Leadership Johnston Class of 2021
Melissa Kramer
KS Bank, Inc.
Retail Trainer/Business Development Officer, AVP
As a professional banking figure within a small community, I understand the importance of indelible customer service and community involvement. I have lived and worked within the Johnston County community for over 16 years. I've had the pleasure of working for KS Bank for the past 9 years and joined the Smithfield team in July as their Lead Relationship Banker.
Lovette Kirks
Partnership for Children of Johnston County
Family Support Specialist
I am an Early Childhood Specialist at the Partnership for Children of Johnston County. I have been employed with them for the past 3 years. I received my Bachelors degree in English from Elizabeth City State University and I am a recent graduate of University North Carolina Wilmington earning a Masters degree in Leadership, Policy, and Advocacy in Early Childhood. I am a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. I reside in Clayton with my husband Taylor and our two daughters, Lola who is 3 and Belle who is a year old.
Telia Virgin
Johnston County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
President
The Johnston County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated received their charter on April 27, 2003 and services the entire geographical area of Johnston County, NC. Since their inception, the Chapter has worked diligently to serve the community with innovative programs and projects. Each year, these programs and projects encompass each aspect of the Sorority’s Five-Point Programmatic Thrust (Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement) that have had a positive impact on the community. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. The Sorority was founded in 1913, by 22 young women at Howard University.
Leighanna Worley
Town of Wilson's Mills
Town Administrator
Leighanna Thompson is a Johnston County native. She began her career in Municipal Government in 2001 working for the Towns of Pine Level and Selma until April of 2006 when she was appointed Town Clerk for the Town of Wilson’s Mills. Leighanna currently serves as the Town Administrator and Municipal Clerk. Leighanna graduated in 2009 from the Clerk's Institute at the School of Government at UNC Chapel Hill. She received her designation for Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) from the IIMC and UNC School of Government in 2011, Master Municipal Clerk Certification (MMC) in 2016, and NC Certified Municipal Clerk designation (NCCMC) from the NC Association of Municipal Clerks in 2012. Leighanna serves on the Board of Directors for the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce. In her spare time, Leighanna enjoys cooking, playing music, and going camping with her dog, "Copper," in the mountains of North Carolina.
Gary Johnson
Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center
Director
Billy Brown
Town of Benson
Police Lieutenant
William “Billy” Brown has been serving the residents of Johnston County as a Police Officer in the Town Of Benson for the past 20 years. He is a native of Sampson County where he began his career in Law Enforcement. William graduated BLET at Sampson Community College and received his Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate, North Carolina’s highest recognition for an officers continued pursuit of training and education. William is certified as a North Carolina Law Enforcement General Instructor in which he uses to teach officers drawing from his years of experience and training. During his time at the Benson Police Department William has served in every capacity from Patrol Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Detective to Detective Sergeant. As of July 2020 he was promoted to Lieutenant in which he supervises the Criminal Investigations Division and Patrol Divisions of the Benson Police Department.
Chad Little
KS Bank, Inc.
Commercial Loan Portfolio Manager
My name is Chadwick Little and I am employed with KS Bank, Inc. I have lived in Johnston County all 23 years of my life and have no intentions in leaving as I love the community and environment I am surrounded by each and every day. A few of my favorite interests are sports, cars, and enjoying the company of friends and family. I enjoy going to the beach every chance I get, and music is another interest of mine as I am blessed to be part of the worship team at my church playing drums.
Sam O'Brien
AdVenture Development, LLC
Development Associate
Sam O’Brien joined AdVenture Development, LLC in 2020, bringing 3 years of brokerage experience across all asset classes. He will assist with all aspects of the Eastfield Crossing development as it goes vertical over the coming years, as well as leasing AdVenture’s existing portfolio of assets. He and his wife moved to North Carolina in 2016.
Lindsey Parnell
Johnston Community College
Accounts Receivable
My name is Lindsey Parnell and I am the Accounts Receivable Specialist for Curriculum at Johnston Community College. I am also an alumni of the college and have earned two Associates Degrees at JCC. I have been employed at the college since 2005 and have been in my current position as Accounts Receivable Specialist for over five years. I work very closely with all departments of the college and truly enjoy helping students reach their educational goals. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé, Ty, and my four year old daughter, Hadley.
Lucia Planchon
Partnership for Children of Johnston County
Community Outreach & Awareness Coordinator
Lucia Planchon was born in Uruguay and speaks fluent English and Spanish, moved to the United States when she was 8 years old, and has resided in Clayton since 2011. She received her Bachelor's in Spanish Education from NC State University in 2016, and completed a Master's in Foreign Languages and Literatures, focusing on Hispanic Linguistics in 2018. Promptly following her graduation, she began working at Partnership for Children of Johnston County, with the goal of working with Hispanic families in the community.
Brian Worley
Johnston Community College
Associate Vice President of Business, Industry, Logistics and Transportation (B.I.L.T)
