CULLOWHEE – Speaker of the House of Representatives Tim Moore has appointed two members to the Board of Trustees of the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT), a recognized national leader in professional development programming for our state's teachers.
The following individuals are new members of the NCCAT Board of Trustees:
Mr. Richard L. Stout of Onslow County. A 32-year career in education led Rick Stout through seven school districts and from the classroom to the superintendent's office. He served as Superintendent for Onslow County Schools (2013-2018) and Scotland County Schools (2009-2013) after several different roles in education and administration. Stout was named Regional Superintendent of the Year in 2016 and served as President of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (2005-2006). He also served on various professional and civic boards, including as a Board Member of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA) (1994-2019). Mr. Stout has served as a member of the Development Foundation of NCCAT Inc. Board.
Mr. Douglas S. Penland of Clay County. Penland has had a distinguished career in North Carolina education, including most recently serving as Superintendent of Cherokee Central Schools. He retired from the Clay County School System after 38 years of service, where he was Superintendent of Schools for 32 years. The Western Carolina University alumnus was honored as the Western Regional Superintendent of the Year twice and was the North Carolina Superintendent of the Year in 1996. Penland is a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, an annual award to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to North Carolina. Mr. Penland has served as a member of the NCCAT Board of Trustees.
"I am pleased these individuals continue to serve NCCAT and North Carolina education," NCCAT Executive Director Dr. M. Brock Womble said. "We are honored to have them as NCCAT Board of Trustees members."
The appointments were approved in Senate Bill 733. Their terms will expire on June 30, 2025.
Per Section 115C-296.6 of the North Carolina General Statutes, the NCCAT Board of Trustees is composed of the following membership: the Chairman of the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction or their designees (both ex officio members); two members appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate; two members appointed by the General Assembly upon the request of the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and eight members appointed by the Governor, one from each of the eight educational regions.