15 May Seven members join Charlotte Works’ board of directors
Charlotte Works is pleased to announce that Charlotte Mayor Dan Clodfelter has appointed seven new members to its board of directors. They are:
Akeshia Craven-Howell, assistant superintendent for school options, innovation and design for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district. In this role, she works to develop a district-wide portfolio of school options characterized by a menu of innovative and well-defined themes, programs of study and school models to which all students have equitable access within their communities. Prior to joining CMS, Craven-Howell spent seven years in senior leadership roles at the Chicago Public Schools, where she most recently led the district’s work to create K-12 pathways to college and career for all students including developing career and technical education (CTE) schools, among other initiatives.
Karin Davies, senior vice president, human resources, Peak 10, a national information technology infrastructure provider. She is responsible for all human resources activities supporting business growth and attracting and retaining talent. Prior to joining Peak 10, Davies served as senior human resources division manager for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems’ commercial business units. She also spent 14 years in various human resources management positions of increasing responsibility including holding senior leadership roles with AdTran, a manufacturer of high-speed telecommunication devices, and CTI-Siemens, a manufacturer of medical imaging devices.
Betty Doster, special assistant to the chancellor for constituent relations, UNC Charlotte. She is primarily responsible for fostering, supporting and expanding the university’s relationships with the federal, state, regional and local governmental and non-governmental organizations that can strengthen the university in its ability to deliver educational and research programs in support of its mission. Formerly senior vice president for public policy at Bank of America, Doster also served as senior vice president for public affairs at Springs Industries, in Ft. Mill, S.C., and as public affairs director with Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated in Charlotte, N.C.
Dennis Marstall, vice president – community investment and impact, United Way of Central Carolinas. His primary role is to oversee the annual community investment/funding process, including the critical needs response fund, and implement the collective impact model to align United Way resources with community goals and needs. He also oversees the 211 information and referral service for health and human service needs. Prior to joining United Way, Marstall served with the City of Charlotte for more than 20 years in the budget and evaluation department and in the mayor’s office as a top aide establishing key working relationships spanning business, nonprofit and faith communities and neighborhood associations. His last position was in the economic development office, where he worked on business retention and growth, public/private partnerships, small business development, innovation and entrepreneurship and oversaw the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program.
Tim Mayes, regional operations director for the Southwest Region, N.C. Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Solutions. He offers extensive experience in human resources and leadership in city and state government following 38 years with the City of Charlotte, the last several of which as director of human resources. In his most recent role, Hayes was director of human resources for the N.C. Department of Commerce, where he supported the Division of Workforce Solutions.
Carol Morris, vice president of community programs and civic leadership at Foundation For The Carolinas. In this role, she helps connect the philanthropy side of the Foundation to community needs and issues. Prior to joining the foundation , Morris was a self-employed community planning consultant providing needs assessments, research and strategic planning assistance on such community issues as homelessness, domestic violence, workforce development and the plight of returning veterans for such clients as city and county government, nonprofits and foundations. Between 1999 and 2013, she provided strategic planning support to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Workforce Development Board (later Charlotte Works.)
Robin Rackley Thornton, director of employee relations/human resources, Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, N.C. Previously, she’s served as director of human resources at Spectrum Financial Systems, Inc., in Mooresville, N.C., and Hilton Charlotte & Towers and Parkway Management/Comfort Inn in Charlotte, N.C. In these roles, Thornton has been responsible for managing all human resources functions including recruiting, training, internships, relocation, staff retention programs, coaching/counseling and performance management and more.
“I’m so excited to have such a talented group of leaders appointed to our board,” says Charlotte Works’ President and CEO Steve Partridge. “As Charlotte continues to grow, it’s so important to have a diverse group of community leaders that can help us chart a new direction for our organization.”
Their two-year terms will begin July 1, 2015.
The group joins 18 other leaders from Charlotte’s public, private and education sectors in comprising the workforce development board.