The Connectors: The real-world networkers who bring together people and resources to get things done.
Andy Almeter
President & CEO, Leath HR Group
Andy Almeter, who also has a background in health care and science research, now leads this HR consulting firm that his wife, Lisa Leath, founded in 2017 in Wilmington.
WHY HE’S A CONNECTOR: Leath HR Group has partnered with multiple Wilmington organizations to implement “next practice” people strategies that support compliance and risk-minded operations. The firm has also recruited more than 30 leadership professionals to the Wilmington region through national searches.
This year, the company moved into the Richmond market and expanded its services through three specialized practice areas dedicated to nonprofits, health care and the trades.
In the business community, Almeter recently co-led the Fractional Executive Collective, an initiative providing education on the fractional executive model.
Almeter also serves on Lower Cape Fear LifeCare’s board, is chair of the United Way Cape Fear Area board and is a county commissioner–appointed adviser to the New Hanover County Center of N.C. Cooperative Extension.
HEALTH TIES: Almeter maintains his board certification in health care administration.
Rhonda Bellamy
President & CEO, Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover County
As its founding executive director, Rhonda Bellamy has led the arts council since 2012.
WHY SHE’S A CONNECTOR: In her role, Bellamy partners with a number of local organizations to advance the arts and spotlight projects in the community.
Under Bellamy’s leadership, the arts council last year partnered with the New Hanover Community Endowment to distribute $200,000 in grants to more than 30 nonprofit arts organizations in the county.
After that pilot program, the endowment this year announced an expanded Arts & Culture Grants Program, and the arts council will administer a $500,000 program in 2026.
As the designated county partner to the N.C. Arts Council, the organization will grant $100,000 through the Grassroots Arts Program for local organizations and the Artist Support Grant for individuals in the area.
In partnership with Cape Fear Community College’s Small Business Center, the arts council is sponsoring a Creatives Learning Series to provide professional development and networking opportunities for members of the creative community.
STATE VOICE: Bellamy currently serves as past board chair for Arts North Carolina, a statewide nonprofit advocacy organization.
Rob Burrus
Interim Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UNCW
Rob Burrus has been a member of the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s faculty since 1998.
WHY HE’S A CONNECTOR: Burrus was appointed interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at UNCW in July. He most recently served as dean of the UNCW Cameron School of Business.
At the business school, during the first half of the year, Burrus led Cameron through its March AACSB review, resulting in another six years of accreditation, which is recognized as a top business school accreditation.
This summer, when former provost James Winebrake moved to become president of Coastal Carolina University, Burrus moved into UNCW’s leadership team until a permanent provost is named.
He also is currently serving as vice chancellor for academic affairs. The division houses five academic colleges, seven functional areas, the Center for Marine Science and a divisional operations wing. More than 1,300 faculty and staff members are employed within the division.
BEYOND BUSINESS WALLS: “As the interim provost at UNCW, I have had the opportunity to learn about really great faculty research across the campus – not just in the CSB (Cameron School of Business),” Burrus said recently. “Dr. Michelle Cathorall, for example, has created a program to eliminate the impacts of malaria.”
Dana Conners
Director, New Hanover County Public Library
This year, Dana Conners oversaw the completion of the new main library branch in downtown Wilmington. The library opened to the public in early October.
WHY SHE’S A CONNECTOR: As head of the New Hanover County Public Library, Conners leads a library system that connects residents of all ages with books, programming and other in-person and digital resources at its four branches.
Conners, who oversees a staff of 65, led the move this summer into the new main library. The purpose-built facility is part of Project Grace, New Hanover County’s $56 million redevelopment of the main library and the Cape Fear Museum. The museum portion is slated to open in summer 2026.
Conners is also overseeing the new Northchase Library branch in northern New Hanover County. The nearly 20,000-square-foot library is expected to open in the spring, adding a fifth branch to the library system.
LIBRARY EXPERIENCE: Conners became the director of the New Hanover County Public Library in 2022. She came to New Hanover County after working in public library systems in Austin, Texas, and across North Carolina, including in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Iredell, Union and Cabarrus counties.
Chris Capone
Founder & CEO, Capone & Associates
Chris Capone founded Capone & Associates in 2022, and the firm has grown rapidly in the past three years.
WHY HE’S A CONNECTOR: This year, Capone opened the 717mkt Office Collaborative at 717 Market St. in downtown Wilmington. The collaborative, which includes an office for Capone & Associates, was created by renovating a roughly 13,000-square-foot building that offers tenants a range of amenities, including an on-site gym, podcast studio, conference rooms and a rooftop terrace.
Also in 2025, Capone’s company earned a Coastal Entrepreneur Award in the professional services category, and he was honored with a 40 Under 40 Award from the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.
