– information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel
Vance-Granville Community College has announced Dr. Jerry Edmonds III, Vice President of Workforce and Community Engagement, is the newly elected chair for Triangle 501(c)(3) NC IDEA.
NC IDEA is a Durham-based, independent private foundation committed to equitably empowering North Carolinians to achieve their entrepreneurial potential. Through a powerful combination of competitive grants and programs and a network of strategic partners, the organization supports the state’s most ambitious entrepreneurs as they transform their communities. Edmonds served on the organization’s board for two years prior to his election as chair; he has also been part of its North Carolina Black Entrepreneurship Council (NC BEC) since its formation in 2020.
“NC IDEA is fortunate to have a visionary board comprised of accomplished business leaders with the bold ambition to empower North Carolinians to achieve their entrepreneurial potential,” said Thom Ruhe, president and CEO of NC IDEA. “Our directors are distinguished members of the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Ruhe stated.
Before entering the higher education field, Edmonds held a variety of executive leadership positions for major corporations and has received numerous awards in areas including training, recruitment, marketing and leadership. He brought those perspectives to his roles as dean of Workforce and Economic Development and Small Business Center Director at Halifax Community College before joining VGCC’s executive team in 2019.
In 2018, Edmonds launched Willow Creek Tennis Retreat, LLC and the Edmonds Tennis and Education Foundation, dedicated to utilizing the game of tennis to provide academic and athletic opportunities for under-resourced youth throughout rural North Carolina.
Edmonds is joined on the NC IDEA Board by three newly elected members and six returning board members, including past VGCC President Dr. Stelfanie Williams.
Learn more about NC IDEA and its vision to empower the state’s entrepreneurs at https://ncidea.org/