SANFORD -- Barber Holmes, vice president of Holmes Oil Company, Inc., is the new president of the Central Carolina Community College Foundation.

Holmes, a graduate of Appalachian State University, is originally from Pittsboro and grew up in Chatham County. He spent 20 years in Charlotte working in marketing and management roles before moving back to the Triangle in 2003 to begin working at Holmes Oil Company, Inc., a family owned business based in Chapel Hill.

Holmes joined the CCCC Foundation Board of Directors in 2011. He became the Foundation's Vice President of Resource Development in 2012 before moving into the presidency role.

Holmes said serving as Foundation president is an honor. "It gives me a chance to make a positive difference," he said. "It's exciting to see the college grow, to see the economic impact the college has in the region, and especially to be a part of helping fund that growth."

Holmes' mother and father have been very active in Chatham County and the region. His mother, Mary Hayes Barber Holmes, was the first woman elected as a Chatham County Commissioner. She served in various roles, including the Chatham County Department of Social Services board, the N.C. Board of Transportation, and the N.C. Historical Commission. His father, Edward S. Holmes, is a retired Pittsboro attorney who served in the N.C. state legislature and is a former CCCC Foundation board member.

"Barber, like his dad, clearly understands and supports the mission of the college and what we are trying to do," said Emily Hare, Executive Director of the CCCC Foundation. "He wants to change lives and does so through his support. He is a tremendous advocate for the Foundation and I am honored he has been selected to be our new president."

Barber Holmes said CCCC is extremely important to the Central Carolina area, both for students and employers. "Companies want to have access to skilled and trained employees and students benefit from the flexibility that CCCC provides," said Holmes.

"The nice thing about CCCC is it offers a variety of curriculums. Some students may choose a more traditional academic path and get a two-year Associate Degree and then transfer to a four-year college or university. Others are wanting job skill training that they can use now for immediate employment once they graduate," said Holmes. "CCCC is not only staying up to date with its academic offering, but leading the way in areas such as Laser and Photonics Technology, Nursing, and Veterinary Medical Technology programs. These are all high-demand, high-growth fields."

Holmes is married to Barbara M. Holmes, recently retired from Becton Dickinson. They live in Northeast Chatham County outside Pittsboro near Jordan Lake.

He currently is serving a two-year term on the Retail Advisory Board for the North Carolina Education Lottery, and is a member of the North Carolina Petroleum & Convenience Marketers Association, the Preserve 10 Investment Club, the Preserve at Jordan Lake Home Owners Association Landscape Committee, and Pittsboro Presbyterian Church.

Holmes says that the CCCC Foundation plays an integral role in the success of the college through student scholarships, faculty development, funding for both short- and long-term growth initiatives, and programs that help the college reach its academic goals.

"Endowments and contributions from individuals and corporations are very important to the Foundation," said Holmes. "A gift to the Foundation is a great way to strengthen the community because you are basically investing in people -- in their future."

For information on giving to the Foundation, contact Emily Hare, Executive Director of the CCCC Foundation, by telephone at 919-718-7230 or by email at ehare@cccc.edu.

The CCCC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization affiliated with, but independent of, the college. It receives donations of money and equipment on behalf of CCCC and uses them to promote the educational mission of the college and assist students through scholarships and grants.

For more information on Central Carolina Community College, visit www.cccc.edu.