On this month’s Voice of Business, show host and The Wilmington NC Chamber of Commerce President, Connie Majure-Rhett and Co-Host Scott Czechlewski welcomed guests  Dr. Tim Markley and Ann David to discuss the education bond to be voted on November 4th 2014.

New Hanover County’s School Superintendent- Dr. Tim Markley

Dr. Tim Markley comes to us from Catawba County Schools. He began his career in Cumberland County serving as a high school history teacher, principal fellow and high school principal. His superintendent experience includes serving 2 years in the White Mountains Regional School District in New Hampshire, in addition to his tenure at Catawba County. Dr. Markley has won several awards during his career as a superintendent.
 
Dr. Markley received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of NC at Pembroke, a Masters in School Administration from Fayetteville State University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
 
 Dr. Markley enjoys spending time in the schools meeting the students and staff. 

Ann David-Co-Chair of the New Hanover County Schools (NHCS) 2014 Bond Committee

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Stephen Bon-Bon’s Eye Marketing

The president and founder of Bon’s Eye Marketing, Stephen Bon possesses more than 10 years of experience in news and feature writing as well as graphic design, editing and marketing strategy. He was awarded by the American Institute for Graphic Arts (Raleigh/Charlotte Chapter) for his cutting-edge design and layout. He’s also received past honors for writing by the North Carolina Press Association.

Before spearheading the full-service, award-winning Bon’s Eye Marketing four years ago, Stephen worked for a firm that helped clinical research organizations (CROs), manufacturers and product development companies in the pharmaceutical industry build up their client bases. In this role, Stephen assisted in the creation and management of a number of lead-generation strategies and marketing campaigns.

Prior to his time on the pharmaceutical scene, he served as the editor for the Greater Wilmington Business Journal for nearly three years. There, he wrote in-depth news stories geared toward the business sector and designed the publication’s pages. Stephen’s responsibilities included managing writers and all things editorial, creating monthly news budgets and promoting the publication within the community.

Aside from his position as the Journal’s editor, he’s worked as a legal reporter, features writer, political reporter, copy-desk editor and layout artist. His award-winning writing has appeared in a number of publications across the state of North Carolina.

In addition to his written work, Stephen routinely serves as a guest speaker at a number of civic functions. His past discussions covered subjects such as writing to a target audience, marketing a business, online marketing, and using the media to improve PR. This, coupled with his regular appearances on broadcast / radio shows and seminar panels keeps him in the public spotlight.

Through Bon’s Eye Marketing, Stephen aims to change the approach, look and style of marketing. His no-template philosophy forces the team to constantly strive for innovation when dealing with individual clients. As Bon’s Eye Marketing forever ramps up operation, it continually recruits only the most talented and experienced professionals in the trade.

Connect with Bon’s Eye Marketing on Facebook, Twitter  and LinkedIn.

Matt Ham

Matt Ham is dedicated to guiding others toward rich living.  His own experiences have led him to the understanding and freedom of a rich life, and through his RICH Principles he helps folks uncover true richness, identifying real treasure and discovering true joy and contentment.

A successful small-business owner ranking in the top 1% of all agents in his industry, Matt’s proudest title is that of husband and dad.  Matt and his wife, Liz, have three sons under the age of three, of whom the younger two are identical twins.  As an avid triathlete, Matt trains and competes in races of various distances throughout the year, including the Half Ironman.  Matt holds a degree in Communications with minors in Religious Studies and Statistics, from North Carolina State University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.  Matt and his family make their home in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Connect with Matt Ham on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Joe Finley-President of Castle Branch 

Castle Branch, one of the top 10 background screening and compliance tracking solutions companies in the nation, provides organizations of all sizes with industry leading employment screening products and services.

With a wide array of background screening, drug testing and compliance management solutions for your entire workforce, we have what you need to make safe and informed hiring decisions.

A true industry leader, we remain at the forefront of technology continually offering new products and services that make a real difference in people’s lives.

