RACHEL SOSSOMAN
PRESIDENT AND CEO | MERCY URGENT CARE AND CATHERINE MCAULEY MERCY FOUNDATION Asheville Sossoman leads a team playing an important role in serving western North Carolina’s medical needs. She helped lead the addition of an Asheville center in February 2020, marking the nonprofit’s eighth location in the region. The not-for-profit group has annual revenue of $10 million with 70,000 patients served in 2021. Sossoman serves as the president-elect of the Western North Carolina Medical Managers Association and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. The wife and mother of five is earning her Masters in Business Administration from N.C. State University. Her work was published in the Journal of Urgent Care Medicine with an article on organizational culture. She’s also helping create Mercy University, which is creating an internal skills development program to help the organization’s employees reach their goals. Education: Bachelor of Arts, Appalachian State University; Master of Science, Western Carolina University What is most special about your community? The natural beauty of the area and the vibrant artistic and cultural community make Asheville extraordinary. The best part of Asheville, in my opinion, is the sense of true community. Biggest influence: My predecessor at Mercy Urgent Care, Tim Johnston, has certainly been one of my greatest influences. He has taught me some of the toughest and best lessons in my professional career. My husband, Mark Sossoman, has shown me how unwavering support helps others reach their potential.
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Most important character trait: A willingness to learn and then apply that learning in practice. Organization’s biggest success: The team has launched three service lines in response to emerging needs in our community — MercyMindful mental health services; MercyMe monthly membership plans providing unlimited access to health care for less than the cost of a cellphone bill; and MercyMotion physical therapy services. Favorite volunteer activity: I serve with the Western North Carolina Medical Managers Association to bring health care education to medical leaders in western North Carolina.
DAVID STUNJA
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | PETSCREENING Morrisville The husband, father and dog owner knows a thing or two about the importance of furry friends. This knowledge helped him succeed at PetScreening, which develops software that helps property managers make their multifamily developments and businesses more pet-friendly. It’s been ranked among the Charlotte area’s fastest-growing companies by the Charlotte Business Journal. Education: Bachelor of Science, Penn State University; Master of Business Administration, University of Maryland What is most special about your community? We’ve been able to build and maintain a very connected and healthy team culture at PetScreening. Having a pack of dogs in the office every day certainly helps. Biggest influence: My father and, more recently, my wife and two boys. My dad has a way to simplify things when times feel complex or uncertain, while always maintaining a good sense of humor. My wife and boys are incredibly supportive and remind me to stay curious.
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Most important character trait: Staying grateful. I believe people inherently want to help and are more willing to help you get to where you want to go if they’re appreciated and recognized. Company’s most important success: We brought FidoAlert.com to market, which is a free product and pet network that helps every lost dog and cat find its way home nationwide. Favorite volunteer activity: Coaching sports.
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