About Us

2022 - 2024 Officers

Larry Hancock, Immediate Past President

Larry is a 1969 graduate of NC State where he was active in the PR’s each year. He was a proud member of “The Marching Sergeants” with many fond memories of Christmas Parades, Azalea Festivals, and competitions.  Larry spent six months in India as a participant in a 4-H Exchange program (post-graduation and ROTC Summer Camp). He then went to Armor Officer Basic, Army Aviation School, and served with two units in The Republic of Vietnam. He completed his initial active duty at Ft. Bragg, followed by over 18 years in the North Carolina Army National Guard (both “weekend warrior” and as an AGR Training Officer).

Larry worked as an administrator in Parks and Recreation, textiles, and, ultimately, with 4-H. He finished his professional life serving as the NC 4-H Camps and Conference Center’s Specialist, at NC State University,  for 27 years. Larry is an officer and Board member with the Raleigh Host Lions Club, Historic Yates Mill Associates, The Historic Lucks Cannery, and two 4-H Committees. He is a Sunday School Teacher and Deacon at Forest Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. 

As the L-4AA President, Larry presides at Board meetings, represents the Board with NC State officials and Company L4,  and gives leadership to the Association as needed.

Joe E. Harris, Jr., President

Joe pledged L-4 in the fall of 1968 during his freshman year at NC State. One of his greatest accomplishments was graduating on time in the spring of 1972. He attributes much of his undergraduate success to his advisors, the army staff at the department of military science and the P/Rs at L-4.

Following a 26+ year career in the US Army, Lieutenant Colonel Harris employed himself as a financial advisor in Fayetteville, NC. He advocated wealth building and promoted the transfer of risk until retiring a second time.

Volunteerism ultimately led to his third and final occupation. Living and working in the Louisville, KY area, he managed a medium-size non-profit organization. During his tenure at the Sons of the American Revolution, the lineage organization moved its library and genealogical collections to downtown Louisville on Main Street’s Museum Row.

As the current President of the L-4AA, Joe interfaces all the directors and committee chairmen. He prepares and distributes a monthly Message on alumni activities, sets an agenda and presides over the association’s executive committee.

When not driving for his wife, Gail, Joe enjoys hiking and writing stories in his spare time. The couple resides in Oro Valley, AZ.

Charles T. Leverett, Vice President and Operations

Born at Fort Bragg in 1951, Charlie is the son of an Army Sergeant Major and veteran of WWII. He learned to shine shoes and polish brass long before he ever considered joining the Army. In the fall of 1969 he pledged Company L-4 as an NC State freshman. He transferred to what is now Methodist University, Fayetteville, NC, where he graduated in 1976 with a BA intent on the ministry. Not finding the preaching gifts needed for that, he pursued a career in commercial construction. In 2004 he became a State of North Carolina licensed commercial general contractor.

He is an ordained ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church. In retirement, he has sought to serve God and his community in L-4 Alumni Association as Interim Treasurer and now Vice President and Chaplain; in Gardeners of Wake County as Chair of the Azalea Sale and At-Large Member of the Board; and as President of Driftwood Garden Club of Durham which he with others revitalized from almost shutting down. He has spiritually ministered to many people through his life. Currently, he and his wife Debbie reside in Morrisville, NC, have four children, and nine crazy grand kids.

Darlene Williams, Finance

When Darlene entered NC State in the fall of 1970,  it was the first year for women in ROTC.  Certainly, there were a few discussions up and down the chain of command as to whether she was eligible to pledge along with what her motives were in pledging.  But they learned that she pledged PR’s for the same reasons male cadets did-----Pershing Rifles was about leadership, service & family. 

Professionally, Darlene spent over 24 years in the homebuilding industry with a large national builder starting out in sales and working up the sales/marketing arm of the company to become a VP of Sales and Marketing for the last 13 years of her career.  Retiring in 2007 she moved from northern Virginia back to the Charlotte area to be near family and old friends.

As alumni, Darlene believes there is an obligation to mentor current members and to help them understand that the qualities of self-discipline, leadership, & honor that they are adopting in their PR experience will serve them well in their military career and beyond regardless of their gender.

As the L-4AA, Inc. Director of Finance, Darlene oversees all accounting & financial reporting responsibilities for the association.
Darlene Williams, Finance, South Carolina (1971) - ncdew29715@gmail.com

Judy Ramsey, Director of Administration

Judy first became acquainted with the L-4 when she began dating her future husband, Butch Ramsey, who was a member of the Pershing Rifles at NCSU. She has fond memories of going to parades and watching the PR's drill. They were married for 42 years before his death in 2016. Judy developed the Website for the L4 Alumni Association and continues to maintain the Website and stay connected with the L4AA. She was made an Honorary Pershing Rifleman and now is serving on the Executive Committee.

