Billy Woodard is a Wilson native and graduate of FikeHigh School. He continued his education at Rutgers University and NorthCarolina Wesleyan University, earning a master’s in criminal justice. He hasspent nearly 20 years in law enforcement in Wilson County, with a decade ofservice with the Wilson County Sherriff’s Office and nearly a decade with theWilson Police Department. Woodard has coached, mentored, and volunteered in theWilson community over two decades and continues to support the Police AthleticLeague while teaching life lessons and skill development in several sports. OnOctober 30, 2023, Woodard was named Human Relations Director for the City ofWilson.
Wilson Rotary
“We are excited to welcome Chris into his new role as CEO of Wilson Medical Center,” said Elmer Polite, Eastern Division President of Lifepoint Health. “Chris is a great healthcare leader. He has tremendous operational expertise paired with a strong dedication to people and community. We are confident that he is the right leader to take these hospitals into the future.”
An experienced healthcare leader, who has been a part of our Lifepoint family for many years, Chris comes to Wilson Medical Center from Harris Regional and Swain Community hospitals, two Duke LifePoint facilities in western North Carolina, where he served as CEO. Before Harris and Swain, he served as chief operating officer at National Park Medical Center (NPMC) in Arkansas and assistant administrator at Rutherford Regional Health System in Rutherfordton, NC. Chris brings a proven ability to drive timely accountability and change, in conjunction with strong performance improvements in all phases of hospital operations.
“In addition to his extensive operational experience, Chris brings our hospitals a genuine commitment to people and dedication to ensuring that a hospital is an excellent community partner. Chris understands that amount of work that needs and deserves to be provided to our patients and community at large,” said Jack Wiggins, chair of the Wilson Board of Trustees. “We’re excited to welcome Chris to our community and to seek new and greater ways to improve the health and well-being of our community.”
Munton earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Brigham Young University of Hawaii, and a master’s degree in health care administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and is a Certified Patient Safety Officer, Certified Professional in Patient Safety and Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
“Wilson Medical Center is a pillar in the Wilson community, and I look forward to working alongside this team to continue to grow, improve our services and ensure that this facility always delivers the great care that this community deserves,” said Munton. “There is a lot of work to be done, but I look forward to joining our hospitals and communities as we continue creating places where people choose to come for healthcare, physicians want to practice, and employees want to work.”
Mr.Gary Lee became President/CEO of the Free Will Baptist Children’s Home onJanuary 1, 2008. During his tenure, he has played a vital role by helping the Home achievenational accreditation, introducing new programs, designing the first quality improvementplan, and directing several capital improvements to the campus, the most recentof which is a new cottage for teen girls.
Inaddition to being part of the Children’s Home family, Mr. Lee shares his timeworking for children in other capacities. He has served as a Peer Reviewer and Review Team Leader for the Councilon Accreditation based in New York. Hehas held the role of Treasurer for the Board of Trustees of Benchmarks (analliance of North Carolina agencies helping children, adults, and families). And he currently serves on the Board ofDirectors for the Association for Christian Childcare Administrators, anorganization of child care executives that is committed to promoting Christiancharacter, professionalism in child care, training, relationships, networking,and recognition.
Mr. Lee’s educational background includes an Associate degree fromJohnston Community College, a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration fromMount Olive College, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration fromCampbell University. He also has earnedcertificates in nonprofit leadership and management from Duke University.
Barton College is pleased to announce the appointment of Ken Tyler as vice president for athletics. His start date is scheduled for September 18.
“Mr. Tyler is a consummate professional who is deeply committed to students and student learning,” shared Dr. Douglas N. Searcy, president of Barton College. “He has led successfully at the Division II and Division III levels and has a proven record of developing champions on and off the field. His focus has always been on student success, winning on the field and court, while growing excellent citizens and scholars.”
A seasoned professional, Tyler brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role. He was a NCAA Division I men’s basketball student-athlete at the College of William and Mary where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He continued his education, earning a Master of Arts degree in Education and also completing an Executive Education Certificate in Business Management. His professional strengths lie in sports leadership, organizational strategy, growth innovation, and fundraising, among others.
“I am looking forward to joining Barton College and leading and developing a sense of distinction for our student athletes, as well as working with faculty, coaches, and administrators to support this community of student learners,” said Tyler. He will oversee Barton College’s athletics program that includes 25 NCAA DII sponsored intercollegiate teams and two non-sponsored intercollegiate teams. He will be responsible for leading nearly 720 student-athletes, in addition to coaches, administrators, athletic trainers, and support staff.
Tyler began his career as a high school teacher of history while also serving as the boys’ and girls’ basketball coach. He soon moved into college and university coaching as the assistant men’s basketball coach at East Stroudsburg University, Roanoke College, and James Madison University. From there, he moved into the role of assistant director of athletics and head men’s basketball coach at Albright College and, later, Shepherd University.
Tyler then served as director of athletics at West Virginia Wesleyan College, a Division II institution much like Barton College. There, he honed his philosophy of championing the academic progress of students and promoting all-around student wellness in concert with athletic excellence.
