ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
BEN TEAGUE
NORRIS TOLSON
vice preseident, strategic development | Biltmore Farms Fletcher
president, CEO | Carolinas Gateway Partnership Pinetops
Teague has led the Cecil family-owned real estate development company’s strategic planning since 2018. Divisions include home building, hotels and commercial projects. The University of Mississippi MBA graduate previously led the Asheville-Buncombe County Economic Development Coalition.
The N.C. State graduate is a former state representative who later held top state positions, including secretary of the state’s Commerce, Revenue and Transportation departments. For seven years he was N.C. Biotechnology Center president, exiting the post in 2014.
MELISSA SMITH
ROBERT VAN GEONS
vice president, business recruitment and development | Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina Greensboro Smith has been a business recruitment senior manager since 2014 after working for the N.C. Commerce Department. In 2020, she was named to her current post, leading the team tasked with attracting companies to North Carolina.
president, CEO | Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corp. Fayetteville Since moving to Cumberland County in 2017, Van Geons has helped the region add more than 2,000 jobs and $225 million in investment. The Catawba College and University of Southern Mississippi graduate previously worked in economic development in Rowan and Stanly counties. Pre-workday motivation: Knowing that while the work isn’t easy, I am helping my neighbors have a more prosperous future. Key to industry success: In economic development, your greatest assets are your relationships and your credibility. To be successful, you must consciously invest time and energy into strengthening both.
PATRICK WOODIE president | NC Rural Center Cary Woodie has helmed the Rural Center since 2013, leading it through a transition that includes more community engagement. He joined the group in 2006. He previously was the first executive director of the Alleghany County Chamber of Commerce and led a nonprofit business development center in Sparta. He has bachelor’s and law degrees from Wake Forest University. Pre-workday motivation: Setting aside an hour of intentional early morning preparation time. Key to industry success: Collaboration, communication and leadership.
Best advice: ‘Enjoy every sandwich,’ from Warren Zevon. Three people to share a meal: William Shakespeare, Nikola Tesla and Thomas Friedman. Proud family accomplishment: Our family bonds are based on love as opposed to blood. There is so much more than DNA that we share. Favorite hobby: If there is music to be played or enjoyed, count me in, the more the merrier. Where to entertain a visitor: Downtown Fayetteville. Whether it is a restaurant, brewery, baseball game, independent movie or live music, there is always something to experience. You can feel a positive energy that is moving our community forward.
Best advice: ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ — Maya Angelou. Three people to share a meal: Dolly Parton, Billie Jean King and the Dalai Lama. Proud family accomplishment: Anything is possible when an individual has the unconditional love and support of just a single human being. I was blessed to have the unconditional love and support of two extraordinary parents, and that has made all the difference. Favorite hobby: Reading, tennis and travel. Where to entertain a visitor: Canoeing or tubing on the New River.
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STEVE YOST president | North Carolina’s Southeast Whiteville A graduate of Appalachian State University and UNC Chapel Hill, Yost has led this regional economic development group since 2009. He previously worked as a senior developer and regional manager for the N.C. Department of Commerce’s southeast region. He’s a former N.C. Economic Development Association president.
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4/18/22 8:43 PM