eNCore names board of directors and leadership

Veteran technology leaders and networking innovators to steer new collaboration aimed at bridging the digital divide in North Carolina

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK and AHOSKIE, N.C. (March 11, 2025) – eNCore, a new organization formed by Fybe, MCNC and Roanoke Cooperative to improve the technology, economic and social landscape of North Carolina, today announced the leaders who will be spearheading these efforts to bridge the digital divide in overlooked, unserved and underserved communities in the state.

The first eNCore Board of Directors include: Tracy Doaks, president and CEO of MCNC; Sarah Taylor, chief financial officer at MCNC; Heather Kinder, vice president of accounting and finance at Roanoke Cooperative; Jeff Sural, owner of Sural Consulting, LLC; and Robert “Bo” Coughlin, chief operating officer at Fybe. Coughlin also has been named the first president of eNCore.

eNCore’s operations also will be a collaboration with FYBE, MCNC and Roanoke Cooperative. Sarah Taylor has been appointed treasurer. Kent Melum, Fybe’s finance and strategy manager, will serve as chief accounting officer. Phil Emer, vice president of business development at MCNC, will take a similar role at eNCore serving as chief business development officer. And James Nester, chief marketing officer and senior director of client advocacy at MCNC, will be eNCore’s chief marketing officer.

“The creation of eNCore is a testament to the power of collaboration and the brilliance of this team,” said eNCore President Bo Coughlin. “Everyone involved understands how connectivity and innovation drive job creation and economic development in North Carolina. This is an exciting venture, and I’m looking forward to working together to do something right and something good in the communities that need our help the most.”

North Carolina is poised to become a national leader, ranking in the top five states for high-speed internet adoption. As North Carolinians in every corner of the state can access, afford and use high-speed internet, they also can take advantage of career, education and health care resources. The transformative power of broadband can change the lives of so many in North Carolina, and eNCore with its member organizations will provide essential high-speed infrastructure and technology services to ensure no community gets left behind.