NOTED.
WHAT WE’VE HEARD AROUND OUR TOWNS ...
PHOTO BY ADRIAN MORENO
ON THE MOVE Marcela Slade was named executive director of Abundance NC in January. She grew up in Bogotá, Colombia, before her family moved to Chapel Hill. Marcela graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and a master’s degree in illustration. Marcela began working with Abundance NC through her clothing line, sladesign, in 2018 before the organization hired her as an event coordinator. Marcela works with Smelt Art Gallery, Carrboro Town Hall and Carrboro Century Center as a curator. She also teaches fashion illustration at N.C. State University. Marcela lives in Carrboro with her husband and two sons, ages 17 and 10. She replaces former director Tami Schwerin.
On. Jan. 11, Judge Sherri Murrell swore in Randy L. Bridges as interim superintendent of Chatham County Schools. He takes over LET US KNOW WHAT YOU'VE HEARD! EMAIL NOTED@CHATHAMMAGAZINENC.COM 16
CHATHAM MAGAZINE
Compiled by Nicole Moorefield
for Derrick D. Jordan, who joined the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Randy will serve until the Chatham County Board of Education hires a permanent superintendent. Randy has filled several interim roles as superintendent since retiring from running school systems in Florence, South Carolina; Stafford, Virginia; Burlington, North Carolina; Rock Hill, South Carolina; and Hillsborough, North Carolina. Randy was recognized by the North Carolina Association of Educators and the North Carolina School Boards Association as the top superintendent in the state during his nine years as a superintendent of North Carolina districts including Orange County Schools.
Phil leads a horticulture class at N.C. State University on growing gardenias. His “Prince Charles” gardenia will soon be sold nationwide as “Steady As She Goes,” a variety that blooms from April through November.
The Chatham County Board of Education approved Tripp Crayton as the first principal of Seaforth High School, effective Feb. 15. The school will open in Pittsboro this fall. Tripp had been principal at Jordan-Matthews High School in Siler City since 2015 and was the 2020 Chatham County Schools principal of the year. Assistant principal Donna Barger is the interim principal at Jordan-Matthews.
Chatham County Deputy County Manager and Finance Director Vicki McConnell, who has worked for Chatham County since 1976, retired on Feb. 19. During Vicki’s tenure, the department received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association, which is the highest national honor for governmental accounting and financial reporting for 30 consecutive years. Vicki plans to finish home projects, spend more time at the lake and play her favorite sport – pickleball – in her retirement. Assistant Finance Officer Hope Tally, who has worked for the county for 19 years, was appointed interim finance director.
Phil Dark,
owner of
Oakmont Nursery
in Siler City, closed the garden center on March 4. In his newfound free time,
APRIL / MAY 2021
Perla Ayala
was named the next COO
of Communities in Schools of Chatham County in February. She will start in July. Perla graduated from Central Carolina Community College with an associate degree in accounting in 2010 and completed her bachelor’s degree in business administration through Strayer University in 2019. Perla replaces Pam Johnson, who has worked with the nonprofit since 1999.