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Public Policy Committee
Public Policy CommitteeMary Baggett
Blockade Runner Beach ResortJ.C. Smith
Live Oak BankRuth Ravitz Smith
RR Smith Strategic Solutions (R2S3) & New Lantern PartnersTed Shipley
Live Oak BankGustavo Rodea
Mattress Furniture Liquidators / Muebleria El Nido , CEOGustavo Rodea has lived in Wilmington since 2008. He is married to Lupe Duran. Together they have two boys, Anthony, age 13 and Leonardo, age 3. G...Stacy DaSilva
Modern AviationMike Brown
Cape Fear Commercial, LLCAndrew Cooke
McKinley Building Corporation, Business Development OfficerAndrew is our expert in all things financial and new business-related. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Andrew brough...Katherine Daniel
Montani Consulting, Principal + FounderAfter years serving as the people operations leader for one of the nation’s fastest-growing media companies, Katherine Daniel, SHRM-SCP, now show...Jack Fleming
Socialry Marketing LLC, OwnerJack, originally from Asheville, North Carolina came across the state to study at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Graduating from UNCW...Ben Currin
VantacaLisa Leath
VantacaColleen Coons
Monteith Construction Corp.Michael Braddock
Frontier Scientific Solutions, LLCRobert Campbell
H.O.P.E. CDC (Helping Ordinary People Excel)Shaun Olsen
CloudWyze, Inc., CEOShaun OlsenFounder and CEO, CloudWyze, Inc.CloudWyze, Inc. founder and CEO, Shaun Olsen is an entrepreneur and community leader who strives to empo...Clayton Hamerski
Intracoastal Realty Corp., Real Estate Broker / REALTORI’m a Wilmington native and this is where I hope to stay for the rest of my life. I am committed to our community and to my goal of building a be...Chakema Clinton-Quintana
Live Oak Bank, VP- Inclusive Small BusinessChakema Clinton-Quintana is vice president of Inclusive Small Business at Live Oak Bank, where she leads the inclusive small business center. She f...Caldwell Bailey
SR Vice PresidentPatrice Faison
New Hanover County Schools, Chief Academic OfficerI am the Chief Academic Officer for New Hanover County Schools. My primary responsibilities include overseeing academic programs and policies. Be...David Greenough
USUV CLEAN, LLC, CEOUSUV Clean, LLC is a locally owned and operated business in Wilmington, NC. USUV Clean specializes in distributing and installing FAR UVC 222 nanom...Ben Morman
The Works Insurance, Agency OwnerBen Morman's career and experiences have spanned many industries and economic cycles. After being made redundant through another corporate syner...Janie Watanabe
Send Out CardsI'm a business professional focused on helping other businesses grwo and sustain their existing client base. I believe in giving/helping first, get...Peggy White
Summit Design and Engineering Services, Program ManagerI am a Professional Engineer practicing in Land Development Civil Engineering. I am currently working with Summit Design and Engineering in the Wi...Buffy Andrews
Made Well Center for Wholeness, Owner/Lead TherapistHello! I am Buffy Andrews -the owner of the Made Well Center for Wholeness, a functional mental health + wellness center in Wilmington, NC. I als...Sady Escalante
Excel Roofing Company, Vice PresidentSady Escalante, a 2003 NC State Civil Engineering graduate and the founder of Excel Roofing Company since 2009. Beyond the business, I find joy in ...Jay Oglesby
Liberty Senior Living, Senior Director of DevelopmentJay Oglesby is Senior Director of Development for Liberty Senior Living, a division of Wilmington-based Liberty Health ("Liberty") that oversees ac...Ana Yant
CloudFruit LLC, COOHi! I’m Ana. Originally from Fayetteville, NC, I’ve always been a huge advocate for supporting local businesses. My journey with small businesses b...Sam Hilsman
