Greater Fayetteville Business Journal - May 8, 2026 issue
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SYSTEL BUSINESS EQUIPMENT
Inset: Systel’s first corporate headquarters was a small rental house turned office on Fort Bragg Road in Fayetteville in 1981. Large photo: The company’s new corporate headquarters reflects
Need help with your technology? Whether you need immediate help with your computer systems or are looking for managed IT services to keep your technology up and running, we can get it done.
• Cybersecurity
• Data Backup and Recovery
• Networking Services
• Cloud
• Email Management
Trust your technology to TeamLogic IT.
Trust your technology to TeamLogic IT.
• VoIP and Unified Communications
• Hardware and Software Procurement
• Relocation Services
• Business Continuity
• Project Consultation
Local banking in Lillington
KS BANK TO OPEN SECOND BRANCH IN HARNETT COUNTY
KS Bank is expanding to Lillington, N.C. The bank recently purchased property at 709 W. Front St. in Lillington, where it intends to operate the new branch. KS Bank has received regulatory approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and is pending approval from the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks to operate the new branch.
KS Bank’s expansion into Lillington is led by two Harnett County natives: Mark Eason, commercial relationship manager, SVP and Travis B. Bailey, chief administrative officer, EVP. Eason’s deep experience in the local market and Bailey’s leadership emphasize the bank’s strong commitment to the community.
Bailey shared in a press release, “KS Bank is thrilled to have Mark Eason on our lending team. Mark and I both grew up in Harnett County, so we understand what matters most to our neighbors.
“We believe banking should be more than transactions— it should be a partnership that helps our customers and community thrive. With our brand of community banking, we offer personalized customer service, support local businesses and individuals through tailored products and invest in community programs that fuel economic growth. We’re excited to work alongside residents to help shape a bright future for Lillington.”
—
Earl W. Worley, Jr.
President/CEO, KS Bank
KS Bank first expanded to Harnett County in 2024 with a branch in Dunn located at 206 W. Broad St. The new location in Lillington will be the bank’s 12th branch in the state.
Mark’s strong relationships and community involvement, along with my own dedication to local organizations, means we know how to support Lillington’s families and businesses. Coming back home to Lillington and Harnett County with KS Bank’s brand of community banking is an honor for both Mark and I. Our local insight will help us shape KS Bank’s services and community outreach to truly make a difference here.”
Earl W. Worley, Jr., president/ CEO, added in a press release, “We believe banking should be more than transactions—it should be a partnership that helps our customers and community thrive. With our brand of community banking, we offer personalized customer service, support local businesses and individuals through tailored products
and invest in community programs that fuel economic growth. We’re excited to work alongside residents to help shape a bright future for Lillington.”
Community support has been enthusiastic, with residents and business owners expressing excitement about KS Bank’s arrival.
Ray and Tripp Womble remarked in a press release, “Our family is excited to welcome KS Bank to Lillington. We’ve seen firsthand what sets a community bank apart: Travis Bailey, Mark Eason and the entire KS Bank team genuinely care about our community and are eager to help with our banking needs. We hope everyone will join us in bringing community banking back to Lillington and Harnett County!”
Another local business owner, Katie Smith, CEO of PHC Restoration, shared in a press release, “As a lifelong Harnett County resident and business owner, I am delighted that KS Bank has chosen Lillington. Relationship-based
banking matters here, and we welcome a financial institution committed to personal service and local engagement.”
KS Bank first expanded to Harnett County in 2024 with a branch in Dunn located at 206 W. Broad St. The Dunn branch marked the bank’s 10th location, and the expansion into Harnett County coincided with the anniversary of the bank’s 100th year in business.
The new branch in Lillington will feature in-branch and drive-thru teller services, 24-hour ATM access and digital banking platforms, including online banking and the KS Bank mobile app. Both individuals and businesses will be able to open a variety of deposit accounts and apply for loans and mortgage products. The bank also has its own in-house wealth management team.
Renovations to the facility are expected to begin soon, with the new branch expected to open in August 2026.
For 102 years, KS Bank has served the Triangle East region of North Carolina. KS Bank, a state-chartered savings bank, is a community-oriented financial institution offering a broad array of competitive and pro-growth financial services to businesses, professionals, individuals and families. KS Bank offers retail and commercial lending and deposit services, mortgage products and wealth management services through its Trust Division. KS Bank’s corporate office is located in Smithfield, N.C. and they operate eleven financial centers in Harnett, Johnston, Nash, Wake, Wilson and Wayne counties.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KS BANK
2504 Raeford Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303
910-240-9697 bizfayetteville.com
FOUNDER/OWNER
Marty Cayton martyc@bizfayetteville.com
PUBLISHER
Faith Hatton faithh@bizfayetteville.com
EDITOR
Stephanie Meador stephaniem@bizfayetteville.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Stacie Borrello
Kate Griffin
Samantha Metheny
Emily Ruth Perry Eddie Velazquez
CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER
Samantha Lowe samanthal@bizfayetteville.com
ACCOUNTING billing@bizfayetteville
SALES & MARKETING marketing@bizfayetteville.com
The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal is published twice a month throughout Fayetteville and the Cumberland County region. News related to the region’s business sector is posted daily at bizfayetteville.com.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Your free trial of Greater Fayetteville Business Journal is ending soon. To subscribe, call 910-240-9697 or visit bizfayetteville.com/ subscribe. Subscriptions cost $9.95 per month or $95 per year.