As an accredited member of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS), CastleBranch is held to the highest standards in the industry – less than five percent of screening providers hold this accreditation.

Jessie Williams – Founder of Edge of Urge 

 Never one to pass up the opportunity for adventure, in 2002, Jessie Williams packed up her belongings and moved from Chicago to Wilmington, North Carolina. Opening up shop in a tiny 400-square foot space (let’s be honest, it was a storage closet), Jessie started selling handmade clothing accessories designed by her and her friends.  Offering up a valuable retail space to other local designers, her business model would act as a launch pad for like-minded, risk-taking, passionate, some people may call them crazy, designers, creators, and artists.

Sandra Bates- CEO and Founder of The Innovation Partners

Sandra Bates is an international speaker, author and consultant in the field of innovation and social innovation.  She has worked with Fortune 100 companies as well as start-ups, with non-profits and government agencies.  She was a major contributor to the book What Customers Want (McGraw-Hill 2002) and is the author of The Social Innovation Imperative (McGraw-Hill 2012).  She is a board member for the Edison Awards (international innovation award organization), TICBioMed (Murcia, Spain), and a co-creator of Franchise for Humanity (Palo Alto).

She moved to Wilmington two years ago from Austin, TX.

Thomas Chuvala- Social Vanguard Media

Tom started with Boyden global executive search in NYC as a project manager for international website roll-out and training of offices on how to update their micro sites via a CMS (think WordPress). From this he got his chops in marketing and how to effectively bill a brand and keep the message of the marketing on target. From that base of knowledge Tom broke into email marketing & social platform media management.

Rob Shapiro-Sweet and Savory Cafe and The Pub

Since 1992 we have been known as one of the best Wilmington restaurants. We create new daily specials that use the freshest ingredients to make your mouth water. Our Breakfast menu,Lunch menu, & Dinner menu changes quarterly, so you always have something new to try.

The Pub has redone itself with The Best Burger You’ll Ever Eat! Fresh ground in house every day utilizing only the best cuts of beef (short rib, brisket, chuck, rib-eye, tenderloin) in our own ratio. All served on Sweet n Savory’s fresh baked bread, topped with only the freshest ingredients and Chef Petty’s creations. Come see why The Pub is the best hamburger restaurant in Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach or Leland!

Sarah Barbee-Sock It To Me Training

Three years ago I began a journey with a simple goal of getting healthy and losing some weight.  Since then I’ve lost over 30 pounds, completed a marathon and 3 half marathons, and changed my entire outlook on life.  The healthier I became the more I wanted to share what I was learning, and help others reach their goals of a healthy and active lifestyle.

Whatever your personal goals or fitness needs I am ready to help you reach them.  I offer great packages for basic fitness training as well as a Walk to Run program.  Studies have shown that people who embark on a fitness program with a friend or loved one, perform better and reach their goals more quickly.  So I also have a buddy program where you can sign up with a friend and get healthy together.

Chris Jones, Chief Operating Officer

Chris oversees the day to day operations of IronGate Partners, including accounting, compliance and legal. As a Certified Financial Planner®practitioner and Accredited Investment Fiduciary®,  Chris oversees the risk management division of IronGate and also adds expertise in advanced estate planning and asset protection strategies for the firm’s business owner and executive clients. Chris has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and other publications.

Chris graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to IronGate, he worked with two regional Broker/Dealer firms and later MassMutual Financial Group. Chris has served as president of the Wilmington Civitan Club, is currently a member of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is a member of the UNCW Board of Visitors. He is also active in Rotary International and the Cameron Executive Network Student Mentor Program. Chris and his wife Carrie have two sons.

David R. Hartness, Chief Client Officer

David’s primary focus at IronGate is serving the firm’s private wealth clients.  He is a Certified Financial Planner® practitioner, Chartered Life Underwriter®, and Accredited Investment Fiduciary®.  Working with staff and outside professionals such as attorneys and CPA’s, David oversees the firm’s financial planning division, and is integrally involved in the Investment and Risk Management functions providing a seamless experience for clients.

