Greater Fayetteville Business Journal - October 7, 2022 Issue

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Defense Alliance of North Carolina is trailblazing the future of innovation with novel technology clusters. Within the state, they are creating a space to foster multiple business and tech ecosystems for national security and defense purposes.

DANC came about in August of 2019 when the North Carolina Military Foundation and the North Carolina Defense Business Association merged. The NCMF was an economic developmental associa-

tion with strong military ties due to members who were mostly retired flag officers, according to DANC Science & Technology Chair Phil Williams.

On the other hand, NCDBA was an organization for networking and promoting defense related ventures within the Department of Defense, including contracts, in North Carolina.

“A lot of the DOD contracts for technology was going to Massachusetts, California, and Texas,”

Williams said. “We were not

The Navy’s Stiletto demonstration vessel is one option used by DANC members to install and test newly developed degraded vision navigating equipment in real life environments.

SCHOLARSHIP

TOURNAMENT

MANY THANKS TO THE 30 CORPORATE SPONSORS who led the way with their generosity in making Carolina College of Biblical Studies’ 6th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament our most successful ever.

goal of raising $49,000 for scholarships was far exceeded. The scholarships will be awarded to dozens of deserving students to be trained and equipped with God’s Word to fulfill His calling in their lives and ministries locally, nationally, and internationally.

Regional Realtor Rally

LONGLEAF PINE REALTORS ® , INC. BRINGS EVENT BACK TO THE REGION FOLLOWING THREE YEAR HIATUS

29th annual Regional Re altor Rally, hosted by Long leaf Pine REALTORS®, Inc. returned to Fayetteville on Sept. 20 to allow realtor members from across the Fayetteville area the opportunity to network, meet real estate profes sionals, and connect with real estate related vendors from all over.

The

Following three years of absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Rally, welcomed more than 400 guests, 40 real estate themed vendors, and a guest speaker to the Crown Complex for the very first time.

“We’re doing two things: one, we’re letting our members gain knowledge in their industry, and then we’re introducing them to the vendors that provide products and services that they need,”said Longleaf Pine Chief Executive Officer Zan Monroe.

With a number of first time vis itors to the Rally, Monroe said the organization is glad to see the event return and give the community time to grow and learn together.

“They learn from each other, everybody thinks real estate is this highly competitive world, and it is,” said Monroe. “But, at the same time, realtors are glad to share and teach each other ‘This is what works and this is what doesn’t.’ So, the ones that have been around the block a time or two are always willing to share in formation with somebody that hasn’t because we've all been there.

This year’s Rally featured guest speaker Terry Watson, a motivational speaker with more than 20 years in real estate experience in the Chicago area. Over the course of two sessions with Realtor Rally attendees, titled “Recharge, Refocus and Re-Engage” and “Afterburner,” Watson uses his own personal experiences and stories from his life to help the crowd learn about providing a positive customer experience to leave a lasting impact on the people they serve.

“The biggest issue that affects real tors, and anybody in sales is, they re ally have to do a business shift,” said Watson. “I volunteer with a business school, and most people in business, they try to focus on giving amazing customer service, and people don’t want customer service. Customer ser vice is actually a negative term, and most business owners don’t realize it. They don’t want customer service, they want an amazing experience, two totally different things.

Most business owners have a fundamental misunderstanding that someone will hire you for a service but they will either use you again, or not use you based on the experience, even if you completed the service.”

Board.

“We always have a guest speaker come in, and we kind of talked about possible guest speakers, and Zan said ‘listen, let’s talk about Terry,’” said Vice President of Education Can dilee Quigley. “Terry matches how we think and what we believe and it was just a perfect fit, and he was available and it worked out perfect ly.”

Longleaf Pine REALTORS® , Inc., President Amanda Smith said she also got something out of the first session.

“I think the message has been great,” said Smith. “... It’s not nec essarily about what we’re saying, but how we’re making people feel, and I

scape of the real estate industry in mind while planning the yearly event, and try to pick themes that are perti nent to what their members, commer cial and residential realtors, are going through.

“We’re having to kind of keep up with the changing times and that’s always true, but we’ve had to adjust to a market that we’ve not been used to, probably ever is what I’ve heard some realtors say who have been in the business for 30-40 years,” said Smith. “So, we’re kind of having to rely on each other, you know, rely on our association for the proper train ing and education so that we know how to navigate and keep up with the changes and keep communication going with our clients.

Overall, event organizers said they were glad to see the turnout for the return of the event, and the group will consider the Crown Complex for the venue again next year.

The speaker for the 2022 Regional Realtor Rally was selected after care ful consideration from the Longleaf

think he had a lot of great points for all of us.”

Both Smith and Quigly said they keep the constantly changing land

“We have a lot of people who are first timers who have never been here before, I mean, all of our old timers are glad that they’re here and our first timers seem to respond pretty well,” said Quigley.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY: GFBJ

Longleaf Pine REALTORS®, Inc. members gather to hear featured speaker Terry Watson entertain and educate.

“...we’re kind of having to rely on each other, you know, rely on our association for the proper training and education so that we know how to navigate and keep up with the changes and keep communication going with our clients.”

Amanda Smith, PRESIDENT, LONGLEAF PINE REALTORS ®, INC.

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NOTES

Businesses bring better solutions

uick, true story: Do you know what the number one problem was for every major city in the world at the turn of the 20th century? You might be surprised to know that it was horse manure. The cities could not dispose of it fast enough due to a growing population and the need for horse drawn trans portation everywhere. The world’s largest cities met in very significant government-ran delegations to try to solve the problem. Meanwhile, in a small factory in Dearborn, Mich igan, Henry Ford was developing the ability for mass production of the automobile in order to make it affordable for the masses. It was not intended specifically to solve the manure problem, but 8 years later, it did just that, making horse drawn transportation (and the manure it produced) go bye-bye.

Q

Back in the 6th century B.C. a democratic form of government was introduced in the city-state of Ath ens by Cleisthenes, and some of the first democratic governments were formed primarily to do things such as protecting its citizens, keeping the areas it serves clean, and providing elected representatives to ensure a voice for the citizens. These areas are still very important for governments to continue to provide, but many other areas might be better handled by engaging businesses and nonprof its. Problems such as homelessness and drug addiction could be handled by asking businesses and nonprofits to come up with unhindered solu tions. There is hardly an area, with the exception being the protection of its citizens, that innovation, entrepre neurship and industry could not do a better, more efficient job, if given the tools and freedom to do so. That’s a bold statement and one that has been debated between politicians for as long as we have had the social con struct of a democratic government.

An example of innovation and entrepreneurship is happening in the real estate industry. In a recent article from Realtor.com titled “Could Empty Downtown Office Buildings Really Help Solve America’s Housing Crisis?”, the author Clare Trapasso, offers compelling insights about con verting empty commercial buildings into residential real estate. She states that the biggest hindrance is red tape and bureaucracies. “These are often costly, difficult projects that typically take years and miles of bureaucratic red tape to complete,” said Trapasso.

This is just one innovative idea that could solve blight problems, decrease crime, increase economic development, create more jobs, and the list could go on.

