Davidson Community Foundation

The Davidson Community Foundation is an all-volunteer effort powered by a group of local leaders. Our Board of Advisors includes representatives from the community, local nonprofits, and Davidson College. Members are selected based on work experience and community involvement, as well as racial, socioeconomic and geographic diversity. Please contact info@davidsoncommunityfoundation.org if you would like to get involved by serving, donating, providing input or asking questions.

Our Board of Advisors

Chris Ahearn

Chris Ahearn is an independent communications professional with more than 30 years’ experience in corporate communications and reputation management. Chris has led communications and public affairs teams for FORTUNE® 50 retailer Lowe’s Companies, Inc., Food Lion, Inc., as well as companies in the wholesale distribution and healthcare industries. Most recently, Chris served as CEO of Our Towns Habitat for Humanity, providing decent affordable housing in the greater Lake Norman area. She is a member of the North Mecklenburg Rotary Club, Women’s Impact Fund, and Davidson College Presbyterian Church. She and her husband Jack live in Davidson.

Davidson is an amazing community, but there are needs that are not always apparent, and everyday challenges many residents face just to make ends meet. Serving on the Davidson Community Foundation Board is one way I can serve the Town I love.

Jane Avinger

Jane Avinger has been an active citizen of Davidson since 1967. She is a member of Davidson College Presbyterian Church and has served our community through her church. She served 10 years on the Town of Davidson Board of Commissioners, and has been a member of the Ada Jenkins Center and Davidson-Cornelius Child Development Center boards of directors. She is currently serving on the Town of Davidson Public Arts Committee.

As a concerned, committed, and passionate Davidsonian, Jane is excited about the opportunity that the Davidson Community Foundation offers to maintain and improve the life and spirit of our wonderful town.

Bill Boehmler

After graduating from Yale University, Bill proudly served in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant in the Supply Corps. He also earned an MBA at Harvard University. Following a successful career in finance, across private equity, investment banking, corporate finance and consulting, Bill and his wife Sarah settled in Davidson. All three of Bill and Sarah’s daughters graduated from Davidson College, which holds a very special place in the Boehmler family’s hearts. While working in Manhattan, Bill served as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in Harlem and Queens, and led his church’s successful efforts to provide 40 housing units for the homeless.

Bill is encouraged that the recently founded Davidson Community Foundation has met the emergency needs of our neighbors, and has enhanced charitable giving in Davidson in support of local non-profits, and believes the Foundation holds promise for bringing together our local charities in pursuit of shared objectives.

Bob Boyd

In his professional life, Bob Boyd was an advisor to private equity funds and organizations on how to build successful companies, create inclusive corporate cultures and develop cohesive teams. He and his wife, Maurya, graduated from Davidson College and have remained deeply involved with the college and community. Maurya is a Davidson faculty member; their two sons are also Davidson alums. Bob fell in love with this area during his college days, and he believes serving on the board offers an opportunity to help preserve the community and provide meaningful support for the future. 

Faye Bowman

With a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Carolina University and a master’s from Appalachian State University, Faye Bowman began her career teaching in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System and then became a consultant for Scott Foresman publishers. She later worked in sales for Lederle Laboratories before returning to the classroom. She has served on the board of the Metrolina Association for the Blind and supported various musical groups and scouting activities. Since moving to The Pines at Davidson, she has volunteered with Bridge Builders at Davidson United Methodist Church, assisting high school students with issues related to college admission, budgeting and life challenges. Faye says she is eager to help Davidson Community Foundation support the needs of local residents.

Marvin Brandon

Marvin is a Davidson native, chairman of the Board of Trustees at Gethsemane Baptist Church and secretary of the Board of Directors for the Ada Jenkins Center. Marvin also serves as a member of the Davidson College Commission on Race and Slavery. He assists with the Town of Davidson Civics 101 class. A 31-year Army veteran, he retired as a manager with AT&T. He is a graduate of Urbana University, in Ohio, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and is a 32nd degree Prince Hall Mason.

Marvin looks forward to meeting with members of the Davidson community to identify our greatest needs, and to shaping transformative programs to benefit the more vulnerable and underserved members of our community.

Dave Cable

I’m a passionate conservationist who resides in, and loves, the Davidson community. Following a banking career, I was Executive Director of TreesCharlotte, an effort to grow and diversify Charlotte’s urban forest. Prior to launching TreesCharlotte, I served for seven years as Executive Director of Catawba Lands Conservancy (CLC) and the Carolina Thread Trail. Currently, I serve as co-chair of the Davidson Community Foundation board of advisors, am Executive Director of Davidson Lands Conservancy, and volunteer with TreesDavidson, and several Town committees and non-profit boards of directors.

My privileged life, for which I am intensely grateful, compels me to at least attempt to pay forward my many blessings. DCF provides unique opportunities do that.

Boris Henderson

After graduating from Davidson College, Boris Henderson earned an MBA from Wake Forest University and is now a doctorate student at the Hood Theological Seminary with a concentration in community advocacy and social justice. Born and raised in Charlotte, he is the Chief Strategy Officer for Aldersgate Life Plan Service. Previously, he was Vice President of Commercial Real Estate Development and Special Projects at Charlotte‐Mecklenburg Housing Partnership. His community involvement includes serving as Board Chair of the Brenda H. Tapia Family Foundation and as a board member at the Johnston YMCA. He is a past Board Chair of Habitat for Humanity Charlotte Region, and he now serves as a Board Director for Habitat for Humanity International. His ties to the West Davidson Community extend back to his college days when he volunteered at the Ada Jenkins Center as a Bonner Scholar.

Ruby Houston

A Davidson native, Ruby and her family have a long history of supporting people in the Davidson community. Ruby has been an ardent advocate for children as one of the first directors of the Davidson-Cornelius Child Development Center, and then through her years of exemplary service with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools as well as the Ada Jenkins Center. Ruby has also been a champion for improving race relations, and promoting upward economic mobility through her work with the North Mecklenburg Economic Mobility Collaborative. A lifelong member of Davidson Presbyterian Church, Ruby is a passionate volunteer and community leader.

Ruby is excited about serving on the board of Davidson Community Foundation to integrate social justice, inclusion and equity as the Foundation addresses the community’s greatest needs.

Frank Jordan

It may surprise some of you to know that one of our board members has met a lot of famous public figures, such as President Clinton advisor Richard Hartman, CIA Deputy Director Charles Watkins, Congressman John Lewis, and activist Angela Davis. He’s met entertainers including Patti LaBelle, Stephanie Mills, Tony Tony Tone, Little Richard, Luther Vandross, and Morris Day and The Times. And, he has spent time with a lot of famous athletes, too, including Steph Curry, Shawn Livingston, James McAdoo, Magic Johnson, Dennis Rodman, Charles Barkley, Anthony Mason, and Angelo Dundee.

This board member was a Supervisor at the Asbestos Mill in Davidson for 4 years, and was a Supervisor at Reeves Brothers for 26 years, attended business seminars in Charlotte and Statesville, and has had additional business dealings in painting and real estate. Our friend helped organize the first Ada Jenkins Center Board and refurbish the run-down building to make it useable for so many people today. Public service comes naturally to this board member who served on the Davidson Transportation Board and the Parks and Recreation Board. For Davidson Presbyterian Church, our neighbor has served on the Deacon Board, Steward Board, Trustee Board, Elder Board, and the Capital Campaign Board. He often takes care of senior citizens in the area because that’s what God has called him to do.

Perhaps he is best known for the time he spends in a car. Over the last 30+ years, he has driven approximately 1.6 million miles to and from the airport, which is enough for 64 trips all the way around the world! It just goes to show you that someone who has enjoyed baseball, hunting and fishing, and who was educated at Dunbar High School in Mooresville can really go places! During this time, he has safely transported Davidson College Presidents Quillen, Vagt, Ross, Kuykendall, and Spencer, as well as many members of the Davidson Town Board. His business has been so successful that a ne’er-do-well competitor has tried to piggyback on his name. But, we all know there is only one original. That is why only the original has contracts with companies in Japan and England, as well as NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville and 2 local private schools.

If you add up all these events and accomplishments, you must have reached an obvious conclusion: he has been in Davidson for a looooooong time. In fact, he is older than Lake Norman! By now, you all know that this man’s name is Frank Jordan, who lives to serve the Lord, and those on this earth who need his help. For 54 blessed years, he has been married to his true love, Laura Jean, who is not nearly as old as he is! Frank has 4 grandchildren, and soon his son Stanley will take over the family business: Lake Norman Limousine and Van Services.

Jeri Krentz

Jeri Krentz

Jeri Krentz is the Associate Director of Communications for The Duke Endowment, a private philanthropic foundation in Charlotte. She joined the Endowment in 2008 after working as a reporter at The Charlotte Observer and The Charlotte News. In her 27 years as a journalist, she covered everything from crime to philanthropy. During her last two years, she edited the book pages and wrote a weekly “Reading Life” column.

Jeri received a BA in English from Carleton College and a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She and her husband, Peter, a Davidson College Classics professor, have lived in Davidson since 1980 and raised their three sons in the town. As a longtime resident, Jeri believes that becoming involved with the Davidson Community Foundation is a positive way to serve the community she has come to love.

John Kuykendall

John Kuykendall is Davidson College President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Religion. John is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and was previously campus pastor and faculty member at Auburn University. He and his wife, Missy, have been residents of Davidson since 1984 and have served in a variety of volunteer activities, both here and in the greater Charlotte area.

John appreciates the privilege of being involved in the Davidson Community Foundation as it seeks to address the immediate and long-term challenges and opportunities of the town he has considered his special home since he entered the College as a freshman in 1955.

Paul Leonard

My career includes work in both the non-profit and for-profit homebuilding industry including serving as Chairman of the Board and interim CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. Throughout, my areas of interest and focus have included support for housing fairness, as well as building low-to-moderate income housing to meet needs for affordability.

In its efforts and commitment to help Davidson families in need in this time of crisis Davidson Community Foundation focuses on the core of issues that speak to my heart.

Ann McCorvey

Antoinette (Ann) McCorvey, Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer, joined Davidson College in 2019 from George Washington University where she served as deputy executive vice president and treasurer for five years. She rose through positions of increasing responsibility, first, at Solutia, Inc. (formerly part of Monsanto) and, then at Kodak, where she moved from a divisional director into a series of vice president roles and, last, as CFO and senior vice president of the $5 billion company. Ann, a certified management accountant, received both a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance and an MBA from the University of West Florida, in Pensacola. She has served on the boards of several corporations and nonprofit organizations.

Ann is excited to contribute to the Davidson Community Foundation mission to address the greatest needs in the community in a manner that is inclusive and that upholds the values of social justice and equity.

Jim Merrifield

Jim Merrifield is a Managing Partner with MPV Properties, a Charlotte based commercial real estate firm. Over his 40 plus year career he has directed the development of 4,000 acres of land and 4 million square feet of buildings in the Charlotte area.

Jim received a B.A. in mathematics and economics from Colgate University in 1975 and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1980.

Jim and his wife, Ingrid, moved to Davidson in 1996 to raise their four children in the special small-town environment of Davidson. He has served in numerous leadership roles at St Albans church, youth sports and scouting. The Davidson Community Foundation is an ideal way to continue to support and strengthen our town.

Carol Quillen

Carol Quillen believes that Davidson College has the obligation and opportunity to help students develop the qualities most needed in our world today: leadership, integrity, curiosity and empathy. She arrived at Davidson in 2011 from Rice University, where she served as vice president for international and interdisciplinary initiatives. She grew up in New Castle, Delaware, a small town where she says “it was second nature to support the community and look out for other people.” Quillen attended Wilmington Friends School. She earned a B.A. in American history from the University of Chicago, graduating Phi Beta Kappa with special and general honors, then received a Ph.D. in European history from Princeton University. She emphasizes that equal educational opportunity must be real and meaningful.

Davidson College prepares students for lives of leadership and service with humane instincts and disciplined, creative minds. The mission of the Davidson Community Foundation – enhancing the lives of the citizens of Davidson, North Carolina, now and for generations to come – is consonant with the college’s mission.

Harley “Buck” Shuford

Harley Shuford, better known as Buck, lived in Hickory until moving with his wife Helgi to The Pines at Davidson four years ago. He was on the board of many community organizations in Hickory and Catawba County and chaired such boards as the Catawba County Hospital, Hickory’s art museum and science center and Corinth Church. He was a member of the UNC Board of Governors, and chaired the NC Council for the Arts. He was also on the board of the furniture manufacturers association and chairman of their Furniture Foundation.

Buck was part of the group that established Hickory’s Community Foundation and served as its chairman for many years. He believes in the value of a community foundation and is glad to be a part of Davidson Community Foundation.

Of Counsel

Lauren Millovitsch

Lauren Millovitsch is an attorney and the co-owner of Creamer Millovitsch, PLLC, a wills, trusts and estates law firm in Davidson. She is a member of the Cabinet of Professional Advisors of Foundation For the Carolinas, and has served as a board member of the Iredell County Community Foundation as well as a number of other nonprofit organizations. Lauren was selected by The Mecklenburg Times as one of the 50 Most Influential Women of 2018.

Having previously served on a community foundation board, Lauren has seen the impact such an organization can have on meeting local needs. Lauren believes the Davidson Community Foundation will benefit our community by identifying small and large issues affecting Davidson and then inspiring philanthropy and increasing charitable giving to help address those needs.

Our History

The dream of building a community foundation took root during a town planning process when participants began discussing a “big idea” to address community challenges. The framework for transforming that big idea into a local foundation benefited from interviews with more than 50 community residents and leaders.

In partnership with local nonprofits and houses of worship, Davidson Community Foundation provides support for immediate needs and for longer-term transformative projects. Its goals are grounded in the values of social justice, racial and socioeconomic diversity and inclusion, affordable housing, neighborhood preservation, and the powerful bond we have as a community. Our desire is to work with our local nonprofits to expand their capacity and grow philanthropy substantially.  

Help those in the Davidson community.

Your contribution will help to care for our neighbors right here in the community.