Board of Trustees
CURRENT MEMBERS
The purpose of the Board of Trustees of Elizabeth City State University is to perform the duties and exercise the powers prescribed by the applicable provisions of Chapter 116 of the North Carolina General Statutes and by The Code of the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina.
 |
Justin L. Waddell (Chair) | Term: 2021 - 2029Justin Waddell is a 2014 graduate of Elizabeth City State University, where he earned
a B.S. in Aviation Science with a minor in Public Administration. Following graduation,
he began his career in Washington D.C., with the major defense contractor Science
Applications International Corporation (SAIC) as a Research & Development Systems
Engineer. Over the years, he has held key technical and leadership roles at several
prominent aerospace and defense firms. Waddell currently serves as a Systems Engineering
Principal at SAIC, where he supports the Federal Aviation Administration's Navigation
Programs, contributing to the modernization and sustainment of critical National Airspace
System infrastructure. Prior to rejoining SAIC, he held the role of Technical Project
Manager at AIRBUS North America, where he led the development, deployment and sustainment
of Air Traffic Flow automation systems for both domestic and international clients.
|
 |
Johnny Tillett (Vice-Chair) | Term: 2021 - 2027Johnny Tillett is the senior vice president of state government relations with the McGuire Woods Consulting firm in Raleigh, N.C. He specializes in energy and utilities, healthcare, environmental interest, transportation and education. Prior to joining McGuire Woods in 2007, Tillett led his own lobbying firm in Raleigh. Before opening his lobbying firm, he served in key positions with Dare County and the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. Tillett has been recognized as a top lobbyist at the North Carolina General Assembly. He is ranked as the 9thMost Influential Lobbyist of the 2013-14 legislative session by the North Carolina Center for Policy Research.
|
 |
Patricia B. Norman (Secretary) | Term: 2023 - 2027Patricia Bond Norman, a native of Windsor, North Carolina, attended Elizabeth City
State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration
from Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Currently, Mrs. Norman
works for the Office of Secretary of State on special projects, including the organization
and setting up of conferences as needed. She also serves on the State Employee Advisory
Board of her branch of the State Employees Credit Union and is a member of Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority Incorporated. Ms. Norman has provided encouragement to students, by
providing resources to students, and provided financial support to students.
|
 |
James R. Copland, IV | Term: 2021 - 2029James R. Copland IV, a North Carolina native and New Bern resident, is a senior fellow with and director
of Legal Policy for the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. He has served on
many private company, nonprofit, and public boards, including as a trustee at University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill) and as a founding trustee of the
African American Heritage and Culture Center of New Bern. Board governance is one
of his research interests; on multiple occasions, he has been named to the National
Association of Corporate Directors “Directorship 100” list, which designates the individuals
most influential over U.S. corporate governance. Copland has a B.A. from UNC Chapel
Hill, an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics, and a J.D. and M.B.A. from Yale
University.
|
 |
Christine Evans | Term: 2019 - 2027Chris Evans is the director of State Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for Blue Cross Blue Shield
North Carolina where she monitors and responds to legislative and regulatory issues
that impact the company through direct lobbying and development of internal and external
networks. She was previously associate counsel for Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina.
Evans began her career as a high school social studies teacher before entering the
practice of law. She graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law
with a Juris Doctor with Honors. She earned a Master of Arts in Education from Columbia
University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with High Honors from Denison University
in Granville, Ohio.
|
 |
Stephen Friedrich | Term: 2021 - 2029Stephen Friedrich is the chief commercial officer for Embraer Executive Jets. He has
spent his career in the aviation and aerospace industry. In his current role with
Embraer, Friedrich oversees sales, client and industry relations, and business development.
Prior to joining Embraer, he led global sales and marketing for Rolls Royce Civil
Aerospace Business Aviation. He has also served in senior positions for financial
institutions. Friedrich graduated from Lafayette College with a degree in economics
and business, and from the Stern School at New York University with an M.B.A.
|
 |
James D. Gailliard | Term: 2023 - 2027Pastor James Gailliard is the organizing and Senior Pastor of Word Tabernacle Church
with campuses in Rocky Mount and Tarboro, North Carolina. Pastor Gailliard served
two consecutive terms in the North Carolina General Assembly. During his two terms,
he introduced over 35 Bills, co-sponsored numerous others, held two Governor appointments,
and served on five of the most critical Standing Committees, including Health and
Education. As a Commissioner of MyFutureNC, he was one of the architects of the statewide
educational attainment goal. He currently serves on many boards including Charman
of the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Foundation and Founder/Chairman of
the REACH Center, Inc.
|
 |
Art A. Hall | Term: 2025 – 2029Art Hall, from Texas, hails most recently from San Antonio. He currently serves as Vice President at Tidewater Community College in Virginia, the second largest of 23 in the state. He previously held positions at Alamo Colleges and investment banking firms Southwestern Capital Markets and Popular Securities and owns Dos Veces Ranch in Texas, raising Wagyu cattle on land once owned by his great grandfather. Art has written several articles in law and international finance journals, served on San Antonio’s City Council (2003-2007, 2019), served on the San Antonio Fire and Police Pension Fund Board ($3.5B assets), and currently serves on the TexasTechU Law School Foundation Board. He holds a Private Pilot License and enjoys equestrian eventing, hunting, golf, languages/traveling, and collecting stamps/coins. He attended HarvardU (BA, 1993), TexasTechU (JD/MBA ,1996), and UWales (UK) (LLM, 2001). He and his wife, Stephanie, have one daughter, Londyn Hall, a Spelman College junior.
