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Leadership Wilmington Alumni Council July 24-June 25
Sam Gardner
Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront, Group Sales ManagerI 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 room...Jerry Coleman
Cape Fear Community College, Small Business Center DirectorJerry Coleman, director of CFCC’s Small Business Center, has decades of experience in business and consulting, having owned his own consumer produc...Bo Dean
New Hanover County, Senior HR AnalystL.S. “Bo” Dean Jr., serves in New Hanover County Government professionally as a Senior HR Analyst for Learning and Development with the over 2000...Renee Jones
A Creative Touch, Inc., Chief Executive OfficerFounder, CEO, and Queen of Promotional Products who holds two Industry certifications (MASI, MAS+) - an accomplishment that less than 3% of promoti...Jason Wheeler
Pathfinder Wealth Consulting, CEO and Wealth AdvisorJason 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 ...Jeremy Wilson
Ward and Smith, P.A.Ruth Ravitz Smith
RR Smith Strategic Solutions (R2S3) & New Lantern PartnersDavid Flory
Highlands Residential MortgageAlexis Hunter
Wilmington Health, Community LiaisonI serve as the Community Liaison for Wilmington Health. I spend my time building relationships throughout the community with employers, healthcare ...Dianne Jinwright
The Women Encouragement Living and Learning Place, Inc. (The WELL Place), PresidentLinda Stinson
RLS Focused SolutionsHeather McWhorter
UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Executive DirectorHeather is the Director of the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) (uncw.edu/cie). CIE ...Kim Boyce
Smart Start of New Hanover CountyMatt Hilliard
Customers BankGraham Elmore
Vantaca, Director of People + CultureGraham Elmore is the Director of People + Culture at Vantaca. Vantaca is a fast-growing, Wilmington based, fintech company that provides a cloud-...Rebekah Thurston
City of Wilmington, WFD Public Information OfficerRebekah Thurston is the Public Information Officer for the Wilmington Fire Department. She manages the department’s internal and external communica...Ginny Dunn
Maus, Warwick, Matthews & Co., BrokerServing NC and TN with Commercial Real Estate sales, purchase, tenant representation and leasing.Corey Douglas
RodgersCaleb Courtney
Ivester Jackson Coastal | Christie's International Real EstatePaul Stavovy
Cape Fear Community Land Trust, Inc., Executive DirectorAs Executive Director of CFCLT, Workforce Housing Advisory Committee appointee, member of NC Leadership Forum, & past-Chair of CF Housing Coaliti...JC Lyle
Wesley CDCKevin Welch
Port City Java, Director of Operations
Barrett Earney
EARNEY Accountants & Advisors, Partner
Nicolas Montoya
Blockade Runner Beach Resort, General Manager
Sam Gardner
Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront, Group Sales Manager
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.
Jason Clamme
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, Director of Community Engagement
Jerry Coleman
Cape Fear Community College, Small Business Center Director
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.
Bo Dean
New Hanover County, Senior HR Analyst
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.
Renee Jones
A Creative Touch, Inc., Chief Executive Officer
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.
Henry Miller
M & N Construction Supply, Inc., President
Gretchen Rivas
Infinity Acupuncture, Owner
Jeremy Roberts
PBMares, LLP, Partner
Jason Wheeler
Pathfinder Wealth Consulting, CEO and Wealth Advisor
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.
Jeremy Wilson
Ward and Smith, P.A.
John Zachary
Pathfinder Wealth Consulting, Partner & Wealth Advisor
Stephanie Bolton
Patriot Roofing Company LLC, Owner
Ruth Ravitz Smith
RR Smith Strategic Solutions (R2S3) & New Lantern Partners
David Flory
Highlands Residential Mortgage
Natalie English
Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO
Sarah Stone
Excite Credit Union, Director of Retail Experience
Angela Douglas
LS3P Associates LTD., Healthcare Architect/Operations/Finance
Alison Baringer
North Carolina Azalea Festival, Executive Director
Brian Rector
Coastal Beverage Co., Inc., CFO
Richard Formo
Modern Aviation, General Manager
Alexis Hunter
Wilmington Health, Community Liaison
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.
Sharat Nagaraj
Celito Communications, Inc., President
Laura Brogdon-Primavera
Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, VP, Leadership Development
Dianne Jinwright
The Women Encouragement Living and Learning Place, Inc. (The WELL Place), President
Linda Stinson
RLS Focused Solutions
Heather McWhorter
UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Executive Director
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.
Genna Wirth
Voyage, Executive Director
Pam Hardy
Duke Energy, District Manager in Government & Community Relations
Kim Boyce
Smart Start of New Hanover County
Suzanne Jalot
WARM NC, Chief Development Officer
Matt Hilliard
Customers Bank
Graham Elmore
Vantaca, Director of People + Culture
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.
Albert Steed
True IP Solutions, COO
Ryan Bisplinghoff
Clancy & Theys Construction Company, Director of Project Development
Amber Walters Burnette
Monteith Construction Corp., Marketing Manager
Alex Bouknight
The Carousel Center, Finance Manager
Thom Moton
City of Wilmington, Deputy City Manager
Rebekah Thurston
City of Wilmington, WFD Public Information Officer
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.
Ginny Dunn
Maus, Warwick, Matthews & Co., Broker
Serving NC and TN with Commercial Real Estate sales, purchase, tenant representation and leasing.
Corey Douglas
Rodgers
Danielle McIntosh
Live Oak Bank, Technology Support Manager
Morgan Moskal
Customers Bank, VP - Relationship Manager
Katie Tate
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, Director of Foundation
Caleb Courtney
Ivester Jackson Coastal | Christie's International Real Estate
Nadirah Pippen
UNCW Career Center , Associate Director for the Career Center
Riley Stephenson
Rockefeller Capital Management, Associate Vice President, Wealth Manager
Emma Ericksen
Thomas Construction Group, LLC, Marketing Coordinator
Paul Stavovy
Cape Fear Community Land Trust, Inc., Executive Director
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.
JC Lyle
Wesley CDC
Jessica Humphries
Farrell Smith O’Connell Aarsheim Aprans LLP, Attorney at Law