First Bank’s Rob Patterson joins Lee County Education Foundation’s board
LCEF gains a valuable board member and says goodbye to another
March 4, 2022
SANFORD — Rob Patterson, the Regional President of First Bank in Sanford, has joined the board of directors of the Lee County Education Foundation, Chairman Susan Keller has announced.
“I am personally honored to be a part of this outstanding organization and hope to make a contribution enhancing the educational opportunities of our young people in Lee County,” Patterson said. “First Bank has long embraced education as the silver bullet to improving the quality of life of the communities that we serve. We take this responsibility seriously and continue to support educational initiatives with both our time and financial resources.”
The Foundation, organized in 2003 as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, works to mobilize financial resources and fund programs to improve Lee County student achievement. Since its inception, LCEF has provided gifts and grants of more than $1 million to teachers and schools within the Lee County Schools system.
Known primarily for its innovative “Head of Class” project, LCEF’s vision is to help create an outstanding public school system that graduates students well prepared for the 21st century workplace.
“We so grateful for the support from a locally focused business like First Bank, and look forward to hearing Rob’s input as we work to make LCEF’s impact even greater,” Keller said.
First Bank has pledged to support the work of the Foundation, which joined with the Worthy Lands Trust Foundation of Lee County to provide COVID relief grants of $300,000 to Lee County Schools over the past two years.
LCEF founding chairman Dennis Wicker said Patterson’s 36-year career in the financial industry and extensive community service record make him an ideal fit for the board.
“Rob’s experience in the banking and business world, not to mention his active participation and experience with coaching in the high schools, give him a unique perspective of how we can enhance the performance of students in the classroom,” he said. “We are so fortunate that he has agreed to join us and we look forward to his wise leadership on the board in the future.”
Patterson’s banking career began at Wachovia in 1986 and includes work as a branch manager and market leader at Raleigh Federal Savings Bank and First Union. He joined First Bank in 1997.
A graduate of St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Patterson has served as president of the Jonesboro Rotary Club and the local chapter of the American Heart Association. He’s also served on the boards of the Central Carolina Community College Foundation and the Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce, and as a deacon at First Presbyterian Church and a volunteer football coach.
Keller said LCEF has much in store for this year.
“We look forward to 2022 as we work to expand our impact on the educators and students of Lee County,” she said “We have great supporters and a great team of people on our board as well as strong leaders in LCS. Our education system faces immense challenges right now, however. Teacher shortages, the continued COVID situation with its many ripple effects, and projected population growth in our county are just a few of these challenges. I ask each of you to think outside the box about real solutions and ways that we can best fulfill LCEF’s mission of building well-educated, critical thinking students who are ready to become working, contributing citizens of our community.”
Meanwhile, Foundation board members are mourning the loss of long-time director Sam Wornom, who died Jan. 30.
“Sam was such a pillar of our community,” Keller said. “He was generous with his time, his knowledge, and his finances, and was just a kind and wonderful person. The lives on which he had a positive impact are many and his presence as a champion of the children of Lee County will be greatly missed.”