ince
THE BEST CHOICE: COMMUNITY SCHOOLS WITH EVERYTHING YOUR CHILD NEEDS.
A COMPLETE EDUCATION TO CREATE A WELL-ROUNDED AND SUCCESSFUL PERSON.
Your partner for success. We educate all children while serving the individual interests, goals and needs of each child and family. We are committed to making sure each child gets personal attention, keeping families informed and seeking their input as partners in their child's education.
Choices to fit the education to your child. We know that one size doesn’t fit all. Our Choice Programs provide educational approaches that help families fit their child’s education to their interests and the ways they learn best.
Great teachers no matter where you go. At every one of our schools in every neighborhood, you’ll find skilled, caring and dedicated educators who will build strong relationships with your child and bring out their potential.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Source: N.C. Department of Commerce
2504 Raeford Road, Suite 208, Fayetteville, NC 28305 910-240-9697 bizfayetteville.com
PUBLISHER
Marty Cayton martyc@bizfayetteville.com
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/EDITOR
Faith Hatton faithh@bizfayetteville.com
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Stephanie Meador stephaniem@bizfayetteville.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Kate Griffin
Thomas Manning
Brian Miner
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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© Copyright 2025 Greater Fayetteville Business Journal
PUBLISHER'S NOTE
In this issue, we will be focusing on workforce and recruiting.
More specifically, our cover story talks about growing our apprenticeships and internships. As I thought about these subjects, I began to reminisce about my own early career path.
My first formal job was as a custodian and yard maintenance worker. I was about 14 years old and I worked to keep our family business office and grounds clean and in order. This was no casual task as it included two large buildings totaling about 15,000 square-feet and about three acres of land and my father expected the work to be done thoroughly and not half (rear ended)!
When I was 16, I continued my custodial and landscaping duties on the weekend and took on another job after school in a pawn shop. I was under the supervision of a retired master sergeant who, like my father,
MARTY V. CAYTON is the publisher of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal. 910-240-9697, Ext 101 • martyc@bizfayetteville.com bizfayetteville.com
The value of hardwork
had high expectations for my job performance!
Both of these early work experiences taught me the value and appreciation of hard work and also gave clarity on what I did and did not want to do in the future. And now, 42 years later – I’m still learning from and valuing those lessons!
And speaking of workforce and recruiting, I couldn’t be more proud of my team. My key teammates who joined our workforce at GFBJ in 2022 were recruited by Divine intervention as far as I’m concerned – because what a blessing they have been to me and GFBJ.
Earlier this month, Faith Hatton was promoted to Associate Publisher. She and Stephanie Meador are quite the impressive young professionals, indeed!
When I started GFBJ, I believed our business community deserved a business-focused media outlet like
so many other markets our size and larger already had – and Fayetteville didn’t. Now, next month we will begin year five, and it is great to have team members who share that vision and belief enough to invest themselves, as well.
It is a pleasure to be a part of their growth and to reward them with more responsibility. I am also excited to see how they, and other young professionals in the greater Fayetteville market, will continue to shape the future of our business community.
Here’s to continued growth in 2025 and to always having a teachable spirit!
God bless you and yours!
PHOTO BY GERD ALTMANN/PEXELS.COM
BUSINESS EDUCATION
>> By Stephanie Meador
Professional pathfinding
CUMBERLAND COUNTY SCHOOLS PREPARES
TO HOST
STUDENTS AT ITS ANNUAL CAREER FAIR
The annual Cumberland County Schools Career Pathway Fair will take place on Friday, Feb. 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Crown Agri-Expo Center.
Throughout the day, more than 2000 students ranging from grades fifth through 12th are expected to attend the career fair.
The career fair aims to make students aware of the ample opportunities available to them here in their home county.
“[We’re hoping] that our students are aware of all the opportunities that we have here locally. We lose students all the time, to Raleigh, Charlotte, other bigger cities, and we want to make sure that students are aware of all the opportunities that they have here in Fayetteville to be successful, and just exposing that to them at an early age is really important…as they get older, they do industry field trips, then hopefully they can get into job shadowing, and then, finally ending in in an internship or pre-apprenticeship,” shared Cumberland County Schools High School to Work Coordinator Sara Bandurraga.
Since the career fair caters to a wide range of ages, Bandurraga explained how they’ve tailored the experience to fit the students based on where they’re at in their educational journey.
“So what we do is…each grade level is going to have a different scavenger hunt. So what we’re asking fifth graders to do is like, go find a table or a business with blue on it or green on it, or go find a firefighter, so they’ll complete scavenger hunts during the process. And for our middle and our high schools, those questions are a little bit different. We’ll have them explore the different pathways, ask more specific questions, like, ‘What are your hiring requirements?’ ‘How old do you have to be to work at this company?’ ‘What’s the starting salary?’ So we kind of tailor the questions on the scavenger hunt based on the age,” explained Bandurraga.
Bandurraga shared that many businesses return to the career fair each year and participation in this event can be a great way for businesses to become even more involved
At the Cumberland County Schools Career Pathway Fair, students get the opportunity
visualize their plans for success.
with the local school system and the programs in place for integrating students into the workforce.
One of Cumberland County School’s other notable initiatives is their ICON Summer Internship Program. This program allows Cumberland County high school students 15 and older to apply and interview to work in paid positions for four to six weeks. At the career fair, students can begin to assess which businesses they might be interested in interning with through the program.
“At the career fair, every business that participates in our ICON internship program, they have a placard on their table…So students that are registered to participate in the ICON program, that’s one of their tasks that they have to do. They have to go and speak to that business. And then whenever they choose their businesses for interview day, they’ve already been exposed to them. So I think that it influences students in what internships they are selecting, because they get to meet the business. They get to learn more about it, rather than just reading a brochure or something about it, they can actually meet the people that work there, and that definitely does influence a lot of the
interviews that they select,” added Bandurraga.
By fostering relationships between the schools, the students and local businesses, events such as this career fair help strengthen the local workforce.
