The State Employees’ Credit Union operates in every single county in North Carolina, and its reach is only getting bigger. In this episode of Carolina Business Review, Jim Hayes, the President and CEO of the SECU talks about the future of credit unions including adding small business loans and possibly person-to-person payments.

Everyone is talking about the Federal Reserve recently raising its benchmark rate by a half-point. In this edition of the Carolina Business Review we discuss the delicate balance between trying to curb inflation and avoiding a recession. We also examine the Baby Boomer generation's connection to the labor shortage.

From affordable housing to flooding issues, racial equity and growth, we talk to the Mayor of one of South Carolina's fastest growing cities.

Panelists:

Patrick Woodie, President, NC Rural Center

Karen Riordan, President and CEO, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

In this executive profile of former South Carolina Governor, David Beasley, we talk about winning the Nobel Peace Prize, the United Nations World Food Programme, the power of food in international negotiations and the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

In this special episode, we talk with the tourism chiefs for North Carolina and South Carolina about how high gas prices, Covid-19 and international issues could impact summer travel.

Special guests:

Duane Parrish, Director, SC Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Wit Tuttell, Executive Director, Visit NC

How will rising inflation and interest rates affect us in the Carolinas? Other topics include consumer spending and the upcoming tourist season, geo-political issues and preparing our workforce for jobs of the future.

Panelists:

Peter Gwaltney, President and CEO, NC Bankers Association

Ted Pitts, President and CEO, Wilson Kibler Commercial Real Estate

The pandemic has had a significant impact on health care. Dr. Tunde Sotunde, President and CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina joins us to talk about that and other issues including the racial disparity in health care and the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion.

PANELISTS

Leslie Boney, Director, Institute for Emerging Issues

Carl Blackstone, President and CEO, Columbia Chamber

This executive panel examines the impact of social justice issues and how diversity, equity and inclusion is good for business.

Panelists:

Lynn Good, Duke Energy

James Sills, M&F Bank

Lou Kennedy, Nephron

Ward Nye, Martin Marietta

Topics include: How HBCUs are connecting students with business, the cost of higher education, changes since COVID, the competitive advantage of Bennett's 'smallness' and changes in the region's urban cores.

Panelists

Holly Childs, President and CEO, Wilmington Downtown LLC

John McDonough, City Manager, Greenville South Carolina

On this edition of Carolina Business Review topics include: inflation, supply chain, transparency in healthcare pricing, and the budget surplus.

Panelists

Tony Mecia, Editor, Charlotte Ledger

Peter Brews, Dean, Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina