For more than 25 years, Brian Holland has served as the Chief Legal Officer for information technology companies. Currently, he is General Counsel for Sectigo, a public key infrastructure company that enables the secure exchange of data over the Internet and other digital networks.
Brian is a business-first attorney with extensive experience in technology, international law, mergers & acquisitions, privacy, compliance, and risk management. He has headed up the legal departments for both public and private companies. Prior to becoming an in-house attorney, Brian was a litigator in Dallas and Washington, D.C.
Brian has been a resident of the Triangle for over 25 years living in both Johnston and Wake Counties. He’s a founding director of the Research Triangle Area chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel and has been involved with several community organizations. He has been a member of CAWD since 2012.
A native Californian, Brian received his undergraduate degree from California State University, Fullerton. He attended grad school at the University of North Texas. He is a graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center. Brian is admitted to the bars of North Carolina; Washington, D.C.; Texas; and Maryland.
Rodney Carson serves as the primary customer liaison for large-scale fraud and security intelligence solution initiatives with state and local government clients.
His workforce board experience includes his current membership on the Capital Area Workforce Development Board and his previous membership on the 4 Polk County, Florida Workforce Development Board from November 2007 to December 2010.
Rodney has nearly 25 years of experience in several roles revolving around economic development, strategic development, organizational/departmental development and/or restructuring, and strategic partnership development in non-profit, government and Fortune 50 corporations. He is also an accomplished entrepreneur having started and sold several small businesses including a dive shop in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Rodney holds a double major in International Business and Business Finance from the University of Hawaii, Manoa and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Additionally, he holds certifications in economic development and international marketing from the International Economic Development Council and Thunderbird School of Global Management.
White has been active as a volunteer in the Durham and Research Triangle community, having served as president of the Durham Day Care Council, the Durham Literacy Council, chairman of the Durham United Way Campaign and chairman of its board of directors, and a member of the executive committees and boards of both the Durham Workforce Development Board and the Research Triangle Regional Partnership.
He serves on the board of directors for LC Industries as their Secretary-Treasurer, and also is a board member for the Research Triangle Foreign Trade Zone and the Durham Nativity School. He currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the Emily Krzyzewski Center, and was a charter board member and founding vice chairman of the Center to chairman Duke University Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Kenneth Angeli is the Center Manager of the NCWorks Career Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. He brings over 20 years of workforce development and business management experience, 8 of which with the NC Division of Workforce Solutions. Previous experience includes DWS assistant manager, manager, and operator of the NCWorks Career Center in Durham, as well as business relations representative with the NC Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities. Kenneth also served on the Durham Workforce Development Board for 3 years.
He graduated from East Carolina University In Greenville, NC with a Bachelor of Science in interpersonal and organizational communication. He holds numerous certifications including the Career Development Facilitator Certification and is a Certified Reentry Professional.
Kenneth is a true public servant at heart and can think of no better mission in life than to accommodate and promote independence through meaningful employment for those in our community.
Rob Axford was sworn in over 20 years ago as a member of the IBEW Local 553. He graduated from 553’s JATC in 1999 and has been an instructor with the JATC for 12 years, treasurer of the local for 8 years and the Assistant Business manager for Tony Swift for 2-1/2 years. When Tony had to resign as business manager for health reasons, Rob was immediately selected by the Executive Board as his replacement.
He lives in Hillsborough with his daughter and wife Rebecca Axford who is the JATC training director. When not at work, Rob likes to spend time in the woods behind the house, BBQ, and scuba dive when visiting family in the FL Keys.
Mark Bertoncino leads the customer service team for Bühler Aeroglide, providing parts, services and retrofits for industrial drying applications around the world. Aeroglide was founded in 1940 in Cary NC, and purchased by the Bühler Group in 2008. Founded in 1860, Bühler is a privately owned Swiss company with over 14,000 employees, working to create innovative solutions for safe and healthy food and feed, and ensure better mobility for the future through advanced materials.
A native of Delaware, Mark attended Virginia Tech and moved to North Carolina in 2000 to pursue a career in Surveying. This interest quickly shifted to Land Development Management, working on projects in the Raleigh area as well as Burlington. After 8 years, the softening housing market forced Mark to change careers to manufacturing sales and operations at Madern USA in Apex, and then on to Bühler in 2015. Mark also serves as the current Chairman of the North Carolina Triangle Apprenticeship Program, a partnership of 10 local companies dedicated to mutual workforce development through recruitment, education and training of talented high schoolers.
