Directors, Management & Staff

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JIM EDWARDS, President

Jim Edwards retired in 2015 as the Executive Director for the Isothermal Planning & Development Commission. The Commission is an association of local governments serving Cleveland, McDowell, Polk and Rutherford counties. Jim is a Rutherford County native. He received his undergraduate degree from Davidson College, and he completed a masters degree in public administration at UNC-Charlotte. He has spent most of his professional career in western North Carolina, and now lives near Rutherfordton. He is a proponent of economic development that preserves the special character of our land and its citizens.

JOSEPH CROWDER, Secretary

Since 2002, Joe has worked primarily in the areas of substance abuse, geriatric psychiatry, and grants management. Joe recently retired after serving 14 years as a Medical Social Worker and Grants Manager for St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus, North Carolina, and still provides “on-call” support. Prior to St. Luke’s, Joe was a counselor for Pavillon’s Residential and Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center in Mill Spring, NC. In his previous life, Joe had over 30 years of experience as a Senior Contracts Manager and professional Proposal Manager for several research universities and major government contractors. His background includes working as the Contracting Officer for the University of Kentucky Research Foundation, Director of Research Fiscal Affairs for the Medical University of South Carolina, and, prior to relocating to Polk County, he was the Federal Proposal Manager for PeopleSoft Inc., the third-largest software company in the world. Joe has been a member of the Polk County Mental Health Advisory Board and a long-time member of Polk County’s Wellness Coalition and Access to Care committees. He still volunteers at numerous hospital and civic events, as well as participating on several area boards. In addition to being on the PANGAEA board since 2005, Joe is the current President of the House of Flags Museum in Columbus, NC, past president of the Free Clinics in Henderson and Polk counties, past-president and current board member of the Isothermal Community College Foundation, current Vice-Chair of the Consumer and Family Advisory Committee to VAYA health, and a representative on the Polk County Substance Abuse Coalition. Joe holds undergraduate degrees in English, Math, Political Science and Biology; a Master’s degree in Social Work; and has completed doctoral coursework in Public Administration.

HARRY GRYMES, Treasurer

Harry is a small business owner and former commercial banker. His education includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of South Carolina, Columbia SC with a major in Advertising and Public Relations. He is a graduate of North Carolina Bankers Association School of Banking at UNC-Chapel Hill.

STEVE GARRISON, Director

Steve Garrison is the County Manager for Rutherford County, NC. Steve is a lifelong western North Carolina resident with a strong background in various functions of county government. He served 5 years as the County Manager in Madison County (2007-2012), 9 years (1998 to 2007) as a private-sector Program Manager for the Buncombe County and Polk County Child Support Offices, 11 years with the Buncombe County Department of Social Services (1987-1998), and before assuming his duties as the County Manager for Rutherford County in March of 2015, he was most recently employed with Buncombe County Government in their Library, Recreation and Culture Department (2012-2015). Steve is a graduate of Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College and Mars Hill University where he majored in Sociology and Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Technology. He has served on numerous local and State boards and committees during his career including the North Carolina Child Support Council (President in 2004), Carolina West Economic Development Board, and the Smokey Mountain Economic Development Board. Prior to assuming his new duties in Rutherford County, he served as the Chairman of the Madison County Planning Board and he served as a NC SECU Marshall Branch Board Member. He is the son of Joe and Annie Garrison of Mars Hill, NC, the husband of Tonya Garrison and the proud father of Savannah, Cameron, Lauren and Emily Garrison.

MARCHE PITTMAN, Director

Marche Pittman is the County Manager for Polk County Local Government. He has a bachelor of science Degree from Gardner-Webb University and a Master of Science Degree in Innovation and Information Technology form Champlain College in Burlington, VT. Marche has worked on many technology and governmental projects, including hardware, software, structured wiring, connectivity, digitization, and network management.

 

RUSS PITTS, Director

Russ Pitts is a retired technology and program management consultant in Lake Lure, NC. Formerly, Russ served as the Global Methods Senior Director for Oracle Corporation. His role with Oracle included enabling Oracle Sales, Marketing, and Consulting divisions worldwide to realize their maximum potential through use of methodological-based approaches and tools. Russ has over 25 years of experience in the technology industry. This includes over 17 years at Oracle Corporation, and prior employment with other fortune 500 companies such as Frito-Lay, Price Waterhouse, and General Dynamics. Russ was a Town Commissioner and Mayor Pro Tem for the Town of Lake Lure during the period of 2004 through 2008. He also is a board member on the Lake Lure Community Education Foundation (LLCEF), and continues to be very active with improving education and business opportunities in the Hickory Nut Gorge and neighboring communities.

DAVE SCHERPING, Director

Dave Scherping served in the Polk County School system for 30 years. He started his career as a teacher, transitioned to the Director of Technology & Accountability, and in 2022 retired as the system’s  Assistant Superintendent.  Dave earned a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University in Biology Education and a Master’s degree from Western Carolina University in Educational Technology.  In addition to his service on the PANGAEA Board, Dave is a Trustee for Isothermal Community College, a Board member for Outreach and the Forbes Foundation, and an active member of the Rotary Club of Tryon.  Dave has been a member of the Board since PANGAEA was founded.

MANAGEMENT & STAFF

KEN GRIFFIN, Chief Executive Officer

Ken Griffin serves as Chief Executive Officer of PANGAEA Internet, bringing over 30 years of experience in information technology, strategic operations, and network infrastructure. Since joining the organization in 2015, Ken has played a vital role in shaping PANGAEA’s technical strategy, most recently serving as Senior Director of Network Operations and Sales. His leadership has been key to the company’s continued growth and innovation in delivering reliable, high-speed fiber internet solutions. Ken is deeply committed to advancing PANGAEA’s mission of providing affordable, world-class connectivity to the communities it serves. His expertise spans data center resiliency, operational excellence, and customer-focused service delivery. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and resides in Tryon, North Carolina.

RICK MASON, Chief Financial Officer

Rick has decades of experience working as a high level finance officer. He joined the PANGAEA team in 2024 and already plays a critical leadership role overseeing PANGAEA’s financials and business operations. Rick has a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. He is a proud husband, grandfather, and Forest City resident.

 

 

CAROLYN WHITEHEAD, Business Operations Manager

Carolyn joined the PANGAEA Internet team in 2012 and is responsible for grant management and office administration, budgeting, regulatory and compliance reporting, marketing and sales support, corporate communications, management of billing for both fiber and wireless business units and preparation and delivery of company-wide service agreements. Carolyn has extensive administrative experience, having managed a governmental special taxing district in Winter Haven, Florida for 24 years. She has an A.S. in Accounting.

 

DANA CONNER, Network Engineer & Project Coordinator

Dana joined the PANGAEA Internet team in 2019. He has been in the IT field since 1997, serving Rutherford and surrounding counties since 2001. Community service efforts have included securing broadband in under and unserved areas of our community, leading to the eventual start of PANGAEA. His knowledge of networking, the local communities, and his success running Conner Computer Consultants, Inc. are the highlights of the skills that will benefit PANGAEA. He and his wife are ardent Gamecock fans, where they met while he was earning his BS from The University of South Carolina. He was also awarded a MA from Radford University. Dana and his wife live in Rutherfordton along with their two daughters.

MARK FOURNIER, Broadband Services Technician

Mark joined PANGAEA Internet in 2022 as a broadband technician. He has worked in the IT industry for over 20 years. His knowledge and experience with installing and troubleshooting cabling and infrastructure enabled him to quickly acclimate to the planning and execution of new installations and network maintenance. Mark also actively and expertly pursues new sales opportunities along our network routes so prospects understand the many benefits PANGAEA internet has to offer. Mark and his wife live in Rutherfordton and recently welcomed their second grandchild.

MASON OLIVER, Broadband Services Technician

Mason joined PANGAEA Internet in 2023 as a broadband technician. His eagerness to learn and assist with our network maintenance and installation processes has made him an important member of the team. He does his best to assist current customers and advocate for prospects to convert to PANGAEA Internet. He is a North Carolina native with a decade of experience working at Olde Hickory Brewery in Hickory, he worked in various roles, gaining a deep understanding of brewery operations. In an industry that is ever changing and growing, he has applied his skills to quickly learning how PANGAEA Internet operates and has been educating customers about what makes us stand out. His friendly demeanor, great attitude, strong work ethic, and community focus makes him a great asset to the team.

TIFFANY BLACKBURN, Associate Business Operations

Tiffany joined the PANGAEA Internet team in 2024 and provides administrative support to staff and customers to keep operations running smoothly. With over 9 years of sales and marketing experience she was a welcomed addition to the team. She has a B.S. in Biology from Wake Forest and credits her liberal arts education for fostering an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving and marketing.

 

CONTRACT SUPPORT

SEAN O’CONNELL, Fiber Installation & Maintenance

JODY GILL, CPA, Accounting & Reporting