TC Spotlight

Rocky Mount raised him. Dallas trained him. Now he's back home — and he's bringing big-league care with him.This week we sit down with Chad Womble, founder of MVP Therapy in Rocky Mount. A former collegiate pitcher at NC Wesleyan, Chad took his arm — and his ambition — down to Texas, where he spent more than a decade training under some of the top athletic trainers in the world, including a clinical rotation at TMI Sports Medicine, the official rehabilitation center of the Texas Rangers.But home kept calling. Chad returned to Rocky Mount to open MVP Therapy, a one-on-one physic...

What happens when Nash County's Democratic chair and its former Republican chair sit in the same studio for 39 minutes? Not a shouting match — a shared game plan.Dr. Cassandra Conover and Mark Edwards return to the Twin County Spotlight, this time together, as part of Urban Rural Action's Conservative Leadership for a United America program. The mission: prove that political opponents can disagree hard and still treat each other like neighbors.The conversation gets honest fast. Dr. Conover doesn't flinch — name-calling has "tripled," and she's watched her own phone-bankers get "cussed out" by strangers who don't know them. Edwards coun...

Rocky Mount is writing a comeback story — and this week we sit down with the manager at the helm.City Manager Elton Daniels joins us for a conversation about the financial stabilization of a city that was on the brink. When Daniels took the helm in April 2025, he inherited a municipality burning through millions more each month than it brought in — a crisis so severe the state auditor issued a scathing report and the Local Government Commission held the threat of a takeover over City Hall.Today, the picture looks dramatically different. Daniels and the City Council have made the...

In this episode, we sit down with Justin Sykes, lead writer and editor of the Tar River Arts + Culture Magazine, ahead of our fall 2026 release. Justin takes us behind the scenes of his pieces on Smith's Red + White, Big Bones Meat Market, Prime Smokehouse, the Rocky Mount Farmers Market, and more — sharing the stories, flavors, and characters that make the Twin Counties' food and culture scene one of a kind. Be sure to check out TRA+C Magazine, coming out later this week!

In this episode, we sit down with Jan Warren, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Rocky Mount, to shine a light on the incredible work they do in our community — from delivering 500 meals each week to homebound seniors, to coordinating more than 125 dedicated volunteers who make it all happen.We also get the inside scoop on the 11th Annual Beans & Brews Chili Cook-Off, a beloved community tradition that raised $75,000 last year alone to feed homebound seniors right here in Rocky Mount. Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 5th, 5:30–8:30 PM at Rocky Mount Mills — it's the perfect fall evening of awa...

Big news for downtown Rocky Mount! On this episode, we sit down with Jamie Holcomb, CEO of the North Carolina Children's Museum, to talk about the announcement that the museum will make the Imperial Centre its flagship headquarters. Under a proposed lease between the city and the museum, the NC Children's Museum will renovate and upgrade the Imperial Centre facilities, then operate and program the space — bringing a major new anchor for families right into the heart of downtown.We also trace Jamie's path from college to a career in the Museums of North Carolina, and what it takes to...

What happens when an engineer trades formulas for flour? On this episode of TC Spotlight, we sit down with Gabby Pacelli — founder and head baker of Pacelli's Bakery, Rocky Mount's newest artisan bakery — to talk about her leap from a career in engineering (she holds a Master of Engineering) into the craft of baking. Gabby shares how early days learning in her family's bakery planted the seed, how she built a devoted following through local markets and pop-ups starting in 2025, and what gave her the confidence to open her own storefront at 1137 Jeffreys Road in 2026. If you've tasted one of h...

The First Dream Comes Home

On Friday, August 28th at 7:30 PM, the Rocky Mount Mills Power House becomes hallowed ground for a historic homecoming—one that will echo across six decades and reconnect our city with its place in civil rights history.

North Carolina State University's Dr. Jason Miller brings his documentary about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the very community where it all began. Because here's what most Americans don't know: the "I Have a Dream" speech that shook the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963, was first spoken nine months earlier in the gymnasium of...

