2011 - Fayetteville Observer

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Charlie Allen V Age 29 Vice President, Two Men and a Truck, Vice President of Operations, Green Biz Charlie Allen has a knack for growing things. He helped his parents grow their nursery, Green Biz, as the vice president of operations. He has also grown his own business, Two Men and a Truck, where he is also a vice president. And he helped to grow the Fayetteville Young Professionals – for whom he currently serves as the chairman – from a small group to the morethan-400-member organization it is today. And he is only 29. When asked how he has done so much so young, he points to his hard work. He goes to work at 6 a.m. or earlier in order to get a head start on the day. It’s a practice he began in at North Carolina State University as a member of the rowing team. It was also in college that he began to work for Two Men and a Truck. “After my first day, I told my friend that I didn’t think I could do it,” he said. “It was hard work. But my friend encouraged me to just come back the next day, and I kept coming back. I stuck with it my entire college career.” When he came back to Fayetteville to help his parents, he wanted to diversify his business interests and decided to purchase a Two Men and a Truck franchise. It has a business model he believes in which includes giving back to the community. “It makes sense to help the community out,” he said. “If I ever needed something, the community would be there for me.” Allen has donated time and money to many local organizations, including Fayetteville Urban Ministry, The Salvation Army, Partnership for Children, Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Sunshine Kids Foundation and many others. “This is my community,” he said. “I take pride in it, and I want it to be the best it can be. It’s great to be involved.” Allen just added one more accolade to his resume, a master’s degree. He graduated in April from Methodist University after attending their weekend MBA program. He saw it as an investment in his companies and knows it will help him down the road. “I saw this as necessary to take my businesses to the next level,” he said. “It was really eye opening how much my family had already taught me. I attribute a lot of my success to my mom and dad and their hard work.” 6 The Fayetteville Observer’s 2011 40 Under Forty
Myra Allen Age 39 Healthcare Management Department Chairperson, Fayetteville Technical Community College One word describes Myra Allen – ambitious. Even with a busy role as Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Healthcare Management Department chairwoman, Allen is constantly advancing her career and education. She holds her real estate license, is a notary public and has graduated from bartender school. She holds dual master’s degrees in health care and business administration – both earned while working full time. “Some people fear spiders, I fear being unemployed,” Allen said. “I know no matter what happens with the economy, I can always find something.” However, with her success at FTCC, the 39-yearold has career security. In the eight years she’s been a department chairwoman, she’s developed curriculum, coordinated the program advisory committee and managed the department’s budget. She considers programs she developed to give back to the community her biggest successes. Those include the Black Entrepreneurial Symposium, Cumberland County World Aids Day and Adopt a Pop, a program that teams volunteers with elderly rest home residents. “She is the ‘ultimate volunteer,’” said Sonya Livingtson of Fayetteville State University. “If there is a job to be done and no one else is willing, you can count on Myra to make it happen, effortlessly, almost flawlessly.” Allen said she was interested in broadcasting as a child and planned on becoming the next Oprah Winfrey. Though she’s not on TV, she has found ways to help those in need. The Guardian ad Litem program, which provides support for children without an advocate in the legal system, is near her heart. “There are so many young people in need,” she said. “Me being in their lives makes a difference.” She said she’s faced many challenges while advancing to higher levels in her career. “I found myself in the workforce with people 20 or 30 years my senior,” she said. “I had the education plus some and the experience, but was told I didn’t qualify for the leadership positions because I was too young. “As an African-American woman, I still face challenges,” she said. “I overcame these battles by taking the higher road and by keeping a smile in my heart.” Her goal for the future is to continue her career development at FTCC and eventually start a nonprofit organization. “My personal vision is to be the best me I can be,” she said. “Not like anyone else.” www.fayobserver.com/40under40 • Sunday, May 15, 2011 7
Page 1 and 2: A Special Advertising Supplement of
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Page 9 and 10: Capt. Steven Barnard Age 38 Civil A
Page 11 and 12: Sometimes what seems to be misfortu
Page 13 and 14: Marcus Cox Age 36 Fayetteville Mark
Page 15 and 16: Sonya Evans Oates grew up wanting t
Page 17 and 18: Scott Flowers Age 33 Attorney, Hutc
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2011 - Fayetteville Observer

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