HOSPITALITY & TOURISM.

Drawn to beaches, mountains and entertaining cities, more U.S. citizens visited North Carolina than all but four other states in 2020, according to the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. Visitors spend more than $20 billion annually, helping support 230,000 jobs, about 7.5% of total employment.

JOSE ARMARIO

CEO | Bojangles

Charlotte

Bojangles announced a 10-restaurant expansion in New Jersey this year, underscoring efforts to expand the chain beyond the South. Founded in Charlotte in 1977, it has about 760 restaurants in 14 states. The University of Miami graduate, 61. signed on in 2019 after stints at LensCrafters and McDonald's.

Pre-workday motivation: Every weekday my grandson. Peter, comes to my home, where he spends each day under the watchful care of his aba--that's short for abuela. which is Spanish for grandmother. I also am motivated by the privilege of leading a great company that's filled with wonderful people.

Key to industry success: Having great people who live your culture and are determined to make customers happy is the key to success.

Best advice: Always do the right thing, because no matter the outcome, you will never be disappointed in yourself.

Three people to share a meal: Jesus Christ, my mother and Ronald Reagan.

Proud family accomplishment: All of our children have earned a bachelor's or master's degree, and they are good people who care for others and live a life of solid character, values and integrity. I also am proud to be married to my high school sweetheart for 42 years.

Favorite hobby: I have a passion for old Ford Mustang muscle cars. I have owned a few Shelbys, and I have a 1970 Boss 429 Survivor in my corral. I also love grilling in the summer.

Where to entertain a visitor: Bojangles. Then we will share a bourbon in the University of Miami Cane Cave in my basement.

BILL BODDIE

president and CEO | Boddie-Noell Enterprises

Rocky Mount

At the helm since 1990, when he succeeded his father. Mayo. Boddie stepped in as the holding company's Hardee's fast-food franchise was growing. Formed in 1962. it remains the largest Hardee's franchisee, with 343 sites in four states as of January.

BILL CECIL JR.

president I Biltmore Co.

Asheville

Cecil oversees the 250-room Biltmore House, the centerpiece of the 8,000-acre estate developed by his great-grandfather George Vanderbilt. It welcomes about 1.5 million tourists annually. Cecil, who attended the University of Colorado, heads a peak-season staff of more than 2.000, who also work in its hotels, restaurants and winery.

LEAH WONG ASHBURN

president, CEO | Highland Brewing

Asheville

With the good humor that characterizes her father, Oscar Wong--"vice president, schmoozing, and cleanup guy"--Ashburn, 51, became CEO in 2018. She started as Highland's Charlotte sales rep in 2011 and has earned an Asheville Chamber's Woman Executive of the Year award and a James Beard Award nomination. Highland has the capacity to fill 60,000 barrels annually.

Pre-workday motivation: Finding new ways for our beer and brewery to bring together people in ways that fit our values and lifestyle. Continuous energy comes from community partnerships, live music, weddings, watch parties and weekly beer releases.

Proud family accomplishment: Our family business launched the craft beer industry in western North Carolina. We're in our second generation of ownership with an ever-evolving brewery--and an intact family! Asheville rallied around a finely crafted locally produced beer, which was likely introduced to them by my father. All the while, community has been part of our ethos as we grew from a factory into a destination.

Where to entertain a visitor: I am so proud to take guests to Highland. In the past 10 years, my husband. Brock, engineered and led the construction of every brewery buildout, always mindful of the environmental impact. Our brewers revolutionized the beer portfolio. We rebranded. We are. in large part, a new brewery. But we embrace our roots, our name and reason for being--to create connections through beer and beyond.

JOHN 'JACK' CECIL

president | Biltmore Farms

Asheville

The UNC Chapel Hill graduate presides over real-estate projects such as a Biltmore Park, medical office buildings, hotels and a 1.000-home development. He is on the board of directors of the Research Triangle Foundation and is vice chairman of the nonprofit Dogwood Health Trust.

ASHLEY CHRISTENSEN

owner | AC Restaurants

Raleigh

The Greensboro native and N.C. State University graduate has been named one of the nation's best chefs multiple times. She temporarily closed her Poole's Diner and Beasley's Chicken + Honey amid the pandemic.

RICHARD CHAPMAN

founder, owner | Bogue Sound Distillery

Bogue

A licensed real-estate appraiser and contractor, the Sanford native embraced his family heritage of distilling when he and his wife. Margaret, fired up a still about five years ago. The Carteret County tourism attraction includes a 1900s grist mill and a museum with a 1923 Ford Model T pickup.

DENNIS'DENNY' EDWARDS

president, CEO | Greater Raleigh Convention and...