Cape Fear Business Roundtable

Thom Kelly is the newly minted executive director of the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce. He succeeds longtime executive director Dana Fisher, who departed after 15 years at the helm. Thom provides insight into how his career path prepared him for this role and shares thoughts on his future vision for the Chamber, which serves the business community in Leland, Belville, Winnabow, Navassa, Northwest, Sandy Creek and surrounding ...

Tony Caggiano, widely recognized as the ADA Comply Guy, is a leading expert in website accessibility and ADA compliance. With a deep understanding of digital inclusion laws and best practices, Tony has dedicated his career to empowering companies to create inclusive digital experiences and helping them avoid legal risks, improve customer experience, and unlock valuable opportunities like the Accessibility Tax Credit. Tony simplifie...

This week's guest is Jim Flock, founder of JSF Industrial & president of the Cape Fear Manufacturing Partnership. Jim discusses how his 40+ years of manufacturing experience developed a passion for training and workforce development and outlines why he founded the Cape Fear Manufacturing Partnership, which has grown to approximately 70 members in four years. The partnership's next meeting is Wednesday, November 12, 2025 from 4 ...

This week’s guest is Franklin Rouse, owner of Franklin Rouse State Farm in Leland. Franklin grew up in Morehead City and attended N.C. State University, where he earned a degree in business management. He opened Franklin Rouse State Farm agency in Leland in 2008. Franklin is active in both the community and the insurance industry and has served on multiple boards, including the N.C. Insurance Underwriting Association Board as Under...

This week's guest is Rick Paxton, owner of Magnetic Marketing, Inc. and Rick Paxton & Associates - Dream Vacations. Rick was born at James Walker Memorial Hospital in Wilmington and lived here until around second grade. He lived in Southeastern Virginia and Durham, N.C. until joining the United States Navy in 1985. He graduated from Appalachian State University with a BS in Communications (Public Relations) and also has degrees...

NOTE: There is a technical glitch that makes it sound like Judy is talking over Frank. That's a technical glitch -- I promise you she wasn't doing so! We're trying to find out if the system we use to record can fix this. If so, we will upload a new video.

This week's guest is Judy Budd of ConnectCapeFear.com, an online networking directory focusing on New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender Counties. ConnectCapeFear.com is a central res...

This week’s guest is Keesha Starr, owner of K Starr Coaching and author of “The Bright Side of Monday.” Keesha is a John Maxwell Certified Leadership Coach with over 25 years of experience building teams in every type of business. Her training in ministry and leadership from the New Life Drama Company and traveling for seven years as a team coordinator eventually led to the nonprofit sector. Keesha has built teams and led in everyt...

Tune in as Kelli Benton, a Leland resident and owner of Seaglass Monthly Market, tells how her career led her from Brooklyn, New York to southeastern North Carolina and how she moved from working for a large corporation, FedEx Freight, to owning and operating a monthly small business market. Kelli explains her passion for connecting with small business owners and also discusses what led her and her husband, Brad, to create the Lind...

This week's guest is Art Dornfeld, co-owner (along with his wife) of Carolina Sun Pool Doctors, a local business that has been keeping pools healthy for over 30 years.

Art retired from the U.S. Navy in June 2004 after 22 years of service. He served as a Hospital Corpsman Chief Petty Officer, and his last duty station was MCAS Cherry Point, where he served as the Senior Search and Rescue Medical technician on Pedro SAR Helicopter an...

Jason Gaver tells us how his career led from active-duty military service to leading the Brunswick County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Jason also outlines his bold, aggressive vision for Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity, dispels some common misconceptions about how Habitat helps people achieve the dream of home ownership, and shares how area residents and businesses can get involved with and support Brunswick County Habita...

Christina Haley discusses how a career that started in journalism eventually led to her taking the helm as President & CEO of Wilmington Downtown, Inc. (WDI), an organization dedicated to promoting the economic growth and development of downtown Wilmington. Haley discusses the importance of perseverance, the power of networking, and her passion for strengthening the economy of downtown Wilmington. 

In her capacity as President ...

Carolyn Moshier, owner of Urge to Purge Photo Organization & Management, LLC, describes her journey from Occupational Therapist to self-employed photo organizer and discusses her passion for helping people preserve and organize their family's treasured historical photos.

With a special focus on Baby Boomers, busy professionals and seniors, Carolyn aims to help folks navigate the digital age, avoid the inheritance of a disorgani...