Greater Fayetteville Business Journal - May 24, 2024 Issue

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GRACE FEDERAL SOLUTIONS, LLC. PHOTO TAKEN BY JERRELL JORDAN OF JORDAN ESTEEM PHOTOGRAPHY

Event Keynote Speaker Dr. Martha Kenney shares a bit about her background and family growing up in Ghana, West Africa.

Popular chain flying south to Fayetteville Page 13

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PUBLISHER'S NOTE

4424 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28303

910-240-9697 bizfayetteville.com

PUBLISHER

Marty Cayton martyc@bizfayetteville.com

EDITOR

Faith Hatton faithh@bizfayetteville.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Stephanie Meador stephaniem@bizfayetteville.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kate Griffin

Diana Hansen

Thomas Manning

Jenna Shackelford

Rachel Townsend

Eddie Velazquez

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

MARKETING CONTENT

Stacie Borrello

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER

Samantha Lowe samanthal@bizfayetteville.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Marshall Waren marketing@bizfayetteville.com

ACCOUNTING

Priscilla Nelson billing@bizfayetteville

The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal is published twice a month throughout Fayetteville and the Cumberland County region. News related to the region’s business sector is posted daily at bizfayetteville.com.

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Finding solutions

In May, the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal celebrated small business month and Mother’s Day! In an effort to further recognize both of these important events, we have assembled a few stories highlighting working mothers and “mom-owned” small businesses.

Small businesses represent almost half of the workforce in the entire US and 43 percent of the GDP. Many of these businesses are owned and operated by families who strive to provide for their children and their employees’ needs. The success of these businesses is a very significant part of the social fabric of our country. Without small businesses, many would be unemployed and unable to make ends meet.

Speaking of making ends meet, it is estimated by Forbes that more than 65 percent of the workforce today is one paycheck away from

becoming homeless. And from there, it only gets worse. Thirtyeight percent of the homeless population become alcoholics and 26 percent become addicted to drugs. Another 63 percent become involved in criminal activity.

At the next Power Breakfast, we will hear from some organizations on the front lines of this battle, trying to stem the tide. Aside from the altruistic aspects of businesses getting involved in this fight, there are some very important and even practical reasons why this community should become more active. And we will hear about some of these at the Power Breakfast.

Business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders can make a difference! However, it will take an injection of empathy and compassion, coupled with cooperation and common sense.

We cannot leave these problems alone in hopes that the government

or religious institutions will try to solve them.

I hope you will plan on joining us on Tuesday, June 18 at 7:30 a.m. at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden.

God bless you and yours!

MARTY V. CAYTON is the publisher of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal. 910-240-9697, Ext 101 • martyc@bizfayetteville.com

>> By Stephanie Meador

Not for profit, for people

CFVH FOUNDATION VICE PRESIDENT SHARES ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE NAVIGATING MOTHERHOOD AS A WORKING PROFESSIONAL

Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation Vice President Sabrina Brooks has held many different titles throughout her professional journey. From graduating college to working in the financial services industry to then switching gears to work in the nonprofit sector, all of these roles have allowed Brooks to grow and develop, but her role as a mother remains equally important in defining who she is and how she lives her life.

Brooks has two children who are now grown and off living on their own, but her dedication to striking a balance between her work life and her role with her family was an act of service not only to her children but also to herself.

Brooks left the financial services industry after her second son was born and was able to take some time to stay at home with her children, and though she “wouldn’t trade that time for anything” she shared she was “eager to get back into the workforce” as her children got a bit older.

“In 2010, I had the opportunity to come to work for the foundation, but that continued to be a juggling act. They [the kids] were in school, lots of activities. I think one of the keys to being able to juggle both, was that first of all, I have an incredibly supportive spouse and my husband supported me and all of my career journeys and supported our family in incredible ways that really allowed me to also be a working mother and then it’s just the people you surround yourself with, other working mothers, supervisors who respect the fact that you also have a family as well as a career, so I’ve just been really fortunate,” remarked Brooks.

Brooks oversees a team of seven in her current leadership role at Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation. She is able to empathize with working mothers who are still in the phase of juggling young kids and a career, and she aims to show compassion as a supervisor.

“So now my children have both finished college and are in the professional work world themselves and I have a couple of folks on my team who are working mothers. And so now I find myself at a point in my career where I have the opportunity to mentor younger people…and really

help them understand that yes, your career is important, and what you do here every day really makes a difference and matters, but you also need to make sure you’re putting your family first. So I encourage them to do that and try to be supportive as they go through those struggles with childcare and sick children and being present for their children’s activities. I tell them all the time, you’ll never get this time back, so go to the school play, go to the assembly, cheer for the sports teams, all the things that children are involved in, and I think that it can be done, you can do it but it helps if you have people around you who are supporting you in those journeys as well,” shared Brooks.

Brooks’ instincts as a mother translate well into her career and help her to be a better team member.

“I think sometimes as mothers, we have a different level of compassion for people who are in need and people who are just in a tough place, because as mothers it doesn’t matter how perfect your situation is. There’s always struggles whether it’s a sick child or all the different phases that children go through and navigating those…there’s been several opportunities that I’ve had in working with nonprofits that I think being a mother has helped me

be more effective and more appreciative of the services that those organizations provide,” Brooks explained.

The work the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation does ranges from small acts such as providing a child with a stuffed animal for comfort during a frightening procedure to larger projects such as leading capital campaigns to bring about new treatment centers and educational centers.

“We fund things that make a difference at the hospital in terms of both patient care and access to care… really every place there’s a patient at Cape Fear Valley, we have a presence,” added Brooks.

