HIGH POINT, N.C., Nov. 29, 2018 – High Point University has appointed nine new members to its Board of Visitors. The board is composed of more than 100 friends of HPU who are recognized for their character and leadership abilities.
“We appreciate the ways these individuals have contributed their leadership and service to High Point University and the greater community,” says Dr. Nido Qubein, HPU president. “HPU deeply values their support, and we are proud to have them represent the university and serve as an inspiration to our students.”
The recently appointed members are as follows:
Scott Cornelius is the owner of Scott Cornelius, CPA, PC, formerly Tolbert, Craven & Blue CPAs PC in High Point. He began his career in public accounting in 1993 after graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with a Master of Accounting. In addition to public accounting, he has served as a controller and chief financial officer for several businesses in various industries. He is also ordained as an elder in the ARP denomination at Covenant Fellowship Church in Greensboro.
“My mother was from High Point and I spent a lot of time here as a kid,” says Cornelius. “I have seen a lot of changes to the city over the years and I appreciate how High Point University is leading the way in revitalizing the area. I am honored to serve and represent this great university and community.”
Greg Demko is the city manager of High Point. He is responsible to the mayor and City Council for providing the executive leadership and organizational support necessary for carrying out their policy directions and for managing the various programs, services, initiatives and finances of the city government. Demko has more than 35 years of experience in local government. He is a certified public accountant and earned his MBA in finance from Regis University in Denver. Prior to his position with High Point, he served as the assistant city manager/director of finance with the City of Monroe. He was also interim city manager in 2012-2013. He was instrumental in developing a citywide beautification initiative and led the city though various periods of transition while ensuring financial integrity. He also streamlined several financial service operations, including utilities and enterprise operations to better serve the public. Prior to Monroe, he spent 15 years as the director of finance for the city and county of Broomfield, Colorado. Under his leadership, real property value increased from $1.4 billion to more than $7 billion, and more than 3.5 million square feet of new retail was constructed. Demko also spent 10 years as administrative services director for Loveland, Colorado. Additional experience includes accounting, finance and management positions in banking, land development, home building and higher education.
Thomas “Kevin” DeNicola is a 1976 graduate of High Point College. He earned a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Virginia and a Master of Business Administration from Rice University. He is also a licensed CPA. DeNicola pursued a 30-year career in the chemical industry in Texas. He served as chief financial officer of Lyondell Chemical Company from 2002 to 2007 and KBR Inc. from 2008 to 2009. Following his retirement in 2009, he worked with venture capital-backed startups in the alternative fuels industry. He has been a member of the board of directors of Comerica Inc. since 2006, where he chairs the audit committee and served on the board of Axiall Corp. from 2009 to 2016.
“High Point provided me with a strong foundational education, which enabled me to grow and develop professionally,” says DeNicola. “I consider it an honor to serve on the Board of Visitors of my alma mater, an institution that has always placed student education and career success first and foremost. I look forward to helping the university with this mission and to contributing to its future success and growth.”
Whitney Brigman Heard is director of the McMichael Family Foundation and co-owner of Sweet Old Bill’s, a new restaurant in High Point, with her husband, Bill. Heard is a life-long resident of High Point, graduating from High Point Central High School before earning a Bachelor of Science in business administration from UNC-Chapel Hill. She is past president of Theatre Art Galleries and the Westchester All Parent Association. She is also a past member of the Junior League of High Point and the Guild of Family Services of High Point. She is currently a member of the board of Family Services of High Point, the board of the Piedmont Triad Football Association and the High Point Regional Health Foundation. She has two children, Will and Lucy Larkin, who attend Westchester Country Day School.
“As a local business owner, I am grateful for the business that HPU provides,” says Heard. “As a life-long resident of High Point, I believe in our city and want to be part of organizations that share that belief. I am joining the HPU Board of Visitors because I want to see High Point become all that it can be, and I think that HPU shares that vision.”
Joseph Kenneth “Ken” Hughes was born in the farming country of central Kentucky. He attended the University of Kentucky for agricultural engineering before being awarded an apprenticeship at Square D. Co. in tool and die making. Upon completion, he was promoted to shop floor supervision and continued his education while working to achieve a certificate in tool design and engineering. For two years, he taught classes in machine and drafting in Lexington, Kentucky. He was recruited by Gilbarco to move to North Carolina in 1968, where he was manager of manufacturing services. In 1972, he started his own business in the garage of his home while teaching classes at Guilford Technical Community College. His business, K & S Tool & Manufacturing Co., has grown to now employing 140 people in a 168,000-square-foot facility that makes contract metal parts that are shipped all over the world. Hughes married his wife, Sally, in 1960 and together they raised three children. Two of them and a grandson work for the company, making three generations in the family business. Hughes serves on several boards within the community as well.
“I am honored and proud to be invited to serve on the HPU Board of Visitors and will carry the good news to our community and in my travels,” says Hughes.
Dr. Reginald Kellam serves as the senior pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in High Point. He attended Shaw University, Bethlehem Bible College and Richmond Virginia Seminary. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Divinity. Kellam was a professor at Richmond Virginia Seminary and Grace Hill Bible College and served as a board member of the 3rd precinct for the Democratic Party for voting. He is presently serving on the Board of Regents of Christian Bible College and Theological Seminary in Montgomery, Alabama. He also served with the United Way in the city of High Point on the Income Panel. He has been married to his wife, Shelby, for 28 years and is one of the CEOs of Head 2 Toe Apparel Boutique and Custom Design T-Shirts by A to Z.
“I’m an avid supporter of education,” says Kellam. “I am excited about the future of HPU and looking forward to adding value and contributing my efforts to the success of this prestigious university.”
Nancy Laney grew up in Henderson and graduated from Meredith College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is married to Bruce Laney, who is an attorney in High Point and has three adult children and four grandchildren. She sold real estate in High Point for the last 25 years. She believes that HPU is an invaluable asset to the city of High Point and always included a tour of the campus for her real estate customers.
“The energy of HPU is contagious, and the High Point community has the fever,” says Laney. “HPU is the pride and joy of the city. I am thrilled to be a member of the Board of Visitors, and I look forward to learning more about the programs and opportunities for the students and also for the citizens of High Point.”
Jay Wagner is a High Point native and mayor of High Point. Married to Geddie, they have two children, Sarah and John. Wagner attended Oak Ridge Military Academy as well as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina Central University School of Law. He is a partner in Fisher Wagner PLLC and has served on several boards within the community. He enjoys spending time with his family, fishing and golfing.
Bobby Yates grew up in Thomasville and graduated from Thomasville High School in 1957. He and his wife, Nancy Boone, met at High Point College. He graduated in 1961, they were married in 1962, and she graduated in 1963. They have two children and four grandchildren. He spent most of his career as a sales representative for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, retiring in 2003 after 34 years of service. He is active in Christ United Methodist Church and serves on the board for Macedonia Family Resource Center.
“I have chosen to be on the Board of Visitors because I owe so much to HPU,” says Yates. “It has been a part of my life for 61 years. HPU has done so much for the city of High Point. I can be an ambassador for HPU. I am grateful to give back by sharing with others about High Point University.”