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Kenyon “KJ” Askew, Jr.
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Thomas Joyner to Join Nash Community College Board of Trustees

ROCKY MOUNT, North Carolina (August 18, 2026) – Nash Community College will welcome Thomas Joyner as its newest member of the Board of Trustees during the board's August meeting, where he will officially be sworn into office.

A lifelong resident of Nash County, Joyner brings decades of leadership experience in agriculture, business and community service to the college's governing board.

Born and raised in the Sandy Cross community near Nashville, North Carolina, Joyner grew up on his family's tobacco and cucumber farm, where he was active in both 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA). After graduating from high school, he operated the family farm before pursuing higher education as a nontraditional student.

Joyner enrolled at North Carolina State University's Poole College of Management, earning a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1993 before becoming a Certified Public Accountant. Throughout his career, he has remained deeply connected to North Carolina's agricultural industry and currently serves as president of Nash Produce, a grower-owned cooperative he helped establish in 2006.

“We are excited to welcome Joyner to the NCC Board of Trustees,” said Dr. Lew K. Hunnicutt, president of NCC. “Joyner's leadership from different industries, combined with his personal experience as a nontraditional student, provides a valuable perspective that aligns with our mission of serving students from all walks of life. His commitment to education and workforce development will be an asset to the college.”

Joyner has dedicated much of his career to serving organizations that support agriculture and education. He currently serves as chair of the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation Board at North Carolina State University, secretary-treasurer of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission, vice president of the United States Sweetpotato Council and chairman of the church council at Sandy Cross Methodist Church.

“I am very pleased to have been appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees of NCC. I hope to both learn from and participate in the growth of NCC,” said Joyner. “I wasn’t a traditional college student, not beginning until age 27, and saw the tremendous benefit that Nash Community College offers to our community. I believe NCC has and will continue to have a major impact for the future for Nash County/Rocky Mount, and surrounding area and I am very excited that I will be able to participate.”

Joyner and his wife, Melissa, have three children, all graduates of North Carolina State University.

As a member of the Board of Trustees, Joyner will work alongside fellow trustees to provide governance and strategic leadership in support of the college's mission of delivering high-quality education, workforce training and community partnerships.

For more information about Nash Community College, visit www.nashcc.edu.

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 About Nash Community College 

Nash Community College’s mission is to provide an affordable educational environment which prepares students for university transfer and rewarding careers. Through quality instruction and services, technology, work force development, and community partnerships, Nash Community College provides lifelong learning opportunities to individuals, communities, and organizations. Nash Community College is a public community college in Nash County, North Carolina. It is part of the North Carolina Community College System