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Biz Briefs
From Humble Beginnings
The East Carolina Bank began in a small clapboard barbershop in Engelhard‚ N.C.‚ in 1920. It began as the Engelhard Banking and Trust Co.‚ making the dream of 69 farmers‚ fishermen and area merchants a reality.
Today‚ after numerous transformations over the years‚ the East Carolina Bank is a financial leader in eastern North Carolina. It has 23 full-service branches in 13 counties‚ from the Outer Banks to Greenville‚ and from Currituck to Ocean Isle Beach.
The bank employs more than 200 North Carolinians and has more than a half-billion dollars in assets.
Despite all this growth‚ the officers of East Carolina Bank want customers to know they haven’t forgotten their “down home” beginnings and pledge to continue offering the best in customer service‚ says bank spokesman David Crumpler.
Wiping Up the Competition
Japan-based ASMO Co. opened its Greenville manufacturing facility in 1994 to produce automotive wiper systems and radiator fan motors.
Not only has the Greenville location been a success for the company‚ the company has made a positive contribution to the quality of life in Greenville.
“We have grown from 50 to 500 people‚” says General Manager Dave Lemoine.
Along with providing excellent products and customer service‚ ASMO’s management emphasizes appreciation and respect for employees.
ASMO Greenville has the number one market share in the U.S. for wiper systems and radiator fan motors.
The Greenville plant sells to most manufacturers in the automotive industry‚ such as Toyota‚ Honda‚ GM‚ Chrysler and Ford.
In August 2007‚ Yoshihiro Oyobe came on board as president of ASMO of Greenville.
Center Puts Citizens To Work
More than 300 people with disabilities receive work training each year through the Eastern Carolina Vocational Center (ECVC)‚ a private‚ not for profit corporation that provides job training and employment to people with disabilities in Pitt‚ Craven and surrounding counties.
“Our whole purpose is to help people obtain jobs they would not be able to get on their own‚” says Lisa Ward-Ross‚ Vice President of Rehabilitation Services. “Working for us gives them work experience they would not get on their own‚ and our job placement staff helps them move from here to a job in the community.”
The organization got its start in 1965. Today ECVC has federal government contracts to produce battery terminal adapters; to label‚ package and distribute batteries; to manufacture picture frames‚ and to label‚ package and distribute oils‚ chemicals and lubricants.
The organization also operates Fine Finishes Custom Framing‚ the Servmart at Cherry Point and the Materials Recovery Facility that receives recyclable materials from 12 counties.
Family to Family
For more than 75 years‚ the family of S.G. Wilkerson has cared for other families in Greenville and Pitt County during their most vulnerable times.
“The number of family owned and operated funeral homes has greatly declined over recent years‚” says Dean Wilkerson‚ a grandson of S.G Wilkerson‚ founder of Wilkerson Funeral Homes and Crematory. “Being family owned and operated is key to our success.”
The business was started by Stephen George Wilkerson and his son‚ Charles V. Wilkerson in 1932. Three of his other sons entered the family business. The four second generation members each had a son who also went into the business. The third-generation family members still active in the business are Charles Wilkerson Jr.‚ Don Wilkerson‚ Robert Wilkerson and Dean Wilkerson.
“We have some fourth generation members‚ Charles Wilkerson‚ III and Don Wilkerson‚ Jr. involved as well‚” Dean Wilkerson says.
In addition to the Greenville funeral home‚ the Wilkersons now operate a second funeral home in Vanceboro‚ as well as Pinewood Memorial Park‚ opened in 1958.
“We are grateful for the confidence that the public has placed in us and pledge that we will work diligently to keep that trust‚” Dean Wilkerson says.
While time has changed some things‚ the commitment to personal service remains the same at S. G. Wilkerson.
Dental Practice Takes Off
The history of Burton Family Dental Associates shows how the growth of Greenville – and the success of many of its small businesses – goes hand in hand.
When Kevin Burton opened his dental practice in 2001‚ he was the only professional behind the chair. By 2004‚ a second dentist‚ Adrienne Cowan‚ was added‚ and in the fall of 2007‚ a third dentist‚ Yakeika Vann‚ came on board.
“We expanded‚ really‚ out of necessity‚” says Tracy Burton‚ business manager and wife of Kevin Burton. “The practice just keeps growing and growing.”
Burton Family Dental Associates offers general dentistry‚ along with endodontics and extractions.
The Burtons relocated to Greenville from Winston-Salem‚ where Kevin Burton was part of a group practice.
“We weren’t sure we wanted to leave Winston-Salem‚ but this is a great town‚” Tracy Burton says. “The people are really nice‚ and it is a great place to raise children.”
Story by Pam Sherborne
Photo by Michael W. Bunch
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