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5/12/2010 :: Community Foundation Announce New Director
Today, Mr. Charlie Pearson, President of the Community Foundation of Gaston County, Inc. announced that the Board of Directors has chosen Ernest W. Sumner to become the Executive Director of the Foundation, effective immediately. Mr. Sumner will take the position previously held by Spurgeon Mackie, who resigned in April to return to a career in banking. Board member Alex Hall has been serving as Interim Executive Director over the past four weeks.

Mr. Sumner is a life-long resident of Gastonia and has worked for most of his business career at AB Carter, Inc., where he attainted the job title of Vice President and General Manager of Carter’s Precision Division. He is a graduate of Wofford College and the University of North Carolina. Mr. Sumner has served in leadership roles in numerous charitable organizations in Gaston County, having served previously as President and Trustee of the Glenn Foundation, President and Campaign Chair of the United Way, President and Campaign Chair of the Gaston Arts Council, President of the Schiele Museum, Treasurer and Trustee of Gaston County Education Foundation, and board member of the Heart Society and the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs. He has also been active at the First Presbyterian Church of Gastonia, where he is the current Chairman of the Legacy of Love Benevolence Committee and Investment Committee.

Mr. Pearson said, “We are extremely pleased that Ernest Sumner is our Executive Director. Ernest is a very capable and personable leader who has had an active role in our community for many years. His background as an experienced business manager and a volunteer leader in local nonprofits make Ernest highly qualified to lead the Foundation. The staff, the Board of Directors, and our fund holders look forward to working with Ernest to advance philanthropy in Gaston County.”

Mr. Pearson also expressed his gratitude to Mr. Hall for serving as Interim Executive Director and to Mr. Hall and Dr. Richard Rankin who co-chaired the Board’s Search Committee for finding a new Executive Director.

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