The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust announced Joe Crocker, director of the Local Impact in Forsyth County program area, will retire at the end of the year after a long career serving the residents of Forsyth County and North Carolina.
Joe joined the Trust team in 2010 to oversee local grantmaking, which focuses on improving the quality of life for Forsyth County residents with low incomes. During his tenure at the Trust, Joe has been committed to improving safety net and education services locally while also supporting the foundation as grantmaking evolved from a charitable model to goal-oriented investments. Since 2015, Joe has overseen the Trust’s long-term special initiative Great Expectations to ensure Forsyth County’s youngest children are ready for success in school and life by the time they finish Kindergarten.
“Joe’s passion for and commitment to helping Forsyth County families is visible in all that he does,” said Trust President Dr. Laura Gerald. “His knowledge of the community and local nonprofit sector has been a huge asset to the Trust over the past 10 years. We want to thank Joe for all he’s done to carry out Mrs. Reynolds’ vision and for his dedication to the Trust as we’ve worked to have a greater impact. We will all miss Joe and wish him the best in retirement.”
Well known for his extensive civic career across the Carolinas, Joe previously served as the director of operations for the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, the assistant secretary for community development for the North Carolina Department of Commerce, senior vice president at Wachovia Corporation, and chairman of the board of trustees at Western Carolina University. Joe grew up in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, and graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in business administration.
Joe remains committed to helping North Carolina residents thrive and will continue to serve on the Winston-Salem Foundation Committee, the NC Medical Care Commission, and the NC Housing Finance Agency. He is also very active with United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church where he serves as chair of the Board of Deacons. Joe is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren in retirement and is sure to be found on golf courses around Forsyth County and the state in his newfound free time.
The Trust will be hiring new staff to oversee Forsyth County grantmaking, as well as filling other key roles. Check the Trust’s website for upcoming announcements about open positions.