Published each Thursday in Pembroke, N.C.
The Carolina Indian y@icc
"Building Communicative Bridges In A Tri-Racial Setting"
' - - 1 ;
Volume 27, Number 5 Thursday, February-3, 2000 - ? ... 9KC
Dennis Clark
High Technology Company
Brings Jobs to Pembroke
McLean Research Corporation has
recently opened their office at 306
Normal Street, Pembroke. They will
entertain business leaders, members
of the board of education and others
who are interested in the latest in high
technology on Friday, February 11
from 3-6 P.M.. At that time they will
hold Open House to give the business
community an opportunity to see first
hand the capabilities of McLean Research
Corporation (MRC).
MRC is a highly technical professional
services firm which is equipped
to provide a wide range of services
including program management, computers
systems, design, integration
and support, engineering services and
systems analysis, Jnfornrotlcm technology
and network engineering, advanced
technology applications, system
integration testing and evaluation,
survivability and vulnerability
methodologies and assessment, scientific,
engineering, and technical assistance
support, financial planning
and administrative support, architectural
and design services and instructional
systems development and delivery.
It is a Native American Owned
Corporation and is certified by the
Small Business Administration as an
8(a) company. The stated mission of
the Corporation is to apply technology
and management skills to win
government and commercial contracts
that will provide profit, training and
employment opportunities forNatives.
Their stated objective is to aggressively
pursue business opportunities
under the Small Business
Administration's Small Disadvantaged
Business, 8(a) Program; sole
source and competitive contracts; strategic
teaming with prime and sub contractors;
and through superior performance
by professional employees,
cultivate a satisfied customer base
which promotes the benefits of employing
MRC to meet future customer
needs.
Dennis Clark is the Vice President
of the Southern Area of MRC. A
native of Pembroke, Clark is excited to
be back at home and in a position to
provide employment to Native Americans.
"I have always said," Clark said,
"that technical expertise does exist in
Robeson County. It is just one of the
many untapped resources here." Clark
says that an additional 30 to 50 employees
will be hired by December
2000. He also expects the Pembroke
office to be the principal office by
May. The Corporation is a subsidiary
of Bethel Native Corporation, a Certified
8(a) Alaskan Native Corporation.
After twenty-two years in the
UnitedStatesNavy.Clarkretired from
military duty in 1986. Since that time,
until his affiliation with MRC, Clark
was busy with aero space engineering
firms, one HRB Singer in State College,
PA, and the other in XEN Corp. where
he began in 1988 and left in 1999 after
the company had become a $ 10 million
corporation. X EN was located in Alexandria,
VA where Clark resided until
returning home.
At the present time MRC employees
nine Native Americans, including
Clark. Clark'sbrother.J.MichaelClark,
heads the Architectural and Engineering
Division of MRC.
"The primary reason MRC is located
in Pembroke," Clark explains is
because Pembroke has been designated
as an Historically Under-utilized
Business Zone which means that
2-3% of federal procurement dollars
will be spent in Under-utilized Business
Zone areas." Also Clark stated
"We wanted to afford our talented
citizen^ of Robeson County the opportunity
for high tech careers at home
so they won't be force to leave home
to make a decent living."
Among other employed by MRC
are Lae Ruth Sampson Alway who is
financial manager; Tennille Sampson
who is office manager; Brent Locklear,
Engineer in training a; Tony Clark,
computer network administrator and
senior draftsman; and Horace Locklear,
who is the State and Local Government
Liaison and Marketing Entity
Clark, the son of Raymond "Spotted
Turtle" Clark and the late Estelle
Revels Clark is married to the former
Linda Locklear, daughter ofMrs. Stella
Locklear and the late Barnie Locklear
ofthe Union Chapel Community. They
have two sons and three grandchildren.
David Locklear, Principal of Prospect School, left, thanks Harold Baxley Locklear for his gift to the school,
a painting of a number offamous Prospect sites. Locklear has suggested that the PTA make and sell prints of the
historic painting as a fund-raiser for the school's various programs.