Under Capone’s leadership, Capone & Associates is actively working on several initiatives. He hosts a fractional podcast that spotlights local leaders and entrepreneurs. His firm continues to expand its bookkeeping and fractional CFO services to small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the Wilmington region.
“We have a culture in which collaboration and innovation is free-flowing,” Capone said recently. “We have regular workshops and events to promote innovation in our business and community.”
OUTSIDE OF WORK: Capone enjoys surfing in his free time.
Travis Corpening
Executive Director, Young Mogul Development Group
Travis Corpening heads up Young Mogul Development Group, a nonprofit group designed to educate young men from underserved populations. The organization focuses on developing and supporting their career aspirations through activities, programming and community efforts.
WHY HE’S A CONNECTOR: Early this year, YMDG launched the Mogul Academy with support from a $10,000 TD Bank grant. Students participating in the program earned 71 career-focused certificates designed to provide early career training and exposure.
Corpening is currently working to secure funding to launch a second Mogul Academy in January, with plans to continue offering career-focused certificates and create new opportunities in STEM fields.
“Leading YMDG (Young Mogul Development Group), it has been imperative to have students from all over the Cape Fear region including Brunswick and Columbus counties, so they graduate from Young Mogul with a shared understanding not only of the importance of giving back but of providing career and educational avenues for those that come after you,” said Corpening, who also currently is enrolled in UNCW’s doctorate in educational leadership program.
ART PROJECT: Corpening received a grant from the N.C. Arts Council to improve and re-release a song and video teaching students about the massacre and coup d'état of 1898 in hip-hop form. The project is called Black Fire: The Unfinished Story of a Port City.
Bill Early
Executive Director, Brunswick Business & Industry Development
Bill Early heads up Brunswick Business & Industry Development, an economic development organization that works to draw new business and industry to Brunswick County.
WHY HE’S A CONNECTOR: Early helps match business leaders with sites that meet the needs of their prospective projects. He works to align utilities, transportation access, educational institutions and investment incentives to support new industry and retain the county’s existing employers.
In 2025, Early continued to coordinate with Epsilon Advanced Materials, an India-headquartered graphite manufacturer that plans to build a 1.5 million-square-foot facility and invest $650 million in Brunswick County’s Mid-Atlantic Industrial Rail Park. The project is also expected to create 500 jobs.
This year, Epsilon received $115 million in federal tax credits for the project and secured several required permits. Brunswick County officials also accepted a $6.7 million federal grant to fund the construction of a new water town in the Mid-Atlantic Industrial Rail Park. Planning for other infrastructure in the park is also underway.
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: Before joining Brunswick Business & Industry Development, Early served as the executive director of the Hertford County Economic Development Commission where he led 64 business recruitment or expansion projects, representing over $1.1 billion in investment and nearly 2,000 jobs.
Tara English & Scott Wagner
Organizers, Brooklyn Arts District Collective
Brooklyn Arts District business owners Tara English (Brooklyn Café) and Scott Wagner (Goat & Compass) led an effort to establish Wilmington’s first social district.
WHY THEY’RE CONNECTORS: English and Wagner spent 13 months working with city officials, other business owners in the Brooklyn Arts District Collective, residents and downtown stakeholders to make a social district a reality along a 10-block stretch on North Fourth Street.
A social district allows people to buy alcoholic drinks at a participating establishment – not bring one from home – and consume them anywhere in the district. Local business owners say it helps bring people into the Brooklyn Arts District and through their doors.
English and Wagner worked with the city and business owners to run a pilot social district in February. City officials approved a framework regulating social districts this summer, and English and Wagner applied to establish Wilmington’s first social district.
Approved in September, the district runs from noon to 5 p.m. on the first and third Saturday of the month for six months.
LOOKING AHEAD: After the six-month trial period, the business owners say they want to push to expand the social district to every Saturday.
Johnny Griffin
Director, Wilmington Regional Film Commission
Johnny Griffin has spent 26 years working to bring film productions to the Wilmington area. He’s also one of the first film commissioners in the world to obtain certified film commissioner status.
WHY HE’S A CONNECTOR: Although he can’t share specifics, Griffin is in constant discussions with major film, TV and streaming companies regarding potential projects. “Internally, we are working to grow our location photo database used in recruiting productions,” he said recently. “The commission currently has almost 4,000 different locations photographed with over 91,000 images.”
He said the commission also works with the state legislature to maintain and improve the N.C. Film Grant program to attract more productions to the area.
This year was a particularly tough year for film activity across the U.S. as more productions moved overseas, making Griffin’s role even more dependent on connections for the local industry.
“The film commission works to market the region to prospective film and television productions and assist them while working in the area,” Griffin said. “Historically, productions spend approximately $130 million-$150 million in the region annually and provide hundreds of job opportunities.”
