NBHS Board of Directors & Staff Bios
Executive Board
Joe Hunt, President
Joe was raised in Greensboro, NC with short moves to Burlington, Durham, and Winston Salem before moving back to Greensboro for most of his adult life. Joe is a retired electrical engineer and has undergraduate and PhD degrees from Duke University and a masters degree from North Carolina State University, all in electrical engineering. He worked for AT&T for 25 years and then started a Computer Service company in Greensboro and worked there for 20 years. He and Annette, his wife of more than 60 years, moved here in 2003. They consider New Bern to be a hidden jewel of North Carolina. Since moving here Joe devotes his time to Centenary United Methodist Church, the New Bern Historical Society, and the New Bern Farmers Market. Joe leads all Historical Society campus maintenance and preservation efforts and helps with the Earth Angels in the garden.
Kathy Morrison, First Vice-President
Kathy Morrison is originally from California and moved to the East Coast with the Air Force after college. Following an Air Force stint, Kathy spent 15 years as a teacher and administrator in Virginia, Maryland, and New Bern, and another 15 years as a small business owner on the Outer Banks. She and her husband Jim moved to New Bern about 15 years ago. Kathy is the Historical Society's 100th Anniversary Committee Chair and the Marketing and Publicity Chair. She also gives her time volunteering for various other organizations including North Carolina History Theater.
Egon Lippert, Second Vice-President
After more than four years in the US Air Force, Egon was discharged as a highly trained electronic technician qualified for a job at IBM. That job progressed from entry level to various levels of management in multiple divisions that lasted for thirty years. Along the way, he received a BS in Business Administration. Looking for a place to retire, a friend suggested New Bern. After several visits he liked what he saw and settled in River Bend in 1998. A few years later another friend mentioned that there was an opening at the Historical Society to do outside maintenance. After a short interview with the current director he was "hired" and spent the next several years mowing, weeding and battling briars. Egon is a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board and New Bern Noontime Rotary, and serves as chairman of the River Bend Planning Board. When the opportunity arose to become more actively involved with the New Bern Historical Society by joining the Board of Directors, Egon very gladly accepted the honor. He continues to be impressed by and proud of what the membership has done to maintain our precious heritage.
Chris Kelso, Secretary
Chris is the son of a USMC lieutenant colonel. His family arrived in New Bern two days after Hurricane Hazel and never left. Growing up on the south side of the Neuse River near the location of Fort Lane he has had a lifelong interest in the cultural and economic histories of New Bern and surrounding areas. He is married to the former Patricia Menius, a lifetime New Bernian, and they are the parents of three adult children. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Economics (BA with Honors) and a member of the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity, he started his insurance career in 1981 after serving as a commissioned officer in the US Navy as a carrier-based Naval Aviator. After joining the family-owned insurance business, he was designated a Certified Insurance Counselor in 1983. In 1998 he merged his agency with The Insurance Center where he served as the senior insurance advisor before retiring in 2018. Chris has participated in many Historical Society activities including two roles as a Ghostwalk spirit.
Bob Penvose, Treasurer
Bob was born and raised near Pittsburgh, PA. He received a BS in Business Administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and his MBA from Waynesburg College. Starting his career with Coopers & Lybrand, one of the Big Six international public accounting firms (now Price Waterhouse Coopers), Bob specialized in the financial, health care and manufacturing sectors, while also focusing on M&A. After a tremendous training experience in public accounting, Bob entered the private sector and spent the better part of the next 30 years performing financial and operational restructurings and turnarounds, primarily for portfolio companies of private equity firms. His work provided remarkable life experiences for him, his wife, Annmarie, and their two children, as they relocated four times, landing them in Iowa, Ontario, Canada, Minnesota, and, finally, North Carolina, where Bob and Annmarie now call home. Now retired, and in addition to his board work with the Historical Society, Bob volunteers his time working on the Carolina Colours turnover team, as the community moves from a developer-managed to homeowner-managed community, and is the board VP of the Carolina Colours Men’s Golf Association.
Appointed Positions
James M. Hodges, Curator (nbhscurator2@gmail.com)
Reared in New Bern, Jim matriculated to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earning an undergraduate degree in chemistry and a post graduate dental degree. After satisfying a military commitment and enjoying several years of international travel, Jim returned to New Bern and practiced dentistry until his retirement in 2012. His current life chapter involves his passion for New Bern and its rich history as a member of the Historical Society and the Tryon Palace Foundation Board of Directors. He is thankful to be in a committed relationship with his significant other Cindy. He has a genuine love for dogs, and enjoys good food, especially oysters and chicken salad.
