Advertise on podcast: North Carolina Business Minds

When one of Upstate South Carolina's most successful real estate investors buys a 35%-vacant office tower in downtown Greensboro, people pay attention. Jon Good, CEO of NAI Earle Furman and director of Appian Investments, joins the North Carolina Business Minds podcast to explain why he's betting big on the Triad — and why he's steering clear of Charlotte and Raleigh. Jon walks through his firm's contrarian strategy of targeting secondary and tertiary markets across the Carolinas, how they identified the Triad as poised for growth after the Great Recession, and what downtown Greensboro and Winston-Salem can learn from Greenville's revitalization playbook. He also shares his thoughts on opportunity zones, the future of industrial real estate near coastal ports, why affordable housing requires private-sector funding — not just government programs — and what he learned serving a decade on Greenville's housing authority. Whether you're interested in commercial real estate, economic development, or the future of North Carolina's downtowns, this conversation offers a rare inside look at how a seasoned investor spots opportunity where others see risk. Mentioned in this episode: Elon University https://www.elon.edu/

Atlantic Union Bank CEO John Astbury on why North Carolina is the nation's hottest banking market — and what his bank's $9M Raleigh Convention Center naming rights deal signals about its Triangle ambitions. Atlantic Union Bank, the largest regional bank headquartered in Virginia at nearly $38 billion in assets, is making a major play for North Carolina. In this episode, host Lauren Onasorge sits down with CEO John Astbury — a self-described "North Carolina banker at heart" who began his career at the old Wachovia in Winston-Salem — to discuss the bank's aggressive expansion across the Triangle and Wilmington, including seven new branches in the Raleigh area. They dig into why so many out-of-state banks are flooding into North Carolina right now, why physical branches still matter in an increasingly digital world, how AI is reshaping everything from customer experience to cybersecurity, and the competitive threat from credit unions. John also shares his outlook on inflation, interest rates, and what's keeping bankers up at night in 2026. Mentioned in this episode: Elon University https://www.elon.edu/

Charlotte and Mecklenburg County are coming off a record year for economic recruiting — from SMBC Group's commitment of 2,000 high-paying jobs to the billion-dollar investment already generated at The Pearl. But behind every incentive package and land deal are tough questions about who benefits and whether growth reaches every neighborhood. In this episode of *North Carolina Business Minds*, Erik Spanberg of the Charlotte Business Journal sits down with Mecklenburg County Commission Chair Mark Jerrell to dig into the county's role in recruiting and retaining business. They discuss how the county evaluates tax incentives, the balance between landing corporate headquarters and lifting up legacy residents, the long-delayed Brooklyn Village project, and what's next for The Pearl and its promise of 5,500 jobs — 40% of which don't require a four-year degree. They also tackle affordable housing, the need for investment beyond Uptown and South End, and what it will take to make Charlotte's east and west sides the next big development success stories. **Guest:** Mark Jerrell, Chair, Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners (District 4) NC Business Minds is published with support from Elon University. Mentioned in this episode: Elon University https://www.elon.edu/

Is baseball still America's favorite pastime? Andy Sandler, founder of Temerity Baseball and Temerity Capital Partners, makes a compelling case — both on the field and as a business. In this episode of NC Business Minds, we explore the business of minor league baseball, sports tourism, and stadium-anchored real estate development across North Carolina. Sandler's baseball portfolio includes the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, the Greensboro Grasshoppers, the Lexington Legends, and a minority stake in MLB's Tampa Bay Rays. He also owns the Columbus Fury of Major League Volleyball — a venture inspired by his wife's observation that he was having more fun in sports than she was running a law firm. We dig into the Greensboro Grasshoppers' record-breaking home run season and playoff run, the difference between reported attendance and the numbers that matter to ownership, and why pace-of-play changes are reigniting younger fans' interest in baseball. Sandler also shares updates on mixed-use development plans around stadiums in Kannapolis and Greensboro — including apartments, hotels, restaurants, and a 12-story tower with views of the Charlotte skyline — plus ongoing conversations to bring a new Coastal Plain League team to Mooresville, potentially as early as 2027. He also compares the experience of being a hands-on minor league owner-operator versus a limited partner in Major League Baseball. Whether you follow baseball, real estate, or the business of sports in North Carolina, this conversation offers a rare inside look at building a sports and entertainment empire from the ground up. NC Business Minds is produced with support from Elon University. Mentioned in this episode: Elon University https://www.elon.edu/

Lauren Ohnesorge sits down with Michelle Bolas of NC Innovation to unpack the $500 million public-private partnership designed to bridge the gap between academic research and the private sector. They dig into how the state-funded endowment works, why the funding has faced political pushback, and how NC Innovation is leveraging federal dollars and private partnerships to protect its mission. Michelle shares standout examples of the technologies NCI has helped bring to market — from an App State startup turning surplus sweet potatoes into plant-based milk, to a UNC Greensboro breakthrough purifying lithium from standing water. They also discuss the funding gap facing early-stage startups, the risk of homegrown innovation leaving North Carolina for better-funded opportunities elsewhere, and what it takes to keep the next Red Hat or IBM rooted in the state. Plus: Michelle reflects on her journey from Wisconsin to North Carolina's innovation ecosystem, what she's most proud of after two and a half years running the program, and her vision for making the state a national leader in regional economic development. Mentioned in this episode: Elon University https://www.elon.edu/

Born from the tragedy of 9/11, E4E Relief has grown into a global platform helping companies support employees through crises. CEO Matt Pierce joins Eric Spanberg to discuss the organization's 25-year evolution — from a handful of Charlotte clients to over 235 companies and 7 million people worldwide — same-day emergency grants, the Brave of Heart Fund for healthcare workers, and how they're preparing for an increasingly unpredictable world. Mentioned in this episode: Elon University https://www.elon.edu/

