Encounter Fall 2023

Laura Whitley

Liberty Senior Living

Bert Radford

McKee Homes, Chief Financial Officer

Shyra Cottle

A & I Fire & Water Restoration, Account Executive, Wilmington

Madeline Lipe

Ward and Smith, P.A.

Jen Wilson-Mathis

Girls Leadership of Wilmington , Admissions Director

Chip Calhoun

Frank L Blum Construction, Project Manager

Allan Lusk

University of North Carolina Wilmington, Director of Ticket Operations

Mark Stephens

WithersRavenel, Chief Growth Officer

Heather King

Novant Health Brunswick, President and COO, Novant Health Brunswick Medical

Greg Cassista

Bank of America, VP - Commercial Banking Relationship Manager

Jaylee Baird

Spring Arbor of Wilmington, Executive 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.

Ramona Farrell

Farrell Insights LLC, Founder/Owner

I am the founder/owner of Farrell Insights LLC. With over 20 years of experience as an independent forensic accounting and business advisory consultant, I bring calm and clarity to chaos and provide avenues for closure.

Jason Ezzell

Brawley Company, Business Development Manager

Brent Priddy

Southern Bank & Trust Company, Senior Vice President, Southern Investment Services

Carrie Smith

Little Leaps, Founder and CEO

Marcus Gariba

Rid A Pest, Area Specialist

Lauren Masters

Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity

Victoria Bellamy

Novant Health, Manager, Community Engagement

Chesley White

SHLTR architects, LLC, Principal

Julia Kost

Advanced Marketing International, Inc (Admark), Logistics

Kylie Parkhurst

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Treasure, Broker in Charge, Wilmington Office

Kristin Ayscue

Cape Fear Academy, Director of Auxiliary Programs

Harrison Marks

North Carolina Coastal Land Trust, Executive Director

Jason Stiles

Cranfill Sumner LLP, Office Services Director

Antrevonn Tate

Cranfill Sumner LLP, Office Services Assistant

Dario Salzano

GE Hitachi, Production Supervision Manager

Brooke Sutton

Intracoastal Realty Corp., Real Estate Broker

Stephen Day

Live Oak Bank, VP - Closing

Bryce Edmister

Masonboro Advisors, Wealth Advisor

Dalton Martier

North State Bank, VP, SBA Business Development Officer

Frank Williams

North State Bank, AVP Relationship Banking Manager

Brad Rudiger

PBMares, LLP , Financial Services

Andy Rankin

Samet Corporation, Senior Project Manager

Alex Jarvis

University of North Carolina Wilmington, Student Success Advisor

Crista Tompson

Wilmington Convention Center - SMG, Sales Manager

Adaptability and enthusiasm have been vital to my career success in destination sales, marketing, and events. A George Mason graduate and the proud daughter of a Veteran Firefighter father and Technical Writer mother, I have lived in over ten states and gained valuable experience at every location we called home. I learned to love the people, places, and ways of life that made each destination unique and memorable.  
I live in Eastern North Carolina near my family and the beach. I care for three rescues: two cats called Joey and Betty, and a dog named Darsie.

Previous Experience:

• Sales Manager, Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH
• Director of Sales, Century Center, South Bend, IN
• National Sales Manager, Detroit Sports Commission, Detroit, MI

Philip Blalock

Samet Corporation, Project Manager II

Wendy Pollitzer