CloudFruit LLC, CEOMy tech journey began at UVA Nursing School with Excel and VBA in a rural depression study. At Rite Solutions, I evaluated new EMRs for the U.S. ...Jamir Jumoke
Leading Into New Communites, Inc.Jennifer Adams
Corning Incorporated, OFC Global Environmental Leader
Mary Baggett
Blockade Runner Beach Resort
Robert Campbell
Wilmington International Airport, Finance Director
Tony Di Norcia
Beach Bagels- Wrightsville Beach, Owner
Donna Girardot
Wilmington International Airport, Board Representative
Hal Kitchin
McGuireWoods LLP, Associate
Brandon Korman
Tropical Smoothie Cafe - Midtown, Owner
Mark Lanier
University of North Carolina Wilmington, Assistant Secretary, Board of Trustees
Tyler Newman
Business Alliance for a Sound Economy, President & CEO
Patrick Punzalan
GEICO, Owner
J.C. Smith
Live Oak Bank
Grayson Powell
Sun Coast Partners Commercial, Principal Broker
Tee Nunnelee
Coastal Beverage Co., Inc., President
Tim Buckland
New Hanover County, Intergovernmental Affairs Coordinator
Kurt Miller
The Coral Edge, Business Development
Ruth Ravitz Smith
RR Smith Strategic Solutions (R2S3) & New Lantern Partners
Philip Watts
Colonial Terminals Inc North Carolina, Terminal Manager
Michele Holbrook
2020 Chair
Corning Incorporated, Capital Program Manager
Richard Broadway
Rodgers, Vice President
Megan Mullins
Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, Chief Marketing and Engagement Officer
Aubrey Parsley
City of Wilmington, Director of Rail Realignment
Ted Shipley
Live Oak Bank
Gustavo Rodea
Mattress Furniture Liquidators / Muebleria El Nido , CEO
Gustavo Rodea has lived in Wilmington since 2008. He is married to Lupe Duran. Together
they have two boys, Anthony, age 13 and Leonardo, age 3.
Gustavo Rodea is an entrepreneur who has 18 years of experience in the retail business world. Having
moved to the United States from the largest city in the world, Mexico City, Rodea began his career at
the tender age of 22 and became a successful entrepreneur. He attributes his success to the seminars,
books and continuing education that he pursued along the way, as well as his self-taught abilities
through trial and error. During the national economic recession of 2008, Rodea’s dream of becoming a
business owner were put on hold as he was forced to sell his company as part of a wise business
strategy to stay ahead.Neal Andrew
2021 Chair
Andrew Consulting Engineers, PC, President
Mark Carmen
Modern Aviation, President
Stacy DaSilva
Modern Aviation
Richard Formo
Modern Aviation, General Manager
Travis Sumners
Craftspace, Inc., Business Development
John Gardner
Truist Bank, Senior Vice President Business Banking Lender Eastern NC Region
Ned Glascock
PPD Development LLP, Senior Director, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Stephanie Lanier
2022 Chair
The Lanier Property Group, Inc.
Lisa Leath
Leath HR Group LLC, Founder/Owner
Jon Tait, CFP®, CPFA
Signature Wealth Strategies, Certified Financial Planner
Jason Thompson
American Property Experts, owner
Mike Brown
Cape Fear Commercial, LLC
Andrew Cooke
McKinley Building Corporation, Business Development Officer
Andrew is our expert in all things financial and new business-related. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Andrew brought his 12 years of commercial banking experience and two years of focus on commercial real estate to McKinley as our business development officer. He was named Wake Forest University Banking School Distinguished Graduate in 2018 and Eagle Scout of the Boy Scouts of America. Andrew has also dedicated his time to serving on many boards including Airlie Gardens, Step Up Wilmington Board of Directors, Wilmington Downtown Inc, Great Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame, Lower Cape Fear Hospice Board of Trustees, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Leadership program and as a First Presbyterian Church Youth Basketball coach.