While her work with the foundation holds immense value and impacts the lives of many people, Brooks never forgets her duty to her family.

“Regardless of how important and essential your professional role is, you need to always put your family first and put your children first. And sometimes that’s hard and it can be a juggling act. But at the end of the day, your first responsibility and your most important job is to raise your children to be productive adults,” remarked Brooks.

Being a mother is a rewarding though difficult job whether staying home with the kids full time or man-

aging a career while caring for your children. Finding people and organizations that offer support can make all the difference.

“I think Fayetteville has a lot of things going on in the nonprofit sector that support families in lots of different places. And I just would encourage people to look at what those resources are. I know when my kids were growing up, we would always try to find time to visit the library and go to the theater…I think all of those kinds of enrichment activities really help strengthen a community but I think it also helps working mothers to find opportunities to do things with their children,” shared Brooks.

While the days may be long, the years are short. From a rewarding career to a happy, loving home, mothers can have it all.

“Regardless of how important and essential your professional role is, you need to always put your family first and put your children first. And sometimes that’s hard and it can be a juggling act. But at the end of the day, your first responsibility and your most important job is to raise your children to be productive adults.”

SABRINA BROOKS

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CAPE FEAR VALLEY HEALTH Brooks shared that her favorite part of the role that she has now is working with donors and helping them take their philanthropic investment in health care and see it put to use.

From EXCELLENCE, page 1

A highlight of the event was the panelist Q&A session moderated by PBS North Carolina TV-Host and Producer Deborah Holt Noel.

PANELISTS INCLUDED:

VIVIAN DENNIS – Advisory Board Chair, School of Nursing at UNC Greensboro

DIONNE MCLEAN – Senior Manager, Supplier Diversity, Certified Supplier Diversity Professional

HYANGSHIM (SHIM) MOIK – Vice President, Middle Market Commercial Banking, JP Morgan Chase

IRIS PHILLIPs – President & CEO, Grace Federal Solutions, LLC, WBL Chairperson

These women were given the stage to provide business specific advice utilizing knowledge from each of their specific careers. Topics included: Advice for women in business looking to secure financing, navigating unique challenges faced by women in the healthcare and military sectors, how women entrepreneurs can leverage supplier diversity initiatives to access new opportunities and advice for women entrepreneurs who may be navigating male-dominated environments.

Following the panel discussions, Keynote Speaker Dr. Martha Kenney stepped up to the mic. Along with raising two young children, Kenney is a board-certified pediatrician and pediatric anesthesiologist who completed undergraduate education at Brown University

followed by medical school, residency and fellowship training at Johns Hopkins University.

She is currently an assistant professor at Duke University where she leads the Pain Equity and Disparities Lab. Her research is focused on pain in people living with sickle cell disease and marginalized communities.

Outside of teaching medicine and conducting research, Dr. Kenney is a certified professional life coach and certified behavioral design consultant with a deep-seated passion for employee engagement, burnout prevention and career development amongst professional women.

During her speech, Dr. Kenney shared a bit about her background and the challenges she faced starting out as a medical professional researching sickle cell pain. She described experiences many women in business have had.

“As a woman, oftentimes there's this heavy fog that is in front of us. That fog consists of the opinions of other people and our own struggles. And if you don't have clarity, about who you are and what you're seeking and your purpose, you can't break through that fog,” shared Kenney. “You actually have to search and find yourself on a regular basis. It's a constant journey of understanding who you are and understanding what you want from life.”

She also shared the impact that motherhood can have on the next generation of leaders, sharing a moment between her and her own daughter that helped her rise to face a challenging time in her career.

“As women, oftentimes there are these huge boulder blocks that are just placed right before us. And as I was weeping, I thought ‘What is going on?’ Then my two year old daughter walked into my room (she’s seven now) and she saw me weeping. She asked me, ‘Mommy, are you crying?’ And I looked at her, and I just could not stop crying. But then she did something unexpected, she started laughing. So I looked down and she came to me with her hands and then pried my eyes open. And then all of a sudden, I started laughing too. And I said out loud in that moment, ‘What did he see when he looked at me,’” shared Kenney.

“You will hit many walls along the way. Despite the fact that this man who was actually in charge of our entire research program, and the institution I was at at that time, when he said ‘No,’ I said, ‘Well, you know what? You may say no, but if God could part the Red Sea, I can find a way. I'll find my own way.’ I found other people who believed in my dream, because when I spoke to them about that dream and that vision, they understood that it was clear,” shared Kenney.

The event ended with a longer networking opportunity and leadership with the DANC are excited to continue the event and potentially bring it to the Fayetteville and Fort Liberty area in the future.

“It was such an honor and privilege to be among such inspiring women entrepreneurs to recognize their achievements, celebrate their success and learn from their experiences,” shared DANC Executive Director Tammy Everett.

“Chancellor Darrell T. Allison has expressed interest in supporting the Defense Alliance of North Carolina Women Business Leaders and welcomes the opportunity to host a future event at Fayetteville State University.”

For more information and to keep up with new DANC developments and events, find them online at www.defensealliancenc.org.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GRACE FEDERAL SOLUTIONS, LLC. PHOTO TAKEN BY JERRELL JORDAN OF JORDAN ESTEEM PHOTOGRAPHY

L to R: Panel moderator Deborah Holt Noel watches on as panelists Dionne McLean, Hyangshim (Shim) Moik, Vivian P. Dennis and Iris Phillips accept questions from attendees.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GRACE FEDERAL SOLUTIONS, LLC. PHOTO TAKEN BY JERRELL JORDAN OF JORDAN ESTEEM PHOTOGRAPHY

L to R: Keynote Speaker Dr. Martha Kenney stepped up to the mic to share her challenges as a women in the medical field and how her daughter was able to help her during a hard time in her career history; DANC Executive Director Tammy Everett (left) with Grace Federal Solutions, LLC President and CEO and Women Business Leaders Chairperson Iris Phillips (right). Iris has been the appointed chairperson since the formation of the WBL forum in 2023.

