Dr. Frank “Trip” Belote is a nationally engaged workforce development leader, applied researcher, and economic strategist focused on advancing data-driven solutions for regional prosperity. He currently serves as Executive Vice President of NC East Alliance, a 29-county regional economic and workforce development organization in Eastern North Carolina, and as the founding Executive Director of the NC East Applied Research Institute (ARI), where he leads efforts to build a comprehensive regional data ecosystem to inform decision-making across education, industry, and government.

Dr. Belote also holds an appointment as Senior Research Associate and Visiting Scholar with the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research at North Carolina State University. His work centers on workforce alignment, community college leadership, labor market analytics, and the translation of complex data into actionable strategy. He has led and supported major initiatives funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, The Economic Development Administration, and private foundations, with a particular emphasis on rural workforce development and economic mobility.

Prior to his current roles, Dr. Belote worked in economic development in rural North Carolina, where he successfully recruited new industries and led business expansion efforts. This experience continues to inform his pragmatic, employer-driven approach to workforce strategy.

Dr. Belote is known for bridging research and practice—connecting data, policy, and partnerships to drive regional competitiveness. His current work includes advancing initiatives in skilled trades pipelines, maritime and advanced mobility workforce development, and the integration of artificial intelligence into education and industry systems.