Five New Members Join State Board of Community Colleges

Five new members will join the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges at a swearing-in ceremony on Friday. The distinguished individuals bring years of leadership, expertise, and will work to bolster the Board’s efforts to advance workforce development and expand opportunities across the state. 

“I am delighted to welcome these remarkable leaders to the NCCCS Board. Their expertise, sense of urgency, and impactful leadership will be pivotal in advancing workforce development across North Carolina,” said Board Chair Tom Looney. “As the most important organization in our state today, the NC Community College System is fortunate to have a board that genuinely reflects its significance and mission.” 

The new board members are: 

NC Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt  
Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt has a distinguished record of service in education and public leadership. Prior to her political career, Hunt practiced law and founded a consulting business to assist families with the college application process. She served in the North Carolina House of Representatives and Senate before being elected Lieutenant Governor, where she continues her dedication to education and public service. Hunt’s leadership is deeply inspired by her family’s legacy of public service, including her father, former Governor Jim Hunt.

 

NC Treasurer Brad Briner 
Brad Briner is the North Carolina Treasurer. Prior to this role, he was the Co-Chief Investment Officer for Willett Advisors, where he worked from 2012-2023. Willett manages the philanthropic and personal investment assets for Mike Bloomberg. Before Willett, Mr. Briner held positions at Morgan Creek Capital, the UNC Management Company, ArcLight Capital and Goldman Sachs. Mr. Briner graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a Morehead Scholar with a degree in economics with distinction. Mr. Briner also received an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School. He resides in Chapel Hill, NC with his wife and four children.  

 

NC Labor Commissioner Luke Farley 
Luke Farley is North Carolina’s 20th Commissioner of Labor. At thirty-nine, he is the youngest Labor Commissioner elected in a century and the youngest sitting member of the Council of State. Before entering public service, Commissioner Farley was an attorney in private practice focusing on workplace safety law. With over fourteen years of experience in the private sector, Commissioner Farley was on the front lines of keeping workers safe and helping small businesses create more and better paying job opportunities. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University School of Law, Commissioner Farley is committed to protecting our workers and their jobs. Raised in Onslow County, Commissioner Farley now lives in Raleigh with his wife and their three young sons.

Robert B. Moore Jr.  
A longtime entrepreneur, Robert Moore has nearly 30 years of experience in the outdoor advertising industry. As the founder of Riley Outdoor and Patriot Outdoor, Robert built two successful companies, establishing them among the top 80 outdoor advertising companies in the United States. His leadership has significantly influenced the industry, including more than a decade of service on the board of the Outdoor Advertising Association. Robert earned a B.S. in Business Administration from East Carolina University and serves on the ECU Board of Trustees. Residing in Greenville, NC, with his wife Laura and daughter Riley, Robert enjoys spending time at the coast. 

 

Autumn Queen  
As President of the North Carolina Comprehensive Community College Student Government Association, Autumn Queen represents student voices from across the system. A biotechnology student at Gaston College, Autumn plans to graduate this spring and transfer to a four-year university to pursue a degree in biochemistry on a pre-med track. Her leadership is marked by a commitment to advocacy and service, aiming to unite all 58 community colleges through collaboration and connection. 

 

The new members will be sworn in at the January 17 board meeting.