Foundation Board of Directors

Board Members

The Tryon Palace Foundation is a 501(c)(3)-membership organization that was formed in 1992 as a supporting organization for Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens and to develop audience and financial support for Tryon Palace. The Foundation is administered by a Board of Directors. Its oversight includes fundraising events and campaigns, supporting membership expansion, solicitation of donors and sponsors, and community engagement.

• Ms. Anne Schout, President
• Mrs. Dawn Staats, Vice President
• Mr. Joe Anderson
• Mr. Craig Allen
• Ms. Sallie Baxter
• Dr. Graham Barden
• Mr. Jim Copland IV
• Mr. William S.  Corbitt
• Mr. Mark Gatlin
• Mr. Ross Hardeman
• Mr. Lee Hodge
• Mr. John W. King
• Mr. Bill Kwasnick
• Ms. Catherine Little
• Ms. Carol Mattocks
• Mr. Judson McAden
• Ms. Susan Moffat Thomas
• Mr. Thomas Monte
• Mr. Paresh Pankhavala
• Mrs. Kathy Patton
• Ms. Dawn Peele
• Mr. Jim Robinson
• Ms. Cece Scott

Ex Officio

• Mr. James Norment, Chair, Tryon Palace Commission
• Ms. Chrystal Regan, Executive Director, Secretary/Treasurer
• Dr. Darin Waters, Deputy Secretary for Archives & History

Tryon Palace is a North Carolina State Historic Site that falls under the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR). In 1945, the state, by act of the N.C. General Assembly created the Tryon Palace Commission as a state agency to oversea the restoration of Tryon Palace. Under DNCR, today, the Commission retains governance responsibilities for the Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens. Members of the Commission are appointed by the Governor.

Commissioners

• Dr. Benny J. Andres, Jr.
• Mr. James V. Bender “Jay,” Vice-Chair
• Warren Bingham
• Mr. John C. Bircher, III 
• Dr. J. Kenneth Chance 
• Ms. Maria Cho 
• Mr. Darren B. Clark 
• Dr. James B. Congleton, III, Financial Officer & Treasurer
• Ms. Fern D. Cotton 
• Mr. David Erdman
• Dr. Catherine J. Everett  
• Ms. Susan G. Fetzer 
• Mr. Bernard George 
• Mr. Steve Graves, Secretary
• Ms. Katherine C. Haroldson, Assistant Financial Officer & Treasurer
• Mr. Nelson McDaniel 
• Ms. Monica Perry Minus
• Mr. James Norment, Chair 
• Ms. Elizabeth Saylors
• Mr. Jon Segal 
• Ms. Ellen M. Sheridan 
• Ms. Linda Simmons-Henry 
• Rev. Garry M. Slade 
• Dr. Arwin D. Smallwood 
• Mr. John A. J. Ward 
• Ms. Kelly Whitley  

Ex Officio

• Ms. Pamela B. Cashwell, Secretary, NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
• Dr. Darin Waters, Deputy Secretary- Designee for Secretary Cashwell, N.C. Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources
• Dr. Allison Danell, Dean, Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
• Commissioner Denny Bucher, Chairman, Craven County Board of Commissioners
• Mayor Jeffrey T. Odham, City of New Bern, N.C.
• Ms. Jan Parson- Designee for Attorney General

Members Emeriti

• Mr. John A. J. Ward

Be a storyteller. Be a supporter. Make a difference. For more information please visit www.tryonpalacefoundation.org or call 252-639-3540.