Blazing a trail involves cutting a new path that others can follow. This year’s class of Business North Carolina’s Trailblazers includes individuals who wanted to prove they could succeed where they grew up, and others who saw opportunities in their adopted hometowns.
This year, we received more than 60 nominations for trailblazers who live from the coast to western North Carolina. They work in hospitality, healthcare, construction, manufacturing and other industries.
Several found inspiration in unexpected places. One started his business as a side hustle in his NC State dorm while studying biomedical engineering and now manufactures wood products in a former textile mill. Another opened a hotel in Washington in Beaufort County after serving in the Army.
Their paths weren’t always easy. One had to ask for her old job back when a bank loan fell through, then took an even bigger risk to get her now successful business started.
This marks the eighth year Business North Carolina has created a list of thriving business owners and professionals under the age of 40 who work in cities and towns with fewer than 100,000 residents.
North Carolina’s population has trended urban for decades. From July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024, the 14-county Charlotte metro area, which includes four counties in South Carolina, experienced a net gain of 57,300 residents through migration, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That represents an average of 157 people moving to the urban region every day, according to the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
Still, about 3.6 million people, or 36% of the state’s population resides in 78 rural counties, defined by trails only Texas among the 50 states. About 35% of the state’s population resides in 78 rural counties, defined by 250 or fewer people per square mile. North Carolina’s six urban counties (750 people or more per square mile) had about 75,000 more residents than 78 rural counterparts, as of 2020.
Most trailblazers also work behind the scenes to improve their communities. They coach youth sports teams, serve warm meals to the needy or help encourage young entrepreneurs. They believe that creating business opportunities in North Carolina’s smaller towns can make a big difference. ■
TRAILBLAZERS 2025
TYLER AIKEN
TYLER AIKENSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT — INVESTMENT OFFICER
AIKEN MEYER WHATLEY PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT GROUP, WELLS FARGO ADVISORS
ASHEVILLE
Age 36
Aiken has been with his business for a decade. Its founders include his father, Roger Aiken. The 10 financial advisers have clients across the country, but mostly in western North Carolina. He also coaches his three daughters’ youth league teams.
Education: Bachelor’s, UNC Chapel Hill; master’s, Johns Hopkins University
Major influence: My mom and dad spent their lives in roles in their church and volunteer organizations. My dad worked as a financial adviser for four decades, helping people build toward retirement.
Organization’s biggest success: Aiken Meyer Whatley Private Wealth Management was named a 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Team.
Key character trait: My wife is a social worker, and I was raised in the church. Both have shown me that having empathy and respect for people has a tremendous impact.
Cool fact: My first job was being a bat boy for the Asheville Tourists. My second job was making concrete burial vaults and digging gravesites.
CASEY ANGEL
CASEY ANGELHEAD OF CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
LUMOS FIBER
APEX
Age 38
Angel joined Lumos in January and leads corporate communications and public relations for the broadband company that is 50% owned by T-Mobile. The San Diego native has been in Apex for more than a decade. Two passions include advocating for affordable housing and coaching his son’s soccer and baseball teams.
Education: Bachelor’s, University of Mary Washington
Major influence: My wife and son are a constant reminder of why we work hard and strive to build a better tomorrow, creating a legacy to be proud of.
Organization’s biggest success: Expanded our presence from three states to 10, a growth that was amplified by our joint venture with T-Mobile and EQT Group in June.
Key character trait: Success means having the resilience to turn the page, the optimism to see the opportunity in every obstacle, and the drive to inspire those around you.
Best place to show off your town: Apex’s historic downtown has exceptional restaurants, cozy coffee shops and unique local merchants that capture the charm and spirit of our town.
Cool fact: I played baseball and soccer in college.
WILL ARMSTRONG
WILL ARMSTRONGFOUNDER & CEO
OAK CITY HOMES
KNIGHTDALE
Age 32
Armstrong started Oak City Homes four years ago, and it now has three full- and one part-time employee. He also coaches other contractors on building their businesses. He’s part of a group that serves warm meals to needy Wake County residents.
Education: Bachelor’s, University of Akron
Major influence: My uncle, a union carpenter, taught me to take pride in my work, do things the right way and never cut corners.
Organization’s biggest success: We’ve shifted our focus toward client education during projects and in the community, which has fueled growth and set us apart.