David Ess, partner at Pate, Horton & Ess, isn't your typical Twin Counties professional. In this episode of TC Spotlight, David shares the story of his 3,800-mile cross-country bike ride — completed in just 54 days — half of which he completed alone.We dig into what it takes to ride solo across America, the mental shift between partnership and self-reliance, and the spiritual elements of solitude on the road.Join us for a conversation about endurance, independence, and knowing when to keep pedaling.

Pam Gould is a lifelong resident of the Twin Counties with over 30 years in education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Old Dominion University and a Master of Arts in Education from East Carolina University. Her career spans Edgecombe County Public Schools, Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools, Edgecombe Community College, and Nash Community College — starting as a middle school teacher and coach, then moving into roles as a counselor, Crisis Intervention Specialist, Educational Consultant, and Director of the Redirections Day Treatment Program. She's presented at state and national conferences and delivered professional development to hundreds of local ed...

In this episode of TC Spotlight, we sit down with Tonia Grimsley, MPH — Development Director for the American Heart Association in Eastern NC, adjunct professor of public health at NC Wesleyan University, and head cheerleading coach at NCWU.

Tonia is a native of the Twin Counties — she was inducted into SouthWest Edgecombe High School's Athletics Hall of Fame, earned her MPH from NC Wesleyan while working full-time and coaching, and built a career at the intersection of public health, nonprofit fundraising, and community building. She lives in Edgecombe County, teaches the next generation of public health professionals, and...

In this episode of TC Spotlight, we sit down with Jeff Ellis, the entrepreneur behind Ribeyes and Flo's — two of the Twin Counties' most recognizable restaurant brands with locations in both Wilson and Rocky Mount.We dig into the business side of food and beverage: what it takes to run successful restaurants in two different Twin County markets, how the food and beverage landscape is shifting right now, and what Jeff sees coming next for the industry. From supply chain pressures to changing consumer habits to how independent operators are competing in an increasingly crowded market — Jeff's got a fron...

Dr. Alexis Brown Exum is a Rocky Mount native who came full circle — graduating from Northern Nash High School, earning her DDS at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry, and completing both her advanced education in general dentistry and pediatric dentistry residencies at ECU before returning home to open Rocky Mount Children's Dentistry.

In this episode, Dr. Alexis talks about her journey from Yellow Jacket to board-certified pediatric dentist, why she chose to come back to Rocky Mount to serve the community that raised her, and how she's making dental visits something kids actually look forward to — Netflix...

Matt Bristow-Smith has spent over two decades in Edgecombe County schools — fifteen years teaching English at Tarboro High, and the last ten-plus as principal of Edgecombe Early College High School, a 200-student school in Tarboro that quietly posts some of the best outcomes in the state: an A-rating for four straight years, a 100% graduation rate, and 96% of students earning associate degrees before they walk across the stage.In March 2026, Governor Josh Stein, Senate leader Phil Berger, and House Speaker Destin Hall appointed him to the Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education — an 18-member body tasked with rethinking teacher preparation, stud...

In this episode of TC Spotlight, we sit down with Dr. Kenyon "KJ" Askew Jr., D.B.A., Director of Marketing & Strategic Engagement at Nash Community College.We start with KJ's story — growing up in Colerain, NC (Bertie County), the path from Bertie County Schools to a leadership role at Nash, and what that journey taught him about opportunity, drive, and what it takes for talented young professionals to rise quickly in the Twin Counties. His trajectory is the kind of local success story that proves the region can grow its own talent when the doors are open and th...

In this episode, we sit down with Eric Evans, County Manager of Edgecombe County, North Carolina, for a conversation about what it takes to lead a rural county through rapid economic transitions.

We dig into Edgecombe's current budget priorities and the fiscal realities of governing a community balancing growth with preservation. Eric walks us through their innovative "Get Off the List" initiative — a proactive strategy tackling blight, economic development, and systemic barriers that hold rural communities back.

