Rakestraw joins Board of Trustees
Jul 22, 2021The Rockingham Community College Board of Trustees on Tuesday welcomed Charles K. Rakestraw to its board. He replaces Robert Shelton, who has stepped off the board, as an appointee of the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners.
Rakestraw is no stranger to RCC. He earned an associate degree in 1989 before transferring to Elon University, where he graduated in 1992. He also served on the RCC Foundation board in the late 1990s.
The Madison resident became a North Carolina Real Estate broker in 1995, and a North Carolina general contractor three years later. He spent 10 years as a broker with Don Warren and Associates, and is now president and Real Estate broker in-charge at Rakestraw Properties.
Rakestraw has served as Madison-Mayodan Rotary president, and has been a member of the Rockingham County Airport Authority and the Planning Board. He was also a member of the Rockingham County Partnership for Economic Development board.
Currently, Rakestraw is a First National Bank advisory board member and a Rockingham County Board of Equalization and Review member.
RCC President Dr. Mark O. Kinlaw recommended Rakestraw to the Commissioners, who unanimously approved the appointment. His term expires in July 2025.
After two terms as a trustee, from 2013-2021, Shelton did not seek a reappointment from the Commissioners, due to other commitments.
“Mr. Shelton has served admirably as a member of the RCC Board of Trustees,” Kinlaw told the Commission. “It has been a pleasure working with him on our board.”
Rockingham County Clerk of Court J. Mark Pegram, at left, administers the oath of office to incoming RCC Board of Trustees member Charles K. Rakestraw on July 20, 2021. 
RCC President Dr. Mark Kinlaw, at left, shakes hands with outgoing Board of Trustees member Robert Shelton, as incoming board vice president Randy Judkins applauds. 
RCC President Dr. Mark Kinlaw presents a gavel and plaque to outgoing Board of Trustees Chair Janice Tate on July 20, 2021. 
Dr. Kinlaw and outgoing Board of Trustees Chair Janice Tate share a laugh. 
Rockingham County Clerk of Court J. Mark Pegram, at left, administers the oath of office to RCC Board of Trustees incoming Vice President Randy Judkins, center, and member Nelson Cole, at right. 
RCC President Dr. Mark Kinlaw listens to outgoing Student Trustee Jarred Simpson talk about his experience at the College during the Board of Trustees meeting on July 20, 2021. 
Student Trustee Zane Prusia, at right, speaks with Dr. Bob Lowdermilk, standing, as Trustee Nelson Cole takes notes, and County Commissioner Mark Richardson and RCC Foundation Executive Director Kim Pryor listen in the back.