Judy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with an emphasis in Internet Management from Limestone College. She served as the Website Strategist and Church Communications Specialist at the South Carolina Baptist Convention for 12 years and served on the staff at First Baptist Church of Augusta, GA. While Butch was on active duty, she served in military chapels working with the music ministry. Currently, she is the Communications Specialist and Interim Minister of Music at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Augusta and is the owner of Judy Ramsey Communications, LLC where she is a consultant for churches and non-profit organizations for their online communications needs.

Judy is a musician and enjoys singing and playing the organ and piano. She is a member of The Augusta Broadway Singers and a former member of the Baptist Communicators Association.

Peter Martineau, Director of History

Peter grew up in Maryland in the suburbs of Washington, DC. He entered NC State in the fall of 1969 and pledged the Pershing Rifles that fall semester. Peter was on the drill team throughout his time at NC State, being the Drill team commander his senior year.

After graduating from NC State, Peter worked for a short period as a design engineer prior to entering the Army. He attended the Engineers Basic Officer Course followed by the engineers construction officers course. He then went to Germany where he stayed for almost 4 years in construction battalions. Returning to the states, Peter attended the Engineer Advanced Course and then went to Fort Ord where he finished his time in the military. While in the Army Peter obtained his professional engineers license.

Upon leaving the military, Peter discovered that his skills in construction were more sought after than his engineering skills. Thus, he started his career in construction that lasted until December of 2020. During that time, Peter worked on many various types of construction, post tensioned concrete, structural concrete, structural steel and masonry structures. Peter got his Masters Degree in Construction management. At the end, Peter worked as a Senior MEP manager, managing the mechanical, electrical and plumbing for a large research facility for the US Army.

Since retiring, Peter enjoys his grandchildren, playing golf and has married a wonderful lady, Joyce.

Thomas Swanson, Director At-Large (Scholarships)

Thomas was inducted into Pershing Rifles Co. R-1 in 1970. Commissioned in 1972 in the Infantry. I was the civilian advisor for Co L-4 from 1990 to 1994. This was an appointment by the PMS LTC. McInerny to also serve on his staff as advisor. In 1991 L-4 was awarded the Douglas Trophy for Best Company in the Regiment out of 22 schools. L-4 retired the 4th Regimental Douglas Trophy later after consecutive winning years. Company L-4 hosted the P/R National Drill meet and an alumni reunion also in 1993. During this period Co. L-4 was awarded Best Company in The Nation in 1993. Later L-4 was disbanded by the new PMS.

Thomas has held positions with management roles in the IT and Pharmaceutical industries. He has led a number of economic development trips to Sweden with the NC Department of Commerce and regional economic development offices, in his spare time. Founder of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce of the Carolinas. Thomas served as a director on the national BOD’s Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce USA, Inc. and a member of the Executive Committee. Thomas was a member of “Advantage Sweden” organized by the Embassy of Sweden for trade discussions. In addition, he successfully lobbied the Embassy of Sweden and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an Honorary Consulate in North Carolina. Provided leadership for an International Business & Trade Symposium which Included US Department of Commerce, NC Department of Commerce, Embassy of Sweden, Consulate of Germany, and Consulate of Russia. Topics included: Immigration & Workforce issues, Relocation, Logistics, and Taxation. Thomas is retired and currently serves on the boards of two non-profits in Raleigh. Carol and I enjoy travel and our grandsons.

Teshawn Lee, Director of Engagement

Teshawn is a 2020 Graduate of NC State university. During his time at the university, he was the initial drive that rechartered Company L-4 on NC State's campus as well as becoming its first new Commander under the new charter. Once he commissioned as an Armor Officer into the US Army(serving with the NC National Guard) he moved on to become the University Advisor for Company L-4.

In his civilian career Teshawn works as a specialist at a sustainable material company called CaraGreen. Where he has been employed since early 2021. He will soon be pursuing his Masters Degree as well as other professional accreditations in the near future.

As the engagement director of L4AA, Teshawn directly involves himself with the undergraduate Company by helping with coordinating and communicating with the L4 alumni association. Future endeavours will include expanding contacts with other outside organizations and building future connections between alumni and undergraduates.

Teshawn enjoys mentoring his students, graphic design, as well as exploring parks & community resources around wake county and NC.

Ember Strickland, Director of Finance Assistant

Ember Strickland graduated NC State in May of 2022 with a bachelors degree in Biomedical and Health Sciences Engineering and minors in History and Military Science. She also commissioned as a finance officer in the Army Reserve. She currently works as a biomedical engineer at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and drills at a financial management detachment in Maryland.

Paul Chung, Director-At-Large (Scholarships) Assistant

Other Officers:
Will McCormick, Director At-Large