What about using some of the empty buildings for the homeless? What’s the real cost of homelessness to our community? Can we turn this problem over to the entrepreneurs and innovators to come up with a solution that they could get behind,

unhindered by bureaucratic red tape? It’s possible but we won’t know unless we try.

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal has made it a point and a focus to stay out of the political limelight. Our focus is on business growth and highlighting innovation. My comments have zero political finger pointing. This is a struggle that every community has, but it is a debate worth having and one that can produce real tangible results to our biggest problems.

So what’s our communities biggest problems, and how do we connect with the “Henry Fords” out there to help us solve them? Those are the questions we should be asking ourselves.

God

KRAKEN IMAGES/UNSPLASH

winning the bulk of the technology business in North Carolina when we had Duke University and the whole (University of North Carolina) system; we had all the ingredients.”

What DANC does is create multiple environments, and position North Carolina as leaders in novel technology aggregates for national security and defense. Some examples of these avenues are communication technology, energy generation, cyber resilience, and more.

According to DANC Science & Technology Co-Chair Brandon Conover, North Carolina has a history of textile development and manufacturing, therefore, the state has full potential to be part of the future of advanced materials and textiles as they are working on facilitating the return of textile production back to the state.

“It is our goal to come up with the right people and the right technologies at the right time — with funding — to make sure North Carolina is the leader,” Conover said. “The battlefield is changing, the face of international politics is changing, and what we are going to be asking our uniformed services to do in the next 10 to 20 years is going to look very different than it looks today.”

In one of DANC’s collaborative projects, they are conducting a study with the Military Business Foundation to identify defense asset technologies within the state. One of those areas is advance materials and how North Carolina can innovate the ecosystem for smart textiles research, development, and production, in support of warfighter performance and novel commercial applications.

“If you think about the intersections of the clusters of these technologies, that’s where we work,” Williams said. “We bring the basic scientists together with the user or soldier operator to understand the problem. Then we build collaborative teams.” DANC acts as a facilitator for interested, potential, and capable agencies to meet. The goal is to team up for collaboration in a trusted environment.

“Anybody anywhere can find someone on the internet and call them up and say, ‘Hey, do you want to work together?’” Conover said. “Without some degree of trust and knowledge of what each other’s business goals are going to be, that’s an uphill battle. The Science & Technology community within DANC is really there to foster the conversation; create introductions.”

Normally, a large business would have the means within its organization to harness resources on business development, technology creators and engineers. However, these resources are not readily available to smaller companies.

“The DANC community is really there as an amalgamation of all of these positions a large organization would normally have working together to be more than the sum of the parts,” Conover said. “The (DANC) guides those opportunities to the right businesses and to the right users.”

One of the advantages of DANC acting as a melting pot for a spectrum of resources in North Carolina, is that larger companies aren’t necessarily setting aside the time and resources to go after a new industry area because that’s a risk, according to Conover.

“By pulling all of our resources, pulling all of our knowledge from basic science all the way to business and law, we are creating that opportunity to achieve, win and develop something you would normally have a hard time doing by yourself,” he said.

The core mission of DANC is creating an agile, free-forming and trusted environment for creative minds and innovation to flourish.

“We need to have a trusted environment where individuals feel like they can share an idea without somebody stealing it,” Williams said. “Allowing them the freedom to pair or team up however they want, freeform things …” “...We brought all of these people together.”

One of the key things DANC is currently working on, is the develop-

ment of advanced textiles. They are working on bringing textile manufacturing, which is currently outsourced, back to North Carolina.

Acting as an intersection between research and development, DANC is also working on closing a technology gap and facilitating the innovation of smart fibers that can transmit and conduct information for military purposes.

“The smart textiles is an excellent example of bringing in many facets of science, technology and engineering to create a new technology almost anywhere,” Conover said. “And North Carolina is in a great position to do that.” Williams, who has experience in manufacturing textiles, envisions North Carolina producing

highly intelligent textiles and smart apparel.

“Like when your blouse under fire may harden and become armor,” he said. “There are things you can’t even imagine, but that’s where we are working at: the gap-closing technology for our warfighters.”

The organization also works closely with public universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities and private schools within the state. These collaborations often spin out prototypes, proofs of concept, and sometimes even political devices for less cost comparatively.

“There are a lot of opportunities for small businesses to partner with engineering schools and colleges to develop their ideas — even within a simulated field setting — and being able to communicate with men and women in the military about where those capabilities can go,” Conover said. “The sky is the limit on the topic.”

DANC will also be meeting with North Carolinian companies that have the potential to win funding from the CHIPS and Science Act. According to WhiteHouse.gov, the act will boost American semiconductor research, development, and production. This means semiconductors will be made on American soil using American supply chains, according to Conover.

“How does a small business compete with large companies to bring that kind of funding to the local level?” Conover said. “Those spaces we are trying to fill.”

PHOTO PROVIDED BY: PHIL WILLIAMS

One example of military S&T developed in NC are Degraded Vision Enhancers, used when operating in degraded vision (Night, Fog, smoke, and not wearing Night vision goggles).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY: PHIL WILLIAMS DANC S &T’s Advanced Textiles Ecosystem forum, held on Aug. 25, had more than 100 attendees from across NC.

ACHIEVERS

FACVB’s Angie Brady to represent North Carolina on Southeast Tourism Society Board

Director of Tourism Marketing ANGIE BRADY, with the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau will be stepping into a new position representing North Carolina as the new est addition to the Southeast Tourism Society Board. Along with working her role at FACVB, Brady will work with other state representatives to create new initiatives to support advocacy and important policy issues facing the tourism industry. Brady will also work to form relationships with tourism organizations of all levels.

Brady was selected from a pool of 33 candidates to fill one of 12 avail able board seats.

Formed nearly 40 years ago, the Southeast Tourism Society believes strongly that regional promotion of tourism, via partnerships between states, will provide a powerful model marketing alliance unparalleled throughout the country.

Currently the STS has 13 member states (plus the District of Colum bia) that include representatives from Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

“The Southeast Tourism Society’s regional impact on travel and tourism through advocacy and empowerment of industry leaders is immense,” said Brady in a press release. “I am grateful for this opportunity to join the board and eager to begin working alongside other impactful leaders across the southeast region.”

During her 14 years with the FACVB, Brady has helped launch many tourism projects such as the Cultural Heritage Trails program, the “Be a Guest in Your Hometown” Passport, the Hometown Hops Brew ery Passport, and Heroes Homecom ing.

Interim President & CEO for the FACVB Randy Fiveash shared words of encouragement in a press release saying; “Angie is well deserving of this highly recognized position repre senting both the Fayetteville area and the State of North Carolina. We look forward to watching her make a tre mendous impact on the organization and the tourism industry as a whole,

just as she has in our community.”

Brady is also leading a new re branding effort for the FACVB which is expected to be launched soon.

Brady is a 1999 graduate of N.C. State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in parks, recreation, and tourism management with a concentration in resort management and commercial tourism. In 2012, she earned her Tourism Marketing Professional certification through Southeast Tourism Society. In May 2020, Brady received her Master of Science in hospitality management from Johnson & Wales University.