REPRINT
For article reprints, plaques and more contact Faith Hatton at 910-240-9697.
ADVERTISING
For advertising information, please email us at marketing@bizfayetteville.com or call 910-240-9697.
With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend, I’d like to give a shoutout to my wonderful mom, who has done so much to shape me into the person I am today.
My mom, Jeanne Meador, is a brilliant example of a selfless, intelligent, resilient and hardworking woman. She is one of my fiercest advocates and closest confidants, and I could not be more grateful that God blessed me with her. Now that I’m an adult, we get to bond over our shared hobbies and interests like cats, sweet treats, books, TV shows, puzzles, going for walks and more.
I think back to my childhood and relish the special moments of her playing with me, reading me stories as I fell asleep, chauffeuring my friends and me to all kinds of fun excursions and always supporting me in my passions.
She showed me how important it is to take care of yourself in order to take care of others. She showed me that it’s okay to make mistakes and to change your mind about things as you get older and learn more about yourself and the world. She showed
me that the best way to go through life is with love and patience, even when times are tough.
From beating cancer twice, giving birth to two children and raising two others as if they were her own, competing in triathlons, creating lasting memories, sacrificing her career to be there for my siblings and me, and so much more, my mother is a beautiful example of unconditional love that I cherish deeply.
I don’t have any children as of now, but if I do find myself wearing the title of “Mom” in the future, I hope to develop a bond with my own child that is as strong as the one my mom and I share, and I know they’ll have the best Gigi there is.
To all the moms out there, I hope you are celebrated this weekend with flowers, chocolates, activities and anything else that brings you joy, because out of all the jobs in the world, being a parent must be one of the hardest.
Enjoy the issue,
STEPHANIE MEADOR,
Ext 103 • stephaniem@bizfayetteville.com
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MAGNIFIC.COM
Stephanie Meador with her mom, Jeanne Meador.
Mental health milestone
FSU CELEBRATES $1.45M INVESTMENT IN STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND ACCESSIBILITY
Tuesday, April 28, was a great day to be a Bronco as Fayetteville State University (FSU) hosted a grand opening ceremony for their newly renovated Spaulding Building, now home to the Center for Counseling and Accessibility Services.
The new facility represents the University’s largest investment to date in student mental health and accessibility services. A total of $1.45 million was invested in renovating the Spaulding Building located on FSU’s west campus. The building was originally constructed in 1955 as the Spaulding Infirmary and functioned as a small hospital with patient beds and examination rooms for more than 70 years.
Now the facility has been expanded from 2,616 square feet to more than 6,500 square feet, significantly increasing capacity with new additions such as private counseling suites, dedicated Student Accessibility Services offices, testing and accommodation spaces and specialized environments, such as a relaxation room and a sensory room.
“I love all the spaces. I’m so grateful that we had the opportunity to be able to expand our capacity. We were in one section of the building and now we have the whole building. It has expanded our capacity to serve our students more effectively,” said Dionne Hall, director of the Center for Counseling and Accessibility Services. “We’re going to have a major impact. We had at least 300 students coming in before we had the renovation.”
The refreshed facility reflects a fiveyear strategic transformation that be-
gan in 2021 to strengthen and expand its system of care. Since 2021, the University has expanded counseling staff, increased service availability and implemented new technology to improve access and coordination. As a result, demand for services has grown, with counseling appointments and accessibility support reaching more students each year.
“The renovation increased the space for dedicated Counseling and Student Accessibility Services by 148%,” said Juanette Council, Ed.D., vice chancellor for student affairs. “This investment reflects Fayetteville State University’s unwavering
commitment to putting students first, removing barriers, expanding access and creating a campus where every student has the support, care and resources needed to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.”
These efforts also align with the University of North Carolina System strategic plan, Higher Expectations (2022–27), which identifies improving student mental health as a systemwide priority. Through expanded services, training and awareness initiatives, the UNC System is working to equip students with the skills to navigate mental health challenges, reduce stigma and empower campus communities to recognize and respond to early signs of crisis. By advancing these priorities at the campus level, FSU is helping to strengthen a coordinated, statewide approach to student well-being, academic success and persistence to graduation.
The Spaulding Building is now open and serving Broncos as a central hub for care and support on campus. It will soon be one of two facilities dedicated to health care for students.
In July of 2025, it was announced that Cape Fear Valley Health had invested $900,000 towards a new
dent Health and Wellness Center at FSU. The two-story facility is currently under construction in the gateway of the campus at the intersection of Murchison Road and Edgecombe Ave. Extension.
