Greater Fayetteville Business Journal - March 4, 2022 Issue

Women Mean Business

Hope Mills to host exclusive brunch featuring celebrity comedienne Page 19

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022 Vol. 1, No. 20

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WEB EXCLUSIVE Airport credentials

Director Blevins receives inaugural professional credentials bizfayetteville.com

Residential Real Estate Demand and challenges soar for builders Page 13

Military Business

DEFTECH seeks to serve military tech sector Page 16 FREEPIK.COM

The new event seeks to empower and uplift women by celebrating them. Local businesses have been supportive of the initiative.

Index

Banking + Finance ................................. 3 In The News ....................................... 3, 5 Editor’s Note .......................................... 4 Achievers ............................................8-9 Residential Real Estate ........................13 Hospitality .....................................14, 19 Military Business .................................16 The List ..........................................17, 22

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MAKING HERStory CEED celebrates women entrepreneurs with first-ever HERFayetteville event

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By Jenna Shackelford

T

he Women's Business Center of Fayetteville at the Center for Economic Empowerment and Development is hosting a week of events to celebrate women in the community from March 7-11.

The event, called HERFayetteville, was born after Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Keefe Jensen’s Women of Power fashion show, which was held back in January. CEED CEO Suzy Hrabovsky, a friend of Jensen, was impressed by the camaraderie that the fashion show brought about, which celebrates brilliant women in the region.

With a vision of keeping the celebration going, Hrabovsky decided that CEED would take ownership of HERFayetteville, hosting a week-long celebratory event for women.

“We’ve been planning this since about two weeks after the fashion show… To be honest, this has kind of come together really last minute, but I think that she [Hrabovsky] knew we had the manpower to get this together,” CaitlinChastain said.

But the quick planning hasn’t slowed down the event. In fact, CEED has rallied together community support from a variety of well-known local organizations such as Piedmont Natural Gas, the City of Fayetteville, Women of Power Society of N.C., A Nation of Sisters, Greater Fayetteville United, Coldwell Banker Advantage, Cool Spring Downtown District, Fayetteville State University, and the Greater Fayetteville Chamber.

See HERSTORY, page 11

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March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

Having a hard time finding resources to start and grow your business?

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

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for a regional-wide calendar with events and workshops hosted by Resource Partners, giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to continue to learn skills that can help them with their business.

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March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

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Staff Report

Page 3

BANKING + FINANCE

First Horizon sells to TD Bank Group TORONTO-DOMINION BANK GROUP ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF FIRST HORISON FOR $13.4B

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oronto-Dominion Bank Group and First Horizon Corporation have announced they have signed an agreement for TD to acquire First Horizon in an all-cash transaction for $13.4 billion.

First Horizon currently has three locations in Greater Fayetteville Business Journal’s coverage area, with two locations in Fayetteville and one in Southern Pines.

Through this transaction, TD marks its place in its long-term growth strategy in the United States as a premier regional bank.

TD Bank is the fifth largest bank in North America by assets and serves more than twenty-six million customers in three key businesses operating in a number of locations around the globe.

“First Horizon is a great bank and a terrific strategic fit for TD. It provides TD with immediate presence and scale in highly attractive adjacent markets in the U.S. with significant

>>

By Scott Nunn

opportunity for future growth across the Southeast,” said Bharat Masrani, group president and CEO of TD. “Working with the First Horizon team, TD will build upon the success of its strong franchise and deliver the legendary customer experiences that differentiate us in every market across our footprint.”

Following the closing of the transaction, president and CEO of First Horizon Bryan Jordan will serve as TD vice chair and be named to the Board of Directors of TD’s U.S. banking entities as director and chair.

“We have built a very strong business at First Horizon, and by joining forces with TD, we will create extraordinary value for our key stakeholders with a shared customer-centric strategy, enhanced scale and a broader product set for our clients. This is a true growth story,” said Jordan.

“We have long respected TD as a leader in U.S. banking and are confident that its continued and growing

The transaction is expected to close early in 2023.

investments in our local markets will extend our long history of community support,” he continued. “Thank you to our First Horizon associates for their efforts and dedication to our clients and communities as we continue

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to deliver for them every day. We look forward to successfully completing this transaction and are excited to join TD.” The acquisition will add nearly $55 billion of loans and $75 billion of deposits to TD.TD has also agreed to invest $494 million in non-voting First Horizon preferred stock to support First Horizon’s growth and franchise enhancement.

This transaction will close approximately in the first quarter of 2023, and is expected to result in a fully-synergized return on invested capital of ten percent. If the transaction is not closed by November 27, 2022, First Horizon shareholders will receive an additional $0.65 per share on an annualized basis from November 27 through the day prior to closing.

If not closed by February 27, 2023, the transaction will be terminated.

IN THE NEWS

Chemical cleanup ROBESON STREET CONTAMINATION FROM NOW-DEFUNCT PLANTERS CHEMICAL

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rom the early 1960s to the mid1990s, Square Deal Package Store operated at 636 Robeson St. From 1960 until the early 1980s, Planters Chemical and its parent company, Thompson-Hayward Chemical, operated a small agricultural chemical facility on part of the site.

When Square Deal closed and the underground fuel tanks and other infrastructure were removed in 1997, petroleum compounds were discovered in soil and groundwater at concentrations exceeding state standards.

Although remediation work is underway at the longtime troubled site on the edge of downtown Fayetteville, there’s no indication when the state may provide a clean bill of health or what the future holds for the land. The status of the land is a good illustration of the complexity of evaluating a contaminated site and how long it takes for cleanup work to even begin.

PHOTO BY JENNA SHACKELFORD

Despite the cleanup happening at the property off Robeson Street, the property’s location gives it potential.

According to a spokesperson for the N.C. Division of Waste Management, during the investigation of the Square Deal area of the property, agricultural chemicals and other volatile organic compounds were discovered in nearby soil and groundwater, contamination that was linked to the adjacent chemical operations.

In 2012, the state declared the 5-acre

parcel a hazardous waste site.

Records show that the companies leased the land and buildings from William Thornton Sanders of Wrightsville Beach. Cumberland County property records show the land has a tax value of $175,000 and the entire parcel – which includes a 9,000-square foot warehouse – is valued at $272,000. Attempts to reach Sanders were unsuccessful.

Since Planters Chemical no longer exists, the state requested Philips Electronics North America – tied to Planters after a previous merger – to clean up the site. Philips ultimately consented and hired ARCADIS consulting to assess the contamination and recommend a remediation plan.

From 2016 to 2019, documents show ARCADIS confirmed that soil and shallow groundwater at the site contained concentrations of compounds used in pesticides and fertilizer that exceed state standards.

While remediation has begun on

the site, contamination still remained as of last May. According to the Division of Waste Management spokesperson, the most recent monitoring report – dated June 23, 2021 – the site still contained contamination above state-allowed levels in both soil and groundwater samples in the Planters Chemical area.

“Of all the contaminants detected, chlorine-based pesticides have the largest extent in groundwater,” the spokesperson said.

While the future of the site is unclear, the land is an area with development possibilities. The commercial real estate website Loopnet shows several nearby properties in the area available for sale or lease.

Neil Grant, owner of Grant-Murray Real Estate, said he was not aware of any immediate plans for the site, but he did know that work was underway.

“I understand Planters (or its current owner) is cleaning it up,” he said.

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Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

EDITOR'S NOTES

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SUPPORTING

4424 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28303 910-240-9697 bizfayetteville.com

the troops in uncertain times

PUBLISHER Marty Cayton martyc@bizfayetteville.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jenna Shackelford jennas@bizfayetteville.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Charity Brandsma Kathie Harris Jenna-Ley Jamison Monica Kreber Suet Lee-Growney Jami McLaughlin Scott Nunn Savanah Ramsey Nicole Zappone CONTRIBUTING WRITER MARKETING CONTENT Stacie Borrello CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Samantha Lowe samanthal@bizfayetteville.com ACCOUNTING Priscilla Nelson billing@bizfayetteville

The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal is published twice a month throughout Fayetteville and the Cumberland County region.

News related to the region’s business sector is posted daily at bizfayetteville.com.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Your free trial of Greater Fayetteville Business Journal is ending soon.

To subscribe, call 910-240-9697 or visit bizfayetteville.com/ subscribe. Subscriptions cost $9.95 per month or $95 per year.

REPRINT For article reprints, plaques and more contact Jenna Shackelford at 910-240-9697.

ADVERTISING For advertising information, please email us at marketing@bizfayetteville.com or call 910-240-9697. © Copyright 2021 Greater Fayetteville Business Journal Correction: In the original publishing of the Colleges & Universities list on page 22, two errors were found. The list in this issue has been revised.

ISTRFRY MARCUS/UNSPLASH

We extend our thoughts and prayers to the service members and families of service members who are affected by the conflict in the Ukraine.

I

n the past few years, we’ve all become well acquainted with operating in uncertain times, but somehow, uncertain times still don’t ever feel more certain.

I think it’s because “uncertainty” is just so vague. From politics, to pandemics, to paychecks, a lot has changed in two years’ time. In personal lives, some of us have lost loved ones to illness, disagreements and distance. Some of us have sold homes and moved. Some of us have switched jobs or entire career paths and learned new skills. For some of us, not a lot has changed, but we’ve watched the world change around us.

And uncertainty is hard.

This week, yet again, many of us feel uncertain as we’ve received word of the invasion of the Ukraine and seen violent and disturbing reports, images and videos of the conflict.

Thousands of soldiers from Fort Bragg have been deployed overseas.

THE DEPLOYMENT, OF COURSE, DEEPLY AFFECTS US ALL, NOT JUST AS BUSINESSPEOPLE, BUT AS A COMMUNITY OF INDIVIDUALS WHO CARE FOR EACH OTHER.

The Fort Bragg Paraglide, Fort Bragg’s media source, recently shared a list of resources that are available to military families affected by the recent deployment:

1. Unit Soldier and Family Readiness

Groups (SFRGs) are the first place for you to receive information about your service member.

2. Soldier and Family Readiness Group

Center is located on Pope Army Airfield off of Reilly Road. They have computers available for your use and can help direct you to important resources for those affected by the deployment.

3. Army Community Services has a

variety of resources available to you and your family. Some of these services include Financial Readiness, Volunteer Services, and Military and Family Life Counselors. For a full list of services go to www.bragg.armymwr.com/programs/acs.

4. Child, Youth and School Services has a variety of programs to help with

child care and to keep your kids active. The daycares even offer special hourly care rates during deployments for doctor appointments or a break for self care. For a full list of services go to www.bragg.armymwr.com/categories/cys-services

5. North Carolina USO is another great resource available to you and your family. For more information visit www.northcarolinaorg/fortbragg or follow USO North Carolina.