ACHIEVERS

FSU professor part of $20M NSF Award to support center to study how complex biological processes arise

Fayetteville State University faculty member, JUSTIN GRAHAM, PH.D. , is a part of securing a $20 million dollar grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to support the establishment and operation of the National Synthesis Center for Emergence in the Molecular and Cellular Sciences (NCEMS) at Penn State University.

Graham serves as an assistant professor at Fayetteville State University, along with being the Minority Serving Institution Liaison for NCEMS. His role focuses on MSI partnerships with the center.

“I am excited to emphasize the crucial role of MSIs in our collaboration with Penn State and the NSF,” said Graham in a press release. “MSIs contribute vital perspectives, connecting with marginalized communities and fostering sustainable scientific partnerships. We aim to enrich this initiative with our diverse insights and expertise, ensuring NCEMS’ success and showcasing the importance of inclusive collaboration in advancing research and benefiting society.”

The center will enable research that uses existing, publicly available data to glean new insights about how complex biological systems, such as cells, emerge from simpler molecules. Findings from the research could eventually inform the development of disease treatments and other applications such as minimizing the negative effects of aging.

“This is a huge accomplishment for Fayetteville State University, Dr. Graham and the entire NCEMS leadership team” said Afua Arhin, Ph.D., dean of FSU’s Lloyd College of Health, Science and Technology, in a press release. “His drive to build collaborations to provide opportunities and access for FSU students and the university is a true definition of res no verba, deeds not words.”

The center will be based at Penn State’s University Park campus with cyber infrastructure provided by the University of Arizona’s CyVerse initiative, the world’s largest publicly funded open-source cyber infrastructure for life sciences.

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.”

Courtney Chavis appointed Executive Director of Sovereign Equity Fund

COURTNEY CHAVIS, a Lumbee Tribal member from North Carolina, has been appointed as the first Executive Director at Sovereign Equity Fund (SEF) with a background in philanthropy, community development and grant management.

This appointment comes following her impactful tenure as Grants Manager at the National Congress of American Indians, where she played a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission to enhance the well-being of Native communities.

Chavis brings over a decade of experience in philanthropic leadership and nonprofit management to her new role. Her expertise is leveraging data-driven insights, fostering external partnerships and streamlining operational procedures to deliver sustainable results.

“The Sovereign Equity Fund is very fortunate to have Courtney Chavis join as our first Executive Director,” said Justin Wilson, Sovereign Equity Fund Board President, in a press release. “Throughout her career, she has demonstrated extraordinary vision and the courage to take on daunting challenges, create clarity and organization and steer her teams toward successful outcomes. She understands and believes in our ambitious mission and there is no doubt that she possesses a skillset uniquely suited to lay a strong foundation and build toward a brighter future for the Tribal peoples we were created to support.”

Prior to her role at the National Congress of American Indians, Chavis served her Tribe as a Grants/ Public Affairs Specialist, where she successfully secured the Tribe's first

HUD-VASH grant. This groundbreaking initiative combines HUD's Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance with Veteran Affairs’ case management and clinical services, providing crucial support to homeless Veterans and underserved populations.

In her new capacity as Executive Director of SEF, Chavis is poised to lead the organization in its mission to drive positive change and sustainable development in underserved communities. Her visionary leadership and dedication to equity and inclusion make her a formidable force in the philanthropic sector.

PWC employees awarded their 18th UWNC Spirit Award

On Apr. 17, 2024, the United Way of North Carolina presented their Spirit of N.C. Awards to organizations from around the state who not only demonstrated excellence in their United Way campaign but are building a philanthropic culture community-wide.

employees helped pack over 35,000 meals in just under an hour that were used by three food pantries: Fayetteville Urban Ministries, Armed Services YMCA at Fort Liberty and Catholic Charities. PWC’s 2023 campaign raised $138,678, a 5 percent increase over 2022 and surpassed its campaign goal of $135,000. PWC also had a record number of leadership givers with 52. The meal-packing participants contributed 36 percent of PWC’s overall campaign ($49,000+) and added five new leadership givers.

It is the 18th Spirit Award PWC has earned since 2003. PWC has earned more Spirit Awards than any other organization in the state.

Westover High School teacher receives state recognition

Westover High School teacher JULIA LITTLE has been named a 202425 Kenan Fellow. This recognition highlights her dedication to advancing clean energy education and workforce development in North Carolina.

The Kenan Fellowship, administered by the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership, is a highly admired opportunity for educators across the state. Little was selected as one of only 38 fellows statewide.

Honorees will spend three weeks collaborating with local experts in STEM fields including agriculture, scientific research and clean energy. They will also receive a $5,000 stipend and participate in 80 hours of professional development focused on innovative teaching, building leadership capacity and strengthening connections between their schools and the local community.

PWC earned this year’s award for Impactful and Engaging Campaign Event or Activity – a Meal Packing Event that officially kicked off its 2023 pledge campaign. Eighty

“The Kenan Fellowship represents an opportunity to build a multi-year cadre of teachers from North Carolina’s highest quality professional development program. I want to better ignite student curiosity, build our next generation science standards through the science and engineering practices and help develop our future renewable energy workforce,” shared Little in a press release.

