2026 Ambassadors

Michelle Adams
First Citizens Bank
Vice President - Service Manager
Tammy Braglin
The Story Keeper BookStore
Owner/Operator
Hey, I am a book lover, animal lover, outdoor spring and fall lover.  I live in Selma/Micro area, I am married with four grown children, two grandchildren.  I have two spoiled rotten fur dog babies.  I love my community and being around people.  A great day at the beach is any day at the beach!
Helen Caloz
HomeMasters Pest Control
Office Administration & Sales
Sherri Cannady
United Community
Commercial Loan Assistant
I started working at Four Oaks Bank as the Head Teller in 2010.  I moved to the Customer Service area in 2013 and last year I took on the role of Loan Assistant.  This position is where I was meant to be.  I love what I do and I love working for Four Oaks Bank. 

On the weekends I love to spend time with my daughter. We enjoy shopping together. My hobbies are reading, scrapbooking and watching movies. 
Tammy Pace
Interstate Outdoor, Inc.
Account Executive for Interstate Outdoor, I am a native of Harnett County and a resident of Johnston County since 2000. I have 20 plus years of sales experience and exceptional customer service skills. I am married and have 2 children and live in Clayton NC
Maggie Crandall
Johnston Community College
Assistant Director
Charlie Crews
The Insurance Shoppe of North Carolina, Inc
Sales/Agency Manager
AnnaKate Gilchrist
Evolve Nutrition
Owner
Jeffery Hamilton
Rudy Theatre
Marketing & Sales
Live@The Rudy is the number one live variety production in Selma, North Carolina and we have been WOWing audiences for 25 years. 2023 marks our 25th year anniversary. We feature four unique shows that are all family friendly
Easter Jubilee March through April
Throwback Sounds of Summer -  May through July
Classic Country Jubilee - August through October
Christmas Jubilee - November and December
Ron Hester
Barbetta LLC
Manager
We are a small commercial property management company.  We have properties across the state of North Carolina.
Kayla Holmes
Carolina Air Repair
Office Manager

Although I was connected to the HVAC industry for nearly two decades through my husband’s career, I officially joined the field in May 2023. Since then, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the complexity and importance of the trade. I’m proud to be part of the Carolina Air Repair team, where we’re committed to delivering top-quality service to every customer.

As Office Manager, I oversee daily administrative operations—including dispatch coordination, invoicing, and client communication—to ensure a smooth, efficient experience from start to finish. Living in Eastern North Carolina, I understand how quickly extreme weather can turn HVAC issues into urgent concerns, and I work hard to help restore comfort to our clients as quickly as possible.

 

Karen Jones
KS Bank, Inc.
Lead Relationship Banker - Selma
Riley Jordan
Riley Jordan Events
As a North Carolina native, I’m passionate about creating events that bring people together and leave lasting memories. I have a strong attention to detail, finding beauty in the little things that make each event special. For me, it’s not just about the overall vision; it’s about capturing the moments that others might miss.

When I'm not crafting unforgettable experiences, you can find me:
- Lost in a good book
- Enjoying quality time with loved ones
- Spending time outdoors
Shannon Kirby
KS Bank, Inc.
Lead Relationship Banker, AVP - Smithfield
For more than 15 years, I have been a part of the KS Bank team. As the Lead Relationship Banker for the Kenly retail office, I have the privilege of serving our customers and building lasting relationships to best meet their financial needs. In addition to working directly with the customers, I help identify sales opportunities, manage branch personnel, open new accounts, and manage deposits and profitability for the branch.
Being a part of the local community is important to me and I strive to stay actively involved. In addition to my business degree, I am also a graduate of the Leadership Johnston Program. I have served on the board for the Kenly Area Chamber of Commerce as VP and Treasurer over the last eight years and NJHS Panther Club for 4 years. I am a native of Pine Level and currently reside in Kenly.
Joelina Landa
United Community
Branch Manager
Kim Loftin
Thrivent
Financial Advisor
Scott Macdougall
The Holistic Company of Smithfield
Project Manager
Justin Raymond
Carolina Packers, Inc.
Head of Marketing
Head of Marketing for Carolina Packers, Home of the Bright Leaf Hot Dog. I have the privilege of marketing and promoting the best hot dog on planet Earth. You'll often see me at events, visiting hot dog shops, and on social media. Let me know if you haven't tried a Bright Leaf Hot Dog yet. It'll change your life. ; )
Ann Rizzardi
Rizzardi Real Estate
Broker and Advocate
I consider myself an Advocate with a Broker license. Professional and personal experiences allow me to work with individuals/families with real estate while they are dealing with personal challenges. Specialize in: Healthcare/Death/Dying/ADA/Special Education& Exceptional Children program/Domestic Violence/Autism Society/Hydrocephalus Assoc./Relocations. Prioritizing quality of life guides my every decision. My career journey began in hospitality, then to healthcare for 13 yrs. in Hospice, then received my Real Estate Broker License. I pride myself on building relationships based on trust, integrity, ethics & core values. Transactions can be overwhelming, but I can help provide clear communication, transparency and a supportive presence. Through experience I have gained skills that I apply to all types of situations. I put my client’s needs first while being their biggest advocate.
Lee Smith
Tarva Group LLC
Chief Executive Officer
Lynn Stanley
Boys and Girls Club of Johnston County
Director of Resource Dev & Community Engagement
Andy Thompson
Triangle East Chamber of Commerce
Business Development Director

Andy Thompson has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Mount Olive and has been in the marketing world since 2009 in various capacities.

 

Andy and his wife, Angie, have two children, Michaela and Colby. In his free time, he enjoys outside activities, sports, the beach, and the mountains. Andy likes meeting new people and has a passion for helping the community grow and thrive!

Kelly Wallace
Triangle East Chamber of Commerce
President & CEO
Kelly joined the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce team in 2002.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Technology from East Carolina University in 1992.  Kelly is a 2003 Leadership Johnston graduate, of which she served as program director for over 16 years. Kelly is a graduate of the US Chamber Institute of Organization Management (2011) and Business Leads Fellowship (2022).  When they are able, Kelly and her husband, Mark, enjoy long weekends "glamping" in their travel trailer. Originally from Charlotte, Kelly and her family call Clayton, NC their home.
Misty Wester
First Citizens Bank
Financial Sales Manager II LPA
Alicia Whitehurst
Wintergreen Hospitality
General Manager
Ryan Jordan
Flowers Plantation
Director of Community Relations & Public Safety
Christin Murphy
Habitat for Humanity of Wake County and Johnston Counties
Director of Community & Volunteer Engagement