Stephanie Lanier
2022 Chair
The Inspiration Lab
Chris Montero
Perfect Touch Rental, Co-Founder
Bradley Cotton
Cotton Property Management, President/Owner
Shane Faulkner
EOD Distillery, LLC, Founder
Missy Barton
Stroud & Company CPAs, PLLC, Partner, CPA
Shamonique "Sharm" Brantley
Level Up Strategies, LLC, Founder, CEO
Adam McCombs
Interroll Corporation, Managing Director
Kent Yarborough
SKA Consulting Engineers, Principal Engineer II, Vice President
Pam Hardy
Duke Energy, District Manager in Government & Community Relations
Tracey Martin
BRC (Bernard Robinson & Co.), Partner
Brad Neigel
Customers Bank, EVP, Regional President
Katherine Daniel
Montani Consulting, Principal + Founder
After years serving as the people operations leader for one of the nation’s fastest-growing media companies, Katherine Daniel, SHRM-SCP, now shows other growth-minded businesses the way to increased productivity: employee satisfaction and engagement. Through Montani Consulting, Katherine (Founder and President) serves as a confidant and trusted advisor for senior executives seeking guidance on HR and all people-related matters. Work aside, Katherine enjoys catching live music, spoiling her rescue pup, Alice, and hosting friends at her home in Wilmington, NC.
Michael Kilby
Hit Solutions, LLC, Sales Representative
Jack Fleming
Socialry Marketing LLC, Owner
Jack, originally from Asheville, North Carolina came across the state to study at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Graduating from UNCW in 2019 with a degree in Business Administration and concentrations in Marketing Strategy, and Entrepreneurship, Jack immediately entered the work force. As a first job out of school, Jack briefly worked for a real estate marketing and sales company. Shortly after Jack started his own full service digital marketing company, Socialry Marketing. Jack is also an Eagle Scout, CrossFit Coach, and involved in Young Life locally.
Lynda Barrow
Elderhaus, Inc., Marketing Coordinator
Ben Currin
Vantaca
Kevin Lloyd
Lifepoint Church, Executive Pastor of Ministries
Lindsey Hallock
WATERway NC, Board Chair
Arketa Howard
Crowley, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director Business Policy &
Kelsie Nagele
Cape Fear Realtors, Government Affairs Director
Scott Monroe
Essential Personnel, CEO & Co-founder
Derek Schmidt
DesignLoud, Inc, Founder & CEO
Lisa Leath
Vantaca
Kandra Romeo
Self-Help Credit Union, Director of Community Engagement
Joey Nelson
AT&T North Carolina, External Affairs
Kara Spencer
City of Wilmington, Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs
Paul Pascarosa
Headwater Environmental, Inc., President
Jean Golla
Wells Fargo Bank, Senior Premier Banker
Colleen Coons
Monteith Construction Corp.
Jason Ezzell
Brawley Company, Business Development Manager
Nikki Ricketson
Timmons Group, Business Development Manager
Stephen Gaskins
Seacoast Wealth Management, Managing Director
Kenneth Baker
Fastest Labs of Wilmington, Principal Owner
Michael Braddock
Frontier Scientific Solutions, LLC
Robert Kerr
Airlie Ventures, Partner
Tanner Konrady
Konrady and Son Construction, LLC, Owner and President
Kelsey Elmore
Konrady and Son Construction, LLC, Office Manager
Robert Campbell
H.O.P.E. CDC (Helping Ordinary People Excel)
Jennifer Stowell, MPA
Realty School 101, CEO
Adam Caldwell
WithersRavenel, Business Development
Lauren McKenzie
Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity, Executive Director
Hoop Morgan
The Forte' Institute, Founder/Author
Shaun Olsen
CloudWyze, Inc., CEO
Shaun Olsen
Founder and CEO, CloudWyze, Inc.
CloudWyze, Inc. founder and CEO, Shaun Olsen is an entrepreneur and community leader who strives to empower businesses and consumers through technology. A veteran of the IT industry, Olsen started CloudWyze in 2012 after having played pivotal roles in several startups. Each of these offerings delivers a combination of IT, voice and data, and multimedia systems. Olsen is a graduate of the Cameron School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and continues to be active on numerous boards include the university’s Center for Entrepreneurial Development and the Cameron Executive Advisory Board. He is also Chairman and founder of AcoustiCreations, Inc., a NC-based professional audio-video firmMegan Mullins
Wilmington Chamber of Commerce NC, Chief Marketing and Engagement Officer
Clayton Hamerski
Intracoastal Realty Corp., Real Estate Broker / REALTOR
I’m a Wilmington native and this is where I hope to stay for the rest of my life. I am committed to our community and to my goal of building a better life for future generations in my hometown, and I do my best to reflect that in my actions and in my business.
