On the menu
French chef joins Cut & Pour Page 27
April 15 - May 5, 2022 Vol. 23, No. 8
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WEB EXCLUSIVE
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City, county leadership changes wilmingtonbiz.com
Tour guides
Black-owned businesses draw visitors Page 5
Live wire
Building a music scene Page 10
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLINE SPENCER
Index Economic Indicators .............................. 3 Technology ............................................. 4 Hospitality ............................................. 5 The List ............................................7, 24 In Profile...............................................10 Real Estate ..........................................14 Business of Life.............................. 26-27
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PFAS filtering: CFPUA executive director Kenneth Waldroup stands on the edge of one of the utility’s new 26-foot deep granular activated carbon deep-bed filtration basins, which are being installed as part of a $42 million enhancement project at the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant.
CLEAN TAPS AHEAD NEW FACILITY TO QUENCH REGION’S THIRST FOR SAFER WATER BY JOHANNA F. STILL ive years after the front-page discovery of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances present in alarming amounts in the Wilmington region’s public water supply, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority will have an enhanced system in place capable of filtering them out, nearly to the point of non-detection. In June, Cape Fear Public Utili-
F
ty Authority (CFPUA) will engage its new deep-bed granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration system at the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant. By August, utility officials expect the process to be fully dialed in, capable of removing at least 90% of PFAS, the emerging contaminants in present in the raw water pulled from the Cape Fear River. The results mean all 190,000 of CFPUA’s year-round customers will soon have access to drinking water – a welcome scenario, considering the region’s decades-long exposure to the so-called “forever chemicals.” Even without the new GAC setup online, Sweeney is regarded as one of the most advanced treatment systems in the state, according to CFPUA executive director Kenneth Waldroup, who joined the utility last summer from the city of Raleigh’s public utilities department.
When he first moved to Wilmington, Waldroup said he told his wife they would soon have no need for their Brita filter. “I told her, ‘When this new facility goes online, we can toss it,’” he said. “We’re building a facility that has 3 million pounds of the same material that’s in your pitcher.” Sweeney’s eight new GAC beds are massive – a dizzying 26 feet deep. Still under construction, the facility is essentially a super-sized version of the utility’s current biological filtration process, which CFPUA officials refer to as the “little filters.” The 14 little filters, in place prior to the June 2017 GenX revelations, are currently reducing PFAS levels by about 35%, according to Carel Vandermeyden, CFPUA’s director of treatment and engineering services. Each of the new “big filters” will See WATER, page 8
Page 2
April 15 -May 5, 2022
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Greater Wilmington Business Journal
She means business. And we’re here to help. Women-owned businesses power the American economy, employing more than 9 million people and creating revenue at nearly 5 times the average.* We’re proud to help them go even further by: •
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“I’m also proud that Bank of America walks the walk when it comes to hiring, supporting and promoting women within our walls. Our board of directors is 50% diverse, including 6 female directors. Our workforce is half women, just like Coastal North Carolina. And our management team is more than half diverse, including 7 female leaders.” Derek Cohen President, Bank of America Coastal North Carolina
What would you like the power to do?® Learn more at bankofamerica.com/coastalNC
*Source: The State of Women-Owned Businesses Report: Summary of Key Trends, American Express, 2019. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender © 2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.
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Page 3
| ECONOMIC INDICATORS | FEBRUARY AIRPORT PASSENGER TRAFFIC
FEBRUARY UNEMPLOYMENT NEW HANOVER FEBRUARY 2022:
PENDER FEBRUARY 2022:
BRUNSWICK FEBRUARY 2022:
DOWN FROM FEBRUARY 2021:
DOWN FROM FEBRUARY 2021:
DOWN FROM FEBRUARY 2021:
5.2%
5.1%
7.5%
JANUARY SALES TAX COLLECTION (NEW HANOVER COUNTY)
SALES TAX COLLECTION JANUARY 2022
3.2% 3.3% 5.1%
$28,495,501 UP FROM SALES TAX COLLECTION JANUARY 2021 FEBRUARY 2022 DEPARTURES
FEBRUARY 2022 ARRIVALS
27,373
26,525
UP FROM FEBRUARY 2021 DEPARTURES
UP FROM FEBRUARY 2021 ARRIVALS
15,804
14,826
Source: N.C. Department of Commerce
Source: Wilmington International Airport
MARCH MEDIAN HOME SALES PRICE
500 500
400K
400 400
$364,900
50K
$318,600
100K
$282,000
300K
150K
Residential Commercial
350K
200K
Source: N.C. Department of Revenue
MONTHLY BUILDING PERMITS (BRUNSWICK COUNTY)
(SINGLE-FAMILY, TRI-COUNTY AREA)
250K
$23,967,962
2020
2021
2022
300 300
FEBRUARY 2022
200 200 100 100
00
2/21
Source: Cape Fear Realtors
JANUARY ROOM OCCUPANCY TAX
221
3/21
321
4/21
421
5/21
521
6/21
621
7/21
721
8/21
821
9/21
921
10/21
1021
11/21
1121
12/21
1221
1/22
122
2/22
222
Source: Brunswick County Code Administration
PORT OF WILMINGTON TOTAL CONTAINER VOLUME (CONTAINER MOVES)
$581,196
$824,678
(NEW HANOVER COUNTY)
2021
2022
2021
Source: Wilmington 2022 CVB
July 2021 - Feb. 2022
104,137
AVERAGE PRICE PER GALLON FOR REGULAR UNLEADED IN WILMINGTON ON APRIL 7, 2022:
July 2020 - Feb. 2021
$3.93
110,403
AVERAGE PRICE PER GALLON FOR WILMINGTON ON APRIL 7, 2021: Source: Port of Wilmington
$2.68 Source: AAA
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April 15 -May 5, 2022
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Greater Wilmington Business Journal
| TECHNOLOGY |
Crime fighters grow tech tools
T
o keep the Wilmington community safe and provide a convenient way to communicate with residents, the Wilmington Police Department has been adopting more technology-based platforms over the past few years. This includes JOHANNA the recent launch of the Mobile News/Public Information Officer (PIO) units, which are SUVs branded with QR codes for people to scan and download an app to submit anonymous tips. The goal of the units is to increase the visibility of PIOs at police crime scenes and encourage the community to send tips. “We are always looking for new ways to engage the public and to increase our visibility. The SUVs allow us to be easily identified by local media outlets at crime scenes and are also a great tool to use at community events,” said Brandon Shope, communications specialist with the Wilmington Police Department, in an email. One of the ways the city’s police department has provided a method for sending in anonymous tips is through the text-a-tip program it launched years ago. This was a way to continue to build partnerships with the community, Shope said. “Our officers work daily to keep our community safe. As technology evolves, so do we,” he said. “We wanted to provide citizens with an alternative method to sending in tips anonymously.” The text-a-tip program has evolved into the Wilmington NC PD app, which WPD launched in November 2020. The application, available for download for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play, allows users to submit tips, receive crime alerts and other community information and view WPD’s social media and online content. Residents can still submit anonymous tips via text by sending the keyword WPDNC with the tip to 847411. Through the app, users can submit a tip using their location and attach a photo or video as well as customize alerts. A key feature of the app is that it uses technology to remove any identifying information on the sender.
INFO J U N K I E Douglas J. Wood Senior counsel, Reed Smith LLP
CANO
PHOTO C/O WILMINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Evolving force: The Wilmington Police Departments has been adopting more technology-based platforms, as advertised on one of its vehicles.
“We do not see who sends us the tips; all of that information is scrubbed completely,” Shope said. “Our STING Center is able to communicate with the tipster directly in a 100% anonymous way.” The app was developed by tip411, a company that provides web-based products including custom, agency-branded apps for law enforcement. Shope said many community members have downloaded the app and it has assisted the police department with solving crimes through the years, such as larcenies, hit-andruns and homicides. Another piece of technology WPD has recently adopted is the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) Program from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The program automates ballistics evaluations and provides timely investigative leads. The ATF describes the program as the only interstate automated ballistic imaging network in operation in the U.S. The program allows law enforcement to share ballistic imaging technology from shell casings recovered from crime scenes and firearm testing. When a projectile travels down a cylinder it leaves grooves on the projectile that are specific to each gun. Shell casing analysis can help
determine if bullets have been fired from the same gun. “To use NIBIN, firearms examiners or technicians enter cartridge casing evidence into the Integrated Ballistic Identification System. These images are correlated against the database. Law enforcement can search against evidence from their jurisdiction, neighboring ones, and others across the country,” the TAF website states. “This program is one investigative tool accessed by law enforcement that allows each of us to share information and cooperation easily making all of us more effective in closing cases.” Traditionally, firearm examiners performed this process manually, which, according to officials, is extremely labor-intensive. Collaboration, among law enforcement and with local communities, is important for solving crimes. “The police department cannot solve crimes alone. It takes the entire community working together to combat crime and identify offenders,” Shope said. The department sees technology as a tool for reaching out to the community. “We are always looking out for new innovations,” Shope said, “and these are just a few examples of how WPD is working to think outside of the box to combat crime.”
Wood is an entertainment and media lawyer with a global law firm, representing marketers, producers, studios and performers. He is also a published novelist, and his latest book “Blood on the Bayou,” was released this month. Technology is critical to performing legal services, Wood said. This includes online meetings with clients and colleagues as well as research, blogging and other outreach. “As a novelist, technology offers a research platform to support the subject matters and plots of my books,” he said. Newspapers he reads include StarNews, The New Yorker, The Economist, Cigar Aficionado, New York Post, The New York Times, The Journal and ABA Journal. Favorite websites include Only In Your State – North Carolina. “As a new resident (arrived in mid2020), it offers an informative and fascinating history of the state and places to visit.” Other websites include This Week in Space Review and Atlas Obscura, for info on unusual travel options. Favorite podcasts include The Way I Heard It, HISTORY This Week and Mobituaries with Mo Rocca. As a mystery junkie, Wood enjoys watching crime dramas and mysteries including Bosch, Happy Valley, Fargo and Ozark, as well as CBS News Sunday Morning. Favorite books include fiction by Tom Clancy, John Grisham, Robert Ludlum and James Patterson. A digital device recommendation is a TONGVEO Ultra UHD 4K webcam for virtual meetings. Find Wood on douglasjwood.com and LinkedIn @djwood1976.
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Page 5
| HOSPITALITY |
Offerings highlight area’s Black history
V
isitors and locals can learn more about Black history and culture, as well as support local Black-owned businesses, in interesting and delicious ways. A good place to start is with a healthy treat from Kalethy Living, a 2-year-old business run by LAURA Brian Royses and his wife, Sandi. While not everyone can be healthy all the time, the Royes want to help their customers be healthy some of the time with their smoothies, bowls and toasts in the Target shopping center in Wilmington. “No matter who you are, you need to remember to include something healthy in your life. Just don’t forget to do it,” Brian Royes said. “When people come to Wilmington, and hear about the local places, more than anything, we want to be one of those places.” Aiming to connect with their customers while catering to food allergies and dietary needs, the Royeses are committed to their passion for hospitality by creating a place where everyone is welcome. “Part of our culture is knowing names and orders. You are treated just as you would be if you came into our home,” Brian Royes said. “It is genuine. We want to make you feel welcome.” After being fueled by a healthy treat, head downtown to enjoy “Common Roots, Many Branches,” an exhibition featuring works from the National Alliance of Artists from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. “Interestingly enough, at this point in time, we have the largest amount of African American artwork in Wilmington,” said Rhonda Bellamy, executive director of the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County. The arts council, in collaboration with Live Oak Bank’s small business center Channel, features an exhibit of more than 100 pieces of art created by professors and students from HBCUs at both Channel at 106 Market St. and Gallery Verrazzano at theArtWorks, 200 Willard St. through April 30. The Cameron Art Museum is another place to view art by Black
MOORE
PHOTO C/O CEDRIC HARRISON
Touring history: Wilmington native Cedric Harrison created the WilmingtoNColor tour bus to focus on equity and Black history.
artists, including Elizabeth Catlett, Faith Ringgold and Kara Walker. Catlett is known for her commitment, in art and life, to social justice. Ringgold, born in 1930 in Harlem, New York, is a painter, mixed-media sculptor, performance artist, writer, teacher and lecturer. New York-based artist Walker is known “for her candid investigation of race, gender, sexuality and violence through silhouetted figures that have appeared in numerous exhibitions worldwide,” according to her website. “These recent acquisitions deepen CAM’s commitment to diversity in our collection and continue strategic focus on collecting works on paper by contemporary artists,” museum executive director Anne Brennan said. These works were acquired and made part of CAM’s ever-growing permanent collection. They were voted on by Cameron Art Museum’s Compass Leadership Level Membership Group at a special acquisition program held at the museum March 10. Keep the cultural momentum going and hop on the WilmingtoNColor shuttle to learn more about the history of African Americans in Wilmington.
What began as a project centered on a educational coloring book has grown into a tribute to Black history in the Wilmington area. After Wilmington native Cedric Harrison had already “grown and graduated,” he decided to focus his energy on creating a solution to empower a younger generation. He initially used a coloring book as “a medium to get in front of the youth of Wilmingtonians.” Through grants and fellowships, including the All For NC Fellows, Harrison was awarded $75,000 to help better the lives of those in marginal communities. Harrison, who said he has a desire to accelerate the community in national tourism, was able to “bring in that presence to Wilmington” through the WilmingtoNColor tour bus focusing on equity and Black history. According to the WilmingtoNColor website, “On November 10, 1898, an angry mob of white supremacists led the only successful coup in America, where a massacre took place that wiped out the educated, rich and influential African American population.” Harrison’s goal is to educate the public about this event and its long-lasting consequences.
“This coup took away the roots of the academic and economic foundation of the Black community, and its effects still haunt the community today,” the website continued. The most important goal of the tour is “to connect the past with the present, in hopes of rebuilding a future that can reflect what Wilmington, North Carolina looked like before the events of 1898 took place,” Harrison said. Eventually, Harrison hopes to build a cultural center, where the tour can culminate at a legacy museum. The 10-person bus costs $35 per person, and arrangements can be made for pickup and drop-off locations. Harrison described that the tour provides “a full view of other people’s perspectives for those who care about equity and the national contributions that Black people have made not only in town, but in the nation.” Once the tour is complete, head back uptown for dinner by acclaimed chef Keith Rhodes at Catch. “I believe that Catch is special because it’s a homegrown, community-rooted restaurant. We reflect a sense of pride and we give back to our community,” said Angela Rhodes, Keith Rhodes’ wife. Catch supports local vendors, fishermen and oyster harvesters. Angela Rhodes explained that they maintain a level of excellence with customer service by educating and team-building with staff while serving great food. “There’s that hospitality factor that goes a long way, whether you’re a local or visiting. When you walk through those doors, you’re family,” she said. “We appreciate that you’ve taken the time to share good food and service.” Rhodes is proud of her husband’s accolades, but prouder of what they have built together. “As a Black-owned business, we bring a strong sense of family, commitment, discipline, humbleness and accomplishment. Chef works extremely hard; his accolades range from James Beard Foundation nominations, being on Top Chef and everything in between,” Angela Rhodes said. “He’ll never truly know how proud I am of him, how blessed we are to be able to work together and how everyday he wakes up and has the ability to make others happy through food.”
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| IN THE NEWS |
Thermo Fisher considers selling building STAFF REPORTS our months after officially acquiring Wilmington-headquartered PPD, Thermo Fisher Scientific announced it is exploring opportunities to sell Wilmington’s tallest building. The scientific service leader is embarking on a multi-year effort, which includes plans to seek new office space in Wilmington. The shift “will enable this business to better match current and future workspace needs with flexible work models,” Thermo Fisher shared in a press release April 11. Thermo Fisher’s move is indicative of an international trend of companies reassessing their use of office space in the context of rising remote capabilities. The company is currently in the early stage of considering new office space opportunities, according to a release, and “remains committed to Wilmington.” When the $17.4-billion acquisition closed in December 2021, the company shared no changes to facilities
F
FILE PHOTO
Real estate: Thermo Fisher Scientific might sell the former PPD headquarters building.
or locations were planned – though many real estate experts had speculated the building could serve alternative uses, given the often empty parking decks. Thermo Fisher even had PPD’s signature purple lettering removed from the building’s façade less than two weeks after the acquisition.
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The 12-story downtown building functioned as PPD’s corporate headquarters since it opened in 2007 and marked the beginning of an economic revival of the northern waterfront area downtown. David Johnston, Thermo Fisher’s senior vice president and president of clinical research, said a significant percentage of the company’s 1,700 Wilmington employees and prospective candidates prefer a hybrid working model. This involves coming into the office for collaboration purposes, “which necessitates more flexible workspaces and fewer dedicated offices.” “We have been proud of our Wilmington building since it opened in 2007 and, as we consider the evolving needs of our workforce and business, we believe this is the right time to establish a new location to serve our colleagues, customers and visitors,” Johnston said in a release. PPD was an early adopter of the remote working model and found the flexibility fostered high productivity
during the pandemic. “Our commitment to Wilmington as an employer and our involvement in the community remain stronger than ever and, through this relocation, we expect to continue to be a Wilmington growth story for years to come,” Johnston said. Thermo Fisher is a global science company that earns more than $40 billion in annual revenue with more than 100,000 employees. While PPD focused solely on clinical research services, Thermo Fisher provides services, manufactures products and sells equipment to life sciences and healthcare organizations. As of last summer, PPD reported having about 1,800 employees in the Cape Fear region among its global workforce of more than 30,000, which grew by 19% year-over-year in the third quarter, according to its latest earnings report. PPD started as a one-man consulting firm in 1985, founded by pharmacist Fred Eshelman, who moved to Wilmington the following year.
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| FROM THE COVER | 219 Station Road, Suite 202 Wilmington, NC 28405 (910) 343-8600 Fax: (910) 343-8660 wilmingtonbiz.com PUBLISHER Rob Kaiser rkaiser@wilmingtonbiz.com PRESIDENT Robert Preville rpreville@wilmingtonbiz.com EDITOR Vicky Janowski vjanowski@wilmingtonbiz.com
PFAS-RELATED EXPENDITURES PENDER CO.
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Carolyn Carver ccarver@wilmingtonbiz.com SENIOR MARKETING CONSULTANTS Maggi Apel mapel@wilmingtonbiz.com Craig Snow csnow@wilmingtonbiz.com MARKETING CONSULTANTS Courtney Barden cbarden@wilmingtonbiz.com Lauren Proff lproff@wilmingtonbiz.com Marian Welsh KEN mwelsh@wilmingtonbiz.com
LITTLE
DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST Braden Smith bsmith@wilmingtonbiz.com OFFICE & AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Sandy Johnson sjohnson@wilmingtonbiz.com EVENTS DIRECTOR Elizabeth Stelzenmuller events@wilmingtonbiz.com EVENTS/DIGITAL COORDINATOR Jamie Kleinman jkleinman@wilmingtonbiz.com CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Suzi Drake art@wilmingtonbiz.com DESIGN/MEDIA COORDINATOR Molly Jacques production@wilmingtonbiz.com MEDIA COORDINATOR Julia Jones jjones@wilmingtonbiz.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jenny Callison, Neil Cotiaux, Mark Darrough, Laura Moore FOUNDER Joy Allen SUBSCRIPTIONS To subscribe to the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, call (910) 343-8600 x201 or visit wilmingtonbiz.com. Subscriptions cost $9.95 per month or $95 per year. ADVERTISING For advertising information and rates, call (910) 343-8600 x204 © Copyright 2022 SAJ Media LLC
WRIGHTVILLE BEACH
BRUNSWICK CO.
LEGAL FEES
N/A
$2.6M
TBD
(Firm paid upon case resolution)
DECLINED TO PROVIDE
INFRASTRUCTURE EXPENSES
ASSISTANT EDITOR Cece Nunn cnunn@wilmingtonbiz.com REPORTER Johanna Cano jcano@wilmingtonbiz.com Johanna F. Still jstill@wilmingtonbiz.com
CFPUA
$79M
$48.1M
From WATER, page 1
hold about a half-million gallons, Vandermeyden said, where unwanted compounds will bind to the tiny crystalline grains of carbon through a process known as adsorption. Once open, Sweeney will become the largest GAC plant in North Carolina, Waldroup said. “We could fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool with granular activated carbon,” Waldroup said. New annual operating costs – all encumbered by filter replacements, not a need for new personnel – will vary depending on the CFPUA Board of Directors’ forthcoming direction. Frequent filter replacement could be more costly, as high as $3.6 million in the first year but would allow Sweeney’s deeper GAC beds to operate at peak performance. A lower-cost filter replacement option, at about $750,000 the first year, would result in less optimal but still enhanced PFAS treatment. Waldroup recommends the former option, but said he would rely on his board’s decision regarding their comfort level with the presence of unregulated compounds. The enhancement project will cost residential ratepayers an average $5 more per bill, a hard-fought reality CFPUA tried to avoid and is still aiming to rectify through litigation against DuPont and its spinoff, Chemours, the main companies that discharged the compounds into the watershed. Heralded for their nonstick abilities, PFAS have been linked to adverse health outcomes in humans and animals. “Unfortunately, this is the history of industrialization: We are constantly discovering new things that we want to bring to market,” Waldroup said. “And sometimes we move them to market so quickly that we fail to understand the environmental and human health impacts until many years later.”
$455K $167.3M
Across the Cape Fear region, local utilities and governments have or are budgeted to spend roughly $300 million to address PFAS, according to a Business Journal analysis (this count excludes legal fees expended on behalf of the region’s raw water utility provider, the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority, and Wrightsville Beach, which both aren’t being charged until a resolution is reached, and Brunswick County, which declined to share its numbers). This includes CFPUA’s at least $2.6 million in legal fees, $48 million in infrastructure upgrades; Pender County’s planned $79 million reverse osmosis system (of which PFAS removal is a secondary motivator, behind a need for additional capacity); Wrightsville Beach’s soon-to-be $455,000 in infrastructure changes prompted by PFAS contamination in one of its wells; and Brunswick County’s $167 million reverse osmosis (RO) system. Brunswick County’s new RO upgrades are about 40% complete, according to a county spokesperson, and will go online next summer, with full beneficial use projected in early 2024. Pender County’s RO plant, which will serve the Hampstead and Scotts Hill area, is planned to be constructed in the next five years, according to its utilities director. Except for Pender County, the utilities are jointly suing Chemours and DuPont in a federal suit first filed in 2017. Through this litigation, the utilities are demanding the polluter pay for the upgrades required to filter the potentially harmful substances the company created out of the water supply. Discovery begins in June, per a scheduling order entered last May – the latest item on the federal suit’s docket. “All we’re looking to do is to seek justice for our community and recompense for the cost that they’re having to
bear,” Waldroup said. CFPUA is also awaiting an N.C. Court of Appeals decision, contesting a district court’s 2020 ruling that denied its motion to intervene in the Cape Fear River Watch’s lawsuit against Chemours. That suit resulted in a 2018 consent order with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, mandating the company reduce its PFAS discharges – an agreement CFPUA called inadequate. Waldroup said CFPUA is open to settling the federal suit to recoup its costs. “We’ve been trying to engage Chemours in multiple arenas – not just in the litigative arena, but we will engage them in the public arena,” he said. “We want to demonstrate to them that it’s good business to come settle their case with us. They’re actively trying to improve their public persona.” In recent ads, Chemours has depicted itself as a “good neighbor” and promoted its planned barrier wall designed to block PFAS from reaching the river. The ads quickly sparked backlash from local officials. Chemours did not respond to a request for comment. “What we’re suggesting to Chemours is, if you’re truly a good neighbor, you want to be in the game for the long-haul, come resolve your outstanding liabilities with your neighbors downstream,” Waldroup said. Despite the unwanted position Chemours put CFPUA and its customers in, Waldroup looks forward to the utility getting to promote its ultra-clean product, as opposed to remaining stuck playing defense for a contamination crisis it didn’t cause. “We’re thinking about the mom and the kids. We’re thinking about the [Cape Fear Craft Beer Alliance] and the other folks. We’re thinking about all these fantastic restaurants across our service area,” he said. “That’s the customer that we want to be happy.”
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| IN PROFILE | Gunn turns up the volume BY JENNY CALLISON o many fans of live, alternative rock music in Wilmington, Beau Gunn is the music man. In the 14 years (and counting) of his career, he has become the force behind The Penguin, the managing hand of Daily Local Media and the impresario bringing live talent to the Hugh Morton Amphitheater at Greenfield Lake. It’s not everyone who can find work that matches his passion, but Gunn did so – right out of college at University of North Carolina Wilmington. “The trajectory started my senior year at UNCW, when I took an internship with The Penguin radio station. That got me set on a path of music I was always passionate about,” he said. “When The Penguin was going to celebrate its fifth birthday on Aug. 18, 2008, that happened to coincide with finished updates to the Greenfield Lake Amphitheater.” The Penguin booked a concert there to mark its milestone. More than 900 people stood in line to buy tickets to a concert in the newly refurbished amphitheater. And, while the radio station had not planned to create a concert scene to reinforce its brand, station staff saw an opportunity. That initial concert “made a little bit of money, and we had a blueprint,” Gunn said. “That set Wilmington on the live music trajectory that you see today.” Gunn said it was “blind, dumb luck” that landed him at The Penguin at this pivotal time. “It was valuable to get my foot in the door; I didn’t have any onair radio experience,” he said of his internship. “When I graduated, I parlayed my contacts into a sales position at The Penguin. Then I got into programming, which is an unusual move.” The programming break came when two DJ stalwarts were let go. Despite the fact that he had no experience programming – or, for that matter, hosting on-air – Gunn asked for the job and got it. “The owners thought they were going to flip the station to another format anyway,” Gunn said. But that flip never happened, and, under Gunn’s guidance as its new program director, The Penguin prospered with its AAA (Adult Album
T
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLINE SPENCER
Music man: Beau Gunn, general manager of Local Daily Media, has been a force behind the area’s live music scene.
Alternative) format. “The Penguin is – and was – something special and unique: playing artists I was into and artists I was discovering,” Gunn said. “Although I was never passionate about radio, I became very passionate about The Penguin.” In 2012, media entrepreneur Tom Davis decided to replicate in Wilmington what he had succeeded in creating in the Williamsburg, Virginia, media market: a “hyper-local” online news site that would provide content to sister radio stations. Those stations, in turn, would drive traffic to the online news site. He purchased three Wilmington stations, The Penguin and two others, which ultimately narrowed to one, The Dude, with its country format. Davis launched Port City Daily as the online news outlet. Gunn was part of the package. “It’s mutually reinforcing and gives you an opportunity to connect with your audience,” Gunn said of the media cluster. “It’s a niche idea that has worked well here. What we do best is to mirror our community.” Gunn is now general manager of the Wilmington group, Local Daily
Media. While he oversees Port City Daily, he says he leaves the operations to the news staff. He continues to program both The Penguin and its sister AAA station in Williamsburg, The Tide. He’s also been a force behind the growth of Greenfield Lake Amphitheater as a live concert venue. After that initial anniversary concert in August 2008, The Penguin hosted another successful concert at the amphitheater that fall, and two more the following year. By 2010, Gunn and The Penguin had produced 12 shows. “We recognized we had something. We were selling more tickets here than venues in Raleigh and Charlotte [for the same performers],” Gunn said. “The market here was so starved and people were so happy not to have to drive to see live entertainment; they were supporting those shows.” When the city chose Live Nation to program and manage Riverfront Park’s Live Oak Bank Pavilion, officials also gave Live Nation the management contract for Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, changing Gunn’s role there. It’s best for Wilmington’s live music scene to have one entity
managing both venues, he said. But he’s still involved at the amphitheater. “I have a production company called Beau Gunn Presents,” he said. “Once Live Nation won the contract from the city I became a consultant for Live Nation, so I buy the talent [for the amphitheater concerts]. Live Nation produces the show. Fortunately, they have listened to me and kept our mission to enhance the experience at Greenfield Lake. “I knew Live Nation was rightfully in charge, and I needed to help them progress their mission as they wanted to see it progress. They have done a lot of things to improve Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: They’ve renovated the backstage dressing rooms, an important detail to make sure artists are comfortable and have fun.” While Gunn is not involved with programming at Live Oak Bank Pavilion, his longtime production manager Jenny DuBois has become the Pavilion’s production manager as well. “She’s the reason everything goes smoothly,” he said. “She treats artists and fans so well. From A to Z, the woman is a superhero in my book.”
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THE COOP SCOOP COOPWORX LLC 411 LANDMARK DRIVE, WILMINGTON Number of employees: 3 Year founded: 2020 Top local official: Tom Carter, owner Company description: CoopWorx manufactures feed and water silos for chickens. The company, founded by a fatherdaughter duo, has sold nearly 2,000 units since it launched. Products made locally: The company’s feeder comes in two sizes (40-pound and 80-pound silos) and two stand options (four legs and a single pole). The product is unique from most feeders on the market because it provides food and water off the ground, which eliminates pest issues, and includes hooded feed ports to prevent water from damaging pellets. Molds are delivered and engineered by Idea Logic in Cary, and CoopWorx employees trim and prepare the molds and assemble the additional parts to prepare for shipment to customers. Product distribution: Carter: “All over the country. It’s amazing how many places; we’ve shipped to Washington state, Oregon, we’ve shipped to Canada, we just shipped to Australia, Italy. They’re shipping everywhere.”
What made the company decide to make its goods locally? CoopWorx is a subsidiary of Carter’s original business, EXPOGO Inc., which manufactures portable tradeshow displays in Wilmington. Given EXPOGO’s existing relationships, location and product development pipeline, setting up CoopWorx as a subsidiary made sense, Carter said. What’s your target market? Carter: “Anybody with backyard chickens ... Most people have 10 to 20 chickens, but it’s all over. We have a customer that’s got 300 chickens. We’ve got people with about three or four or five of them that are just basically backyard chickens or ducks. It works great with ducks.” What’s planned next? Carter: “We’re going to be looking for a manufacturing partner that wants to manufacture in some of these other countries ... and then we would license the ability ... and provide the other components to them. Since it’s a bulky product, it’s expensive to ship. “We’re getting ready to put a robotic trimmer in so that it can handle the stuff that’s being done with a drill and by hand right now.” EDITOR’S NOTE: To be considered for the Greater Wilmington Business Journal’s MADE feature, contact newsroom@wilmingtonbiz.com.
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Dear Wilmington Community, New Hanover Regional Medical Center officially joined the Novant Health network on February 1, 2021. In doing so, Novant Health adopted the New Hanover community as its own, extending our mission to improve the health of all communities we serve, one person at a time. Our promise at Novant Health is to relentlessly pursue remarkable care every day, so our patients can expect the compassionate, expert, personal experience they deserve. We work diligently each day to ensure we live up to that promise. Upon partnering with New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Novant Health made a commitment to invest more than $5 billion in the region, including $1.5 billion in upfront cash for the medical center and $3.1 billion for capital projects. In addition to a large financial commitment, we made several big promises to improve the overall health of our community. Now, a short 14 months later, I’m proud to say we’ve kept every single one of them.
Access to affordable healthcare and generous financial assistance programs for families in need We’ve increased the threshold for supporting low-income community members from 200 to 300 percent of the federal poverty level, making healthcare more easily accessible for all.
Investment in new clinics, service lines, and advanced equipment to meet the region’s needs faster and closer to home, including behavioral health and whole-family resources A new neuroscience “tower” with 100 beds dedicated to treating patients with neurological problems will open in the summer of 2022. With the help of a large donation from Wilmington native Michael Jordan, we’ll be opening two new family clinics in the region. Through Novant Health’s use of a software that detects strokes with artificial intelligence, New Hanover Regional Medical Center has the ability to significantly reduce the time it takes to diagnose and treat Wilmington patients suffering a stroke.
Jobs that will boost the local economy and support for maintaining current leadership and team members We’ve invested more than $50 million in base salary increases, bonuses, and incentives for the New Hanover Regional Medical Center team over the past year to ensure the well-being and financial viability of our team members. Novant Health also instituted a $15-an-hour healthy community wage for all eligible team members in 2021.
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Support for the local physician group and independent physicians so they can deliver even higher-quality care to the region Novant Health is increasing staff in key specialty areas, recruiting and onboarding 29 physicians and 25 advanced practice providers for the Novant Health Medical Group Coastal Region, and added other pediatric subspecialists in neurology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, and pulmonology.
Enhance and expand the Wilmington branch campus of the UNC School of Medicine Novant Health’s partnership with New Hanover Regional Medical Center means more collaboration and specialists, including pediatric cardiology for the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, expanding clinical research with UNC, and improved best practices for chemotherapy order sets to better administer treatment to cancer patients. Currently, 16 third-year and 10 fourth-year UNC School of Medicine medical students are training at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, with the goal of increasing the size to 60 combined third- and fourth-year medical students by 2026.
But this isn’t about checking boxes for us. It’s personal. It’s about the promises we’ve made and kept ensuring our community has the care it deserves. In the short time that Novant Health and New Hanover Regional Medical Center have been partners, the team has been recognized as one of the top care sites for a variety of specialties as well as helped elevate its quality and patient experience scores from Leapfrog, a national organization that evaluates hospital performance. While we are making great progress, our work has only just begun. Our promise to you now is to keep going and make better the patient experience you and your loved ones have anytime you visit a Novant Health location or physician anywhere in North Carolina – but particularly at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington. We promise to make access to high-quality care in Wilmington as easy, reliable, and comprehensive as any metro region in the state. Thank you for putting your trust in us, and for giving us the opportunity to care for you and your family.
Sincerely, Shelbourn Stevens President of New Hanover Regional Medical Center, President of Novant Health’s Coastal Market
To learn more, visit novanthealth.org/NewHanover
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| REAL ESTATE |
Builders push back on impact fees BY JOHANNA F. STILL runswick County is preparing to settle with nearly 1,000 parties in a class-action lawsuit, which involves paying out $15.25 million into a common settlement fund to be shared among builders, attorneys and a settlement administrator. The case surrounds the county’s previous practice of charging developers impact fees, which are required before new units of construction are permitted to connect to the public utility system. National and local developers stand to gain what is essentially a refund under the current settlement framework, with checks set to be delivered by the end of May, should the court give its final approval of the plan. In the aftermath of the precedent-setting 2016 Quality Built Homes v. Town of Carthage Supreme Court decision, which ruled the municipality had exceeded its statutory authority in charging impact fees, a team of attorneys filed a cascade of lawsuits across the state. As a whole, the suits that followed alleged utilities had no statutory basis for charging the arbitrary fees – referred to by many names, including capacity fees, development fees, capital reserve fees, capital recovery fees, etc. The impact fees in question are distinct from tap-on fees, which cover the physical cost of connecting to a system. Impact charges represent a “buyin fee” to cover prior investments utilities made in their systems, according to Hunter Bryson, an associate at Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman PLLC, who represented the class members in the suit against Brunswick County and other area municipalities. “You had to pay to play: This is what it costs to buy into our system,” Bryson said of the charges. Following the Carthage decision, the N.C. General Assembly passed House Bill 436 in 2017, which provided utilities with a legal framework for charging system development fees, so long as a professional analysis was conducted to substantiate the charges. Before this law, the utilities entangled in the litigation hadn’t properly accounted for the use or purpose of their impact fees, the various lawsuits allege. The Carthage ruling instituted a
Randy Thompson said in a statement. “Once we realized we needed legislative approval, we requested and gained approval of same,” he said, referring to the 2018 analysis.
B
SETTLEMENT DETAILS
FILE PHOTO
Refunds coming: Brunswick County is expected to settle cases involving home builders paying impact fees.
three-year statute of limitations on the window for the town’s liability for the fees; Brunswick County’s case covers March 5, 2016, through June 30, 2018. In 2018, the county was charging $1,150 in water and $4,000 in sewer capacity recovery fees per unit. As part of the settlement, the county will not admit to any wrongdoing and continues to deny the parties’ allegations, but settled to avoid continued litigation, according to the agreement.
PATH TO SETTLEMENT
D.R. Horton filed the first class action impact fee case against Brunswick County in March 2019 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, which True Homes LLC later joined. Plantation Building of Wilmington filed a class-action complaint the following month in state court. In January 2020, the parties consented to drop the federal suit and consolidate the claims in state court in one suit. Following an extensive discovery period, which involved depositions of past and present county officials, the court sided with the class in October. Brunswick County filed an intent to appeal the decision in November, and in December, the parties reached an impasse in a mediation.
By the next month, the parties had struck a deal: Brunswick County commissioners approved the $15.25-million settlement in a Jan. 18 closed session. The court issued preliminary approval of the parties’ joint plan Feb. 14, and final approval is anticipated on May 13, according to a county spokesperson. Once the framework is officially approved, the county will formally drop its plans to appeal. Brunswick County spokesperson Meagan Kascsak said this ruling’s outcome won’t have long-term operational or financial impacts on the county. The funds will come from the county’s enterprise fund reserves, which are primarily financed through utility services. The county had anticipated an unfavorable summary judgment and previously budgeted for a $14.7-million liability, Kascsak said. “The payment will have a minimal impact in the current year on the enterprise fund reserves,” she said. In 2018, the county’s consultant hired to assess and properly account for the fees “found that the fees the county had been charging were already in line or less than what the study found the county could charge,” Kascsak said. “We utilized a plan to allow developers to pay for county facility use and system impact,” Brunswick County Commissioners Chairman
Pending final court approval, the settlement covers a three-year timeframe including 957 parties that built more than 3,100 units. Plus 6% annual interest, the total liability from the allegedly improperly charged capital recovery fees is nearly $15 million, according to data included in the settlement agreement. Liabilities owed, including interest, to some of the most prolific builders over the lawsuit’s time period roughly include, according to data in the agreement: D. R. Horton ($2.1 million); Bill Clark Homes ($1.5 million); Wade Jurney Homes ($742,700); True Homes ($672,100); Logan Homes ($464,400); Cottage Building Co. LLC ($402,700); WJH LLC ($397,400); H&H Construction ($366,300); Beazer Homes ($338,400); Kent Homes ($328,500); Hagood Homes ($280,900); Riptide Builders ($247,500); Pyramid Homes ($218,300); Parker & Canaday Custom Homes ($215,900) and more. William Wright, a partner at Wilmington-based Shipman & Wright, said he expects the class to receive a net recovery of roughly 85% of the liabilities owed, once administrative and attorneys fees are paid out. Attorneys’ fees are capped at 33.3% of the total $15.25-million fund, per the agreement, which could amount to as much as $5 others. Like Bryson, Wright has represented builders in a multitude of impact fee cases across the state. Asked why so many municipalities wound up on the losing end of these suits, Wright said, “There were a variety of reasons, but I think there’s a good chance that there was some, ‘Well, this town’s doing it, it must be OK, we’re going to do it.’” D.R. Horton, one of the named parties in the class, did not respond to requests for comment. Class representatives D.R. Horton, Plantation Building of Wilmington and True Homes will each receive $10,000 as an incentive reward for serving as class representatives.
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© Rotary International/Alyce Henson
The Wilmington Rotary Club is pleased to invite you to the first “Leaders in Service” awards banquet, to be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at the UNCW Burney Center. Every year for more than a century, the Rotary Club of Wilmington has been contributing thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours to our community. This commitment helps make New Hanover County a great place to live and work for all people. Funds raised from this event, our major fundraising effort of the year, will be used for the club’s projects and grants to other community organizations in the fiscal year 2022-23. This year, following the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self,” Wilmington Rotary decided it was time to recognize leaders of honesty and integrity who are setting an example by their good work in New Hanover County. We asked the community for nominations and the public submitted twenty-six. Two independent panels of community leaders then evaluated and ranked the nominees in the program’s three categories, resulting in the selection of three outstanding individuals.
Awards Banquet
Thursday, May 5 UNCW Burney Center
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Please join us in honoring the 2022 Leaders in Service recipients: Dr. Yousry Sayed, private sector; Chris Coudriet, public sector; and J.C. Lyle, nonprofit sector. Those being honored have served as top executives for a minimum of five years and have lived lives in harmony with Rotary’s Four-way Test, with a commitment to diversity and inclusion. They truly exemplify “Service Above Self.” If you have not yet registered to attend this wonderful celebration of outstanding leaders, seats are still available. You can reserve yours by going to www.bizleaders2022.org/sponsorships.
RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LEADERS
Sincerely, T. Cleve Callison, President, The Wilmington Rotary Club
Dale Smith, President-elect, The Wilmington Rotary Club
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The Wilmington Rotary Club is proud to present its first three Leaders in Service awards to Chris Coudriet, J.C. Lyle, and Dr. Yousry Sayed. We, and our many generous sponsors, are honoring these top executives who have made outstanding contributions to our community in one or more of Rotary International’s Seven Areas of Focus. Each has been chosen from public nominations to represent the best of leadership in their categories: government, non-profit, and private business. The three award recipients were chosen by a committee of Wilmington-area business and civic leaders from a list of nominations from the public. The Wilmington Rotary Club, founded in 1915, is among the oldest of the world-wide Rotary movement’s more than 35,000 clubs. The club’s 180 current members are among some 1.4 million Rotarians around the globe. Rotary began as a business networking group but almost immediately evolved into a service organization as it grew and spread. The Rotary motto ‘Service Above Self’ is a guide to the club’s relationship to our community.”
Rotary espouses the Four-Way Test of the things its members think, say, and do: • Is it the truth? • Is it fair to all concerned? • Will it build good will and better friendships? • Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Rotary International has chosen to concentrate its service efforts on seven Areas of Rotary Focus: • Peace and conflict prevention/resolution • Disease prevention and treatment • Water and sanitation • Maternal and child health • Basic education and literacy • Economic and community development • The Environment Rotary has also made a global commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in its membership.
Dr. Yousry Sayed is CEO of Quality Chemical
Laboratories, which provides testing and analytical development services for industries including pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. He founded the company in 1998 and has successfully grown it to become one of Wilmington’s leading employers, providing more than 250 jobs. QCL works with more than 100 clients at a time, helping pharmaceutical and biotech clients develop new drugs. Dr. Sayed has also started another drug development company, Pyramid Pharmaceutical Co. A native of Egypt, Dr. Sayed came to the United States as a teenager and earned a PhD in chemistry from the University of Minnesota. He was a chemistry professor and researcher at UNC-Wilmington, where he was director of the General College. He now serves on the university’s Board of Trustees. To help supply a trained workforce for the pharmaceutical industry, Sayed and his wife, Linda, a lawyer who formerly taught high school chemistry, donated $5 million to UNCW in 2017. It was the largest philanthropic gift by a corporate donor in the university’s history. Sayed is a hands-on entrepreneur. Not only does he run his business; he also still works on complex chemistry challenges for clients. As the award recipient in the privatesector category, he is being recognized for his contributions to economic and community development, as well as disease prevention and cure, two of the international Rotary movement’s seven Areas of Focus.
Dr. Yousry Sayed CEO, Quality Chemical Laboratories
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J.C. Lyle Executive Director, Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry
J.C. Lyle has been executive director of the Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry since 2009. WARM helps lowincome homeowners address safety, accessibility and energy-efficiency issues, allowing them to remain in their homes. Under her leadership, WARM's annual revenue and productivity have grown by an average of 14 percent per year. The organization now serves over 180 families in the Cape Fear Region annually. Lyle earned a master’s degree in business administration from UNC-Wilmington. She formerly worked in subdivision design, zoning and permitting for a major civil engineering firm. Her volunteer efforts, focused on affordable housing and disaster recovery, have included multiple mission trips to Biloxi, Miss. after Hurricane Katrina and a long-term assignment with Bahamas Methodist Habitat. Lyle chairs the Wilmington Planning Commission and serves on the N.C. Housing Partnership, the advisory board for the state's housing trust fund. She has been honored with the Greater Wilmington Business Journal’s Coastal Entrepreneur Award and the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Outstanding Fundraiser of the Year award. WARM’s work addresses three Rotary Areas of Focus: disease prevention, economic and community development, and the environment.
Chris Coudriet has been New Hanover County manager since 2012. Before that, he was assistant county manager for four years, and county manager for Franklin and Washington Counties. Appointed by the New Hanover County Board of County Commissioners, Coudriet supervises a staff of more than 2,000 people and oversees a budget of $458 million. That budget is the county’s response to the community’s 225,000 residents and their need for services. Coudriet has a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning from East Carolina University and a master’s degree in public administration from UNC-Pembroke. He has been honored by the Cape Fear Council of Governments as outstanding local government manager. He serves on several advisory boards through the National Association of Counties. The N.C. Association of County Commissioners recently honored him with its Presidential Recognition Award for his work to maximize the state’s share of the national opioid settlement fund. Coudriet has been a member of the Wilmington Rotary Club since 2015. His Leaders in Service Award recognizes his achievements in the economic and community development Area of Rotary Focus.
Chris Coudriet County Manager, New Hanover County
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS To learn how you can help, please visit bizleaders2022.org. For more about how Rotary is using sponsor contributions to make Wilmington a better place to live, work, and raise families, see wilmingtonrotaryclub.org
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| ACHIEVERS | Send information about company hires, promotions or awards to editor@wilmingtonbiz.com
Wilson, Keeton named Kersting partner-principals Michael Ross Kersting, founder and president of Wilmington-based Kersting Architecture, recently announced that two long-term associates, architects MARK WILSON and TOBY KEETON, Wilson have been elevated to partner-principals at the firm. Keeton has a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the Kent State University College of Architecture Keeton and Environmental Design. At Kersting Architecture, he has been involved in the design and construction of several of award-winning projects. Wilson earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in architecture from N.C. State University, and he has been certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. Wilson grew up in the northeastern part of North Carolina, and after completing his undergraduate studies, he worked in the Triangle area, gaining experience in commercial and municipal architecture.
Parham fills housing role at First Fruit Ministries In her current role as supportive housing director at First Fruit Ministries, HANNAH PARHAM works to ensure the quality, trauma-informed care of survivors at First Fruit MinisParham tries. Parham oversees five supportive housing programs, two of which are dedicated to victims of human trafficking. “Her desire to provide safe spaces for those in need has led to her most recent endeavor of opening The Guest House. The Guest House will be an emergency shelter for victims of sexual assault and human trafficking victims, opening July 1, 2022,” a news release stated. Parham also serves as the director
of the First Fruit Ministries initiative, the Collaborative Against Sex Trafficking (CAST), through which she strives to enhance the community’s response to human trafficking through collaboration and system mapping. Previously, Parham worked in direct client services and coordination for the supportive housing programs at First Fruit Ministries.
Leland promotes Hayes to role of fire chief The town of Leland recently announced that RONNIE HAYES has been promoted to fire chief. Hayes joined Leland Fire/Rescue in 2007, serving as captain, assistant chief of operations and most recently, Hayes deputy chief of fire and emergency services. Since the department merged with the town in 2017, Hayes has also served as the town’s fire marshal. Hayes fills the position left vacant by Chris Langlois, who was named the town’s first public safety director in January. Before coming to Leland, Hayes was Columbus County’s emergency services director and a Brunswick County Emergency Services paramedic. He’s been in the fire service for 32 years, holding numerous positions including Shallotte Point Volunteer Fire Department’s chief from 1995 to 2001.
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Wilmington Health appoints Kearns as CFO Wilmington Health recently appointed a new chief financial officer, SUZY KEARNS, after the departure of prior CFO Chasity Chace. Kearns was previously the Kearns organization’s chief compliance officer. As CFO, Kearns will oversee the accounting, purchasing, biomedical and business office functions. Before joining Wilmington Health, Kearns was a financial reporting manager for PPD. Kearns graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration as well as a master’s degree in accountancy from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
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| BIZ LEADS | Reader’s Guide BizLeads is a collection of information gathered from greater Wilmington courthouses, state government offices and informational websites. These 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 that were recently incorporated in the state of North Carolina. All information is gathered from the North Carolina Secretary of State website. Addresses listed may not be the actual address of the business.
NEW CORPS MARCH 18-31
1249 OBW LLC 2183 Stone Chimney Rd SW Supply 28462 Agent: Robert L. Babington 1617 SNAPPER LANE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 1617 Snapper Lane Unit 2 Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Roger L Grafton 20 ORANGE SPA LLC 10 Sandpiper Street Unit A Wrightsville Beach 28480 Agent: David Scott Russotto 3 STRANDS SERVICES LLC 1559 Murre Court SE Bolivia 28422 Agent: Stephannie Julanne Gonzalez 3D PROPERTY MAINTENANCE LLC 447 Varnamtown Rd SW Supply 28462 Agent: Jarad D Ivey 438 OCEANA LLC 438 Oceana Way Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Julie Tedesco
147 Forest Hills Drive Leland 28451 Agent: Wesley Tongue ALEX LANDSCAPING PRO MAINTENANCE LLC 5061 Peregrine Dr SW Shallotte 28470 Agent: Macario Diaz AMI WELLNESS LLC 301 Central Blvd Wilmington 28401 Agent: Thomas Bruin AMPM BAIL BONDING JW LLC 816 Pine Valley Dr Navassa 28451 Agent: Joshua Eugene White ANTONINO CONSTRUCTION LLC 8586 Orchard Loop Rd NE Leland 28451 Agent: Esmeralda Dominguez Martinez ARCH ANGEL BROW STUDIO LLC 200 Country Club Drive Unit G Oak Island 28465 Agent: Michaela Lynn Smith ARG ENTERPRISE LLC 9851 Little River Rd NW Ash 28420 Agent: Ray C Gilbert Sr
900 ROK LLC 1114 Rankin St Wilmington 28401 Agent: Teon Robinson
ASAP REALTY HOLDINGS LLC 2011 Elk Rd SW Suite 2 Supply 28462 Agent: Deborah Bowen Ballas
910 CUSTOMZ LLC 205 Fairford Rd Castle Hayne 28429 Agent: Anthony Ward
ASA’S WORLD LLC 325 Hibiscus Way Wilmington 28412 Agent: Paige Lee Bell
ABIDE OF NC LLC 3761 Willowick Park Drive Wilmington 28409 Agent: Joseph Leonard Conway
ASHHAWK1 LLC 6600 Towles Road Wilmington 28409 Agent: William A Hawkins III
ALABASTER CASE MANAGEMENT LLC 130 Bounty Court Hampstead 28443 Agent: Holly Westcott
B.I.D.D. OF ANGELS LLC 1230 Maple Tree Drive Apt 104 Leland 28451 Agent: Michelle Marie Bliss
ALBATROSS VENTURES LLC
BB PROPERTIES NORTH CAROLINA LLC
2608 Shandy Lane Wilmington 28409 Agent: Brendan Collins Bennett BEACH BLESSING OKI LLC 106 SE 7th St. Oak Island 28465 Agent: Michael Villarreal BEACH HOUSE PARTNERS III LLC 1525 S Front St Wilmington 28401 Agent: Erik Hemingway BEACH HOUSE PARTNERS IV LLC 1525 S Front St Wilmington 28401 Agent: Erik Hemingway BEAULIEU BENEFITS INC. 4007 E Pelican Dr Oak Island 28465 Agent: Jacqueline G Beaulieu BELLA POINT HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION INC. 711 Carolina Beach Ave N Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Steve Shuttleworth BIRD AND BEE CONSULTING LLP 2072 Blue Spruce Dr. Winnabow 28479 Agent: Victoria Michele Evans BKJ LLC 3613 Rosewood Landing Drive Castle Hayne 28429 Agent: Jayasree Kandasamy BLACK WAX LLC 239 Weathersbee Dr Hampstead 28443 Agent: Kevin Scott Siegel BLISS KISS BOUTIQUE LLC 80 Mill Creek Rd SE Bolivia 28422 Agent: Heather Nicole Lewis BLUE PHOENIX ACADEMY INC 1724 Datchet Lane Bolivia 28422 Agent: Robert Gilbert BROMELL CONTRACTING & RENOVATION SERVICES LLC 81 Larkins Rd Rocky Point 28457 Agent: Ray Bromell CAIN & COMPANY LLC 5626 Main Street Shallotte 28470 Agent: Nicole Renee Anderson CANETUCK HC LLC 146 Driftwood Ct Wrightsville Beach 28480 Agent: Harrison L Keith III CASTLE DISCS LLC 111 Linville Drive Castle Hayne 28429 Agent: Ryan Gauss CBGB ENTERTAINMENT LLC
308 Eighth St N Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Quentin Ray Tyson CDLH PROPERTIES LLC 3350 Club Villa Dr SE Unit 401 Saint James 28461 Agent: Harvey Tilton CHASING PALMS LLC 4731 Waves Pointe Wilmington 28412 Agent: Jamie Alfalla CHICMEALAHGO LLC 108 S 13th St Wilmington 28401 Agent: Marcel McFadden CHRISTINA MARIE MASSAGE LLC 5953 Sweet Gum Drive Wilmington 28409 Agent: Christina Marie Latteier CLARK’S SEPTIC AND LAND SERVICES LLC 76 Parkton Pl Currie 28435 Agent: Blake Clark CMM RE INVESTMENTS LLC 720 N. 3rd St. Suite 301 Wilmington 28401 Agent: David Hatfield COASTAL CAROLINA TINT LLC 109 Circle Dr. Hampstead 28443 Agent: Steve Delahanty COASTAL DESTINATION SOLUTIONS LLC 9037 Landing Dr SW Calabash 28467 Agent: Ravina Roberts COASTAL IV PLLC 114 Bay Tree Circle Hampstead 28443 Agent: Amanda Lee Allison COLOR CURRENT LLC 313 Eastwood Lane SE Leland 28451 Agent: Matthew J Conca COLORFUL VISION PROFESSIONAL PAINTING LLC 236 Hatties Ln Leland 28451 Agent: Ana Rebeca Cruz Bautista COMSTOCK-AP LLC 109 Windjammer Dr Holden Beach 28462 Agent: Karen Strittmatter CORBETT CORNER RUBY REEF LLC 16 Sonoma Place Hampstead 28443 Agent: Bartholomew M Corbett II CRA CONTRUCTION SOLUTION LLC 830 Magnolia Dr. Sunset Beach 28468 Agent: Cruz Romero Antonio CRAFT STUDIO PLLC 6131 Oleander Drive Wilmington 28403 Agent: Stephanie Schauer
CURRENT MISSIONS INC. 135 River Oaks Dr. Wilmington 28412 Agent: Dossie Mcleod
107 Heights Dr Burgaw 28425 Agent: Latrelia Brown Moore
D. HOLDEN PROPERTIES INC. 1885 Russell Hewett Road SW Supply 28462 Agent: Sam H Edwards
1375 S 3rd St Wilmington 28401 Agent: Sean Geng
Southport 28461 Agent: Katherine Hewett Cribb
EACH TIDE LLC 741 Corcus Ferry Rd Hampstead 28443 Agent: Adam Van Cleave
GINKO SEEDS COUNSELING PLLC 205 N. 5th Avenue Wilmington 28401 Agent: David Ervin
HKAM PROPERTIES LLC 602 E Fremont St Burgaw 28425 Agent: Kirstin Wooddell Mathews
D.O.W. TRANSPORT LLC 206 Wallington Rd Wilmington 28409 Agent: Desmond A Hines
EAST FIFTH ADVENTURES LLC 110 Laughing Oak Ln Apt 102 Wilmington 28401 Agent: Theodore Larrick
GLOBAL FREIGHT CARRIERS LLC 123 Covil Ave #101 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Dammeon l Thomas
DATUM PROPERTY GROUP LLC 802 Pine Valley Dr Wilmington 28409 Agent: Mathew Congleton
EKKO HOLDINGS LLC 2840 S College Rd #408 Wilmington 28412 Agent: Emanuel Devon Jackson
DELANEY PROFESSIONAL GROUP LLC 1323 Bridge Barrier Rd Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Windy Ezzell
ELABORATE OUTINGS LUXURY PICNICS LLC 1010 Summerlin Falls Court Wilmington 28412 Agent: Michelle Bethea
GRAHAM MANAGEMENT GROUP LLC 3475 Members Club Blvd Southport 28461 Agent: Brian P Graham
HOA AT THE POINTE OCEAN ISLE BEACH INC. 790-8 Sunset Boulevard Sunset Beach 28468 Agent: Community Associations Management at OIB Inc.
DESTINATION RESIDENTIAL LLC 1001 Military Cutoff Rd Suite 101 Wilmington 28405 Agent: Ladd Gasparovic DIESEL COOKIES LLC 322 South College Rd #1065 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Andrew Benjamin Benoit DIRTY PAWS GEAR LLC 6613 Sedgewood Road Wilmington 28403 Agent: Susan Louise Weiler DK HOLDINGS LLC 16w Conolly Ct Hampstead 28443 Agent: Jan Roggeman DO SIDING LLC 502 Pawley Dr SE Bolivia 28422 Agent: Raul Jimenez Figueroa DONNA FLAKE RESEARCH AND CONSULTING LLC 134 Partridge Road Wilmington 28412 Agent: Donna Bunting Flake DOS RIOS PROPERTIES LLC 110 Palm Cottage Dr Hampstead 28443 Agent: Steven Austin Rivers DOVE SHELL LLC 1508 Military Cutoff Rd Ste 202 Wilmington 28403 Agent: David W Anderson DOWN HOME INSPECTIONS LLC 79 Grey Beard Dr Rocky Point 28457 Agent: Justin Slosser DREBRILEEKCAM LLC 8791 Stephens Church Rd Wilmington 28411 Agent: Deondre Murray DYNOMITE TRANSPORTATION LLC
EPOK LLC 102 Seapath Est Dr. Wrightsville Beach 28480 Agent: Robert Yunaska EXPO GROUP LLC 154 Whippoorwill Lane Wilmington 28409 Agent: Raymond Bradshaw Jr. FIRST CHOICE BOAT DETAILING LLC 211 Skipper Road Hampstead 28443 Agent: Parker R Legwin FISHING BEAGLE ADVENTURES LLC 14060 Ashton Road Rocky Point 28457 Agent: Michael A. King FLEET RESERVE ASSOCIATION BRANCH 299 INC. 1639 Flounder Ln Wilmington 28409 Agent: Olen F. Roberts Jr FLORA PLANT LOVE LLC 105 E. Yellow Lois Dr. Hampstead 28443 Agent: Cristina Marie Christensen FOSTERING BRIDGES INC. 2324 Jefferson St Wilmington 28401 Agent: Takeema Young FULL THROTTLE AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE LLC 81 Marble Dr Rocky Point 28457 Agent: Tyler Hales FUTURE LEADERS CHILDCARE LLC 700 W. Freemont St Burgaw 28425 Agent: Tabatha Simpson G PROFESSIONAL PAINTING LLC 6509 Greenville Loop Rd Apt 69 Wilmington 28409 Agent: Miguel Monroy Gutierrez GENG VENTURES LLC
GREENFIELD LAKE SHORE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION INC. 1114 Merchant Lane Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Jeffrey Allen Maynard GRIFFIN VAULT LLC 4497 Sweet Bay Dr. Southport 28461 Agent: Pamela Carol Wright H&H BOYLE LLC 365 Friday Drive Wilmington 28411 Agent: Henry Boyle HAFEY CONSTRUCTION LLC 6311 West Mallard Duck Court Southport 28461 Agent: Patrick Hafey HAIR BY DARIAN RAQUEL LLC 3043 Pauline Ln Wilmington 28405 Agent: Darian Singletary HARDY SIGN + DESIGN LLC 324 Village Road Suite H Leland 28451 Agent: Kenneth Michael Hardy HARDY STAYS LLC 111 Kelly Rd. Wilmington 28409 Agent: Nolan Gregory Hardy HBAK22 LLC 1300 Green Pastures Ln NW Calabash 28467 Agent: Hunter Barber HEALTHCARE RECRUIT CONNECT LLC 925 S Kerr Avenue Wilmington 28403 Agent: Richard Lynn Paxton HERBAL ALICE LLC 2436 Meridian Road NE Leland 28451 Agent: Alice Bromberg HERRING FAMILY TOWING LLC 311 N Wright St. Burgaw 28425 Agent: Shawn Herring HEWETT TRUCKING LLC 4948 Trails End SE
HOGAN’S LANDSCAPING LLC 8208 Beddoes Dr Wilmington 28411 Agent: Hogan Eislen Meiser HOLDING INVESTMENTS LLC 301 Government Center Drive Suite 200 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Brenda C Dixon HOLLYWOOD NAILS N SPA LLC 1120 E Cutlar Crossing Ste 208 Leland 28451 Agent: Kelly Nguyen HOPE MILLS PROVIDENCE LLC 2201 Burnett Blvd. Wilmington 28401 Agent: Theresa Kennon HUNT PROPERTIES LLC 5437 Widgeon Drive Wilmington 28403 Agent: Penney Eaker Taylor ILLUMINATION ELECTRIC SERVICES LLC 8131 Rachel Wynd Rd NE Leland 28451 Agent: Heather Dian Mullins INTUITIVE K9 LLC 1241 South Brook Rd. Winnabow 28479 Agent: Paul Cummings ISLAND TIME MARINE LLC 3819 Park Avenue Wilmington 28403 Agent: GM Entity Services Inc. J.L.H. LLC 6716 Piedmont Place Wilmington 28411 Agent: Jerome Licata JAKE REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC 1508 Military Cutoff Road Suite 306 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Jay B. Maready JAM BEAUTY BAR LLC 5309 Soggy Bottom Rd Riegelwood 28456 Agent: Britnee Nicole Lee JGAT LLC 1001 Military Cutoff Rd Ste 204 Wilmington 28405 Agent: Carrie L Mincey JGJ TRUCKING LLC
Page 22
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
wilmingtonbiz.com
April 15 - May 5, 2022
| BIZ LEADS | 885 John Henry Store Rd Atkinson 28421 Agent: Jesus Gasca Jr. JKL CERAMIC COMPANY LLC 1573 Old Fayetteville Rd NE Leland 28451 Agent: Luis Ernesto Saravia JUSTIN MARTIN LLC 642 N Hampton Rd Wilmington 28409 Agent: Justin Oneal Martin KENYON CONTRACTORS LLC 6225 Appomattox Dr. Wilmington 28409 Agent: Donald Kenyon KINGS BEACH WAY INC 518 Hidden Valley Rd Wilmington 28409 Agent: Yoav Kohavi KITE INDUSTRIAL INC. 4500 Northchase Parkway Wilmington 28405 Agent: Laurie P Kite
Agent: GM Entity Services Inc. LG ACCOUNTING SOLUTIONS OF SARASOTA INC 9329 National Ave Leland 28451 Agent: Erik Cecil LIFE SKILLS THERAPY CENTER LLC 735 Broomsedge Terrace Wilmington 28412 Agent: Pamela Laura Millan LIVE ILM LLC 400 Carl St #201 Wilmington 28405 Agent: Sterling Property Investments LLC LONGVIEW-TOPSAIL ESTATES HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION INC. 10280 US Hwy 17N Wilmington 28411 Agent: Travis R. Holder LOVE CAPE FEAR LLC 4424 Indigo Slate Way Wilmington 28412 Agent: Archana Gidwani
KKLAT LLC 233 Sloop Point Loop Rd Hampstead 28443 Agent: Carolynn Rose DeLong
LOW COUNTRY DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION LLC 645 Landmark Cove Calabash 28467 Agent: Kristina Ann Gray
KM LAWN AND LANDSCAPING LLC 2174 Kilkee Dr Calabash 28467 Agent: Kyle R Martus
LP EQUITY II LLC 1121 Military Cutoff Road Suite C Wilmington 28405 Agent: John Wesley Landen IV
KOOP SYSTEMS CORP. 8614 Grassy Meadow Walk NE Leland 28451 Agent: Gerardus M. Wynkoop KQ LUXURY LLC 1119 Matteo Dr. Apt 306 Wilmington 28412 Agent: Jenny J. Burnson LANDMARK REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC 1508 Military Cutoff Road Suite 306 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Jay B. Maready LAUGHING GULL HOLDINGS LLC 21 Laughing Gull Trail Bald Head Island 28461 Agent: Claude E Pope Jr LEAD THE PLAY LLC 2202 Market Street Wilmington 28403 Agent: Pamela Gene Balogh LEIGHTON CHANNING INC. 2618 Acorn Branch Rd Wilmington 28405 Agent: Donna K Smith LETTUCE BEE HEALTHY LLC 4113 Oleander Dr Ste B Wilmington 28403 Agent: Elizabeth Nicole Smith LFA EDUCATIONAL SERVICES LLC 3819 Park Avenue Wilmington 28403
LP EQUITY V LLC 1121 Military Cutoff Road Suite C Wilmington 28405 Agent: John Wesley Landen IV
Wilmington 28411 Agent: James Conally Owen MH SMALL CONSULTING LLC 4412 Fireside Ct. Wilmington 28412 Agent: Mary Hazel Morris Small MIDTOWN CARPENTRY LLC 729 Robert E Lee Dr Wilmington 28412 Agent: Justin D Shackleford MINISTERIO INTERNACIONAL VOLVIENDO AL DISEO ORIGINAL CORP. 1921 Carolina Beach Rd Wilmington 28401 Agent: Shantia Kristal Espinal MK COMMUNICATIONS INC 8716 Old Forest Dr NE Leland 28451 Agent: Miguel A Gomez MOBILE BAR COMPANY LLC 117 Rainbow Dr Hampstead 28443 Agent: Robert Christopher Kirkpatrick MOLLY PITCHER’S AMERICAN GRILL LLC 1904 Eastwood Road Suite 315 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Aaron D. Lindquist Esq. MOUNTAIN TREE LLC 4645 Weybridge Lane Wilmington 28409 Agent: Gerard D’Alto
MAITLAND RE HOLDINGS LLC 720 N. 3rd St. Suite 301 Wilmington 28401 Agent: David Hatfield
MS FRAMING COMPANY LLC 3642 Masonboro Loop Rd Wilmington 28409 Agent: Joel Sosa Gutierrez
MAKO STEEL LLC 4100 Marsh Grove Lane Unit 4302 Southport 28461 Agent: Troy Thede
NATURAL HOLDINGS LLC 116 E 13th St. Southport 28461 Agent: Christopher James Eckert
MARCELLUS CONSULTING LLC 204 Peninsula Dr Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Terry Wyckoff
NDIA’S FAMOUS BREAD PUDDING LLC 154 Shamrock Rd SW Sunset Beach 28468 Agent: Ndia Deyate Marlow
MASTERS LANDSCAPING LLC 5006 Carleton Dr Unit 26 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Kenneth David Gerowitz MAUME ACCOUNTING & TAX SERVICES LLC 920 Tidewater Ln Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Sheran Maume MEDIAMACROS INC. 5406 Gerome Pl Wilmington 28412 Agent: Sandy Eyles MELISSA OWEN D.D.S. PLLC 7124 Arbor Oaks Drive
NEXT GENERATION PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC 1052 Beach Drive SW Calabash 28467 Agent: Barbara Pugh NKS REAL ESTATE SERVICES Inc. 3350 Club Villas Dr #303 Southport 28461 Agent: Natalie K. Smith NUCO ENTERPRISES LLC 609A Piner Rd Suite 327 Wilmington 28409 Agent: Paul Tyndall NW - GOOSE NECK LLC 6336 Oleander Dr Ste 4
Wilmington 28403 Agent: Sheri S Smothers OCEAN ROSE VETERINARY SERVICES PLLC 3600 South College Road Suite E #121 Wilmington 28412 Agent: Leigh Crawford PALMETTO PROPERTY INSPECTIONS LLC 1564 Market Place Blvd Ste 400 Ocean Isle Beach 28469 Agent: Russell Dwayne Richardson PAPERFOAM PRODUCTION HOLDING USA Inc. 9265 Industrial Blvd NE Leland 28451 Agent: Convertis USA Corporation PATRICK PASTURES LLC 4926 Canetuck Road Currie 28435 Agent: Shawn Patrick PELUSA DRYWALL LLC 2624 Sanders Forest Dr Shallotte 28470 Agent: Amoz Castro PHARAOH MYSTIC VENDING 777 LLC 4609 Greentree Rd Apt B Wilmington 28405 Agent: Nigeria Holloway PIERSON PROPERTIES LLC 121 Parmele Blvd Wrightsville Beach 28480 Agent: Noah Pierson PINK FLAMINGO PROPERTIES LLC 2020 Scrimshaw Place Wilmington 28405 Agent: James A Spicuzza PIPER DEVELOPMENT LLC 3600 S College Rd. Ste. E #352 Wilmington 28412 Agent: Debora Marapese Pressley PLAYERCASPER SPORTSWEAR INC. 9 Casper Road Southport 28461 Agent: Patrick Callahan PORT CITY CUSTOM PAINTING AND EPOXY LLC 204 North Kerr Ave Wilmington 28405 Agent: Justin Loeser PORT CITY QUALITY CLEANING SERVICE LLC 4281 Harrington Rd 302 Leland 28451 Agent: Jessica Thorpe POTTS & PETALS FLOWER FARM LLC 205 Hermitage Road Castle Hayne 28429 Agent: Ashley Ward PREMIUM FENCING & MORE LLC 207 Union Ln Shallotte 28470 Agent: Agustin Tapia PROLIFIGEN LLC
2217 S Live Oak Parkway Wilmington 28403 Agent: Jacob McSwain REALTORBRANDONNC LLC 929 Dunhill Lane Wilmington 28412 Agent: Charles Brandon Edens REFLECTING MOON ZEN CHURCH INC. 908 S. Third Street Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Leigh Hester REILLYS PLUMBING LLC 8979 Hawks Bill Dr NE Leland 28451 Agent: Dustin Reilly REVISIONS REAL ESTATE LLC 314 Colonial Drive Wilmington 28403 Agent: Erin D. Sullivan RIOS CARPENTER SERVICE INC 6835 Pinecliff Dr Leland 28451 Agent: HILARIO RIOS RISING TIDE NUTRITION LLC 16621 U.S. 17 Hampstead 28443 Agent: Nicolaas La Monica ROSEGLO CATERING AND SUCH LLC 235 Red Tip Lane Willard 28478 Agent: Melissa McLean Farrior RS COASTAL PROPERTIES LLC 11 West Dewey Circle Hampstead 28443 Agent: Ryan Andrew Rullman RUFF DRAFT LLC 4813 Jessica Lane Castle Hayne 28429 Agent: Samuel Brice Steger S. GRADY TRANSPORT LLC 9870 Levy Lane Leland 28451 Agent: Steve Grady SAILOR AND FISH LLC 315 N. Caswell Avenue Southport 28461 Agent: Gwen Tanner SANDY TOES COTTAGES I CONDOMINIUM INC. 1600 Frink Street Ocean Isle Beach 28469 Agent: Michael F McClam SAWDUST TO FINISHED LLC 65 S. Lord Wallace Ct Rocky Point 28457 Agent: Skylar A Futrell SEASIDE SECURITY LLC 322 South College Rd #1068 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Matthew Caison SEASIDE SERVICE CENTER LLC 14691 US Highway 17 Hampstead 28443 Agent: Josh Kinney
