Wells brought strong work ethic, good business sense to Campbell board

     As a child in Duplin County, Harold Wells started his own backyard bicycle shop, went on to purchase his first automobile dealership in 1956 and became chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) in 2000. Wells, who recently sold two phenomenally successful auto dealerships in Whiteville, has been the subject of numerous magazine and newspaper articles, but as chairman of Campbell University’s Board of Trustees he considered himself just one of the team.
     "This is an exciting time at Campbell University,” he said. “There are a multitude of projects underway which represent a major step forward for Campbell, and I had the pleasure of seeing the fourth president in Campbell’s 119-year history elected. It’s a great time to be part of the team.”
     Wells, whose term as board chairman will expire on December 31, 2005, looks forward to remaining part of the momentum as a member of Campbell’s Presidential Board of Advisors and President’s Committee.
     “I’m very proud of the new residence halls and the new pharmacy teaching facility now under construction at Campbell,” he said. “I’m also excited about the plans for a new convocation center, which represents a great stride for the university, something that will make the campus more attractive and more serviceable to students.”
     A veteran of 20 years of service to the university, Wells said he has always been struck by the cooperative spirit he encountered. “The thing that fascinates me is that everybody I asked to do anything did it with enthusiasm,” he said. “I think that is the real highlight of my experience at Campbell.”
     Campbell President Jerry M. Wallace gives Wells the lion’s share of the credit for his outstanding leadership and willingness to serve. “He was never too busy or too far away to take my calls and to make or change plans to be present for university meetings or events,” Wallace said. “I thank him from the bottom of my heart.”
     A new car dealer since 1956, Wells served seven years on the NADA Board of Directors and was president of the National Automobile Dealers Association. He has also served on the National Automobile Dealers Insurance Trust Board of Directors and the Automotive Trade Association Executives/NADA Ad Hoc Committee. In 1988, he received the “Time” magazine Dealer Quality Award and he was named the North Carolina Civitan District East Distinguished Citizen of the Year in 1989. Wells also received the North Carolina Economic Developers Association Volunteer of the Year award in 1998.
     He has served as chairman of the Columbus County Committee of 100 and as a member the Southeastern Community College Board of Directors and the Branch Banking and Trust Corporation Board of Directors. In addition, Wells is a past president of the Whiteville Area Chamber of Commerce.


Photo Copy: Harold Wells at Campbell graduation ceremony