Carolina Business Review

The CDC reports increased anxiety, overdoses and generalized stress as the mental impacts from the economic and social fallout of COVID continues to be seen and felt in both personal and professional ways. We take a look at what that means for businesses, schools and families. Panelists: Jennifer Weber, Chief Human Resources Officer, ADM Dr. Cynthia Ackrill. Stress Mastery Strategist Myque Harris, MS, LCMHC, Integrative Psychotherapist Dr. Steve Shoemaker, Pastor, Grace Baptist Church

Panelists: Laura Cantral, Executive Director, Coastal Conservation League Dr. Patton McDowell, President, PMA Consulting

In this Executive Profile we discuss shifting strategies after COVID, inside the Governor's announcement lifting the mask mandate, the problem with herd immunity, what COVID taught us about science and modeling, the departments partnership with education, and vaccine distribution.

From changes to the department, to lessons from COVID, the learning gap and controversial new methods for teaching we talk to Catherine Truitt about her first 6 months in office. Panelists: Joe Waters Co-Founder and CEO, Capita Leslie Boney Director, Institute for Emerging Issues NC State University

The electric vehicle race is on and a North Carolina company is positioned to lead the way in providing lithium batteries. We talk government regulation, incentives, environmental concerns and what a proposed mining project could mean for the region. Panelists: Antjuan Seawright, Founder and CEO, Blueprint Strategy J. Michael Bitzer, Ph.D. Chair, Department of Politics Catawba College

What's the concern over South Carolina's Port? Will the embattled utility Santee Cooper be sold? We get answers from South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey. Plus, political moves in the Statehouse and who he says is the real competitor for South Carolina's economic development, Panelists: Christopher Chung, CEO, The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina and Jody Bryson, President and CEO, South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center.

Anita Zucker, Chair and CEO of InterTech Group, is a former educator and prominent philanthropist of educational endeavors. She shares her concerns regarding the state of education and says the time for innovation is NOW. The SC billionaire also talks about the pandemic's impact on business investments, the need for rural broadband, and diversity and inclusion in the full Executive Profile.

How will tourism in the Carolinas be permanently changed by the COVID pandemic? We get answers from Duane Parrish, Director, South Carolina Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and Wit Tuttell, Executive Director, VisitNC. We also discuss what to expect this summer season, the impact of business travel, and the connection between education and tourism.

Fintech vs. Traditional Banking: James Sills, President and CEO, M&F Bank has seen both sides and offers his take. Plus he discusses the pivot points that resulted in massive growth and hear how the community bank is engaging minority businesses. Panelists: Holly Childs, President and CEO, Wilmington Downtown Inc. and Mark Farris, President and CEO, Greenville Area Development Corporation.

Panelists: Brooks Raiford, President and CEO, NC Technology Association Carl Blackstone, President and CEO, Columbia Chamber

An insightful look at the future of higher education with Dr. Nido Qubein, President of High Point University. Panelists include Scott T. Hamilton, Golden LEAF Foundation and Antjuan Seawright, Blueprint Strategy.

An Executive Profile with Tom Barkin, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Topics include: Stimulus, debt, inflation, Gamestop, bitcoin, and more.

From the economy, to the State pension plan, and the issue of medical cost transparency, we talk one-on-one to NC Treasurer Dale Folwell. Other issues include his insight regarding problems with vaccine distribution.

A one-on-one with Mark Bonsall, CEO of the South Carolina owned utility Santee Cooper which has been in the headlines since the failed V.C. Summer nuclear project in 2017. Bonsall shares his insight regarding improvements made to the embattled utility and his hopes for the legislative fight on whether to sell or reform.

An Executive Profile with the woman at the helm of Premier Inc. Topics include: supply chain management solutions in COVID, vaccine distribution, collecting and tracking personal data, shifting the focus in the pandemic, healthcare trends, and improving maternal healthcare.

Panelists: Sarah House Senior Economist, Wells Fargo Securities John Connaughton, Ph.D. Babson Capital Professor of Financial Economics, UNC Charlotte Doug Woodward, Ph.D. Professor of Economics, Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina Frank Hefner, Ph.D. Professor of Economics, College of Charleston

We reflect on the real issue of mental wellness revealed by the COVID pandemic. Panelists: Jennifer Weber,Chief Human Resources Officer, ADM Derwin Gray, Pastor, Transformation Church Mike Vaughn. Co-Founder, SureHope Counseling Dr. Cynthia Ackrill. Stress Mastery Strategist

A look at the current issues impacting this region amid the COVID crisis. Topics include, the economy, tourism and hospitality, unemplyment, a vaccine and COVID fatigue. Panelists: Karen Riordan Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Tendayi Kapfidze Vice President, Chief Economist, LendingTree Sam Konduros President and CEO, SCBIO

HBCU's, higher education after COVID, and diversity and inclusion highlight this dialogue. Panelists: Nichole Myles, Executive Director, Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry Kelly Andrews, Exec. Dir,, Pitt County Development Commission

Panelists: Andy Andrews Chairman and CEO Dominion Realty Partners Robert Hughes President Hughes Development Corporation Sepi Saidi President and CEO SEPI Inc. David Lockwood Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Colliers International, South Carolina Dan Doyle Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer The Beach Company