CSDD receives Internation al Achievement Award in Urban Place Management

Fayetteville’s Cool Spring Down town District is receiving interna tional recognition for their inaugural event, Night Circus, a New Year’s Eve Spectacular put on in December of 2021.

The International Downtown Association awarded CSDD with the Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence for its resourceful approaches used to host the event. According to details on the award released from IDA, “The Award of Excellence acknowledges an excellent response to an urban place man agement challenge, demonstrating ap plication of industry knowledge and exceeds the jury criteria.”

Night Circus was one of 23 entries in the Marketing, Communications and Events category which is iden tified by IDA as one of seven pro fessional urban place management practice areas. All entries for the 2022 Downtown Achievement Awards were reviewed, deliberated and evalu ated by a jury of peer professionals to choose this year’s recipients.

“Being recognized on an interna

tional scale for our efforts is truly an honor. We love to bring positive recognition to our deserving city.” Bianca Shoneman of the Cool Spring Downtown District said in a press release.

Night Circus was done in part nership with the City of Fayetteville, and was the City’s first self produced New Year’s Eve production in over 10 years. Four national touring acts: - All-4-One, Rob Base, C + C Music Factory, and Coolio headlined the event and the circus showcased acro bats, aerialists, fire dancers, live art demos, along with a variety of food for guests.

The CSDD team also brought on Blashfield Signs to ring in the new year with an eighteen-foot, multi-col ored star dotted with over 150 LED lights along with a fireworks show at the stroke of midnight.

“Coming out of the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we knew we wanted something vibrant and excit ing for our community as we celebrat ed surviving a tumultuous year and moving towards thriving in the next,” Director of Special Projects, Ashanti Bennett shared in a press release.

The International Downtown Association is based in Washington D.C., and is the premiere organiza tion for urban place professionals who are shaping and starting dynam ic city center districts. According to a statement released by the IDA, “The Cool Spring Downtown District is

the urban place management orga nization representing the interests of property owners in Fayetteville, NC.”

“Cool Spring Downtown District has demonstrated skillful application of urban place management princi ples with their project Night Circus,'' said David Downey, IDA President and CEO in a press release. “The Night Circus should serve as a frame work to all member communities within IDA.”

FirstHealth MRH Nurse recognized with DAISY Award

FirstHealth of the Carolinas nurse JENNIFER DOWNING, BSN, R.N. IV, CMSRN, has received the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Downing is a nurse at Moore Re gional Hospital in Pinehurst, and she was nominated for this award by a coworker that she helped train.

The DAISY Award was inspired by the exceptional care Barnes re ceived from nurses and is the family’s way of thanking the hard working nurses that make a difference in so many lives.

According to a press release, Dwning’s coworker provided a glowing endorsement for her. “From the first day I met Jennifer, her knowledge and charisma empowered me. Jennifer was assigned to be my nursing preceptor and I could not be more thankful,” shared Madison Bullins, R.N., in her letter nominat ing Downing. “From our first shift together, she took me under her wing and made me feel as if I had known her my whole life. Jennifer taught me to be a great patient advocate, and she always ensures that the patient is first no matter the situation.”

The DAISY Award for Extraordi nary Nurses was created by the Daisy Foundation, a non-profit, based in

What are you and your peers achieving? Have you reached a new goal? Have you acquired another business? Maybe your business has a new hire you would like to highlight.

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal wants to hear from you and your business to shine a spotlight on your accomplishments.

To nominate someone for GFBJ’s Achievers section, email editor@bizfayetteville.com with the subject line “Achiever.”

Brady

PHOTO PROVIDED BY: FIRSTHEALTH

Pictured (left to right): Berni Szczepanski, Genteal Pelzer, Tammy Smith, Jennifer Downing, Deana Kearns, Jacklynn Lesniak.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY: CSDD

Members of CSDD pictured with the Down town Achievement Award of Excellence

Glen Ellen, California. After their family member, J. Patrick Barnes, passed away in his early thirties from complications of Idiopathic Throm bocytopenic Purpura the family

Cumberland County School System names Teacher of the Year

A Douglas Byrd Middle School science teacher, TALICIA SMITH, has been recognized as the Cumberland County School District's 2023 Teach er of the Year.

Cumberland County School System continues to recognize the hard work and achievements of its staff members. At the first in person meeting since 2020, CCS bestowed the award during a celebration for educators themed Together We Will Rise: A Teacher’s Perspective.

Smith started her teaching career with the Cumberland County School

System in 2012, and has more than 16 years of teaching ex perience. She earned her master’s degree in educational lead ership in 2019 from Queens University in Charlotte.

Smith believes that, in order to fully engage in the learning process, students must understand their value, purpose and impact on society. With a focus on social responsibility and collaboration.

“As a science teacher, I teach physical and life sciences, but there are many days that I teach about life and science,” Smith shared in a press release.

Along with being an educator who highlights various cultures and their contributions to society in her class, she frequently has English as a Sec ond Language students in her classes and encourages them to share in their native languages and understand the world around them.

“Every student is capable of success,” said Smith in a press release “They must only be shown the way

and assisted as they learn, grow and make mistakes.”

According to Smith’s LinkedIn page, this is the second time she has been awarded Teacher of the Year while at Douglas Byrd Middle school, with the first being in 2017-2018.

As the county-wide winner, Smith will advance to compete for the re gional title.

Foley named Credit Union CEO of the Year

Leading the Fayetteville-based credit union with $110 million in total assets, CEO/President of Bragg Mutual Federal Credit Union STEVE FOLEY is being recognized as CEO of the Year among credit unions under $250 million in assets.

Elected by the National Associ ation of Federally-Insured Credit Unions Awards Committee, Foley is being recognized for his vision, leadership and management that has led to 107 percent growth from 2018 to 2022.

“We knew when we hired Steve four years ago, we had someone who

ACHIEVERS

would lead our credit union to new levels of success,” Bragg Mutual Chairman John Szoka shared in a press release. “His dedicated efforts are reflected in the con tinued success of Bragg Mutual FCU demonstrating thoughtful leadership skills, as well as developing new ideas that are beneficial to our organiza tion's growth.”

Under Foley’s direction, the credit union upgraded digital banking ser vices, expanded the Field of Mem bership, diversified the loan portfo lio, reduced expenses, and placed a stronger commitment to compliance. Additionally, the credit union has seen an increased focus on employees, from quality education and train ing to an emphasis on outstanding member service to fostering a culture of teamwork. As a result of this extra investment in employee success, the credit union has seen record loan and asset growth during the past two years.

FoleySmith

Dogwood Fall Festival

Fallis officially here, and what better way to acknowledge the season than with the Fayetteville Dogwood Fall Festival? While locals may know the festival better by its springtime counterpart, the Fayetteville Dogwood Fall Festival brings its own unique flair to the season. It’s almost like you can’t have fall without it! Executive Director of the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Sarahgrace Mitchell offers valuable details regarding the event, and it is not one to be missed.

The Fayetteville Dogwood Fall Festival features an exciting entertainment repertoire, changing every day with different events to keep things fresh. Located in Festival Park of Downtown Fayetteville, the Fayetteville Dogwood Fall Festival spans through October 14th, 15th, and 16th. On Friday, event attendees can get into the spirit of fall with downtown hayrides, and the opening of Kid Zone, which offers a varying selection of games and activities for the younger patrons to enjoy. Knockerballs are also an exciting addition to the festival available on Friday. The event officially starts at 6 p.m. on the 14th and ends at 10 p.m.

“Saturday we’ll open up the full festival and we’ll have over 60 to 70 vendors in Festival Park and Festival Park Plaza alone.” Mitchell said.

As with festivals past, attendees will have a myriad of options of vendors to shop from. Featuring all manner of artisan goods, the Fayetteville Dogwood Fall Festival is an opportunity to garner visibility for small businesses and independent creators. In addition to the vendors, the Fall Festival features food trucks, live music, and a costume contest. The live music entails a Battle of the Bands, featuring “An exciting line-up of some of the most talented performers in the Cape Fear region.” States the Dogwood Festival website. Event attendees will be able to watch as the bands compete with each other. The Battle of the Bands culminates in a dueling pianist show. Additionally, on Saturday is the costume contest, at 4 p.m. The costume contest will be judged by multiple age categories. “We have divisions for each age group: small children, teenage age, adults, and couples,” stated

Fayetteville Dogwood Fall Festival. Showcasing a plethora of entertainment options and different events, the Fayetteville Dogwood Fall Festival makes supporting the community fun.

“I really enjoy the flexibility within the event,” Mitchell said. “The Dogwood Fall Festival is an opportunity

who they are and where they come from.”

The Fayetteville Dogwood Fall Festival has been around “between ten and fifteen years,” informs Mitchell. In its earlier stages, the festival was not exactly a festival. It started with a haunted house downtown, set

up by the board for the community. Then, the event took an educational turn with ‘historic hauntings,’ or guided tours through the local graveyards near Downtown Fayetteville. The Halloween theming of the occasion broadened into more of a fall event, to incorporate and include more aspects to the festival.

The Fayetteville Dogwood Fall Festival is a fun, festive attestation to the Fayetteville community. While it is a great way to spend a weekend, it is clear the festival means much more than that. It exemplifies the city’s diversity, creativity, and unity. “We’re a part of the community,” said Mitchell. “We’re trying to be present and offer support where we can offer support, and be there for the community.”

The Fayetteville Dogwood Fall Festival is a perfect example of one of the many distinctive charms that the town offers. It is an event that integrates and solidifies the town as a community, and is one of the many unique features that make Fayetteville special.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY: FAYETTEVILLEDOGWOOD FESTIVAL The Fayetteville Dogwood Fall Festival returns to provide a variety of family centered activities throughout Festival Park.

New FBRI Office

FCEDC WELCOMES THE FORT BRAGG RESEARCH INSTITUTE TO DOWNTOWN FAYETTEVILLE

TheFort Bragg Research Institute, a research program of The Geneva Foundation, is coming to downtown Fayetteville with its first office space thanks to the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation.

The new FBRI office will be located inside of the CORE Innovation Center at 201 Hay St.

The FBRI was formed in 2018 in a collaborative effort between Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, and Geneva, with research focusing on supporting the capability of soldiers. FBRI focuses on medical research on a mission to enhance human performance through scientific innovation and links research and infrastructure to meet the needs of operational readiness on Fort Bragg. Geneva and FBRI currently support 20 ongoing studies through full lifecycle research management across Fort Bragg totaling $12.6 million in funding.

“Harnessing the talent and capabilities of our region, FBRI is doing critical work to support our men and women in uniform,” said Robert Van Geons, CEcD, president and CEO of FCEDC in a press release. “Through these collaborative partnerships, we are moving toward a safer, healthier, tomorrow for our soldiers. In turn, these efforts will spur new innovations and technologies, ultimately improving the quality of life and wellbeing of our citizens.

The FBRI also delivers human performance solutions to the Department of Defense.

FBRI Executive Director Lt. Col. (Ret) Stephen DeLellis, PA-C, USA has spent much of his career studying the effects of traumatic brain injury in service members and veterans. In conjunction with WAMC and several universities, he helped to develop a comprehensive neurocognitive baseline and post-injury assessment programs in the DoD.

>> By Stephanie Meador bizfayetteville.com

“As a former Special Operations Soldier and medical officer, I’ve dedicated my career to finding solutions to the problems that our warfighters and commanders of these units face,” said DeLellis in a press release. “Having a physical location at the CORE Innovation Center will allow us to continue to support innovative medical research toward optimizing military human performance through partnering with like-minded organizations on and off of Fort Bragg.”

According to staff, FBRI will be located in a space specifically designed as a center for military contractors and innovators in technology.

A ribbon cutting is scheduled for Oct. 13, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the FCEDC offices at 201 Hay St. in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Harnett Health switches systems

HARNETT HEALTH SWITCHES TO A NEW ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS SYSTEM MEANT TO IMPROVE PATIENT ACCESS AND CARE

nearly a year of preparation, Harnett Health fully switched to a new Electronic Medical Records system on Saturday Oct. 1. The new Epic EMR system is expected to benefit not just the health system, but also patients.

After

The implementation of the new software is another step in combining Harnett Health with Cape Fear Valley Health, after the two joined together in 2021.

Cape Fear Valley Health has been using Epic and its additional software, the patient portal MyChart, for three years. After going live on Saturday, Epic online is now used in Betsy Johnson Hospital, Central Harnett Hospital, and the hospitals’ outpatient clinics.

Harnett Health’s physician clinics began using Epic in December

2021, and getting Harnett’s hospitals online with Epic is the last step of fully integrating the EMR software throughout the health system.

“A lot of our clinic patients have already discovered the convenience and functionality of MyChart, and having all the same records across the entire health system with Epic is a win for patients and providers,” said

Harnett Health President Cory Hess in a press release.

Currently, about 300 million patients have a current electronic record in Epic, and Organizations using Epic can seamlessly interoperate, meaning they can easily exchange patient data, which closes treatment gaps and reduces duplication of services.

The software platform’s key feature is its ability to maintain just one electronic medical record per patient, versus several, which allows providers to track a patient’s healthcare over time along with other benefits.

Patients will also benefit from the software switch because of Epic’s MyChart feature, the free online patient portal that will allow users to view test results, update information, communicate with providers, and manage their appointments and prescription renewals with a single password.

Harnett Health patients are encouraged to sign up for a free MyChart account as soon as possible, and can do so online here: www.myharnetthealth.org/mychart.

Having a physical location at the CORE Innovation Center will allow us to continue to support innovative medical research toward optimizing military human performance through partnering with like-minded organizations on and off of Fort Bragg.”

Lt. Col. (Ret) Stephen DeLellis, PA-C, USA Executive Director, The Fort Bragg Research Institute

“

New President

FAYETTEVILLE

AS NEW PRESIDENT

Fayetteville

Technical Community College Board of Trustees has announced Dr. Mark A. Sorrells has been selected to lead the College as the next president.

Sorrells joined FTCC in January 2019, and currently serves as the College’s senior vice president for Academic and Student Services.

He will succeed Dr. J. Larry Keen, effective Jan. 1, 2023. Keen, who announced his retirement plans in January of this year, has served as FTCC’s president since 2007.

