Cool Spring Downtown District, the managing partner for the city of Fayetteville’s Municipal Service and Arts and Entertainment districts, has elected new members to its board and executive committee, according to a news release.
Josh Choi of Winterbloom is chairman, and Michael Pennink of Coldwell Banker Advantage Real Estate is vice chairman. Anna Hodges-Smith of Hodges and Associates is secretary, and John Malzone of C. John Malzone Marketing is treasurer, the release said.
New board members include Gerard Falls of Capitol Encore Academy; Katrina Rubiera of Rubiera Studios; Nathan Cuffee of Blue Moon Cafe; Kristin Wellons Seeland of Coldwell Banker Advantage Real Estate; Caroline Gregory of Rand & Gregory Attorneys at Law; Andrew Henrickson of Dogwood State Bank; and Kennon Jackson of the Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County.
“On behalf of the board, I’d like to extend our gratitude to outgoing chair Molly Arnold for her exceptional service from 2021 to 2023,” said Bianca Shoneman, CEO of Cool Spring. “We’ve chosen a slate of future-ready directors who are socially responsible, diverse, tech-savvy, understand inclusion, and demonstrate a keen awareness of how to balance expectations. The future is downtown.”
Greater Fayetteville Chamber adds 2 board members
The Greater Fayetteville Chamber has added two members to its board of directors.
Ralph Huff of Huff Family Office is the founder and former owner of H&H Homes, one of the largest builders of homes for sale in North Carolina and South Carolina. HFO develops more than 350 apartments a year regionally, according to a chamber news release.
William “Bill” Hedgepeth II is a consultant and the former chief executive officer and president of a local community bank for 18 years, the release said. Hedgepeth has served on the chamber board previously, including as chairman.
“These two individuals bring an impressive wealth of experience, expertise and dedication to our board,” said Gary Rogers, the current board chairman. “The Greater Fayetteville Chamber remains committed to serving its members and fostering an environment where businesses can thrive.”
The chamber has more than 600 members. For more information, contact CEO Nat Robertson at 910-483-8133 or visit faybiz.com.
FTCC Foundation receives $400,000 for supply chain complex
The Cannon Foundation and the Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trust No. 1 have awarded Fayetteville Technical Community College Foundation $400,000 to purchase trucks and equipment for the new FTCC Supply Chain Transport Complex.
The Cannon Foundation was established in 1943 by Charles A. Cannon, president and CEO of Cannon Mills Co. The foundation funds capital and equipment projects for organizations across Cannon’s home state. It supports private colleges, community colleges serving Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties and small public colleges across North Carolina.
FTCC is developing the Supply Chain Transport Complex to address the truck driver and diesel mechanic shortages in the labor force. The complex will help meet regional industry demands and growth in the warehouse, distribution, manufacturing, and food processing sectors, according to an FTCC news release.
The facility will be home to the fleet maintenance technician and commercial truck driver’s license programs. It will include a 900-by-600-foot CDL training pad with shifting track and skid area, and a building with classrooms, offices and a two-bay garage for maintenance of vehicles.
FTCC is collaborating with Bladen and Robeson community colleges boost workforce training. Both FTCC and RCC currently have CDL programs with waiting lists that extend into 2024, the news release said. The new complex will double capacity in the CDL programs.
Construction will soon begin on the Supply Chain Transport Complex on a 60-acre property accessible from Raeford Road/U.S. 401 with easy access to Interstates 295 and 95. The CDL program, now located on the Fayetteville Campus of FTCC, will move to the Western Campus when it is complete.
Click here to view a short FTCC video on YouTube about the Supply Chain Transport Complex.
SECU joins governor’s office for school supply drive
State Employees’ Credit Union is supporting the 2023 Governor’s School Supply Drive to help teachers and students get items they need for the upcoming school year, according to a news release.
In its fifth year of providing collection sites for the drive, SECU is accepting donations across its statewide network of 275 branches through Aug 18.
Wish-list items include paper of all types; pencils and pens; crayons and markers; dry-erase markers; USB flash drives; spiral notebooks; sanitizing wipes; and tissues. Through a collaborative effort of local Communities In Schools affiliates, TeachNC, and the Governor’s Office, the supplies will be distributed to public schools in the county where they were received, the news release said.
“The drive is a tangible and impactful way we can give back to the community and ensure teachers have what they need to help prepare students for a successful year ahead,” said SECU President and CEO Leigh Brady.