6. Armed Services YMCA, Fort Bragg is

another resource for you and your family. For more information go to www.asymca.org/fort-bragg-home or follow @Armed Services YMCA - Fort Bragg, NC.

We at the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal extend our thoughts and prayers to the people who are so bravely serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as their loved ones and veterans.

We thank you for your sacrifice and courage.

JENNA SHACKELFORD, Associate Editor 910-240-9697, Ext 102 • jennas@bizfayetteville.com

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal >>

By Savanah Ramsey

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

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IN THE NEWS

Anticipating economic shifts AS THE CONFLICT WITH RUSSIA & THE UKRAINE INTENSIFIES, WHAT WILL THE LOCAL IMPACT BE?

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hat can Americans expect from the economy as the conflict continues between Russia and the Ukraine?

Over the last year, the cost of living in the United States has been at an all-time high. The invasion of Ukraine will likely drive prices even higher with inflation and slow down our economic recovery from the pandemic, experts believe. In fact, we’re already starting to see the effects in oil, gas, and grocery prices.

A key factor in how hard the conflict will impact the economy here will depend on Russia's response to the U.S sanctions set by President Biden. Russia could retaliate by halting oil, natural gas, and other major exports.

According to White House data reported by The Hill, trade between the U.S. and Russia totaled $35 billion in 2019, making it the 40th largest export market for American producers.

Russia is an energy superpower, producing nearly 9.7 million barrels of oil per day last year, as reported

by CNN. In the United States the prices of oil have jumped to unseen levels since 2014, and the invasion of Ukraine could derail the Russian energy supply.

CNN Business stated that if Russian oil flows are disrupted by the crisis, oil prices could jump to $120 a barrel.

Currently, the national average cost for a gallon of gas is at a seven-year high of $3.50 a gallon and will continue to increase if so. If the steep increases in oil prices do continue, not only will gas prices continue to rise, but natural gas prices could raise home heating and electricity costs. CNN explained that with higher energy costs, it will also make it more expensive for flying, and keep transportation and input costs elevated for businesses already suffering from surging expenses.

The conflict between these two countries will also ensure further supply chain issues.

Although oil is Russia's major export, both Russia and Ukraine are also large agricultural suppliers of wheat, rye, barley, and other grains.

CBS explained that a disruption to the produce industry will send global food prices higher.

TIM MOSSHOLDER/UNSPLASH

From interruptions in production to shortages to price increases, the overseas conflict is beginning to be reflected in the United States’ economy.

CBS also reported that Russia plays a significant role in the production of metals such as aluminum and palladium, while Ukraine is Europe's top producer of uranium, titanium, manganese, iron, and mercury. The sanctions placed on Russia by the United States have already resulted in the rapid increase in the price of aluminum. Aluminum International Today went on to explain that Russia accounts for six percent of global aluminum production, making it the second largest aluminum producer next to China.

The Ukraine is the ninth largest uranium and sixth largest titanium producer in the world and with worsening conditions due to the conflict there will be economic repercussions globally.

With Russia and Ukraine's involvement in the metals industry, those supplies will decrease and therefore, industries will have to pay more to receive it.

According to CNN Business, if inflation continues to rise and spikes above 10 percent, the Federal Reserve will inevitably struggle to find ways to keep prices for goods and borrowing costs of consumers under control. This will result in a faster pace of interest rates for consumers on everything from mortgages and

car loans to credit cards.

On another note, the conflict between these two countries can result in an unsteady stock market in the United States. A prolonged market downturn would have the potential to wipe out wealthy built-up families in the stock market and retirement accounts.

With these potential economic impacts, global unrest could startle American consumers, resulting in them cutting back on spending and partaking in other economic activities.

While these are major concerns across the United States, several factors will impact our community in Fort Bragg and Fayetteville.

The local economy, as the business community here knows, is resilient.

However, the issues that will be faced will all depend on factors like the duration of the deployments of Fort Bragg troops and the timeframe that sanctions will last for.

“Obviously, the longer this plays out, the greater the impact,” said Robert Patton, vice president of Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation. “If you compare where we're at today economically in the region to where we were, let's say the Gulf War, we have diversified our economy a lot more.”

Across the nation, everyone is also looking over their shoulders for signs of cyberattacks. The conflict in Ukraine has put the U.S. at a major risk. Recently, the New York Post released a statement that Toyota suspended its Japanese production vehicles because of a cyberattack. At this time, however, it is still unclear who conducted the attack, but following the Colonial Pipeline hacking last year by Russian hackers, and considering an increase in cyberattacks in 2021, cybersecurity is a high priority for many organizations currently.

“I caution everybody to be hypervigilant about cyber threats,” Patton stated. “This will impact us not only globally, but here, as well as supplies and other domestic resources.”

“Some service industries are going to be affected. Unfortunately, we do not know to what extent,” explained Patton. “Let's say your business is running dry cleaners, take that catering towards the military population, and with them not here, the numbers are going to take a hit.”

Although it is too early to assess the Russia and Ukraine conflict's full impact on the economy in our community and the United States, citizens need to stay on their toes for what is to come.

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March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

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The Health Care Economy

HEALTH CARE LEADERS SHARE ABOUT STATE OF INDUSTRY AT POWER BREAKFAST

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reater Fayetteville Business Journal held its third quarterly Power Breakfast, themed “The Health Care Economy,” on Feb. 22 in Fayetteville.

The event, which focused on the business of health care and what changes are to be expected as we emerge from COVID, was a sold-out success at Highland Country Club. It featured a panel of health care leaders in the community: Colonel Christopher Jarvis, commander of Womack Army Medical Center, Daniel Dücker, executive director of the Fayetteville NC VA Coastal Health Care System, and Michael Nagowski, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health System.

“Health care is 20 percent of the gross domestic product of the U.S. economy,” Marty Cayton, publisher of GFBJ, stated in his opening remarks.

The panelists shared how their organizations have been affected over the last two years, considering that health care is such a large industry that was heavily affected by the pandemic.

>>

By Savanah Ramsey

PHOTO BY ROXANA ROSS/CAPE FEAR VALLEY HEALTH

The panel for the Power Breakfast was made up of local leaders in the healthcare industry.

“I think when you think of what's happened to us as an industry and as a nation related to COVID, I think a lot of it comes back to leadership,” stated Nagowski. “We have to adjust, and everyone must understand that it's not going away.”

Each health care panelist agreed that they have had to adjust, adapt, and overcome challenges as leaders to push their organizations forward.

With this motivation to keep moving forward, these health care leaders

leaned on one another and worked together.

“We're all facing the same challenges, but we have our unique versions of these challenges, and we can easily depend on each other to work through them and approach a solution,” explained Jarvis.

Despite the negative impacts that followed COVID-19, organizations were forced to be more efficient in communication and decision-making.

Through collaborative efforts during

rocky circumstances, the local health care facilities have effectively woven their way through supply shortages affecting health care systems across the nation.

“One of the nice things about working in the largest health care system in the nation is having a way to cover each other,” said Dücker.

“With the spikes in New York and Louisiana, we have been sending supplies there. If we had a crisis, they would send supplies to us too.”

The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal plans to continue offering opportunities for networking and digging deeper into important topics within the business community and is ready to put on its next event.

The Journal hosts the Power Breakfast on a quarterly basis, and it is a premier networking event in the region. Past themes have included “For Our Defense” and “Entrepreneurs & Acquirers.” To stay in the loop about future Power Breakfasts, subscribe to GFBJ’s daily emails at BizFayetteville.com/Subscribe.

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USSOCOM Technical Experimentation event 22-3 EMERGING TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE SET TO HOST EVENT IN JUNE

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n opportunity for North Carolina’s small businesses, academic institutions, and innovators is on the horizon.

From June 6-10, the USSOCOM Technical Experimentation event 22-3 will be held at the Emerging Technology Institute in Red Springs, North Carolina. The themes for the event are “Soldier Systems” and “Standoff Through-Wall Imaging.”

The event evaluates innovative technologies that can offer Special Operation Forces increased capabilities in the areas of protection, location and tracking, visual augmentation devices, advanced power solutions, and more.

“ETI is excited to have another opportunity to support SOCOM

again but more importantly this event gives North Carolina small businesses and academic institutions an opportunity to be face to face with Program Managers and PEO offices that fund and develop new technologies that support Special Operations,” stated James Freeman, founder and pres-

ident of ETI. “Everyone dreams about being able to demonstrate to SOCOM and this event is the Super Bowl technology demonstration.

This only happens four times a year and it has been a long time since a SOCOM T&E has taken place near Fort Bragg.”

The deadline for submission is March 18 at noon DST. After reviewing the technical experimentation nomination submissions, the government will invite select candidates to demonstrate their technologies at the USSOCOM event.

If experiments radiate a given frequency or frequency band, it must have prior approval to transmit on that frequency.

These nominations shall be submitted electronically by creating a Scout Card at www.vulcan-sof.com by the deadline. A complete submission consists of: • Creating a Scout Card in the Vulcan system.

• Completed supplemental sheet attached to the Scout Card.

• Devices with radio frequency emissions must state the intended frequency used by the device.

• An FCC STA, Experimental License, or NTIA document.

• Instructions on how to safely use the technology.

• A picture of the device with a short description if applicable.

• A signed photo release.

For more information, contact tech_exp@socom.mil or 813-826-4646.

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ACHIEVERS Hunt to be recognized with Excellence in Regional Collaboration Award Thomas Hall, executive director of the Thomas E-Hub and UNCP Incubator recently announced that ED HUNT, UNCP KBR coordinator, is the recipient of NC Rural Center's 2022 Excellence in Regional Collaboration Award, which will be presented at Rural Day in Raleigh on March 22.

“The Excellence in Regional CollaboHunt ration award recognizes an individual or organization that has developed and implemented innovative collaborations across sectors and/or regions in order to secure a more vibrant future for all people in their communities,” the email from Hall read. “The winner will have demonstrated an understanding of the interconnectedness of our rural places and demonstrated a steadfast commitment to fostering inclusive partnerships that equitably and sustainably address community needs across the region they serve.”

“Ed certainly is well-deserving of this award, as he has led our efforts over the last five years to improve the economic vitality of the agriculture community in the Pembroke region,” he continued. “Funded by KBR and NC IDEA, Ed has conducted numerous Good Agricultural Practices workshops, established and runs the Produce Point that has increased the amount of locally purchased produce from 2% to over 16%, and is working to build out the AgHealth Innovation Site, establish a Food Market, and restore the momentum the agriculture community had prior to the pandemic. He did all this by building strong partnerships and collaboration with the many like-minded agricultural groups in the region.”

The NC Rural Center works to improve life in rural areas across North Carolina by developing, promoting, and implementing sound economic strategies across 78 of North Carolina’s 100 counties.