SEEBECK LANDSCAPING & SERVICES LLC 416 Lea Dr Hampstead 28443 Agent: Francis Xavier Seebeck IV SEPTEMBER SUNSET LOGISTICS LLC 2316 S 17th Street #140 Wilmington 28401 Agent: Joshua Shackelford
Agent: Ivory N West SUNFLOWER EVENTS & DEZIGNS LLC 1173 Hale Swamp Road Shallotte 28470 Agent: Cynthia Williams
Wilmington 28412 Agent: Adalberto Silva TOP SWAP LLC 4210 Purviance CT Wilmington 28409 Agent: Jeremy D Phillips
SUNRISE TO SUNSET CLEANING LLC 600 Sumter Ave. Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Summer Lentz
TOPLINESPORTSLLC 4321 Eleuthera Lane Wilmington 28412 Agent: Dustin Allen Hancock DH
SHALOM HOMES LLC 1360 Thomasboro Road Carolina Shores 28467 Agent: Warlem Machado
SUPERIOR SIGNS AND GRAPHIX INC 3208 Ervins Place Dr Castle Hayne 28429 Agent: Floyd Morgan
SHP EVOLVE ST. JAMES LLC 3414 Wrightsville Ave Wilmington 28403 Agent: Robbie B. Parker
SURREAL ESTATE HOMES LLC 516 Dock St Wilmington 28401 Agent: Andrew Gillespie
TOTAL GRACE LOGISTICS LLC 25075 US Hwy 421 Willard 28478 Agent: NyAisa Lanese Henry
SLAY FITNESS LLC 1600 Sturdivant Drive Unit 28 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Charlotte Curtis
T WORKS LLC 1121 Canady Ave Topsail Beach 28445 Agent: Thomas Eugene Nicholson Jr
SOLOPHOENIX AUTOMATION SERVICES LLC 10219 Timber Ridge Court Southeast Leland 28451 Agent: Christopher Lee Alexander
TAX LADY NC LLC 10196 Stoney Brook Ct SE Leland 28451 Agent: Joan M Fracalossi
SOVEREIGN HEALTH SOLUTIONS LLC 108 N Kerr Ave Ste. D4 Wilmington 28405 Agent: Marquitta Brunson SOVEREIGN SOLUTIONS LOGISTICS LLC 108 N Kerr Ave Ste A2 Wilmington 28405 Agent: Marquitta Nicole Brunson
TERESA’S SIMPLY CLEAN LLC 1605 Orange St Wilmington 28401 Agent: Teresa Brown THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE LLC 110 Dungannon Blvd #100 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Michelle Denise Gurrera
TRADEMARK LP GAS SERVICE INC. 360 Ocean Highway East Supply 28462 Agent: Tracy Dale Wheeler TREE TECH OF SHALLOTTE LLC 2361 Lake Paula Drive Supply 28462 Agent: Terry L Rector TTG LOGISTICS LLC 230 Newkirk Rd Burgaw 28425 Agent: Glenn Spencer TUMBLES LAUNDRY SERVICE INC 221 North Carolina Avenue Wilmington 28401 Agent: James O. Rabon TURNERS LIVING CONCEPTS LLC 1048 Bonnie Brae SE Leland 28451 Agent: Josh Glen Turner
THE PROXIMITY CB LLC 102 Autumn Hall Dr. Ste. 210 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Calvin F Wells Jr
TWO CUSHINGS CORPORATION 1059 Garden Club Way Leland 28451 Agent: Sharon M. Cushing
THE SALTY GYPSY LLC 712 Conch St Hampstead 28443 Agent: Chelsea Jewell Russell
VENICE DEVELOPMENT LLC 622 Timber Lake Ln Wilmington 28411 Agent: Daniel Hilla
THE STYLE PALETTE BOUTIQUE LLC 4220 Wilshire Blvd Unit 204 C Wilmington 28403 Agent: April Layton
VENUS INVESTMENTS LLC 3807 Princess Place DrW Wilmington 28405 Agent: Venustiano Espinoza Gutierrez
THE WICKED STITCH LLC 557 Button Bush Ln Hampstead 28443 Agent: Magdalena Janina Bonk
VESTIBULE LLC 2505 South College Rd Wilmington 28412 Agent: Michael Davenport
STIL-MOR HOLDINGS LLC 130 Beagle Trail Wilmington 28409 Agent: Kathleen S. Rooney
TIC BLUE RIDGE III INVESTMENT LLC 1121 Military Cutoff Rd. Ste. C PMB 320 Wilmington 28405 Agent: W. Merrette Moore III
VINDEX PROPERTIES LLC 615 Southerland Farm Dr Wilmington 28411 Agent: Jason Robert Pulliam
SUCURI CURATED IMPORTS LLC 14 Palmetto Drive Wrightsville Beach 28480 Agent: Suzanne C Couri
TIC LUMINA VI LLC 1121 Military Cutoff Rd Ste C PMB 320 Wilmington 28405 Agent: W. Merrette Moore III
SUDZZYZ AUTO SPA LLC 1664 Bay Rd Wallace 28466
TONY’S CLEANING SERCICES INC 310 Rl Honeycutt Dr
SPAINHOUR INVEST LLC 4624 Barnards Landing Rd Wilmington 28412 Agent: Jason Lee Spainhour SPEAK YA PEACE NC LLC 1026 Macklin St Leland 28451 Agent: Mahlaynee Cooper SPICER MANAGEMENT LLC 209 Creekwood Rd Wilmington 28411 Agent: Zachary Lavelle Spicer SQUARE ONE MEDIA GROUP LLC 114 Barclay Hills Drive Wilmington 28405 Agent: Michael L Bridges
WAFU STEAK HOUSE 27534 LLC 341 South College Rd. Wilmington 28403 Agent: Xin Lin WANDER AND ROAM LLC 1628 Sound Watch Dr Wilmington 28409 Agent: Jeremiah P Barnett
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
wilmingtonbiz.com
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE Congratulations to the 2022 Coastal 2019 COASTAL ENTREPRENEUR Entrepreneur Category Winners! CATEGORY WINNERS! Biotechnology: Renaissance Fiber
BIOTECHNOLOGY: Tri-Tech Forensics
Emerging Company: Portrett Pharmaceuticals
EMERGING COMPANY: KWHCoin
Film: Honey Head Films
HEALTH CARE: Hensler Surgical Technologies Health Care: Clarity Counseling
INTERNET-RELATED BUSINESS: Connected Investors Health Care: MyPeriodPal
INTERNET-RELATED BUSINESS: MyBeeHyve Manufacturing & Distribution: NC Lumber & Supply
MANUFACTURING & DISTRIBUTION: Cardinal Foods Minority-Owned Business: Elaborate Outings – Luxury Picnics
NONPROFIT: Good Shepherd Center Nonprofit: Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Center
RETAIL: Compass Bracelets Retail & Hospitality: Clean Eatz
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: Coastal Stormwater Services Professional Services: Cape Fear Solar Systems
TECHNOLOGY: SportGait Inc.
April 15 - May 5, 2022
WHO WILL BE Who will be the 2022 THE 2019 COASTAL Coastal Entreprenuer ENTREPRENEUR OF of the Year? THE YEAR? Please join us in celebrating this year’s join winners our annual this Please us inatcelebrating Awards Breakfast and annual find out year's winners at our who willBreakfast be awarded 2022 Awards andthe find out Coastal Entrepreneur of the Year! who will be awarded the 2019 Coastal Entrepreneur of the Year!
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Page 24
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
wilmingtonbiz.com
April 15 - May 5, 2022
| THE LIST |
Mortgage Firms
Ranked by number of local brokers/lenders RANK
PHONE EMAIL WEBSITE
FIRM ADDRESS
1
Alpha Mortgage Corp. 1320 Airlie Road Wilmington, NC 28403
2
NO. OF LOCAL NO. OF LICENSED LOCAL FULL- AVERAGE PERCENT OF MORTGAGE TIME LOAN SIZE LOANS BROKERS/LENDERS EMPLOYEES IN 2021 REFINANCED
SERVICES OFFERED
TOP LOCAL OFFICIAL/ YEAR LOCALLY FOUNDED
256-8999 info@alphamortgage.com www.AlphaMortgage.com
34
88
$236,000
16%
Conventional, VA, FHA, USDA, low/no money down options, jumbo loans, reverse mortgages
Michael Lopez President/Owner 1983
Angel Oak Home Loans 5815 Oleander Drive, Unit 260 Wilmington, NC 29403
470-4065 brian.mitchell@angeloakhomeloans.com angeloakhomeloans.com/branch/wilmington/
21
35
$266,371
32%
Purchase and refinancing loans, portfolio loans, bank statement loans, conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans, USDA loans, jumbo loans, asset qualifier, investor cash flow
Brian Mitchell Regional Sales Manager 2009
3
Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group 1015 Ashes Drive, Suite 107 Wilmington, NC 28405
444-0600 ginaandrews@atlanticbay.com www.atlanticbay.com
18
23
$298,000
28%
Purchase, refinance, conventional, construction, renovation, government loans and reverse mortgage
Gina Andrews VP of Strategic Growth 1996
4
Movement Mortgage LLC 700 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 201 Wilmington, NC 28405
262-1461 diana.johns@movement.com www.movement.com
15
10
$300,000
27%
Mortgage loan purchases, refinances, renovation loans, condo financing specialists, construction loans, jumbo loans
Diana Johns Branch Manager 2010
5
Corning Credit Union 3705 Federal Park Drive Wilmington, NC 28412
14
85
$215,000
59%
Conventional, construction/renovation, adjustable rate options, low down payment options, VA (eligible active-duty service members and veterans in NC, NY, PA), vacation/ second home, investment property, lot loans, jumbo
Chris Daniel Director of Real Estate Services
6
Truist Mortgage 101 N. Third St. Wilmington, NC 28401
7
Guaranteed Rate 1437 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 206 Wilmington, NC 28405
8
TowneBank Mortgage 1022 Ashes Drive Wilmington, NC 28405
9
Coastline Mortgage Consultants LLC 215 Racine Drive, Suite 105 Wilmington, NC 28403
9
MC Mortgage Group 1908 Eastwood Road, Suite 221 Wilmington, NC 28403
(800) 677-8506 www.corningcu.org
13
15
$343,667
49%
Mortgage solutions for purchase and refinance transactions on primary, second home and investment properties: Conventional fixed and adjustable rate mortgages, FHA, VA, Melanie Welsh USDA, Down Payment Assistance NCHFA, CHIP, FHLB, Area Sales Manager Truist Grant Program, Portfolio products –Doctor Loan, Construction Permanent Financing, Builder Affordable, Jumbo Products – Key, Premier and Private Wealth.
9
18
$295,000
35%
Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA, portfolio, bond and housing
Suzanne Neblett Branch Manager
8
28
$347,700
22%
Conventional, jumbo, VA, FHA, USDA, NCHFA, FHLB, construction and renovation lending, lot loans, adjustable rate and reverse mortgages
Rick Goldbach 2013
509-1561 info@coastline-mortgage.com www.coastline-mortgage.com
6
8
$288,775
45%
All residential first mortgage products including conventional, VA, FHA, USDA, jumbo loans and agency high balance
John Russ III Owner 2002
509-7105 pstoy@mcmortgagegroup.com www.mcmortgagegroup.com
6
15
$247,514
58%
Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA and USDA investor specialty loans and line of credits for rehab
Patrick Stoy Broker/President 2005
Sabrina Sells Market President 2008
264-1793 www.truist.com/melanie.welsh
344-0304 www.guaranteedrate.com
679-8200 townebankmortgage.com/Wilmington
11
North State Bank 1411 Commonwealth Drive Wilmington, NC 28403
509-0400 dhause@northstatebank.com northstatebank.com
12
Highlands Residential Mortgage 4130 Oleander Drive, Suite 105 Wilmington, NC 28403
www.HighlandsMortgage.com
13
Resource Financial Services Inc. 1205 Culbreth Drive, Suite 101 Wilmington, NC 28405
208-4792 Ahales@RFSemail.com www.resourcefinancialservices.com
313-0045
5
14
$30,400
40%
Banking needs from checking, home equity and lot loans and residential mortgage loans; construction firm loans; Specialties: purchase and refinance transactions; conventional, FHA, VA, USDA and N.C. Housing Finance Agency loans; conforming and jumbo loan amounts; no closing cost loan options; Small Business Administration loans
4
6
$259,800
40%
Full-service mortgage banker; conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo; in-house processing, underwriting, closing and servicing
T. Patrick Moore Branch Manager 2008
41%
Conventional fixed and adjustable rate mortgages, conventional rehab mortgages, FHA mortgages, FHA 203k rehab mortgages, USDA mortgages, VA mortgages, jumbo mortgages, super jumbo mortgages, construction to perm loans
Ashley Hales Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist 2010
2
4
$376,000
List is based on voluntary responses to a Business Journal survey.
