Golden LEAF announces retirement of Controller Beth Edmondson | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    Golden LEAF's first controller, Beth Edmondson, will be retiring in January 2022. Beth has served as the Controller since 2004, providing 17 years of service to Golden LEAF and the long-term economic advancement of North Carolina.

    "I worked closely with Beth in my roles as Chair of the Golden LEAF Board of Directors and Chair of the Audit Committee," said Bo Biggs, former Golden LEAF Board Chair. "She has juggled many new facets of accounting challenges and tackled them all during her career at Golden LEAF. I will miss her tremendously. Beth can retire knowing we are grateful for her commitment, expertise, and service to Golden LEAF and its mission."

    Beth has been a certified public accountant (CPA) for 33 years. Prior to joining the Golden LEAF Foundation, Beth was vice president/ controller for Hardee's Food Systems, Inc. in Rocky Mount. She began her career with Deloitte in Raleigh.

    "Beth has been an instrumental part of the Golden LEAF team," said Barry Dodson, Golden LEAF Audit Chair. "I have always been impressed with her hard work and dedication to reviewing every detail and providing accurate financial reporting and data analysis."

    As the controller, Beth directs all financial activities of the Foundation, establishes policies and procedures to support these activities, and ensures compliance.

    "It has been a pure and perfect pleasure to work with Beth," said Jerome Vick, Golden LEAF Finance Chair. "We have big shoes to fill with Beth retiring. While we wish her well, she will be greatly missed."

    Beth lives with her husband, Jack, in Edgecombe County and is an active member of her community. She has a daughter, Caroline, attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

    "The team at Golden LEAF is like family," said Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton. "While we are happy for Beth's retirement, we will not only miss her expertise but also her true team spirit and commitment to the Board, staff, and mission of Golden LEAF."

    Senior Vice President, General Counsel Ted Lord has worked with Beth for 16 years.

    "Beth is a caring and considerate coworker and always a pleasure to speak with," said Lord. "Moreover, her service to and influence on Golden LEAF has been invaluable and has far exceeded what her title of Controller might imply. For example, Beth's input was critical as we developed policies to effectively monitor grants, and she has always been willing to help in any way needed, assisting with some of Golden LEAF's largest grants, including our $24 million grant to MCNC for the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative. I wish her the best but will truly miss her."

    Beth's service was recognized at the December meeting of the Golden LEAF Board where she was presented with a token of appreciation and a standing ovation for her hard work and dedication to the foundation.