NC Stop Human Trafficking is guided by incredible community leaders in North Carolina.
Meet our board:
Gregg James, Chair
Gregg James has served on the Board of Directors for NC Stop Human Trafficking for a decade.
He is also an attorney at law and president of Gregory K. James, P.A.
He has a Bachelor of Arts from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctorate from Campbell School of Law.
James began his involvement with NC Stop Human Trafficking by volunteering to fair trade products on behalf of NC Stop Human Trafficking’s fledgling program at the time, Fair Traders Project, at his church, Oakmont Baptist Church.
His compassionate and committed volunteer spirit led him to continue to serve in various capacities with the organization and on the Board of Directors.
He enjoys working with the organization because he likes seeing how education efforts are creating a greater awareness of the issue and the process is creating a community support system to address the issue of human trafficking.
In his spare time, he enjoys reading mystery novels and spending time with his wife and son.
Pitt County Sheriff Paula Dance
Sheriff Paula Dance joined the board of NC Stop Human Trafficking in 2020.
During her time on the board, she has implemented positive changes on the community level, which includes assigning a special human trafficking investigator at the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office.
She is the first African-American woman to serve as sheriff in the state of North Carolina, and NC Stop Human Trafficking is glad to have her voice and leadership experience.
Her experience on the law enforcement side of human trafficking is an invaluable tool as the state wrestles with the complexities of human trafficking
Faris Dixon, Pitt County District Attorney
Fair Dixon joined the NC Stop Human Trafficking Board of Directors in 2020.
He currently serves as the Pitt County District Attorney, and through his work he has served survivor/victims of human trafficking.
Dixon’s nuanced insights into the needs of survivor/victims with is a valuable skill in guiding the direction of the organization.
“One of the most effective means to end this problem is education. The education of potential victims about the dangers of human trafficking and the education of the community about the red flags that should raise concerns,” Dixon said.
In his spare time he enjoys watching professional and college football and college basketball. He’s a fan of science fiction, history and music, and enjoys working out in his off time.
Rose Marie-Colon
Rose Marie-Colon began serving on NC Stop Human Trafficking’s board of directors in 2020.
Marie-Colon is a social work case manager at Vidant Medical Center, which is where she became interested in human trafficking, after NC Stop Human Trafficking Founder Pam Strickland spoke at an annual social work celebration for the hospital.
She graduated from East Carolina University with a Master of Social Work in 1999. While she has been serving on the board she has used her core values and skills as a social worker to provide resources and advocacy for survivor/victims of human trafficking and assist in educating communities across the state.
“I feel that being a part of this organization brings several issues to light – education for the community, advocacy for those that have been victims, and overall awareness of how prevalent human trafficking is in our society,” said Marie-Colon.
Outside of her social work career and serving on the board she spends time with her husband, two dogs and three cats on their farm managing their garden and property.
Julio E Maldonado
Julio Maldonado has served on NC Stop Human Trafficking’s Board of Directors since 2020.
Maldonado is the director of interpreter services at Vidant Medical Center and became acquainted with NC Stop Human Trafficking in 2020. He is an advocate for social justice, and working in the anti-human trafficking movement aligns with his social justice ideals.
As a board member he brings important and necessary experience and deep insight into cultural competence.
Maldonado recently celebrated the birth of a son and enjoys reading, the outdoors, spending time with family and playing chess.
Marie Welch
Marie Welch began serving on on the Board in 2015.
She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Boston College and then went on to graduate with her Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Rehab Studies from East Carolina University.
She holds her Rehabilitation Registered Nurse certification.
Welch is currently retired, but was once a clinical nurse specialist in Rehab and Stroke Coordinator at Vidant.
She got involved with NC Stop Human Trafficking when she retired because she desired a meaningful activity to occupy her time. Ever since then, she has been a staunch advocate, volunteer and a valued voice to the board and the organization as a whole.
She enjoys being out in public and knowing that she’s helping her community.
In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family and her dog and traveling to the Outer Banks. She is also on the Advocacy Coordinating Committee of the American Heart Association Board.
Rhonda Grant Jordan
Rhonda Grant Jordan joined the board of directors in 2021. She serves as the Associate Pastor Mission and Empowerment at Jarvis United Methodist Church.
She was inspired to offer her time and leadership expertise to the governance of the organization based on her 20 years in the public mental health systems where she encountered many situations of exploitation. She said, “some we were able to deal with, some unfortunately slipped through the cracks. That should not happen.”
Through those experiences, her work as associate pastor of mission and empowerment and the tragic death of a 16-year-old girl in Greenville, NC, where she is lives and works, was the catalyst for her joining the board.
Her valued skills in communication, leadership, collaborative models, determination, and interpersonal skills are a needed addition to the leadership of NC Stop Human Trafficking.
On her off-time she enjoys walking, going to the beach, driving in scenic rural areas, travel to other countries, reading, and aqua aerobics.
