She has been a devoted volunteer and executive board member for the past eight years, the organization announced in a press release. 

Originally from Pitt County, Shields brings more than 30 years of community development experience throughout Eastern North Carolina to this new position. 

In addition to her broad base of applied regional experience, Shields holds both her undergraduate and master’s degrees from East Carolina University as well as a degree from Pitt Community College.

As a volunteer board member Shields has invested thousands of hours; over the last three years, many of those hours spent researching and building support for the historic Hamilton Rosenwald School. 

With backing from the Hamilton community, in 2007 RRP purchased this site to preserve its rich regional history and to renovate it to be the Rosenwald River Center. 

To this end, Shields has developed a database of over 100 Hamilton Rosenwald alumni; compiled a book which offers an overview of this preservation project; worked closely with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to develop and share this regional model of rural development; and cultivated regional, state and national awareness of, and support for, this historically significant project.

Through both her paid and volunteer efforts Shields has demonstrated her love for, and commitment to, Eastern North Carolina and, in particular, to the Roanoke River Region.  She is recognized as a leader in rural economic development and she has been a featured presenter and advocate for the region in cooperation with many organizations.

Shields and her husband, Jimmy, live on a family farm surrounded by the lush natural environment that the Roanoke River fosters, just outside of Scotland Neck.  She has one daughter, Brandy Shields Martin, and three outdoor-loving grandchildren—Coby, Carter and Cloei Martin. 

More information on the organization may be found at www.roanokeriverpartners.org.