Uninsured/ Underinsured Accident Injury Attorneys in Shelby, NC

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Kevin Howell, a longtime higher education leader at NC State University, has been elected the 15^th chancellor by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors.

Howell, an NC State alumnus and Shelby native, will become the first chancellor to have also served as student body president at the university. He’ll begin the role on May 5.

He was recommended by University of North Carolina System President Peter Hans following a national search that attracted more than 75 candidates, resulting in four finalists endorsed by the NC State Board of Trustees. Howell succeeds Chancellor Randy Woodson, who will retire in June after 15 years leading the university.

“Kevin Howell is a born leader with a long record of service to North Carolina, the UNC System and NC State University,” Hans said. “His deep relationships across the state have helped drive investment and growth. I am confident that he will strengthen NC State’s role as a frontier research university, keeping North Carolina competitive in the most important fields of our future.”

“This university shaped my life in profound and generous ways, and I am honored for the chance to lead my alma mater,” Howell said. “NC State is a brilliant and inspiring place, just like the state we serve. There are exciting days ahead for the Pack, and I’m ready to make a difference.”

Howell has had an extensive career in higher education in North Carolina. He is currently the chief external affairs officer at UNC Health. Previously he served as vice chancellor for external affairs, partnerships and economic development at NC State from 2018 to 2023, among the many leadership positions he has held there, including: assistant to the chancellor for external affairs (2006-2016); interim vice chancellor for university advancement (2013-14); and interim executive director of the alumni association and associate vice chancellor for alumni affairs (2009-10).

He served as senior vice president for external affairs at the UNC System Office from 2016 to 2018. He held roles in state government as legislative liaison to two former governors. He was director of governmental affairs at the NC Bar Association and previously was a management associate in corporate affairs for Jefferson-Pilot Financial Insurance Company. He began his career as a legal clerk at the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science at NC State, where as student body president he represented students on the university’s Board of Trustees. He earned his law degree at the University of North Carolina School of Law. He was born and raised in Cleveland County.

“We're excited to welcome Kevin Howell back home to NC State,” said Ed Stack, chair of the chancellor search advisory committee and vice chair of the NC State Board of Trustees. “Among an impressive group of candidates, he stood out as the strongest choice. Kevin truly exemplifies the university's ‘think and do’ spirit – especially in driving economic development and improving the lives of North Carolinians.”

Six months ago, Jeff Hamms had never heard of Shelby.

Now, he's building his burger empire in Cleveland County and not only draws in crowds of people hungry for his smash burgers, but has already built a fan following.

Hamms recently opened his food truck, TJ Hammsburgers, and since locating most often in the Hobby Lobby parking lot, he's been selling out every week.

Since last month, he's become intimately acquainted with Shelby and its people, bringing his food truck to locations around town.

Hamms spends his days flipping burgers and trying to keep up with the crowd of customers flocking to grab a burger that he's told is the best they've ever had.

Originally from Ohio, Hamms said he currently lives in Cramerton but is looking for a house in Shelby.

"We've been here for a month now," Hamms said. "A friend of mine said you should try this small town of 25,000 people, and it's changed everything."

He said three years ago, while still in Ohio, he tore his rotator cuff and had 12 anchors placed in his shoulder.

"I had a lot of time to think," he said.

Hamms said he ran health clubs in the past and was formerly in aviation but was looking for meaningful work to do for his remaining career years. An avid Buckeye fan, he said a friend of his who worked for the head coach, was selling a brand new trailer. Hamms bought the trailer even though he knew very little about running a food truck, and immediately began doing research.

"I didn't know what a hood was," he said. "It took a year and a half to open."

After tossing around several ideas, including tacos and burgers, he settled on the smash burger and began working on creating the perfect one. He said they made a lot of burgers, practicing and giving some away for free until they were ready.

He said he named it TJ's Hammsburgers as a play on his last name.

The first time he set up Shelby, he sold out.

"We came here and we weren't prepared," he said. "We sold out, and it was a snowball effect."

Two months ago, he was constantly scrambling to find places to set up around Gaston County.

"Now it's daily, I'm getting invites all over the county," Hamms said.

He said some days, when he sets up in the parking lot of Hobby Lobby, he'll have cars lined up waiting an hour before he begins serving. He said he sets up on Friday and Sundays at Hobby Lobby and in those two days he sells out.

"You do not sit the entire day," he said.

The demand has been consistent and overwhelming, similar to the lines he experienced in Gaston County following Hurricane Helene.

"We go all day as hard and fast as we can," Hamms said. "I'm just very grateful. I didn't even know Shelby existed six months ago."

He knew they had something special.

"Every day I heard dozens of times, this is the best burger I've had in my life," Hamms said.

He kept the menu small to focus on quality and speed, with eight options, including six burgers and the two sides - smash fries and onion rings. Burgers include the original, bacon, pimento, Carolina, mushroom and swiss and Jalapeno.

He said his burgers - made with double patties, double American cheese, lettuce, tomato and gobs of Duke's mayo - are made with all fresh ingredients every time, nothing frozen.

Hamms said he researched the popular food choices of the region, which led to his Carolina burger with chili, slaw, chopped onions and mustard.

"I'm grateful. I'm full of gratitude to the people, they're all so patient and friendly," he said.

For more information or to keep up with where TJ's Hammsburgers will be located throughout the week, call 704-836-6995 or find them on Facebook.