Dan Brawley is the Executive Director of the Cucalorus Film Foundation, founder of Jengo's Playhouse, and a longtime advocate for Wilmington's arts community and revitalization of Downtown Wilmington.

Through decades of involvement in the neighborhood, Dan has helped guide the area's evolution from an overlooked industrial corridor into one of Wilmington's most unique districts. Along the way, neighborhood staples like Jengo's Playhouse, Wabi Sabi and Folks Café have helped create a sense of identity, connection, and community that continues to shape the area's future.

In this episode, we explore:

• The early days of the neighborhood before it became known as the Soda Pop District.

• The story behind the Soda Pop District name and how the area developed its identity.

• Why community anchors like Folks Café and Jengo's Playhouse help preserve the neighborhood's identity through periods of growth and change.

• Why preserving local history and creating authentic places matters.

• Dan's vision for the future of the Soda Pop District and Wilmington's creative economy.

Cucalorus Film Foundation

jengos.eventive.org/welcome

Soda Pop District – Wilmington Downtown, iNC

E63: Tucker Beerman - Refine Tile + Design

Tucker Beerman is the Owner of Refine Tile + Design, a Wilmington-based luxury tile and flooring showroom. Since launching Refine, Tucker has helped grow the company from a small proof-of-concept showroom into one of the region’s premier high-end design and surface destinations.

Tucker shares the realities of scaling a business, transitioning from operator to owner, and building a company culture centered around accountability, leadership development, and client experience.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Tucker transitioned from employee to owner while scaling Refine Tile + Design.
• The lessons learned from building a business from scratch and wearing every hat early on.
• How EOS and accountability charts have helped structure and grow the company.
• The importance of patience, leadership development, and empowering a team.

Tucker Beerman | LinkedIn

Refine Tile + Design | Luxury Tile & Flooring Showroom in Wilmington, NC

Ernie Bovio is the Regional President of UNC Health's Southeast Coastal market, where his leadership and expertise is playing a pivotal role in the Wilmington region advancing UNC Health's mission to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians. Ernie is a seasoned healthcare executive with a track record of building new hospitals.

1. Ernie is a 4-time Iron Man, and training for his 5th. We talk about the lessons learned, mindset and philosophy in endurance training to leadership and business.
2. Discussion around the Certificate of Need (CON) laws in North Carolina as it relates to approval for new hospitals.
3. The difference between Non-Profit and For-Profit Health Care Systems

Ernie Bovio | LinkedIn

UNC Health | Changing Lives for the Better

Tim Jarman is the Executive Director of Schreiber Foundation, a Wilmington, NC based non-profit that works to remove financial, social, and practical barriers standing between young men and college graduation. Tim is a Wilmington native and Educator of the Year winner for his work in New Hanover County Schools.

In addition to his work in education, Tim has stayed true to his passions while remaining heavily involved in the community. He serves on the Community Advisory Council (CAC) for the New Hanover Community Endowment, as well as owns the Fuzzy Needle, a record and bookstore, and is a part owner of a skateboard company, Transportation Unit.

Tim holds a Bachelor’s Degree from UNC Chapel Hill and a Masters Degree from Harvard University.

In this episode, we explore:

• His path from Wilmington Highschool to Harvard University, and back to teaching Highschool in New Hanover County.
• The importance and role that consistency and presence play in education and leadership.
• How the Schreiber Foundation supports students from middle school through college.
• How he helps bring community perspective into local decision-making with the CAC.

Schreiber Foundation

Timothy Ryan Jarman - New Hanover Community Endowment

The Fuzzy Needle

Transportation Unit

Josh Hallingse is the VP of Small Business Retention & Expansion for the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. His primary focus involves supporting local businesses through growth, hiring, and expansion challenges. With over 15 years in economic development across North Carolina, Josh has worked on major projects like Sierra Nevada’s expansion in Mills River, NC and FedUp Foods expansion to Wilmington, NC.