“It’s just giving back to your community. I think a lot of people want to be engaged in their own community and I think this is just a stepping stone for a lot of businesses. When I’m out talking to businesses, I tell them all the time, like, this is your first step. If you’re like, ‘I’m not sure about hosting an industry field trip,’ or ‘I’m not sure about hosting an intern yet,’ come to our career fair. Come meet our students. Come meet our educators, and see all of the good things that we have going on. And I think that’s just like that first step that a lot of them will take is just getting involved with the school system. I think most people want to help out, and this is the first step that they can do. And it’s free, so it doesn’t cost them anything to come,” explained Bandurraga.
As the date of the event approaches, Bandurraga shared that she is working on finalizing all of the businesses that will be in attendance. The
deadline for businesses to register is Feb. 7.
“We want as many businesses to register [and] as many different industries to participate as possible, as well. So we have everything from PWC to hair salons that are coming. We have people that make dog biscuits…it is a wide variety of businesses, and all types of businesses are welcomed,” added Bandurraga.
In addition to businesses, some local colleges and universities will be present at the career fair. Students can visit tables from FTCC, Fayetteville State University, Methodist University and Campbell University to learn about the local educational programs available to help them obtain the skills they need to be successful in their chosen field.
All partners will be allowed to set up on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Additional details about the event including a full agenda for the day and a form for businesses to register can be found on the event’s website: https:// sites.google.com/ccs.k12.nc.us/career-pathway-fair/home.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CUMBERLAND COUNTY SCHOOLS
to learn about career pathways and
>> By Faith Hatton
their skills to lead into long term employment in the energy industry.
The program focuses on industry training and support where participants gain knowledge, skills and certifications to become successful solar installers and leaders in the field through three main pathways:
INTERNSHIPS
PowerUp High School Internships provide high school students with the opportunity to earn academic credit and money while learning about various roles in Blue Ridge Power’s Asheville, NC and Fayetteville, NC offices, including marketing, IT, fleet maintenance, mechanical shop, field engineering and construction.
POWERUP ACADEMY
This is a one-week training program focused on providing all construction employees with hands-on experience in constructing a solar array. Participants learn the safety, tool skills and mechanics of solar site construction, as well as understand how you contribute to Blue Ridge Power’s goals and vision.
APPRENTICESHIPS
Following PowerUp Academy, employees can apply for the PowerUp Apprenticeship Program, a two-year program in which apprentices receive 3,000-4,000 hours of on-the-job training while also receiving 288 hours of national and industry-recognized work-related instruction, creating defined career pathways and upward mobility for employees.
“The PowerUp Academy offers a real-world onboarding experience where individuals can come in, they
BUSINESS EDUCATION
learn all about the company, they learn about our safety culture. They learn about what it takes to do the job right,” said Director of Learning and Development at Blue Ridge Power Lee Spruill.
Spruill shared that along with on-the-job training, students are also educated on things they as workers need to know including benefits packages and health insurance along with meeting other educational criteria required as a registered apprenticeship through the Department of Labor. Apprentices are also offered jobs at Blue Ridge Power after they finish their program, ensuring a solid workforce for the company and keeping those educated employees local. Spruill went on to specify that an internship and apprenticeship are meeting training requirements at two different levels. Internships are aimed at high school level students,
looking to get entry level experience and training that can be used to continue building their skills later. He described some of the internship programs such as the Utility Solar program offered to Cumberland County School students, more as ‘pre-apprenticeships’ that can be accomplished on a high schooler’s schedule.
“We usually try to target folks that are in their senior year. We teach them how to build utility scale solar, so they learn everything from erosion control to post driving, some basics about equipment operation. They don’t get certified on equipment, but they learn a lot about it,” said Spruill. “It’s hands-on learning. They have some projects that they learn about on the developer’s side, they get their OSHA certifications while they’re in there. They’re getting all these certifications that otherwise they would typically have to pay for and they’re getting it free of charge while they’re in high school. Apprenticeships are like an alternative to college. You go to college to learn how to pursue your career. Well, that’s what an apprenticeship does. Apprenticeship is you’re getting paid while you learn and while you earn.” With their apprenticeship program entering its third year, Blue Ridge Power has partnered with local organizations to connect with as many students and future trade workers as possible.
“It’s through a partnership between Blue Ridge Power, Cumberland County Schools and Fayetteville Technical Community College, that
we bring people in. In the last two years, we’ve had 20 students, and five of the 20 have decided to go into the company (Blue Ridge Power) after going through that class,” shared Spruill. “The rest of them have typically gone into some type of project management or construction management or engineering, which requires them to have a four-year degree. About 20% of those kids come into our company and are working their way through there, and they’re getting paid, making good money for an 18-year-old.”
Those partnerships expand beyond NC. The success of the PowerUp Apprenticeship program has led to expansion across the country. In November of 2022 it was announced that Blue Ridge Power partnered with Adaptive Construction Solutions (ACS) to establish PowerUp as a Registered Apprenticeship across the country with the apprenticeship becoming available in Texas and Missouri, certified by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Back in North Carolina, the PowerUp Workforce Development Program in Fayetteville is currently accepting interns for the summer of 2025.
You can go online to www.blueridgepower.com/power-up or contact Lee Spruill at leespruill@blueridgepower.com to learn more about the program and how to apply.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BLUE RIDGE POWER
From high schoolers and college students to working adults, these programs are for those who are ready to jump into a high-paying and fulfilling career in solar through internships, pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships—no college required.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BLUE RIDGE POWER Students in Cape Fear High School’s Career and Technical Education Program visit the Blue Ridge Power Fayetteville, NC office to learn about solar, our PowerUp internships and apprenticeships, and how they can pursue a career in renewables during Careers in Energy Week 2023.
ACHIEVERS
Harnett County appoints Lisa McFadden as new assistant county manager
Harnett County is proud to announce LISA MCFADDEN, currently serving as budget director, as the new assistant county manager.
