efi rd Facility General Manager. James is presently the Director of Manufacturing - Americas for A&E LLC. James assumed his current position in 2015 and is responsible for Manufacturing in the US, Mexico and Central America

Some of James’s community activities are: Member of the Mount Holly Rotary Club, Past Board Member of the Gaston Regional Chamber where he received the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in 2011. Currently James serves on the Board of Directors for the Mount Holly Chamber of Commerce and also served as Past Chairman. James has supported the United Way since 1983 in many aspects. James has served as Loaned Executive, Board of Directors, Campaign Chairman(2013) and Past Board of Directors Chairman(2014)

James and family currently reside in Belmont, N.C. His wife Susan is employed with the City of Mount Holly and their daughter Nicole, is currently a 5th grader at Belmont Central Elementary. His family enjoys the outdoors and spending time in the Western N.C. mountain region.

James Allen ~ American & Efi rd

J worked in Southern China at the American & J worked in Southern China at the American & JEfi rd Facility General Manager. James is presently the Director of Manufacturing - Americas for A&E LLC. James assumed his current position in 2015 and is responsible for Manufacturing in the US, Mexico and Central America

Some of James’s community activities are: Member


Dr. Costa Andreou is currently Vice President at CaroMont Health and Chief Medical Offi cer for CaroMont Medical Group.

A Gaston County resident for 16 years, he previously practiced as an Interventional Cardiologist. He is a past Chief of Medicine at CaroMont Regional Medical Center, Past President of the Heart Society of Gaston, the Gaston County Medical Society and serves currently as Board Chair for HealthNet Gaston.

He graduated from Wits University in South Africa, with residencies and fellowships from Columbia University, Boston University and the University of Massachusetts Medical Schools.

He has an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University with an added Certifi cate in Health Sector Management. He lives with his wife Catherine and sons Nic and Dan in Cramerton, NC.

D A Gaston County resident for 16 years, he previously practiced as an Interventional Cardiologist. He is a past Chief of Medicine at CaroMont Regional Medical Center, Past President of the Heart Society of Gaston, the Gaston County Medical Society and serves currently as Board Chair for HealthNet Gaston.

Dr. Costa Andreou ~ Caromont Health


Toni Belhu in her position as Employee Relations Section Manager is responsible for managing teammate relations, salaried teammate

development and wellness programs at the Kings Mountain and Gastonia locations.

Belhu joined the Bridgestone Americas family of companies in 1996 as a Production Supervisor at the Wilson, North Carolina facility. Since then she has served as Human Resources Development Manager and Human Resources Representative at the Wilson facility;

Salary Human Resources Manager at the Firestone Agricultural Tire facility in Des Moines, Iowa; and Human Resources Section Manager and Manager, Organizational Development at the corporate offi ce in Nashville, Tennessee.

Prior to joining the Bridgestone Americas family, she served ten years with the United States Army as a Medical Specialist, an Arabic Linguist, and an Air Defense Artillery Offi cer. Belhu earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Temple University and completed her master’s degree in psychology at The University of Phoenix in September, 2012.

Belhu is a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR); SHRM Senior Certifi ed Professional (SHRM-SCP); a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF); an American Council on Exercise (ACE) Health Coach; and is certifi ed in MBTIÆ.

Toni Belhu ~ Firestone

Tdevelopment and wellness programs at the Kings Mountain and Gastonia locations.

Belhu joined the Bridgestone Americas family of companies in 1996 as a Production Supervisor at the Wilson, North Carolina facility. Since then she has served as Human Resources Development Manager and Human Resources Representative at the Wilson facility;

Salary Human Resources Manager at the Firestone Agricultural Tire facility


T he Gaston County Board of Education unanimously appointed W. Jeffrey Booker to serve as Superintendent of Gaston County

Schools effective January 1, 2014.

Booker joined the school system in 2009 as Deputy Superintendent of Operations. As the Deputy Superintendent, he served in an executive leadership role and was the senior administrator for business/fi nance, technology, facilities/maintenance, bus transportation, and school nutrition.

A graduate of the University of Virginia’s prestigious McIntire School of Commerce, Booker has a concentration in fi nance and additional coursework in management and leadership. He is a Certifi ed Cash Manager. He received his graduate degree in Educational Leadership from Gardner Webb University.

