December 5, 2006

John McCarter’s Vision — Moving the College Forward

McCarter

When John T. McCarter (NE ’73) became president of the NC State Engineering Foundation Inc. (NCSEF) Board of Directors in 2004 his vision was to continue moving the College of Engineering and the board forward in the restructuring effort begun under the leadership of Robert G. Wright, the previous president of the board. McCarter’s job over the past two years has been to take that restructuring initiative to the next level. McCarter’s term ended October 2006; he is succeeded by E.O. Ferrell III.

McCarter, who is the former president and region executive of General Electric Power Systems Sales – Europe, brought to the NCSEF board years of experience serving on the boards of both charitable and professional organizations, including the Center for the Disabled, United Cerebral Palsy, the Association of American Chambers of Commerce of Latin America and the Council of the Americas. His lifelong career with General Electric gave him a unique perspective on how organizations function, making him a highly qualified leader during the restructuring.

As president, McCarter provided strong leadership for the legislative initiative to secure full funding of Engineering Building III, which is critical for the planned College of Engineering move to Centennial Campus. McCarter has helped redefine the purpose and goals and objectives for the board and its five individual working committees. Following the reorganization effort begun under the leadership of Wright, McCarter has helped streamline the role of the executive committee and appoint the new leaders for the five working committees.

In the wake of the highly publicized investment problems of several major corporations and in the spirit of reform and transparency among nonprofit organizations, McCarter provided important direction in developing a code of ethics and a conflict of interest policy in the bylaws of the board. The board enthusiastically embraced this effort.

A loyal alumnus, McCarter has served on the NCSEF Board of Directors since 1993. His longtime commitment to NC State University and the College of Engineering is evident. During his four terms on the board, he has served on the finance committee; the nominations, orientation and recognition committee; and the college relations committee (formerly the marketing committee). He was also instrumental in the realization of the $500,000 gift from the GE Foundation to support the RAMP-UP program in the college.

Active at both the college and university levels, McCarter has served on NC State University’s External Advisory Board for International Programs and was GE’s executive liaison to NC State. In 1997 he endowed the Mr. and Mrs. John T. McCarter Sr. Scholarship. Named in honor of his parents, the merit scholarship is awarded to students enrolled in engineering. In 2003 he was awarded a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award in recognition of his accomplishments. He is also in the process of endowing the John T. McCarter Jr. Enhancement Fund in nuclear engineering. The endowment will provide much-needed unrestricted support for use by the head of the Department of Nuclear Engineering.

“Simply put, John McCarter has been one of the key leaders in the recent success of the foundation board of directors, both as our president and as a major benefactor,” said Ben Hughes, executive director of the NC State Engineering Foundation Inc. “His vision as a generous donor is evident in his most recent gift of vital unrestricted support to his home department.”

McCarter is a native of Philadelphia, Penn., and claims Hickory, North Carolina, as his adopted hometown. He earned his bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering in 1973. The College of Engineering and the NC State Engineering Foundation are grateful for McCarter’s service as president of the Board of Directors.

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