CCCC President Dr. Lisa Chapman, Trustee Chet Mann named Lee County Community Foundation's Man and Woman of the Year honorees
From the Lee County Community Foundation
The Lee County Community Foundation annually recognizes two individuals who are selected for their service above all. This year’s nominees, Tommy Chester “Chet” Mann III and Dr. Lisa McNew Chapman, have spent decades making a positive impact on the community, both professionally and personally.
A gala banquet recognizing Mann and Chapman was held Thursday, March 20, at the Sanford Elks Lodge. The evening began with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the presentation of the Man and Woman of the Year awards.
Former Sanford Mayor Chet Mann has deep roots in the local community and serves on numerous local boards including as incoming chairman of the Mann Center of NC, home of the Lee County Arts and Community Center, a trustee of Central Carolina Community College and as vice chairman of the Sanford Area Growth Alliance (SAGA). Mann has also been honored as the Occoneechee Council of The Boy Scouts of America Man of the Year, YMCA of the Triangle Lee County Volunteer of the Year and the Lee County NAACP Man of the Year. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and after spending the first 20 years of his career managing successful small businesses, Mann now works as a loan officer for a local mortgage company.
Dr. Lisa Chapman began her career as a biologist at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and later transitioned to Central Carolina Community College where she served in various roles over her 27-year career, including as executive vice president/chief academic officer. In 2014, Chapman left CCCC to serve as the senior vice president/chief academic officer of the North Carolina Community College System. Chapman has served on advisory boards at public universities, and state government advisory councils and commissions and serves the local community through her church, United Way, Partnership for Children and the Lee County Education Foundation. She is an Aspen Presidents Fellow and holds a B.S. in Zoology from UNC-Chapel Hill, M.S. in Physiology from East Tennessee State University, and Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from UNC-Chapel Hill. Chapman has lived in Sanford for 42 years.
In 2024, LCCF awarded more than $89,000 in grants to over 20 local organizations for critical programs that address basic human needs, education, health care and support quality of life issues, as well as arts and culture in Lee County. The annual banquet provides funding for the grants program.
About the Lee County Community Foundation
LCCF was founded in 1997 and is led by a local volunteer advisory board that helps build community assets through the creation of permanent endowments, makes grants and leverages leadership — all for the benefit of Lee County. Advisory board members live and work in Lee County, positioning them to strategically leverage resources, meet local needs and access opportunities. For more information, about the Lee County Community Foundation see their website.
About the North Carolina Community Foundation
The North Carolina Community Foundation brings together generous people and connects them to causes and organizations they care about, with a focus on inspiring lasting and meaningful philanthropy in the state’s rural communities.
With $460 million in assets, NCCF sustains over 1,300 endowments and partners with donors and a network of affiliates in 60 counties to strengthen our state. By stewarding and growing donors’ gifts, NCCF makes a powerful impact through a robust grants and scholarships program, awarding over $300 million since 1988. For more information, visit about the North Carolina Community Foundation see their website.