A native of Singapore, Nathanael Tarwasokono grew up poor in Lenoir, left for 23 years, and returned to N.C. to lead Allegacy's transformation into a statewide competitor. Here's where he plans to grow and how as banking competition has heated up. Mentioned in this episode: Elon University https://www.elon.edu/

Zac talks with Ben Coulter, Chancellor of Western Governors University (WGU) North Carolina, about the nonprofit online university's decade of growth in the state — including its new 500-employee Raleigh office, its low-cost competency-based learning model, and the degree programs (from nursing to AI) seeing the highest demand. They also discuss WGU's community college partnerships, tackling student debt, and where higher education is headed over the next 5-20 years. In this episode: WGU's growth and enrollment in North Carolina since 2017How the competency-based model worksTop in-demand degree programs, including new AI offeringsWhy the new Raleigh office mattersAffordability and student debtThe future of higher education and AI Mentioned in this episode: Elon University https://www.elon.edu/

David Howard has spent a lifetime connected to Charlotte's transit system — literally since age six, when he rode the bus alone to school as a first grader. Now he chairs the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority (MPTA), the new governing body created to oversee one of the most ambitious infrastructure investments in the city's history. After Mecklenburg County voters approved a one-cent sales tax hike last November, the MPTA took on responsibility for steering $17.5 billion toward expanded bus service, commuter rail, light rail, and streetcar projects — plus another $7.8 billion for roads. The authority will also take ownership of Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) on January 1, 2027. In this conversation, Howard walks through the MPTA's first seven months, explains the difference between the old MTC structure and the new authority, and breaks down what's coming for bus riders, microtransit users, and rail commuters. He also addresses transit safety in the wake of last year's fatal stabbing on the light rail and explains why ridership hasn't recovered to its 2014 peak. And in a moment that might surprise you, Howard shares the outcome he cares most about — one that has nothing to do with shiny new trains. Mentioned in this episode: Elon University https://www.elon.edu/

In this episode of the North Carolina Business Minds podcast, host Lloyd Whittington sits down with Tony Jarrett, Regional Vice President for Howard Hanna Allen Tate Realty, who brings nearly four decades of real estate experience to one of the most consequential conversations in the Triad today. Tony breaks down the numbers behind our local housing market — from first-time buyer trends to inventory shifts — and explains why the Triad remains one of the healthiest markets in the state. He also unpacks the massive implications of JetZero's planned 14,500-job expansion, and what local governments must do now to prepare housing supply before those workers arrive. Plus: why pricing your home right matters more than ever, the sweet spots in today's market, the truth about property tax revaluations, and why insurance has become the new wildcard in every real estate transaction. Topics covered: Howard Hanna Allen Tate's major rebrand — lessons learnedLocal vs. national housing market comparisonsJetZero's impact on Triad housing demandPricing strategy in a buyer-selective marketInventory, showings, and market momentumProperty tax revaluations and what buyers need to knowThe growing insurance crisis in real estate transactions Mentioned in this episode: Elon University https://www.elon.edu/

Chris Robbins, whose family has owned Tweetsie Railroad since its early days, joins Triangle Business Journal's Lauren Ona Storch for a candid conversation about running one of North Carolina's most beloved theme parks. From selling Kodak film as a teenager to navigating Hurricane Helene's $2.4 million blow, Robbins shares what it takes to keep a nearly 70-year-old family business thriving in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He also opens up about balancing nostalgia with innovation, competing in a crowded tourism market, the surprising business complexity behind the park's Wild West charm, and what it would take to hand off the reins to the next owner. Mentioned in this episode: Elon University https://www.elon.edu/

The CEO of Tepper Sports & Entertainment tells CBJ’s Erik Spanberg about getting her start in sports business, why an upcoming renovation of Bank of America Stadium means so much to the organization and explains why hosting the MLS All-Star Game is about much more than a week of spotlight events for the city and region. Mentioned in this episode: Elon University https://www.elon.edu/

The grocer that once ranked one of the nation's worst places to work is now among the nation's most trusted companies. CEO Brian Johnson talks about the turnaround, how the grocer is growing its customer base and how quickly it can reach 200 stores total. Mentioned in this episode: Elon University https://www.elon.edu/

In this episode, Lauren Ohnesorge sits down with Thom Ruhe, CEO of NC Idea — a private foundation dedicated to supporting high-potential entrepreneurs across North Carolina. Thom breaks down what it really takes to turn an idea into a business, why execution matters more than uniqueness, and how to find the right co-founder. He also shares his perspective on survival entrepreneurship, the changing venture capital landscape, and why you don't need a unicorn raise to build something real. Plus, Thom gives an inside look at NC Idea's expanding statewide reach, its partnership with the Tweener Fund, and the transformative potential of NC Innovation in tech commercialization. If you're thinking about taking the entrepreneurial leap — or just want to understand what's fueling North Carolina's startup ecosystem — this one's for you. Mentioned in this episode: Elon University https://www.elon.edu/

Known as Dr. D to students and colleagues alike, Kandi Deitemeyer became president of Charlotte’s Central Piedmont Community College in 2017. Since then, she’s led the school through a once-in-a-century pandemic, crippling cyberattacks and a dramatically shifting job market — all while keeping the school’s scholarship fund growing. Now with 58,000 students, CPCC envisions a larger role creating careers in health, first-responder fields, and aviation, as well as the $25 billion transportation plan. And they’re not sleeping on A.I. either. Mentioned in this episode: Elon University https://www.elon.edu/