COVID Info
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners Meetings:
The 3rd Monday of Every Month at 4:30 pm.
Finance Committee Meetings:
The 3rd Monday of Every Month at 4:00 pm
For questions about attendance, please contact the Administrative Office at 252-633-0800. Committee Meetings are in person only.
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Jennell Reddick - Chairwoman |
Jennell Reddick is a native of New Bern, North Carolina. In 1991, she graduated from New Bern High School. Thereafter, she attended Eastern Carolina University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Math Education, Minor in Business Administration, and a Master in Administration and Curriculum Instruction. She is the second-generation President of, R.L. Thompson Company Inc, a business formed by her father. Jennell began her career in the public education system, where she worked as a high school math teacher. Jennell has a passion for education. She is in continuous pursuit to educate and connect available resources to her community. She is currently the CEO and founder of Open Doors Academy, an up-and-coming private trade school in Craven County. Mrs. Reddick's zeal for education has aided her reputation as a determined GO GETTER! |
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Sabrina Bengel - Vice Chairwoman |
Sabrina Bengel has lived in New Bern since 1980 and has been actively serving this City since she arrived. Elected to serve as Alderman of Ward One in both 2009 and again in 2017 serving 2 4-year terms which included 2 years as Mayor Pro Tem. During her time in office, she was dedicated to finding solutions for better housing and improving neighborhoods in our city, working with the Housing Authority as well as serving as ex-officio on the New Bern Redevelopment Commission. Mrs. Bengel has been honored with numerous awards; Entrepreneur of the Year by the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce in 1994, Woman of Achievement by the North Carolina Federation of Women's Club in 2011, East Carolina University Distinguished Service Award October 2012, East Carolina University Incredible Woman October 2013, Craven Community College Fabric Award for Leadership April 2015, and Recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Pat McCrory 2016 Mrs. Bengel is married to Steve Bengel a New Bern native and has 2 children and 3 grandchildren. She was appointed as a Commissioner to serve on the Housing Authority Board in January 2023. |
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Jim Copland - Treasurer |
James R. Copland is a senior fellow with and director of legal policy for the Manhattan Institute. His has researched an array of issues at the intersection of law and economics. Copland regularly submits formal comments to government rulemaking bodies and has testified before both houses of Congress, state and municipal legislatures, and international and federal commissions. He has authored one book, The Unelected: How an Unaccountable Elite is Governing America (Encounter Books, 2020), in addition to many policy briefs, book chapters, articles, and opinion pieces; has made hundreds of media appearances; and has been cited frequently in news articles in leading periodicals. On multiple occasions, Copland has been named to the National Association of Corporate Directors "Directorship 100" list, which designates the individuals most influential over U.S. corporate governance. Copland has been a director or fiduciary of multiple privately held companies, public enterprises, and nonprofit organizations, including currently as a director and executive committee member for the Tryon Palace Foundation; a founding director and treasurer of the African American Heritage and Culture Center of New Bern; and a trustee and chairman of the Finance, Audit, and Advancement Committee for Elizabeth City State University. He previously served on the board of elders of First Presbyterian Church of New Bern and as a trustee of the Epiphany School of Global Studies. Copland was previously a management consultant with McKinsey and Company in New York. Earlier, he was a law clerk for Ralph K. Winter on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He holds a J.D. and an M.B.A. from Yale, an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics, and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a Morehead Scholar. He, his wife Tahira, and his children Ben and Elizabeth live in downtown New Bern. |
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Denise Harris-Powell |
Denise Harris-Powell is a native of New Bern. She attended Craven County Schools and is a graduate of the class of 1979. In 1983, she graduated from St. Augustine College with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. Ms. Harris-Powell serviced 30 years with the City of New Bern Police Department, serving in numerous capacities throughout her career as Captain over the Patrol Division, Criminal Investigation Division, and the Support Services Division. Captain Harris-Powell, as she was known to the great community of New Bern, served with commitment and pride to ensure the safety of all citizens. She continues to commit her time and talents by volunteering at Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP, Senior Outreach, Craven County Meals on Wheels, NO KID Hungry Summer Meals Program, Without Limits Christian Dream Team, and ALMC Food Bank Program. In 1990, she married Chandler Powell. They have three amazing children Nicole, Chandler Jr., and Denzel. They also have a beautiful granddaughter, Layla. Ms. Harris-Powell loves to walk, often walking several miles through the community. |
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Sulin Blackmon - Resident Commissioner |
Sulin Blackman was born in South Bronx New York on September 8th, 1992, and has resided in Craven County for most of her life. She currently is a resident of Trent Court. A graduate of West Craven High School Class of 2011, Ms. Blackmon continued her education to pursue a career in the medical field and became certified as a CNA. She has also pursued other certifications in the medical field and is continuing towards her goals within that field. Her most important job is as a devoted mother of a lovely 3-year-old who adores and loves his mother. Ms. Blackmon is strong, independent, straightforward, open-minded, and a very understanding woman, who is willing to serve the community and achieve the goals behind it. She is a heart-led servant, dedicated to making sure every voice is heard, and to fight for those who can't fight for themselves. Ms. Blackmon was appointed to serve as the Resident Commissioner in 2022 and is committed to honoring, respecting, and serving the residents of the New Bern Housing Authority. |
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Pastor Daimon King |
Born in New Jersey, but raised in Raleigh/Garner, NC, Daimon is a truly a North Carolinian who has called New Bern home for more than a decade. He currently serves as Pastor of New Beginnings Celebration. Daimon has served as the Secretary, the President, and Immediate Past-President of the New Bern Toastmasters International Club, as well as Area 93 Director. In Toastmasters his other accomplishments are Advanced Leader, Advanced Communicator Gold, Triple Crown Recipient, and an award winning public speaker in the categories of International speech, Table Topics speech, and Story Telling.
Daimon was a founding member of the Craven-Pamlico Re-entry Council and served as the overseer/administrator and counselor of the Desert Storm Transitional Facility, assisting others in recovering their lives and successfully transition back into society that they may achieve greater success than ever before. He was also an instrumental part of winning "Ban the Box" on City of New Bern job applications and working with the Second Chance Alliance to petition the NC Legislators for Second Chance legislation for fair employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated persons.
Along with his new position as a Commissioner on the Board of Commissioners of the New Bern Housing Authority, Daimon remains active in various New Bern community organizations, and is a requested speaker for faith, freedom, and political organizations from Washington, DC to Atlanta, GA.
Daimon is married to his wife Alice. They have four children, and two grandchildren.
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Pastor Scott Coghill |