Durham Chamber CEO, president joins Durham Tech board

Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce’s president and CEO Geoff Durham has been appointed to the Durham Tech Board of Trustees.

Durham was appointed by the Durham County Board of Commissioners in October and will be sworn in on Dec. 4. He will replace former board member Darcel Dillard who resigned earlier this year.

“For nearly 60 years, Durham Tech has been providing high-quality, affordable education programs to students that support long-term economic growth and a work-ready community. I am honored to serve an organization with a track record of improving workforce development and preparing citizens for long-term success,” Durham said.

Durham has been with the Chamber since 2016. Prior, he served as the President/CEO of the economic development organization, Downtown Durham, Inc. While at Downtown Durham, downtown experienced tremendous investment and growth across industry sectors. Geoff facilitated the development of new office, laboratory, and co-working spaces which provided new opportunities for existing businesses to expand and new businesses to relocate to Durham.

Geoff has 20 years of economic development experience. Prior to coming to Durham, Geoff served as the Director of Economic Development in Fairfax, Va., and worked for Montgomery County, Md., as the Urban District Manager of Downtown Silver Spring.

Durham graduated from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va., and earned professional certification in economic development from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and in commercial finance from the Council of Development Finance Agencies.

“Geoff will bring a unique and appreciated perspective to the Board of Trustees. We believe his intricate knowledge of the community will help Durham Tech better serve our residents, and I look forward to working with him to continue supporting the College’s students, faculty, and staff,” said Dr. Bill Ingram, President of Durham Tech.

Durham’s term on the board will end June 30, 2020.

The Durham Tech Board of Trustees consists of 14 voting members and governs Durham Tech. Members are appointed by the North Carolina Governor, Durham County Board of Commissioners, Durham Public Schools Board of Education, and the Orange County Board of Commissioners.

The Trustees serve four-year terms and set local policy for the College. A representative of the Durham Tech Student Government Association serves as a non-voting trustee.