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Board of Directors

Scott Stone

Chairman & Founder
Charlotte

Scott D. Stone, P.E. has served as a senior executive of several national engineering firms. Scott is also the chairman and founder of the North Carolina Heroes’ Fund. He got involved because, “Our military men and women, and their families, sacrifice so much to defend our freedom. The Fund is just a small way of saying thank you for their tremendous efforts and commitment.”

Scott is a graduate of Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering. He also graduated from Marymount University in Arlington, VA with a Masters in Business Administration.

Scott is a licensed professional engineer in North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. In 2005, he was named one of the top 40 Under 40 business leaders by the Charlotte Business Journal. He is an Eagle Scout and also an alumnus of Leadership North Carolina.

Scott, his wife Molly, and their two daughters live in Charlotte.

Tariq Bokhari

tariq head shot Treasurer
Operational Risk Manager
GE Capital
Charlotte

http://www.gecapital.com

Tariq Bokhari, has designed risk programs and managed risk portfolios of institutions exceeding $1 trillion in assets through the tumultuous financial markets of the last decade. Tariq is currently the Operational Risk Manager and primary architect of the enterprise program for GE Capital globally. In his previous role as Vice President at Wells Fargo, Tariq served as a Risk and Compliance Manager, providing program design, execution, and oversight for operational risks, regulatory compliance risks, risk mitigation, and risk reporting.

Tariq maintains his designation as a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) and has served on the Board of Directors for the Greater Enrichment Program. Tariq has served on three of Charlotte’s steering committees: the Business Advisory Committee (BAC), the Community Relations Committee (CRC), and the Privatization and Competition Advisory Committee (PCAC) where he was elected Vice Chairman. Tariq is the founder and president of StrengthenCharlotte, ran 2 competitive campaigns for Charlotte City Council, and was named to the 2010 class of ‘Forty under 40’ by the Charlotte Business Journal.

Tariq holds a Bachelor of Administration in Information Systems from Radford University. Tariq is a member of the City of Charlotte Business Advisory Council and sits on the Community Relations Committee. He is also a 7-time Wachovia Shared Success Award Winner.

Amy Gamber

amy_gamber Account Executive
WTVD ABC 11
Chapel Hill

www.abclocal.go.com/wtvd

Amy Gamber presently serves as an account executive with WTVD ABC11, an ABC O&O and wholly owned subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company, located in Raleigh-Durham.

Amy currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, and sits as Chair and liaison of their Durham Advisory Council. Before relocating to North Carolina from upstate New York, Amy served as board chair for Family Counseling of Jefferson County, and also as a member of both the Board of Directors and the Executive committee for the Thompson Park Conservancy. For several years, Amy served on the Agency Review committee for her local United Way. In her 17+ years in the advertising field, Amy has assisted numerous non profits in fine-tuning their marketing and public relations efforts.

Amy is a graduate of Clarkson University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management and also a Masters of Science in Management Systems, with a concentration in Marketing Research.
Amy and her husband Chris live in Chapel Hill.

Jimmy R. Hicks

President
Pike Energy Solutions
Charlotte

www.pike.com
Jim Hicks has been President of Pike Energy Solutions, the wholly?owned engineering subsidiary of Pike Electric Corporation, since January 1, 2011. His previous position at Pike was Senior Vice President of Engineering and Substation Construction. He held that position from September 2008 and was responsible for power delivery engineering and substation construction services. Mr. Hicks was President and Chief Operating Officer of Shaw Energy Delivery Services, a division of The Shaw Group, prior to acquisition of that division in 2008.

From 2004 to 2007, Jim intermittently provided electrical engineering consultancy services in Iraq to the United States government. From 1972 to 2003, he was employed by Duke Energy, beginning as an electrical engineer and progressing through management until retiring as Senior Vice President of Transmission.

Jim received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Louisiana State University and is a registered Professional Engineer in North and South Carolina.

William Krebs

Kreb_William President
Krebs & Associates
Raleigh

After more than 25 years in the corporate world of finance and business, Van made the move to North Carolina to work with kids connected with the efforts of Dr. Jim Goodnight and SAS Institute to improve education through technology. After three years working with SAS inSchool serving as the Director of the “Partners in Education Program” while also functioning as the Manager of Sales and Marketing and Business Development Officer, he formed Krebs and Associates in order to pursue his various community passions along with business consulting. These activities have led to membership on several local and statewide organizations’ Boards of Directors. Among those are the North Carolina Council on Economic Education, Clarence Lightner Leadership Foundation, Back Home Box Foundation and several others. He works with the Citizen Soldier Support Program (CSSP) at UNC Chapel Hill on an ongoing basis. In conjunction with the North Carolina Bankers Association, Van created, organized and directed the highly successful “Salute to Our NC Troops” that was held in downtown Raleigh in the spring of 2008. This event drew 50,000 people out to show appreciation for our North Carolina based military and gained national attention as the largest military appreciation event of its type ever held in the country.