“We are delighted to have a leader of Dr. Sorrells’ caliber to guide FTCC into the future,” said Chairman of FTCC’s Board of Trustees David Williford, in a press release. “We’re confident that he is the right person to lead our faculty and staff and to help our students achieve their goals. FTCC has a history of success and we believe this will continue under Dr. Sorrells’ leadership.”

Following a nationwide search

By Stephanie Meador

Dr. Mark A. Sorrells will be taking over the position in January of 2023.

that began in March, the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges approved the final selection on Friday, Sept. 16.

Sorrells will be the fifth president of FTCC, since it was founded in 1961. FTCC is the state’s third largest community college serving over 28,000 students annually.

Sorrells said he is excited to con-

tinue building on Dr. Keen’s vision of establishing FTCC as a leader in economic and workforce development in Cumberland County, the region and the state.

“I’m humbled by and grateful for the vote of confidence by the Board of Trustees,” Sorrells said in a press release. “I will do my best to carry on the legacy of Dr. Keen, who has been a wonderful mentor and friend. I can assure you that we will stay the course and carry out and build on the vision that Dr. Keen has established for FTCC to serve as a leader in economic and workforce development for Cumberland County, the region and the State.”

Sorrells’ past duties have included managing and overseeing 86 curriculum programs, corporate and continuing education, student services, and academic support divisions, as well as assessment, accreditation, and faculty development.

Since joining FTCC, Sorrells has

honed the College’s commitment to providing educational and workforce-training solutions for the diverse community of students served by FTCC.

Sorrells earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee and he also holds a Doctor of Education in Education Leadership from East Carolina University. Sorrells also completed Executive Programs for Philanthropic and Nonprofit Leaders through Stanford University and was a Fellow with the William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations’ Wildacres Leadership Initiative.

He has said his 35 years of experience in higher education and economic development has given him an understanding of “the needs of economically challenged communities as well as the needs of the people and organizations served by community colleges.”

Power Breakfast

POWER BREAKFAST SERIES INSPIRES BUSINESS PEOPLE TO THINK ABOUT THEIR FUTURES

TheGreater Fayetteville Business Journal hosted its fifth quarterly Power Breakfast on Sept. 20 at the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens. For this event, GFBJ saw a record number of ticket sales and approximately 300 people in attendance.

The event centered around “Managing Uncertainty,” and featured three panelists: Debbie Best, financial advisor at Edward Jones, Deanna Coleman, managing partner at Ray, O’Connor, Coleman & Halverson, PLLC, and Kelly Puryear, acting managing partner of TRP Sumner.

The theme focused on how succession of a business is inevitable. It’s important that all business owners begin planning for who might take over their responsibilities once they have left, and this planning shouldn’t

be left for the last minute. Business owners must make sure to pass their jobs on to someone who is passionate about what the company is doing. Though it may seem to be a hassle to lay out a plan for the future of the business while in the midst of your prime, it is a necessity.

Publisher Marty Cayton expressed his joy regarding the success of the event: “Our panelists did a tremendous job. I am so thankful for those in our business community who are willing to share their expertise. I had more than one attendee comment on how much they appreciated the information. One in particular mentioned that she and her husband were going to begin tonight taking action on the items we discussed this morning. It’s extremely satisfying to me that we seem to be making a difference.”

The next Power Breakfast will be held at Fayetteville State University. The date and theme will be announced in the coming weeks.

FAITH HATTON/GFBJ

The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal hosted its fifth quarterly Power Breakfast Series on “Managing Uncertainty”.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY: FTCC

American Rescue Plan Funds

CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE PROVIDES FEDERAL FUNDS TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES RECOVER FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The Covid-19 pandemic brought about economic hardship for industries and businesses across the country. The American Rescue Plan is providing $40 million of funding to assist in economic recovery for those still feeling the effects of the pandemic. In addition to grants supporting af fordable housing, workforce develop ment initiatives, and the recruitment and retention of childcare workers, the ARP is helping small businesses bounce back from the unique chal lenges of the last few years.

City of Fayetteville’s Econom ic Development Manager Derrick McArthur and Director of Economic and Community Development Chris Cauley shared details about some of the grants available to small busi nesses with the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal.

There are two grants currently being utilized in the Fayetteville and surrounding communities; the Small Business Retention and Development Grant and the Commercial Corridors Improvement Grant. The Commer cial Corridor grant provides funds to improve the exterior of a business’s building as well as additional im provements that might be needed.

The Small Business Retention and Development Grant was created as a direct response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and its short and long term effects on small businesses. In order to apply for the Small Business Retention and Development Grant, businesses must show that they were negatively impacted by COVID-19. This could include showing a loss of net reve nue or showing continued financial hardship.

McArthur, who has been work ing with the city since November of 2021, shared the importance of these grants and how he anticipates they will help the Fayetteville community.

“COVID-19 caused a lot of different things in a lot of different industries and a lot of different com munities. One of the things it caused, innovation and new startups here in the City of Fayetteville. Some of the owners took out loans, they did no paycheck, they dipped into retire ment, it affected equity, so those are

some ways that we’re going to impact that and help with that in the econo my,” said McArthur.

Already, the City has allocated over $1.5 million of the $3 million budget for small business relief. Some of the local small businesses that have already received funding include Hardy Group Consulting which received a total of $23,839.14 in funding, Axes & Armor LLC which received a total of $50,000.00 in funding, Medina Barbershop which received a total of $35,000.00 in funding and Latinxs Infuzion Gift Shop which received a total of $24,251.00 in funding.

“Our Corridor Grant, it’s going to aid with the realization of some of our priority areas to pave the way for economic growth,” added McArthur.

The funding is intended to help communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19. In order to qualify for the grants, a business must be located in the Qualified Cen sus Tracks. There is an active map on the City of Fayetteville website that allows individuals to check if their business is located in the QCT.

Small business owners located in the QCT can apply for both the Small Business Retention and De velopment Grant and the Commer cial Corridors Improvement Grant. According to McArthur, it normally takes two to four weeks for business to hear back about their application, but the timeline is affected by the complexity of the company’s financ es. Businesses are judged based on their last three years of tax returns, payroll and expenditures from ongo ing financial hardships.

Some businesses are ineligible for these grants such as franchises, liquor stores, and any business outside of the QCT that displays an increase in net revenue of 10 percent or greater. To view a complete list of eligible applicants/businesses and a list of ineligible applicants visit the City of Fayetteville’s website at www. fayettevillenc.gov/arpa.

Applications will continue to be ac cepted until all of the funds have been allocated.

Heroes at Home

THE 10TH ANNUAL HEROES HOMECOMING CELEBRATION CONTINUES TO HONOR THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICES OF VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES

The

Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau recently announced the return of the 10th annual Heroes Homecoming Celebration, along with the theme and dates for this year’s celebration. This year's focus will be on celebrating both military members and their families who show their support in the ways they live their lives every day. The organization acknowledges that as the country’s largest military base, there are hundreds of thousands of family members associated with Fort Bragg and the greater Fayetteville area to thank and celebrate as our “Heroes at Home.”

