Leadership
Olivia Dawson – Co-chair
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Olivia Dawson, a native of Burgaw, is the Mayor of the Town of Burgaw.
Dawson worked in many areas of the EOC during Hurricane Florence and continued her assistance with recovery efforts when the storm affected Pender County in September 2018, serving as the Disaster Relief Coordinator. She assisted with facilitating groups & resources for long-term recovery and aided in the formation of the PLTRG. She continues to serve as the Co-Chair of the Pender Long Term Recovery Group (PLTRG).
An active member of the American Flood Coalition and serves on the organization’s Advisory Board, working collaboratively with local, state, and national partners to strengthen flood preparedness and long-term resilience planning in our communities.
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Reverend Dr. William L. Smith – Co-Chair
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Rev. Dr. William L. Smith is a native of Burgaw, North Carolina. He is married to Wounderline Danell Armstrong Smith. He is the father of three sons and one daughter. He is currently the Pastor of Newkirk Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. He has pastored various churches during a period of thirty years.
Dr. Smith graduated from C. F. Pope High School in the year of 1967. Other post-secondary institutions include Cape Fear Community College of Wilmington, NC, Shaw University of Raleigh, NC, Mount Olive College, and a Certificate in Communication from Tennessee State University. Dr. Smith has an Associate Degree in Biblical Studies, a Bachelor's and a Master's Degree in Theology, and a Doctoral Degree in Pastoral Leadership from Andersonville Theological Seminary in Camille, Georgia. Dr. Smith is currently retired from General Electric Company of Wilmington, North Carolina.
Dr. Smith has also served on the St. Helena Planning Board. He has formerly served on the Pender County Township Planning Board and the Variance Committee of Pender County, formerly served as a Volunteer for Lower Cape Fear Life Care of Wilmington, NC, and He also works with the Red Cross and FEMA.
Reverend Gio Simpson- Project Coordinator & Director
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Although he grew up a military child and lived all over the country, Pastor Giovanni Simpson is a native of Rocky Point, NC. He graduated from EA Laney High School in 1983 and earned his Bachelors's Degree in Philosophy and Religion from UNCW in 1988 (Dean's list). He was privileged to attend the US Naval Technical School where he graduated in 1990 as their top graduate. He is a veteran of the US Navy and served as a reservist “Seabee” from 1990-1998. He served as a technician (NH/Pender County) at Bellsouth Telecommunications 1998-2007 where he provided telecommunications services through many hurricanes and storms locally, around North Carolina, and the country (including Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans Area).
In 2014, Pastor Simpson graduated from UNCW with a master's in education. He has spent nearly 26 years combined as a Christian and secular educator/minister. From 1999 until the present, he has served as the Pastor of Gateway to Heaven Christian Fellowship in the Wrightsboro Community. From the onset of Florence, Pastor Simpson has devoted his time to helping hurricane victims throughout the area and he looks forward to serving Pender county residents in our long-term recovery efforts. He is blessed to be married to his beautiful wife of 30 years, Felicia, and they have been graced to have two sons.
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Chris Teeter, Treasurer & Executive Board Member
United Way, Director of Community Impact
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Kim Gore, Executive Board Member
Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministries, Director of Homeowner Services
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Erin Courtney, Executive Board Member
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, Wilmington Office
PLTRG Committees:
Unmet Needs
Construction
Community Outreach
Volunteer & Special Events
Communications