Mark and his wife Michelle have a daughter and twin sons, and they live in southwestern Wake County with their 3 dogs, 2 cats and several chickens and turkeys.
Nancy Coston has been the Director of Social Services for the Orange County Government since 2001. She was a member of the Regional Partnership Workforce Development Board for 20 years.
Nancy has worked in Orange County with various employment programs, including WIOA, Food and Nutrition, Employment and Training, and Work First programs. She has served on numerous state and local advisory groups related to adult and child protection, poverty, employment, childcare, criminal justice, and opiate settlement funds. Her work experience includes social services at both the county and state levels.
Ms. Coston holds a B.A. in Psychology and a Master’s in social work from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Michael leads and oversees WCED’s economic development program and staff and is the primary partner for providing support to the 12 other municipalities. In his role, Michael is instrumental in creating an environment in Wake County that can grow and thrive and spends most of his time with community partners working to do so.
Previously, Michael served as the Director of Business Recruitment and Expansion for WCED and prior to that, he was a Program Manager at WCED. Before he joined the Raleigh Chamber, Michael led strategic economic development policy efforts for the North Carolina Department of Commerce as the Director of Public Policy.
Michael is a native North Carolinian growing up in Jacksonville before earning a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a MA in Public Policy from East Carolina University. He and his family are active members of the community and enjoy cheering on local teams like the Hurricanes. He is also active in his children’s sports and enjoys coaching soccer and basketball.
Michael and his family enjoy calling a place like Wake County home and are dedicated to continuing to promote North Carolina as a great place to live, work and play.
Sue Holaday began her career in Human Resources more than 20 years ago. Today, she is the Chief Human Resources Officer with Summit Design and Engineering Services based in Hillsborough, NC. During her 10-year tenure with Summit, she has helped the company grow from 80 employees in two states to over 400 in seven states. Before joining Summit, Sue was a part of the HR team with another Orange County company, Sports Endeavors.
Sue previously served over six years with the Regional Workforce Development Board and was on the Board of the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce and Orange County Historical Museum. She is both SHRM-SCP and SPHR certified and is a member of the Triangle SHRM chapter. Sue believes in creating value for the companies and organizations she is a part of, being a resource to help others grow and succeed and treating everyone with dignity and respect.
Sue is from the eastern part of North Carolina. She received her Political Science and Criminal Science undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She currently resides in Durham with her husband and her sweet dog Callie. Outside of work, Sue enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors, hiking, running, biking, and kayaking.
Courtney Holcomb is a Human Resources Manager with Bharat Forge Aluminum USA, Inc. In this role, Courtney leads a team providing all aspects of employee life cycle management to include talent management, compensation and employee benefits, training and development, compliance, and workplace safety. Courtney is no stranger to automotive manufacturing, having spent over 12 years in the industry. Courtney is passionate about people and their possibilities; she provides guidance and support to encourage the people she works with to achieve their success.
As a Sanford native, Courtney attended Lee County High School and then earned her associates degree in Business Administration from Central Carolina Community College. She lives in Sanford with her husband Jamie. When not at work, Courtney likes to spend time at their farm, Pine Haven with her many animals, especially the newest addition Hector the donkey. Be sure to ask her about him!
Nicole Jarvis-Miller is responsible for creating innovative, enterprise-wide programs to attract, hire and retain the best talent. She is also committed to creating an environment where all 70,000+ team members feel welcome, valued, respected and heard, through diversity initiatives and Team Member Networks.
Previously, Nicole spent 19 years in various HR leadership roles at IBM, including her most recent role as Global HR Director for a multi-country engineering function in which she provided direction for HR Strategy, Talent Management, Succession Planning and Recruiting. In her tenure at IBM, she held other HR leadership roles including HR Site Manager, Recruiting Manager and Global Recruitment Transformation.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Geneseo and a Master’s Degree in Labor and Industrial Relations from Rutgers University.
Paul Kane is the Executive Vice President/CEO of the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County. The HBA is the trade association of over 2,800 members serving the residential construction industry throughout Wake County, North Carolina, and has the largest membership of any HBA in the nation.
After growing up in a small town in Oklahoma, Paul obtained his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame in 1989, and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in 1992.
Paul began his career as a real estate lawyer, practicing for 14 years with the prestigious Tulsa, Oklahoma law firm of Eller and Detrich. Paul also taught Business Law at Langston University as an adjunct professor for 12 years. As a lawyer, Paul represented the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa and many of its members. Paul was a member of the Tulsa HBA and served on its board of directors.
