may 2002

Names in the News

Cancer claims Senate Majority Whip Jordan
Senate Majority Whip Luther H. Jordan Jr. (D-New Hanover) died on April 23 following a three-year battle with throat cancer. Jordan, 51, learned he had cancer in 1999 and continued his work at the General Assembly while undergoing treatment. Jordan (left), a mortician and funeral home owner, was serving his fifth term and had filed for re-election this year. He also served as chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus. "North Carolina is going to miss Luther Jordan. He provided tremendous leadership and dedication, and served the people of his district with passion and commitment. He was a great friend," said Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue. "I was deeply saddened to learn of Sen. Jordan's death and offer my heartfelt condolences to his family,” said Gov. Mike Easley. “Sen. Jordan served his district and all of North Carolina with leadership and devotion to make this state a better place for all people."

McKay Belk of Charlotte (left), president of the Merchandising and Marketing division of Belk Inc., has been appointed to the NCCBI Board of Directors. He will complete the term of Hank Miller of Wilmington, who resigned. Belk, a past chairman of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill, and has spent his entire career in the Belk family’s retailing business. He sits on the boards of Belk Inc., Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated, Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and the National Retail Federation. He is on the board of visitors at UNC-Charlotte and is a former member of the board of visitors at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Gov. Mike Easley appointed six people to the Environmental Management Commission: Delilah B. Blanks of Riegelwood, a Bladen County commissioner and retired professor at UNC-Wilmington; Gregory D. Jennings of Raleigh, principal of Buck Engineering; Kevin C. Martin of Raleigh, co-founder and president of Soil & Environmental Consultants; Charles H. Peterson of Morehead City,a professor of marine sciences at UNC-Chapel Hill; Dr. Frank S. Shaw of Fayetteville; and Kenneth Ray Waldroup of Zebulon, director of public works director and water plant supervisor for Zebulon.

Marion A. Cowell Jr. of Charlotte, an attorney with Kilpatrick Stockton, was appointed by Gov. Mike Easley to the State Board of Transportation. He will represent Division 10, which includes Anson, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Stanly and Union counties. Larry Helms, who is currently serving as the at-large member representing government-related finance and accounting issues, will continue to assist Division 10 counties.

Erica Upton Peterson was named executive vice president of the N.C. Agribusiness Council, replacing Lu-Ann Coe, who resigned in December. Peterson, a 1991 graduate of N.C. State University, has a broad background in communications, media relations and marketing.

Ken Eudy, president and CEO of Raleigh-based Capital Strategies, was inducted in the North Carolina Public Relations Hall of Fame on April 14.

Brenda Klein has joined the North Carolina Bankers Association as meetings director. Klein will be responsible for meetings, conferences and conventions sponsored by the NCBA. Previously, Klein worked as the sales and marketing coordinator for Dudson USA Inc.

Doug Campen was named director of safety and security for the State Ports Authority. Campen is first person in the 57-year history of the Ports Authority to have safety and security responsibilities for both deep water ports at Wilmington and Morehead City, as well as the inland terminals in Charlotte and the Piedmont Triad at Greensboro.

Gary Locklear, Chief District Court Judge for Robeson County, was named by Gov. Mike Easley to fill the Superior Court vacancy created by the death last month of Judge Dexter Brooks. Judge Locklear has served on the bench for thirteen years. Locklear received his undergraduate degree from Pembroke State University in 1970 and his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1979.

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