Sharon Decker, LNC Class I

Chief Operating Officer, Carolina Operations
Tryon Equestrian Partners, LLC

Sharon A. Decker is COO, Tryon Equestrian Partners, Carolinas Operations in Mills Spring, NC. The world-class facility, located within Tryon Resort, is an equestrian lifestyle destination with 10 riding arenas, and 1,200 permanent stalls, that hosts international-level equestrian competitions across numerous classes. They hosted the World Equestrian Games in 2018 which was the largest sporting event in the US that year.

Prior to Tryon, Sharon was appointed Secretary of Commerce by Governor Pat McCrory and served in that capacity for two years. She founded The Tapestry Group, which focused on encouraging individuals to grow spiritually deeper and physically, mentally and emotionally healthier, she served as the President of Tanner Companies, was founding President of the Lynwood Foundation and has served as chair of the Charlotte Chamber.

Decker started her career at Duke Power Company, now Duke Energy. In 17 years there, she became the youngest and first female vice president in Duke Power’s history. Her work at Duke Power led to the creation of its 24-hour customer service center, an organization that still serves as a model for the industry.

Sharon currently serves on the board of Coca Cola Bottling Consolidated, UNC-Charlotte and Culp, Inc.

She and her husband, Bob, are parents of four children. She is a lay pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and was a summa cum laude graduate from UNC-Greensboro.