From 2006 through September 2015, Paul served as the Executive Vice President/CEO for the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa. Paul was awarded the National Association of Home Builders Executive Officer of the Year in 2012 and served as the President of the NAHB Executive Officers Council in 2015.
In 2015, Paul moved his family to Raleigh to assume the role of CEO of the HBA of Raleigh-Wake County. In 2021, Paul served as the President of the North Carolina Home Builders Association Executive Officers Council and was awarded the 2021 North Carolina Executive Officer of the Year. In 2022, Paul was honored by NAHB with the Seldon Hale Career Achievement Award.
Outside of the HBA, Paul is the secretary and board member of Operation Coming Home, a charity that builds new homes for veterans who were injured in combat operations.
Paul and his wife, Sabrina, have two daughters, Lauren and Emma, and a son, Marshall.
Rita Lawrence is the Talent Acquisition Specialist at ABB. She is a seasoned Talent Acquisition professional with experience leading and developing staffing/recruiting operations with expertise in Vendor Management Services, RPO, and Corporate recruiting. She is a results-driven Talent Acquisition leader with strong communication skills and the proven ability to work with all levels within an organization to achieve targeted goals. Her experience includes International sourcing/recruiting, strategic planning, customer focus, and team development.
Ms. Lawrence has a BA in Graphic Design from the University of Louisville.
Vic has over 13 years of experience conducting needs assessments, designing, developing, and implementing customized training courses within workforce development and the biotech/pharmaceutical industry. He provides subject matter expertise in the following areas: workforce development, employability skills training, program management, program evaluation and strategic planning. Vic is a Workforce Development Professional with a Master of Education focused on Educational Management, providing oversight at the Johnston Community College Workforce Development Center and to the biotechnology programs, workforce training, partnerships and initiatives, customized training, and apprenticeship programs.
Shawnice Meador (she/her) is the Senior Director of Global Talent Management at Wolfspeed, a semiconductor company headquartered in North Carolina. She leads a team responsible for strategic talent programs and services across Wolfspeed, including talent pipelining, leadership development & succession planning, advanced manufacturing workforce development, education partnerships, and internal career development & coaching.
Shawnice has 29 years of corporate and higher education experience at General Motors, General Electric, Progress Energy Corporation, UNC, ABB, and Wolfspeed. She is certified in numerous career management, leadership, and global cultural assessment tools and programs, through the Center for Creative Leadership, the Center for Credentialing and Education, the Cultural Intelligence Center, and others. Over the years, she’s served as an executive coach for 1,000+ working professionals, and has been featured as a talent management expert at global conferences and online publications including Forbes, US News & World Report, and others.
Shawnice has a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan, and an MBA from Duke University, and she’s a proud member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). She resides in the RTP area with her husband and two teenage kiddos.
Jerilyn Lanham Meckler is managing director of Ankura’s Advanced Human Capital practice. She has extensive experience in the complete breadth and depth of human resource functions, strategy and execution. Areas of focus include evaluating human capital practices and HR structure, organizational culture, talent practices and management, vendor selection and implementation, measuring and driving engagement, and organizational change initiatives, on a global basis. She has applied this expertise to a wide range of companies (public, private, and equity-owned) and in industries spanning manufacturing, supply chain, software, healthcare, education and e-commerce.
Previously, Jerilyn served as the head of human resources for Nomaco, Bell and Howell, and Mims Distributing as well as in HR leadership positions with ModusLink and America Online.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication from Ohio University (Psychology minor), a Master’s degree in Labor and Human Resources from The Ohio State University, is certified through Prosci as a Change Management Practitioner, and achieved Business/Executive Coach certification through the University of Georgia. She is both SHRM-SCP and SPHR certified and was an instructor in HR content at Duke University for three years. She currently serves on Advisory Boards for Noel Group and Smart International, Inc.
There is a relatively small segment of leaders in the business world; individuals who seem able to build relationships, trust, and rapport with almost anyone, and then able to broker the relationships and make connections between people, creating partnerships and alliances, and motivation of forward momentum to get things done.
Jerry Pedley is one of those people, and getting things done and driving results--through collaboration, partnerships, relationships, and example--as a senior manager in the automation industry, it is what he is all about. With an enthusiastic and genuinely friendly attitude, Jerry radiates a sincere passion for delivering value and benefits to his customers.
