Members of the current WilmingtonBiz 100 share some of their connections. This year’s group will be announced in September.
 
 

Who is someone else in the area people should know about and why?

 
Landon Zimmer
Managing Partner, Zimmer Development Company
“Giorgios Bakatsias (founder and owner of Giorgios Hospitality Group that locally owns Kipos Hellenic Cuisine and G Prime Steak & Cellar) has helped to further enrich Wilmington’s vibrant restaurant scene with his delicious food. In the wake of COVID, having places where people can gather and reconnect with friends has never been more important, and his contributions help foster that sense of community.”
 
 
Jim Morton
President, Cape Fear Community College
“Erin Easton serves as CFCC’s director of workforce training and development. Erin has built outstanding relationships with local industry and manufacturing partners, including the Cape Fear Manufacturing Partnership. Her passion and deep understanding of workforce training have been key drivers in the growth of these programs. Thanks to her efforts, CFCC is becoming a top destination for individuals seeking quality training and entry into the workforce. Her work truly stands out and deserves recognition.”
 
 
Lynda Stanley
President and CEO, Dosher Memorial Hospital
"Dr. Leigh Lane, the executive director of the Brunswick Wellness Coalition, has helped move the health needle exponentially in our region. As the head of BWC, Leigh has brought local health and wellness leaders and stakeholders to the same table to work in partnership with each other to provide community outreach, education and support to diverse segments of our communities. By facilitating the sharing resources, Brunswick County has moved from the 45th-healthiest county in North Carolina to the 25th since BWC’s inception in 2016.”
 
Lydia Thomas
Program manager, UNCW CIE
“As climate change continues to worsen and the ocean economy grows at 2X global GDP, more stakeholders are needed to mitigate and solve problems. Enter entrepreneurs that can create ocean-focused companies with scalable impact. The Wilmington region has a multitude of entrepreneurs focused on BlueTech such as Landon Hill, founder of Local Catch. Local Catch created an app focused on the connectivity and communication between the seafood industry and its customers. Or take Troy Alphin, Ph.D., a UNCW senior research associate, focusing part of his knowledge and research on creating a new, eco-friendly crab bait.”
 
Morris Nguyen
Founder and CEO, Predicate
“Wilmington is home to several innovative companies using AI to improve health care. Two notable leaders are Rob Cooley Jr., of Nuream, who is revolutionizing sleep hygiene through sensors as a textile and AI, and David Reeser, of OpiAID, whose company focuses on using AI to combat the opioid epidemic. Both of these companies, like Predicate, are making significant strides in applying AI for the betterment of public health. Additionally, there are other humanitarian organizations in Wilmington focused on driving social impact through technology.”

To see the full group, visit wilmingtonbiz100.com.