Dr. Eddie Locklear was a 4-H professional for 37 years, retiring from National 4-H Council in June 2012. Joining National 4-H Council in 2004, he served as Director, 4-H Afterschool Programs; Director, 4-H SET (Science, Engineering and Technology); Director, 4-H Mission to Market; and Acting Director of a National 4-H Mentoring Program. In these roles, Eddie helped establish 4-H Afterschool programs nationally; worked with county, state and national 4-H professionals to expand 4-H SET throughout the 4-H System; helped expand 4-H work in the areas of SET, Healthy Living and Citizenship; and replicated outstanding 4-H programs in over 100 sites across the nation, reaching over 6,000 youth; 1,500 mentors and 4-H professionals in 47 states.
Locklear worked in the Dept. of 4-H Youth Development at North Carolina State University in 1987-2003. He helped secure nearly $18 million in grants to improve the quality and availability of school-age care. He helped develop the NC School-Age Care Coalition. He served as President of the National Afterschool Association and on the Board for eight years. Dr. Locklear developed more than 43 refereed journal and press articles, and over 113 educational publications. He made over 100 international, national, and state presentations. At NCSU, Dr. Locklear served as Extension 4-H Specialist, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Department Extension Leader. Prior to NCSU, Eddie was an Extension 4-H Agent in Robeson Co., NC for 12 years
