Advancement Council
The Dean’s Advancement Council provides an opportunity for alumni and friends to become more engaged with the East Carolina University College of Engineering and Technology, through their work as advocates, resource finders, contributors and consultants. The council will serve as advisory to the dean of the College of Engineering and Technology to further the college’s goals, support its continuing improvement and ensure its future success. Both on and off campus, the council will assist the dean and faculty in promoting a positive image and good relations for the College of Engineering and Technology with constituent groups at the local, regional, state and national levels.
Council Members
Gray Blount
Blount is the president of Home Builders Supply Company, which includes Home Builders Supply, HBS Commercial and Inner Banks Paint. He earned his B.S. in business administration with concentrations in entrepreneurship and small business management from ECU. He has spent his career leading successful businesses in the building supply and marine industries.
Blount is the president of Home Builders Supply Company, which includes Home Builders Supply, HBS Commercial and Inner Banks Paint. He earned his B.S. in business administration with concentrations in entrepreneurship and small business management from ECU. He has spent his career leading successful businesses in the building supply and marine industries.
Hunter Blount
After graduating from ECU’s construction management program in 1997, Blount founded E.H. Blount Construction, building both residential and commercial projects. He has shifted his focus to ownership, development and management of commercial real estate. He also established an in-house property management company that manages the family’s portfolio.
After graduating from ECU’s construction management program in 1997, Blount founded E.H. Blount Construction, building both residential and commercial projects. He has shifted his focus to ownership, development and management of commercial real estate. He also established an in-house property management company that manages the family’s portfolio.
Heidi Bradley
Bradley is the chief executive officer of Rubbermill, a precision parts provider for equipment manufacturers that has been in business for more than 30 years. She graduated from ECU with a degree in accounting in 1987, and her son is a graduate of ECU’s construction management program.
Bradley is the chief executive officer of Rubbermill, a precision parts provider for equipment manufacturers that has been in business for more than 30 years. She graduated from ECU with a degree in accounting in 1987, and her son is a graduate of ECU’s construction management program.
Evelyn Brown
Brown is the director of extension research and development for N.C. State’s Industry Extension Services. She had worked at ECU for 11 years as an engineering faculty member and associate dean for research for the College of Engineering and Technology. She has a doctorate in systems engineering from the University of Virginia and serves on ECU’s engineering advisory board.
Brown is the director of extension research and development for N.C. State’s Industry Extension Services. She had worked at ECU for 11 years as an engineering faculty member and associate dean for research for the College of Engineering and Technology. She has a doctorate in systems engineering from the University of Virginia and serves on ECU’s engineering advisory board.
Chris Campbell
Campbell is a Marine Corps veteran, serving from 1999 to 2023, including tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He retired as a bulk fuel specialist and came to ECU, earning a degree in distribution and logistics. He established the Pamela A. Garriques Excellence in Logistics Scholarship Fund to honor his mother and to support students in ECU’s distribution and logistics program.
Campbell is a Marine Corps veteran, serving from 1999 to 2023, including tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He retired as a bulk fuel specialist and came to ECU, earning a degree in distribution and logistics. He established the Pamela A. Garriques Excellence in Logistics Scholarship Fund to honor his mother and to support students in ECU’s distribution and logistics program.
John Chaffee
Chaffee has a long career in economic development in eastern North Carolina. He is the former president and CEO of North Carolina’s Eastern Region, a 13-county economic development organization. He also served as the executive director of the Pitt County Economic Development Commission and later as director of the eastern regional office of the N.C. Biotechnology Center.
Chaffee has a long career in economic development in eastern North Carolina. He is the former president and CEO of North Carolina’s Eastern Region, a 13-county economic development organization. He also served as the executive director of the Pitt County Economic Development Commission and later as director of the eastern regional office of the N.C. Biotechnology Center.
L.B. Clayton
Clayton retired as the vice president of the mid-south region of Old Dominion Freight Line, a national trucking company. An ECU graduate in industrial technology who played football for the Pirates, Clayton has been a longtime member of the council. He and his now deceased wife Gail established the Lemuel and Gail Clayton endowed scholarship to support distribution and logistics students.
Clayton retired as the vice president of the mid-south region of Old Dominion Freight Line, a national trucking company. An ECU graduate in industrial technology who played football for the Pirates, Clayton has been a longtime member of the council. He and his now deceased wife Gail established the Lemuel and Gail Clayton endowed scholarship to support distribution and logistics students.
R. Scott Cooper
Cooper began his career with Caterpillar Inc. in 1997 and now manages marketing, sales and product support for Caterpillar dealers across Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. He earned his B.S. in industrial technology with a concentration in technical sales and service from ECU in 1990. He often returns to campus to speak to classes, support student projects and recruit employees.
Cooper began his career with Caterpillar Inc. in 1997 and now manages marketing, sales and product support for Caterpillar dealers across Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. He earned his B.S. in industrial technology with a concentration in technical sales and service from ECU in 1990. He often returns to campus to speak to classes, support student projects and recruit employees.