In this episode, we explore:

• His role supporting small businesses throughout their entire lifecycle.
• What economic development actually looks like behind the scenes.
• Why businesses are choosing Wilmington.
• The biggest challenges local businesses are facing today.

Josh Hallingse, CEcD | LinkedIn

Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce

Randall Johnson is the Executive Director of the Southeastern Region for the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, where he works to grow the state’s biotech ecosystem through economic development, workforce initiatives, and startup support. From helping launch new ventures to building talent pipelines and attracting investment, Randall shares how biotech is shaping North Carolina’s future—and why the opportunities extend far beyond traditional healthcare and pharmaceuticals.

1. What the NC Biotech Center does and how it supports companies from idea to commercialization
2. The wide range of biotech industries, from healthcare to agriculture, energy, and marine innovation
3. How workforce development is evolving to meet growing demand across the state
4. The growth of Wilmington as a biotech hub and the opportunities ahead

Randall Johnson | LinkedIn

NCBiotech - Life Science Economic Development

Richard Stroupe is an entrepreneur with a track record of building and exiting companies in the Tech space. From his early days as a software engineer, to scaling a business to 60 employees and a successful exit, Richard shares key lessons from his journey. Today, he focuses on venture investing, advising founders, and helping leaders grow through his “Elevate” program here in the Greater Wilmington Area.

1. Richard has investments in over 50 companies; runs his own family office and real estate portfolio
2. What it’s like building a business from zero to exit, on a real scale
3. The realities of life after exit

Richard Stroupe | LinkedIn

Elevate – Cape Fear Venture Capital

Laura Brogdon-Primavera is is the VP of Leadership Development at the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce . Laura and her team have built a career and leadership development academy, which touches every single 7th grader in New Hanover County. Laura also oversees several other programs focused on Leadership Development in our region.

Did you know CLDA scaled from just 41 students to nearly 1,800 seventh graders in only a few years?

In this episode, we explore:

• How the Career & Leadership Development Academy launched in 2022 and quickly expanded to reach every 7th grader in New Hanover County Schools.

• Why 7th grade is the “sweet spot” for career exploration and early leadership development.

• What students are learning through industry visits, leadership skills, and exposure to local career pathways.

• How partnerships between schools, businesses, and the Chamber are helping build a stronger future workforce in our community.

Laura Brogdon-Primavera, M.Ed.,CCLP | LinkedIn

Career and Leadership Development Academy - Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, NC

Jason Andre is the Production Designer at Wells Insurance, where he leads the company’s creative and content efforts. After earning a degree in Marine Biology, Jason began filming surf edits and documentaries, which led him to launch his own production company, Seven Season Films, before bringing his creative experience into a growing business environment.

Did you know Jason has been working on a documentary for over a decade?

In this episode, we explore:

1. His work through Seven Season Films and inside a corporate creative role.
2. The decade-long documentary project If the Ocean Could Talk with Plastic Ocean Project — focused on telling solution-oriented stories about ocean health and inspiring action.
3. How growing up in Hatteras shaped his grit and perspective.
4. The lessons surfing teaches about focus, humility, and resilience — and how they translate into life and business.

From surf films to corporate creative leadership — and everything in between!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonandre/

https://www.sevenseasonfilms.com/

https://plasticoceanproject.org/

Dr. Umar Bowers is a physician, entrepreneur and owner of Dawson Med - a Primary Care and Urgent Care practice based in Wilmington, NC. Additionally, he serves on several boards and associations, primarily focused on health care talent development and general community development. Dr. Bowers embodies all the characteristics of a leader, and we dive deep into leadership on different levels; specifically in the medical world and in our community.

1. Did you know Dr. Bowers started a Home Security business fresh out of college?!
2. Yes, we talked about the idea of preventative care vs addressing symptoms, the issues we face with Health Insurance and the Big Business mentality of America’s health care system, and how Sleep, Nutrition and Exercise can dramatically increase individual health.
3. How Dr. Bowers took his experience from working in a large medical system in Charlotte and boiling that down in an independent practice.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/umar-bowers-md-1b41a2210/

https://www.dawson-med.com/