Empowering Small Businesses for Financial Readiness

This engaging session brings together a powerhouse panel of North Carolina's top industry experts who understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing small businesses today.

AGENDA:

8:30-9:00 am - Arrivals, Check-in, Coffee

9:00-9:20 am - Call to Order and Opening Remarks by Dr. Mark A. Sorrells, President of Fayetteville Technical Community College and Briefing from Fayetteville State University.

9:20-9:45 am - Welcome remarks by the North Carolina Secretary of State, Elaine F. Marshall

Inspiration for Rural RISE NC and its relevance across the state. Where have we been, where are we going.

9:45-9:55 am - (Moderator) Dr. Tamara Colvin, Director of the Fayetteville Cumberland Regional Entrepreneur & Business HUB at Fayetteville State University to introduce the Panelists

09:55-10:55 am – Fire Side Chat with Panelists. Moderated Open Discussion and Q&A with live audience participation.

10:55 am – Final Remarks

11:00 am – Adjourn

11:30 am- noon - Networking

MODERATOR | PANELISTS:

DR. TAMARA COLVIN

Director of the Fayetteville Cumberland Regional Entrepreneur & Business HUB

FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY

Dr. Tamara Colvin serves as the Director of the Fayetteville Cumberland Regional Entrepreneur & Business HUB at Fayetteville State University. She has over 18 years of business development and entrepreneurial leadership experience. In this capacity, she provides strategic and operational leadership, delivering high-impact support to both emerging entrepreneurs and established small businesses. Under her guidance, the HUB was honored as the 2025 Center of Excellence by the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce.

A proven leader in her field, Dr. Colvin previously managed the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC). During her tenure, the center was named the 2020 National VBOC of Excellence by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Her career is marked by numerous state and national awards for leadership and service.

With a Doctorate in Business Administration from UNC Charlotte and a history of community service as the past president of the Junior League of Fayetteville, Dr. Colvin is a dedicated advocate for leadership and entrepreneurship. When she isn't empowering small businesses, she is an avid traveler who enjoys quality time with her husband and loved ones.

ROBIN A. LIVINGSTON

Director

NORTH CAROLINA VETERANS BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTER

Robin Livingston currently serves as the Director of the North Carolina Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) at Fayetteville State University. In this capacity, he manages the operations and budget of the NC VBOC, which serves veterans across all 100 counties in North Carolina. The VBOC organizes and presents monthly "Boots to Business" events for active-duty service members at Fort Bragg, Camp Lejeune, Cherry Point, Seymour Johnson, and the Elizabeth City Coast Guard. Additionally, the program offers "Boots to Business Reboot" events for veterans statewide. Robin leads a team of business advisors who provide business counseling, training, mentoring, and referral services to service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses.

Prior to joining the VBOC, Robin spent nearly five years as a Government Contract Counselor with the Small Business Technical Development Center (SBTDC) at Fayetteville State University. In this role, he offered vital support to small business owners as they navigated state and federal government contracting opportunities, playing a key part in driving North Carolina's economic growth.

Robin’s impressive career spans over 25 years of dedicated service in the United States Army, where he oversaw logistical operations at 13 global installations, providing life cycle support for thousands of Soldiers and Department of Defense (DoD) Civilians. With a wealth of experience in managing multiple budgets and data systems, he successfully handled billions of dollars in assets. As the Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) Brigade First Sergeant and senior advisor, Robin played a key role in supervising and supporting personnel at all levels. His commitment to excellence earned him numerous honors, including 5 Meritorious Service Awards, 3 Army Achievement Medals, 8 Good Conduct Medals, and several other recognitions for his outstanding service. Robin holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Columbia Southern University and a Master of Business Administration from Fayetteville State University.

Robin Livingston’s extensive experience with the U.S. Army, Small Business Administration (SBA), and the VBOC highlights his dedication to promoting economic growth and offering essential support to our nation's veterans.

AREGNAZ MOORADIAN

Deputy District Director

U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Since September 2021, Aregnaz “Ari” Mooradian, has been serving as Deputy District Director with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) North Carolina District Office in Charlotte. In this capacity, Aregnaz works for small businesses through expansion of SBA’s programs and services. Prior to this role, she was Lead Business Opportunity Specialist with SBA and worked to support all small businesses in navigating the federal procurement space. She currently holds a Federal Acquisition Contracting Certification (FAC-C).

Before joining SBA, Aregnaz worked with the Unites States Peace Corps in Uganda, East Africa, where she provided operational support to a local microlender. She started her career in California, serving as Manager of Volunteers for a Los Angeles based organization providing academically focused after-school programs. Aregnaz holds a graduate and undergraduate degree from the California State University, Long Beach.

KEVIN J. PRICE

President & CEO

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MINORITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Kevin is the third president and chief executive officer of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development in Durham, NC. Under Kevin’s leadership, the organization has tripled in size. Price’s career has been steeped in community economic development for over 30 years. He joined The Institute as a veteran business leader in healthcare, supplier diversity, faith-based affordable housing, community development and commercial banking. Price spent many years in banking as a commercial lender and business development officer, real estate developer and community development and CRA leader. His banking experience was preceded by several years spent working for a community development corporation in Greensboro resulting in more than $40 million worth of single family, multi-family and retail developments.

JOSEPH JAMES

Director

SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Joseph James earned his doctorate in industrial organizational psychology at the University of Nebraska, Omaha. He spent the first 10 years of his career in corporate and consulting roles supporting organizational effectiveness and talent management for Fortune 500 and mid-market clients. In 2018, Joseph struck out on his own with a consulting business where he was an SBTDC client. During COVID-19, he joined the SBTDC team as a BRC, supporting clients on COVID-relief programs and HR-related challenges due to his corporate background. He was excited to transition to a GBC role at UNCP and now Director of the Cape Fear Region where he will continue supporting a great team and clients. Joseph also now serves as SBTDC Interim District Director for Western NC. On a personal note, he is proud of his two daughters, 19 and 29, and enjoys pursuing his faith, volunteering, the outdoors, and playing board games when not working.