Tommy Taylor is the CEO of the United Way Cape Fear Area and Tony McEwen is a long standing Board Member for the United Way and the Creator of Jerry Day to benefit the United Way.  Tommy and Tony discuss the history, mission and vision of the United Way, and the story behind creating Port City Jerry Day.

• The United Way of the Cape Fear Area is a locally “owned” and operated non-profit organization, it is not a chapter.  It is a local group that operates independently to serve our local community. 
• The United Way raises funds through workplace campaigns, grants and other means, and then distributes those funds to many different organizations, with the goal of improving lives in our community.
• Port City Jerry Day is an annual event revolving around uniting our community, showcasing Grateful Dead music and cover bands, with 100% of the proceeds going to the United Way of Cape Fear Area.

Purchase your Tickets HERE 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-taylor-04383a4/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-mcewen-725721237/

Kevin Blackburn is the Executive Director of Kids Making It, a Non-Profit Organization with a mission of supporting at-risk youth in graduating high school, using woodworking as the primary vehicle to learn important life and entrepreneurial skills.  Based on Castle St. in Downtown Wilmington, Kids Making It has served over 20,000 Kids since 1996.

• Kids Making it was founded in 1996 by Jimmy Pierce, an attorney who had a passion for woodworking and supporting at-risk youth.
• The Kids get to build their own products using a full-scale woodworking shop, and sell them in the retail store on Castle St.  100% of the proceeds of the sales of their products goes to the Kid that made it, which provides direct economic and educational impacts. 
• Some kids never venture out of the 4-6 block radius in which they live. Kids Making It runs field trips throughout the year, to introduce The Kids to experiences well outside of their norm. 

https://www.kidsmakingit.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/kidsmakingit/posts/?feedView=all 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinblackburn1/

David Joyner is an Assistant District Attorney and Wilmington City Council Member.  David discusses roles and responsibilities of his Law and Public Service occupations, as well as a deeper dive into how the City Council works. 

• How David got involved in local politics. 
• The governance structure of our City Council, its roles and responsibilities.Having a law degree and background has helped David in many ways, but by no means a requirement for local politics.

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

https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/Government/City-Mayor-Council/David-Joyner

Steve McRossan is the Executive Director of NourishNC, an organization that is committed to feeding hungry kids and families in New Hanover County through several different programs.  Steve shares the history, mission and vision for the organization. 

• Did you know that 1 out of every 6 kids in New Hanover County struggle with food insecurity?
• NourishNC Purchases about 75% of the food, with 25% of the food donated.  
• The majority of funding comes from people and businesses in New Hanover county.  We again discussed the struggles and overhead needed to apply and manage grants.

https://nourishnc.org/   

https://facebook.com/nourishnc

Mike Brown is a Partner with Cape Fear Commercial, and also very involved in community leadership in Wilmington, NC, holding roles as past Chairmen of the Board for Cape Fear Public Utility (CFPUA) and various roles on the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Board.  We talked about all things growth, community and development.  Check out the show!

• Did you know that Mike Brown was Chairman of the Board for CFPUA right when the PFAS / GenX issues came to light?
• Discussing Project Grace.  
• Low-key, undercover historian… 

https://capefearcommercial.com/  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-brown-0722622b/

Sabrina Davis is the owner of Port City Signs & Graphics, a full service sign and graphics company based in Wilmington, NC.  She comes from a family of entrepreneurs and small business owners, and tells her story of how they came to be owners of Port City Signs & Graphics, navigating their journey of business ownership and entrepreneurship.  

• Did you know that Sabrina started her career in radio and television? In New Mexico.
• Port City Signs was started in 1948 and had a location on Castle street.  Sabrina purchased the business in 2007 and has experienced significant and sustainable growth over the years. 
• Staying focused on the core business model and delivering high quality products and services has been a critical part of the businesses’ sustained growth.

https://portcitysigns.com/ 

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

Jerry Coleman is the Director of CFCC’s Small Business Center, which provides free consultation and support services for entrepreneurs in the Greater Wilmington NC small biz ecosystem.  Jerry has decades of experience as a small business owner, entrepreneur and consultant, making him extremely knowledgeable and proficient in advising entrepreneurs as they plan and execute their start-ups.

• Overview of CFCC’s Small Business Center offerings. And, oh by the way, its free!
• Jerry’s experience owning his own consumer products manufacturing business in Wilmington, and how he became the Director of CFCC SBC.  
• Pitfalls and best practices for entrepreneurs as they create their business plan 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-coleman-0116a510/ 

https://cfcc.edu/small-business-center/meet-the-team/

AJ Stanaland is a 5th generation farmer and rancher in South Eastern North Carolina.  Her family farm, Northwest Land and Cattle, provides a variety of “direct from the farm” produce and meats that are sold directly through her retail shop called “The Pack House,” which is on the family farm in Northwest, North Carolina.  Check out the episode to learn more about:

• The evolution of her family farm from 1898 to today, and bringing the “New Old Fashioned Way” into her farming and business practices. 
• Understanding the supply chain and sourcing of our food, and the philosophy of supporting the land and whole animal in a sustainable way.
• The importance and the resiliency of farmers, and the struggles of dealing with external factors completely beyond a human’s control.  But at the same time, how technology has helped address certain variables. 

https://www.northwestlandandcattle.com/ 

Mike Kozlosky is the Executive Director of the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, also known as the The Wilmington MPO, which is a federally mandated and funded organization that plans regional transportation and manages federal transportation funds for the Wilmington area. Mike discusses the history, workings, partners and members of the organization and significant projects in the works for our area.

• What is the Wilmington MPO, what are its responsibilities and how did it come to be in 1973?  
• Examples of significant completed projects and future projects in the works. Specifically the newly renovated MPO office and Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Replacement.
• The evolution of Mike’s Executive Director role, the growth of the organization along with our community.

https://www.wmpo.org/  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-kozlosky-0080b7b/ 

Robert Cooley, Jr. is a retired Army General Officer, Entrepreneur, Investor and an all around Pay-It-Forward type of guy.  He owns Apple Annie’s Bakery - a Wilmington, NC Staple - and is the Co-Founder and CEO of Nuream, a Nuero data science company.  He is involved in several other businesses and ventures as well.  Check out Rob’s story of connecting the dots of his life, his career and his impact on our community.

• How his experiences in active duty military and as an Army General officer play into his leadership and vision for his businesses.  
• How Rob became the owner of Apple Annie’s, and how he was a customer way before it became Apple Annie’s in New Jersey.
• The duty and importance of entrepreneurs and business owners to develop beyond the business aspect, and how to be a successful person.   

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