Brent Barbee is a lifelong resident of rural North Carolina, graduating with honors from Gardner-Webb University with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and also Business Administration in 1993.  

With a background in business, retail, and accounting, Brent changed careers and moved into the North Carolina Community College System in 2004, working as the Purchasing Agent and Equipment Coordinator for Richmond Community College. From there, he earned his Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Emergency Management from University of North Carolina at Pembroke in 2008 and began supervising public safety programs within the continuing education department. In 2010, Brent was named the Vice President for Administration and CFO and in 2014 was promoted to Executive Vice President & CFO. In November 2024, he was announced as the eighth President of Richmond Community College. 

In 2011, Brent played an integral part with the planning and startup of a unique associate in applied science degree at RichmondCC.  The College partnered with Duke Energy, Doble Engineering, and many other power industry partners to form an associate’s degree in Electrical Utility Substation and Relay Technology.  This unique two-year degree has provided the power industry with a skilled workforce, educated in a hands-on environment using its own substation and relay lab.  Graduates have been recruited globally and are working all over the United States, with several having accepted international positions.  

He resides in Rockingham, NC with his wife, Marla and son Michael.  His son Thomas, and daughter-in-law Danielle reside in Roanoke, VA, where Thomas is a Field Service Technician in the power industry.