Greater Fayetteville Apartment Association honors Keystone Apartments with award for improvement

Keystone Apartments of Fayetteville, located at 425 Woodstream Trail, was recently recognized by the Greater Fayetteville Apartment Association as the 2021 Most Improved Community of the Year.

“Congratulations to our Manage-

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

bizfayetteville.com

What are you and your peers achieving? Have you reached a new goal? Have you acquired another business? Maybe your business has a new hire you would like to highlight.

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal wants to hear from you and your business to shine a spotlight on your accomplishments.

To nominate someone for GFBJ’s Achievers section, email editor@bizfayetteville.com with the subject line “Achiever.”

ment Team, Sweetwater Property Management,” Scott Kerico, managing partner at Cash Flow Capital Partners LLC, said in a LinkedIn post. “Together we have achieved the 2021 Most Improved Property of the Year for Keystone Apartments in Fayetteville, NC. We all appreciate your dedication and hard work.”

Sweetwater Property Management manages several properties both locally and out of state. The Fayetteville and Hope Mills properties include Birchfield Apartments, Keystone Apartment Homes, Carolina Pines Apartment Homes, Cedar Heights Townhomes, Church Street Apartments, Meadow Pointe Apartments, Woodland Ridge, Oakridge Court, Forest Pointe, Residences at Haymount, Highland Court, Westlawn Apartments, Amelia, Devonwood, Carolina Place, Claremont Hills, and Magnolia Crossing.

Fayetteville PWC hires Ruiz in cybersecurity role Fayetteville Public Works Commission recently hired a new cybersecurity manager.

“I am excited to share that I accepted the role as the Cybersecurity Manager for the Public Works Commission (PWC) family in Fayetteville N.C.,” DAVID RUIZ, who recently stepped into the role, wrote. “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join such an excellent team of professionals. Super excited!”

Ruiz joins PWC as a veteran of the U.S. Army with more than 26 years

of experience in IT and communications systems. Prior to this position, he served in roles such as signal operations and communications support senior leadRuiz er; senior executive personnel manager; and operational positions to include IT security management, IT systems management, IT operations, and network operations.

Campbell Oil Company welcomes three new hires to the Minuteman Food Mart team Minuteman Food Mart has welcomed several new hires to its team recently.

BJ MADARASZ recently joined the operations team as the district leader.

“BJ brings a great deal of experience in convenience marketing, most recently Madarasz leading districts for Cruizers and Refuel.

Her foodservice experience and history running extremely high-volume operations adds value to our team as we continue to improve and grow,” Chris Postlewaite, senior director of retail at Campbell Oil Company, recently said in a LinkedIn post of Madrasz.

The team also welcomed TYLER BAKER as the fuel equipment tech.

“Tyler comes to us with extensive fuel equipment and POS experience, most Baker recently with JFP,” Postlewaite said. “ In his position as Fuel Equipment Technician, he will be responsible for everything pump and tank related as

part of the maintenance group lead

by Howard Plowman. This will bring quite a bit of the work that we have relied on third party companies for to be completed in house by us on our timeline. He has already hit the ground running, adding value to the group spearheading the fuel price sign integration and the installation of Intevacon for our new in-house fleet program.”

CHRIS SHEFFIELD joined the leadership team as the director of food and beverage. “Sheffield comes to us with an extensive foodservice background, most recently with Grandy’s as DirecSheffield tor of Operations,” Postlewaite wrote. “He is an Air Force veteran and has experience with branded food concepts including Arby’s and KFC. In this role, he will be responsible for program development, training, operational support, and profitability for Minuteman Kitchen, Burney’s Sweets Express, Little Caesars Express, fresh packaged foods, and all dispensed beverage programs.”

Minuteman Food Mart falls under the umbrella of Campbell Oil Company, which started in 1948 and is a third generation family-owned business. Campbell Oil Company is based in Elizabethtown, N.C.

FSU’s Glackin honored

by The United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship as an emerging scholar DR. CAROLINE GLACKIN, the director for innovation, entrepreneurship, & economic empowerment at Fayetteville State University, was recently named the USASBE 2022 Minority and Women Entrepreneurship Emerging Scholar.

“This is given to an emerging scholar/educator who has demonstrated early career success in minority and/or women's entrepreneurship and offers Glackin promise for further advanced innovative research and/or instruction in this area,” a post from USASBE on LinkedIn read. “Congratulations, Caroline and thank you for your hard work and dedication.”

The United States Association for See ACHIEVERS, page 9

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

bizfayetteville.com From ACHIEVERS, page 8

Small Business and Entrepreneurship is “an inclusive community advancing entrepreneurship education through bold teaching, scholarship, and practice,” the Facebook page reads.

In addition to her role at FSU, Glackin also serves as the associate editor of the International Journal of Instructional Cases, a role she was appointed to for a three-year term in 2020. More specifically, she is the associate editor of entrepreneurship.

Dogwood Festival executive director to join board of directors for N.C. Association of Festival & Events Dogwood Festival Executive Director SARAHGRACE SNIPES will serve on the North Carolina Association of Festival & Events’ Board of Directors.

Other board members come from a variety of festivals and organizations across North Carolina including: Duplin County Tourism; Goldsboro and Wayne County Tourism; Historic Morganton Festival; North Carolina

Whirligig Festival; North Carolina Pickle Festival; City of Kings Mountain-Special Events; City of Asheboro; Historic Morganton Festival; brioLIVE; Snipes North Carolina Black Bear Festival; InterACTive Theater of Jef; Town of China Grove-Farmer's Day; North Carolina Apple Festival; and two legacy members.

Although Snipes became the executive director for the popular Fayetteville festival last year, this will be her first in-person Spring festival in the role, since the cancellation of the event over the last couple of years due to the pandemic. The Fayetteville Dogwood boasts an impressive lineup of national acts and activities for the whole family, which ultimately encourages more people to come to Fayetteville for the event.

"The economic impact comes down to us bringing between 200-250 vendors to the Fayetteville area, with at least 50 percent of them being outof-town visitors, which leads to them needing to book hotel rooms in the Fayetteville area. This includes our

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ACHIEVERS

entertainment as well," Snipes said in a recent interview with GFBJ.

Beam named next VP for student life and Christian mission at Campbell University Campbell University recently announced that REV. FAITHE BEAM will serve as the new vice president for student life and Christian mission.

Beam first joined the CU staff in 2002 as the director of student services for the Divinity School. In 2003, she earned her Master of Divinity degree from CU. “I believe stuBeam dents most often remember the people who make up their Campbell experience — friends, faculty, staff and peers,” she said.

“They remember the people who have invested in them and hold on to experiences they shared with them.”

In 2007, Beam assumed the position of campus minister.

Throughout her career at Campbell, Beam worked under Dr. Dennis

Bazemore, who worked for more than 18 years in the cabinet before announcing his retirement.

“She has a deep love for students, she is well respected by our student body and she has grown in her role,” Bazemore said. “She is well equipped in so many ways to provide leadership in Student Life for years to come, and I am excited for her appointment as the next vice president.”

“I can think of no one better prepared to lead Campbell’s Student Life program than Rev. Faithe Beam.

I am deeply grateful that she has answered this call to lead, and I am equally grateful for the outstanding leadership and commitment of Dr. Dennis Bazemore to Campbell’s student body for the last 18 years.

We will miss his big smile, laughter and involvement in every aspect of Campbell University,” said President J. Bradley Creed.

“I am grateful to Dr. Bazemore for his strong and steady leadership,” Beam said. “He is a loyal steward of the Campbell experience in his care and commitment to students. He exemplifies the mission of Campbell in who he is and how he has served faithfully through his own purpose and calling.”

Page 10

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

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By Jenna Shackelford

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

Page 11

IN THE NEWS

From HERSTORY, page 1

The event will kick off with a brunch. “Think of it as a pep rally for #HERWeek and #HERFayetteville,” Chastain said. Attendees can arrive at Cape Fear Botanical Garden at 10 a.m. for activities, photo opportunities, and more.

Each attendee will get a “swag bag” with a canvas tote, tshirt, interactive workbook.

Chastain explained that HER is more than just a pronoun in the name. For this event, it stands for Heart, Equality, and Resilience, and speakers will represent each of those facets.

North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall will be the keynote speaker for the event. “It’s a huge deal… that she’s coming. What’s awesome about her is that she’s really a trailblazer in the political world and especially in North Carolina. … Not a lot of people know this, but she actually went in her younger years to apply for her first business loan, and she went to the bank and they said, ‘Sorry, you need to talk to your husband,” Chastain explained.

“That was not that long ago.”

One of the programs that CEED hosts is the Women’s Business Center of Fayetteville, an SBA program, which has created opportunity for CEED to collaborate with local vendors for the event. They will be providing coupons, promo codes, samples, stickers, and other goodies in the grab bags.

The initial brunch serves as the kickoff event, but the fun doesn’t stop there – in fact, it’ll keep going for the rest of the week.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the events will be online.

Tuesday is HERStory Day, which will be an online campaign encouraging women to share their stories on social media. “What’s that heart piece? What’s a passion you hold close to your heart?” Chastain explained. “Tell us about a time you’ve been resilient or a woman you’ve seen who has been resilient.”

Wednesday is HERHealth Day, focusing on mental and physical health. Free workout sessions will be hosted by women entrepreneurs who own fitness businesses in Fayetteville, a doula agency will speak about maternal health, and speaker Cami Kennedy will have a mental health summit at the end on positive mindset.

Thursday is HERPitch, which will be held at the AEVEX Veterans Club Lounge at Segra Stadium. Competitors who registered by March 3 will pitch their business ideas to a panel

“This is a community-wide initiative to celebrate women in our community and empower them, and to brag about their successes.”

MARCH 7 #HERBrunch at Cape Fear Botanical Garden from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

March 8 #HERStory, an online campaign encouraging women to share their stories with hashtags #HERFayetteville, #HERWeek, and #HERStory

March 9 #HERHealth Day, featuring free online events from owners of local fitness studios.

8 a.m. - Yoga Class with Rose Nation Studio 10 a.m. - Doula Support with Momma’s Village Noon - Fitness Class with I.F.I.T. Fayetteville 1 p.m. - Dance Class with Dancing Without Sin 6 p.m. - Optimize Your Calendar & Your Mental Health from speaker Camy Kennedy

March 10 #HERPitch finalists at Segra Stadium will pitch their business to a panel of judges for a chance to win up to $10,000 in grants from 1-5 p.m.

March 11 #HERBusiness will highlight businesses in the region with the grand opening of Rose Nation Yoga at 10:30 a.m., the grand opening of The Take Down Beauty Bar at 2 p.m., and the expansion of Meraki Creative Agency at 4 p.m.

of judges for a chance to win up to $10,000 from Center for Economic Empowerment and Development Capital and the City of Fayetteville Community Development will grant up to $10,000 in prizes to those with the best pitch.