Claudia Houston, Historian (nbhshistorian@gmail.com)
Claudia Houston was born and raised in New York. She met her husband of 45 years, Bill Houston, at the State University of New Paltz where she received a degree in history and elementary education. Claudia worked in child welfare for over 33 years while employed by her local County Department of Social Services. She also received a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Pace University. Claudia loves history, genealogy, traveling and scrapbooking. She was fascinated with the New Bern Battlefield (and admits she never heard of it until she moved here) and found out through her genealogical searches, that six relatives fought at the Battle of New Bern. She has been on the Publicity committee for many years, does research, writes articles and manages the NBHS Facebook page. She has been the President of Coastal Women’s Forum, President of New Bern Business Referral Network, and is a member of the Craven County Genealogical Society, among other organizations. She is the mother of three who are geographically located across the country, and has three grandsons.
Mark Trail, Battlefield Adjutant
Mark Trail was raised just outside Atlanta, GA and came to eastern NC in the late 70’s to serve in the Marine Corps. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1997 and then graduated from ECU in 2001. He taught computer science at Pamlico Community College for 7 years then went to work for the City of New Bern as the IT Manager for 6 years and Electric Department where he retired in 2019. He was a part time employee for Tryon Palace as a tour guide for over 6 years and has been volunteering for the Historical Society for a number of years at the battlefield. Mark has a tremendous love of history and has been a Civil War and Revolutionary War reenactor for more the 20 years.
Directors
Joe Anderson
Joseph Anderson retired from Verizon Communications after holding management positions in information technology, human resources and external affairs. He served as the corporation’s spokesperson on diversity issues and was responsible for oversight of equal employment opportunities across all business units. Mr. Anderson served as VP of Quality and Supplier Diversity for the procurement department and served on a number of boards of directors including the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Since relocating to New Bern with his wife Rachel, he has been involved with the community by serving as a commissioner on the New Bern Housing Authority and the Historic Preservation Commission. Joe studied communications at Emerson College and holds a certificate in management from Columbia University and a certificate in EEO studies from Cornell University.
Graham Barden
Graham was born in New Bern, spent his early years on Johnson Street and then the majority of childhood in small boats on the Trent River. He went to Episcopal High School where Nelson McDaniel struggled valiantly to help him pass French. He graduated from Duke University in 1978 and from Duke University School of Medicine in 1982. Graham completed Pediatric Residency at Vanderbilt University in 1985 and returned home to join Coastal Children’s Clinic with his father. He is now trying to get accustomed to retirement after 37 years of practice. Graham and his wife, Nora, have two grown children, two young grandchildren, one dog and many grand-pets to keep them busy. He is looking forward to traveling more and improving his fishing and gardening skills. Graham has a passion for history inherited from his mother. He is honored to serve on this Board.
Carol Becton
Carol Vivian Bonner Becton is a native New Bernian, widow of the late Captain James E. Becton of the New Bern Police Department and mother of three. Carol Attends Clinton Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church where she serves in the teaching and preaching ministry. She is a member and Vice President of the Martin Luther King Jr. Outreach Ministry, and the Climbers Club of New Bern. She serves as a Commissioner for the New Bern Housing Authority and on the Board of Directors of the New Bern-Craven County Public Library Regional Board. She also joined the first African American Greek Sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha in 1979.
Carol received a BA degree in English Education from North Carolina Central University in Durham and her Masters Degree in Educational Administration from East Carolina University. Carol was an educator for Craven County Schools for over 34 years retiring as a Principal. She enjoys being an active participant in preserving New Bern's rich history and sharing the story of our state’s “Colonial Capital”.
Clayton Cheek
Clayton received his JD from the Wake Forest University School of Law and an MBA from the Wake Forest University School of Business. After practicing in Elizabeth City for seven years, he relocated to New Bern with his family in 2010 to become a partner at The Law Offices of Oliver & Cheek. A member of the NC Bar Association and American Bar Association, Clayton has been recognized by Super Lawyers. His focuses are bankruptcy, business law, contracts, and estate planning. In addition to serving on the Historical Society board, Clayton is the New Bern Rotary Club President-Elect and chairs the First Presbyterian Church Foundation. He and his wife Jody have three daughters.
George Evans
George grew up in Nashville, TN, Raleigh, and Charlotte. He is a graduate of the University of the South (Sewanee) and the University of Virginia School of Law. From 1971 to 1975, he served in the Navy JAG Corps at NAS Memphis, when he met his wife Christian. He then began his law practice with a small firm in Charlotte, and in 2000 joined the Womble Carlyle firm in Winston-Salem. The Evans moved to New Bern in 2017, where George has been active in the Historic Downtown Residents Association, previously serving as a board member and president, and as a regular member of Joe Hunt's "ground crew" at the Historical Society. George and Christian have two children, Catherine and David.
Terri Hickman
Terri was born in Washington, DC and grew up in Maryland. Always interested in the law, she secured her first legal secretary position at a law firm in Washington, DC. She relocated to Los Angeles as a legal secretary until being promoted to Legal Recruiting Manager, working with law schools and legal employment agencies to hire law students and attorneys. She held this position for the next 36 years at various law firms in California. Upon retiring in 2019, Terri and her husband Lance moved back east to New Bern. Having visited the area many times over the years to see her parents, they fell in love with New Bern. Terri has always been interested in history, and found volunteering at the New Bern Historical Society an interesting and exciting experience. She is honored to be on the Board of Directors.
Charles K. (Ken) McCotter, Jr.
Ken is a native New Bernian. He graduated from New Bern High School in 1964 and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1968 with a BS in Business and the UNC School of Law in 1971. Ken is a retired US Magistrate Judge, United States Courts, EDNC (1979-1995) and is currently in private practice in New Bern, NC, with an emphasis on civil litigation, mediation and arbitration. He has expertise in admiralty and maritime law. Ken and his wife, Pat, have two daughters and four grandchildren. They love spending time with their family. Ken enjoys history and is past president of the Historical Society. He was a member of New Bern’s 300th Committee, is serving on the 300th Committee of Christ Episcopal Church, and is a member of the Tryon Palace Foundation, New Bern Preservation Foundation, New Bern Noon Rotary Club, Craven Community Foundation, and Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corporation. Ken enjoys hunting, fishing, and hiking.
Nelson McDaniel
Nelson was born in New Bern and schooled at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, George Washington and Georgetown Universities, New York University and the University of Lyon. For thirty years he was a teacher at the Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia. He has served in various volunteer capacities with the New Bern 300th, Camps Sea Gull and Seafarer, Christ Church, the Tryon Palace Foundation, the Carolina East Foundation, the Kellenberger Foundation, the Craven Arts Council, the Coastal Carolina Chamber Music Festival, and Swiss Bear.
Laura Miller-McLemore
Laura, an Army Veteran, was born in Helena, Arkansas and attended Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri where she received her BA degree in Physical Education. After teaching Physical Education at Springhill Jr. High School in Springhill, Louisiana and at Portage Middle School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, she decided to leave the public schools and join the private sector at Cornerstone Christin College Preparatory School. There she served as a military instructor, Principal and certified science and mathematics teacher. She rejoined the public schools when she came to New Bern in 2004. After teaching in the GED department at Craven Community College, she joined the Craven County Schools team of awesome teachers where she taught mathematics and served as the cheerleading coach at the middle school. She now continues to share in the exchange of impacting lives through her journey at New Bern High School.
Catherine O'Brien
Cathy and her husband Steve fell in love with New Bern, buying a house here long even they could move in 2007 so they wouldn’t miss the chance to live in this lovely area. Although native Midwesterners, they spent the previous seventeen years in a historic town in New Jersey, where Cathy served on the church vestry and was active in professional organizations. Her professional career was in insurance and reinsurance claims, culminating in the position of VP Claims for White Mountains Reinsurance. Cathy is an active volunteer at CarolinaEast hospital and at many community events, including the Historical Society’s homes tours and Ghostwalk. She joined the Historical Society board in 2019. Cathy notes that her most important role is that of proud mother and grandmother to her wonderful sons and their families.
Rob Overman
Rob was born in Asheville NC to parents from Pasquotank County NC. He spent his school years in the ‘lesser' Carolina graduating from the University of South Carolina with degrees in Finance and Engineering. He moved to New Bern in 1980 to work with Hatteras Yachts. He joined Wheat First Securities in 1986. He remains the owner of Overman Capital Management. He is married to Laura Overman and they have two adult daughters and three grandchildren.
