The members of the Board of the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Economic Development Commission will have a special meeting on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, beginning at 8:00 a.m. The meeting will be held in the Community Service Room of the Pasquotank County Public Safety Building, 200 E. Colonial Avenue, Elizabeth City, NC 27909. The purpose of the meeting is to hold a closed session pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3) in order to consult with an attorney employed by the Board regarding a matter within the attorney-client privilege and to preserve that privilege; and pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6) to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial appointment of an individual public officer or employee. Following closed session the Board may take personnel action in open session.
Sentara Albemarle Regional Health Campus Medical Office Building Groundbreaking
On Sept. 29, 2021, Sentara hosted a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating the introduction of the Sentara Albemarle Regional Health Campus beginning with a new medical office building.
Jeff Berry appointed as Economic Development Director
Lloyd Griffin, Chairman of the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Economic Development
Commission (ECPCEDC), is pleased to announce that the Commission board has selected Jeff
Berry as the new director of Economic Development.
Mr. Berry was chosen from a very competitive candidate pool. He brings years of private-industry
business development experience, as well as several years of overseas business management
experience. Most recently he was senior program director for a large defense contractor
supporting aircraft overhaul operations at the Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center. Mr. Berry’s
relationship with Elizabeth City began in 1979 when he attended training as a new Coast Guard
member at the Coast Guard Aviation Technical Center. Mr. Berry has lived in Elizabeth City for
more than 25 years.
Mr. Berry received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Embery-Riddle Aeronautical University
and he is a Coast Guard Veteran. Mr. Berry is scheduled to begin working for the ECPCEDC
on October 21, 2021.
Notice of Special Meeting
The members of the Board of the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Economic Development Commission will have a special meeting on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, beginning at 8:00 a.m. The meeting will be held in the Community Service Room of the Pasquotank County Public Safety Building, 200 E. Colonial Avenue, Elizabeth City, NC 27909. The purpose of the meeting is to hold a closed session pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3) in order to consult with an attorney employed by the Board regarding a matter within the attorney-client privilege and to preserve that privilege; and pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6) to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial appointment of an individual public officer or employee. Following closed session the Board may take personnel action in open session.
Elizabeth City State University, United Airlines Launch Partnership with Ceremony Friday, Aug. 27, 2021
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Elizabeth City State University and United Airlines Aviate pilot career development program have partnered to train a new generation of pilots. On Friday, Aug. 27, on the ECSU campus, university officials will be joined by United Airlines representatives to launch a partnership that seeks to not only train future pilots, but also bring more women and people of color into the ranks of commercial aviation.
“This partnership is an exciting next step for our aviation program and for our aviation students,” said ECSU Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon. “Through this partnership with United Airlines, ECSU is able to establish a pipeline to commercial aviation for our students, offering them unprecedented access to careers in aviation.”
According to ECSU’s dean of the School of Aviation, Emergency Management, Health and Technology, Dr. Kuldeep Rawat, this exclusive partnership with United Airlines brings the most direct route to a job offer for ECSU aviation students with United Airlines.
“United Airlines staff will provide support and coaching to help our students on their journey to become a United Airlines pilot, which includes access to senior leadership, site visits and tours, and certain travel privileges.”
On Friday, Aug. 27, ECSU and United Airlines officials will gather at the university’s Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center at 10 a.m. to celebrate this new partnership. Among the United Airlines representatives present at the ceremony, will be the first the African American female pilot for the U.S. Air Force, Capt. Theresa Claiborne, now a United pilot.
In April, United Airlines announced its plan to hire and train 5,000 new pilots through the United Aviate Academy with at least 50 percent women or people of color.
“We are pleased to partner with Elizabeth City State University to identify and train the next generation of United pilots,” said Capt. Curt Brunjes, United’s managing director of pilot strategy and Aviate. “Though this partnership, aspiring ECSU aviators will connect with dedicated mentors to learn, train and pursue a direct path to a United flight deck.”
ECSU’s signature aviation program is the only four-year aviation degree in North Carolina. Students enrolled in the program earn their bachelor’s degree in aviation science while receiving flight training and earn their private and commercial pilot’s license. ECSU aviation graduates go on to serve as military and commercial airline pilots.
By partnering with United Airlines, ECSU aviation students will gain access to:
Aviation Science flight students can now apply to join United’s Aviate program and prepare for a structured career pathway path leading to potentially becoming a United Airline pilot, said Dr. Rawat.
Elizabeth City State University is a UNC System constituent university in Northeastern North Carolina. ECSU offers 28 bachelor’s degrees and four master’s degrees and has received numerous top rankings including U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges for the Regional South, Washington Monthly’s Best Bank for the Buck Colleges, and Best Colleges Top 10 Best HBCUs.
Murphy Applauds $217M Defense Contract for Elizabeth City
September 1, 2021
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) released this statement following the news that TCOM, a global leader in airborne persistent surveillance solutions with manufacturing and testing facilities in Elizabeth City, has received a $217 million contract from the U.S. Army. This contract will be used to procure 10 modified 34-meter Persistent Surveillance Systems-Tethered (PSS-T) which will boost tactical reconnaissance and surveillance. The project has an estimated completion date of March 23, 2027.
“I am thrilled to hear that TCOM has been awarded this significant military contract,” said Murphy. “For over 40 years, TCOM has been a leader in leveraging advanced technology to combat threats to U.S. national security. The PSS-T is designed to collect intelligence information from sensors and integrate it with other aerial and ground radars, and I am proud that this important technology is made right here in the Third District. This $217 million investment is a big win for Elizabeth City, and I hope it will create new opportunities and bolster additional high-paying jobs for residents in the Third District. I look forward to seeing how these tactical devices will be used to support military communications and reinforce intelligence capabilities for years to come.”