As Chatham Literacy says farewell to two exceptional Board members, Tom Craig and Ed McCraw, we want to honor their dedicated service, reflect on their unique contributions, and celebrate the lasting impact they’ve had on our organization. Their leadership has been instrumental in shaping Chatham Literacy’s recent growth and success, helping to set a strong trajectory for the organization.
Part 1: Tom Craig – Outgoing Board Director
Tom Craig is a U.S. Navy Submarine Service veteran with 9 years of military service. He retired from the nuclear power industry after a combined 47 years working as a Navy nuclear plant operator and trainer, a commercial Senior Reactor Operator and an Operations Training Instructor.
Tom has broad experience teaching in the classroom setting and providing one-on-one and team coaching to drive individual and team performance improvement. He also has extensive experience in adult curriculum design, development and evaluation, including experience managing training programs and providing training for instructors.
Tom was involved with Chatham Literacy for four years. He initially joined as a volunteer after retiring. Recognizing his value in program design and development while on the PAC (Program) Committee, Tom was invited to join the Board. As a member of the Board and Chair of the PAC Committee, Tom focused on strategic leadership and long-term planning.
Tom is proud of the improvements made to program evaluation, student goal-setting processes, and program metrics. He states, “I feel strongly that we are in a much better position now to measure our impact and use that data to drive our decisions.” He feels that these metrics now provide a much clearer picture of the organization’s impact and effectiveness, as accurate metrics play a crucial role in reassuring stakeholders about the organization’s progress.
Another of Tom’s proudest accomplishments is helping launch innovative programs — like Financial Literacy — that address emerging community needs. Reflecting on these achievements, he said: “We’ve been able to introduce programs that didn’t exist before—programs that truly resonate with people’s lives.” His focus on innovation has helped ensure that Chatham Literacy remains relevant and impactful.
Even as he steps down from the Board, Tom’s commitment to Chatham Literacy continues. We are pleased to announce that he will remain involved by serving on the PAC Committee, assisting in the design, development, and evaluation of our educational programs and services. His continued involvement will ensure his expertise continues to guide our work.
Thank you, Tom.
Part 2: Ed McCraw – Outgoing Board Director
Ed McCraw served two three-year terms on the Chatham Literacy Board, bringing over a decade of involvement with the organization. He also contributed as a member of the PAC (Program) Committee.
Ed is a retired senior corporate executive who served as a vice president and senior business leader with MasterCard and Verizon Corporation in New York. During his career, he led corporate functions that included: integrated marketing and public relations programs, media relations, employee communications, financial communications, government and community relations, and corporate philanthropy.
After retiring, Ed moved to Chapel Hill, where he taught in the MBA program at UNC’s business school for nine years. Ed is also a marketing consultant, working with diverse clients including the American Medical Association, the US Military, and the EPA. He consulted with or spoke at eight universities in the US. In addition, he developed strategic plans or marketing/communication plans for twelve nonprofits in the Triangle, on a volunteer basis.
Ed’s journey with Chatham Literacy began approximately twelve years ago when he worked on a strategic plan for the organization through the Executive Service Corps. Reflecting on his decision to join the Board, Ed shares: “I really liked the people, I liked the mission, and I thought it would be a valuable use of my time.” Ed also actively participated as a volunteer on the PAC Committee for three years.
During his tenure, Ed developed a comprehensive communication plan that remains a cornerstone of Chatham Literacy’s strategy. He explained: “I thought there was a broad opportunity to improve and enhance the organization’s image and reputation among the various stakeholders.” This plan has significantly elevated Chatham Literacy’s visibility and reputation in the community.
Ed used his expertise while on the Board to urge Chatham Literacy to become more deliberate in its marketing efforts, particularly in evaluating whether there is sufficient demand for new programs. His guidance led the organization to embrace a more strategic approach, prioritizing careful assessment of market demand before launching new initiatives. Ed continues to encourage the organization to consider different programming formats (such as short seminars for Financial Literacy topics) to accommodate the evolving needs of potential learners.
Reflecting on his recommendations for the Chatham Literacy Board, Ed shares, “I’ve always been a big believer in having different kinds of professionals as part of the group. By professionals, I mean someone who’s a marketing professional, an attorney, an accountant or financial person, an investor, an analyst, an IT professional, or a couple more people who really understand curriculum and teaching. They would bring a very different perspective to the group.”
We are grateful for Ed McCraw’s contributions and are thrilled that he offered to extend assistance in the future on special projects.
Thank you, Ed.
Looking Ahead
Both Tom Craig and Ed McCraw have made lasting contributions to Chatham Literacy. Their unique backgrounds—Tom’s instructional capabilities and Ed’s corporate expertise—brought invaluable perspectives that enhanced our organization’s strategic planning, adaptability, and community engagement.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Tom and Ed for their years of dedicated service. Their leadership has been an inspiration, and we look forward to carrying their vision into the future as we strive to make literacy accessible to all in our community.
If you are interested in making a difference in our community, rolling up your sleeves and working with a nonprofit, and helping adults better their lives through literacy, then please consider becoming a board director with Chatham Literacy… you’ll be glad you did! Email us at: admin@chathamliteracy.org.