Community And Economic Development Director
Current
Feb 2022 - Present
AeroLeads people directory · profile
Ben Willis Email & Phone Number
Director for Community and Economic Development
at
Western Piedmont Council of Governments
1 work email found
@wpcog.org
1 phone found area 828
LinkedIn matched
✓ Verified Jul 2026
4 data sources
Profile completeness 100%
Current company
Role
Director for Community and Economic Development
Location
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton-Marion Area, United States
Who is Ben Willis? Overview
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Quick answer
Ben Willis is listed as Director for Community and Economic Development at Western Piedmont Council of Governments, based in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton-Marion Area, United States. AeroLeads shows a work email signal at wpcog.org, phone signal with area code 828, and a matched LinkedIn profile for Ben Willis.
Ben Willis previously worked as Community and Economic Development Director at Western Piedmont Council Of Governments and Director at The Education Foundation Inc. Of Caldwell County. Ben Willis holds Master Of Business Administration (Mba), Technology And Innovation from North Carolina State University.
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{first}.{last}@wpcog.org
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Profile bio
About Ben Willis
As Director of Community and Economic Development for the WPCOG, I work with a team that assists local governments in the application preparation and administration of the local, state, and federal grants that lead to local and regional infrastructure improvements and job creation. Our team also works to provide affordable, decent and safe housing and related infrastructure improvements for residents of the Western Piedmont. As Director of the Education Foundation Inc of Caldwell County, I work to increase support, secure and distribute funding to the students and educators of Caldwell County Public Schools. We do this by partnering with community and business leaders to identify need and creating strategic plans of action to help enhance and strengthen the education experience.As a past City Council Member and Mayor Pro-Tem, I serve as an elected official who represents the people of Lenoir, NC. I serve the city by sitting on a variety of State and National Boards and help implement policy that promotes a safe and robust community, fiscal responsibility, economic development, technological growth, and infrastructure enhancement.As the former Director for the CCC&TI Small Business Center I worked with startups to help prepare them for success through consultation through strong business network. I brought an innovative approach to business development through use of the latest technology and business trends. As former Director of Technology Education and VMware Academy my roles include program development and promotion. Promotion of these training programs was placed on a variety of marketing and sales techniques from online advertising, news print, video, and business interaction.Other Areas of Expertise Include:International Coordinator at CCC&TI for Brazil. Work extensively with IMPACTA University in Sao Paulo and others private colleges throughout Brazil. Focus on setting up and successfully developing ESL, business, and IT classes taught via video/web conferencing. Experience traveling and teaching classes in Brazil as well as developing partnerships with other schools and business leaders.Small Business Owner and Operator. Helped manage day to day operations with local retail store. Managed employees, facilities, customers and marketing aspects.Specialties: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, team leader and innovator. Strong management and business relations with some international experience.
Listed skills include Leadership, Social Media, Training, Higher Education, and 46 others.
Current workplace
Ben Willis's current company
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Western Piedmont Council Of Governments
AeroLeads page
11 roles · 20 years
Ben Willis work experience
A career timeline built from the work history available for this profile.
Director
We strive to help the students and educators of Caldwell County by securing funds and distributing resources to Caldwell County Public Schools to help broaden and strengthen the educational experience.
Mar 2020 - Feb 2022
City Council Member
The City of Lenoir operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The council is the legislative body; its members are the community's decision makers. Power is centralized in the elected council, which approves the budget and determines the tax rate, for example. The council also focuses on the community's goals, major projects, and such long-term considerations as community growth, land use development, capital improvement plans, capital financing, and strategic planning. The council hires a professional manager to carry out the administrative responsibilities and supervises the manager's performance.The mayor presides at council meetings, serves as spokesperson for the community, facilitates communication and understanding between elected and appointed officials, assists the council in setting goals and advocating policy decisions, and serves as a representative in intergovernmental relations.
