kirstenkalsky, Author at Business RadioX ® Page

Wilmington Business RadioX Special Edition: Voice of Business

July 11, 2014 by kirstenkalsky

On this month’s Voice of Business, show host and The Wilmington NC Chamber of Commerce President, Connie Majure-Rhett welcomed guests Johnny Griffin with The Wilmington Regional Film Commission and Bill Vassar with EUE/Screen Gems to discuss Wilmington’s film incentives.

Johhny Griffin- Director of The Wilmington Regional Film Commission

The Wilmington Regional Film Commission, Inc. is responsible for marketing the unique assets found within southeastern North Carolina to the production industry. Whether you are looking for a small town square, a coastal home, a scenic highway, a gaffer, or a c-stand, we are here to help. Our staff has worked in the industry for many years and has a true working knowledge of how to solve your problems. We speak the same language which makes our clients feel comfortable.

Once you choose our region, the Wilmington Regional Film Commission, Inc. facilitates on-location filmmaking within the region by offering production companies a complete range of pre-production services through a central contact. This office provides information regarding local film procedures, permits, and guidelines, and serves as liaison with government agencies. The Film Commission also serves as a general resource and clearing house for information about the Wilmington area.

Bill Vassar-Executive Vice President of EUE/Screen Gems

Bill Vassar is the Executive Vice President of EUE/Screen Gems in Wilmington, North Carolina. He enthusiastically manages the largest studio complex east of California.

“I handpick each employee to create a special team,” says Vassar. “I take great pride in how well we work together to service the needs of each production.”

Bill’s personal involvement and attention to detail have earned the respect of clients such as Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount, Sony, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Lifetime, HBO, Showtime and many more. He played an integral role in recruiting the Marvel Entertainment lensing of “Iron Man 3” to Wilmington. This mega-hit is the largest single production in the history of North Carolina.

A four-decade media veteran, Bill’s first job was as a disc jockey when he was sixteen. After working in radio programming, news, sales, general management and station ownership, he transitioned to television and film production. In 1984, Bill joined NBC Entertainment Production in New York City. One of his first assignments was working with the start-up of the original “Cosby Show.”

Active in the community, Bill is the Board Chairman of the Wilmington Regional Film Commission; he sits on the North Carolina Governor’s Film Council and the Cucalorus Film Festival Board. He served two terms on the Board of Governors for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Bill and his wife Emily live in Wilmington, NC with their two sons.

Ashley Miller and Renee Jones with The American Heart Association

July 10, 2014 by kirstenkalsky

The American Heart Association

Ashley Miller- Director of Corporate Relations

The American Heart Association is the largest voluntary health organization working to prevent, treat and defeat heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. These diseases, the Nation’s No.1 and No.4 killers, claim more than 813,804 American lives a year. Thanks to all our walkers, donors and volunteers who have accepted the challenge to help fight heart disease and stroke. We cannot achieve our mission without each one of you!

Renee Jones

The Cape Fear Heart Walk

Ms. Jones is a very involved volunteer for AHA and has been part of the Cape Fear Walk for several years.

Community Teams are made up of friends and family committed to making a difference in the fight against Heart Disease and Stroke. Often not connected to a company’s fundraising efforts, many Community Teams are formed to raise money in honor or memory of a loved one.

Family and friends throughout the nation are forming teams through their family, neighborhood, church, service clubs, colleges, survivor groups, etc. The stories told by our Community Teams are the reason WHY WE WALK!

Spence Hackney with Proclaim Interactive, Dan Marks with Commercial Site Control and Judy Clark with Autism Support and Programs

June 27, 2014 by kirstenkalsky

Spence Hackney-Proclaim Interactive

Spence Hackney has been building web sites professionally since 1997. He is the founder and president of Proclaim Interactive, a full service digital marketing agency providing web site design, branding and marketing services to a wide range of clients throughout the country. He also serves on the board of First Fruit Ministries, Alpha Ministries and is a leader in Cub Scout Pack 226. You can reach Spence at spence@proclaiminteractive.com, 910-795-4143 ext 101

Connect with Proclaim Interactive on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google+.

Dan Marks- Commercial Site Control

Commercial Site Control (CSC) offers the capabilities of a commercial Building Energy Management System for a fraction of the cost of traditional systems. CSC utilizes the latest hardware technology and advanced cloud based algorithms pushed directly to the controller on site making it easy to install and always up to date.