McFadden began her career with Harnett County in March 2000 in the Information Technology (IT) Department. Starting as a Computer Support Specialist, she excelled in several IT positions, ultimately serving as assistant IT director for five years. In February 2021, she transitioned to the role of budget director, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in fiscal management.
“I am honored to be appointed assistant county manager and excited to continue serving Harnett County in this new capacity,” said McFadden in a press release. “My nearly 25 years with the County, including leadership roles in IT and as budget director, has helped shape my understanding of our county and its needs. I look forward to continuing working closely with our dedicated staff, the Board of Commissioners and our residents to build an even stronger future for Harnett County.”
In her new role, McFadden will continue to oversee the County budget and capital improvements plan while assuming additional management responsibilities for the Information Technology and Veteran’s Services departments. She will also collaborate closely with Deputy County Manager Coley Price and Assistant County Manager Mike Morrow to drive innovation and support the County’s strategic priorities.
“Lisa is exceptionally deserving of this role,” said County Manager Brent Trout in a press release. “Her unwavering dedication to serving our residents and her ability to consistently go above and beyond [make me] confident that she will excel as assistant county manager.”
McFadden serves on the Board of Directors of Harnett County Partnership for Children, Harnett County NC-PreK Committee, Lillington Special Events Committee and Lillington Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee, which she currently chairs.
McFadden officially assumed her role as assistant county manager on Jan. 16, 2025.
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.”
Sampson County welcomes new finance director
Sampson County is pleased to announce the appointment of a new finance director, MELISSA BURTON, who has 24 years of experience in the county’s Finance Office. With a solid background in accounting and public service, Mrs. Burton is ready to take on the challenges of leading the Finance Department.
Mrs. Burton’s career journey began with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and various roles in the public sector, including senior finance technician, internal auditor and deputy finance officer. With a history of strong customer service and a background in accounts receivable, she quickly became a valued member of the County Finance Department.
“I am excited about the opportunity to serve as finance director and to take on the added responsibility of managing the department,” said Burton in a press release. “Having worked in various roles within the Finance Department, I know how critical it is to ensure the smooth operation of county business. This new role offers a chance to apply my skills and experience while also exploring new ways to improve the way we serve our citizens.”
Mrs. Burton does not take her responsibilities lightly.
“Integrity and commitment to my work will guide my decision-making,” Mrs. Burton explained in a press release. “I believe that accountability, transparency and clear communication are the foundations of strong and reliable leadership.”
As finance director, one of the key priorities will be continuing the
department’s efforts to innovate and streamline operations. Mrs. Burton is particularly enthusiastic about leveraging technology to improve efficiencies in daily processes.
Sampson County is excited to have Melissa Burton to be the Sampson County Finance Director and looks forward to her leadership and bringing meaningful improvements to both the community and the department.
Chuck Spell reappointed to Sampson Community College’s Board of Trustees
Sampson Community College (SCC) is proud to announce the reappointment of CHUCK SPELL to its Board of Trustees. A dedicated advocate for education and community development, Spell brings a wealth of experience and deep connections to the college and the community it serves.
Spell has a distinguished career spanning more than two decades with Schindler Elevator Corporation and currently serves as director of manufacturing at HOGSLAT, a position he has held for over eight years.
Spell’s commitment to community service is evident in his extensive involvement. He is a director and past president of the SCC Foundation, vice chair of the Sampson County Economic Development Commission and serves on boards including the Sampson County History Museum and the Board of Adjustment. Additionally, he is president of the Ol’ Lightnin Rods Car Club, an elder and choir member at Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church and a past president of the Chamber of
Commerce. This reappointment marks a return to the SCC Board of Trustees, where Spell previously served from 2015 to 2019. Reflecting on his new term, Spell shared in a press release, “It is wonderful to see the progress at the SCC campus regarding changes to the facilities that were being discussed and planned when I was a previous Trustee. I look forward to once again being a Trustee for SCC. We are very fortunate to have an excellent staff and wonderful students that make SCC a true asset to this community.”
President of Sampson Community College Dr. Bill Starling also expressed his enthusiasm for Spell’s return, stating in a press release:
“On behalf of our staff and faculty, I want to welcome Chuck back to the Board of Trustees following his recent appointment by the North Carolina Senate. Chuck served previously as a trustee and was an important advocate for the development of industrial programs which support local agriculture and manufacturing.”
Cumberland County Commissioner Glenn Adams appointed to North Carolina Central University Law School Commission
Cumberland County Commissioner GLENN B. ADAMS, SR. has been appointed to a prestigious 13-member commission tasked with shaping the future of the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) School of Law. The commission, announced by NCCU Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon on Dec. 23, 2024, will set the agenda for the continued development and innovation of the law school, which has a proud legacy of providing access to legal education for North Carolinians.
Adams, as attorney and partner at Adams, Burge & Boughman PLLC, of Fayetteville, has long been an advocate for education and legal excellence. In addition to his law practice, Adams is a former member of the NCCU Board of Trustees and has a deep understanding of the
Spell
Burton
McFadden
From ACHIEVERS, page 8
institution’s goals and values.
“I am honored to join this distinguished group of legal leaders in helping to guide the future of the NCCU School of Law,” said Commissioner Adams in a press release. “This law school has been a transformative force in the legal community, and I am excited to collaborate to ensure its continued success and growth in providing exceptional legal education.”
The commission, which will be chaired by Raymond C. Pierce, former dean of the NCCU School of Law and current president of the Southern Education Foundation, will examine a wide range of areas including American Bar Association requirements, admissions standards, curricula, student success and bar passage rates. The group is set to begin its work in January 2025, with an initial report expected by May 2025.
Faith Hatton named Associate Publisher of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal
After two years of working as Editor of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal (GFBJ), FAITH HATTON has been promoted to Associate Publisher/Editor effective as of Jan. 20, 2025.
