The Docket · Government Meeting · DKT-2026-000963

On the agenda: Orange County meeting — data center (Mar 10)

Past ⚠ Agenda Watch Orange County, North Carolina · Tuesday, March 10, 2026 — 6 months ago

About this record

The published agenda for this March 10 meeting contains: "data center". The meeting has passed; the record and its outcome live here permanently.

WhenTuesday, March 10, 2026
Check the agenda document for the meeting time.

WhereOrange County, North Carolina

Money$1.5 was at stake

On the record“data center”

The agenda — from the public record

Government public record — the text of the published document (large document; partial archive — read the original for the complete record), archived August 18, 2026. Gold highlighting of key terms is ours, not the original’s. Read the original document ↗

237 pages · scroll to read

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA
BOCC Work Session
March 10, 2026
Meeting – 7:00 p.m.
Donna S. Baker Meeting Room
Whitted Facility
300 West Tryon Street
Hillsborough, NC 27278

(7:00 – 8:30)

Boards and Commissions – Annual Work Plan Summaries

(8:30 – 9:00)

Orange County Land Use Plan 2050 – Board Request for Additional
Information

(9:00 – 9:05)

Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Community Advisory
Committee – Appointments Discussion

(9:05 – 9:10)

Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool – Appointments Discussion

(9:10 – 9:15)

Arts Commission – Appointments Discussion

(9:15 – 9:20)

Board of Equalization and Review – Appointments Discussion

(9:20 – 9:25)

Historic Preservation Commission – Appointment Discussion

(9:25 – 9:30)

Orange County Board of Adjustment – Appointments Discussion

(9:30 – 9:35)

Parks and Recreation Council – Appointments Discussion

(9:35 – 9:40)

10.

Orange County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) –
Appointment Discussion

Orange County Board of Commissioners’ meetings and work sessions are available via
live streaming video at orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos and Orange County
Gov-TV on channels 1301 or 97.6 (Spectrum Cable).

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ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 10, 2026

Action Agenda
Item No. 1

SUBJECT: Boards and Commissions – Annual Work Plan Summaries
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S):
Annual Work Plan Summaries

INFORMATION CONTACT:
Clerk’s Office, 919-245-2130

PURPOSE: To receive brief presentations from representatives from the second group of County
boards and commissions on their annual work plans and provide feedback and/or direction.
BACKGROUND: Each year, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) requests that county
boards and commissions complete reports on the activities each board conducted over the past
year and a plan for future activities consistent with the BOCC's strategic goals. The Chairs or
other board representatives make presentations to the BOCC to share information in their written
reports. The Board received the first group of work plan presentations at the February 10, 2026
work session.
Boards and commissions presenting at this meeting are:
Board Name
Orange Unified Transportation Board
Orange County Board of Adjustment
Orange County Planning Board
Advisory Board on Aging
Adult Care Home & Nursing Home
Community Advisory Committee
Board of Health
Board of Social Services
Economic Development Advisory Board
Chapel Hill-Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board
Arts Commission

Representative(s) Presenting
Michael Hughes
Leon Meyers
Lamar Proctor
Dr. Tracey Holsinger
Jackie Podger and Shade Little
Tony Whitaker
Oscar Fleming
Emilee Collins
D.R. Bryan
Denise Duffy

FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GUIDING PRINCIPLE – INCLUSIVITY AND ENGAGEMENT

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•

We foster an environment in which all are welcomed, represented, and empowered to
participate in and feel connected to their community.
GUIDING PRINCIPLE – DEDICATION AND RESPECT
We commit to our roles in public service and organizational excellence by fostering the
skills, talents, and innovation of our residents, employees, volunteers, and boards needed
to carry out this work.

RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board review the annual work plan
summaries from the boards and commissions, receive the presentations, and provide feedback
and/or direction.

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
ANNUAL REPORT AND WORK PLAN
Name of Board/Commission: Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard)
Report Period: January 2025-December 2025
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) appreciates the dedication of all volunteers
on Orange County boards and commissions and asks each body to complete an Annual
Report and Work Plan. This document will inform the BOCC of the activities each
board/commission has conducted over the past year and detail a plan for future activities.
These activities should be consistent with the board/commission’s assigned charge and
the goals identified in the Orange County Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan). General
information about the Strategic Plan is available here.
Person to address the BOCC, title, and contact information: Michael HughesOUTboard Chair, [email protected]
Primary staff contact: Sarah Williamson, Interim Director, Transportation Department
1. How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including any special
meetings and subcommittee meetings?
1 meeting per month
2. Please briefly describe this board/commission’s assigned charge and
responsibilities. Board-specific Policies and Procedures documents, which detail the
charge and responsibilities for each board/commission, are available here.
The OUTboard is charged with advising the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)
on the planning and programming of transportation infrastructure improvements and
other County transportation planning initiatives, as directed by the BOCC.
3. What are your board/commission’s most important accomplishments during the
report period?
a. Provided direction and oversight for the creation of onboarding materials for new
OUTBoard members.
b. Supported the expansion of community engagement efforts across the
Transportation Department, including the creation of a department newsletter,
more strategic community engagement, and outreach events.
c. Ongoing coordinated with Parks and Rec Commission to align the Bike and
Pedestrian Plan with the Trails Plan.

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d. Recommended the Project Management Plan be approved by BOCC.
e. Recommended to BOCC the expansion of the Hillsborough Circulator.
4. Please list any specific tasks, events, or functions performed or sponsored annually.
a. Maintain ongoing awareness of North Carolina Department of Transportation

(NCDOT) delivered projects and key Transportation Planning Organization(TPO)
and Rural Planning Organization (RPO) initiatives affecting Orange County.
b. Provided feedback on Orange County Public Transportation (OCPT) and
Transportation outreach activities regularly.
c. Attended and participated in the Triangle West TPO Regional Safety Summit.
d. OUTBoard membership, officer roles, and other responsibilities as directed by the
BOCC.

increase ridership, including:
a. The expansion of the Hillsborough Circulator
b. Implementation of fare-free service across all fixed routes.
c. Supported demand response and mobility on demand initiatives to
increase service efficiency and improve customer travel times.
d. Help with planning to add five vehicles to support fixed-routes, demand
response, Mobility on Demand services, increasing service efficiency, and
improving customer travel times.

6. Describe any collaboration between this board/commission and other boards and
commissions.
a. Working in parallel with Parks & Rec Commission to integrate bicycle,

pedestrian, and trail planning initiatives.

7. Identify any activities this board/commission expects to carry out in 2026 that are
related to the Orange County Strategic Plan. General information about the Strategic
Plan is available here. If applicable, please list any fiscal impact (i.e., funding, staff
time, other resources) associated with these proposed activities.
a. Planning transit and transportation initiatives for the upcoming year to strengthen
the multimodal network and improve access to service, including:
a. Expansion of transit services to Mebane
b. Finalization of the County’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and Trails Plan.
c. Increase public engagement around transit and transportation services.
d. Collaborate with NCDOT to advance funding for multimodal projects in rural
areas.
e. Installation of bus shelters at the Health and Social Services Department to

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improve rider comfort and accessibility.
f. Strengthening customer communication and transparency through the
Transit and Transportation Dashboard.
8. What concerns or emerging issues does this board/commission anticipate for the
upcoming year that it plans to address or wishes to bring to the BOCC’s attention?
a. Strengthen the transportation planning process by increasing involvement through
targeted public engagement efforts.
b. Monitor infrastructure and connectivity updates across local, regional, and utility
corridors to strengthen a countywide multimodal transportation system and
engage more in transit operations.

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
ANNUAL REPORT AND WORK PLAN
Name of Board/Commission: Board of Adjustment
Report Period: January 2025-December 2025
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) appreciates the dedication of all
volunteers on Orange County boards and commissions and asks each body to
complete an Annual Report and Work Plan. This document will inform the BOCC of the
activities each board/commission has conducted over the past year and detail a plan for
future activities. These activities should be consistent with the board/commission’s
assigned charge and the goals identified in the Orange County Strategic Plan (Strategic
Plan). General information about the Strategic Plan is available here.
Person to address the BOCC, title, and contact information: Click or tap here to enter
text.
Leon Meyers, BOA Chair
[email protected] 919 422-5773
3126 Carriage Trail, Hillsborough
Primary staff contact: Click or tap here to enter text.
Patrick Mallett, Deputy Director, Development Services
Planning & Inspections Department
[email protected]
Office (919) 245-2577 / Mobile (919) 819-3402
1. How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including any special
meetings and subcommittee meetings?
One meeting per month as outlined in the published BOA Calendars.
https://www.orangecountync.gov/1178/Calendars. Note: the BOA only meets on
published dates when there is a case to be considered and/or required administrative
actions or training.
2. Please briefly describe this board/commission’s assigned charge and
responsibilities. Board-specific Policies and Procedures documents, which detail the
charge and responsibilities for each board/commission, are available here.
As required by NCGS §160D-302 and the Orange County Unified Development
Ordinance (UDO) Section 1.8.1, the BOA is required quasi-judicial appointed board
that is established and maintained to hear and decide: 1. Appeals regarding any
decision, or determination made by the Planning Director; 2. Applications requesting
the approval of Special Use Permit (SUP);3. Variance requests from the minimum

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requirements of the UDO; and 4. Other matters as required by state law, the UDO
and/or the BOCC.
3. What are your board/commission’s most important accomplishments during the
report period?
1. Successfully deciding variances and SUPs per the state statue and UDO
requirements without any higher appeals or legal challenges to their decisions;
2. Revised procedures and processes regarding legal standing for cases; and
3. Revised applications, guides, required materials and published calendars to make
the process simpler, quicker and more accessible to the public.
4. Please list any specific tasks, events, or functions performed or sponsored annually.
N/A
5. Describe this board/commission’s activities/accomplishments in carrying out the
goals identified in the Orange County Strategic Plan. General information about the
Strategic Plan is available here.
Strategic Plan Objectives
Housing For All
5. Review County ordinances, policies, agreements, and the regulatory processes
to streamline practices, and increase opportunities and reduce barriers to construct
housing.
6. Describe any collaboration between this board/commission and other boards and
commissions.
1. Operationally none. The BOA is by definition an independent, autonomous
quasi-judicial decision-making body.
2. Administratively, BOA’s meetings, needs and support is coordinated alongside the
Planning Board.
7. Identify any activities this board/commission expects to carry out in 2026 that are
related to the Orange County Strategic Plan. General information about the Strategic
Plan is available here. If applicable, please list any fiscal impact (i.e., funding, staff
time, other resources) associated with these proposed activities.
N/A
8. What concerns or emerging issues does this board/commission anticipate for the
upcoming year that it plans to address or wishes to bring to the BOCC’s attention?
1. Aligning with the various regulatory changes and recent case law.

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
ANNUAL REPORT AND WORK PLAN
Name of Board/Commission: Orange County Planning Board
Report Period: January 2025-December 2025
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) appreciates the dedication of all volunteers
on Orange County boards and commissions and asks each body to complete an Annual
Report and Work Plan. This document will inform the BOCC of the activities each
board/commission has conducted over the past year and detail a plan for future activities.
These activities should be consistent with the board/commission’s assigned charge and
the goals identified in the Orange County Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan). General
information about the Strategic Plan is available here.
Person to address the BOCC, title, and contact information: Lamar Proctor, Chair,
[email protected]. (Note: the Planning Board elects a Chair and Vice-Chair
every January; if the Chair changes in January 2026, the 2026 Chair would be the
presenter)
Primary staff contact: Cy Stober, Planning Director
1. How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including any special
meetings and subcommittee meetings?
Generally once per month for a regular meeting + optional Ordinance Review
Committee (ORC) or training session (ORC or training sessions occur on the same
evening as the regular meeting several times a year).
2. Please briefly describe this board/commission’s assigned charge and
responsibilities. Board-specific Policies and Procedures documents, which detail the
charge and responsibilities for each board/commission, are available here.
Under the authority of NC General Statute, the BOCC created the Planning Board to
embark upon a continuing planning program, including but not limited to the
preparation and maintenance of a Comprehensive Plan for Orange County, in
protection of the public health, safety, and general welfare of present and future
residents and businesses, landowners and visitors. The duties of the Planning Board
are listed in Section 1.6.3 of the Unified Development Ordinance, and reflect the duties
and responsibilities charged to all jurisdictions by NCGS 160D.

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3. What are your board/commission’s most important accomplishments during the
report period?
In 2025, the Planning Board accomplished the following:
•

•

•
•
•

Reviewed and made a recommendation on the following applications:
 Five Conditional District rezonings:
 Cedar Ridge High School
 Storage facility in Little River Township.
 Carolina Friends School
 Residential subdivision on Highway 54W in White Cross (Bingham
Township)
 Residential subdivision on Highway 86N, north of Hillsborough
Reviewed and made a recommendation on the following UDO Text Amendments:
 Telecommunication Facilities
 Residential Solar Arrays
 Impervious Surfaces, Watershed Protection Overlay Districts, And Stream
Buffers
Reviewed and made on recommendation on the following major subdivision
Preliminary Plats:
 Eden View Acres (Dairyland Road in Bingham Township)
Briefings and input on the Orange County Land Use Plan 2050
Briefing on the Hazard Mitigation Plan
Reviewed UDO text amendment pertaining to subdivision processes

4. Please list any specific tasks, events, or functions performed or sponsored annually.
•
•
•
•
•

Monthly Planning Board meetings
Ordinance Review Committee (ORC) meetings and special meetings as
required
Review applications for Unified Development Ordinance text amendments,
Zoning Atlas amendments, and major subdivisions, and provide
recommendations to the BOCC
Develop and recommend policies, ordinances, administrative procedures and
other means for carrying out plans
Coordinate with staff on ongoing planning updates, changes, and new
techniques

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Vision Statement: We are a diverse, inclusive, and healthy county working
together to strengthen our community and enhance the quality of life for all
residents.
Guiding Principle: Communication and Awareness - We provide information and
opportunities for engagement in a transparent manner so that all in our community
have knowledge, understanding, and a voice.
Guiding Principle: Inclusivity and Engagement - We foster an environment in
which all are welcomed, represented, and empowered to participate in and feel
connected to their community.
Guiding Principle: Climate Action and Sustainability - We recognize that our
environment is critical to our existence and are deliberate in protecting, preserving,
and sustaining our natural resources for the continued good of all.
GOAL 1: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE ACTION
OBJECTIVE 7. Conserve and protect high priority open space, including Natural
Heritage sites, nature preserves, watershed riparian buffers, and prime/threatened
farmland.
OBJECTIVE 8. Include environmental stewardship objectives in the Comprehensive
Land Use Plan.
GOAL 3: HOUSING FOR ALL
OBJECTIVE 5. Review County ordinances, policies, agreements, and the regulatory
processes to streamline practices, and increase opportunities and reduce barriers
to construct housing.
GOAL 6: DIVERSE AND VIBRANT ECONOMY
OBJECTIVE 2. Review and revise County policies and regulations to support
business investment in Orange County.

6. Describe any collaboration between this board/commission and other boards and
commissions.
During 2025, opportunities for inter-board collaboration did not emerge.
7. Identify any activities this board/commission expects to carry out in 2026 that are
related to the Orange County Strategic Plan. General information about the Strategic
Plan is available here. If applicable, please list any fiscal impact (i.e., funding, staff
time, other resources) associated with these proposed activities.
The Board will continue its work in partnership with staff to further the County’s
Strategic Plan and other BOCC priorities, some of which may emerge at the January
2026 BOCC retreat. The following list is not in priority order:

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1. Orange County Land Use Plan 2050: Work on this plan is on-going and
expected to continue into 2026.
2. UDO Amendments: In response to a petition by a BOCC member, Planning staff
anticipates bringing forward the UDO amendments pertaining to conservation
subdivisions in early 2026. The Planning Board reviewed the proposed
amendments in an ORC setting in 2025.
3. Legislative Changes: Amend regulations as necessary in response to legislative
changes at the State level.
4. Continue Training for Planning Board Members: Planning staff will continue to
offer training to Planning Board members on an as-needed basis (including the
5-module training for newly appointed members). In early 2026, the Planning
Board requests to receive more information/training on wastewater systems and
issues, community wells, and conservation subdivisions (topics covered during
the LUP2050 “educational work sessions/retreats” with the BOCC).
5. 2026 BOCC Retreat: Any priorities that emerge at the January 2026 BOCC
retreat.
8. What concerns or emerging issues does this board/commission anticipate for the
upcoming year that it plans to address or wishes to bring to the BOCC’s attention?
1. Growth of Mebane into Western Orange County: The continued growth of
Mebane has created uncertainty for area residents. More formal
communications, relationships, and/or agreements with Mebane should be
pursued to ensure residents have a better idea of future plans and growth areas.
2. Joint BOCC/Planning Board Meeting(s): Incorporate an annual or twice-yearly
meeting between the BOCC and Planning Board into meeting calendars. The
Planning Board serves an important advisory board function and it would be
beneficial to periodically meet with commissioners to get to know their
approaches and perspectives on issues the Planning Board addresses.
3. Rural Enterprises: As part of the analysis for the Land Use Plan 2050, determine
need to address innovative water & sewage disposal issues in the Rural Activity
Nodes (RANs) to encourage development in these nodes. Evaluate nonresidential acreage thresholds in both the existing Comprehensive Plan and the
UDO to better enable retail services or other uses in identified RANs.
4. Wireless and Broadband Access: Wireless and broadband access continues to
be a challenge in many portions of Orange County.
5. Transportation Issues: As part of the analysis for the Land Use Plan 2050,
determine if rural “transit oriented development” could be hubs of transit located
in the rural community nodes. Focus should be on transit dependent populations
and their connection to other transit infrastructure, and account for
implementation of the North-South Bus Rapid Transit line between Hillsborough
and Chapel Hill.

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6. Water and Sewer Management, Planning, and Boundary Agreement Map
Amendments / Reconciliation of Future Land Use Map (FLUM)/Zoning Lines:
There are discrepancies in these maps that should be addressed. The County
should work with WASMPBA partners to bring forward amendments to reconcile
discrepancies in the WASMPBA “Primary Service Area,” County Future Land
Use Map (FLUM)/Zoning lines, and any discrepancies on similar municipal maps.
The Town of Hillsborough is anticipated to initiate an update to the WASMPBA to
ensure consistency with their adopted plans.
7. Watershed Review and Implications of County vs. State Watershed Delineations:
Review the County and State watershed delineation lines and the implications of
current differences, including stormwater standards. Be mindful of any lessened
watershed protection measures.
8. Long-Term Planning for Potable Water and Waste Disposal: Planning for
potable water and waste (wastewater and solid waste) should continue to be a
topic for study (i.e., supportive infrastructure analysis) and potential discussion
with public and non-profit utility providers as growth in Orange County continues.
This could serve both economic development and affordable housing concerns.

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
ANNUAL REPORT AND WORK PLAN

Name of Board/Commission: Advisory Board on Aging
Report Period: January 2025-December 2025
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) appreciates the dedication of all volunteers on Orange
County boards and commissions and asks each body to complete an Annual Report and Work Plan. This
document will inform the BOCC of the activities each board/commission has conducted over the past year
and detail a plan for future activities. These activities should be consistent with the board/commission’s
assigned charge and the goals identified in the Orange County Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan). General
information about the Strategic Plan is available here.
Person to address the BOCC, title, and contact information: Dr. Tracey Holsinger, Chair,
[email protected]
Primary staff contact: Janice Tyler, Dept. on Aging Director, [email protected]
1. How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including any special meetings and
subcommittee meetings?
The Advisory Board on Aging meets monthly. Members play a vital role in the implementation of the Master
Aging Plan including participating in the MAP Steering Committee and participating in the seven MAP
Implementation work groups that meet quarterly. The MAP Workgroups are Outdoor Spaces and Buildings;
Transportation; Housing; Social Participation and Inclusion; Civic Engagement and Employment; Community
Support and Health Services; Communication and Information. There is also board representation on the
Orange County Joint Community Advisory Committee (formerly the Nursing Home Community Advisory
Committee and the Adult Care Home Advisory Committee that merged).

2. Please briefly describe this board/commission’s assigned charge and responsibilities. Board-specific
Policies and Procedures documents, which detail the charge and responsibilities for each
board/commission, are available here.
The Advisory Board on Aging suggests policy and makes recommendations to the Board of County
Commissioners and the Department on Aging, while acting as the liaison between the older adults of the
county and county government. It is charged with promoting needed services, programs and funding
that impacts older adults.

3. What are your board/commission’s most important accomplishments during the report period?
•

•

•
•
•

The implementation of the 2022-27 Master Aging Plan, including supporting the seven workgroups with 150+
persons and community partners participating in the quarterly meetings. Implementation matrix is updated
quarterly and is posted to the Department on Aging’s website. The workgroup leaders meet with the Aging
Board quarterly to present updates on goals, strategies and objectives. At the end of Year 3 83% of the
indicators are complete or in progress.
Orange County was represented by the Department on Aging Director in the first year implementation of the All
Ages All Stages NC Multisector Plan on Aging (MPA). With our county leading the way in NC in aging services
planning, the Department on Aging Director was asked to co-lead the Strengthening Communities for a Lifetime
workgroups, which is one of the four sections of the MPA. Our leadership in MAP development and years of
successful implementation has also led the NC Division of Aging to model their implementation matrix after
ours.
Supported Hands Four Development Cooperative (Fiddlehead Corner) for the UDO text amendment to allow for
Family Care Facilities to be built under the MPD-CD zoning. Family Care Homes are an ideal model that
supports aging in community.
Celebrated two year anniversary of our Aging Well Together Radio Show and launched a second show Out on
the Edge celebrating the diversity of our 55+ LGBTQ+ community, families and allies. The Aging Well Together
Show won the Southern Gerontological Society’s Media Award.
R Place, our volunteer-based respite program based on the Respite for All model, celebrated its second year of

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operations. Received a I’m Still Here grant to assist in replicating this program in our community. Program
received a NACo Achievement Award and the Governor’s Award for Volunteer Services this year.
Funding of the FitLot at the Seymour Center to support older adults to remain physically active.
Dementia Friendly Business Campaign continues with trainings to local business and government
Hosted our annual Direct Care Worker Awards celebration.

•
•
•

4. Please list any specific tasks, events, or functions performed or sponsored annually.

• Provide Orange County representation to the Central Pines Area Agency on Aging Board and the Senior Tar
Heel Legislature. Board Representatives work on developing legislative priorities for the local, regional and
state levels.
• Keep community partners up to date on the Master Aging Plan, including providing quarterly updates of the
MAP matrix.
• Make recommendations to the BOCC of potential legislative issues to be included in the Orange County
legislative agenda.
• Continue to offer the Annual Direct Care Worker awards. This type of recognition is needed more than ever
with the dire shortage of direct care workers in our county and across the state.

•

Aging Department collaborates with other county departments to have County transportation
information included in 90 outreach events each year.
Collaborate with other county department to reach residents in all zip codes of the county with
digital literacy workshops offered annually.

6. Describe any collaboration between this board/commission and other boards and commissions.

This board has representation on the Joint Community Advisory Committee (formerly the Nursing Home and
Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committees) and a representative of this board serves on the Central
Pines AAA Advisory Board.

7. Identify any activities this board/commission expects to carry out in 2026 that are related to the Orange

County Strategic Plan. General information about the Strategic Plan is available here. If applicable,
please list any fiscal impact (i.e., funding, staff time, other resources) associated with these proposed
activities. Goals listed under #5 will continue.

8. What concerns or emerging issues does this board/commission anticipate for the upcoming year
that it plans to address or wishes to bring to the BOCC’s attention?

• Increasing older adult population. According to Carolina Demography Orange County saw a 48.5% change in
its 65+ population from 2011 – 2021. (2011 – 9.7%/ 2021 – 14.4%). Concerns that county resources to the
department are not keeping pace with the changing demographics. The 60+ population is 23% of our total
population and the fastest growing of that demographic is the 85+ that is expected to change 271% between
2022-2042.
• Need for more affordable and accessible senior housing, especially rental units and an emerging concern of
the number of seniors living in sub-standard housing. The increasing property tax burden and older adults
being able to remain in their homes and the ability to maintain their homes.
• Addressing the increasing need for in-home services and supports, including the needs of older adults serving
in caregiving roles and the shortage of direct care workers. Caregiver burden is becoming a major concern for
many persons and families living in our community.
• The level of financial insecurity of older adults, including the emerging issue of older adults needing to remain
in the work force and the expanded work requirements for FNS and adults age 55-64. Collaboration with DSS
and Durham Tech for more employment training.
• Continued work on improving the quality of care in long-term care facilities within the county.
• Further development of a dementia capable county including partnerships with local businesses, non-profit
and faith-based organizations.
• Continue addressing issues that surfaced particularly during the pandemic, including social isolation,
hoarding, access to services, persons aging alone in our community, and the increasing frail older adult
population.

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
ANNUAL REPORT AND WORK PLAN
Name of Board/Commission:
Report Period: January 2025-December 2025
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) appreciates the dedication of all volunteers
on Orange County boards and commissions and asks each body to complete an Annual
Report and Work Plan. This document will inform the BOCC of the activities each
board/commission has conducted over the past year and detail a plan for future activities.
These activities should be consistent with the board/commission’s assigned charge and
the goals identified in the Orange County Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan). General
information about the Strategic Plan is available here.
Person to address the BOCC, title, and contact information:
Co-Chairs: Shade Little and Jackie Podger
Primary staff contact:
Kendall McMillan, Aging Transitions Administrator
1. How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including any special
meetings and subcommittee meetings?
Meetings are held once a quarter on the second Tuesday of the first month of the
quarter. Co-chairs meet as needed.

2. Please briefly describe this board/commission’s assigned charge and
responsibilities. Board-specific Policies and Procedures documents, which detail the
charge and responsibilities for each board/commission, are available here.
Serve all the Adult Care Homes and Nursing Homes in Orange County and work
with each facility to protect resident rights.

3. What are your board/commission’s most important accomplishments during the
report period?

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Maintained a stable and collaborative committee of dedicated community members
who visit Orange County adult care and nursing home facilities each quarter.
Continue to recruit committee members while overcoming the obstacles of the time
commitment of training and facility visits with follow-up. CAC has managed to
maintain staff to meet responsibilities at a high level.
Participating in continuing education activities each month to further CAC member
education.
Resumed posting visitation reports online.

4. Please list any specific tasks, events, or functions performed or sponsored annually.
Each quarter, committee members submit visitation reports for all long term facilities
in Orange County to our Central Pines Regional Ombudsman, Charlene Purkett for
distribution.
Committee members are also required to submit continuing education reports to
Regional Ombudsman, Charlene Purkett, Central Pines.

5. Describe this board/commission’s activities/accomplishments in carrying out the
goals identified in the Orange County Strategic Plan. General information about the
Strategic Plan is available here.
Committee members have established relationships with administrators and key staff
members and have been able to provide community resources along with best
practices
6. Describe any collaboration between this board/commission and other boards and
commissions.
Co-chair is a member of the Aging Board and attends monthly meetings and reports
on CAC progress.

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7. Identify any activities this board/commission expects to carry out in 2026 that are
related to the Orange County Strategic Plan. General information about the Strategic
Plan is available here. If applicable, please list any fiscal impact (i.e., funding, staff
time, other resources) associated with these proposed activities.
Continue to recruit CAC members
Continue to connect community resources with Orange County long term care
facilities
Continue to provide best practices to the administrators and key staff
Continue to stress the importance of activities, both group and one on one activities in
in order to positively impact quality of life.
8. What concerns or emerging issues does this board/commission anticipate for the
upcoming year that it plans to address or wishes to bring to the BOCC’s attention?
The CAC in 2026 will continue to emphasize resident quality of life.

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
ANNUAL REPORT AND WORK PLAN
Name of Board/Commission: Board of Health
Report Period: January 2025-December 2025
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) appreciates the dedication of all
volunteers on Orange County boards and commissions and asks each body to
complete an Annual Report and Work Plan. This document will inform the BOCC of the
activities each board/commission has conducted over the past year and detail a plan for
future activities. These activities should be consistent with the board/commission’s
assigned charge and the goals identified in the Orange County Strategic Plan (Strategic
Plan). General information about the Strategic Plan is available here.
Person to address the BOCC, title, and contact information: Tony Whitaker, Chair,
[email protected]
Primary staff contact: Quintana Stewart, Health Director – ext. 2412
1. How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including any special
meetings and subcommittee meetings?
Board meets once monthly except for July and December. Committee meetings
resumed in September 2023. The committees meet at a minimum quarterly, with
most choosing to meet bi-monthly. There are currently four committees. The
committees are Access to Care, Behavioral Health, Connections to Community
Support, and an Ad Hoc Committee on Well Rules.
2. Please briefly describe this board/commission’s assigned charge and
responsibilities. Board-specific Policies and Procedures documents, which detail the
charge and responsibilities for each board/commission, are available here.
The Board of Health is the primary policy-making and adjudicatory body (NCGS
130A-39(a) (powers and duties of the boards of health) and NCGS 130A-24
(appeals), for the health department and is charged to protect and promote the
public health of Orange County.

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3. What are your board/commission’s most important accomplishments during the
report period?
•

•

March 2025 – The BOH approved a resolution drafted by the Behavioral Health
Committee recognizing the harms of screens and social media to youth mental
health and encouraging community members to educate themselves and their
families.
October 2025 – The BOH approved a resolution drafted by the Access to Care
Committee recognizing that the NC General Assembly has charged the health
department with providing healthcare services to the most vulnerable and
disavowing the presence of law enforcement in the Orange County Health
Department, as it prevents vulnerable community members from accessing
needed services.
October 2025 – The BOH approved a resolution drafted by the Connections to
Community Support Committee recognizing housing as a public health issue and
encouraging local governments to incorporate certain public health approaches to
increasing the affordable housing supply in their upcoming land use plan revisions.
During the Spring and Summer, the Access to Care Committee sponsored a
photovoice project to learn more from vulnerable community members, including
individuals who have experienced incarceration, who are living unsheltered, and
with limited English proficiency, about their experiences accessing healthcare
services.
Throughout the year, committees held educational sessions with various subject
matter experts to help inform planning and prioritization.

4. Please list any specific tasks, events, or functions performed or sponsored annually.
 Community Health Assessment – Conducted every 4 years; 2023
Assessment submitted to NC DHHS in March 2024
 Financial Reports and Billing Dashboards – Quarterly Review
 Budget – Annual Review
 Outside Agency Funding Request – Annual Review
 Alliance Annual Report – Annual Review
 Policy Review – Annual Review
 Communicable Disease Report – Annual Review
 Child Fatality Report – Annual Review
 Tobacco Prevention Program – Annual Update
 Health Director Annual Performance Review
 BOH Reappointments – Chair and Vice Chair – Annual Review
 Healthy Carolinians of Orange County – Annual Update
 BOH Meeting Schedule – Annual Review
 Delinquent Accounts – Annual Review
 Immigrant and Refugee Health – Annual Update

Page 2 of 6

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Environmental Protection and Climate Action – Promote sustainability and
resiliency across the County and collaborate with our partners to activate our
community, protect and preserve our natural resources, and reduce greenhouse
gas emissions.
o The Board’s ad hoc committee has been reviewing the Health
Department’s groundwater protection program to consider the
science around the current well rules and ensure that the rules are
equitable while ensuring safe groundwater for all. The committee is
currently deciding how to proceed in terms of revising the rules
related to the outcome of a recent adjudication case.
Healthy Community – Increase equitable access to care and social safety net
programming to promote the physical, social, and mental well-being of our
community.
o The Board of Health is the primary policy-making and adjudicatory
body for the Health Department and is charged with protecting and
promoting the public health of Orange County residents.
o The Board is sponsoring a Photovoice project, allowing Orange
County residents to submit photographs detailing challenges that
they face in accessing healthcare. So far, the Board has heard from
individuals who have experienced incarceration, individuals who are
living unsheltered, and individuals with limited English proficiency.
The results are helping inform changes at the Health Department to
improve their services and outreach.
Housing for All – Promote equitable and accessible housing and address
housing disparities through policies, partnerships, and collaboration to create a
thriving community
o The Board approved a resolution recognizing housing as a public
health issue and encouraging local governments to incorporate
specific public health approaches to increasing affordable housing
supply in their land use plans.
Multi-modal Transportation – Collaborate with our regional partners to expand,
integrate/connect, and provide accessible public transportation options.
o The Board heard from Vision Zero: Chapel Hill about their efforts to
improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists and reduce traffic
fatalities in Chapel Hill to zero by 2030.
Public Education/Learning Community – Enhance and maintain quality school
operations and infrastructure and cultivate lifelong learning.
o The Board approved a resolution on the potential negative impact of
excessive screen use and social media on youth mental health. In
this resolution, the Board encouraged local school systems to
review their school cell phone policies to promote youth mental
health.
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Diverse and Vibrant Economy – Foster an environment that attracts and
retains sustainable and diverse businesses and visitors, employment
opportunities and diversifies our tax base.
o The Board hears regular updates from Environmental Health
Services about their work maintaining healthy restaurant and lodging
services and clean swimming pools. Environmental Health Services
also provides permitting, which encourages development.

