Written By:
After more than 60 years helping people and communities across North Carolina, W.T. Sorrell is officially retiring.
Most recently, as a business development representative at WithersRavenel, W.T. worked with communities across Western North Carolina. Whether he was connecting local officials with our firm’s engineers about an infrastructure project or discussing opportunities for funding, W.T. was focused on helping cities, towns, and counties improve.
His passion for helping others was launched through a 42-year career with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in its Rural Development group, originally known as the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA). W.T. started as a county supervisor in Roxboro before becoming an area loan specialist in WNC and, eventually, area director for a 14-county region.
W.T. described his role at USDA as helping “finance anything a farmer needed or that rural America needed.” Whether that was equipment for individual farmers or town halls, fire departments, and water/sewer infrastructure for rural communities, W.T. enjoyed connecting people and financing while helping to uplift North Carolina.
Following his career at USDA, W.T. transitioned to the private sector in business development roles. He was able to continue building relationships with the same communities he worked with through USDA while helping develop local infrastructure improvements and other projects to benefit rural residents, businesses, and governments.
“My whole reason to go to work in the jobs that I’ve had was to help people,” W.T. said. “My approach to business development was to build relationships. If you build relationships, the business will come. I enjoyed helping solve problems and filling needs.”
Before his time at USDA, W.T. also managed a farm supply store and worked as a vocational agriculture teacher following his graduation from N.C. State University with an education degree.
Hot rods and jamming
W.T. was not all about work, though. He has enjoyed a variety of hobbies through the years, many of them still a part of his life today.
One of his great loves is classic cars. W.T. likes to step out in his 1966 Ford F100 truck with a lowered suspension and a 440 horsepower V8 engine. He likes to drive it around town, but really enjoys taking the beauty to classic car shows across the area. W.T. has also ridden motorcycles since he was young; he’s put that hobby aside after selling his Harley last year.
Another passion he nurtured is music. He plays the upright bass and guitar, and enjoys getting together with friends for impromptu jam sessions. One of his prize possessions that consistently turns heads is a 1946 Gibson guitar. “That old wood really mellows the tone,” W.T. said.
He also flew a plane for many years as an amateur pilot. He got started through free lessons at his local community college, eventually buying an older, small plane and restoring it. He also enjoys woodworking.
In retirement, W.T. said he will enjoy more time with his wife, Helen, and not being tied to a schedule. He says he will still be available to lend a hand to the communities he has come to know and love.
“It’s been rewarding, and I am still able to help or direct you to someone if needed,” W.T. said. “If you find somebody you trust to do business with, that is what holds it all together.”
WithersRavenel wishes W.T. all the best in his retirement!
