Wilson Rotary

Bill grew up in Wilson County and graduated from Barton. Billis a successful entrepreneur as CEO of North State Consulting, which wasfounded in Raleigh.  Bill relocated thatbusiness to Wilson to bring tech jobs to his hometown. Since then, he hasformed North State Cyber Solutions, The Oak Room, and renovated multiplebuildings in Downtown Wilson.  NorthState Consulting has won “Best Place to Work“ and second place for “Best Small Business” by readers of the WilsonTimes.  Bill was voted “Best Boss” by thesame and was also voted the “Small Business Owner of the Year” by the WilsonChamber of Commerce. He was also honored as a Main Street Champion for hisdevelopment work and commitment to Downtown Wilson.

Bill is a graduate of Leadership North Carolina, The GreaterRaleigh Chamber’s Emerging Leader’s program, and The Wilson Chamber’s DynamicLeadership Academy.

Anyone that has spent time with him knows that Bill mostenjoys raising his son Liam.  They loveto go saltwater fishing and everything baseball.  They are currently working on a tour of MLBparks and will have 11 down.

Bill serves on the following boards:

Community Impact NC (President)

Elm City Downtown Development Corporation (Founder and CEO)

Wilson Community College Board of Trustees
Wilson Chamber of Commerce.

Wilson Downtown Development.

Deyvid Batista is our President. Deyvid is an ordained Seventh-day Adventist Minister who has served the church in the South England Conference within the British Union Conference from 2010 prior to joining Adventist World Aviation in November 2022. He has served a number of churches in the United Kingdom, including the London Portuguese and Spanish-speaking churches in London, before being deployed to the countryside. Outside of London, he served the Yeovil International, Chard, Highbridge, Taunton, Dorchester, Plymouth, Liskeard, Bristol Lodge Causeway, Bath, and Salisbury English-speaking Churches.

Pastor Batista is passionate about preaching, serving the community, and working with young people. This led him to start a number of Pathfinders and Adventurers Clubs, as well as starting and leading the Trans-European Pathfinders Master Guide training program for the countries where there is no training available.

Additionally, Deyvid is passionate about flying and is a qualified Commercial Pilot, which opens doors for pursuing his lifelong dream of flying and serving those in need at the same time. Deyvid served in Mabaruma, Guyana as the Project Manager since January 2023 before his appointment as Director of Global Operations and Speaker in November 2024. Finally, he is not only passionate about flying but also serving the community, reaching souls, saving the lost, and empowering people to better serve God and His kingdom. Deyvid is very grateful for all of those who support our ministry through their prayers and donations.

Roy Palmer is the Executive Director of the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park and Museum nonprofit. In this role, he oversees the organization’s strategic direction, conservation efforts, educational initiatives, community programming, and long-term sustainability. Before this, he served as the Curator of Education and Collections at the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico. Roy has a background in public history, archaeology, and community-driven programming.

We’re a local 501(c)(3) creating inclusive, community-based experiences for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Wilson—bowling nights, karaoke & line dancing, concerts, rodeo outings, and more. After high school, community opportunities often disappear to almost nothing; our monthly programs restore connection, confidence, and a true sense of belonging. Investing in inclusion and community is our highest goal, and your support helps us expand these inclusive events to ensure no one is left out—there’s room for everyone at our table.

Hi, I’m Amber Brinson, a Hospice Care Consultant withGentiva Hospice. As a Licensed Practical Nurse with 18 years of experience inhealthcare, I specialize in geriatric care, wound care, and Hospice services. Iam known for compassionate patient care, strong communication skills and am committedto providing holistic and empathetic support to patients and their familiesduring their end-of-life journey. I hold a diploma in Practical Nursing and holda compact nursing license in multiple states. I provide quality patient careand am committed to continuing education on the benefits of Hospice. In mySpare time I enjoy spending time with my husband and 3 children, attendingclassic car shows, and volunteering in the community. 

Experienced in B2B and B2C digital sales and marketing with excellent communication skills. I have extensive experience planning and implementing advertising campaigns and hands-on design skills with solid team-building and management experience.

Previously, I created and operated an award-winning advertising agency with national and regional clients. We provided clients with web and interactive design, marketing, IT, video and photography services. I managed my staff for creative, web and sales strategies and published regional tourism magazines. I operated two offices in Roanoke and Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia.

I have worked in the marketing and advertising industry for 30 years and I have been an illustrator, designer, photographer, creative director, manager, writer and marketer for magazines, newspapers and advertising agencies. I have many years of experience with pre-press and printing techniques and web coding.