Little

Chavis

PHOTO PROVIDED BY FAYETTEVILLE PWC

PWC employees were grateful to accept their 2024 UWNC Spirit Award. PWC has earned more Spirit Awards than any other organization in the state.

Graham

Nighttime Could Be the Right Time to Save. With

PWC’s Super Off-Peak Rate

Optional Whole Business rate features substantially lower rates for electricity used during Super Off-Peak Hours, 9:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. daily, all year long. Business customers who sign up for this option pay a slightly higher basic facility charge and Peak rate, while benefiting from much lower rates during the nighttime hours. Your business may be able to lower your electric bills with this rate plan. Some of the ways you can save money with this plan include doing things like:

• Charging fleet-managed EVs, or providing managed EV charging for multi business/residential units, during Super-Off Peak hours

• Performing power-hungry tasks or running large machinery/ non-essential equipment between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

For more information, visit: FayPWC.com and click on the TOU Rates for Business in the business section of the website. Or call 910-483-1382 to speak with a PWC representative and learn how our new Whole Business

your

TECHNOLOGY

Full time family

ROSS I.T. SERVICES CO-OWNER KELLIE ROSS FINDS BALANCE BETWEEN FAMILY AND RUNNING A BUSINESS

For the past 18 years, Kellie Ross, the co-owner of family-owned local business Ross I.T. Services, has been a vital part of the company’s operations, handling public outreach and marketing. For 14 of those, she has also been an anchor for her family as a mother.

“I just love them so much,” Ross said of her daughters Caroline and Hannah. “They are the best kids in the whole world, truly. They are just as busy as I am.”

Hannah, Ross said, is an academic overachiever and a crafty thespian. Caroline is a dazzling dancer and an up-and-coming athlete, Ross said.

“And they're just kind of night and day, but also just the same,” Ross noted.

The journey of Ross’ information technology (IT) business, which has grown significantly over the years thanks to what Ross described as savvy and almost prescient moves made by her husband Sam Ross, also mirrors that of Ross’ experiences in motherhood.

Just like the company’s early and continued success due to the Ross’ family ties, knowledge of the local community and tech expertise, Ross said she felt a loving embrace from those around her.

“We were busy sort of just from the beginning and that was the biggest blessing because we had a community that really lifted us up and kind of helped us out and kept us busy,” she said. “I can remember holding (Hannah) in my arms and trying to answer the phone. I learned really quickly that to really be a successful working mom, it was gonna take way more than just me.”

Ross said she found that community in her and her husband’s families.

“It was our friends that we had around us and my husband who is truly a working dad,” Ross said.

But it was also Ross’ role models of working mom’s who helped her find her way through motherhood and entrepreneurship.

“My husband’s mom’s name was Linda and I never knew her, but she had six kids and she was a working mom,” Ross said. “From her, I learned it was possible to be a provider and a nurturer at the same time. My husband's family are some

of the most wonderful people you’ll ever meet in your life and I always wondered ‘how in the world did she do that.’”

Ross’ own mother Hilda, she said, taught her that there is always time for everything.

“She was like a literal full time provider but she

also spent so much time with me that I never felt like she was a working mom,” Ross said. “From her, I learned that it was okay to want to be as successful in your career as you are as a mom.”

From her sister in law, Kelly, Ross said she learned about the importance of rallying around a family.

networking, custom-built computers, cabling, system repair and upgrades, system design, customized information back ups and virus removal.

One of the latest additions to the suite of services is work on phone systems.

— Kellie Ross Co-Owner, Ross I.T. Services “

What we want to do with Ross is that we really just want to take care of our clients and employees like they are family.”

“She kind of showed me really the value in having your community around you,” Ross said. “You can be strong, you can be successful, and you can still take care of the people that are around you and you can still invest in your community. But you don’t have to do it by yourself.”

The meaning and importance of family in Ross’ life, she said, is something that leaches into her company’s work ethic and mission.

“What we want to do with Ross is that we really just want to take care of our clients and employees like they are family,” she said.

Part of that includes having a readily available hotline to address IT and other tech issues promptly. Other services include client/server and peer-to-peer compute, networking, servers IT work on desktops and laptops, network design, multi-site

“Phones or cell phones are almost as important to a business as your computers are,” Ross said. “It all links together and for us this is just continuing to move forward and seeing how we can service our clients in a way that makes us proud and keeps them doing the business that they need to do.”

Ross I.T. Services has been running strong since it was established in 2006 by Sam Ross. Sam has been working in the computer industry for over 10 years and has undergone extensive training and schooling from Fayetteville Tech, Fayetteville State and Cisco Networking Academy. Ross I.T. Services is located at 101 Hunter Circle in Fayetteville.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KELLIE ROSS

From right to left: The Ross family includes Ross I.T. Services Founder and Co-owner Sam Ross, the youngest in the family Caroline (7), Co-owner Kellie Ross and oldest daughter Hannah (14).

Two Neighborhoods, Ten Homes

CHRISTMAS home

CHRISTMAS TOUR home

Two Neighborhoods, Ten Homes

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Fayetteville, NC

Lennox Haymount

Our Christmas Home Tour is in two of our neighborhoods, the first two weekends in December on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Discover timeless luxury at Floyd Properties’ NEWEST neighborhood; Lennox of Haymount. Our executive townhomes showcase exquisite finishes and superior construction, redefining high standards. Centrally located in desirable Haymount, our 70 years of home-building expertise ensures a residence that stands the test of time. Welcome to a legacy of refined living.

We are offering interest buydowns starting as low as 4.5% buydown for the 10 move-in ready models during this Christmas Parade of Homes Tour.

