BRAC REGIONAL TASK FORCE (RTF)
QUARTERLY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Friday, May 22, 2008 1:30 pm
Fayetteville Technical Community College
1. Call to Order. Chairman Tim McNeill called the Board of Directors meeting to order at 1:30
pm at Fayetteville Technical Community College. A Quorum was established. Board Members
in attendance:
Bladen County: Greg Taylor
Cumberland County: James Martin
Cumberland Municipal Rep: Tony Chavonne
Harnett County: Tim McNeill
Harnett Municipal Rep: Tommy Burns
Hoke County: Jean Powell
Lee County: Lesa Price
Moore Municipal Rep: Bob Zschoche
Richmond Municipal Rep: Daniel Kelly
Robeson County: Kenneth Windley, Jr.
Robeson Municipal Rep: Blake Proctor
Sampson County: John Blanton
Scotland County: Leon Butler
Scotland County Alt: Kevin Patterson
Paul Dordal: Executive Director, BRAC RTF
Other Attendees: John Bellamy (BRAC RTF), Renee Lane (BRAC RTF), John Harbison
(BRAC RTF), Renee Siemiet (BRAC RTF), Steve Wilkins (BRAC RTF), Dr. Jane Smith
(BRAC RTF), Don Belk (BRAC RTF), Dr. Larry Keen (FTCC), Geoff Cramer (Futures), Paula
Berardinelli (Futures), Blake Stray-Horn (Futures), David MacKinnon (OEA), Glenda Dye (MCCOG), Ann Lichtner (Office of the Governor), Geneva Mixon (Cumberland County WDB), Jean
Wooten (NC DOC), James Belmont (Fayetteville VA Hospital), Dr. Curtis Charles (FSU), Ethel
Clark (Mayor, Spring Lake), Don Gemeinhardt (RTI Int’l), Ron Hill (BAH), Jim Konneker
(BRAC Committee Fayetteville), Dr. Ted Mataxis (Moore County Schools), Stanley Victrum
(City of Fayetteville), Vonna Viglione (NC Community Colleges), Wayne Szafranski (NC A&T
State University), Charles Richter, Shannon Shurko (Cumberland County Schools), Justin Smith
(Cumberland County Chamber).
2. The Draft Minutes from the February 29, 2008 Board of Directors were reviewed.
ACTION: Approve minutes from February 29, 2008 Board of Directors meeting.
MOTION: Blake Proctor made a motion to approve the minutes. John Blanton seconded the
motion and the motion was approved.
3. Chairman’s comments: Chairman Tim McNeill welcomed everyone and thanked them for
attending.
4. Executive Director’s Report. Paul Dordal provided an update on BRAC RTF actions.
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a) Washington D.C. Visit w/Defense Companies. Paul Dordal was accompanied on the
trip to Washington D.C. by Geoff Cramer of Futures and Bill Philbrick of Cisco. The
group met with General Dynamics, Harris Corporation, and Booz Allen Hamilton – all
companies wanting to expand. Cisco hosts a networking academy at Fayetteville
Technical Community College. Dr. Keen stated that they are updating the academy to
mirror Cisco’s technology needs. The focus of the Washington, D.C. meetings was on
the hiring of separating military. Dordal stated that military separations vary based on
deployment cycles and that approximately 8,000 soldiers are expected to separate this
year due to so many Ft. Bragg units returning home.
b) Booze, Allen, Hamilton Table Top Exercise. This was a good event, which was hosted
at RTRP and attended by more than 100 people. The TTX provided various scenarios
which let participants determine priorities and what we need to look like in the future.
The exercise focused on education, workforce and economic transformation and brought
together stakeholders from local, state, and federal agencies and organizations. The RTF
has received an After Action Report and the review should be finalized in the next few
weeks and distributed to participants and stakeholders.
c) SERPPAS Principal’s Meeting, Montgomery, AL. The Southeastern Regional
Partnership for Planning & Sustainability (SERPPAS) is an OSD program that is being
implemented at the state level through NC DENR. The program works to encourage the
long term sustainability of our military installations by encouraging compatible resourceuse decisions, and improve coordination among regions, states, communities, and
military services. Paul stated that each round of BRAC is narrowing the field to a few
critical large bases and SERPPAS focuses on the management of installations and ranges
as national assets. At the SERPPAS Principal’s meeting – Paul provided a briefing and
stated that SERPPAS is working to align programs at the local level to interface with
programs at the federal level.
