The Foundation was established in 1959 as the Helen and Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation and was later renamed the R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation. For nearly 40 years the Foundation operated as a small philanthropic vehicle for Mr. Dobb's interests. At the turn of the century, encouraged by his nephew and fellow trustee E. Cody Laird, Jr., Mr. Dobbs began to formalize the Foundation's governance and guidelines to prepare the way for a family philanthropy that would extend beyond his lifetime.
Today, the R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation operates with the mission to improve the quality of life for individuals, families and communities by supporting educational opportunities, improving access to health services, and promoting environmental stewardship. The Foundation is committed to honoring the life and impact of Mr. Dobbs through its work.
Jason Terrell serves as the President of the Dobbs Foundation. Jason began his journey as an 8th-grade teacher in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. In 2014, he became the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Profound Gentlemen, a national agency dedicated to increasing the 2% of male educators of color who teach across the nation. Jason was recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 as one of the world's brightest social innovators who seek to bring about change and equal opportunity for boys and male educators of color. Most recently, Jason served as a Program Officer with the Walton Family Foundation.
David joined the Foundation in 2007 following 11 years with the Rockdale Foundation as a founding Board member and its first Executive Director. An Ordained Presbyterian minister, David previously served on the pastoral staff of four congregations and as a pastoral counselor/marriage and family therapist. He earned an A.B. in Psychology from Davidson College and his M. Div. and Th.D. from Columbia Theological Seminary.