Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Announces Departure of Josh Hallingse

WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce announced that Josh Hallingse, CEcD, Vice President of Small Business Development and Business Retention, will depart the organization on May 29, 2026.
 
Hallingse joined the Chamber in November 2021 as the founding leader of its small business development and business retention division, a program supported in part by New Hanover County and designed to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. In this role, he led efforts to support the retention, expansion, and recruitment of small businesses across southeastern North Carolina, with a focus on companies employing fewer than 25 people. During his time with the Chamber, Hallingse connected with hundreds of companies in New Hanover County each year, many of which were not previously engaged with the Chamber.
 
“Josh has played a critical role in building and shaping this program from the ground up,” said Natalie English, President and CEO of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. “His work has strengthened our small business community, deepened partnerships across the region, and created a more connected and supportive environment for entrepreneurs. We are grateful for his leadership and lasting contributions and are well-positioned to build on this momentum and continue delivering results for our small business community.”
 
During his tenure, Hallingse championed initiatives that connected small business owners with the resources needed to start, scale, and succeed. He also served as chair of the Wilmington Small Business Coalition, helping align a network of partners across the region to better coordinate services, share resources, and strengthen pathways for entrepreneurs.
 
Hallingse’s work has earned recognition at the state and regional levels. He was named the recipient of the Large Market Deal of the Year award from the North Carolina Economic Development Association for the FedUp Foods project in Wilmington, representing a $34 million investment and more than 100 new jobs. Earlier in his career, he received NCEDA’s Smaller Market Deal of the Year award for a life sciences project that brought more than 70 jobs to Brevard, North Carolina.
 
During his tenure at the Chamber, Hallingse earned the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation from the International Economic Development Council, a globally recognized credential held by a limited number of economic development professionals.
 
“Wilmington is a community with tremendous momentum, and it has been a privilege to support its small business community,” said Hallingse. “I am proud of what we’ve built alongside our partners and look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of this region.” Hallingse will be relocating to Western North Carolina to continue working in community development.
 
The Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce remains committed to advancing small business development, workforce initiatives, and regional economic competitiveness. As a convener of a highly collaborative network of small business support organizations, the Chamber will continue building on the strong foundation established through this program and plans to post this role in the coming weeks.
 
Media Contact:
Megan Mullins
Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer
Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
910-547-9567
mullins@wilmingtonchamber.org