Speakers

My name is Kimberly Redance. I live in Bailey, North Carolina with my husband, our teenage son, and pets. I work here in Wilson County. I serve as the RC3 Coordinator with the Wilson County Substance Prevention Coalition, where I help connect individuals to recovery support, community resources, and opportunities for lasting change.

As a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist, I use my lived experience to walk alongside others in their recovery journey. After struggling with a substance use disorder for over 20 years, I have been in recovery since 2023, and I am passionate about sharing the message that recovery is possible.

I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Theology with a concentration in biblical counseling and plan to continue my education in counseling after graduation. I am an inspirational writer and the founder of Inspiring Words, a ministry where I offer encouragement to people throughout my community and across the United States. I am also a member of White Oak Hill Free Will Baptist Church in Bailey, North Carolina, where my faith continues to grow and guide my steps that I take in life.

In my free time, I enjoy running with my dog for fun and for different charities, photographing nature, and studying the Bible. My heart is to serve others, strengthen my community, and point people toward hope, healing, and purpose. Just as someone once did for me.

Ken Tyler was hired in September of 2023 as Barton’s new Vice President and Director of Athletics.

Tyler oversees Barton College’s athletics program that includes 25 NCAA DII sponsored intercollegiate teams and two non-sponsored intercollegiate teams. He will be responsible for leading nearly 720 student-athletes, in addition to coaches, administrators, athletic trainers, and support staff.

Tyler began his career as a high school teacher of history while also serving as the boys’ and girls’ basketball coach. He soon moved into college and university coaching as the assistant men’s basketball coach at East Stroudsburg University, Roanoke College, and James Madison University. From there, he moved into the role of assistant director of athletics and head men’s basketball coach at Albright College and, later, Shepherd University. 

Tyler then served as director of athletics at West Virginia Wesleyan College, a Division II institution much like Barton College. There, he honed his philosophy of championing the academic progress of students and promoting all-around student wellness in concert with athletic excellence.

Next, for six years, he served as director of athletics and chair of the Department of Athletics, Health, and Physical Education at the University of Mary Washington, where he managed a $5 million program and 75 full-and part-time employees. During that tenure, there were conference championships in field hockey, women’s cross country, indoor track and field, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball and volleyball; NCAA Sweet Sixteen in men’s and women’s tennis and women’s lacrosse; NCAA Elite Eight in men’s basketball and volleyball; NCAA Final Four in field hockey; and four individual NCAA national titles in men’s swimming.  

Most recently, Tyler has served as the senior advancement officer for major gifts at the Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va., where he was responsible for cultivating and stewarding a major gift portfolio, as well as holding a  leadership role in the school’s $150 million campaign. Concurrently, he has served as an adjunct professor for sports management at George Mason University. Prior to his appointment at the Episcopal School, Tyler combined his leadership strengths in athletics and fundraising, serving as director of athletics and director of advancement at The St. James, a sports and wellness complex offering 25 sports with a staff of approximately 400.

A seasoned professional, Tyler brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role. He was a NCAA Division I men’s basketball student-athlete at the College of William and Mary where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He continued his education, earning a Master of Arts degree in Education and also completing an Executive Education Certificate in Business Management. His professional strengths lie in sports leadership, organizational strategy, growth innovation, and fundraising, among others. 

Tyler has a son Jordan, an officer in the United States Navy, and a daughter Logan, an admissions counselor at Bridgewater College. His partner, Dr. Leona Ba, is a professor at Georgetown University.

Originally from NJ, Served in USAF from ’63-’67, Worked in the Semiconductor Industry from 1967 to retirement in 2009. During that time I lived in CA, Philippines/SE Asia, and AZ. Joined Rotary in 2008 in AZ and moved to NC in 2023, joining the New Bern RC 2023. As a Rotarian in AZ D5525, I served as Club President, AG and Global Grant Coordinator for Community Development; Microcredit Lending in Mexico.

Here in D7720, I am currently District Foundation Chair (24-27) and Club Foundation Chair.

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.