North Carolina’s Eastern Region (NCER) has hired J. Mark Sutherland as vice president and executive director of the Military Growth Task Force (MGTF).  Sutherland replaces Thomas Gaskill, who departed in June.

Sutherland will continue the work of building, organizing and managing interactions among the counties, municipalities, military organizations and state and federal agencies affected by a military build-up in the seven-county MGTF region. In addition to these responsibilities, he will also oversee the implementation phase of the recently released draft of the Regional Growth Management Plan. 

The MGTF is currently involved with the planned increase of 11,477 Marines and 13,499 dependents by the end of 2011. John Chaffee, President and CEO of NCER stated, “We are very pleased that Mr. Sutherland has accepted this important position as we prepare to move into the implementation phase of the Regional Growth Management Plan. This phase will address current and future growth-related impacts and needs as a result of the unprecedented growth in the region.”

Sutherland has extensive military and private sector experience in the fields of strategic planning, studies and analysis and real estate development. His business experience includes over 20 years as a Commercial General Contractor and Real Estate Developer. Concurrent with his civilian career, Sutherland’s military career has spanned over 30 years of both active and reserve service.
The task force consists of representatives from the seven counties where most of the military growth is occurring. NCER is a 13-county partnership established by the General Assembly to promote economic development. The region is comprised of the following counties:  Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Edgecombe, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Nash, Onslow, Pamlico, Pitt, Wayne and Wilson and encompasses almost 7,000 square miles and approximately one million residents.

For more information, contact Aletha Magyaros, Director, Community and Government Relations, at magyaros@nceast.org or 252-522-2400. 

Military Affairs Committee Seeks 2010 Sponsors
 Each year, the Military Affairs Committee (MAC) of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce invites local businesses, organizations, professionals and individuals to become MAC Sponsors. 

 “This is a great way for chamber members to show their support for the MAC’s mission, which is to advocate strong community-military partnerships that are good for business and are mutually beneficial,” said MAC Co-Chair Bob Upchurch of Bob Upchurch Appraisals.
 MAC Co-Chair Debbie Godwin of Hampton Inn and Suites of Atlantic Beach added: “We appreciate the financial support, because it enables us to carry out an ambitious program of work to recognize and appreciate our active duty military and veterans and welcome their families as our neighbors.
 

“We were gratified to receive the support of 26 sponsors in 2009,” she said, “and our goal is to meet or exceed this number in 2010.”
 Three sponsorship tiers are available – at the $175, $250 and $500 levels, with escalating amenities. For details contact Diane Warrender at 252-726-6350.

MAC Honors 3 at Quarterly Luncheon
 About 55 people attended the John C. Beitz Service Person of the Quarter Luncheon, presented Nov. 6 by the Military Affairs Committee (MAC) of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce. The event was sponsored and hosted by McCurdy’s Restaurant and Deck on Moonlight Bay in Atlantic Beach.
 The MAC recognized distinguished service members who are making significant contributions to their community and their country. 
 The honorees were: Cpl. Ernesto Rodriguez, Jr., of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point; 2nd Class Health Services Technician Lesley Epps of Coast Guard Sector North Carolina; and Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Mullis of the Army Reserve Center in Morehead City.
 Special guests attending were Col. Doug Denn, commanding officer of MCAS Cherry Point, and Capt. June Ryan of Coast Guard Sector North Carolina. 

Navy Signs Lease With
Old Henry’s Tackle Warehouse
The Navy has signed a 10-year lease to rent 53,000 square feet of the old Henry’s Tackle Building, thanks to an ad placed on the statewide EDC Web site. Only three to five jobs will be created from this contract; however, the project has generated more than $100,000 in construction spending and was a boon to local moving company Acme.
With the Navy filling the entire south building, approximately 102,000 square feet are still available in the two northern buildings.