Leadership Wilmington Alumni Council July 24-June 25

I am the Group Sales Manager at the beautiful Embassy Suites Wilmington Riverfront.  Please let me know if you ever have a need for a block of rooms for your company, or family needs.  We also have a bunch of fantastic event space with incredible views of the Cape Fear river as the hotel is situated right on the Riverwalk next to the Wilmington Convention Center.  

Jerry Coleman, director of CFCC’s Small Business Center, has decades of experience in business and consulting, having owned his own consumer products manufacturing company in Wilmington NC. Jerry is committed to helping other small business owners succeed. “Starting, managing and growing a small business can be a daunting task. At CFCC’s Small Business Center, we help entrepreneurs plan and navigate the startup process; getting off to a good, solid start is essential. We really do become a partner and are always available to act as a coach and cheerleader for our clients. We will work with them as long as necessary to keep them going and help them achieve their goals and be successful in the long run.” Jerry earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from East Carolina University, and Master of Business Administration at UNCW. He earned his certificate in Project Management from UNCW and has secured multiple patents.

L.S. “Bo” Dean Jr., serves in New Hanover County Government professionally as a Senior HR Analyst for Learning and Development with the over 2000 public servants. Bo is a Community Resilience Model and Resources for Resilience Certified educator. In his private life, he has had the blessings to be involved with and a part of his local New Hanover Regional hospital-Novant foundation, Vice Chair of the Board for the Miracle League of Wilmington, the Healing Place, as well a proud member of the Wilmington Central Rotary. If he is not on a microphone for an event, running on the beach, or collecting shells, he spends every precious minute with his better half of over 29 years, Dr. Michael Freeze and their lab, Jax.

Founder, CEO, and Queen of Promotional Products who holds two Industry certifications (MASI, MAS+) - an accomplishment that less than 3% of promotional and advertising professionals have!  Currently serving as a Board of Directors for the Promotional Products Association International.   A member of Wilmington Central Rotary and the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary.

 

Jason was born in Dayton, Ohio, but grew up in eastern North Carolina. He graduated from UNCW with a BS in finance and an MBA. Rob Penn, Jason’s business partner, hired him in 1999 and the two began a successful business relationship, highlighted by the formation of Pathfinder Wealth Consulting in 2005.

Jason’s passion for the business begins with helping our clients, working with select families to accomplish their personal and business goals. Jason’s role also includes managing the firm, leading its growth initiatives, and enhancing operations.

Jason resides in Wilmington with his wife, Ashley and their daughter, Merritt.

I serve in the role of Associate School Director for Quality Assurance and Associate Professor of Practice in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences within the College of Health and Human Services at UNCW.  In this role I support our faculty, students, and staff with program development and quality assurance, community engagement strategy, and DEI goals.  Prior to this role I served as the inaugural Assistant Dean for Community Engagement in the College of Health and Human Services at UNCW.  I began my professional journey in 2005 at the University of Georgia and am a proud triple-Dawg, having earned three degrees from my beloved alma matter!  I am thrilled to now be in North Carolina and enjoy all that our coastal environment has to offer!

I serve as the Community Liaison for Wilmington Health. I spend my time building relationships throughout the community with employers, healthcare providers, and the general public. I communicate with the community to bring awareness to healthcare issues and the services that we provide at Wilmington Health. 

Heather is the Director of the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) (uncw.edu/cie). CIE nurtures high-impact startups with education, connections, and incubation and collision space, and accelerates the entrepreneurial ecosystem in southeastern North Carolina as a vibrant hub of innovation.

Graham Elmore is the Director of People + Culture at Vantaca. Vantaca is a fast-growing, Wilmington based, fintech company that provides a cloud-based software solution that supports over 20,000 homeowner associations and 2.5 million homeowners. As the Director of People + Culture, Graham supports and drives initiatives that provide a world-class employee experience.

Prior to working with Vantaca, Graham spent over a decade as an educator in the roles of Teacher, Coach, Assistant Principal, and Principal for New Hanover County Schools.

Graham is a two-time graduate of UNC Wilmington and holds a Masters of School Administration and an undergraduate degree in Middle Grades Education, with a concentration in Math and Science. Graham is also a North Carolina Principal Fellow and North Carolina Teaching Fellow.

Rebekah Thurston is the Public Information Officer for the Wilmington Fire Department. She manages the department’s internal and external communications, including content creation, advises senior leadership, and facilitates media relations and community programs. Rebekah took the reins at WFD after spending nearly five years serving as the Fire and Life Safety Educator/Public Information Officer for Greenville Fire/Rescue. Before her time in the fire service, she was a television news reporter in ENC and IL. Rebekah’s accolades include producing the award-winning “Close B4 U Doze” video, presenting at conferences in NC and NY, being named one of Greenville's 30 Under 30, and receiving a STARS Award for Service from the City. Aside from her work with WFD, Rebekah assists small businesses and nonprofits with marketing and communications.

Serving NC and TN with Commercial Real Estate sales, purchase, tenant representation and leasing.

As Executive Director of CFCLT, Workforce Housing Advisory Committee appointee, member of NC Leadership Forum, & past-Chair of CF Housing Coalition, Paul Stavovy is deeply immersed in housing. His MPA degree, a lifetime of building, & strong nonprofit management, make Paul a housing expert. As construction manager for New Orleans Habitat post-Katrina, Paul built over 200 homes with 1000s of volunteers. As a remodeler, & owner of Classic Craftsmen LLC, Paul has amassed decades of design, building, remodeling, & PM experience, while his graduate education provided in-depth knowledge of urban policy, planning, land use, sustainability, & housing policy. Paul’s goal is to use his practical experience, coupled with his education & training, to have a positive impact on housing & the greater community. Paul is a critical thinker and eternal optimist.