d) Golden Leaf Foundation Meeting. Paul held a meeting with Mark Sorrels at the Golden
Leaf Foundation two weeks ago accompanied by Dr. Keen (FTCC) to determine if there
was interest by the foundation in supporting BRAC RTF programs. Information
provided during the meeting indicated that Golden Leaf will support local programs that
create jobs, especially in distressed counties, and they are heavily supporting individual
distressed counties, especially with infrastructure improvements or facilities and support
that is directly related to new jobs. The Foundation has indicated they will accept high
priority funding applications for each county individually. Grant applications are due the
end of July for equipment and infrastructure grants. Grants focused on employment
needs are accepted year-round.
e) Rural Center Meeting. Paul Dordal met with Billy Ray Hall, President of the NC Rural
Center and other staff. Mr. Hall indicated the Rural Center would like to stay informed
on BRAC RTF activities and would welcome grant applications from the BRAC RTF.
f) Ribbon Cutting ceremony for the AACWI, June 3. A special VIP tour will be held on
the evening of June 2nd with the actual ribbon cutting on June 3.
g) Regional Caucus meeting, June 9. The briefing will focus on education needs and a
need to establish a special defense trade zone to attract defense contractors.
ACTION: Request Board approval to continue dialog with General Assembly members
and other state officials on the creation of a Defense Business Special Trade Zone.
MOTION: John Blanton made a motion to continue a dialog with the state on the
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creation of a Defense Business Special Trade Zone. Ken Windley seconded the motion
and the motion was approved.
h) Comprehensive Regional Growth Plan update, June 17 Event. Training,
Development and Associates, Inc (TDA) released their initial Community preliminary
Impact Assessment (PIA) Report on February 29, 2008. This report is posted on the
BRAC RTF website. It provides specific data describing the impact on BRAC Counties
due to upcoming growth. Since the release of the PIA – the numbers have changed.
There are new projections on needs and impact. The draft comprehensive regional
growth plan will be released on June 17, 2008 at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church at
10:00 am. Lt Governor Beverly Purdue will be the keynote speaker, and approximately
400 people are expected to be in attendance. The morning will be the main presentation,
lunch will follow, and then attendees will be asked to attend breakout sessions on the
specific workgroup sectors for review. The plan will enter a 60 day Public Comment and
Review Period and a schedule will be established for public information meetings. The
final draft will be completed by September 30, 2008.
5. Office of Economic Adjustment. David MacKinnon (Program Administrator, OEA) stated
that the BRAC RTF has done well in sharing its experiences with others, especially as other
programs are beginning to stand up and organize – including the Southeastern NC
partnership. We are in this for multiple years and NC may be the only state with multiple
areas of growth occurring. OEA wants to ensure that funding continues.
6. Education Update: Dr. Jane Smith.
a. Education Program Update EAC Site Visit. Dr. Smith provided a presentation on
updated numbers from the Comprehensive Regional Growth Plan. The date of record
for all numbers is March 19, 2008. Updates to the Preliminary Impact Assessment
include: using second month numbers in lieu of first month numbers, student
spending per student, building capacities, and a change in the multiplier for active
duty versus contractors. The new estimated cost for school construction increased to
$293M (from $276M). Many school systems already have construction planned, but
this construction is not in anticipation of BRAC growth.
b. EAC Site Visit. The Economic Adjustment Committee is a federal inter-agency
committee created by Executive Order. The EAC visit has a federal focus to assess
and document local and state educational capacities to absorb projected and actual
DoD growth and identify any needs for assistance. The day will include a base
briefing and tour, an LEA briefing and a roundtable discussion. Each county is
preparing a report and will submit them by May 23. David MacKinnon stated that
Gary Willis has done nearly a half dozen of these visits around the country. Each
state is different and each visit is tailored to the specific location and their needs. The
visit is an opportunity to receive information directly from the local school systems
and is the region’s opportunity to identify to the federal government the region’s
needs.
c. Joint Education Workforce Advisory Meeting. The last meeting of the Joint
Education Workforce Advisory Meeting was held at UNC-Pembroke on April 23rd.
They had an overview of the University which has grown more than 45% in the last
five years. The campus is listed by US News and World Report as one of the most
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diverse campuses in the country and job placement for the school is approximately
90% after one year.
d. Real Game Pilot. The Real Game Pilot program had six participating middle schools
in Cumberland and Harnett counties. The program was online and allowed students
to explore careers, wages, and necessary education. The twelve and thirteen year-old
students included groups identified as high achieving through at-risk.
e. I3D. The regional community college presidents toured the i3D Center on May 14th
and viewed the labs. The presidents discussed equipment requirements and
utilization. The universities, public schools, and workforce agencies will be able to
view the i3D Center June 24th and 25th.