Hatton joined the GFBJ team in July of 2022 as assistant editor before being promoted to editor in January of 2023. That same year, GFBJ launched the area’s first Health Care Heroes event for which Hatton served as the Master of Ceremonies. That role would later continue into fall of 2024 where Hatton would become the regular MC for the Journal’s quarterly Power Breakfast Series.
With this new role, Hatton will be continuing to work as editor while overseeing continued growth, expanding the Journal’s team in 2025 and developing marketing strategies to help strengthen brand recognition. She will also be working to develop partnerships with existing
sponsors of the Journal as well as new relationships with local businesses and professionals.
“I’m very excited to continue my work with the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal in this new role. The Journal serves a very niche purpose to local business owners and I think it’s a very underrated resource for an often underrated community,” said Hatton. “I love my work, and continuing to connect with the local business communities and expand our brand will be top priorities for me in 2025!”
Working alongside current assistant editor Stephanie Meador, the two have expanded the Journal’s coverage, introducing new genres such as Business Profiles and Business Education, extended outreach to all seven counties under the Journal’s coverage area, grew the Journal’s audience and provided business focused stories and coverage to over 10,000 readers.
“I am extremely proud of my
ACHIEVERS
team at GFBJ. When I started the Journal, I believed our business community deserved a business-focused media outlet like so many other markets our size and larger already had - and we didn't,” shared GFBJ Publisher Marty Cayton. “Now as we begin our fifth year next month, it is great to have team members like Faith and Stephanie who share that vision and belief enough to invest themselves, as well. It is a pleasure to be a part of their growth and to reward them with more responsibility. I am also excited to see how they, and other young professionals in the greater Fayetteville market, will continue to shape the future of our business community.”
A graduate of Appalachian State University, Hatton holds a bachelor’s degree in electronic media broadcasting. Prior to joining GFBJ, Hatton was a multimedia journalist and news anchor at KMOT, a TV station in Minot, North Dakota that is affiliated with NBC and Fox, and then a multimedia journalist for the channel’s sister station, KFYR-TV.
New Year. New
Adams
Hatton
TechNet 2025
THE ANNUAL TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION AND SYMPOSIUM RETURNS TO SHOWCASE THE LATEST IN TECHNOLOGY TO THE COMMUNITY
The North Carolina chapter of Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association International (AFCEA) has one mission this February: to bring together private sector, academic and government partners under one roof to discuss technological innovation in the defense industry.
To do so, AFCEA North Carolina is hosting its annual TechNet Fort Liberty Symposium and Exposition from Feb. 5-7 with the theme “Integrated Defense: Advancing National Security through Emerging Technologies and Collaborative Strategies.”
The event will likely draw close to 2,000 attendees.
One of the most significant pieces of feedback AFCEA got last year was about spacing. This year, the group has moved the event off of Fort Liberty and will be bringing the event to the Crown Complex at 1960 Coliseum Dr. The improved space also allows exhibitors to better demo their products and services.
“The idea this year is really bringing people together and talking about innovation, and how do we partner together within the state of North Carolina, but also for the empowerment of the US government more broadly,” said Linnea Gavrilis, president of the AFCEA North Carolina chapter. “We really want to bring people who are focused on the empowerment of the best and brightest and the newest cutting edge technologies for national security issues.”
One of the main draws to the event will be the technology on display.
According to Phil Williams, VP of Corporate Affairs for the AFCEA North Carolina chapter, TechNet will feature vendors from both in and out of North Carolina who are already either serving the Department of Defense or who want to serve. These vendors will be exhibiting technologies focused on secure communication for the defense sector.
“We know today, they use the term ‘zero trust.’ You have to assume today that somebody’s listening, or they can listen, and how can you detect them? The technologies we’re talking about would fall into this ecosystem of, ‘how do you communicate at the battlefront to the
AFCEA North Carolina is hosting its annual TechNet Fort Liberty Symposium and Exposition from Feb. 5-7 with the theme “Integrated Defense: Advancing National Security through Emerging Technologies and Collaborative Strategies.”
command, protect the information being transmitted and get it there quickly with imagery data to allow the commanders to operate,’” shared Williams. “Everything has some sort of security or AI aspect to it.”
Williams also added that many of the vendors exhibiting will have dual use technology, meaning that they don’t only sell to the military. Bringing the event off of the base will allow for a bigger audience for vendors who also sell their products commercially.
“We have 95 exhibitors, which is about 20 more than we had last year, but we have a much bigger space,”
Gavrilis said. “A lot of great, cutting edge small businesses that are bringing their technology to bear. The other thing it allows us is giving everyone the chance to bring something that flies, or walks or swims that they can demo at Crown. We're hoping that it allows a fuller both exhibition and discussion of what's available and what's needed.”
The event will be divided into two facets: a resources and career opportunities fair that will take place all day on Feb. 5, and a series of keynote speakers with ample military and leadership experience at the highest levels of the U.S. Armed Forces and the federal government.
Those two aspects mirror AFCEA’s goals.
“The first goal is to create an ethical forum for the discussion of national security issues between the U.S. government and private sector industry and academia,” said Gavrilis. “ [The] second angle is empowering the next generation of professionals in the fields of science,
technology, engineering and mathematics [STEM].”
Gavrilis said bringing in members of the academic community, the business community and the federal government will chart a future for the state’s economy. It will also usher in tremendous networking opportunities.
Gavrilis shared that with the career fair, the organization hopes to help not only future and current STEM professionals, but also active duty servicemembers, Veterans and even military families.
“People think they have to be active duty, military or private sector, and I wasn't hearing a lot of people think: ‘hey, I could be active duty and then go on to serve in another branch of the federal government.’ People were feeling like they had to get out entirely. So that was a part of the motivation on that first day, bringing together agencies like the Secret Service, Customs and Transportation Security Administration, and others who are really interested in these incredibly talented military professionals,” said Gavrilis.
For folks in the private sector, the event is a gateway into additional community participation.
“Part of the group that’s there on Wednesdays is also 501c3 organizations, nonprofits,” Gavrilis said. “So many of those organizations would welcome the opportunity to have these incredibly talented people volunteer their time.”