6. Describe any collaboration between this board/commission and other boards and
commissions.
 The Health Director serves as the designee for several Board activities and
collaborative initiatives. The Board receives monthly updates via the Health
Director’s Report, which shows meetings, presentations, and other
activities completed each month. Some of the local boards and governing
bodies that the Board of Health/Health Department have worked with
during this reporting period include:
o BOCC
o Alliance
o Carrboro Town Council
o Chapel Hill Town Council
o Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education
o DEAPR
o Family Success Alliance
o Healthy Carolinians of Orange County
o Hillsborough Board of Commissioners
o Opioid Advisory Committee
o Justice Advisory Council
o Orange County Partnership for Young Children
o Orange County Schools Board of Education
 Other Boards that BOH members sit on:
o CHCCS School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)
o North Carolina Dental Society
o North Carolina Dental Society Political Action Committee
o Old North State Dental Society Student Affairs Committee
o SNDA CAARES Dental Clinic
o Board of Directors for Nonprofit After the Rain
o Orange County Animal Services Advisory Board
o Orange Partnership (former Board member, Keith Bagby, served as
Chair)

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o
o

Environmental Protection and Climate Action – Promote sustainability and
resiliency across the County and collaborate with our partners to activate our
community, protect and preserve our natural resources, and reduce greenhouse
gas emissions.
o The Board’s ad hoc committee will continue reviewing the Health
Department’s groundwater protection program and make
recommendations for how to proceed in terms of revising the rules
related to the outcome of a recent adjudication case.
Healthy Community – Increase equitable access to care and social safety net
programming to promote the physical, social, and mental well-being of our
community.
o The Board is planning to continue their Photovoice project, allowing
Orange County residents to submit photographs detailing challenges
that they face in accessing healthcare. While the first round of
photos were collected in collaboration with certain vulnerable
populations, the next phase will be open to all residents of Orange
County. This will help inform planning for future projects and ensure
the needs and values of the community are represented in future
work. This project will involve staff time and a small budget (~$1.5k).
Housing for All – Promote equitable and accessible housing and address
housing disparities through policies, partnerships, and collaboration to create a
thriving community.
o The Board will continue to learn about housing issues and ways that
they can be helpful in promoting affordable housing as a public
health issue.
Multi-modal Transportation – Collaborate with our regional partners to expand,
integrate/connect, and provide accessible public transportation options.
o Nothing planned at this time.
Public Education/Learning Community – Enhance and maintain quality school
operations and infrastructure and cultivate lifelong learning.
o The Board will continue to promote excessive screen time and youth
mental health as an area of concern and may seek to collaborate with
the school systems to promote National Screen-Free Week in May.
Diverse and Vibrant Economy – Foster an environment that attracts and
retains sustainable and diverse businesses and visitors, employment
opportunities and diversifies our tax base.
o Nothing planned at this time.

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8. What concerns or emerging issues does this board/commission anticipate for the
upcoming year that it plans to address or wishes to bring to the BOCC’s attention?
•

Capacity of current public health workforce to provide services to residents
if Medicaid Expansion is discontinued.

•

Capacity of current public health workforce to provide services to Medicaid
eligible residents if private practice providers limit/eliminate Medicaid
patients due to reduction in Medicaid reimbursement rates.

•

Sustainability of Opioid Mitigation Strategies beyond use of Opioid
Settlement Funds.

•

Mental health resources in the community, especially a lack of diverse
mental health providers.

•

Vaping among young people.

•

Potential health risks of high levels of screen time in children and
teenagers.

•

Affordable housing and homelessness.

•

Concerns about access to public health resources in light of immigration
enforcement and fear of their presence at healthcare facilities, including
the Health Department.

•

Concerns about changes to the public health ecosystem (e.g., rollbacks to
fluoridation, rollbacks to vaccination requirements, changes in CDC
leadership and infrastructure, cuts to program funding including SNAP and
Medicaid, etc.).

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
ANNUAL REPORT AND WORK PLAN
Name of Board/Commission: Social Services
Report Period: January 2025-December 2025
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) appreciates the dedication of all volunteers
on Orange County boards and commissions and asks each body to complete an Annual
Report and Work Plan. This document will inform the BOCC of the activities each
board/commission has conducted over the past year and detail a plan for future activities.
These activities should be consistent with the board/commission’s assigned charge and
the goals identified in the Orange County Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan). General
information about the Strategic Plan is available here.
Person to address the BOCC, title, and contact information: Oscar Fleming, Chair
Primary staff contact: Lindsey Shewmaker

1. How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including any special
meetings and subcommittee meetings?
Once per month.
2. Please briefly describe this board/commission’s assigned charge and
responsibilities. Board-specific Policies and Procedures documents, which detail the
charge and responsibilities for each board/commission, are available here.
The Social Services Board:
• hires the county social services director;
• determines the director’s salary (subject to approval of the board of county
commissioners);
• advises and consults with the director;
• evaluates the director’s job performance;
• dismisses the director if his or her job performance is unsatisfactory or if his or
her personal conduct is unacceptable;
• appoints the fifth member of the social services board;
• assists the county social services director in planning the department’s
proposed budget;

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•
•
•

establishes county policies for public assistance and social services programs
(consistent with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and policies);
advises county and municipal authorities on the development of policies and
plans designed to improve social conditions in the community; and
carries out other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the General
Assembly, the state Social Services Commission, the state Department of
Health and Human Services, and the board of county commissioners.

3. What are your board/commission’s most important accomplishments during the
report period?
•
•
•

2025-26 budget approval
Policy formation and approval
Continued oversight for programs of human services

4. Please list any specific tasks, events, or functions performed or sponsored annually.
•
•
•

Budget approval
Policy review and development
Evaluation of the DSS Director

Budget approval
Policy formation and approval for programs supporting BOCC Goal 1
Oversight for programs of human services

6. Describe any collaboration between this board/commission and other boards and
commissions.
The Board does not currently meet with other advisory Boards although staff
collaborate with other human services departments.
7. Identify any activities this board/commission expects to carry out in 2026 that are
related to the Orange County Strategic Plan. General information about the Strategic
Plan is available here. If applicable, please list any fiscal impact (i.e., funding, staff
time, other resources) associated with these proposed activities.
The Board of Social Services will continue to oversee operations of the Department
of Social Services as staff carry out programs of human services. (Goal 1, Priority 4)
The majority of the budget for Social Services relates to this goal.

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8. What concerns or emerging issues does this board/commission anticipate for the
upcoming year that it plans to address or wishes to bring to the BOCC’s attention?
1. Sustainable Funding for Food and Nutrition Services and Other DSS Programs
The Board of Social Services is concerned with the numbers of Orange County
residents in need of services and potential impacts on vulnerable and
disenfranchised residents. The Board and staff are concerned about potential
impacts to human services funding and programs at the national level. The Board
wants to be certain that the critical programs and services provided by the
Department of Social Services can continue to operate and that residents of
Orange County are able to access the services they need. These funding concerns
are especially relevant in the federal reimbursement changes in Food and Nutrition
Services. The Board wishes to ensure that this program remains funded at its
current level so the department can provide this mandated service to our
community. The Board is concerned that funds to make up for this revenue loss
are not taken from other DSS programs and services that help meet critical needs
for Orange County residents.
2. Behavioral Health Services and Placement Access
For children in DSS custody, the new Child and Family Services Specialty Plan
was awarded to Blue Cross Blue Shield NC and rolled out in December of 2025.
This will transition health care management for youth in foster care to one
managed care plan statewide. There continues to be difficulty finding appropriate
placements for children in DSS custody, particularly teenage youth and children
with complex behavioral health challenges. We will continue our local recruitment
efforts, continue to prioritize kinship placement and support, and continue to focus
on programming that supports and keeps families intact to avoid entry into the
foster care system.
We currently partner with Alliance Healthcare for our Adult Protective Services and
Adult Guardianship cases with Medicaid coverage. We will continue to expand our
collaboration with Alliance Healthcare in 2026 to have a dedicated Alliance liaison
for Adult Services. We also plan to continue regular Adult Protection
Multidisciplinary Team meetings to work collaboratively with other community
partners in addressing challenges seen with this vulnerable populations.
3. Emergency Management and Sustainability
The Board is concerned about the increased demands placed on Social Services
staff and would like to explore sustainable plans for emergency response. In
2026, the agency plans to work with other County human services departments
and non-profit organizations to develop a framework to respond to emergencies
and increase the depth of emergency supports for human services.

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
ANNUAL REPORT AND WORK PLAN
Name of Board/Commission: Economic Development Advisory Board
Report Period: January 2025-December 2025
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) appreciates the dedication of all volunteers
on Orange County boards and commissions and asks each body to complete an Annual
Report and Work Plan. This document will inform the BOCC of the activities each
board/commission has conducted over the past year and detail a plan for future activities.
These activities should be consistent with the board/commission’s assigned charge and
the goals identified in the Orange County Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan). General
information about the Strategic Plan is available here.
Person to address the BOCC, title, and contact information:
Emilee Collins (Chair)
Realtor - Pickett Sprouse Commercial Real Estate
Phone: (919) 730-7040
[email protected]
Elise Tyler (Vice Chair)
Part-Owner – The Colonial Inn
Phone: (919) 930-5555
[email protected]
Primary staff contact:
Steve Brantley, Director
Orange County Economic Development
Work Tel # (919) 245-2326
[email protected]
Amanda Garner, Assistant Director
Orange County Economic Development
Work Tel # (919) 245-2330
[email protected]

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1. How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including any special
meetings and subcommittee meetings?
•

For 2025, six (6) meeting dates took place on the following dates: January 14th,
March 11th, May 13th, July 28th, September 9th and November 11th.

•

The Orange County Small Business Grant subcommittee, comprised of 5
members of the full 10-member advisory board, met three (3) times throughout
2025 to review and score all business grant applications that were received
during the year. Those meeting dates occurred following the grant application
deadlines of December 31, 2024, March 30, 2025 and October 31, 2025. The
program did not have funding to hold a June 30, 2025 cycle. Five (5) members
will continue to serve on the small business grant subcommittee in 2026.

•

One member of the advisory board also participated in 2025 to help review local
farmers’ and food producers’ applications that were submitted to the Orange
County Agriculture Grant program. One member of the advisory board will
continue to serve on the agriculture grant subcommittee in 2026.

The Advisory Board works closely with Orange County's Economic Development
staff and other economic development partners in Orange County to help market
Orange County as a desirable and competitive location for the recruitment &
retention of small business ventures, to include agriculture and food processer
ventures, the Piedmont Food Processing Center, the Breeze Farm Incubator
Program., and the promotion of new & expanding capital investment for nonresidential (retail, commercial, light manufacturing and distribution/logistics)
business prospects which make a meaningful impact to creating new
employment opportunities, and diversify the tax base.

•

The Advisory Board supports the growth and recruitment of agricultural and food
processing systems local businesses, the Piedmont Food & Agriculture
Processing facility (PFAP) in Hillsborough, and through the expansion of new,
high-technology employment opportunities.

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3. What are your board/commission’s most important accomplishments during the
report period?
•

The Economic Development Advisory Board played a key role throughout 2025
to assist the Economic Development Department and consultant Crystal Morphis
from Creative Economic Development Consulting firm to develop a new
economic development strategic plan.

•

In 2025, the Advisory Board’s subcommittee reviewed many small business grant
applications that were submitted by Orange County businesses for the “Small
Business Grant Program” and approved 30 small business grant awards,
totaling $156,232.00 for the year.

•

In 2025 the Advisory Board also assisted in the “Agriculture Economic
Development Grant Program” to receive and review applications, approving 13
grant awards totaling $115,639.00 in support of Orange County’s small farmers
and food processors for the year.

4. Please list any specific tasks, events, or functions performed or sponsored annually.
•

The subcommittee of the Advisory Board meets up to three times per year to
review, score, and consider all applications submitted by Orange County small
businesses and Agricultural ventures to the Orange County Small Business
Investment Grant program, and the Orange County Agriculture Grant program.

The Orange County Economic Development Advisory Board assists the Economic
Development Department to carry out many of the objectives that fall under the
“Diverse and Vibrant Economy” section of the County’s Strategic Plan. Specifically,
the board helps to communicate and advocate for the following key objectives:
#4. Provide resources to new and expanding, small, creative, and agribusinesses that add character and quality of life to our community to
attract employers, employees, and visitors.
#5. Increase access to and awareness of resources and assistance
available to residents and businesses.
#7. Expand the non-residential tax base.

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•

A subset of the advisory board is directly tied to the success of the following
Performance Measures, as they serve in a review and recommendation role for
grant awards in each program.
o Establish baseline and increase by 1 percentage point each year the
percentage of Small Business Investment Grant recipients that are still in
business one year after receiving a grant.
o Establish baseline and increase by 1 percentage point each year the
percentage of Agricultural Economic Development Grant Program
recipients’ farms that are still in operation one year after receiving the grant.

6. Describe any collaboration between this board/commission and other boards and
commissions.
•

A member of the Economic Development Advisory Board serves on the Chapel
Hill/Orange County Visitor’s Bureau board to facilitate collaboration among the two
boards.

•

A second member of the Economic Development Advisory Board collaborates with
members of DEAPR’s Agriculture Presentation Board, and Orange County
Cooperative Extension staff, to help review applications to the County’s Agriculture
Grant program.

•

A third member of the Economic Development Advisory Board also sits on the
Durham Technical Community College Foundation Board.

The Board will assist the Economic Development department to identify priorities
from the recommendations outlined in the department strategic planning process
that will specifically assist with the Countywide “Diverse and Vibrant Economy”
objectives:
o #4. Provide resources to new and expanding, small, creative, and agribusinesses that add character and quality of life to our community to attract
employers, employees, and visitors.
o #7. Expand the non-residential tax base.

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8. What concerns or emerging issues does this board/commission anticipate for the
upcoming year that it plans to address or wishes to bring to the BOCC’s attention?
•

The Economic Development Department’s assigned Performance Measures
relate directly to the County’s strategic plan (Diverse and Vibrant Economy), with
respect to success to broaden the Small Business and Agriculture Grant programs.
Therefore, increased funding support to advertise and market those two financial
assistance programs above current funding levels can help the County achieve
that segment of the Strategic Plan.

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`ORANGE COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
ANNUAL REPORT AND WORK PLAN
Name of Board/Commission: Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory
Board
Report Period: January 2025-December 2025
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) appreciates the dedication of all volunteers
on Orange County boards and commissions and asks each body to complete an Annual
Report and Work Plan. This document will inform the BOCC of the activities each
board/commission has conducted over the past year and detail a plan for future activities.
These activities should be consistent with the board/commission’s assigned charge and
the goals identified in the Orange County Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan). General
information about the Strategic Plan is available here.
Person to address the BOCC, title, and contact information:
DR Bryan, Board Chair
[email protected]
919-880-1478
Primary staff contact:
Laurie Paolicelli, Executive Director
[email protected]
919-259-1658
1. How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including any special
meetings and subcommittee meetings?
The board meets once a month, except for July and December, for a total of 10
meetings per calendar year.
2. Please briefly describe this board/commission’s assigned charge and
responsibilities. Board-specific Policies and Procedures documents, which detail the
charge and responsibilities for each board/commission, are available here.
Tourism Marketing and Management
Since 1992, the Visitors Bureau has served as Orange County’s official destination
marketing and tourism management agency, operating with a dedicated staff of six
who work daily to promote Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough as welcoming
destinations for visitors, meeting planners, sports groups, and cultural travelers.

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The Bureau:
• Researches visitor trends to respond with marketing programs that will
sustain demand.
•

Develops advertising and digital campaigns that drive visitors to Orange
County businesses.

•

Manages media outreach to build audiences and engagement at Orange
County events, from artist tours, bluegrass, historic programming and
sports and recreation.

•

Provides accurate travel information to thousands of visitors who walk in to a
Visitors Center funded through occupancy taxes and whom call, email and use
the online portal to answer questions about their visit to Orange County.

•

Supports major events, conferences, tournaments, and festivals that
contribute to economic viability and job creation in Orange County.

•

Collaborates with hotels, restaurants, small businesses, arts organizations,
UNC–Chapel Hill, and local governments to present a cohesive destination
message on key events and artistic and athletic programs taking place.

Board Leadership and Accomplishments
The Board led a forward-looking strategic planning effort, engaging more than two
dozen stakeholders and producing a roadmap grounded in community priorities
(available for BOCC download).
Under its leadership, the County:
• Maintained steady hotel occupancy and visitor demand
•

Secured the winning bid for the 2026 Savannah Bananas games—projected to
yield $9+ million in economic return to Orange County in April 2026.

•

Advanced a robust marketing and trolley campaign for UPROAR 2025,
contributing to record attendance

•

Launched video campaigns supporting small businesses

•

Produced essential visitor guides

•

Strengthened partnerships with Chapel Hill and Carrboro Town Managers

•

Advanced a major America 250 event and commemorative publication to be
released July 2026

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3. What are your board/commission’s most important accomplishments during the
report period?
•

Strategic Planning: Led a comprehensive planning process with 25+
stakeholders, producing a roadmap for future tourism growth.

•

Hotel Performance: Helped sustain steady occupancy and countywide demand,
supporting a resilient lodging sector.

•

Savannah Bananas 2026 Bid Win: Secured a transformative event projected to
generate $9 million in economic return.

•

UPROAR 2025 Marketing Success: Funded and approved a marketing/trolley
initiative that boosted attendance and community visibility.

•

Small Business Support: Created video campaigns featuring local shops,
restaurants, and makers to direct visitor spending to independent businesses.

•

Visitor Guides: Produced guides that strengthen Orange County’s reputation as
a welcoming and accessible destination.

•

Municipal Collaboration: Engaged Chapel Hill and Carrboro Town Managers to
align strategies and deepen partnership.

•

America 250 Leadership: Approved a signature 2026 event and
commemorative publication celebrating Orange County’s contributions.

4. Please list any specific tasks, events, or functions performed or sponsored annually.
Destination Marketing & Promotion
Year-round brand promotion, digital campaigns, social media, website management,
visitor guides, business-focused videos, and outdoor/arts/heritage marketing.
Campaigns helped bring larger out of town audiences to local events, increasing
spending and strengthening the local economy.
Strategic Planning & Industry Research
Ongoing hotel data analysis, visitor trend research, stakeholder engagement, and longrange planning. This information is helpful for new developers considering Orange
County for a future project.
Event Support & Sponsorship
Countywide support for arts festivals, Orange County Veterans events, Black Alumni
gathering in November 2025, bluegrass and musical cultural events, heritage

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programming, and major agricultural events such as Hog Day, Salt & Smoke and
Sound, Farmers Markets, Gay Pride Carrboro event, LGBTQ messaging to name a few.
Interdepartmental Collaboration
Work with:
• Parks & Recreation – promote trails, parks, and greenways
•

Aging – provide trolley and tour programs accessible to seniors

•

Arts Commission – elevate cultural events and galleries

•

Agricultural Extension – highlight farms, markets, and agri-tourism

•

Preservation Initiatives – support heritage tourism

•

Sustainability/Clean & Green – promote tourism as a clean and green industry

•

Economic Development – drive hotel demand and attract visitor spending

•

Civil Rights & Inclusion – uplift diverse businesses and inclusive events

•

Veterans Affairs – provide public relations materials to Orange County Veterans
Committee.

Visitor Services
The Visitors Bureau uses a wide range of modern tools to help visitors navigate
and feel welcome. Its mobile-friendly, ADA-accessible website serves as a central
hub with real-time events, dynamic maps, trip-planning tools, and dining and lodging
information. Custom QR codes provide guided tours and while many digital kiosks at
hotels provide quick directions and attraction searches. Visitors Bureau social media
platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X now function as real-time
visitor-service tools, sharing trending experiences and answering questions on the spot.
Partnerships with local businesses extend visitor support even further, with restaurants,
hotels, museums, and shops distributing QR-coded maps, itineraries, and insider tips.
Outdoor-oriented navigation tools such as trail-mapping apps, greenway QR codes, and
kiosk stations at trailheads are also becoming essential, especially in communities that
value outdoor recreation like Orange County. The Visitors Bureau works with local
Parks and Rec Departments to learn about QR codes that offer self guided tourism
information.
5. Describe this board/commission’s activities/accomplishments in carrying out the
goals identified in the Orange County Strategic Plan. General information about the
Strategic Plan is available here.
Diverse and Vibrant Economy

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Our work directly advances the County’s goal to “attract and retain sustainable and
diverse businesses and visitors, strengthen employment opportunities, and diversify the
tax base.”
Highlights include:
• Strategic Planning: Ensures growth is intentional, data-driven, and aligned with
economic priorities.
•

Sustaining Hotel Demand: Supports hundreds of jobs and strengthens tax
revenue.

•

Major Events: Savannah Bananas and UPROAR bring new dollars and visibility
to the County.

•

Small Business Promotion: Directs spending to local entrepreneurs and
creative enterprises.

•

Visitor Guides and Services: Encourage longer stays, higher spending, and
repeat visitation.

•

Municipal Partnerships: Maximize tourism ROI through unified strategy.

•

America 250 Initiatives: Stimulate cultural tourism and raise Orange County’s
national profile.

6. Describe any collaboration between this board/commission and other boards and
commissions.
Tourism accomplishments are strengthened through active collaboration with:
• Parks & Recreation
•

Department on Aging

•

Orange County Arts Commission

•

Preservation & Heritage Initiatives

•

Sustainability & Clean and Green Programs

•

Agricultural Extension

•

Civil Rights & Inclusion

•

Economic Development

Tourism is a clean and green industry—it requires no new infrastructure, brings in
outside dollars, supports trails and outdoor recreation, provides seniors with trolley and
tour mobility options, uplifts local farms, and strengthens cultural and creative sectors.

Page 38 of 237

Supporting large festivals and cultural programming

•

Expanding small-business visibility campaigns

•

Enhancing outdoor recreation and trail promotion

•

Advancing the America 250 celebration, culminating with a celebration July 4,
2026.

•

Strengthening partnerships with County departments and municipalities

•

Fiscal Impact: Staff time, marketing resources, event sponsorships (supported
by occupancy tax revenue).

8. What concerns or emerging issues does this board/commission anticipate for the
upcoming year that it plans to address or wishes to bring to the BOCC’s attention?
•

Rebuilding Town of Chapel Hill’s contribution to the County Visitors Bureau.

•

Auditing short-term rentals across platforms such as VRBO and Airbnb to
understand their impact on lodging tax revenue, housing, and visitor patterns.

Page 39 of 237

ORANGE COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
ANNUAL REPORT AND WORK PLAN
Name of Board/Commission: Arts Commission
Report Period: January 2025-December 2025
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) appreciates the dedication of all volunteers
on Orange County boards and commissions and asks each body to complete an Annual
Report and Work Plan. This document will inform the BOCC of the activities each
board/commission has conducted over the past year and detail a plan for future activities.
These activities should be consistent with the board/commission’s assigned charge and
the goals identified in the Orange County Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan). General
information about the Strategic Plan is available here.
Person to address the BOCC, title, and contact information: Denise Duffy, Chair,
[email protected]
Primary staff contact: Katie Murray
1. How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including any
special meetings and subcommittee meetings?
1 meeting per month except December
2. Please briefly describe this board/commission’s assigned charge and
responsibilities. Board-specific Policies and Procedures documents, which
detail the charge and responsibilities for each board/commission, are
available here.
Created in 1985 as the official government agency on the arts by a Resolution of the
Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), the Orange County Arts Commission serves
as a clearinghouse for arts information, facilitator of arts programs & advisor to the
Orange County Board of County Commissioners regarding the arts. We have been the
Designated County Partner (DCP) of the North Carolina Arts Council in Orange County
since 1985 and are responsible for sub-granting state and county funds to arts
organizations, schools and artists throughout the county.
3. What are your board/commission’s most important accomplishments during
the report period?
1. Continued operations of Eno Arts Mill through June, providing space for artists
and community that prioritizes accessibility and inclusion. Tropical Storm Chantal

Page 40 of 237

led to closure of the Mill starting July 7, but several signature programs continued
until the flood:
 Eicholz Foundation 2025 BIPOC Artist in Residence Program featuring
Kathy Burnside and Neysa Rojas
 Monthly Weave & Spin Open Mic offering a featured spoken
word/poetry artists and open mic for underrepresented voices.
 Free LGBTQ+ Teen Arts Collective, which has grown to an average of
25 nonbinary and/or neurodivergent teens per session, made possible
by a private funder. Thanks to increased funding, we were able to
expand this program for Tweens in 2025.
 Orange County Juneteenth Celebration in partnership with the
Department Equity and Civil Rights
 The artist studios saw six new artists in 2025 and maintained at
minimum of 30% tenants who identified as a member of a
underrepresented communities (50% identified as BIPOC and/or
LGBTQ tenants at time of closure)
 We finished our second year of “Studio Be” – a grant-funded project to
help underrepresented youth find community through the arts. Projects
included cartoon drawing, mural making, sewing, and creative writing.
 We hosted 70 young artists through our summer camp program and,
with the assistance of Orange County, were able to offer $11,000 in
scholarship assistance to low-income families. Forty-one, or 59%, of
summer campers received scholarship assistance. We continued to be
the place for children who don’t thrive in typical summer camps thanks
to our nurturing approach, especially with children of differing needs
and abilities.
o New programs included:
o Seven new exhibits, focusing on community partnerships and providing
critical space for artists to show and sell their work:
 January
Coalesce 2025
 February
2024 BIPOC Artist in Residence Tyamica Mabry,
Transcendence group exhibition
 March
Makala Ayana’s To See is to Be Seen group
exhibition.
 April
Rekindling: Voices of Restoration and Resilience, a
showcase of art and poetry by incarcerated people, in
partnership with 12 community organizations.
 May
Hidden Voices’ How the Light Gets Gold, a multi
media exhibit focused on survivors of domestic
violence
 June
Tiffney Marley’s Liberation group exhibition, in honor
of Juneteenth
 July
Focal Point: Orange community photography exhibit,
featuring the people and places of Orange County
o Two sold-out dance performances in the gallery, in connection with Coalesce

Page 41 of 237

and How the Light Gets Gold exhibits
o Two standing-room-only poetry events in connection to the Rekindling exhibit,
one featuring a reading by currently incarcerated individuals, and a spoken
word performance featuring artists from around the Triangle, curated by
Dasan Ahanu.
o A standing-room-only reading by celebrated Chapel Hill author Daniel
Wallace
2. At 7am on Monday, July 7, OCAC director Katie Murray arrived at the Eno Mill to
find 3.5’ of standing water and no power. Over 150 community volunteers
responded and helped us, and our tenants, move out of our 10,000sf space in
just three days. Volunteers brought food and water, rented a storage unit for our
artists who were out of town, and helped clean, all while navigating temperatures
over 100°. Local and statewide news outlets featured our story, leading to
donations from around the state, which were received by our nonprofit arm. The
Arts Alliance dispersed $95k in Artist Relief Grants, for artists living or working in
Orange County who lost supplies or income due to Chantal.
3. Following the flood, programs were relocated and continued in satellite locations:
a. Summer Camps resumed the following week at 306 Revere Rd.
b. Adult classes resumed at West Campus, Revere Rd., and Snow Approach
Foundation.
c. The Common Good Mutual Aid Auction, originally scheduled for
September as a fundraiser for WNC artists, was relocated to the
ArtsCenter. It featured over 60 works of donated art, raising over $11k for
our Artist Relief Fund.
d. The 9th Annual Paint it Orange Plein Air Paint-out & Wet Paint Sale was
relocated to the Thomas Stevens Gallery (adults) and the Orange County
Library (youth). We had 95 adult participants, 50 youth, and raised $8k for
the arts commission.
e. Makers at the Mill Holiday Bazaar became the Hillsborough Holiday
Bazaar and was relocated to the Courthouse Lawn. Thanks to boosted
programming by events contractor Greg Bell, the event featured
performances by local youth ensembles, a community square dance, and
saw record attendance and sales.
4. Two weeks after the flood, installation began for the 2nd Uproar Festival of Public
Art, which uplifted our community through the joy of public art and saw
tremendous growth over the inaugural festival in 2023:
a. 52% increase in Welcome Center visitors
b. 373% increase in votes cast
c. 121% increase in Saturday trolley riders
d. 70% of downtown businesses saw new customers; 53% saw increased
foot traffic; 100% felt Uproar was a positive addition to the community
e. 92% of artists would recommend Uproar to fellow artists
f. $84,5050 raised in private support; 53% of Uproar expenses paid Orange
County residents and businesses
g. 30 editorial stories, 65k views of uproarfestnc.com and over 4k audio
description listeners

Page 42 of 237

5. Dispersed and administered $108,489 in grant funding through annual Arts
Grants and Arts Educator Grants Programs.
6. Participated in Triangle-wide partnerships including the Emerging Artist Program,
Piedmont Laureate Program, and the Artist Support Grant Program.
7. Served as county lead on behalf of Arts North Carolina, gathering local arts
supporters to advocate for public arts support to state and federal legislators.
4. Please list any specific tasks, events, or functions performed or sponsored
annually.
• Operations and programming of Eno Arts Mill
• Coordination of biennial Uproar Festival of Public Art
• Consultation and advisement to local community partners on matters pertaining
to the arts throughout Orange County
• Annual grant cycle that funds artists, schools and nonprofit organizations utilizing
state and county funds
• Annual Arts Educator Grant program that funds professional development
opportunities to local public school arts teachers
• Annual Emerging Artists Program through a partnership with the Durham Arts
Council
• Annual Piedmont Laureate Program through a partnership with the Durham Arts
Council, and the Raleigh Arts Commission
• Annual Paint it Orange: Plein Air Paint-out and Wet Paint Sale
• Hosts monthly Arts Partners meetings for leadership of county arts organizations
5. Describe this board/commission’s activities/accomplishments in carrying out
the goals identified in the Orange County Strategic Plan. General information
about the Strategic Plan is available here.
• Goal 2: Healthy Community
Objective 7. Invest in services and programs that improve the health and quality of life
of the community (e.g., recreation and public open spaces, arts, etc.)
• Goal 6: Diverse and Vibrant Economy
OBJECTIVE 1. Provide family-oriented and inclusive programming or other cultural
events for residents and visitors.
OBJECTIVE 4. Provide resources to small, creative, and agro-businesses that add
character and quality of life to our community to attract employers, employees, and
visitors.
6. Describe any collaboration between this board/commission and other boards
and commissions.
Throughout 2025, the OCAC Advisory Board worked in partnership with:
• Alamance Orange Prison Ministry
• Arts North Carolina
• The ArtsCenter
• Care Bear Foundation

Page 43 of 237

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Chapel Hill Downtown
Partnership
Chapel Hill/Orange County
Visitors Bureau
Durham Arts Council
End Solitary NC/Disability Rights
North Carolina
Greater Chapel Hill Chamber of
Commerce
Hidden Voices
Hillsborough Arts Council
Human Kindness Foundation
NC Coalition for Alternatives to
the Death Penalty
North Carolina Arts Council
Orange County Community
Remembrance Coalition
Orange County Department of
Civil Rights

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Orange County Department of
Parks and Recreation
Orange County Criminal Justice
Resource Department and Local
Reentry Council
Orange County Justice Project
Raleigh Arts Commission
Skylight Gallery/Hillsborough
Artists Cooperative
Town of Carrboro – Economic
Development/Arts
Town of Chapel Hill Community
Arts and Culture
Town of Hillsborough, Tourism
Board/Tourism Development
Authority
UNC – Department of Fine Arts,
Operations, Carolina Performing
Arts

OCAC director Katie Murray served on the following board and committees:
• Local Advisory Board Member, Ackland Art Museum at UNC
• Board Member, Arts North Carolina
• Grassroots Steering Committee, North Carolina Arts Council
7. Identify any activities this board/commission expects to carry out in 2026 that
are related to the Orange County Strategic Plan. General information about the
Strategic Plan is available here. If applicable, please list any fiscal impact (i.e.,
funding, staff time, other resources) associated with these proposed activities.
•

•

•
•

Resume operations of the Eno Arts Mill. Move-in will begin in March with a Grand
Reopening on Friday, June 5th. Upon reopening, the Arts Mill will feature a
ceramics studio utilizing donated equipment. This space will fill a gap for the
community and provide a strong revenue stream for the Mill. (Goals 2.7, 6.1, 6.4)
As of the date of this report, and pending BOCC approval, utilize our new events
contractor (Greg Bell) to create a new summer festival, replacing Festival for the
Eno which has been cancelled. A new festival would allow the OCAC to raise
money and provide an opportunity to the 100+ artists who rely on Festival for the
Eno for sales and performance revenue. (Goals 2.7, 6.1, 6.4)
Pending a continuation of our events contractor in FY27, add programming at the
Eno Mill including performing arts and special events. (Goals 2.7, 6.1, 6.4)
Continue discussions with the Mill ownership and Town of Hillsborough on a
performance venue located at the Mill, providing much-needed performance and
rehearsal space for local music, dance, theater, and film, as well as an accessible
youth theater program. (Goals 2.7, 6.1, 6.4)

Page 44 of 237

8. What concerns or emerging issues does this board/commission anticipate for
the upcoming year that it plans to address or wishes to bring to the BOCC’s
attention?
•

•

Funding:
Sustainable and predictable funding (whether from Occupancy Tax or other sources)
would allow the OCAC to better serve the community, resulting in more visitor
spending and economic impact on our communities. For example, if funding was
available to create a new summer festival (mentioned above), the county would benefit
through increased Occupancy and Sales Tax through hotel stays and visitor spending.
More funding means more programs, which means greater benefit for our community
and economy.
Outside Agencies: the arts currently receive approximately 3% of the Outside
Agencies budget. These funds are added to the OCAC’s annual grant cycle so arts
organizations can apply through an arts-based granting agency. We would like to see
a 10% allocation for the arts for the following reasons:
• The arts are the only sector that delivers a 5-fold bottom line:
o Economy: Arts require audiences. $1 in grants generates $16 spent
locally.
o Education: Arts are critical to student success rates. Our grantees bring
arts into the schools and work with unrepresented and at-risk youth
populations outside of school.
o Community: The arts promote civic engagement and community pride.
Our grantees host local festivals, create public art, and offer arts spaces
for the community to gather and connect.
o Health: Access to the arts is linked to increased health markers in nearly
every population. Our grantees work with veterans, the elderly, and
people who have experienced trauma.
o Culture & Heritage: The arts preserve our traditions and our stories. Our
grantees include neighborhood preservation organizations, historical
organizations, and groups ranging from artist cooperatives to dance
groups to community theater and choirs.
o The arts serve ALL people, especially underrepresented communities.
o FY25 Grant Stats:
o 87,141 people will be served
o Of the audience-serving grant programs, $1.7M will be spent in local
businesses by their patrons
o This means for every $1 invested, the grantees are leveraging an
additional $16 in economic impact
o Populations served by this year’s grantees:
• Low-income youth
• Refugees/immigrants
• Justice-involved youth
• Housing/food insecure
• Public Schools
• Hospital patients
• Disabled Community
• Elderly

Page 45 of 237

1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 10, 2026

Action Agenda
Item No. 2

SUBJECT: Orange County Land Use Plan 2050 – Board Request for Additional Information
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections
ATTACHMENT(S):
A. PowerPoint Presentation, Updated Fact Book
Excerpts

INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tom Altieri, 919-245-2579
Cy Stober, 919-245-2592
Perdita Holtz, 919-245-2578

PURPOSE: To receive a follow-up presentation in a series as response to the Board’s request
for additional background information for the Land Use Plan 2050 process.
BACKGROUND: The original Fact Book (February 2024) was prepared by Clarion Associates
and posted to the project specific website it maintains as part of the contractual scope with Orange
County.
The original Fact book as well as the updated (February 2026) version can be found via the
“Resources” tab of the project website, listed under “Project Resources and Documents”:
https://www.orangecountylanduseplan.com/resources
The Fact Book:
• Provides data on existing conditions and projected future trends to provide a common
understanding of Orange County at the start of this Land Use Plan 2050 process.
• Serves as a resource as the plan is being developed. New data continually becomes
available, such as new Census data and updated development features maintained by the
County’s GIS staff. This Fact Book freezes the data at a moment in time and is a useful
snapshot of County conditions today to help inform development of the plan.
• Is not intended to be an encyclopedia of every data point about Orange County.
The Fact Book Update:
• 41 of the 137 total pages/slides have been updated by Planning staff.
• In late-January 2026, the US Census Bureau released five-year American Community
Survey (ACS) estimates, and where applicable, the Fact Book has been updated to reflect
the newly released data.
• The 2022 ACS data (derived from 2018 – 2022 sample data) included in the original Fact
Book has been replaced with 2024 ACS data (derived from 2020-2024 sample data).
• Data collected by the Planning Department, on annexation and building permit issuance,
have also been incorporated into the update.
The PowerPoint presentation (Attachment A) represents a sampling of information contained
in the updated Fact Book, as well as housing data that is not part of the Fact Book update.

