Myers retired June 30 as vice president of community development and lifelong learning at Johnston Community College, where he spent 12 years leading the programs in workforce development, basic education and personal enrichment.

"It's been a really good experience working at JCC," Myers said. "There have been some challenges, but I have worked with some really great people here at this institution. I would put the quality of their hard work up against any other community college."

A native of Montgomery County, Myers got his start in community colleges as a biology instructor at Montgomery Community College. He quickly moved up the ranks and held several leadership positions there, including dean of continuing education, before he came to JCC in 1999. He remembers it as a great place to work and grow.

During his career, Myers said, he led with more of a "macro-management" style to enable his staff to take responsibility for their work. As the college's enrollment has grown, so has demand for programs in Myers' division - like EMS and fire training, customized training for industry, and basic skills and adult basic education.

"I've always believed that I'm here to provide my staff with the resources they need to do their jobs," Myers said. "I'm not a micro-manager. I've allowed them the room to their jobs, and believe me, they've done a great job."

Joy Callahan, dean of economic and community development at JCC, said continuing-education programs at the college experienced tremendous growth during Myers' tenure.

"JCC has been able to grow the continuing-education programs tremendously to reach nearly every corner of Johnston County, and we have made the Workforce Development Center a success," Callahan said. "Talbert is a wonderful person who approached every situation with honesty, integrity and fairness, and he will be missed greatly."

Myers said he's looking forward to a slower pace of life in retirement. But first, he plans to graduate a third time when he earns his doctorate this fall in higher education administration from N.C. State University. Myers earned his bachelor's degree and master's degree from N.C. Central University.

After graduating, he hopes to spend quality time teaching at a local university and maybe at JCC, playing with his grandson and helping his wife grow her new church in the Cleveland community.

"I'll really miss the people at JCC, and I've enjoyed interacting with everyone in Johnston County," Myers said. "God has truly blessed me over my entire career to work with some wonderful people, and I thank him for that"

Myers and his wife, Gail, live in western Johnston County. They have two sons, a daughter and a grandson.