Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is the platform and policy making body of North Carolina Press Association Federal Credit Union. The Board consists of seven members elected to staggered terms of three years, and appoints all committees and the President. The Board meets regularly and all members serve without compensation.

Ken Ripley
Board Chairman
Mr. Ripley is editor-publisher emeritus of the award-winning Spring Hope Enterprise weekly newspaper in Spring Hope. A member of NCPAFCU since it began in 1984, he has also served as the president of the NC Association of Community Newspapers and ex-officio on the NC Press Association board. Mr. Ripley has served on the membership services and professional development committees for more than 25 years. In addition, he has served twice as the president of the Eastern North Carolina Press Association and remains an active director. Mr. Ripley is very involved in local community affairs and is an active certified lay minister in the United Methodist Church. A native of Virginia, Mr. Ripley graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1972 from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Journalism, where he was named that year´s outstanding journalism graduate. His wife, Vickie, is a clinical pharmacist practitioner at Coastal Plain Hospital in Rocky Mount.

Cathy Wallace
Board Vice-Chair
Mrs. Wallace’s newspaper career began in her home town of Wilmington at The Star News. After relocating to Raleigh, she joined The News & Observer where she quickly became sales manager of inside account reps working with auto, real estate and regional clients. As her career progressed she managed regional and local territory reps and eventually became Advertising Director for many of the company’s community newspapers including The Smithfield Herald, The Garner/Clayton News and The Cary News. Mrs. Wallace has worked with many associations including The Newspaper Telemarketing Managers Association (president), The North Carolina Travel Industry Association (president, 2 years) and served on the board of The NC Tourism Coalition. Active in her church, Cathy also served as chairman of the diaconate and music council, sings in the choir and plays hand bells. Cathy enjoys all types of music, rustic camping, gardening and cooking and has 2 grown daughters. Her most recent position is “grandmommy” to 3 adorable grandsons. She and her husband, Richard, live in Willow Spring with their little rescue dog Zoey.

Phil Lucey
Board Secretary
Phil Lucey is the executive director of the North Carolina Press Association. NCPA represents newspapers across the state and has been supporting the public’s right to know and the interests of newspapers since 1873. Lucey joined NCPA in 2016. Prior to NCPA Lucey was executive director of the New Mexico Press Association from 2010-16 and before that the advertising director of the New England Newspaper Association from 2004-10. Lucey has been honored to serve on various boards fighting for open government and promoting state professional associations. A graduate of the University of Connecticut.

Teri Saylor
Ms. Saylor, a member since 1984 is an account executive with FirstPoint Management Resources in Raleigh. She also provides consultation services along with freelance writing and photography through her firm, Open Water Communications. She grew up in Winston-Salem and is a graduate of N.C. State University with a B.A. in English and Communications. Prior to forming Open Water Communications, she was executive director of the North Carolina Press Association. In her spare time, she enjoys running and cycling. She has completed five marathons.

Rick Stewart
Mr. Stewart is the former president of the Johnstonian News Group of publications, which included Kenly News, Pine Level News, The Selma News and the Princeton News Leader. He retired as president when he sold the company in 2018. He has 45 years experience in journalism, with 37 years as publisher. Mr. Stewart, a member of NCPAFCU since it began in 1984, graduated from Atlantic Christian College in 1971 with a BA in History. In addition, he graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1975 with a MA Journalism. He has been a full-time instructor at Barton College since 2002, teaching media-related studies. A native of Wilson, Mr. Stewart is very involved with his family, church and teaching activities. Previously served as Board Chairman.

Johnny Whitfield
Mr. Whitfield has worked in the community newspaper field since 1990, serving in various roles including reporter, editor and publisher. Mr. Whitfield has a bachelor’s degree from N.C. State University and has served on the NCPAFCU Board of Directors since 2005. A native of Robersonville, he grew up in Wendell. Outside of work, he is active in Rotary and enjoys sports. He and his wife Becky have two adult daughters, Anna Kate and Pitt.

Keven Zepezauer
Mr. Zepezauer is currently the President and CEO for Restoration NewsMedia LLC, with extensive experience in media. He also serves on the Executive Board for North Carolina Press Association and Eastern North Carolina Press Association. Keven is also an active member of the Wilson Rotary Club and a graduate of North Carolina State University.