I pride myself on making each transaction as smooth as possible, but my job doesn’t end at closing. I serve my clients as a real estate advisor, assisting them with everything from homeownership advice and investment opportunities, to helping navigate our community, local government, and school system. Being a Wilmington native with a lifetime of connections in the area means that my clients have access to the best professionals in the region.
Chakema Clinton-Quintana
Live Oak Bank, VP- Inclusive Small Business
Chakema Clinton-Quintana is vice president of Inclusive Small Business at Live Oak Bank, where she leads the inclusive small business center. She focuses on strengthening and supporting inclusive small business growth in our communities and verticals through research, job creation programs, capital allocation, mentorship, and programming. Chakema has 19 years of banking experience and has a degree in business management from Strayer University in Herndon, Virginia. Her background includes foreclosure, real estate short sales, loss mitigation, relationship management, and compliance. Chakema currently serves on the board of directors for three non-profit organizations, including treasurer of Voyage Wilmington, treasurer of Red, Black, & Love, Inc., and board chair for The OOPS Foundation.
Samm Sawyer
SSM Creative Collective, Founder & Executive Brand Director
Aurelio Gomes
Minuteman Press, Owner
Bobby Croghan
LS3P Associates LTD., Workplace Sector Leader
Carmen Schloner
Caridad Nc Inc, Ceo/founder
Dave Gerin
Graystone, Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Caldwell Bailey
SR Vice President
Matthew Tulipani
Piedmont Service Group, Business Development
Patrice Faison
New Hanover County Schools, Chief Academic Officer
I am the Chief Academic Officer for New Hanover County Schools. My primary responsibilities include overseeing academic programs and policies. Before this role, I served as an Executive Leadership Coach for Wake County Schools. I am currently in my twenty-seventh year in education. Throughout my career, I have found pleasure in serving my community by enhancing students’ lives.
Janeé Folston
UNCW Career Center , Associate Director of Employer Development
Dustin Haynes
REV Federal Credit Union, Public Relations Manager
Jim Conway
Security Technology Group, Director
Eileen Duffy
Edible Port City, Publisher | Editor in Chief
Jake Berry
CV International, Regional Sales Manager - Southeast
Laurie Kidd
Novant Health, Director of Case Management, Coastal Market
Aften Solomon
Green Thumb Floral Boutique, Member
David Greenough
USUV CLEAN, LLC, CEO
USUV Clean, LLC is a locally owned and operated business in Wilmington,
NC. USUV Clean specializes in distributing and installing FAR UVC 222
nanometer (nm) lighting units throughout North Carolina and South Carolina
while expanding to Texas and Florida. The 222 nm lighting is a long-term
multifaceted unit that will work beyond this COVID pandemic and position
our clients to be prepared with future protections. While there are endless
possibilities with this technology, our initial focus has been our school
systems to protect our future which is our children.Max Deutsch
IronStride Marketing and Digital Co., Managing Partner
Susan Stein
Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Development & Membership Director
Ben Morman
The Works Insurance, Agency Owner
Ben Morman's career and experiences have spanned many industries and economic cycles. After being made redundant through another corporate synergy exercise, Ben found founded The Works Insurance here in Wilmington, NC. Ben now owns and operates a portfolio of small businesses and brands invested in the Insurance, Pet Food, Financial Services, Hemp, and Real Estate Industries. These businesses are in varying stages of the business cycle and are all anchored around Ben’s passion for providing the best quality product and services supported by the best possible customer service.
Keesha Starr
K Starr Coaching, Owner
Antrevonn Tate
Cranfill Sumner LLP, Office Services Assistant
Janie Watanabe
Send Out Cards
I'm a business professional focused on helping other businesses grwo and sustain their existing client base. I believe in giving/helping first, getting to know you, and then if we are a good fit, let's do business together, either directly or by referring each other new opportunities to connect with others.
Let's chat over lunch or coffee when it is convenient for you.
Peggy White
Summit Design and Engineering Services, Program Manager
I am a Professional Engineer practicing in Land Development Civil Engineering. I am currently working with Summit Design and Engineering in the Wilmington Office. I recently relocated from Ellicott City, Maryland, located in the Baltimore - Washington DC corridor, where I was born and raised. I graduated from the University of Maryland College Park - College of Engineering. I owned an engineering, land surveying, land planning, and landscape architecture firm for 8 years.
