Fractional with Chris Capone and Associates
E61: Tim Jarman - Education & Community Impact
Tim Jarman is the Executive Director of local nonprofit, the Schreiber Foundation, where he supports students through long-term academic and life opportunities. Prior to Schreiber, Tim spent a decade teaching at Ashley High School, building his approach around consistency, presence, and support.
In addition to his work in education, Tim has stayed true to his passions while remaining heavily involved in the community. He serves on the Community Advisory Council (CAC) for the New Hanover Community Endowment, as well as owns the Fuzzy Needle, a record and bookstore, and is a part owner of a skateboard company...
E60: Josh Hallingse - Economic Development & Small Biz
Josh Hallingse is the VP of Small Business Retention & Expansion for the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. His primary focus involves supporting local businesses through growth, hiring, and expansion challenges. With over 15 years in economic development across North Carolina, Josh has worked on major projects like Sierra Nevada’s expansion in Mills River, NC and FedUp Foods expansion to Wilmington, NC.
In this episode, we explore:
His role supporting small businesses throughout their entire lifecycle.What economic development actually looks like behind the scenes.Why businesses are choosing Wilmington.The biggest challenges local businesses are facing to...E59: Randall Johnson – Building North Carolina’s Biotech Economy
Randall Johnson is the Executive Director of the Southeastern Region for the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, where he works to grow the state’s biotech ecosystem through economic development, workforce initiatives, and startup support. From helping launch new ventures to building talent pipelines and attracting investment, Randall shares how biotech is shaping North Carolina’s future—and why the opportunities extend far beyond traditional healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
What the NC Biotech Center does and how it supports companies from idea to commercializationThe wide range of biotech industries, from healthcare to agriculture, energy, and marine innovationHow workforce development is evolvi...E58: Richard Stroupe - Elevating Entrepreneurs and Founders
Richard Stroupe is an entrepreneur with a track record of building and exiting companies in the Tech space. From his early days as a software engineer, to scaling a business to 60 employees and a successful exit, Richard shares key lessons from his journey. Today, he focuses on venture investing, advising founders, and helping leaders grow through his “Elevate” program here in the Greater Wilmington Area.
Richard has investments in over 50 companies; runs his own family office and real estate portfolioWhat it’s like building a business from zero to exit, on a real scaleThe realities of life after exitE57: Laura Brogdon-Primavera - The Career & Leadership Development Academy
Laura Brogdon-Primavera is is the VP of Leadership Development at the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce . Laura and her team have built a career and leadership development academy, which touches every single 7th grader in New Hanover County. Laura also oversees several other programs focused on Leadership Development in our region.
Did you know CLDA scaled from just 41 students to nearly 1,800 seventh graders in only a few years?
In this episode, we explore:
• How the Career & Leadership Development Academy launched in 2022 and quickly expanded to reach every 7th grader in New Hanover County Sc...
E56: Jason Andre – Production Designer, Storyteller, Ocean Advocate
Jason Andre is the Production Designer at Wells Insurance, where he leads the company’s creative and content efforts. After earning a degree in Marine Biology, Jason began filming surf edits and documentaries, which led him to launch his own production company, Seven Season Films, before bringing his creative experience into a growing business environment.
Did you know Jason has been working on a documentary for over a decade?
In this episode, we explore:
His work through Seven Season Films and inside a corporate creative role.The decade-long documentary project If the Ocean Could Ta...E55: Dr. Umar Bowers - Physician, Entrepreneur, Community Leader
Dr. Umar Bowers is a physician, entrepreneur and owner of Dawson Med - a Primary Care and Urgent Care practice based in Wilmington, NC. Additionally, he serves on several boards and associations, primarily focused on health care talent development and general community development. Dr. Bowers embodies all the characteristics of a leader, and we dive deep into leadership on different levels; specifically in the medical world and in our community.
Did you know Dr. Bowers started a Home Security business fresh out of college?!Yes, we talked about the idea of preventative care vs addressing symptoms, the issues...Jeanette Cofer - Elevating Executive Outcomes
Jeanette Cofer is the founder and owner of JCo., an executive leadership and organizational development firm based in Wilmington, NC. Jeanette spent 15 years in the banking industry, followed by a stint of various consulting and fractional roles in technology startups. She is also a Six Sigma Green Belt. In the latest podcast, Jeanette shares her story along with the mission and vision of her firm.