ACTION: The BRAC RTF recommends approval to purchase seven i3D interactive
stereoscopic systems costing $15,000 each, totaling $105,000. The Executive
Committee recommended approval at the May 15, 2008 meeting. The $105,000 will
provide one system for each of the remaining community colleges and funds would
be restricted to this particular system. Funds are available under the US Department
of Labor Grant.
MOTION: Blake Proctor moved to approve the request for funding. Greg Taylor
seconded. Motion carried.
7. Workforce Demonstration Program Update: Steve Wilkins.
a. Wounded Warrior Pipeline. Before the Board of Directors meeting, stakeholders
and members of the Board were given a demonstration of the Wounded Warrior
Pipeline by Futures. The BRAC RTF accepted the system this morning. Over the
next two months, other platforms will be compared and reviewed, the objectives of
the regional program will be refined, and an acquisition strategy will be developed.
Tim McNeill stated that the BRAC RTF is currently leading the pack and needs to
continue aggressive steps to stay there.
b. Defense Business Association. The next meeting of the Defense Business
Association will be June 18, 2008 at the Spring Lake Family Resource Center. Tim
Tweed from the Regional Contracting Center on Ft. Bragg will be the guest speaker.
c. AUSA Symposium. Steve stated that he had attended the AUSA Logistics
Symposium in Richmond, VA on May 13th and 14th along with Greenfield Services.
The show provided a broad base of services and logistics contacts that were interested
in working with Greenfield and the RTF.
d. Workforce Demonstration Program Steering Group. The last meeting of the
Steering Group was 1 April. The next meeting will be 11 June at the Spring Lake
Family Resource Center. The group will review the Futures Wounded Warrior
Pipeline and Job Connection initiatives.
e. Job Connection for Construction Cluster. Steve Wilkins provided an overview of
the Job Connection meetings. The cluster is comprised of representatives from
industry, the Workforce Demonstration Boards, ESC, educational institutions,
NCMBC, the NC Department of Labor, Fort Bragg ACAP and Army Community
Services. The last meeting of the group was 7 May. The group has yet to use the
BoD allocated $18,000 for promoting area workers and employment. The next
meeting of the group is June 11, 2008.
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f. Career Advancement Accounts. Geneva Mixon (Director, Cumberland County
Workforce Development Board) provided an overview of the CAA. There was a
kick-off event at Fayetteville State University on April 24, 2008. Speakers included
Mr. Pete Flemming and Carolyn Baker (DoD). A military spouse spoke on the
benefits of the CAA and how she has been able to use the program. There was good
media coverage of the event. There have been some recent changes to the program.
First, all military spouses are eligible for the CAA regardless of their sponsor’s rank.
Second, four additional career clusters have been added to the program. These
include hospitality, business administration, human resources, and homeland security.
Of the eight states participating in the program, $3M has been committed. Locally,
98 spouses are receiving funds from CAA and 42 are waiting for the fall semester.
g. Regional Rural Entrepreneurship Grant. Steve Wilkins provided an overview of
the Regional Rural Entrepreneurship Grant. The BRAC RTF is not providing
funding, but is working in collaboration with UNC-Pembroke. The grant would
provide $100K over a three year period to fund a full-time coordinator for five
counties (Robeson, Scotland, Bladen, Hoke, and Columbus). The final evaluation
cycle will be 28 May and UNC-Pembroke would be responsible for all matching
costs. The BRAC RTF will work with UNC-Pembroke to leverage their program
through the U.S. Department of Labor grant.
8. Trade Show Display: Renee Lane. Renee Lane provided an update on the Trade Show
Display selection. Four North Carolina firms responded to the Request for Proposals. All
proposals meet the criteria and are well within the allotted budget. The next step will be to
evaluate proposals and make a recommendation to the board. The evaluation team members
are: Leon Butler, Phyllis Owens, Ray Ogden, and Mary Lilley. Tim McNeill stated that
timing was essential to ensure that a display was available for upcoming shows. He asked
that the board consider allowing the selection committee to evaluate and select a display
since the next Board of Directors meeting will be three months away.
ACTION: Recommend approval for the previously appointed selection committee to
choose the company.
MOTION: John Blanton moved that the selection committee evaluate and select a display
from the four proposals, in lieu of the Board of Directors selection. Blake Proctor seconded
the motion. The motion carried.