The Health and Wellness Center is planned to be a 24,631 square-foot extension to the campus, and will feature a 7,500 square-foot fitness floor with a full range of equipment, yoga and dance studios, locker rooms, wellness offices and a retail pharmacy. The second floor, accessed via the pharmacy, will include physician offices, treatment and triage rooms, psychiatric services, a lab and waiting areas. Both of these facilities will work together to provide FSU students the ability to have all of their health care needs met on campus.
“It’s one thing to talk about the dramatic growth of our student population. We’re at 7,600 [students] today, and soon to be 8,000, so to whom much is given, much is required. If we’re going to be a campus that talks about meeting the needs of every unique student, everyone that we enroll, we’re making a commitment that we’re going to meet them where they are, to take them where they need to go,” said Chancellor Darrell T. Allison.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY FSU
At center, Chancellor Darrell T. Allison and Juanette Council, Ed.D., vice chancellor for student affairs, cut the ribbon to celebrate the grand reopening of Fayetteville State University's newly renovated Spaulding Building, joined by campus leaders and community members.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ
Coming Late Spring 2026! Introducing McKellar Park, a vibrant, master-planned community in Hope Mills, NC.
• Scenic setting with tree-lined streets, cul-de-sac homesites
• Planned amenities: pool, pool house, playground, sidewalks
• Easy access to shopping, dining, and recreation
• Minutes from Fayetteville, I-95, and Fort Bragg
• Highly regarded Grays Creek School District
• Starting from the $200s
>> By Emily Ruth Perry
From CELEBRATING, page 1
provides for small businesses, nonprofits, churches, state and federal governments, schools and national private companies.
“We are serving thousands of clients,” shared Janene Aul, CEO of Systel Business Equipment. “Anything from a one-employee business to national companies throughout the US… our focus on customer service is there whether you’re a one-employee company or a thousand-employee company. It’s about doing the right thing for the customer.”
Keith Allison began the business, and his three daughters - Cara Spencer, Jaqueline Smith and Janene Aul - began working in and learning the business when they were just teens. They each went off to college and began careers of their own: Spencer in finance and accounting, Smith in real estate and Aul in law.
“[Our father] encouraged us to go off to college and find our own fields, and see what the world was like outside of Systel before coming back and working within the business,” remarked Spencer in their promotional video on the website.
In 2008, they all returned to the business within a few months of each other and took on various leadership roles within the company.
“We didn’t know it at the time, but our dad was recruiting all of us to come back,” Aul shared. “We each had our own focus areas… and my husband even came to work with us for a season. It was a whole family business… It’s hard to believe we’ve been here for almost 20 years now.”
Systel is a family business, and their staff culture speaks to this as well. They believe this is because of their strong focus on people, and caring about their staff and customers before profits. That has been their guiding principle since the beginning of the business, and they intend to keep it that way.
“Our father has always instilled in us customer service, and customer service begins with great employees,” Smith said in their promotional video. “We have some of the same employees who have been here for 35 years.”
These employees are experts in their field with certifications and awards from their various manufacturers and providers.
Systel Business Equipment primarily provides and services office equipment like printers,
PROFILE
copiers and scanners. They have also seen the growing needs for modernizing technology, and have grown into providing hardware, software and work-flow solutions for organizations.
Because of the wide range of clients that Systel works with, they often provide customized solutions for their clients. The needs of a one-person organization are very different from a federal contract, and their desire and ability to provide for small to large businesses speaks to their organizational ethos and values.
They have weathered the challenges of adapting in an always-
mission which has won them various industry awards and recognition.
Last fall, Keith Allison stepped away from oversight of the company, and Spencer, Smith and Aul have all taken on senior leadership roles. Allison spent decades cultivating a business culture that focused on serving people with excellence, and now his daughters are carrying the mantle so the business has a strong future ahead. Systel currently serves all 100 counties of North Carolina, along with parts of South Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia.
They hope to expand to more of the South East in the coming years. When Aul thinks of the future she says, “Along with expanding, [we are] focusing on what we are good at, and really making sure we are the best copier, technology dealership in the Carolinas, Georgia and maybe Florida and Virginia. We are wanting to grow, and do so in a way that we stay true to our core business that has made us successful.”
They remain committed to their vision of providing superior technology products and exceptional service, allowing their clients to focus on their own customers.
changing technology industry. They are focused on finding and training the next generation of professionals, like sending workers to manufacturer conferences. That comes with its costs, but it is necessary and valuable for their staff to be able to quickly and effectively address the needs of their clients.
Systel boasts a response and resolution time of about two hours with a guarantee of four hours. They also offer the Command Center for clients to call, and an expert will walk them through resolution steps over the phone. Their dedication to customer satisfaction is not just a platitude, it is a data-driven
.... our focus on customer service is there whether you’re a one-employee company or a thousandemployee company. It’s about doing the right thing for the customer.”
— Janene Aul CEO, Systel Business Equipment “
PHOTO PROVIDED BY SYSTEL BUSINESS EQUIPMENT
Keith Allison began the business, and his three daughters - Cara Spencer, Jaqueline Smith and Janene Aul – began working in and learning the business when they were just teens. From Left to Right: Jacqueline Smith (president), Cara Spencer (VP), Janene Aul (CEO).
ACHIEVERS
Coldwell
Banker Advantage
family of companies ranks as one of the top real estate companies in North America
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, in partnership with the Coldwell Banker Advantage family of companies, was recently ranked as the #19 real estate brokerage in the nation for closed transactions and #27 for closed sales volume in the RISMedia 2026 Power Broker Report. The firm also ranked as the #1 Coldwell Banker affiliate company in the nation.
RISMedia, a premier source of news and information for the real estate industry, has published the annual Power Broker Report for the past 38 years. Through a comprehensive survey and analysis process, the report ranks the top real estate brokerages in the United States in the categories of closed sales volume and closed transaction sides. Their 2026 Power Broker Report showcases the best of the best in residential real estate based on their 2025 sales performance.
“We are incredibly honored by this recognition,” said Lisa Geddie, president of Coldwell Banker Sandhills Advantage, in a press release. “Our team of trusted real estate professionals exemplifies what dedication, grit and a strong work ethic can achieve. We remain committed to going the extra mileensuring our buyers and sellers benefit from the latest technology, along with the exceptional service our agents deliver every day.”
“We are incredibly proud of our entire organization-our leadership team, staff and our first-class agents,” said Ralph Huff, CEO of Coldwell Banker Sandhills Advantage, in a press release. “This recognition is a direct reflection of their commitment and dedication. Each year, we strive to deliver exceptional service to our buyers and sellers, and this honor reinforces that every customer experience matters. That commitment is what drives us forward.”
The firms listed on the 2026 Power Broker Report will be honored at RISMedia’s Annual Awards Gala to be held in October in D.C.
What are you and your peers achieving? Have you reached a new goal? Have you acquired another business? Maybe your business has a new hire you would like to highlight.
Greater Fayetteville Business Journal wants to hear from you and your business to shine a spotlight on your accomplishments.
To nominate someone for GFBJ’s Achievers section, email editor@bizfayetteville.com with the subject line “Achiever.”
Harnett County Community Paramedics receive 2025 Heart of Crisis Intervention Team Award
The Harnett County Community Paramedics were recognized on April 17, 2026, earning the 2025 Heart of CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) Award. The CIT award was presented by the Crisis Intervention Team Program Leadership and Alliance Health.
“We are honored to receive the 2025 CIT award,” said Harnett
County Community Paramedic Jennifer Haney in a press release.
“While the recognition came as a surprise, we are grateful that our peers see the hard work and dedication that we bring to serving our community.”
The Heart of CIT award is considered to be the highest CIT award to be given to a CIT-certified officer, first responder, group, provider or partner that exemplifies what the CIT Program is about.
“CIT is about responding to individuals living with behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or social determinants of health challenges, building partnerships and reducing the use of jail and the emergency department by meeting individuals’ needs and connecting them with resources and supports,” said
Justice Specialist with Alliance Health, Charlene Meyers, in a press release.
What began in 2020 to reduce readmissions by helping individuals stay stable and avoid returning to the hospital within 30 days has evolved significantly. The Community Paramedics also address the growing opioid crisis by providing support toward overdose response and launching the Post-Overdose Response Team (PORT), enhancing follow-up care and engagement with overdose patients.
“We love what we do,” said Harnett County Community Paramedic Leslie Owens in a press release. “We are here to listen, guide and give our community members the help that they deserve. We will continue to strive to do our best each day and make an impact in our community.”
While overdose prevention and response remain a primary focus, the program continues to broaden its impact by assisting vulnerable populations with essential resources, wound care and necessary supplies, meeting patients where they are and addressing their comprehensive health and social needs.
City of Fayetteville receives Excellence in Communications Awards
The City of Fayetteville was among a record 39 North Carolina jurisdictions to earn recognition in the North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) 2026 Excellence in Communications Awards. The City’s Marketing and Communications team won two first-place awards: Digital Technology - Website and Best Use of Humor, and a thirdplace award for Multi-Platform Campaign.
The awards were announced during NC3C’s annual conference in Beaufort, N.C. A record-setting 266 award program entries were judged by professional communications peers from the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators.
“As our organization has grown over the last two decades, the awards contest has become increasingly more competitive each year,” said NC3C President Adam Gaub in a press release. “This year’s contest saw entries increase by more than 33% from last year’s record-setting amount. Phenomenal work is being done by communicators across the Tar Heel State, and any organization taking home an award this year should be extremely proud of their success.”
The City won first place in the Digital Technology - Website category for its redesigned website, launched in February 2025. The City’s new website also received the 2025 Pinnacle Award and Members’ Choice Award from the National Association of Government Web Professionals (NAGW) in the City/ County Medium Population Group (50,001-225,000), marking a triple honor at the state and national levels. This reflects Fayetteville’s dedication to creating an accessible, user-friendly digital experience that sets a high standard for government web design.