Jerry is the President of Mertek Solutions a company that designs and builds custom assembly and test equipment. Mertek employs 40 persons in Sanford, NC.
Jerry lives in Sanford with his wife Donna. They have two children Jeremy and Jennifer, 5 grandsons, and one great-grandson. They also have foster grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When not working they enjoy working around their log home and spending time at their home away in North Myrtle Beach and Cape Coral, Florida.
Danielle’s work experience spans over 20 years, in all areas and departments of HR, including merger & acquisitions, Engagement & Diversity initiatives, and Global HR Process/Systems implementations. With the opportunity to live and work in 3 different countries (Brazil, Sweden, and US), her activities were developed in the chemical, automotive, aerospace, and biopharma industries, with global exposure.
She is a graduate of Psychology from the Federal University of Parana, Brazil, and holds several HR certifications, including a global-level certification from HR Certification Institute and senior certification from Society for Human Resources Management.
Danielle believes in creating a diversity & inclusiveness environment that promotes a high level of engagement, performance, and effectiveness in teams and organizations.
Melissa Short leads Transitions LifeCare’s talent strategy efforts. Transitions LifeCare is a not-for-profit provider of hospice, home health and palliative care services in seven NC counties. The organization employees about 480 compassionate and dedicated people and served over 7500 patients in 2018.
A native of Roanoke, VA, Melissa first came to North Carolina to attend North Carolina State University where she graduated cum laude in political science. She later continued her education at East Carolina University where she obtained her Master's degree in business administration.
Melissa has spent the bulk of her career in the for-profit healthcare sector but also has direct experience with non-profit and pharmaceutical organizations. She holds two senior level certifications from both the HR Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management.
As an experienced professional, her passion is helping organizations become an excellent place to work. When she’s not working for Transitions, Melissa is spending time with her husband, Brian, a Raleigh native, and their young daughter.
Jill Straight is the Director of Client Services at Dorcas Ministries, a nonprofit human services agency in Cary, North Carolina. Jill oversees the delivery of crisis services, including a robust food pantry, workforce development programs in IT, healthcare, and biotech, as well as a compassionate whole-person focused case management program. Jill is known for her strategic thinking and ability to form creative partnerships.
Prior to joining Dorcas in 2008, Jill worked in higher and adult education program management in the US and the Middle East. She considers herself a Duke Divinity School program junkie where she completed certificates in Non-Profit Management and Christian Leadership. Jill holds a Master’s in Teaching Foreign Languages from West Virginia University. During the pandemic, she completed her Master Naturalist certification to better inform her love for the outdoors.
She lives in Cary with her family, which includes Biscuit the cockapoo, her devoted companion in hiking, birding, and bug-catching.
Doug Blizzard is the Chief Solutions Officer for Catapult, a Southeast Employers Association serving 2,000 employers in all industries. Catapult provides end-to-end HR and People solutions that help organizations navigate everyday operational challenges, making workplaces more effective and employees more successful. Doug leads all of the firm’s service delivery areas from HR/Legal Advice, Pre-Employment Services, Total Rewards Solutions, Learning & Development, and Strategic HR Consulting. Leaning on over 30 years in the HR industry, he also guides members on a range of topics including most things HR, Talent Management, Employee Relations, Compliance, and HR/Business Strategy. Doug serves on the Workers Compensation Research Institute board, is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences and events, and is a published writer in the HR and Talent spaces. Doug received his MBA with honors from ECU and his B.A. in Industrial Relations from UNC-Chapel Hill.
When not at work, Doug and his wife Wanda leave their empty nest in Smithfield to spend most weekends boating near Emerald Isle, NC. They are the proud parents of four grown children and three dogs, with one grandchild and another on the way!
Jordan Thomas is the Chief of Rehabilitation Field Services with the Division of Services for the Blind. Jordan has been with the Division of Services for the Blind since March 2012 and has worked in many roles with the division. She worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Counselor In Charge, and Area Supervisor for the Wilmington and Greenville District offices. She has been in her current role since January 2022 as the Chief of Rehabilitation Field Services.
Jordan graduated from East Carolina University in May 2007, with her bachelor’s degree in Family and Community Services with a concentration in Sociology. She completed her dual master’s degree at East Carolina University in Substance Abuse and Clinical Counseling and Rehabilitation Counseling. Go Pirates!
Jordan currently resides in Greenville, NC with her husband and two children.