9. The Ferguson Group. The Ferguson Group is a government relations company with a
strong presence in North Carolina, including an office in Forsyth County. They have proven
experience working with municipal, state, and federal officials. The Ferguson Group would
not be hired as a lobbying firm, but would be able to provide government relations and
provide research on possible avenues for federal funding. In the short term, The Ferguson
Group will be able to provide guidance on pending FY 2009 federal requests, identify
available FY 2008 federal agency funding and monitor current congressional actions which
affect the region. In the long term, The Ferguson Group will be able to identify federal funds
to enhance the AADC, support the development of a Defense Business Special Trade Zone
among other items. The proposal from The Ferguson Group would provide a three month
contract beginning June 1, 2008 for a retainer fee of $5,000/month plus approved
reimbursable expenses. By mutual agreement, the contract can be extended through Dec 31,
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2008 and the agreement can be terminated by giving 30 days notice.
ACTION: Recommend approval of the proposed $15,000 three month contract from
economic development marketing funds provided by the counties.
DISCUSSION: Blake Proctor stated that he was concerned about the reimbursable expenses
being opened ended and recommended that a cap be placed on the maximum amount of
expenses. Ken Windley suggested a cap of $1,000 per month. Blake Proctor suggested a cap
of $5,000 total. James Martin stated that The Ferguson Group’s office is in Washington D.C.
and travel expenses will be less than anticipated.
MOTION: Blake Proctor moved that The Ferguson Group be hired on a three month
$15,000 contract with a cap of $5,000 in approved reimbursable expenses over the life of the
contract. James Martin seconded the motion. The motion carried.
10. Compatible Land Use – Sustainable Development. Don Belk provided an update on the
RTF’s Regional Planning initiatives. The updated Joint Land Use Study (updated from
2003) has been completed. Don also spoke about the Smart Growth Principles to encourage
development towards a small town format. The Smart Growth Principles call for the
integration of capital improvement planning, urban sustainability, rural economic
development, and transportation planning.
11. BRAC RTF Business Model. Paul Dordal spoke on the BRAC RTF’s need to plan for long
term sustainability. The RTF Executive Committee proposes the formation of a planning
committee to develop a business model for long term sustainability. The recommendation is
that the planning committee be made up of three board members, three BRAC RTF Staff
members, and three business partners.
ACTION: Form a planning committee to develop a business model for long term
sustainability.
DISCUSSION: Tim McNeill stated that the BRAC RTF would be responsible for
appointing the three staff members and for recruiting the three business representatives. The
Board of Directors discussed that there should be four members of the Board on the planning
committee. Nominated were: Blake Proctor, John Blanton, Leon Butler, and Greg Taylor.
MOTION: Blake Proctor moved that a planning committee be formed to develop a business
model for long term sustainability of the BRAC RTF. The planning committee will consist
of 3 BRAC RTF staff members, 3 business representatives, and four members of the Board
of Directors (Blake Proctor, John Blanton, Leon Butler, & Greg Taylor). Kevin Patterson
seconded and the motion was carried.
12. Budget. Glenda Dye provided an update on spending under the OEA grant. As of April 30,
2008 – 71% of the OEA grant had been spent. $954,794.55 has been spent in contractual
obligations and $402,405 in operational expenses. John Harbison provided an update on
spending under the U.S. Department of Labor grant. Expected upcoming expenses in the
DOL grant include printing cost for the Comprehensive Regional Growth Plan. The
Workforce Demonstration Program budget is on track and certain categories are under
budget due to the initial delay in filling staff positions. A letter to the county managers has
been mailed confirming the county fee schedule. Tier One counties will be responsible for
the ten percent matching funds for the OEA grant, which comes to $12,992.64 and for
$15,000 in marketing fees and Tier Two counties will be responsible for $10,000 marketing
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fees.
13. Discussion.
a. Paul Dordal thanked Dr. Keen and the staff of Fayetteville Technical Community
College for hosting the meeting.
b. Blake Proctor stated that Stuart Turille was unable to gain access to Fort Bragg for
the last RLUAC meeting.
c. Ann Lichtner provided an update on the Governor’s Proposed Budget. Governor
Easley has included: $1M for MWR programs, including approx. $300,000 for Fort
Bragg MWR Programs; $1M for financial aid for dependents of veterans; $2.25M for
substance abuse, traumatic brain injury, and increasing the number of Veteran Service
Officers; $200,000 for “Kids on Guard”; $5M in matching grants for small
businesses; $300,000 for the aviation program at Elizabeth City State University; and
$500,000 for North Carolina State to research energy and battery alternatives.
14. Upcoming Events:
TDA Final Impact Assessment Report
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 10:00 am
Snyder Memorial Baptist Church
Next scheduled Executive Committee Meeting:
Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Spring Lake Family Resource Center
Next scheduled Board of Directors meeting:
Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 10:00 am
Spring Lake Family Resource Center
15. Tim McNeill thanked everyone for their attendance the meeting was adjourned at 3:30 pm.
Submitted by:
Paul Dordal, Executive Director, BRAC RTF
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