Friday will focus on HERBusiness, which will celebrate three grand openings in the region, along with the online component that will encourage people to shop with women-owned businesses. Two of the openings will be downtown, including a new yoga studio on Hay Street next to Rude Awakening.

“I think that, here at CEED, we work with so many different community organizations and community partners, and we see a lot of people who are like, ‘Oh, my gosh, I’m so passionate about women entrepreneurship. How do I get involved?

How do I support you?’. And so, honestly, I think this is something we want to … continue. We want to see HERRaleigh, HERDurham, HERGreensboro, whatever that looks like, because it’s a great way to not only share the stories of all these wonderful, amazing women in Fayetteville, but also kind of what we do and how we can help them,” Chastain said.

“Our main goal is to help entrepreneurs of all kinds – not just women – to start and scale their businesses,” she continued. Providing a variety of services, such as marketing help, microloans, financing and more, the main goal at CEED is to see further economic development in Fayetteville through entrepreneurship.

"This is a community-wide initiative to celebrate women in our community and empower them, and to brag about their successes," explained Chastain. "It is easy to uplift other women, but as a woman, we have been told don't be too egotistical or take up too much space, and this is just a great opportunity for women to break out of that and tell their own story."

The event, while celebratory of women, is being supported by businesses that are predominantly male-owned, Chastain said. “It’s not exclusive of men by any means… It’s celebrating the women in your life for the men. For the women, it’s celebrating yourself.”

To learn more, visit www. eventbrite.com/e/herweek-fayetteville-march-7-11-2022-tickets-261897090247?aff=erelexpmlt.

Page 12

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

Your health, our specialty.

Now that I’ve had bariatric surgery, I’ve lost a bunch of weight and it’s only the beginning. This surgery is a chapter in my life that is going to change the course of my story.

Jeremiah Smith had always been an active guy and never let his weight stand in the way of doing the things he loved, like kayaking.

For him, bariatric surgery was a way to extend the quality of the years he had left. Smith had surgery, stuck to the diet and is down almost 100 pounds.

Learn more about Jeremiah’s journey and how bariatric surgery can change the course of your story at capefearvalley.com/bariatric.

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By Charity Brandsma

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

bizfayetteville.com

Page 13

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

Demand and challenges soaring CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRIES TO KEEP UP WITH HOUSING MARKET DESPITE RISING PRICES AND SUPPLY CHAIN SHORTAGES

A

mid the pandemic for the past two years, one of the many industries facing a myriad of changes and challenges is the construction industry.

Though the demand for homes continues to grow, construction businesses are hit on all sides, dealing with rising prices of materials, delays in imported materials and a shortage of laborers to get jobs done.

According to the National Association of Homebuilders, in their December 2021 survey, the cost of building has risen and become a serious challenge for 96 percent of builders, the majority of whom predict the problem to continue into the year 2022. Because the rise in material costs has not changed the demand for new builds, it continues to create a backup of construction orders.

The Fayetteville area boasts much movement in the housing industry with Fort Bragg bringing in new families who go through seasons of buying, selling and building.

Though the housing industry tends to thrive in this area, the past two years have brought an incredible increase in demand.

Likely the cause of interest rates being historically low, the building industry has worked tirelessly to try to meet the greater influx of new construction requests – a challenger easier said than done. Unfortunately, prices of materials have also risen, making the cost of new construction much greater than in the past.

Though price changes don’t seem to deter many people from their pursuit of a newly built home, it has been a marked change for construction companies, creating an unpredictable future for the home market.

At some point, the cost of building a home may outweigh the perceived value of the home.

Wells Alderman, co-owner of A&G Residential, explains the housing demand, showing the specific abnormality in the Fayetteville area.

“First off, there is still a high demand and low inventory right now.

In the Fayetteville MLS there should be about 3000 active listings, and right now [they’re] under 500. So, there is no inventory,” he said. “One of the biggest reasons for that is that

CONNER BROWN/UNSPLASH

The state of the construction industry won’t be going “back to normal” for a while as delays in building, workforce shortages, supply chain issues, and cost increases are slowing down the ability for homebuilders to meet the demand for homes in the area and across the nation.

interest rates have been historically low – lower than they’ve ever been ...

Everyone wants to buy a house, and when everyone wants to buy a house and there's no inventory, we can’t build fast enough. That’s been the case for the past 18 months. We are the busiest we have ever been this month.”

While this demand would normally be a positive point, it has exacerbated an already challenging time where everything, from parts to permits, is experiencing delays. The issue is seen at an international and national level, as delays in construction parts vary weekly but force construction companies to wait on any further project progress until those parts can be shipped.

The NAHB surveyed builders in May of 2021, and found 95 percent responded, acknowledging a severe appliance shortage -- the highest seen since 1990. The shortage would include framing lumber, plywood, windows and doors. These “supply

chain bottlenecks,” as the Association of General Contractors calls it, has taken its toll, leaving builders with little they can do to fix the delays.

Alderman further explains the problem, indicating it is not just supplies themselves but even the permits to begin building which are backlogged, pointing to the lack of employees available to do the larger amount of work in permit offices.

“There is more building going on right now, so the more building the more work. They are bogged down just like everyone else is bogged down. Everyone is out because COVID is going through their office,” he said.

Alderman went on to explain on a larger level how, in his view, COVID has been a huge reason for delays in materials and lack of employees on the job.

“COVID has caused the majority of the problems. It just trickles down from there because plants and

manufacturing facilities are shutting down. It’s caused delays in materials. … When you usually have X number of people on the job in the trade, it’s now cut in half. In a nutshell, anything that everyone is dealing with in COVID applies to us,” Alderman explained.

Earlier this month, Alderman shared with Greater Fayetteville Business Journal that, between the shortage of workers and rising costs of supplies, it can take eight months to build a house now. Laying the foundation of a house, he gave for an example of the rising costs, has increased from approximately $12,000 to $30,000.

Ken Simonson, the AGC chief economist explained in a recent report, “Contractors are struggling to fill positions as potential workers opt out of the labor market or choose other industries. … In addition, soaring materials costs and unpredictable delivery times are delaying projects and holding back employment gains.”

The Associated General Contractors of America released an analysis showing construction employment going down by 5,000 jobs between December 2021 and January 2022, while the hourly pay actually rose.

The current delay in parts isn’t a singular issue to construction but can be seen in the lack of cars filling car sale lots and the rise of even certain food prices. Anything being imported comes at the risk of great delay, and it would seem business owners and customers alike are learning to live within the new unknown.

The great question for many as they continue to wade through the uncertainty of unprecedented times, is when will it end. With no answer obviously remaining, the greater Fayetteville area must continue to adapt to a slower pace of life, accepting delays in most areas of the housing industry.

Wells Alderman’s parting words on the subject are simple: It’s the world we live in, and we must continue to patiently live in it together.

Page 14

HOSPITALITY

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

bizfayetteville.com

>>

Fayetteville Marksmen T

By Nicole Zappone

COMING UP ON THE ICE RECENTLY WITH A WIN

he Fayetteville Marksmen recently completed a win with a 2-day sweep. The team came in with a 5-4 victory over the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs at their Feb. 11 game in front of an announced crowd of 1,762 at Crown Coliseum.

However, they say a team is only good as its leader and that starts with the top of the chain – the owner and his coaches.

CEO and owner Chuck Norris saw that the team, then known as the FireAntz, was in trouble in November 2016.

“I bought the team with a business partner, when I was told the team was for sale. My partner and I decided to buy it rather than see the team fold,” said Norris.

Norris had lived, worked, and served in Fayetteville and felt the need to help, if it was possible.

In January, Norris took over the management of the team.

“Long story short, we did plenty of due diligence on the market and the potential the franchise had and decided to buy it,” said Norris. It was in March of 2017 that they were able to close on the team.

Primarily, Norris and his partner spoke to the county and its representatives about the team and whether they were truly committed to keeping it in the Crown Complex and in Fayetteville, which they very much were.

“They were amazing people, and that they were totally committed to keeping hockey in Fayetteville,” said Norris, noting his experiences with County Manager Amy Cannon, County Commissioner Glenn Adams, building management Jim Grafstrom and Seth Benault, and many others.

After the meetings with various leaders, Norris felt comfortable enough to take over the team and put it on its current trajectory.

Upon initially closing the deal, Norris didn’t want to immediately change the name. As time went on, though, he felt that rebranding the team would be beneficial to its economic success.

“I had decided that the name change would be necessary in order to give us the chance to have a clean slate,” said Norris.

The Fayetteville Marksmen name evolved from Norris’ prior service in the military and his knowledge of Fayetteville’s military presence.

“Most people are either retirees, defendants, or in some way affiliated with the U.S. Army or Air Force,” said

PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE FAYETTEVILLE MARKSMEN

Standing row, L-R: Christin Cox (Hunnies), Denise Cline (Merchandise), Drew Blevins (PxP/Media), Joey Huot (Account Executive), Ray St. Peter (P.A), Matt McNair, Taylor Best, Bryan Moore, Vicenzo Renda, Harrison Harper, Mark Wilson, Alex Renaud, Marky (Mascot), Zack Hoffman, F.X. Girard, Drake Glover, Zach Remers, Sam Stormoen, Tommy Besinger, Matt Williams, Scott Cline (D.J.), Karl Lowe (Account Exec.), Macy Currie (Gameday Ops.), Sarah Johnson (Hunnies).

Sitting row, L-R: Blake Jones (Asst. Eq. Mgr.), Jeff Lobman (Skills Coach), Ryan Sanford (Eq. Manager), Brent Moran, Shane Bednard, Jason Binkley (Asst. Coach), Donald Oliveri (A), Cory Melkert (Head Coach), Taylor McCloy (C), Chuck Norris (Owner/CEO), Tanner Froese (A), Alex Wall (President), Jarret Kup, Stefano Durante, Kyle Sherrill (Ath. Trainer), Tony Carlton (Nutritionist).

Norris.

The name Marksmen came about because in the Army, Norris explained, the service members are all Marksmen at a minimum. Some are sharpshooters and some, like himself, are experts – but they are all marksmen. This became a unifying name.

New name in tow, rebranding was made official in May 2017. After years of being the FireAntz, however, the team needed an extra push to make the new name recognizable to the area.

Norris got to work with his team to market the name change and logo.

Norris also hired a company out of Charlotte that helped with the design of the logo and mascot ideas. These people were all moonlighters from the Charlotte Checkers organization.

“The mascot idea (NC Red Fox) came from the fact that it is indigenous to our area. And while soft and cuddly looking, it is a fierce predator in many ways. It’s also very cagey and intelligent,” said Norris.

Another one of Norris’ pivots was a change in target audience for the team’s marketing. “This is a family-owned business, and we want families to enjoy coming to our games,” said Norris.

Mostly, the abundance of changes to the hockey team were received well, although there was some pushback.

