North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger filled the remaining vacant seat on UNC-Chapel Hill’s Board of Trustees last month, appointing construction company president William “Brian” Allen to serve for two years.
A release from the university shared the news on Tuesday, with Allen being selected by the state government chamber to fill the role of Brad Briner — who departed the Board of Trustees following his election as North Carolina Treasurer in November. Allen will serve out the remaining two years on the term, which runs through June 30, 2027.
“I am honored for the opportunity to serve on the Board and help build a strong future for UNC-Chapel Hill and the next generation of North Carolinians,” Allen said in the university’s release. “I love North Carolina and believe our state is growing and prospering because of our higher education system. I’m excited to bring my private sector experience managing people-focused companies to support the University’s commitment to student excellence and success.”
Allen is a Wake County resident, who spent his higher education years at Campbell University earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He has served as the president of Precision Walls for two decades, which is based out of Cary and which his parents founded in the 1970s. Among the company’s highlights, according to UNC, is a transition to a fully employee-owned business model that Allen oversaw in 2019. Precision Walls has worked on some UNC System projects in the past — including interior finishes for East Carolina University’s student center and the North Carolina Heart & Vascular Hospital at Raleigh’s UNC Health Rex, according to the Carolina Alumni Review.
While most of the 15-person board that oversees the university’s finances and development is appointed by the UNC System’s Board of Governors, six seats are reserved for the North Carolina House and Senate leaders to pick. Since Briner was an appointee of Berger, the long-time state Senate president got to fill the role. North Carolina Auditor Dave Boliek’s seat was filled by the Board of Governors earlier this year with the appointment of Ritch Allison, a longtime Domino’s Pizza executive and current member of Starbucks’ Board of Directors.
Additionally, two other sitting trustees saw their tenure on the board extended. UNC said the Senate formally reappointed Marty Kotis and the House of Representatives appointed Vinay Patel to new terms, which will run through June 30, 2029.
The UNC Board of Trustees is set to meet on Wednesday, July 30 and Thursday, July 31 for its first gathering and business meeting of the new academic year.
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