Peters, Winniett

Winniett is known as a thoughtful and caring person who is a good friend. He is very active in his church. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and having fun with friends and family. Since retirement, Winniett has most enjoyed traveling with his wife. Some of his favorite experiences have been traveling through Europe, fishing in the Bahamas and visiting his grandchildren in California.

Given to Mr. Peters by the Tobacco Farm Life Museum at the Excellence in Agriculture Dinner on October 14, 1999, honoring his outstanding contributions to our agri-business community.

Winniett Peters was born on March 18, 1927, in Tarboro, North Carolina and in 1935 moved to Wilson. After completing Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia in 1945 he served one year in the Navy. Following his service he attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1950 with a BS degree in Commerce. Winniett married Sarah Walston Peters in 1951 and their union produced four sons (Winniett Jr., Colter Paxton, Hyman Walston, and Thomas Battle) and six grandchildren.

After graduating from college Winniett went to work for his father at James I. Miller Tobacco Company eventually serving as their CEA/Chairman/Director. He went on to be the CEO/Chairman/Director of Standard Commercial Tobacco Company, and was the Vice President/Director of Standard Commercial Corporation. He retired in 1998 as the Director of BB&T Corporation in Winston-Salem. He is currently managing partner of Southern Storage Company.

Many professional and community organizations have benefited over the years from Winniett's service. He is currently the Director and past president, for the Tobacco Foundation at NCSU, is the director for the NC Partnership for Children (Smart Start) of Wilson, is the Director and past Chairman for Hope Station, the Vice Chairman for the Wilson Area Community Ministries, and is an elder at First Presbyterian Church. He has previously served as the Director of Tobacco Associates, the Director of NC Agribusiness Council, and as a Wilson County Commissioner. He has acted as Chairman for the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, Director for the East Carolina Council of Boy Scouts, and as a member of the UNC Board of Visitors. Winniett served as President of Leaf Tobacco Exporters Association in 1976, was a member of their Executive Committee until 1995, and served as President of the Tobacco Association of US in 1970 and was a member of their Board of Governors until 1995.