About Our Staff
Tom Rogers - President
Tom Rogers manages FoR ENC operations and serves as a liaison between and among the board of directors, staff and corporation and foundation leaders. Tom was, prior to retirement, a group executive officer with RBC Centura Banks, Inc. During his 32 year banking career, Tom held leadership roles in community affairs, human resources, information technology, operations, finance, strategic planning and audit. Tom is Vice Chair of the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce, Finance Chair for the East Carolina Council of Boy Scouts of America, immediate past President of the Rocky Mount Area United Way, immediate past Chair of the Harrison Family YMCA and Treasurer of the Twin County Museum and Hall of Fame. Tom holds a bachelor's degree in economics from North Carolina State University.
Laura E. Williamson - Project Director
Laura is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Creative Communities Initiative. Laura coordinates the project's development across the participating towns and is the CCI liaison with Golden LEAF, the CCI project underwriter. From 1996 to 2004, Ms. Williamson worked for the United Nations Environment Programme where she was responsible for identifying key issues and developing programs to engage the business sector in sustainable development activities. Prior to her work at the UN, Laura worked in the non-profit sector, promoting the need for sound environmental management practices in local development activities. Ms. Williamson has degrees from the University of Chicago, the Institut Universitaire de Technologie in Montpellier, France, and Tufts University.
Frank is the Director of Communications for FoR ENC. Frank oversees the development, coordination and dissemination of all communications-print, broadcast, electronic, Internet-for the Creative Communities Initiative. Frank is responsible for communicating FoR ENC projects and events to its constituents, the citizens of North Carolina, state and federal officials, and leaders in business, education, government, healthcare, agriculture, and travel and tourism. He also manages aspects of a number of FoR ENC's special projects. Frank's professional experience includes writing, editing, and communications positions in newspaper, magazine, and medical textbook publishing. Frank has a Master's degree in music composition from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He has produced films that have won numerous awards, including eight film festival prizes and an Emmy Award. Frank is the co-inventor and patent holder of three new financial services technology products, two of which are currently in development.
William (Bill) G. Sarine - Strategic Partnerships
Bill cultivates, establishes and maintains strategic partnerships with leading industries, government agencies and educational institutions. Bill is responsible for creating and evaluating strategies for using technology to enhance the economic viability of the participating CCI towns. Bill was a founder of a number of companies specializing in the design and marketing of specialized telecommunications equipment. He also founded Global Data Networking Systems, Inc., a successful distributorship and consulting firm. He has been a director of sales, a national sales manager and a product manager for both large and small companies. He developed the "10/40 Sales Management Program", a premier time management and motivational tool. He has been invited to speak on emerging technologies at executive sessions and at a number of firms including BellSouth, RJ Reynolds and FedEx. Bill was an instructor for the University of South Carolina's NetGen CIO Academy. He has a degree in marketing from Farleigh Dickenson University with additional studies at Fordham University. Over the past few years Bill has taken an active role in bringing broadband networks to schools in eastern NC along with assisting rural communities on technology issues.
Stephanie C. Griffin - Management
Stephanie manages administration functions at FoR ENC, including directing and supervising financial, accounting, vendor relations and human resources systems for the organization and its initiatives. Mrs. Griffin oversees all administrative functions at FoR ENC. She is responsible for communicating and coordinating all events on behalf of FoR ENC. Mrs. Griffin holds a B.A. in Business Administration from East Carolina University.
Kevin is responsible for researching and compiling data for the CCI. He is responsible for providing programmatic support to each of the CC towns. Kevin is the content manager for this website. He is also the coordinating editor of the IBX Newsletter and oversees all day-to-day activity for the VIP for ENC. Prior to joining FoR ENC, Kevin was a member of the US Air Force and served in Kuwait during Operation Desert Fox in 1998. During the spring of 2005 he served as an assistant to Senator William R. Purcell of the North Carolina General Assembly through a highly competitive internship program offered through NC State University. Kevin graduated Summa Cum Laude from East Carolina University with a B.S. in Political Science. He is currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Adult Education program at East Carolina and is studying coursework in both Public and Business Administration.
Rebekah is also responsible for researching and compiling data for the CCI and for providing programmatic support to each of the CC towns. Rebekah is the content manager for the Eastern North Carolina Film Commission website. Rebekah is also the coordinating editor of the CCI Monthly Update. Rebekah graduated in 2006 from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia with a BA in Political Science and Early American History. Currently, Rebekah is attending East Carolina University where she is pursuing a Master's degree in Public Administration with a concentration on Environmental Policy. Rebekah has enjoyed working with other non-profit organizations in the past such as Newport News Department of Social Services, Animal Aid Society, and The Cat Corner Refugee.
Kara is also responsible for researching and compiling data for the CCI and for providing programmatic support to each of the CC towns. Kara is the content manager for the Venture-East website. Kara attends East Carolina University in the Master of Public Administration program focusing on environmental policy and non-profit management. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from Oklahoma State University and an English Education Certificate. Prior to working with FoR ENC, Kara served as a public school teacher working with English as a Second Language students. She has previously worked with two non-profits, as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Jason Project and as an educator within YMCA.
