Lonette, a Wake County native, graduated from North Carolina State University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, and a concentration in Criminal Justice. She began her 30-plus years of work experience as a probation/parole officer with the North Carolina Department of Correction, Division of Adult Probation and Parole. She was the first African American female intensive probation/parole officer in Wake County. After leaving the Department of Correction, she began employment with Carolina Correctional Services Inc., where she managed the first Wake County Day Reporting Center. The center functioned as an alternative to incarceration in accordance with state's Structured Sentencing Act. Lonette was instrumental in the development of the policies and procedures for the Day Reporting Center and was responsible for the operation, coordination and management of the center.
In 2002, Lonette joined Wake Tech as the coordinator for Correction Education (Immured Populations). During later became Dean of the Occupational Services Division. Lonette oversees several service areas/departments.
Lonette is passionate about the welfare of others and equal opportunities for all. She has been married for more than 25 years and has two children.
Chris had his first taste of entrepreneurship at the age of 10, when he began delivering New York Newsday. He's opened a dozen businesses and helped other people start dozens more. Even as an active-duty 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper, he created a production company during his downtime.
Over the past two decades, Chris focused on working with national recording artists in developing their own record labels and has worked with members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Chris likes to ride his Harley Davidson, follow New York Yankees baseball, and spend time with his family. He's a proud combat veteran and remains focused on working with historically underserved communities. Chris will be working on the Launch Wake County programs, serving students internally with entrepreneurship programs, and more.