Mr. Krebs graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree from the Honors Economics Program His work experience has been with major financial firms such as Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Bear Stearns and the investment banking firm that he founded, SWS Capital Group. He has owned and operated several companies and has worked with virtually every level of business entity.

Van is married to Frances Cox Krebs. They have three sons, two daughter-in-laws and two granddaughters. Van and Fran are active members of their church and community. He earned Varsity honors in both football and track/field at UVA and maintains active involvement in various athletics. During the course of his sports endeavors, he has played Rugby globally.

Brian Long

Director of Development
The Widewaters Group
Charlotte

www.widewaters.com

Brian Long serves as Director of Development for Widewaters Development. In this role he is responsible for new property development in the Carolinas and southeast. The Widewaters Group is a diverse real estate development and management company that has extensive experience in the development of Retail, Hospitality and Office projects throughout the United States.

Brian began his involvement in the North Carolina Heroes Fund on the Grant Committee, which evaluates applicants and makes recommendations for grants to our military families. Since joining the Board, he has become chairman of the Grant Committee.

Brian has bachelor's degree in economics from Siena College in Latham, NY. Brian and his wife Marilyn live in the Charlotte area with their two sons.

Jamie Mitchell

Marketing Development Manager & Eastern Region Media Relations
CenturyLink
Raleigh

www.centurylink.com

Jamie Mitchell serves as a marketing development manager for telecommunications company CenturyLink. In her role she provides oversight, strategy, planning for all public relations, media relations, marketing, sponsorships and contributions for CenturyLink's Central North Carolina area. She also leads all national media relations & communications for the Mid-Atlantic Region (NC, SC, VA, TN, GA).

Prior to joining CenturyLink, Jamie served in various marketing and public relations roles at RBC Bank. She is active in the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, and serves on the 2011 First Responders Task Force. Jamie is a 2000 graduate of Peace College in Raleigh.

Thomas A. Mussoni

Vice President of Development
Autobell Car Wash
Charlotte

www.autobell.com

Thomas currently serves as Vice President of Development for Autobell Car Wash, a full service retail car wash company with more than 60 locations throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Thomas is a founding Partner of Commercial Property Advisors, LLC where he has developed and remains as an owner in many diversified projects ranging from an office park, warehouse buildings to land for redevelopment.

Thomas began his career in Commercial Real Estate began in 1987 and joined The Crosland Group two years later. Responsibilities include site plan design, feasibility studies, multiple re-zonings of properties, infrastructure design and land development, and sales of real property from marketing through closing. A full-service broker, Thomas has numerous outside listings and represents many businesses in the Carolinas and Virginia.

Thomas has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He has been very active in the Charlotte community having served Chair of both the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Zoning Boards of Adjustment, Member of the Transportation Planning Advisory Committee, and Chair of several Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Committees. He is a member of the Dilworth Rotary Club.

David J. Pfleeger

Business Development Manager
Parsons
Charlotte

www.parsons.com

David currently serves as business development manager for Parsons. Parsons employs more than 10,500 people and generates $2.5 billion in annual revenue providing engineering, architecture, program and construction management. David joined Parsons in 2011 after his previous firm was engaged by Parsons on four major construction projects. His role includes the development of new services and business development initiations focused in the northeast region.

David culminated his Army career as Commander, Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. He closed the 72,000 acre, 1,284 building installation as part of BRAC legislation. Prior to that assignment he served in many Operational and Planning positions of leadership in both peacetime and during hostilities. During his Army career he served in Operation Desert Storm and has received the U.S. Army Bronze Star Medal.

David brought his Army leadership background to AOS USA, Inc., where he served in various positions culminating as President and CEO from 2005 through 2010. He led change by introducing innovative new services to new markets such as logistical support packages to school and hospitals systems. He was a pioneer with the introduction of Transition Management consulting and project management for Healthcare Organizations and presented the topic at national and regional forums such as the American College of Healthcare Executives, the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutes, the Construction Owners Association of America, Health Financial Management Association and others.

CSM (ret) Curtis Walker, Jr.

curtis walker1 Chief, Garrison Operations Branch
Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization & Security, Fort Bragg
Fayetteville

Curtis Walker has served the US Army for more than thirty years and retired in 2002 as one of the Army's leading Command Sergeants Major. Curtis graduated from every level of required courses within the U.S. Army Non-Commissioned Officer education system, and was Distinguished Honor Graduate of U.S. Army Ranger School Class. He served twenty five out of his thirty years as a Paratrooper with the 82^nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC; 501^st Parachute Infantry Battalion, Fort Richardson AK; and the U.S. Special Operations Command McDill AFB FL.

He is currently assigned as a civilian as Chief, Garrison Operations Branch, Directorate of Plans Training, Mobilization and Security at Fort Bragg NC, and is designated as the installation’s Senior Operations Officer and Liaison Officer for the XVIII ABN Corps and Garrison Commander of Fort Bragg to the city of Fayetteville NC, continuing the partnership between Fort Bragg and local community leaders in dealing with BRAC related issues and concerns and its impact on the community by direct participation in organizations such as the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce- Military Affairs Council, North Carolina Advisory Committee on Military Affairs, Leadership Fayetteville Program, and the newly formed BRAC Regional Task Force.

