Hillside High School

Chief Warrant Officer Four Retired Otha Wayne Hester is a native of Hillsborough, NC and now resides in Hillsborough, NC.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Music and World History from Excelsior College, Albany, New York, a master’s degree in Management from Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, New Jersey, and a post master’s in General Business from Northcentral University, Prescott, Arizona.  

Currently, Chief Hester serves as the Senior Army Instructor at Hillside High School, Durham North Carolina, where he and his fellow Army Instructor earned the Professional Leadership Team Certificate for two consecutive quarters and the JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction. While serving in the United States Army, Chief Hester deployed to numerous assignments throughout his career.  Some of his most notable assignments were Iraq, Haiti, Japan, and Alaska. 

As Commander of Army Band’s, he performed for an audience of more than 10 million + people around the world.  After 25 years of active federal service, Chief Hester retired on 1 June 2012.  His awards include; the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal (4), Army Achievement Medal (3), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal (3), National Defense Service Medal (2), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Parachutist Badge.  He is married to JoAnn Thompson of Pennsauken, NJ.  They have four children: Kevin, Shanel, Leah, Dia, and 6 grandchildren (Keiana, Jordan, Jayden, Isaiah, Zakerie, and Cameron).

Chief Warrant Officer Four (RET)
Otha Wayne Hester
Senior Army Instructor
otha_hester@dpsnc.net

First Sergeant Retired Jeffery J. Matthews is a native of Gibson, Louisiana, and now resides in Angier, NC.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College, Albany, New York, and is currently working towards his master’s degree in Business Management.  Currently, First Sergeant Matthews serves as the Army Instructor at Hillside High School, Durham North Carolina. While serving in the United States Army, First Sergeant Matthews held every enlisted leadership position from Private to Sergeant Major. He deployed to numerous assignments throughout his career, to included tours in Germany, Korea, Central America, Croatia, Fort Lewis Washington, Fort Hood Texas, Fort Lee Virginia, and Fort Bragg North Carolina. First Sergeant Matthews also participated in over 13 Combat and Humanitarian Tours.

 After 29 years of active service, First Sergeant Matthews retired on 28 February 2018.  His awards include; the Bronze Star Medal(4), Meritorious Service Medal (4), Joint Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (7), Army Achievement Medal (9), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal(2), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal,  Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Star(3) Humanitarian Service Medal (2) NCO Professional Service Ribbon (3) Overseas Ribbon (7) and the NATO Medal. First Sergeant Matthews also earned the Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Aviation Badge, and the Drivers Badge.  He is married to Kema Matthews and has two children: Jazmyne and Jeffery Jr.

First Sergeant
Jeffery Matthews
Army Instructor
jeffery_matthews@dpsnc.net