About Us

President/CEO

Marc began his tenure as the President/CEO of Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina on February 1, 2023.

Having begun his career in child welfare as a Teaching Parent in the cottages of Boys & Girls Homes in 1996, Marc then founded the organization's foster care program. He then moved to Michigan and served in leadership roles at Bethany Christian Services, Northern Family Intervention Services, and Camps Leelanau and Kohahna Foundation. Marc returned to the state of North Carolina to serve as Director of Implementation and Staff Engagement for Children's Hope Alliance in Barium Springs, NC - his most recent position before coming home to BGHNC.

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, he is also a Board Member of the Teaching Family Association - an evidence-based model of care that is widely used in the industry.

Marc and his wife have two young adult children and are excited to have been given the opportunity to return to Lake Waccamaw.

Chief Residential Officer

Erika previously served as the Admissions Director and Residential Social Workers Supervisor before accepting the Chief Residential Officer position in early 2022.

Prior to coming to BGHNC, Erika worked for more than five years at the Columbus and Bladen County Departments of Social Services in Child Protective Services.

In addition to her time with DSS, Erika worked in mental health for more than 10 years, starting as a one-on-one, she worked directly with clients before becoming a supervisor and providing Alternative Family Living which includes a client that lives in your home.

"From the day we are introduced to the youth, we are thinking about their future. We want to do everything in their best interest, providing the exact, personalized support they need to become the best version of themselves."

Chief Community-Based Services Officer
Donna oversees BGHNC's foster care and adoption programs, C.R.E.A.T.E. Hope counseling, Carolyn's Kaleidoscope Child Advocacy Center and the Success Coach Intensive In-Home program.

Chief Mission Officer

Ray Cockrell joined the development team at BGHNC in April 2005 with a focus on planned giving and major gifts. He is a Certified Financial Planner and holds both a bachelor and master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. In addition to his work, Cockrell is active in scouting and serves as a leader for the scouts in Troop 26 in Wilmington. Cockrell is an active member of the Wilmington Optimist Club, incoming Governor of the North Carolina East Optimist, and is an active member of his church.

He's been married to Kimberly for 33 years. They have two young adult sons. Mason is in the Navy and Joshua works in Greenville, NC.

Chief Safety Officer and Chaplain

John serves as our Chief Safety Officer and Chaplain. He has served BGHNC since 2005 in multiple positions including Director of Pastoral Care, Sanctuary Site Coordinator, and Continuous Quality Improvement and Risk Manager. He helped our organization achieve national certification in Trauma Informed Care and has played an instrumental role in organizational accreditation through COA. He is a graduate of Erskine College with a BA in Christian Education and holds a Master of Divinity with Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is certified in Risk Management. In his free time, he pastors a local church and loves watching Clemson football.

Principal of Thomas Academy

Cathy began at Thomas Academy on December 1, 2021, after spending more than 20 years with the Baltimore County Public Schools in a variety of positions including principal and assistant to the area assistant superintendent. She also spent 18 years as an adjunct professor with Notre Dame of Maryland University and more than two years as an administrator with Cumberland County Schools. She was a teacher in North Carolina for 19 years.

Cathy has been serving as the Coordinator for the Bladen County Substance Misuse Task Force and plans to continue supporting the task force as it is such a significant cause in the community. Community connection is something Cathy demonstrates with her own involvement. She is Vice President of the Lumber River United Way Board, a member of the Elizabethtown Rotary Club, president of the Elizabethtown Foxglove Garden Club, and a member of the Elizabethtown Baptist Church. An avid reader, she also participates in a variety of book clubs.

Cathy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from East Carolina University. She earned a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, Administration and Education Specialist and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from Fayetteville State University.