Curtis recently returned from 365 day Iraq assignment with XVIII Airborne Corps and United States Forces Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. He served as the Executive Services/Protocol Chief and Secretary of the Joint Staff (SJS) Liaison Officer for the Deputy Commanding General for Operations (DCG-O), United States Forces Iraq (USF-I) which involved all aspects of SJS/protocol services and operations for the DCG-O. While in Iraq he supervised a staff of civilian and military personnel engaged in executive services/protocol activities and events at AL FAW Palace, Camp Victory Base Complex, AL Asad Air Base AL Anbar Province, and the US Embassy in Baghdad. These duties included planning, coordinating, and supervising all official events and functions hosted by the DCG-O to include the two visits by the Vice President of the United States; Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; Secretary of the Army; Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA) Foreign CSA Counterparts; Secretary of Defense; U.S. Congressional Representatives, and senior leadership from other services.

Herman Stone

Stone_Herman CEO & Founder
Stone Theatres
Charlotte

Herman Stone, founder and CEO of Consolidated Theatres and lifetime film industry entrepreneur, has spent more than 45 years in the film industry, joining Consolidated Theatres in 1965 upon graduating from Pfeiffer College to handle booking, film buying and business development. A lifelong North Carolinian, he worked his way up through the ranks of the company to become president in 1986. After selling the business to Carmike Cinemas, Stone founded Consolidated Theatres, Inc. in 1990, which became the ninth largest theater chain in the U.S., operating 421 screens in 30 locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee. Stone then sold to Regal Entertainment Group in 2008; since then has formed a new theatre company, Stone Theatres, presently operating 30 screens in North Carolina and South Carolina, with a new location to open in the late fall of 2009.

He was appointed to the NC Film Council by Governor Michael F. Easley in 2003 and in 2009 was re-appointed by Governor Bev Perdue to serve a third, three-year term on the council. Stone led the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) for two terms as Regional President from 1982-1986 and continues today to serve on the Board of Directors. He was named “Statesman of the Year” at the 2003 ShoWest Conference. December 2008, has been awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor that can be bestowed by the Governor in the state of North Carolina. The prestigious award is presented to individuals who have shown outstanding service to the state through remarkable career achievement and public service.

Stone’s dedication to the theatre business mirrors his commitment to public service as he has been widely recognized for his significant philanthropic and financial support of many organizations over the years. A passionate supporter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, he helped organize many fundraisers for a regional chapter of the nonprofit organization and recently worked to help establish the MS Research Lab at the new North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis. He continues to support the MS Research Lab by the development of his website www.msgiants.org to help raise funds to find a cure for this disease that has affected over 350,000 in the United States. Stone’s additional charitable outreach has included organizations such as the Charlotte Regional Film Partnership, the Make-a-Wish foundation, and numerous local churches and charities.

Charles H. Swannack, Jr.

Swannack Major General, U.S. Army (Retired)
Chief Operating Officer
US Logistics
Fayetteville

www.us-l.com

Major General Charles H. Swannack, Jr. was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry from the United States Military Academy on 9 June 1971. He has proudly served his Nation for more than thirty years in command and staff positions at every level from platoon to Department of the Army.

Prior to retiring, MG Swannack served for six months as the Deputy Commander, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, where he helped prepare Corps units for deployment to Iraq. Before assuming these duties, MG Swannack commanded the 82nd Airborne Division from 8 October 2002-27 May 2004. During this time, he provided forces to Combined Joint Task Force-180 for combat operations in Afghanistan, and he personally led the Division during combat operations from Kuwait to Baghdad and later civil-military operations in western Iraq.

Prior general officer assignments include: Commanding General of Multinational Division (North) and Task Force Eagle during Operation JOINT FORGE (SFOR 11) in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where he oversaw implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords; Commanding General of the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, where he was the senior trainer for all Light, Airborne, Air Assault, Ranger and Special Forces units in the Army; and Deputy Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy within the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, Headquarters, Department of the Army. His initial assignment as a general officer was with the 82nd Airborne Division as the Assistant Division Commander (Operations).

As a Brigade Commander, MG Swannack deployed to Haiti for peacekeeping operations during Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY. He also served in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, J5, the Joint Staff, where he was instrumental in developing and executing US strategy and policy for Central America and the Caribbean Basin. As a Battalion Commander, he deployed to Panama during Operation NIMROD DANCER and subsequently participated in combat operations during Operation JUST CAUSE.

MG Swannack is a graduate of Capstone and the National War College. He holds a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is a Registered Professional Engineer in Virginia.

His decorations include the Legion of Merit (6OLC) and Bronze Star Medal (1OLC). He proudly wears the Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge and the Ranger Tab. Upon retirement from active duty, MG Swannack provides consultation services to multiple defense corporations and primarily serves in the capacity of a trainer, coach and mentor to Brigade Combat Teams preparing to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan. He now serves as the Chief Operating Officer at US Logistics, headquartered in Fayetteville.

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