Looney, Kane Re-elected to Top Leadership Roles on State Board of Community Colleges

RALEIGH, N.C. – The State Board of Community Colleges has unanimously re-elected Tom Looney to serve a second term as Chair and John Kane to serve again as Vice Chair. Their continued leadership comes at a pivotal time as North Carolina’s community colleges expand workforce-aligned programs and pursue systemwide transformation.

Looney, an accomplished tech executive and longtime advocate for higher education and economic development, was first elected Chair in 2023. Kane, a business leader with deep experience in public-private partnerships, has served as Vice Chair since January.

“It’s an honor to continue serving alongside Vice Chair Kane and this exceptional Board,” said Chairman Looney. “North Carolina’s community colleges are the most important talent engine in the state, and this Board is committed to moving at the speed of business and innovation to ensure our students and employers have what they need to thrive.”

As part of the new board year, several members will lead key committees:

• Dr. Dale McInnis, a new member of the Board and president emeritus of Richmond Community College, will chair the Strategic Planning Committee, which oversees the Board’s long-range priorities.
• Mr. Scott Ottman, also newly appointed, will chair the newly formed Transformation Committee, focused on driving innovation and best practices across the 58-college system.
• Ms. Lisa Estep will continue as chair of the Finance Committee, with Ms. Sarah West leading the Programs and Student Success Committee.
• Mr. Bill McBrayer will return as chair of the Personnel Committee, and Mr. Geoffrey Lang will chair the Accountability and Audit Committee.
• Hon. Chaz Beasley will remain chair of the Policy and Governance Committee.

The State Board plays a vital role in shaping policy, providing fiscal oversight, and guiding the strategic direction of North Carolina’s community colleges. For a full list of members and committees, visit nccommunitycolleges.edu.

Contact:
Nathan Hardin
Executive Director of Communications
North Carolina Community College System
hardinn@nccommunitycolleges.edu