“The Fayetteville area is proud of our unique bond with active-duty military, veterans and our heroes at home,” said Director of Tourism Marketing and Chair of Heroes Homecoming Angie Brady in a press release. “Fayetteville and the com-

PHOTO PROVIDED BY: HEROES HOMECOMING

Since 2011, Cumberland County has hosted Heroes Homecoming, helping it to become the largest commemoration and reunion of its kind.

munities of Cumberland County created Heroes Homecoming as a way of showing recognition and appreciation to those who sacrifice to uphold our freedoms – now and forever.

This year – on the 10th anniversary – it feels right to recognize and honor military family members as our heroes at home.”

When service members join the military, their families join with them. Long separations, frequent moves, inconsistent schedules, and the toll of injuries on both service members and their families can all add up. Military families know what it truly means to serve. They are the quiet, but steady fuel at home that keeps the fire burning.

Beginning Nov. 5, the FACVB and community organizations prepare

to honor these military families for a whole week. The annual Veterans Day parade organized by Cumberland County Veterans Council and the City of Fayetteville is expected to kick things off.

Following the parade, families can make their way to Sweet Valley Ranch for FACVB’s inaugural Heroes Homecoming event for a day of family fun with food, music, and fireworks. The eight day-long festivities will also include more than 15 events hosted by local organizations. From parades and student-led initiatives to festivals and cultural celebrations and recognition ceremonies, all of the Heroes Homecoming events recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of our brave veterans and their families.

For more information, individuals can visit www.heroeshomecoming.com.

Skills & Abilities

Strong ability to foster teamwork and collaboration

Board members, staff, Chamber

organizations.

public speaking and presentation

time management and event

collaboration

Financial Management Personnel Management:

Oversee the general finances of the Chamber Lead, direct and develop Chamber’s fund-raising

capital campaigns.

Oversee the management of chamber staff including

firing, performance reviews, salary and benefits

policy and general

Financial Planning

Events Membership

Reader’s Guide

BizLeads is a collection of information gathered from greater Fayetteville courthouses, state government offices and information websites. The listings are intended to help the business community find new customers and stay on top of happenings with current customers, vendors and competitors.

New Corporations lists firms from the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal region that were recently incorporated in the State of North Carolina.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

VITAL Beauty and Well ness Suites LLC 5802 Rainsford Dr Fayetteville Agent: Darnesha Thompson

Family and Friends Maintenance LLC 7402 ryan st Fayetteville Agent: Marcus Mack

Business Connect LLC 2605 Christy Court Fayetteville Agent: Jeremy Morant Richardson

MAMBAFROG L.L.C. 5923 KEDENBURG ST FORT BRAGG Agent: TREXTON COLE MAN

LEAF IT TO THE BARK LLC

2816 BARDOLINO DR FAYETTEVILLE Agent: SEAN MICHAEL BURNETT

Sarah Davis LLC 310 Interchange Drive Fayetteville Agent: Sarah Davis

Vander Auto Sales & Service Inc 3637 Clinton Rd

Fayetteville Agent: James J Castillo

Designs by Bohens Palace LLC 6414 Barwick Drive Fayetteville Agent: Hamzah Rashaad El

Creations by NicRobi LLC

5835 Rivercroft Rd Fayetteville Agent: Nicole Ann Robinson

Perkins516 LLC 2631 Crystal Spring Dr

Fayetteville Agent: Chase Alex Payne-Perkins

A & N Cleaning Ser vices LLC 1 Molen Place Fort Bragg Agent: Nichole Lea Fortner

Vincodez Services LLC 604 Eva Cir Spring Lake Agent: Brook A Aggrey

40 SCENTS L.L.C. 710 TAMARACK DR APT 6112 FAYETTEVILLE Agent: MALIKAH SMITH

GUACAHOLIC LLC 323 Southland Dr. Fayetteville Agent: Alek Tristan Fiegel

Gems Logistics LLC 2514 Spinnaker Dr. Hope Mills Agent: Rachel Lynn Council

Warrior Forge LLC 1916 Morganton Rd Fayetteville Agent: Marc Lawrence Steenbergh

Tew 4 Solutions LLC 5511 Ramsey Street Ste. 100 Fayetteville Agent: William R Till

skin3nvy LLC 426 Halcyon Cir Fayetteville Agent: Tatyana Destiny Boswell

Cape Fear Massage and Bodywork LLC 3301 Clinton rd Fayetteville Agent: Billie Jo Carroll East Carolina Records LLC

2061 Rayconda Rd. Fayetteville

Agent: Grace Cavanagh

Jayee Enterprises LLC 351 Woodington Rd Hope Mills Agent: April Renae Yee

FLAWLESS FINISH NAIL BAR LLC 7895 Loxley Dr Fayetteville Agent: Kyaire Cargill

Chrystyle's Cuts LLC 1046 Windward Cove Apt 202 Fayetteville Agent: Crystal Ann Wilson

Tracy Global LLC 1416 Deer trail dr Apt 203 Fayetteville Agent: Tracy Gray

Expanded Visions LLC 5805 Bloomsbury Drive Fayetteville Agent: Felicia Wash ington

Aerial View Insight LLC 4937 Galveston Drive Apartment A Fayetteville Agent: Javonte Woods

Nothing but Beadworks LLC 325 Valley Road Fayetteville Agent: LaTisha Michelle Lowery

Greenfield Esthetics LLC 5422 Docia cir Fayetteville Agent: sarah jean mathis

McClintick Realty Inc 1521 Kershaw Loop Fayetteville Agent: Miranda Starr McClintick

The Royalty Gifts Company 1609 Mount Rainer Dr Fayetteville Agent: Carmen Blanco

VUX LLC 3947 Dunn Road #5 Eastover Agent: Robert Lathrop Doran

Delta Chapter of Alpha Lambda Psi Military Fraternity Inc 7851 Loxley Dr Fayetteville Agent: Michael Lewis McDow

CBStyles LLC

2308 Edgar Street Fayetteville Agent: Chartisha Wheeler

Chasing Sunshine Creations LLC 5075 Morganton Rd STE 10C #1439

Fayetteville Agent: Jada Ratliff

JK FORBES TRUCKING LLC 2850 Village Drive Ste 206 Fayetteville Agent: Nathan S Warfel

MO' FLAVA LLC 1211 Morgan St Fayetteville Agent: Chiqueta C Moore

Health Trust Financial L.L.C. 2529 Racford Road Fayetteville Agent: Senior Financial Advisors Inc.

Shawn's Custom Leather LLC 2272 Fields rd Fayetteville Agent: Lakota D Shawn

ViiBes TV LLC 3614 Cranbrook dr Fayetteville Agent: Christopher Joel Ford

Elysium Strategy Group LLC 3813 Meteor Drive Hope Mills Agent: Wanda Toal

Sow Shall I LLC 3427 Lancers Dr. FAYETTEVILLE Agent: Alaisha Pratt

Mossy We Open LLC 432 Chatham St. Fayetteville Agent: Robert T Mulder

The Genesis Impression LLC 807 Beech Street Lau rinburg NC 28352 5710 Ivanhoe Ct Apt 7 Agent: Jimmy Lee Carter II

Clean Auto Rental Solutions L.L.C. 913 Anthem Lane Unit 2201 Fayetteville Agent: Lavonte Michael Thomas

PRO CLEANING DAY LLC. 6927 WICKERSHAM DR

Fayetteville Agent: Daymarelys Gonzalez

Send It Real Estate Services LLC 1410 Lee Wright Court Fayetteville Agent: Sarah Marie Johnson

Gentle Warriors Child Care LLC 2151 Wingate Rd Fayetteville Agent: Sharon H Monroe

E & E Express Trucking LLC 4523 Chambersburg Rd Fayetteville Agent: Eddie Spearmon

Curbstone Roadside Assistance L.L.C. 5214 Woodpecker Drive Hope Mills Agent: George j man ning

Bustillo Realty & Con nection Services LLC 1403 Avoncroft Dr Fayetteville Agent: Oro Guy Cecilia Bustillo Maldonado

DV homes LLC 613 Ashbrook court Apartment F Fayetteville Agent: Davian Cohen Scott

High Volume Trucking LLC 439 Westwood Shop ping Center Pmb 248 Fayetteville Agent: Jeremy Jason Trebbles Sr

Elite Auto Care Inc 100 Hay Street Ste 503 Fayetteville Agent: Abundant Living Consulting Corporation LLC

TR Logistic Services LLC 1035 Vesper Lane Fayetteville Agent: Theresa Holt

DOHA LLC 7711 S. Raeford Rd Suite 102-199 Fayetteville Agent: Mind Creation Vision and Solution LLC

S & E Education Station

Fayetteville Agent: Stanley E Griffin

SRM Homes LLC 2331 Colgate Dr Fayetteville Agent: Sarah Rose Matei

DNM LLC 4709 Rosehill Rd Fayetteville Agent: DAVY N MEDA

Cypress Properties NC LLC 2000 Bendix Pl Fayetteville Agent: Edelrose F Bacanto

Branch Ministries Church of God inc 664 Newport Road Fayetteville Agent: Anthony A Moultrie

GRAY'S CREEK RURI TAN CLUB 516 1405 Epic Way Hope Mills Agent: Alan Banks

Dominion Laboratories of America Corp. 439 Westwood Shop ping Center Suite 157 Fayetteville Agent: Pevin E. Williams

East Carolina Best L.L.C. 5429 Thompson Cir Hope Mills Agent: Michael Ervin Williams Hendrix Transportation LLC 5231 Madonna Dr Fayetteville Agent: Chasity Carr

T's Administrative Services LLC 6415 Independence Place Dr. Apt. 232 Fayetteville Agent: Trearina Vendrick

J Marie's Accessories LLC 416 Walstone Rd Fayetteville Agent: Jamita Birts Davis 876 Properties LLC 5075 Morganton rd STE 10c #1445 Fayetteville Agent: Donia Teslyn Whyte

The Veritable Accom modation Realty LLC 5142 Trophy Court Fayetteville

Agent: Thaddeus Gillard

Partnership 360 Com munity Development Corporation 5624 Sheraton Dr Fayetteville Agent: Teresa McAllister

Imperial Media LLC 930 Lower Bridge Dr Apt 2 Fayetteville Agent: Mohnnad Alshalalda

Cookie N Coinz L.L.C. 5440 Mesa Dr Fayetteville Agent: Stephanie Michelle Womack

Savage J LLC 1710 Renwick Drive Apt 202 Fayetteville Agent: Jonathan A Savage

Marino Brothers Con struction LLC 1830 Owen Drive Ste 10-1 Fayetteville Agent: Annette Colon Acosta

Grace Transport and Logistics II LLC 5521 Spreading Branch Rd Hope mills Agent: Kristen McNeil

The Couriers Express LLC 6671 Camden Rd Fayetteville Agent: Vanessa Renne Montgomery

DOL Counseling Ser vices PLLC 6705 Hoswick Court Fayetteville Agent: Tina Marie Duggins

Eternal Oracle Holistics llc 2833 Bragg Blvd Fayetteville Agent: Brittany A Ferguson

B-H Creations LLC 3677 Highgate Dr Hope Mills Agent: Kayla Maree Bostic-Hardy

Twice as Nyce Grading LLC 805 Broadmore Drive Fayetteville Agent: Curtis Currie

SureMET LLC 6184 Timberland Drive

Fayetteville Agent: Dasmon J Ellerbe

Solid Rock Outreach Ministry 1317 Snowy Egret Dr Fayetteville Agent: Joseph Lamont Singletary

BORROW ME 1 LLC 932 E WINDS LN FAYETTEVILLE Agent: MATHIAS WINSTON

Crowned Unique LLC 5623 birch rd fayetteville Agent: Natasha Davis

ALL -N -1 AUTOSALES LLP 4542 RAEFORD RD STE A10 FAYETTEVILLE Agent: SHMECA D MELVIN

River Glen II LLC 2031 Middle Road Eastover Agent: Brian Raynor

MLB XPress LLC 1366 Worstead Dr Fayetteville Agent: Kemisha Brown

ATheraSoul LLC 455 McPhee Dr Fayetteville Agent: Sherry Lynn Melvin

IVY LANDSCAPING LLC 253 Decatur Dr Fayetteville Agent: Pedrojuan NMN Parrilla-soto

Peregrinaciones Bonitas LLC 5622 Shenandoah Dr Fayetteville Agent: Juan Carlos Campos

Kalliyah Solutions LLC 2887 Lake Upchurch Dr Parkton Agent: Dashiana Kalli yah Jones

Click Snap 360 LLC 2800 Raeford Rd Suite 2

Fayetteville Agent: Merita Bailey

You Should Be Here Rentals LLC 6048 Gallberry Farms Rd

Hope Mills Agent: Crystal Knowles

Fall Is Brewing.

Hotels

1 CAROLINA HOTEL

2 RAMADA PLAZA BY WYNDHAM FAYETTEVILLE FORT BRAGG AREA

3 LANDMARK INN FORT BRAGG

4 COMFORT INN NEAR FT BRAGG - FAYETTEVILLE

5 EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON FAYETTEVILLE FORT BRAGG

6 ECONO LODGE FAYETTEVILLE

7 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON HOTEL FAYETTEVILLE

8 HAMPTON INN FAYETTEVILLE FORT BRAGG

9 QUALITY INN NEAR FT. BRAGG

Carolina Vista Drive Pinehurst, N.C.28374

1707 A Owen Drive Fayetteville, N.C.28304 910-323-0111 www.wyndhamhotels.com

Glider St. Fort Bragg, N.C.28310 910-495-1215 ftbragg.landmarkinns.com

1922 Skibo Road Fayetteville, N.C.28314

Lake Valley Drive Fayetteville, N.C.28303

1952 Cedar Creek Road Fayetteville, N.C.28312

910-867-1777 www.choicehotels.com/north-carolina/ fayetteville/comfort-inn-hotels/nc448

www.hilton.com/en/hotels/fayfbes-embassysuites-fayetteville-fort-bragg

www.choicehotels.com/north-carolina/ fayetteville/econo-lodge-hotels/nc192

1965 Cedar Creek Road Fayetteville, N.C.28312 910-323-8282 www.hilton.com/en/hotels/faydtdt-doubletreefayetteville

1700 Skibo Road Fayetteville, N.C.28303 910-487-4006 www.hilton.com/en/hotels/faycchx-hamptonfayetteville-fort-bragg

562 Cross Creek Mall Fayetteville, N.C.28303 910-487-1400 www.choicehotels.com/north-carolina/ fayetteville/quality-inn-hotels/nc855