Key character trait: Building trust with customers by showing them we care about their homes during the remodeling process.
Cool fact: Completed first marathon in December. I’m now training for my first triathlon.
CASSIDY BALL
DIRECTOR
STANLY COMMUNITY COLLEGE SMALL BUSINESS CENTER
Albemarle
Age 21
Ball started teaching at Stanly Community College at age 20 and was promoted to her current role in April. Its Small Business Startup Certification Program has supported business launches and job creation.
Education: Stanly Community College; bachelor’s and MBA, UNC Pembroke
Major influence: My mom, Patti, gave me a love for learning, respect for those with wisdom to share and a joy for helping others achieve their highest aspirations.
Organization’s biggest success: Helped small business owners secure $1 million in capital, supported 11 business launches and contributed to creation of 23 jobs.
Key character trait: My leadership style is rooted in vision and execution. I seek to inspire others by setting bold goals, then mobilizing people and resources to achieve them.
Best place to show off your town: Stanly Community College sits on a hill, overlooking beautiful hills and surrounding mountains.
Cool fact: I sing and play music while leading worship at The Encounter in Charlotte.
PAXTON BARNES
PAXTON BARNESOWNER & PRESIDENT
BARNES HAULING
WILSON
Age 35
Barnes started his dump truck company in 2019 with two vehicles. It now has 115 employees and 95 trucks that serve the agriculture and construction industries. His family has been in the transportation industry since 1939.
Education: Bachelor’s, Barton College
Major influence: My father, Keith Barnes, ran a trucking business for decades, providing work opportunities for 300 people while also being present in his family’s lives daily. I strive to do this for my three kids and family.
Organization’s biggest success: Bringing together good people to work on large projects.
Key character trait: Ability to figure out issues and keep us and customers moving when things go wrong.
Best place to show off your town: The Porch is near our new baseball stadium and the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, and somewhere friends can get together to listen to music, enjoy cold drinks and food trucks.
ELLEN BRABO
ELLEN BRABOOWNER
THE ELL HOTEL
WASHINGTON
Age 32
As both an Army brat and Army veteran, Brabo says she didn’t have a hometown until coming to Washington in 2021. She opened the only “female- and veteran-owned boutique hotel in the Carolinas” in 2021 and it has since hosted travelers from six continents. She also freelances stories about business, nonprofits and the arts for The Washington Daily News, and provides photos. She is on the chamber board.
Education: Bachelor’s, State University of New York, Brockport
Major influence: My dad, Bo Brabo, has been my coach, father and friend my entire life. His 26-year military career showed me the meaning of sacrifice and leading by example, while being grounded in faith.
Organization’s biggest success: In the past year, The Ell Hotel has been featured online by Travel + Leisure and Southern Living magazines. We were also honored to be named Best Hotel in the 2024 Best of the Pamlico Contest.
Key character trait: As a Christian woman and veteran, I believe in leading with honesty, accountability, and respect.
Best place to show off your town: The waterfront is the best place to show off Little Washington. You can grab some ice cream, relax on the swings or pack a picnic to enjoy at Festival Park.
Cool fact: Brabo competed in two bodybuilding competitions while stationed in Germany.
ERICA BRINKER
ERICA BRINKERCO-OWNERTHE SPECKLED TROUT RESTAURANT & BOTTLE SHOP, THE SPECKLED TROUT OUTFITTERS,
THE SPECKLED TROUT OUTPOST
BLOWING ROCK
Age 36
The restaurant came first in 2017, followed by the retail space and fishing and hike guide service. The Speckled Trout Outpost is a 13-room boutique hotel in Damascus, Virginia. The companies employ 22 full- and 41 part-time workers. Brinker also serves on Blowing Rock School’s PTO board.
Education: Bachelor’s, NC State University
Major influence: My mother, Regina, raised my brother and me as a single parent with unwavering strength. I also inherited her artistic sensibilities.
Organization’s biggest success: Hiring a director of marketing in the past year. As our business grew, we needed strategic marketing directives.
Key character trait: I strive to create an environment where individuals feel connected to something greater than themselves.
Best place to show off your town: Guided hike on the Grandfather Mountain Trail to Calloway Peak and back to the swinging bridge with our lead guide, Ryan Crawley, followed by dinner at The Speckled Trout Restaurant & Bottle Shop on a Thursday, which is more of a locals’ night with live music.
