The Wrightsville Beach Foundation Board of Directors are volunteers with a dedicated commitment to improve the enjoyment for everyone who lives or visits Wrightsville Beach.
Please reach out if you’re interested in learning more about the WBF and opportunities to get involved.
President
Linda is retired after spending many years as a decorator and retail shop owner in Blowing Rock, NC. Her growing up years were spent in Raleigh with summers at Wrightsville Beach. She credits her Father with instilling in her the need to be supportive of your Community and its needs and to give back to that Community in every way that you can.From the mountains to the sea she has embraced the nonprofit world chairing events and serving on several boards. Lower Cape Fear Life Care, Women’s Impact Network of New Hanover County, the NC Holiday Flotilla, the Taste of Wrightsville Beach, Family Promise, The Care Project, the Harbor Island Garden Club are just a few of the nonprofits she has been a part of.Her latest challenge is serving as Board Chair for the second annual Shuck Cancer event in Wilmington NC this fall. With her many Community contacts, she hopes to grow this event each year for the American Cancer Society.
Vice President
Married to my wonderful wife Christina, we have a fantastic son, Tab, who will earn his Masters in Engineering at NC State next year. We currently have two rescued hounds that we love, Bella and Casper. After enjoying Wrightsville Beach for many years and realizing this is where we’d like to retire, we moved to Wrightsville Beach in 2002 from Greensboro NC. Great choice! When our son attended Wrightsville Beach Elementary School, I volunteered for their PTA, was in charge of their safety patrol for 5 years, and was assistant Cub Scout master. During his middle & high school years, I was assistant Boy Scout leader. I loved working with the scouts and their community projects and volunteering. While doing one of our community litter clean ups, I noticed a group of adults cleaning up an area near the ice cream stand on N Lumina. They were with the Wrightsville Beach Foundation. I reached out and began volunteering my time. I quickly realized they are a great group of individuals who were doing various projects to help our town. I joined the foundation, was voted to join the board, and have enjoyed volunteering for the past 12 years. Currently, I’m the WBF VP and help work the booth every Monday at the WB Farmers Market.
Secretary
Born and raised in Iowa, I’ve lived all over the country and currently split my time between Wrightsville Beach and Northern Virginia. The beach is my happy place, but I still get back to my Iowa roots and Midwest family every summer. I’m a habitual volunteer and have served on other boards and with other non-profits over the years. Having been born with a servant’s heart, I’m especially drawn to those causes that serve communities and the people that make them so special. My involvement with The Wrightsville Beach Foundation started over a Christmas ornament. Having collected the annual White House ornaments since their inception, I approached the WBF Board with a proposal to develop an annual Christmas ornament for the foundation as a fundraiser, and as a way to meet my own desire for a quality collectable ornament from the beach! Now, many years later, I still enjoy working on the annual ornament and writing information insert for each one. The history behind each ornament subject is so fascinating! It was through that work that I was asked to join the Board as Secretary. In addition to minutes and recordkeeping, I also send out the foundation newsletters to our members and friends. I’m always on the lookout for interesting, applicable, helpful, and entertaining content so all suggestions welcome!
As a long-time visitor to the Beach, I made this my home in 2022, and began volunteering for the Wrightsville Beach Foundation that September at the Farmer’s Market. My love affair with all the residents of the beach, the vendors and visitors to the market began that first day! I became a Board member of the Wrightsville Beach Foundation in May 2023, when I looked for a larger role in giving back to the community. One of my fondest memories thus far is working alongside my fellow board members to support the 3rd Annual Casino Night Fundraiser. It was a night I will never forget, and the proceeds solidified the refurbishment and beautification of the Wrightsville Beach Sports Complex. I am confident that this will be a place where families and friends will make memories that will last a lifetime! Thank you for being part of our efforts, no matter how big or small your contribution may be. We appreciate you!
Sam returned to the area in 1989 and has continuously been active in the community. His involvement in the community is diverse and heartfelt. He served on the board of Cape Fear Youth Soccer Association and worked closely with Chip Hicks to source, acquire and develop the land for the Cape Fear Soccer complex now known as the nCino Sports Complex. He was a founding board member of Junior Achievement of the Cape Fear Region and served on the board for multiple terms, eventually becoming Chairman. After serving multiple terms on the board of The Investor’s Roundtable, he accepted the Chairman position for one term. Sam served on the board of Communities in Schools and has been active with Rotary and Kiwanis in the past. Currently, Sam serves on the boards of Seapath Yacht Club as Flag Captain, The Wrightsville Beach Foundation as Treasurer, and his family’s non-profit, One Way Out, as Treasurer. He is an active mentor of UNCW business students as a long-standing member of the Cameron Executive network
I enjoy participating in the WBF because of the meaning behind our motto "Lending a Hand in the Sand." As a resident and lover of Wrightsville Beach, I observe so many needs to keep our beach safe, beautiful and enjoyable. What WBF has recognized the most is the need to help and take care of the people who take care of us--residents, visitors, and the island itself. Police, fire, ocean rescue and all other Town personnel are dedicated to us and need our support and assistance--as much as we possibly can give them. WBF strives to do that.
I grew up in eastern North Carolina and cherished all my childhood trips to the beach. Even though I have lived and worked in five foreign countries, I longed to move back to NC and live near the beach; so I did just that. Wrightsville Beach offers so much to enjoy, I wanted to be able to give back to this community. Being a part of the Foundation affords me an opportunity to promote and support the goals and projects which preserve and enhance the Wrightsville Beach lifestyle. I do have some odd habits – since I speak French and German, I like to jump rope outside and listen to foreign radio stations. Makes the exercise time go by faster.
Debbie's family was a native of the New Hanover area and spent summers at Wrightsville Beach since she was born. Her son was Captain Jeremy Owens who served as Captain of Fire and Ocean Rescue. She is dedicated to the wellness of Wrightsville Beach including the citizens, the visitors, the first responders, the businesses and the waters. Debbie has worked in the field of education for over 20 years as a teacher, a director, University professor and VP of educational sales. She served on several boards and nonprofits including National PTA, Maymont Foundation, Virginia Historical Society, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Henricus Park. She helped design educational programming with the initial planning committee for The United States National Holocaust Memorial Museum to ensure inclusive activities for students. She collaborated and helped design educational programming with the initial planning committee for The National Museum of the American Indian to ensure inclusive activities for students. She was a member of the UN Ambassador Program. Debbie's extensive experience and dedication to educational excellence have made her a highly respected leader in the field. She continues to drive innovation and success through her strategic vision and commitment to building meaningful partnerships for our community.
