The Charlotte Ledger

The 40 Over 40 Awards, presented by U.S. Bank, shine a spotlight on the remarkable individuals quietly making profound contributions to the Charlotte community. Beyond age lies a wealth of wisdom, and the 40 Over 40 Awards magnify the power of experience. We had 137 eligible individuals nominated this year. These are the individuals who have navigated the lessons of their 20s and 30s, using that knowledge to fuel meaningful change in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond. With the help of our roster of first-class sponsors - U.S. Bank, Ducie Stark of Dickens Mitchener Residential Real Estate, By George Communications, AC Creative Collective, and Charlotte ToolBank - we would like to announce this year's class of 40 Over 40 Nominees: Bryan Adams Montez?Alford? Alexandra Arrington Rodrick?Banks Suzanne Bereis Gilberto Bergman Angela?Best? Christopher Boe Carla Boles Kurt Bouley Marcus Brimley Jessica Bronzert Andy Bunn Amanda Burch Kristy Busija Caroline Calouche Suzanne Canali Shawn Carr Darci Carter Bo Caudill Jada Charley Sherri Chisholm Tiara Cloud Steven Cole Kathie Collins Johnny Conklin Daniel Coston Whitney D'Allaird Jeremy Davids Cary Davis Jennifer De La Jara Adrienne Dellinger Dr. Samantha DeLoache Tayuanee?Dewberry Frank Dominguez Lewis?Donald? Marinn?Esch Susan Evren Whitney Feld Alix?Felsing? Meg Fencil Karen Gipson? Angela Gordon Lori Gougeon Mike Grippo Cherie Grisso Ruth Ann Grissom Nicole Hanks Carol Hardison Hannah Hasan Greg Hatcher Sarah Henderson José Hernández-Paris Brooke Hodge Charles Hollar? Martha Honeycutt Christen Hoover Amy Horner, CPA Betty Howell-Gray, PhD Gregory Jackson Sallie Jarosz Nikki Jarrell Amy Johnson Heather Johnson Sharon Jones Carlos Jorge Nathalie Jorge Kim Lanphear Wendy Laxton Jeremy Letterman Kristen?Lieber Kelly Little Gary Little, MD Allison Lucas Keith Luedeman Spencer Lueders Jason Luker Camille Maara Doug Madar Kim Marks David McGibbon Rodney McGill Phillip McLamb Ayisha?McMillan Cravotta? William McNeely David Middleton Jerry Morris? Cary Murphy Nancy Nicholson Eric Norman ShaVodka Nowacki The Adult Staff of Evolutionary Aquatics Michael Orzech Kathy Pressley Angela Pullom Andrew (Drew) Quartapella Moira?Quinn Tory Raether Joan Randall Marcus Reddrick? Allison Rhodes Jason Rhymer Winston Robinson Hailey Rorie Shaheedah Ross Rodney S. Sadler Jr. Steve Sawyer Sean Seifert Cel Smart Steve Smith? Todd Smith? Ron?Sodoma? Ketan Soni Keith Stanley Gina Stewart Erin Stone Kristi Straw Trish?Stukbauer Amy Sullivan Matt Susong Rachel Sutherland Danyae Thomas Amanda Thompson Blake Van Leer Jill Vande Woude Hogan VanSickle Matt Villmer Lisa Vogel Cherise Walker Kate Weaver Kristi Wells? Emily Wheeler Christopher White June White Venitra White-Dean Donja Williams

Have you been driving past the same vacant lot for weeks and curious to know what’s coming? Craned your neck at construction sites to read the fine print of signs and find out more? The Ledger has got you covered with “Real Estate Whispers,” a series that glimpses behind the curtain of Charlotte’s commercial real estate scene. In the latest installment, the Ledger has gone and gotten its hands on the sketch plan for the Iron District, the 55-acre development planned on the site of the old?Charlotte Pipe and Foundry?plant on Morehead Street. We’ve got details on the eight-building layout and an explanation for the “woonerf-style private drives” that will be featured. (Hint: it’s Dutch for a private street that is pedestrian and bicycle-friendly.) Also, find out who’s getting a new Chipotle Mexican Grill, the next expansion phase coming to The Sharon at SouthPark and much more. ??Rendering from Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company and Trammell Crow Company. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eKX2-cPr. #thecharlotteledger #realestatewhispers #cltledger #cltrealestate

Charlotte FC’s imposing young striker, the 6-foot-4 Patrick Agyemang, is getting more attention these days – from fans, national media, the U.S. Men’s National team staff, and of course, defenders. He spent the first three games of Charlotte’s season facing double teams and being held without a goal or an assist in the process. But as he headed out the door this weekend to his second U.S. Men’s National team stint – this time with a tournament title on the line - Agyemang scored his first MLS goal of the season on a breakaway finish in Saturday’s 2-0 win over FC Cincinnati. In our most recent Fútbol Friday newsletter, Agyemang talks about the challenges he faces now, from defenses and from a higher level of competition now with the U.S. team, and how he plans to handle it. Follow along all season in our free newsletter for in-depth, experienced coverage of Charlotte FC. ??Photo by Kevin Y. of The 5 and 2 Project. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e_Yr7kaM #thecharlotteledger #futbolfriday #cltledger #charlottefc

Have you heard the phrase “Meck Dec” but aren’t quite sure what it is? Get ready because it’s going to be bandied about quite a bit over the next two months: May 20 marks the 250th anniversary since the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, and Charlotte is pulling out all the stops to celebrate it. There are going to be historical re-enactments, a festival, a road race and bike ride and even a moot court debate over the document’s authenticity. There has been long-running discourse about local lore that North Carolinians were lobbying for peace from British rule a year before the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia in 1776. Writer John Short explains the history, the perspective and what you can expect around town come May. He’ll also gives a little insight into a new structure coming to Trade and Tryon Streets for the occasion: a replica will be constructed of the one-room wooden courthouse where the document is said to have been signed. ?? Postcard from 1908 courtesy of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/eVJFethS #thecharlotteledger #meckdec #cltledger #cltnews?

?? The workplace is evolving—are you ready for what’s coming in 2025? Join The Charlotte Ledger and Catapult Employers Association for a FREE 3-day webinar series where top industry experts will explore the biggest trends shaping the future of work. The details ?? ?? March 25th, 26th, 27th at 10:00 a.m. EST ?? Online ?? FREE Future-proof your business and get actionable insights from CEOs and workforce leaders. ?? [Register now – spots are limited!] https://lnkd.in/ec68MnyM #WorkplaceTrends2025 #FutureOfWork #BusinessStrategy #thecharlotteledger #catapultemployersassociation

The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance has appointed Robert McCutcheon as its new president and CEO, effective March 17, the organization said Friday. He succeeds Andrea Smith, who has served as interim president and CEO since May 2024. McCutcheon brings over 35 years of leadership experience across Fortune 500 companies and mid-sized businesses, most recently serving as president and CEO of Husqvarna Group North America in Charlotte, where he drove record profits. He has also held executive roles at Britax Child Safety, Conagra Brands, Walmart, and The Gillette Company, and he previously founded and owned his own business. McCutcheon, who holds an MBA from Duke University, expressed enthusiasm about leading the CLT Alliance and collaborating with regional leaders to drive economic growth. Board chair David Longo emphasized McCutcheon’s experience and leadership as key to advancing the organization’s goals.

It's 40 Over 40 Friday! Where we celebrate local unsung heroes aged 40+ who are doing great things in our community. This week we are highlighting 2024 winner Erin Santos-Primis, president, Isabella Santos Foundation. Erin channeled her daughter’s battle with cancer into pioneering new approaches in pediatric cancer fundraising, raising over $8 million for research and family support. Her efforts have established significant hospital programs, demonstrating a profound commitment to improving pediatric cancer care. Want to nominate someone you know? Subscribe to The Charlotte Ledger today to receive exclusive updates and announcements about the 2025 40 Over 40 Awards!

In the latest installment of our periodic series "Historical Heavyweights" writer John Short takes a deep dive into the story of Hattie Leeper, who rose from organizing records as a teenager to a local radio trailblazer. She shaped Charlotte’s airwaves, mentored young artists and earned a place in the National Black Radio Hall of Fame. She got her big break filling in for an on-air colleague who was in no shape to get back in the booth. “I was at the right place at the right time," Leeper said in a 2006 interview with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. "The other announcer that had that time slot goofed that up, and I was there and was able to go sit in the chair and segue his music, because he could not go back on the air. He was intoxicated. And I continued from then on having that show.” About the series: You see their names on street signs or parks, but who were some of the big-name people from decades ago who shaped Charlotte? They have fascinating stories, and for the next few Saturdays, we’re sharing them with you. ??Photo courtesy of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eYYMXP4v #thecharlotteledger #historicalheavyweights #cltledger #blackradiohistory

Calling South Boulevard a “corridor of crap” would not seem all the politically advantageous, but cutting right to the chase is just one of the ways former Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory helped convince city leaders to build its first light rail line 30 years ago. With Charlotte’s leaders facing some of the same challenges while pursuing a $25 billion transit plan to expand rail and bus lines, McCrory’s leadership is a great place to look for clues. In a talk last month at a real estate conference in South End, and on a recent episode of his?WTVI PBS Charlotte political talk show “Unspun,” McCrory explains how he sold state leaders on the idea over bottles of wine, what fast one he pulled on city council and why Pineville missed out. In this issue of Transit Time, we’re letting Charlotte’s longest-serving mayor discuss that topic in his own words, with permission of PBS Charlotte. ?? Photo courtesy of Charlotte Area Transit System Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/eNA3TZrY #thecharlotteledger #transittime #cltledger #cltnews #WFAEWFAE

The 40 Over 40 Awards, presented by U.S. Bank, are all about celebrating the remarkable individuals quietly making profound contributions to the Charlotte?community. However, we couldn't have a class of winners without our intelligent and honorable judges! Introducing our 2025 judges: José D. Alvarez, Vice President at Prospera USA Kerry O'Connor, Capital Campaign Advisor and Executive Director Emeritus at Dress for Success Worldwide Todd Buelow, Principal at Dualboot Partners Dr. Nathan Currie, Ed.D., Principal at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Shawn Flynn, Director of Corporate Communications at Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority Joseph Forquer, HR Director at Atrium Health Elizabeth Hardin, Strategist at Minerva Demeka Kimpson, Band Director Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Amanda McGough, PhD, Psychologist at CAROLINA PSYCHOTHERAPY & CONSULTING Shannon McKnight, Executive Director at Muggsy Bogues Family Foundation Marie McLucas, CFO at Primax Properties LLC Raj Merchant, Director at Perficient Blair Primis, Chief Marketing and UX Officer?at OrthoCarolina Glenn Proctor, Founder and Executive Coach?at REDDjobb Advisors Meredith Ritchie, Local Author and Banker at Wells Fargo Thank you to our event sponsors: Presenting Sponsor: U.S. Bank Gold Sponsor: Ducie Stark, a residential real estate broker with Dickens Mitchener Residential Real Estate Name Tag: By George Communications In-Kind: Charlotte ToolBank Join us on May 8th for the awards event at Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts for a night of celebration, food, drinks, and fun! ??? Tickets will be on sale soon! #Ledger40Over40 #40Over40Awards #AwardsCeremony