Healthcare of Pembroke, was named Business Person of the Year,
and Pembroke Hardware was named Business of the Year at the
14th annual Business Visions Awards Banquet on April 29.
Diane Surgeon, who has launched several businesses for
senior citizens, was named Entrepreneur of the Year. Dan Kenney,
UNCP's athletic director, was the recipient of the Collie Coleman
Spirit of Unity Award.
Outstanding Student Awards went to Caroline Sumpter,
a business student at Robeson Community College (RCC),
Katherine McGinniss, a Master of Business Administration (MBA)
candidate at UNCP, and Peter J. Skeris, a candidate for the Master
of Public Affairs (MPA) degree at UNCP.
Curt Locklear `49, founder of the 50-year-old Pembroke
Hardware, accepted the award with his wife, Catherine, and
family looking on.
"I feel insufficient," Locklear said. "The kids deserve this more
than I do because they have done it all in the last few years."
Pembroke Hardware, a True Value Hardware affiliate, and
Pembroke Building Supply moved to a large new store in 2006.
Donna Lowry started her home healthcare and behavioral
counseling business in 2005 and now has 600 employees. She is
a philanthropist and member of UNCP's Board of Trustees.
In her introduction, Beth Wilkerson `90, assistant director of
UNCP's Small Business and Technology Development Center
(SBTDC), called Lowry a "fierce competitor and a warm and
compassionate person."
Lowry thanked her family, the University and SBTDC, who
consulted during the business start-up.
"I have a lot of people to thank," Lowry said. "I didn't do this
by myself."
An attorney, Diane Surgeon said she saw a need for legal and
other services for seniors.
"I am excited by the opportunity to serve people," Surgeon
said. "My role is to help seniors at an important time in their
lives."
Surgeon, who also consulted with SBTDC, started two
businesses: Comfort Care Senior Services and Elder Law Care,
and is planning a day care for seniors.
Dan Kenney has been busy at UNCP, where he launched a
football program, and in the community, where as past president
of the Robeson Road Runners, he helped launch two major
events, the Chevy to the Levy and Rumba on the Lumber road
races and festivals.
thank Business Visions for celebrating Robeson County's success
stories."
RCC's Outstanding Business Student is an outstanding student,
said George Pate of the business faculty. Carolina Sumpter is also
a mother and employed full-time as a branch manager for H&R
Block.
UNCP's Outstanding MBA Student is also an outstanding
student, said Dr. Howard Ling, program director. Katherine
McGinniss is director of the medical library at Southeastern
Regional Medical Center in Lumberton, N.C.
UNCP's Outstanding MPA Student is a battalion chief for the
Charlotte, N.C., Fire Department, said Dr. Dan Barbee, program
director. Peter Skeris is a former New York City law enforcement
officer.
Former Chancellor Jenkins addressed the banquet, which
was held in the Regional Center for Economic, Community and
Professional Development at COMtech. As the vice chancellor for
Academic Affairs at the University, he helped found the center.
"One of the greatest things we can do is celebrate the
successes of our citizens," former Chancellor Jenkins said.
"Entrepreneurship adds to the quality of life in our region, and
the University has taken many steps to promote economic
development.
"This is not a narrow focus for us that is limited to the business
school," he said. "Last winter, we graduated the first group with
entrepreneurship certificates. They were drawn from majors across
campus."
UNCP's Thomas Center for Entrepreneurship, SBTDC,
Biotechnology Center and the Regional Center, host of the
Business Visions program, all work to promote economic
development, Dr. Jenkins said.
"There is wonderful potential for entrepreneurship at the
University, and if we're going to grow and prosper in Southeastern
North Carolina, it will come through education," he said.
Keynote speaker was entrepreneur, motivational speaker and
author Kelly Castor.
Sponsors for the event included Lumbee Guaranty Bank, BB&T,
Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation, Southeastern
Regional Medical Center, Robeson County Committee of 100 and
SBTDC.