OUTSIDE OF WORK: Griffin likes to run and mountain bike.
Beau Gunn
Owner, Beau Gunn Presents
Through his production company, Beau Gunn helps bring the musical acts that take over Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Gunn also serves as general manager for Local Daily Media and program director for WUIN, 98.3 The Penguin.
WHY HE’S A CONNECTOR: Gunn connects artists, audiences and local businesses through live music events, radio programming and media promotion. He’s played a key role in keeping Wilmington on touring artists’ radar.
Gunn’s work spans multiple aspects of music and media, from producing concerts to managing bands, curating radio content and promoting local businesses.
This year, Gunn produced 55 shows at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, the highest number of shows ever produced in a single season at the venue and is actively booking the 2026 concert season at the outdoor venue.
As WUIN’s program director Gunn constantly searches for new artists to feature on the radio, expanding exposure for both emerging and established talent.
On the talent side, Gunn has produced major events, including a performance by Willie Nelson at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, and programmed The Penguin to serve and entertain the local community.
MUSIC MANAGER: Gunn recently began managing Big Something, a rock/jam band from North Carolina.
Christina Haley
President & CEO, Wilmington Downtown Inc.
Christina Haley has led Wilmington Downtown Inc. (WDI) since June 2024. The organization aims to promote economic development and growth in the downtown area.
WHY SHE’S A CONNECTOR: Haley acts as a central point of connection between private-sector developers, city services, downtown business associations and community stakeholders.
Under Haley’s leadership, the WDI spearheaded efforts to expand holiday lights and programming in downtown Wilmington with a goal of drawing more visitors to the area during off-season months. A pilot program took place last year, with more lights and events planned for 2025.
Haley also supported efforts from the Brooklyn Arts District Collective, a coalition of business owners, to establish Wilmington’s first social district. The collaborative process involved holding a pilot social district in February, establishing policy framework for social districts in the city and, finally, getting approval from city leaders.
Haley is also behind a proposal that would expand dining or retail spaces for businesses on Front Street.
CLIMBING THE LADDER: Haley joined WDI in September 2021 as the organization’s vice president of marketing and business outreach. She became the group’s vice president in June 2022 before being named president and CEO two years later.
Josh Hallingse
VP Small Business RETENTION & EXPANSION, Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
Since joining the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce in 2021, Josh Hallingse has led efforts to develop and retain small businesses in the region.
Why he’s a connector: Hallingse markets the Wilmington region to small businesses and entrepreneurs and helps connect the area’s existing small enterprises with the resources they need to grow.
He chairs the Wilmington Small Business Coalition, a collaborative network of organizations and professionals dedicated to helping small business owners scale and grow across the region. The coalition meets regularly to coordinate efforts within the regional ecosystem, share resources and strengthen the pathways that allow entrepreneurs to start, scale and thrive in the community, Hallingse said.
Hallingse was recognized during the N.C. Economic Development Association’s annual conference this year for his work on a deal that brought FedUp Foods, a private fermented beverage manufacturer, to Wilmington. The company planned to invest $34 million to expand its operations into the area, creating more than 100 jobs.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPER: This year, Hallingse earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council. He is one of more than 1,250 active CEcDs worldwide.
Pam Hardy
District Manager, Duke Energy
In her role, Pam Hardy facilitates connections between Duke Energy’s financial resources, volunteer initiatives and local community organizations.
WHY SHE’S A CONNECTOR: In 2025, Hardy was recognized as an NC Project Lead Emerging Leader, an honor highlighting her work in creating impact within the communities Duke Energy serves.
She is involved in programs through the Duke Energy Foundation, including a newly announced grant opportunity offering $500,000 to support small businesses across North Carolina. Through this program, nonprofit organizations can apply for $25,000 grants, which in turn fund awards of up to $5,000 to individual small businesses. Funding can be used for renovations, equipment or technology purchases, inventory or other business needs.
Duke Energy, under Pam’s leadership in the region, maintains a commitment to community service and volunteerism. In 2024, Duke Energy and the Duke Energy Foundation contributed more than $413,000 in donations, sponsorships and philanthropic support to the Cape Fear region.
MENTORING MATTERS: Hardy said she supports emerging leaders and students through mentorship.
Kim Hufham
President & CEO, Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau
As head of the Wilmington and Beaches CVB, Hufham oversees tourism marketing efforts.
WHY SHE’S A CONNECTOR: Hufham has led the creation of New Hanover County’s first-ever 10-year Tourism Master Plan, a strategic initiative designed to align the direction of the region’s tourism industry with community needs and partner opportunities. An action plan called Destination on the RISE was moving into its implementation phase as of press time, and the plan includes specific strategies, tactics and timelines for execution beginning in 2025.
Hufham is also a key part of a collaborative effort to expand the CVB’s Holidays on Water marketing campaign. The 2025 campaign will include holiday events throughout New Hanover County, building upon last year’s downtown-focused programming. The Wilmington riverfront drone show – one of the event’s main attractions – expanded from three weekends to four, featuring more drones and an extended show. Partners in the effort include the Wilmington Downtown Business Alliance, Wilmington Downtown Inc., the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and the city of Wilmington.
Under Hufham’s leadership, tourism remains one of New Hanover County’s top industries, generating more than $1.1 billion in annual economic impact and supporting over 7,000 local jobs, according to 2024 stats.
AWARD SEASON: In September, Hufham was named as the WILMA Women to Watch Award winner in the Public Sector category, recognizing her leadership in public service and regional tourism.
Alexis Hunter
Executive, Strategic Relationships & Foundation, Wilmington Health
This year, Alexis Hunter moved from the role of Wilmington Health’s community liaison to the practice’s point person on strategic relationships and its foundation.
WHY SHE’S A CONNECTOR: Hunter connects local employers, health care providers and community resources to expand access to care, workforce development and health education.
Her primary responsibilities include building and maintaining relationships for Wilmington Health’s direct service lines. Those services provide direct-to-employer health care solutions, including occupational medicine, consulting and on-site clinics. (Currently, Wilmington Health operates three on-site clinics: Live Oak Bank, city of Wilmington and MegaCorp Logistics.)
Hunter represents Wilmington Health on the Healthcare Talent Alliance, a collaborative initiative by the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and SEAHEC. She works with other employers and educators to address workforce development, helping health care professionals remain in the region rather than commuting. This collaboration marks a new approach where competitors coordinate to build a local health care workforce pipeline.
Additionally, Hunter recently began managing the Wilmington Health Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization established by the physicians group over 10 years ago. The foundation focuses on supporting patients’ health outside traditional appointments through education and other initiatives, aiming to expand access to health resources creatively.
ON AIR: This year, Hunter also created a podcast for the Wilmington Health team, publicly available on Spotify. She records, edits, mixes and masters episodes that help staff and providers understand updates in health care and the organization.
Velva Jenkins
President & CEO, YWCA Lower Cape Fear
Velva Jenkins has served as head of the YWCA Lower Cape Fear since 2020.
WHY SHE’S A CONNECTOR: In 2025, Jenkins oversaw growth across every program under her leadership. She implemented wraparound services for children and families enrolled in the Brighter Days program in partnership with Med North and the New Hanover Community Endowment. The organization’s Early Parenthood Program expanded in Columbus County by relocating to the Whiteville Health Department and extending services to individuals up to 19 years old. The Grandparent Support Network also broadened its reach. Over 300 New Hanover County second graders participated in the Schools in Pools initiative.
The group, which has a $9.8 million capital campaign, exceeded its $5 million benchmark to enhance empowerment programs, services and facilities.
Jenkins secured scholarships for families facing financial difficulties in child care. She hosted programs and events including the third Black Maternal Health Summit in partnership with UNCW’s College of Health and Human Services; the first Girls Empowerment Camp; and launched the H.E.R. Path (Hope, Empowerment and Resilience) program to support women through all stages of life.
She also led the establishment of the YWCA strategic plan for 2026 to guide ongoing efforts.
IN THE BUBBLE: The YWCA aquatics center underwent upgrades including bubble relining, installation of an inflation unit, installation of a new pool heater, HVAC system, new generator and revolving door.
Althea Johnson
CEO, MedNorth Health Center
Althea Johnson connects patients, health care providers and community resources to expand access to primary, dental and behavioral health services in New Hanover County.
WHY SHE’S A CONNECTOR: Johnson this year secured funding for a 35,000-square-foot new building for MedNorth Health Center, which will house clinical, dental and behavioral health services. The two-story building, at the corner of North Third and Bladen streets, is scheduled for completion in March. Following the completion of the new facility, renovations will begin on the current building, a 17,000-square-foot facility at 925 N. Fourth St. Johnson is overseeing the design of the existing building’s layout to include new ancillary and administrative support services.
Under Johnson’s leadership, MedNorth has expanded both its staff and its capacity. The organization’s staff has grown from 97 employees in 2020 to 145 in 2025. The new facility expansion will increase the number of exam rooms from 25 to 51 and dental operatories from five to 12. This growth in space is intended to support an increase in the number of patients seen annually, reflecting the organization’s commitment to accessible and affordable health care.
CARE ROLE: MedNorth, formerly New Hanover Community Health Center Inc., was incorporated as a nonprofit in North Carolina receiving a 501(c)(3) classification in 1993. The center saw its first patient in the spring of 1994 and has been in continuous service since then, adding MedNorth Health Center as a dba (doing business as) in 2013.
Janet Kane
CEO, Cape Fear Realtors
As CEO of Cape Fear Realtors (CFR), Janet Kane leads a local association serving more than 3,600 members. CFR is a professional Realtor alliance “working together for our communities and members to protect, advocate and promote real property ownership and investment,” Kane said.
WHY SHE’S A CONNECTOR: Kane is currently engaged in several strategic initiatives. She is working with the Realtor Relief Foundation to provide funding nationwide to homeowners who have lost their homes due to natural disasters, including homeowners in Western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. She is overseeing the association’s transition to a new association management system to better serve and communicate with CFR members. She is also involved in a range of community service projects throughout the year.
In 2025, Kane completed the Cornell University Executive Leadership Certificate Program. She was appointed vice chair of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) AEC Recognitions & Recommendations Advisory Board.
Within her organization, Kane said, she encourages innovation through a culture of trying new things, making mistakes without blame and celebrating what is learned. “The mantra I share with our staff and members is that ‘We find blameless solutions,’” Kane said. “We don’t point fingers, we’re a team and we have each other’s backs.”
OUTSIDE OF WORK: She enjoys traveling and learning about different cultures, which she says inspires her by exposing her to people from all walks of life and helps her gain understanding of differing perspectives.
Katrina Knight
Executive Director, Good Shepherd Center
Katrina Knight leads Wilmington’s Good Shepherd Center, an organization that aims to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and foster transition to housing in Wilmington.
WHY SHE’S A CONNECTOR: In the last year, Knight led the Good Shepherd Center’s 40-person staff in efforts to connect more than 500 homeless adults and children with shelter and helped more than 200 homeless individuals and families transition from shelter to housing.
In June, Good Shepherd broke ground on The Sparrow, a 32-unit housing community for chronically homeless individuals with special needs. Knight has helped lead the development of the $7.5 million project, which is under construction on Carolina Beach Road.
Knight, who has served as executive director since 2004, is working to raise the remaining $10 million in the Home for Good campaign, which will fund an expansion of the organization’s main campus.
This year, Gov. Josh Stein also appointed Knight to the N.C. Interagency Council for Coordinating Homelessness Programs.
HOUSING LEADER: Knight said people should know about Tyrone Garrett, CEO of the Wilmington Housing Authority. Garrett and his team oversee several housing developments, provide vouchers to subsidize housing costs and are embarking on the rehabilitation or redevelopment of hundreds of affordable units in Wilmington.
Sheri Leavens
Assistant Dean for Student Success and Academic Advising, UNCW CHHS
Sheri Leavens is part of the leadership team at the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s College of Health and Human Services.
WHY SHE’S A CONNECTOR: In 2025, Leavens supported nearly 5,000 students through her role at the college.
She expanded campus pipeline programs that provide early exposure to health care careers, including iHEAL, iHPSS, SEEDS, VITALS, Future Health Scholars and the iHEAL Summer Research Opportunities Program. These programs create structured pathways beginning as early as fifth grade, preparing students for future health care roles.
Under Leavens’ leadership, CHHS initiatives secured more than $2 million in grants from Novant Health and UNC Health to expand health care pipelines, scholarships and research opportunities.
Leavens engages in keynote presentations, workshops and mentorship throughout Southeastern North Carolina for students and professionals.
She serves on multiple boards and advisory committees, including the DC Virgo Preparatory Academy Chancellor’s Advisory Board, the SEAHEC Education Committee and the Willie Stargell Foundation board. She also is a member of the WILMA Leadership advisory board, mentors emerging women leaders and participates in The Links, Incorporated.
WORDS TO SHARE: This year, Leavens published the book
My Mama Always Said: 7 Leadership Lessons Adapted from Southern Wisdom and continued hosting the Black Woman Working podcast.
Heather McWhorter
Director, UNCW CIE
Heather McWhorter has been at the helm of UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) since 2022. She currently leads a staff of four employees, along with nine interns and more than 200 volunteers.
WHY SHE’S A CONNECTOR: In her role, McWhorter leads efforts to link local entrepreneurs and startups with the resources and establish Southeastern North Carolina as an innovation hub.
This September, CIE hosted its third annual Ocean Innovation Conference. The event was the largest conference to date, with more than 400 participants and an international reach.
According to McWhorter, approximately 10,600 people participated in CIE’s programs over the last year.
McWhorter was appointed to the NC IDEA Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2025. The board guides the foundation in its mission to strengthen North Carolina’s economy by supporting entrepreneurial growth.
During her time at CIE, McWhorter helped support the development of the UNCW Blue Economy Index, the first global tool to track the sector’s growth and impact, and the Idea Test Lab, a five-week-long, early-stage entrepreneurship course.
AVID PHOTOGRAPHER: Outside of work, McWhorter said she enjoys photographing the Cape Fear region with her Nikon D7500 camera.
John Monahan
Vistage Chair, Vistage Worldwide
In 2025, John Monahan led three high-performing peer advisory groups as Wilmington’s first established Vistage Chair.
WHY HE’S A CONNECTOR: Those groups include over 45 CEOs, business owners and senior executives from diverse industries such as hospitality, marketing, real estate, retail, software, health care, construction, financial planning, manufacturing and technology. The groups provide structured platforms for collaboration and learning. Members also utilize each other’s services when aligned with business needs.
Monahan organizes monthly CEO Climb Events, webinars designed to provide business leaders with insights from world-class speakers and community interaction. These events help leaders navigate complex business challenges and enhance their professional effectiveness.
The peer advisory groups also offer valuable networking opportunities. Monahan’s work through Vistage supports Wilmington-area growth by building a community of high-integrity business leaders.
OTHER ROLES: Monahan serves as a board member and leadership coach, leveraging over 35 years of C-Suite and board experience in marketing services, SaaS, advanced technology, private equity, health care innovation and data intelligence.
Cameron Moore
Executive Officer, Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association
As executive officer since 2014, Cameron Moore has helped lead the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association to national and statewide recognition.
WHY HE’S A CONNECTOR: Under his leadership, the National Association of Home Builders acknowledged the WCFHBA’s membership recruitment and retention efforts by awarding the association the 2024 NAHB Membership Cup Award. Additionally, the WCFHBA earned multiple honors at the 2024 STARS Awards, presented by the North Carolina Home Builders Association, including Best HBA Social Media and Best HBA Parade of Homes Marketing campaign. In 2022, Moore was named NAHB’s Local Executive Officer of the Year.
As executive officer, Moore manages the association’s operations, staff and strategic initiatives out of its Wilmington office at 3801‑5 Wrightsville Ave.
Moore’s role involves liaising with builders, remodelers and industry stakeholders throughout the Cape Fear region, as well as supporting continuing education, public‑policy advocacy and promotional events, such as the association’s annual Parade of Homes. His duties include coordinating membership recruitment and retention efforts, managing communications and marketing platforms and representing the association at the local, state and national levels.
BUILDING MEMBERS: The WCFHBA was chartered in 1965 and represents 1,835 members, making it the second largest HBA in the state and the third largest in the nation.
Ken Morris & Connie Morris
Corps Officers, The Salvation Army Cape Fear
Ken and Connie Morris lead The Salvation Army of Cape Fear, a nonprofit group that aims to provide housing, food and assistance to those in need across a five-county area in Southeastern North Carolina.
WHY THEY’RE CONNECTORS: The Morrises have spearheaded efforts to connect homeless individuals and families with housing and other resources. This year, Salvation Army officials dedicated the Center of Hope, a 20,500-square-foot shelter with beds for up to 75 people, including seven suites designed for families.
The project, situated on 22 acres off Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, was years in the making. The Morrises led fundraising for the center, which included the sale of The Salvation Army’s downtown Wilmington location in 2023. Proceeds from the sale went toward the new project.
They also oversee The Salvation Army’s five Wilmington-area thrift stores, along with the organization’s worship services and other social service support programs for children and adults.
The Salvation Army, which employs 70 people in the Wilmington area, has a global presence, serving in 134 countries.
GETTING OUTSIDE: When they’re not working, the Morrises both enjoy going to the beach and outdoor activities.
Tracey Newkirk & Girard Newkirk
Executive Director/CEO, Genesis Block Foundation/Genesis Block
Girard and Tracey Newkirk lead the day-to-day operations of Genesis Block, which supports small business owners, entrepreneurs and startups with a focus on ventures led by minorities and women.
WHY THEY’RE CONNECTORS: In 2025, they advanced the Genesis Block Foundation’s reach with the launch of its first Jumpstart Academy in Jacksonville. This expansion follows the ongoing momentum of the second 2025 Jumpstart Academy in the Cape Fear region, scheduled to culminate with Demo Day in January.
Another milestone this year has been the foundation’s collaboration with the ENC Women’s Business Collective. Through this partnership, the Newkirks helped extend support for women-owned businesses into five additional counties – Nash, Pitt, Craven, Onslow and Carteret – broadening access to training, resources and entrepreneurship networks across Eastern North Carolina.
They also continued its Meet the Neighborz initiative in partnership with local coworking spaces. This program connects business owners, innovators and community members, creating opportunities for relationship-building and increased visibility for local ventures.
BOOK RELEASE: This year, Girard Newkirk released his book
Newkirknomics: The Blueprint to Build the Neighborhood Economyy, which focuses on “empowering Main Street, revitalizing underserved communities and creating scalable, measurable prosperity at the neighborhood level.”
Yolanda Pollard
Director, UNCW Swain Center
Yolanda Pollard became the head of the Swain Center for Executive Education and Economic Development in 2023.
WHY SHE’S A CONNECTOR: Pollard this year concentrated on expanding the Swain Center relationships across the region by engaging organizations and entrepreneurs to explore new opportunities for leadership development and organizational support.
The Swain Center provides customized leadership programs designed to help organizations strengthen strategy and performance. Its services include strategic planning support, executive coaching, process assessments and a range of open enrollment courses. Under Pollard’s direction, the center continued to collaborate with partners to tailor these offerings to their individual goals and operational challenges.
Throughout the year, Pollard engaged with diverse sectors to understand emerging needs and build connections that support learning and professional development. Her outreach helped highlight opportunities for the Swain Center to provide resources that address both immediate organizational priorities and long-term leadership growth.
By cultivating relationships and developing programs, she supported efforts to strengthen organizational capacity and enhance the skills of leaders working across industries.
Tammy Proctor
Executive Director, Greater Topsail Chamber of Commerce and Tourism
Tammy Proctor has served as the executive director of the chamber since December 2023.
WHY SHE’S A CONNECTOR: In collaboration with the chamber’s board of directors and volunteers, Proctor has overseen the creation of several programs, including the Leadership Pender initiative and the Topsail Young Professionals group. The chamber also has expanded its WomenConnect networking program, hosted municipal candidates’ nights and established the Chamber Foundation to pursue grant funding.
“Economic growth is one of our goals at the chamber,” Proctor said recently. “We are a resource to businesses that desire to establish in the Scotts Hill to Sneads Ferry area.”
Currently, Proctor and the chamber are engaging in multiple projects: working with the regional America250 Celebration, including Colonial Topsail on Feb. 21, in collaboration with the Historical Society of Topsail Island and the First in Freedom Festival at Moores Creek National Battlefield. The chamber is also collaborating with the Pender County Tourism Development Authority to market all of Pender County.
ON INNOVATION: Proctor said, “We are not your grandmother’s Chamber. We are young, vibrant, adding programs, coordinating educational opportunities and welcoming partnerships with other organizations.”
Leneice Rice
Coastal Community Healthcare Fellowship Program Manager, UNCW & CFCC
In 2025, Leneice Rice created and launched three chapters of the Coastal Community Healthcare Fellowship (CCHF), including two at UNCW and one at CFCC.
WHY SHE’S A CONNECTOR: Those chapters establish a structured network for developing health care leaders in the region. She currently mentors 45 fellows, who serve as peer mentors to prospective health care students, creating a ripple effect of leadership, professional development, and community engagement.
Rice oversees programs including UNCW iHPSS, Stop S.I.S. (Suffering in Silence) and mentorship programs for UNCW Vitals Scholars and CFCC Pathway to Nursing students. She also supervises New Hanover Community Endowment-sponsored programs and roles such as the Community Connection position. Additionally, she facilitates Interprofessional Healthcare Partnership Sessions (IHPSs) at UNCW, providing students with hands-on interdisciplinary learning experiences designed to prepare them for collaborative health care environments.
She has developed resilience-based programming and presented research on resilience-focused activities, as well as tailored mentorship training for nursing students to equip emerging health care professionals with skills and confidence to guide and inspire others.
STRENGTH FINDER: Rice provides strength-based coaching as an International Gallup Strengths Coach, further supporting student and professional development.
Scott Satterfield
CEO, Wilmington Business Development
Scott Satterfield has led Wilmington Business Development, an economic development organization that serves New Hanover and Pender counties, since 1995.
WHY HE’S A CONNECTOR: In his role, Satterfield connects businesses that are considering relocating or expanding into the Wilmington area with site-selection resources, infrastructure partners, workforce development networks and local governments.
Satterfield played a role in bringing a new Amazon robotics fulfillment center to a site on the New Hanover-Pender county line. The project, which is currently under construction, will have more than 3 million square feet in floor area across four-and-a-half floors. It’s expected to employ more than 1,000 people. Work is underway on another Amazon facility, a delivery station.
Wilmington Trade Center, a master-planned industrial park on U.S. 421, broke ground on its second phase this year. The 13-building park is set to have a combined area of more than 3.2 million square feet.
FOREIGN INVESTMENT: The Wilmington region has witnessed investment in recent years from companies based outside of the U.S. That includes the expansion of India-based industrial hose manufacturer Polyhose, and Protocase, a Canadian rapid manufacturing firm that established a production facility in the Wilmington area this year. German-firm Kesseböhmer also completed the first phase of its Wilmington-area headquarters in 2025.
