JOHN C. FELDER
Driving Towards Change
Introduction of 2026
August 23,2025
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
RCC Cole Auditorium . Hamlet, NC
John C. Felder CEO & Founder, Premier Automotive Export, Ltd.
John parents were Myra and Ozie Felder Sr. He is the oldest of two siblings, Ozie Felder, Jr and Arnesta Felder Turner. John and his lovely wife Judie are the proud parents of three beautiful daughters; Devon Coutouzis, Vanessa Rembert, Jennifer Felder, and a beautiful daughter Stacey Johnson from a previous marriage. He is a very proud grandfather to Krysta Wilkins, Peyton Johnson, Jalen Johnson, Myra Felder, John Felder, III, Chandler Rembert, John Rembert, Eden Coutouzis, Jacob Coutouzis and Shiloh Coutouzis.
John grew up in a family oriented community on the North Yard, currently known as Dobbins Heights, Hamlet, NC. He attended Capital Highway Elementary School and graduated from Monroe Avenue High School. John was an excellent scholar and athlete. He played football, baseball and a member of the Crown and Scepter Club.
John continued his education by enrolling in North Carolina Central (NCCU) as a pre-medical major. In his fourth year, he left early without earning a degree and decided to enlist in the U. S. Air Force where he worked as an Air Traffic Controller. He served in Vietnam one year. After his discharge from military, he began his 40 years experience in the automotive industry with Chrysler Corporation and became an executive for 25 years. Before he retired in 2002, John’s determination
and desire to get his degree, drove him to enroll in a program at Chrysler and completed his Bachelor Degree at the University of Maryland Global Campus, graduating in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing.
John took a leap of faith and followed his dream to exploit the opportunity to start his own automotive business. Founder and CEO of Premiere Automotive Export (PAE), was incorporated in 2007 in Columbia, MD. PAE initially sold electric vehicles to the Bahamas, Barbados and Grand Cayman. During the Obama-Biden Administration (2009-2017) and the Trump-Pence Administration (2017-2021). PAE was awarded the first two licenses from the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the United States Department of Commerce to export electric vehicles and charging stations from the United States to the Republic of Cuba. Exports to the United States Embassy, the city of Havana, the Republic of Cuba was specifically authorized by the second license. PAE has received five BIS licenses since 2017, including the first BIS license to export an electric vehicle to an embassy located in the Republic of Cuba.
On November 17, 2022, the Biden and Harris Administration granted the Department of Commerce permission to export the first electric vehicles and electric scooters to Cuba.
August 26, 2023, at a Gala Premier in Columbia, MD showing the documentary “Driving Towards Change”. John was presented a Proclamation by Mayor Antonio Blue of Dobbins Heights, NC declaring August 26 “John C. Felder Day” for his perseverance and achievements for being the first person in history to export electric vehicles to Cuba.
John has received numerous awards:
• Paul Harris Fellow
• The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
• Daimler Chrysler Chairman’s Award winner 2001
• Delivered the first electric vehicles in the Caribbean in 2009
• Delivered the first electric vehicle to Cuba in 2017 to Guyana
Opening Remarks
Gloris J. Butler, Event Chairperson
Prayer Welcome
Mayor Antonio Blue, Dobbins Heights, NC
Mayor Amy Quinn, City of Hamlet, NC
Introduction of Scholarship Committee Members
Pamela McNeil and Maurice Stewart
Speaker
Trevor Headley Engineer/Facilitator of EV Training Program
Tutor 1 Retired Barbados Community College
Documentary Screening
Driving Towards Change
Produced by Peter and Pamela McNeil
Closing Remarks
John C. Felder
John Felder Day SECOND ANNUAL
August 23, 2025
Acknowledgements
I would like to express my gratitude to Jason Andrews, Pamela McNeil, Antonio Blue, Mayor of Dobbins Heights, for their support. A special appreciation to Gloris Butler for coordinating the John Felders Scholarship Award Introduction event.
Recognitions
Gloris J. Butler .............. Scholarship Event Chairperson
Pamela McNeill ............ Scholarship Preparer Coordinator
Joey Bennett ................. Event Director RCC Cole Auditorium
Jason Andrews .............. Ticket and Program Designer