The City won first place in the Best Use of Humor category for ‘Don’t Let This Be You: Solid Waste Holiday Collection Edition.’ This holiday video used a relatable scenario to remind residents to check their Solid Waste schedule during holidays. By mixing comedy with city services, it encourages residents to proactively avoid missing their collection day due to holiday service changes.
Lastly, the City received a thirdplace award for a Multi-Platform Campaign for ‘Join the City of Fayetteville’s Solid Waste Team!’ The campaign used digital media, video stories, traditional ads and outreach to fill critical vacancies in Solid Waste. By September 2025, all
PHOTO PROVIDED BY HARNETT COUNTY
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE
From ACHIEVERS, page 8
equipment operator and collector roles were filled.
“Our Marketing and Communications Team works hard every day to make sure Fayetteville’s voice is heard, City Manager Douglas Hewett said in a press release. “Being recognized statewide for that work means a lot, not just to our staff, but to the community they show up for.”
SeQuenna Townsend
Pennix
receives exclusive UNC System Professional Development Grant
Fayetteville State University Director of New Student Orientation SEQUENNA TOWNSEND PENNIX recently secured the Janet B. Royster Memorial Staff Scholarship Professional Development Grant, which is a system-wide honor reserved for the most dedicated staff members in the state.
The scholarship supports professional development opportunities for permanent, full-time, non-faculty staff across the University of North Carolina System. Established in 2011, the scholarship program honors the legacy of Janet B. Royster, a UNC-TV employee and the UNC System Staff Assembly’s first parliamentarian. The award recognizes staff members who demonstrate a strong commitment to growth, leadership and service.
For Pennix, the scholarship represents more than financial support. It affirms the importance of continued learning for staff who actively shape the student experience. A proud alumna, Pennix earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Fayetteville State University and is currently pursuing her doctorate at FSU.
“The Janet B. Royster Scholarship is definitely an opportunity for growth and development in a field that we’re passionate and purposeful about,” Pennix said in a press release. “There aren’t a lot of scholarships available for staff who want to strengthen their skills while they’re still serving.”
As higher education continues to evolve, Pennix views professional development as essential to remaining effective in student-centered roles. She noted that ongoing learning allows staff to adapt to regulatory changes, emerging technologies and the shifting needs of today’s students.
In addition to supporting her academic progress, Pennix plans to use the scholarship to attend the National Orientation Directors Association Conference (NODAC) in Atlanta later this year. The conference brings together professionals from across the country who specialize in orientation, tranPennix
sition and retention to share best practices and innovative approaches to supporting new students.
Pennix credits her professional growth to the mentorship and collaboration she has experienced across campus, noting that her success is deeply rooted in the Fayetteville State community.
She described the University’s collaborative culture as a defining strength, particularly within a historically Black university environment where shared knowledge and
ACHIEVERS
collective care guide the work.
“Her genuine care for students, warm spirit and commitment to creating meaningful experiences for new students are evident in all that she does,” said Naadiya Hopkins, Ed.D., assistant vice chancellor of student engagement and student leadership, in a press release. “This recognition reflects her passion, dedication and the impact she is already making and will continue to make at the University.”
Dogwood Brings TowneBank to Fayetteville.
Dogwood State Bank and TowneBank are joining hands and hearts to combine teams of extraordinary bankers across North and South Carolina.
TowneBank, like Dogwood, understands banking with a heart.
Bu Metcon is rede
Hoke County High School
Hoke County Justice Center
U.S. Army combat readiness
FORT BRAGG HOSTS FIRST ACTIVE DUTY UNIT RECOVERY TEAM TRAINING WITH THE USE OF NON-ANATOMICAL MEDIA
In complex combat environments, fatality management specialists step forward to honor one of the Army’s most sacred promises: never leave a fallen comrade. 92Ms recover and return fallen service members with unwavering dignity, ensuring no Soldier is ever left behind.
Fatality management specialists from across Fort Bragg came together on April 24 and 27, 2026, to conduct the first Active Duty Unit Recovery Team (URT) training using non-anatomical media (NAM), marking a significant milestone in U.S. Army combat readiness.
The training brought together 92Ms from XVIII Airborne Corps, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and the 1st Armored Division. Religious affairs teams from across the installation and the 44th Medical Brigade were also crucial to the collaborative effort to strengthen unit-level capabilities during largescale combat operations (LSCO).
“I’ve been operating in fatality management for almost 20 years,” said Sgt. 1st Class Delbert Ruede, the fatality management non-commissioned officer in charge assigned to the 3rd Corps Sustainment Command (CSC). “We know that our ability to bring every Soldier home with dignity depends on how well units are prepared before the worst happens.”
As commanders, the responsibility for fallen personnel within their operational area ultimately rests with them, says Ruede. URT reinforces this duty by preparing Soldiers to recover remains from the front lines and move them safely to the nearest Mortuary Affairs Collection Point (MACP).
Religious affairs specialists, or 56Ms, were among the main individuals attending the training to align with the Chaplain Corps’ mission pillars: nurture the living, care for the wounded and honor the dead. Their growing partnership with fatality management personnel aims to better prepare units to support commanders in their responsibility to recover and honor fallen service members.
“Training religious affairs personnel in URT is essential to our combat readiness as it incorporates the
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Delbert Ruede, the fatality management non-commissioned officer in charge of 3rd Corps Sustainment Command, leads a unit recovery team training at Fort Bragg, N.C., April 27, 2026. The two-day event provided Soldiers with insight into casualty recovery during large-scale combat operations.
spiritual and mental resiliency that some people overlook when thinking about readiness,” said Spc. Kacie Stewart, a religious affairs specialist assigned to the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), 95th Civil Affairs Brigade, 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne). “Now that we’ve seen what fatality management has to go through, we can help in more ways than one.”
The training began in a classroom environment covering basic mortuary affairs fundamentals, including recovery equipment, clearing procedures, loading remains for transport and the phases of recovery operations.
The hands-on portion included casualty identification and notionally securing remains into human remains pouches. The personnel then moved into a controlled environment where they worked with the 528th Field Hospital’s NAMs.
Stewart said the training allowed Soldiers to experience the physical and mental challenges of handling deceased individuals, which differ from moving live casualties.
The introduction of the NAM’s is a critical component of the training. Ruede says the hands-on repeti-
tions are vital to recovery tasks, the realism provided by the use of the NAM’s allowed for Soldiers to better understand the physical realities of handling human remains. The exposure included conditions such as decomposition, bodily fluids, rigor mortis and other possible conditions that may be encountered during LSCO.
“The fatality management teams aren’t always going to be available at the front lines; they’ll be in the MACPs,” said Ruede. “That is why this training matters, exposing Soldiers to realistic conditions in a controlled environment now will build their understanding and skillset that they’ll rely on when it matters.”
Research from Dr. Amy Adler at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research found controlled exposure to deceased individuals reduced post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms by more than 50% compared to service members whose first exposure occurred in combat.
Ruede further explains this finding is a vital factor in expanding URT training across the service. With fewer than 400 active-duty 92Ms in the U.S. Army, the need for Soldiers outside of the mortuary
occupational speciality is critical to support recovery operations.
“These environments prepare Soldiers not just how to react but to lead through one of the hardest moments of combat,” said Ruede. “Training events such as this one prepares Soldiers for the conditions they will be experiencing long before they face real combat casualties.”
This training aims to build the capability for every company to field a five-person URT, strengthening support for fatality management operations throughout complex environments. Preparing non-mortuary Soldiers to conduct dignified recovery operations allows the Army to reinforce combat readiness and its commitment to bringing every service member home.
The 3rd CSC plans to expand this training to other occupational specialties in future iterations.
Story by Sgt. Alison Strout. Accessed via DVIDs. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.
PHOTO BY SGT. ALISON STROUT
A hub for innovation
FCEDC REPURPOSES LANDMARK FAYETTEVILLE BUILDING INTO A FUTURE-FOCUSED HUB
In June of 2025, Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development (FCEDC) announced that it would be moving its headquarters to a new location that would also serve as a home for applied innovation, technology and training.
Now, FCEDC has officially moved its staff and operations to 611 W. Russell St. The 35,800square-foot center was previously home to Homemakers Furniture and Interiors, but is now being converted into a multi-purpose hub for companies to recruit and train workforce, test confidential equipment and network with innovators shaping tomorrow’s future.
“I think it’s a really great continuation of an 80-year legacy of a well-operated business that served the community. But now this building is being repurposed to serve new businesses, Veterans and the overall community as we evolve our economy,” shared President/CEO of the FCEDC Robert Van Geons.
Renovations began in the fall of 2025 and are expected to be completed in the next six to eight months. Currently, FCEDC staff are working within an open 7,500-square-foot floor plan as initial improvements progress. The first phase has included removing the older carpeting and refinishing the floors. The next steps will focus on major infrastructure: upgraded bathrooms, meeting facilities, a catering-capable kitchen
FCEDC has officially moved its staff and operations to 611 W. Russell St.
The 35,800-square-foot center is undergoing renovations to serve as a multipurpose hub for companies to recruit and train workforce, test confidential equipment and network with innovators shaping tomorrow’s future.
and utilities. The finished space will include private offices, a large presentation hall, conference rooms and a demonstration space.
“We’re going to be in roughly 25% of the building, upstairs…we have a secured space that can accommodate briefings, meetings, testing and research that is classified, but the majority of the remaining space, the largest piece of space, will have training rooms, meeting rooms [and] offices for companies looking to hire Veterans, Veterans that are looking to start up or bring new projects to
the market or for companies looking to get their first taste of being here in Fayetteville and Cumberland County,” explained Van Geons.
The need for this space became clear as Van Geons interacted with businesses contemplating a move into Fayetteville.
“It started with me personally meeting companies that were interested in our marketplace, believing in its potential, but not yet ready to make a full jump and investment into a multi-year lease, or for a large amount of space, or to build their own building yet. So it was about making things easy for them to get a foothold here, to learn what our community is like, while they either build a building, begin to hire folks or ramp up their operations,” shared Van Geons. “We knew that they wanted to hire our skilled workforce, and so we wanted to create a place where they could quickly do that… It evolved then to include a significant component of demonstration evaluation and innovation around new technologies, or even taking commercially available technologies and transitioning them into use by the military and the defense industry.”
Companies will be able to reserve the space for as little as a day or two or as long as six months.
“This is not a place where we
expect somebody to have an office for five or six years. It’s where we hope to have them here for five to six months, up to a year, if necessary, and sometimes [people will] only be here for a day or two. And so with the volume of space we have, we’ll have different availability and different pricing for folks, but we want to be able to make it as affordable as possible, especially for those that are looking to grow and hire our transitioning soldiers and Veterans,” shared Van Geons.
For FCEDC itself, co-locating its administrative offices within the facility serves both strategic and practical purposes.
“We felt it was important for us to be here so that we could keep the cost of administration low…we felt it was very important for someone to be able to be here every day, ensuring things are going well and meeting the expectations of those that are coming through. Also, having this type of space will be a huge advantage as we’re talking to technology and startup companies that are considering our community,” remarked Van Geons.
Van Geons noted that none of this would have been possible without significant public and private support. The project was made possible through support from Senator Thom Tillis’s office, which helped secure the required funding, and the ongoing support of the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the Community Development Foundation.
FCEDC is already fielding a growing number of calls from companies and organizations interested in partnering and utilizing the facility.
“This really will be a unique facility. We’re getting tons of calls already from interested companies, from organizations that want to partner with us, recognizing where we are and what the capacity will be. I think we’re going to be able to do some great things by working collaboratively with partners,” concluded Van Geons.
The new FCEDC office and innovation hub is positioned to become a cornerstone of Fayetteville’s evolving economy and a catalyst for collaboration, growth and opportunity across the region.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ
THE RIGHT PARTNER MAKES
>> By Faith Hatton
Expanding to new markets
CALLAHAN & RICE CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF FIRST BRANCH IN RALEIGH, N.C.
Fayetteville-founded Callahan & Rice Insurance Group Inc. recently celebrated a company milestone with the grand opening of the company’s first branch location in Raleigh, N.C.
Family, staff and company heads came together in downtown Raleigh at 107 Glenwood Ave. on Friday, May 1, to cut the ribbon for the new space.
Leadership shared that the new office is part of a wider initiative to expand into other markets.
“In January of 2025, I purchased the agency, and then I pulled together the leadership team, and we started some internal planning. By the middle of 2025, we had decided that our goal, our purpose, will be to try to expand this agency,” shared President and CEO Landon Bentham. “I feel like we have the right products and services, we have the right company partners, we have the right everything, and we wanted to take that to other people. We said we would want to be in every major metro in North Carolina, and so Raleigh just seemed like the right fit for that.”
The firm chose the space after exploring multiple options and relying on word-of-mouth to identify a location that would serve both clients and staff well.
“We wanted to be in the downtown area. We looked at several different locations for lease and discovered that this was going to fit our needs really well,” Bentham said. “It has really good client access...it’s right on Glenwood… a very wellknown part of town. There’s a lot of urbanized area there, a lot of commercial opportunity there. We do have a commercial insurance focus in the Raleigh area… but the office will also be able to handle personal lines of work—home and auto, life insurance, those types of products.” Operations began in the new office in February of 2025, and it is currently home to one agent, Gray Hurley, who joined the team in July of 2025.
“I’m so excited to be in the Raleigh market. Raleigh is a big city, and that means there’s big opportunities, and I’m looking forward to
taking advantage of those opportunities. I’ve already been able to build some connections and I’m excited to keep that going,” shared Hurley. “Moving forward, I’m excited for the future of Callahan & Rice in Raleigh, the Triangle and beyond.”
The new Raleigh office is initially operating as an extension of Callahan & Rice’s existing services, but it also opens the door to expanded carrier relationships that could benefit clients across the company’s footprint.
“Some insurance companies have what we call moratoriums, or they’re closed to certain counties as far as new appointments. So me, as a local Cumberland County resident, couldn’t necessarily get an appointment with one of the insurance companies, but being in Raleigh, they have a different market, so they would appoint us, and of course, that product would be available
across our footprint, so it may be a way for us to partner with some new companies as well,” shared Bentham.
While he shared that a niche focus of the Raleigh location will likely be their commercial insurance offerings, Bentham added that they will also be working to connect with the local business community.
“We’ve partnered with some great companies that can help us on personal, home and auto insurance needs, life insurance needs, health insurance needs, but primarily our focus will be helping businesses in the area,” shared Bentham. “At the end of the day, it’s about helping as many people as we can.”
The staff in Fayetteville and Raleigh shared that they remain dedicated to offering the exceptional quality of service that the Fayetteville location has provided since 1966.
“This agency has been focused on
serving clients at the highest level for 60 years. And when you operate under that paradigm, it’s a win-win for everybody,” shared Founder Mark Rice. “I am really proud of this team that we have. Planting the Callahan & Rice flag in Raleigh is an exciting step, and I’m really looking forward to where we’re going.”
The Raleigh office is open from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. More details on the office can be found online at www. callahanrice.com/raleigh-nc-location. A full live stream of the ribbon cutting can be found on the Callahan & Rice Facebook page here.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ
Fayetteville-founded Callahan & Rice Insurance Group Inc. recently celebrated a company milestone with the grand opening of the company’s first branch location in Raleigh, N.C.
BIZ LEADS
Reader’s Guide
BizLeads is a collection of information gathered from greater Fayetteville courthouses, state government offices and information websites. The listings are intended to help the business community find new customers and stay on top of happenings with current customers, vendors and competitors.
New Corporations lists firms from the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal region that were recently incorporated in the State of North Carolina.
Addresses are publicly available.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Glory Rescue:
Building a Sustainable Life LLC
3333 Rogers Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Kristin Paige Peterson
B&L Legendary Pies LLC
405 Tolbert Ct Apt
C Spring Lake Agent: Linda M Coleman
WJC30 LLC
1980 Teesdale Dr Hope Mills Agent: William Crockett
SoHo Nail Lab llc
5353 Red Tip Rd Ste 104 Fayetteville Agent: Carolina Tutuli Vounov
Signage by Deja LLC
276 Steephill Ln
Fayetteville Agent: Deja Monique Amaker
CCA Sound Productions LLC
342 Bubble Creek Ct Unit 10
Fayetteville Agent: Bartholomew L Dixon
Ave Ste 300
Fayetteville Agent: Anthony G Chavonne
Guardian Group Title LLC
2919 Breezewood Ave Ste 300
Fayetteville Agent: Anthony G Chavonne
Sandiyah Works LLC
6491 People St Fayetteville Agent: Navariah Sandiyah Jack
Tiny Theories LLC 1512 Eastbay Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Victoria Eppstein
Treaas Soul Touching Sweet Treats LLC
4020 Baywood Point Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Antrea Litikaa Robinson
Genetics Barber and Beauty Center llc 3210 Shamrock Dr Fayetteville Agent: Charlene Chatoria HymesPostell
Beast of the East LLC
108 Wolfpoint Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Tanja G Sutherland
CITYAM incorporated
4744 Banks Ct
Hope Mills Agent: ADRIAN JORDAN
Select Title LLC
2919 Breezewood
Agent: Adam Festa
Gemini Stylez LLC
2017 Crossing Dr Fayetteville Agent: Angela Pratt
Tan's Kitchen LLC
525 Hollyberry Ln
Mechanical Direct LLC
5837 Muscat Rd Hope Mills Agent: Steffon Stephens
Crimson Maple Group L.L.C.
2926 Rosecroft Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Mickey Messenger
RicaStreet Llc 195 Starpoint Dr Ste G
Fayetteville Agent: Jose Diego Morales Bernal
Royal Mile Logistics LLC
5075 Morganton Rd Ste 10C
Fayetteville Agent: Tyree Fate
RC Solutions NC LLC
PMB 148 3333 N Main St Ste 150 Hope Mills Agent: Ailani K Wilson-Turner
Supreme Crown Group llc
3351 Galleria Dr Unit 5
Fayetteville Agent: Jamie Tucker
AFesta LLC
3468 Sugar Cane Cir
Fayetteville
Fayetteville Agent: JINXIONG ZHOU
PEAROR incorporated
3440 Torrington Way Apt 2
Fayetteville Agent: ALEXANDER MARTINEZ
Fayetteville Agent: Tanjeanna Pettrice Anthony
Vanguard Safety Consulting LLC
5075 Morganton Rd Ste 10C
Fayetteville Agent: Sheldon Joseph
Brownzz Hauling LLC 1174 Cottageville Dr
Spring Lake Agent: Steven Brown
Washington Trinity Group llc 6913 Skyhawk Dr Fayetteville Agent: Jaleen
Lavell Washington
Wailing Women Wail 312 Nettletree Ln
Fayetteville Agent: Latonia McLaughlin
LE RUBY VENTURES LLC PMB 1032 6779 Overhills Rd
Spring Lake Agent: KAREEN MILLS
CHINA GARDEN ZHOU LLC 1348 Clinton Rd
Agent: Randy Lee Edge
DomainDock LLC Pmb 1221 5075 Morganton Rd Ste 10c
Fayetteville Agent: Louis Collins
Kings Council Ministries
4695 Kirk Shaw Rd
Hope Mills Agent: BRIAN SMITH
3 Ninos Logistics LLC 1940 Wordsworth Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Dewayne Lewis
Magen David Shachor Network Corporation 4080 Cedar Creek Rd
Fayetteville Agent: Jordan Fox Schroader
MAJESTIC CARE LIVING SERVICES LLC 1029 Kingsley Rd
