NC State’s Board of Visitors welcomes four new members who will begin their term this fall. Members of the board serve for a four-year term as important advocates for the university in achieving its educational purposes. The new members beginning fall 2024 are listed below, along with their brief biographies.
The 30-member Board of Visitors, appointed by the Chancellor, works to promote NC State’s reputation as a leader in higher education globally — and serves in an advisory capacity to the Chancellor and, by extension of that service, to the NC State Board of Trustees.
“NC State is proud to welcome these accomplished alumni who bring valuable experience and insights to our board,” said Chancellor Woodson. “I look forward to working with them as we continue to further the university’s excellence in teaching, research and scholarship.”
New Board Members (2024–2028)
Mary Fedewa is the Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of STORE Capital, one of the largest and fastest-growing net-lease real estate investment trusts. In addition, she has served on STORE Capital’s Board of Directors since 2016. Fedewa has played a key role in the company’s growth, overseeing its portfolio expansion to nearly $10 billion in assets, while leading all areas of operations. In 2017, she received a Stevie Award for Female Executive of the Year. She was also named one of the Most Influential Women in Arizona by Az Business Magazines in 2021. Fedewa earned her bachelor’s degree in business management from NC State and graduated summa cum laude.
Dr. Basil Hassan is the Director of the Engineering Sciences Center at Sandia National Laboratories. In this role, Dr. Hassan is responsible for leading advancements in science and technology capabilities to help fuel Sandia’s national security mission. Since joining Sandia in 1993, he has managed all phases of research and development and applications work. A native of Raleigh, Dr. Hassan earned his doctorate, master’s and bachelor’s degrees in aerospace engineering from NC State. Dr. Hassan is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). In addition, he is a 2008 recipient of the AIAA Sustained Service Award, a 2017 recipient of NC State’s Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award, and a member of the NC State Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Hall of Fame. Dr. Hassan also currently serves on NC State’s Engineering Foundation Board as Chair of the Development Committee.
Sharat Nagaraj is the founder of Celito Communications, LLC, a leading provider of customized communication solutions. He founded Celito in 1999 while a senior at NC State, and over two decades, grew the company into a significant leader in the industry, culminating in its acquisition by MC Partners in May 2023. Currently, Nagaraj focuses on new entrepreneurial ventures and serves on several boards, the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau where he serves as Chair, Wake Technical Community College, YMCA of the Triangle, Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer. Nagaraj earned his bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from NC State.
Jim Perry is the Managing Consultant for NC Capitol Strategies. “Cap Strat” advises on public policy, corporate strategy and business development issues. Perry is also a former healthcare executive and North Carolina State Senator. He was elected to the North Carolina Senate in 2019, where he served for three terms until 2024, representing Lenoir and Wayne Counties. He was unanimously elected to serve in Senate Leadership as Majority Whip in his first full term, a position he held until his retirement. Perry also held a 25-year career primarily focused in the healthcare sector. A native of Kinston, NC, he earned his bachelor’s degree from NC State and MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Read full biographies for all members of the Board of Visitors.
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