Working with privately-owned businesses in the Wilmington area, the Center for Private Business provides programming, educational series and networking to our members.
“As a third-generation Wilmingtonian, I’m excited to connect privately owned businesses in my hometown with the resources they need to tackle their most pressing challenges. Wake Forest gave me lifelong friendships and a strong foundation for my career, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back by helping Wilmington’s family businesses access the Business School and the Center’s exceptional network and resources!”
Over the course of 2024 the Center for Private Business has worked to establish our connections and contacts in the Wilmington area and up the East Coast. In March of 2024, Center staff met firsthand with business owners by hosting a Membership and Forum Interest Session to evaluate the opportunity for expansion.
We found family-owned businesses and senior leaders who were eager for the confidential, facilitated guidance of Forum Groups and leadership development of Center programming. One year later and the Center is proud to announce our entrance into the Wilmington and Eastern North Carolina market.
Spearheading the effort is our new Eastern North Carolina Market Leader, Kevin Hicks. Kevin is an accomplished senior leader who previously served as the Chief Operating Officer of a family-owned business and has first-hand experience in the for-profit and nonprofit sector. Kevin’s strong relationships in the Wilmington area (as well as an alumni of Wake Forest University!) will go towards building up the Forum Program and founding our roster of Center Members along the East Coast.
On May 12, 2026, McKinley founder Ken Dull and Cornerstone’s Rich Novak shared the real story of transferring ownership of a commercial construction firm to the Key Employee Group that helped build it. A process that took over 10 years, which included timely pauses, a rejected acquisition offer, and a financial mechanism most business owners have never heard of.
“Expanding into a fourth market area represents the value of the Center’s work. We’re grateful for the continued support from our Sponsors that has allowed us to welcome Eastern North Carolina into our network.”
Kevin works with recruitment, outreach and members in the Wilmington and Eastern North Carolina region, through Carolina Beach, Jacksonville, Morehead City, Fayetteville and New Bern.