Page 46 of 237

2
The slides in the presentation have been selected by staff based on their understanding of
some of the Board’s areas of interest, as conveyed during its previous work session
discussions. The following is a summary of some minor changes or differences between the
updated data contained in the presentation and that contained in the original Fact Book:
Slide 1 – Added date of update, February 2026.
Slide 2 – Included 2019 American Community Survey data for comparison to 2024 data.
Slide 3 – Between 2022 – 2024, Orange County’s total population increased by 5,049 persons.
The population of the unincorporated portion of the County increased by 1,207
people.
Slide 4 – No change.
Slide 5 – The Center for Disease Control Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) map was updated
with 2022 data.
Slide 6 – 480 additional acres were annexed between 2023-2025; 112- acres by Hillsborough
and 368-acres by Mebane.
Slide 7 – 609 additional certificates of occupancy were issued by Orange County between
2024-2025; 568 for residential properties and 41 for commercial properties.
Slide 8 – Between 2022 – 2024, the County’s total number of housing units increased by 2,544
units, from 60,314 total units to 62,858.
Slide 9 – The Housing Cost Burden for Orange County Homeowners was updated with 2024
data. There was no appreciable change.
Slide 10 – The Housing Cost Burden for Orange County Renters was updated with 2024 data.
There was no appreciable change.
Housing Data: Separate from the data updates to the Fact Book, but relevant to the discussions
regarding growth and land use patterns in the county, staff is providing data and analysis of
residential development activity in Orange County. In Fall 2025, the Board requested information
about residential construction activity throughout Orange County, particularly how many
residential units had been approved but were not yet built or occupied. The Board was interested
in how the county as a whole is responding to the housing needs established in three different
studies done on behalf of the Town of Chapel Hill in 2021 (“Projected Housing Needs 2020 –
2040”), the NC Chamber Foundation in 2024 (“Housing Supply Gap Analysis”), and the Triangle
Community Foundation in 2025 (“Orange County, North Carolina Affordable Housing Market
Data”).
In response to this request, staff reviewed building activity in unincorporated Orange County and
informally surveyed the Planning departments of the municipalities in Orange County. This work
was done in January 2026, and captures the status of building activity throughout the entire county
for 2025. It was updated to include the Chapel Hill conditional zoning approvals at their February
25 meeting. Table 1 shows the results of the survey for Approved but Unbuilt Residential Units in
Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Mebane, and Unincorporated Orange County, respectively,
by housing type.

Page 47 of 237

3
Table 1

Approved Units Not
Yet Built

Totals

Carrboro

Chapel
Hill

Hillsborough

Mebane

Orange
County*

Multifamily
Townhome
Single-Family
Total
% of Approved Units

4,995
1,213
1,307
7,515

104

4,125
409
9
4,543
58.1%

766
361
79
1,206
15.4%

0
443
1,000
1,443
18.4%

0
0
111
111
1.4%

*Unincorporated

108
212
2.7%

Table 2 shows the residential units that are under construction throughout the county that are not
yet occupied. These units should all have occupants within the calendar year. Nearly all of this
activity is occurring in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough.
Table 2

Approved Units Under
Construction

Totals

Multifamily
Townhome
Single-Family
Sub-Total

3,189
413
248
3,850

Carrboro

Chapel
Hill

Hillsborough

Mebane

2,863
321
0
3,184

326
92
237
655

Orange
County

11
11

Table 3 aggregates all of this data to summarize the status of approved residential activity
throughout Orange County, as of January 2026. The attached presentation provides an analysis
of how this residential activity is meeting the county’s housing needs but, generally, Chapel Hill,
Hillsborough, and Mebane are approving residential projects and construction at larger volumes
than historic trends, and appear to meeting the market demand for market-rate multifamily
construction, as established by the studies. Single-family residential activity appears to not be
meeting the needs of Orange County, as established by the studies. Finally, Chapel Hill and
Hillsborough have reported that they have approved 1,062 and 75 affordable units, respectively,
that are restricted to eligible households meeting income requirements. As established by the
referenced studies, Orange County, as a whole, is not meeting the rental and for-sale housing
needs for lower-income households. The attached slides provide more data from the referenced
studies and compare the survey data to the studies and their respective conclusions.
Table 3
Approved Residential
Units

Totals

Carrboro

Chapel
Hill

Hillsborough

Mebane

Orange
County

Multifamily
Townhome
Single-Family
TOTAL
% of All Approved
Total Units
% of 2024 County
Population

8,184
1,626
1,555
11,365

104
0
108
212
1.9%

6,988
730
9
7,727
68.0%

1,092
453
316
1,861
16.4%

0
443
1,000
1,443
12.7%

0
0
122
122
1.1%

14.0%

40.2%

6.7%

2.7%

36.3%

Page 48 of 237

4
Next Steps: A third BOCC retreat has been scheduled for Saturday, March 21 for the Board to
continue receiving background information. Following the conclusion of presentations, the BOCC
has been asked by Clarion Associates and Planning staff to identify any changes to the
preliminary draft Land Use Plan 2050 that may be needed prior to its release for public review
during Community Engagement Window (CEW) #3. CEW #3 was scheduled to occur between
May - July of 2025. The last public engagement meeting held for the LUP 2050 project occurred,
during CEW #2, on October 15, 2024.
Contract Amendment #4 will need to be prepared and approved by the BOCC prior to Clarion’s
initiation of any work editing the preliminary draft LUP 2050, scheduling engagement meetings,
preparing engagement materials, and coordinating with County staff for public notice prior to the
launch of engagement.
Additional information about the project, including e-mail sign-up for project updates, are available
on the project website: https://www.orangecountylanduseplan.com.
Completed project deliverables, including Fact Books; outreach summaries; and more, are also
available on the project website: https://www.orangecountylanduseplan.com/resources
Why does Orange County Need to Update its Land Use Plan? - In North Carolina, local
governments that apply “…zoning regulations… shall adopt and reasonably maintain a
comprehensive plan or land-use plan (G.S. 160D-501(a)). This statute requires that zoning
regulations are “in accordance with a comprehensive plan” and requires that local governments
make statements of consistency when making rezoning decisions on a development application.
The existing Orange County Comprehensive Plan was adopted in November 2008.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: The Land Use Plan 2050 project supports:
• GOAL 1: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE ACTION
OBJECTIVE 4. Incentivize and promote sustainable agriculture and local food systems
development through supportive policy, funding, farmland protection and educational
outreach.
OBJECTIVE 5. Review land use policies to promote and connect Town, County, and
private trails and open spaces.
OBJECTIVE 6. Protect water supply/watersheds.
OBJECTIVE 7. Conserve and protect high priority open space, including Natural Heritage
sites, nature preserves, watershed riparian buffers, and prime/threatened farmland.
OBJECTIVE 8. Include environmental stewardship objectives in the Comprehensive Land
Use Plan.
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 7. Invest in services and programs that improve the health and quality of life
of the community (e.g., recreation and public open spaces, arts, etc.)
• GOAL 3: HOUSING FOR ALL
OBJECTIVE 5. Review County ordinances, policies, agreements, and the regulatory
processes to streamline practices, and increase opportunities and reduce barriers to
construct housing.
OBJECTIVE 7. Expand resources and invest in housing designed for our aging and
disabled residents.

Page 49 of 237

•
•

•

OBJECTIVE 9. Increase representation of people with lived experience on housing related
matters.
GOAL 4: MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION
OBJECTIVE 1. Identify priorities and resources necessary to implement the Orange
County Transit Plan.
GOAL 5: PUBLIC EDUCATION/LEARNING COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 1. Foster collaborative relationships with formal and informal educational
organizations and agencies to provide opportunities for community members to meet,
connect, and learn together.
GOAL 6: DIVERSE AND VIBRANT ECONOMY
OBJECTIVE 2. Review and revise County policies and regulations to support business
investment in Orange County.

RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the presentation
and provide any comments and questions.

Page 50 of 237

Attachment A

Orange County
Fact Book
February 2024
February 2026 (updated)

Page 51 of 237

Age of Orange County’s Total Population

Age

Estimated
Population 2019

Estimated
Population 2024

Percentage
Change

Under 5 years
5 to 9 years
10 to 14 years
15 to 19 years
20 to 24 years
25 to 34 years
35 to 44 years
45 to 54 years
55 to 59 years
60 to 64 years
65 to 74 years
75 to 84 years
85 years and over
Total Population

6,604
8,055
8,614
13,943
17,594
17,957
16,674
18,481
8,612
8,899
12,411
5,053
1,939
144,836

6,101
7,612
8,701
15,847
16,984
17,546
17,073
18,231
8,897
8,589
14,848
7,297
1,952
149,678

-7.62%
-5.50%
1.01%
13.66%
-3.47%
-2.29%
2.39%
-1.35%
3.31%
-3.48%
19.64%
44.41%
0.67%
3.34%

Data Source: American Community Survey 2019 (2015-2019 5-year) Estimates, American Community Survey 2024 (2020-2024 5-year) Estimates

Page 52 of 237

Orange County’s Population Distribution
●

●

This table shows Orange
County’s population by
jurisdiction and the
percentage of Orange
County’s total population.
About 40% of Orange
County’s population lives
in Chapel Hill, followed
by approximately 36%
who live in
unincorporated Orange
County.

Population
(2024)

Percentage of Total Orange
County Population

Chapel Hill**

61,827

40.2%

Unincorporated County*

55,786

36.3%

Carrboro

21,494

14.0%

Hillsborough

10,334

6.7%

Mebane**

4,169

2.7%

Durham**

146

0.1%

153,756

100.0%

Total

*Unincorporated Orange County means the areas in Orange
County but outside of municipalities, including Carrboro,
Chapel Hill, Durham, Hillsborough, and Mebane. This includes
the extraterritorial jurisdictions (ETJ) of the towns.
**Portion within Orange County geographic limits

Data Source: OSBM State Demographer, 2024 Certified Population Estimates

Page 53 of 237

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) Social Vulnerability Index
9

The CDC Social Vulnerability
Index (CDC SVI) can be used
to examine the social
vulnerability of Orange County
using 16 factors from
4 key themes.
Census tracts are ranked by
percentile social vulnerability,
with 0% being the least
vulnerable and 100% being the
most vulnerable.

Socioeconomic Status
Below 150% Poverty
Housing Cost Burden
No High School Diploma
No Health Insurance
Unemployed
Housing Type and
Transportation
Multi-Unit Structures
Mobile Homes
Crowding (more people than
rooms in a home)
No Vehicle
Group Quarters (e.g., college
dormitories, nursing homes,
correctional institutions)

Racial and Ethnic Minority
Status
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
Black or African American*
Asian*
Native Hawaiian or Pacific
Islander*
Two or more Races*
Other Races*

*Not Hispanic or Latino

Household Characteristics
Aged 65 & Older
Aged 17 & Younger
Single-Parent Households
English Language Proficiency
4

Page 54 of 237

CDC SVI: Overall

• Across all factors, census
tracts in the northwest
portion of the County
and along I-85 are
ranked with the highest
vulnerability.
• Other areas include
outside Carrboro and
south of I-40.
Data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Social Vulnerability Index

Page 55 of 237

Annexations

• 3,551 acres have been
annexed since 2004.
•
•
•
•
•

421 acres have been annexed
by Chapel Hill.
209 acres have been annexed
by Carrboro.
1,039 acres have been annexed
by Hillsborough.
1,858 acres have been annexed
by Mebane.
24 acres have been annexed by
Durham.

Page 56 of 237

Building Permits

• 2,681 certificates of
occupancy have been
issued by Orange County
since 2017.
•
•

2,464 for residential
properties (yellow dots on
the map)
217 for commercial
properties (red dots on the
map)

Page 57 of 237

Housing Units

Orange County Housing Unit Breakdown
Hillsborough
4,522 (7%)

• There are a total of
62,858 housing units
in Orange County.
Carrboro
10,189 (16%)
• The greatest number
of housing units are
located in
unincorporated
Orange County,
followed by Chapel
Hill.
Unincorporated*

Mebane
1,503 (2%)

Durham
27 (0.04%)

Chapel Hill
22,171(35%)

Orange County
24,446(39%)

Data Source: American Community Survey 2024 (2020-2024 5-year) Estimates

Page 58 of 237

Housing Cost Burden
for Homeowners

• Based on Census data,
this map shows monthly
owner costs as a
percentage of household
income.
• Housing cost burden is
defined as spending
more than 30% of
income on housing costs.
Data Source: American Community Survey 2024 (2020-2024 5-year) Estimates

Page 59 of 237

Housing Cost Burden
for Renters

• Based on Census data, this
map shows gross rent as a
percentage of household
income.
• The darker orange areas
identify census tracts where
more renters may be cost
burdened.

Data Source: American Community Survey 2024 (2020-2024 5-year) Estimates

Page 60 of 237

The following slides are not included
in the Fact Book update.

Current Status of Orange
County Housing Supply
& Attainability
11

Page 61 of 237

Housing Availability in Orange County

January 2026 Survey of County & Municipal Planning Departments:
• 11,365 new residential units approved on plans in Orange County
•

•

Does NOT include residences that have been approved and finalized in recent years

3,850 Units Under Construction, mostly in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough
•

3,189 Multifamily Units

•

413 Townhomes

•

248 Single-Family Homes

7,515 Approved but Unbuilt Residential Units
•

4,995 Multifamily Units

•

1,213 Townhomes

•

1,307 Single-Family Homes

1,137 units (11%) are restricted as “affordable”
12

Page 62 of 237

Housing Availability in Orange County:
Town of Chapel Hill Study

Staff Compared Survey Results to Housing Analysis From
•

Chapel Hill’s 2021 “Projected Housing Needs 2020 – 2040” Study, as prepared
by Business Street

•

Anticipates Growth of 2% in Town Chapel Hill

•

Fact Book anticipates linear annual growth rate of 1% throughout Orange
County, except for Mebane, based upon US Census data
Jurisdiction

2017
Population

2040
Population

2017
Households

2024
Households

2040
Households

Annual
Growth Rate

Chapel Hill

65,529

83,235

20,869

N/A

31,074

Chapel Hill –
Fact Book

N/A

70,554

N/A

27,856

N/A

5%
13

Page 63 of 237

Housing Availability in Orange County: NC
Chamber Foundation Study
19

Staff Compared Survey Results to Housing Analysis From
• NC Chamber Foundation’s 2024 “Housing Supply Gap Analysis”, as analyzed by Bowen
National Research
•

•

The analysis is statewide but provides a Housing Supply Gap Analysis for each county. For
Orange County, the study identified a 2029 need for
•

7,557 new rental units, 4,467 of which need to be “affordable” (defined as <80% of the Area Median Income)

•

6,312 new for-sale home, 305 of which need to be “affordable”

Assuming that all multifamily units and one-third of townhomes units will be rentals, the
recent survey identifies that Orange County is providing:
•

8,726 new rental units

•

2,639 new for-sale homes

•

752 units are restricted as “affordable”
14

Page 64 of 237

Housing Availability in Orange County:
Triangle Community Foundation Study

Staff Compared Survey Results to Housing Analysis From
•
Triangle Community Foundation’s 2025 “Orange County, North Carolina Affordable Housing Market Data”,
as analyzed by Balance Community Advisors
•

The analysis is derived from a regional “snapshot” of Housing Affordability focusing on cost burdened
households and availability of housing types and stock at all price points.

•

For Orange County, the study identified a 2025 need for

•

9,555 units (new and existing) for “low-income” residents (defined as <50% of the Area Median Income)

•

17% of homeowners, and 64% of low-income homeowners, are “cost-burdened”

•

45% of renters, and 71% of low-income renters, are “cost-burdened”

Assuming that all multifamily units and one-third of townhomes units will be rentals, the recent survey
identifies that Orange County is providing:
•

8,726 new rental units

•

2,639 new for-sale homes

•

752 units are restricted as “affordable”

Page 65 of 237

Approved Residential Plans & Permits,
Orange County, February 2026

2,000
1,800
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400

6,988

200
Carrboro

Chapel Hill

Hillsborough

Mebane

Orange County

Multifamily

104

6,988

1,092

Townhome

730

453

443

Single-Family

108

316

1,000

122

As reported on this graph, “Orange County” represents the planning jurisdiction of unincorporated Orange County

Page 66 of 237

Approved Residential Units Not Yet Built in
Orange County, February 2026
22

Approved Residential Plans & Permits
122, 1%

212, 2%

1,443, 13%

1,861, 16%

7,727, 68%

Carrboro

Chapel Hill

Hillsborough

As reported on these charts, “Orange County” represents the planning jurisdiction of unincorporated Orange County

Mebane

Orange County

Page 67 of 237

Approved Residential Units Not Yet Built in
Orange County, February 2026
23

Approved Residential Units Not Yet Built
111, 2%

Approved Residential Plans & Permits

212, 3%

122, 1%

212, 2%

1,443, 13%
1,443, 19%

1,861, 16%
1,206, 16%
4,543, 60%
7,727, 68%

Carrboro

Chapel Hill

Hillsborough

Mebane

Orange County

Carrboro

Chapel Hill

Hillsborough

As reported on these charts, “Orange County” represents the planning jurisdiction of unincorporated Orange County

Mebane

Orange County

Page 68 of 237

1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 10, 2026

Action Agenda
Item No. 3

SUBJECT: Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee –
Appointments Discussion
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S):
Recommendations
Member and Applicant Summary Sheet
Applications of Persons for Reappointment
Membership Roster
Applicant Interest List
No other eligible applicants
Annual Work Plan

INFORMATION CONTACT:
Clerk’s Office, 919-245-2125

PURPOSE: To discuss appointments to the Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Community
Advisory Committee.
BACKGROUND: The Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee
works to maintain the intent of the Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Residents' Bills of
Rights and promote community involvement and cooperation with these homes to ensure quality
care for older and disabled adults.
The Board of County Commissioners appoints all fourteen (14) members.
REMINDER: As of July 1, 2017, House Bill 248 was adopted by the North Carolina General
Assembly regarding the training period for pending members of the “Adult Care Home
Community Advisory Committee and Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee”.
Applicants will be selected from the County “Applicant Interest List” for a condensed training
and, if the applicant successfully completes the training, they would be recommended for
appointment. Therefore, when an applicant is recommended for appointment, it would initially be
for a one-year preliminary term and the training will have already been completed.
Both members recommended for reappointment have completed their one-year preliminary
terms.
The following individuals are recommended for Board consideration:

Page 69 of 237

NAME

POSITION
DESCRIPTION

Sandra Okeke
Bates
Alicia Reid

At-Large
At-Large

TYPE OF
APPOINTMENT
TERM
Partial term
(reappointment)
Partial term
(reappointment)

EXPIRATION
DATE
09/30/2026
09/30/2027

SPECIAL NOTATION: None of the other applicants have completed the mandatory preappointment training and are therefore not eligible for appointment at this time.
If the individuals listed above are appointed, the following vacancies remain:
POSITION
DESCRIPTION
Adult Care Home
Administrator
Nominee
Adult Care Home
Administrator
Nominee
Nursing Home
Administrator
Nominee
Nursing Home
Administrator
Nominee

EXPIRATION
DATE
09/30/2028

VACANCY INFORMATION

09/30/2026

Vacant since 11/02/2023

09/30/2027

Vacant since 11/02/2023

09/30/2028

Vacant since 11/02/2023

FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GUIDING PRINCIPLE – INCLUSIVITY AND ENGAGEMENT
We foster an environment in which all are welcomed, represented, and empowered to
participate in and feel connected to their community.
• GUIDING PRINCIPLE – DEDICATION AND RESPECT
We commit to our roles in public service and organizational excellence by fostering the
skills, talents, and innovation of our residents, employees, volunteers, and boards
needed to carry out this work.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss appointments to
the Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee.

Page 70 of 237

Charlene Purkett
Ombudsman
919.558-9401

4307 Emperor Blvd, Suite
110 Durham, NC 27703
centralpinesnc.gov

Date: February 17, 2026

Orange County Community Advisory Committee
To: Board of County Commissioners
From: Charlene Purkett, Regional Ombudsman
Re: Reappointment of Sandra Bates and Alicia Reid
Date: February 17, 2026

On behalf of the Orange County Community Advisory Committee, I am pleased to
recommend Sarah Bates and Alicia Reid for reappointment to the committee.
Both individuals are dedicated volunteers who demonstrate a strong commitment to the
residents of long-term care homes in Orange County. Mrs. Bates and Mrs. Reid are active,
engaged members whose contributions are vital to the committee’s success. They
consistently perform their advocacy responsibilities with professionalism and excellence.
Thank you for your consideration of this recommendation. Please let us know if any
additional information is needed to move this request forward.
Charlene Purkett
Regional LTC Ombudsman
Central Pines Regional Council of Governments

Page 71 of 237

Name
Jacqulyn Podger
Shade Little
MaryLou Gelblum
Karen Green-McElveen
Kelly Kester
Stephanie Boswell
Dr. Carol Kelly
Dr. Prakash Sista
Sandra Okeke Bates
Alicia Reid
VACANT
VACANT
VACANT
VACANT
Carol Conway
Richard Cooper
Jennifer Drolet
Barbara Gilmour
Carla Julian
Kelly Kleinbrahm
Dr. Joshua Niznik
Ann Snodgrass
Matthew Sprenkle

Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee Members and Applicants
Member or Applicant?
Gender Identity
Race/Ethnic Background
Age Range
Township
Member
Female
White
60+
Chapel Hill
Member
Male
Other
60+
Chapel Hill
Member
Female
White
Chapel Hill
Member
Female
African American
35-59
Chapel Hill
Member
Female
White
35-59
Hillsborough
Member
Female
White
Hillsborough
Member
Female
White
Chapel Hill
Member
Male
Asian American
60+
Chapel Hill
Member
Female
African American
18-34
Cheeks
Member
Female
African American
60+
Bingham

Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant

Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male

White
African American
White
White
White
White
White
African American
Hispanic

60+
35-59
35-59
60+
60+
35-59
18-34
60+
18-34

Chapel Hill
Little River
Chapel Hill
Hillsborough
Cheeks
Cheeks
Chapel Hill
Cheeks
Chapel Hill

Also Serves on
Advisory Board on Aging

Affordable Housing Advisory Board

Opioid Advisory Committee

Page 72 of 237

5
Page 1 of 2

Sandra Okeke Bates

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Mrs. Sandra Okeke Bates

Phone:

318 McClellan Trl
Mebane NC 27302
703-943-6558

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2022

Township of Residence: Cheeks
Town of Mebane City Limits
Zone of Residence:
Female
Gender Identity:
African American
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

18-34

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Duke Graduate & Professional Student Government, Director of DEI
Duke Nursing Student (May 2024 Grad)
Postpartum Doula Volunteer- MAMME INC
Health Promotion - CASA Veteran Housing Community, Durham, NC
Advisory council member- President Council on Black Affairs (Duke)
Dementia Care -Senior Community Care of North Carolina (PACE)
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
N/A
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Board of Health
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
With my multifaceted background, I can contribute significantly to advancing public health
initiatives and improving our community well-being. As a nursing student, I have gained a solid
foundation in community health. I have planned and implemented evidenced based interventions
for diverse communities. I have organized sustainable health campaigns that empowered
individuals to make informed decisions. Engaged in fireside chat conversations with various
policy makers to discuss health-related policy changes and its effect on our communities.
Serving as a DEI director has honed my skills in fostering inclusivity. My commitment to
assessing the SDOH, addressing health disparities and advocating for equitable access to
healthcare services for all community members is very pivotal in my decision to join the board.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I want to gain a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the board, and I am
eager to collaborate with fellow board members, advocate for evidence-based policies, and
promote health equity for all of Orange County community members. I would like to contribute to
the fullest extent of my potential to Orange County
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?

Page 73 of 237

6
Page 2 of 2

Sandra Okeke Bates

How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?

I collaborate with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals on a daily basis, attend health-related
policy conferences, and immerse myself in our communities, so I believe that I can bring
valuable and holistic lens to health related discussions
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Board of Social Services
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
With my multifaceted background, I can contribute significantly to advancing social services
initiatives and improving our community well-being. As a nursing student, I have gained a solid
foundation in community health, and worked with social workers and case managers to connect
patients with community based resources. I have planned and implemented evidenced based
interventions for diverse communities. I have organized sustainable campaigns that empowered
individuals to make informed decisions. Engaged in fireside chat conversations with community
members to talk about homelessness, domestic violence, and exploitation of our aging
community members. As a domestic violence survivor myself, I knew that the only way that I
survived and thrived is because of the help and resources that I was connected to. I want to be
able to contribute the same to our community members.
I also volunteer as a postpartum doula to families and single parents that canâ€™t afford a
doula service after given birth. Connect them to accessible community resources for diapers,
food, baby clothing and many more. I offer the gift of time to these families & single birthing
persons, with the hope that they get sometime to do something for themselves (sleeping, take a
long bath, calling family and friendsâ€¦..).
Volunteers at Parktown food hub in Durham to help pack give away bag to people in the
communities
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I am eager to collaborate with fellow board members, advocate for evidence-based policies that
ensures that resources and support are provided to community members that are at risk for
homelessness, violence, and exploitation. I also want to do the best I can to contribute optimally
to our community
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I collaborate with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals on a daily basis, attend health-related
policy conferences, and immerse myself in our communities, so I believe that I provide valuable
contributions to discussions
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 2/24/2024 10:07:55 PM

Date Printed:

2/26/2024

Page 74 of 237

7
Page 1 of 3

Alicia Reid

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Alicia Reid

Phone:

3508 Borland Road
Efland NC 27243
919-418-0032

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

1999

Township of Residence: Bingham
County
Zone of Residence:
Female
Gender Identity:
African American
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

60+

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Currently a Board member with Friends Department of Social Services and Friends of
Passmore Center, both in Hillsborough. I am co-host on Aging Well Together community
radio program in Orange County. I have my own talk show (Afternoon Talk With Alicia) on
community radio in Orange County. My passion is discovering needed services,
programs, and funding that impact older adults in Orange County.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
Currently serving on the Passmore Advisory Board and MAP
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Advisory Board on Aging
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
My background is Health and Human Services. Attending various colleges and getting course
certifications gave me understanding in society s demands for better services, programs and
conditions for my aging community. My experience and knowledge about what services,
programs, and funding can impact older adults reminds me that I have to be in a position to
unpack information and make known what our communities offer as we all age.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
Changes and factual information that has not reached aging adults as our communities
continually arise with growth making communicating sometimes an issue. I hope to help make
our systems in place have better solutions for offering what it takes to allow all of the changes
that come about available to our community.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
Diversity issues in our communities can be addressed when we have a communication structure
that brings our changes and differences to awareness. I'm a Black woman and can share my
views as to what imbalances are known in many communities. Not being a spoke-person , but
relatively known differences.