Trusting his gut, though, Norris made his mind up and followed through with his rebranding decisions, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new one.

“The brand has never been stronger than it is today. I love the brand and

so do our fans,” said Norris.

In addition to being owner of the team, Norris comes from a unique background. His prior service gave him insight about the military, its rank structure, and the overall mindset of soldiers. He was in service from 1989 until the mid 1990s. Norris finds that, although times have certainly changed, being a veteran has given him some credibility with today’s soldiers.

“I think that being an Army vet molded a lot about the way I am as an adult and a businessman. I believe in rank structure, discipline, and personal responsibility. We work very hard to succeed at the Marksmen and we continue to grow by doing things the right way,” said Norris.

Every single season the Marksmen have existed, they have had exponential financial growth. This success happens all while being able to keep costs low for the fans.

Coming to a Marksmen game with a family is affordable – a goal and priority for Norris.

The Fayetteville Marksmen is invests in the community, participating with schools by hosting a school day game every season. They recently held a youth career fair this season and will continue to go to big events around town.

The team is also a member of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber and supports the USO and their soldiers through their Seats For Service initiative.

Through all of these actions, the hockey team has found another quantifiable success: the growth of its

fanbase at the Crown. Moreover, the fans buy food and beverages, from the facility, cutting down on financial losses that the building has had annually over the years. Additionally, the popularity of the team helps lower the operating budget of the county-owned building.

Looking across the county, the hockey games bring dollars to the area. Fans and teams alike stay in the area hotels, spend money in the restaurants, and support other local businesses while they are visiting.

Norris gets some of his business savvy from his experience as a residential land developer and builder. He owns Norris Construction, and for a better part of 30 years, has done work in the industry. Most of his projects have been in Cumberland and Hoke County.

As a developer and builder, Norris has learned how to manage money and budgets, work with many different subcontractors from all walks of life. Like the military, he’s had the opportunity to work alongside people with various personality types to get projects done on time and within budgets. And he says that’s made a big difference in his experience with the hockey team.

“I think those skills, along with my willingness to work until the job is done is what has enabled me to succeed with the Marksmen and in the minor pro hockey business, where many before me have failed,” said Norris.

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MILITARY BUSINESS

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

bizfayetteville.com

>>

By Scott Nunn

DEFTECH

A SUBSIDIARY OF THE N.C. MILITARY BUSINESS CENTER SEEKS TO SERVE THE MILITARY TECHNOLOGY SECTOR

W

hen Pete Lorh was awarded a $150,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, his work caught the attention of an agency that connects North Carolina innovators and researchers with the Department of Defense.

Lorh’s company, Advanced Hydrogen Technologies Corp. (AHTC), based in Hickory, developed a process to bond dissimilar metals. A similar process has been around for years, but the patented technique Lohr developed not only is less expensive, it’s also safer and can be precisely tailored to the customer’s needs.

With potential aerospace, naval and electronics applications, among others, Dennis Lewis, president of N.C. Defense Technology Transition (DEFTECH), was confident that the military would be interested in the new process, known as ‘non-explosive welding.’

Just as Lorh developed an innovative way to bond metals, DEFTECH was able to meld Lorh’s work with the Department of Defense (DOD), which has led to government contract work for AHTC. Connecting Tar Heel innovators with the military is the mission of DEFTECH, part of the Fayetteville-based N.C. Military Business Center. Through education, outreach, networking and acting as a liaison, DEFTECH proactively seeks out individuals and companies whose work potentially addresses complex national security problems.

The state-funded entity works with the DOD, Homeland Security and other federal agencies to make them aware of breakthrough technologies being developed in North Carolina.

On a day-to-day basis, DEFTECH scouts the state for new technologies, coaches industry on ways to commercialize new applications and keeps state businesses apprised of the federal government’s technological needs.

The ultimate goal, Lewis told the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal recently, is to increase economic opportunities for North Carolina businesses.

He said that for years most defense-related research and development was performed by the military and a few of its prime contractors.

Since the majority of technology-related R&D was happening in the commercial and academic sectors, the

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DEFTECH

DEFTECH proactively seeks out individuals and companies whose work potentially addresses complex national security problems.

government realized it needed better access to those innovators.

Lewis explains.

“They (DOD) were getting an assessment that eight of the 10 modernization priorities of the military were in commercial technology areas.

So they said, “Why can't we get more commercial technology into the military? A lot of that comes from small business innovators and academia folks.”

But there was a problem. Even though the military was interested in the work of commercial interests, the feeling often wasn’t mutual.

“They found out that one of the reasons that commercial folks didn't want to do business with the Department of Defense is that it was too hard,” Lewis said.

He said companies had multiple concerns, including the possibility that their ideas could be stolen and the overall complexity of working with the military.

“The profit probability was kind of low,” Lewis said. “It cost so darn much to develop these applications and then you had to wait 18 to 24 months to get an award.”

That all changed in 2015, when the DOD established the Defense Innovation Unit, based in California’s research meca, Silicon Valley.

“They started reaching out to small businesses and making it easier for them to do business with the government,” Lewis said.

DOD also began making small businesses aware of the military’s

critical needs and asking them if they were developing any technology that could address those needs, Lewis said.

If there was a good prospect, DOD made sure the individual or business had an easier way to apply.

Lewis explained how the DOD responded under the streamlined process.

“They would say, ‘Send us a five page white paper. Then if we like it and we think it's a match, we'll call you,’ ” he said. “And then we'll work out a contract and we'll pay you to develop a certain number of total types and give them to us and we'll test them and evaluate them. If we'd like it, we’ll go directly into procurement.’ ” “Well, this was a whole new model, because that's not how the Federal Acquisition System typically works,” Lewis said. “Under the new system, DOD could put a small business on contract in less than 90 days and the cost of entry was a five-page white paper.”

But with the application process smoothed out, another issue kept potential customers on the sidelines – a lack of connection with DOD or even any awareness that the military might be interested in their services.

When Lewis began working at DEFTECH, one thing was clearly obvious.

“I came back here and I looked at our innovation ecosystem, and we didn't have anybody reaching out to them, connecting non-traditional defense contractors with defense

problems,” he said. “So with the help and a great support of the Military Business Center, Fayetteville Technical Community College and the N.C. Military Affairs Commission, we established DEFTECH.” Lewis and his staff – many, like himself, retired military – have experience with military contracting requirements and how the acquisition process works on both ends. They read the initial proposals businesses make to ensure they are making the strongest-possible argument for their product.

“Our primary mission, when it comes down to it, is this whole idea of educating and informing and connecting our innovator ecosystem with the government,” he said. “We spend half of our time talking to defense agencies that are looking for these types of quick turnarounds on fulfilling requirements, and we spend the other half trying to find all the innovators in North Carolina.”

And it’s all free.

“We don't charge a nickel for anything that we do,” Lewis said. “We have a lot of expertise. If they were paying us as consultants, it would be pretty expensive.”

DEFTECH also works closely with the state’s research universities, he said.

“I work with the UNC System Office. So they are in our network and we work with Duke University. We share each other's information, so if I get something that's aimed at them and vice versa.”

Davis believes the 400 or so groups and individuals DEFTECH works with only scratches the surface of the state’s potential in the commercial military technology sector.

“We believe North Carolina is the frontline of the future for defense contracting, along with our military bases,” he said. “On average, we have about 18,000 service members in North Carolina transitioning to the commercial workforce every year.”

Those are people with military discipline and a pretty good work ethic and carry those skills into the workplace, Lewis said.

“I think the future is unlimited if people would just stop and consider the Department of Defense marketplace,” he said.

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

Page 17

THE LIST

bizfayetteville.com

Defense Contractors

Ranked by total amount of contract(s) COMPANY ADDRESS

RANK

1

WORLDWIDE LANGUAGE RESOURCES INC.

2

THE LOGISTICS COMPANY INC.

3

FAYETTEVILLE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION

4

COUNTY OF HARNETT

5

LUMBEE TRIBE ENTERPRISES, LLC

6

THE HP GROUP, LLC (1)

7

PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS

8

EMPLOYMENT SOURCE INC.

9

G.L.H.C. SERVICES COMPANY

308 Person Street Fayetteville, N.C. 28301 3400 Walsh Pkwy Fayetteville, N.C. 28311

955 Old Wilimington Road Fayetteville, N.C. 28301 102 E Front Street Lillington, N.C. 27546

812 Candy Park Road Foxglove Pl Ste 5102 Pembroke, N.C. 28372 211 East Divine Street Dunn, N.C. 28334-5305

4740 Corporation Dr Fayetteville, N.C. 28306 600 Ames St Fayetteville, N.C. 28301 11276 US Hwy 301 N Lumberton, N.C. 28360

10

AVENGE INC.

11

DSC-EMI MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS LLC

12

HPA

13

DIVERSIFIED SERVICE CONTRACTING, INC.

14

LOGISTICAL CUSTOMER SERVICE, INC.

15

SANDHILLS UTILITY SERVICES, LLC

16

NATIVE SERVICES, LLC

17

ADVANCED COMPUTER LEARNING COMPANY, LLC

18

ASHLEY-MARIE GROUP, INC.

19

QUANTICO TACTICAL INC.

20

STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS UNLIMITED, INC.

21

OPERATIONS SERVICES INC.

