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Market-Based Solutions to Vital Economic Issues

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Kenan Institute 2024 Grand Challenge: Business Resilience
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Market-Based Solutions to Vital Economic Issues

Ben Holmes

Ben Holmes, a Durham, N.C. native, holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of Charleston. After graduating in 2010, he held several roles in operations management for Shimano American Corp, a leading outdoor retail product manufacturer. Immediately prior to business school, Holmes worked as a project manager for a local logistics company in Raleigh called Riley Life.

As an MBA candidate at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, Holmes focused his studies on operations management, finance and sustainability. He began working with NC Growth as an analyst in Aug. 2015. He joined the Kenan Institute’s affiliated center, because he wanted to contribute his acquired and growing business skills to communities in distressed regions of the state. He’s passionate about rural communities and is very interested in economic development.

Over a two year period, Holmes successfully completed four projects for NCGrowth. They included marketing strategy and online fulfillment recommendations for Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery in Balden County and a business plan for Tortillas Carolina in Robeson County, which was devastated during Hurricane Matthew. His projects were wide ranging and demonstrated his adaptability and the dedication he has to serving the people of North Carolina.

Upon completing the MBA program in 2017, Holmes joined Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, Tenn. as a product manager.