Summit Success!!

This year's Twin-Counties Education & Business Leaders summit was a success, with over 250 professionals in attendance! The event took place on September 14, 2023 at the Nash Community College Brown Auditorium. The summit was full of discussions on increasing workforce awareness, development of relevant workforce skills, and forging stronger relationships with business and industry leaders. Esteemed keynote speakers at the summit included Cecilia Holden, President and CEO of myFutureNC; Jeff DeBellis, Director of Economic & Policy Analysis at the NC Department of Commerce; and Wesley Gwinn, Oversight Staff, House Majority, NC General Assembly. The summit allowed for many in the twin counties to connect with other goal-driven community leaders, create positive goals, and learn about expanding local opportunities!

Board of Directors Newest Members

Dr. Andy Bryan became superintendent of Edgecombe County Public Schools on September 1, 2023. 

Over nearly a decade as superintendent of Lee County Schools, Dr. Andy Bryan worked closely with the community and staff to create unique educational opportunities that allow students to enjoy success in life.

Under his leadership, Lee County Schools launched the International Baccalaureate — considered by many to be the gold standard of college preparatory programs and one of only 34 programs in the state — and NAF career academies offering specialized technical education in business and finance, engineering, hospitality and tourism, and life sciences.

The district portfolio also includes a renowned Early College, strong Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, Spanish dual-language instruction in two elementary schools and acclaimed youth apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities.

He also partnered with the community to renovate and restore a former Rosenwald school with newly constructed buildings to preserve the community’s African American heritage with a cutting-edge STEAM-themed elementary school offering a curriculum grounded in science, technology, engineering, the arts and math.

Currently Co-Superintendent of the Year for the Sandhills Regional Educational Consortium, Dr. Bryan became superintendent after extensive experience in education. His career began as a social studies teacher and athletics coach, later with terms as athletic director, assistant principal, high school principal and associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

He was recognized in 2016 as Lee County NAACP’s Educator of the Year and in 2014 as North Carolina Art Education Association Friend of the Arts.

Dr. Bryan holds Doctor of Education and Master of Education degrees in educational administration and supervision from the University of Virginia and received his Bachelor of Arts in history and political science from Longwood University.

His wife, Debbie, is a public school teacher, and the couple has two children: son Drew, a student-athlete at East Carolina University, and daughter Austyn, a high school freshman.

Abbi Mullens

Abbi Mullens, native of Fremont and current resident of Bethel, North Carolina, serves as the Family Services Program Manager, overseeing parenting education and support groups, as well as childcare resource and referral for Down East Partnership for Children. Abbi has ten years of experience working with children and young families in eastern North Carolina but joined the specific work of Down East Partnership for Children in 2021, committing to launching every child in Nash and Edgecombe counties as a healthy, lifelong learner by the end of third grade.

An avid wolfpack fan, Abbi is a dual graduate of North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology and Religious Studies. Abbi then earned her Master of Divinity at Campbell University and was ordained in ministry by the Cooperative Baptist Church. It is Abbi’s passion to serve her community and young people. These passions can be found not only in her work at DEPC, but also in her service to children at First United Methodist Church of Rocky Mount.

In her free time, Abbi can be found enjoying anything her son, Graham is discovering and alongside her husband, Daniel.

Kimberley Langis

Kimberley Langis is currently a People Experience Manager at Pfizer, Inc located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina with over 20 years of experience in Human Resources and Recruiting. Kimberley graduated from North Carolina Wesleyan University where she is the Alumni Association Vice President. Kimberley is involved in the community supporting and advocating for STEM Education and early talent. Kimberley is also involved in the Nash Community College as part of the Nighthawk Collaborative STEM Connections Advisory Committee Board that is committed to nurturing early talent and empowering all students through inclusive and equitable STEM initiative and partnerships. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, traveling and attending athletic events.

Manufacturing Day at Cummins RMEP

Did you know October is manufacturing month? Students from Tarboro High experienced hands-on learning at Cummins Rocky Mount Engine Plant for Manufacturing Day on Friday, October 6. They heard from professional manufacturers who poured into them valuable knowledge and tips on what it takes to work at Cummins or similar manufacturing companies. Students participated in putting together an engine, identified engine parts, as well as hearing and observing from these hard-working Cummins employees. 

MFG Day at the Event Center

An incredible manufacturing day event took place at the Rocky Mount Event Center on October 11th with over 500 middle school students present! STEP hosted a live video making contest where participants can use TikTok, Facebook, or another video creating app of their choice to share what they learned about manufacturers. Middle schoolers heard from local manufacturers like Sara Lee, Pfizer, Astemo and more!

New Staff Additions

Abriella Roberts

Abriella Roberts, a student at Edgecombe Early College High School and Edgecombe Community College, serves as a social media intern for STEP. In the future, Abriella wants to major in marketing or graphic design and attend a 4-year university in North Carolina. As a student, Abriella participates in extracurriculars, such as Journalism, with a role as Proofreading Editor, and is a writing/essay tutor at her high school. She is also an assistant videographer to her sister's photography business and an active volunteer at her church. Her parents are active in the twin counties and work in education. Like her parents, Abriella is active in serving the twin counties and contributing her growing skills to the community. In her free time, Abriella enjoys painting, traveling, and meeting new people. 

Caty Gray Urquhart

Caty Gray is an Edgecombe County native. She is a graduate of East Carolina University with a diverse background in Education and Small Business. 

Caty Gray has taught for both Pitt County and Wake County School Systems, coached and trained teachers for Teach for America and comes to us most recently from the small business sector. She also serves on the Board of Directors at Sound Rivers and the Edgecombe Cancer Support Foundation. 

Caty Gray enjoys working with her community to make meaningful connections. She will be facilitating the Lean into Literacy program connecting stakeholders in Edgecombe and Nash counties to improve literacy outcomes for students. 

Coming Up

PO Box 6802

100 Coastline Street, Suite 203

Rocky Mount, NC 27802

Phone: 252 4 460113