A major focus is Edgecombe's refreshingly inclusive approach to development policy. Rather than letting consultants and commissioners operate be...

This week we sat down with Justin Sykes, the multi-talented creative force and content producer behind Twin County Media’s Tar River Arts + Culture (TRA+C) Magazine. In this episode, we dive into the creative evolution of the publication and look at how TRA+C has become the definitive spotlight for the incredible, home-grown talent thriving right here across Nash and Edgecombe Counties.

The core of our conversation centers on the freshly debuted 2026 Spring Edition, an issue full of stories that bridge the rich history and modern energy of our regional arts and culture scene. Justin takes us be...

In this episode, we sit down with Derrick Vick, President of Freedom Industries in Nash County, to trace the growth trajectory of this local mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) construction powerhouse. Derrick shares his personal journey of coming back home to Eastern North Carolina and details the company's transformative path to becoming a 100% employee-owned ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) business.

Derrick breaks down exactly how an ESOP works in plain English, explaining how the model rewards team members with a tangible stake in the company’s financial success. We dive into how 100% employee ownership shapes an elite cu...

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Wilson, owner of The Oak Grove Retreat in Tarboro, North Carolina. Kevin shares the unique story of how a small historic church was transformed into a peaceful retreat center dedicated to rest, reflection, and renewal. What began as a vision to preserve a meaningful space has evolved into a destination where individuals, couples, and small groups can step away from the busyness of everyday life and reconnect with themselves, their faith, and nature.

We discuss Kevin’s journey in creating the retreat, the challenges and rewards of restoring the pro...

In this episode, we sit down with Ron Green, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region, along with Melvin Mitchell and Gus Tulloss, who are helping lead the capital campaign for one of the most ambitious youth development projects in our area: Project DREAM.

Project DREAM is a transformational initiative that will convert the former National Guard Armory in Rocky Mount into a state-of-the-art teen center and workforce development hub designed to prepare the next generation of Twin Counties leaders. The project represents a roughly $10 million investment into the future of local youth, crea...

In this episode, we sit down with Bryan Braswell, fourth-generation operator of Rocky Mount Radiator, to discuss the incredible story of a family business that has been serving the region since 1927. Bryan shares how his family started the company nearly 100 years ago and the many industry changes and economic challenges they’ve successfully navigated across four generations.

We dive into the highly specialized work Rocky Mount Radiator performs, from repairing everyday car radiators and AC systems to servicing heavy equipment radiators and even large-scale commercial and hospital heat exchangers. Bryan explains how the company carved out a ni...

In this episode, we sit down with David Farris, President of the Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce, Beth Covolo, Head of School at Rocky Mount Academy, and Bunn Boddie of Boddie-Noell Enterprises to discuss a community-led effort to keep a critical summer camp program alive for local Rocky Mount children.

For years, this summer camp served inner city children ages 5–8 whose families may not be able to take time off work during the summer months. Due to the city’s recent financial challenges, support for the program was discontinued—creating a major gap for working families across our com...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Nettie Williams, founder and artistic director of the Tarboro Choral Society, to talk about her journey in music and her vision for bringing high-level choral performance back to Eastern North Carolina. A Tarboro native with a distinguished career as a conductor and educator, Dr. Williams returned home and launched the Tarboro Choral Society to enrich the region through music and create opportunities for both professional and community performers.  

We dive into the mission of the Tarboro Choral Society, which brings together singers from across Eastern NC to study and p...

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Edwards, Manager of Broadcast & Media Relations for the Wilson Warbirds, to talk about his journey into the world of sports media and broadcasting. Chris shares his early aspirations in media, how he got his start, and the path that ultimately led him to join the Warbirds organization.

We dive into what it’s like to help launch a new Minor League team from the ground up, from building a brand to engaging fans and telling the story of the team. Chris gives us a behind-the-scenes look at his role wit...

