President
MaryBe McMillan is serving her second term as President of the North Carolina State AFL-CIO. With her initial election to this position in 2017, she became the first female president in the history of the organization and, as of October 2021, is one of 16 women leading state AFL-CIO federations in the country. Prior to her election as President, she served 12 years as Secretary-Treasurer—again the first woman to serve in that position.
Before working for the NC State AFL-CIO, she worked for the national AFL-CIO’s Union Community Fund, as Research Director for the Common Sense Foundation, and as State Policy Analyst for the Rural School and Community Trust.
MaryBe grew up in Hickory, North Carolina. She became involved with union organizing as a student and is passionate about organizing workers in the South. MaryBe frequently speaks to groups around the country about the importance of building a strong labor movement in the South.
MaryBe graduated with honors from Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. She also holds a Master of Arts degree from UNC-Greensboro and a doctorate degree in sociology from NC State University. MaryBe is a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 465 in Durham, North Carolina.
marybe@aflcionc.org, @marybemcmillan
Speeches & Poems by MaryBe McMillan
“Together We Win” by MaryBe McMillan (poem)
“#TimesUp” by MaryBe McMillan (poem)
“Time to Organize” by MaryBe McMillan (poem)
“Union Yes” by MaryBe McMillan (poem)
General Counsel
Trisha Pande is an attorney at Patterson Harkavy LLP and based in Chapel Hill, NC. She is dedicated to fighting for workers’ rights and primarily represents employees and labor unions. Before joining Patterson Harkavy, Trisha was Assistant General Counsel at the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in Washington, DC. While at SEIU, Trisha represented workers and local unions before the National Labor Relations Board and state labor relations agencies across the country. Trisha regularly speaks on topics regarding labor unions, employment rights, and alternative strategies to advancing workers’ rights in the modern economy. She has presented for the American Bar Association, the North Carolina Bar Association, the AFL-CIO Union Lawyers Alliance, and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. Trisha graduated from Brown University and the George Washington University Law School with honors. She received the National Association of Women Lawyers Outstanding Law Graduate Award in recognition of her contributions to the advancement of women in society and in the legal profession.
Communications Director & Operations Manager
Jeremy Sprinkle is the Communications Director and Operations Manager for the North Carolina State AFL-CIO, where he has worked since 2005. Prior to being hired, Jeremy interned with our state fed on the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride and Justice @ Smithfield campaigns and worked for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Jeremy is responsible for developing and implementing an external and internal communications plan using traditional and online media outreach, available digital platforms, and creative special events – as well as for planning state federation conferences, coordinating our paid internship program, and maintaining day-to-day operations at our headquarters. Jeremy is a political science graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Jeremy is a member of the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, TNG-CWA Local 32035.
Organizing & Mobilization Director
Catherine Walton-Ward is the Organizing & Mobilization Director for the North Carolina State AFL-CIO. Before working for the NC State AFL-CIO, Catherine worked for Working America, community affiliate of the AFL-CIO where she served as the NC State Director. During her 8 years at Working America, she organized, ran, and won campaigns fighting for $15 wages for city workers in both Greensboro and Winston-Salem. She has also spent time working towards Medicaid expansion and extended unemployment benefits. Catherine has developed members into activists and organized workers in successful campaigns. Catherine is a history graduate of Wake Forest University. She is a member of the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, TNG-CWA Local 32035.
Campaign Manager & Field Director
Kevin Lambert is the Campaign Manager & Field Director for the North Carolina State AFL-CIO. Before working for the NC State AFL-CIO, Kevin was a career educator, teaching in the US, South Korea, France, and Saudi Arabia. He has taught at Los Angeles City College, Seoul Women’s University, as well as Al-Yamamah University in Riyadh. Since returning stateside, he has worked for the North Carolina Democratic Party, the Georgia Democratic Party, and Working America, the community affiliate of the AFL-CIO. During his time at Working America, Kevin supervised a team of over 100 people in the NC field office, increasing Labor support in the Triangle. Kevin studied TESOL at the School for International Training in Vermont and is a Media Studies graduate of UNC-Greensboro. Kevin is a member of the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, TNG-CWA Local 32035.
Statewide Trainer
Alia Todd is the Statewide Trainer for the North Carolina State AFL-CIO. Prior to being hired, Alia interned with the state fed during Labor 2018, through the apprenticeship program WILL Empower, designed to place women into labor leadership positions. Alia is a native of North Carolina and is passionate about issues facing working people and their families. She has experience building power with service and retail industry workers. Alia is responsible for building engagement within the state fed’s local union mobilization structure, providing training opportunities for locals and our CLCs and increasing engagement for state legislative and political programs. Alia is a member of the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, TNG-CWA Local 32035.
