Durham Tech leader on move; Duke hires Wynn for new position

BYLINE: Eric Ferreri, Staff Writer

DURHAM -- Phail Wynn has seven months left as president of Durham Technical Community College. But he already has his next gig lined up.

Upon leaving Durham Tech at the end of the year, Wynn, 59, will become Duke's vice president for Durham and regional affairs, a new position. In that role, Wynn will work with city officials on economic development projects close to Duke's campus and promote new collaborations between the university and Research Triangle Park.

He also will be a liaison between Duke and community constituencies such as the public school system, N.C. Central University and Durham Tech.

Wynn became head of Durham Tech in 1980. He announced his retirement last week.

A member and former chairman of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, he and Durham Tech have been active in job training and recruitment of industry to Durham. He is a member of a number of local community boards.

"Dr. Wynn knows Durham, the Research Triangle Park and our region as few others do," Duke President Richard Brodhead said in a prepared statement Tuesday. "His community and regional leadership include many of the most active and important educational, business, government and nonprofit organizations in our community."

Wynn could not be reached Tuesday.

Over three decades at Durham Tech, Wynn is credited with transforming a small technical school into a bustling engine for local economic development. In doing so, he has established a wide range of contacts that will prove valuable in his new role, said Reyn Bowman, president of the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau.

'Brilliant choice'

"He's a brilliant choice," Bowman said. "It's difficult to find somebody equally involved in all those areas. He knows the people, and he knows the issues."

Wynn's new position has been established as part of a five-year plan Duke officials put into place last year to look at growth in Durham and the region.

"This is a region that is going to grow very rapidly," said John Burness, Duke's senior vice president for public affairs and governmental relations. "There are lots of implications for the community and for Duke. We want to be sure we're thinking as strategically as we can."

Becky Heron, vice chairwoman of the Durham County Board of Commissioners, said Wynn has played a key role in the county's economic development efforts by his tailoring of job training programs to the needs of companies relocating to Durham. That experience, Heron said, should adapt well to his new role working on economic renewal projects downtown and around Ninth Street.

"I think Duke was very smart to snatch him up," Heron said. "Everybody respects Phail Wynn and his abilities."

Duke also announced Tuesday that Allison Haltom, vice president and university secretary, will step down at the end of December. Haltom has worked at Duke for 36 years.