In this episode, we sit down with George Thorne, Commissioner for Edgecombe County, to talk about his decision to return home after college and invest his time and energy back into the community that raised him. George shares what drew him to public service, what he’s learned as a county commissioner, and why he believes local leadership plays such a critical role in shaping the future of Eastern North Carolina.

We also explore George’s writing through his Substack, Briarpatch, where he offers thoughtful reflections on life in Eastern NC, culture, and the ongoing progress in Edge...

In this episode, we sit down with Joseph Bobbitt, a local financial advisor and Momeyer native, to talk about his incredible journey from a novice runner to qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Joseph shares how he first got into running, the discipline it took to improve, and the mindset required to push through setbacks and reach an elite level of performance.

We also dive into Joseph’s roots in Momeyer, including his connection as the great-grandson of the founder of Bass Brothers, and how his upbringing shaped both his personal and professional life. From balancing a career in...

In this episode, we sit down with Cutchin Anderson, Town Councilman in Tarboro and manager at Anderson Farms, to talk about leadership, agriculture, and the future of Edgecombe County. Cutchin shares his background growing up in Tarboro, his work in the family farming business, and what ultimately led him to step into public service.

We dive into the momentum building in downtown Tarboro, the broader landscape of economic development in Edgecombe County, and the opportunities and challenges facing the region. Cutchin offers a thoughtful perspective on why he chose to run for office, what he’s focused on...

In this episode, we sit down with Kristen Brabble, COO of First Carolina Bank and the founder of the Tackle the Tar race in Rocky Mount. Kristen shares the story behind launching the event nearly a decade ago and how a simple idea—bringing the community together for a fun but challenging race—has grown into one of the region’s most impactful fundraisers.

Tackle the Tar is a 5K obstacle course race with more than 20 obstacles, often described as a “Tough Mudder-style” event that takes participants through mud pits, walls, crawls, and other physical challenges across the course...

In this episode, we sit down with Nasir Dukes, founder of Dukes Properties & Construction, to discuss his firm’s growing development footprint in both Raleigh and Rocky Mount. Founded in 2004, Dukes Properties & Construction is a real estate investment and development firm focused on building high-quality residential and commercial projects and revitalizing neighborhoods through thoughtful design and construction. (dukesproperties.com)

Nasir shares the story behind the company, how the firm built its reputation through development projects in the Raleigh market, and why he’s excited about expanding into Rocky Mount. We dive into the firm’s first two local...

In this episode, we sit down with Susan Phelps, the new Director of Economic Development for Nash County, to talk about her eight-year journey with the county and her transition into this leadership role. Susan shares what energizes her about economic development, the relationships she’s built along the way, and why she’s passionate about positioning Nash County for long-term growth.

We dive into the county’s shell building program—the wins, the lessons learned, and the real challenges that come with speculative industrial development. Susan gives us a candid look at what the industrial market looks lik...

In this episode, we sit down with Julie Baggett, General Manager of Rocky Mount Mills, and Anne Parker Chambliss, Director of Marketing and Communications for Ripe for Revival, to talk about an exciting new announcement: The Seed. This new hosting and event space, complete with a full commercial kitchen, is designed to bring people together around food, education, and community.

We discuss how The Seed aligns perfectly with Ripe for Revival’s mission of reviving communities through access to high-quality food and shared experiences. From team-building events and culinary classes to health and nutrition education forums, special ev...

In this episode, we sit down with Nish Patel, President of Greystone Hospitality, a Rocky Mount–based hospitality group making strategic investments across the region. Nish shares his journey into the family business, how he stepped into leadership, and the vision that’s driven Greystone’s growth over the years.

We dive into the investments Greystone Hospitality has made in the local community—what attracts them to a market, what they look for in a great hotel location, and how those decisions help support broader economic development in the Twin Counties. Nish also offers his perspective on the futu...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. John Kim, owner of Rocky Mount Periodontics, to talk about his journey to becoming a nationally recognized periodontist. Dr. Kim shares his educational path—from studying at Harvard to completing his fellowship at UNC—and how those experiences shaped his clinical philosophy and approach to patient care.

