About Our Staff

Laura Williamson directs the operations and programs of Venture East Travel and Tourism Development, a private partnership whose mission is to raise awareness about eco-, agri-, heritage, and recreational tourism opportunities in Eastern North Carolina.  From 1996 to 2004, Ms. Williamson worked for the United Nations Environment Programme where she was responsible for identifying key issues and developing programs to engage the business sector in sustainable development activities.  Prior to her work at the UN, Laura worked in the non-profit sector, promoting the need for sound environmental management practices in local development activities.  Ms. Williamson has degrees from the University of Chicago, the Institut Universitaire de Technologie in Montpellier, France, and Tufts University.

Kara Craig - Project Development Associate

Kara Craig is the content manager for the Venture East website.  She works with communities across eastern North Carolina to update our events page; she also performs general maintenance of this website. Kara attends East Carolina University in the Master of Public Administration program focusing on environmental policy and non-profit management.  She holds a B.S. in Psychology from Oklahoma State University and an English Education Certificate.  While attending OSU, she worked as the Social Outreach Coordinator for the student group Eco-OSU promoting local eco-tourism and coordinating events. Prior to working with FoR ENC, Kara served as a public school teacher working with English as a Second Language students.  She has previously worked with two non-profits, as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Jason Project and as an educator within YMCA.

Kevin Mills - Project Development Associate

Kevin Mills is the content manager for the Creative Communities Initiative website and the coordinating editor of the IBX Newsletter.  Kevin also oversees all day to day operations for the VIP for ENC. Prior to joining Venture East, Kevin was a member of the US Air Force and served in Kuwait during Operation Desert Fox in 1998.  During the spring of 2005 he served as an assistant to Senator William R. Purcell of the North Carolina General Assembly through a highly competitive internship program offered through NC State University.  Kevin graduated Summa Cum Laude from East Carolina University with a B.S. in Political Science.  He is currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Adult Education program at ECU and is studying coursework in both Public and Business Administration.  Kevin is a native of Greenville, North Carolina.