PITTSBORO — The Chatham Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce that Jack Pendergraph has joined the organization as a business retention and expansion specialist, handling existing industry development efforts for the organization.
Pendergraph earned his bachelor’s degree in political science at East Carolina University, with a concentration in public administration. Following his degree, Pendergraph enrolled in a Master of Public Administration program at UNC-Chapel Hill, from which he will graduate this May.
“We know Jack will be a great fit for our team,” EDC President Michael Smith said. “His related work experience, educational background and understanding of the economic development process in North Carolina will be very helpful for our community during this time of new development in Chatham.”
Pendergraph is joining the EDC as Chatham County is amid a transformation, with VinFast, Wolfspeed and several other new companies committing 9,000 jobs and over $9 billion of investment. Pendergraph will work closely with Chatham County’s existing industries to ensure their success and expansion within the county to preserve and create high-quality jobs for Chatham citizens.
Greg Lewis, the chairperson of EDC board of directors, said the organization has been “very much looking forward” to having Pendergraph on board.
“He stood out as the best candidate for the job of supporting Chatham’s employers with his background in economic development and local government,” Lewis said. “With Jack on the team, the EDC will continue to strengthen the county’s industrial tax base and help connect our industries with the community.”
While pursuing his master’s degree, Pendergraph held positions throughout North Carolina, including with the Mid-East Commission as a disaster recovery specialist in Economic Development Planning, as a performance analyst with the Village of Pinehurst, and time working with Beaufort County Economic Development as an intern.
Pendergraph’s first day with the EDC was April 17.