Barnes Sutton
Economic and Community Development Director, Town of Leland
Barnes Sutton has led economic development efforts for the town of Leland since stepping into his role in 2023.
WHY HE’S A CONNECTOR: Sutton works to attract businesses to Leland by connecting them with facilities that meet their needs by working in coordination with developers, existing businesses and other economic development partners in the region.
In his role, Sutton has worked to grow the town’s industrial and life science sectors. He is leading the ongoing development of Leland Innovation Park and the creation of the town’s inaugural economic development incentive program. This year, an industrial developer purchased 31 acres inside the park to build small bay industrial spaces. US MgO, a firm that makes magnesium oxide cement sheathing panels, also announced plans to buy more than 20 acres inside the park to establish a manufacturing facility.
Sutton also spearheaded the development of a new strategic plan for the Leland Tourism Development Authority. The plan will help guide the board’s focus, investments and strategies for growing tourism in the area.
LOCAL EXPERIENCE: Sutton has been with the town of Leland since 2021. Before that, he served as the director of planning and development for the town of Navassa.
Meade Van Pelt
Executive Director, The Harrelson Center
Meade Van Pelt serves as executive director of The Harrelson Center, a campus of nonprofit organizations in downtown Wilmington.
WHY SHE’S A CONNECTOR: The Harrelson Center serves as a hub for nonprofit agencies with the aim of helping them operate more efficiently and better use their funding, according to the organization’s website. Under Van Pelt’s leadership, in May the center began its Housing Navigation program, “which has proven to be a valuable approach to preventing homelessness,” Van Pelt said. “Through collaborative partnerships and resourceful funding, we are supporting renters and homeowners who are at risk of losing their housing.”
The organization has also launched the Minding Our Business campaign “to stabilize capacities in the nonprofit sector amid shifts in funding sources and government priorities. The campaign equips nonprofit executives with fresh resources to adapt to ongoing challenges and disruptions, even as needs continue to grow,” she said.
Additionally, Van Pelt and the center are advancing a partnership with Legal Aid of North Carolina to expand civil-legal services on campus in 2026 (with funding from the New Hanover Community Endowment).
OUTSIDE WORK: Van Pelt serves in a leadership role in her church, enjoys hot yoga and early morning walks and advocates for skin-cancer screenings and sunscreen after being diagnosed with melanoma in her 20s.
Cynthia Walsh
CEO, Brunswick County Association of Realtors
Cynthia Walsh has been CEO of the Brunswick County Association of Realtors (BCAR) for more than a decade.
WHY SHE’S A CONNECTOR: Under Walsh’s leadership, BCAR supports Realtors but also connects Realtors and other real estate industry professionals to the community. In 2025, BCAR launched the BCAR Cares Foundation to extend its philanthropic efforts beyond the more than 15 community-giveback events already held, Walsh said.
She is involved in planning and launching the new foundation. Walsh said BCAR members “are dedicated to ensuring a better quality of life for everyone in their communities.”
BCAR also introduced new programs to strengthen its affiliate membership segment, including Affiliate University, regular affiliate networking luncheons and enhanced member-affiliate collaboration – initiatives that Walsh said have resulted in growth of affiliate membership.
Individually, Walsh was invited to teach the orientation/bootcamp for new executives at the NC Association of Realtors and the Georgia Association of Realtors, and she served as chair of the NC Association of Realtors’ Bylaws Committee.
OUTSIDE WORK: Walsh said she finds relaxation and focus through cooking and baking, which she describes as one of her “superpowers.”
Heather Wilson
CEO, Cameron Art Museum
Heather Wilson was named head of the art museum in 2023 after serving as deputy museum director.
WHY SHE’S A CONNECTOR: Cameron Art Museum serves as an arts and cultural destination for North Carolina and beyond. The museum operates as a creative campus and greenspace, providing visual art experiences unique to the region. Through its exhibitions, programs and outreach, the museum contributes a $6.9 million economic impact to New Hanover County while attracting tourists and newcomers to the area.
In 2024, Wilson was recognized with the Museum Leadership Award by the Southeastern Museums Conference. Under her leadership, Cameron Art Museum achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s commitment to professional standards and cultural stewardship.
Wilson oversees exhibitions that bring traveling works by Minnie Evans to venues across the United States, connecting contemporary art to broader themes of the natural world. She also manages outreach opportunities that engage cancer patients, individuals living with dementia, stroke survivors, and veterans, connecting these communities to art and creative expression.
SIDE PROJECT: Wilson is currently working on writing a novel.
Read more about the 2025 WilmingtonBiz 100 honorees by clicking here.
