David Howard has spent a lifetime connected to Charlotte's transit system — literally since age six, when he rode the bus alone to school as a first grader. Now he chairs the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority (MPTA), the new governing body created to oversee one of the most ambitious infrastructure investments in the city's history.

After Mecklenburg County voters approved a one-cent sales tax hike last November, the MPTA took on responsibility for steering $17.5 billion toward expanded bus service, commuter rail, light rail, and streetcar projects — plus another $7.8 billion for roads. The authority will also take ownership of Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) on January 1, 2027.

In this conversation, Howard walks through the MPTA's first seven months, explains the difference between the old MTC structure and the new authority, and breaks down what's coming for bus riders, microtransit users, and rail commuters. He also addresses transit safety in the wake of last year's fatal stabbing on the light rail and explains why ridership hasn't recovered to its 2014 peak.

And in a moment that might surprise you, Howard shares the outcome he cares most about — one that has nothing to do with shiny new trains.

Mentioned in this episode:

Elon University

https://www.elon.edu/

In this episode of the North Carolina Business Minds podcast, host Lloyd Whittington sits down with Tony Jarrett, Regional Vice President for Howard Hanna Allen Tate Realty, who brings nearly four decades of real estate experience to one of the most consequential conversations in the Triad today.

Tony breaks down the numbers behind our local housing market — from first-time buyer trends to inventory shifts — and explains why the Triad remains one of the healthiest markets in the state. He also unpacks the massive implications of JetZero's planned 14,500-job expansion, and what local governments must do now to prepare housing supply before those workers arrive.

Plus: why pricing your home right matters more than ever, the sweet spots in today's market, the truth about property tax revaluations, and why insurance has become the new wildcard in every real estate transaction.

Topics covered:

• Howard Hanna Allen Tate's major rebrand — lessons learned
• Local vs. national housing market comparisons
• JetZero's impact on Triad housing demand
• Pricing strategy in a buyer-selective market
• Inventory, showings, and market momentum
• Property tax revaluations and what buyers need to know
• The growing insurance crisis in real estate transactions

Mentioned in this episode:

Elon University

https://www.elon.edu/

Chris Robbins, whose family has owned Tweetsie Railroad since its early days, joins Triangle Business Journal's Lauren Ona Storch for a candid conversation about running one of North Carolina's most beloved theme parks. From selling Kodak film as a teenager to navigating Hurricane Helene's $2.4 million blow, Robbins shares what it takes to keep a nearly 70-year-old family business thriving in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He also opens up about balancing nostalgia with innovation, competing in a crowded tourism market, the surprising business complexity behind the park's Wild West charm, and what it would take to hand off the reins to the next owner.

Mentioned in this episode:

Elon University

https://www.elon.edu/

The CEO of Tepper Sports & Entertainment tells CBJ’s Erik Spanberg about getting her start in sports business, why an upcoming renovation of Bank of America Stadium means so much to the organization and explains why hosting the MLS All-Star Game is about much more than a week of spotlight events for the city and region.

Mentioned in this episode:

Elon University

https://www.elon.edu/

The grocer that once ranked one of the nation's worst places to work is now among the nation's most trusted companies. CEO Brian Johnson talks about the turnaround, how the grocer is growing its customer base and how quickly it can reach 200 stores total.

Mentioned in this episode:

Elon University

https://www.elon.edu/

In this episode, Lauren Ohnesorge sits down with Thom Ruhe, CEO of NC Idea — a private foundation dedicated to supporting high-potential entrepreneurs across North Carolina. Thom breaks down what it really takes to turn an idea into a business, why execution matters more than uniqueness, and how to find the right co-founder. He also shares his perspective on survival entrepreneurship, the changing venture capital landscape, and why you don't need a unicorn raise to build something real. Plus, Thom gives an inside look at NC Idea's expanding statewide reach, its partnership with the Tweener Fund, and the transformative potential of NC Innovation in tech commercialization. If you're thinking about taking the entrepreneurial leap — or just want to understand what's fueling North Carolina's startup ecosystem — this one's for you.

Mentioned in this episode:

Elon University

https://www.elon.edu/

Known as Dr. D to students and colleagues alike, Kandi Deitemeyer became president of Charlotte’s Central Piedmont Community College in 2017. Since then, she’s led the school through a once-in-a-century pandemic, crippling cyberattacks and a dramatically shifting job market — all while keeping the school’s scholarship fund growing. Now with 58,000 students, CPCC envisions a larger role creating careers in health, first-responder fields, and aviation, as well as the $25 billion transportation plan. And they’re not sleeping on A.I. either.

Mentioned in this episode:

Elon University

https://www.elon.edu/

Arthur Samet has spent 35 years transforming the Southeast's built environment — from industrial megasites to healthcare campuses to a beloved downtown concert venue. As CEO of Samet Corp., the company his father founded in 1961, Arthur has grown the firm to over 500 associates across six offices and about $1 billion in annual revenue. But there's more to Arthur than large-scale construction.

In this episode, Arthur talks about entrepreneurship, risk tolerance and the story behind The Pyrle — a live music venue he and his partners carved out of Greensboro's historic Triad Stage theater. We also dig into the future of North Carolina's megasites, how AI and robotics could reshape the region's economic landscape, the appeal of coastal markets, and his advice on boardroom leadership.

If you're interested in real estate development, economic growth in the Southeast, or the risk-taking mentality of an entrepreneur, this episode is for you.

Mentioned in this episode:

Elon University

https://www.elon.edu/

Air travel in 2026 is more complicated than ever. From rising airline ticket prices and flight cancellations to airport expansion projects and new international routes, travelers across the U.S. are feeling the impact. In this episode, aviation expert Steve Van Beek breaks down what's driving the turbulence in commercial aviation — including jet fuel costs, TSA wait times, air traffic control shortages, and what's next for Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), Asheville and other NC airports. If you're a frequent flyer, a business traveler, or planning a trip this summer, this conversation will help you navigate what's ahead.

In our 50th episode, Charlotte Business Journal editor Robert Morris sits down with Dr. Valerie Kinloch, the 15th president of Johnson C. Smith University and a proud 1996 JCSU alumna. As the university prepares to graduate the class of 2026, Dr. Kinloch reflects on what it means to hand a diploma to students from the same stage where she once stood as a student.

Dr. Kinloch opens up about the challenges and progress surrounding JCSU's accreditation status, why she views the probation period as an unexpected but necessary foundation-strengthening exercise, and what comes next. She discusses the university's evolving relationship with Charlotte's business community, the role of the Mayor's Racial Equity Initiative, and her vision for a transdisciplinary academic model that prepares students for careers that don't yet exist.

She also shares the personal connections and mentors that shaped her own journey — from a chemistry teacher in Charleston to the Aspen Ascend Fellowship — and what she wants every JCSU graduate to carry into the world: heads held high, spines straight, and an unshakeable belief in themselves.

A milestone episode for a milestone guest. Happy 50th, NC Business Minds!