Brunswick Community College recently welcomed Douglas “Doug” Dawson and R. Kent Wood to its board of trustees.

According to a news release, Dawson (pictured in photo to the right, at left) and Wood (pictured at left in photo below) were sworn in by board member Sheila Grady (at right in both photos), who is also the mayor of the town of Northwest, during the board’s regular meeting Aug. 20. The N.C. House of Representatives sponsored Dawson, and the N.C. Senate sponsored Wood, the release stated.

“We are fortunate to welcome two accomplished leaders who bring tremendous experience and a strong commitment to service,” said BCC president Gene Smith in the release. “Mr. Dawson and Mr. Wood understand the importance of Brunswick Community College to our students, employers, and community. I look forward to working with them and appreciate their willingness to serve BCC in this important role.”

Dawson brings more than four decades of military and public service leadership to the board, according to the release. He served 41 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve, retiring as a captain, along with 33 years in federal civil service, the release stated.

Since relocating to Brunswick County, Dawson has remained active in public service. He serves as chief and president of Brunswick Search and Rescue, volunteers with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol and serves as Eastern Representative to the North Carolina Search and Rescue Advisory Council, according to the release.

Wood brings more than 35 years of experience in real estate, accounting, finance and executive leadership, the release stated. A licensed North Carolina real estate broker and former CPA, he has held senior leadership roles in commercial real estate, investment, finance and brokerage, according to the release. 

"Wood is also a longtime community leader with a strong connection to BCC. He previously served as president and a member of The Foundation of Brunswick Community College Board of Directors," the release stated. "His leadership experience also includes serving as president and a board member of the Charlotte Region Commercial Board of Realtors, chairman of the Realtors Commercial Alliance of the North Carolina Association of Realtors and president of the Charlotte SouthPark Rotary Club.