Current Members  

• Sally Kost, Chair (District 1)
  
• George Lucier, Vice Chair (District 3)
  
• Allen Michael "Mike" Cross (District 2) 
  
• Carl E. Thompson, Commissioner (District 5)
  
• Tom Vanderbeck, Commissioner (District 4)

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Sally Kost, Chair (District 1)

Mailing Address:  PO Box 1809, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Phone:  (919) 367-0727 (home), (919) 696-7840 (cell)
Email: sally.kost@chathamnc.org

Sally Kost, elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2008. She was elected Vice Chair at her first meeting and was elected chair in 2009. She is a native of North Carolina and has lived in the area for over 20 years. She has been married for over 33 years to her husband Tom, a molecular biologist, and they have one son, Ryan, a graduate student.

Commissioner Kost, now retired, worked professionally for 20+ years as a government budget professional. Her professional career included working for the Federal Reserve, the Nebraska Legislature, both Wake and Orange county governments and the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office. She holds a BS degree in Political Science from NC State, and a Master's of Public Administration from Tennessee State University.

Commissioner Kost served on the Chatham County Planning Board from 2006-2008, chairing the board in 2008. She is the former East Williams precinct chair for the Democratic Party, and has been active in local politics and environmental issues since 2003.

Her hobbies include hiking, canoeing , gardening and traveling. 

Local Boards & Committees: Commissioner Kost currently serves as a member of the following regional boards and committees:

• Metropolitan Planning Board
• Triangle J Council of Governments Appearance Committee
• Triangle J Council of Governments Smart Growth Committee
• Joint Cary-Chatham Land Use Plan Subcommittee
• Orange-Chatham Work Group

In addition, Commissioner Kost serves as commissioner liaison to the following local advisory boards and committees:

• Appearance Commission
• Board of Equalization & Review
• Child Fatality Prevention Team
• Enhanced 911 Committee
• Grand Trees of Chatham
• Library Board
• Planning Board

George Lucier, Vice Chair (District 3)

Mailing Address:  PO Box 1809, Pittsboro NC 27312
Phone:  919-542-4629
Email:  george.lucier@chathamnc.org

George Lucier was elected to the Chatham County Board of Commissioners in 2006. He is 67 years old and has lived in Chatham County since 1973. He and his wife, Jane, have two children, ages 18 and 16, and they reside in the Bynum precinct. He chaired the Board of Commissioners in 2008 and 2009. As commissioner, he has been a strong advocate for public schools, economic development, managaed growth, environmental protection, agriculture and regional planning.

George Lucier holds a doctorate degree in agriculture from the University of Maryland. He retired in 2000 as Associate Director of the nation’s largest toxicology research and testing program and has published approximately 250 research articles in peer-reviewed scientific literature. Commissioner Lucier has had a long record of public service at the local, state, national and international levels as indicated below:

Chatham County:

• Chair, Chatham County Planning Board
• President, Rocky River Heritage Foundation
• Woods Charter School Board of Directors
• Coach, Woods Charter Varsity Basketball Team 
• President, Redbud Landowners Association
• Coach of numerous recreational basketball and soccer teams in Chatham County
• Science Fair judge in Chatham County and Horton Middle School
• Volunteer gym supervisor, Northwood High School

North Carolina:

• Chair, Science Advisory Board, NC Dept of the Environment and Natural Resources
• NC Steering Committee for Development of Environmentally Superior Technologies for Hog Waste
• State committee to prevent fish kills in coastal areas
• Board of Trustees, Central Carolina Community College
• Board Member, Research Triangle Regional Partnership Board
• Member, North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, Environment Steering Committee

National/International:

• Former Associate Director, National Toxicology Program (responsible for coordinating toxicology research and testing across several federal agencies
• Technical Advisor, Office of Special Counsel for the Waco (Texas) Investigation
• Chair, Clinton White House Committee to establish consistent federal guidelines for mercury exposures
• Member, Science Advisory Board for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Editor, Environmental Health Perspectives for 28 years, the world’s leading environmental health journal
• Advisor to the World Health Organization
• Advisor to New York and Michigan Public Health Agencies

Boards & Committees:  Commissioner Lucier currently serves as a commissioner representative on the following local and regional boards:

• Board of Health
• Economic Development Corporation Board (ex officio)

In addition, Commissioner Lucier serves as commissioner liaison to the following county advisory boards and committees:

• Agricultural Advisory Committee
• Chatham County Board of Education
• Chatham Partnership for Children Board
• Environmental Review Board
• Recreation Advisory Board

He also is a member of the following committees involving surrounding jurisdictions:

• Orange-Chatham Work Group
• Joint Chatham-Cary Joint Land Use Plan Subcommittee

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Allen Michael "Mike" Cross (District 2)

Mailing Address: 388 Cross Point Road, New Hill, NC 27562
Phone:  (919) 774-3309
Email:  mike.cross@chathamnc.org

Mike Cross was elected to the Chatham County Board of Commissioners in 2004. A sixth-generation resident of Chatham County, Cross is a retired U.S. Navy Commander and a veteran of the Vietnam War. He is married to Nancy Faber Cross and has four children and five grandchildren. In 1988, he retired from the U.S. Navy and returned to his family farm in the Corinth community of Chatham County. He is a member of the Buckhorn United Methodist Church in Corinth.

Commissioner Cross co-founded the Southeast Chatham Citizens Advisory Council and has served that organization in a number of capacities, including President, Treasurer, Environmental Representative, and member of the Board of Directors. He established the Moncure Schools Committee, the Moncure Water District Committee and the Air-Water Quality Summit for the Moncure Industrial Area. In 2004, he was named the Southeast Chatham Citizens Advisory Council Citizen of the Year.

Commissioner Cross earned a B.A.degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. His professional work includes:

• Commanding Officer, Navy Internal Relations Activity, Roselyn, VA
• Executive Officer, Navy Internal Relations Activity, Roselyn, VA
• Director, Navy Family Services, Naval District Headquarters, Washington, DC
• Head, Helicopter Aircraft Accident Analyst Section, Naval Safety Center, Norfolk, VA
• Administrative Officer, Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Six, Norfolk, VA
• Assistant Public Relations Officer, Headquarters Staff, Naval Base, Norfolk, VA
• Public Relations Officer, Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA
• Public Relations Officer, Helicopter Combat Squadron Six, Norfolk, VA
• Commander, Attack Helicopter Aircraft, Republic of Vietnam

Commissioner Cross is currently affiliated with the following organizations:

• Co-General Partner, Cross Pointe Apartments Limited Partnership
• Carolinas Council for Affordable Housing
• Military Officers of America, Life Member
• Disabled American Veterans, Life Member
• Woodmen of the World, Life Member

Commissioner Service: Commissioner Cross was sworn in as a county commissioner on Dec. 4, 2004 and was sworn in for his second term on Dec. 1, 2008.

Awards:  Received the  first ever Honorary Legislative Advocacy Award in August 2007 from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.  Received the Chatham County Habitat for Humanity Advocacy Award for 2006.

State/Local Boards & Committees: He currently serves as a member, officer or board liaison (non-voting) for the following state, regional or county boards or committees: 

• North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (all 100 counties are members): Co-Chair, Legislative Goals Committee (2009-10); Board of Directors Ex Officio Member (2009-10); Tax & Finance Steering Committee (2009-10); Board of Delegates, since 2005; Speakers Bureau (2006 to current); Chatham County Legislative Liaison (2005 to current).
  NOTE: Previously served as on Board of Directors as District 9 director (Chatham, Durham, Lee, Moore, Johnston, Wake and Orange), 2005-07;
• North Carolina Joint Legislative Commission on Municipal Incorporations: Appointed by Speaker of the House Joe Hackney  (2007 to current)
• Triangle J Council of Governments (includes Orange, Durham, Wake, Lee, Johnston, Moore, and Chatham counties): 2009 Regional Legislative Goals Committee (2008-current); Second Vice Chair (2007-current);Secretary-Treasurer, 2006-07); Executive Committee (2005 to current); Regional Development & Infrastructure Committee (2008-current); Board of Delegates (2005 to current).
• Board of Social Services (non-voting liaison, current)
• Board of Elections (non-voting liaison, current)
• Child Protective Services Review Board (non-voting liaison, current)
• County Alcohol & Beverage Control Board (non-voting liaison, current)
• Courts Operations & Security – Judicial District 15B (non-voting liaison, current)
• Local Emergency Planning Committee (non-voting liaison, current)

Previous board and committee membership include:

• Regional Planning Organization (includes Orange, Lee, Moore, Chatham counties in the NC Department of Transportation's planning districts): Executive Committee (2005-06); Chairman (2006); and Alternate Voting Delegate (2006-08).
• Metropolitan Planning Organization (includes Orange, Durham, Chatham, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, & Durham for the NC Department of Transportation): Executive Committee (2005-06).
• Orange, Person, Chatham Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Authority (OPC):. Executive Committee (2005-06) and Vice Chair (2006)
• Local Management Entity (Regional Mental Health). Executive Committee and Secretary (2005-06); Vice Chair (2006)
• Orange-Chatham Justice Partnership: Executive Committee and Co-Chairman (2005-06)
• Chatham County Affordable Housing Task Force: Co-founder and Board of Commissioner's Representative (2005-06)  
• Home and Community Block Grant Committee: Executive Committee (2005-06);   Secretary/Treasurer (2006-07).  

Commissioner Training & Continuing Education:

2009	Jan.	NC Association of County Commissioners	Legislative Goals Conference
2008	Sept.	Civitas Institute	Illegal Immigration Seminar
	August	NC Association of County Commissioners	Annual Conference, New Bern
	May	UNC School of Government Elected Leaders Academy	Water Visions: Future of Water Resources in NC
	May	NC State Emerging Issues Retreat	Infrastructure: Water, Transportation & School Construction Seminar
	April	UNC School of Government	Economic Development Training Class
	April	NC Association of County Commissioners	General Assembly: Short Session Legislative Issues Workshop
	January	UNC School of Government	NC Local Elected Leaders Academy
2007	August	NC Association of County Commissioners	Annual Conference Training
	March	National Association of Counties (NACo)	Annual Conference Training
	January	UNC School of Government	Essentials of County Government Course
2006	October	NC Association of County Commissioners	District Director Training
	Sept.	NC Association of County Commissioners	Annual Conference Training
	June	NC Association of County Commissioners	District Director Training
2005	Sept.	UNC School of Government	Basic Economic Development Course
	August	NC Association of County Commissioners	Annual Conference Training
	Jan.-May	Goodmon Fellow	Leadership Triangle Academy
2004	Dec.	UNC School of Government	Essentials of County Government Course

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Carl E. Thompson, Commissioner (District 5)

Mailing Address: P. O. Box 1809, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Phone:  (919) 837-2407
Email: carl.thompson@chathamnc.org

Reverend Carl E. Thompson, Sr. is a native of Chatham County. Carl grew up in Bear Creek, the fourth of six children of Robert L. and Minnie Thompson. He graduated from Chatham Central High School in 1971 and went on to obtain a B.A. in Philosophy at N.C. Central University in 1976. He was later awarded a $25,000 National Rural Fellowship and obtained his M.A. in Regional Planning from the University of Massachusetts in 1984. He also completed a year of study in theology at Duke University Divinity School in 1992.

Commissioner Thompson and his wife of 26 years, Karen Mechelle, currently live in Bear Creek. They have three children, Carla, Karen and Carl, Jr. In 1995, he and his wife founded and now serve as co-pastors of the Word of Life Christian Outreach Center, located about seven miles northwest of Siler City. He currently serves as Director of Continuing Education for the Pittsboro Campus of Central Carolina Communitty College.

In 1978, Rev. Thompson ran for the Chatham County Board of Commissioners and became the first African-American elected to the board since Reconstruction. During two years of his 12-year tenure as commissioner from 1978 to 1990, he served as Vice-Chair and Chair of the board and was instrumental in:

• Initiating plans for a countywide recreation program
• Initiating the county’s $600,000 Small Business Development Fund
• Securing funds for the initial phase of a countywide water system
• Bringing a Central Carolina Community College campus to Pittsboro

His interest in politics was sparked by the life situations he encountered during his employment over the years. His professional and entrepreneurial experience includes:

• 1976-1978 Policeman, Pittsboro Police Department
• 1980-1984 Paralegal and Community Specialist, North State Legal Services of Chatham
• 1986-1982 Legal Assistant to William T. Wilson, Attorney at Law
• 1992-1996 Owner of Thompson Insurance & Realty
• 1996- present ABE Instructor, Central Carolina Community College, Pittsboro 

He doesn’t have much time for specific hobbies; however, he relaxes to gospel singing and jazz music, plays internet chess and golf, and watches sporting events.

State/Local Boards & Committees: Commissioner Thompson currently is a member of the following state or local boards and committees:

• State Criminal Justice Partnership Advisory Board, appointed in July 2008 by Speaker of the House Joe Hackney. The Board advises the Secretary of Corrections and provides direction to the community-based criminal justice partnerships.
• Chatham Co. Economic Development Corporation Board (ex officio)
• Home and Community Care Block Grant Committee
• Joint Orange-Chatham Community Action (JOCCA)
• Orange-Chatham Leadership Council

In addition, Commissioner Thompson is the commissioner liaison to the following local boards and committees:

• Adult Care & Nursing Homes Committee
• Chatham Trades Board
• County Council on Aging & Regional Aging Advisory Council
• Human Relations Commission
• Work First Planning Committee

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Tom Vanderbeck, Commissioner (District 4)

Mailing Address:  P. O. Box 1809, Pittsboro, N.C. 27312
Phone:  919-545-2160
Email:  tom.vanderbeck@chathamnc.org  

This is the first elective office held by Tom Vanderbeck. He and his wife, Laura, are nine-year residents of District 4. He was born and raised in New Jersey, but he is now a Southerner by marriage and by choice. Laura is a native of Greensboro. He and his wife Laura moved back to North Carolina from Chicago to care for Laura's aging mother. They live in a solar home they helped design and build.

Since his retirement after 25 years in the building trades industry, Commissioner Vanderbeck has divided his time between small-scale sustainable farming, property management and community affairs. During the summer, he and Laura usually process over 300 pounds of tomatoes along with other assorted vegetables for personal use. They also regularly supply produce to the Chatham Marketplace.

He has been appointed to the Board of Directors of The E-NC Authority, a statewide organization focused on rural broadband access.

Commissioner Vanderbeck serves the community as:

• Active member, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association;
• Owner and investor, Chatham Marketplace in Pittsboro;
• One of the owners, Weaver Street Market, and
• Active participant, Democratic Party.

State & Regional Boards & Committees: Commissioner Vanderbeck serves as a voting member of the following statewide or regional committees and boards:

• e-NC Authority Commission: Statewide alliance to promote broadband access in rural areas
• Orange-Person-Chatham Mental Health Committee
• Triangle Regional Planning Organization

He also serves as commissioner liaison to the following county boards and committees:

• Affordable Housing Advisory Board
• Broadband Committee
• Chatham Transit Network Board
• Green Building Advisory Board
• Green Economy Task Force
• Chatham Housing Authority
• Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau Board
• Solid Waste Advisory Committee
• Transportation Advisory Board

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