New Western Piedmont Foundation Board Members Set To Drive College Growth
The Western Piedmont Foundation has expanded its leadership capacity with the appointment of eight new members to its board of directors this year.
The foundation develops public and private support for Western Piedmont Community College beyond that provided by government funding. Funds raised support student scholarships and assistance funds, college program enhancements, faculty and staff development and cultural experiences that are open to all.
“We’re excited to welcome our newest members to the foundation’s board of directors,” said Mackenzie Bostian Adams, Western Piedmont Foundation Executive Director. “Each member brings fresh momentum to our mission and a strong commitment to student success. With their diverse experience and perspectives, I’m confident they will help us strengthen our impact, ensuring we continue to provide vital financial support to both our students and the college community.”
The new members serving on the board this year include:
Scott Brooks
Scott Brooks currently works as a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Morganton after a 30-year career in financial services for companies such as Prudential Insurance, American Express and Bank of America. He is active in the community, serving on the board of directors of the Burke County United Way, the Main Street Morganton office, Hands of Hope and the Rotary Club of Morganton. He also is a member of the Morganton Cigar Club. He lives in Morganton with his wife, Amy, a stained-glass artist.
Scott, a first-generation college student, said he is “passionate about supporting community members seeking to improve their knowledge and skills.”
“I would not have finished school without the help, support and guidance of so many members of my community,” he said. “I want to do the same for the students of Western Piedmont Community College.”
Ben Brittain
Ben Brittain is the fund development manager for the Blue Ridge HealthCare Foundation. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from East Carolina University. Prior to joining BRHCF, he worked for several years as an account manager in the IT industry. He has served as a guest speaker for Leadership Burke and the Rotary Club of Morganton.
“As a Morganton native, my goal is to serve and make a positive impact for those at Western Piedmont Community College,” Ben said.
Carlos Foster
Carlos Foster is a dedicated business leader, community advocate and event organizer with a strong background in corporate and nonprofit leadership. He is the owner and CEO of FC Presents, a company recognized for creating and managing world-class events. He also serves as COO of All Day Cheerleading, where he leads daily operations.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte and completed his MBA at Liberty University.
In October 2024, following the devastation of Hurricane Helene, he co-founded Hands of Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families and communities in crisis and times of need. He currently serves as chair of the organization’s board of directors, guiding its mission and strategic growth.
Deeply committed to service, he volunteers his time with numerous community organizations, continuing his mission of making a positive impact wherever he can.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to serve on the Western Piedmont Foundation board,” Carlos said. “This role will allow me to give back in a meaningful way; supporting student success, expanding access to education and helping strengthen the future of our community through the work of WPCC.”
Laney Greene
Laney Greene is an Avery County native who has called Morganton home since 2018. She graduated from Appalachian State University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Marketing and a second degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Laney has been a licensed realtor with Nest Realty for five years and currently serves as a director on the Burke County Board of Realtors.
“I am passionate about building strong, connected communities and excited for the opportunity to deepen my involvement through the work of the Western Piedmont Foundation,” Laney said.
Kary Greer
Kary Greer is the director of operations and member engagement for the Burke County Chamber of Commerce. Prior to this role, she was a produce buyer for companies such as Merchants Distributors, Happy Dirt and Guckenheimer at Google. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Development: Community, Regional, and Global Development with a minor in Town, City and Regional Planning from Appalachian State University.
She gives back to her community by serving at her church and being a part of the Burke Emerging Leaders.
“I am passionate about education being the building blocks for individual success and a healthy society while helping break cycles of poverty within our community,” Kary said.
Alan Griffin
Alan Griffin is a highly respected general contractor with years of experience in the construction industry and is president of Griffin Contactors, Inc., with offices in Morganton and Linville. He is a proud native of Burke County and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western Carolina University.
Dedicated to his professional work and the community, Alan has made a significant impact in Burke County and beyond. He is a past president of Burke County Chamber of Commerce, North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association and Masonry Contractors Association of America. He serves on the board of Rock School Arts Foundation, Blue Ridge HealthCare Foundation and Phifer Family YMCA. He previously served on the UNC Health Blue Ridge board. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Valdese and an elder of Waldensian Presbyterian Church in Valdese. He and his wife, Lu Griffin, have two adult children, Sarah and Ivey (Morgan).
Alan said he volunteered to serve on the WPF board because “I want to contribute and make a difference.”
Amanda Krause
Amanda Krause is the executive director of nursing specialty services at UNC Health Blue Ridge. She began her career in health care by earning an Associate Degree in Nursing from Western Piedmont Community College in 2014. She later earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UNC-Charlotte and a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Lenoir-Rhyne University. She has served UNC Health Blue Ridge since 2013, working her way up from a certified nursing assistant II to her current position. As executive director of nursing specialty services, she oversees large-scale clinical operations, drives patient-centered care initiatives and leads interdisciplinary teams to achieve successful patient outcomes. Her work with the hospital earned her a Daisy Nurse Leader Award in 2023.
Outside of work, Amanda is dedicated to giving back to her community through volunteer experiences. She is the associate director of the Burke County Parkinson’s Support Group and the secretary of the board of directors of Options Inc. She has served as a guest speaker for the Burke Chamber Women’s Leadership Luncheon, the local Certified Medical Assistant chapter and the Summit Sisters Community Meeting.
“I have a great respect for the transformative impact that a community college can have on a student’s life,” Amanda said. “I was blessed to have experienced this through both the quality education and the scholarships/grants that made my journey possible. Without those advantages, successful outcomes may not have been achievable for a young, single mother who was passionate about pursuing a career in nursing. Now, as a health care executive, I am eager to give back by serving on the board and strengthening the vital relationship between the college and our community hospital.”
Meg Taylor
Meg Taylor is a senior manager for a company called PwC.
“As part of a specialty practice within PwC, I have a chance to assist companies with their abandoned and unclaimed property issues and bring insight based on my years of experience working on unclaimed property projects,” Meg said. “My experience in the unclaimed property area includes state and third-party audit defense; assistance with voluntary disclosures; development and implementation of policies and procedures; and unclaimed property compliance. I have a unique opportunity to work with companies across a multitude of industries and with interesting people from all over the country with many varied backgrounds. Learning about new clients and, more importantly, the people that make up these workplaces is where I find my passion.”
She joined the WPF board because she wanted to give back to her community.
“WPCC has been an important part of both of my sons’ educational experiences, and I’m eager to support its mission to provide impactful learning opportunities for other families,” Meg said. “Additionally, this role allows me to meet new people in the area and build meaningful relationships with those who share my passion for education and community development.”
WPCC President Dr. Joel Welch thanked all the board members for their willingness to serve at the foundation’s annual meeting Aug. 21.
“We can’t do what we do without the support of our community,” Dr. Welch said. “We love our students and our community, and we’re looking forward to making a significant difference in this community that impacts generational poverty, children living in poverty and people making median and low-income wages in our county, and seeing all of that impacted positively.”
To learn more about the Western Piedmont Foundation, contact Mackenzie Bostian Adams at 828-448-3123 or mbostian@wpcc.edu, or vist wpcc.edu/foundation.