Whitney E. King
President

District 1
Ash, Freeland, Exum

Whitney E. King of Ash represents District 1 and joined the Board in 2014. Mr. King is a life-long farmer and, along with his brothers, operates King Farming Enterprises, LLC, a diversified row-crop farm operation. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Dock Street Homeowners Association. He has served in leadership roles on the boards of the Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina and the Brunswick County Hospital Authority, where he served as Chairman.

John W. "Buster" Dowless

Vice President

John “Buster” Dowless of Ash was elected to the Board in 2012 and represents the At-Large District. He is the co-owner and operator of Strand Termite and Pest Control. Through his career in the pest control industry, Mr. Dowless has held various offices in the South Carolina Pest Control Association, including president. In addition, he has been involved in organizations such as Calabash Fire Department, Brunswick County Hospital Authority, Brunswick County Economic Development Commission, Home Builders Associations of the Carolinas, Shallotte Masonic Lodge and the South Brunswick Islands Shrine Club

H. Conrad Bryant III Secretary/Treasurer

A native of Brunswick County, Mr. Bryant holds an associate degree in Mechanical Drafting and Design Engineering from Guilford Technical Community College and a bachelor of science in Industrial Technology from North Carolina A&T State University. Mr. Bryant served in both the U.S. Army and the North Carolina Army National Guard. He spent the bulk of his career working as an engineer in the natural gas industry.

Julia F. Tripp

District 2
Calabash, Longwood, Carolina Shores

A longtime resident of Brunswick County, Mrs. Tripp completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Science in Accounting. Mrs. Tripp owns and operates Tripp’s Trucking, LLC. She also has a background in telecommunications accounting and auditing, governmental auditing and human resources management.

Janice Gore

District 3
Shallotte

Janice S. Gore of Shallotte represents District 3 and was elected to the Board in 2007. Mrs. Gore is a Columbus County native. She is a graduate of North Carolina State University and is a retired teacher. She has received numerous professional and community awards, including the 2007 Teacher of the Year Award for the American Veterans of North Carolina and North Carolina Teacher of the Year in Gifted Education from Region II.

Justin Milliken

District 4
Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach

A native of Brunswick County, Mr. Milliken holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and a Minor in Business from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Mr. Milliken is the CEO and President of Shallotte Electric & Plumbing Supply. He’s also a member of the Brunswick County Home Builder’s Association, a trustee at Village Point United Methodist Church and a coach and advisor for AAU Karate.

Albert H. "Al" Parker, Jr.

District 5
Holden Beach, Supply, Varnamtown

Albert “Al” Parker, Jr. of Supply was elected to the Board in 2012 to represent District 5. Mr. Parker is a Brunswick County native and a graduate of Louisburg College. He is the former President/CEO of J.M. Parker & Sons, Inc. and has served on numerous boards, including the Brunswick Community College Foundation and Board of Trustees, Branch Banking & Trust (BB&T), South Brunswick Islands Chamber of Commerce and the Brunswick County Airport Commission.

Michelle Ingram

District 6
Bolivia, St. James

Michelle Ingram received her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and currently serves as a project manager with the State of North Carolina. She is a founding member of the Brunswick County Opioid Task Force, serves on the Board of Visitors for UNC Pembroke, co-chairs the Brunswick Sheriff’s Charitable Foundation, and is an appointee of the Sunset Harbor Fire Board.

R. Gene Ward

District 7
Boiling Springs Lakes, Winnabow

R. Gene Ward of Winnabow represents District 7 and serves as the board’s Secretary/Treasurer. Mr. Ward was elected to the board in 2000. He is a local farmer and is involved in numerous community activities. He serves on the Brunswick County Soil & Water Conservation Board and is a member of the Farm Bureau Board of Directors. He is also a member of Masonic Lodge 249 in Southport.