You are invited to celebrate the season with the Floyd Christmas Open House. Come see the exquisitely, decorated homes and all of our latest features.  Pick up your gift from under our tree and enjoy a glass of eggnog while sharing holiday food, fun, and cheer with us.

Discover timeless luxury at Floyd Properties’ NEWEST neighborhood; Lennox of Haymount. Our executive townhomes showcase exquisite finishes and superior construction, redefining high standards. Centrally located in desirable Haymount, our 70 years of home-building expertise ensures a residence that stands the test of time. Welcome to a legacy of refined living.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, When Where Scan for and directions.

Main Phone: 910-978-8086 Main Email: DavidRayEvans@gmail.com

>> By Faith Hatton

Wawa is coming to town

POPULAR CHAIN ANNOUNCES ENTRY INTO FAYETTEVILLE MARKET; LOCATIONS PLANNED FOR CUMBERLAND AND ROBESON COUNTIES

Wawa, – a privately held, family-owned chain of over 1,050 convenience retail stores currently operating in seven states and Washington, D.C.–announced on Wednesday, May 15, that they will soon be bringing their brand to the Fayetteville area with plans to have up to 15 stores open within the next five to eight years.

Wawa leadership met with the community and fans of the brand on the third stop in their Community Partnership Tour across North Carolina. During the event held at Segra Stadium in downtown Fayetteville, Wawa’s VIP customers were able to get a taste of their breakfast and lunch menu items, share stories of their past experiences with the brand and hear from leadership about the company’s plans to come to Fayetteville and beyond.

There are five Wawa locations currently under contract in Cumberland and Robeson Counties including:

Raeford Road and Roxie Road, Fayetteville, NC

5750 Corporation Drive, Hope Mills, NC (also the future location of the first Wawa Travel Center)

3901 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC

6528 Rockfish Road, Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville Road & Jackson Court, Lumberton, NC

The first North Carolina Wawa location opened on May 16 at 1900 Croatan Highway in Kill Devil Hills in Dare County, officially marking the brand’s entrance to the state. Development on the first Fayetteville location at Raeford Road and Roxie Road and the Lumberton location is expected to begin in the next 30 days with a timeline in place to open both locations in early 2025. The Travel Center planned for Hope Mills is expected to open in the second quarter of 2025 and will offer expanded amenities.

“It’s a little different than our standard community store. But there

Clockwise: Wawa storefronts coming soon to Fayetteville, Hope Mills and Lumberton; Wawa volunteers and event attendees assemble more than 200 care packages to be distributed to military members through USO of North Carolina’s Fort Liberty chapter; Wawa donated $5,000 to USO of North Carolina’s Fort Liberty chapter along with volunteers packing care packages for active service members.

are some common elements. It’s meant for two things: to support the family traveler, and also the professional driver. So for the family traveler, we’ll have expanded restrooms, it’s going to be right off of the interstate. It will have parking spaces for RV’s, boats in tow, trailers in tow, things of that nature. It will have more parking than our standard neighborhood convenience store has and it will have in store seating as well,” said Manager of Engineering for Wawa Ted Iobst.

To build each store, Wawa will be investing more than $7 million per store and will employ, on average, 140 contractors and local partners to help with construction. Once open, each store will employ an average of 35 employees.

In 2025, Wawa expects to open up to 11 stores in additional counties including Robeson, Cumberland, Pitt, Onslow, Johnston, Nash, Pend-

er, Brunswick and New Hanover Counties. Over the next eight to 10 years, Wawa plans to open six to eight stores per year reaching a total of 90 stores throughout the state and bringing an estimated 3,000 new long term jobs as a result of their expansion into North Carolina.

“We were thrilled to share our ‘fight plan’ for North Carolina and provide details on locations to new areas during our three stop Community Partnership Tour,” said Wawa Director of Store Operations Kim Dowgielewicz. “Our community partnership events also gave us the opportunity to meet new community members and talk a little bit about our history and what makes Wawa such an ideal fit for communities in this region. We can’t wait to open our doors to serve our new friends and neighbors!”

During the Community Partnership event, Wawa encouraged guests

to enjoy a Taste of Wawa, including samples of freshly made hoagies, freshly brewed coffee and other handcrafted beverages that will be regularly featured menu items in their stores. Wawa’s menu features customizable menu options for breakfast, lunch and dinner beyond normal convenience store offerings.

“What we promise to deliver you is fresh food and beverages every time you visit. And we have hundreds if not thousands of choices, based on that customization, so that you can make it the way you want it,” said Wawa’s VP of Food & Beverages Mary-Rose Hannum.

Also during the event, The Wawa Foundation put their best foot forward with the military community by partnering with the USO of North Carolina’s Fort Liberty chapter. During the event they helped organize volunteers and attendees of the event to assemble more than 200 care packages to be distributed to military members through USO programs serving military bases in the region. They also presented a $5,000 donation to the USO of North Carolina.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WAWA & GFBJ

Fitting in nicely

BEN STOUT CONSTRUCTION EXPANDS OPERATIONS WITH PURCHASE OF BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN FAYETTEVILLE

Ben Stout Construction (BSC), a leading residential home builder renowned for its commitment to quality and customer service, proudly announces its latest milestone: the acquisition of a prominent downtown building. This strategic move marks a significant step forward for the company as it relocates its operations to the heart of the central business district.

The acquisition of the downtown building, the former United Way building located at 222 Maiden Lane, signifies not only a strategic business move for Ben Stout Construction but also a testament to its enduring commitment to the Fayetteville community. With its new central location serving as the primary and only office for the company, BSC is poised to continue its legacy of excellence and innovation while contributing to the vibrant fabric of downtown life.