Page 75 of 237

8
Page 2 of 3

Alicia Reid

Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
None
Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
My background is Health and Human Services. Attending various colleges and getting course
certifications gave me understanding in society s demands for better services, programs and
conditions for my aging community. My experience and knowledge about what services,
programs, and funding can impact older adults reminds me that I have to be in a position to
unpack information and make known what our communities offer as we all age.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
Changes and factual information that has not reached aging adults as our communities
continually arise with growth making communicating sometimes an issue. I hope to help make
our systems in place have better solutions for offering what it takes to allow all of the changes
that come about available to our community.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
Diversity issues in our communities can be addressed when we have a communication structure
that brings our changes and differences to awareness. I'm a Black woman and can share my
views as to what imbalances are known in many communities. Not being a spoke-person , but
relatively known differences.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
None
Affordable Housing Advisory Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
My background is Health and Human Services. Attending various colleges and getting course
certifications gave me understanding in society s demands for better services, programs and
conditions for my aging community. My experience and knowledge about what services,
programs, and funding can impact older adults reminds me that I have to be in a position to
unpack information and make known what our communities offer as we all age.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
Changes and factual information that has not reached aging adults as our communities
continually arise with growth making communicating sometimes an issue. I hope to help make
our systems in place have better solutions for offering what it takes to allow all of the changes
that come about available to our community.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
Diversity issues in our communities can be addressed when we have a communication structure
that brings our changes and differences to awareness. I'm a Black woman and can share my
views as to what imbalances are known in many communities. Not being a spoke-person , but
relatively known differences.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
None

Boards/Commissions appointments:

Page 76 of 237

9
Page 3 of 3

Alicia Reid

Human Relations Commission
Application Date: 1/23/2018
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
While employed my professional developed skills from working in Human Resources as a
Trainer, Employment Recruiter, and Admin Assistant. I have an extensive Sales and Customer
background. Various educational courses and certificates.
I have worked in cor
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
Human relations, working in my community and making a point to find fairness in government for
equality has always been my goal. Supporting groups an organizations that focus on the well
being of all is a passion. Making a difference in bringing goodness
Conflict of Interest:

Other Comments:
This application was current on: 11/6/2023 2:24:34 PM

Date Printed:

11/9/2023

Page 77 of 237

Board and Commission Members

And Vacant Positions

Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee
Meeting Times: 5:00 pm Second Tuesday of every month

Contact Person: Charlene Purkett

Meeting Place: Seymour Center, 2551 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill

Contact Phone: 919-558-9401

Positions: 14
Description:

Length: 3 years

Terms: 2

<div>Members of this committee function as representatives of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman and
work to maintain the intent of the Adult Care Home and the Nursing Home Residents' Bills of Rights within the licensed
adult care homes and nursing homes in Orange County. The Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Committee Advisory
Committee also promotes community involvement, education, and cooperation with adult care homes and nursing homes to
ensure quality care for older adults and adults with disabilities. In addition to quarterly visits to adult care homes and nursing
homes in Orange County, this committee typically meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00 pm. </div>

Jacqulyn Podger
1
Co-Chair
Gender Identity:

First Appointed:
Chapel Hill

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

At-Large

Female
60+

Expiration:

Shade Little
2
Co-Chair
Gender Identity:

Chapel Hill

Ethnic Background: Other

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

At-Large

Male
60+

11/02/2023

Current Appointment: 09/17/2024
09/30/2027

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

11/02/2023

Current Appointment: 09/16/2025
Expiration:

09/30/2028

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

11/02/2023

MaryLou Gelblum
3
Gender Identity:

Chapel Hill

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

At-Large

Female

Current Appointment: 11/02/2023
Expiration:

09/30/2026

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

11/02/2023

Karen Green-McElveen
4
Gender Identity:

Chapel Hill

Ethnic Background: African American

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

At-Large

Female
35-59

Current Appointment: 09/17/2024
Expiration:

09/30/2027

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

11/02/2023

Kelly Kester
5
Gender Identity:

Hillsborough

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

At-Large

Female
35-59

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Current Appointment: 09/16/2025
Expiration:
Number of Terms:

09/30/2028
1

Page 1

Page 78 of 237

Board and Commission Members

And Vacant Positions

Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee
Meeting Times: 5:00 pm Second Tuesday of every month

Contact Person: Charlene Purkett

Meeting Place: Seymour Center, 2551 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill

Contact Phone: 919-558-9401

Positions: 14

Length: 3 years

Terms: 2

Stephanie Boswell
First Appointed:

6
Gender Identity:

Hillsborough

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

At-Large

Female

11/02/2023

Current Appointment: 11/02/2023
Expiration:

09/30/2026

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

11/02/2023

Dr Carol Kelly
7
Gender Identity:

Chapel Hill

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

At-Large

Female

Current Appointment: 09/17/2024
Expiration:

09/30/2027

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

09/17/2024

Dr. Prakash Sista
8
Gender Identity:

Chapel Hill

Ethnic Background: Asian American

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

At-Large

Male
60+

Current Appointment: 09/16/2025
Expiration:

09/30/2028

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

02/25/2025

Mrs. Sandra Okeke Bates
9
Gender Identity:

Cheeks

Ethnic Background: African American

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

At-Large

Female
18-34

Current Appointment: 02/25/2025
Expiration:

02/20/2026

Number of Terms:

Alicia Reid
First Appointed:

10
Gender Identity:

Bingham

Ethnic Background: African American

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

At-Large

Female
60+

02/25/2025

Current Appointment: 02/25/2025
Expiration:

02/20/2026

Number of Terms:

VACANT
First Appointed:

11
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Current Appointment:
Expiration:

09/30/2028

Adult Care Home Administrator Nominee Number of Terms:

Page 2

Page 79 of 237

Board and Commission Members

And Vacant Positions

Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee
Meeting Times: 5:00 pm Second Tuesday of every month

Contact Person: Charlene Purkett

Meeting Place: Seymour Center, 2551 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill

Contact Phone: 919-558-9401

Positions: 14

Length: 3 years

Terms: 2

VACANT
First Appointed:

12
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Current Appointment:
Expiration:

09/30/2026

Adult Care Home Administrator Nominee Number of Terms:

VACANT
First Appointed:

13
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Current Appointment:
Expiration:
Nursing Home Administrator Nominee

09/30/2027

Number of Terms:

VACANT
First Appointed:

14
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Current Appointment:
Expiration:
Nursing Home Administrator Nominee

09/30/2028

Number of Terms:

Page 3

Page 80 of 237

Applicant Interest Listing

by Board Name and by Applicant Name

Contact Person: Charlene Purkett
919-558-9401

Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Community Ad Contact Phone:
Carol Conway
Gender Identity:

Female

Date Applied: 01/14/2026

Ethnic Background: White

Township: Chapel Hill

Age Range

60+

Zone of Residence: Chapel Hill ETJ

Male

Date Applied: 10/13/2025

Also Serves On:

Richard Cooper
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: African American
Age Range
Also Serves On:

35-59

Township: Little River
Zone of Residence: County

Opioid Advisory Committee

Jennifer Drolet
Gender Identity:

Female

Date Applied: 07/14/2025

Ethnic Background: White

Township: Chapel Hill

Age Range

35-59

Zone of Residence: Carrboro City Limits

Also Serves On:

Ms Barbara Gilmour
Gender Identity:

Female

Ethnic Background: White
Age Range

60+

Date Applied: 08/11/2025
Township: Hillsborough
Zone of Residence: Hillsborough Town Limits

Also Serves On:

Ms. Carla Julian
Gender Identity:

Female

Ethnic Background: White
Age Range

60+

Date Applied: 11/10/2025
Township: Cheeks
Zone of Residence: Mebane City Limits

Also Serves On:

Ms. Kelly Kleinbrahm
Gender Identity:

Female

Ethnic Background: White
Age Range

35-59

Date Applied: 09/30/2025
Township: Cheeks
Zone of Residence: County

Also Serves On:

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Page 1 of 2

Page 81 of 237

Applicant Interest Listing

by Board Name and by Applicant Name

Contact Person: Charlene Purkett
919-558-9401

Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Community Ad Contact Phone:
Dr. Joshua Niznik
Gender Identity:

Male

Date Applied: 10/11/2025

Ethnic Background: White

Township: Chapel Hill

Age Range

18-34

Zone of Residence: C.H. City Limits

Also Serves On:

Ann C. Snodgrass
Gender Identity:

Female

Ethnic Background: African American
Age Range

60+

Date Applied: 05/16/2024
Township: Cheeks
Zone of Residence: County

Also Serves On:

Mr. Matthew Sprenkle
Gender Identity:

Male

Ethnic Background: Hispanic
Age Range

18-34

Date Applied: 12/13/2025
Township: Chapel Hill
Zone of Residence: C.H. City Limits

Also Serves On:

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Page 2 of 2

Page 82 of 237

2. Please briefly describe this board/commission’s assigned charge and
responsibilities. Board-specific Policies and Procedures documents, which detail the
charge and responsibilities for each board/commission, are available here.
Serve all the Adult Care Homes and Nursing Homes in Orange County and work
with each facility to protect resident rights.

3. What are your board/commission’s most important accomplishments during the
report period?

Page 83 of 237

Page 84 of 237

7. Identify any activities this board/commission expects to carry out in 2026 that are
related to the Orange County Strategic Plan. General information about the Strategic
Plan is available here. If applicable, please list any fiscal impact (i.e., funding, staff
time, other resources) associated with these proposed activities.
Continue to recruit CAC members
Continue to connect community resources with Orange County long term care
facilities
Continue to provide best practices to the administrators and key staff
Continue to stress the importance of activities, both group and one on one activities in
in order to positively impact quality of life.
8. What concerns or emerging issues does this board/commission anticipate for the
upcoming year that it plans to address or wishes to bring to the BOCC’s attention?
The CAC in 2026 will continue to emphasize resident quality of life.

Page 85 of 237

1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 10, 2026

Action Agenda
Item No. 4

SUBJECT: Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool – Appointments Discussion
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S):
Members and Applicants Summary Sheet
Applications of Persons for Reappointment
Applications of Applicants
Membership Roster
Applicant Interest List

INFORMATION CONTACT:
Clerk’s Office, 919-245-2125

PURPOSE: To discuss appointments to the Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool.
BACKGROUND: The Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool hears appeals from violations of the
Orange County Code of Ordinances, protects the health, safety and welfare of Orange County
residents and the animals residing in Orange County, and conducts fair and impartial hearings
of appeals of potentially dangerous dog declaration and any other appeals as may be required
by the Animal Control Ordinance.
The Board of County Commissioners appoints all eighteen (18) members, with representatives
from various related fields and geographic locations in the county.
Since the work of this body is dependent on hearings, it does not submit an Annual Work Plan.
The following individuals are recommended for Board consideration:
NAME

POSITION
DESCRIPTION

James
Wheeler
Michael
Dempsey

Public Health Field

Dawn Roberts
BOCC
Appointment

At-Large
Unincorporated
County
Animal Services
Advisory Board
Member
Town of Chapel Hill

TYPE OF
APPOINTMENT
TERM
First Full Term
(reappointment)
First Full Term
(reappointment)

EXPIRATION
DATE

Second Full Term

03/31/2029

First Full Term

03/31/2029

03/31/2029
03/31/2029

Page 86 of 237

2
BOCC
Appointment

At-Large

First Full Term

03/31/2029

If the positions listed above are filled, the following vacancies remain:
POSITION
DESIGNATION
Town of
Carrboro
Town of
Carrboro
Town of
Hillsborough

EXPIRATION
DATE
03/31/2029

VACANCY INFORMATION

03/31/2029

Vacant since 09/17/2025

03/31/2028

Vacant since 03/31/2022

Vacant since 03/31/2023

Page 87 of 237

Name
Michael Delafield
Dr. Mark J. Solomon
James Wheeler
Thomas Gambill
Cathy Munnier
Meggie Romick
Lynne DuBose
Michael Dempsey
Pam C. Schwenter
Cynthia J. Stubbs
Dawn Roberts
Allan Polak
Deborah Hill
VACANT
VACANT
VACANT
VACANT
VACANT
Christian Bergevin
Patrick Mann
Judith Markey
Ellen Pearsall

Member or Applicant?
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member

Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool Members and Applicants
Gender Identity
Race/Ethnic Background
Age Range
Male
White
35-59
Male
White
35-59
Male
White
35-59
Male
White
60+
Female
White
60+
Female
White
18-34
Female
White
60+
Male
White
60+
Female
White
35-59
Female
White
35-59
Female
White
35-59
Male
White
35-59
Female
White
35-59

Township
Chapel Hill
Hillsborough
Little River
Bingham
Eno
Chapel Hill
Eno
Eno
Cedar Grove
Little River
Cedar Grove
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill

Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant

Male
Male
Female
Female

Eno
Cedar Grove
Cheeks
Chapel Hill

White
White
White
White

18-34
60+
60+
35-59

Also Serves on
Animal Services Advisory Board

Animal Services Advisory Board

Animal Services Advisory Board
Animal Services Advisory Board
Animal Services Advisory Board

Page 88 of 237

4
Page 1 of 2

James Wheeler

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Mr. James Wheeler

Phone:

2926 Little River Dr.
Hillsborough NC 27278
310-801-5841

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2024

Township of Residence: Little River
County
Zone of Residence:
Male
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Member of various nursing organizations
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Board of Health
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
Over 20 years working in healthcare. 15 years working as a nurse. Over four years working in
nursing leadership.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I want to improve health literacy and advocacy in the community.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I have lived all over the country and have experienced various opportunities and viewpoints in
my career.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
College educated with MBA. Have adopted pets from shelters since 2014.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
As above.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
Provide a unique perspective to help with animal rights and advocacy.

Page 89 of 237

5
Page 2 of 2

James Wheeler

Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Commission for the Environment
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
As above.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I have a very strong interest in preserving our environment and educating regarding climate
change.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I have a diverse education from living in LA and around the country.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 8/10/2024 5:55:51 PM

Date Printed:

8/21/2024

Page 90 of 237

6
Page 1 of 2

Michael Dempsey

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Michael Dempsey

Phone:

7514 Schley Rd.
Hillsborough NC 27278
919-624-5264

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

1991

Township of Residence: Eno
County
Zone of Residence:
Male
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

60+

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Volunteer at RDU airport
Volunteer at Person County Animal Shelter
Airplane Owners and Pilot Association
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Animal Services Advisory Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
My wife and I have a small farm in northern Hillsborough with cattle and goats. We also have
three Australian shepherds for three generations.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
Provide objective suggestions/reasoning to difficult situations.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
Evaluate each situation as an individual instance and not profile an outcome based on statistical
findings.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
We have a small farm in northern Orange County for the past 30 years. Fainting goats, cattle,
dogs and cats.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
Provide an objective view point/suggestions to sometimes difficult situations.

Page 91 of 237

7
Page 2 of 2

Michael Dempsey

How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
Evaluate each situation as an individual instance and not profile an outcome based on
preconceived notions.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 9/13/2024 10:46:53 AM

Date Printed:

9/24/2024

Page 92 of 237

8
Page 1 of 2

Dawn Roberts

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Dawn Roberts

Phone:

2730 Little River Church Rd
Hurdle mills NC 27541
9194518475

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2017

Township of Residence: Cedar Grove
County
Zone of Residence:
Female
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Past Vice President and President of LPGA women's amateur RALEIGH chapter.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
Currently serve on ASAB
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
Have been around dogs and horses all of my life. My mother broke thoughbreds and my
grandmother breed standard poodles. I currently own a 30 acre farm in Orange County with
around 50 farm animals and 2 dogs and 5 cats.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
It would be another way to volunteer my time to serve the community
Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board:
I am very attentive to how all people are treated. Help create a safe place where everyone can
be themselves and express who they are.
Conflict of Interest:

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Animal Services Advisory Board
Application Date: 1/9/2020
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I have been involved with many animal rescue, foster and adoption agencies over the last 20
years. I have extensive knowledge and experience in animal science and am currently a certified
medical technologist for over 23 years. We currently have a farm wi

Page 93 of 237

9
Page 2 of 2

Dawn Roberts

Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
I would really love to contribute my services, experience and knowledge and become a more
active member of my community. In addition follow my cathartic love by helping on the animal
welfare committee.
Conflict of Interest:

Other Comments:
This application was current on: 3/6/2023 12:24:07 PM

Date Printed:

3/8/2023

Page 94 of 237

Page 1 of 2

Christian Bergevin

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Christian Bergevin

Phone:

3314 Seven Springs Rd.
Hillsborough NC 27278
651-925-7662

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2023

Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

Eno
County
Male
White
18-34

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
none at this time
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
none at this time
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I serve on an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. On this committee my
Responsibilities include, at least semiannually, the institution's program for the humane care
and use of animals; Inspect, at least semiannually, the institution's animal facilities (including
satellite facilities); Prepare reports to the Institutional Official (IO) of the IACUC evaluations;
Review animal welfare concerns; Make recommendations to the IO on any aspect of the animal
program, facilities, or personnel training; Review and approve, those components of PHS
conducted or supported activities related to the care and use of animals; Review and approve,
proposed significant changes to the use of animals in ongoing activities; and Be authorized to
suspend an activity involving animals.
Https://olaw.nih.gov/resources/tutorial/iacuc.htm
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I have a long history in community service and am now in a position where I can begin to
volunteer at the local level.
I serve as a community member that is not affiliated with the institution in the IACUC. I hope this
appointment can allow me to interact with members of the community so i may represent their
interests when considering amendments to policy.
Finally, I care for animals and would like to connect to this part of our community!
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?

Page 95 of 237

Page 2 of 2

Christian Bergevin

I am a veteran and new resident in the community, both position my viewpoint unique from my
peers.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Board of Health
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
My background in healthcare administration, public policy, and research ethics provides a
strong foundation for service on the Orange County Board of Health. My graduate training at
the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health strengthened my ability to interpret regulations,
evaluate population level impacts, and support evidence based decision making. My
professional experience managing data driven quality and operational initiatives has given me a
systems level understanding of community health needs and organizational accountability.
Combined with prior service as a Navy Search and Rescue Medical Technician, I bring
disciplined judgment, analytical rigor, and a sustained commitment to advancing the health and
well being of Orange County residents.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I am seeking to serve on the Orange County Board of Health to contribute meaningfully to the
county’s long term public health strategy and to support evidence based policymaking that
strengthens community well being. I value the Board’s role in safeguarding population health,
promoting equity, and ensuring accountable stewardship of public resources. My professional
and academic background has given me a deep appreciation for the complexity of public health
systems and the importance of thoughtful governance. I am committed to bringing a disciplined,
service oriented perspective to the Board’s work and to advancing the health of all Orange
County residents.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
My participation on the Orange County Board of Health would contribute a systems oriented,
interdisciplinary viewpoint shaped by experience in healthcare administration, public policy, and
research ethics. I approach public health challenges with analytical rigor, an understanding of
operational realities, and a commitment to equitable outcomes. My background includes both
frontline service and organizational level problem solving, allowing me to consider how policies
affect residents with diverse needs and circumstances. I value collaborative, evidence based
deliberation and strive to integrate practical implementation considerations with long term
strategic thinking. This combination of perspectives would broaden the Board’s discussions and
support balanced, community focused decision making.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 2/2/2026 7:09:21 PM

Date Printed:

2/16/2026

Page 96 of 237

Page 1 of 2

Patrick Mann

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Patrick Mann

Phone:

1200 Hurdle Mills Rd.
Cedar Grove NC 27231
919-864-0017

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

1997

Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

Cedar Grove
County
Male
White
60+

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
board of carolina friends school(off now) scoccer clinic in cedar grove for 4-8 year olds- on
planning committee for AG summitt
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Opioid Advisory Committee
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I was a nurse for over 30 years working in trauma dept in 3 states including NC in my 20 s I
helped create a volunteer ambulance service in Boston under Project Place we specialized in
working people having Bad drug trips and spent much of our time counseling drug users I have
personally know and lived with person who used drugs and in my earlier like was part od the
drug culrure
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I feel I can offer an understanding of some of these clients,and am able to look for a solution
versus trying to just punish people and i do believe i can look at how our legal system has not
been crafted well enough to achieve to stated goals but ends up making us feel like we are in
control. I have something to offer and there is a need
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I amd of the QUAKER faith and in so try to look at people and situations to see what they are
and aceppt them as in ,this does not mean condoning all actions so I feel I have able to accept
the fact we need to learn how to live with drug use to to miniamize its negative impact on
people and society which means we can not sepperate it from racism and class issues in our
society. it hopefully will bring a caring realilistic view and approache to working this age old
issue
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Page 97 of 237

Page 2 of 2

Patrick Mann

Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I am a homesteader and have presently 3 donkeys,2 geese 4 cats,10 sheep ,2 hogs was raised
on a hog farm with multipl different animals
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I beliebve that we as a species have a resonsability to care for and to respect other species and
we as people need to help each other in doing that
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I have a very deep relationship with animals from being my friends to feeding me .I do all my
own slaughtering and buthchering so I feel I hve a very full relationship with animals.Also I was
a nurse for over 30 years and learmed how to liosten and discern what is actually being said.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Animal Services Advisory Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I am a homesteader and have presently 3 donkeys,2 geese 4 cats,10 sheep ,2 hogs was raised
on a hog farm with multipl different animals
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I beliebve that we as a species have a resonsability to care for and to respect other species and
we as people need to help each other in doing that
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I have a very deep relationship with animals from being my friends to feeding me .I do all my
own slaughtering and buthchering so I feel I hve a very full relationship with animals.Also I was
a nurse for over 30 years and learmed how to liosten and discern what is actually being said.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
Applied for OAC 10/12/2022
Applied for ASAB and HPP 11/4/2025 4:11 PM
This application was current on: 11/4/2025 4:11:00 PM

Date Printed:

11/17/2025

Page 98 of 237

14
Page 1 of 1

Judith Markey

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Ms. Judith Markey

Phone:

1015 Yancey Pl.
Mebane NC 27302
440-823-3836

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2017

Township of Residence: Cheeks
County
Zone of Residence:
Female
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

60+

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Sportsplex member, book club
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
Years of experience in animal husbandry
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I would like to become involved in the community
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I am a fair minded individual, I have a good understanding of appropriate management of
animal care and control that is important to neighborhoods individuals and community.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 3/22/2025 7:43:01 AM

Date Printed:

3/24/2025

Page 99 of 237

Page 1 of 2

Ellen Pearsall

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Ellen Pearsall

Phone:

118 Priestly Creek Dr.
Chapel Hill NC 27514
919-904-0011

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2011

Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

Chapel Hill
C.H. City Limits
Female
White
35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Volunteering at OCAS since 2013
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Animal Services Advisory Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I've volunteered at OCAS for 12 years, mentored new volunteers in dog walking, and completed
over 40 hours of formal training in dog behavior. I've also fostered mama cats and their litters,
which has given me hands-on experience with both cats and dogs. These experiences reflect
both my long-term commitment and the skills I can bring to the board.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I have a passion for animal welfare and want to help with the long-term goals of OCAS.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I bring the perspective of a Chapel Hill pet owner as well as a long-time OCAS volunteer, giving
me a strong understanding of what is most beneficial to the shelter.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I have volunteered as a dog walker at OCAS for 12 years and have also mentored new
volunteers in dog handling. In addition, I have completed more than 40 hours of dog behavior
training, including specialized instruction on understanding aggressive dogs. Through this work,
Iâ€™ve also gained firsthand experience managing the challenges of FAS-related behaviors,
including instances of mouthiness and even two separate bite incidents.

Page 100 of 237

Page 2 of 2

Ellen Pearsall

Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I am deeply passionate about animal welfare, while also being committed to ensuring that dogs
in our community are safe and well-integrated.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I bring the balance of being a pet owner, but also the experience of working with highly
aggressive dogs.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 8/22/2025 3:45:40 PM

Date Printed:

8/26/2025

Page 101 of 237

Board and Commission Members

And Vacant Positions

Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool
Meeting Times: As Needed As Needed

Contact Person: Elizabeth Overcash & Krista Watkins

Meeting Place: TBD

Contact Phone: 919-932-4954

Positions: 18
Description:

Length: 3 years

Terms: 2

<div>This panel hears appeals concerning violations of the Orange County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 4 (Animal Control
Ordinance), as provided in the Orange County Code of Ordinances, Section 4-53 Appeals and also potentially dangerous dog
appeals as prescribed by N.C. Gen. Stat. §67-4.1(c). It is the responsibility of pool members to conduct fair and
impartial hearings for these appeals and they will receive training in both law and proper procedure prior to participating in a
hearing. The panel meets on an as-needed basis for hearings. </div>

VACANT
First Appointed:

1
Gender Identity:

Current Appointment:

Ethnic Background:

Township:
Residency Req:

Carrboro

Expiration:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Town of Carrboro

Number of Terms:

03/31/2029

VACANT
First Appointed:

2
Gender Identity:

Current Appointment:

Ethnic Background:

Township:
Residency Req:

Carrboro

Expiration:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Town of Carrboro

Number of Terms:

03/31/2027

Mr. Michael Delafield
First Appointed:

06/20/2023

Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill

Current Appointment: 03/18/2025

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Town of Chapel Hill

Number of Terms:

Gender Identity:

Male
35-59

Expiration:

03/31/2028
1

VACANT
First Appointed:

4
Gender Identity:

Current Appointment:

Ethnic Background:

Township:
Residency Req:

Chapel Hill

Expiration:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Town of Chapel Hill

Number of Terms:

03/31/2029

Dr. Mark J. Solomon
First Appointed:

03/16/2021

Hillsborough
Hillsborough

Current Appointment: 03/19/2024

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Town of Hillsborough

Number of Terms:

Gender Identity:

Male
35-59

Expiration:

03/31/2027
2

VACANT
First Appointed:

6
Gender Identity:

Current Appointment:

Ethnic Background:

Township:
Residency Req:

Hillsborough

Expiration:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Town of Hillsborough

Number of Terms:

Thursday, February 26, 2026

03/31/2028

Page 1

Page 102 of 237

Board and Commission Members

And Vacant Positions

Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool
Meeting Times: As Needed As Needed

Contact Person: Elizabeth Overcash & Krista Watkins

Meeting Place: TBD

Contact Phone: 919-932-4954

Positions: 18

Length: 3 years

Terms: 2

Mr. James Wheeler
First Appointed:

09/17/2024

Little River
Orange County

Current Appointment: 09/17/2024

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Public Health Field

Number of Terms:

Gender Identity:

Male
35-59

Expiration:

03/31/2026

Mr. Thomas Gambill
First Appointed:

03/19/2024

Bingham
Orange County

Current Appointment: 03/19/2024

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Public Safety Field

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

03/18/2025

Gender Identity:

Male
60+

Expiration:

03/31/2027

Cathy Munnier
9
Eno
Orange County

Current Appointment: 03/18/2025

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

At-Large

Number of Terms:

Gender Identity:

Female
60+

Expiration:

03/31/2028
1

VACANT
First Appointed:

10
Gender Identity:

Current Appointment:

Ethnic Background:

Township:
Residency Req:

Orange County

Expiration:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

At-Large

Number of Terms:

03/31/2029

Meggie Romick
First Appointed:

03/19/2019

Chapel Hill
Orange County

Current Appointment: 03/19/2024

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

At-Large

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

06/20/2023

Gender Identity:

Female
18-34

Expiration:

03/31/2027

Mrs. Lynne DuBose
12
Eno
Orange County

Current Appointment: 03/18/2025

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

At-Large Unincorporated County

Number of Terms:

Gender Identity:

Female
60+

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Expiration:

03/31/2028
1

Page 2

Page 103 of 237

Board and Commission Members

And Vacant Positions

Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool
Meeting Times: As Needed As Needed

Contact Person: Elizabeth Overcash & Krista Watkins

Meeting Place: TBD

Contact Phone: 919-932-4954

Positions: 18

Length: 3 years

Terms: 2

Michael Dempsey
First Appointed:

11/19/2024

Eno
Orange County

Current Appointment: 11/19/2024

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

At-Large Unincorporated County

Number of Terms:

Gender Identity:

Male
60+

Expiration:

03/31/2026

Pam C. Schwentner
First Appointed:

10/05/2021

Cedar Grove
Orange County

Current Appointment: 09/17/2024

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

At-Large Unincorporated County

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

10/05/2021

Gender Identity:

Female
35-59

Expiration:

09/30/2027

Cynthia J Stubbs
15
Little River
Orange County

Current Appointment: 09/17/2024

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Veterinarian

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

06/20/2023

Gender Identity:

Female
35-59

Expiration:

09/30/2027

Dawn Roberts
16
Cedar Grove
Orange County

Current Appointment: 06/20/2023

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Animal Services Advisory Board Membe

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

05/18/2021

Gender Identity:

Female
35-59

Expiration:

03/31/2026

Allan Polak
17
Chapel Hill
Orange County

Current Appointment: 03/18/2025

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Animal Services Advisory Board Membe

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

03/19/2024

Gender Identity:

Male
35-59

Expiration:

03/31/2028

Deborah Hill
18
Chapel Hill
Orange County

Current Appointment: 03/18/2025

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Animal Services Advisory Board Membe

Number of Terms:

Gender Identity:

Female
35-59

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Expiration:

03/31/2028
1

Page 3

Page 104 of 237

Applicant Interest Listing
Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool

by Board Name and by Applicant Name

Contact Person: Elizabeth Overcash & Krista Wa
Contact Phone: 919-932-4954

Christian Bergevin
Gender Identity:

Male

Ethnic Background: White
Age Range

18-34

Date Applied: 02/02/2026
Township: Eno
Zone of Residence: County

Also Serves On:

Patrick Mann
Gender Identity:

Male

Ethnic Background: White
Age Range

60+

Date Applied: 11/04/2025
Township: Cedar Grove
Zone of Residence: County

Also Serves On:

Ms. Judith Markey
Gender Identity:

Female

Ethnic Background: White
Age Range

60+

Date Applied: 03/22/2025
Township: Cheeks
Zone of Residence: County

Also Serves On:

Ellen Pearsall
Gender Identity:

Female

Date Applied: 08/22/2025

Ethnic Background: White

Township: Chapel Hill

Age Range

35-59

Zone of Residence: C.H. City Limits

Also Serves On:

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Page 1 of 1

Page 105 of 237

1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 10, 2026

Action Agenda
Item No. 5

SUBJECT: Arts Commission – Appointments Discussion
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S):
Recommendations
Members and Applicants Summary Sheet
Applications of Persons Recommended
Applications of Other Applicants
Membership Roster
Applicant Interest List
Annual Work Plan

INFORMATION CONTACT:
Clerk’s Office, 919-245-2125

PURPOSE: To discuss appointments to the Arts Commission.
BACKGROUND: The Arts Commission recommends strategies to promote the artistic and
cultural growth of Orange County, advises the Board of County Commissioners on matters
involving the arts, and acts as the granting panel for funding programs available to individual
artists and non-profit groups sponsoring arts projects in Orange County.
The Board of County Commissioners appoints fourteen (14) At-Large members and one (1)
UNC Student who serves a one-year term.
The following individuals are recommended for Board consideration:
NAME

POSITION
DESCRIPTION

Bren West
Mary Carter
Taub
Francesca
Talenti
Denise Duffy
Gideon Young

At-Large
At-Large
At-Large
At-Large
At-Large

TYPE OF
APPOINTMENT
TERM
First Full Term
First Full Term

EXPIRATION
DATE

First Full Term
(reappointment)
Second Full Term
Second Full Term

03/31/2029

09/30/2028
03/31/2028

03/31/2029
03/31/2029

If the individuals listed above are appointed, no vacancies remain.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.

Page 106 of 237

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GUIDING PRINCIPLE – INCLUSIVITY AND ENGAGEMENT
We foster an environment in which all are welcomed, represented, and empowered to
participate in and feel connected to their community.
• GUIDING PRINCIPLE – DEDICATION AND RESPECT
We commit to our roles in public service and organizational excellence by fostering the
skills, talents, and innovation of our residents, employees, volunteers, and boards
needed to carry out this work.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss appointments to
the Arts Commission.

Page 107 of 237

February 12, 2026

Laura Jensen
Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners
300 W. Tryon St.
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Dear Laura:

The Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) Advisory Board unanimously approved the following
recommendations at our meeting on Monday, February 9, 2026:
-

Bren West, Position #6: Bren is visual artist based in Chapel Hill. She brings the perspective of a
professional working artist, as well as being a member of the board of the Orange County Artists Guild.
Mary Carter Taub, Position #15: Mary Carter is a visual artist based in Chapel Hill specializing in Public
Art. She has been involved in our organization over the years through Uproar and other public art
initiatives.

We’re also excited that Denise Duffy, Position #11, has agreed to serve a 2nd term and Francesca Talenti,
Position #10, has agreed to serve her first full term.

Lastly, we’d like to request consideration for Gideon Young, Position #4, to serve a second term. Despite his
absences, Gideon is a very engaged board member. He is a traveling Teaching Artist with the A+ Schools Program
through the NC Arts Council, teaching poetry in schools throughout the state. He is also member of the Carrboro
Poet’s Council where he helps to coordinate the West End Poetry Festival. These are two important areas that are
only represented by Gideon on our board. He has never missed a meeting without giving notice and following up,
and we’d very much like to keep him on our board for a second term. I intend to inform the board of the
enforcement of attendance requirements at the next meeting and am confident this will improve the situation.
On behalf of the OCAC Advisory Board, we greatly appreciate the commissioners’ consideration of these
appointments.
Sincerely,

Katie Murray
Director, Orange County Arts Commission

ORANGE COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION

Eno Mill | 437 Dimmocks Mill Road, Office 34 | Hillsborough, NC 27278
919.245.2335 | www.artsorange.org | [email protected]

Page 108 of 237

Name
Wendy Smith
John Bemis
Alexander Gast
Gideon Young
Dr. Crystal Wu
Heather Washburn
Lindsay Metivier
Krista Bremer
Francesca Talenti
Denise Duffy
Ashley Nissler
Renee Hayes
Josh Rosenstein
VACANT
VACANT
Mary Carter Taub
C. Todd Davis
Alia Granger
Shane Lukas
Alissa Martucci
Kelly Mills
Pascal Moore
Felix Ortiz
Roni Peterson
Gary Shaw
Dr. Daren Simkin
Jonathan Sosidka
Bren West
Jen Wolfe

Member or Applicant?
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member

Gender Identity
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male

Arts Commission Members and Applicants
Race/Ethnic Background
Age Range
White
35-59
White
35-59
White
18-34
Other
35-59
Asian American
18-34
White
35-59
White
35-59
White
35-59
White
60+
White
60+
White
35-59
African American
60+
White
18-34

Township
Chapel Hill
Hillsborough
Chapel Hill
Bingham
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill
Hillsborough
Hillsborough
Eno
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill

Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant

Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female

White
White
White
White
Other
White
African American
Hispanic
White
White
White
White
Other
White

Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill
Cheeks
Eno
Hillsborough
Chapel Hill
Hillsborough
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill

35-59
35-59
35-59
35-59
35-59
18-34
35-59
60+
60+
60+
35-59
18-34
35-59
35-59

Also Serves on
Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau

Human Relations Commission
Parks and Recreation Council

Page 109 of 237

Page 1 of 2

Bren West

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Mrs. Bren West

Phone:

9101 Old NC 86
Chapel Hill NC 27516
919-360-6961

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2022

Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

Chapel Hill
County
Female
Other
35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Orange County Artist Guild
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
N/A
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Arts Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
My background gives me a practical, two-part perspective that I m eager to bring to the
commission. For years, I worked as a creative director in design and branding, which taught me
the professional side of creativity - how to manage projects, guide teams, and connect
meaningful work with an audience. These are skills that directly apply to running effective public
programs and stewarding community resources.
Alongside that, I am a practicing visual artist. My work is tactile and personal, rooted in
materials like charcoal and inspired by the human condition and place. I went to school for
design (National Diploma in Graphic Design, Durban University of Technology, South Africa)
and have worked across different creative fields. In short, I understand creativity from the
inside: the solitary focus of the studio, and the collaborative focus of the professional creative
world.
I can relate directly to local artists, and I know the financial and logistical realities of sustaining a
practice. But I can also contribute at the strategic level, helping design initiatives that are both
inspiring and achievable. I'm passionate about supporting Orange County's arts community not
only as an artist, but as someone who has spent years turning creative vision into reality.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
My reasons for serving are both personal and professional. Personally, my art is about
connection: to place, to material, to human experience. Serving on this board is an extension of
that work; it s a way to help shape the cultural landscape of the place I call home.
Professionally, my background in creative direction has equipped me with the skills to translate
ideas into action. I want to use that experience to ensure the Commission's work is visionary,
equitable, and effective, providing real support to the artists and organizations that make our

Page 110 of 237

Page 2 of 2

Bren West

community vibrant.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
My participation would bring a vital, lived perspective shaped by a multifaceted identity and a
specific historical moment. As a South African of Indian descent raised in a post-apartheid
world, my formative years were a direct education in cultural complexity, social transition, and
the ongoing work of building equity from the ground up. I understand firsthand how the arts can
serve as a language of resilience, a form of cultural preservation, and a powerful, necessary
tool for dialogue and healing in a diverse and evolving society.
This background instills in me a deep, practical commitment to inclusive creation and access. I
am keenly aware of how systems and institutions can include or exclude, and I am passionate
about ensuring the arts in Orange County are genuinely representative and accessible to all.
My viewpoint is inherently international and historically informed, yet deeply local in its
application. I see art not just as an object, but as an active participant in the ongoing story of
community and belonging.
Combined with my professional experience as a creative director and a contemporary artist,
this allows me to contribute a unique perspective: the strategic eye of a designer, the hands-on
heart of a maker, and the culturally nuanced understanding of someone shaped by the
profound project of rebuilding a society through its culture. This combination can can help the
commission foster programs that are not only well-executed but are also culturally rich, deeply
relevant, and truly equitable - ensuring the arts here are a bridge, not a barrier.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
I am a practicing visual artist based in Orange County. I acknowledge that, like any artist in the
community, I may in the future apply for grants or programs that fall under the commission s
purview. If appointed, I am committed to full transparency and will recuse myself from any
discussion, deliberation, or vote pertaining to any application or matter where I, or an immediate
family member, have a direct financial or personal interest. My primary interest is in serving the
broader arts community of Orange County with integrity and fairness.

