James B. Hunt

James B. Hunt is a Trustee of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

"He and his family lived in Katmandu, Nepal, from 1964-1966 where he served as a Ford Foundation Economic Advisor to His Majesty’s Government. He has served on the Commission on US-Japan Relations for the 21stCentury and working with the Asia Society, co-chairs the National Commission on Asia in the Schools. Governor Hunt is currently a member in the law firm of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, in Raleigh. He and his wife, Carolyn, live on their beef cattle farm in eastern North Carolina. They have four children and ten grandchildren." Pdf

"James B. Hunt, a four-term governor of North Carolina and nationally recognized educational leader, was elected to Carnegie Corporation of New York’s board of trustees in October 2000. During his tenure as governor (1977-85, 1993-2001), Hunt focused on supporting early childhood development, raising standards in public schools, and improving the quality of teaching. His many accomplishments in these areas richly inform and complement key priorities of the Corporation.

"First elected in 1977, Hunt led his state’s education reform efforts with a number of ground-breaking initiatives—among them Smart Start, a county-based program funded by the state in partnership with private corporations and individuals that provides quality child care and health care to families in need. Smart Start received the prestigious Innovations in Government Award from the Ford Foundation and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Hunt also developed the primary reading program, reduced class size, created dropout prevention programs, and dramatically increased teacher pay.

"As chair of the National Education Goals Panel, which monitors “Goals 2000, an achievement plan created by the nation’s governors, Hunt has worked vigorously to insure high standards in public schools. Hunt has helped develop standards for excellence in teaching as well as assessments to insure that teachers are “board certified” in his role as chair of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

"In the area of technology, Hunt established the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. North Carolina has gained economically from these efforts, regularly leading the nation in new job creation per capita and in foreign investment.

"He has received numerous awards for his achievements in education, including the Education Commission of the States “James B. Conant Award,” the Harold W. McGraw, Jr., Prize in Education, the Columbia University Teachers College Medal for Distinguished Service, and the National Education Association “Friend of Education Award.”

"The son of a school teacher, James Hunt holds B.A. and MS. degrees from North Carolina State University and a J.D. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill."