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In Profile
IN PROFILE REGION IN FOCUS: BRUNSIWCK COUNTY
Helping to manage change
BY CECE NUNN R andell Woodruff likes change. “I’m not afraid to step out and try something different. I think that keeps your career interesting,” said Woodruff, the manager of Brunswick County since October, a helm he was offered after serving as Pender County manager for four years.
Coming from a nearby county in the Cape Fear region’s tri-county area of Brunswick, Pender and New Hanover has helped Woodruff in his latest role.
Steve Stone, deputy county manager who has been a part of Brunswick County’s government for two decades, said recently, “There’s enough similarity between his prior job, and he knew all of the key players here. He really did hit the ground running. I’ve been very impressed. He’s been a great guy to work with.” Woodruff had the same to say about the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners.
“This is very challenging work, when you’re working with the public and working with elected officials. We’re lucky here,” Woodruff said. “We have a very engaged board that is very professional. They do a lot of good things.”
Another of Woodruff’s impressions of the five-member board, which includes Randy Thompson, Marty Cooke, Pat Sykes, Mike Forte and Chairman Frank Williams, is that they are unique.
“They really like what they’re doing. They like that public interaction,” he said.
It can be tricky, responding to the public’s needs.
“You’ve got to realize when you’re working with the public, you can’t please everybody and make everybody happy,” Woodruff said, “but you still listen to them and accept their ideas.”
Woodruff, who lives with his wife in Leland and has three adult daughters, replaced Ann Hardy. Hardy retired as manager of Brunswick County after six years in the role. Before serving as Pender County’s manager from 2015 to 2019, Woodruff served as the manager of Beaufort County from 2011 to 2015 and Camden County from 2003-= to 2011. He began his career with the N.C. Division of Adult Probation and Parole.
He really did hit the ground running. I’ve been very impressed. He’s been a great guy to work with.” Stever Stone deputy manager Brunswick County “
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLINE SPENCER Managing to lead: Randell Woodruff became Brunswick County manager in October, taking the Brunswick helm after serving as Pender County manager from 2015 to 2019.
Born in Roanoke Rapids, Virginia, Woodruff grew up in Emporia, a town in southern Virginia. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Barton College (formerly Atlantic Christian College) in Wilson, North Carolina, and a master’s degree in public administration from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
“I was an adult probation officer when I got out of college and did that for about 10 years or so,” Woodruff said.
He then made the acquaintance of the Lee County manager, who put him in charge of the county’s department of youth and family services.
“It involved programs for youth as well, not just adult offenders,” Woodruff said “I did that for a number of years and really liked it. And I found that county government was much more efficient than the state government and less bureaucratic and just could get things done quicker.”
He started helping the Lee County manager’s office with certain tasks, including the board’s retreats and other special projects.
“I really got interested in that, and that was the first time I had in my life ever thought about county administration as far as being a county manager,” he said.
But a person doesn’t just one day decide to become a county manager and catapult to one of the fastest growing counties in the U.S. Camden County had a population of 10,000 when Woodruff was manager.
In addition to his experience in other counties, Woodruff’s professional development activities have included completing the county/municipal government administration program and the basic public personnel law and administration program through the University of North Carolina School of Government and the University of Virginia’s Senior Executive Institute.
For Brunswick County, Woodruff has several goals.
“The main goals that I have are to first off build on what Ann Hardy left in a place here because you know she had done a fantastic job for a number of years with really, really strong financial management. So that’s, to me, the main, ultimate priority.”
But keeping the county in good financial health is not the only focus for Woodruff.
“Being one of the largest, fastest growing counties in the state and in the nation, we’ve got to try to do our best to stay ahead and keep out with this growth,” he said.
Thousands of people are moving to Brunswick County each year, a trend that is expected to continue over the next two decades. Many of the new residents are retirees.
“We’re blessed that we have a large retirement community here and that we continue to attract them,” Woodruff said.
In his hiring announcement, Williams said, “Randell Woodruff is an experienced, proven county manager who understands the unique challenges associated with leading a fast-growing, diverse coastal county.”
EASTERN METAL WORKS INC. 6748 Market St., Unit 4, Wilmington
No. of employees: Not disclosed for competitive reasons Year founded: 1983 Top local official: Thomas C. Meyers Sr., CEO Company description: Eastern Metal Works Inc. is a locally owned and operated business. The company is a wholesale manufacturer that designs, develops and makes marine tools and equipment for recreational and commercial fishermen. Products made locally: Handcrafted marine tools and equipment, including rod anchors, fishing gigs, clam rakes and aluminum handles Product distribution: Eastern Metal Works’ primary customers are retail tackle and hardware stores in the United States with a focus on small- to mid-sized businesses. The company also sells its products online at easternmetalworksinc.com. What made the company decide to make goods locally? Michael Sanderson Jr., administrative assistant: “Eastern Metal Works Inc. values hard work and quality products made in the USA. Since the beginning, our products were manufactured in North Carolina. The company
started with making clam rakes in Harkers Island and moved to Wilmington in 1994. The move to Wilmington was motivated by the growth of the area and offered the room the company needed to expand. One surprise the company encountered after coming to Wilmington was the need for ornamental iron and aluminum gates, handrails, artwork and metal designs.” What’s your target market? Sanderson: “We primarily sell to small businesses on the East and Gulf coasts. Starting in 2020 we opened our e-commerce site to sell to consumers anywhere in North America.” What’s planned next? Sanderson: “As we continue to grow the company, our CEO Thomas C. Meyers Sr. continues to lead the charge in many aspects here at Eastern Metal Works Inc. We do have a few new products in production with three scheduled for release this spring. One of those products is an extremely durable stainless-steel dip net with six variations. “In addition, the company is also making efforts to produce sea turtle- and fish-saving products for as many commercial and recreational fishers as possible. Working with representatives from NOAA and state marine fisheries, we hope to offset the effects of overfishing and aid in the recovery efforts of the ecosystem by developing new products to change the way catch and release affects sea life.”
Small businesses respond to virus | IN THE NEWS |
BY CHRISTINA HALEY O’NEAL E dge of Urge in downtown Wilmington closed its doors to customers March 16 in the name of social distancing, but was encouraging customers to shop online, on top of a number of other initiatives to keep things rolling as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact local businesses.
Some small businesses in the Wilmington area, like Edge of Urge, a clothing and accessory store, are considering alternate plans as consumer demand is shifting. Meanwhile, others are already seeking help to lessen the financial impact that coronavirus measures and their disruption of foot traffic could have on sales.
Both Edge of Urge stores (the other is in Raleigh) are closed, Jess Oxendine, Edge of Urge’s Wilmington store manager, said March 16. “We don’t know when we will reopen,” Oxendine said. “We’re really, as I’m sure many businesses are, just trying to figure out what we can do to
PHOTO BY CECE NUNN Closing call: Clothing and accessory store Edge of Urge closed its doors for an unknown period in downtown Wilmington and Raleigh in an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
still stay afloat and keep people safe.” Although Edge of Urge has shut its physical location at 18 Market St. in Wilmington, the business was using different ways to encourage its online orders. The store is offering free shipping on domestic orders and offering pick-up at its doorstep or porch deliveries within a reasonable distance from the downtown loca
tion, Oxendine said.
And more moves to keep the business going may be coming.
“We’re just making decisions as the time goes on,” Oxendine said, adding that the store will push updates on its Instagram.
Communications have already started at the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) at the University of North Carolina Wilmington on small business loans in the wake of the virus. A presumptively positive case emerged in Brunswick County on March 13. There had been no confirmed cases as of March 16 of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, in New Hanover County, but the state had 40 cases by the morning of March 17, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
Some SBTDC clients have already been in contact about the coronavirus and the SBA disaster loan process, said Heather McWhorter, regional director of the SBTDC, located
at 803 S. College Road, Suite A in Wilmington at UNCW’s campus. The SBTDC at UNCW serves Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, Onslow, Pender and New Hanover counties, and is connected with the UNCW Cameron School of Business.
“Mostly they’re responding.” McWhorter said, “Because they know their sales are going to drop and so they are trying to get ahead of it by applying for a federal loan, but what we have to do on our side is map out the drop in sales,” she said, adding that it’s still too early to apply for the economic injury disaster loan. McWhorter encouraged small businesses to go to the SBTDC website for information or email the organization at UNCW@sbtdc.org. “We’re here to help small businesses in our community with continuity planning and helping them to get access to capital,” she said.
Gov. Roy Cooper on March 16 requested that the SBA grant a disaster declaration for business owners in North Carolina facing economic losses due to the coronavirus, according to a news release. The governor declared a state of emergency on March 10. If granted, the SBA’s declaration would provide disaster loans to impacted businesses to help fulfill financial obligations and operating expenses, stated the release.
There are several other resources for businesses in the wake of the coronavirus.
And the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce has sent out a survey to gather information on assisting businesses in preparation for the coronavirus.
It recently sent out a survey to gauge how businesses are preparing for or managing the impacts of the virus and what resources might be needed in response. The survey can be taken by members online.
“The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce will continue to provide resources to chamber members throughout the coronavirus pandemic via email, in our weekly newsletter and through the business advocacy work we do,” said Megan Mullins, vice president of marketing and communication the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber also plans to be active in spotlighting member businesses using its social media channels, she said. “Our first Digital Chamber Connections was hosted on Facebook Live today,” Mullins said March 16. “Members can expect more innovation like this from us as we navigate through this situation.”
Julia’s Florist Owner and President Dana Cook has already started implementing her “Plan B” at her flower arrangement and delivery shop, located at 900 S. Kerr Ave.
The floral shop is including alcohol swabs and a message to customers about the extra precautions the firm is taking because of the virus. “It’s just a little extra confidence that all is well, doing business with Julia’s Florist,” Cook said.
She is also taking precautions with employees, having their temperature taken before clocking in, as well as watching for symptoms.
Cook said she is working on a plan to deal with a situation where the business would have to close for a time, finding ways to take care of her 18-member full-time staff and salaries.
“I am battling with the same dilemmas that so many business owners are battling with; that, [what] if we do find that we have the virus here?” Cook said. Because the business is a delivery-driver service, Cooks said that there is, however, an advantage to being able to provide services to her customers.
Along with conducting business as usual as much as possible, Cook said she is also finding ways, with any lull in business, to give back to the community. The business has already signed on to help SkyWatch Bird Rescue in Castle Hayne with using its delivery trucks to bring food to the organization, which helps rehabilitate wildlife.
“I’m just trying to be very, very prepared,” Cook said. “I don’t like surprises and I’m doing everything in my power to eliminate them.”
The plan B at the SBDTC is to meet virtually online, McWhorter said, adding, “what we do across the desk can be on the computer.”
Should the UNCW location close, McWhorter said she has an alternate location in the community to meet. “People should continue to support the small businesses in our community as they can, whether it’s buying a gift card or … shopping at an online retail outlet,” she said. “We just have to keep things going while we’re staying at our social distances.”
1 1 t h a n n u a l
Proceeds to benef it the pender county humane society
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