Dr. Gayle Greene was named Wake Tech’s Executive Vice President. She previously served as Senior Vice President of Wake Tech’s Northern Wake Campus, supervising the opening of the campus in 2007 and managing its rapid expansion and enrollment growth, and directed the college’s leadership development program. She joined Wake Tech in 2002 as Dean of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Before that, she chaired the Humanities and Arts Division at Louisburg College in Louisburg, NC, where she was Associate Professor of English and Religion and later served as Vice President of Student Life. She holds an Ed.D. from NC State University, an M.Div. from Southeastern Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, and a BA from Mercer University in Macon, GA.

Dr. Ryan Schwiebert was named Vice President for Information Technology Services and Chief Information Officer for Wake Tech in December 2014. Before coming to Wake Tech, Dr. Schwiebert served as VP of Information Technology and CIO at Southwestern Community College. He earned a BS at Northern Illinois University and an MS and doctorate at Western Carolina University, and he completed the CIO Certificate program at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Dr. Molly Curry became Dean of the Perry Health Sciences Campus and Chief Campus Officer. She has more than 19 years of experience in healthcare and higher education as an experienced critical care nurse, nurse manager, nurse educator, and higher education administrator. At William Peace University, Dr. Curry served as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs; before that, she was chair of the RN-BSN program at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences in Concord, NC. She earned an AAS in Nursing from Wilkes Community College; a BSN from George Mason University; an MSN from Queens University; and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of South Carolina.

Sharon Welker, formerly Department Head of Mathematics and Physics at Wake Tech, was named Dean of Mathematics and Sciences. She has 25 years of experience as a teacher and administrator in higher education. Before coming to Wake Tech, Welker served as Division Chair of Mathematics at Catawba Valley Community College. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Education from Auburn University, a master’s in Mathematics Education from UNC-Pembroke, and an education specialist degree in Higher Education Administration from Appalachian State University.

In April, Wake Tech’s Small Business Center welcomed Theresa Peaden as Director, the first woman to hold that position. Peaden earned an A.A.S. from Edgecombe Community College and a B.S. from Barton College and brings extensive experience to her position. She directed the Small Business Center at Edgecombe Community College and has been in charge of allied health programs, emergency services, fire and rescue training, computer training, and skilled trades programs as well as customized corporate training.

Wake Tech welcomed Katie Gailes as Director of Entrepreneurship Initiatives. She graduated from Bennett College for Women, in Greensboro, and earned an MBA from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business. She had a career with IBM before starting her own business and marketing strategy firm. Gailes joined Wake Tech as an adjunct instructor and small business counselor in 2013.

Wake Tech’s first president, Col. Robert W. LeMay, Jr., passed away on April 10. Col. LeMay served from 1966 to1979. He was retired from the US. Army as a Lieutenant Colonel and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Syracuse University, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.

The 34th annual Advisory Committee Dinner was held in November to thank the many people who offer guidance and expertise to shape college programs and instructional strategies. The college has 70 advisory committees.