Chatter with BNC

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with John Garver, president of Southco Distributing Company based in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Garver shares his unique career journey from working on golf courses at Pinehurst and Wilmington to eventually becoming president at Southco. After a brief detour trying to buy an oil company, he returned to Southco and helped start a new division leveraging the company's buying power to supply smaller convenience stores. Today, Southco operates across six states, carrying around 10,000 SKUs and delivering to roughly 1,500 accounts weekly via tractor-trailer. Garver discusses the challenges of navigating changing regulations, fuel costs, tobacco laws, and expanding into fresh foods in today's rapidly evolving business climate.

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Deanna Dannels, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS) at NC State University. A communication professor by training with roots in a Gonzaga liberal arts education, Dean Dannels shares her journey from assistant professor to dean in her sixth year leading CHASS. She discusses the college's critical role in providing every NC State student with transferable skills like communication, critical thinking, and storytelling—especially for students in technical fields. Dean Dannels highlights CHASS's new "Human Factor" speaker series, their approach to preparing students to work with AI while keeping humans at the center, and the importance of elevating the humanities and social sciences as essential to innovation and the land-grant mission.

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Richard Mathieu, campus president of Johnson & Wales University's Charlotte campus, marking the program's 22 years in the city. Richard traces a higher-ed career that started in his father's footsteps — a professor and dean at the U.S. Naval Academy — through eight years as dean of the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte, and how a grandfather who owned a manufacturing company and a grandmother who ran a bakery pointed him toward hospitality. They dig into the Maple project, converting a former DoubleTree hotel into a 288-bed residence hall, a record career fair with 80+ employers, and why J&W was the first North Carolina university approved to offer a three-year, 90-credit-hour bachelor's degree built around work-integrated learning. Plus the always-on music segment.

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Jennifer Tolle-Whiteside, president and CEO of the North Carolina Community Foundation, as she approaches her final year in the role. Jennifer reflects on a career shaped by her father, an estate attorney, and her mother, a nonprofit community volunteer, tracing a path from child protection and Preventing Child Abuse NC to leading a statewide organization with more than $600 million in charitable assets and 53 affiliates. They talk rural North Carolina's changing needs, the Foundation's $35 million raised and $21 million in grants for Hurricane Helene recovery, and why mid- and long-term rebuilding work is where community foundations matter most. They close with the traditional music segment.

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Joe Graziose, EVP of Residential Construction and Development at RXR, about the firm's ambitious 1,100-acre mixed-use community, Veridea, in Apex. Joe shares his journey from a Long Island construction family to running a global water and sewer business, and how a diner coffee with RXR's CEO reshaped his career. He details landing Wake Tech and the new Children's Hospital as anchors, navigating NCDOT roadwork, and building deep community ties — from free meeting space to high school mentoring. The conversation closes with a soundtrack spanning Led Zeppelin to Luther Vandross to country.

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Mack Paul, co-founder and partner at Morningstar Law Group and co-author of *Miracle Road: The Story of Research Triangle Park*. Mack shares his winding path from litigation to land use law, and the origin story behind the book — a collaboration with his journalist father, spanning nearly 10 years and 160+ interviews. They explore how visionary leaders like Romeo Guest launched RTP in the 1950s, when North Carolina was one of the poorest states in the nation, and the four pillars of collaboration that made it succeed. They also swap 80s playlist picks.

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Ryan W. Simons, president of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, about all that makes his hometown tick. Ryan shares his journey from county planner on the Outer Banks to economic development champion, and why Wilson's collaborative "special sauce" between government, nonprofits, and private enterprise drives real growth. The two talk thriving downtown development, the new Wilson Ballpark, a billion-dollar Johnson & Johnson investment, and a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem powered by Gig East. They also dig into the eternal debate: is today's music actually worse, or are we just getting older?

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Michelle Bolas, CEO of NC Innovation. Michelle shares her 25-plus year career working at the intersection of North Carolina's public universities and economic development. They dive into how NC Innovation was born from collaboration between business, university, and state leaders to build a regionally focused pipeline of high-value technology companies, modeled after the success of RTP but extended to every corner of the state. Michelle highlights an App State project turning excess sweet potato inventory into new products, and previews NC Innovation's upcoming investor event in Wilmington this November. The conversation closes with a heartfelt tribute to the life and music of Dolly Parton.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Nat Robertson, CEO and President of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber. Nat shares his unique journey from running a family jewelry business to becoming the youngest city councilman ever elected in Fayetteville at age 26, eventually serving two terms as mayor before taking the helm at the Chamber. They dive into Fayetteville's thriving business community, the Chamber's robust calendar of events, and the powerful partnership with Fort Bragg—whose economic impact approaches a billion dollars a month in Cumberland County. From relaunching Fayetteville Young Professionals to military affairs initiatives, Nat breaks down what makes Fayetteville a standout place to do business in North Carolina.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Dr. Monty Sullivan, the new president and CEO of the North Carolina Community College System. After leading Louisiana's system for 12 years—doubling graduates and securing half a billion dollars in facility investments—Dr. Sullivan brings his passion for transforming lives to North Carolina's 58 community colleges. He shares his vision for modernizing student onboarding, expanding workforce access, and ensuring every North Carolinian has the opportunity to build a better life. The two also bond over their shared love of Marcus King, Tyler Childers, and the Americana music scene.