Local business leader joins Durham Tech Board of Trustees

Local corporate executive Gracie Johnson-Lopez is the newest member of the Durham Technical Community College Board of Trustees.

Johnson-Lopez is the Founder, President, and Principal Consultant of Diversity & HR Solutions based out of Raleigh. She was sworn in at a Board of Trustees meeting in October.

Johnson-Lopez previously chaired the Durham Tech Foundation Board of Directors from 2013 to 2017 and currently sits on the board of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce. She has also served on the Board of Directors and chaired the Diversity Committee of the Triangle Society for Human Resource Management.

She received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from North Carolina Central University and a Master of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Duke University. She also has received certificates in executive leadership from the University of North Carolina and leadership from the Dartmouth School of Business Management.

Johnson-Lopez was appointed to the Durham Tech Board of Trustees by Gov. Roy Cooper. She took the place of former Board of Trustee member Stephen Barringer, whose term had ended.

John F. Burness and Dr. Tara L. Fikes also were reinstated to their positions of Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.

“We are grateful to Gov. Cooper for appointing Gracie Johnson-Lopez to the Durham Tech Board of Trustees,” Burness said.

“She brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and commitment to Durham Tech’s unique role in advancing social progress and economic development for the residents of our community. Her colleagues on the Trustees look forward to working with her to support President Bill Ingram and the faculty and administrative leadership team and especially our students.”

The 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.