Andy Ferrell, chair
Ferrell founded Pharmaceutical Calibrations and Instrumentation in 1996. After the sale of the company, he works in entrepreneurship and consulting, advising organizations on business growth, operational efficiency and leadership development. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial technology from ECU and has endowed two scholarships to support ECU students.
Ferrell founded Pharmaceutical Calibrations and Instrumentation in 1996. After the sale of the company, he works in entrepreneurship and consulting, advising organizations on business growth, operational efficiency and leadership development. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial technology from ECU and has endowed two scholarships to support ECU students.
Tim Gomez
Gomez provides consulting services through his firm, TG Global, where he advises organizations within industry. He previously served as CEO of Dixon Ticonderoga Company. An ECU bachelor’s and master’s graduate in industrial technology, he created the Dr. Barry Duvall, Timothy M. Gomez and Master Chief Roger M. Gomez Teacher’s Choice Scholarship Endowment in 2015.
Gomez provides consulting services through his firm, TG Global, where he advises organizations within industry. He previously served as CEO of Dixon Ticonderoga Company. An ECU bachelor’s and master’s graduate in industrial technology, he created the Dr. Barry Duvall, Timothy M. Gomez and Master Chief Roger M. Gomez Teacher’s Choice Scholarship Endowment in 2015.
Andrew Griffin
Griffin is a channel solutions engineer at Verkada, a security technology company based in California. He graduated from ECU in 2019 with a degree in information and computer technology with a concentration in computer networking and a minor in business administration. He has returned to ECU frequently to be a featured presenter during the annual Technology Summit.
Griffin is a channel solutions engineer at Verkada, a security technology company based in California. He graduated from ECU in 2019 with a degree in information and computer technology with a concentration in computer networking and a minor in business administration. He has returned to ECU frequently to be a featured presenter during the annual Technology Summit.
Jim Hackney
Hackney is the retired CEO of Hackney Industries, which manufactures truck bodies and trailers. He is a licensed professional engineer and Army veteran. He has served on numerous boards, including as chairman of N.C. State’s Board of Trustees. A member of ECU’s engineering advisory board since its inception in 2004, he has endowed a scholarship for ECU engineering students.
Hackney is the retired CEO of Hackney Industries, which manufactures truck bodies and trailers. He is a licensed professional engineer and Army veteran. He has served on numerous boards, including as chairman of N.C. State’s Board of Trustees. A member of ECU’s engineering advisory board since its inception in 2004, he has endowed a scholarship for ECU engineering students.
Ricky Hardy
Hardy is a certified mediator with Intercompany Arbitration and has more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, earning several professional designations through The Institutes Knowledge Group. He holds bachelor’s (1982) and master’s (1989) degrees in industrial technology from ECU as well as an associate degree from Lenoir Community College.
Hardy is a certified mediator with Intercompany Arbitration and has more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, earning several professional designations through The Institutes Knowledge Group. He holds bachelor’s (1982) and master’s (1989) degrees in industrial technology from ECU as well as an associate degree from Lenoir Community College.
Betty Hill
Hill retired in 2001 from Tidewater Community College after 26 years, concluding her career as a division chair for business, mathematics, natural sciences and nursing. With her husband Robert, they have a longstanding relationship with ECU, supporting scholarships as well as the annual Robert and Betty Hill Recognition of Excellence Awards Ceremony.
Hill retired in 2001 from Tidewater Community College after 26 years, concluding her career as a division chair for business, mathematics, natural sciences and nursing. With her husband Robert, they have a longstanding relationship with ECU, supporting scholarships as well as the annual Robert and Betty Hill Recognition of Excellence Awards Ceremony.
Robert Hill
Hill retired in 2002 from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard as a mechanical engineering technician. A 1962 ECU graduate in industrial arts, he also worked at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. He and his wife Betty have been longtime supporters of student scholarships at ECU and sponsor the annual Robert and Betty Hill Recognition of Excellence Awards Ceremony.
Hill retired in 2002 from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard as a mechanical engineering technician. A 1962 ECU graduate in industrial arts, he also worked at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. He and his wife Betty have been longtime supporters of student scholarships at ECU and sponsor the annual Robert and Betty Hill Recognition of Excellence Awards Ceremony.
Chris Holder
Holder is a senior sustainment consultant with Andromeda Systems and has spent more than two decades with Naval Air Systems Command where he served as research and engineering group head at Fleet Readiness Center East at Cherry Point. He serves on the ECU engineering advisory board and is co-founder and chair of the Eastern North Carolina Science and Engineering Committee.
Holder is a senior sustainment consultant with Andromeda Systems and has spent more than two decades with Naval Air Systems Command where he served as research and engineering group head at Fleet Readiness Center East at Cherry Point. He serves on the ECU engineering advisory board and is co-founder and chair of the Eastern North Carolina Science and Engineering Committee.
Alan Jones
Jones is the vice president of the southeast region at Integrated Project Services, a Berkshire Hathaway company. He has more than 30 years of experience in leadership, strategy, sales, marketing and economic development, specifically strengthening relationships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients. He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from ECU.
Jones is the vice president of the southeast region at Integrated Project Services, a Berkshire Hathaway company. He has more than 30 years of experience in leadership, strategy, sales, marketing and economic development, specifically strengthening relationships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients. He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from ECU.
Batt Masterson
Masterson is the site head for Astemo in Tarboro, where he leads operations at the advanced automotive electronic products facility. He previously worked as an automated test equipment development engineer for Keihin. He has recruited ECU graduates to work at Astemo and is also a member of ECU’s engineering advisory board, actively collaborating to connect industry with students.
Masterson is the site head for Astemo in Tarboro, where he leads operations at the advanced automotive electronic products facility. He previously worked as an automated test equipment development engineer for Keihin. He has recruited ECU graduates to work at Astemo and is also a member of ECU’s engineering advisory board, actively collaborating to connect industry with students.
Danny Owens
Owens works as a plant manager for Hyster-Yale in Greenville. He has more than 35 years of experience in manufacturing and is a frequent partner with ECU’s College of Engineering and Technology, welcoming student tours and interns as well as graduates who become full-time employees.
Owens works as a plant manager for Hyster-Yale in Greenville. He has more than 35 years of experience in manufacturing and is a frequent partner with ECU’s College of Engineering and Technology, welcoming student tours and interns as well as graduates who become full-time employees.
David Philyaw
Philyaw is president of TA Loving’s Building Business Unit and a member of the firm’s board of directors. His expertise includes higher education and healthcare facilities, and he has served as the lead construction representative on many athletic venues in the state. He is a 1998 graduate of ECU’s construction management program and serves on its advisory board.
Philyaw is president of TA Loving’s Building Business Unit and a member of the firm’s board of directors. His expertise includes higher education and healthcare facilities, and he has served as the lead construction representative on many athletic venues in the state. He is a 1998 graduate of ECU’s construction management program and serves on its advisory board.
Mike Putnam, vice chair
Putnam is the founder and CEO of Sequence Incorporated, an engineering consulting firm specializing in commissioning and qualification of major life sciences manufacturing facilities. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial technology from ECU. A resident of Raleigh, Putnam has been a member of the advancement council since 2013.
Putnam is the founder and CEO of Sequence Incorporated, an engineering consulting firm specializing in commissioning and qualification of major life sciences manufacturing facilities. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial technology from ECU. A resident of Raleigh, Putnam has been a member of the advancement council since 2013.
Darrell Roberts
Roberts is an information systems manager for a manufacturing company in Garner. He has bachelor’s (2024) and master’s (2025) degrees in information and cybersecurity technology from ECU. A passionate advocate for the power of education, he established the Roberts Family D3 Endowment and co-created the Tau Excellence Scholarship to support students at ECU.
Roberts is an information systems manager for a manufacturing company in Garner. He has bachelor’s (2024) and master’s (2025) degrees in information and cybersecurity technology from ECU. A passionate advocate for the power of education, he established the Roberts Family D3 Endowment and co-created the Tau Excellence Scholarship to support students at ECU.
Eric Rouse
Rouse created and operates a number of small businesses that range from construction and concrete to directional drilling. He grew up in Kinston and graduated from ECU with a degree in industrial technology. Not only with a mind for business entrepreneurship but a quest to serve, Rouse has been a member of the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners for 16 years.
Rouse created and operates a number of small businesses that range from construction and concrete to directional drilling. He grew up in Kinston and graduated from ECU with a degree in industrial technology. Not only with a mind for business entrepreneurship but a quest to serve, Rouse has been a member of the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners for 16 years.
Cody Whitelock
Whitelock is the director of innovation and professional development at Barnhill Building Group, leading initiatives on advancing construction practices, virtual design construction and workforce development. He holds a civil engineering degree with an emphasis in construction from Clemson University and has more than 10 years of experience in fostering innovative technology in construction.
Whitelock is the director of innovation and professional development at Barnhill Building Group, leading initiatives on advancing construction practices, virtual design construction and workforce development. He holds a civil engineering degree with an emphasis in construction from Clemson University and has more than 10 years of experience in fostering innovative technology in construction.
Mark Williford
Williford is the executive vice president of SPC Mechanical, a mechanical contracting company that his father started in 1965. The company has supported multiple projects at ECU, including those at dining halls, the Brody School of Medicine and Minges Coliseum. He is a licensed mechanical and electrical contractor and has served on the construction management advisory board since 2013.
Williford is the executive vice president of SPC Mechanical, a mechanical contracting company that his father started in 1965. The company has supported multiple projects at ECU, including those at dining halls, the Brody School of Medicine and Minges Coliseum. He is a licensed mechanical and electrical contractor and has served on the construction management advisory board since 2013.
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