Board of Directors

Erica Brinson

Social Media

Erica Brinson joined the GLC board in 2018. She currently serves as the Social Media Coordinator and on the Recruiting Committee. Erica and her husband, Will, grew up in Greenville. They are parents to two teenage boys. Their oldest is in high school at GLC. Erica’s heart is in teaching. She is a former preschool teacher and dance instructor. She enjoys the beach, river, painting and time with family.

Jill Casey

Jill Casey joined the GLC board in 2018. Jill is married to Jim Casey, DDS, of Casey Dental. She is a mother of four; two are adulting successfully and two are in college. One of the college kids is a past alumni of GLC. She is an avid runner, reader and enjoys time at the river with family.

Kate Cherry

Kate Cherry joined the GLC Board in 2019. Kate attended East Carolina University and received a BS in Occupational Therapy in 2001. She has been an Occupational Therapist for Pitt County Schools since 2003. Kate and her husband, Daryl Cherry, have two daughters. One of her daughters has attended GLC since first grade, and they will forever be grateful for this special learning environment. She loves all things ECU, baseball, and going to the beach.

Melanie Clark

Vice Chairman

Melanie Clark has served on the GLC board since 2015. She is a Greenville native and mother to one daughter. Melanie is an Attorney Advocate for the Guardian ad Litem Program in Pitt, Beaufort, Martin, Tyrrell, Hyde and Washington Counties. She has enjoyed watching GLC grow into its new location and expand to serve students in Wayne County as well.

Michael Cowin

Treasurer

Michael Cowin has served on the GLC Board since 2015. Michael holds the position of Deputy City Manager for the City of Greenville where he has oversight responsibility for the Greenville Police Department, Recreation and Parks, the City’s Information Technology Department and the City’s Grant Management Division. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Uptown Greenville and the Pitt County Arts Council. Michael is married to his wife Pam and has two children.

Dr. Nicole Moore

Dr. Nicole Moore joined the GLC board in 2017 with over 20 years in education. She currently works at East Carolina University with pre-service and alternative licensed teachers. She has a heart for teaching and learning and she enjoys serving the students and staff at GLC. Dr. Moore is married and a mother to three children.

Dawn Raiford

Dawn Raiford joined the GLC board in 2020. She has been in the banking industry for 24 years and currently is the Business Banker for Eastern NC for PNC Bank. A graduate of East Carolina University, Dawn loves all ECU sports, traveling and spending time with friends and family.

Ashley Smith

Ashley Smith joined the GLC board in 2022. Ashley has fundraising and development experience and currently serves as the Development Manager for a nonprofit telehealth organization. She previously served as the Director of Alumni and Development Services for Pitt Community College. Ashley and her husband Chris live in Winterville and they have three children. She loves how GLC provides resources to students with learning disabilities in Pitt County and beyond.

Dr. Billy Smith

Dr. Billy R. Smith, MD joined the GLC board in 2018. Dr. Smith owns Eastern Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and is retired from the U.S. Army following 25 years of service. He and his wife, Jennifer, have a son who has attended Greenville Learning Center for the past six years. A North Carolina native, Dr. Smith and his family are active in many local service organizations. He enjoys attending ECU football games as a proud alumnus and occasionally finds the time to go fishing.

Stan Smith

Stan Smith joined the GLC board in 2022. A lifelong resident of Greenville, NC, Stanley attended East Carolina University where he studied Business and Executive Leadership. He has been serving in the financial services sector for the last 12 years specializing in life insurance and retirement. Stanley and his wife, Crystal, have two children. One is a freshman at DH Conley High School and the other a RN at ECU Health Medical Center.

Jeff Stein

Chairman

Jeff Stein joined the GLC board in 2020 and currently serves as Board Chairman. Jeff is with Brown & Wood, Inc. He and his wife, Stephanie, moved to Greenville seven years ago from San Diego and have three children. Jeff has a deep passion for the teachers, families, and most of all the children at GLC. One of his own children attended GLC for three years and was able to move on and soar. They are forever grateful and supportive of the way GLC can change lives.