South Piedmont Community College welcomes the three newest members to its Board of Trustees.
The three new board members were sworn in at the Trustees’ regular meeting on Aug. 13 at the L.L. Polk Campus in Polkton. The new board members are:
- Ron Brown, appointed by the North Carolina Senate, for a term through 2028.
- Ashley Carter, appointed by the Anson County Board of Commissioners, for a term through 2025.
- Dutch Hardison, appointed by the North Carolina House of Representatives, for a term through 2028.
“We are pleased and honored to have each of these uniquely talented individuals join the Board of Trustees,” said Interim President Michelle Brock.
“While they each bring their own individual experiences and perspectives, they share an abiding commitment to our community and a vision for South Piedmont’s continued growth and success. We look forward to the great things we will accomplish with our new trustees on board.”
Brown, a native of Virginia, is a graduate of Dabney Lancaster Community College and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is president and CEO of State Utility Contractors, Inc., in Monroe. He has held numerous positions with a wide variety of organizations, including the United Way, Red Cross, Union Academy Board and Union Academy Foundation, Faith United Methodist Church, Rolling Hills Country Club, union County Chamber of Commerce, and Union County Community Arts Council. In 2022, he was named Union County Man of the Year. He is currently president of the Monroe Rotary Club, chairman of Union County EDGE (Economic Development Growth Enterprise), member of the Union County Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee, and a member of the South Piedmont Community College Foundation Board.
Carter is a Stanly County native and chief operating officer for Loba-Wakol North America, a joint venture partnership between German-based companies LOBA and WAKOL that manufactures adhesives and finishes for the construction industry. He has more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing and previously served as business manager for Ardex Americas, where he led sales and marketing operations for the southeast. He is also a youth leader at Gleaning Mission Church in Oakboro and volunteers with many community groups, boards, and charities. Carter is replacing Kenneth Horne Jr., who served on the Board for 31 years; his term expired earlier this year.
Hardison is a Wadesboro native who graduated from Bowman High School and attended Campbell University, Stanly Community College, and Anson Technical College, the latter of which eventually became South Piedmont Community College. He retired in 2022 after a 33-year career with First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. During his career, he was active with the Union County Chamber of Commerce, Monroe Kiwanis Club, Carolina Business Capital, United Way, Union County 4-H Foundation, Prospect Athletic Association, and Parkwood Booster Club. He currently serves on the Union County Board of Equalization and Review, and he has served four terms with the South Piedmont Foundation Board. He is married to Fonda Hardison. Together, they have two children and three grandchildren.
In addition to swearing in the new members, the Board of Trustees at their Aug. 13 meeting recognized the reappointment of Jerry Simpson. Simpson, who was appointed by the Union County Board of Commissioners, is serving a second term, which will run from 2024-2028.
South Piedmont’s Board of Trustees includes 13 members who represent Anson and Union counties and are appointed or elected as required by law. The president of the Student Government Association serves as an ex officio, non-voting member.