Local Organizer (Greensboro)
Britnee’ Morgan is the Local Organizer in the Greensboro area, covering the Triad and Western Carolina Labor Councils. Prior to being hired, Britnee’ worked as a political organizer throughout the United States, including in Portland (Oregon), Houston, and Washington D.C. Afterward her travels, Britnee’ decided it was time to serve her own community of Greensboro and help North Carolina working families. Britnee’ is a criminal justice graduate of North Carolina Central University, where she was involved in various political awareness roles, including with You Can Vote, NC Black Alliance, MTV Poll Defenders, and where she served as President of Alpha Lambda (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.). Britnee’ is a member of the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, TNG-CWA Local 32035.
Local Organizer (Wilmington)
Dorian Cromartie is the Local Organizer in the Wilmington area, covering the Southeastern and Eastern NC Labor Councils. Born and raised in Wilmington, Dorian is a veteran of the United States Army, 82nd Airborne Division. In 2022 Dorian ran for a seat on the New Hanover County Board of Education to fight for positive change from the inside. While unsuccessful in that race, Dorian decided to continue his own education by re-enrolling at UNC Wilmington and remains active in his community. Dorian serves as the Political Action Chair of the New Hanover County branch of the NAACP and has deep roots in the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1426. He is a member of the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, TNG-CWA Local 32035.
Local Organizer (Raleigh)
Aaron Daum is the Local Organizer in the Raleigh area, covering the Eastern Piedmont, Triangle, and Greater Sandhills Labor Councils. Prior to being hired, Aaron interned with the state fed during Labor 2022. Aaron has also worked as a field intern for the North Carolina Democratic Party, and a variety of state and local candidates. They have been passionate about organized labor since teachers brought the #RedforEd movement to their high school in 2019. Aaron is a recent political science graduate of NC State University, where they served a term as President of NCSU College Democrats. They are a member of the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, TNG-CWA Local 32035.
Outgoing Campaigns Manager & Field Director
Aiden Graham is the Campaigns Manager & Field Program Director for the North Carolina State AFL-CIO. Aiden grew up in the rural Sandhills of North Carolina, among the pine forests, peach orchards, and tobacco fields. He settled in the Triangle after completing his undergraduate degree at UNC-CH and has lived in Durham for the past two decades. A brief stint in Boston introduced him to the climate, environmental justice, and labor movements — the intersections of which continue to provide some of his most challenging and fulfilling work. In his roles at the NC State AFL-CIO, Aiden spends his days fighting alongside some of the most committed labor leaders in NC, building the political power necessary to construct a state that works for all who live here. Aiden is a member of the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, TNG-CWA Local 32035.
Executive Board Members
The North Carolina State AFL–CIO is governed by an executive board of Vice Presidents (listed in alphabetical order by last name).
| Musheerah Ali, UFCW |  |
| Rick Armstrong, IBT |  |
| Rob Axford, IBEW |  |
| Andre Barnett, UFCW |  |
| Harold Black, CWA |  |
| Ray Blue, USW |  |
| Bernetha Brown, SEIU Workers United |  |
| Cheryl Brown, NNU |  |
| Kuyzendra Cobb, USW |  |
| Montez Davis, IAMAW |  |
| Terrence Dewberry, ATU |  |
| Hannah Drummond, NNU (effective 3/10/22) |  |
| Randy Fulk, BCTGM |  |
| Vernon Gammon, IBT |  |
| Michael Gravinese, AFGE |  |
| Ashley Hawkins, Central Labor Councils (IATSE) |  |
| Corey Hill, UAW |  |
| Ron Ingerick, SMART |  |
| Yvonne Kinston, CWA |  |
| Ken Krebs, AFGE |  |
| Cesar Leyva, OPEIU |  |
| Darla McGlamery, IATSE |  |
| Tony D. McKinnon Sr, APWU |  |
| Theodore McNeal, IAMAW |  |
| Kurt Rhodes, AFGE |  |
| Bob Riggins, UAW |  |
| Craig Schadewald, NALC |  |
| Larry Sorrells, APWU |  |
| Scott Thrower, IBEW |  |
| Humberto Huerta Verdin, FLOC |  |
| Alvin Warwick, Building Trades (IBEW) |  |
| Grant Welch, CWA |  |
| Denicia Montford Williams, Constituency Groups (AFT) |  |
| Donneta Williams, USW |  |