22

H4 ENTERPRISES, LLC

23

PROFESSIONAL WASTE MANAGEMENT, LLC

24

CAMPBELL OIL COMPANY

25

270 LCS AJV

3400 Walsh Pkwy Fayetteville, N.C. 28311 115 South Railroad Ave Dunn, N.C. 28334-4853

PHONE WEBSITE

TOTAL AMOUNT/ NUMBER CONTRACTS 2021

SERVICES OFFERED

910-483-2881 https://www.wwlr.com

$5.6 billion 31

Administrative support; translation and interpreting

910-482-8084 https://www.tlc-inc.net

$2.4 billion 62

Management support, data collection

910-223-4005 https://www.faypwc.com

$464.9 million 5

Utilities

910-893-0102 https://harnett.org

$342.6 million 7

N/A

540-422-1031 https://www.ltellc.com

$219.1 million 58

Professional support, program evaluation, review, development

910-892-0726 http://www.hpgroup-sdv.com

$139 million 76

Facility support services specializing in grounds maintenance and custodial

800-752-7504 https://www.piedmontng.com/home

$99.8 million 2

N/A

703-461-6000 https://www.servicesource.org/north-carolina

$81.4 million 30

Vocational training and employment programs

910-272-9129 N/A

$63.4 million 22

Construction of miscellaneous buildings

703-437-2070 N/A

$59.4 million 11

Professional support, engineering, technical

910-897-5404 N/A

$58.1 million 25

Repair or alteration of other warehouse buildings

N/A N/A

$54.1 million 5

N/A

910-897-5404 https://dscinc.com

$53.6 million 48

Housekeeping, custodial janitorial

910-892-1998 N/A

$40.8 million 11

Housekeeping

910-497-7399 http://www.sandhillsutility.com

$39.8 million 61

Utilities

919-894-9651 N/A

$39 million 7

Transportation, motor freight

910-797-6493 https://www.goaclc.com

$27.8 million 31

Professional support, technical

910-862-6393 https://ashleymariegroup.com

$24.8 million 14

Maintenance firm providing various, facility support

910-944-5811 https://www.quanticotactical.com/

$24.8 million 742

Optical sighting and ranging equipment

910-222-8138 https://strategicsolutionsunlimited.com

$19 million 11

Prefabricated metal buildings

910-835-5005 https://www.opsservicesinc.com/

$15.3 million 7

Administrative management and general management consulting

910-286-4014 https://www.h4ent.com/

$15 million 16

Administration, facility management, professional training

910-892-0726 N/A

$13 million 14

Waste collection services

910-862-8423 http://campbelloil.net/

$12.4 million 769

Petroleum

910-892-4270 N/A

$12.2 million 4

N/A

211 East Divine Street Dunn, N.C. 28334-5305 115 S Railroad Ave Dunn, N.C. 28334 209 E. Broad Street Dunn, N.C. 28334

Bldg 2-6503 Butner Rd Fort Bragg, N.C. 28307 712 Westbrook Ave Dunn, N.C. 28334

208 Hay Street, Suite 2C Fayetteville, N.C. 28301-5534 143 Hwy 53 W Elizabethtown, N.C. 28337

9796 Aberdeen Road Aberdeen, N.C. 28315-7742 225 Gray Street Fayetteville, N.C. 28301

455 Ramsey Street, Suite 114 Fayetteville, N.C. 28301

230 Donaldson Street, Suite 400 Fayetteville, N.C. 28301 211 E Divine Street Dunn, N.C. 28334

418 Peanut Plant Rd Elizabethtown, N.C. 28337 106 E Broad St Dunn, N.C. 28334

SOURCE: https://www.usaspending.gov Ranked by total amount of contracts awarded in FY2021 to contractors in the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal coverage area.

(1) Includes contracts from The HP Group LLC, HPA II LLC, and United Federal Facilities Services LLC.

Page 18

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

bizfayetteville.com

>>

Staff Report

New acquisition

SYSTEL BUSINESS EQUIPMENT ANNOUNCES PURCHASE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COMPANY

S

ystel Business Equipment just announced its acquisition of Office Copying Systems in Greenville, South Carolina.

Systel is currently the largest independent dealer of office equipment in their authorized territories in the Southeast and is authorized in five states, with 13 total offices. The acquisition aligns with Systel's growth strategy in the South Carolina market.

“Systel has continued to be a pillar of stability and sustained growth throughout North Carolina and Georgia for forty years, even in the face of challenging times,” stated Steven Tomasetti, regional service manager. “We've accomplished this through adaptive efficiency, top-notch factory-trained technicians, and localized management for a personal approach to customer satisfaction. We are excited to bring these attributes to the South Carolina market.”

The company has full-line manufacturer authorizations in both eastern and western regions of South Carolina and can serve the entire state with its product lines. Systel has also been approved as a vendor for the South Carolina State Contract.

In addition to its second office in South Carolina, Systel provides hands-on service to existing customers in the area that was previously partnered with local dealers in the past.

“Coupled with Office Copying Systems’ long-standing customers, as well as our current customers in the marketplace, we are excited to have an established base of machines in the field that we can already start supporting from our new location,” stated Jacqueline Smith, VP of marketing and business development.

Systel plans to have a grand opening ceremony at a later date at its new location.

ADAM HALL CPA PA GU ID AN C E

F OR

S UCCE S S

We help businesses

PHOTO BY SYSTEL BUSINESS EQUIPMENT

Pictured from L-R: Jacqueline Smith, VP of marketing and business development, Ron Riley, owner of Office Copying Systems, Ken Bayne, service technician, Steven Tomasetti, service manager, and Janene Aul, VP of operations/general counsel.

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Museums

Local tourism steadies uncertain economy

Local Destination Clay Target Center a well-kept secret

Page 18

Page 23

May 28 - June 10, 2021 Vol. 1, No. 1

June 11 - June

24, 2021 Vol.

June$2.00 25 - July 8, 2021

Fayetteville during construction Pope Airfield om bizfayetteville.c

sparks Change in diet

Vol. 1, No.

Military

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Page 12

bizfayette

Post-Pandemic

Fayetteville’s tourism industry banks on hotel tax

ville.com

Local malls, see shoppersshopping centers

returning bizfayettevi lle.com

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Airfield Pope Army support Regional to

Profile

WEB EXCLUSIVE

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1, No. 2

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Lake Pines for water Swim Club leaves lovers void

Region’s health care sector sees rapid advance in technology

Page 16

Page 32

new business

Page 15

Military

Busines

Military Business s Center focusing on small business

Retail sales

Appliance stores waiting for inventory

Page 9

Page 31

Tourism

tapped to lead Randy Fiveash Page 3 visitors bureau

MORE INSIDE and other House Theatre crowds.

Cameo Art look for returning Page 13 businesses

Index

Index

................. 2 ........................

4 Editor’s Note Estate ........................

6 Commercial Real ......................

Achievers ........................ .................. 8 .15 Health Care ........................ ........................

Profile ........................ ....................21 2 Biz Leads ........................ .......................2 The List ........................

SUBSCRIBE NOW THE SUBSCRIBE TO BUSINESS JOURNAL NOW AT scribe BizFayetteville.com/sub includes: Your subscription to stories • Unlimited access com on BizFayetteville.

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Index

BY ANTHONY WOOTEN

Economic PHOTOS Indicators ic environment. the post-pandem............................. inPublisher's visitors returning Achievers Note ................................... 3 happy to see ..................

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Residential Real Estate .......................10 Hospitality ...........15 .................. ..................

Achievers ............................................12 Biz Leads ......16 .................. ..................

The List ...............................................13 ........21

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FLYING OUT OF FAY

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Greater Fayetteville Business Journal >>

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

bizfayetteville.com

By Jenna Shackelford

Page 19

HOSPITALITY

LINKEDIN SALES SOLUTIONS/UNSPLASH

The inaugural event’s guest list is capped at 50 guests. Local sponsorships will cover the cost of the fun event so attendees need only show up ready to network and to have fun.

Women Mean Business HOPE MILLS AREA CHAMBER PREPARES FOR ITS FIRST-EVER, INVITE-ONLY WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT BRUNCH

F

or a couple of years, Hope Mills Area Chamber of Commerce President Casey Ferris and Shawnelle Jones, special events and communications coordinator at for the Town of Hope Mills, have dreamed of hosting a brunch that empowers women through a time of networking, fun and food.

The chamber’s board discussed trying to put together a brunch last year, but in the midst of the pandemic, plans were put on the back burner.

“We started planning our Women Mean Business Brunch … and we decided it was something we definitely wanted to make happen this year. Our board is almost 100% female. We have three men,” Ferris said.

She recognizes what the men bring to the table, saying they are “fantastic, great business owners.”

But since March is Women’s History Month, the board wanted to embrace the opportunity to hold an event that uplifts female entrepreneurs. “We really really wanted to do something for Women’s Month, for March, to thank, highlight, empower, and encourage our female business owners that we’ve got in the area, our entrepreneurs, our profes-

sionals,” Ferris said. “We want all of our strong, forward-thinking women to come for a morning of networking and empowerment, really. We were able to line up the comedian – her name is Hilliary Begley. She was in the Netflix Original [movie], “Dumplin’” with Jennifer Anniston.”

The movie, a 2018 coming-of-age comedy, boasts an 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, and received nominations for the Critics’ Choice Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Grammy Awards and more. The star-studded movie also featured six musical tracks that Dolly Parton wrote exclusively for the film.

Begley is based out of Asheville, and currently on a comedy tour. She will provide the laughs with a halfhour comedy show on women in the workforce.

The event will also feature a keynote speaker, Mary Morketter.

“She owns all of the Short Stop convenience stores in Cumberland County and the surrounding area – I think that’s 47 of them,” Ferris said. “She started off working behind the counter of her dad’s first Short Stop. She’s dealt with quite a few challenges making her way to

the top, getting taken seriously as a woman, raising children, and now having to figure out all of the mess with COVID and employment and keeping her stores open. So, I think she’ll be a great speaker to hear talk about some of those struggles.”

Morketter is the company’s vice president. She graduated from Fayetteville State University with a degree in business administration before working at the family business, which she has been at for 23 years. In 2011, Morketter served on a committee of the North Carolina Petroleum & Convenience Marketers. In 2016, she was awarded the “Rising Star” in Top Women in Convenience by Convenience Store News.

The fun doesn’t stop there. “Then, we’re going to have some type of interactive, hands-on activity,” Ferris said. The event will also feature a raffle for a “super cute” Kate Spade tote bag.

The event will be held at Gates Four, which will provide the food.

“They are, I think, 60 percent women-owned,” she said.

The Hope Mills Chamber is trying to mainly include women-owned businesses in their planning for

Women Mean Business. A local vendor is providing sweet treats as a party favor.

“We are drawing the line at 50 [guests]. We’ve not done this before. I don’t want to charge people.

I think it’s counterintuitive. ‘Hey, come to this awesome women’s empowerment event, but you also have to give me money to come.’ So we were able to line up enough sponsors that everyone we invited is able to attend for free,” Ferris said.

Sponsorship opportunities went out to the Chamber membership, which will make up most of the guest list. In addition, the Chamber board, the Mayor, the county commissioners, and a list of female-owned businesses in the area were invited to attend.

“We’ve got a plethora of female-owned businesses that have gotten on board with sponsorships already,” she said. “I think it’ll be a really great event.”

For the month of March, the Hope Mills Chamber will also be featuring women-owned businesses on its Facebook page.

Page 20

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

BIZ LEADS Reader’s Guide BizLeads is a collection of information gathered from greater Fayetteville courthouses, state government offices and information websites. The listings are intended to help the business community find new customers and stay on top of happenings with current customers, vendors and competitors.

New Corporations lists firms from the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal region that were recently incorporated in the State of North Carolina.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

United Counseling and Therapeutic Services PLLC 7253 Mariners Landing Drive Fayetteville Agent: Brenda McLean DivineLove Spirit of Love LLC 2004 Harrington Rd Fayetteville Agent: Ida L. Thompson ALL INN 4U LLC 1826 Nuthatch Rd Fayetteville Agent: Maryland McCall Herrera Video Productions Inc Fayetteville Agent: Brandon Herrera Herrera Asset Management Inc 581 Executive Pl # 100-A Fayetteville Agent: Brandon Herrera Uneedus Home Care LLC 2633 Burke Lane Fayetteville Agent: Marquita Miller

Queens of Fayetteville Inc. 5447 Yadkin Rd Ste 102 Fayetteville Agent: Christa McLaurin CCC Travel Service LLC 2304 Wingate Rd. #48651 Cumberland Agent: Amanda Marie McDonald Tally Appraisal Services LLC 4804 Criss Dr Fayetteville Agent: Wendy Tally Vitale Exotic Rental Cars LLC 36 Normandy Dr Fort Bragg Agent: Jonathan Dana Vitale Stylistically LLC 5932 Fairway Dr Hope Mills Agent: Destinee Morneault XL Realty LLC 731 Ashfield Dr Fayetteville Agent: Xavier Jo nes Sparkels Fashion Kloset LLC 848 Pecan Grove Loop Hope Mills Agent: LaWan S. Stanley

M & M Movers LLC. 513 Hilliard Drive Fayetteville Agent: Matthew Edwards

Corporation 571 Grand Wailea Dr Apt 416 Hope Mills Agent: Steven Colon

FamLee Traditions LLC 1610 Racehorse Ct. Parkton Agent: Daisy L Lee

Triple C Flex LLC 713 Bramblegate Rd Hope Mills Agent: Shannon Craddock

Southern Riding Transportation LLC 4701 Bibleway Church Road Linden Agent: Devine McLeod

TiBanglezandThangz LLC 2314 Cattail Circle Fayetteville Agent: Tinisha N Joyner

PS Contracting LLC 473 North Platte Road Fayetteville Agent: Payton W Speers

The Village of Cumberland County Incorporated 3274 Rosehill Rd Office D Fayetteville Agent: April Cherie Mata

Angel in Action Mobile Childcare LLC 904 Siesta Court Fayetteville Agent: Felicia Ranette Harris American Dream Project LLC 939 Foxhunt Lane Fayetteville Agent: Michael Knowlin CoFlow Creative Inc. 509 Runnymede Court Fayetteville Agent: Chrisann L Drabenstott Kay's Dream Shop LLC 3531 Rolls Avenue Fayetteville Agent: Karen C Stealing FMHA Empowerment Institute LLC 201 Hay Street Suite 2000 Fayetteville Agent: R. Jonathan Charleston Cozi L.L.C. 79 Birch Ave Spring Lake Agent: Drevon Britt Andro Carrier

Clarendon Apartments LLC 1019 Hay Street Fayetteville Agent: Daniel Jackson Howard Thriving Stedman Partners LLC 7550 Clinton Rd Stedman Agent: Lisa B ODonnell Go Shop Paradise LLC 5075 Morganton Rd STE 10C #1198 Fayetteville Agent: Shane Darwin Thompson Hey Hun LLC 1461 Crystal Springs Rd Fayetteville Agent: Christina Suggs Francis Tanks & Franks LLC 295 Warton Lane Apartment 2 Fayetteville Agent: Tiffany Renee Close

Step Above Accounting Services LLC 6222 Carver Pine Loop Unit 6106 Fayetteville Agent: Nashieka Parker Carolina RE LLC 1318 Fort Bragg Road Fayetteville Agent: Lindsey Pelaez Liberty Media LLC 5828 Columbine Rd Fayetteville Agent: Cylie Ja Rambo FOGODEMISA FAMILY CARE HOME LLC 1308 Snowy Egret Dr. Fayetteville Agent: Gold Omogbehin South Atlantic Logistics and Towing LLC 1044 Appalachin Dr

bizfayetteville.com

Fayetteville Agent: Tieara Wactor The Customer Support Plug LLC 5075 Morganton RD Ste 10C #1248 Fayetteville Agent: Briana Lashae Williams Kova Freight LLC 2000 Lioncoward Dr Fayetteville Agent: Brandon Underwood Joint Venture Demolition LLC 5220 Goshawk Dr Hope Mills Agent: Joseph Juan Glegola II

cal Drive Fayetteville Agent: Benjamin A Stout Akiiki Training & Development Publishing Firm LLC 2729 Millmann Rd. Fayetteville Agent: Margaret M Brown Ruby Red Rescue Co. 3696 Pioneer Dr Hope Mills Agent: Sadye Muhle Austin Express LLC 924 Hilton Dr. Fayetteville Agent: Cristian Rodriguez

CHOICE WHOLESALE LLC 57 Cottswold Lane Spring Lake Agent: Bobby Brewington Jr

Blue Gypsy LLC 6112 Lakeway Drive Fayetteville Agent: Sarah Bullard

Superwest Technology Business Inc 103 Saint Marys Pkwy Fayetteville Agent: Ekoue Ayivi

Knucklehead Farm LLC 8437 James Atkinson Rd Linden Agent: Elaine Rogers Spears

RAYWEST Properties LLC 2818 Raeford Rd Ste 300 Fayetteville Agent: Hector N Ray

NZONE SOCIAL VENUE LLC 584 S Reilly Rd Fayetteville Agent: Tonya L. McNeill

1 Son Ventures Inc 225 Ray Avenue Suite 204 Fayetteville Agent: Joshua Sp arks Stout Timber LLC 1786 Metromedi-

Kehoma Transportation LLC 5547 Heather Street Hope Mills Agent: Ella B Peoples Orthodox Outfitters LLC 37 Victory Way

Fort Bragg Agent: Jason Davis Katnaps LLC 3112 Beard Rd Fayetteville Agent: Alison Carney D. Marie's LLC 946 Tamarack Drive Apt. 13303 Fayetteville Agent: Ray Harrison Burns Jr. ShiGoddess Creations L.L.C. 5075 Morganton Rd Ste 10C #1189 Fayetteville Agent: Shiquondra Moore Fayetteville Podcast Studio Inc. 438 Robeson St Fayetteville Agent: Kurin Keys VAUGHT CALL CENTER SOLUTIONS LLC 1138 Braybrooke Pl Fayetteville Agent: Letha Mae Vaught Palmer Consulting & Associates LLC 1139 Helmsley Dr Fayetteville Agent: Dwight E Palmer Jr Senshi Blossom L.L.C. 502 Thorncliff Drive Fayetteville Agent: Andrea Seppelt Cadre Dan LLC 223 Grimes Street Fort Bragg Agent: Daniel Pl ants

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

BIZ LEADS

bizfayetteville.com

Jackson-Reid & Associates LLC 1709 Hatherleigh Place Fayetteville Agent: Brenda Reid Jackson U Want Us LLC 5650 Dodge Drive Fayetteville Agent: Billy A Warner ERW Transportation LLC 1084 Strickland Bridge Rd Fayetteville Agent: Eric Walwo rth White Lion Cabinet LLC 2704 Bardolino Dr Fayetteville Agent: Freddie D Connor II Dijaskuku African and Caribbean Grocery Store LLC 912 Santiato Drive Fayetteville Agent: Adijat Motunrayo Kuku Fly High Kennels LLC 4008 Des Planes Ave Fayetteville Agent: Ricardo Rogelio Santamaria JR KKM Logistics & Transportation LLC 119 Kristin Ave Spring Lake Agent: Tearrius Antwane George Christian Cleaning Team LLC 1216 Barn Owl Dr Fayetteville Agent: Andric Martin

5 Gen Transportation LLC 329 Wilkes Rd Fayetteville Agent: Kiana Gist Arc Media Solutions LLC 2932 Frontera Pl Fayetteville Agent: Timothy Edward Martin HD Home Improvement LLC 758 Candlewick Ct Fayetteville Agent: Harold Diaz Pathfinder Concessions Group LLC 5986 Spinner Road Hope Mills Agent: Terrell Donte Williams Graham Admin Support Services LLC 1561 Diamond Rd Fayetteville Agent: Jamaica Lee Graham Genealogy Just Ask LLC 1441 Ireland Dr #B Fayetteville Agent: Robin Renee Foster Mohammad Construction LLC 2612 Hope Mills Rd Fayetteville Agent: MOHAMMAD A.A. MOHAMMAD Rich Smoke L.L.C 836 Glen Reilly Drive Fayetteville Agent: Germaine A Rich

Better Homes III LLC 1786 Metromedical Dr Fayetteville Agent: Christina Kenon Trine' Wendy Island Kitchen LLC 6666 Vaughn Rd Fayetteville Agent: Leon Carr Baylisia Fashion and Beauty Inc. MGG Tax Inc. 3463 N Main St Hope Mills Agent: Angela Baylisia Ewing Larry Street LLC 2301 Robeson Street Ste. 204 Fayetteville Agent: Rohan S Patel Walker Enterprise LLC 2931B Hope Mills Road Fayetteville Agent: Eric Wayne Walker TrustedLink Logistics LLC 2621 Diascond Dr Fayetteville Agent: Elijah Bernard Sweeney Boss It Up Paint and Sip LLC 8140 Cliffdale Road Suite 100 Fayetteville Agent: Keith Calvin Bullock LB Enterprising Ventures LLC 5611 Miranda Drive Hope Mills Agent: Lauren Brittany Hailey JDF Services LLC

2247 Rustic Trail Fayetteville Agent: Helen F. Richardson Wayne Da Barber Cutz LLC 3104 Boxley Court Fayetteville Agent: Dewayne Lockhart

3953 Stone Street Hope Mills Agent: Bernice Mojica Pace Logistics LLC 1024 Augusta Drive Fayetteville Agent: Andre W. Bowens Jr

Jays Philly Steaks LLC 3202 Green Valley Road Fayetteville Agent: Jernell Br eece

JJC Trucking LLC 1845 Dewsberry Dr Fayetteville Agent: Jose J Ramos

A'NEL Incorporated 443 Shoreline Drive Fayetteville Agent: Clevland Dunlap III

Fervent Freight Logistics LLC 6853 Wimbledon Cir Apt 203 Fayetteville Agent: LaShay Crawford

Brow Appeal and Beauty LLC 612 Marshtree Lane Unit 208 Fayetteville Agent: Julissa Sanchez WAY TO GO CLEANING SOLUTIONS LLC 329 McFadyen Dr Fayetteville Agent: Robert Register JLN Cleaning LLC 753 Alexwood Dr Hope Mills Agent: Prince Patterson Everyone Fitness LLC 2304 Wingate rd PO #48092 Hope Mills Agent: Acquel Webster IMMERSIONS LLC

LouDella’s Birth & Family Care LLC 4621 Sterling St Fayetteville Agent: Nikole Louise Lawrence Kimberly’s Expressions Crown Jewels LLC 3232 Periwinkle Drive Fayetteville Agent: Kimberly R Gales Drippin’ WET LLC 838 Augusta Drive Fayetteville Agent: Chalysa Lawson The College Connect LLC 214 Sharp Dr Fort Bragg Agent: NaJeana Chemille Henderson- Spagner

Page 21

Pick Speedy llc 5198 Goldeneye Ct Fayetteville Agent: John E McKenzie III Azul Capital Investment and Partners LLC 1826 Glenwick Dr Fayetteville Agent: Hubert Luis Chuy Brick House Real Estate LLC 2169 Heathcote Drive Fayetteville Agent: Asha Br own Everybody's Dreams LLC 4731 Old Spears Rd Fayetteville Agent: Mary Ann Vinson Knacks of Love L.L.C. 5501 Hartfield Court Fayetteville Agent: Nyrisha De'Shaun Mings Onnis Bar and Karaoke LLC 5048 Yadkin Road Suite 203 Fayetteville Agent: Unsuk Ho bbs Montoyua Donnell Waller LLC 113 Willow Run Lane Apt M Fayetteville Agent: Montoyua Donnell Waller Parkwood On Bunce LLC 2148 Rim Rd Ste 104 Fayetteville

Agent: Lorraine M Mohler Parkwood West LLC 2148 Rim Rd Suite 104 Fayetteville Agent: Lorraine M Mohler Linda J's Throne Chair Rental's LLC 5604 Stonefield St Hope Mills Agent: April L. Freeman Crossroad Apartments LLC 2148 Rim Rd Suite 104 Fayetteville Agent: Lorraine M Mohler Holland Park Townhomes LLC 2148 Rim Rd Suite 104 Fayetteville Agent: Lorraine M Mohler Peregrine Group LLC 110 1/2 Ruth Street Fayetteville Agent: Eric Ch avez Amazing Grace PCA llc 182 Ellerslie Dr Fayetteville Agent: Delphenia M Lodiong Le Bohemia Farms LLC 110 1/2 Ruth Street Fayetteville Agent: Diane Huber JONESY GIRL PRODUCTIONS

LLC 3495 Thamesford Rd Fayetteville Agent: Lynette Jones RLP Hauling & Logistics LLC 6504 Jefferey Dr Apt G Fayetteville Agent: Brittany Samone Phillips Stella Polaris Medical Training LLC 410 Murray Hill Road Fayetteville Agent: Kaari M. Keranen Above All Home Care Agency LLC 5511 Raeford Rd. Ste. 204 Fayetteville Agent: Tiffany Hamilton Juan & Sons LLC 3122 Raeford Rd Fayetteville Agent: Juan M Macias Mountain Aviation LLC 478 Hangar Rd Fayetteville Agent: Natasha Rose O'Reilly Enterprises LLC 421 Rollingwood Cir Fayetteville Agent: Sean O'Reilly

Page 22

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

THE LIST

Colleges&&Universities Universities Colleges Ranked by total number of students

bizfayetteville.com

Ranked by total number of students INSTITUTION

RANK RANK

11

INSTITUTION LOCATION LOCATION PHONE PHONE

# STUDENTS, # STUDENTS, TOTAL TOTAL

FAYETTEVILLE TECHNICAL FAYETTEVILLE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

15,178

2201 Hull RdRd 2201 Hull Fayetteville, N.C. 28303 Fayetteville, N.C. 28303 910-678-8400

STUDENT:FACULTY EXECUTIVE(S) STUDENT:FACULTY EXECUTIVE(S) RATIO DEGREES OFFERED YEAR FOUNDED, LOCAL RATIO DEGREES OFFERED YEAR FOUNDED, LOCAL

16:1

15,178

910-678-8400

2

2

3

3

4

4 5

THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT PEMBROKE

8,318

1 CAROLINA University Drive AT PEMBROKE Pembroke, N.C. 28372 1 University Drive 910-521-6000

Associate in Applied Science; in Associate in Science; Science; Associate in Science; Associate Applied Associate in Arts; Associate Arts; Associatein Fine Arts; Larry Keen, President AssociateininFine Arts; Associate Associate 16:1 in General Education; Associate in Engineering.

1961 in General Education; Associate in Engineering.

(FTCC also offers: Diplomas and Certificates) (FTCC also offers: Diplomas and Certificates)

15:1

8,318

Bachelors, Masters and Licensure

15:1

Larry Keen, President 1961

Robin Gary Cummings, Chancellor 1887 Robin Gary Cummings, Chancellor

Bachelors, Masters and Licensure

1887

Pembroke, N.C. 28372 910-521-6000

CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY

143 Main St Buies Creek, N.C. 27506 CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY 800-334-4111

5,964

143 Main St Buies Creek, N.C. 27506 800-334-4111

5,964

FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY

15:1

5,661

1200 Murchison Rd FAYETTEVILLE STATE Fayetteville, N.C. 28301 910-672-1111 UNIVERSITY

17:1

METHODIST UNIVERSITY 5400 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, N.C. 28311 910-630-7000

2,000

METHODIST UNIVERSITY

Ramsey St. 2,000 5 5400 Data was gathered through voluntary Fayetteville, N.C. 28311surveys, institutions' websites, and US News & World Report data.

910-630-7000

12:1

Undergraduate, Graduate, and Doctoral (in person and online)

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Darrell T. Allison, Chancellor 1867

Stanley T. Wearden, President 1956

Data was gathered through voluntary surveys, institutions' websites, and US News & World Report data.

EFFICIENT. EFFECTIVE. EASY.

J. Bradley Creed, President 1887

Darrell T. Allison, Chancellor 1867

33 bachelor's degrees; 18 master's degrees; 1 doctoral degree, 12 undergraduate online degree completion programs; 2 graduate ODC

Undergraduate, Graduate, and Doctoral (in person and online)

12:1

J. Bradley Creed, President 1887

20 bachelor degrees, eight associate degrees, and one certificate program 100 percent online

33 bachelor's degrees; 18 master's degrees; 1 doctoral degree, 12 undergraduate online degree completion programs; 2 graduate ODC

17:1

5,661

1200 Murchison Rd Fayetteville, N.C. 28301 910-672-1111

20 bachelor degrees, eight associate degrees, and one certificate program 100 percent online

15:1

Stanley T. Wearden, President 1956

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal >>

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

Page 23

bizfayetteville.com

Staff Report

$13.2 million investment CHAMPION HOME BUILDERS, INC. ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR ROBESON COUNTY SITE

C

hampion Home Builders, Inc. plans to invest as much as $13.2 million in a Robeson County production site, North Carolina’s Southeast announced this morning.

The manufactured housing production facility, which will be located at the former Fleetwood Building, is expected to employ roughly 385 workers in Pembroke.

“The Town of Pembroke is very excited to have Champion moving to the previous Fleetwood Industrial site,” said Pembroke Mayor Gregory Cummings. “Our community lost close to 600 jobs and a tremendous tax base when Fleetwood closed. This will be a great plus for the future of Pembroke and Robeson County.”

“On behalf of the Robeson County Board of Commissioners, it gives me great pleasure to welcome Champion Home as an industrial partner to Robeson County. This investment

>>

will provide a brighter future for citizens of Robeson County in both tax base and jobs” Wixie Stephens, Robeson County Board of Commissioners chair said. Faline Dial, District 4 Commissioner, said the economic impact of the estimated 385 new jobs, which would come with an annual pay averaging $42,922, will be significant for the county. “It further illustrates our ability to provide a qualified workforce,” Dial said. “Partnering with growing companies such as Champion will further strengthen our county’s workforce and the overall quality of life of our citizens.”

Champion Home Builders, Inc. is a subsidiary of Skyline Champion Corporation. The parent company is the largest independent, publicly traded, factory-built housing company in North America, employing around 8,100 people. The company represents 70 years of homebuilding experience and 40 manufacturing fa-

cilities throughout the United States and western Canada.

“Champion Homes considered several possible locations for this investment prior to making our choice Robeson County,” said Wade Lyall, EVP of sales and business development.

“In Pembroke we found a site that met our facility needs, had access to strong workforce assets and was capable of serving a growing regional housing market. We are appreciative of North Carolina’s leaders who were willing to work closely with Champion to address our objectives for this expansion.” “We are excited about this opportunity in Robeson County and look forward to expanding our offerings to the community,” he said.

The upcoming arrival of Champion to the area is due in part to the collaboration of a variety of community entities. “County and town officials worked with Robeson Community College, Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation, the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority, the Robeson County Committee of 100, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina and the North Carolina Department of Commerce in landing the project,” the NCSE press release said.

“The arrival of Champion adds obvious value in terms of direct job-creation and capital investment but could also generate new operational benefits for the region’s manufacturing economy, which includes a number of major names in consumer goods,” Steve Yost, president of NC’s Southeast, said.

bizfayetteville.com

By Savanah Ramsey

New flagship facility INDIA-BASED PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY BUILDING $7M FACILITY IN HARNETT COUNTY WITH PLANS TO CREATE 117 JOBS “Our business will bring an abundance of change to Lillington and Harnett County with these jobs."

— KriGen Pharmaceuticals, LLC. CEO, Dhruvkumar Patel

K

riGen Pharmaceuticals, LLC., an India-based injectables maker, is building a $7 million facility in Harnett County.

This will be the company's first U.S. manufacturing facility that will house a wide range of injectables using aseptic filling/terminal sterilization machines.

The new flagship facility will be located at 800 Edwards Drive in Lillington.

KriGen works together with its partners and suppliers to provide innovative life-saving and sustainable products and therapies to patients and healthcare providers.

With its 55,000 square foot facility, KriGen will be a world-class structure that contributes to producing a wide variety of liquid injectables, making KriGen the largest injectable plant.

This new addition to Harnett

County will create 117 job opportunities when the facility is complete and functioning by mid-2023.

"Our business will bring an abundance of change to Lillington and Harnett County with these jobs," said KriGen Pharmaceuticals, LLC. CEO, Dhruvkumar Patel. "We want to help recover the damage from lost jobs and help bring change to the economics surrounding the area."

The company chose Harnett Coun-

ty due to the growing development of the county and its abundance of water in the area. One of KriGen's biggest products is saline/IV bags, which require plenty of water.

"The vision of KriGen Pharmaceuticals is to improve the quality of human lives by providing affordable pharmaceutical formulations based on innovation and technology," Patel explained.

Page 24

March 4, 2022 - March 17, 2022

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT PEMBROKE

Thomas School of Business 14 CLASSROOMS • CAREER SERVICES CENTER • 300-SEAT AUDITORIUM INTERACTIVE MARKET-STYLE TRADING ROOM • VIDEO CONFERENCE ROOM COMPUTER LAB • SMALL AND LARGE GROUP DISCUSSION AREAS FOOD COURT • MULTIMEDIA RESOURCE ROOM

“Our new, state-of-the-art Thomas School of Business will provide our students with all the resources they need in order to succeed in the business world of today and beyond. Every facet of the building is designed with student success in mind.”

Dr. Susan D. Peters - Interim Dean, School of Business

Internationally accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) Positively impacting our region by creating business and economic growth. uncp.edu/business