A new feature of this year’s iteration of the event is a slew of presentations that will run on Feb. 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
THE PRESENTERS INCLUDE:
Michael Quinn, a retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major, who will host a conversation on the use of LinkedIn and the networking fundamentals for folks transitioning out of the service.
Lauren Weiner, the founder and former CEO of WWC Global and a TedTalk speaker. Her woman-owned consulting firm centers on government-focused management. The firm was founded in 2004 because of the lack of professional opportunities for military spouses.
Jessica Yahn, a retired U.S. Army Major, and the CEO of AllTru, an organization dedicated to empowering women within the Special Operations community, and uniting a global network of warrior women. Yahn will host a panel and a viewing of “Guerrera,” a three part documentary on the trailblazing women who served in America’s Special Operations during the war in Afghanistan.
Diane Nguyen, a nutritionist with the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), and Riley Tejcek, an olympic athlete, U.S. Marine Corps Captain and a published author, will host a human performance panel.
THE EVENT WILL ALSO FEATURE FOUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER SLOTS: FEB. 6:
Lieutenant General Jeth B. Rey, the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-6.
Brigadier General John P. Cogbill, the Deputy Commanding General XVIII Airborne Corps.
FEB. 7:
Colonel Mike Kaloostian, Army Futures Command. Next Generation C2 Warfighting Capabilities.
Colonel Shawn McClure, the Deputy Chief of Staff G-6/CIO. United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM).
“The idea of bringing together North Carolina; our colleges, universities, our military representation and then our private sector representation, that is a really powerful partnership,” Gavrilis said. “I am optimistic and inspired that we can really enact some change.”
Go to www.technetfortliberty.com to see the full schedule, learn more about the speakers and register for the event.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY AFCEA
Revolution Apex is a pioneering 256-slice CT machine. It features a modular design that offers a
upgradability that will extend the life and adaptability of the CT scanner.
Precise photography
FIRSTHEALTH INSTALLS NEW 256-SLICE REVOLUTION APEX CT SCANNER FOR FASTER, MORE PRECISE DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING
Patients at FirstHealth of the Carolinas will benefit from faster, more precise diagnostic imaging with the installation of the computed tomography (CT) platform Revolution Apex at Moore Regional Hospital. This advanced technology leverages smart AI imaging to enhance care by delivering accurate results more efficiently, supporting clinicians in providing exceptional patient care.
Revolution Apex is a pioneering 256-slice CT machine. It features a modular design that offers a seamless path to continuous hardware, software scalability and upgradability that will extend the life and adaptability of the CT scanner. The platform will allow FirstHealth to advance with the latest technology while optimizing clinical capabilities now and later.
SCANNER FEATURES INCLUDE:
TrueFidelity: a deep learning image reconstruction algorithm that produces images with exceptional sharpness and reduced dose despite noise or low contrast of raw images.
Effortless Workflow: utilizes Artificial
Intelligence (AI) technologies to automate much of the workflow, from pre-scan to post-scan.
Larger Capabilities: spacious 80-inch diameter bore and table weight limit of 650 lbs with 1300 mA peak power to accommodate larger patients.
HyperDrive: one of the fastest scans on the market (437 mm/s).
1-Beat Cardiac CTA: captures images of the heart at any heart rate, even in atrial fibrillation, with low dose.
The machine also features metal artifact reduction, best in class spatial resolution of 0.23 mm and whole organ coverage in a single rotation, where it captures 256 cross-sectional images of the body. It allows radiologists to do an acute stroke CT workup in less than five minutes and a low-dose chest CT that captures images within one second for patients who cannot hold their breath.
David R. Warden IV, M.D., a radiologist with Pinehurst Radiology Associates, shared his thoughts on the new scanner and its potential for the FirstHealth imaging department.
“We are entering a new chapter in medical imaging with the hardware
“
We are entering a new chapter in medical imaging with the hardware advances and AI software coming together to create a better experience for both patients and health care professionals. FirstHealth has been dedicated to advancing imaging technologies to provide access to state-of-the-art facilities.”
— David R. Warden IV, M.D, Radiologist, Pinehurst Radiology Associates
advances and AI software coming together to create a better experience for both patients and health care professionals. FirstHealth has been dedicated to advancing imaging tech-
nologies to provide access to stateof-the-art facilities. This new CT scanner boasts remarkable scanning times and resolution, while maintaining low radiation dose and reducing repeat scans. High-quality images can lead to more accurate diagnoses, potentially allowing for earlier detection of disease,” said Dr. Warden in a press release. This is only one of the several recent imaging upgrades within the FirstHealth system. FirstHealth offers a wide range of safe and accurate imaging and radiology services including CT scan, mammography, MRI, Nuclear Medicine, PET Scan, Ultrasound and X-Ray.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY FIRSTHEALTH
seamless path to continuous hardware, software scalability and
THE RIGHT PARTNER MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE
For more than 185 years, we’ve forged personal relationships with our customers and communities, funding economic development and rallying around the causes that are important to our neighbors. With local bankers you know and trust, businesses and individuals throughout the Carolinas continue to choose United Bank.
FICO comes to FSU
FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY AMONG NEW HBCUS JOINING THE FICO EDUCATIONAL ANALYTICS CHALLENGE PROGRAM
Global analytic software company FICO has announced its FICO® Educational Analytics Challenge is set to partner with Fayetteville State University. Led by Dr. Mingxian Jin, professor in computer science, 12 FSU seniors will participate in the challenge.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to obtain a firsthand learning experience in an industrial working environment,” said Jin in a press release.
Currently in its second year, the semester-long program is designed to give students real world problems to solve using data and AI and inspire the next generation of data scientists. FICO’s Chief Analytics Officer, Dr. Scott Zoldi and his team of world-class data scientists will provide weekly lectures and mentor the students.
The Analytics Challenge announces a new challenge each school year, focused on AI and analytics.
