Local businessman and entrepreneur Ricky Bullard, now in his 18th year serving on the Columbus County Board of Commissioners and fourth year as chair, was entrusted by his fellow commissioners to help lead Southeastern Community College into the future when they nominated him to the SCC Board of Trustees. Bullard took on this new role in July this year, and he hopes his contributions to SCC bring about strengthened partnerships with Columbus County Schools, Whiteville City School and local small businesses.  

“I’m looking forward to being helpful and supportive to the college as it moves forward with new programs for students and enhancing the ones we already have,” Bullard said. “I want Southeastern to be the best community college in North Carolina.” 

Bullard’s first reactions were surprise and honor for his nomination to the Board of Trustees. Hoping to be an asset to the board and college, Bullard brings several decades of small business owner experience with him. He was elected to the Columbus County Board of Education in 1994 and served for 12 years. 

Bullard’s favorite aspect of SCC is its local hometown atmosphere that serves students who may not want to or are not ready to leave home for a large university. He described SCC as a “huge asset” to Columbus County because of its affordability and variety of university transfer courses, continuing education courses and technical programs.  

Bullard praised SCC’s course credit transfer system because of his two children’s experience at SCC and transferring to another college. His daughter, Ashley Wilson, started at SCC and went on to work in radiography as the manager of the imaging/x-ray department at Columbus Regional Healthcare System. His son, Matthew Bullard, took courses in information technology and is now the manager of Bullard’s Cement Barn business.  

“I want to help continue making that transition from high school to college so easy for students,” Bullard said. “I think that’s very important, and I want to help every student in Columbus County who wants to extend their education.” 

According to Bullard, Southeastern Community College’s strongest aspects are its nursing program, which has 100% job placement for its students after graduation, its leadership under President Dr. Chris English and its instructors. Bullard said he had complete confidence in SCC’s ability to grow and serve the needs of its students with its recent expansion projects and more coming soon. 

“I’m excited about it and very pleased with it so far,” Bullard said. “SCC is on the right track, and I want to see it continue to grow because that’s the only way to make progress.” 

Bullard is a lifelong Cerro Gordo native who lives on his family farm. He went to the former Cerro Gordo Elementary School, and he is a 1977 graduate of West Columbus High School. Bullard started his college career at SCC in 1978 with electrical courses and later transferred to Robeson Community College. He obtained his contractor license and built homes for 30 years.  

“While I was contractor, I started my Cement Barn business about 28 years ago,” Bullard said. “It grew so big that when I finally laid my hammer down, I was able to work full-time in the cement business. We’ve grown so much, and we have five different businesses at that location.” 

At the Cement Barn, Bullard’s wife, Judy Bullard, runs a flower shop. There is also a meat shop, grill and boutique shop. In addition to his businesses, Bullard is a cattle farmer and is “enjoying life.” Living in Columbus County his whole life, Bullard said that is all he has ever known. He almost moved to Wake County in 1978 after he married his Raleigh native wife, but he decided to stay because he loves Columbus County so much.  

“It’s a challenge to open a business from scratch,” Bullard said. “There were a lot of sacrifices. Sometimes, you might want to throw your hands up and quit, but you have to be dedicated. You have to have that want and dream to go forward.” 

Bullard has several role models in his life and credits his mom and dad as good parents, but he described his mom, Carrie Bullard, as an “exceptionally strong woman” who was a pastor at Boardman Church for 24 years.  

“She was one who always encouraged me and told me nothing was impossible as long as I served the Lord and put Him first in my life,” Bullard said. “I think she gave me some very good advice while growing up, and I’ve been very fortunate.”  

Bullard is a member of Chadbourn Pentacostal Holiness Church.