Board: Pictures & Bios

Please take a moment to get to know our Piedmont Community Charter School Board comprised of dedicated experienced professionals from a variety of backgrounds.

Alex Poole, President, Member at Large

Mr. Poole, a graduate of North Carolina State University, has worked in various segments of the textiles industry for 15 years as an engineer. The father of two current students and a future Patriot, he has served on the Enrichment Committee since 2016. Alex and his wife, Katie, have lived in Gastonia in the York Chester Historic District for 10 years. They have 3 daughters; Caroline, Juliet and Annie. Alex is committed to the success of PCCS and the local community. He shares, “This is a great opportunity for me to serve the local community, the teachers and the administration who have meant so much to our family over the past 6 years. I am excited to get involved and support the school as we move forward.” He serves on the enrichment committee.

Michael Satterfield, Vice President, Member at Large

Mr. Satterfield is a Principal at a Healthcare Architecture Firm in Charlotte where he leads multi-discipline design teams for large complex projects concentrating on conceptual design, client relationships and innovative problem solving. He and his wife have lived in Gastonia for more than 20 years and have one student at Piedmont. He is serving his 4th 2 year term after a hiatus from the board. He brings 6 years of PCCS board experience to his current appointment and previously served as Board President for 5 years. His previous civic service includes, City of Gastonia Historic District Commission – 6 years with 2 years as chairman, City of Gastonia Panning Commission – 6 years with 2 years as Chairman, Member of the Steering Committee for COG Long Term Plan 2020.

Scott McRainey, Treasurer, Member at Large

Scott McRainey is a registered representative with New York Life Insurance, specializing in many aspects of financial planning including working with young families, retirees/pre-retirees, and small business owners. His previous positions include various leadership roles in retail management spanning 12 years. A Belmont Abbey College alum, he graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration and a B.A. in Economics in 2002. Mr. McRainey currently serves as an ambassador with the Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife Stephanie live in Lincolnton, along with their two children Liam and Harper. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf.

Jennifer Barker, Secretary, Member at Large

Jennifer Barker grew up in Gaston County and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Appalachian State University. She has been employed as the Activities Director for Covenant Village Retirement Community for the past twenty-five years. She has served as the president of the North Carolina Activities Professional Association and the president of the Metrolina Activities Professional Association. Additionally, Mrs. Barker has taught the state-approved Health Care Activities course at Gaston College for eight years. Married to Larry Barker, they have two children, Brandon (8th grade) and Danica (7th grade). They are active members at Bethlehem Church in Gastonia. She also enjoys spending time with family and pets, walking, and taking fun day trips.

Wendi Greemon, Member at Large

Wendi is a native of Gaston County and currently lives in Gastonia with her husband Mark and their two sons, Banks and Bennett, who are students at Piedmont Charter. She previously worked as a teacher assistant at PCCS. She currently works as an administrative assistant at Rhino Wealth Management in Belmont.

Wendi is an active member of Parkwood Baptist Church in Gastonia where she serves in the music and student ministries. She supports and volunteers with the Least of These Carolinas, a foster care support organization.

Wendi loves spending time with her family, enjoys many hobbies, is an animal lover and is always excitedly planning her next beach trip.

Lisa Largent, Member at Large

Lisa Largent has served her community as a Certified Women’s HealthCare Nurse Practitioner for 15 years. She currently works as a provider of direct patient care at the Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services-Public Health Division.

Lisa is a proud Piedmont Parent of two children on the Elementary Campus and is passionate about seeing them and every child receives a high quality education. She is from rural Rockingham and currently resides in Cramerton. She holds a Masters of Science in Nursing Degree from Vanderbilt University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Lisa is a member of the Gastonia-Piedmont Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc, which brings together children in a social and cultural environment. She loves leading Sunday School lessons at her church, participating with her children’s Cub Scout Pack and Girl Scout Troop, enjoys travel and considers herself an avid foodie.

Paul Tharp, High School Parent Representative

Paul Tharp grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Tharp graduated magna cum laude from UNCW with a degree in English and a minor in Philosophy. Mr. Tharp then worked as a high school English teacher before attending law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After graduating from UNC Law and passing both the Florida and North Carolina Bar Exams, Mr. Tharp and his wife, Tisha, settled in the Charlotte area.

Mr. Tharp works as a litigation attorney in the uptown Charlotte office of Arnold & Smith, PLLC, handling the firm’s civil rights cases, post-conviction relief petitions and appeals, civil and criminal appeals, and other injury and appeal-related matters.

In his spare time, Mr. Tharp is an avid runner and enjoys hiking and spending time with his family. He and Tisha are the proud parents of a son and two daughters.

Sarah Nobles, Middle School Parent Representative

Sarah Nobles grew up in Gaston County. She and her husband, Nick were high school sweethearts and have been married for 17 years. They have two middle schoolers that attend PCCS. Mrs. Nobles graduated from Queens University of Charlotte and has been a nurse for 17 years with a background in NICU and School Nursing.

Currently, Mrs. Nobles works at the elementary campus as the School Nurse and is pursuing her Master’s in Family Nurse Practitioner. “PCCS has been a fantastic school for my children,” she praises. “And I am very eager to serve the Piedmont community. I believe the administration is incredibly supportive and are always looking out for the best interest of their students and staff.”

Melia Mauldin, Elementary Parent Representative

Melia has lived in Gastonia since 2010. She moved to the area with her husband, Jason Mauldin – who is a native of Gaston County. She is currently employed as the Business Development Manager at their family-owned and operated business, Steel Specialty, Inc. She is the proud mother of a 3rd grader at the elementary campus and a 7th grader at the middle school campus.
 
As a strong believer in service to others, she has and continues to dedicate her skills and time to organizations that she holds dear to her heart. Those have included: The Junior League of Gaston County, The Family Advisory Council at Levine Children’s Hospital, Camp LUCK, SMPS Charlotte and the Backpack Weekend Food Program.
 

Cody Green, High School Staff Representative

Ciara Leisey, Middle School Staff Representative

Kim Cabe, Elementary Staff Representative