VGCC Vice President Named NC IDEA Board Chair
Jerry Edmonds III, Ed.D., Vice President of Workforce and Community Engagement
Vance-Granville Community College proudly announces that Dr. Jerry Edmonds III, Vice President of Workforce and Community Engagement, was recently elected as Board Chair for Triangle 501(c)(3) NC IDEA .
Based in Durham, NC IDEA is an 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.
Given its impressive roster, standing out as a leader among NC IDEA’s Board of Directors is no small feat.
“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.”
Before entering the higher education field, Edmonds held a variety of executive leadership positions for major corporations, receiving numerous training, recruitment, marketing, and leadership awards. 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. Additionally, Edmonds launched Willow Creek Tennis Retreat, LLC and the Edmonds Tennis and Education Foundation in 2018, dedicated to utilizing the game of tennis to provide academic and athletic opportunities for under-resourced youth throughout rural North Carolina.
Dr. 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.
