ECU Foundation welcomes three new board members

The ECU Foundation welcomed new members Deidra Blanks, Matt Crisp and Dave Fussell Jr. to its board of directors in August. They will help the ECU Foundation promote, strengthen and benefit the university through the solicitation, management and distribution of private gifts.

“We are excited to welcome these new members to the ECU Foundation board. Their backgrounds and experiences position them to be valuable contributors to the board and our work in advancing the university,” said Christopher Dyba, vice chancellor for university advancement and president of the ECU Foundation.

Dr. Deidra Blanks (Contributed photos)

Matt Crisp

Dave Fussell Jr.

Blanks is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon for Fayetteville Otolaryngology. She earned her medical degree from ECU’s Brody School of Medicine and completed her residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Blanks is a member of the N.C. Medical Society, American Academy of Otolaryngology and the Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Crisp graduated from ECU with a business degree in 1993. He received his Master of Business Administration, also from ECU, in 1996. A private investor and entrepreneur, Crisp is the founder and former CEO of eVestment and founder of Athletic Edge Sports and Fitness. He is also the namesake of the new Crisp Small Business Resource Center, which will be housed in the College of Business’s Miller School of Entrepreneurship.

Fussell is president of Duplin Winery in Rose Hill. After graduating from ECU in 1990 with a degree in economics, Fussell joined the family winery business. At the time, it was nearly bankrupt. Today, it is one of largest wineries in the South. Both of Fussell’s parents earned education degrees at East Carolina. His son Grayson is a senior at the university.

The elected members serve four-year terms that will end in 2024.