According to FICO, criminals today often commit financial fraud by mimicking legitimate banking behavior to secure billions in customer funds, and banks need to leverage real-time behavioral analytics and machine learning models to identify and prevent fraud.
The Spring ‘25 challenge will continue to focus on teaching students how to fight against payment transaction fraud. The students will have the opportunity to build their own real-time fraud detection model based on transactional behavioral analytics to identify fraud.
“It’s very rewarding that schools are embracing the Analytics Challenge; the partnership with the faculty and student participants has helped grow the program tremendously since its launch,” said Dr. Scott Zoldi, chief analytics officer at FICO, in a press release. “To continue FICO’s goal of educating and empowering the next generation of data scientists, we are also giving the Analytic Challenge participants the opportunity to participate in summer internships in my organization. We look forward to continuing our work to diversify and expand the industry with the best and brightest.”
Diverse viewpoints and voices are necessary to develop any AI that is unbiased. FICO is doing something to address that need and working directly with students at HBCUs to encourage a more diverse future of data scientists.”
— Dr. Scott Zoldi, M.D, Chief Analytics Officer, FICO “
The challenge also provides financial support to enhance analytics study for each participating HBCU and offers resources to learn more about internship opportunities for student participants. FICO is a proud participant in the HBCU Partnership Challenge, an initiative of the Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus.
Joining FSU as first-time participants, FICO’s expansion includes J.F Drake State Community and Technical College and North Carolina Central University, and the company announced it is continuing its partnership with Alabama A&M University bringing the total to seven participating HBCUs in the 2024-2025 academic year. This semester also marks the first time the Analytics Challenge will be introduced to graduate students from North Carolina Central
University and Fayetteville State University.
“Diverse viewpoints and voices are necessary to develop any AI that is unbiased. FICO is doing something to address that need and working directly with students at HBCUs to encourage a more diverse future of data scientists. The Educational Analytics Challenge program not only empowers students to get a real-world experience with data analytics, but also to learn the fundamentals of building responsible, auditable and ethical AI models to protect and safely advance AI practices for future generations,” continued Zoldi in a press release.
PHOTO BY CHRISTINA MORILLO/PEXELS.COM
Twelve FSU seniors will participate in the FICO® Educational Analytics Challenge this spring, allowing them to gain real world experience in the field of data science.
Mini Medical School
CAMPBELL’S ‘MINI MEDICAL SCHOOL’ SET TO BEGIN MARCH 20
The Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM) will hold its 2025 Mini Medical School Program on Thursday evenings, March 20 through May 1.
The classes are 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Leon Levine Hall of Medical Sciences on the Health Sciences Campus, 4350 U.S. 421 S. in Lillington.
The Mini Medical School is an interactive medical school experience, which allows people in the community to experience a sampling of what full-time medical students see and do in class each day.
Attendees will learn why and how Campbell was created and the vision driving the school’s development. Community members will also have a chance to learn about and understand the importance of primary care in the U.S. healthcare system, how the medical curriculum is structured and how CUSOM plans to improve the distribution of primary care providers in North Carolina and the state’s Southeastern region, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Presented by Campbell medical faculty, other aspects of the program include information about the medical curriculum, the anatomy of the body, the importance of good health habits and wellness methods, disease prevention, health promotion and management of obesity and diabetes, as well as an understanding of osteopathic manipulative medicine as a special tool of osteopathic physicians.
“I really enjoyed learning about the mission of CUSOM at the Mini Medical School,” said a former student in a press release. “The faculty lectures were very challenging, giving us ‘students’ a little idea of what the medical students must learn. It was fun to experience the lab where the spinal adjustments are taught, learn how to intubate and assist in surgery.”
MMS students will experience the SIM (lab) Center by taking part in simulated exercises with the high technology manikins that can replicate a chaotic emergency room environment or ICU crisis or even a normal delivery. The use of ultrasound-assisted diagnosis as a clinical skill is part of these exercises.
The course will include an over-
view of geriatric medicine, the effects of osteoporosis, successful aging, managing chronic diseases and the importance of medication management.
In the past, the Mini Medical School has also been used to give the students of the Campbell University medical school a chance to teach.
The summer of 2024 saw high school students from throughout eastern North Carolina taking part in the inaugural, one-day event for ninthto 12th-graders.
Dr. Elizabeth Gignac, chair of Simulation & Clinical Education and chair of Emergency Medicine at the med school shared that it was a day that allowed the students to explore medical school with medical students as mentors and teachers.
The medical students either guided students through some of the eight learning stations or led group tours around the Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine.
“They had eight different activities,” said Gignac in a press release , who also helped to oversee the program. “They learned CPR. They learned to use medical instruments
like otoscopes and ophthalmoscopes. They got to do simulation cases with a pediatric manikin and an adult manikin. We had an osteopathic manipulative medicine (station) and an ultrasound station. They were pretty busy.”
The high school students also got an idea of what happens in an operating room. They learned how doctors manage a patient’s breathing and airways and about an automated external defibrillator, used to treat people suffering cardiac arrest.
In the 9,000 square-foot simulation center, students got hands-on experience, using the high-tech manikins in a hospital environment, including operating and emergency rooms, an intensive care unit and a birthing suite, as well as virtual ultrasound and multipurpose simulation rooms.
“While they were here, we also gave them a little bit of an introduction to the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences programs and some of the other opportunities here at Campbell,” Gignac said in a press release.
Students, too, learned about
osteopathic medicine, which is a unique, holistic approach toward helping prevent and treat illness and injury. As of 2025, Campbell has the only osteopathic medical school in North Carolina.
Gignac said the feedback was universally positive.
“They loved it, I think they really enjoyed that it was a lot of doing, a lot of hands-on. They enjoyed interacting with the medical students and being able to ask questions to people who were in their shoes not that long ago,” she said.
Students are encouraged to attend at least three class sessions to graduate from Mini Medical School. For more information, contact Kristin Johnson at kljohnson@campbell.edu, or 910-893-7982.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY
The Mini Medical School is an interactive medical school experience, which allows people in the community to experience a sampling of what full-time medical students see and do in class each day.