“We began looking for space over a year ago due to our growth trajectory that required sufficient room to accommodate the upward trend. This building checked all the boxes in terms of the now and what it can provide for us in the future. We are

thrilled to be downtown and part of the treasured history of Fayetteville,” shared President of Ben Stout Construction Brian Walker. Walker also shared that renovations to the new building have been underway since Feb. 16. New Flooring, drywall, paint, cabinets, ceiling tile, storefront, doors and trim, HVAC, landscaping, blinds and appliances are all being added to rejuvenate the facility for the new residents.

The company officially moved in on March 1 and has been operating

during renovations.

“It has been loud at times, but I enjoy the sound of progress,” said Walker.

As a family-oriented enterprise deeply ingrained in the local community, Ben Stout Construction has consistently demonstrated its dedication to delivering excellence in every project. With a steadfast commitment to staying competitive in an ever-evolving market, the company’s decision to establish a presence in the downtown area underscores its visionary approach to growth and innovation.

At the helm of Ben Stout Construction is Ben Stout himself, the company’s leader and CEO renowned for his passion, vision and unwavering dedication to excellence. With a focus on empowering team growth, implementing systematic approaches and assembling the finest talent, Ben drives the company forward with an ethos of continuous improvement and problem-solving.

“I am very excited about growing our business with the acquisition of 222 Maiden Lane in downtown Fayetteville,” shared Stout. “The most

exciting part is the platform to impact the community where we raise our families. We look forward to helping make Fayetteville a better community for everyone.”

In addition to his role at Ben Stout Construction, Ben Stout is also the visionary force behind Stout Land Development, LLC, a company dedicated to creating family-friendly developments and providing prime lots for builders and homeowners alike. His leadership extends beyond the realm of business, with notable achievements including his past presidency of the Home Builders Association of Fayetteville (HBAF) and service on esteemed committees such as the North Carolina HBA nominating committee.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ

Ben Stout Construction officially moved into their new home on March 1. New signage out front is one of several renovations taking place at their new headquarters.

PHOTO PULLED FROM LOOPNET.COM

Photo of original United Way building.

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BIZ LEADS

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

Best Enough Gourmet Street Bites LLC

450 Hay Street Unit 708 Fayetteville Agent: Brenda Mary Fitzgerald

4 G Solutions LLC

209 Glenburney Dr

Fayetteville Agent: Elizabeth Jordan Guy

FEELZ Inc

4278 home

Stretch Dr Parkton Agent: Elisabeth Dix

THE BROS DETAILING LLC

413 LAURA Ct

Spring Lake Agent: JILBER ARIEL ESCOBAR

ATM Vault LLC 1449 Gairloch Drive

Fayetteville Agent: Genevieve Nashell Hyman

Our Community Salutes-Fayetteville

2923 Windjammer Circle

Fayetteville Agent: John J Gobrick

Fayetteville Agent: On the Road Again Inc

ChantelLandstheDeal LLC 3451 Dorado Circle Apt 105

Fayetteville Agent: Chantel S Dawson

FOXBERRY PROPERTIES LLC 6720 FOXBERRY RD

Fayetteville Agent: SUSANA DE ARMAS

Truck Master 911 Inc. 701 Miller Ave Apt B

Fayetteville Agent: Carlo Cook

Harmony Caring Hands LLC

6005 Bundy Ct Fayetteville Agent: Natasha Norman

RFWT LLC 8524 Cartman Drive

Fayetteville Agent: Felecia Roberts

Bessie's Sweet Creations LLC 7711 Temperance Dr

Fayetteville Agent: Darlene W Bates

Beneficent Services Consultants PLLC 2025 Glenwick Drive

Fayetteville Agent: Bersuada Saunders-Clarke

Rachael G. Smith Counseling PLLC 727 McGilvary St.