Next, for six years, he served as director of athletics and chair of the Department of Athletics, Health, and Physical Education at the University of Mary Washington, where he managed a $5 million program and 75 full-and part-time employees. During that tenure, there were conference championships in field hockey, women’s cross country, indoor track and field, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball and volleyball; NCAA Sweet Sixteen in men’s and women’s tennis and women’s lacrosse; NCAA Elite Eight in men’s basketball and volleyball; NCAA Final Four in field hockey; and four individual NCAA national titles in men’s swimming.
Most recently, Tyler has served as the senior advancement officer for major gifts at the Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va., where he was responsible for cultivating and stewarding a major gift portfolio, as well as holding a leadership role in the school’s $150 million campaign. Concurrently, he has served as an adjunct professor for sports management at George Mason University. Prior to his appointment at the Episcopal School, Tyler combined his leadership strengths in athletics and fundraising, serving as director of athletics and director of advancement at The St. James, a sports and wellness complex offering 25 sports with a staff of approximately 400.
Tyler has a son Jordan, an officer in the United States Navy, and a daughter Logan, an admissions counselor at Bridgewater College. His partner, Dr. Leona Ba, is a professor at Georgetown University.
I joined the United States Marine Corps March 25, 1963 and went active duty June 25, 1963. I went to Marine Corps ‘Boot Camp’ in San Diego, California for four months and then on to Camp Pendleton for Marine Infantry Training for six weeks and then joined Foxtrot Company 2nd Battalion 5th Marines on Camp Pendleton sometime in November.
Battalion 2/5 shipped out to Okinawa the first part of 1964 and became 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines on Camp Schwab for our 13-month overseas tour. The latter part of February we went for war games in Taiwan for around a month then on to Mt. Fuji Japan for two months of cold weather training. We returned to Okinawa and went to Northern training area and started our jungle training which was cut short as part of us were flown back to Camp Schwab to get ready to go to Vietnam.
I was part of our Company that was sent to Vietnam and we became Advisory Team One doing classified operations in Northern part of South Vietnam. We stayed on land for four months and rejoined our Battalion 3/3 which was on float duty off the coast of Vietnam until the first part of 1965 when we returned to stateside back to Camp Pendleton and became Foxtrot Company 2nd Battalion 1st Marines. We stayed stateside until August 1965.
Battalion 2/1 shipped out in August 1965 for Vietnam where we pulled five dagger thrust raids up and down the coast of Vietnam in the Fall of 1965 and our first big operation was Operation Harvest Moon in December 10-19 and after that we moved into Phu Bai North of Da Nang around 50 or so miles from Da Nang. We pulled operations and day and night patrols in that area along with Company Operations.
My last operation was Operation Hastings up on the DMZ and my company hotel Company 2/1 went in on that operation on July 16, 1966. We had action every day and night. On the night of July 21, 1966 the North Vietnam troops opened on us with small arms fire then they dropped in 82mm mortars and that was when I was hit from the mortar attack. I was hit on the left side of my head, my left leg, my back and right arm. We ended up having two killed in action and 13 of us were wounded. I, along with others that had head wounds, were helilifted out of there around 1:30 in the morning to the USS Repose (the hospital ship). I had 9 days left to do in Vietnam when I was to have been out of Vietnam on August 1 back to stateside. I got out of there around the 15th of August and returned to stateside.
I had orders to report to 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines at Camp Lejeune where I ended my enlistment and was honorably discharged June 25,1967.
My name is Amy High. I am a Wilson County native.
I was inspired to become a teacher by my experience as a student in Wilson County Schools.
I attended Atlantic Christian College where I received a BS degree in Elementary Education. I was employed by Wilson County Schools as an elementary teacher at Vinson-Bynum Elementary School. I continued teaching for eight years.
I attended East Carolina University where I received a Master’s Degree in School Counseling. I was hired as the School Counselor at Vinson-Bynum Elementary School where I worked with students and their families until I retired in 2010.
I always had a passion for working with families. I was hired by the Mediation Center of Eastern Carolina in 2010. I worked with at risk youth and their families for three years before returning to Wilson County Schools in 2013.
In 2013 I returned to Wilson County Schools as the McKinney-Vento Liaison. I work with students, staff, and families to ensure that we are in compliance with the McKinney-Vento Act and students are receiving appropriate services. I work with our homeless families encouraging parents to be involved in their children’s education and in develop a plan to overcome homelessness.
