James Wagner has been named the new director of communications and marketing for United Way of Pitt County. In his new role, Wagner will plan, implement and measure the organizational communication and marketing strategy to position UWPC as a community impact leader and promote community involvement with UWPC.

Wagner will graduate from East Carolina University this December with a degree in Communications/Public Relations and a minor in Relational Marketing, one which he created. At ECU, Wagner chartered and presided over the Rotaract Club—the university level of Rotary, International, served as student body secretary and chief of staff in SGA, and this spring was a Founding Father of Phi Gamma Delta International Fraternity. In June, Wagner was commissioned in the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, the highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky that recognizes individuals of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to their community, state or the nation. Wagner has also been awarded the NC Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service from the Governor, the Servire Society Award from the Chancellor, and was named one of eleven Elite Pirates in 2007.

Prior to joining UWPC, Wagner served as Community Programs Coordinator as well as the director of the Sturgeon City Young Leaders Institute for the City of Jacksonville, NC. At the age of 19, Wagner took over and restructured The Dream Factory of NC, a national non-profit charity that grants dreams to children with critical and chronic illness. Founded in Greenville in 1987, Wagner, currently serving as president, completely revamped the charity that nearly failed from previous management, and has since restored it to its former capacity of fulfilling dreams.

“I have always been involved with non-profits and love helping the community,” said Wagner. “I am very excited to join the staff as they are truly a great group of people with worthwhile goals that change lives. I look forward to advocating and bringing positive, lasting change to Pitt County with United Way.”