Member Directors

Eastern Kentucky 

 R. Gary Marshall is an experienced senior manager with a broad 40-year background combining business development, consulting and operations expertise in management, marketing, sales, engineering, quality and production.  During the course of his career, Gary has held positions as Executive Director, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Marketing Manager, Quality, Application and Production Engineer.  Industry experience includes custom-engineered process, test and specialty equipment for the automotive and appliance industries, heat-transfer systems for the aerospace industry, disposable medical electrodes, fiberglass products for the chemical industry and mechanical power-transmission components.  He has also assisted over 50 client companies in a wide variety of industries and applications in business formation, funding, growth and transition.  His background and experience provide a unique perspective and the ability to grasp the complexity of business and operational challenges in business development.

Gary earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kentucky and an MBA in Marketing from Wright State University.

Bluefield State 

Gerald James is a highly experienced, senior director with more than 37 years of management and leadership experience.  Gerald is a retired US Navy veteran with over 20 years of military experience.  After retiring from the military Gerald worked with small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, county governments, and 2 institutions of higher education.  In his current position, Gerald took a small 501(c)3, non-profit, arm of a state college from a loss of over $60,000 per year and assets totaling $200,000 to a position of having more than $5,000,000 in assets and a cash flow approaching $1,000,000 per year.

-          15+ years "Director" level experience in IT setting

-          26+ years experience supervising/managing technical staff

-          30+ years in hardware/software troubleshooting

-          15+ years in providing business services

-          13+ years marketing and business development experience

-          8+ years consulting experience

-          12+ years in law enforcement (military and civilian)

-          Highly skilled mentor, trainer and team builder

-          Experienced public speaker

-          Over 30 years of network experience

-          Over 16 years telephone system experience 
  

Having worked in a very diverse set of positions, Gerald brings an experience level to the table that is hard to match.   Gerald has been successful in positions as diverse as Deputy Sheriff, cross-dock worker, electrician, computer systems technician, lecturer, manager, director and major project manager.

Haywood

County

I was born and raised in Western New York and graduated college in Pennsylvania with a B.S. Degree in Home Economics Education.  Lived 2 years in Lexington, KY where I taught pre-school and kindergarten, then moved back to New York.  

Taught High School Home Economics in NY State 1978-1980 followed by 12 hours on a Masters in Elementary Education.  

Moved to Dallas, TX in 1980 where I worked 4 years in Advertising Specialties, 5 years in Direct Mail Marketing and 8 years as Direct Marketing Manager at headquarters of retail sign franchise, Fastsigns.  

In June, 1997, my job was outsourced and I moved to Waynesville, NC, where I managed a Bed and Breakfast for four years.  I am currently working as Administrative Assistant for Haywood County Economic Development Commission, which I began in January 2004.  In 2005, I began managing the Small Business Incubator, which houses our office, where I have been doing all the bookkeeping and building management.  

I am a life-long Methodist, currently involved in the chancel choir and serve as the choir librarian.  I am the Praise and Worship Leader for the Celebrate Recovery program, as well as a group leader and Leader Trainer.  I have been a vocal and instrumental musician most of my life.