Patrick Townsend is a seasoned Human Resources professional with over 25 years of progressive Human Resources experience including Human Resources Information Systems and implementations, Labor Relations, Employee Relations, Compensation, Performance Management, Succession Planning, Talent Acquisition, and Workforce Development.
Mr. Townsend is currently the Director of Human Resources Administration for Mountaire Farms and has spent the last 14 years as a Human Resources leader with the company. His experience at Mountaire includes creating the Company’s Management Trainee and Internship programs, leading a companywide HRIS transformation project and developing a variety of workforce development initiatives. Prior to Mountaire, Mr. Townsend spent nearly 20 years in Operations and as a Human Resources professional in the Animal Health vaccine and pharmaceutical industry with Intervet and Schering Plough Animal Health. Patrick holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Salisbury University and later pursued a Master’s in Human Resources Management from Wilmington College.
Mountaire Farms Inc. is a 100-plus-year-old vertically integrated food production company providing employment for nearly 10,000 people at facilities in Arkansas, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. The Company is the fourth largest poultry company in the United States, is family owned and is dedicated to giving back to the communities where we do business.
Patrick and his wife Terry have a daughter and son, and they live in Salisbury, MD with their handsome golden retriever – Finley.
Glenda Underwood brings over 20 years of human resources, talent acquisition, and business leadership. She is a Career Connector & People Partner that is dedicated to mining the best talent from traditional and non-traditional sources. Glenda is a highly dedicated team member with an analytical and strategic business sense, collaborative nature and uncompromising work ethic.
Glenda has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Leadership and Operational Development from the University of Mount Olive. She also holds a certification in Professional in Human Resources.
Glenda is an active volunteer with Dress for Success of the Triangle and Vocational Rehab NC.
Tamika Walker Kelly has strong roots in the Southeastern region and is proud to call North
Carolina home. Born into a military family, Tamika has applied those lessons of dedication and
service throughout her life. Growing up in Fayetteville, she is a product of the Cumberland
County School System. After graduating from E.E. Smith High School, she attended East
Carolina University, majoring in Music Education with a Minor in Ethnic Studies.
Graduating Magna Cum Laude from ECU in 2007, Tamika returned home to serve the students
of Cumberland County. She taught at Morganton Road Elementary for 13 years as the K-5th
Grade Music Specialist. Tamika is a teacher-leader, as she was the 2015- 206 MRES Teacher
of the Year and 2015-2016 Westover District Teacher of the Year, one of the 10 top teachers in
Cumberland County. As an educator, Tamika was recognized with the Fayetteville Observer’s
40 Under 40 Award in 2018.
Prior to her current role, Tamika served as Vice-President of the Cumberland County
Association of Educators, which put her in direct contact with members throughout the county.
She also served as Political Action chair, to educate members and the community about how
legislation affects the classroom. On the State level, Tamika served as Region 6 Director on the
NCAE Board of Directors. Tamika is currently serving as President of the North Carolina
Association of Educators, the state's largest professional organization for public school
employees. Tamika’s vision is that through our collective work at NCAE, we can continue to
build upon the great legacy of NC Public schools, for the benefit of our youngest citizens.
Ross is a 25-year veteran of Wake County, NC government. He has served as the Director of Wake County’s Northern Regional Center in Wake Forest, NC since 2007. He is a member of the Human Services Senior Leadership Team, County Extended Leadership Team, and serves on various boards and committees in the course of his work. Ross has dedicated his professional life to public service. Prior to being named Director, he worked in a number of other capacities including as a Program Manager with Wake County Human Services and as a Personnel Consultant with the Human Resources Office.
Ross, who hails from Franklin, Pennsylvania, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Edinboro University in 1987. Ross is also a graduate of the University of Virginia Senior Leadership course as well as the University of North Carolina’s applied leadership program.
He enjoys volunteering his time as past president of the St. Thomas More Academy HSA, a facilitator of Leadership Wake Forest, past President of his community's HOA, member and frequent speaker at the Wake Forest and Rolesville Chambers of Commerce, volunteer reading coach with Wake County Public Schools, and dedicates many hours annually at the Eastern & Central NC Food Bank, Community Connections sustainable garden, and Habitat for Humanity. He has been recognized with numerous county and professional achievement awards. He takes pride in his willingness to help every individual reach his or her highest personal and professional potential.
Ross is married with one son, and in his spare time enjoys home improvement projects, 5Ks and Sprint Triathlons, spending quality time with family and friends, pursuing his passion for finding the best hamburger in the area, and following his favorite football team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
