United Minority Contractors of North Carolina (UMCNC) is managed under the direction of its Board of Directors.
All powers of the corporation are exercised by or under the authority of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will have all of the rights and privileges of general members with full voting privileges.
Board of Directors:
Officers - Patrice Gilmore, Chair, Holt Brothers Construction LLC; James Clayton, Vice Chair, Rodgers Builders; Monique Young, Treasurer, One Accord Services; Denise Thompson, Secretary, LeChase Construction;
Board Members – Kaye Gantt, The Institute; Renee Jones, SkanskaUSA Building; Walter Lennon, Sinclair Building; Michelle Keaton-Barrow, Keaton Barrow Realty
Advisory Committee – Garland Burton, Theodore “Ted” Edwards, The Banks Law Firm & Gloria Shealey, The Daniele Company
Patrice Gilmore, CCA, Chair
Patrice has over sixteen years of experience in the construction industry. As Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for Holt Brothers Construction (a certified minority owned business), Patrice manages the firm’s diversity program and assists in business development efforts. Patrice’s work in diversity has been recognized by various state and local agencies. In 2015, Patrice was selected as one of Triangle Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. Patrice is a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management.
James Clayton, Vice Chair
James has worked as a construction professional at Rodgers Builders in Charlotte, North Carolina since 2001. Rodgers is the largest certified woman owned construction company in the state. In his current role as Director of Diversity and Community is a strong advocate for the inclusion of minority, women and small businesses throughout the Carolinas and the surrounding areas. James is a graduate of Tuskegee University with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management.
Monique Young, Treasurer
Monique is the owner of One Accord Services based on Raleigh North Carolina. Monique Young is married with two children and enjoys gardening. Working with UMCNC enables Monique an opportunity to support businesses in their growth and sustainability. It also enables Monique to help cultivate the next generation workforce in the construction industry.
Denise Thompson, Secretary
Denise has over ten years of experience in construction administration and diversity management. Her experience also includes bank operations, accounting and project coordination. As Regional Diversity Manager for Lechase Construction, Denise focuses on making connections, building and preserving relationships, ensuring compliance, and promoting an inclusive vendor community. She has a passion for helping others and has been recognized both internally and externally for her genuine efforts. Denise graduated Summa Cum Laude from Shaw University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. She received a Master of Business Administration with a Human Resources concentration from Pfeiffer University.
Kaye Gantt
Kaye has thirty years of experience with a concentration in bank operations, regulatory compliance, business development, retail and commercial lending. Prior to joining NCIMED, Kaye was Senior Vice President of Bank Operations, Compliance, and Security for a community bank in North Carolina. Since 2010, Kaye and her team has assisted more than 400 contractors with obtaining over $48 million in contract opportunities in the state.
Michelle Keaton-Barrow
Michelle Keaton-Barrow is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a BS in Chemical Engineering. She worked for the State of North Carolina and Union Carbide. She traded in her lab coat and career in research when she decided to become a female business owner. She founded Keaton Barrow Realty, Inc. a real estate company that provides residential and commercial services in both Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina. Michelle is also the CEO of Green Dynamics, LLC a sustainability consulting company.
Walter Lennon
Walter is the Owner of Sinclair Contracting LLC, a general contracting and construction management firm in Wake Forest, NC. Walter has twenty years of successful leadership, management and engineering experience on large and complex projects. Walter is a Licensed General Contractor and received a Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Computers from North Carolina A&T State University.
Garland Burton
With more than thirty years in the construction industry, Garland has a distinguished record in the development of strategic business relationships and in the implementation of programs designed to expand the inclusion of diverse populations in both public and private construction projects. Garland is a graduate of Saint Augustine’s College with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management.
Gloria Shealey
Gloria Shealey is President/CEO of The Daniele Company LLC and past president of UMCNC and NAMC. The Daniele Company is a commercial general contracting and construction management firm in Durham, North Carolina. Gloria has over 25 years of comprehensive experience in structuring, managing and completing a variety of commercial construction projects. Gloria received a Bachelor of Art in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Housing and Urban Development from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Theodore “Ted” Edwards
Ted is a Principal at The Banks Law Firm and acting legal counsel for UMCNC. Ted focuses his practice on commercial litigation and is a certified mediator. In 2006, Ted was awarded the William L. Thorpe Pro Bono Attorney Award by the North Carolina Bar Association, which recognizes attorneys who provide exceptional pro bono legal assistance to low-income citizens. In 2012, he served as President of the Wake County Bar Association. Mr. Edwards is currently serving as a member of the North Carolina State Bar Council. Ted graduated from Duke University with a double major in Political Science and Sociology. He also received his Juris Doctor degree from Duke University School of Law.