|
 |
Kathryn Roebuck Holding | Term: 2023 - 2027Kathryn Holding is a non-profit leader with nine years of experience in strategic
planning, leadership, asset development, and community philanthropy. A licensed attorney,
Holding has experience in charitable giving, community foundation, estate planning
and tax law. Born, raised, and educated in North Carolina, Holding has a deep love
and respect for our state, and believes community-led philanthropy and access to higher
education are core elements of its progress and sustainability.
|
 |
James A. Kinion, Jr. | Term: 2025 – 2027James A. Kinion, Jr. is a seasoned public policy leader with over 40 years of experience in consumer financial services, legislative affairs, and nonprofit leadership. A proud graduate of Elizabeth City State University with a degree in accounting, James spent more than three decades at OneMain Financial, ultimately serving as Vice President and Director of Government Relations. In that role, he worked closely with lawmakers, regulators, and stakeholders to shape fair, effective financial policies. He was also appointed to the North Carolina Banking Commission, where he provided regulatory oversight during a period of rapid industry change. Today, as President of Government Relations Strategies, LLC, he advises clients on advocacy, compliance, and public engagement. Deeply committed to community service, James founded the Wakefield Deckers Association to support frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to sound governance, civic responsibility, and the power of education to transform lives.
|
 |
Wendy P. Pierce | Term: 2025 - 2029Wendy Pierce is a 2001 ECSU graduate and currently serves as the Chair of the ECSU
Board of Visitors. Ms. Pierce is highly involved with the university in her role
with Sentara Health and is an active participant at university events.
|
|
Dr. Denauvo M. Robinson | Term: 2025 – 2029Dr. Denauvo Robinson serves on ECSU's Committee for the Community Connections: Performance
and Lecture Series. He has over 45 years of extensive people related experience in
education and community related settings and is an engaged and active participant
at ECSU events.
|
 |
Jasmine Jackson (Ex-Officio Member)| Term: 2025 – 2026Jasmine Jackson is the current Student Government Association President.
|
2025
K.E. White Graduate Center
September 9, 2025 | 9 AM
K.E. White Graduate Center
ECSU Board of Trustees Special Meeting
The Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on Monday, July 14, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., via videoconference. The purpose of this meeting is to swear in new members, elect board officers, and establish a new subcommittee to provide oversight of ECSU's compliance with the UNC System's Equality Within the University policy. The meeting can be accessed here.
June 10, 2025 | 9 AM
K.E. White Graduate Center
ECSU Board of Trustees Special Meeting
The Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Board of Trustees will hold a special, virtual meeting on Tuesday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. The purpose of the meeting is to consult with an attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege, to plan, conduct, or hear reports concerning investigations of alleged criminal misconduct, and to discuss plans to protect public safety. This meeting will open and close in open session. However, the meeting will be held almost entirely in closed session. Join here.
March 11, 2025 | 9 AM
K.E. White Graduate Center
9 a.m. – Committees | 2 p.m. – Full Board Meeting
2024
K.E. White Graduate Center
K.E. White Graduate Center
9 a.m. – Committees | 2 p.m. – Full Board Meeting
2023
K.E. White Graduate Center
9 a.m. – Committees | 2 p.m. – Full Board Meeting
2022
K.E. White Graduate Center
9 a.m. – Committees | 2 p.m. – Full Board Meeting
September 12, 2022 | 9 AM
Board of Trustees Retreat
September 13, 2022
K.E. White Graduate Center
9 a.m. – Committees | 2:30 p.m. – Full Board Meeting
The Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Board of Trustees will hold a special, virtual meeting on Monday, June 6 at 1:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to approve the construction manager and commissioning agent for the housing and dining capital project. The Board of Trustees will also consider the authorization of a new heating, ventilation, and cooling system for Viking Village.
April 6, 2022
ECSU Board of Trustees Special Meeting
The purpose of the meeting is to consider awarding honorary degrees, professor emeritus
status, and approval of a designer for a campus project. The meeting will begin in
open session and move to closed session. The approval of the designer for the campus
project will be discussed and approved in open session.
March 25, 2022
2021
December 14, 2021
September 14, 2021
Virtual Meeting
June 8, 2021
Recorded Virtual Meeting
March 8-9, 2021
Recorded Virtual Meetings
March 8, 2021
March 9, 2021
2020
March 10, 2020
June 1-2, 2020
Recorded Virtual Meetings
June 1, 2020
June 2, 2020
September 21-22, 2020
Recorded Virtual Meetings
September 21, 2020
September 22, 2020
November 11, 2020 - Virtual Board of Trustees Annual Retreat
December 14-15, 2020
Recorded Virtual Meetings
December 14, 2020
December 15, 2020
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
|