Trail BLAZERS 2023.

• Author: Ellis, Kevin

North Carolina's population has trended urban for decades, but the state's rural history is important to its culture. About 40% of the state's population lives in one of 80 rural counties, as defined by the North Carolina Rural Center, and 85% of North Carolina's municipalities have fewer than 10,000 residents.

North Carolina's rural population of almost 3.5 million people makes it the second largest in the nation, behind only Texas, according to the 2020 census.

North Carolina's reliance on its rural residents is why Business North Carolina has publicized a list of trailblazers for six years. These are thriving business owners and professionals under the age of 40 who work in cities and towns with fewer than 100,000 residents. They are creating jobs and providing services while championing their communities.

This year, we received nominations for trailblazers who live from the Atlantic waters of Ocean Isle Beach to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Franklin. The 23 trailblazers work in a wide variety of occupations including agriculture, entertainment, retail and technology.

Four trailblazers list more than one occupation on their resume while all are involved in community activities. One opened a bistro after helping start a commercial truck and van equipment business. Another teaches college students entrepreneurship while also operating seven businesses.

Most of these trailblazers are working behind the scenes to help make Main Streets across the state vibrant in smaller communities. Two trailblazers serve as mayors, while a third is a candidate for his town's board.

We appreciate the young professionals who are making a mark, and thank those who made nominations.

WARREN ALLEN 31 CO-FOUNDER, VICE PRESIDENT | ELITE TRUCK OWNER | 1906 BISTRO & BOURBONS

WASHINGTON

Allen's online commercial truck and van equipment business started with co-founders Harrison Boyd and Brian Sherman four years ago and has grown to about 20 employees. "Seeing such talented and hardworking people join the team has been great. Getting to know them all and watching everyone grow together has been an honor."

Education: Business administration degree, East Carolina University

Biggest influencers: My father, Tony Allen, is the hardest working person, no matter what setting or job he is in. I often find myself picking up trash or taking on simple construction or business tasks, even as our teams have expanded. That "do whatever it takes mentality and never be too good for any job attitude" came from him.

Cool fact about yourself: My wife, Katherine, and I live in a house built in 1881. We also bought a three-story bank built in 1906 that we spent more than a year renovating with my father, who is a general contractor. The first floor is now the 1906 Bistro & Bourbon Bar, and the second and third floors are six Airbnbs. The history of the building and Washington plays a considerable influence in the design of the restaurant and Airbnbs.

Organization's biggest success last year: Doubling our team size when other companies are struggling to hire good people was a huge success. The Rural Infrastructure Authority awarded us a $200,000 grant to renovate a vacant commercial space to house our expanding team with the expectation we would invest $1.9 million and create 31 jobs.

Best place to show off your town: We opened up the bourbon part of 1906 Bistro & Bourbons in July. So far, it's been a great success and I love having friends and visitors check it out.

HEATHER HUNT ALMOND 35 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER UWHARRIE BANK

ALBEMARLE

Almond has worked at the bank for 13 years, including three years in her current position. Her job satisfaction comes from "knowing that I get the opportunity every day to work for a company that is about more than just money. It is about truly bettering the communities in which we live, work and play." CEO Roger Dick and community members formed the bank in 1983. It now has about a dozen offices.

Education: Accounting, MBA degrees, UNC Charlotte

Biggest influencers: I watched my dad work his way up in law enforcement, not for the money, but for the ability to have a voice in the safety and well-being of his community. Same for me. I want to have an impact on communities in an effort to continue the revival ofMain Street America.

Cool fact about yourself: Mom of Alexis, 9, and Maddox, 6. My time is pretty much consumed with ball sports. I love every minute of it. In my spare time, I enjoy hosting friends and family at my house.

Organization's biggest success last year: We crossed $1 billion in assets, which allows us to remain competitive and independent in our industry and leverage our overhead to continue to provide our services to our communities.