Harold Baxley Locklear Gives Prospect School
a Painting as He Announces His Retirement
It's official! Harold Baxlcy Locklear,
57, has retired as an art teacher
'.in the Public Schools of Robeson
County "As of January 31, 2000."
Upon announcing his retirement, he
took the occasion to present a gift in
parting, a painting or montage of a
number of Prospect sites including
Prospect United Methodist Church,
Island Grove Baptist Church, Pros
pcct School, Preston Gospel Hall,
New Philadelpl.us United Methodist
Church and 'New" Prospect Holiness
Methodist Church.
Said Locklcar in presenting the
gift to Prospect Principal David Locklear,
"This is something I wanted to
do to repay this community and school
for their many kindnesses to me as I
finished my teaching career here. It is
my hope that the PTA will make
g
prints of this painting and sell them as f
a fund raiser for the school. F
e
Principal Locklear thanked Lock- e
lear for his gift and for his "many F
years of service to the school and the
Public Schools of Robeson County." "
The Prospect School PTA is making c
plans to have prints made of the paint- a
ing, then sell them as Locklear sug- r<
gested as a fund raiser for the school, c
More than 200 turn out for Pembroke
Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner
Pembroke, N.C.--"Pembroke has
prospered because of excellent leadership
of elected officials and
dedicated citizens." Sen. David
Weinstein told more than 200 in attendance
at the annual banquet of the
Pembroke Area Chamber of Commerce.
The turnout at the James B. Chavis
University Center on the UNC Pembroke
campus was extraordinary
despite snowy weather, according to
Chamber President Don Gersh.
"This Chamber has a very loyal
membership, which is its strength,"
Mr. Gersh said. "We sold every seat
in the house."
The Chamber's immediate past
President and Executive Director
Ernestine Chavis - Bulifant was
awarded the new Harry West Locklear
President's Award for her
contributions.
Lumbee Guaranty Bank President
Larry Chavis accepted the
Business of the Year Award for the
thriving 29-year-old bank. From
assets of S670.000, the Pembroke
bank has grown to more than S100
million in assets with 10 branches.
Sen. Weinstein. a Lumberton
Democrat who represents the Pembroke
area in District 30. praised the
growth of the Pembroke Area and
said Robeson County has a solid
economic future because of businesses
like Lumbee Guaranty Bank.
"Farming is declining and the textile
industry has really hurt us," Sen,
Weinstein said. "I believe the future
of all of Robeson County is in its
location next to 1-95 and U.S. 74."
"1-95 is a gold mine for the county,
bringing in more than $75 million in
tourist business a year," he said.
A retired retail merchant. Sen,
Weinstein is former mayor of Lumberton
and former UNCP trustee. He
said he continues to support a large
bond for the UNC system that will
help UNCP meet its goal of doubling
enrollment.
"We must support the bond issue,
which will bring S43 million to make
this university grow and to bring more
jobs and investment in Pembroke,"
he said. "Robeson Community College
will receive S8 million in this
package."
Three new members of the Pembroke
Area Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors were swom in.
Dr. Kenneth Clow, dean oftheUNCP
School of Business and Mass Communications,
Dr. Rhonda Lowery, a
physician with First Health of the
Carolinas and Lucille Locklear, of
First Union National Bank, are new
directors.
^^ma?*wmanu>Miin>w<?Tnt
Ernestine Chavis-Bulifant (center) accepts the Harry West Locklear
President's Awardfro Don Gersh, president of the Pembroke A rea Chamber
of Commerce. Ms. Bulifant received the inaugural award, named in honor
of the chamber's first president. Wanda Locklear Sampson attended the
chamber's annual?Urwer and witnessed the award made in her father's
honor. The award wilt be presented annually to a chamber member who the
president selects as the "top volunteer." (VNCP Photo bv Bobhv Aver*J
Larry Chavis (right), president of Lumbee Guaranty Bank, accepts the
Pembroke Area Chamber ofCommerce Business ofthe Year A ward from Joe
iandlin. Mr. Sandlin, retired president of Southern National Bank and a
onsultanttoLGB, cited Mr. Chavis for his keen leadership and management
abilities. Mr. Chavis was elected president of l.BG in 1987. (UNC photo by
lobby Ayers)
Carolina Manor
supports Drug
Free Celebration
Carolina Manor Treatment Center,
associated with Southeastern
Regional Medical Center, has made
the first major donation to Project
Graduation 2000, an all-night, drug and
alcohol - free party for graduating
seniors in Robeson County. This
year marks the eleventh anniversary
of Project Graduation locally and the
sixth year that SRMC has supported
the event.