How Jeanette’s experience and career path has led her to starting her own firm.What is executive coaching? And what is the difference between coaching and consulting? What are the intersections of ex...Grey Vick - How I Founded a Billboard Biz
Grey Vick is the Founder and Owner of Grey Outdoor, a mid-size billboard company operating in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Grey is a UNCW alumni and resides in Wilmington, NC with his wife and kids. Grey is an avid surfer, a family man and a key contributor in our local community.
Grey’s journey into entrepreneurship started with a real estate investment while he was working in Public Accounting. Step by step, this led him to co-founding his first billboard business in 2007.Grey Outdoor primarily focuses on helping small, local companies grow their brands through billboard ad...Didier Rabino - What is Lean Management?
Didier Rabino is a Lean Management and Continuous Improvement expert with over 30 years of practical experience and leadership. We discussed the history and core philosophy of Lean Management and what it means for small businesses. Specifically, debunking the negative connotations of “lean” and explaining lean as a philosophy that can be applied in all aspects of life.
Lean Management is rooted in the Toyota Production System (TPS) which began in the late 1800s by Sakichi Toyoda. The original motivation for TPS was to simplify work to alleviate the pain experienced by Toyoda's mother and sisters, who were using looms...Kenneth Waldroup - Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA)
Kenneth “Ken” Waldroup, PE is the Executive Director of the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA), a special-purpose unit of local government created by the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County. Ken shares the history and the formation of the CFPUA, and the vital role it plays in our community and our local economy.
Did you know that CFPUA delivers some of the highest quality water in the nation (Sweeny Water Plant) utilizing a granular activated carbon filtration system?!? It has become a benchmark for best-in-class water quality.Our water system includes 1,200 miles of water line and a simil...Kevin Hicks - Making Chaos Make Sense
Kevin Hicks is a Fractional Chief Operating Officer (COO) based in Wilmington, NC. He works with small businesses and non-profits to find their “rhythm” and bring strategy to action. Prior to this role, he was a banker with RBC Centura Bank and the COO of a privately owned business.
What is the difference between a consultant and a Fractional Executive?Three major signs when a Fractional COO is needed: 1) Losing good people, 2) Strategic Plan not being executed, 3) Asking “Is there an easier way to do this?”Defining the difference between urgent and important.https://www.aususpartners.net/
<...Meaghan Denisson - The Forward Fund
Meaghan Dennison is the Founder and CEO of The Forward Fund, a Non-Profit organization that creates upward economic mobility opportunities by providing interest free loans and financing for short term training and education programs. Meaghan shares the story of how the Forward Fund was created and lots of details on the process and financing programs.
The first loans originated in January 2025, as of this drop date, over $1M in funding and 100 loans has been deployed!The loan program helps upskill our workforce, and also helps the candidates build their credit score and other financial skills to support financial p...Sophie Dagenais - The Endowment (New Hanover Community Endowment)
Sophie Dagenais is the interim CEO of The Endowment, a now $1.7 Billion fund that was created upon the sale of New Hanover County Regional Medical Center to Novant health in 2020. Sophie shares insights on the history, mission, vision as well as impacts of The Endowment since its inception.
Understanding the technical nomenclature and the shift from being a Public Charity vs. a Private Foundation, and what that means for The Endowment and New Hanover County going forward. Hint: it’s a good thing.What types of initiatives, organizations and causes does The Endowment support with their grants?In 2025, a str...Mike Breitfeller - Vision, Purpose and Alignment
Mike Breitfeller is the owner of the Breit Group, a Wilmington, NC based financial planning platform, serving both individuals and businesses. Mike is a UNCW Alumni, and shares the story of how he built his business over the past 15 years.
How Mike founded The Breit group and the driving forces behind taking the leap to start his own firmThe importance of having a Vision, Purpose and Alignment in all facets of lifeHow AI can be deployed in different aspects of business, and the importance of human interaction and connectionlinkedin.com/in/michael-breitfeller-cfp-®-62ba5522
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Robert Preville - Approve: how I built a Fintech company in Wilmington, NC
Robert “RB” Preville is the Founder and CEO of Approve, a Wilmington, NC - based Fintech company that provides an embedded financing platform for equipment sellers. Robert has an incredible track record of building business from scratch, and shares his story and lessons learned throughout his career.