10 WOODSPRING SUITES FAYETTEVILLE FORT BRAGG 6820 Cliffdale Road Fayetteville, N.C.28314

10 WOODSPRING SUITES FAYETTEVILLE WEST

10 SPRINGHILL SUITES FAYETTEVILLE FORT BRAGG

10 WOODSPRING SUITES FAYETTEVILLE

1381 Walter Reed Road Fayetteville, N.C.28304

910-864-8360 www.woodspring.com/extended-stay-hotels/ locations/north-carolina/fayetteville/ woodspring-suites-fayetteville-fort-bragg

910-433-2672 www.woodspring.com/extended-stay-hotels/ locations/north-carolina/fayetteville/ woodspring-suites-fayetteville-west

4750 Lake Valley Drive Fayetteville, N.C.28303 910-860-3000 www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/fayfbspringhill-suites-fayetteville-fort-bragg/

770 W Rowan St. Fayetteville, N.C.28301 844-974-6835 www.woodspring.com

14 HAMPTON INN DUNN 100 Jesse Tart Circle Dunn, N.C.28334 910-892-4333 https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/dnchhhxhampton-dunn

15 EXTENDED STAY AMERICA FAYETTEVILLE- OWENDR 408 Owen Drive Fayetteville, N.C.28304 910-485-2747

N.C.28387

southern-pines/days-inn-conference-centersouthern-pines-pinehurst/hotel-overview

6 30,000

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3 888

19 9,739

of Sales and Marketing

MylynSargent General Manager

N/A N/A

9 11,786 Kate Kida General Manager

2 1,104

LauraLeal General Manager

N/A N/A

121 N/A N/A

121 N/A Cassandra Smith General Manager

121 1 2,441 MylynSargent General Manager

N/A N/A

N/A N/A

Manager

Anja Palasky General Manager

Morton Director of Sales

When it comes to breast cancer, early detection saves lives.

DON’T MISS BEING IN THE

BOOK ON BUSINESS

The Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Fayetteville region as a center of business. The publication and event also serves as an annual update to business and community leaders on initiatives to boost economic development. In addition to being mailed to Business Journal subscribers, The Book on Business will be distributed throughout the year at Business Journal events and by area Chambers, economic development groups and other institutions that support business development in the region.

FSU Chancellor Installation

FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES

OFFICIAL INSTALLATION OF CHANCELLOR DARRELL T. ALLISON, J.D.

Fayetteville

State University faculty, students and academic supporters all gathered togeth er on Sept. 23 to officially welcome the institution’s 12th Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, Darrell T. Allison, J.D.

Despite originally having to post pone his Installment Ceremony due to COVID-19, Allison took on the positions on March 15, 2021. Now, after 19 months serving as chancellor and CEO, Allison was able to receive the Chancellor’s Medallion and publicly thank supporters who have helped with the development of some of the University’s biggest achieve ments in 2022.

Allison received words of support from state and county education representatives, City of Fayetteville leaders, and FSU students, alumni, and faculty who have been working with him thus far.

For his Installation Address, Alli son took time to thank close friends and family, honor the founders of the University, and speak on how he decided what to say during the ceremony.

“At the beginning of 2022, I felt very strongly, and wrote that for Fay etteville State, it was our time, ‘time for renewal and great expectations. Time to quicken the mind, reviving the resolve, it makes goals, once dormant and distant, feel attainable once again,’” said Chancellor Allison. “I went on to write: ‘We are mending what is broken, we are augmenting what we have while also breaking new ground. These are the steps of growth, these are the signs of renew al. Fayetteville State University, this is our time.’”

Allison took the opportunity to focus on the achievements of the University instead of speaking on his own personal stories and experiences.

“We fully understand that our first calling is to our students, and ensuring that we have the best faculty to educate them, and we do,” said Allison. “No doubt, I’m proud of the fact that we are one of the most affordable universities in the nation, we’re proud of the fact that we have just experienced the largest enroll ment numbers in over 20 years, we’re proud of the fact that our faculty is working to have highly desirable

Below: Allison was presented with the Chancellor’s Medallion during the ceremony.

tuition costs for en rolled students and reduced college costs.

Launching the 30-60-90 Free Summer School Program to provide free summer school classes to under graduates to help students graduate on time. Securing a historic $175 million state budget appropriation in 2022 to rejuvenate the FSU campus includ ing campus wide repairs, the build ing of new residence halls, moving the University Health and Wellness Center to campus and other im provements.

FSU partnering with Fayetteville Technical Community College to offer the FTCC Keen Scholarship, an award that provides two years of free tuition at FSU to qualified FTCC students who earn their associate degree at FTCC. The scholarship will take effect this fall, with nearly 100 “Keen’s scholars” expected to join the student body.

The debt free acquisition of “Bronco Square” and opening the Fayetteville-Cumberland Regional Entrepreneur and Business Hub to help build small businesses and entre preneurial engagement in Fayetteville, Cumberland county and surrounding counties.

Allison also addressed the need to continue to support the surrounding community as well as FSU moving forward.

“Fayetteville State University also has also set a new course. We have a responsibility in the community in which this campus is located. Our local and regional governments are depending upon us to do and support and do as we can,” said Allison.

Allison also spoke on the most recent scholarship opportunity through the Cumberland County Foundation. Fayetteville State Uni versity partnered with CCF to offer the CCF- FSU Cumberland First Scholar Initiative, a partnership cre ated to provide free summer school to local students. The award will provide $580,060 in scholarships paid over three academic years: 2023/24, 2024/25, 2025/26, through funding from the Community Scholarship Endowment of the foundation.

degrees in cybersecurity, supply chain and construction management, these are all important and will continue to be a priority for this administration.”

Notable accomplishments during Allison’s tenure include:

Fayetteville State University join ing the NC Promise Tuition Plan, which uses state funding to subsidize

Overseeing the designation of Fay etteville State University as a Purple Heart University, thus making FSU the first in the University of North Carolina System to receive the honor for supporting veterans and their families.

Investing in a 21st-century model for Career Services, with a goal of FSU students securing more than 750 paid internships by 2024 and providing them with resources to bet ter prepare them for the workforce.

The campus is expected to see even more improvements and projects in the coming years, Chancellor Allison spoke on upcoming projects and ad ditions, some of which have already begun their first stages of develop ment.

The Installation Ceremony was the first of several events held from Sept. 23- 25 including an Installation Ball, Military Appreciation Football game, and a Gospel Comedy Celebration.

At the beginning of 2022, I felt very strongly, and wrote that for Fayetteville State, it was our time, ‘time for renewal and great expectations. Time to quicken the mind, reviving the resolve, it makes goals, once dormant and distant, feel attainable once again...”

Chancellor Darrell T. Allison Fayetteville State University

“

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY: FSU

FSU Chancellor Darrell T. Allison shakes hands with UNC System President Peter Hans after receiving the Chancellor’s Medallion.