N.C. A&T Alumnus Ford Elected to UNC Board of Governors

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (March 23, 2021) – Former North Carolina Senator and 1992 North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University alumnus Joel Ford has been named to the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors. Ford was elected by the North Carolina Senate as a replacement for Darrell Allison, who resigned after being named chancellor of Fayetteville State University.

North Carolina Policy Watch recently quoted Ford saying, “Having served in the General Assembly, I do believe it could be a positive contribution just based upon the nature of the work.”

He added, “From working on education to Senate Appropriations, that and my independent thinking … to me, that can only be a plus… I am very appreciative and humbled by the opportunity to serve the state in this capacity.”

While a three-term senator, Ford served on the Transportation, Transportation Appropriations and Transportation Oversight Joint Legislative committees and worked on numerous other legislative agendas.

Self-characterized as an independent thinker, he’s a supporter of school choice options and is currently a member of the North Carolina Charter School Advisory Board.

Ford’s election to the Board of Governors marks three direct member connections with A&T and the Piedmont Triad including Jimmy Clark, president and owner of Greensboro’s Guy M. Turner, Inc., one of North America’s largest privately-owned crane, rigging and heavy/specialized transportation companies; and commercial real estate investor and developer Marty Kotis.

This is the first time that a N.C. A&T alumnus has served on the BOG since the late Franklin McCain, who served from 2010 until his death in 2014. McCain was better known as a member of the A&T Four, who launched a national movement to integrate Woolworth’s lunch counters and break down racial barriers in public accommodations in 1960.   

Ford’s term will run through 2023, completing the final two years of Allison’s term.