our team
We’re a passionate team focused on you. Let us guide you with innovative and tactical approaches to organizing your co-op, building strategy and raising capital. We look forward to meeting you!
Our story
As the U.S. banking system began to collapse in 2007, it became very clear that big corporate ownership systems are dysfunctional and harmful to both individuals and communities. Two attorneys, Becky Bowen and Thomas Beckett, decided to create a solution to help.
Through the joint effort of its two founding members, Beckett and Bowen, Carolina Common Enterprise (CCE) launched in 2012 to foster cooperative enterprise and community development as a healthier and more holistic way of doing business.
Today, Carolina Common Enterprise is a not-for-profit cooperative development center serving individuals, businesses and local governments. We’re based in North Carolina and operate throughout the Southeast.
“Our mission is to assist individuals and communities — particularly those in low-income and socially disadvantaged rural and urban areas — in the creation, expansion and improvement of community-based enterprises with a particular focus on those that are cooperatively or mutually owned and governed.”
Thomas Beckett
executive director
“Helping people work together to create something positive in their communities gives me the juice.This work is fulfilling, and with the tremendous variety of communities and types of co-ops, it never gets old.”
I have been a co-op member for most of my life, but I really became focused on cooperative development during the banking collapse of 2007-08. At that time, I was practicing small business law in Western North Carolina and had taken on incorporating some immigrant worker co-ops as a pro bono project.As the financial crisis unfolded, it became very clear to me that we need to redesign the economy at a local and human scale.
The cooperative business model is just that.
Education and Training
- Duke University – B.A. in Public Policy
- University of North Carolina School of Law – Juris Doctor
- UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School – MBA
- CooperationWorks – cooperative business development training
- Kauffman Foundation – entrepreneurial development training
Makes me proud
I sit on the board of directors of a few co-op organizations, including Shared Capital Cooperative and theWeaver Community Housing Association. Board service is always a learning opportunity for me, and a way to contribute to organizations that do good work. My family and I sometimes take up opportunities to volunteering the community.
What I love about North Carolina!
People here do great things, but we keep it low-key and humble.
Impact
Cooperative development allows me to use all of my professional skills and experience to transform the economy. One motto of our movement is, “Co-ops Build A Better World.” And we’re doing that, changing the world one business at a time.
Lindsey Taylor
operations director
“For the past 15 years, I’ve dedicated myself to strengthening communities across North Carolina
through my work with various organizations. Joining CCE enables me to continue making a meaningful impact
for years to come.”
I grew up in a small town in Nebraska after moving from Colorado Springs, Colorado, when I was in the
third grade. I pursued a degree in Sociology at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Shortly after
graduating, I moved to Washington, D.C., to follow my dream of working in nonprofit development—a field
I had been passionate about for years.
I began my career as a Development Associate with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) in
Arlington, Virginia. After three years, I relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina, to join the Foundation
Fighting Blindness as an Event Planner. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with impactful
organizations such as the North Carolina Symphony and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
A few months ago, I stepped into the world of cooperatives when I accepted the position of Operations
Director at Carolina Common Enterprise in Durham, North Carolina. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time
with my daughter and trying my hand at different types of crafting.
Education and Training
Bachelor of Science in Sociology – University of Nebraska at Kearney
Makes me proud
I am deeply proud of the fundraising and awareness initiatives I’ve contributed to at the nonprofits I’ve
been part of. It’s incredibly fulfilling to follow a career path that prioritizes the needs of others.
If all professions focused on improving lives, the world would undoubtedly be a better place.
What I love about North Carolina!
North Carolina is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places on Earth. From its stunning forests
and majestic mountains to its pristine sandy beaches, it’s a state that truly has it all. Beyond its
natural wonders, North Carolina’s people are unmatched in kindness and warmth—you won’t find better
anywhere else.
Impact
Over the past 15 years in the nonprofit sector, I have honed skills that now drive my work at Carolina
Common Enterprise. This role is a personal victory, allowing me to advocate for residents in rural and
underserved communities. By addressing social and economic disparities, I strive to provide these
communities with opportunities to build brighter futures.
