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Thomas Chuvala- Social Vanguard Media

Tom started with Boyden global executive search in NYC as a project manager for international website roll-out and training of offices on how to update their micro sites via a CMS (think WordPress). From this he got his chops in marketing and how to effectively bill a brand and keep the message of the marketing on target. From that base of knowledge Tom broke into email marketing & social platform media management.

Rob Shapiro-Sweet and Savory Cafe and The Pub

Since 1992 we have been known as one of the best Wilmington restaurants. We create new daily specials that use the freshest ingredients to make your mouth water. Our Breakfast menu,Lunch menu, & Dinner menu changes quarterly, so you always have something new to try.

The Pub has redone itself with The Best Burger You’ll Ever Eat! Fresh ground in house every day utilizing only the best cuts of beef (short rib, brisket, chuck, rib-eye, tenderloin) in our own ratio. All served on Sweet n Savory’s fresh baked bread, topped with only the freshest ingredients and Chef Petty’s creations. Come see why The Pub is the best hamburger restaurant in Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach or Leland!

Sarah Barbee-Sock It To Me Training

Three years ago I began a journey with a simple goal of getting healthy and losing some weight.  Since then I’ve lost over 30 pounds, completed a marathon and 3 half marathons, and changed my entire outlook on life.  The healthier I became the more I wanted to share what I was learning, and help others reach their goals of a healthy and active lifestyle.

Whatever your personal goals or fitness needs I am ready to help you reach them.  I offer great packages for basic fitness training as well as a Walk to Run program.  Studies have shown that people who embark on a fitness program with a friend or loved one, perform better and reach their goals more quickly.  So I also have a buddy program where you can sign up with a friend and get healthy together.

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Chris Jones, Chief Operating Officer

Chris oversees the day to day operations of IronGate Partners, including accounting, compliance and legal. As a Certified Financial Planner®practitioner and Accredited Investment Fiduciary®,  Chris oversees the risk management division of IronGate and also adds expertise in advanced estate planning and asset protection strategies for the firm’s business owner and executive clients. Chris has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and other publications.

Chris graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to IronGate, he worked with two regional Broker/Dealer firms and later MassMutual Financial Group. Chris has served as president of the Wilmington Civitan Club, is currently a member of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is a member of the UNCW Board of Visitors. He is also active in Rotary International and the Cameron Executive Network Student Mentor Program. Chris and his wife Carrie have two sons.

David R. Hartness, Chief Client Officer

David’s primary focus at IronGate is serving the firm’s private wealth clients.  He is a Certified Financial Planner® practitioner, Chartered Life Underwriter®, and Accredited Investment Fiduciary®.  Working with staff and outside professionals such as attorneys and CPA’s, David oversees the firm’s financial planning division, and is integrally involved in the Investment and Risk Management functions providing a seamless experience for clients.

David is a native of Fayetteville and graduated from Wake Forest University.  Prior to IronGate he was with First Union and American Express. David currently serves on the UNCW Foundation Board, is the Past President of the New Hanover Estate Planning Council, and has served in various other capacities with Habitat for Humanity, Boy Scouts of America, and the United Way. David and His wife Susie have three sons.

Jason Arnold- Wilmington Hammerheads FC

Jason Arnold is entering his inaugural USL PRO season with the Wilmington Hammerheads as General Manager of the club. Arnold comes to Wilmington following his role as Executive Director of USL Youth Leagues in Tampa, FL. A three-time NCAA College Cup Final Four participant with the University of Maryland, Arnold joined USL in 2010 as USL PRO and MISL Director of Operations and was named Senior Director of USL Youth Leagues in March 2012. Arnold graduated from University of Maryland in 2004 with his BA.

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Seahawk Innovation

Tobin Geatz – General Partner and Mimijumi sales Board Member

Tobin’s mantra of “do well while doing good” led him to join his fellow co-founder, Tom Looney, in the formation of Seahawk Innovation Management. His vision and leadership have helped Seahawk Innovation Management quickly grow into a unique model to launch, fund, expand, and manage innovative businesses.

He has an extensive background in business start-ups, expansions, and technology applications. He was founder and Chairman of the Board of PharmaTech Solutions in 1999; he then became CEO and Chairman of the Board of Inclinix, Inc. He has been instrumental in the founding and development of several successful ventures, introducing innovative technologies to improve operating processes, including the Inclinix VMR™ technology.