Solutions
Digital
Managed
Time for Your Business to Save with Time-of-Use Rates
As a small business, you can save money on your energy bills with PWC’s Time-of-Use billing. Power used during Peak Hours is billed at higher rates (just four hours a day), and power used during Off-Peak Hours is billed at 29% lower rates. During the winter schedule – from November 1 through March 31 – Peak Hours are weekdays from 6:00 am – 10:00 am. Some things you can do to shift your usage and conserve power during Peak Hours:
• Use a programmable “smart” thermostat to keep your heat at the lowest comfortable temperature during Peak Hours and avoid allowing employees to adjust thermostats. Consider setting the schedule to preheat your building(s) during Off-Peak Hours (before 6:00 am), then lower the heat from 6:00 – 10:00 in the morning.
• Schedule non-essential equipment to run during Off-Peak Hours. When possible, schedule required equipment to run sequentially (not concurrently) during Peak Hours.
• Educate your employees on Time-of-Use, encouraging them turn off lighting and equipment they don’t need during Peak Hours and perform non-urgent, high energy-use tasks after 10:00 am.
• The Whole Business (Super Off-Peak) Rate will not be affected by the change to Winter TOU.
For more details on PWC’s
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
2nd Slice Inc.
2908 Westshore Court
Fayetteville Agent: Munawar Bhatti
MISS POLLY LLC
6805 Jacobs Creek Circle
Fayetteville Agent: Ronald Trotter
Signature Homes LLC 3902 Barnsdale Dr Wade
Agent: Christopher William Godfrey
TONY TUAN HOANG LLC
3071 N MAIN ST
Hope Mills
Agent: TUAN LE ANH HOANG
Beyond Basic Plant Company LLC 6112 Lochview Drive
Fayetteville Agent: Sonia
Fayetteville Agent: BossLady Corporate Services LLC
CTDITC LLC 6380 Cliffdale Rd Suite 27057
Sheri Sledge
Capitol Roofing Solutions LLC 6791 Santa Fe Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Kevin Kane
Grand County Glass Company LLC 4216
Murchison Rd
Fayetteville Agent: Laura Calhoun
Prima Elements Consulting Firm LLC 124 Anderson Street
Fayetteville Agent: Hilda Burgos
Brooks Renovations LLC 747 Poole Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Donald Overstreet Jr Ea
S.M.A. Housing Associates LLC
429 Person St. Suite 1-A
Fayetteville Agent: Demetra Hayes
Raymi Construction LLC 521 Cedar Creek Road
Fayetteville Agent: Franklin Eugene Mock
SE Global Operations LLC 1033 Hickory Street
Fayetteville Agent: Ashley Watson
EverPro Painting LLC 3620 Legion Rd Ste 105
Hope Mills Agent: Derrick Ray Carter
McDowell Commercial Solutions LLC 145 Wading Creek Lane Apt 202
Fayetteville Agent: Corey L McDowell
Parking OutDoors LLC 439 Westwood Shopping Center PMB #151
Fayetteville Agent: Micheal Bernard Parker Berkshire Beckham Capital Investments II LLC 2517 Raeford Road
SUITE A
Fayetteville Agent: Richard A GALT
Helton Geysers LLC 6821 WIMBLEDON CIR APT 104
Fayetteville Agent: Dante Helton
Tier 1 Coatings LLC 246 Courtyard Ln
Fayetteville Agent: Kristopher C Hollon
RR JAHAN HOLDINGS LLC 4628
Weaverhall Dr
Fayetteville Agent: MIZANUR RAHMAN
JS Medical Training and Nursing Services PLLC 1822 Ellie Avenue
Fayetteville Agent: Jackie Shorter
Shree Krishna Selma of NC Inc
1957 Cedar Creek Rd
Fayetteville Agent: Nilay Shah
Equixza Enterprises LLC 234 Nairn Street
Fayetteville Agent: RHONDA M BEAVER
Long Smith and Repair L.L.C.
525 Stoneway Ct
Fayetteville Agent: Daniel C Long
1StopBusinessSolutions LLC
7030 Hypony TRL Parkton Agent: Eric Phillip Cossett
Spa Chicks LLC 3010 Valentina Way #306
Fayetteville Agent: Tiana Whittlesey
Skyline Roofing and Repairs LLC 414 Vista Drive
Fayetteville Agent: Luke Michael McCorquodale
Weber Bloom LLC
720 Piper Farm Road
Fayetteville Agent: Catina Rhinehart
Branham Real Estate Services L.L.C
2721
Thorngrove Court
Fayetteville Agent: Lydia R Branham
Graybeard Analytics LLC 609 Greenland Drive
Fayetteville Agent: Kevin Charles Sullivan Healing Touch Home Care Agency LLC of Fayetteville 922 Brighton Rd
Fayetteville Agent: Felicia Annette Fauntroy
B and H Fabrication LLC 4734 Belford Rd
Fayetteville Agent: Bryce G Zoch
JM Distribution LLC 605 German St
Fayetteville Agent: All
Accurate Accounts LLC
Gore Property Group Management LLC
100 Hay St Suite 704 #1062
Fayetteville Agent: Darian Gore
Big Gains Collective LLC 3505 Lancers Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Constance Fuller
Sandhills Scuba LLC 3838
Glencorra Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Daniel Travieso
Foothill Development Company LLC 5651 Duncan street Hope Mills Agent: Dyniesha Roberts
Toastys Co LLC 5075
Morganton Rd STE 10C
Fayetteville Agent: Aliaahil Lilywala
Visionary Cargo Carriers LLC 401
Tradewinds Dr Apt G
Fayetteville Agent: Jamec Dre’Qua Bracey
THE BUZZZED MOBILE BAR & COFFEE HOUSE LLC
100 HAY ST STE 704
Fayetteville Agent: GARY FISHER
Ray's Vending Services LLC
212 Kumquat Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Monica Ray teacherbot. help LLC
204 N Cool Spring St
Fayetteville Agent: Andrew Page Norris
Ana MacDowell Life Coaching LLC
7365 Mariners Landing Drive
Fayetteville Agent: Ana MacDowell
425 Consulting Group LLC
2712 Altgero Avenue
Fayetteville Agent: Michael Hines
Blue Waves Therapy LLC
429 Person St. Suite 1-A
Fayetteville Agent: BossLa -
dy Corporate Services LLC
Shreeji Donuts of Kinston LLC
3771 Ramsey Street Suite 110
Fayetteville Agent: Parimal Patel
Orangeshell LLC
850 Shannon Dr
Fayetteville Agent: James Patrick Siebo Compassionate Healthcare LLC
4620 Storm Cat Lane
Hope Mills Agent: Samuel
Doty Siebo
Gator Golden Creation
L.L.C
2920 Franzia Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Lamaemm Mathis
Mixmania LLC
3920 HEIDELBERG DR
Hope Mills
Agent: KATELYNN PARKER
Prestige Wellness and Health LLC
6493 Green Meadow Rd
Fayetteville Agent: James Melvin Smith Sr
Commercial Warehouse Solutions LLC
902 Southern Ave Ste C
Fayetteville Agent: Benjamin H Anthony Jr.
CREAM Holdings LLC
5969 Tamworth Court
Fayetteville Agent: Michael Shawn Glaspie II
JC Vinyl Exteriors LLC
6717 Jacobs Creek Cir.
Fayetteville Agent: Juan Carlos Vizarreta Vasquez
LWood Media Group LLC 2000 Ft Bragg Rd Suite 3
Fayetteville Agent: Taylor Lake Wood
BP Custom Homes Inc
604 Brisbane Ct
Fayetteville Agent: Matthew P Bellanger
Byrd's A/C
Heating & Construction LLC 429 Person St.
Suite 1-A
Fayetteville Agent: BossLady Corporate Services LLC
Burnard Elite Services LLC
100 Hay St. Suite 704
Fayetteville Agent: Keith Black Monroe's Cleaning Service LLC 439 Westwood Shopping Center
Fayetteville Agent: Samuel Monroe Jr
ASVS L.L.C. 6427 Cliffdale Road Building #5
Fayetteville Agent: Viranda Deshields
Davidson's Kitchen LLC 6767
Buttermere Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Michael Davidson
TK Investment Holdings LLC 3808 Madison Ave
Fayetteville Agent: Tevin Anthony Kirkman
Schraders Appliance Rental L.L.C.
605 Townsend Street
Fayetteville Agent: Jason Derek Schrader Bills Hauling LLP 4240 Deadwyler Dr.
Fayetteville Agent: Daron
Clayton Bill
HJS Construction LLC 105 Sunnyside Rd
Parkton Agent: Hilda Solano
Sonny's Sons LLC 1375 Yellow Ribbon Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Kristian Keith Harmon
ThuyDu Cafe LLC 713 Emeline Ave
Fayetteville Agent: An Thu H Chu
Southeastern Prep Elite Sports LLC 3725 Heather Brooke Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Technical Group Alpha LLC
Prayer and Faith Worship Center -
Church 2741 Meadowmont Ln
Fayetteville Agent: Rodger Sims Sr
Luminous Skincare LLC.
6415 Brookstone Lane Suite # 103
Fayetteville Agent: Maria Castillo-Powell Dr
Blush and Boots Foundation Inc.
2304 Wingate Road #48368
Cumberland Agent: Nicole Limongiello
BRITANY J BEAUTY LLC 1823 Daphne Circle
Fayetteville Agent: SHACONNA JEMMOTT
Grand Good LLC 241 Hulon St
Hope Mills
Agent: Candice Rae Barnhill
OPSEC Investigations LLC 7538 Hargrove Ct.
Fayetteville Agent: Robert Edward Sheehan
Sound Construction Company LLC 2557
Ravenhill Drive Ste 1B
Fayetteville Agent: Nicholas B Brown
Booked and Busy Book Club
375 Kimberwicke Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Daria Bonds
Dopp's Flooring & Handyman Services LLC
3932 Hunting Path Drive
Hope Mills Agent: Justin Dopp
Mule Driver LLC 1907 lyon road
Fayetteville Agent: Scott Shipley
Miracle Cleaning Hands LLC 3854 Standardbred Dr
Hope Mills
Agent: Donna Mewborn Flowers Lemon Michelle Gaddy LLC 4372 Cameo Court
Fayetteville
Agent: Lemon Michelle Gaddy
Johnathan Rice
Roofing & Restoration LLC 3502 Seawell Street
Fayetteville Agent: johnathan rice
ZeroTurn Lawncare Co LLC
4024 Windy Fields Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Craig Lamar Coleman Goddess of Wings LLC 705 Glen Reilly Drive
Fayetteville Agent: Donna Evans Odom
Brinson's Delights LLC 312 Jefferson drive
Fayetteville Agent: LaWanda Patrice
Brinson Khloe Killshot LLC 2620 Bragg Blvd Ste D Fayetteville Agent: Beyah's Accounting & Tax Service LLC
Versatility of Success LLC 1715 Bixley Dr
Fayetteville
Agent: Michelle Kingsberry Glapion
The Quencher Tavern LLC
719 Starling St.
Fayetteville Agent: Richard Francis O'Connor
Authentic Beauty LLC
214 Mason Street
Fayetteville
Agent: Clara Cathryn Hubbard Son Quality L.L.C. 1436
Marlborough Rd
Fayetteville Agent: Jeffrey Thomas Dayton
Nymphadora Tales LLC 3821 Glencorra Drive
Fayetteville Agent: Matthew David Baity
Village-Lumber RE LLC
2028 Litho Place Suite
300
Fayetteville Agent: Anuj James DDS
NC Contract Place of Perfor mance -
of Defense
BROADWELL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS