Reginald Speight serves as the Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Development at N.C. Commerce, leading our team experts focused on strengthening rural communities across the state.

Prior to joining Commerce, Reginald served as the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development State Director for North Carolina. In that role he provided general oversight and direction over the Rural Housing, Community Facilities, Business Services, Water and Environmental, and Broadband Infrastructure Programs. During his 3-year tenure the organization funded over 15,000 projects with over $5.9 billion in investments. Under his leadership, the organization hired the first Tribal Relations Specialist. He also drafted North Carolina Rural Development’s first Cooperative Agreement with the N. C. Commission of Indian Affairs promoting housing rehabilitation and new construction in tribal communities.

Earlier in his career, Reginald served for nearly a decade in various leadership roles in the Office of Congressman G. K. Butterfield in the 1^st Congressional District in North Carolina. He served as Economic Development Director, District Director, and Team Lead/Acting Chief of Staff. Under his leadership, the office implemented numerous grant-writing and resource development symposiums, benefiting municipalities, for profit, and nonprofit entities in their capacity-building efforts. He also led local engagements and development of the Congressional Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending portfolios.

Reginald also has more than 20 years in nonprofit management experience, including 15 years as Chief Executive Officer at Martin Community Action. During his tenure, he began the agency’s first for profit social enterprise utilizing learned skills and techniques within the U. S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program. He negotiated and secured several residential and commercial energy efficiency retrofit contracts with utility/natural gas companies and local municipalities.

Reginald received his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.