W.
Christopher Jernigan
Our Director, W. Chris Jernigan Jernigan began his career
with Southmountain in 1990 as associate executive director. During his tenure as
associate director he led the organization through two multi-million dollar
capital campaigns from which new homes and recreation facilities were built for
the children on the main campus near Lake James in Burke County. Additionally,
Jernigan led the agency through the establishment of two award-winning
collaborative programs, the Burke County Child Advocacy Center, known as the
Gingerbread House, and the Burke Family Support Center, both of which are
located in Morganton, NC.
In 1995 Jernigan received the "Award for Excellence in Management" from the
North Carolina Association of Children and Family Services. Jernigan is also
active in child abuse prevention programs both locally and statewide and serves
as the Treasurer for the North Carolina Professional Society on the Abuse of
Children.
Very active in local civic
and community affairs, Jernigan is a member of the Optimist Club of Morganton
and is a 26-year member of Optimist International. He served as district
governor in 1994-95 for which he was awarded both distinguished and outstanding
status and is a charter inductee of the Optimist NC West District Hall of Fame.
He is a charter member and past chair of the Burke County Community Child
Protection Team and the Burke County Child Fatality Prevention Team. He is a
past chair of the Burke County Community Collaborative for Mental Health Reform
and serves on both it and the Regional Collaborative. He serves on the Board of
Directors of the Burke Partnership for Children, the Leadership Committee of the
Burke County Chamber of Commerce, the Therapeutic Recreation Advisory Committee
for Western Piedmont Community College, and the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council
of Morganton. He is an agency speaker and volunteer for the United Ways of
Burke, McDowell, Catawba, Cleveland, Rutherford, and Alexander Counties. He is a
member of Catawba Valley Masonic Lodge # 217 as well as the Scottish Rite, York
Rite and Shrine. He is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Morganton where
he sings in the chancel choir.
Jernigan earned a BA in
communication from NC State University and an MS in child care administration
from NOVA Southeastern University. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate of
Education from NOVA.
He and his wife, Marlene
Owensby Jernigan, reside in Morganton.
You Can Make a Difference in
a Child's Life!
Southmountain Children and Family Services
7330 Myrtle Drive Nebo,
NC 28761
828-584-1105
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