Cool fact: I am a complete and utter plant nerd. Think crazy cat lady, but swap out cats for plants.
DAVID CAMPBELL
DAVID CAMPBELLCO-FOUNDER AND MANAGING PARTNER
KELLAM & CAMPBELL
ACCOUNTING
GREENVILLE
Age 37
Campbell helped start an accounting firm more than 10 years ago that now has seven employees and offices in Cary, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh and Winterville. He grew up in the Robeson County town of Red Springs, but has called Greenville home since 2006. He coaches his sons’ teams in basketball and soccer.
Education: Bachelor’s and MBA, East Carolina University
Major influence: From my parents, perseverance and faith; my wife, love abundantly and cherish every moment; my pastor, apply biblical principles to life and business; mentors, evaluate risks and rewards of decisions.
Organization’s biggest success: Launched a new website to provide better visibility to our advisory services, completed the acquisition of an accounting firm, raised more than $500,000 from investors.
Key character trait: I have a responsibility to steward my three sons, to love and care for my wife, to serve people though my church, to serve clients through business, and to serve employees well so they can care for their families.
Best place to show off your town: A boat cruise along the Tar River passing Town Commons.
Cool fact: I am of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Tribe.
RON CAUSEY
RON CAUSEYVICE PRESIDENT
ATLANTIC TIRE DISTRIBUTORS
EDENTON
Age 39
Causey joined Atlantic Tire Distributors nine years ago and has been in his current role for six years. Parent company Colony Tire employs about 1,000, and about half work in the wholesale division, which Causey helps oversee. Atlantic serves retail customers through 10 wholesale locations in five states. He was president of the Edenton Chowan Chamber of Commerce last year. He coaches his son’s baseball team.
Education: Bachelor’s, Duke University
Major influence: My mother, Mary, instilled a faith in God, love for family and drive to succeed. Company founder Charlie Creighton, who died earlier this year, started with two people and a truck in 1976 and it grew to 1,000 associates. His common denominator was caring for people.
Organization’s biggest success: Growing our business while maintaining our culture.
Key character trait: Balance and empathy. Ability to be firm, but understanding.
Best place to show off your town: Incorporated on the Albemarle sound in 1722, Edenton has many historical sites. The town’s Candlelight Christmas tour is the closest thing to a Hallmark Christmas movie.
Cool fact: I played baseball at Duke.
CHES CHESSON
CHES CHESSONEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / LEAD ECONOMIC DEVELOPER
MAIN STREET EDENTON / EDENTON CHOWAN PARTNERSHIP
EDENTON
Age 35
After 11 years in the Navy, including three-and-a-half years as an instructor pilot, Chesson returned to his hometown to lead economic growth efforts in Chowan County. In Edenton, that means being mindful of historic preservation. In the county, that includes working with existing businesses and recruiting industry to diversify the economy. He also coaches youth recreation league soccer.
Education: Bachelor’s, United States Naval Academy; MBA, UNC Chapel Hill
Major influence: My father grew a business and treated his employees with respect, which helped shape me as a Navy officer and in my current role. My mother’s commitment to community and family are the reason my wife and I moved back to Edenton to raise our family.
Organization’s biggest success: Working with Provalus to bring 155 IT jobs to downtown over the next five years.
Key character trait: Failure is part of the process.
Best place to show off your town: The Penelope Barker House shows the history of Edenton, followed by a trolley tour and then shops and dinner on the waterfront.
Cool fact: In college I was a competitive offshore sailor. We had multi-day races against professional crews to Bermuda, Halifax Nova Scotia, Block Island and Newport, Rhode Island.
EMILY GUNN
EMILY GUNNCO-OWNER
ECUSTA MARKET & CAFÉ
HENDERSONVILLE
Age 39
Gunn and her husband, Robert, opened the market in 2024 and the café in May, although they’ve been working on the business since October 2021. The Ecusta Trail, which will eventually connect Hendersonville and Brevard, runs past its front door. She spent more than a decade at Wicked Weed Brewing. The businesses have 40 full- and part-time employees.
Education: Bachelor’s, UNC Asheville
Major influence: Rick Guthy, one of the original owners of Asheville’s Wicked Weed Brewing, was never above doing the small jobs. I’d see him outside picking up cigarette butts just to keep the patio looking nice.
Organization’s biggest success: Our team is hardworking, kind and talented. Customers tell us our staff is their favorite thing about Ecusta Market & Café. Our team is our biggest success.
Key character trait: Tenacity paired with gratitude. We lost our first bank loan right before closing and I had to ask for my job back at Wicked Weed. We had to take a risk and bring more investment.
Best place to show off your town: Breakfast at Ecusta Market & Café followed by a bike ride or walk on the Ecusta Trail.
Cool fact: We have a homestead with 15 chickens and three Nigerian Dwarf goats that have become pets.
JASON JINORIO
JASON JINORIOCO-FOUNDER
ENO COMPANY
HILLSBOROUGH
Age 38
The Hickory native helped start Eno almost four years ago with Matt Wall after several years working for much larger construction companies. The company now has 14 employees who build in the commercial, life science and healthcare space. The business supports Driving Fore a Cure Golf Tournament, which benefits pulmonary hypertension research. Wall’s son was diagnosed with the life-threatening ailment at 14 months and will start high school this year.
Education: Bachelor’s, East Carolina University
Major influence: My dad introduced me to construction and defined what it means to be an entrepreneur.
Organization’s biggest success: In the past year, we’ve added four full-time employees and doubled our 2025 sales goal. We had more than $30 million in sales this year through August.
Key character trait: Maintaining a calm, steady presence, even under pressure. I approach challenges with a practical and collected mindset, which creates stability and fosters an environment where others can achieve more than they thought possible.
Best place to show off your hometown: Union Square in downtown Hickory
Cool fact: My grandparents immigrated from Cuba in the 1950s. Their resilience paved the way for my family’s success and continues to inspire me.
JAMES JONES JR.
JAMES JONES JR.OWNER
LEGACY BUILDER
GOLDSBORO
Age 33
The Wayne County native has been at Legacy Builder for seven years. The real estate agency now has 12 agents serving eastern North Carolina.
Education: Bachelor’s and master’s, Liberty University
Major influence: Dharius Daniels showed me that business is a means to serve people and impact communities.
Organization’s biggest success: Giving out gifts during Downtown Lights Up in Goldsboro and partnering with Tommy’s Foundation to provide school supplies shows our commitment to the community beyond real estate.
Character trait: Integrity is the foundation of everything I do.
Best place to show off your town: Downtown is the place to see local shops and restaurants. Seymour Johnson Air Force Base stands as a proud symbol of service and strength.
Cool fact: Former elementary school math teacher.
JASON KARIMY, MD
JASON KARIMY, MDBOARD CERTIFIED FAMILY PHYSICIAN
SEVEN PEAKS FAMILY MEDICINE [FEATURE STORY]
WEST JEFFERSON
Age 38
Karimy, 38, is about eight years older than Knox and Stevens. He had a more circuitous route to primary healthcare, initially hoping to be a scientist and later, a neurosurgeon.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in his home state of Colorado at the University of Colorado, Denver, he earned a master’s degree in molecular medicine at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. He completed medical school at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, then had a neurosurgery fellowship at Yale School of Medicine.
His trajectory toward a career as a neurosurgeon was interrupted by what he calls a “come to Jesus” moment in 2022.
“I was like, if I didn’t have all this momentum for neurosurgery, what would I actually want to be? And in my heart, it was I’d go back to the 1800s and I’d be a community doctor and just care for my community, for whatever they needed.”
JILLAN WATLINGTON KINDLE
JILLAN WATLINGTON KINDLEOWNER
SPEECH STARS
YANCEYVILLE
Age 38
Kindle worked as a speech pathologist for about six years before starting her business in 2017. She now has 11 employees and offices in Yanceyville and Mebane. She mainly oversees the business aspects and continues to see clients when needed.
Education: Bachelor’s and master’s, UNC Greensboro
Major influence: My dad, Earl Watlington Jr., encouraged me to volunteer with the Special Olympics in high school, which is where my passion for helping others grew.
Organization’s biggest success: We recently began contracting with Caswell County Schools, which is a big step for the company.
Key character trait: Consistently treating others with kindness, fairness, and generosity no matter the circumstance.
Best place to show off your town: The historic Caswell County Courthouse, built between 1858 and 1861, is the most beautiful in the state.
Cool fact: I was voted top female athlete my senior year of high school. I coach my children’s rec teams.
TORIA KNOX, DO
TORIA KNOX, DOBOARD CERTIFIED FAMILY PHYSICIAN
SEVEN PEAKS FAMILY MEDICINE [FEATURE STORY]
WEST JEFFERSON
Age 30
Knox has a personal connection to Ashe County because her grandmother is a native of its Grassy Creek community. She would visit her extended family in Ashe County to participate
in the annual tradition of decorating family gravesites.
Knox grew up in Boones Mill, Virginia, a town of about 250 people that is 15 miles south of Roanoke. She was inspired to practice rural medicine because of her life experience.
“We had the same problems a lot of rural communities have,” she says, “where doctors would come, they’d be there for a little while and then they’d leave. So there was no continuity, somebody who really knew you.”
She earned a bachelor’s degree at Virginia Tech University and remained in Blacksburg to attend Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. She expected to return to practice in Virginia, but felt drawn to Ashe County during her residency.
“Family medicine made the most sense for me because I wanted to see the whole family,” says Knox. “I wanted to be able to do a lot of procedures, but I also wanted to be able to do counseling, give them an injection and also take care of their grandma and their baby.”
JILLIAN LISTER
JILLIAN LISTERCEO & FOUNDER
SET SAIL MARKETING AGENCY
EMERALD ISLE
Age 33
Lister founded the business in 2021. It now has five full-time and one part-time employees. The agency serves clients across the state, mostly on the Crystal Coast. She chairs the Carteret County Community College Foundation Board.
Education: Bachelor’s, NC State University
Major influence: My dad started as a commercial fisherman while also taking construction jobs, starting his own construction business in his late 20s. He worked six or seven days a week, but was at every school play, soccer match and even coached our teams. Put all four of his kids through college.
Organization’s biggest success: We have grown by 97.8% year-over-year.
Key character trait: Integrity means doing what you say you’re going to do — and doing it even when no one is watching.
Best place to show off your town: From my parents’ dock, you can see the sun setting behind the bridge.
Cool fact: My sons are 12 months and nine days apart. Having two babies so close together while growing my business taught me resilience in a whole new way. My husband stepped in to work alongside me and our company became a family business.
VINCE MARCUCCI
VINCE MARCUCCICHIEF REVENUE OFFICER
TEMERITY BASEBALL
KANNAPOLIS
Age 33
Marcucci leads the business side of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, Greensboro Grasshoppers and Lexington (Kentucky) Legends. The Kannapolis and Greensboro teams are affiliates of the Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates, respectively. The Legends play in an independent league. He also works for different nonprofits to support families battling a childhood illness.
Education: Bachelor’s, West Virginia University
Major influence: Kevin Linton, my supervisor with the Wilmington (Delaware) Blue Rocks, taught me to find people with passion, and then give them the tools to channel that energy toward the organization’s goals.
Organization’s biggest success: We’ve established new partnerships with a focus on literacy, food insecurity, health and wellness to support economic revitalization.
Key character trait: Work to be a forward-thinking leader who focuses on where we’re going, not just where we are.
Best place to show off your town: Atrium Health Ballpark is perfectly positioned in the revitalized downtown with a view of City Hall, the North Carolina Research Campus and a bustling community of small businesses.
Cool fact: My first day in the sports industry was as a hot dog mascot. I promoted Dollar Dog Night by handing out fliers.
BRAD MOFFITT
BRAD MOFFITTOWNER & PRESIDENT
CAROLINA CHIROPRACTIC PLUS
BELMONT
Age 38
The Shelby native started his own practice in 2014 and now has offices in Belmont, Gastonia, Shelby and the University area of Charlotte. Moffitt has a goal of 15 clinics in the Charlotte area and western North Carolina. The clinics employ about 40 full- and part-time workers and Moffitt oversees clinical care, operations and growth.
Education: Bachelor’s, NC State University; master’s and doctorate, Logan University
Major influence: My dad, Steve Moffitt, coached wrestling at Kings Mountain High School for decades, and my mom, Beverly Moffitt, has been an educator for 46 years. They showed me what a loving marriage looks like and what it means to be an amazing parent.
Organization’s biggest success: In the past two years, we have gone from one office to four, while welcoming baby No. 3.
Key character trait: An ability to work relentlessly toward goals while keeping people first, ensuring that patients, staff and community feel cared for.
Best place to show off your town: Football Friday Nights are huge in my hometown of Shelby and my new home in Belmont.
Cool fact: Provided care at the 2011 Pan American Games, a career highlight that fuels my passion for sports rehabilitation.
MELANIE MOONEY
MELANIE MOONEYDIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
CHAMPION CREDIT UNION
CANTON
Age 36
Mooney has been with the Champion Credit Union for more than 13 years and in her current role since 2021. The credit union’s 113 employees serve nine western North Carolina counties and has seven branches. Mooney is president of the Haywood County Human Resources Association and on the welcome team at her church. She’s passionate about creating welcoming experiences and places of belonging for others.
Education: Bachelor’s, Western Carolina University; master’s, Strayer University
Major influence: My mother taught me the importance of high standards, resiliency and leading by example. My father was an amazing girl-dad to four daughters.
Organization’s biggest success: Our team showed adaptability and a willingness to do whatever was needed to get branches re-opened, and a system merge following Hurricane Helene.
Key character trait: Connecting with others creates trust, which is critical to get the best out of people.
Best place to show off your town: Our new administrative building was completed in May. It’s a beautiful space that overlooks the former paper mill that founded our credit union. This space represents the resiliency and growth of our town.
Cool fact: From roller coasters to skydiving, I’m up for it.
DECLAN NISHIYAMA
DECLAN NISHIYAMAFOUNDER & CEO
MOUNTAIN DEV
BOONE
Age 39
Founded in 2020, Mountain Dev is a team of 10 to 15 software developers, designers and project managers who help guide startups and entrepreneurs through early stages of development. Many clients are in the High Country, though it also has clients across the state, Europe and Asia.
Education: Bachelor’s, NC State University; MBA, Georgia Tech
Major influence: “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey
Organization’s biggest success: Helped San Francisco Department of Public Health launch its national HIV prevention app, which now supports a public health study across
the U.S.
Key character trait: In software development — and in life — you can’t sit back and wait for clear instructions or for problems to arise.
Best place to show off your town: Grab a locally roasted coffee in the fall and stroll through historic downtown followed by a mountain overlook hike.
Cool fact: Helped F3 Nation to launch an interactive map to help men around the world find workouts and connect with the community. It now supports fellowship in more than 200 countries.
WILL PFITZNER
WILL PFITZNERFOUNDER & CEO
LAZEREDGE
MOUNT AIRY
Age 31
Pfitzner developed LazerEdge in his college dorm room in 2014 as a side hustle while obtaining a degree in biomedical engineering. The woodworking company now has 15 full-time employees who work out of a former textile plant in his hometown. LazerEdge has licensing agreements with more than 100 universities and its products can be purchased on the company’s website, Etsy and Amazon. He’s vice president of YES Surry, which holds a “Shark Tank” competition for high school entrepreneurs.
Education: Bachelor’s, NC State University
Major influence: My dad, Dr. Glenn Pfitzner, challenged social norms by running a medical practice in a way he believed best served our rural community.
Organization’s biggest success: Solidifying partnerships with major collegiate organizations and businesses like Barnes & Noble to expand our reach and demonstrate a rural-based company can compete on a national level.
Key character trait: Building LazerEdge required me to problem-solve my way from starting in my college dorm room to scaling a manufacturing business in my hometown.
Best place to show off your town: Main Street shows off Mount Airy’s local businesses.
Cool fact: I’m an avid conservationist and deeply value connecting with the natural world.
LAURA BETH “LB” PREVETTE
LAURA BETH “LB” PREVETTECO-OWNER
MERLE’S CRAFT COCKTAILS
WILKESBORO
Age 35
A Wilkes County native, Prevette opened Merle’s in 2023 with business partners Michael and Erin Vanderploeg in a historic downtown building. Prevette focuses on community and is Merle’s only owner/bartender. This past year, she partnered with friend Martin Hauge to coach the undefeated 7th and 8th grade girls’ basketball team at Central Wilkes Middle School.
Education: Attended Appalachian State University
Major influence: My friend Michael Cooper was the first person who not only believed in me but also refused to let me settle for not believing in myself.
