3 minute read
SPOTLIGHT
photo c/o Wilmington Fire Department
STATION DOG GETS TO WORK
TThe Wilmington Fire Department recently launched a pilot program with the paws4people foundation to have a crisis response facility dog at the fire station off Eastwood Road. RHYS (pronounced Reese), who goes home after his shift with his firefighter handler, is part of the department’s mental health and wellness program, officials say. RHYS also provides comfort in emergency situations, both at the department and at the scene of an emergency in the community. RHYS was named in honor of Army Sergeant Rhys Klasno, who was killed during combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007. paws4people was founded in 1999 by Kyria Henry Whisenhunt, a former WILMA Women to Watch Award winner.
HARRIS JOINS HABITAT IN FUNDRAISING ROLE EMERGEORTHO NAMES NEW STATEWIDE CEO UNCW PROMOTES TUCKER TO DEPUTY AD
CHRISTINA FERRIS was appointed Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity’s new development director.
In the position, she is responsible for raising funds to provide affordable housing for families and individuals through the three-county Cape Fear region.
Ferris, who has experience as a nonprofit leader, recently moved to Wilmington from Michigan where she worked in fund development, marketing, and public relations. Her background includes work in human services, health and fitness, hospice care, and the arts.
She has experience with major gifts, development strategy, and grant writing and has led a variety of teams in planning and implementing awardwinning marketing campaigns, as well as managing large events that raised more than $235,000.
Ferris, who graduated from the University of West Florida, is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
“I’m honored,” Ferris says, “to be part of this incredible organization and look forward to helping deserving families in the community experience the lifechanging opportunity of homeownership.”
One of the largest physician-owned orthopedic practices in North Carolina and the nation recently named a Wilmington resident its first statewide CEO.
Currently the practice’s CFO, ALLISON FARMER transitions to her new CEO role this month.
In June 2013, Farmer was hired as CFO of the practice known then as OrthoWilmington after the merger of Atlantic Orthopedics and Wilmington Orthopaedic Group.
In 2016, OrthoWilmington joined with three other practices across North Carolina to form EmergeOrtho. Over the next five years, Farmer became CFO for several of the regions in the organization.
As CEO, Farmer will lead a team of 1,835 employees, 484 of them in Wilmington. Of those, 288 are orthopedic surgeons and physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
“(Farmer’s) leadership,” EmergeOrtho President Frank Aluisio says, “was especially evident last year when she helped guide us financially through the challenges of COVID-19, ensuring the group remained stable through those unsettling times.”
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The University of North Carolina Wilmington recently named TIFFANY TUCKER as deputy athletic director.
Tucker had served as senior associate athletic director and senior woman administrator at UNCW since January 2019.
A former player on the UNC women’s basketball team and collegiate women’s basketball coach, Tucker has experience as an athletic administrator.
“Tiffany is a superstar in college athletics,” UNCW Athletic Director Jimmy Bass says. “She’s a wonderful human being who brought an unmatched work ethic to UNCW. She is well-respected by Seahawk student-athletes, coaches, and staff as well as her peers throughout campus for her love of this great university. Her work on the CAA level has made our league better.”
Tucker joined UNCW after serving as deputy director of athletics for internal operations and senior woman administrator at South Carolina State University. She also previously worked in athletic administration at Elizabeth City State University, Hampton University, and S.C. State. Tucker also coached basketball at Allegheny College, Radford University, Francis Marion University, and Claflin University.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to continue to impact our students, coaches, and staff; we make a great team,” Tucker says. “I am fortunate to be a part of something so special and work with such passionate people.”
