Log in Newsletter

Business Notebook: Veterans Job Fair scheduled Wednesday on Fort Bragg

Former legislator Szoka to be CEO of clean-energy coalition; Holmes Security names Lynnie Guzman sales and marketing director; FSU chancellor on business magazine’s Power List; Councilwoman Jensen elected to League of Municipalities board

Posted

Disabled American Veterans and RecruitMilitary will host the Fort Bragg Veterans Job Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Iron Mike Conference Center on Fort Bragg. 

Registration is free and available online to all transitioning military members, veterans, military spouses and dependents. 

Former legislator Szoka to be CEO of clean-energy coalition

The Conservative Energy Network, a coalition of 24 clean-energy organizations, named John Szoka as its new CEO.

The position has been vacant since founder Mark Pischea died in July 2022. After a nationwide search, Szoka was chosen for the role.

Szoka became an advocate for clean energy during his 10 years of service in the North Carolina General Assembly, where he served as chairman of the House Energy and Public Utilities Committee. He sponsored major legislation that modernized North Carolina’s energy policy to take advantage of low-cost clean-energy solutions. In 2017, he sponsored a bill that saved ratepayers more than $350 million in energy costs by 2021.

“John Szoka impressed us as a leader who is not only well-versed in clean-energy policy but is an individual whose strength of character reflects our organization’s culture and values,” said Michael Hartley, chairman of the CEO selection committee and a CEN board member. “We are proud of everything we have built at CEN and trust that John’s experience and visionary leadership will guide us to further growth and success.” 

Szoka said he is proud of the work he did to advance clean energy during his time as a state representative.

“Thanks to incredible advances in technology, alternative energy sources are more affordable and effective than ever, driving economic growth and reducing costs while also reducing emissions. National, state, and local policies need to keep up with marketplace innovation,” Szoka said.

Szoka served for 20 years in the Army. An infantry officer, he retired from active duty in 1996 with the rank of lieutenant colonel and went on to own several small businesses. With engineering degrees from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the University of Texas at Austin, Szoka says he appreciates a data-driven approach to clean-energy policy.

Holmes Security names Lynnie Guzman sales and marketing director

Holmes Security Systems has promoted Lynnie Guzman to the position of sales and marketing director.

Guzman joined the Holmes team in February 2021 as marketing director. She has been responsible for developing and executing the company’s marketing strategy, which included growing the company’s social media presence for both the Fayetteville and Wilmington offices.

“Lynnie is a highly skilled and experienced sales and marketing professional,” said Stephen Wheeler, president at Holmes Security Systems. “She has a proven track record of sales success in previous roles and quickly became an asset to our team and community. Luke Wheeler, our vice president, and I look forward to working with her as we continue growing our business across Eastern North Carolina.”

Guzman said she is honored to take on the expanded responsibility.

“Becoming a team member at this family-owned and -operated company has been rewarding and a refreshing reminder of why supporting locally owned businesses matters,” Guzman said. “I look forward to working alongside the team as we continue to bring innovative life safety and security solutions to our residential and commercial clients while providing the exceptional service we have been known for since 1908.”

Councilwoman Jensen elected to League of Municipalities board

Fayetteville City Councilwoman Kathy Jensen was elected to the North Carolina League of Municipalities board of directors.

Jensen joins the board representing Fayetteville in one of six large-city seats, along with Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte, Winston-Salem and Greensboro.

The league is the leading organization in the state for staff, leadership and elected officials from municipal governments. The organization offers career and risk management training opportunities, legislative connections and a platform for local government leaders to share expertise and experiences.

Jensen will serve the organization with City Attorney Karen McDonald, who was elected the organization’s attorney last year.

Jensen has represented City Council District 1 since elected in 2013. She served as mayor pro tem from 2019 to 2022.

FSU chancellor on business magazine’s Power List

Fayetteville State University Chancellor Darrell T. Allison has been named to Business North Carolina’s Power List 2023: Education. The news magazine released its annual list of the state’s most influential leaders on its website and in the May 2023 print issue.

Allison also was included in the publication’s 2022 Power List. He joins 23 other education leaders on this year’s list, including several UNC System chancellors and presidents.

Education remains a multibillion-dollar industry in North Carolina with a wide array of K-12 schools, renowned public and private universities, and a robust 58-campus community college system.

Allison has focused on investing in student success and economic impact. He has promoted growth and investment with upgraded and new campus buildings that has created jobs and revenue opportunities in partnership with the community. To date, nearly $140 million has been invested recently on or near campus, according to a news release.

The CityView News Fund is a nonprofit organization that supports CityView’s newsgathering operation. Will you help us with a tax-deductible donation?

 

Fayetteville, business, Fayetteville State University, jobs, Holmes Security, John Szoka

X