The role of AI in software development and how it is changing the way companies create and plan for obsolescence. Lessons learned from raising investor money, the importance of raising the right amount and discussion about capital efficiency.The art of pricing and sales to get from Zero to One, and then onwa...Tommy Taylor & Tony McEwen - Port City Jerry Day to benefit the United Way
Tommy Taylor is the CEO of the United Way Cape Fear Area and Tony McEwen is a long standing Board Member for the United Way and the Creator of Jerry Day to benefit the United Way. Tommy and Tony discuss the history, mission and vision of the United Way, and the story behind creating Port City Jerry Day.
The United Way of the Cape Fear Area is a locally “owned” and operated non-profit organization, it is not a chapter. It is a local group that operates independently to serve our local community. The United Way raises funds through workpla...Kevin Blackburn – Kids Making It
Kevin Blackburn is the Executive Director of Kids Making It, a Non-Profit Organization with a mission of supporting at-risk youth in graduating high school, using woodworking as the primary vehicle to learn important life and entrepreneurial skills. Based on Castle St. in Downtown Wilmington, Kids Making It has served over 20,000 Kids since 1996.
Kids Making it was founded in 1996 by Jimmy Pierce, an attorney who had a passion for woodworking and supporting at-risk youth.The Kids get to build their own products using a full-scale woodworking shop, and sell them in the retail store on Castle St. 100% of the pr...David Joyner - Assistant DA & Wilmington City Councilmember
David Joyner is an Assistant District Attorney and Wilmington City Council Member. David discusses roles and responsibilities of his Law and Public Service occupations, as well as a deeper dive into how the City Council works.
How David got involved in local politics. The governance structure of our City Council, its roles and responsibilities.Having a law degree and background has helped David in many ways, but by no means a requirement for local politics.https://www.linkedin.com/in/dbjoyner/
https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/Government/City-Mayor-Council/David-Joyner
Steve McRossan - NourishNC, Feeding Hungry Kids in New Hanover County
Steve McRossan is the Executive Director of NourishNC, an organization that is committed to feeding hungry kids and families in New Hanover County through several different programs. Steve shares the history, mission and vision for the organization.
Did you know that 1 out of every 6 kids in New Hanover County struggle with food insecurity?NourishNC Purchases about 75% of the food, with 25% of the food donated. The majority of funding comes from people and businesses in New Hanover county. We again discussed the struggles and overhead needed to apply and manage grants.https://nourishnc.org/
https://facebook...
Mike Brown - Cape Fear Commercial
Mike Brown is a Partner with Cape Fear Commercial, and also very involved in community leadership in Wilmington, NC, holding roles as past Chairmen of the Board for Cape Fear Public Utility (CFPUA) and various roles on the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Board. We talked about all things growth, community and development. Check out the show!
Did you know that Mike Brown was Chairman of the Board for CFPUA right when the PFAS / GenX issues came to light?Discussing Project Grace. Low-key, undercover historian…https://capefearcommercial.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-brown-0722622b/
Sabrina Davis - Port City Signs & Graphics
Sabrina Davis is the owner of Port City Signs & Graphics, a full service sign and graphics company based in Wilmington, NC. She comes from a family of entrepreneurs and small business owners, and tells her story of how they came to be owners of Port City Signs & Graphics, navigating their journey of business ownership and entrepreneurship.
Did you know that Sabrina started her career in radio and television? In New Mexico.Port City Signs was started in 1948 and had a location on Castle street. Sabrina purchased the business in 2007 and has experienced significant and sustainable growth over the year...Jerry Coleman - One of Wilmington’s Best Kept Secrets
Jerry Coleman is the Director of CFCC’s Small Business Center, which provides free consultation and support services for entrepreneurs in the Greater Wilmington NC small biz ecosystem. Jerry has decades of experience as a small business owner, entrepreneur and consultant, making him extremely knowledgeable and proficient in advising entrepreneurs as they plan and execute their start-ups.
Overview of CFCC’s Small Business Center offerings. And, oh by the way, its free!Jerry’s experience owning his own consumer products manufacturing business in Wilmington, and how he became the Director of CFCC SBC. Pitfalls and best practices for entrepren...AJ Stanaland - Northwest Land and Cattle, Farming the “New Old-Fashioned” Way
AJ Stanaland is a 5th generation farmer and rancher in South Eastern North Carolina. Her family farm, Northwest Land and Cattle, provides a variety of “direct from the farm” produce and meats that are sold directly through her retail shop called “The Pack House,” which is on the family farm in Northwest, North Carolina. Check out the episode to learn more about:
The evolution of her family farm from 1898 to today, and bringing the “New Old Fashioned Way” into her farming and business practices. Understanding the supply chain and sourcing of our food, and the philosophy of supporting the land and wh...Mike Kozlosky - The Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
Mike Kozlosky is the Executive Director of the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, also known as the The Wilmington MPO, which is a federally mandated and funded organization that plans regional transportation and manages federal transportation funds for the Wilmington area. Mike discusses the history, workings, partners and members of the organization and significant projects in the works for our area.