Prior to joining Gaston County Schools, Booker served as assistant vice president of Carolinas HealthCare System in Charlotte from 2005-2009 and principal of LWA Associates in Cramerton for nine years. LWA Associates is a professional fi rm that specializes in management of educational facilities.

He received the Gaston County United Way Winget Award in 2014 for his service as campaign chairperson.

Booker lives in Gastonia and is married to Rhonda Booker. They have three children: a daughter, who is a graduate of Appalachian State University, and two sons who attend Forestview High School.

Je� rey Booker ~ Gaston Co Schools

TSchools effective January 1, 2014.

Booker joined the school system in 2009 as Deputy Superintendent of Operations. As the Deputy Superintendent, he served in an executive leadership role and was the senior administrator for business/fi nance, technology, facilities/maintenance, bus transportation, and school nutrition.


Emmie is a native of Gastonia and graduated from Ashbrook High School and Hollins College. She has worked for Wachovia and BB&T.

Over the past 25 years, Emmie has been involved with United Way in many different capacities. She has been a Loaned Executive, a Board Member, Chair of the Allocations and Community Impact committees, served on the Executive Committee as well as the Search

Committee which hired Deborah Ally. In 2012, she received the Caroline Garrison Award from United Way.

Emmie has also served on the Boards of the Junior League of Gaston County and the Gastonia Debutante Club. Emmie is married to John and they have two teenage daughters. Her passion for the last 18 years has been her family and raising her children. Emmie has been involved with the Gaston County School System in various leadership capacities in several different schools.

E Over the past 25 years, Emmie has been involved with United Way in many different capacities. She has been a Loaned Executive, a Board Member, Chair of the Allocations and Community Impact committees, served on the Executive Committee as well as the Search

Emmie Bowyer ~ Community Volunteer


Eric R. Clay is the managing partner and Broker in Charge of Coldwell Banker Commercial MECA. Eric earned his North Carolina Real Estate Broker license and initiated

his professional education through the National Association of Realtors Commercial Investment Real Estate Council to attain his Certifi ed Commercial Investment Member designation. At this time he has completed all required course work and is completing the non-classroom objectives. Eric is currently a member of the Charlotte Region Commercial Board of Realtors (CRCBR) and formerly sat on the board representing Gaston County. He currently serves on the boards of United Way of Gaston County and Habitat for Humanity.

Eric has been actively involved in the commercial real estate brokerage community involving land, investment properties, offi ce and industrial buildings. Over the past 2 years Eric has helped build the company’s listing inventory to over 100 properties and has sold/leased over 15 million in transactions. He also is responsible for project management oversight for the company and client developments. This includes all site grading, utilities, streets and sidewalks and landscaping. Eric is the liaison between builder’s representatives and the company’s development projects. In his career he has been accountable for the development of over 300 lots representing over 15 million in sales and is currently developing the site infrastructure and vertical construction of multiple sites located in Gaston County.

Eric resides in Gastonia with his wife Kelley, 6 year old daughter Anna, and 3 year old son Chapman. When not focusing on business he will be found on the golf course, strumming a guitar or enjoying time with his family.

Eric Clay ~ Coldwell Banker Commercial MECA

Ehis professional education through the National Association of Realtors Commercial Investment Real Estate Council to attain his Certifi ed Commercial Investment Member designation. At this time he has completed all required course work and is completing the non-classroom objectives. Eric is currently a member of the Charlotte Region Commercial Board of Realtors (CRCBR) and formerly sat on the board representing Gaston County. He currently serves on the boards of United Way of Gaston County and Habitat for Humanity.


Anne is a founder and former president of Presidium Retirement Advisers, a registered investment advisory fi rm serving retirement

plans. In 2015, Horizon Investments acquired Presidium, and Anne now serves as Director of Institutional Consulting for Horizon, where she directs over $1 billion in retirement plan assets.

Anne is a Certifi ed Public Accountant and received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University

of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and her MBA at the McColl School of Business, Queens College.

Anne is a Trustee of the Schiele Museum and has served on the Board of Visitors of Queens College, the Alumni Board of the Berkeley Preparatory School, Tampa, FL and on the board of various other organizations.

