Cape Fear Business Roundtable

This week's guest is Jeff Harvell of Carolina EZ Dock. Jeff has held more job titles than most people have fishing lures, and he’s learned something from everyone. Never a fan of paperwork, he decided to become a builder, and later a developer, once the Marine Corps said they’d stop giving him free room and board unless he re-enlisted. He turned muddy Brunswick County land into places people wanted to live, and along the way he learned to listen first and talk to anyone about anything. He still likes learning about folks’ experiences and hobbies.

In 2021, he and his wife started Carolina EZ Dock. Show Jeff a little patch of shoreline and he’ll see the dock where you’ll one day pretend to fish with an ice tea in hand. He’ll plan it, build it, and bring your vision to life. And if you have to work on the water for a living, he can make that easier too. You’ll never feel “sold.”

This week's guest is Tom Powers, owner of Powers Professional Administrative Services and Commander of John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68. Tom discusses how his career path led him to relocate to southeastern North Carolina and open his own business. He also shares information on the many things John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68 does to support veterans in Leland and the surrounding area. 

Frank Williams, host of Cape Fear Business Roundtable and President & CEO of Pioneer Strategies, reflects on the company's 25 years in business. Click here for more information on the company's 25th anniversary.

This week's guest is Dr. Daniel Richardson, Career Ready Coordinator for Brunswick County Schools. Tune in as Dr. Richardson discusses how Brunswick County Schools interfaces with businesses and Brunswick Community College to provide students with hands-on experience to prepare them for a future career.

A Brunswick County native and graduate of West Brunswick High School and the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Dr. Daniel Richardson is a National Board certified CTE/STEM educator with over 22 years of experience in K-12 & higher education. As the Career Ready Coordinator with Brunswick County Schools, his primary focus is connecting high school CTE students with local business and industry to engage in work-based learning opportunities. In addition to his work in K-12 STEM education, Dr. Richardson also serves as the tournament director for the Brunswick County Elementary Science Olympiad tournament and is a member of the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He has earned numerous professional recognitions and awards, including Brunswick County Schools Teacher of the Year (2009-10), North Carolina Science Teachers Association Outstanding Science Teaching Award (2015), and the UNC Wilmington Watson College of Education Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award (2018). Dr. Richardson and his wife have two daughters, ages 14 and 12.

This week's guest is Karen Sphar, who has served as Executive Vice President of the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce since 1991. Tune in as Karen discusses the Chamber's efforts to connect local businesses with each other and with consumers and provides an overview of the various events and programs through which the Chamber helps promote the Southport-Oak Island area business community.

Originally from Southington, Ohio, Karen moved to Oak Island with her parents in 1987. She began her career locally as secretary at First Baptist Church of Oak Island before joining the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce in July 1988 as secretary and bookkeeper. In 1991, she was promoted to Executive Vice President. 

Throughout her career, Karen has had the privilege of working alongside many of Brunswick County's civic, business, and community leaders. Their mentorship, encouragement, and willingness to invest in her growth shaped both her professional career and personal leadership philosophy. Today, Karen believes it is her civic responsibility to pay that investment forward by mentoring and developing the next generation of leaders. She is passionate about creating opportunities for others to gain meaningful experience, build relationships, and become engaged in strengthening their community through programs such as leadership development initiatives.

For 15 years as an internal medicine physician, Dr. Chris Sepich, MD, saw firsthand the struggles of some of his most vulnerable patients, especially when a car accident or other critical medical incident left them unable to share their quality-of-life preferences. This often led to a delay in care and the patient’s loved ones in arguments or even in court battles when a patient’s wishes had never been discussed in advance. Although his patients trusted him, Dr. Sepich could not legally be named their health care power of attorney, because medical ethics and law recognize it as a conflict of interest. To be able to be their voice to make healthcare decisions, Dr. Sepich decided to leave his longtime Wilmington practice at Novant Health in 2023 to utilize his medical knowledge in a different capacity. He and his wife Jody, who is an internal medicine doctor at the VA Hospital in Wilmington, opened Your HCPOA, the first physician directed health care power of attorney business in the United States.

Tune in as Hugh Fosbury, 2026 President of the N.C. 4th of July Festival in Southport, discusses plans to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America. Planned events include a re-enactment of the first 4th of July celebration in Southport, the 41st Annual Firefighters Freedom Competition & Apparatus Expo, the Patriots Ball, the We the People Gospel Fest, the World's Largest Ice Cream Sundae, the Red, White & Blue Freedom Flotilla, the Naturalization Ceremony, the parade, and, of course, fireworks. Learn more at https://nc4thofjuly.com.

This week's guest is Josh Winslow, CEO of Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation. Tune in to learn more about Brunswick Electric, Josh's career path, and how BEMC is preparing for the future under his leadership.

This week's guest is Josh Torbich, CEO of Christian Recovery Centers, Inc. CRCI is a non-profit organization that provides free drug and alcohol treatment, recovery, and re-entry services for men and women struggling with substance use disorder. CRCI offers a faith-based, evidence-based program supported by scientific interventions. Josh also hosts "Behind the Citgo," a podcast that explores journeys shaped by struggle, strengthened by faith, and restored through community - offering wisdom, insight, and hope to every listener. Check it out at https://behindthecitgo.com.

Meet local veteran and business owner Chris DeHart of All About Energy Solutions. Chris and his team can insulate everything from your crawlspace to your attic. They stop moisture problems, insulate garage doors and can even kill mold. Chris also discusses Veterans Memorial Reef, a non-profit he is involved with that provides a unique way to honor veterans.