William Henry Jordan_Pender Education Partnership

Who We Are

Founded in 2015, the Pender Education Partnership (PEP) mission is to enhance innovative educational opportunities for students in Pender County Schools by supporting students and educators through collaboration with educators, parents, businesses, and other interested community partners.

We believe our collective support for Pender County students, educators, and education processes is more important now than ever before for our shared community and for our businesses.

Our Mission

Our shared vision is that Pender County School System students and graduates are FOCUSED, MOTIVATED, and READY for the next steps in their life journey.

What We Do

PEP collaborates with community partners including area businesses, other organizations and individuals to develop funding and provide innovative learning opportunities for students and teachers. PEP is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. 100% of the proceeds collected by PEP go directly to scholarship recipients, mini-grant recipients, and educator recognition!

Our Board

Tammie Parris

President

Tammie Parris has resided in Pender County for over 50 years. She graduated from Topsail High School and obtained an Associates Degree in General Office Technology at Coastal Carolina Community College. After surviving a near death experience in 2012, Tammie started her journey to earn a Bachelors of Science in Organizational Administration and graduated Summa Cum Laude from NC Wesleyan College in 2017. Currently, Tammie is the director of economic and workforce development at Cape Fear Community College primarily at the Burgaw Center. She has been employed with CFCC since 2007. Tammie was Woman of the Year for the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce and former chair. She also earned the Governor’s Award of Volunteer Service. Tammie has been with PEP for 7 years.

Shannon Grable

Vice President

Shannon Grable works for Pender Early College High School as the Career Development Coordinator/Counselor for over 8 years. Shannon earned her BA in English from UNCW in 1993 and her MS in Counseling Education from NC AT&T State University in 1996. Shannon has served on the PEP board and is now Vice President.

Lori Kirkpatrick

Secretary

Lori Kirkpatrick is a native of Wilmington, NC and has been a resident of Pender County for many years. Her diverse background spans elementary and adult education, as well as writing for a local newspaper. Currently serving as the Communications Director at Safe Haven of Pender, she combines her passion for education with her role in this nonprofit organization. She is thrilled to be a part of PEP, helping enrich the educational experience for students in Pender County.

Kenneth Lanier

Treasurer

Kenneth Lanier resides in Maple Hill and has been an influence on education in Pender County for many years. As a former board of education member and retired educator, Kenneth has helped make decisions that have elevated Pender County Schools and the communities that make up this great county. Kenneth believes education is an opportunity for all students and is proud to be the treasurer for Pender Education Partnership. After Ken retired, he traveled in the great United States and abroad. Kenneth is married to his lovely wife Joan. His most enjoyable role is being a dad and grandfather who is very busy with homework, attending games, and teaching his grandchildren that life is a gift and every day is a blessing.

Sharon Moore

Finance Services

Sharon Moore works at First Citizens Bank in Hampstead as a Financial Sales Manager II, Vice President and has over 25 years of relationship banking. Sharon specializes in building lifelong relationships and helping her clients live better lives. She is married to her husband Jesse for over 30 years and has one son, Jesse III. She is a Pender graduate and shares her passion for the community and has been a board member of PEP for five years.

Karen Malloy

Board Member

Karen Malloy is a Pender County native and resident of The Town of Burgaw. A State government retiree of 30-plus years. She is the co-founder (along with her husband) of Kingdom Impact Ministries of Burgaw. Karen is The President of The 1865 Society of Pender County which promotes the education, celebration, and culture of African Americans and their history. She is also the Membership Chairman of the Burgaw Rotary Club and an active volunteer for other organizations. My favorite hobbies include baking, sewing, and reading as well as being a great mom to her “fur baby” Duchess.

Dr. Steven Hill

Board Member

Dr. Hill served as Superintendent of Schools for Pender and Bertie Counties. He also served as Executive Director for the STEM East Network, a regional East Carolina University and NCEA education and economic development initiative. Dr. Hill built his career foundation within the North Carolina public schools and public safety sectors as well as an entrepreneurial business. The extent of his work has been in the public education sector serving as a teacher, coordinator, principal, secondary education director, and later moving to CEO roles. Prior to his public education work, Dr. Hill served within the public safety sector as a law enforcement officer, EMT, and firefighter. Dr. Hill concedes that nothing would be possible without his faith, work team, and the support of his wife of 29 years, Michelle, alongside the motivation provided by his three daughters – Hannah, Madison, and Stevie-Layke. He also builds new inspiration from the introduction of his first grandchild, Raleigh.

Kim Collins

Board Member

Kim Collins is the Clinical Manager for PATH (Pender Alliance for Total Health), which is the non-profit group that provides health care to students and staff of Pender County Schools. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from East Carolina University and has over 40 years of nursing experience. She is the Chairman of the Pender County Advisory Board of Health and recently retired as the Lead Nurse for Pender County Schools. Kim loves being a nurse and has always been a strong advocate for the advanced education of nurses and the health and well being of families.

Denise Teachey Houghton

Board Member

Denise Teachey Houghton was born and raised in Duplin County. She has lived in Pender County for over 36 years. Houghton is married to Tim Houghton (from Pender County) and they have a son, Ben, who is 29 years old. She graduated from East Carolina and obtained a B.S. in School and Community Health. Upon graduating from ECU, she worked for the American Cancer Society as the Executive Director of 5 counties. Following that position Houghton worked at the New Hanover County Health Department as the Health Promotions Director and continued to work for the NC Department of Health and Human Services as a Regional Consultant for Health Departments and Healthy Carolinians Partnerships in 17 counties in Southeastern NC. She has served on the board of Share the Table and as a board member at Chapel by the Bay Church. Currently, she serves as a board member of the Pender County Board of Health, Pender Memorial Hospital, and Pender Education Partnership. When her son was in Topsail Elementary, she served as a PTO president. Houghton is a firm believer that children are our future leaders. She joined PEP because it provides innovative educational opportunities for students and educators in Pender County. She believes PEP helps to grow future leaders, business owners and decision makers for Pender County. It’s an honor and a privilege to serve on this board.

Trianna Williams Kirkland

Board Member

A native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Trianna Williams Kirkland currently resides in Hampstead, NC. Trianna attended Cape Fear Technical Institute and earned her Associate of Art Degree in Business/Secretarial Engineering. A current member of the PEP Board she is retired from the New Hanover County Inspections Office. She is also retired from the Pender County School system. She currently works with Pender County Schools as a substitute teacher. Kirkland now resides with her husband of 44+ years, Robert.