Clark R. Garthwait is the Assistant Scout Executive/Chief Operating Officer for the East Carolina Council serving the youth of Eastern North Carolina.  He moved here in 2023 from Northern Minnesota and has been a Scouting Professional for 14 years serving in councils in La Crosse, Wisconsin and Duluth, Minnesota and this is his second career.   His many life experiences have helped him in his Scouting career and life.   He is an Eagle Scout and the father of an Eagle Scout.  He has a deep passion for Scouting and in his free time he enjoys traveling and learning about the area, woodworking and spending time with his wife Diana and their rescue dog Sriracha.  He has been married to his wife Diana for 28 years and they have two children.  Emily is a biologist in Oregon and Paul resides in Wisconsin.    

Our mission:  who we are.

Build a market where businesses prosper.

Our vision:  where we’re going.

Be the respected, representative voice of the greater Wilson business community, leading efforts to make Wilson a premier destination for business.

Our core values:  how we’ll get there.

• Providing courteous SERVICE to our members and community.
• Preserving TRADITION by building on past successes.
• Influencing action through inspiring LEADERSHIP.
• Inviting INNOVATION and respecting new ideas.
• Establishing TRUST through honesty and reliability.
• Exercising LOYALTY by putting our members first.

Eldon Sharpe “Buck” Newton III (born July 5, 1968) is an American lawyer and politician who serves as a Republican state senator in the North Carolina General Assembly (the state’s legislature) representing N.C. Senate District 4 (Wilson, Greene and Wayne counties).^[1] Newton originally won a seat in the North Carolina Senate in the 2010 election by defeating the Democratic incumbent, Albin B. Swindell.^[2][3]

In 2016, Newton was the Republican nominee for North Carolina Attorney General, losing to Democrat Josh Stein^[4] by 25,000 votes, a 0.5% margin.

In 2022, Newton won a seat in North Carolina Senate District 4, defeating incumbent Democrat Toby Fitch by a 16 point margin.^[5]

Early life and education

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A native of Wilson, North Carolina, Newton graduated from Hunt High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Appalachian State University.^[6] After college, Newton was an aide to Senator Jesse Helms on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.^[7]

Newton is a graduate of the Campbell University School of Law. He has practiced law for 16 years at his firm, Newton and Lee, in Wilson.^[8]

State office

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From 2007 to 2011, Newton served as the chairman for the Wilson County Republican Party before taking office in the state capital in early 2011, replacing State Senator Albin B. Swindell.^[9]

In response to the state’s law on LGBT issues Newton, at a conservative rally supporting the North Carolina’s House Bill 2 (a.k.a. “HB2”),^[10] said “Go home, tell your friends and family who had to work today what this is all about and how hard we must fight to keep our state straight.” ^[11] In a later interview, Newton said his remarks at the rally were intended to mean “keep men out of the ladies’ room.” ^[12] Newton has also said that “folks that wave the rainbow flags” need to get used to “the way things have always been in this state.” ^[13]

Newton ran as the Republican candidate for the North Carolina Attorney General election in 2016,^[14] but lost to Josh Stein, the Democratic nominee.

He was elected to the State Senate again in 2022, defeating incumbent Senator Toby Fitch.^[15]

In 2024, Newton sponsored legislation to prohibit the wearing of masks in public. His legislation made no exception for wearing masks for health reasons.^[16]

Who we are

The Imagination Station Science & History Museum provides informal science and history education. We create opportunities for people of all ages to learn how the world around us works. Understanding our past helps us understand our present, and discovering scientific methods helps us understand how science affects our daily lives.

We give people of all ages a chance to explore and wonder about the world through interactive exhibits. We produce engaging programs for students that introduce and reinforce classroom topics both at the museum and in your classroom through our outreach program, SHOW (Science and History On Wheels). We also reach out to the community by hosting free events throughout the year that encourage families and individuals to experience something new. Experience is how we learn.

Our Mission

The Imagination Station Science & History Museum exists to serve as a major educational resource for eastern North Carolina families, school systems, educators, and students. Our mission is enriching the future by fostering connections between science, history, and community through exciting educational experiences.

How we got started

The Imagination Station was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1988 for the purpose of building a science center. A three year community-wide effort raised funds and found a large, vacant historic building for the project. February 15, 1992 the former U.S. Post Office and Federal Court House opened its doors as an interactive science museum for children.

The Imagination Station has gone through ups and downs including a devastating fire and near bankruptcy. With each hardship and support from the community, the museum evolved and is still encouraging wonder. With rebranding and adding a history exhibition space in 2009, the museum attracts a wider audience and includes content for people of all ages.

Brooke Bissette Bio

Brooke Bissette Farmer is a Wilson native and graduate of East Carolina University. Her studies include business administration, interior architecture, and historic preservation. After several years as a real estate broker in Wilmington, NC, Brooke came home to be a part of the growth and redevelopment in Wilson. She jumped at the opportunity to work with one of Wilson’s architectural treasures which is now home to Imagination Station. With two parents in education, Brooke grew up understanding the importance of learning in and out of the classroom. When she’s not building bridges between our schools, youth, and businesses, Brooke is playing with her two dogs, traveling with her husband, and honing her artistic skills.