She and her husband Jim live in Gastonia and have two adult children, Aynsley and Jay.They are members of Forest Hill Church and have traveled with the church to Cuba and to Bujumbura, Burundi, Africa on mission trips.

Anne enjoys skiing, sailing, scuba diving, tennis and horseback riding.

Aplans. In 2015, Horizon Investments acquired Presidium, and Anne now serves as Director of Institutional Consulting for Horizon, where she directs over $1 billion in retirement plan assets.

Anne is a Certifi ed Public Accountant and received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University

Anne Comer ~ Horizon Investment, LLC


Edward is Vice President Global Quality, Wix-Filtron business unit, Mann+Hummel Filtration Technology and is responsible for Global

Quality, Technical Services, Product Information, and Customer Training. Prior to his current role, he was Chief Engineer OE for 16 years. Edward joined WIX as a Product Engineer in 1981 and served as coordinator for WIX Winning Ways grant program for student encouragement at Forrest Heights Elementary for the past 12 years.

He is a graduate of Richmond Senior High School, Richmond Technical Institute, and UNC Charlotte. A native of Rockingham NC, Edward moved to Gaston County in 1987. He is a long time member of Kings Mountain Baptist Church along with his wife Amy, daughters Hannah, Sarah and Elizabeth. He has served in a variety of roles and currently serves as Finance Team chair, Vice Chair of Deacons and leads the hymns during morning worship services.

In his spare time, Edward enjoys building and restoring heirloom furniture and volunteering during high school swim meets.

EQuality, Technical Services, Product Information, and Customer Training. Prior to his current role, he was Chief Engineer OE for 16 years. Edward joined WIX as a Product Engineer in 1981 and served as coordinator for WIX Winning Ways grant program for student encouragement at Forrest Heights Elementary for the past 12 years.

Edward Covington ~ Mann+Hummel Filtration Technology


John Forgan is a Senior Vice President and Group Manager of the Corporate and Institutional Group in Western Carolina.

John has been in banking for 26 years in various roles including leading a team of bankers in the Gaston, Upstate SC, Midlands, SC and Asheville regions.

John is involved with various nonprofi t groups and organizations in the region including The Schiele

Museum Board of Directors, Botanical Gardens Visitor Board of Directors, Heart Society Board of Directors and on the Executive Committee for the Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce.

He resides in Gaston County with his wife, Beth and two children, Molly and Ellie.

John Forgan ~ PNC Financial

J John has been in banking for 26 years in various roles including leading a team of bankers in the Gaston, Upstate SC, Midlands, SC and Asheville regions.

John is involved with various nonprofi t groups and organizations in the region including The Schiele


Jenny has worked in banking since 2007 and been a Branch Manager at Fidelity Bank since August 2013.

She has lived in Gastonia since 1994. She graduated from Forestview High School in 2001 and Clemson University, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing, in 2005.

She also graduated from Leadership Cleveland County in 2009 and Leadership Gaston in 2011. Jenny currently partners with Gaston Association of Realtors, Habitat for Humanity, the Gaston Regional Chamber and is looking forward to being part of the United Way team.

Jenny married her high school sweetheart, Anderson, in 2006. He is a Gaston County Police Offi cer and they have a four year old daughter, Aubrey. Jenny enjoys baking, crafts, spending time outdoors and anything Clemson.

Jenny Holder ~ Fidelity Bank

J She has lived in Gastonia since 1994. She graduated from Forestview High School in 2001 and Clemson University, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing, in 2005.

She also graduated from Leadership Cleveland


Danny Jackson is currently the City Manager for the City of Mount Holly. He worked for the City for 29 years beginning in 1987 as an

employee of the Parks & Recreation Department.

Prior to being appointed as City Manager he has held such positions as Code Enforcement Offi cer, Planning Director, Parks & Recreation Director, Public Housing Coordinator and Assistant City Manager. Danny is a graduate of Appalachian State University with a degree in Business Management. He is a current Board

Member, Committee Chairman and Executive Committee Member of the United Way Gaston County.

A community activist he has served on the Board for the Mount Holly Community Relief Organization, a founding member of the Mount Holly Black History Committee and is the current President Elect for the Mount Holly Rotary Club.