Fayetteville Agent: LARRY COVINGTON

Gallberry Farm Elementary PTGO 100 Hay Street Ste 503

Fayetteville Agent: Abundant Living Consulting Corporation LLC

WAPLES L.L.C. 113 Hearthstone Dr

Fayetteville Agent: Christopher Michael Waples

MAG Property Group LLC 5749 CHERRYSTONE RD

Fayetteville Agent: Darian Gore

Elysium International Group LLC 3813 Meteor Drive

Hope Mills Agent: Wanda Toal

Conley Jankowski & Associates Inc 7717 Redwood Ave

Fayetteville Agent: Krystle J Conley

SM& C vision LLC 1324 Bozeman Loop Apt 8 Fayetteville Agent: Kpemame Kombate

CleanLine LLC 816 Sumner Drive Apt 15

Fayetteville Agent: Michelle M Soto-Toledo

COVINGTON LANE ENTERPRISES LLC

1928 CAVINESS ST

D&D Asphalt Paving & Trucking Incorporation

429 Person St. Suite 1-A

Fayetteville Agent: BossLady Corporate Services LLC

Fort Liberty Lawn LLC

1917 Jenny Rd

The Modest Trader LLC

1216 Faison Ave

Fayetteville Agent: Derrick Graham

Educational Interpreting Services LLC

7783 Trappers Rd

Fayetteville Agent: Charissa Brooke Pineiro

Bruce's Corner Market LLC 130 Person St

Fayetteville Agent: Bruce Knox

THE SALAD BOX & MORE LLC 132 PERSON ST

Fayetteville Agent: MCNEILL EVENTS CORPORATION

Fasade LLC 5427 Debut Ave

Hope Mills Agent: Shaunquille Thomas

Quest rental cars LLC

3420 Winesap Rd

Hope Mills Agent: Diondre Jeremiah McClam

Carolina Clean Out's LLC

7555 Bloomingdale Ct

Fayetteville Agent: Lacey Jade Prosperi

100 Hay Street Ste 503

Fayetteville Agent: Abundant

Living Consulting Corporation LLC

Wags & Whiskers Pet Services LLC

2055 Osceola Drive

Fayetteville Agent: Jason William Schiffman

Xolotl LLC

513 Platinum st

Fayetteville Agent: Esteban IsaiahSilva Ruiz

PHYSICIANS FIRST

BILLING SOLUTIONS LLC

5852 Crepe Myrtle Dr.

Hope Mills

Agent: KENDRA DENISE MCKENZIE

4537 Food Mart LLC

4537 Raeford Rd

Fayetteville Agent: Yousef Alsaidi

Ford-Williams JJL LLC 6243 Birchbrook Drive

Hope Mills

Agent: Trea Kaprice Knott

NailswCiaraLLC 5410 Thackeray Dr

Fayetteville Agent: Ciara Simercy Taronji-Gomez

Apex Software Inc. of NC 3417 Castlefield Ln

Fayetteville Agent: Rajesh Lele

Linta Roofing Inc

Ondrya LLC 3674 Glenbarry Cir

Fayetteville Agent: Andy Guo

Liberty Laser Engraving LLC 2728 Bennington Rd

Fayetteville Agent: Danna F Garrish

Brightstar Performance LLC

100 Hay St. Suite 704 - PMB1074

Fayetteville Agent: Chaz Izk Reid

Pearly Cleaning

Solutions LLC 2620 Bragg Blvd Ste D

Fayetteville Agent: Beyah's Accounting and Tax Service LLC

Flag & Torch Company LLC

1848 Gentle Bend Way

Fayetteville Agent: Trevor Michael Obrien

Logan Jane LLC 1123 Wild Pine Drive

Fayetteville Agent: Logan Williford Hallas

The Secured Agency LLC 3388 Dunn Road Suite A Eastover Agent: Karena King Nelson

NAUMS Inc. 415 Thorncliff Drive

Fayetteville Agent: Cameron Henrickson Florio

Circle Apt 204

Fayetteville

Agent: Keandria LaShay Reese

Carolina Savages

Youth Football Organization

6929 Radnor st

Fayetteville Agent: Jacob William Saul

Old Bridge Fly House LLC. 3521 Heartpine Drive

Fayetteville Agent: Donald Mickey Vickers

Smokey's Legendary Grill LLc

412 Pine Tree Ln

Spring Lake Agent: Daryl Lagene McLean

LNSS INC

713 EMELINE AVE

Fayetteville Agent: AN THU H CHU WILLS FAMILY RENTALS LLC 100 WESTLAKE RD. STE 200

Fayetteville Agent: THOMAS T WILLS

AMERICA INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL EXCHANGE CENTER INC 2817 MEADOWMONT LN

Fayetteville Agent: CINDY KE

Hay Loft Holding LLC

233 Old Street

Fayetteville Agent: Eric J Lindstrom

Eden's Garden LLC 3512 Carlson Bay

Fayetteville Agent: Brittany Melissa Wells

Matthew Jl Crawford LLC

2432 Cross Hill Eastover Agent: Matt J Crawford

GoatFitt LLC

1200 Kienast Dr

Fayetteville Agent: Russell Kent Kent III

Palisade Properties LLC

6406 Fenwick Place

Fayetteville Agent: Robyn Little

Heart Lyft Transportation LLC

5075 Morganton RD St 10C

Fayetteville Agent: Yinnesa Acy

Karoll in Color LLC

2609 Raeford Rd

Fayetteville Agent: Karoll Echeverri

Nain Arya Corporation

3009 S KILCHATTAN DRIVE

Fayetteville Agent: SANJAYKUMAR PATEL

7 Brats Audio & Video Services LLC

429 Person St. Suite 1-A

Fayetteville Agent: BossLady

Corporate Services LLC

Rigsby Construction Company LLC 100 Hay Street Ste 503

Fayetteville Agent: Abundant Living Consulting Corporation LLC

At Home Work Solutions LLC 1801 Swann Street

Fayetteville Agent: Anne Marie Freitas

Brendey T J LLC 313 Larchmont Road

Fayetteville Agent: Brendey James

Sparky's Jumping

Jungle LLC

7263 Beaver Dam RD

Stedman

Agent: Cory William Sturdevant

BLC GROUP HOME LLC 3501 Castlefield Lane

Fayetteville Agent: Naphasorn Reyes

Dreamz2Realities

Wedding and Event Planning LLC. 1295 Joe Hall Rd

Hope Mills Agent: Krystal Smith

Carolina Services of Onslow LLC

537 S. Eastern Blvd

Fayetteville Agent: Thomas N Kiser Jr

Sunday's Tanning Resort Inc.