Mary Stallings Parrish
Mary is a native of New Bern. Her interest in history was inherited from her parents who were very active in historic preservation in New Bern. She is a lifelong active member of Christ Episcopal Church. She is a member of the Preservation Foundation, the Tryon Palace Foundation Board, and Delta Kappa Gamma (an international educational society of women educators). She serves on the New Bern Historical Society Marks Scholarship Committee and the Ghostwalk Steering Committee, and has served on the Heritage Homes Tour Steering Committee. Mary has a B.S. and Master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from North Carolina State University. She was an educator in Charlotte, Raleigh, Nashville, and New Bern for 34 years before retiring as Director of Guidance at New Bern High School. Many of her students would tell you that she said “Do what you love. I have never come to work. I have always come to school”.
Chris Richey
Chris began his financial career as a financial analyst with International Business Machines in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Somers, New York. He was a financial advisor with Raymond James before founding Nautilus Wealth Management, LLC, in New Bern in 2008. Chris earned a BS in business administration from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. He and his wife Suzanne and two children Camden and Samantha enjoy an active lifestyle of boating, surfing, and riding horses. Chris faithfully serves First Presbyterian Church as a past Session Elder, committee member, and on the Foundation Board. He has also held leadership positions with Neuse River Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association, New Bern Rotary Club, and Coastal Carolina Classrooms. Currently, Chris is serving on the Board of Trustees at Epiphany School of Global Studies in New Bern. Suzanne is the new owner of downtown New Bern's Carolina Creations.
Mike Williams
Mike & his wife Liz relocated to New Bern in 2017 to be closer to family in North & South Carolina. Mike & Liz are members of the St. Paul Catholic Church parish in New Bern. Mike was the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Craven County from 2017-2022. Having spent 12 years working for Habitat for Humanity, Mike is an experienced and passionate affordable housing advocate focused on helping those in need of decent housing achieve their dream. Prior to Habitat for Humanity, Mike spent 20 years working in retail banking administration in South Florida and another 10 years as a product manager for the National Council on Compensation Insurance. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Mike attended Florida State University and the University of Miami and holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Mike is a member of the New Bern Breakfast Rotary and serves on the board of directors of Habitat for Humanity of North Carolina, the African American Heritage and Culture Center, and Faith Connection.
Staff
Anthony Giardino, Executive Director (director@newbernhistorical.org; phone 252.638.8558)
Anthony arrived in New Bern in 2016 while on active duty stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. After a rewarding career as a Mustang Marine serving in various global operations and logistics roles, he retired from the Corps in 2020. He and his wife, Jackie, proudly chose New Bern as the perfect place to raise their three children. With a passion for community involvement and local history, Anthony was instantly attracted to the operations position of the Historical Society in 2022, and later promoted to Executive Director in May 2024. You’ll often find him with his family biking through town, assisting at school and YMCA functions, or along the river at sunrise (most likely with a camera in hand).
Kim Deal, Programs Director (programs@newbernhistorical.org; phone 252.638.8558)
Kim and her husband, Jim, relocated to New Bern from Occoquan, VA after long careers in the defense community. Raised in Charleston, SC she developed a deep love for history, which, along with her passion for physics, has shaped her career path. Now in New Bern to be closer to her mother and explore new opportunities, Kim has immersed herself in the rich history of her new hometown bringing her expertise and enthusiasm to preserving and sharing the stories of the past. Kim and Jim, along with their dogs Mavis and Olive, love to explore the region and will be found near or on the water whenever possible.
Jon Silberger, Operations Manager (adminoffice@newbernhistorical.org; phone 252.638.8558)
Michel Epps, Operations Assistant (adminoffice@newbernhistorical.org; phone 252.638.8558)
Michel is originally from the scenic Ozark Mountains of SE Missouri and started her career as an administrative assistant, first at Illinois State University and later at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. Following almost a decade as an office manager in Santa Fe, she returned to the Ozarks to teach American History and coordinate a variety of programs, first at a community college and later a non-profit. When her father passed away, she took a career break to care for her mother, and when her mother passed, Michel and her husband Mack, moved aboard a sailboat and started down the ICW. In late 2019, they arrived in New Bern for what was supposed to be a short layover, and the rest—as they say—is history.