Aspire Trade High School is being created and built by Aspire Carolinas Foundation, a non-profit organization that establishes and operates schools for students with learning challenges that need an alternative to the current public and private educational offerings. In addition, Aspire has added a trade school component for public school students in grades 9-12. The first Aspire Trade High School campus has been established in Huntersville, NC.
The Aspire Carolinas Foundation Board of Directors will provide leadership to the Aspire Trade High School Board of Directors to ensure the success of students through positive community integration, fundraising and partnership retention, sound fiscal management, prudent personnel planning, a quality academic program, and management of enrollment and facilities.
The Aspire Trade School Board of Directors brings their experience and expertise to this highly innovative trade school. Members include:
Derek Partee, MPA
Board Chair
Derek L.Partee served two years on the Town of Huntersville Board of Commissioners. He was elected on November 2, 2021, to a two-year term serving the citizens as liaison to the Huntersville Police Department, Parks and Recreation Department, and Greenways Committee. Mr. Partee retired in October 2007, as a Criminal Investigator with the Nassau County Police Department, NY after serving 25 years. His early retirement was due to health issues from responding to the September 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center. Mr. Partee was assigned to the FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force as a U. S. Deputy Marshall in the Manhattan Office from 1999-2003. Derek has been trained and certified in investigating major auto crimes, dignitary protection, gang violence, homicides, narcotics, sexual offenses, and special weapons tactical response situations. Mr. Partee retired after 24 years from the Nassau County PD Homicide Squad in 2007, where he had a 100% solvability and conviction rate. Upon moving to North Carolina in 2010, he obtained his private investigator’s license and consulted on homicide cold cases for Carolina Fingerprinting /Citywide Investigations. From 2010 to 2013 Mr. Partee served as a board member for Family Support, Inc., serving on the finance committee, and as security consultant for group homes managing troubled and emotional youths. Mr. Partee has served in many community organizations, he is a life member of the NAACP and a 43-year Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Derek Partee is a graduate of Southern University (1975) and holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Long Island University CW Post College (1982). He also attended NY Institute of Technology and took courses in Industrial Labor Relations (1980).
Heidi Bertino-Daum
Board Vice Chair
Head of School – The Halton School
Heidi is currently the Head of School at The Halton School. Prior to working at The Halton School Heidi was employed by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, where she served as a Program Specialist for Autism. She’s also worked as an Exceptional Children Specialist for Iredell Statesville Schools and was an Adjunct Instructor at Lewis University and Northern Illinois University. She holds MEd and B.S. degrees in Special Education and a B.A degree in Anthropology, all from Penn State University.
Heath B. Edmiston
Board Secretary
Construction Manager at Edifice Construction
Heath is a seasoned construction professional with 26 years of experience and has spent his entire career in the construction industry. He currently serves as a construction manager for EDIFICE Construction where he oversees multiple construction projects and provides expert project management and guidance to ensure successful outcomes. Heath participates in the conceptual development of these construction projects and uses his expertise to collaborate with architects, engineers, and other construction specialists to ensure construction projects are successfully completed. He is also responsible for managing the projects’ organization, budget, scheduling, implementation, and interpreting contracts and technical information to the project team and other professionals. He is recognized for his exceptional leadership skills and ability to handle complex projects with ease and often serves as a mentor to project managers. Heath Edmiston holds a Bachelor of Science from Virgina Military Institute in Civil and Structural Engineering where he also lettered for 4 years on the football team. Heath is married and has three children and enjoys college football and relaxing at the beach.
Jenny Miller
Board Treasurer
President/CEO Threadline Products, Inc.
Jenny Miller, a seasoned business leader and marketing expert, holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication with a Minor in Mathematics from Appalachian State University. With over two decades of marketing experience, she successfully held roles at The Coca-Cola Company as Senior Customer Marketing Manager and at Lowe’s Home Improvement as Product Marketing Manager. Jenny’s collaborative approach and effective leadership drove significant sales growth and fostered enduring partnerships throughout her corporate career. In 2017, Jenny and her husband, Josh, acquired Threadline Products, Inc., a dynamic metal fabrication company specializing in serving the construction industry. Currently serving as President/CEO, Jenny has played a pivotal role in transforming the company into a thriving enterprise, emphasizing customer-centric strategies and fostering a positive and unified company culture. As part of Threadline’s mission, they are dedicated to helping others, including their employees, community, and the industry. Jenny has a particular focus on supporting trade schools as alternative routes to well-paying jobs, and she is excited about Threadline’s partnership with ATHS and her involvement on the board.
Dale Halton (1937-2023)
Honorary Board Member Emeritus
Retiree of Pepsi Cola Franchise
Ms. Dale Halton graduated from Myers Park High School and attended Agnes Scott College in Georgia. After two years she returned home to marry and start her family. In 1970 she began working for the family business, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Charlotte, managing the company’s advertising. Although many good people worked at the company the business was struggling, and in 1981 she was made President of the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Charlotte. She began successfully running the company and gradually turned it around to again become profitable. She created a charitable foundation that gave 10% of the company’s profits to charity each year. Notable recipients include UNCC Charlotte and the NC Dance Theatre. “The more you have, the more responsibility you have to give to others,” Halton said. “I think it’s important to help folks who don’t have what I have. I wish I could do more. It’s fun.” Because Dale successfully faced many obstacles working in business at a time when it was difficult for women to do so, she continued to always root for those that face challenges. She was a strong supporter of children with learning differences and Asperger’s/autism spectrum disorder, and she was thrilled to be able to support schools that help the students reach their potential.