We also discuss how Dr. Kim balances running a leading specialty practice in Rocky Mount while lecturing nationally, helping train and educate other dental professionals. Tune in to hear how expertise, education, and commitment to excellence have allowed Dr. Kim to build a wo...

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Walsh, owner of Flying-Iron Harley-Davidson in Rocky Mount, NC, to talk about his unique entrepreneurial journey and life in the motorcycle world. Kevin shares his backstory, including how he built and sold a flight instructor school before making the leap into owning the local Harley-Davidson dealership—a move that blended business, passion, and community.

We dive into what dealership life has been like since Kevin took over Flying-Iron Harley-Davidson, from building a strong team and culture to creating a destination for riders across Eastern North Carolina. Kevin also discusses his d...

In this episode, we sit down with Whit Barnes, President of Wildwood, the renowned lamp and lighting company with deep roots in Rocky Mount. Whit shares his background and the family history behind Bulluck’s Furniture, the original business that eventually spun out Wildwood Lamps. While now operating as two separate companies, Bulluck’s and Wildwood remain closely connected through shared heritage, craftsmanship, and a commitment to quality.

We also discuss how Wildwood has successfully navigated recent challenges such as tariffs, adapting its supply chain while continuing to deliver high-quality, design-forward lighting products. Whit offers insight into what...

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Dameron, a stand-up comedian based in North Carolina whose comedy is deeply rooted in his upbringing right here in Rocky Mount. Matt grew up with a classic rural Southern background—fishing, riding four-wheelers, working land—and that “country life meets small-town reality” perspective has become a defining thread in his stand-up.

Matt began performing comedy about seven years ago and has steadily built his career through relentless touring and repeated gigs. Along the way, he’s found a unique balance: embracing his Southern roots while telling stories on his own terms...

In this episode, we sit down with John Lea and Gardner Noble of Simmons & Harris, a full-service commercial real estate firm based in Rocky Mount. As key brokers serving the industrial, land, office, retail, flex, and multifamily markets, John and Gardner join Benton Moss, President & CEO, for a wide-ranging conversation about the firm’s strategy, the region’s economic momentum, and the future of commercial real estate in Eastern North Carolina.

We discuss the exciting news that construction has officially begun on Building #1 at the Rocky Mount Industrial Village, with additional flex and industrial spaces planned. This deve...

Join us this week for a fun and inspiring episode with Khatari Lane, Founder and Managing Arts Director of NextUp Theatre, a youth community theatre dedicated to giving local young talent a place to shine. Khatari shares the story behind launching NextUp Theatre and his passion for creating accessible, high-quality performing arts opportunities for kids and teens in our community.

We talk about NextUp’s upcoming production of Disney’s Frozen Jr., hitting the stage on Thursday, December 18th and Friday, December 19th, with both performances beginning at 7:00 PM. Khatari also discusses how NextUp Theatre has grown into...

In this episode, we talk with Spring Hope Mayor Kyle Pritchard, who’s just been reelected this year, about his journey to public service and what it means to lead a small town with vision and heart. Kyle reflects on how he took on the mayor’s role and the values that drive him to serve the community.

We dive into Spring Hope’s economic and downtown development efforts—from revitalizing local businesses to improving infrastructure and creating opportunities for growth. Kyle shares what he and town leaders are doing to attract investment, support local entrepreneurs, and build a...

In this episode, we sit down with Will West, owner of Carolina Grits Company, to explore his journey from the East Coast to the West Coast and ultimately back home to the Twin Counties. Will shares the story of stepping into his father’s legacy and taking over Carolina Grits Co., a beloved local business rooted in tradition, craftsmanship, and Southern culture.

We also dive into Will’s creative side—his career as a musician and artist, his experiences performing across the country, and how his artistic identity continues to shape his work today. Will reflects on what d...