David is a native of Fayetteville and graduated from Wake Forest University.  Prior to IronGate he was with First Union and American Express. David currently serves on the UNCW Foundation Board, is the Past President of the New Hanover Estate Planning Council, and has served in various other capacities with Habitat for Humanity, Boy Scouts of America, and the United Way. David and His wife Susie have three sons.

Jason Arnold- Wilmington Hammerheads FC

Jason Arnold is entering his inaugural USL PRO season with the Wilmington Hammerheads as General Manager of the club. Arnold comes to Wilmington following his role as Executive Director of USL Youth Leagues in Tampa, FL. A three-time NCAA College Cup Final Four participant with the University of Maryland, Arnold joined USL in 2010 as USL PRO and MISL Director of Operations and was named Senior Director of USL Youth Leagues in March 2012. Arnold graduated from University of Maryland in 2004 with his BA.

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Seahawk Innovation

Tobin Geatz – General Partner and Mimijumi sales Board Member

Tobin’s mantra of “do well while doing good” led him to join his fellow co-founder, Tom Looney, in the formation of Seahawk Innovation Management. His vision and leadership have helped Seahawk Innovation Management quickly grow into a unique model to launch, fund, expand, and manage innovative businesses.

He has an extensive background in business start-ups, expansions, and technology applications. He was founder and Chairman of the Board of PharmaTech Solutions in 1999; he then became CEO and Chairman of the Board of Inclinix, Inc. He has been instrumental in the founding and development of several successful ventures, introducing innovative technologies to improve operating processes, including the Inclinix VMR™ technology.

Tobin’s venture capital experience includes his role as a Special General Partner at Aurora Funds II, a $75MM technology venture fund, and as a LP investor in two additional venture funds. Tobin has also founded, funded, operated, and successfully exited several companies including Applied Chemical Solutions, Supercritical Systems, and Discrete Wireless; a set of deals that returned high multiples to pleased investors!

As CEO of 5 private companies, board chairman at six firms, and a board member of a publicly traded company, Tobin has developed and maintains a business development and investment network in the technology and pharmaceutical industries spanning Asia and Europe, with a number of investment banking relationships. He holds nine (9) patents related to his degree in Chemistry from West Virginia University (C’81) where he was also a scholarship football athlete.

Tobin enjoys spending time with his wife and son and is always ready for a tennis match.

Brendan Collins – Partner and Mimijumi Sales CEO

Brendan brings a great deal of international business experience to Seahawk.  Brendan is a Co-Founder and Director of WindRose Capital Ltd., a London-based advisory firm that specializes in sourcing and structuring early stage investments in African and South American energy and infrastructure projects for European institutional investors.  Prior to founding WindRose, Brendan invested private equity and hedge fund capital across multiple industries with firms including DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, the flagship fund of Credit Suisse Private Equity.  In addition, he independently advised Dutch Bank Insinger de Beaufort on the disposal of its UK businesses.

Brendan met his wife Marsha, a Wilmington native, while they were both studying for their MBA at INSEAD, the international business school in France and Singapore.  Brendan attended The University of Western Ontario (Canada) where he played varsity tennis and earned honors degrees from the Faculty of Kinesiology (Sport Science) and the Richard Ivey School of Business.

On weekends, Brendan enjoys playing on the beach with his toddler sons James and Jasper and getting up early to watch English Premier League Soccer and his beloved Fulham Football Club, where he has been a season ticket holder for longer than he cares to admit.

Brad Graham- BlueTone Media: Creative Director / Director of Client Relations

BlueTone Media is a full-service web design firm located in Historic Downtown Wilmington, NC. They provide their clients with world-class web design and pride themselves on service and support that cannot be matched by any other firm.