NC Beautiful Announces Board of Directors

PRLog (Press Release) – Feb 24, 2008 – RALEIGH, NC – NC Beautiful has announced its Board of Directors for the 2007-2008 year. NC Beautiful is a non-profit organization that provides environmental education and beautification opportunities that elevate the quality of life of North Carolinians.

Serving as officers are:

-   Gary Wisniewski of Delta Environmental, President
-   George “Jerry” Oliver of Smith Moore LLP, Vice President
-   Gregory Peverall of Solid Waste Management Services, Secretary
-   Lena Gallitano of North Carolina State University, Treasurer

H. Glenn Dunn of Poyner & Spruill LLP is the organization’s Immediate Past President. NC Beautiful Executive Director, Steve Vacendak, explains that once individuals are made aware of NC Beautiful and its commitment to fostering and promoting environmental awareness, they are drawn to the cause—personally and professionally.

“As North Carolinians, we are all part of one of the most beautifully diverse states in our nation,” says Vacendak. “As residents, it is our duty to be good stewards of our land and to make North Carolina the standard by which other states guide their environmental programs. Our Board is a reflection of this commitment by citizens who believe in our mission and want to ensure that we sustain and maintain our state’s health and beauty for the next generation of young stewards.”

Duke Energy, a supporter of NC Beautiful’s efforts for many years, feels strongly about the beneficial programs and accomplishments of this organization. Newly elected NC Beautiful Director, Robin Nicholson, has been with Duke Energy for 27 years and currently serves as Manager, Sport Venues. She says that NC Beautiful is a reflection of the environmental focus Duke Energy has maintained for years and is an outlet for continued improvement in the various initiatives in which Duke Energy is involved.

“As a member of the Board for NC Beautiful, I hope to be able to strengthen [Duke Energy’s] commitment and involvement [to the environment] and help further direct focus of NC Beautiful and Duke Energy toward improving the natural beauty and resources of our state,” says Nicholson.

Tom Butters has also been elected as an NC Beautiful Director and echoes Nicholson’s sentiment about the importance of environmental awareness and commitment. Butters retired from Duke University in 1998 after 30 years, serving the last 20 years as the university’s Director of Athletics. He worked with Vacendak while the two were at Duke University and said that the reasons behind his involvement with NC Beautiful were more personal in nature.

“I have a long and cherished friendship with Steve [Vacendak],” says Butters. “When he began talking about NC Beautiful, it intrigued me because it affects children, teachers, the environment, and education—all of the things I care about. I was privileged to have been asked to serve and am proud to be a part of this organization.”

Serving with Nicholson and Butters as Directors are Irene Broaddus (Citizens South Bank), Sara Brooks (W D Brooks, Inc.), Rich Duncan (Lenoir-Rhyne College), Beth Earnst (Ciba Specialty Chemicals), Stephen Earp (Smith Moore LLP), Michael Green (Cohen & Green Salvage Co.), Alan Herosian (Duke University Medical Center), Nancy Hunnicutt, Brent Kirchhoff (Waste Industries), Dan Roberts, III (Impact Communications), Keith Wallace (RSM McGladrey), and Thomas Womble (Central Carolina Tire Disposal).

About NC Beautiful
NC Beautiful has been part of the state’s environmental preservation community for 40 years, supporting awareness, education and beautification efforts that affect our quality of life. Today, we concentrate on hands-on and merit-based programs designed to empower our citizens to preserve the natural beauty of the state of North Carolina. Whether it’s school children building outdoor classrooms, graduate students developing cutting-edge research, or a Boy Scout troop planting azaleas at an elder care facility, we make it possible for North Carolinians to keep NC Beautiful. For more information, call (919) 828-3190.