Shop Local in Leland: Thom & Shari from the North Brunswick Chamber discuss Business Expo

Karen Sphar, Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce

This week's guest is Karen Sphar, who has served as Executive Vice President of the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce since 1991. Tune in as Karen discusses the Chamber's efforts to connect local businesses with each other and with consumers and provides an overview of the various events and programs through which the Chamber helps promote the Southport-Oak Island area business community. Originally from Southington, Ohio, Karen moved to Oak Island with her parents in 1987. She began her career locally as secretary at First Baptist Church of Oak Island before joining the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce in July 1988 as secretary and bookkeeper. In 1991, she was promoted to Executive Vice President.  Throughout her career, Karen has had the privilege of working alongside many of Brunswick County's civic, business, and community leaders. Their mentorship, encouragement, and willingness to invest in her growth shaped both her professional career and personal leadership philosophy. Today, Karen believes it is her civic responsibility to pay that investment forward by mentoring and developing the next generation of leaders. She is passionate about creating opportunities for others to gain meaningful experience, build relationships, and become engaged in strengthening their community through programs such as leadership development initiatives.

Dr. Chris Sepich, Your HCPOA (Health Care Power of Attorney)

For 15 years as an internal medicine physician, Dr. Chris Sepich, MD, saw firsthand the struggles of some of his most vulnerable patients, especially when a car accident or other critical medical incident left them unable to share their quality-of-life preferences. This often led to a delay in care and the patient’s loved ones in arguments or even in court battles when a patient’s wishes had never been discussed in advance. Although his patients trusted him, Dr. Sepich could not legally be named their health care power of attorney, because medical ethics and law recognize it as a conflict of interest. To be able to be their voice to make healthcare decisions, Dr. Sepich decided to leave his longtime Wilmington practice at Novant Health in 2023 to utilize his medical knowledge in a different capacity. He and his wife Jody, who is an internal medicine doctor at the VA Hospital in Wilmington, opened Your HCPOA [https://yourhcpoa.com/], the first physician directed health care power of attorney business in the United States.

Hugh Fosbury, President, N.C. 4th of July Festival

Tune in as Hugh Fosbury, 2026 President of the N.C. 4th of July Festival in Southport, discusses plans to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America. Planned events include a re-enactment of the first 4th of July celebration in Southport, the 41st Annual Firefighters Freedom Competition & Apparatus Expo, the Patriots Ball, the We the People Gospel Fest, the World's Largest Ice Cream Sundae, the Red, White & Blue Freedom Flotilla, the Naturalization Ceremony, the parade, and, of course, fireworks. Learn more at https://nc4thofjuly.com [https://nc4thofjuly.com/].

Josh Winslow, CEO of Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation

This week's guest is Josh Winslow, CEO of Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation. Tune in to learn more about Brunswick Electric, Josh's career path, and how BEMC is preparing for the future under his leadership.

Josh Torbich, CEO of Christian Recovery Centers, Inc.

This week's guest is Josh Torbich, CEO of Christian Recovery Centers, Inc [https://crcirecovery.org/]. CRCI is a non-profit organization that provides free drug and alcohol treatment, recovery, and re-entry services for men and women struggling with substance use disorder. CRCI offers a faith-based, evidence-based program supported by scientific interventions. Josh also hosts "Behind the Citgo," a podcast that explores journeys shaped by struggle, strengthened by faith, and restored through community - offering wisdom, insight, and hope to every listener. Check it out at https://behindthecitgo.com [https://behindthecitgo.com].