Chatter with BNC | Cecilia Holden - President and CEO, myFutureNC
Release Date: 07/02/2025
Chatter with BNC | Elizabeth Underwood Kazimir - Director of Economic Development, Stanly County EDC
Chatter with BNC
Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Elizabeth Underwood Kazimir, Director of Economic Development for the Stanly County EDC. Elizabeth shares her journey into economic development, from graduating during the pandemic in 2020 to leading transformative growth initiatives in Albemarle and Stanly County. The conversation explores exciting projects attracting talent from across the country, the challenges of building supportive...
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Chatter with BNC | Sharon Decker - former North Carolina Secretary of Commerce
Chatter with BNC
Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today’s episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Sharon Decker, seasoned business executive and former North Carolina Secretary of Commerce. With a distinguished career that includes executive leadership at Duke Energy and serving in the cabinet of Governor Pat McCrory, Sharon blends deep industry insight with public-service vision. She holds a summa cum laude degree from University of North Carolina at Greensboro and brings decades...
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Chatter with BNC | James Ledford - President of Golf Pride
Chatter with BNC
Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today’s episode, Ben Kinney speaks with James Ledford, President of Golf Pride. With a rich background spanning strategic consulting, global business development, and consumer products, James leads Golf Pride’s innovation and brand evolution from its Global Innovation Center in Pinehurst. He’s focused on delivering club-grip performance and advancing technology that inspires confidence for players at every level.
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Chatter with BNC | Shay Prosser - CEO of North 12 Partners
Chatter with BNC
Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today’s episode, Ben Kinney talks with Shay Prosser, CEO of consulting firm North 12 Partners, where she serves as a Fractional Chief Strategy & Growth Officer helping organizations define their vision, align their teams, and accelerate growth. Shay is also Regional Cohort Leader for Birthing of Giants, a program for owners of scaling businesses to focus on practical, actionable strategies with expert advisors. Shay...
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Chatter with BNC | Craig Alden - Financial Advisor and Area Manager at Pinnacle Financial
Chatter with BNC
Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today’s episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Craig Alden, Financial Advisor and Area Manager at Pinnacle Financial. Craig has built a distinguished career in banking, leading teams and guiding clients toward financial success. Before joining Pinnacle, he held several leadership roles in the financial industry. He earned his undergraduate degree from High Point University and his MBA from Wake Forest University, where he developed...
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Chatter with BNC | Kelly Calabria - Chief of Communications, Marketing, and Corporate Social Responsibility at Blue Cross NC
Chatter with BNC
Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today’s episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Kelly Calabria, Chief of Communications, Marketing, and Corporate Social Responsibility at Blue Cross NC. Kelly leads the company’s efforts to shape its brand, engage communities, and drive meaningful health impact across North Carolina. With a career spanning public relations, brand strategy, and social innovation, she’s passionate about using storytelling and purpose-driven...
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Chatter with BNC | Aaron Slate - Truist Market President/Asheville
Chatter with BNC
Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today’s episode, Business North Carolina Managing Editor Kevin Ellis talks with Aaron Slate, Market President for Truist in Asheville. Aaron shares insights on how western North Carolina is rebuilding and recovering one year after Hurricane Helene. From supporting local businesses to strengthening community resilience, Aaron discusses the lessons learned, the role of financial institutions in disaster recovery, and what’s...
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Chatter with BNC | Greg Moores - VP of Strategy and Marketing, Search Solution Group
Chatter with BNC
Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today’s episode, Ben Kinney talks to Greg Moores, VP of Strategy and Marketing at Search Solution Group. Greg’s career has been defined by guiding organizations through growth, transformation, and brand positioning. With experience in strategy, marketing, and client development, he has helped businesses strengthen partnerships, expand market presence, and achieve measurable success. At Search Solution Group, Greg leverages...
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Chatter with BNC | David Hamilton - Director of Communications for Lenovo North America
Chatter with BNC
Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today’s episode Ben Kinney speaks with David Hamilton, Director of Communications for Lenovo North America. David has built a dynamic career in strategic communications, leading brand storytelling and media relations across the tech industry. Before joining Lenovo, he gained extensive experience in public relations and marketing roles that shaped his expertise in messaging and corporate strategy. David holds a degree in...
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Chatter with BNC | Jeff McIntyre - CEO, McIntyre Manufacturing Group
Chatter with BNC
Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today’s episode, Ben Kinney talks with Jeff McIntyre, President of McIntyre Manufacturing Group in Lexington, NC. A second-generation leader in the company founded by his father, Jeff has spent his career learning every facet of design, fabrication, and production. With a strong foundation in both business and engineering, he continues to guide McIntyre Manufacturing by blending tradition with innovation, ensuring the...
info_outlineWelcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.
Today's episode features an Interview with Cecilia Holden, the President and CEO for myFutureNC, a statewide initiative focused on the state’s educational attainment goal. Among other public service, she served as the Chief of Staff for the North Carolina Department of Commerce and Director of Government and Community Affairs for the State Board of Education. Her private sector experience includes a career with IBM, as well as a Registered Investment Advisory firm. Holden holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Duke University, a certificate in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina School of Government and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Business from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.