Best place to show off your town: My family farmhouse. Treat people to a good meal, let them visit with the donkeys, goats, cows, horses and beagles, explore the woods and go fishing in a natural spring pond. End the day by watching a gorgeous sunset without any obstructions.

COLTON BAKER 31 OWNER, HEAD BREWER UWHARRIE BREWING

ALBEMARLE

Uwharrie Brewing became the town's first craft brewery in February, nearly two years after Baker started renovating a former fire station. He overcame hurdles with the supply chain, labor and inflation. The business helps promote downtown with live music and open mic nights, a running club and yoga classes. "The thing I enjoy most about brewing beer is seeing the finished product, and the reaction that it gets from patrons as they try new styles and flavors they may not have enjoyed before."

Education: Business, University of Mississippi

Biggest influencers: My friend and former coworker Cody Noble's attention to detail and appreciation for brewing as an art helped shape my vision as a brewer and an artisan. His work starting a Brevard brewery, Noblebrau Brewing, inspired me.

Cool fact about yourself: I have no formal brewing education, but have brewed more than 500 batches of beer.

Organization's biggest success last year: We are delighted to be on our 30th batch of beer and showing no signs of slowing down.

Best place to show off your town: The people who operate the restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops and ax-throwing businesses downtown make Albemarle amazing. There's also a model train set up, a bakery and a nice Biergarten.

CAROLINE CATOE 31 PRESIDENT ECRS

BOONE

When Catoe is not leading a company of almost 200 employees, more than half of them working in Boone, she can often be found running along King Street with her dog, Critter, along with a double stroller carrying her two young children. She started working for the company started by her father in 1989 as a part-timer.

She has been a full-time staffer since 2013 and was named president last year. ECRS sells software designed for independent retailers. "We help independents compete against the retail giants."

Education: Business degree, UNC Wilmington

Biggest influencers: I grew up under the guidance of a talented entrepreneur, my father. Learning how he has successfully started, grown and operated ECRS has been the biggest factor in my own business journey. How many people get the opportunity to work alongside their predecessor for years with intentional mentoring throughout? It's invaluable.

Cool fact about yourself: I graduated high school at age 16.

Organization's biggest success last year: We opened our new deployment facility, our third office in Boone.

Best place to show off your town: We have the best outdoor experiences in the state. If there's snow on the around, we're skiing. If it's spring, fall or summer, we are out mountain biking, hiking, kayaking or rock climbing. It's a very special place to live.

ZACH BUMGARNER 29 VICE PRESIDENT BUMGARNER OIL

HICKORY

Bumgarner considers it a blessing to have worked during the past seven years with both his father and grandfather in the three-generation-old business, which delivers petroleum products in seven N.C. counties and operates Cubbard Express stores. "The most satisfying thing about my work is continually improving and building upon the foundation that our company has built, and seeing how that improvement betters the lives of our employees, our customers and our community."

Education: Criminal justice degree, UNC Charlotte (He played in the football team's first 46 games, starting in 2013.)

Biggest influencers: My father and grandfather had distinctly different personalities and means of doing things, but were in lockstep on the things that really matter like honesty, integrity, and customer service. I have tried to take things from both of their styles and incorporate it into my leadership and how I approach different situations.

Cool fact about yourself: My wife, Stephanie, and I have been married since 2017. We have three children, two girls and one boy.

Organization's biggest success last year: Our convenience store chain grew from 11 to 14 stores, and we expanded our wholesale fuel and delivery capacity in both North and South Carolina. We launched our propane division in late 2021 and have organically grown that over the past two years.

Best place to show off your town: After eating at a locally owned restaurant, I would take them to a Hickory Crawdads minor league baseball game or Hickory Motor Speedway, the "birthplace of the NASCAR stars."

LILY FAULCONER 27 ATTORNEY WARD AND SMITH

GREENVILLE

Faulconer attended UNC School of Law as a Chancellors Scholar, its highest merit-based award. She was also an East Carolina University Scholar (now Brinkley-Lane), its most prestigious scholarship. She worked with ECU's athletics department, and then the minor league baseball team...