Organization’s biggest success: We hosted a community book fair with The Book Room and other local vendors. The event filled our bar with neighbors supporting local businesses. It reminded me what Wilkes can be when we come together.
Key character trait: I want people to feel seen, included and valued.
Best place to show off your town: Yadkin Valley Greenway and Cub Creek Park show off how nature (and the rivers) flow through the heart of our town.
Cool facts: I can do a split. In 2024, Go Magazine named me as 100 Lesbians Changing the World.
ELLYSA SMITH
ELLYSA SMITHCHIEF HUMAN AND CHOICENESS COACH
CURAHUMAN
ANGIER
Age 32
CuraHuman provides fractional human resource services that focus on the “exquisite being experience.” The Harnett County companyis a woman-, minority- and disability-owned business. Smith also donates her human resource services to underserved communities.
Education: Bachelor’s, Fordham University; master’s, New York University
Major influence: Valerie C. expanded my awareness through the Disability In Mentorship program and inspired me to become better aligned to my values.
Organization’s biggest success: CuraHuman recently finalized its Historically Underutilized Business certification through the state.
Key character trait: The extra effort it has taken me to discipline myself toward aspiring to my vision of success, in pursuit of wholeness, comes from the ability to persevere.
Best place to show off your town: Sunny Skies is a small business that sells homemade ice cream and employs young people.
Cool fact: Smith is a first-generation American.
JESSICA STEVENS, MD
JESSICA STEVENS, MDBOARD CERTIFIED FAMILY PHYSICIAN
SEVEN PEAKS FAMILY MEDICINE [FEATURE STORY]
WEST JEFFERSON
Age 30
Stevens grew up in Apex in Wake County, and earned her undergraduate degree at Appalachian State University. She and her husband met in college and both fell in love with the mountains. It’s where they wanted to raise a family.
“We’re not city people,” Stevens says. “We wanted a community. We wanted outdoor exposure. We wanted a yard for the baby to play in and to raise our kids in a little bit more of a laid-back environment.”
She and Karimy first bonded over a shared interest in food insecurity, while she and Knox became close friends during their residency experience.
Their son was born earlier this year. Dr. Karimy was her pre-natal doctor and helped in the delivery room.
PET SUMNER
PET SUMNERSENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
SUMNER GROUP
CRAMERTON
Age 32
Ten years ago, Sumner joined his parents’ marketing agency, which serves mostly clients in the Southeast. For years, he helped his father put on summertime barnstorming tours of Atlantic Coast Conference basketball players competing against local players from around the state. He played college basketball and shares that knowledge by coaching the Belmont Middle School boys team.
Education: Bachelor’s, University of Maine Farmington
Major influence: My parents built the Sumner Group together. My dad was my coach growing up, while my mom was a Cramerton town commissioner.
Organization’s biggest success: Numerous national advertising awards on behalf of our clients and obtaining new clients that have potential for national growth.
Key character trait: I do my best to put my faith in God in the business part of my life as well as the personal aspect.
Best place to show off your town: Webb Custom Kitchen, Schiele Museum and Friday Night Football. Downtown Gastonia is really shining.
Cool fact: I won a 3-point competition when I was 11 at a national basketball tournament in Florida.
TIM TAYLOR
TIM TAYLORBUSINESS LEAD
NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH
INFORMATION EXCHANGE AUTHORITY
HAVELOCK
Age 39
In addition to his healthcare job, Taylor is a founding member and board president at Imagine Pamlico, a nonprofit organization that focuses on well-being and youth development, and president of Taylor & Son’s BBQ & Catering.
Education: Bachelor’s, master’s, Winston-Salem State University
Major influence: My father, Wyatt Taylor, taught me the value of relentless effort and showing up for people no matter the cost. My mentor, Dr. Wayne Riley, modeled composure, strategic awareness and the art of influence.
Organization’s biggest success: A Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation grant will allow Imagine Pamlico to hire its first executive director.
Key character trait: An instinct to see someone’s struggle and lean in rather than turn away. Progress is measured not by personal success, but by how far the whole community moves forward.
Best place to show off your town: Parks and riverfront areas for walking, fishing and just unwinding.
Cool fact: I’m a singer, songwriter and musician. ■