What is the Wilmington MPO, what are its responsibilities and how did it come to be in 1973? Examples of significant completed projects and future projects in the works. Specifically the newly renovated MPO office and Cape Fe...Robert Cooley, Jr. - Army Veteran, Entrepreneur, Business Leader, Baker
Robert Cooley, Jr. is a retired Army General Officer, Entrepreneur, Investor and an all around Pay-It-Forward type of guy. He owns Apple Annie’s Bakery - a Wilmington, NC Staple - and is the Co-Founder and CEO of Nuream, a Nuero data science company. He is involved in several other businesses and ventures as well. Check out Rob’s story of connecting the dots of his life, his career and his impact on our community.
How his experiences in active duty military and as an Army General officer play into his leadership and vision for his businesses. How Rob becam...Celine Adair - Education Without Walls
Celine Adair is the Founder and Executive Director of Education Without Walls (EWOW), a local non-profit committed to supporting teens in overcoming hardships through mentorship and outdoor adventures. Each year, EWOW taps a team of 24 leaders to help raise a total of $3,000 each, to sponsor a teen for the year-long program. Check out the story!
How outdoor adventures and education build skills and a confidence that teens can use to overcome hardships in life. What is it about being outside and in nature that unlocks our human potential?Actual life stories of how EWOW has positively influenced the liv...Andy Basinger - Taking The Leap, How We Founded Live Oak Private Wealth
Andy Basinger is a Managing Partner and Head of Live Oak Private Wealth. He was part of the founding team in 2018, and shares his story of entrepreneurship and building a business within the Live Oak Bank ecosystem. The story goes well beyond the technical aspects of Financial Planning, and more specifically on the importance of relationships and culture.
How an “off-hand” comment at a fundraiser spurred the creation of Live Oak Private Wealth.How the Live Oak Private Wealth team built their business plan and service model.Creating a culture and the importance of a team.https...
Bryan Kristof - A Pioneer of CoWorking Spaces in Wilmington, NC
Bryan Kristof created the first Co-Working space in Wilmington, NC, called CoWorx. Since the creation in 2011, Bryan had several iterations of the space and model, with its final and current location of CoWorx in the Cargo District. Bryan sold the business in 2020, and has moved on to other business ventures, but found his way back to the shared workspace idea with the 717mkt Office Collaborative project.
Bryan was the owner of a Branding and Marketing Agency while he created CoWorx, which was located in Lumina Station in 2011.How CoWorking fads and technology have evolved over the past 15 years.Th...John Monahan - How I Built a CEO Advisory Group in Wilmington, NC
John Monahan is an experienced CEO and business leader who has built a Peer Advisory Group for CEOs in Wilmington, NC, as part of the Vistage platform. Vistage is the world’s largest CEO coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. John shares personal experiences of building and running businesses, and then paying it forward through his advisory group.
How John built a CEO group from zero to 16, and the similarities in building a well congealed team in businessJohn’s career started in operations, then to sales, then to HR and then to becoming a lead...Adam Shay - How I Built and Sold My CPA Firm
Adam Shay founded an accounting firm in 2010, which quickly became one of the go-to CPA shops for entrepreneurs and business owners in the Greater Wilmington, NC area. Adam shares the real life story of how he built his business, and ultimately, the road to selling the firm and some of the contributing factors to that decision.
The ‘How’ and the ‘Why’ behind starting Adam Shay, CPA The different skillsets needed to build a business, and the need for personal development and adaptation as the business grows What’s next for Adamhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/theadamshay/
Girard Newkirk - Building Entrepreneurship Block by Block
Girard Newkirk is the cofounder and CEO of Genesis Block, an organization dedicated to building entrepreneurship and innovation in our community. He was born and raised in Burgaw, NC, a rural farming community, and went on to spend time in Silicon Valley, before coming back to Wilmington, NC. A writer, a thought leader and a visionary in our community!