Judy Clark- Autism Support and Programs

Judy Clark, mother of two young men with autism, and Founder/Director of Autism Support and Programs, knows firsthand the joys and hardships of raising children who have autism. Both of Judy’s boys are severely affected and she quickly realized the critical need for early intervention and consistency for those on the autism spectrum. In 1994 she set out on a mission that would progress from providing summer school programs for students in Southeastern North Carolina to the development of comprehensive services for individuals with autism. Judy’s drive comes from a love of people with autism and the desire to help them meet their maximum potential.

Julie Thomas with DocsInk

June 26, 2014 by kirstenkalsky

Julie Thomas-DocsInk

Julie Thomas is an expert in the healthcare industry with 23 years experience in the areas of practice management, revenue cycle analysis, medical billing, workflow efficiencies, chart auditing, EHR implementation, and Meaningful Use compliance. Her broad knowledge draws a demand for her to speak at Medical Society, MGMA, and other various conferences, as well as requests to consult for many hospitals and practices around the country. Driven by a passion to help providers maximize revenue, improve clinical communication, and reduce per capita costs, Julie co-founded DocsInk to address the contributing gaps in the industry.

Connect with DocsInk on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn

Special Edition: The Wilmington NC Convention Center Show

June 20, 2014 by kirstenkalsky

The Wilmington NC Convention Center

Show Co-Host, Susan Eaton has lived in Wilmington for over 4 years and serves as General Manager of the Wilmington Convention Center of behalf of SMG, the world largest private management firm for public assembly facilities.

Susan oversees the day to day operations of the Center and the in-house food and beverage operation, along with the outdoor event space.

Kim Hufham- President and CEO of Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau

From the historic river district and Riverwalk that winds around the storied Cape Fear River to three colorful island beaches, there’s something about the water here in Wilmington, N.C. and our beach towns, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach, that speaks, surrounds and transforms visitors. As North Carolina’s most accessible coastal destination, the area’s location, natural beauty, culture and history all charm visitors and residents alike making it the ideal place to let go, give in and get away for a vacation or weekend.

One destination and four unique settings . . . from the river to sea . . . create a bounty of extraordinary experiences.

Connect with Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau on Facebook and Twitter. Also get involved in #Spread the Wilm on Twitter!

Terry Bragg- Executive Director of the North Carolina Battleship

Moored in quiet dignity and majesty the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, across the river from downtown Wilmington, beckons visitors to walk her decks. Envision the daily life and fierce combat her crew faced in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.

From all across our Nation they came, young men who had grown up in the crucible of the Great Depression and now determined to serve their Country in its time of need. These are the men whose stories you will encounter through their oral histories, photographs, and mementos as you experience the Ship and the exhibits.

Step back in time and let history come alive through the crews’ stories. Discover and build your personal connection by steering the ship, starting her engines or even firing the guns. The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA It’s Your Experience.

Jason Wheeler and Megan Kopka with Pathfinder Wealth Consulting

June 20, 2014 by kirstenkalsky

Jason Wheeler

Jason is a wealth consultant and founding partner of Pathfinder Wealth Consulting. He has been in the financial services industry since 1999.

He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. He also earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® professional designation, awarded by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, which is associated with the University of Pittsburgh. He has received the center’s formal training in investment fiduciary responsibility, and he was the first AIF^® designee in the Greater Wilmington area.

Jason was born in Dayton, Ohio, and moved to Eastern North Carolina when he was seven years old. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 1999 with a BS in finance. He went on to graduate as Outstanding MBA student in 2003 from UNCW. In 2004, he received the Young Alumnus of the Year Award from his alma mater and is past chairman of the Board of Directors for its Alumni Association.

Jason teaches Corporate Finance in the Cameron School of Business at UNCW. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association, the Financial Services Institute, the Center for Fiduciary Studies, and the Coastal Conservation Association. He is also a member of Pine Valley Country Club.

Jason resides in Wilmington with his wife, Ashley; daughter, Merritt; and their two rescue dogs, Vader and Maya. He is passionate about surfing and loves to travel to new surf spots around the world. When there are no waves, he spends his time outdoors playing golf and competitive beach volleyball and boating with his family.

Megan Kopka

Megan serves as business development officer for the team’s wealth management services business. Megan was an educator before joining the industry in 2007 to help families with their financial planning and investment needs. Prior to Pathfinder, she was a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch. Megan is responsible for new business development for the team. She introduces prospective clients to the team, making sure their comprehensive wealth management needs are aligned with the firm’s expertise.

Originally, a native Clevelander, both college and the weather brought Megan to North Carolina, where she graduated from ECU with a BS in economics. Megan is an active participant in the community; she is a member of EWGA, Toastmasters, and the Cape Fear Elder Abuse Prevention Network.

Megan is married to Chef Keith Kopka, a Culinary Institute of America graduate. A chef is a great asset to a family that loves dining! Keith, Megan, and their two children, Bruce and Jaden, enjoy fine cuisine in their home. Megan and Keith happily claim their seats in the crowd as spectators at girls travel soccer for Jaden’s and for Bruce’s numerous positions for Ashley High School football, varsity wrestling, and pole vaulting for the Ashley track team coached by his dad, Keith. The entire water-loving family enjoys their down time at the area beaches and love living near the ocean.

Connect with Pathfinder on Facebook, LinkedIn and Youtube

Brigid Sheridan with Eldercare In-Home Care NC

June 16, 2014 by kirstenkalsky

Brigid Sheridan-Eldercare In-Home Care NC

Brigid Sheridan is the Community Liaison for Eldercare In-Home Care, and a community educator for the Alzheimer’s Association. Eldercare consistently strives to identify and provide quality in-home services to New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender and Onslow Counties. Eldercare focuses on providing personalized health care services to each client by supporting his needs in order to allow each client to remain in his/her home. Eldercare aims to build relationships with clients by demonstrating responsiveness to needs, continued education and training for personnel, and ensuring the highest quality of personnel with a primary focus on the needs of clients, their families, and support systems.

Wilmington Business Radio Special Edition: Voice of Business

June 16, 2014 by kirstenkalsky

On this month’s Voice of Business, hosted by The Wilmington NC Chamber of Commerce: Guest Host- Haskell Rhett, Leadership Wilmington (LW) Executive Director and LW Alumni Margaret Robison and Craig Snow.

About Leadership Wilmington:

The objective of Leadership Wilmington is to educate, challenge and motivate leaders and future leaders to utilize their leadership skills to work for the betterment of our community. There are five components that will be stressed throughout the program. They are:

Leadership skills/styles;
Community issues and challenges;
Dynamics of regional social and economic change;
Diversity; and
Class project.

The ten-month program consists of eight all-day sessions, an orientation social, a two-day retreat to begin the program, Work On Wilmington, and a graduation ceremony. The all-day sessions occur once a month from September through April. To complete the program successfully, each class member is expected to participate in the orientation/social, retreat, all monthly program sessions, Work On Wilmington and graduation. Participants must make a serious commitment to the program and employers must agree in advance to grant participants time off from their duties to attend all scheduled activities.

The application deadline for the 2015 Class of Leadership Wilmington is June 30, 2014. Participants will be sought from corporate, business, education, professional, non-profit and governmental sectors. The Chamber Foundation Board will select a maximum of 30 participants for the class which will reflect the diversity of our community. During the selection process, the Board will review each candidate’s leadership potential, community involvement and accomplishments.

Click here for an application

Kevin French and Barry Eichelberger with Wells Fargo Bank and James Baldwin with The Resource

June 9, 2014 by kirstenkalsky

Kevin French- Wells Fargo Bank

Kevin French is the district manager for Wells Fargo in the Wilmington Market and oversees nine retail locations and more than 100 team members in Wilmington, Leland and Porters Neck. Prior to his current role, Kevin held a small business/credit consulting role and was previously the store manager at the Mooresville location in Charlotte. He joined the company in July 2005 as financial specialist in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree from Belmont Abbey College in Business Management. He currently resides in Wilmington with his wife and their four children.

Barry Eichelberger-Wells Fargo

Barry Eichelberger is a business banking manager and leads Wells Fargo’s business banking team in Wilmington. He was previously a senior business relation manager and vice president for the Wilmington business banking team before being promoted to his current rule in September 2013.Barry joined the company in 1998 and has held several positions of increasing responsibility, including district manager and small business senior financial specialist. He began his career as a financial specialist. Barry is a graduate of Shepherd University in West Virginia. He currently resides in Wilmington with his wife and their two children.

Connect with Wells Fargo on Twitter and Facebook

James Baldwin-The Resource

Jim Baldwin has been Branch Manager at the Wilmington office of The Resource for 4 years. He and his wife, ENan, manage all aspects of the business including recruiting, sales and servicing accounts. Jim and ENan are both natives of Wilmington. After graduating from Hoggard High School, Jim graduated from Davidson College and went on to receive two graduate degrees. Jim says, “We lived for over 20 years in the Piedmont area of North Carolina but we got back to the beach as quickly as we could.”

Connect with James Baldwin on LinkedIn