Dec 2011 - Feb 2022
Director Small Business Center
The objective of the Small Business Center Network (SBCN) is to increase the success rate and the number of viable small businesses in North Carolina by providing high quality, ready-accessible assistance to prospective and existing small business owners which will lead to job creation and retention. Each Small Business Center will be a community-based provider of education and training, counseling, referral and information.
Aug 2015 - Mar 2020
Director Of Technology Education
Responsibilities include developing customized industry training and vocational and technical training. This includes VMware Regional Academy, IT Institute, Brazilian Exchange, Bio-Technology, Sustainability, Furniture Technology Institute and Information Technology. Assists in the development of online courses for business and industry and visit local business and industry partners.
Jun 2012 - Mar 2020
Vmware Academy Coordinator
Market official VMware courses to local business and industryProvide distant learning opportunities for VMware trainingOversee quality instruction of VMware
Aug 2007 - Mar 2020
Director Technology Services In Corporate And Continuing Education
VMware Academy CoordinatorIT Institute CoordinatorDistant Learning Coordinator for Continuing EducationFurniture Technology Institute CoordinatorCo-Developer for Institute for Sustainable TechnologyInternational Exchange Coordinator with Impacta University in Sao Paulo Brasil
Aug 2006 - Mar 2020
Part Time It Instructor And Online Course Developer
Taught IT Institute CoursesDeveloped Online Class Content for Small Businesses and Green Technologies
2007 - 2009
~2 yrs
Business Owner
Hogwaller Outfitters Inc.
A retail experience like no other. Sold specialty toys, professional skateboard equipment, along with high-end camping and outdoor equipment. Specialized in customer service, marketing, and everything else that goes along with owning your own business.
Jan 2003 - Dec 2010
News Talk Radio Co-Host
Morning news talk show co-host.Interviewed local politicians, community experts, and interacted with listening audienceDiscussed important issues such as elections, breaking news events, etcWorked with various audio equipment to run live showRecorded commercials for business clients and customers
Jan 2006 - Jan 2008
Middle Grades Instructor
Caldwell County School System
Science and Social Studies Instructor for 7th and 8th Grades. Basketball, golf coach and field trip bus driver extraordinaire.
Aug 2002 - Jun 2006
4 education records
Ben Willis education
Master Of Business Administration (Mba), Technology And Innovation
North Carolina State University
Ba, Philosophy
University Of North Carolina Wilmington
Ba, Education
Appalachian State University
Business, Philosophy, Cultural Studies
Charles Sturt University
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Ben Willis
Quick answers generated from the profile data available on this page.
What company does Ben Willis work for?
Ben Willis works for Western Piedmont Council of Governments.
What is Ben Willis's role at Western Piedmont Council of Governments?
Ben Willis is listed as Director for Community and Economic Development at Western Piedmont Council of Governments.
What is Ben Willis's email address?
AeroLeads has found 1 work email signal at @wpcog.org for Ben Willis at Western Piedmont Council of Governments.
What is Ben Willis's phone number?
AeroLeads has found 1 phone signal(s) with area code 828 for Ben Willis at Western Piedmont Council of Governments.
Where is Ben Willis based?
Ben Willis is based in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton-Marion Area, United States while working with Western Piedmont Council of Governments.
What companies has Ben Willis worked for?
Ben Willis has worked for Western Piedmont Council Of Governments, The Education Foundation Inc. Of Caldwell County, City Of Lenoir, Nc, Caldwell Community College, and Hogwaller Outfitters Inc..
How can I contact Ben Willis?
You can use AeroLeads to view verified contact signals for Ben Willis at Western Piedmont Council of Governments, including work email, phone, and LinkedIn data when available.
What schools did Ben Willis attend?
Ben Willis holds Master Of Business Administration (Mba), Technology And Innovation from North Carolina State University.
What skills is Ben Willis known for?
Ben Willis is listed with skills including Leadership, Social Media, Training, Higher Education, Public Speaking, Staff Development, Teaching, and Strategic Planning.
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