Chatter with BNC

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.

Today's episode features an interview with Mollie Ruf, the Marketing and Communications Manager at Rowan County EDC. Originally from a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, Ruf relocated to Salisbury, North Carolina the summer of 2009 after graduating from Florida Southern College. Ruf has in this community for various organizations over the past decade. In this episode, Ruf talks to Ben Kinney about what's new at Rowan County EDC, and more.

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.

Today's episode features an interview with Winn Maddrey, President of Blue Nine Partners. Winn has been working in communications his entire career, from the public sector in Washington, D.C. to the private sector. Clients have ranged from B2B to B2C, from private entities to publicly held. In addition, he has worked with VC and PE-backed companies. Used to being engaged on issues that exist in the boardroom, at the podium or in a media interview, Winn is adept at advising on these issues, coaching clients in these scenarios and even being the spokesperson.

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.

Today's episode features an interview with Greg Lowe is President of HCA Healthcare North Carolina Division, the state's sixth largest health system based in Western North Carolina and CEO of Asheville's Mission Health. Lowe had previously served as chief executive officer of HCA Healthcare's Chippenham and Johnston-Willis (CJW) hospitals, a two-campus system in Richmond, Va., since 2016. Lowe studied healthcare administration at the University of Utah and received his Masters of Healthcare Administration and Master of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. He and his wife, Lee, reside in Asheville with their four sons. He enjoys cycling, the outdoors, sports and coaching.

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.

Today's episode features an interview with Jess George - Head of Government & Community Affairs at Google Fiber. Jess George is an experienced leader in policy, government and community affairs with a focus on digital equity & broadband policy. In addition to tech policy and governmental affairs, Jess has 15 years experience in civic engagement, immigrant & worker rights and nonprofit management.

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.

Today's episode features an interview with NC Secretary of Commerce, Lee Lilley.

Lee Lilley's service as North Carolina's Secretary of Commerce began on January 1, 2025. Appointed to the office by Governor Josh Stein, Secretary Lilley brings extensive economic development experience to the role.

Immediately prior to joining the department, Secretary Lilley served as the Director of Economic & Pandemic Recovery for Governor Roy Cooper. In that position, he coordinated statewide pandemic recovery efforts, served as State Infrastructure Coordinator, and led economic development initiatives for the Cooper Administration. Lee also advised Cooper Administration leadership on strategy and communications.

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.

Today's episode features an interview with Carla Barnard, the CEO of Likewise Commercial Real Estate. After graduating from the University of Oxford, Carla worked as a commercial real estate attorney for Hogan Lovells LLP in London, specializing in real estate finance, investment and complex development work for institutional clients including Prudential, Ford Motor Company, Barclays Bank, HSBC and a number of REITs. She has advised extensively on solar farm and renewable energy producing property transactions and hotel and care home M & A. Carla currently serves as Broker In Charge at Likewise Commercial Real Estate, playing an integral role in elevating Commercial Real Estate in Western 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.

Today's episode features an interview with Esther Moberly, the Sustainability Manager at Coca-Cola Consolidated. Esther has over 20 years of designing and implementing programs that significantly improve organizations' environmental impact. Ben Kinney talks to her about her career journey so far, their sustainability efforts at Coca-Cola in the communities, and more.

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.

Today's episode features an interview with Cecelia Thompson, the executive director of Action Greensboro, part of the city's chamber and its primary economic and community development agency. The Elon University graduate leads efforts including from talent and workforce development, advocacy campaigns and city marketing efforts. She and Dave discuss key initiatives in the state's third-largest city, which is embracing the entry of the $14 billion Toyota Motor battery in adjoining Randolph County. ----- https://greensboro.org/actiongreensboro/ https://buildthefoundation.org/bio/cecelia-thompson/

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.

Today's episode features an interview with Donovan A. Everett, the President & CEO of D.A. Everett Construction Group. Donovan was born into the construction business and started leading construction projects for his father's construction company at the age of 15. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, Donovan worked for one of the largest commercial real estate developers in the region. Upon graduating college, Donovan went on to work for one of the largest national Construction Management firms, Balfour Beatty, running large commercial projects.

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D.A. Everett Construction Group Website

Donovan Everett on LinkedIn

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.

Today's episode features an interview with Dr. Sharon Paynter. Dr. Paynter serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Economic and Community Engagement at East Carolina University and Associate Professor of Political Science. She joined East Carolina University in 2009 after completing a postdoctoral fellowship in Public Policy at Brown University. She earned a Ph.D. In Public Administration from North Carolina State University (2008), Master of Legal Administration from the University of Denver (2004), and Master of Public Administration (2003) and Bachelor of Science in Biology (1994) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.