Want to be considered for The List? Request an industry survey by emailing lists@wilmingtonbiz.com. The Business Journal will feature the following lists in upcoming publications: Attractions • Event Transportation
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
wilmingtonbiz.com
April 15 - May 5, 2022
RECENT UPDATES BRING ADDED BUYING POWER FOR BUYERS
R
ecognizing the strength of the real estate market, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) recently increased the maximum amount for conforming loans to $647,200. This represents an approximately 18 percent increase from 2021. What this means for a buyer in Wilmington is a substantial uptick in buying power, since it’s now possible to only put five percent down on a home with a purchase price of $680,000 or less and still access historically low interest rates. This is a welcome update because the lack of inventory, price appreciation and press that has been surrounding the Fed’s projected increases in interest rates this year have been making it difficult for buyers to find a suitable home, much less close on one successfully. It’s hardly news but still worth pointing out that buyers are competing with many other buyers for well-priced homes, and the vast majority of listings are closing over asking. What this equates to in many instances is that a buyer finds a home near the top of their price range. The result of the subsequent bidding war and negotiations is often a contract price that is substantially higher than the amount the buyer was approved to borrow. In this situation, if the required appraisal scheduled by the lender comes back at an amount that is lower than the contract price, the buyer will suddenly have to face unsettling news: that they will have to come up with significantly more cash than they anticipated or have the home fall out of contract and forfeit their due diligence money. To be competitive, most agents are advising buyers to offer substantial due
diligence fees. These fees go toward the purchase price if the buyer is able to close successfully and are like a convenience fee for sellers, who get to keep the funds if the deal falls apart due to the fault of the buyer. In prior years, due diligence fees were often just a few hundred dollars. Now that they are often in the thousands, it’s easy to see why a buyer would not want to risk losing the money. Luckily, we are able to adjust the loan-to-value ratio in most situations so that the buyer does not have to come up with significant added funds to keep the deal intact. So, in the case where a buyer is putting down 20 percent on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage, then suddenly gets the awful news they will have to bring more funds, we can change the down payment amount to as low as three percent, for first time buyers, or five percent for most others. The result is typically a very minimal impact on the buyer’s monthly payment, very insignificant in comparison to the pain of forfeiting thousands in due diligence fees and the inconvenience of having to start all over in the home search process. This would allow the buyer to hold onto most of the funds they had saved for the 20 percent down payment to use for repairs, renovations or even a vacation. All of us are committed to do everything we can to help our buyers find a home and close successfully. With that in mind, we are a local team that works with local appraisers—the idea being that locals understand the nuances of their market better than anyone and have a vested interest in seeing its continued growth and success.
WILL MULLINIX Mullinix Mortgage Group Born and raised in Wilmington, Will Mullinix has been originating residential mortgages since 2003. Mullinix Mortgage Group is a trusted local lender, backed by an independent mortgage company with more than 20 years in the industry. Will has procured over 2 billion in closed loans in North and South Carolina. For more information or a confidential, no-obligation consultation, call 910-821-3039, email Will@ mullinixmortgage.com, or visit mullinixmortgage.com.
910-821-3039 MullinixMortgage.com
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RESTAURANT ROUNDUP
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BUSINESS OF LIFE
This is a sampling of stories from the Business Journal’s weekly Restaurant Roundup email. Subscribe at wilmingtonbiz.com.
Vicious Biscuit to open in summer at The Forum Vicious Biscuits, which won The Post and Courier’s Best Biscuit in Charleston award in 2021, labels itself a fast-casual restaurant “consistently serving delicious, creative comfort meals made with high-quality ingredients, complimented by Southern hospitality.” The menu features biscuit sandwiches such as the popular Vicious, a fried chicken breast on a cheddar jalapeño biscuit covered in maple sausage gravy, candied jalepeños and maple syrup. Vicious Biscuit’s Chris Fletcher’s favorite – what he said convinced him to work for the restaurant after he first tried one at the Summerville location – is The Fat Boy, a buttermilk biscuit served with smoked ham, white cheddar cheese and an egg. Once it’s ready to open, Vicious Biscuit’s Wilmington establishment will be located at 1121-A Military Cutoff Road. Hours will run from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. every weekday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Kipos to bring seafoodfocused Greek food Kipos Hellenic Cuisine is preparing for an early summer opening of a Greek seafood-focused Wilmington location at Lumina Station off Eastwood Road. The restaurant’s other Greek-themed restaurant, Kipos Greek Tavern, is in Chapel Hill. The 140-seat restaurant, next to upscale French restaurant Brasserie du Soleil, will be surrounded by a lush, partially covered garden patio, with the atmosphere inside “convivial, bright, white, and airy Mediterranean,” according to a news release. The garden will surround old oak trees and include an herb and flower terrace and gazebos. Prices will range from $5 for appetizers to $28 for entrees.
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Now open for brunch: Seaview Crab Co. grows When the kitchen at Seaview Crab Co.’s midtown Wilmington market first opened in March 2020, before
the pandemic began in earnest, Seaview’s owners saw it to hit two birds with one stone (or, more accurately, catch two fish with one lure). Brothers Joe and Sam Romano, along with their friend from Virginia Beach, Nathan King, believed the kitchen would not only reduce excess waste from their retail market, but also show customers different ways to prepare their fresh seafood products. Because it was set up as a takeout kitchen from the start, the two-yearsand-counting pandemic has done little to slow down the new operation. So King and the Romanos looked to expand: Beginning early February, they began opening the kitchen from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday with a special brunch menu.
Restaurant proposed near Live Oak Bank campus A wooded, 3-acre piece of land adjacent to the Live Oak Bank campus may soon be home to a new restaurant if the city of Wilmington approves a conditional rezoning request. The applicant is listed as Covey Property LLC, whose registered agent is James S. Mahan III, according to state records. Mahan is the founder and CEO of Live Oak Bancshares, the umbrella company of Live Oak Bank. Mahan was present at a virtually attended neighborhood meeting Feb. 15 to discuss the rezoning request, according to the application. The Oleander Co. Inc., whose registered agent is listed as Nelson MacRae, is cited as the property owner. Located at the corner of Independence Boulevard and Tiburon Drive, the property is currently undeveloped. Monteith Construction, Peadon Finein Architecture and Mihaly Land Design are listed among members of the development team. The concept focuses on a neighborhood restaurant with private dining rooms, a patio, wine bar, lounge and main dining room. The applicant argues that the “neighborhood is now a vibrant business hub with diverse residential living, but it lacks accessible dining for the residents and workers, and, in particular, has no dining within a reasonable walking distance.” “We believe the restaurant would definitely complement the character of the immediate area,” according to the proposal.
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April 15 - May 5, 2022
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| BUSINESS OF LIFE | French chef spices up Cut & Pour BY MARK DARROUGH rench chef Stefane Laporte knows a thing or two about the kitchen, and like any good chef, he thrives under pressure. “He’s built two new menus and won a contest with us in the matter of four weeks,” 3315 Cut & Pour owner Steve West said of his restaurant’s new chef. When Laporte started in early March, West and business partner Russell Snyder had already registered for the annual Wish Upon a Chef competition at UNCW’s Burney Center on March 17. The previous chef had decided on a lamb dish, and Laporte took it from there, winning the contest after less than two weeks on the job. West and Snyder had worked with Laporte when he ran the kitchen at their other restaurant in town, Grand Cru Food & Wine. After Laporte left and worked at True Blue Butcher & Table for a short stint, West convinced him to work with them again, this time at Cut & Pour. “We knew what he was capable of,” West continued. “The French have very big flavor profiles, and they use fresh ingredients. We don’t even buy our sour cream; everything we have is made fresh. He’s really opened things up for us and expanded our flavors, and he’s able to take a spin on the normal American comfort food.” West knew things were going to be different when he recently noticed Laporte pull a 12-hour shift to prepare for a new Sunday brunch menu, which launched March 3. Laporte’s culinary background is long and well-traveled. After two years with the French Navy, stationed in the Caribbean islands, he worked in Ireland, San Diego, Portland, Las Vegas and Kansas City. “When I moved to Las Vegas, I was supposed to be there just for six months. I stayed 13 years,” Laporte said. He met his “better half ” in Las Vegas, moved to Kansas City where they had a child, then to Wilmington to be close to family. His cooking philosophy is one shaped by three years at a French school, a six-month trip to Southeast Asia – where he grew in love with lemongrass and ginger, among other flavors – and more than two decades in American kitchens. One
F
RESTAURANT ROUN DUP
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLINE SPENCER
Meal prep: Chef Stefane Laporte has added his expertise to the menu at 3315 Cut & Pour.
of his favorite dishes at Cut & Pour, a pan-roasted salmon with Carolina red spice, is made with dashi, a Japanese broth. “We ran it as a special the first week I was there, and it sold out in two nights,” Laporte said, adding that he loved Japanese flavors because they are clean and light on the palate, complementing the natural flavors of salmon and other fish. West said such creations lend well to the owners’ strategy of “not putting ourselves in a box that says we’re just a steakhouse.” When Cut & Pour opened last July at the Courtyard at Masonboro shopping center, West and Snyder aimed to be more than a steakhouse. They wanted to carry on the tradition of the location’s previous restaurant, Siena Trattoria and Pizzeria, which had a strong pull with residents in the quickly growing Masonboro area, according to West. After a recent dinner at Cut & Pour, nearby resident Mickey Webb said West, Snyder and Laporte were doing a wonderful job of attracting locals.
“The food and the people are awesome. We needed Cut & Pour to bring our ‘neighborhood place’ back. We have a great Tuesday night crowd there,” Webb said. The menu serves a fish du jour every Thursday to Saturday and brunch every Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., reservations recommended. West said his new chef is also “opening up the pasta side” of the menu, currently working on several fettuccine dishes. But when it comes to steak, Cut & Pour serves the best: cuts of prime beef, the highest grade of beef in the U.S,. and choice beef, the second highest grade, according to West. There’s even a 60-day, dry-aged tomahawk ribeye on the menu, which, at $125 a dish, Laporte said he serves several times a week to serious steak lovers. Lifetime local Stephen Sonnenberg said he had to try it after his friend told him “it was the best piece of meat he ever had.” He said the restaurant fills a niche for a growing neighborhood with only a handful of bar-style restaurants.
“The area’s really grown over the last 10 years,” Sonnenberg said. “A lot more people are sticking to the neighborhood to eat out. ” Laporte said he is trying to provide something new for a growing area, using his broad culinary experience to do so. He pointed to how much he’s learned since his first job at an American kitchen, at a steakhouse at the Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas. “The first six months I was there, I didn’t understand everything,” Laporte said. “Everything was different, and it took time for me to appreciate it. And now, without even realizing it, when I do something I’m using those American techniques, those American ingredients, because it was good to me and I learned to love them.” In his road to perfection, Laporte said he relies on the skills of his souschef, James Sparks, who he called “gold” for the pride he puts into his work. But that goes for all employees at Cut & Pour. Laporte said, “I mean, from the dishwasher to the pizza guy, everbody’s on top.”
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