Get to know your NCMS team!
A number of us are working remotely right now, but you can still reach us. We’ve added contact information to all of our staff listings – just click on a photo or name to learn more about each team member and how you may reach them. Stay safe and well!
If you have specific questions and are not sure with who to ask, please visit our Contact Us page.
Alan Skipper, CMP, CAE
Vice President, External Affairs
Email Alan Phn: (919) 833-3836 x. 4167
Alan Skipper is the Vice President, External Affairs for the North Carolina Medical Society. In that role, he is responsible for legislative and political advocacy (state and federal), regulatory advocacy and payer advocacy activities of the NCMS. Additional responsibilities include the Society’s work with the American Medical Association and state and national specialty societies. Prior to assume the VP, External Affairs position, Mr. Skipper served as the NCMS Vice President, Specialty Society Management for 18 years. In that capacity, he served as the Executive Director for ten (10) state specialty societies for which the Society provided management services. Those specialties include dermatology, endocrinology, internal medicine, neurology, ob/gyn, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, otolaryngology pathology and spine surgery. The areas of management support provided included financial management, member database management and recruitment, political and legislative advocacy, regulatory affairs, meetings and CME events, communications and media relations, and professional relations at the local, state and national levels with related organizations. Mr. Skipper has been with the NC Medical Society since his graduation in 1980 from North Carolina State University. Mr. Skipper participates in several state and national professional societies, including Association Executives of North Carolina, the American Society of Association Executives and the American Association of Medical Society Executives.Alan Skipper, CMP, CAE
Vice President, External Affairs
Asheton Graham, Manager, Event Services
Manager, Event Services
Started with the NCMS in 2023
Phn: (919) 833-3836 x5260
Asheton joins the NC Medical Society to oversee event services, which includes planning more than 12 large-scale meetings each year for both the NCMS and the specialty societies we manage. Asheton is a proud native to the beautiful Palmetto state of South Carolina. Asheton grew up in Greenville, SC, where her family still resides and calls home. While Asheton attended Clemson University and loves her Clemson Tigers, she was raised on Georgia Bulldog football and remains a devoted Georgia Bulldog at heart. Asheton has been in the event planning industry 8+ years. Beginning her professional career, Asheton worked as a fashion stylist for Charleston Fashion Week, where she learned the ins and outs of event production and management. After cutting her teeth in the fashion industry, she made a move to Middleburg, VA, and transitioned into wedding planning and event design where her passion for event planning began to flourish. Wanting more time with her family and missing the Carolina sunshine, she moved back to Charleston, SC, and transitioned into planning corporate events at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Asheton is passionate about and committed to helping people. She thrives on connection and bringing people together. In and out of her professional life, Asheton is always planning memorable and enjoyable events for people around her.Asheton loves cooking, hiking, camping, live music, and horseback riding. When Asheton is not managing one of many specialty meetings, you can often find her stirring up new recipes in her kitchen, hosting social gatherings, adventuring in the great outdoors, watching Georgia/Clemson Football, and spending time with her friends and family.
Asheton Graham
Manager, Event Services
Ashley Newton, MBA
Ashley Newton, MBA
Vice President, Member Services
Ashley Rodriguez, JD
Ashley Rodriguez, JD
Chief Legal Officer
Belinda B. McKoy Manager, Annual Fund
Manager, Annual Fund
Email Belinda Phn: (919) 833-3836 x 5241
Belinda brings 12 years of customer service experience with Club Corp, to her role helping NCMS members get answers to their questions through the NCMS Solution Center. Belinda earned her BA in Business Management and Economics at NC State University. She attended high school in Raleigh, but as part of an Air Force family, she grew up 'all over.' She still loves to travel and she and her husband, Von, enjoy sampling the regional cuisine wherever they are.Belinda B. McKoy
Manager, Annual Fund
Beth Remhof Manager, Data Analytics
Manager, Data Analytics
With the NCMS since 2019
Email Beth Phn: (919) 833-3836 x 5253
Beth grew up near Chicago, later relocating to Ohio where she spent the next 20 years. While in Ohio, she attended the University of Dayton where she received her bachelor's and master's degrees. Before joining the NCMS, she worked in the Advancement Division at the University of Dayton, which introduced her to the world of nonprofit fundraising and donor relations. A job transfer brought her family to North Carolina in 2016.
Aside from her day job of analyzing membership data for the NCMS, you can probably find Beth with knitting needles and yarn in hand, or, as she explains, "If I’m sitting still, I’m usually knitting." A true enthusiast, Beth serves on the leadership team for the Ol’ North State Knitting Guild in Raleigh. Her other passion that she shares with her family – husband Kevin, daughter Allison, and son Daniel – is a love amusement parks and rollercoasters. They have visited 50+ amusement parks and have been on over 300 different rollercoasters in the eastern half of the US and Canada. The family looks forward to expanding west in the years to come.
Beth Remhof
Manager, Data Analytics
Chip Baggett, JD Executive Vice President & Chief Executive Officer
Executive Vice President and CEO
With the NCMS since 2007
Email Chip Phn: (919) 833-3836 x 4164
Chip Baggett, JD has been Executive Vice President & Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Medical Society since September 2020. Mr. Baggett joined the NCMS in 2007 and has held a number of different positions overseeing advocacy, communications and fundraising efforts.
Originally trained as an art teacher, he has also worked with community non-profits, pharmaceutical companies, and led a county medical society. Mr. Baggett received his undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University. He graduated from the evening program at the NC Central University School of Law while working for NCMS.
Chip Baggett, JD
Executive Vice President & Chief Executive Officer
Emma Kate Sowder
Manager, Health Policy
With the NCMS since 2022
Email Emma Kate Phn: (919) 833-3836 x. 5263
Emma Kate was born and raised in birthplace of the Wright Brothers, Dayton, Ohio. In her home state she earned a BA in Public Management, Leadership, and Policy from The Ohio State University, with a specialization in Non-Profit Management. During her undergraduate career, Emma Kate had the pleasure of interning for a member of Canada’s Parliament as well as at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars in Washington, DC. After a senior year cut short by the global pandemic, Emma Kate moved across the country to Winston-Salem, NC starting her professional career a Shared Government Affairs director for NC REALTORS®. When not at NCMS you’ll often find Emma Kate reading fiction, creating digital or traditional artwork, baking bread, or watching Buckeye football with her soon-to-be husband, Matt and their corgi, Kingsley.Emma Kate Sowder
Manager, Health Policy
Erica Hall, CHW-I, MT, Manager, Education & Training
Erica Hall, CHW-I, MT
Manager, Education & Training
With the NCMS since 2022
Email Erica Phn: (919) 833-3836 x. 4168
Erica was born in eastern NC and received her BS in Health Education from North Carolina Central University. She has over 18 years of public health experience specifically in curriculum development, chronic disease self-management, behavior modification strategies, and patient education. She has served as an adjunct instructor at Durham Technical Community College and a Master Trainer for the NC Standardized Core Competency Training for Community Health Workers and instructors since 2017. In her free time, you’ll find her with her partner Dale, enjoying the NC mountains and beaches.Erica Hall, CHW-I,MT
Manager, Education and Training
Evan Simmons Director, Board and Executive Services
Director, Board and Executive Services
With the NCMS since 2014
Email Evan Phn: (919) 833-3836 x. 4165
Evan holds a BA degree in Human Resources from Peace College in Raleigh and brings a decade of experience working in HR at Glaxo Smith Kline to her role at the NCMS. She was born in Florida, but spent most of her childhood in Raleigh. If they have a long weekend, you’re most likely to find Evan, her husband, Tate, and their young son, Henry, vacationing in the mountains of North Carolina.Evan Simmons
Director, Board and Executive Services
Frank Snyder, MS, CIC, CRM, Director, Membership
Director, Membership
With the NCMS since 2018
Cell: (704) 877-2024
Phn: (919) 833-3836 x. 5242
No stranger to the medical community in North Carolina, Frank joined the NCMS as Director of Member Services in 2018 after more than 15 years in the medical liability insurance field. Originally from Atlanta, GA, Frank graduated from the University of Georgia with a BS in psychology and since coming to NCMS has completed his MS in Health Informatics and Information Management from East Carolina University. When he’s not on the road for business, enjoying the outdoors or watching college sports, you’ll likely find Frank at home in Emerald Isle with his wife, Gayle or spending time with his grandchildren.
Frank Snyder, MS, CIC, CRM
Director, Membership
Franklin Walker, MBA Vice President, Solutions
Vice President, Solutions
Executive Director, Community Practitioner Program
Executive Director, Project OBOT NC
Executive Director, Our Community Health Initiative (OCHI)
With the NCMS since 2010
Cell: (919) 280-4334
Phn: (919) 833-3836 x. 5250
Franklin earned his BA at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and his MBA at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. Prior to his position at the NCMS, Franklin has been a restaurateur, the CEO of a medical/surgical practice, a health care consultant and on the faculty of UNC’s School of Public Health. Franklin enjoys boating, travel and reading. Born and raised in Chapel Hill, Franklin, his wife, Melanie, and teenage sons, Trey and Paul, and poodle, Fitzgerald, live in Raleigh.
Franklin Walker, MBA
Vice President, Solutions
Garry Linton Director, Multimedia, Communications & Marketing
Director, Multimedia, Communications & Marketing
With the NCMS since 1985
Email Garry Direct: (919) 833-3836 x. 5262
Garry has worked as a media tech at Pamlico Community College, a Realtor, a stager and home re-designer and co-owner of L & L Sign Company. Lately he is the videographer behind many NCMS videos including the popular “Bowtie Briefing.” Garry has an Associate’s Degree in Commercial Art and Graphic Design from Pitt Community College and a BS in Business Administration from Mt. Olive College. He grew up in Washington, NC. When not at work, you’ll likely find Garry spending time with his grown daughter, McKayla, at the beach, fishing, doing yard work or on his porch swing.
Garry Linton
Director, Multimedia, Communications & Marketing
Hannah Rice - Manager, Political Fundraising and Grassroots Advocacy
Manager, Political Fundraising and Grassroots Advocacy
With the NCMS since 2022
Email Hannah Direct: (919) 833-3836 x. 4162
Hannah was born in Wilmington, North Carolina and earned her BA in History from UNC Charlotte. She has worked in various fundraising roles including the Political Fundraising Manager for the North Carolina REALTORS® and a Distinguished Events Coordinator for the American Cancer Society. In her free time, Hannah enjoys reading, trying new restaurants, watching baseball or football, and traveling with her husband and dog.
Hannah Rice
Manager, Political Fundraising and Grassroots Advocacy
Jackie Davis-Jones Manager, Membership Database
Manager, Membership Database
With the NCMS since 2007
Email Jackie Direct: (919) 833-3836 x. 4179
Originally from Washington, DC, Jackie moved to Raleigh in her teens. She has worked as a credentialing analyst and is a published author with Life Changing Book Publishing Company. She enjoys writing, reading, shopping and watching football. She’s the proud mother of North Carolina Central University class of 2014 basketball star point guard Emanuel “Poobie” Chapman, III. Jackie enjoys time with her husband, Cleveland Jones, Jr., and if she had long weekend you’d find her someplace tropical.
Jackie Davis-Jones
Manager, Membership Database
Joy N. Avery Manager, Engagement
Manager, Engagement
With the NCMS since 2000
Email Joy Work: (919) 833-3836 x. 5257
Joy grew up in Garner, NC, but if she has a long weekend, you’ll most likely find her at Carolina Beach. By day, Joy is our social media specialist and Morning Rounds editor; by night she is a prolific and best-selling romance novel writer. Joy supports her glitter and Sharpie marker obsession by operating an Etsy shop — Lady Lioness Handmades — where she offers hand-crafted items. Fellow NCMS staff members also know Joy for her cake decorating skills and the delicious cakes she treats us to on special occasions.
Joy N. Avery
Manager, Engagement
Katherine Croom Director, Financial Operations
Director, Financial Operations
With the NCMS since 2014
Email Katherine Direct: (919) 833-3836 x. 5243
Before arriving at the NCMS, Katherine served as an accountant at the NC Central Office of Child Support and as a fiscal manager at the NC State University Office of Contracts and Grants. Katherine holds a BS in Accounting from Strayer University. She grew up in Kinston and enjoys traveling, shopping and baking. While she is not a pet person (she’s scared of dogs; allergic to cats and her goldfish died), she does enjoy spending time with her son Preston and her daughter, Aliyah.
Katherine Croom
Director, Financial Operations
Kelly Wilson Director, Business Operations
Director, Business Operations
With the NCMS since 1993
Email Kelly Direct: (919) 833-3836 x. 5249
Kelly was born in Indiana but spent a good bit of her childhood in Ontario, Canada. This may explain her affinity for hockey – she loves the Carolina Hurricanes. When she’s not at a ‘Canes game, doing yard work, reading or hanging out with her poodle, Carbon, you’ll most likely find Kelly spending time with her daughter, Bailey, and Bailey's husband, Josh, in Wilmington.
Kelly Wilson
Director, Business Operations
Kerry Kendall Coordinator, Membership and Communications
Coordinator, Membership and Communications
With the NCMS since 2021
Email Kerry Direct: (919) 833-3836 x. 5255
Kerry is an NC State alumni and was born and raised in New York, but has been in NC for most of her adult life and loves being so close to both the beach and the mountains. She lives in Wake Forest with her husband Aaron and dog Penny. In her spare time Kerry is an amateur filmmaker, having written, directed, and assistant directed some award winning short films.Kerry Kendall
Coordinator, Membership & Communications
Kizzy Brown - Coordinator, Operations & Development
Coordinator, Operations & Development
With the NCMS since 2022
Phn: (919) 833-3836 x. 5256
Kizzy Brown
Coordinator, Operations & Development
Kristen Shipherd Director, Marketing & Creative Services
Director, Marketing & Creative Services
With the NCMS since 2002
Email Kristen Direct: (919) 833-3836 x. 5247
Equipped with a BA in Classical Archaeology and Anthropology and a minor in Art History from George Washington University, Kristen’s career path began with editing field reports for an archaeologist and segued into a job with an art auction house as editor of their lifestyle magazine. At the NCMS, she gives the visual pizzazz to our website and publications, including the NCMS Member Calendar and online Bulletin magazine.
Kristen is the proud mother of daughter Kaleigh and caretaker of Winnie the rescue pup and two cats (Pixie and Joel).
Kristen Shipherd
Director, Marketing & Creative Services
Kristina Natt och Dag, PhD, MA Vice President, Education & Training
Vice President, Education & Training
With the NCMS since 2014
Email Kristina Cell: (919) 889-3809 Phn: (919) 833-3836 x. 4166
Kristina Natt och Dag has a PhD in Educational Research and Policy Analysis from North Carolina State University. Her specific research areas are authentic and ethical leadership as well as women and leadership. She has a master’s in human rights from Lund’s University in Lund, Sweden and has been working in the field of training and development in the corporate as well as the non-profit sector. She joined the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation in 2014 and holds the position of Vice President Education & Training. Kristina also leads a state-wide initiative to address burnout among clinicians. In her professional career, she has been awarded the prestigious LEAD award twice for the programs she has developed and implemented for the NCMS as well as in partnership with health care organizations. She is also an adjunct with Campbell School of Osteopathic Medicine where she teaches a course on the successful clinical leader. She has been published in academic journals within her field of Human Resource Development as well as in scholar publications such as Handbook of Research on Gender and Leadership. She is further a recipient of the ADHR (Academy of Human Resource Development) Outstanding Issue Award for her special issue on Leadership Development. Kristina is a passionate foodie and enjoys plant-based cooking and baking as well as being outdoors with her family, whether skiing, biking, hiking, or boating. Concerned about the environment, she co-founded a foundation to address quality of air in the local community where she lives outside Raleigh with her husband Magnus and their two children, Alexander and Emma and their little dog with a big name, Ivan.Kristina Natt och Dag, PhD, MA
Vice President, Education & Training
Larry Crawford
Vice President, Finance and Administration
With the NCMS since 2023
Email Larry Direct: (919) 833-3836 x. 5259
Larry is a North Carolina licensed CPA and received his BS degree from the Pennsylvania State University and an MBA in Finance from the Lubin School of Business at Pace University. He began his career in finance and accounting with Price Waterhouse Coopers as an auditor with clients including Stamford Hospital, Fairfield University and the Herbert Hoover Foundation. In the healthcare sector, he served as Interim Accounting Manager for Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC during a financial reorganization that included the roll out of the Healthy Blue initiative. He also served as Associate Chief Finance Director for the Medicaid Division of North Carolina DHHS and as Associate CFO for the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts. Prior to his current position at NCMS, he worked as a Contract Finance Manager for the NCMS Foundation in the administration of the Covid Financial Recovery Program (FRP) and for the NCMS in state appropriated grants. Larry enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, horseback riding, occasional golf, and deep-sea fishing off the Carolina coast. He is a New Jersey transplant, living in Cary with his wife, Connie since 2013. They enjoy trips to visit their five daughters and their families whenever possible.Larry Crawford
Vice President, Finance & Administration
Megan Eberle Director, Client Services
Director, Client Services
With the NCMS since 2020
Email Megan Direct: (919) 833-3836 x. 5254
Megan was born in Eugene, Oregon, but grew up in the Raleigh area and remained in North Carolina for her college career. She studied business administration with a concentration in accounting at UNC Wilmington and soon went to work in meeting and event planning with Health-Scripts and BCD M&E on the Pfizer account.
When not spending weekends at numerous specialty society meetings, Megan likes to cook, read, run, go hiking, travel and spend copious amounts of time with her black Lab mix, Shadow, her Bernese Mountain Dog, Henry, and her family – her parents, two sisters and her niece all live in the Raleigh area.
Megan Eberle
Director, Client Services
Melissa Kenny, Coordinator, Education and External Affairs
Coordinator, Education and External Affairs
With the NCMS since 2022
Email Melissa Phn: (919) 833-3836 x. 5264
Melissa grew up in Maine and spent the last 14 years in Massachusetts, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Retail Merchandising from Lasell University in 2012. For the past decade, Melissa worked in Merchandising for TJX Companies Inc. before relocating to North Carolina. With her immediate family now close by, they have been a huge help getting acclimated. Outside of work Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, exploring restaurants, parks, and museums in their new town and state.Melissa Kenny
Coordinator, Education and External Affairs
Pam Highsmith, MEd, CFRE Vice President, Advancement
Vice President, Advancement
With the NCMS for 17 years
Email Pam Cell: (919) 830-4127 Direct: (919) 833-3836 x. 5246
Born and raised in Burgaw, NC, Pam earned her BA in Education at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and her M.Ed. at The Citadel. She taught English for six years and was the Executive Director of the Alice Aycock Poe Center for Health Education and a hospice administrator. Pam also has experience as a lifeguard, a bank teller and is handy with a skill saw. When she is not spending time with her large extended family, which includes three siblings and their spouses, 11 nieces and nephews and 20 great nieces and nephews and counting, you’ll likely find Pam swimming, biking, running or cheering on the Tar Heels.
Pam Highsmith, MEd, CFRE
Vice President, Advancement
Rachel Thompson Coordinator, Solutions
Coordinator, Community Practitioner Program and Solutions
With the NCMS since 2021
Email Rachel | Phn: (919) 833-3836 x. 5253
Rachel was born and raised in Washington, DC and attended boarding school at Groton School in Groton, MA. She moved to the area to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she studied Sociology. Rachel decided to stay because of southern hospitality, better traffic patterns, and because the tea is always sweet. She caretakes for her mom, loves to travel and when she's not journaling, you can find her hiking with her three rescue dogs, catching up on the latest k-drama, or out ballroom dancing.
Rachel Thompson
Coordinator, Community Practitioner Program and Solutions
Randy Aldridge - VP, Communications & Marketing
Vice President, Communications & Marketing
With the NCMS since 2022
Email Randy | Direct: (919) 833-3836 x. 5261
Randy is a North Carolina native hailing from the coast. Born and raised in Southport, Randy attended the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. He holds a BA in Journalism with a concentration in advertising and marketing. Previously he was the Senior Anchor for WWAY in Wilmington. Over the past 20 years he has been involved with the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Center, Seeds of Healing HIV Advocacy Organization, Brunswick Community College, American Cancer Society, Surfers Healing, The Steve Haydu Lo Tide Fund for Cancer Warriors, and the American Red Cross of Eastern North Carolina. Randy lives with his husband David and son Jay in Wilmington.
Randy Aldridge
Vice President, Communications & Marketing
Rokita Pitts, Front Desk Coordinator
Front Desk Coordinator
With the NCMS since 2021
Email Rokita Direct: (919) 865-5248
Rokita was born and raised in Syracuse, NY, and attended Syracuse University. To escape the beautiful but long and cold winters of NY state, she relocated to Raleigh in 2019 with her husband. She enjoys traveling, reading/listening to books, watching movies (action, thrillers, and historically based), shopping and spending time with her family.Rokita Pitts
Front Desk Coordinator
Shawn Scott, MBA Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officer
With the NCMS since 1998
Email Shawn Cell: (919) 621-5919 Phn: (919) 833-3836 x. 4170
Shawn began her career at NCMS as Director of Member Services and Marketing in 1998. In 2013, she was promoted to her current role. A Virginia native, Shawn earned her BA in Speech Communication from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA and her MBA at Meredith College in Raleigh.
Prior to joining the NCMS, she was Director of Marketing and Communications for the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) where she also began the ATSS Foundation, raising more than $100,000 for college scholarships in traffic engineering fields. After seven years at ATSSA, she joined Capitol Broadcasting Company to develop consumer marketing programs, returning to the association world when she joined the NCMS. In 2008 she earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).
Shawn is active in community and school arts programs, serving as Board Member for the Carolina Youth Theatre. When she is not busy making sure all is operating efficiently at NCMS headquarters, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Tom McSwain, and son, Jack.
Shawn Scott, MBA
Chief Operating Officer
Toni Hill Manager, Member Services
Manager, Member Services
With the NCMS since 2021
Phn: (919) 833-3836 x. 5240
Toni grew up in the beautiful mountains in Telluride, CO, returning there to work for a few years after completing her BA in Business Administration at the University of San Francisco. Never one to shy away from new things or adventure, Toni made the decision at the beginning of the pandemic to climb in her truck, drive across the country and move to Raleigh to begin a new chapter of her life -- and to be closer to her twin brother/best friend, Keith, and her mother who had been living in the area since 2019. Toni's father, who originally hails from England, remains in Colorado where he owns a coffee roastery, an endeavor that has left its mark on Toni who declares that she is an unabashed "coffee snob."
When Toni is not at the NCMS, she can often be found pursuing her love of adventure with her friends -- hiking, biking, and skiing or seeking out the new trendy and hip restaurants.
Toni Hill
Manager, Member Services