Jack Jerome Retires after 28 Years of Volunteer Service

On February 24, Jack Jerome, with wife Martha, received a Presidential Service Award from Pilot View RC&D Chair, Darin Young. Young presented the award at a joint board meeting of Environmental Impact RC&D, Pilot View RC&D, and Resource Institute at Pinehurst, NC.

Jack Jerome, Cooleemee, NC, recently retired from Pilot View RC&D (Resource Conservation & Development) Board of Directors after 28 years of continuous volunteer service to the organization (1992-2020).  During his Board tenure, Pilot View became one of the most active RC&Ds in North Carolina.  RC&Ds are nonprofit organizations formed to protect and develop their communities' economic, natural, and social resources to improve the area's economy, environment, and quality of life.

Pilot View was founded in 1990 to serve Forsyth, Stokes, Yadkin, Davie, Davidson, and Surry Counties. Jack Jerome and Pilot View RC&D were instrumental in the creation of the RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls-The Bullhole in 2003. Pilot View RC&D originated and has led the stream restoration industry in NC and the Southeast since the mid-90s. Pilot View, through a management agreement with Resource Institute, has restored almost 800,00 feet of streambank (151 Miles) and completed 75 projects.  Pilot View recently expanded its service area to the entire state of North Carolina. 

Jack's commitment to service began as a young man, serving in World War II in the US Navy.  After the war, Jack became a textile chemist, working first for Burlington Industries and later with National Starch & Chemical Company.  After retirement, Jack volunteered with the International Executive Service Corps, a nonprofit with a mission to improve living standards by strengthening private enterprise.  Jack and his wife Martha made seven trips overseas to work on related projects in Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, and South America.

At 94, Jack is still dedicated to helping others, and he and Martha continue volunteering at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, where  Jack has dedicated nearly 11,000 volunteer hours to the Center.

Jack's commitment to community and volunteer service comes from his deep faith, "You need to do something.  You can't just sit back and do nothing.  I believe in the scripture 'Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine; you did for me.' 

Jack is proud of his service at Pilot View RC&D and its accomplishments. "I am especially proud of how Pilot View has improved the environment and streams, reduced pollution, and improved the quality of life in North Carolina."

Jack was replaced by Terry Bralley, President Davie County Economic Development Commission.  Terry has 41 years of experience in public service in Davie County.