Tobin’s venture capital experience includes his role as a Special General Partner at Aurora Funds II, a $75MM technology venture fund, and as a LP investor in two additional venture funds. Tobin has also founded, funded, operated, and successfully exited several companies including Applied Chemical Solutions, Supercritical Systems, and Discrete Wireless; a set of deals that returned high multiples to pleased investors!

As CEO of 5 private companies, board chairman at six firms, and a board member of a publicly traded company, Tobin has developed and maintains a business development and investment network in the technology and pharmaceutical industries spanning Asia and Europe, with a number of investment banking relationships. He holds nine (9) patents related to his degree in Chemistry from West Virginia University (C’81) where he was also a scholarship football athlete.

Tobin enjoys spending time with his wife and son and is always ready for a tennis match.

Brendan Collins – Partner and Mimijumi Sales CEO

Brendan brings a great deal of international business experience to Seahawk.  Brendan is a Co-Founder and Director of WindRose Capital Ltd., a London-based advisory firm that specializes in sourcing and structuring early stage investments in African and South American energy and infrastructure projects for European institutional investors.  Prior to founding WindRose, Brendan invested private equity and hedge fund capital across multiple industries with firms including DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, the flagship fund of Credit Suisse Private Equity.  In addition, he independently advised Dutch Bank Insinger de Beaufort on the disposal of its UK businesses.

Brendan met his wife Marsha, a Wilmington native, while they were both studying for their MBA at INSEAD, the international business school in France and Singapore.  Brendan attended The University of Western Ontario (Canada) where he played varsity tennis and earned honors degrees from the Faculty of Kinesiology (Sport Science) and the Richard Ivey School of Business.

On weekends, Brendan enjoys playing on the beach with his toddler sons James and Jasper and getting up early to watch English Premier League Soccer and his beloved Fulham Football Club, where he has been a season ticket holder for longer than he cares to admit.

Brad Graham- BlueTone Media: Creative Director / Director of Client Relations

BlueTone Media is a full-service web design firm located in Historic Downtown Wilmington, NC. They provide their clients with world-class web design and pride themselves on service and support that cannot be matched by any other firm.

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On this month’s Voice of Business, show host and The Wilmington NC Chamber of Commerce President, Connie Majure-Rhett welcomed guests  Johnny Griffin with The Wilmington Regional Film Commission and Bill Vassar with EUE/Screen Gems to discuss Wilmington’s film incentives.

Johhny Griffin- Director of The Wilmington Regional Film Commission

The Wilmington Regional Film Commission, Inc. is responsible for marketing the unique assets found within southeastern North Carolina to the production industry. Whether you are looking for a small town square, a coastal home, a scenic highway, a gaffer, or a c-stand, we are here to help. Our staff has worked in the industry for many years and has a true working knowledge of how to solve your problems. We speak the same language which makes our clients feel comfortable.

Once you choose our region, the Wilmington Regional Film Commission, Inc. facilitates on-location filmmaking within the region by offering production companies a complete range of pre-production services through a central contact. This office provides information regarding local film procedures, permits, and guidelines, and serves as liaison with government agencies. The Film Commission also serves as a general resource and clearing house for information about the Wilmington area.

Bill Vassar-Executive Vice President of EUE/Screen Gems

Bill Vassar is the Executive Vice President of EUE/Screen Gems in Wilmington, North Carolina. He enthusiastically manages the largest studio complex east of California.

“I handpick each employee to create a special team,” says Vassar. “I take great pride in how well we work together to service the needs of each production.”

Bill’s personal involvement and attention to detail have earned the respect of clients such as Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount, Sony, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Lifetime, HBO, Showtime and many more. He played an integral role in recruiting the Marvel Entertainment lensing of “Iron Man 3” to Wilmington. This mega-hit is the largest single production in the history of North Carolina.

A four-decade media veteran, Bill’s first job was as a disc jockey when he was sixteen. After working in radio programming, news, sales, general management and station ownership, he transitioned to television and film production. In 1984, Bill joined NBC Entertainment Production in New York City. One of his first assignments was working with the start-up of the original “Cosby Show.”

Active in the community, Bill is the Board Chairman of the Wilmington Regional Film Commission; he sits on the North Carolina Governor’s Film Council and the Cucalorus Film Festival Board. He served two terms on the Board of Governors for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Bill and his wife Emily live in Wilmington, NC with their two sons.