He is married to wife Kay, with four adult children (2 sons and 2 daughters). They have 3 grandchildren, one girl and two boys. Current hobbies include spending time with the grandchildren, coaching young people, playing basketball and participating in other athletics.

Danny Jackson ~ City of Mt. Holly

Demployee of the Parks & Recreation Department.

Prior to being appointed as City Manager he has held such positions as Code Enforcement Offi cer, Planning Director, Parks & Recreation Director, Public Housing Coordinator and Assistant City Manager. Danny is a graduate of Appalachian State University with a degree in Business Management. He is a current Board


S teven is the co-owner of Gastonia Sheet Metal (GSM) Services as the President of Residential Divisions and has worked there permanently

since 1993.

Steven’s civic activities include: Rotary Club of Gastonia: Current Member, past President (2011-12), past Board Member, Distinguished Rotarian (2012-13), Paul Harris Fellow; Community Foundation of Gaston County: Current Board Member, past Chairperson

of the Next Generation Fund; past United Way Board Member; First United Methodist Church: Current Member, past Chairperson of Building & Grounds, past member of the Board of Trustees and Youth Sports Coach;

Steven is a graduate of Ashbrook High School (1988) and NC State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (1993). He is married to Janet McBryde (1996) and they have three children: Alex (16), Hannah (14) and Rachel (9).

Steven Long ~ Gastonia Sheet Metal

Ssince 1993.

Steven’s civic activities include: Rotary Club of Gastonia: Current Member, past President (2011-12), past Board Member, Distinguished Rotarian (2012-13), Paul Harris Fellow; Community Foundation of Gaston County: Current Board Member, past Chairperson


David began his career as a fi nancial advisor in 1999 after earning his MBA from Wake Forest University.

He founded the independent fi nancial advisory fi rm, McMahan Financial, LLC in 2010. McMahan Financial, LLC currently serves over 300 households and oversees approximately $200 million in assets.

David is active in the community and in 2015 he served as the Chair for the Gaston County United Way Board.

In addition, he is also an active board member with Gaston Cancer Services and the Greater Western North Carolina JDRF.

David enjoys spending time with his two sons, Luke, 11 and Jake, 10. His other passions include coaching youth sports teams, playing golf and basketball.

D He founded the independent fi nancial advisory fi rm, McMahan Financial, LLC in 2010. McMahan Financial, LLC currently serves over 300 households and oversees approximately $200 million in assets.

David is active in the community and in 2015 he served as the Chair

David McMahan ~ McMahan Financial


Dr. Rios Husain has over fi fteen years of experience in higher education. She earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from

the University of Texas at Austin. She holds an Education Specialist, Master of Education, and Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida and an Associate of Arts from Miami Dade College. Dr. Rios Husain post-doctoral continuing education includes Harvard University - J.F.K. Executive Program, the National Hispana Leadership Institute, and Center for Creative Leadership.

She has been serving as Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Gaston College since January, 2008. Prior to North Carolina, she held various positions at Broward College (BC) in Fort Lauderdale, FL; including Interim Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of Partnership Centers, and Director of Enrollment.

She has been recognized for her community contributions as a Pinnacle Award Recipient by the Miramar Pembroke Pines Chamber of Commerce. She received National Awards by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development. She serves on the Board of Gaston Together, and the Gaston County Land Use Steering Committee.

Dr. Silvia Patricia Rios Husain ~ Gaston College

Dthe University of Texas at Austin. She holds an Education Specialist, Master of Education, and Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida and an Associate of Arts from Miami Dade College. Dr. Rios Husain post-doctoral continuing education includes Harvard University - J.F.K. Executive Program, the National Hispana Leadership Institute, and Center for Creative Leadership.


Mr. Sain is a graduate of Gardner-Webb University (B.A., 2008) and University of North Carolina School of Law (J.D. with

honors, 2015). During law school, Mr. Sain was a staff member on the North Carolina Law Review and a notes editor on the First Amendment Law Review. He interned for the Hon. Judge Calvin E. Murphy on the North Carolina Business in Charlotte and the General Counsel’s Offi ce of Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions in RTP. He is an associate at Mullen Holland & Cooper, P.A., a

Gastonia law fi rm that has been serving Gaston County for over 50 years.

Mr. Sain enjoys giving back to his community, completing over 100 hours of community service while in law school. Among other projects, he worked with the Driver’s License Restoration Project to help poor North Carolinians with unresolved traffi c tickets restore their driver’s licenses. He also served as vice president of the Carolina Public Interest Law Organization, a organization that raises money for grants to law students who take public interest internships in their summers.

Mr. Sain grew up in nearby Boiling Springs, NC. He is married to Ginger Simmons Sain and has a son, Isaiah.

William H. Sain ~ Mullen Holland Cooper

Mhonors, 2015). During law school, Mr. Sain was a staff member on the North Carolina Law Review and a notes editor on the First Amendment Law Review. He interned for the Hon. Judge Calvin E. Murphy on the North Carolina Business in Charlotte and the General Counsel’s Offi ce of Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions in RTP. He is an associate at Mullen Holland & Cooper, P.A., a


B ill is originally from Michigan and over the course of a 20+ year career with GE moved around a good bit and fi nally settled in

Charlotte, NC in 2005. A year later he decided to join Cross Company in Belmont and have been there for the past 9 + years. He graduated in 1983 with a BS Electrical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and then later decided to go back in 1995 to get his MBA from The University of Michigan through their evening MBA program.

“Cross Company in Belmont has been a longstanding partner with the United Way of Gaston County and we are quite honored to be a part of such an energetic and dynamic UW organization. I look forward to serving on the Board of Directors to help those less fortunate than ourselves in Gaston County”.

He is married to Robin and they have four children ages 18 (Nick), 16 (Mary), 12 (Jack) and 11 (Olivia). “Nick is enrolled as a freshman at Appalachian State University which is rather ironic that today I am writing tuition checks to the very same university that “shocked the college football world” in 2007 by upsetting my grad school alma mater The Michigan Wolverines.”

Bill Steury ~ Cross Company

BCharlotte, NC in 2005. A year later he decided to join Cross Company in Belmont and have been there for the past 9 + years. He graduated in 1983 with a BS Electrical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and then later decided to go back in 1995 to get his MBA from The University of Michigan through their evening MBA program.


David is the Director of Planning and Development Services for Gaston County overseeing Land Use Planning and Land

Development. He is a graduate of Appalachian State University located in Boone NC, where he received Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Administration degrees. He is a member of the American Planning Association, and is an American Institute of Certifi ed Planner (AICP), as well as is a certifi ed Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP).

David has participated in many community and volunteer activities including coaching and mentoring youth. He has served on the United Way of Gaston County Board for the past four years. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

David is also a United States Army Military Veteran of Desert Storm, and served in the Army National Guard for 6 years. He is originally from Monroe, NC and has been married to Melissa Williams for 23 years and they have with three daughters, Cierra, Courtney, and Cydney. He and his family attend Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC. David’s hobbies are weight training and karate.

DDevelopment. He is a graduate of Appalachian State University located in Boone NC, where he received Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Administration degrees. He is a member of the American Planning Association, and is an American Institute of Certifi ed Planner (AICP), as well as is a certifi ed Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP).

David L. Williams ~ Gaston County Government


Barbara Yarbrough, a lifelong resident of Gastonia, NC, is Regulatory Aff airs Manager for Duke Energy where she has

been employed for over 40 years.

Prior to joining the United Way board, she was a community volunteer during the fund allocation process. Barbara also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Schiele Museum of Natural History, the board of directors of Gaston Family Promise and the Board of Visitors of the Daniel Stowe

Botanical Garden. She has previously served on the board of directors of Gaston Dance Theatre, as PTA president, and is a member of the Gastonia Debutante Club.

Barbara is a member of First Presbyterian Church, Gastonia, NC where she has served as a deacon and an elder. She enjoys cooking, ballet and the symphony, and spending time with her daughter who lives in Apex, NC.

Bbeen employed for over 40 years.

Prior to joining the United Way board, she was a community volunteer during the fund allocation process. Barbara also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Schiele Museum of Natural History, the board of directors of Gaston Family Promise and the Board of Visitors of the Daniel Stowe

Barbara Yarbrough ~ Duke Energy

Documents

James Allen American & Eﬁ rd James Allen is a lifelong resident …files.ctctcdn.com/6520b91a001/911ba47f-a483-4bd2-8e62-d9c3511c… · of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and her MBA