Jennifer celebrates a long history of professional and volunteer experience in the nonprofit sector. She has 17 years experience in organizing and operating public and private preschool programs. As Executive Director of Keep Gastonia Beautiful, Inc., she acquired over $1.3 million in benefits through grants, volunteer hours and in-kind services winning national, state and local awards for program excellence. As a national consultant with Keep America Beautiful, she has facilitated seminars and board development training in 17 states. Serving her fourth term as Mayor of Gastonia, North Carolina, Jennifer continues to utilize her expertise in building public/private partnerships in her political, professional and volunteer commitments. She led her city’s initiative to attain All-America City status and is an alumnus of the John F. Kennedy School of Government for Local and State Executives. Jennifer has received such honors as the Keep America Beautiful National Leadership Award, Gaston County Woman of the Year, Gaston Chamber Athena Award, Gaston Gazette Person of the Year and the Jaycees Outstanding Civic Leadership Award. In her community, she has served as chair of the Literacy Council, Family Service, United Way, Junior League and presently serves on the Executive Committee for the North Carolina Metropolitan Coalition. She is married and has one daughter and two grandchildren. She is the 2006 recipient of the National League of Cities Women in Municipal Government Award.

Martha has been a respected leader in continuing education, volunteer management, strategic planning and volunteerism for over 30 years. Her professional career began with Clemson University Cooperative Extension and continued for 24 additional years with North Carolina Cooperative Extension and N.C. State University where she was Gaston County Extension Director. Martha coordinated and oversaw programs which received $1.4 million in grants and involved over 2000 volunteers annually. Since 2002, she has become highly sought after as a strategic planning consultant with foundations, community colleges, government and non-profit organizations. Martha has BS and MS degrees from Winthrop University. She was selected as a member of the Academy of Outstanding Faculty Engaged in Extension at NC State University. A graduate of Leadership North Carolina, her professional recognitions include the Extension Leadership Award and the Extension Agent Award of Excellence from NC State University. Martha currently serves as Mayor Pro Tem on the Lowell, North Carolina, City Council and is a former member of the Lowell Planning and Zoning Board. She is the past chair of the Board of Directors of Partnership for Children, Literacy Council, United Way, Family Service and the Lowell Women’s Club. Martha is married and has one daughter.