Larry Pittman director of Carolina
Manor, presented a check for S1,000
to be used for Project Graduation and
said that he was pleased that Carolina
Manor and SRMC could again be a
part of this countywide event. "After
working as a volunteer on the very
first Project Graduation back in 1989,
I became committed to the concept.
SRMC and Carolina Manor are
pleased to be sponsors of this worthwhile
project again this year," he said.
According to Lavern Oxendine,
president ofProj ect G raduation 2000,
this year's event will be held on Friday,
May 26 at UNC-Pembroke. All
graduating high school seniors in the
county will be invited.
Openeli in March 1985, Carolina
k Manor is a 26-bed, residential treatment
center for alcoholism and other
drug addictions. Thousands of patients
have completed the treatment
program, which is based on the 12step
model. Many more people have
taken advantage of the three-day program
to help family members of
substance abusers.
Carolina Manor is located at 1100
Pine Run Drive. For more information,
call (910) 738-1191.
Congressman Mclntyre Files for
Re-Election to Seventh District
Lumberton?Seventh District Con;ressman
Mike Mclntyre filed recently
or re-election to the U.S. House of
Representatives. Mclntyre. who was
lected in 1996 and again in 1998, travled
to the State Board of Elections in
Raleigh for the official filing.
Congressman Mclntyre stated,
Serving the citizens of the Seventh
Congressional District has been a high
nd distinct honor. We are at a crossaads
for our future as we enter a new
entury. We must meet the challenges
ahead with concern, commitment and
cooperation. We must be concerned
about building a positive future for
our families. Wemust honor ourcomm
itments, especial ly to our senior citizens,
our children, our veterans and
our military. We must strengthen cooperation
between the public and private
sectors and work together for the
benefit of all of our citizens. Therefore,
I am filing to seek the support of the
citizens of southeastern North Carolina
to continue serving as their trustee
and voice in Washington."
"Education, health care, agriculture,
and economic security will be the
four cornerstones of the foundation
for our future." Mclntyre stressed. He
said that he will continue to fight for"
'Economic development, transportation
needs, jobs and small business;
protecting our farmers; livelihood
and Native American recognition;
A strong national defense and
benefits for veterans and military retirees;
beach renourishment, the environment
and Wilmington port improvements'
quality schools and technological
advancements;' communities
that are safe from crime; affordable
and accessible health care; fiscal responsibility
and reducing the national
debt; and preserving Social Security
and Medicare.
Mclntyre serves on both the House
Agriculture Committee and the House
Armed Services Committee! He is cochairman
of both the Congressional
Task Force on father hood and the
Rural Health Care Coalition on Capitol
Hill. Recently he was also selected co
chairman of the newly-formed Democratic
Task Force on Children.
A Morehead Scholar Mclntyre
graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1978 from
the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill and received his Juris
Doctorate from UNC School of Law in
1981. In 1987 he was chosen as one of
the state's Five Outstanding Young
North Carolinians of the Year for his
community, church and civic leadership.
In 1989 he earned the Governor's
Award for outstanding Volunteer Service
for his work with children and
educators.
Mclntyre and his wife Dee live in
Lumberton with their two sons,. Joshua
and Stephen. He has been actively
involved in First Presbyterian Church,
the PTA, Rotary, Boy Scouts and the
Chamber ofCommerce, and he coached
youth sports for several years.