James H. Speed, Jr. is the Retired President and Chief Executive Officer of North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company. He retired on December 31, 2015 after serving twelve years in that role. Since 1994, James has been a champion of Communities In Schools. He was a member of the board of Communities In Schools of Rocky Mount for seven years where he served as board and finance committee chairs during his tenure, and in 2001, he joined the board of Communities In Schools of North Carolina. As former Chair and long-time advocate, James has been a steady and trusted advisor who has been “all in” for our kids.

James H. Speed. Jr was born and reared in Oxford, N.C. and attended the public schools there. He received his undergraduate degree from North Carolina Central University, and in 1979 he received an MBA degree from Atlanta University where he was named “Most Outstanding Student” in the School of Business.  He joined the international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche in 1979 and was a Partner Candidate at the time he left to join his client Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc. North Carolina Mutual was also one of his clients.

In 1991, Speed joined Hardee's Food Systems Inc., a $4 billion system-wide food retailer, as Vice President and Controller.  In 1993, Speed completed the IMASCO Limited (Hardee’s parent company) Senior Management Development Program at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada and was promoted to Senior Vice President in 1995 - the first African-American to attain such an achievement. In 1997 when Hardee's was purchased by CKE Restaurants, he was named Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and became a member of the five-person senior executive management team.

A Certified Public Accountant, Speed joined NC Mutual as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 2002 while the company’s strategic plan was being developed. He helped guide that process, and in January 2004 was named President and Chief Executive Officer.

Speed serves on the Corporate Board of Directors of Investors Title Company, Auto Club Group (AAA), Brown Capital Management Mutual Funds, Centaur Mutual Funds, Chesapeake Investment Trust, Starboard Investment Trust, and WST Investment Trust.  He also finds time to serve his community as a member of the Board of Directors of the nonprofit Communities In Schools of North Carolina where he has served since 2001, and the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Central University Foundation.

He has also served as Chairman of The Greater Triangle United Way, Vice Chairman of the President’s Council on Efficiency and Effectiveness for the University of North Carolina, the Governor’s Business Council for Fiscal Reform, the Federal Reserve Board of Richmond, Charlotte Branch and the Boards of North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, Durham Chamber of Commerce, Communities In Schools of Rocky Mount, Mechanics & Farmers Bank, AAA National and UNC Health Care Systems.

In November 2016, Speed was inducted into the North Carolina Business Hall of Fame.

The Power of One Award was established to recognize exemplary performance by an individual identified

 by their colleagues as having consistently demonstrated integrity and a strong commitment

to the mission and values of Communities In Schools of North Carolina.

Award recipients have made a significant impact on the CIS of North Carolina network and ultimately

our students and families through outstanding dedication and excellent volunteer leadership service

as demonstrated by commitment, accomplishments, and special skills and qualities.

Awardees have a clear passion for student success, an attitude of perseverance in all circumstances,

and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

“It has long been my philosophy that education is the silver bullet of success. In order to prepare the next generation of leaders and innovators we must be present. We must show up and share our experience and set the example. I know what it is to be a child with a dream, but no straightforward path. I understand the power of a caring adult setting the example for success.”

Join us in celebrating the tremendous contributions James H. Speed, Jr has made on behalf of students across North Carolina on Wednesday, September 25th at the Back to School BASH!