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 1/27/2026 9:46:47 AM

Date Printed:

1/28/2026

Page 111 of 237

Page 1 of 3

Mary Carter Taub

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Mary Carter Taub

Phone:

131 Kiley St.
Chapel Hill NC 27516
415-359-3798

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2008

Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

Chapel Hill
Carrboro City Limits
Female
White
35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
I am a full-time, professional artist who is active in the art communities of Orange County
and the Triangle.
PUBLIC ARTIST
Created over 25 public art projects across the United States, managing large-scale
budgets, municipal contracts, and community stakeholder engagement
BOARD LEADERSHIP
Board Member: The ArtsCenter Board of Directors, Carrboro, NC (2017-2021)
AWARDS & GRANTS
Creative Placemaking Award, Town of Cary Public Art Advisory Board (2020)
NC Arts Council Mary B. Regan Community Artist Grant (2018)
Orange County Arts Commission Artist Grant (3x recipient: 2011, 2013, 2016)
BILINGUAL COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS (SPANISH/ ENGLISH)
Lead Artist: Truth + Tamales. Community-based project in partnership with NC Arts
Council, Frank Porter Graham Bilingue School, The ArtsCenter, and El Centro Hispano
(2018-19)
Lead Artist: Dibujando Nuestro Pueblo. Community-based project in partnership with
Frank Porter Graham Bilingue School (2016-17)
Lead Artist: Los Arbolitos. Community-based project in partnership with El Centro
Hispano, Town of Chapel Hill Chapel Hill Museum (2010-11)

Page 112 of 237

Page 2 of 3

Mary Carter Taub

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Pre-qualified Public Artist List:
Arizona (Scottsdale Public Art)
California (San Francisco Arts Commission)
Maryland State Arts Council
North Carolina (City of Charlotte, Arts & Science Council)
Oklahoma Art in Public Places (Oklahoma City)
Texas (Fort Worth Public Art)
ALUMNI ORGANIZATIONS
School of Visual Arts (New York)
Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture (Maine)
Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University (Arizona)
Meredith College (North Carolina)
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Arts Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I hold both an MFA and MBA and have 30 years experience working as a professional artist. I
understand the lifecycle of public art; from the initial RFP and grant writing to community
engagement, fabrication, install and long-term maintenance. I am accustomed to balancing "left
brain/ right brain" thinking to advocate for the artistic integrity of projects while remaining
pragmatic about fiscal responsibility and institutional goals.
I have executed large-scale public art commissions with municipalities (including New York
City, Nashville, Carlsbad/San Diego County, Raleigh and Charlotte) and major institutions like
UNC Hospital, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Nashville International Airport, NYC Department
of Transportation, SouthPark Regional Library, Carlsbad Fire Station, Duke University, UNC,
and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I am motivated to give back to the local creative ecosystem that has supported my art career for
over two decades. In 2013 I received my first Orange County Arts Commission Artist Project
Grant to help fund Mobile Mural, the first-ever artwork to wrap all sides of a Chapel Hill Transit
bus. Commissioned by Town of Chapel Hill, Mobile Mural ran for five years and was the pilot
project that paved the way for what is now the Art + Transit program. Mobile Mural was my firstever public art commission.
In 2023 I was on the selection panel for OCAC's inaugural Uproar Festival of Public Art, where I
helped evaluate and select the artists. I really enjoyed being part of the Uproar engine!
Over the years, I have worked with various arts councils and municipal programs across the
country, from City of Carlsbad Arts Commission and Carlsbad City Council in California to the
City of Charlotte's Public Art Commission and Town of Cary's Public Art Advisory Board. I have
seen firsthand how a well-run public art program can foster a community's identity and sense of
pride.
I want to use my experience to help OCAC continue fostering our local art/ creative community
and ensure that Orange County's public spaces remain vibrant, inclusive, and aesthetically topnotch.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?

Page 113 of 237

Page 3 of 3

Mary Carter Taub

As a public artist with a 30-year practice, I am used to working in public settings with community
members from all walks of life. I believe one of my strengths is my ability to cross-pollinate: to
communicate and collaborate with diverse groups and make connections between unlikely
ideas. I am accustomed to wearing many different hats, and I bring a dual MFA/ MBA
perspective to the OCAC, balancing creative vision with business sense to strengthen our art/
creative community in Orange County.
I have ties to our local Spanish-speaking community. I have led multi-year, community-based
art projects (Truth + Tamales; Dibujando Nuestro Pueblo; Los Arbolitos) in partnership with
FPG BilingÃ¼e and El Centro Hispano. I am fluent in Spanish (though not a native speaker). I
would like to help OCAC's programs scale with our community's growing Latinx population.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 1/22/2026 9:11:13 AM

Date Printed:

1/28/2026

Page 114 of 237

10
Page 1 of 1

Francesca Talenti

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Ms. Francesca Talenti

Phone:

700 Orange High School Rd.
Hillsborough NC 27278
919-923-7720

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2002

Township of Residence: Hillsborough
Hillsborough ETJ
Zone of Residence:
Female
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

60+

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
I host a screening series in the summer; I also produced, wrote and directed (entirely for
free!) a children s play that was staged at Patrick Dougherty s sculpture in Hillsborough.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Arts Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I am a professor emerita of film production. I taught film production (fiction and animation) at the
University of Texas at Austin, and at UNC Chapel Hill. I also have my own ongoing practice in
the digital moving image, whether in projection design, installation work, or cinema.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I'd like to contribute to the arts community here.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
The board beautifully represents the plastic arts, theater, and literature. Digital art and the
moving image seem to be a little under-represented. I could fill that gap.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 8/16/2024 2:29:08 PM

Date Printed:

8/21/2024

Page 115 of 237

11
Page 1 of 2

Denise Duffy

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Ms. Denise Duffy

Phone:

319 W Margaret Ln.
Hillsborough NC 27278
919-451-1876

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2001

Township of Residence: Hillsborough
Hillsborough Town Limits
Zone of Residence:
Female
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

60+

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Managing Director, Music Maker Foundation
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Arts Commission
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I am co-founder and Managing Director of Music Maker Foundation, a nonprofit organization
based in Hillsborough that has served musical artists and audiences in North Carolina for 29
years. Additionally, my college degree in liberal arts from Hampshire College, was more
centered on textiles and fiber arts. So, I have an interest in and understanding of a diverse array
of artistic disciplines.
Music Maker has supported more than 500 artists and presented more than 8,000 artist
performances to audience in Orange County, North Carolina, the nation and the world. I have a
deep understanding of how important it is to support artists within their home communities, both
for the growth of the artist and for the strength of the community. It is also important for a
community to have the benefit of experiencing artists of diverse backgrounds from all over the
world to bring richness and innovation to the community.
While Music Maker has primarily focussed on music, I have overseen the funding, creation and
touring of 4 different cultural and fine arts exhibits that have been installed at more than 40
museums and cultural arts centers across the country since 2014.
I have been the primary individual responsible for overseeing the financial management, grants
management, development and government compliance of a 501(c)3 arts organization for 29
years. I have worked to build our annual budget from $20,000 in 1994 to $1.3 million in 2023, so
I understand the inner workings and operations of arts organizations of a variety of sizes.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:

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Denise Duffy
Reasons
to serve on this board:
I think the arts are essential to our quality of life in Orange County. Reverence for and support of
the arts by the Orange County government and community were important factors in our
decision to move our family and nonprofit organization to Orange County in 2001.
Shared public arts experiences are crucial to building and maintenance of the social fabric of our
community and critical to the education of our children if we want to raise them to be thoughtful,
engaged citizens.
The Arts Commission has shown great innovation and strong arts leadership, especially in the
past 4 or 5 years and I would be excited to play a more active role.
Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board:
I have worked with senior roots musicians for three decades and understand the complexity of
the challenges artists marginalized by age, race, gender and class face in reaching broader
audiences and funding their work.
As the co-founder of an arts organization, I understand what it takes to have an artistic vision
and realize that vision by bringing energy, community and funding to it - to build something
where there was nothing.
Conflict of Interest:
I am an employee of an organization that has received grants from the OCAC in the past. I
would recuse myself from any votes/commentary that would impact funding decisions of any
grants in which Music Maker was an applicant. Our organization is not eligible to apply for most
of the arts grants offered by OCAC because we are a Statewide Service Organization of the NC
Arts Council.

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 1/11/2023 4:10:32 PM

Date Printed:

1/13/2023

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Gideon Young

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Gideon Young

Phone:

1416 Indian Camp Road
Chapel Hill NC 27516
860-575-3706

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2008

Township of Residence: Bingham
County
Zone of Residence:
Male
Gender Identity:
Other
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
A+ Schools of North Carolina: Fellow
Carolina African American Writers Collective: Member
Carrboro Poets Council: Member
Haiku Society of America: Member
North Carolina Haiku Society: Member
Winner of a 2023 Arts in Education Artist Residency Grant from the North Carolina Arts
Council
North Carolina Association of Educators: Community Ally
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None specifically for Orange County, but I did serve on the North Carolina state advisory
board for the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series.
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Arts Commission
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I am an artist and educator whose first independent living experience began in Orange County,
NC after moving here from Connecticut in 2008. Fifteen years later, my wife and I own a house
and are raising two children here. My student teaching experience was at Efland Cheeks
Elementary School, followed by 6 years as a Title 1 Elementary Literacy Teacher there,
expanding influence and change throughout Orange County Schools. I am a Fellow for A+
Schools of North Carolina, developing arts-integration with teachers and schools throughout our
North Carolina. I am a poet and writer, serving on the Carrboro Poets Council, focusing on arts
administration in Carrboro.
I care about Orange County. I care about the Arts. I care about Education.
I am a growth-minded Orange County citizen.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:

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Gideon Young
Reasons
to serve on this board:
I hope to provide additional voice and perspective on the Arts, Education, and Community as we
all continue learning together how to grow, evolve, and gather together. I hope to gain
understanding on how similar components of close communities can become more efficient and
bonded (OCAC, Carrboro Parks & Rec & Culture, OCS, CHCCS, etc.)
Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board:
I am Black and Caucasian and Brown. I am a conduit of Elder wisdom. I am Northern-born and a
Father of Southerners. I prioritize self-balance, value reflection, and provide safe environment for
building voices. I am a listener.
Conflict of Interest:

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 4/5/2023 1:22:21 PM

Date Printed:

4/5/2023

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C. Todd Davis

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

C. Todd Davis

Phone:

600 Carraway Crossing, Suite 6308
Chapel Hill NC 27516
503-421-1545

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2025

Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

Chapel Hill
C.H. City Limits
Male
White
35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
NA
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
NA
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Arts Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
My professional career has centered on protecting, shaping, and elevating identity through
brand stewardship, visual design and strategic storytelling. With degrees in marketing and
education from the University of Georgia and post-baccalaureate studies in art and design at
Oregon State University, I bring both creative and strategic perspectives to the table. Across
roles in nonprofit-driven branding, teaching, higher education marketing, and my current work
as Trademarks and Licensing Coordinator at UNC-Chapel Hill, I have collaborated with diverse
stakeholders, assessed creative work for clarity and impact and helped organizations express
who they are with authenticity and purpose. This blend of creative training, strategic thinking
and experience evaluating artistic and design-driven materials aligns naturally with the
Commission's mission to support artistic growth, steward public resources and champion
cultural expression throughout Orange County.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I am eager to deepen my connection to my new home of Chapel Hill and contribute to a
community where creativity is part of the everyday fabric. My interest in the arts has been both
personal and professional, through painting, design and contemporary art plus roles that sit at
the intersection of creativity, strategy and public impact respectively. Serving on the
Commission would allow me to use that experience to support artists and organizations whose
work strengthens the cultural landscape of Orange County. I am drawn to the Commission's
role in funding and advising as well as envisioning what artistic life in the county can be.
Contributing to that kind of forward-looking, community-centered work feels like a natural
extension of what motivates me professionally and personally.

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C. Todd Davis

How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I bring a cross-disciplinary lens shaped by marketing, design, intellectual property stewardship
and higher education, a combination that encourages both creative imagination and practical
execution. My work requires me to evaluate artistic ideas for alignment, clarity and impact, while
honoring the creator's intent, which is a balancing act that translates well to reviewing proposals
and supporting a wide range of artistic voices. Further, my background has led me to approach
the arts as both a practitioner and a strategist, with an eye for how creative work engages
audiences, communicates meaning and strengthens community identity. I believe my
perspective as part designer, part storyteller, part systems thinker striving to explore a broad
array of styles, artistic traditions and cultural influences would contribute a useful and distinct
viewpoint to the Commission's decision-making and visioning work.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
My background includes several years with the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative, an
organization that operates statewide systems, manages regulated materials, collaborates with
government partners and places strong emphasis on accountability, public trust and operational
integrity. In my role as Creative Content & Brand Manager, I supported initiatives tied to
recycling logistics, compliance messaging, retail relationships and public education, which
required clarity, precision and an understanding of how regulated systems function at scale. My
academic foundation in marketing and education, in conjunction with experience in stakeholder
communication and brand stewardship, equips me to evaluate policies, consider public-facing
impact and help support consistent, well-informed decision-making. My current role at UNCChapel Hill also requires attention to compliance frameworks, responsible use of institutional
assets and an ability to navigate rules with both professionalism and practicality. Together, this
experience aligns well with the ABC Board's responsibility to oversee store operations, adopt
system rules and steward a public-facing enterprise with transparency and accountability.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
As a new resident of Chapel Hill, I am looking for meaningful avenues to contribute to the
systems that shape life in Orange County. The ABC Board's unique position to balance retail
operations, regulatory responsibilities, community expectations and revenue that ultimately
supports local priorities represents the kind of work I value. I am drawn to boards that combine
public service with thoughtful governance and a long-term view of community impact. The ABC
Board plays a distinctive role in North Carolina, and contributing to the Orange County ABC
Board would allow me to support operational excellence, strengthen public trust and help
ensure that the system continues to serve the county effectively and responsibly.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I bring a perspective shaped by experience in regulated environments, public-facing
communication and operationally complex systems. At OBRC, I worked closely with teams
responsible for logistics, compliance and statewide retail partnerships, helping me consider
challenges from multiple angles, including customer experience, process efficiency, public
perception and organizational values. In addition, my professional background spans higher
education, nonprofit-aligned missions, marketing strategy and brand governance. This crossdisciplinary lens encourages me to ask clear questions, evaluate information carefully and
consider how decisions resonate both internally and with the broader community. My approach
combines analytical clarity with creative insight, and I believe that blend of transparency,
systems thinking and public-mindedness would strengthen the Board's collective perspective.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

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Page 3 of 3

C. Todd Davis

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 12/11/2025 12:38:55 PM

Date Printed:

12/15/2025

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Alia Granger

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Ms. Alia Granger

Phone:

1002 Abbott St.
Mebane NC 27302
919-219-1671

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2018

Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

Cheeks
Town of Mebane City Limits
Female
White
35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
I am not currently on any boards, but have served on the Adult Card Home Advisory
Board in Durham when I was a Durham resident. I am now a resident of Mebane in
orange county. I do volunteer for WUNC and the Women s Prison Book Project. I am a
licensed real estate broker but work for a senior living community. I am very interested
serving my community as it adapts to rapid change.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
n/a
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Arts Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I have deep roots in the performing arts community, having grown up in a household of actors
and musicians. My degree is in English Education, which often collaborates with or incorporates
arts education. My work life now is with Older adults, and visual and performing arts are a part
of an engaged and active senior adult lifestyle. Personally, I enjoy the galleries and arts events
in Orange County and patronize them regularly.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I believe the arts are essential to living a complete life.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I am not an artist or performer, though do have performance in my background. I am simply a
patron of the arts who recognizes the value they bring to me and to people of all ages. I grew
up in poverty, which gives me a unique lens through which to analyze community resources
and their value.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Page 123 of 237

Page 2 of 2

Alia Granger

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 9/5/2025 10:43:04 AM

Date Printed:

9/5/2025

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Shane Lukas

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Mr. Shane Lukas

Phone:

3607 Ameshia Dr.
Hillsborough NC 27278
646-217-2636

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2019

Township of Residence: Eno
County
Zone of Residence:
Male
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
HARMONY (formerly Raleigh Professionals Chamber of Commerce) / Carolinas LGBT+
Chamber of Commerce
AIGA (Graphic Design Org)
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None, but I am interested in engaging in my local community now that I recently
completed my Masters degree. (I have served on nonprofit boards in the past for areas
like adult literacy)
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Human Relations Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I have a long history in community organizing around equity and inclusive practices, including on
nonprofit boards (adult literacy, etc.). I also now have nearly 10 years as a business owner (my
studio is in Greensboro and my clients are nationwide with none based here in Orange County)
and recently completed my MBA.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
This is my preferred choice for becoming part of the local community in this way. As a member
of the LGBTQ+ community I appreciate Orange County s commitment to inclusive practices and
protections, and I would be interested in continuing to support equity for all our many Orange
County citizens and communities.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I believe I can bring unique experience to the board from both my professional and personal
history as well as demonstrated commitment to advocating for fair and responsible practices that
make sure all people in Orange County feel seen and heard.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

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Shane Lukas

Arts Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I have my own history in areas like spoken word and poetry where I am published, but I am also
nearly in my 10th year running a brand communications company with a long history where I
have many design awards. I also have a long history in community organizing around equity and
inclusive practices, including on nonprofit boards (adult literacy, etc.).
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I feel like I would be an asset to this board by having familiarity with institutional processes and
practices in arts granting and creative community support.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I think I bring many different experiences, ranging from literary to visual art experience as well as
a long history as a community advocacy and active LGBTQ+ community member.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 5/12/2024 6:24:17 PM

Date Printed:

5/14/2024

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Alissa Martucci

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Mrs. Alissa Martucci

Phone:

505 Childsberg Way
Hillsborough NC 27278
503-515-4088

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2023

Township of Residence: Hillsborough
Hillsborough Town Limits
Zone of Residence:
Female
Gender Identity:
Other
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
I volunteer at River Park Elementary where my children go to school. I m part of TORC
(triangle off road cyclists) and help maintain mountain bike trails. I also contribute to The
Monti as a community storyteller.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
n/a
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Orange County Parks and Recreation Council
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I have a BS in environmental science, and work as the Chief Operating Officer of an Organic
tortilla company. I ve done some volunteer work restoring riparian zones in the tropics and
reforesting rainforests that have been clearcut, as well as some work on permaculture farms in
developing countries.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
My family and I are big outdoor enthusiasts. I utilize the Orange County Parks on a daily basis
(especially Fairview, Gold Park, and the River Walk) and appreciate opportunities for outdoor
recreation. I d like support this important and valuable resource in our community and be part of
how parks are shaped and cared for in the future.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
As a woman with children who s lived and travelled all over the world, I have a unique
perspective on the diverse ways that parks can be used and what is possible to create with them.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Arts Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board

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Alissa Martucci

I am a musician (piano and ukulele), a storyteller, and previously worked in stained glass art. I've
volunteered with the Hillsborough arts council-making lanterns for solstice walk and a puppet for
the handmade parade.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I LOVE how much support there is for the arts in Hillsborough, and appreciate all the
opportunities there are for the community to come together in creative ways around the arts.
Orange county is very unique in this way. I value this aspect of our community and would like to
support it.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I'd like to see the opportunities to connect through the arts be more inclusive of the diversity that
exists in our community.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 10/9/2024 10:28:59 AM

Date Printed:

10/15/2024

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Kelly Mills

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Kelly Mills

Phone:

119 Stinson St.
Chapel Hill NC 27516
304-763-8397

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2022

Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

Chapel Hill
C.H. City Limits
Female
White
18-34

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
I am currently a Program Development intern with Volunteers For Youth in Carrboro, NC
and a regular volunteer with TABLE of Chapel Hill. In fall 2025, I will transition into an
intern role with TABLE. I recently finished the school year as the Extended Day Lead
Teacher at The Morningside School in Carrboro, NC and as a Teacher s Assistant at
Chapel Hill Early School. I am also a dance teacher with Dance Collaborative, which
operates out of the Chapel Hill YMCA and seeks to provide arts access for children of all
backgrounds.
At UNC, I am on the Executive Board for Blank Canvas Dance Company, one of the
largest student-run organizations on campus, and a member of the Sources of Strength
Club, which advocates for student mental health resources on campus.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
I have not served on an Orange County Advisory Board before, but I am eager about the
opportunity.
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Arts Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I have been passionate about the arts throughout my life, beginning dance at age three. Over
the years, I ve gained diverse experience in the field, including teaching dance, touring with a
traveling company, and choreographing over fifteen original pieces.
As the former Vice President of Blank Canvas Dance Company at UNC, I worked to expand
arts access on campus. Blank Canvas is unique in that it welcomes dancers of all backgrounds
and skill levels, fostering a positive environment where members can grow and learn. During
my time on the Executive Board, I helped increase membership from around 175 to over 300
members. I also played a key role in producing several sold-out performances at Memorial Hall.
Prior to my role as Vice President, I co-chaired the companyâ€™s Performance Team, where I

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Kelly Mills

developed lasting relationships with community venues where we performed.
Beyond Blank Canvas, I have actively participated in community theater, taking on roles as a
choreographer, dance captain, and actress. I currently teach dance at the Dance Collaborative
in Chapel Hill, NC, a program offering affordable dance classes for local children, including
adaptive dance classes.
I am also working with Volunteers For Youth to launch a dance mentorship program in the fall.
The program s goal is to provide free, high-quality dance classes to underserved children in
Orange County, expanding their access to the arts.
Aside from my personal experience in creating art, I am also a passionate enjoyer of the arts. I
go see local shows, live music, and visual arts exhibits as often as possible, as I sincerely value
the opportunity to encourage our local artists.
Additionally, I have conducted several research studies exploring the benefits of arts access for
underserved communities and am deeply committed to advancing the arts positive impact on
society.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
Expanding access to the arts is one of my greatest passions. The arts have had a profound
impact on my life, shaping who I am today. Through the arts, I've experienced improved mental
health, a stronger sense of community, and a deep sense of joy. However, many people face
barriers to engaging with the arts, such as high costs, exclusivity, and transportation issues.
I am committed to addressing these challenges in Orange County because I firmly believe the
arts should be accessible to everyone. The true power of the arts lies in the expression of
individual experiences, and increasing arts access is essential for empowering marginalized
voices. I believe that arts access is critical to making Orange County a place where every
member is seen and heard.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I believe that my significant background in dance and in theater would allow me to speak for the
importance of the performing arts. Although I am also passionate about visual arts, I often
witness less of a focus on the performing arts, and I would be eager to contribute my
perspective on the value of performing arts and the need to make the performing arts more
accessible to our community.
Furthermore, as a younger voice in our community, I am highly invested in working to ensure
that our community is one where the arts are sustainable and integral to daily life.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Opioid Advisory Committee
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
During my time at UNC, the opioid epidemic has been the focus of my research. As a Sociology
and Human Development and Family Science major, I have conducted several studies on the
impact of opioid abuse in communities, exploring topics such as early education, postsecondary attendance, recidivism, and the healthcare system. I have dedicated significant time
to understanding the epidemic's root causes and its wide-ranging effects, and I am deeply
knowledgeable about its complexities.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board

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Kelly Mills

I grew up in rural West Virginia, at the heart of the opioid epidemic. Throughout my childhood,
the devastating effects of opioid abuse impacted my family, schools, and community. This has
fueled my passion for addressing the issue, both in Orange County and beyond. I am deeply
committed to the belief that there is hope for those affected by opioid abuse, and working
toward a future free from it is one of my life's primary goals.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
My background growing up in West Virginia, where the opioid epidemic has deeply affected my
family and community, gives me a unique perspective to contribute to Advisory Committee
discussions. Additionally, as a representative of younger voices, who are certainly impacted by
the epidemic but often do not participate in conversations about it, I would be honored to bring
these perspectives to the table.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 6/16/2025 11:46:25 AM

Date Printed:

6/18/2025

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Pascal Moore

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Mr. Pascal Moore

Phone:

612 Red Fox Trail
Hillsborough NC 27278
919-672-9072

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2012

Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

Hillsborough
Hillsborough ETJ
Male
African American
35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Black Dot Leadership Academy - Board Treasurer, providing fiscal oversight and strategic
guidance for community leadership development programs.
CASA (Community Alternatives for Supportive Abodes) - Active in affordable housing
advocacy through my accounting and operational role supporting residents and
community-based housing initiatives.
Affordable Community Residence Association (ACRA) - Supporting the financial
stabilization and integration of a partner nonprofit focused on providing supportive housing.
North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF) - Liaising for CASA's endowment fund and
ensuring stewardship of charitable assets supporting housing and community
development.
King's Ridge Project - Supporting operations and financial reporting for a major affordable
housing initiative serving formerly homeless residents.
Local Housing and Community Events - Participating in or supporting community
fundraising events, property openings, and housing advocacy initiatives through CASA.
Nonprofit Collaboration Networks - Engaging with local nonprofit and community partners
to align financial accountability and mission-driven impact in housing.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
N/A
Boards/Commissions applied for:

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Pascal Moore

Orange County Housing Authority Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
My background in governmental accounting and nonprofit housing management directly
supports the mission of the Orange County Housing Authority Board. As a Senior Accountant at
CASA, I manage federal and state housing program compliance, HUD reporting, and annual
audits; giving me firsthand experience with the financial and regulatory aspects of affordable
housing.
I hold a bachelor's in accounting from North Carolina Central University, worked in
governmental and grant accounting for over a decade, hold a certification for HUD financial
management and a Project Management Professional Certification; combining financial
expertise with strong project management skills. I also serve on the Black Dot Leadership
Academy Board as Treasurer, where I help guide financial strategy and community initiatives.
Together, these experiences give me a deep understanding of how sound financial
management and collaboration strengthen affordable housing programs and impact the
community.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I want to serve on the Orange County Housing Authority Board because I believe stable,
affordable housing is the foundation for opportunity. I've seen firsthand how access to safe
housing transforms lives, and I want to use my experience to help strengthen the systems that
make that possible for more families.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
My participation would bring the perspective of someone who works daily at the intersection of
finance, housing, and community impact. I value collaboration, transparency, and equity. I
believe diverse perspectives lead to stronger, more inclusive solutions. My experience serving
low-income and underrepresented populations allows me to bring both professional insight and
lived empathy to the board's discussions and decisions.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
My background in accounting, compliance, and nonprofit financial management has prepared
me to contribute effectively to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board's oversight responsibilities.
As a Senior Accountant at CASA, I manage complex budgets, conduct audits, and ensure
adherence to federal and state regulations; skills that directly align with the Board's focus on
fiscal integrity, accountability, and public trust.
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from North Carolina Central University and a Project
Management Professional (PMP) certification, which strengthen my ability to analyze financial
data, improve processes, and ensure compliance with governing policies.
With over 18 years of professional experience, I bring a balanced perspective that values
transparency, ethical governance, and community impact; qualities essential to supporting the
responsible regulation and management of alcoholic beverage operations in Orange County.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I want to serve on the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to play a more active role in my local
community. This board offers a meaningful way to support responsible business practices,
promote public safety, and ensure that revenues from alcohol sales benefit local programs. I
take pride in contributing to the growth and well-being of Orange County, and I see this service
as an opportunity to help strengthen the connection between local governance and community
impact.

Page 133 of 237

Page 3 of 3

Pascal Moore

How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
My participation would bring the perspective of a finance professional who understands how
responsible management and community-impact intersect. As an accountant with over 18 years
of experience in government and nonprofit financial management and compliance, I offer both
technical expertise and a community-centered outlook. I value integrity, transparency, and
inclusivity, and I believe diverse perspectives strengthen decision-making. My experience
serving organizations that promote equity and opportunity would help ensure the Board's work
reflects the diverse needs and values of Orange County's residents.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Arts Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
My background in accounting, project management, and community service has given me a
strong foundation to support the financial and operational aspects of arts initiatives. As a Senior
Accountant at CASA, I manage budgets, grants, and compliance for a nonprofit that invests in
community well-being; experience that translates directly to ensuring responsible stewardship
of arts funding and resources.
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from North Carolina Central University and a PMP
certification, which together strengthen my ability to combine creativity with structure and
accountability. Beyond finance, I'm passionate about community engagement and believe the
arts play a vital role in connecting people, telling stories, and inspiring change.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I want to serve on the Arts Commission because I believe the arts are essential to building
vibrant, inclusive communities. Creative expression brings people together, tells our shared
stories, and strengthens local identity. Serving on this board would allow me to help support
artists and organizations that make Orange County a more connected, inspiring place to live.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
My participation would bring the perspective of a finance professional who values creativity,
equity, and community engagement. As a Black accountant with over 18 years of experience in
nonprofit financial management and public service, I offer both a practical and inclusive
viewpoint. I understand how access to resources can shape opportunities, and I believe the arts
should reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. My background allows me to bridge
financial accountability with a deep appreciation for creative expression, helping ensure that
decisions support both artistic innovation and equitable access.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 10/10/2025 12:23:15 PM

Date Printed:

10/13/2025

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Felix Ortiz

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Mr. Felix Ortiz

Phone:

2200 Millikan Rd.
Chapel Hill NC 27516
919-903-4571

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2016

Township of Residence: Chapel Hill
County
Zone of Residence:
Male
Gender Identity:
Hispanic
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

60+

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
I am semi retired and am looking to engage with the community and be a value add by
leverageing my diverse experiential skils i ve acquired during my carreer within the
hospitality industry (as a former restaurantoor), as well as my legal expereince in the
entartainment industry and financial services sector.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None to date
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I've consulted as well as owned restaurants and understand as a business owner the challenges
entrepreneurs a can face; the community obligations a business owner needs to be cognizant of
in being a model business owner serving the needs of their community while balancing the self
interest of being a profitable business
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
It piques my interest to learn more about how the ABC municipal model works versus other
state run liquor licensing authorities run.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I believe as a former business owner I can provide a business owner s perspective and the
challenges they face.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Orange County Planning Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board

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Felix Ortiz

With educational disciplines in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, and extensive
telecom industry experience, I can contribute and share my insights not just in traditional
technologies, but also emerging technologies. During my tenure in the Legal Dept. as well as the
Global Finance Dept at American Express in NY, I had the opportunity to work on a myriad of
projects across the globe whereby I had to interact and liaison with multiple stakeholders in the
private sector as well as government positions to navigate local ordinances, codes regulations to
bring to fruition the building data centers, call centers, and expansion of administrative offices to
support time to market company goals
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
As a resident and member of teh Orange County community I have a vested interest in
understanding and seeing how the county grows; to the extent I can assist in teh shaping og
those goals, it would be an exciting opportunity.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
As a Latino professional, former business owner, current property owner, a father with a vested
interest in my family s future in this community, and an extensive background in technology,
legal, and business, I feel I bring a strong acumen in diverse points of view that can be
leveraged for the betterment of our community
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Arts Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
As an art lover all my life raised in NYC, I was blessed with having a plethora of museums,
galleries, and art installations throughout teh city to explore and experience. I witnessed firsthand
the emergence of street artist Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, (French artist) Invader, &
Banksy leaving their artistic mark on the city. Having worked at American Express, often in teh
spirit of goof corporate citizenship Amex would sponsor art centric events and festivals. During
my tenure I worked on the support team to bring to fruition the Tribeca Film Festival as a post
9/11 revitalization effort to revitalize lower Manhattan; American Express auction of Annie
Leibovitz s iconic portraits which included Demi Moore (Vanity cover), Whoopi Goldberg ina milk
filled bath tub, Queen Elizabeth 11, etc.; Rene Soto revered NY underground tattoo artist who
has left his imprint on Hip Hop icons like Tupac, Cypress Hills, Biggie Smalls, Boo Yaa Tribe, &
a host of other urban music artist.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
NC has a rich history of artist that trace their roots back to our state ranging from Nina Simone,
John Coltrane, Roberta Flack, Ava Gardner, Charlie Poole, teh Blue SKY Boys, Doc Watson,
Earl Scruggs, all formidable contributors to their respective genres and natives of NC. And we
overlooked such contemporaries like J. Cole, Fantasia, Anthony Hamilton, Angie Stone,
Sunshine Anderson, Kelsey Lu, Nat Jones who helped shape James Brown unique funk music
with his slick sax playing, a distinct trademark in James Brown sound, and the list goes on! Yet
the world hardly knows they re all products of the Tar Heel state! Why is that?
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I would like to see how we can not just memorialize the artistic talents of NC rich artistic
pioneers, but let the world now NC is where they are from!
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:

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32
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Felix Ortiz

Other Comments:
This application was current on: 11/15/2024 11:16:02 AM

Date Printed:

11/21/2024

Page 137 of 237

33
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Roni Peterson

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Roni Peterson

Phone:

128 Carolina Forest Ct.
Chapel Hill NC 27516
919-624-1778

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

1993

Township of Residence: Chapel Hill
County
Zone of Residence:
Female
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

60+

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
none: retired teacher
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
none
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Arts Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I had been involved for many years as a ceramic artist and also a film and video producer and
had been the CEO of the production company SIlverLight Production Inc. which was my
husband and my company until we retired. I also taught dramatic arts at Camelot Academy for
13 years.When I was doing ceramic art, I had the first paint it yourself ceramic studio in Chapel
Hill in 1997, I sold it and it still is in business.I feel I have a lot of experience in what it takes to
have a successful business in the Arts.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I am retired and still involved doing art and with my skills in production,teaching,and running two
successful businesses. I feel I would be a good addition to the board,.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I feel that my years of experience in the arts as well as being a producer and teacher in the fields
of film, video, dramatic Arts, and clay art would be a very good contribution.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Animal Services Advisory Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I really do not have any real education or experience but have had many animals throughout my
life.

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34
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Roni Peterson

Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
To be honest I m not quite just what this board does but I m an animal lover and would like to be
involved in anything that involves the care of animals.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I m versed in communications with many different people and based on my many years of
experience owning two different business that required me to have many viewpoints on many
different issues, as well as being a teacher, I feel I can hold my own on all discussions.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I have a BA in Speech Therapy and Audiology and a major in Psychology.I have worked with
many people in the professions I have had during my adult life. I am a young 75 and am at the
point of my life that these issues are very important to me and others of my age group.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
see above
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I feel my age and life skills would be a plus.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 8/7/2024 5:36:49 PM

Date Printed:

8/21/2024

Page 139 of 237

Page 1 of 2

Gary Shaw

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Gary Shaw

Phone:

103 Glenview Pl.
Chapel Hill NC 27514
919-360-2689

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

1993

Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

Chapel Hill
C.H. City Limits
Male
White
60+

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Meals on Wheels Orange County
ISLA NC
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None yet
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Arts Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
When I was younger, I thought I'd like to be an architect because I was entranced by how
humans interacted with the space around them, natural and structural. Instead I became a
university professor and management consultant, because I was entranced by how humans
interacted with the communities and organizational structures around them. What I've learned is
that public art helps communities thrive. And that's why I'd like to help strengthen the
connection between art and the people of this community.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
Semi-retirement has given me more time for other work. I have been looking for opportunities to
volunteer with community-based organizations. Volunteering with a group that recognizes how
art of all stripes interacts with and enlivens a community seems like exactly the kind of work I'd
like to focus on.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
It's impossible to answer this question without either satire or sarcasm. I can't think of a single
thing that would make sense. And, honestly, these days you could get yourself into trouble with
questions like this.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Page 140 of 237

Page 2 of 2

Gary Shaw

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 8/2/2025 4:47:34 PM

Date Printed:

8/18/2025

Page 141 of 237

Page 1 of 2

Daren Simkin

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Dr. Daren Simkin

Phone:

2 Buttons Rd.
Chapel Hill NC 27514
310-909-4761

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2023

Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

Chapel Hill
C.H. City Limits
Male
White
35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
None
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
Non
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Arts Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I am currently a full-time physician but prior to entering health care I served as assistant and
caregiver to an aging author and cultural icon then worked as a creative writer for several
years. Since entering medicine, I have strived to integrate the arts and humanities into my
clinical, academic, and teaching practice. These efforts have ranged from recording life reviews
with people in hospice care, to researching the history of animal use in medical education, to
leading medical residents in reflective writing exercises. How we communicate with each other
in society is important to me and seems central to the role of the Arts Commission.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
Through these different experiences, I have gained an ever evolving and solidifying
appreciation for the role of the arts in the development of relationships and community. I want to
work alongside likeminded people committed to the perpetuation of the arts in Orange County
and beyond.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I don't know if my participation on the board would contribute to the diversity of viewpoints in
any unique way, but I do know that I approach the arts through the lens of human health.
Because I am not employed in what may be considered a traditional arts profession, I also may
offer useful perspectives on how the Arts Commission can impact members of the population
similarly situated.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Page 142 of 237

Page 2 of 2

Daren Simkin

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 10/23/2025 7:47:25 PM

Date Printed:

10/27/2025

Page 143 of 237

39
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Jonathan Sosidka

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Mr. Jonathan Sosidka

Phone:

305B McGregor Dr.
Chapel Hill NC 27514
908-267-2248

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2023

Township of Residence: Chapel Hill
C.H. City Limits
Zone of Residence:
Male
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

18-34

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
N/A
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
N/A
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
My experience in video production and digital marketing has given me the skills necessary to
effectively promote and showcase the unique attractions of Chapel Hill and Orange County. As a
video producer, I have a deep understanding of visual storytelling, which is critical for engaging
content that can attract visitors and increase visitation. Additionally, my experience managing
creative projects requires me to work closely with clients to develop strategies that increase
visibility and engagement, a skill I believe is directly relevant to this work. My education in media
complements these experiences, giving me a solid foundation in understanding how to craft
messages that resonate with different audiences.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I love the vibrant culture and history of Chapel Hill and Orange County, and I want to help
promote this area as a place that offers something for everyone. Serving on the Visitors Bureau
Advisory Board allows me to use my skills to help develop strategies that highlight the unique
aspects of our community, from its rich cultural heritage to its modern amenities. I am
particularly interested in finding new ways to attract a broader audience, including using digital
media and social platforms for potential visitors who may not know all of what Chapel Hill and
Orange County have to offer. My goal is to help keep this area thriving as a tourist destination
and benefitting local businesses and the community at large.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
My background in the creative industry, coupled with my experience as a small business owner,
allows me to bring fresh and innovative ideas to the board. I am well aware of current trends in
digital marketing and product development, which are critical in attracting and engaging today's

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40
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Jonathan Sosidka

travelers. Additionally, for anyone who chooses to make Chapel Hill my home, I can give this
community insight into what makes it attractive to new residents and visitors. I believe my
perspective, shaped by my professional experience and personal passion for this community,
will add valuable diversity to the board's discussions and decision-making processes.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Arts Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
My background in video production and creative media is heavily embedded in the arts,
providing a unique perspective on visual storytelling, design and cultural expression. Through my
career in video production, I have collaborated with a variety of artists, groups, and businesses
to create content that captures and celebrates artistic expression. My education in
communication has further strengthened my understanding of the role of the arts in community
building and cultural preservation. Additionally, as a manager of a creative agency, I have
experience promoting and supporting arts initiatives, consistent with the Commission's goal of
promoting the arts in Chapel Hill.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I love the arts and believe that they play an important role in enriching our communities and
fostering creativity and connection amongst members of the community. Serving on the Arts
Council will allow me to actively support and advocate for the development of arts programs that
reflect the voices and talents of Chapel Hill. I am particularly interested in how we can
incorporate more public art projects into everyday spaces to make art accessible to everyone,
and enhance the cultural vitality of our city. My goal is to help create opportunities for artists to
showcase their work, and for residents to engage with the arts in meaningful ways and
contribute to a rich cultural landscape.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
My participation on the board will bring a unique perspective that blends creativity with practical
professional experience. As someone who works at the intersection of art and business, I
understand the challenges artists face in finding a broad audience work and appreciate it.
Additionally, my background in digital media allows me to bring insights into how we can use
technology to promote the arts and engage new and diverse audiences. I also represent a
younger demographic, which is important to ensure the Commission takes into account the
interests and cultural contributions of all ages. My perspective will help provide a more
comprehensive understanding of how we can support and grow the arts in Chapel Hill.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 8/12/2024 7:17:53 PM

Date Printed:

8/21/2024

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41
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Jen Wolfe

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Jen Wolfe

Phone:

110 Walden Dr.
Carrboro NC 27510
919-413-5267

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2002

Township of Residence: Chapel Hill
Carrboro City Limits
Zone of Residence:
Female
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Town of Carrboro Board of Adjustment, Vice Chair
Wildwood Springs HOA, Vice President
NC Bar Association, Women in the Profession Committee
Wake County Bar Association, DEI Committee
Campbell Law Alumni Association, member of Board of Directors
Wake County Bar Association, Mentorship program for law students
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
Town of Carrboro Board of Adjustment (current member)
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Arts Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I've been a resident of Orange County and Carrboro specifically for 22 years, I am a consumer
and supporter of the arts, my spouse is an artist and musician, and my chosen family includes
many local artists. I am a licensed attorney and that provides critical thinking and other
resources that have proven beneficial on other boards on which I serve.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I want to support my local community and feel a strong connection to my artist community. I also
now have a daughter who is interested in the arts like her father and that has encouraged me to
serve as well.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
As a long time resident and member of the community, it is important to me that I support the
arts. I think having non-artist perspective is valuable, and I also think my skill set as an attorney
will also be helpful. I am also an Arab and my daughter is Jewish and it's important to me to
ensure diversity of thought and experiences are reflected in our community and that is central to
ensuring the arts are supported in our community.

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42
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Jen Wolfe

Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 1/15/2025 10:51:15 AM

Date Printed:

1/15/2025

Page 147 of 237

Board and Commission Members

And Vacant Positions

Arts Commission
Meeting Times: 6:00 pm Second Monday of every month

Contact Person: Katie Murray

Meeting Place: Alternating

Contact Phone: 919-245-2335

Positions: 15
Description:

Length: 3 years

Terms: 2

<div>The Arts Commission recommends strategies to promote the artistic and cultural growth of Orange County, advises the
Board of County Commissioners on matters involving the arts, and acts as the granting panel for two annual funding
programs available to individual artists and non-profit groups sponsoring arts projects in Orange County. </div>

Wendy Smith
First Appointed:

1
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Female
35-59

Chapel Hill
At-Large

03/07/2024

Current Appointment: 03/07/2024
Expiration:

03/31/2027

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

02/16/2021

Mr John Bemis
2
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Male
35-59

Hillsborough
At-Large

Current Appointment: 03/19/2024
Expiration:

03/31/2027

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

06/17/2025

Mr. Alexander Gast
3
Chapel Hill
At-Large

Current Appointment: 06/17/2025

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

UNC Student Representative

Number of Terms:

Gender Identity:

Male
18-34

Expiration:

06/30/2026

Gideon Young
First Appointed:

4
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: Other

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Male
35-59

Bingham
At-Large

Dr. Crystal Wu
5
Chair
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: Asian American

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Female
18-34

Chapel Hill
At-Large

05/16/2023

Current Appointment: 05/16/2023
Expiration:

03/31/2026

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

03/16/2021

Current Appointment: 03/19/2024
Expiration:
Number of Terms:

03/31/2027
2

VACANT
First Appointed:

6
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Current Appointment:
At-Large

Expiration:

09/30/2028

Number of Terms:

Page 1

Page 148 of 237

Board and Commission Members

And Vacant Positions

Arts Commission
Meeting Times: 6:00 pm Second Monday of every month

Contact Person: Katie Murray

Meeting Place: Alternating

Contact Phone: 919-245-2335

Positions: 15

Length: 3 years

Terms: 2

Ms. Heather Washburn
First Appointed:

7
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Female
35-59

Chapel Hill
At-Large

03/19/2024

Current Appointment: 03/19/2024
Expiration:

09/30/2026

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

03/16/2021

Ms Lindsay Metivier
8
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Female
35-59

Chapel Hill
At-Large

Current Appointment: 03/19/2024
Expiration:

03/31/2027

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

05/05/2020

Ms. Krista Bremer
9
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Female
35-59

Chapel Hill
At-Large

Current Appointment: 03/21/2023
Expiration:

03/31/2026

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

02/25/2025

Ms. Francesca Talenti
10
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Female
60+

Hillsborough
At-Large

First Appointed:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Female
60+

Expiration:

03/31/2026

Number of Terms:

Ms. Denise Duffy
11
Vice-Chair
Gender Identity:

Current Appointment: 02/25/2025

Hillsborough
At-Large

03/21/2023

Current Appointment: 03/21/2023
Expiration:

03/31/2026

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

09/16/2025

Ashley Nissler
12
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Female
35-59

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Eno
At-Large

Current Appointment: 09/16/2025
Expiration:

03/31/2027

Number of Terms:

Page 2

Page 149 of 237

Board and Commission Members

And Vacant Positions

Arts Commission
Meeting Times: 6:00 pm Second Monday of every month

Contact Person: Katie Murray

Meeting Place: Alternating

Contact Phone: 919-245-2335

Positions: 15

Length: 3 years

Terms: 2

Ms. Renee Hayes
First Appointed:

13
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: African American

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Female
60+

Chapel Hill
At-Large

09/17/2024

Current Appointment: 09/17/2024
Expiration:

03/31/2027

Number of Terms:

Mr. Josh Rosenstein
First Appointed:

14
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Male
18-34

Chapel Hill
At-Large

09/20/2022

Current Appointment: 09/16/2025
Expiration:
Number of Terms:

09/30/2028
2

VACANT
First Appointed:

15
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Current Appointment:
At-Large

Expiration:

03/31/2028

Number of Terms:

Page 3

Page 150 of 237

Applicant Interest Listing

by Board Name and by Applicant Name

Contact Person: Katie Murray
Contact Phone: 919-245-2335

Arts Commission
Mary Carter Taub
Gender Identity:

Female

Date Applied: 01/22/2026

Ethnic Background: White

Township: Chapel Hill

Age Range

35-59

Zone of Residence: Carrboro City Limits

Also Serves On:

C. Todd Davis
Gender Identity:

Male

Ethnic Background: White
Age Range

Date Applied: 12/11/2025
Township: Chapel Hill

35-59

Zone of Residence: C.H. City Limits

Female

Date Applied: 09/05/2025

Also Serves On:

Ms. Alia Granger
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White
Age Range

35-59

Township: Cheeks
Zone of Residence: Town of Mebane City Limits

Also Serves On:

Mr. Shane Lukas
Gender Identity:

Male

Ethnic Background: White
Age Range
Also Serves On:

35-59

Date Applied: 05/12/2024
Township: Eno
Zone of Residence: County

Human Relations Commission

Mrs. Alissa Martucci
Gender Identity:

Female

Ethnic Background: Other
Age Range
Also Serves On:

35-59

Date Applied: 10/09/2024
Township: Hillsborough
Zone of Residence: Hillsborough Town Limits

Parks and Recreation Council

Kelly Mills
Gender Identity:

Female

Date Applied: 06/16/2025

Ethnic Background: White

Township: Chapel Hill

Age Range

18-34

Zone of Residence: C.H. City Limits

Also Serves On:

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Page 1 of 3

Page 151 of 237

Applicant Interest Listing

by Board Name and by Applicant Name

Contact Person: Katie Murray
Contact Phone: 919-245-2335

Arts Commission
Mr. Pascal Moore
Gender Identity:

Male

Ethnic Background: African American
Age Range

Date Applied: 10/10/2025
Township: Hillsborough

35-59

Zone of Residence: Hillsborough ETJ

Male

Date Applied: 11/15/2024

Also Serves On:

Mr. Felix Ortiz
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: Hispanic
Age Range

60+

Township: Chapel Hill
Zone of Residence: County

Also Serves On:

Roni Peterson
Gender Identity:

Female

Ethnic Background: White
Age Range

60+

Date Applied: 08/07/2024
Township: Chapel Hill
Zone of Residence: County

Also Serves On:

Gary Shaw
Gender Identity:

Male

Date Applied: 08/02/2025

Ethnic Background: White

Township: Chapel Hill

Age Range

60+

Zone of Residence: C.H. City Limits

Male

Date Applied: 10/23/2025

Also Serves On:
Also Serves On:

Dr. Daren Simkin
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White
Age Range

35-59

Township: Chapel Hill
Zone of Residence: C.H. City Limits

Also Serves On:

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Page 2 of 3

Page 152 of 237

Applicant Interest Listing

by Board Name and by Applicant Name

Contact Person: Katie Murray
Contact Phone: 919-245-2335

Arts Commission
Mr. Jonathan Sosidka
Gender Identity:

Male

Date Applied: 08/12/2024

Ethnic Background: White

Township: Chapel Hill

Age Range

18-34

Zone of Residence: C.H. City Limits

Female

Date Applied: 01/27/2026

Ethnic Background: Other

Township: Chapel Hill

Also Serves On:

Mrs. Bren West
Gender Identity:
Age Range

35-59

Zone of Residence: County

Also Serves On:

Jen Wolfe
Gender Identity:

Female

Ethnic Background: White
Age Range

35-59

Date Applied: 01/15/2025
Township: Chapel Hill
Zone of Residence: Carrboro City Limits

Also Serves On:

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Page 3 of 3

Page 153 of 237

Page 154 of 237

Page 155 of 237

Page 156 of 237

Page 157 of 237

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

•

•
•

Page 158 of 237

8. What concerns or emerging issues does this board/commission anticipate for
the upcoming year that it plans to address or wishes to bring to the BOCC’s
attention?
•

•

Page 159 of 237

1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 10, 2026

Action Agenda
Item No. 6

SUBJECT: Board of Equalization and Review – Appointments Discussion
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S):
Member and Applicant Summary Sheet
Applications of Applicants
Membership Roster
Applicant Interest List

INFORMATION CONTACT:
Clerk’s Office, 919-245-2125

PURPOSE: To discuss appointments to the Board of Equalization and Review.
BACKGROUND: The Board of Equalization and Review is a quasi-judicial body that hears
appeals from residents concerning various property tax issues, including valuation and
exemption appeals. The Board of Equalization and Review is charged with ensuring that all
taxable property is appraised and assessed according to the standards required by the North
Carolina General Statutes.
The Board of County Commissioners appoints three (3) members, seven (7) alternates, and
designates the Chair.
Appointees serve two-year terms, but there is no limit to the number of terms they may serve.
Since the work of this body is dependent on hearings, it has not historically submitted an Annual
Work Plan.
The Board of Equalization and Review does not make recommendations for appointments.
The following positions are presented for Board consideration:
NAME

POSITION
DESCRIPTION

EXPIRATION
DATE

Alternate

TYPE OF
APPOINTMENT
TERM
Partial Term

BOCC
Appointee
BOCC
Appointee

Alternate

Partial Term

03/31/2027

Page 160 of 237

2
If the positions listed above are filled, no vacancies remain.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: There are no Orange County Strategic Plan Goals
applicable to this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss appointments to
the Board of Equalization and Review.

Page 161 of 237

Name

Saru Salvi
Richal Vanhook
Leon Meyers
Barbara Levine
Tony Blake
Shannon Julian
Vaughn Compton
Shereese Alston
VACANT
VACANT
Annette Moore
Patrick Mulkey
Elizabeth Young

Member or Applicant?
Member
Member
Member
Member-Alternate
Member-Alternate
Member-Alternate
Member-Alternate
Member-Alternate
Member-Alternate
Member-Alternate
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant

Board of Equalization and Review Members and Applicants
Gender Identity
Race/Ethnic Background
Age Range
Female
African American
60+
Male
African American
60+
Male
White
Female
White
Male
White
60+
Male
White
60+
Male
White
60+
Female
African American
35-59

Township
Hillsborough
Cedar Grove
Eno
Chapel Hill
Bingham
Chapel Hill
Cedar Grove
Chapel Hill

Female
Male
Female

Hillsborough
Bingham
Chapel Hill

African American
White
White

60+
60+
60+

Also Serves on

Orange County Board of Adjustment

Agricultural Preservation Board

Page 162 of 237

4
Page 1 of 2

Annette Moore

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Ms. Annette Moore

Phone:

610 Red Fox Trail
Hillsborough NC 27278
919-929-3366

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

1999

Township of Residence: Hillsborough
Hillsborough ETJ
Zone of Residence:
Female
Gender Identity:
African American
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

60+

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Orange County Dispute Settlement Center Board Member, Orange County Democratic
Party (Hillsborough North Vice Chair Precinct), Forge Fencing Foundation, President; Girl
Scout North Carolina Coastal Pines Board Development Committee, North Carolina
State Bar, USA Fencing Member
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Board of Equalization and Review
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I was the attorney for the Board of Equalization and Review. I am familiar with the law that
governs tax and have experience dealing with tax matters. I took residential and commercial
cases to the North Carolina Tax Commission for the County. In all instances, when going before
the property tax commission, I tried to simplify the process for residents and to ensure that the
property tax value as set was corrected even when the property value requested by the
Taxpayer was incorrect.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I live in Orange County and am interested in tax law and ensuring that the law is administered
fairly.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I am a black female lawyer. I believe that perspective would add value to the conversation. Also,
when people of color came before the Board, they would see someone who looked like them as
part of the decision-making body. I also know the law and would apply it fairly to all. In the past,
that hasn t always happened.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Page 163 of 237

5
Page 2 of 2

Annette Moore

N/A
Hillsborough Planning Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I was a local government lawyer who worked on land use law issues for over twenty years. I also
worked on housing development and contracting.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I have lived in the Hillsborough ETJ since 1999 and am recently retired. I would love to continue
to work in my community.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I think I bring a local government perspective to the Board. I also work at the General Assembly
and see a lot of pushback at the legislature against local government regulation. I believe the
government can work efficiently and still consider health, safety, and community standards. That
is my perspective.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 7/12/2024 5:18:08 PM

Date Printed:

7/15/2024

Page 164 of 237

Page 1 of 3

Patrick Mulkey

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Patrick Mulkey

Phone:

8702 Stanford Rd.
Chapel Hill NC 27516
919-942-3814

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

1984

Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

Bingham
County
Male
White
60+

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
President, Carrboro Farmers Market Board of Directors
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
Elections Advisory Group County Recreation and Parks Advis Bingham Township
Advisory Group
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Board of Equalization and Review
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
Farmer, Bingham township resident (1984-present), I have a degree in Parks & Recreation
Admin.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
My term with the Carrboro Farmers Market Board will end in February (2026). Land use and
planning have been an interest of mine in Orange County
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I have work on a number of boards and committees for 40 years. I always want to listen to other
opinions from those serving with me and members of the public.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I was employed by the Town of Chapel Hill in parking enforcement, based in the Police
Department. I interacted with the public from students to senior citizens.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board

Page 165 of 237

Page 2 of 3

Patrick Mulkey

My term with the Carrboro Farmers Market Board will end in February (2026). Land use and
planning have been an interest of mine in Orange County
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I have work on a number of boards and committees for 40 years. I always want to listen to other
opinions from those serving with me and members of the public.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Orange Water & Sewer Authority Board of Directors
1. Please describe, generally, your reasons for wanting to serve on the OWASA Board of
Directors.
I live across the road from Cane Creek Reservoir. Married into the Stanford Family which sold
their land and business to OWASA.
2a. Please list/explain your experience, either professionally and/or from other
boards/commissions that you have in the areas of budget, personnel, and management.
As a member of the Carrboro Farmers Market, we are responsible to draft and present a
budget to our membership for passage at our annual meeting. Our Board also hires and
reviews our 2 full time employees.
2b. In addition to the experience listed in the question above, please list the
work/volunteer experience/qualifications that would add to your expertise for this board.
3. What do you understand OWASA’s role to be regarding issues of growth and
development?
Providing safe drinkable water to its customers. Treatment of the sewerage and meeting all
governmental requirements.
4. What do do you hope to accomplish if appointed?
A voice that is not presently appointed to the Board
5. Please indicate your availability to attend regularly scheduled meetings.
no problems
6. How would your participation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I present a rural viewpoint as a neighbor of the reservoir and a farmer.

Boards/Commissions appointments:
BOCC Elections Advisory Group
Application Date: 10/13/2020
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
Chief Precinct Judge (30 plus years) for the Orange County Board of Elections. Previous
member of BOCC appointed committee to look at district representation. Have live in Bingham
Township from 1982 to present. I am a fellow of the NC Institute of Politic
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
I have the time and this is an issue I have been involved in my entire life I have lived here in
Orange County. As an election judge I have served all over this County.
Conflict of Interest:

Page 166 of 237

Page 3 of 3

Patrick Mulkey

Other Comments:
My wife Robin and I have an eleven-year old at A. L. Stanback Middle School and twin
three-year olds that will attend school in the next year and a half. (Verified application
9/10/08 still interested in serving on OWASA) STAFF COMMENTS: Applied for ABC
Board and OWASA on 12/6/2004. Applied 1/16/01 for Capital Needs Task Force.
Applied 10/06/2010 for OWASA Board of Directors, Solid Waste Advisory Board, and
Sportsplex Community Advisory Committee. UPDATED APPLICATION 05/23/2012 TO
INCLUDE OWASA BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL
BOARD. BOCC appoints 2 of the 9 OWASA Board members. I urge to appoint someone
who is not a rate payer but is affected by the policies and budgets pasted by the OWASA
Board. Give residents like myself a voice on the OWASA Board. ADDRESS
VERIFICATION: 8702 Stanford Rd is in Bingham township, in Orange County Jurisdiction
Re-submitted application 03/20/2014.
Applied 1/29/2026 4:24 PM for ABC Board, BOER, and OWASA
This application was current on: 1/29/2026 4:24:00 PM

Date Printed:

2/26/2026

Page 167 of 237

Page 1 of 2

Elizabeth Young

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:
Phone:

Ms. Elizabeth Young
114 Oak St.
Carrboro NC 27510
4237180681

Email:

[email protected]
OM

Year of OC Residence:

2016

Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

Chapel Hill
Carrboro City Limits
Female
White
60+

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Member of The Episcopal Church of the Advocate -Lay leader and outreach in our
community especially our neighbor the Rogers Road Community. I have volunteered with
Rogers Road Community Center since 2021, as the Advocate Church has jointly hosted
vaccine clinics and also 5 OC Tax Office workshops in 2022 for community assistance
with property tax relief programs and education regarding appeals. I also volunteer with
Rena's annual Unity in Community event and Back to School Bash, summer camps,
monthly food drives and OC Justice United organizing. Then present as a vol for the 8
months of meetings for the Greene Tract affordable housing development planning with
OC and both Chapel Hill, Carrboro. A sewer project together with University Presbyterian
Church recently installed 3 important new sewer connections - in response to the
concerns of local residents for healthy and safe water. I have been involved with assisting
community members to obtain property tax relief and apply for property tax appeals since
2022 and also recently attended numerous 2025 Property Tax Workshops put on by the
NC Housing Coalition throughout the Triangle. Also member of the Chapel Hill NAACP.
Thank you for this consideration.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
not serving at this time.
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Board of Equalization and Review
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I had a 20 year Home Health Nursing career both in the field and in administration and am
experienced in direct engagement with the community. I can look at details while understanding
the big picture.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board

Page 168 of 237

Page 2 of 2

Elizabeth Young

I feel called at this time with my recent interest and volunteer work since 2022 - with Rena and
with the OC Tax Office regarding property tax valuations and appeals and would like to learn
more. I feel that I would serve the needs of both the county and the county residents.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
Every situation is different and for diversity to be present there also must be creativity and
acceptance of each and every situation. I will be open minded and realistic/practical at the
same time.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 11/10/2025 4:36:17 PM

Date Printed:

11/17/2025

Page 169 of 237

Board and Commission Members

And Vacant Positions

Board of Equalization and Review
Meeting Times: As needed As needed

Contact Person: Nancy Freeman & Chad Phillips

Meeting Place: TBD

Contact Phone: 919-245-2103

Positions: 10
Description:

Length: 2 years

Terms: 1

<div>The Board of Equalization and Review hears appeals from residents concerning various property tax issues, including
valuation and exemption appeals. The Board of Equalization and Review is charged with ensuring that all taxable property is
appraised and assessed according to the standards required by the North Carolina General Statutes. Members will be
compensated for all meetings attended. This board meets up to three days per week, for approximately three to four hours per
meeting, for up to three consecutive months (typically April-June). Additional meetings may occur as needed during the year.
Members will be compensated for all meetings attended. </div>

Ms. Saru Salvi
First Appointed:

1
Gender Identity:

Hillsborough

Ethnic Background: African American

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Member

Female
60+

03/21/2023

Current Appointment: 03/18/2025
Expiration:

03/31/2027

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

03/19/2024

Richal Vanhook
2
Gender Identity:

Cedar Grove

Ethnic Background: African American

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Member

Male
60+

Expiration:

Leon Meyers
3
Chair
Gender Identity:

Eno

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Member

Male

Current Appointment: 03/18/2025
03/31/2027

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

05/18/2021

Current Appointment: 03/18/2025
Expiration:
Number of Terms:

03/31/2027
3

VACANT
First Appointed:

4
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Current Appointment:
Expiration:
Alternate

03/31/2027

Number of Terms:

Barbara Levine
First Appointed:

5
Gender Identity:

Chapel Hill

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Alternate

Female

Thursday, February 26, 2026

03/28/2017

Current Appointment: 03/18/2025
Expiration:
Number of Terms:

03/31/2027
5

Page 1

Page 170 of 237

Board and Commission Members

And Vacant Positions

Board of Equalization and Review
Meeting Times: As needed As needed

Contact Person: Nancy Freeman & Chad Phillips

Meeting Place: TBD

Contact Phone: 919-245-2103

Positions: 10

Length: 2 years

Terms: 1

Tony Blake
First Appointed:

6
Gender Identity:

Bingham

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Alternate

Male
60+

03/21/2023

Current Appointment: 03/18/2025
Expiration:

03/31/2027

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

03/21/2023

Mr. Shannon Julian
7
Gender Identity:

Chapel Hill

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Alternate

Male
60+

Current Appointment: 03/18/2025
Expiration:

03/31/2027

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

03/19/2024

Vaughn Compton
8
Gender Identity:

Cedar Grove

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Alternate

Male
60+

Current Appointment: 03/18/2025
Expiration:

03/31/2027

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

03/18/2024

Ms. Shereese Alston
9
Gender Identity:

Chapel Hill

Ethnic Background: African American

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Alternate

Female
35-59

Current Appointment: 03/18/2024
Expiration:
Number of Terms:

03/31/2027
1

VACANT
First Appointed:

10
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Current Appointment:
Expiration:
Alternate

03/31/2027

Number of Terms:

Page 2

Page 171 of 237

Applicant Interest Listing
Board of Equalization and Review

by Board Name and by Applicant Name

Contact Person: Nancy Freeman & Chad Phillips
Contact Phone: 919-245-2103

Ms. Annette Moore
Gender Identity:

Female

Ethnic Background: African American
Age Range

Date Applied: 07/12/2024
Township: Hillsborough

60+

Zone of Residence: Hillsborough ETJ

Male

Date Applied: 01/29/2026

Also Serves On:

Patrick Mulkey
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White
Age Range

60+

Township: Bingham
Zone of Residence: County

Also Serves On:

Ms. Elizabeth Young
Gender Identity:

Female

Ethnic Background: White
Age Range

60+

Date Applied: 11/10/2025
Township: Chapel Hill
Zone of Residence: Carrboro City Limits

Also Serves On:

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Page 1 of 1

Page 172 of 237

1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 10, 2026

Action Agenda
Item No. 7

SUBJECT: Historic Preservation Commission – Appointment Discussion
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S):
Recommendation
Members and Applicants Summary Sheet
Application of Person Recommended
Applications of Other Applicants
Membership Roster
Applicant Interest List
Annual Work Plan

INFORMATION CONTACT:
Clerk’s Office, 919-245-2125

PURPOSE: To discuss an appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission.
BACKGROUND: The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is charged with undertaking an
inventory of properties of historical, prehistorical, architectural, and/or cultural significance. It
recommends areas to be designated or removed as "historic districts" and reviews and acts
upon proposals for alterations, demolition, new construction, etc.
In considering new applicants, the HPC is required to follow the guidelines from the State
Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in order for the County to remain eligible to participate in
the state’s Certified Local Government (CLG) program. Those guidelines include the following
language governing the qualifications of prospective HPC applicants:
“All members shall have demonstrated experience or knowledge in history, architecture or
related disciplines that is supported by resume information sufficient to allow the SHPO to
confirm the qualifications of members, pursuant to 36 CFR Part 61.”
The Board of County Commissioners appoints all seven (7) At-Large members.
The following individual is recommended for Board consideration:
NAME

POSITION
DESCRIPTION

Carol Ann
Lewald

At-Large

TYPE OF
APPOINTMENT
TERM
First Full Term
(reappointment)

If the individual listed above is appointed, no vacancies remain.

EXPIRATION
DATE
03/31/2029

Page 173 of 237

2
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GUIDING PRINCIPLE – INCLUSIVITY AND ENGAGEMENT
We foster an environment in which all are welcomed, represented, and empowered to
participate in and feel connected to their community.
• GUIDING PRINCIPLE – DEDICATION AND RESPECT
We commit to our roles in public service and organizational excellence by fostering the
skills, talents, and innovation of our residents, employees, volunteers, and boards
needed to carry out this work.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss appointments to
the Historic Preservation Commission.

Page 174 of 237

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 17, 2026
Jean Hamilton, Chair
Orange County Board of County Commissioners
300 West Tryon Street
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Dear Chair Hamilton:
The Orange County Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) wishes to recommend the
reappointment of Carol Ann Lewald for Position 4. Her initial appointment, which was for a partial
first term, expires on March 31, 2026. Ms. Lewald possesses a strong background in cultural
anthropology and has a deep interest in the challenges of preserving rural historic resources and
landscapes, with a focus on how these topics intersect with the public planning process. Ms. Lewald
has a solid attendance record and contributes actively the work and goals of the HPC.
Thank you on behalf of the Historic Preservation Commission.
Sincerely,

David Stancil, Director, DEAPR
cc:

Art Menius, Chair, HPC
Peter Sandbeck, Cultural Resources Coordinator/HPC staff

Page 175 of 237

Name
Cecelia Moore
Eric Deetz
Rob Golan
Carol Ann Lewald
Dr. Anne Whisnant
Art Menius
Todd Dickinson
Carrie Bernier
John Brown
Kristofer Cason
Garrett Sparks

Member or Applicant?
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant

Historic Preservation Commission Members and Applicants
Gender Identity
Race/Ethnic Background
Age Range
Female
White
60+
Male
White
60+
Male
White
60+
Female
White
35-59
Female
White
35-59
Male
White
60+
Male
White
60+
Female
White
35-59
Male
White
35-59
Male
White
35-59
Male
White
35-59

Township
Bingham
Chapel Hill
Cheeks
Hillsborough
Chapel Hill
Little River
Little River
Cedar Grove
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill
Hillsborough

Also Serves on

Orange Unified Transportation Board

Page 176 of 237

5
Page 1 of 2

Carol Ann Lewald

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Carol Ann Lewald

Phone:

338 Lakeshore Dr.
Hillsborough NC 27278
919-448-5216

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2001

Township of Residence: Hillsborough
Hillsborough Town Limits
Zone of Residence:
Female
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
NC Botanical Garden member
NC Museum of Art member
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
N/a
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Historic Preservation Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
As an undergrad, I dove into archaeological fieldwork and was immediately drawn to studying
the social and cultural significance of material culture. I earned my PhD in cultural anthropology
at UNC Chapel Hill with theoretical interests space, place, the built environment, and history and
memory. In particular, my early research focussed on traditional architecture in West Africa and
the way large courtyards were defined through lived experiences. Later research centered on
landscape aesthetics and battles to preserve the rural character of a traditionally agrarian region
in the Netherlands and in Chatham County, NC. Aesthetic values and beliefs, many that were reimagined, played a central role in public planning debates in both cases
Although Iâ€™ve always wanted to return to research, my work life the past 15 years has led me
to focus solely on teaching and administrative leadership roles. My personal interests, however,
remain deeply rooted the socio-historic value of space, place and the built environment. These
experiences align directly with the work of the historic preservation commission.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I moved to Chapel Hill in 2001, a temporary resident, a graduate student at UNC and mother of
two young children. 23.5 years later, I find myself an accidental North Carolinian with a passion
for the state and its history, and for Orange County in particular. My work and private life now
afford me the time and space to invest in new and meaningful areas and I want to take a more
active role in the community. With my academic interests and training, the preservation of
relevant socio-historic features in the county appeals to me most. Reviewing and identifying
socio-cultural sites, historic landmarks, and architectural heritage is key to safeguarding and

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6
Page 2 of 2

Carol Ann Lewald

preserving Orange County's past for the future. When it comes to historic preservation, I am left
thinking about my experience excavating my first time and the realization I had that I was
simultaneously destroying and preserving a record. I was acutely aware of needing to follow
protocol and get it right because there are no do overs. Once it is gone, it is gone forever.
With increasing population growth and the boom in construction in North Carolina, the Triad, the
Triangle, and Orange County, I find it important to put my knowledge and experience to work
toward conserving the local flavor and history of the county.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I think I can contribute to a fostering an inclusive, empathetic, and well-rounded approach to
historic preservation, by ensuring that the commission's work benefits a diverse range of
communities and respects their unique histories and values. My experience as a single mother
my work as an anthropologist made sensitive to the needs of others and underscore my social
and cultural sensitivity and my problem solving skills.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
I am a state employee and a faculty member at NC State. I am the assistant dean for
undergraduate programs in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. I see no personal or
business conflicts of interest

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 9/14/2024 2:16:00 PM

Date Printed:

9/17/2024

Page 178 of 237

7
Page 1 of 1

Carrie Bernier

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Mrs. Carrie Bernier

Phone:

1322 Ausling Way
Hillsborough NC 27278
630-805-0753

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2019

Township of Residence: Cedar Grove
County
Zone of Residence:
Female
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
None at this time, I would like to get involved in the community.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None at this time, I am looking at my options.
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Historic Preservation Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I have a passion for historic houses, my husband and I have renovated older houses.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I would like to learn more about the history around me and help to preserve the history in order
to give others the opportunity to learn.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I'm relatively new to the area, I enjoy discovering new things about history, I am not afraid to get
my hands dirty.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 1/29/2024 11:20:40 AM

Date Printed:

1/29/2024

Page 179 of 237

8
Page 1 of 2

John Brown

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Mr. John Brown

Phone:

5900 Mount Sinai Rd.
Durham NC 27705
860-993-9354

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2023

Township of Residence: Chapel Hill
County
Zone of Residence:
Male
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Connecticut/Lodge #19.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Orange County Planning Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I have been working in IT organizations for several large businesses for over 30 years. This
work has allowed me to develop interpersonal communication and project management skills, as
well as fundamental understanding of what it means to be part of a team to be successful. My
BBA degree is Finance, and my MBA is in Marketing.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I have been interested in being more involved in my community for a while. This led me to join
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks when I lived in Connecticut. When my wife and I moved
back to her hometown (Durham) we built our home on her great grandparents' property, I have
been looking for a way to be more involved with our community.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
While my extended family has deep roots to the area, I bring a newcomer's perspective to work
for the future of our community. I recognize and appreciate the importance of traditions, as they
are the ribbons that tie one generation to the next.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Historic Preservation Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board

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9
Page 2 of 2

John Brown

While living in Connecticut, I volunteered for the state chapter of the National History Day
committee. I participated as a judge for high school students submission for the state wide
competition and submission to the national competition. I am very passionate about history and
I feel this passion would be beneficial to the committee.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I enjoy history and believe that by preserving it for future generations is a window to our past
(right or wrong) and a lighthouse to our future.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
By being someone new to this part of our country, I would absorb the history of orange county.
Then from that perspective would contribute to what a visitor or new resident would like to learn
about their new community.
Fun fact, until I moved here, I didn t know about the Orange County Speedway and how Mr.
France wanted to build his next superspeedway here.
Also I didn t know that General Sherman accepted the remaining Confederate Army surrender at
Bennett Place.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Orange County Parks and Recreation Council
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
As child growing up, our town s park and recreation department provided a lot fun experiences to
me. While I am today a more passive participant (Pickleball and Golf), I believe that the county s
investment plays a big role in developing people and our community.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
Really just looking to more involved and since I do participate in Pickleball program, I would like
give back some of my time.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
As a new resident, I would bring that perspective to the committee.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 7/9/2024 5:53:20 PM

Date Printed:

7/12/2024

Page 181 of 237

10
Page 1 of 2

Kristofer Cason

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Mr. Kristofer Cason

Phone:

5016 Whyteleafe Ct.
Chapel Hill NC 27514
704-609-6192

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2021

Township of Residence: Chapel Hill
County
Zone of Residence:
Male
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Adjunct Faculty at Durham Technical Community College (not my primary occupation, just
something I do to stay connected with the community)
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
In my life, I have worked in both government and retail sectors. I also started a fully licensed
brewery in 2017.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I am very eager to serve this community of Orange County. I really like it here, and I want to do
my part to keep it great! I have applied to several boards whenever they become available.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I am an ABC customer maybe once per month, so I think I can bring a perspective of many
people like me.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Historic Preservation Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I studied history in college (UNC Charlotte, 2008 & 2012), and I have been a passionate history
learner my entire life.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board

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11
Page 2 of 2

Kristofer Cason

I think learning history is incredibly important for society. Not knowing about what happened
before you is to always remain a child. (Cicero, I think). I think it s important to understand the
context of history and many perspectives in the world to appreciate your own place in society.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
Lately, I ve been focused on learning local history, specifically about the first peoples, from PaleoIndians to the modern day descendants of local tribes. It s a challenge because so much of their
history is unwritten and so many of the people were lost to disease and oppression.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Orange County Parks and Recreation Council
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
We recently purchased a 2-acre property in Orange County, and I ve been learning a lot about
stewardship of the land, both from an environmental perspective as well as an aesthetic one. I
was really excited about the new Blackwood Farm Park, and I love the new architecture there. I
also participated in the OC bee group that took care of the bees there.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I want to help create more experiences and spaces for people to learn about and appreciate our
environment.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I like to think in really practical terms about how what the government does benefits the people it
serves. I want to ask how does it serve the people of Orange County?
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 3/21/2024 9:15:14 AM

Date Printed:

3/22/2024

Page 183 of 237

12
Page 1 of 1

Garrett Sparks

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Mr. Garrett Sparks

Phone:

444 Flat River Run
Hillsborough NC 27278
919-599-7325

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2022

Township of Residence: Hillsborough
Hillsborough Town Limits
Zone of Residence:
Male
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Member of Orange Community Players
Board member Real-Life Works (Wake County)
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Historic Preservation Commission
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I have served on various boards and have worked with the Historic Society with the annual ghost
tour
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I love history
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
My interest in history and the area
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 3/19/2025 4:58:57 PM

Date Printed:

3/20/2025

Page 184 of 237

Board and Commission Members

And Vacant Positions

Historic Preservation Commission
Meeting Times: 6:30 pm Fourth Wednesday of every month

Contact Person: Peter Sandbeck & Abby Mattingly

Meeting Place: 1020 HWY 70 W, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Contact Phone: 919-245-2510

Positions: 7
Description:

Length: 3 years

Terms: 2

<div>This commission is charged with undertaking an inventory of properties of historical, pre-historical, architectural,
and/or cultural significance. It recommends areas to be designated or removed as historic districts and reviews and acts upon
proposals for alterations, demolition, new construction, etc. Applicants must demonstrate special interest, experience or
education in history, architecture, landscape architecture, archaeology, or related fields. </div>

Cecelia Moore
First Appointed:

1
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Female
60+

Bingham
At-Large

10/05/2021

Current Appointment: 03/19/2024
Expiration:

03/31/2027

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

09/17/2024

Mr. Eric Deetz
2
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Male
60+

Chapel Hill
At-Large

Current Appointment: 09/17/2024
Expiration:

06/30/2026

Number of Terms:

Mr. Rob Golan
First Appointed:

3
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Male
60+

Cheeks
At-large

06/18/2024

Current Appointment: 06/18/2024
Expiration:

03/31/2027

Number of Terms:

Carol Ann Lewald
First Appointed:

4
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Female
35-59

Hillsborough
At-large

10/15/2024

Current Appointment: 10/15/2024
Expiration:

03/31/2026

Number of Terms:

Dr. Anne Whisnant
First Appointed:

5
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Female
35-59

Chapel Hill
At-large

Art Menius
6
Chair
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Male
60+

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Little River
At-large

03/21/2023

Current Appointment: 03/18/2025
Expiration:

03/31/2028

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

03/21/2023

Current Appointment: 03/18/2025
Expiration:
Number of Terms:

03/31/2028
2

Page 1

Page 185 of 237

Board and Commission Members

And Vacant Positions

Historic Preservation Commission
Meeting Times: 6:30 pm Fourth Wednesday of every month

Contact Person: Peter Sandbeck & Abby Mattingly

Meeting Place: 1020 HWY 70 W, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Contact Phone: 919-245-2510

Positions: 7

Length: 3 years

Terms: 2

Todd Dickinson
7
Vice-Chair
Gender Identity:

First Appointed:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Male
60+

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Little River
At-large

03/21/2023

Current Appointment: 03/18/2025
Expiration:
Number of Terms:

03/31/2028
2

Page 2

Page 186 of 237

Applicant Interest Listing
Historic Preservation Commission

by Board Name and by Applicant Name

Contact Person: Peter Sandbeck & Abby Matting
Contact Phone: 919-245-2510

Mrs. Carrie Bernier
Gender Identity:

Female

Date Applied: 01/29/2024

Ethnic Background: White

Township: Cedar Grove

Age Range

35-59

Zone of Residence: County

Also Serves On:

Mr. John Brown
Gender Identity:

Male

Date Applied: 07/09/2024

Ethnic Background: White

Township: Chapel Hill

Age Range

35-59

Zone of Residence: County

Also Serves On:

Mr. Kristofer Cason
Gender Identity:

Male

Date Applied: 03/21/2024

Ethnic Background: White

Township: Chapel Hill

Age Range
Also Serves On:

35-59

Zone of Residence: County

Parks and Recreation Council

Mr. Garrett Sparks
Gender Identity:

Male

Ethnic Background: White
Age Range

35-59

Date Applied: 03/19/2025
Township: Hillsborough
Zone of Residence: Hillsborough Town Limits

Also Serves On:

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Page 1 of 1

Page 187 of 237

ORANGE COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
ANNUAL REPORT AND WORK PLAN
Name of Board/Commission: Historic Preservation Commission
Report Period: January 2025-December 2025
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) appreciates the dedication of all volunteers
on Orange County boards and commissions and asks each body to complete an Annual
Report and Work Plan. This document will inform the BOCC of the activities each
board/commission has conducted over the past year and detail a plan for future activities.
These activities should be consistent with the board/commission’s assigned charge and
the goals identified in the Orange County Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan). General
information about the Strategic Plan is available here.
Person to address the BOCC, title, and contact information:
Chair: Art Menius (443) 605-4355 email: [email protected]
Primary staff contact: Peter Sandbeck, DEAPR: 245-2517
[email protected]
1. How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including any special
meetings and subcommittee meetings? Once a month (4th Wednesday)
2. Please briefly describe this board/commission’s assigned charge and
responsibilities.
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is charged with the identification,
inventory and protection of architectural and archaeological sites in the County, with
publishing and/or offering online records of this inventory and advising the Board of
County Commissioners on matters pertaining to historic preservation. The HPC is
also charged with providing guidance and a forum for public comments on National
Register nominations and administering the Local Landmark Program.
3. What are your board/commission’s most important accomplishments during the
report period?
•

National Register Projects:
Strayhorn House: final draft National Register Nomination completed for this
important Carrboro landmark, built 1879 for former slaves Toney and Nellie
Strayhorn. Now on agenda for final state review in Feb. 2026.
Andrews House: contracted with qualified consultant to begin project; work now
underway on state Study List application, to be submitted to state in early 2026.
This unique Modernist house in Chapel Hill Township, built in 1968, was
designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright and built by prominent local Black
stone artisans Alf and Willis Barbee.

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•

Historic Landmark Projects:
Currie-Neville Log House: initiated project to have early 1800s log house on
Old NC 86 designated as a landmark. Important for its long ownership by a
Black farm family and as a rare surviving example of log craftsmanship.
Black Burial Ground Project:
Work started in 2025 on a long-term effort to document and map the county’s
many unprotected Black burial grounds, often associated with formerly
enslaved communities.
Historic Interpretive Sign Projects:
Harvey’s Chapel AME Cemetery: now in process of developing text for a sign
to tell the story of the early days of the church and to inform visitors about the
important early cemetery, to be located adjacent to the cemetery in the county’s
Seven Mile Creek Nature Area, along a new trail that will get hikers to the site.
Black Veterans of the Cedar Grove Community: Collaborating with the Human
Relations Commission to develop a new interpretive panel to tell the story of
the many Black veterans from that community who served in the armed forces
since WW I. Panel will be located at the Cedar Grove Community Center.
Historic Resources Book Project: completed editorial review of entire text; obtained
final photographs (over 600), which are now undergoing digital editing and caption
editing to confirm all details and credit lines. Final copy editing and design work is
scheduled to begin in early 2026. (No fiscal impact—budgeted in past years)

4. Please list any specific tasks, events, or functions performed or sponsored annually.
• Submits annual report of all activities to the State Historic Preservation Office to
meet federal requirements for Certified Local Government status; entitles County
to apply for federal historic preservation grants. Staff and members attend
mandatory state training.
• Administers the Orange County Historic Landmark Program, including reviews of
proposed restoration work or additions through Certificates of Appropriateness.
• Promotes the use of National Register designation projects as a way to highlight
significant historic and archaeological resources, working in partnership with the
Lands Legacy Program.
• Educational field trips are provided for members, usually at least two per year, to
allow members to view current or upcoming project sites or learn more about the
county’s historic resources.
• Conducts reviews of proposed public infrastructure projects that might have an
impact on historic resources, including cell towers, pipelines and highway projects.
5. Describe this board/commission’s activities/accomplishments in carrying out the
goals identified in the Orange County Strategic Plan.
The HPC’s work to promote the listing of properties on the National Register and
designating Historic Landmarks supports objectives aligned with Goal 1:
Environmental Protection and Climate Action, Objective 7; the designation of these
properties has furthered efforts to preserve historic farmland and rural cemeteries and
their surrounding open spaces.

Page 189 of 237

The HPC is currently working on two projects that support Goal 5: Public
Education/Learning Community: Objective 1: the historic resources book project and
multiple projects to develop and enhance historical and cultural interpretive markers
help build collaborative formal and informal educational opportunities and support
lifelong learning through sharing the county’s rich and diverse cultural history. The
dedication of new markers provides public programming related to cultural events,
thereby supporting Goal 6, Objective 1:
The preservation of rural historic properties also supports Goal 6: Diverse and Vibrant
Economy, Objective 4, by providing resources and assistance to owners of historic
farmsteads often utilized as settings for agritourism.
.
6. Describe any collaboration between this board/commission and other boards and
commissions.
The HPC continues to partner with the Orange County Human Relations Commission
(HRC) on a joint project to develop a commemorative marker for the burial ground for
enslaved workers at the Blackwood Farm Park. The long-term goal of this effort is to
develop a program to install permanent markers for many other unmarked burial
grounds across the county.
7. Identify any activities this board/commission expects to carry out in 2026 that are
related to the Orange County Strategic Plan. General information about the Strategic
Plan is available here. If applicable, please list any fiscal impact (i.e., funding, staff
time, other resources) associated with these proposed activities.
The HPC plans to designate two additional Historic Landmarks and promote the
listing of two additional properties on the National Register; both initiatives will
support the continued preservation of historic open space in rural areas, which
supports Goal 1: Environmental Protection and Climate Action, Objective 7. (No
fiscal impact). Also, new initiatives to develop and promote historical and cultural
interpretive markers will provide enhanced collaborative formal and informal
educational opportunities and support lifelong learning through sharing the county’s
rich and diverse cultural history, thus supporting Goal 5: Public Education/Learning
Community: Objective 1. (no current fiscal impact—funding will be required in future
years to create and install roadside markers as well as develop digital infrastructure
for a digital maker system).
8. What concerns or emerging issues does this board/commission anticipate for the
upcoming year that it plans to address or wishes to bring to the BOCC’s attention?
•

Abandoned Black burial grounds: The HPC continues to learn about additional
unmarked Black burial grounds across the county, many of which are associated with
enslaved communities. These are often unmarked or poorly marked. The HPC will
needs a modest dedicated source of funding to help start a project to identify,
research, and protect these burial grounds. This project could be supported by
volunteers, working with professional archaeologists. Outcomes should include

Page 190 of 237

•

mapping in GIS, surveying/marking boundaries, fencing, and permanent interpretive
and/or commemorative markers.
Need for a small grant program to help preserve endangered rural historic
resources: The HPC seeks funding to establish a small-scale grant program to
assist owners with essential preservation work. Numerous endangered rural historic
cemeteries and important structures, such as historic schoolhouses, log houses and
farm buildings, merit preservation or they will soon be lost. Often the owners have
few resources and cannot justify spending money on buildings that are no longer
used. The HPC will also pursue grant funding to help start this program. However,
some level of County funding will be required to secure grant funds.
County historic marker program: The HPC will initiate a long-range project to explore
the feasibility and costs of a county-wide historic and cultural marker program,
modeled on similar programs in other areas that utilize both physical markers and/or
map-driven web sites and/or phone apps. A marker program is a way to provide
accurate historical content in an accessible/interactive format about cultural
resources, places and people of significance to our local communities, especially the
underrepresented. This should be developed in collaboration with our local
government partners.

Page 191 of 237

1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 10, 2026

Action Agenda
Item No. 8

SUBJECT: Orange County Board of Adjustment – Appointments Discussion
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S):
Member and Applicant Summary Sheet
Applications of Members for Reappointment
Applications of Applicants
Membership Roster
Applicant Interest List
Annual Work Plan

INFORMATION CONTACT:
Clerk’s Office, 919-245-2125

PURPOSE: To discuss appointments to the Orange County Board of Adjustment.
BACKGROUND: The Board of Adjustment hears, reviews, decides appeals, and reviews any
order requirement, decision, or determination made by the Zoning Officer in the performance of
official duties. It also hears and decides applications for the approval of those Special Uses
requiring Board of Adjustment approval, in accordance with the rules and conditions laid down in
the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), hears and decides appeals for variances from the
dimensional regulations of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), and decides or
determines other matters as may be required by the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) or
State law. There are no term limits for Board of Adjustment members.
The Board of County Commissioners appoints all five (5) members and two (2) alternates.
The Board of Adjustment does not make recommendations for appointments.
The following individuals are presented for Board consideration:
NAME

POSITION
DESCRIPTION

EXPIRATION
DATE

At-Large

TYPE OF
APPOINTMENT
TERM
Third Full Term

Jeff Scott
Elizabeth
Bronson

At-Large

Second Full Term

06/30/2029

If the individuals listed above are appointed, no vacancies remain.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.

Page 192 of 237

Page 193 of 237

Name
Nathan Robinson
Jeff Scott
Leon Meyers
Greg Niemiroski
Andrew (Kyle) Myers
Elizabeth Bronson
Holly Fraccaro
Leto Copeley
Randy Herman

Member or Applicant?
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Applicant
Applicant

Orange County Board of Adjustment Members and Applicants
Gender Identity
Race/Ethnic Background
Age Range
Male
White
35-59
Male
White
35-59
Male
White
Male
White
35-39
Male
White
35-59
Female
White
18-34
Female
White
35-59
Female
White
60+
Male
White
35-59

Township
Bingham
Hillsborough
Eno
Eno
Cedar Grove
Cheeks
Cheeks
Eno
Chapel Hill

Jennifer Sykes

Applicant

Female

Hillsborough

Hispanic

35-59

Also Serves on

Affordable Housing Advisory Board

Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Human Relations Commission
Orange County Housing Authority Board

Page 194 of 237

4
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Jeff Scott

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Mr. Jeff Scott

Phone:

1520 Park Lane
Hillsborough NC 27278
919-815-8254

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2014

Township of Residence: Hillsborough
County
Zone of Residence:
Male
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Hillsborough Planning Board
AIA Triangle Design Awards Committee
AIA National Advisory Panel
AIA National Conference on Architecture Peer Reviewer
AIA Triangle Education Outreach Committee
Registered Architect in State of NC
Member, Construction Specifications Institute
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
N/A
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Orange County Planning Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I am currently an active member of the Hillsborough Planning Board. I have served on this board
for 2-years and have enjoyed being a part of the process. I also have several years of
architectural background in civic/justice projects at the state and local level.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
As a resident of Hillsborough and Orange County for over 5-years, it is important to me to
understand how I can help the community understand the process. The planning process can be
confusing (even to me), so hearing everyone s thoughts and opinions are very helpful. I
understand people s trepidation and concern about changes in this community.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Page 195 of 237

5
Page 2 of 2

Jeff Scott

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Orange County Board of Adjustment
Application Date: 8/10/2020
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
Having served in the Hillsborough Planning Board, I see the issues of concern when planning is
at odds with the property owners. Typically this has always been something remedied without
resorting to BOA but it seems like an interesting process.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
My architectural/planning background would help me in serving on this board. I also believe I
have the fair and impartial temperament to serve. Having served as a project architect and
manager for numerous projects, I see where conflicts come in and how t
Conflict of Interest:

Other Comments:
This application was current on: 4/19/2021

Date Printed:

4/26/2023

Page 196 of 237

Page 1 of 2

Elizabeth Bronson

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Elizabeth Bronson

Phone:

1221 Buckhorn Rd
Mebane NC 27302
919-923-5136

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

1987

Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

Cheeks
County
Female
White
18-34

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
NC Democratic Party
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
none
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Boards/Commissions appointments:
Orange County Board of Adjustment
Application Date: 2/11/2021
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
My educational focus provides insight into why people, in life and in business, make the
decisions they do. My professional growth in clinical research has made me a rigorous seeker
of truth and explanatory language.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
I would like to bring a fresh perspective to the BoA. While adhering to the
As Orange County continues to largely decide objectives of future growth in height and urban
sprawl is going to look, it is my intention to participate as a rural representativ
Conflict of Interest:
My perceived COI is that I live in a rural residential area subject to industrial development.

Page 197 of 237

Page 2 of 2

Elizabeth Bronson

Orange County Planning Board
Application Date: 4/19/2021
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
Raised in Orange County, and returned over ten years ago to finish undergraduate degree.
Obtained a BA from UNC-Chapel Hill in Management and Society and performed a case study
on the public/private partnership of OWASA for a senior project. I have always
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
It is my wish to serve, and represent, my community in an impactful capacity. I believe that
younger generations are not adequately represented in local government and it is my goal to
become a voice for civic engagement, even if the topics aren t sexy.
Conflict of Interest:
My perceived COI is that I live in a rural residential area subject to industrial development.

Other Comments:
This application was current on: 4/19/2021

Date Printed:

2/26/2026

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8
Page 1 of 2

Leto Copeley

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Ms. Leto Copeley

Phone:

100 Vireo Ln.
Hillsborough NC 27278
919-606-8707

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2003

Township of Residence: Eno
County
Zone of Residence:
Female
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

60+

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Orange/Chatham District Bar, NC Bar Association, NC Advocates for Justice, NC
Association of Women Attorneys, National Crime Victim Bar Association (advisory board
member), Governor's Crime Commission (Commissioner appointed by the Governor).
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Orange County Board of Adjustment
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I have been a practicing litigation attorney for forty years, mostly representing individuals in
cases of negligence, interpersonal crime, and violation of civil rights. I have also worked as an
ombudsperson for a 20,000 member professional organization. Through this work I've
developed the ability to interpret statutes and regulations, apply the law to facts, and consider
multiple viewpoints in order to arrive at a just result.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I am fortunately in a position to be partially retired and seek to serve my local community as
opposed to the more state and national level organizations with which I have been involved.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
As a taxpayer who owns property in Eno Township, I talk with my neighbors (where in this semirural neighborhood property values vary greatly) about land use, regulations, and the functioning
of county government. Those same topics came up during my five years of service in the
Hillsborough Rotary Club.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Orange Unified Transportation Board

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9
Page 2 of 2

Leto Copeley

Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I have been a practicing litigation attorney for forty years, mostly representing individuals in
cases of negligence, interpersonal crime, and violation of civil rights. I have also worked as an
ombudsperson for a 20,000 member professional organization. Through this work I've
developed the ability to interpret statutes and regulations, apply the law to facts, and consider
multiple viewpoints in order to arrive at a just result.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
Through my work early on as a legal services attorney, my service on the board of Legal Aid of
North Carolina, and as a member of the Governor s Crime Commission (now in my second
term), I know firsthand that access to appropriate transportation is essential to safe and full
participation in society and I have a strong interest in the subject.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I'm good at reaching out to people, facilitating relationships, and listening to others. I work to
understand why people feel underserved or wrongly served by their local government.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Commission for the Environment
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I have been a practicing litigation attorney for forty years, mostly representing individuals in
cases of negligence, interpersonal crime, and violation of civil rights. I've also worked as an
ombudsperson and have experience in practical problem solving. Through my service on the
Governor s Crime Commission I have developed an ability to evaluate grant proposals.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I am a lifelong birder and also enjoy spending time hiking and walking on local trails and on other
managed properties. I have also come to understand that access to outdoor and green spaces
helps reduce crime and keep a community healthy.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
Having grown up in a blue-collar community and having worked as a lawyer for people from very
diverse backgrounds. I'm aware that access to green spaces is often, for various reasons,
limited for lower-income people and members of racial and ethnic minority groups, and for
women.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 1/13/2025 1:00:02 PM

Date Printed:

1/13/2025

Page 200 of 237

Page 1 of 2

Randy Herman

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Randy Herman

Phone:

2525 Buxton Ct.
Chapel Hill NC 27514
336-337-6516

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2025

Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

Chapel Hill
C.H. City Limits
Male
White
35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
NC Bar Association Real Property Section, Real Estate Lawyers Association of North
Carolina, HBADOC
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
Board of Adjustment, Board of Equalization and Review
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Orange County Board of Adjustment
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I have been a real estate and land use attorney for 11 years. I have previously served on the
Boards of Adjustment for Orange County and for Hillsborough. I have also appeared as an
advocate before many other adjustment and other zoning-related boards in North Carolina.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I previously resigned my position when I moved out of the county but would like to resume work.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
As an advocate who has represented developers, individual landowners and anti-development
groups, I understand the forces, including but not exclusively financial forces, that motivate the
various factions in zoning decisions.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Orange County Planning Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I have been a real estate and land use attorney for 11 years. I have previously served on the
Boards of Adjustment for Orange County and for Hillsborough. I have also appeared as an
advocate before many other adjustment and other zoning-related boards in North Carolina.

Page 201 of 237

Page 2 of 2

Randy Herman

Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I have appeared before many planning boards but have not previously sat on one.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
As an advocate who has represented developers, individual landowners and anti-development
groups, I understand the forces, including but not exclusively financial forces, that motivate the
various factions in zoning decisions.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Orange County Board of Adjustment
Application Date: 1/25/2017
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I am a real estate and land use attorney with experience in title searches, closings and quasijudicial hearings.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
To apply my training and experience for the benefit of the community.
Conflict of Interest:
I have previously represented homebuilders and developers that are currently active in Orange
County. To my knowledge, I do not currently have any clients that have the intention to appear
before the board for any of the matters it considers.
Board of Equalization and Review
Application Date: 1/25/2017
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I am a real estate attorney with experience searching title and performing closings in Orange
County and elsewhere.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
To apply my training and experience for the benefit of the community.
Conflict of Interest:
I own real property located in Orange County. I also represent and have represented clients
that own real property located in Orange County. To my knowledge, I do not currently have any
clients that are appealing or intend to appeal any tax matters.

