Speakers

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.

**Dr. LaTanya Simpson: Co-Founder of Waymakers of North Carolina**

Dr. LaTanya Simpson is a passionate advocate for community support and social justice, serving as a co-founder of Waymakers of North Carolina alongside her husband, Everett Speight. With a strong commitment to uplifting the less fortunate in Wilson County, she plays a crucial role in uniting churches, businesses, and individuals to combat hunger and provide essential resources.

Inspired by the needs she observed in her community, Dr. Simpson collaborates closely with Everett, who approximately three years ago recognized the struggle of many residents who lacked access to food and cooking facilities. Together, they have transformed a vision into a mission, creating a network of support that not only offers hot meals but also provides spiritual guidance and companionship.

Under their leadership, Waymakers of North Carolina has expanded significantly, driven by the motto “Feeding Wilson One Plate at a Time.” This initiative empowers volunteers and community members to become ‘waymakers,’ ensuring that everyone has access to nourishing food and a caring presence.

Dr. Simpson’s dedication to service reflects her belief in the power of community and compassion. Through her efforts with Waymakers of North Carolina, she continues to make a meaningful difference, fostering hope and resilience in Wilson County and beyond.

Cathy Hardison joined Wilson Arts as its Executive Director in November of 2017.  Originally from Lucama, she is a 2010 graduate of East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting and Drawing with minors in both Business and English.  Prior to coming to Wilson Arts, Cathy spent seven years as the Programs & Finance Director for Emerge Gallery & Art Center.  She managed two rotating gallery spaces featuring the work of local and regional emerging artists in an array of media and managing over 100 visual arts classes a year in painting, printmaking, photography, ceramics, and jewelry making.  She also taught community classes in painting and drawing to both adults and children at Emerge Gallery, led youth public art initiative called the Youth Public Arts Project, and worked in the hospital providing arts experiences to both adult and pediatric oncology patients.  In addition, her past experiences also include being a freelance balloon artist surrounding Disney World, working for Uptown Greenville (Greenville’s downtown revitalization effort), and contributor for the Greenville Times, a local magazine featuring arts, food, music and culture.  In Wilson, Cathy manages the Edna Boykin Cultural Center, a historic 600-seat venue that hosts live entertainment through the Boykin Series and the ACT! for Youth program, while also supporting the community through rentals.  She also oversees the Wilson Arts Center, which features a 5,000 sq. ft. gallery and event space with rotating exhibits, visual arts education for adults and youth, and the Creative HeARTS program, which provides arts opportunities for individuals with disabilities.  Last year, Wilson Arts hosted 666 gatherings, 406 performing arts rehearsals, 54 events, 73 days of classes, participated in 33 community events, and welcomed 35,864 visitors with the help of 564 volunteers.

Stephen Mann is the Director of Communications for WilsonCounty Government. In this role, he is responsible for all internal andexternal communications across all media platforms. Stephen oversees WilsonCounty’s branding, strategies and public relations efforts across alldepartments and serves as the County spokesperson to the media. Hisresponsibilities also include drafting press releases, producing weekly videos,managing all online content for the county’s public website and intranet,graphic design and creating content for multiple social media channels.

With over 15 years of combined experience in PublicRelations and Marketing, Stephen has worked in both the public and privatesector. He is also an FAA licensed Commercial Drone Pilot and flies theCounty’s drone for marketing purposes.

Prior to coming on board with Wilson County, Stephen servedas the Social Media & PR Manager at North Carolina Wesleyan University inRocky Mount and in various communications roles at the North CarolinaDepartment of Transportation and North Carolina Department of State Treasurer. Duringhis time at the Department of State Treasurer, he was instrumental in launchingthe Department’s social media presence from the ground up. He has spoken atseveral state and national conferences on the importance of social media formarketing and advertising.

Stephen holds a B.A. in Communications from NC StateUniversity. He and his wife of 11 years have two young daughters. 

Dan is the Director of Advancement for Children’s CancerPartners, a nonprofit focused on children with cancer and their families wholive in North and South Carolina. Dan joined CCP in 2023 after relocating toWilmington from Charleston, SC. His previous nonprofit work experience includesleadership roles at the Carolina Youth Development Center and Charleston ParksConservancy, both located in Charleston, SC, and at the Tammy Lynn Center,located in Raleigh, NC. Before moving into the nonprofit space in 2015, Dan spent15 years running a successful wealth management practice at Northwestern Mutualin Raleigh. He also has 18 years of experience in corporate sales in the banking,industrial gas, and telecommunications sectors.

Dan is married to the Reverend Tracey Daniel and togetherthey have five adult children and three granddaughters. Dan holds an MBA fromthe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a BS degree from theUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro. He is a member of the WilmingtonRotary Club and has been a Rotarian since 2020.

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.

Theresa Mathis came to Wilson, North Carolina as the new Director of student activities at Barton College. After five years of working with the college, she transitioned over to a new position with the City Of wilson as a community event planner in the human relations office. Along with event planning, she became the advisor of the wilson youth Council.

During her time at Barton College, she became active on the planning team of the Whirligig Festival connecting college students as volunteers. After a few years of serving on the team, in multiple roles, she stepped up to be director of the festival. She has now served in that role for over a dozen years and is working hard to lead this year‘s plans as they celebrate the 20th anniversary.