Bringing “country boy” and small community values to Silicon Valley, bringing Start-Up and Entrepreneurial skills and leadership back to Wilmington, NCThe importance of entrepreneurship in creating sustainability for our communities Leadership through alignment and collaboration of different organizations in our comm...Andy Jones (WARM)
Andy Jones is the CEO of WARM NC, a Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing low-income homeowners a safe and healthy home to live in, through free repairs and upgrades for qualified projects. Andy talks about the history of WARM NC, as well as his journey from a volunteer coordinator to the CEO of the organization, and the different facets of leadership required as a CEO.
Leadership comes in many forms and variations, especially how Nonprofits can be a leader in the community.There is a GIANT misnomer that Nonprofts can’t make profits - but how can any fa...Chakema Clinton-Quintana - The Universe is Listening…
Chakema Clinton-Quintana is the Director of Channel - Powered by Live Oak Bank, an organization committed to supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners through the journey and process of building and legitimizing their businesses. Chakema shares her story of how she became the Director of Channel, as well as WHY Channel was founded. The title of this episode will make sense after listening… so give it a listen.
Chakema has a professional background with a variety of experiences, ultimately finding her niche in banking compliance, before taking over the helm of Channel. Channel is a free resource, and provides...Tony Stroud, CPA - Accountants can be funny and “cool” ???
Tony Stroud is the founding Partner of Stroud & Co, a full service CPA firm located in Wilmington, NC. Tony is also the owner of the Record Bar, a music shop that specializes in sales of new and used records, and the host of a local radio show “The Vinyl Revival” on The Penguin. Hang out with Tony and Chris for an hour for some knowledge share and plenty of laughs.
Why Tony started a record shop and the resurgence of vinyl in our culture. How Tony built his CPA practice from scratchHow Tony became the host of a local radi...Hoop Morgan - Communication Intelligence
Claude D’val “Hoop” Morgan III is the founder of The Forté Institute, a strengths-based communication style process. Hoop founded the business in the 1970s after a marketing client asked him to create an assessment and communication tool. Hoop realized there was no strengths-based tool available, and set out to create one. The Forté Institute has served thousands of clients all over the world.
Hoop brings together the study of Business, Statistics/Quantitative Analysis, Psychology, Software Engineering and Language to create The Forté Institute. How he built a Software Company in the 1970s, and the evolution over 50 years.How did Claude get...Christina Haley - Wilmington Downtown iNC
Summary: Christina Haley is the President and CEO of Wilmington Downtown iNC, an organization that is committed to promoting the economic growth and development of downtown Wilmington. Christina shares the history of WDI and the growth and revitalization of downtown Wilmington over the past 50 years.
More than $650 Million has been invested into Wilmington’s central business district in the past 6 years. Did you know WDI has a Micro-Loan program to support small businesses?! How can you participate in the economic growth and development of Wilmington, NC?https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-haley-b88a8574/
https://wilming...
Craig Snow - How to sell a Ketchup Popsicle to a Woman in White Gloves
Summary: Mr. Craig Snow is an Senior Account Executive for Wilmington Media & Marketing - most popularly known as the Wilmington Business Journal. Craig Snow grew up on a farm in Arkansas, and found his way to Wilmington, NC through a somewhat random chain of events - best described as life. Check out Craig’s story.
The art of a sale.Relationships and doing right by your clients.Just because you’re a great salesman, doesn’t mean you can be a great sales manager.https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigevansnow/
Dr. Morris Nguyen, MD - AI powered Med-Tech Start-up in Wilmington, NC
Dr. Morris Nguyen, MD is the founder and CEO of Predicate HPG, a Medical Technology company powered by an AI platform, OpenDX. Dr. Nguyen shares the story of how he founded the business, and how AI can be used to increase the quality of our diagnoses and improve treatments. Predicate HPG won the Coastal Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Wilmington, NC!
How did you pick Wilmington, NC as the place to start a Medical Technology business?How can AI be deployed to improve diagnoses and treatments of patients?What does a founder and CEO spend their time d...John Grinnell - Leadership and Organizational Development Sensai
Summary: Dr. John Grinnell is the founder and CEO of Grinnell Leadership & Organizational Development. He has 37 years of practical experience in the business world, and has become a true expert in helping leaders develop their potential and applying that potential toward the achievement of organizational goals and team success. Dr. Grinnell resides in Wilmington, NC.
Most financial issues in companies are a result of poor leadership. How can I get my organization to change? You likely need to start with yourself first.Leadership comes in many shapes and sizes and needs to be tailored to the group and li...