I have one daughter, who is a University of Maryland Graduate in Fire Protection Engineering, where she met her husband, who is a Fire Protection engineer as well. I have two beautiful little grandsons. They all reside in Saudi Arabia, where they both work for Saudi Aramco, the oil company, in Dhahran.Melanie James
RE/MAX Essential, Broker/REALTOR®
Buffy Andrews
Made Well Center for Wholeness, Owner/Lead Therapist
Hello! I am Buffy Andrews -the owner of the Made Well Center for Wholeness, a functional mental health + wellness center in Wilmington, NC. I also am your local "Wellness Buff" and offer 1:1 functional mental health healing intensives, along with keynote speaking, and women's retreats. I coach individual on their mental health + wellness journey's as well as coach individuals looking to grow their businesses.
Feel free to learn more about our wellness center here: www.madewellcenter.org and more about 1:1 mental health + wellness coaching by visiting www.wellnessbuff.org
Sady Escalante
Excel Roofing Company, Vice President
Sady Escalante, a 2003 NC State Civil Engineering graduate and the founder of Excel Roofing Company since 2009. Beyond the business, I find joy in adventurous pursuits like kayaking, off-roading, skydiving, and motorcycle rides. Family is my cornerstone, and with my lovely wife Yani and three children, we embrace values of trust, integrity, and community responsibility. My academic background shapes my commitment to excellence, guiding both my personal and professional endeavors. Thank you for considering Excel Roofing – a reflection of my dedication to transforming roofing needs with durability, reliability, and satisfaction.
Jay Oglesby
Liberty Senior Living, Senior Director of Development
Jay Oglesby is Senior Director of Development for Liberty Senior Living, a division of Wilmington-based Liberty Health ("Liberty") that oversees acquisitions, development, and operation of Liberty's senior living community portfolio. Jay oversees Liberty’s Active Adult (55+) development projects, two properties under construction, and three in lease-up. Before commercial real estate and between undergrad at Ole Miss and business school at Thunderbird School of Global Management, Jay worked as a junior high teacher and chef. He and his wife, Jackie, of 30+ years have lived in Phoenix, Dallas, San Francisco, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Charlotte, and Birmingham. They relocated to Wilmington last winter as empty nesters and have since immersed themselves in the local food and music scenes.
Ana Yant
CloudFruit LLC, COO
Hi! I’m Ana. Originally from Fayetteville, NC, I’ve always been a huge advocate for supporting local businesses. My journey with small businesses began at Hummingbird Candle Co. in downtown Fayetteville. Over the years, I’ve worked with several small businesses, consistently seeing the impact of well-organized processes and effective marketing. As COO of CloudFruit, we specialize in 0-1 product development, analytics, and AI. Recognizing the needs of small businesses, we added CloudFruit Marketing to offer affordable, transparent, and effective marketing solutions. Our goal is to empower small businesses with strategies that drive real results and can be managed independently. Having recently moved to Wilmington, I am excited to connect with the community. I look forward to meeting fellow business owners and strengthening our local economy together!
Sam Hilsman
CloudFruit LLC, CEO
My tech journey began at UVA Nursing School with Excel and VBA in a rural depression study. At Rite Solutions, I evaluated new EMRs for the U.S. Army. At the University of Virginia, I led quality reporting and data warehousing. At Sentara, I built HL7 integrations, and at Riverside Regional Medical Center and Novant Health, I managed financial systems and ERP solutions.
At Johns Hopkins Hospital, I managed BI initiatives and contributed to COVID-19 response strategies, leading to the creation of StayNeighbor. As Director of Technology at CORE, I developed COREConnect and crafted an analytics framework for Curogram. In 2022, I launched CloudFruit, focusing on app development, enterprise analytics, AI/ML integrations, and system integrations. Today, I lead BotOracle and am crafting Ethereal Wraiths.
I am passionate about blending technology with practical solutions to enhance lives globally.
Jamir Jumoke
Leading Into New Communites, Inc.