Briefly describe your role at Golden LEAF.
I provide oversight for all of our grant programs and develop initiatives to carry out strategic vision and priorities of our Board of Directors. I am involved in the development of our funding processes. I serve on the administrative team as general counsel and address matters that arise in areas ranging from our programmatic work to administrative and internal needs.
Describe yourself in three words.
Curious. Analytical. Constructive.
What’s your favorite part of your job and why?
My favorite part of my job is engaging with and supporting applicants and grantees because they are committed to their communities and the people they live and work with. Our role is trying to help them achieve goals and missions, so that is the most rewarding part.
What is your favorite pastime outside of work?
I like participating in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and traveling. I also like cooking. Now that my kids have left home, my wife and I have begun traveling more, mostly taking weekend trips across North Carolina.
What is your biggest work-related accomplishment within the last year?
This year, we launched several new funding programs and priorities. Following Hurricane Helene, we established a small business loan program working with Mountain BizWorks to provide immediate assistance to businesses affected by the storm. This program was funded by Golden LEAF initially and then received significant expansion funding from the State. We also created the Hurricane Helene Relief Program using Golden LEAF funding to provide support for individuals affected by the hurricane. In addition, we worked with our Board to create a program to leverage healthcare workforce funding provided by the State to community colleges and to become more engaged with funding for infrastructure to support rural housing development.
What motivates you to support long-term economic development in rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities?
What really motivates me is getting out into communities, meeting the people who live there, and learning about their needs and how we can assist. I enjoy thinking about how we can use the resources we have—primarily funding, but also connections and experience—to support their visions and goals. It’s about building on their ideas to help strengthen their communities.