A 1975 graduate of North Carolina Central University, Dr. Ted Thomas went on to MeHarry Medical College in Nashville, TN where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and a certificate in Medical Technology. After 36 years, Thomas retired from his dental practice.

He now continues his duties as pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church in Warsaw, where he has served for 12 years. He is currently enrolled in a Master of Biblical Studies and Theology program at Knox Theological Seminary in Florida. Thomas’ community engagement has included the United Way of Sampson County, Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce, the Sampson County Health Board, and the Kiwanis Club of Clinton, Thomas is a member of the NAACP, Habitat for Humanity, and several other organizations.

Thomas enjoys biking, racquetball, and working in his yard. He joined the SCC Board of Trustees in 2017 and began his service as Chair in June of 2020.

Larinda Haight has spent her career devoted to education. Haight has a degree in Business Administration with a Teaching Certification in Business and Marketing Education that allowed her to work as a teacher in Cumberland County and Washington State. Haight then worked as a Career Development Coordinator at Midway High School. She received her Master’s in School Counseling from Campbell University and has worked as a School Counselor at Midway High School since 2005.

Haight serves as Youth Director and Sunday School teacher at Mt. Elam Baptist Church. She is also a Volunteer Instructor for Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification.

In her spare time, Haight enjoys spending time on her family farm with her family, which includes her young grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Haight serves as Vice Chair for the Board of Trustees and joined the board seven years ago.

After a 40-year career as a K-8 Public school educator, Sandra Carroll’s service on the SCC Board of Trustees was natural. In her eight years of service, Carroll has served as Vice Chair, and been a member of the Personnel and Finance committees, respectively.

One of eight children, Carroll says her father taught her and her siblings “good work values” after the death of her mother at two years old. That included encouraging her to attended Pembroke State University, and to go on to East Carolina University to receive her master’s degree.

In addition to her board service, Carroll attends Mingo Baptist Church. There, she is a Sunday School teacher, bible school director, and a member of the women’s missionary group.

A graduate of Lakewood High School and North Carolina State University, Chris Fann built a life in Sampson County. Fann made a career for himself at Clinton Toyota (which would become Go Automotive and now Deacon Jones Toyota) as General Manager, Vice President, and Sales Manager. In 2018, he would transition to his current role as Sampson County Clerk of Superior Court.

A longtime member of Grove Park Baptist Church. Fann serves as a Sunday School teacher and choir member, and formerly as a Deacon. In the larger community, Fann is a Charter member of the Clinton-Sampson Rotary Club, SRMC Foundation Board, Sampson Agri-Expo Center Board, and Chairman of the Select Bank and Trust Advisory Board. He also serves with the Friends of Sampson County Arts Council, History Museum, and Class Acts.

Fann and his wife of over 40 years, Kim, have two daughters and three grandchildren. In his spare time, Fann enjoys biking, golfing, and cooking. His service with the SCC Board of Trustees includes a term from 1989-1993, and his current term, which began in 2010.

Joyce T. Herring created a career devoted to education, spending 37 years as an educator in the Midway school district. Her dedication spilled over into her community, where she is committed to outreach with her church, Maple Grove United Methodist Church. Herring’s outreach efforts also include assisting at the polls in the Westbrook Community.

A grandmother, Herring has taken her devotion a step further — writing unique songs for each of her grandchildren and taking them on car rides through her community.

Herring joined the SCC Board of Trustees in 2018, serving as Chair of the Finance Committee from 2019-2020.

Pat Jones’s life and career have been dedicated to education and community. A graduate of Louisburg College and East Carolina University, Jones also attended Duke Graduate School. For 42 years, Jones taught and coached high school in North Carolina.

Jones is a Past President and member of the Clinton-Sampson Retired Teacher Association, Sampson County Representative for Senior Tar Heel Legislature, Past President of the Sampson County AARP, Past President of North Carolina Coaches Association, and Coached the East All-Stars in 1985.

Jones joined the SCC Board of Trustees in 1998 and currently serves on the Finance and Personnel Committees. Jones enjoys golfing, hunting, fishing, and gardening. He and his wife of 65 years, Mary, have two children, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Catherine Ezzell Joyner works as president of her family’s local trucking company, Ezzell Trucking, based out of Harrells, NC. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, then receiving her MBA from Wake Forest University, Joyner worked in banking for several years before returning to Clinton.

Joyner’s board service includes two years of service on the Personnel Committee. She also serves on the board for the United Way of Sampson County, and formerly with the board for the Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce.

In her spare time, Joyner enjoys exercising, riding horses, reading, and spending time with her husband and their new son.

Vivian Carter Maynor spent nearly 40 years in education – 39 years and seven months to be exact. With a Master’s in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and a Specialist degree in Administration & Curriculum from UNCP as well, Maynor’s education experience was in and out of the classroom.

Maynor Is actively involved in her church, East Carolina Holiness Church, where she’s served as church secretary and treasurer, Sunday School teacher, and Bible study teacher. She currently serves as Commissioner of the NC Indian Housing Authority Board,

In her spare time, Maynor enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her son and his family, which includes her granddaughter.

Maynor is the Board of Trustees’ most recent member.

Herb Sanderson graduated from East Carolina University in 1984 and began a life-long career dedicated to education. He would go on to retire from Sampson County Schools, where he spent several years as a school administrator. Sanderson also dedicated his life to hard work outside of the school system as a swine and livestock farmer.

A true outdoorsman, Sanderson enjoys fishing and working outdoors and can often be found tinkering on his classic Ford Bronco or traveling in his RV. Sanderson is a Sunday School Superintendent and deacon at his church, Siloam Baptist Church, in Harrells, NC.

Sanderson and his wife of 34 years, Sheila, have one adult daughter and two grandchildren.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, for both undergraduate and medical school, Dr. Paul Viser has been practicing medicine for 34 years.

Viser’s community involvement extends in and beyond Sampson County. He joined the UNC Medical Foundation in 1992 and currently serves as the Chair of the National Loyalty Fund Committee. Viser joined the UNC Arts and Sciences Foundation in 2015, where he served on the Biology Advisory Board. His local involvement includes membership with the Sampson Crisis Center (now Sampson Partners) since 1992, and with the SCC Foundation since 2012, where he served as President from 2016-2018. Viser joined the SCC Board of Trustees in 2018.

Viser and his wife of 29 years, Diane, have three adult children and one grandchild. In his spare time, Viser enjoys woodworking.

With a life-long career in education, C. Michael Warren was no stranger to the discussions at monthly meetings when he joined the SCC Board of Trustees in July 2019. With a Master’s in Educational Administration from East Carolina University and a Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Warren’s commitment to education runs deep.

That commitment includes six years of service with the Sampson County Board of Education from 1978-1984. Warren is also a former member of the Kiwanis Club, Lion’s Club, and the Clinton-Sampson Rotary Club.

A father of three adult children, Warren is a member of Hopewell United Methodist Church in Newton Grove, NC, a husband, and an avid golfer.