Kelly Liddington
cooperative developer
“I have spent my whole life working with people and trying to move us all forward so that prosperity
can be distributed to all who have contributed.”
I have a broad cross-section of training and experience in teaching, training and developing projectsthat perform beyond expectations. I have nearly 30 years of experience in cooperative extension inVirginia and North Carolina. As part of that work, I was involved in the development of two successfulcommunity organizations. Because of my reputation as a developer of people, I was chosen “Virginia’s TopExtension Agent” and honored as “Fair Person of the Year.”
I am an educator at heart and have taught leadership to organizations and nonprofits which providefertile ground for folks to build and refine their leadership skills — the only truly empowering skillswe have. I have also acquired experience in managing facilities and events.
Education and Training
- Old Dominion University – B.S. in Dairy Science
- The Ohio State University – B.S. and M.S. in Agricultural Education
- S.U.N.Y. at Cobleskill – A.A.S. in Dairy Science
Makes me proud
The scholarship programs I designed for various organizations for youth to study agriculture and adultmember education have given away close to $500,000!
People would be surprised to know
I raise registered Angus seedstock.
What I love about North Carolina!
I grew up on a dairy farm in upstate New York so I’m enjoying the distinct seasons here.
Impact
The concept of a democratic workplace is intriguing. The reward for me is seeing people become more thanthey thought or ever dreamed they could be. Making positive contributions to the community and mankindis why I do this.
Korita Steverson
Cooperative Developer
“Through service and support you can grow and sustain an organization while helping the greater community as a whole”
Korita Steverson is a Cooperative Developer with Carolina Common Enterprise, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide business and technical support services to cooperative projects being developed throughout the state of North Carolina.
Korita believes that through quality customer service and support you are able to grow and sustain an international sales organization while helping the greater community as a whole.
Korita started her Corporate career with a role as a General teller for the Walt Disney Corporation when she decided to finish school she completed an internship focused around program creation and advertising for the WNC Area Council on Aging. Working with her family to found a business in Asheville, NC she stepped into the Operations Manager role, maintaining bookkeeping and records while training and onboarding new team members and running day to day shifts.
She transitioned to working at AT&T doing everything from Customer Coordinator to Indirect Territory manager while participating in their Retail Management Development Program and attaining a Whitacre Award for Selfless Service. She also received a Service Excellence Award after being nominated by her supporting team.
Korita holds degrees in Political Science and International Management, from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. She has completed the facilitator training with NC Idea and has at this time led 4 cohorts of entrepreneurs. Having helped 100+ people enjoy a program she too experienced has been one of the proudest projects she has completed to date in Warren County, NC.
Korita is a serial entrepreneur who is currently working on developing a concept project called Mag’s Marketplace to Warren County, NC to support her home community. She recently launched InJeani-us Inc., a 501c3 in 2021 to focus on the health and wellness of Warren County and the surrounding communities.
Carolyn Ross-Holmes
Cooperative Outreach Coordinator
“A lifelong advocate for the power of people coming together to create lasting impact”
Carolyn Ross-Holmes brings over 40 years of leadership, advocacy, and community organizing experience, driven by a deep commitment to empowering families and strengthening communities. From serving as a PTA president to a school board member and serving on the board of The Ella Baker Educational Project of NC, her passion for education, youth programs, and cooperative development has shaped her work in fostering economic and social change.
As the Cooperative Outreach Coordinator for Carolina Common Enterprise, she continues to champion initiatives that uplift communities with dignity and collective empowerment.
Carolyn lives on beautiful Lake Gaston in Littleton, NC, with her beloved husband of 42 years, Donald, and is a proud mother, grandmother, and lifelong advocate for the power of people coming together to create lasting impact.
Board of Directors
Partners and National Associations
- Carolina Farm Stewardship Association
- Center for Participatory Change
- CooperationWorks!
- Cooperative Council of NorthCarolina
- Food Cooperative Initiative
- Forsyth Food Consortium
- Fund 4 Democratic Communities
- High Country Cooperation
- National Cooperative Business Association
- NC Justice Center
- NC Rural Center
- NC State Extension
- Project Equity
- Rural Advancement Foundation International
- US Federation of Worker Cooperatives
