SCC’s Board of Trustees welcomed two new members during a regularly scheduled meeting on July 28, and another Trustee was appointed for a new term.
Logan Gillespie of Franklin and Sam Pattillo of Bryson City were officially sworn in as the newest board members by Kim Poteet, Jackson County Clerk of Superior Court in the Slagle Board Room of the Burrell Building at SCC’s Jackson Campus.
Jack Debnam of Sylva was sworn in for his second term.
Gillespie’s term on the board ends on June 30, 2027. The terms for Pattillo and Debnam run through June 30, 2030.
“Taking the Oath of Office is a meaningful commitment to higher education, student success and civic stewardship,” said Dr. Don Tomas, SCC President. “I want to personally congratulate these trustees as they take on this important honor and guide our vision forward.”
Gillespie was appointed by the Macon County Board of Commissioners and is the second generation in his family to serve in this capacity. His father, current N.C. Representative Karl Gillespie, was a member of SCC’s Board of Trustees from 2015-19.
Logan Gillespie holds a Bachelor’s of Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is the Vice President of National Communications, Inc.
“I am excited to support the mission of SCC serving our region and opening the door to opportunities for each student,” Logan Gillespie said. “Living and working in Western North Carolina, it becomes clear the importance of SCC to our community, and I am honored to serve.”
Appointed by the Swain County Board of Commissioners, Pattillo has spent the majority of his career in education. He was an educator and coach, primarily in Swain County Schools, from 1984-2001. From 2001-17, he served as an administrator in Swain County Schools - including a tenure as Superintendent from 2013-17.
Pattillo and his wife Norma have two sons, a daughter and two grandsons.
“I am honored to be part of such an incredible school,” Pattillo said. “SCC has a wide offering of courses and is student-center. SCC provides extensive collaboration with other area schools, including local high schools. SCC also supports Heritage Arts and many community programs.”
Debnam originally joined Southwestern’s board in 2023 and was appointed by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. He and his wife, Gail, own and operate a real estate business as well as the Enloe House Wine Bar in Dillsboro.
He previously served as chair of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners from 2010-14 and also was on the NC Board of Transportation from 2016-21. He’s a past hair of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and was a founding board member for AWAKE Children’s Advocacy Center and served on that board for 25 years.
The Debnams have two children and five grandchildren.
For more information about Southwestern and the programs it offers, visit www.SouthwesternCC.edu, call 828.339.4000 or drop by your nearest SCC location.