Other Comments:
Applied for BOER and BOA on 1/25/2017 3:42:05 PM; previously served on BOER and
BOA. Resigned from both when he moved out of county.
Moved back to Orange County and applied for Planning Board and BOA 7/2/2025 4:34:03
PM
This application was current on: 7/2/2025 4:34:03 PM

Date Printed:

7/3/2025

Page 202 of 237

Page 1 of 4

Jenn Sykes

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Jenn Sykes

Phone:

210 Collins Ave.
Hillsborough NC 27278
919-442-8152

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2007

Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

Hillsborough
Hillsborough Town Limits
Female
Hispanic
35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Hillsborough Board of Adjustment
Orange County Human Relations Commission
Orange County Housing Authority Board
Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
Orange County Human Relations Commission (current)
Orange County Housing Authority (current)
Orange County Affordable Housing Advisory Board (past chair)
Orange County Elections Review Group (past)
Orange County Transit Board (past)
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Orange County Board of Adjustment
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I have just rolled off the Hillsborough Board of Adjustment and Planning Board and enjoy the
work on that committee and would like to continue it with the county.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I have just rolled off the Hillsborough Board of Adjustment and Planning Board and enjoy the
work on that committee and would like to continue it with the county.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I am familiar with how the process works in Hillsborough and can bring that to the other parts of
the county.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Tax Assessment Work Group

Page 203 of 237

Page 2 of 4

Jenn Sykes

Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
Most of my volunteer work has been around housing and planning in Orange County. When I
chaired the Affordable Housing Advisory Board one of the biggest things I worked on was
having the committee do outreach to the community to help them understand the impact of
taxation rates on them, as well as which programs the county had available to assist them.
Because of this I became very familiar with the demographics of Orange County and how
different pocket communities are impacted by issues such as gentrification, regional population
growth, and even how utility access impacts what's allowed to be developed. From my time on
various Hillsborough Planning boards, I've been able to see the details and larger-scale
impacts that changes to what is developed in the northern part of the county impacts tax
revenue and, in turn, what services the area can provide to citizens. Having this experience
would allow me to serve the county on this working group by understanding the conflicting
goals -- having a county that all can afford to live in but also generating enough revenue to
provide even basic services to those residents.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
Much of my time is spent volunteering in areas for development planning and housing
affordability, and through that I ve developed an understanding of how the tax system in
Orange County directly impacts how to meet those goals. I'm familiar with how those goals can
be in conflict with one another, and tried in the past to come up with solutions to create win-win
policies there. (I'm also familiar with what you can and cannot legally propose in North Carolina
based on state laws from when I tried to rewrite Hillsborough s utility structure to microtarget
specific income brackets when I chaired the town's Water and Sewer Advisory Board.) I also
live in one of the main areas that, for the past two tax assessment cycles, has been listed as an
area of high taxation growth -- West Hillsborough -- and am a community resource for
information from my direct neighbors and even the more planned communities and farmers in
District 2. One big thing I'd like to do with this working group is develop better communications
plans around the tax issue, as I've been doing that informally.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I live in Hillsborough and would be able to represent the District 2 perspective, particularly with
how the changes in development can impact seniors and low-income residents - I was Vice
Chair of the Hillsborough Planning Board and very familiar with how the changes to
development regulations have impacted residents and the overall ability of the northern part of
the county to grow. I can see both sides of the argument from those experiences. As well, I'm a
trained statistician so numbers and data are something I'm comfortable around, and would be
necessary in any evaluation and recommendation for tax assessments.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Human Relations Commission
Application Date: 7/13/2022
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
My work on various advisory boards has focused on how policy can be used to create greater
equity in the county, from development processes to working on partnerships for reducing costs
to residents. I know the HRC has a larger platform to help encourage
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
The HRC has a major platform in the county to advance social justice initiatives, particularly
around equity and supporting those in the county who need it most.

Page 204 of 237

Page 3 of 4

Jenn Sykes

Conflict of Interest:
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Application Date: 3/20/2024
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I have experience on other boards, but this one actually fits better with my 9 to 5. I work in
analytics and have handled supply chain, customer service, and compliance for regulations in
that and feel it would be similar to what the ABC Board would revie
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
The ABC Board also helps with economic development for the restaurants in town, and one
thing I have interest in is helping to promote economic development.
Conflict of Interest:
Affordable Housing Advisory Board
Application Date: 1/21/2017
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I have served on the Hillsborough Planning Board and live in a part of the county where
gentrification and developer priorities have limited affordable housing.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
I live in an area where I m starting to see more and more people forced out of their homes and
want to help them ensure their voice is heard. Orange County doesn t do the best job of
encouraging people who might be in housing trouble to come forward, and
Conflict of Interest:
Orange Unified Transportation Board
Application Date: 1/21/2017
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I serve on the Hillsborough Planning Board and often sit in traffic in the county.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
The county needs more options in the northern part to help people get to and from homes and
work.
Conflict of Interest:
Orange County Housing Authority Board
Application Date: 7/13/2022
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I am on the Affordable Housing Advisory Board and this board has a similar role to that one.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
I am on the Affordable Housing Advisory Board and this board has a similar role to that one.
Conflict of Interest:

Page 205 of 237

Page 4 of 4

Jenn Sykes

BOCC Elections Advisory Group
Application Date: 10/15/2020
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I studied political science in undergraduate and graduate school, and have volunteered and
worked in good government groups since 2005. I have both academic and practical knowledge
about how districting impacts representation and governmental outcomes.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
When I was in undergrad I worked on fair-districting initiatives in the state I went to college in
(Virginia), and in my time in Orange County while working as a precinct official have spent a lot
of time explaining to voters who they were voting for and
Conflict of Interest:

Other Comments:
District 2 resident
This application was current on: 9/10/2025 6:41:01 AM

Date Printed:

9/10/2025

Page 206 of 237

Board and Commission Members

And Vacant Positions

Orange County Board of Adjustment
Meeting Times: 7:00 pm Second Monday of every month

Contact Person: Patrick Mallett

Meeting Place: 300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough

Contact Phone: 919-245-2577

Positions: 7
Description:

Length: 3 years

Terms:

<div>The Board of Adjustment hears, reviews, decides appeals, and reviews any order requirement, decision, or
determination made by the Zoning Officer in the performance of official duties. It also hears and decides applications for the
approval of those Special Uses requiring Board of Adjustment approval, in accordance with the rules and conditions laid
down in the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), hears and decides appeals for variances from the dimensional
regulations of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), and decides or determines other matters as may be required by the
Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) or State law. </div>

Nathan Robinson
First Appointed:

1
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Male
35-59

Bingham
At-large

03/16/2021

Current Appointment: 05/21/2024
Expiration:

06/30/2027

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

10/06/2020

Mr. Jeff Scott
2
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Male
35-59

Hillsborough
At-large

Leon Meyers
3
Chair
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Male

Eno
At-Large

Current Appointment: 05/16/2023
Expiration:

06/30/2026

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

05/01/2018

Current Appointment: 05/20/2025
Expiration:

06/30/2028

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

09/20/2022

Mr. Greg Niemiroski
4
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Male
35-59

Eno
At-large

Current Appointment: 05/21/2024
Expiration:

06/30/2027

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

09/17/2024

Mr. Andrew (Kyle) Myers
5

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Cedar Grove
At-Large

Current Appointment: 09/17/2024

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Alternate

Number of Terms:

Gender Identity:

Male
35-59

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Expiration:

06/30/2027

Page 1

Page 207 of 237

Board and Commission Members

And Vacant Positions

Orange County Board of Adjustment
Meeting Times: 7:00 pm Second Monday of every month

Contact Person: Patrick Mallett

Meeting Place: 300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough

Contact Phone: 919-245-2577

Positions: 7

Length: 3 years

Terms:

Elizabeth Bronson
6
Vice-Chair

First Appointed:

03/16/2021

Cheeks
At-large

Current Appointment: 05/16/2023

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

At-Large

Number of Terms:

First Appointed:

09/19/2023

Gender Identity:

Female
18-34

Expiration:

06/30/2026

Holly Fraccaro
7
Cheeks
At-Large

Current Appointment: 05/20/2025

Ethnic Background: White

Township:
Residency Req:

Age Range:

Special Repr:

Alternate

Number of Terms:

Gender Identity:

Female
35-59

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Expiration:

06/30/2028
1

Page 2

Page 208 of 237

Applicant Interest Listing
Orange County Board of Adjustment

by Board Name and by Applicant Name

Contact Person: Patrick Mallett
Contact Phone: 919-245-2577

Ms. Leto Copeley
Gender Identity:

Female

Ethnic Background: White
Age Range
Also Serves On:

60+

Date Applied: 01/13/2025
Township: Eno
Zone of Residence: County

Commission for the Environment

Randy Herman
Gender Identity:

Male

Date Applied: 07/02/2025

Ethnic Background: White

Township: Chapel Hill

Age Range

35-59

Zone of Residence: C.H. City Limits

Female

Date Applied: 09/10/2025

Also Serves On:

Jenn Sykes
Gender Identity:

Ethnic Background: Hispanic
Age Range

35-59

Also Serves On:

Alcoholic Beverage Control Board

Also Serves On:

Human Relations Commission

Also Serves On:

Orange County Housing Authority Board

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Township: Hillsborough
Zone of Residence: Hillsborough Town Limits

Page 1 of 1

Page 209 of 237

Page 210 of 237

Page 211 of 237

1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 10, 2026

Action Agenda
Item No. 9

SUBJECT: Parks and Recreation Council – Appointments Discussion
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S):
Recommendations
Members and Applicants Summary Sheet
Applications for Persons Recommended
Applications of Other Applicants
Membership Roster
Applicant Interest List
Annual Work Plan

INFORMATION CONTACT:
Clerk’s Office, 919-245-2125

PURPOSE: To discuss appointments to the Parks and Recreation Council.
BACKGROUND: The Parks and Recreation Council consults with and advises the Department
of Environment, Agriculture, Parks, and Recreation, and the Board of County Commissioners on
matters affecting parks planning, development, and operation, recreation facilities, policies, and
programs, and public trails and open space.
The Board of County Commissioners appoints twelve (12) members, with representatives from
each of the County’s townships and municipalities, and two (2) non-voting youth delegates.
The following individuals are recommended for Board consideration:
NAME

POSITION
DESCRIPTION

Louise Flinn
Navya Sharma

Bingham Township
Youth Delegate
(non-voting)

TYPE OF
APPOINTMENT
TERM
Second Full Term
First Full Term
(reappointment)

EXPIRATION
DATE
03/31/2029
03/31/2029

If the individuals listed above are appointed, the following vacancies remain:
POSITION
DESIGNATION
Carrboro City
Limits
At-Large
Little River
Township

EXPIRATION
DATE
03/31/2027

VACANCY INFORMATION

03/31/2028
03/31/2026

Vacant since 02/02/2026
Vacant since 10/20/2025

Vacant since 08/14/2025

Page 212 of 237

Page 213 of 237

Orange County Parks and Recreation Council
PO Box 8181, 1020 US HWY 70 W, Hillsborough, NC (919) 245-2510

February 14th, 2026
Board of County Commissioners
PO Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Re: Recommended Reappointment
The Orange County Parks and Recreation Council (PRC) recommends that members Louise Flinn and
Navya Sharma be re-appointed to a full 3-year term.
Thank you for your consideration of these appointments.
Sincerely,
Natalie Ziemba, Chair
Parks and Recreation Council
Copies:

Louise Flinn, Vice-Chair
Parks and Recreation Council
David Stancil, DEAPR Director

Page 214 of 237

Name
Kristofer Cason
Natalie C. Ziemba
Dr. Xilong Zhao
Allen B. Parker
Margaret Moriarty
Louise Flinn
Alissa Martucci
Shahnaz GiGi Rashdi

Member or Applicant?
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member

Parks and Recreation Council Board Members and Applicants
Gender Identity
Race/Ethnic Background
Age Range
Male
White
35-59
Female
White
18-34
Male
Asian American
35-59
Male
White
35-59
Female
White
18-34
Female
White
35-59
Female
Other
35-59
Female
Asian American
60+

Township
Chapel Hill
Hillsborough
Chapel Hill
Cheeks
Chapel Hill
Bingham
Hillsborough
Eno

Trevor Robinson

Member

Choose not to disclose

Other

18-34

Eno

Chloe Reid
Navya Sharma
VACANT
VACANT
VACANT

Youth Delegate
Youth Delegate
Carrboro City Limits
At-Large
Little River Township

Female
Female

White
Other

13-17
13-17

Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill

Brock Bromberger (youth) Applicant

Male

White

13-17

Chapel Hill

John Brown
Vladimir Colina
Jody Eimers
Marissa Hoer
Conrad Kline (youth)
Segev Leitner (youth)

Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant

Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male

White
Hispanic
White
White
Asian American
White

35-59
35-59
60+
35-59
13-17
13-17

Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill
Eno
Hillsborough
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill

Craig Lloyd

Applicant

Male

White

35-59

Cheeks

Aum Menon (youth)
Dr. Acharan Narula
Henry Nysewander
(youth)
Kaji Rashad
Gary Sawhney
William Totten
Mark Turner
Jossie Zhong (youth)

Applicant
Applicant

Male
Male

Asian American
Asian American

13-17
60+

Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill

Applicant

Male

White

13-17

Chapel Hill

Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant

Male
Male
Male
Male
Female

Other
Asian American
White
White
Other

18-34
60+
60+
35-59
13-17

Cheeks
Chapel Hill
Eno
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill

Also Serves on

Advisory Board on Aging

Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau
Advisory Board

Orange Unified Transportation Board
Agricultural Preservation Board

Page 215 of 237

5
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Louise Flinn

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Ms. Louise Flinn

Phone:

5621 Dodsons Crossroads
Hillsborough NC 27278
919-636-8438

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

1983

Township of Residence: Bingham
County
Zone of Residence:
Female
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
current = none; past = volunteer design work for various OC groups and committees (Last
Fridays, OC Historical Museum events)
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
none
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Orange County Parks and Recreation Council
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I'm a lifelong Orange County resident with a deep love for the unique natural features we have
here. My professional background is mostly in communications, education, graphic design, and
outreach in the public sector (shoestring budgets!). I am a graduate of, and currently work for,
UNC-Chapel Hill. My outdoor hobbies include foraging and plant identification, supporting native
species conservation, and visiting local trails.
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
I have a love for nature and a strong belief in the coexistence of environmental conservation and
sharing the benefits of getting people outdoors. In looking at past meeting minutes, I think my
background in communications and marketing could help solve awareness issues around OC
parks.
Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board:
I'm unsure of the interest areas of all the board members, but I am particularly passionate about
trails, green spaces and greenways, which may represent a different viewpoint. I am a big
picture thinker and enjoy seeing how different pieces interconnect for more possibilities.
I am also a relatively young person (squeaking in under 40) :)
Conflict of Interest:

Boards/Commissions appointments:

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6
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Louise Flinn

Other Comments:
This application was current on: 3/18/2023 10:21:16 AM

Date Printed:

3/21/2023

Page 217 of 237

7
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Navya Sharma

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Navya Sharma

NC
Phone:
Email:
Year of OC Residence:

2022

Township of Residence: Chapel Hill
C.H. City Limits
Zone of Residence:
Female
Gender Identity:
Other
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

13-17

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Member of Orange County 4 -H since 2022
Member of Washington county 4-H from 2019-2022
Currently serving as Officer at large for the NC state extension office for Orange County 4H
Member of the Chapel Hill recreation club for swimming and Tennis.
Member of the science Olympiad & Math's AMC team at school at Varsity level.
Member of the Duke intermediate strings orchestra.
Supported the parks and recreation community by volunteering as a ‘Swim-coach-intraining’ for the swim teams for ‘Guppy’ level toddlers
Supported my community by participation and volunteering at the Maryland Agricultural State Fair as the Tour guide, STEM stall, and at the Ticketing booth.
Working with Orange county 4-H civic engagement projects and student-led workshops,
camp activities,academic and experiential learning programs
Supported religious and cultural events in the local community with musical performances
to raise funds for victims of Hurricane Helena.
Support community events like the YMCA Color Splash and 5K run by volunteering to
hand water bottles and medals at the finishing stand or in the food tents to provide food to
runners and supporters.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
Currently, I am serving as an Officer at Large on the 4-H Orange County Council for NC
state extension.
Boards/Commissions applied for:

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8
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Navya Sharma

Orange County Parks and Recreation Council
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
Me and my family immigrated to Maryland from India when I was 3. My family then moved to
North Carolina after Covid when I was 11 years old. I remember me and my sister growing up,
visiting and enjoying the parks of the county throughout our lives. For me as a child it was all
about spending my vacation time at the park. Whether it was playing sports, exploring a trail,
camping in state parks every summer, or enjoying Christmas lights in the winter season. I was
frequently engaged with County Parks and Recreation in Maryland then and now in Chapel Hill
Orange County.
As a member user of the park, I greatly appreciate the numerous opportunities offered by the
parks and recreation facilities. From swings to camps, for me and my family, it was always the
city parks and recreation facilities. I now understand that these opportunities are available to
families at an affordable cost and at some point that was a very important factor that influenced
families decisions around choosing between opportunities for children.
Parks have provided me and my family with extended support that has helped me grow into a
well rounded individual. I’m very thankful for what these parks and camps have taught me and
feel the need to give it back.
I believe as a Youth delegate for the Parks and recreation, I can bring my ideas, contributions
and experience to the board from not only an active youth participant but also engage in
programs with the board to improve better visibility, outreach and options that could be offered
by the park for all age categories. One area that I would really like to work upon is the overall
outreach ,improvement of walking trails, park gym and options for our vulnerable and special
citizens.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I would like to serve on this board because it will provide me with an opportunity to voice my
opinion as a youth who has grown up in the parks. I strongly believe that while the park may
have a lot of beautiful things to offer, extensive outreach is still missing. A lot of families are not
aware of this wonderful resource in the community. I also believe that with the rapid rise in
technology, it is very important for a reshuffle of educational camps and activities offered by the
parks. Parks should be able to offer a platform for young kids to learn the basics of computer,
coding, and subsidized certification courses too.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I am an immigrant from South Asia, India and a permanent resident here. I believe that Orange
county is developing into a culturally diverse community with immigrant families from all across
the globe. My experience of living in Maryland for over 7 years, and an experience of living
overseas and travelling to different countries will help contribute new ideas, new ways of looking
at things, and adoption of modern means.
I would like to thank the board for providing the youth like me to be able to come on the board to
voice ourselves and be drivers of change and improvement in familiar environments.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
None

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 11/28/2024 1:20:00 PM

Date Printed:

1/29/2025

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9
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Brock Bromberger

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Brock Bromberger

NC
Phone:
Email:
Year of OC Residence:

2013

Township of Residence: Chapel Hill
C.H. City Limits
Zone of Residence:
Male
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

13-17

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
I am a member of the student government for Carrboro High School. I am the lead
sophomore representative which means I represent my entire class and help come up
with ideas for various events from our school. This means dances, spirit weeks, game
themes, fundraisers, and more.
Another activity I commit to is being a driver for the food pantry for Hillside Church. I
deliver groceries and maintain a connection with my clients in our community so everyone
can get the food they need even if they cannot come get it themselves due to personal
reasons. I do this bi-monthly and help around 4-6 clients each time. I have been doing
this since September 2024.
I am also a member of the Carrboro National Honor Society where I am involved In the
service and fundraising committees. Through both of these I introduce people to different
ways to volunteer to help further advance the Carrboro and Chapel Hill community. In the
fundraising committee I help come up and create different ways to fundraise for NHS and
various causes in orange country.
Finally a volunteer position I have that helps the global community is my work in the
ENGin program. In ENGin I help teach English to peers my age who live in Ukraine. I do
this for two hours a week and at the point of filling out this application 12/10/24 I currently
have 66 hours. This program is important to me because especially in the situations that
are happening in Ukraine now I think it Is super vital for our community to do anything to
help another community in need anyway needed.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
I have not served on a board yet. But, I would love to serve on one. I am also open to
serving on different boards I would love to help my community in any way I can.

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10
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Brock Bromberger

Boards/Commissions applied for:
Orange County Parks and Recreation Council
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
As seen with my experience I love to help out my local and global community in any way I can.
Through all of my experience I have been able to show leadership, commitment, and creativity. I
have shown leadership in all of my different community activities through representing my class
in Student Government or through my ENGin or food pantry work I have shown leadership by
finding a cause bigger than myself and helping in anyway I can. Through NHS I have been able
to help leadership through action by helping plan various events and service work. I have also
shown commitment to these activities by always showing up and doing whatever I can to make
sure every activity I do for my community I make sure I do it the best I can. Finally the most
important part of my experience is my creativity. Through Student Government, NHS, and ENGin
I have shown creativity through party planning, fundraising, reaching out to people, planning
lessons, talking, and coming up with new ideas to make all of my service the best it can be.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I want to serve on this board because I believe that if you want to see positive change and make
your community as amazing as it can be, you should help out in any way you can! As a resident I
want to ensure that all my Orange County neighbors wake up knowing their lives are a little
easier thanks to the changes made through this board. Even if this joy a few extra parking spots
or a new trail to hike on, I want to make sure OC residents can have the most pleasant day
possible through I way I can.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
Like everyone on the board I would be a member of the community wanting to make a positive
change through the Parks and Rec department. I believe everyone deserves a space, whether
this is from a new program or a new facility meant to help everyone. I am a member of the
LGBTQ community and I think through experiences I have been through and my background I
could help make sure that we create an environment where everyone, regardless of their
identity, feels like they belong and can fully participate. I am also a teen driver which brings an
entire new view point. I know how sometimes the roads can be scary and I would love to make it
safer for the guardians of teen drivers and the drivers themselves. I would love to help innovate
some ideas to help make driving a lot safer for everyone on the road. Though this is just an
example as a teenager I could help bring a view point that maybe not always seen. Overall I
would love to bring a new viewpoint to the board and I’m excited to hear different viewpoints and
see how we can collaborate on a better Orange County.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
None

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 12/10/2024 1:37:00 PM

Date Printed:

1/29/2025

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11
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John Brown

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Mr. John Brown

Phone:

5900 Mount Sinai Rd.
Durham NC 27705
860-993-9354

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2023

Township of Residence: Chapel Hill
County
Zone of Residence:
Male
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

35-59

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12
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John Brown

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 7/9/2024 5:53:20 PM

Date Printed:

7/12/2024

Page 223 of 237

Page 1 of 2

Vladimir Colina

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Vladimir Colina

Phone:

102 Corbin Hill Cir.
Chapel Hill NC 27514
305-748-0704

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2024

Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

Chapel Hill
C.H. City Limits
Male
Hispanic
35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Friends of Piedmont
Carolina Club
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
N/A
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Orange County Broadband Task Force
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
My background in marketing at Coca-Cola and product management at Devir Games equips
me with strategic communication, market analysis, and project management skills, ideal for
advancing the Orange County Broadband Task Force's mission to enhance connectivity and
community engagement.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I want to join the Orange County Broadband Task Force to serve the community by improving
access to reliable broadband, fostering digital equity, and enhancing opportunities for education
and economic growth.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
My participation will bring diverse perspectives from my marketing and product management
experience, offering innovative strategies and a community-focused approach to enhance
broadband accessibility and inclusion.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Parks and Recreation Council
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board

Page 224 of 237

Page 2 of 2

Vladimir Colina

My seven years in the board games and family entertainment industry, combined with
marketing experience at Coca-Cola and product management at Devir Games, equip me with
expertise in creating engaging, community-focused recreational activities, ideal for advancing
the Parks and Recreation Council's mission.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I am passionate about serving the community by promoting inclusive, fun, and accessible
recreational opportunities through parks and programs, fostering family connections and
community well-being.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
My extensive experience in board games and family entertainment brings a unique perspective
on innovative, interactive recreation, enriching the Council's efforts to create diverse,
community-driven park experiences.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 10/24/2025 7:12:47 AM

Date Printed:

10/24/2025

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15
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Jody Eimers

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Ms. Jody Eimers

Phone:

3120 Landeau Dr.
Hillsborough NC 27278
703-953-0107

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2018

Township of Residence: Eno
County
Zone of Residence:
Female
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

60+

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Ceramic sculpture class instructor at Passmore Senior Center, Adopt-A-Highway on a
stretch of Old NC 10.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
Commission for the Environment, 1 term and Orange Water and Sewer Authority, 2 terms
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Orange County Parks and Recreation Council
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I'm a retired hydrologist with degrees in geology and environmental engineering. I believe my
experience and education make me an effective environmental advocate.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I value community service and volunteerism.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I will advocate for a balance of recreational opportunities and environmental health.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Orange Water & Sewer Authority Board of Directors
Application Date: 5/31/2018
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:

Page 226 of 237

16
Page 2 of 2education and experience relevant to this board:
Jody Eimers
Background,
I served for 34 years as a Hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, and continue to
contribute to USGS Water Mission Area as Scientist Emeritus. I have a BS in Geology from
Michigan State Univeristy and an MS in Urban and Environmental Engineering fro
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
I volunteer with the USGS in international water resources, and I wish to use my expertise in
service to my local community.
Conflict of Interest:
Commission for the Environment
Application Date: 11/15/2017
Background, education and experience relevant to this board:
I served for 34 years as a Hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, and continue to
contribute to USGS Water Mission Area as Scientist Emeritus. I have a BS in Geology from
Michigan State Univeristy and an MS in Urban and Environmental Engineering fro
Reasons for wanting to serve on this board:
I volunteer with the USGS in international water resources, and I wish to use my expertise in
service to my local community.
Conflict of Interest:

Other Comments:
This application was current on: 12/28/2024 11:23:56 AM

Date Printed:

12/30/2024

Page 227 of 237

Page 1 of 2

Marissa Hoer

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Marissa Hoer

Phone:

523 Alma Ave.
Hillsborough NC 27278
919-624-8328

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

2022

Township of Residence:
Zone of Residence:
Gender Identity:
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

Hillsborough
Hillsborough Town Limits
Female
White
35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
I m a mom to two young toddlers (age 1 and 4) who I spend most of my days with in
Orange County parks. I don t have any other official organizational memberships but I
have a background in city planning and environmental sustainability and management and
feel passionately about providing and preserving public natural space and playgrounds for
our kids. My children and I participate in a lot of planned community events in
Hillsborough and Orange County and I d love to find a way to have a voice in the process.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Parks and Recreation Council
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I have a undergraduate degree in human geography, which focused on how people interact
with their spaces, with a minor in city planning. I have always had an interest in parks and
recreation planning and working to create a community that serves its residents and provides
open, safe, and useful places for people to interact. I have a master's degree in environmental
management and sustainability so I am very focused on trying to maintain green spaces that
help reduce urban heat island effects while also providing ways for children to learn and engage
in nature - so that hopefully they one day can be passionate about preserving natural spaces as
well!
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I am a mom of two young children (ages 1 and 4) who use Orange County community parks
and Hillsborough town parks daily. My children love to be outside and explore and I want to
ensure that they have the ability to do so in these parks and natural spaces. I also would love to
contribute to ideas on how to plan community events that provide interesting and safe activities
for all community members to engage in at low or no cost to them. I would love to volunteer and
serve to help shape the community resources I use daily at no cost.

Page 228 of 237

Page 2 of 2

Marissa Hoer

How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
With my educational background and experience as a mom bringing children to Orange County
parks, I feel like I could provide some concrete examples of how the parks and natural spaces
could best serve the residents using them.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 7/8/2025 9:15:41 AM

Date Printed:

7/8/2025

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19
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Conrad Kline

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Conrad Kline

NC
Phone:
Email:
Year of OC Residence:

2015

Township of Residence: Chapel Hill
C.H. City Limits
Zone of Residence:
Male
Gender Identity:
Asian American
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

13-17

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Chapel Hill Youth Council
East Chapel Hill DECA member
Young Life
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
N/A
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Orange County Parks and Recreation Council
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
Through the Chapel Hill Youth Council I have done projects with others overviewing some of the
councils. This includes the parks and recreation council, of course I’m a student and don’t have
complete understanding but if possible I hope to gain more knowledge overtime.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
As a student I understand the importance of parks and recreation as I’ve experienced many
activities including sports and park improvement. This is the council where I feel young people
like myself could contribute the most. I hope to have a better understanding of recreation and its
benefits if at all possible. Also as a member of Chapel Hills youth I feel it’s important to be part of
our community’s actions and this of course includes the council. Even without a say it would
contribute to me and the youth as a whole to be apart of the bigger picture.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
My participation would add to the diversity in viewpoints as I have taken part in many sports and
events in and out of school. Varying from swimming in a club to ultimate frisbee at school to
baseball in Carrboro and more. These experiences have given a greater perspective across all
ages in the youth community.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
None

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20
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Conrad Kline

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 12/8/2024 8:39:00 PM

Date Printed:

1/29/2025

Page 231 of 237

21
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Segev Leitner

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Segev Leitner

NC
Phone:
Email:
Year of OC Residence:

2009

Township of Residence: Chapel Hill
C.H. City Limits
Zone of Residence:
Male
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

13-17

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Chapel Hill YMCA Leaders Club member since 9th grade (multiple volunteer hours for the
town), East Chapel Hill High-School Habitat for Humanity, East Chapel Hill High-School
soccer and lacrosse teams, Member of DECA at East, Member of Benevolence Club at
East
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None, but I'm really interested in serving
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Orange County Parks and Recreation Council
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
While I don't have experience serving on a board, I'm an active teen and utilize Parks and Rec
facilities to play sports and be active with my friends. I'm enthusiastic about improving our
community's outdoor spaces and youth programs.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
Throughout my life, I've tried to help lead others, and believe that this will be an opportunity to
provide valuable feedback. I enjoy thinking about ways to engage with people in our community
who may not know about all that Parks and Rec has to offer. I've participated in lots of Parks and
Recs sports when I was young and want to make activities accessible for all to enjoy.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I'm not sure who is currently on the board, but I'm a teen who loves Chapel Hill and am looking
forward to making an impact.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
None

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22
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Segev Leitner

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 12/3/2024 8:22:00 PM

Date Printed:

1/29/2025

Page 233 of 237

23
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Craig Lloyd

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Mr. Craig Lloyd

Phone:

3103 US 70 W
Efland NC 27243
919-923-3988

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

1970

Township of Residence: Cheeks
County
Zone of Residence:
Male
Gender Identity:
White
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

35-59

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Orange County Historical Museum, Orange County Optimist Club, Hillsborough Chamber
of Commerce, Camp Chestnut Ridge Advisory Council etc
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
See previous answer
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
Life long resident and volunteer in Orange County
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I believe my year of experience would benefit the board
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
Not sure many resident that have lived here over 50 years are serving now
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I am the Former State Director of MADD
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
Believe my experience would be helpful
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
My experiences are unique as it relates to alcohol education

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Craig Lloyd

Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
Orange County Parks and Recreation Council
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I'm building a park in Efland
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
Believe my experience would be helpful.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
Live in Northern Orange County
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 8/28/2024 10:31:27 AM

Date Printed:

8/28/2024

Page 235 of 237

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Aum Menon

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Aum Menon

NC
Phone:
Email:
Year of OC Residence:

2024

Township of Residence: Chapel Hill
C.H. City Limits
Zone of Residence:
Male
Gender Identity:
Asian American
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

13-17

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
* 4-H member and community activities such as the recent NC Kids Voting project we did
for Orange County kids
* Running free online Math classes for kids in Grades 3-4
* Cadet of Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the US Air Force for serving communities
and volunteering
* Participated in the Congressional App Challenge, also known as The Congressional
Science Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Academic Competition allows middle
and high school students in participating congressional districts to compete in an annual
application software development contest.
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
N/A
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Orange County Parks and Recreation Council
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I have enjoyed volunteering in the past and am currently looking for more opportunities to
volunteer, as I have just moved to North Carolina from Ontario, Canada. I feel that I am easy to
work with and would fit into the Orange County program nicely. 4-H is a network of youth-based
organizations and I got an opportunity to join the local Orange County 4H club and work with
county officials. I helped start a Kids Voting project, a part of Kids Voting NC. After weeks of
hard work along with my team, we set up a mock election, literacy activities, and a creative crafts
section and volunteered at Bonnie B Davis Agricultural center on voting day to help kids vote in
the mock election. The preparation included creating multiple posters and sending out emails to
government officials such as senators Graig Meyer, Eric Blankenburg, Laura Pichardo and
Valerie Foushee for feedback. Another example is when me and a close friend started free Math
Classes for 3-4 graders to improve their critical thinking. I also recently joined the Civil Air Patrol
which gives lots of volunteering opportunities such as volunteering for the Veteran's Day
Breakfast to help in the kitchen and serve food. I participated in the Congressional App

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Aum Menon

Challenge, a country wide coding challenge in which I represented District 4 in North Carolina.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board
I would like to serve on this board as I want to expand my volunteering opportunities and help
others.
How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints?
I have lived in multiple cities across countries and participated in various community outreach
activities. This unique experience will help me add value to this board.
Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest
(either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?
None

Boards/Commissions appointments:
Other Comments:
This application was current on: 12/20/2024 8:57:00 PM

Date Printed:

1/29/2025

Page 237 of 237

27
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Acharan Narula

Volunteer Application
Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions
Name:
Name Called:
Home Address:

Prof. Dr. Acharan Narula

Phone:

107 Boulder Bluff Trail
Chapel Hill NC 27516
919-967-7621

Email:

[email protected]

Year of OC Residence:

1972

Township of Residence: Chapel Hill
County
Zone of Residence:
Male
Gender Identity:
Asian American
Ethnic Background:
Age Range:

60+

Community Activities/Organizational Memberships:
Participation as a member for:
Hindu Society of North Carolina,Morrisville, NC
Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of North Carolina, Morrisville, NC
Sikh Guridwara of North Carolina, Durham, NC
Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards:
None
Boards/Commissions applied for:
Orange County Parks and Recreation Council
Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board
I am now 81 years of age and I love Parks. I am a member of NC Arboretum, Asheville, NC.
With my +55 years of research experience in Organic Chemistry, Natural Products, Biology,
Medicine and medicinal plants, I can contribute positively to the objectives of Orange County
Parks and Recreation Council.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve

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