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Leadership Wilmington Alumni Council July 23-June 24
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...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 ...Anne Gardner
Cape Fear Realtors, CEOAnne is the Chief Executive Officer of Cape Fear REALTORS®, a local trade association representing more than 3,400 real estate professionals in Wil...Alisha Richardson
RE/MAX Essential, Owner/Director of OperationsAlisha Richardson has excelled in management and leadership in her 20-year career in the real estate industry. As co-owner and CEO of RE/MAX Essent...Ashley Wells
University of North Carolina Wilmington, Associate School Director, School of Health and Applied Human SciencesI serve in the role of Associate School Director for Quality Assurance and Associate Professor of Practice in the School of Health and Applied Huma...Dianne Jinwright
The Women Encouragement Living and Learning Place, Inc. (The WELL Place), PresidentMonica Valsi
North Carolina State Ports Authority, Project ManagerMonica Valsi, E.I. is a Project Manager in the Engineering Department with the North Carolina State Ports Authority (NCSPA). She graduated from NC...Nathaniel Cook
Block, Crouch, Keeter, Behm & Sayed, LLP, Associate AttorneyNate was born in Rochester, New York in 1988, and has called Wilmington home since his family relocated to Wilmington in 2001. Nate graduated from ...Heather 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 ...Graham 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-...Patrice Faison
New Hanover County Schools, Chief Academic OfficerI am the Chief Academic Officer for New Hanover County Schools. My primary responsibilities include overseeing academic programs and policies. Be...Maggi Apel
Greater Wilmington Business Journal/WILMA magazine, Senior Marketing Consultant
Shanda Bordeaux
Wilmington Christian Academy, Director of Development
Jason Clamme
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, Engagement Manager
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.
Chris Edwards
Ward and Smith, P.A., Attorney
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.
Thad Leister
GE Hitachi
J. C. Lyle
Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry, Executive Director
Henry Miller
M & N Construction Supply, Inc., President
Nicolas Montoya
Blockade Runner Beach Resort, General Manager
Jeremy Roberts
PBMares, LLP , Partner
Jennifer Smith
New Hanover County, Fire Battalion Chief
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
Katharine Barrack
PPD Development LLP, Senior Manager
Stephanie Bolton
Patriot Roofing Company LLC, Owner
Ruth Ravitz Smith
RR Smith Strategic Solutions (R2S3) & New Lantern Partners
Jon Mason
City of Wilmington, Fire Chief
Michael Lee
Lee Kaess, PLLC, Member
David Flory
Highlands Residential Mortgage
Anne Gardner
Cape Fear Realtors, CEO
Anne is the Chief Executive Officer of Cape Fear REALTORS®, a local trade association representing more than 3,400 real estate professionals in Wilmington and the greater Cape Fear region. She has represented professional and trade organization in the Washington, D.C. area, central Virginia and Wilmington, NC. Anne holds a Masters of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership from the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech.
She is an active volunteer, having served as a mentor for local leadership programs and is a member of the Cape Fear Rotary. She recently completed terms on the board of the of the Thomas Jefferson Community Land Trust, Central Virginia Partnership for Economic Development and the Salvation Army Corps of Charlottesville.Natalie English
Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO
Sarah Stone
Excite Credit Union, Director of Retail Experience
Alisha Richardson
RE/MAX Essential, Owner/Director of Operations
Alisha Richardson has excelled in management and leadership in her 20-year career in the real estate industry. As co-owner and CEO of RE/MAX Essential, Alisha is responsible for running all facets of the company, including daily operations, business planning, and overall strategy, growth, and development for the company. She plays a leading role in training, mentoring, and accountability for over 50 agents and staff.
Andrea Troccia
Corning Credit Union
Michael Goodson
Clancy & Theys Construction Company
Amy Schaefer
Lee Kaess, PLLC, Attorney
Angela Douglas
LS3P Associates LTD., Healthcare Architect/Operations/Finance
Logan Thompson
Cape Fear Community College, Foundation Director
Ashley Wells
University of North Carolina Wilmington, Associate School Director, School of Health and Applied Human Sciences
I serve in the role of Associate School Director for Quality Assurance and Associate Professor of Practice in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences within the College of Health and Human Services at UNCW. In this role I support our faculty, students, and staff with program development and quality assurance, community engagement strategy, and DEI goals. Prior to this role I served as the inaugural Assistant Dean for Community Engagement in the College of Health and Human Services at UNCW. I began my professional journey in 2005 at the University of Georgia and am a proud triple-Dawg, having earned three degrees from my beloved alma matter! I am thrilled to now be in North Carolina and enjoy all that our coastal environment has to offer!
Alison Baringer
North Carolina Azalea Festival, Executive Director
Brian Rector
Coastal Beverage Co., Inc., CFO
Stephanie Kraybill
New Hanover County Schools, Board of Education
Laura Brogdon-Primavera
Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, Director of Programs & Initiatives
Abby Lorenzo
City of Wilmington
Dianne Jinwright
The Women Encouragement Living and Learning Place, Inc. (The WELL Place), President
Denise Kinney
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, President
Monica Valsi
North Carolina State Ports Authority, Project Manager
Monica Valsi, E.I. is a Project Manager in the Engineering Department with the North Carolina State Ports Authority (NCSPA). She graduated from NC State University with a BS in Civil Engineering. Monica has 30 years of experience in the civil engineering and construction project management industry. Monica currently provides professional engineering and construction project management services for the construction, repair, maintenance, planning, design, and/or procurement of facilities and equipment for the waterfront and landside terminals operated by the NCSPA.
Outside of work Monica enjoys spending time with her significant other, kayaking, hiking, working out, listening to podcasts, and traveling. She volunteers at several non-profit organizations including Paws Place, Habitat for Humanity, American Heart Association, and Work on Wilmington.Donna Fayko
New Hanover County, Health and Human Services Director
Nathaniel Cook
Block, Crouch, Keeter, Behm & Sayed, LLP, Associate Attorney
Nate was born in Rochester, New York in 1988, and has called Wilmington home since his family relocated to Wilmington in 2001. Nate graduated from Elon University School of Law with a JD in May, 2017. Nate graduated from Appalachian State University with a BS in Political Science in May, 2011. Nate also earned a real estate track paralegal certificate from Cape Fear Community College in 2013. Before joining Block, Crouch, Keeter, Behm & Sayed, LLP, Nate previously practiced with Price & Williams, P.A. in Wilmington. In his spare time Nate enjoys spending time with his girlfriend Hayley, their dog Baxter, his family, and his friends. Nate also enjoys going to the beach, snowboarding, biking, traveling, going to concerts, and brewing beer.
Derek Mickler
City of Wilmington, Chief of Operations
Bradley Merritt
Southern Bank & Trust Company
Linda Stinson
RLS Focused Solutions
Connie Ronner
Live Oak Bank, VP, Senior Portfolio Analyst
Paul Stavovy
Cape Fear Community Land Trust, Executive Director
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.
Ryan Casey
Tilia Fiduciary Partners, Inc, Investment Advisor
Erin Keller
Turn Key Lifestyle, Owner
Kim Boyce
Smart Start of New Hanover County
Suzanne Jalot
Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry, Director of Communications
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.
Kandra Romeo
Self-Help Credit Union, Director of Community Engagement
Albert Steed
True IP Solutions, COO
Kevin Crane
WHQR Public Radio 91.3 FM, General Manager
Amber Walters
Monteith Construction Corp., Integrated Marketing Manager
Alex Bouknight
The Carousel Center, Finance Manager
Matthew Tulipani
Piedmont Service Group, Business Development
Patrice Faison
New Hanover County Schools, Chief Academic Officer
I am the Chief Academic Officer for New Hanover County Schools. My primary responsibilities include overseeing academic programs and policies. Before this role, I served as an Executive Leadership Coach for Wake County Schools. I am currently in my twenty-seventh year in education. Throughout my career, I have found pleasure in serving my community by enhancing students’ lives.
Thom Moton
City of Wilmington, Deputy City Manager
Max Nunez
New Hanover County Public Library, Librarian
Leslie Irving
City of Wilmington, Lieutenant/Public Information Officer
Chris Faircloth
Christopher Faircloth
Dory Weiss
VIIZR , Head of Product
Mallorie Moore
Michele Bennett
Corey Douglas
Rodgers
Jason Lovelace
Samet Corporation, Pre-Construction Project Executive
Riley Stephenson
Rockefeller Capital Management, Associate Vice President, Wealth Manager
Emma Ericksen
Thomas Construction Group, LLC, Marketing Coordinator