Dr. Jami Woods is the President of Wilson Community College. Previously, she served as VP ofInstruction and Student Services at Roanoke-Chowan Community College, Ahoskie, NC, and VP ofInstruction and Student Services at Surry Community College, Dobson, NC. She holds a BA in English(UNC), an MA in English (Appalachian State University), and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with aspecialization in adult and higher education (University of North Carolina Greensboro).Dr. Woods began teaching as an adjunct in the community college system in 1995, and she beganteaching full-time in 1998. Dr. Woods’s first administrative role was as a developmental chairperson in2000. She went on to serve as Dean of Arts and Sciences in 2003; and in 2007, she was appointed ChiefAcademic Officer. Dr. Woods’s educational experience expanded in 2015 to include oversight forStudent Services. She has served as an accreditation liaison for over ten years, and she also served asthe president of the North Carolina Association of Community College Instructional Administrators forfive years.Since beginning her tenure at Wilson Community College in June 2023, Dr. Woods has invested her timein an extensive number of listening sessions with as many college constituents as possible. Informationfrom these sessions helped shape the new Strategic Plan, Investing Together, which will be launched inSeptember. The plan’s focus includes student access and success; excellence in teaching and learning;workforce development and community partnerships; employee engagement and development; collegeenvironment and resources; and equity.Dr. Woods’s educational interests are developmental education; diversity, equity, and inclusion; andcritical thinking. Her personal interests are reading, walking, and spending time with her friends andfamily, particularly on the NC coast.
MelissaVandemark is the Director of Workforce Development at Wilson Community College.She previously served as the Director of Corporate and Customized training atJohnston Community College and Director of Corporate Training at Nash CommunityCollege. She graduated from North Carolina Wesleyan College with a degree inBusiness Administration in 2003. While attending NCWC, Melissa was the chapterpresident of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority. Melissa graduated in 2022 with her MBAfrom North Carolina Wesleyan University. She is a Rotarian with the ClaytonRotary Club and previously held the position of Co-Membership Chair. Melissa iscurrently in the Wilson Chamber Executive Academy and enjoys serving thecommunity. Melissa and her husband Deanhave a farm in Elm City where they live with 4 of their children
MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. Powered by a dedicated volunteer workforce, this network delivers a comprehensive solution that begins with a meal and is proven to enable independence and well-being through the additional benefits of tailored nutrition, social connection, safety and much more. By providing funding, programming, education, research and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time.
OUR VISION
An America in which all seniors live nourished lives with independence and dignity.
OUR MISSION
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Joan began her career at Duke University inHealth Care Financial Operations as Assistant to the Director of Finance. Aftersix years, she became Associate Director of Financial Operations at the GeorgeWashington University (GWU) Hospital in Washington, D.C. Her duties includedall the hospital’s business operations and the 550 physician group practiceplan.
After 16years at GWU, Joan worked with several nationally known consulting firms. Afterfive years of extensive travel that took her across the globe and most of theU.S., she took a position as Director of Financial Operations at Doctor’sCommunity Hospital in Maryland.
After fiveyears, Joan left Doctor’s Hospital and created Larsen Enterprises, Inc. withfive employees. Jobs in this role involved performing audits for healthinsurance companies and other healthcare institutions. In addition, shecompleted several organizational assignments in Wilson, N.C. Projects includeddeveloping and monitoring rehab programs for physicians who had lost their licenseto practice, implementing federal HIPPA laws with local physician practices,and setting up practice plans for new physicians entering the Wilson area.
Joan movedfrom Arlington, VA to Wilson County, NC, in 2018. She created and began theoperations of Stork’s Rest Farm, LLC Retreat, Manner House School of Etiquette,International Protocol, and Professional Life Coaching and Counseling Center.
Joan has a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master’sDegree in Business Administration.
She attended George Mason University for a Graduate Coursein Health Policy Administration. She attended Georgetown University and theNational Institute of Health’s mini-medical school series and received amini-medical school certificate.
Along with being a certified, accredited professional lifecoach through the International Life Coach Institute, Joan is also certified to teach dining, social, and afternoon tea etiquette. She is also a certified image coach, retreat leader and director.
Joan completed study and exams, earning her certification inPsychology, and is a Student Member of the Cognitive Behavioral TherapyInstitute. She is accepted in the Doctorate Program in Business Administrationin Executive Coaching at Liberty University. Her focus is leadership and strategic planning’s importance in businessoperations and growth.
Joanhas been active in fundraising for several charitable organizations throughouther life. She served four years as Chairof the Board of the Washington, D.C. Free Health Clinic. She is a member ofseveral professional organizations related to her education and interests.
Joan enjoys playing golf, horseback riding, going to the gym, hiking in themountains of Virginia, travel, learning from and helping others.
Robin is the Wilson Education Partnership (WEP) Executive Directorwhere she works to build connections between the community and Wilson CountyPublic Schools. As the Executive Director she creates opportunities forstudents and teachers to build relationships with community leadersand businesses to learn about careers in our area. She also partners withWilson County Schools to promote and foster an environment that encourages,recognizes and supports teachers.
Robin brings 30+years in fundraising and program development, and marketing andcommunications.
She serves on theCarolina Family Health Centers Board of Directors, NC Ed Partners Committee,WCS Business Advisory Council, Wilson Wellness Collaborative, Area L AHEC Health Careers Regional AdvisoryCommitte and the Wilson Workforce Alliance.
Robin was theformer WilMed Healthcare Foundation Manager, owner of Best Insurance Servicesand President/Owner of RPW Consulting, LLC
She holds a BS inBusiness Administration with minors in Marketing and Communications fromAtlantic Christian College.
She is married toKent Williams. They have two daughters Austin and Sydney, and a rescue dogCooper.