429 Person St. Suite 1-A

Fayetteville Agent: BossLady Corporate Services LLC

NEW HORIZONS

MENTAL HEALTH CENTER PLLC 7158 Eagle Springs Drive

Hope Mills Agent: Sandra Hunt-Norton

Walk of Life Family Services 2394 Riverchase Place

Fayetteville Agent: Dawn Holmes

Amalgamate Solutions LLC 6406 Fenwick Place

Fayetteville Agent: Brandon Little

Memoire by Edgardo LLC

731 Alexandra park Dr Apt 101 Fayetteville Agent: Edgardo l Martinez

Solid Stance Solutions LLC 3346 Broomsgrove Dr Fayetteville Agent: Constance Marie Garcia

Kevin's Construction LLC

3704 Camden Rd

Fayetteville Agent: Kevin R Godwin

Happy Every After Cleaners LLC

1803 Bragg Blvd Fayetteville

Agent: Taryn S Dixon

MAK Timber Management LLC 2709 Thorngrove Court

Fayetteville Agent: George Armstrong

Furion LLC

429 Person St. Suite 1-A

Fayetteville Agent: BossLady Corporate Services LLC

Shuttle Buddy LLC

1830 Strickland Bridge Road

Fayetteville Agent: Woodway Management & Co

Brink Tech LLC 5415 Nessee Street

Fayetteville Agent: Rhianna Ross

GWB LOGISTICS LLC

1804 Tryon Dr Unit 7

Fayetteville Agent: Chandler Green

Looking Immaculate LLC

100 Hay Street Suite 704 Pmb1082 Fayetteville Agent: Eddie Cabrera

Glensford Shoppes LLC 2709 Thorngrove Court Suite 1

Fayetteville Agent: Robert J. Williams V

GEM Solutions Strategies LLC

3947 Dunn Rd Suite #5

Eastover Agent: Kelly Marie Black

HARNANDEZ COMMERCIAL REMODELING LLC 114 Billy Butler drive

Hope Mills Agent: NELSON A HERNANDEZ REYES

Kitchen Bargain Buys Inc

8626 Looking Glass Rd

Linden Agent: Gail Flowers

Perivision LLC

8870 Durant Nixon rd Linden Agent: Christopher Demetrius Frederick

Blue Isle Pet Cottages L.L.C. 324 Coverly Square

Fayetteville Agent: Jennifer Marie Galloway

Money Box Academy Inc. 2510 Silverbell Loop

Fayetteville Agent: Crystal D McLean

L & M Landscaping LLC

100 Hay Street Suite 704

PMB1064

Fayetteville Agent: Leonard Shannon

Hungry Snacks

Vending LLC 5302 Yadkin Rd

Fayetteville Agent: Kelton Jamal Battle

Envision by Shannon LLC

1132 Bowling Green Dr

Fayetteville Agent: Shannon Lynn Schmale

Rooms And Stuff L.L.C.

1526 Sandy Bay Cir.

Fayetteville Agent: Jems Smith

B Elite Couriers LLC

3902 Ocala Dr

Fayetteville Agent: Dashinka Bailey

Top Choice Handy Services LLC.

5020 Morganton Road STE 10-C

Fayetteville Agent: Derek Rhys Jackson

With Our Hearts Home Health LLC

100 Hay Street Ste 503

Fayetteville Agent: Abundant Living Consulting Corporation LLC

Sharpeline Barber Shop LLC 6411 Camden Rd

Fayetteville Agent: Re'chard Sinclair

Divine Extensions LLC

1808 Queen Street

Fayetteville Agent: Nataliia Kurylo

Currie12 Solutions LLC

428 HINES STREET

Spring Lake Agent: Andrea Currie

ChocLit Events LLC

5831 Hibernia Dr

Fayetteville Agent: Constance E Robinson

WENNESSO

IMPORT & EXPORT LLC

5112 TROPHY CT

Fayetteville Agent: WENNESSO BERTILLE JOSUE MARE

Kaotic Obsession LLC

3006 BransCombe Rd

Fayetteville Agent: Ray Lacovone

Paramount Cleaning Solutions LLC

6503 Tampico Ct

Fayetteville Agent: Yolanda T Barge

Goldfleet Logistics LLC

3608 Mill Creek Road

Fayetteville Agent: George Hogan

POSITIVE CHANGE INITIATIVE

100 Hay Street Ste 503

Fayetteville Agent: Abundant Living Consulting Corporation LLC

Marotinez L.L.C 429 Holman Fayetteville Agent: Adrian Izrrael Martinez

For God's Kingdom Ministry 5813 Lake Villa Dr

Fayetteville Agent: Joelle Blackmon Pierce

BIZ LEADS

VoMatic LLC 7026 Wickersham

Dr

Fayetteville Agent: Justen White

TrusstKey Staffing LLC

100 Hay Street Suite 704 PMB1068

Fayetteville Agent: Keshonna R Richmond

LARSON INC 3614 CAMDEN RD EXT

Fayetteville Agent: RICHARD LARSON

WILLS FAMILY LLC

100 WESTLAKE RD. STE 200

Fayetteville Agent: THOMAS T WILLS

Grove Minimart LLC 530 Grove Street

Fayetteville Agent: Fadhel A Al Abdi

Armstrong Ventures 3 LLC 2709 Thorngrove Court

Fayetteville Agent: Brian Armstrong

Love Candle Company LLC 7318 Avalon Drive

Fayetteville Agent: Aja Michelle rumpler

GTSC Solutions LLC 661 Heathrow Drive Spring Lake Agent: Marcus Dwayne Sellers Sr

Five Diamonds transport llc

322 Skinner Rd

Hope Mills

Agent: Freddy H. Vazquez

From Acorns To Oak Trees Publishing LLC

1453 Middlesbrough Drive

Fayetteville Agent: David McCarter Jr

Celebrate4U Party Rentals LLC

3771 Ramsey street Ste 109 PMB 295

Fayetteville Agent: Jose Francisco Delgado

J'Anna 2 Transport LLC

1405 Old Town Drive

Fayetteville Agent: James Bratcher

D & H Group of Fayetteville Inc 230 Donaldson St Ste 300C

Fayetteville Agent: Hani A. Saleh

Chelles Southern Kitchen LLC

201 Treadway Ct Fayetteville Agent: Michelle Shelly

R10 LLC

2220 Winterlochen Rd

Fayetteville Agent: Rodney Sherrill

BROADWELL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS