Travis Midgett

Travis Midgett graduated from Cape Fear Community College’s (CFCC) Welding Technology program in August 2008.  Travis grew up in Wilmington and worked in construction as a young adult. During this time, Travis became interested in welding and decided to further his education at CFCC. 

Travis explained that everything he has learned from CFCC he has “used in his every day work.” According to Travis, “the classes at CFCC not only taught me how to weld but why a welder must use certain instruments.” From learning to use blue prints to the hands-on welding classes, Travis believes that, “every part of the CFCC program has been invaluable” in aiding him to accomplish his goals and excel professionally. 

Currently, Travis works for Bradford Products, LLC, a leading manufacture of stainless steel hot tubs based in Wilmington, NC. It is the only company to offer a fully engineered hot tub for permanent in-ground applications. He has worked as a traveling welder for the last year and a half, primarily in the Las Vegas area installing and building stainless steel hot tubs. 

Travis hopes to become a Certified Welder Inspector in the future. He aspires to either work for the state or a privately owned company. Travis Midgett has paved the way for students graduating from the welding technology program at CFCC.  Because of Travis’ hard work, dedication, and skills, Bradford Products has now hired several other CFCC students.

Alease Leinwand hails from Richmond, VA where she “grew up in the restaurant business.” Alease always knew she wanted to pursue a career in the field, and graduated in 2009 with an associate’s degree in hotel and restaurant management. She is currently employed at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in downtown Wilmington, and was recently promoted to Sales and Catering Manager.

Alease says that CFCC really helped prepare her for her career because she received significant hands-on experience. She also credits her instructors, all of whom had distinguished backgrounds in hotel and restaurant management. “I have had many classes with the same teachers, allowing me to have a special bond with them. All of them have given great guidance, even now.”

With her newest position at Ruth’s Chris, Alease constantly stays busy. She works on sales promotions, oversees all banquets, handles off-sight catering, and works on special hotel referral programs. She is also an active member of the Cape Fear Wedding Association and the Wilmington Area Hospitality Association. Alease also says that she tries to connect with the community as much as possible through a variety of volunteer opportunities.

 Paul Winchell grew up on Lake Wylie, just outside of Charlotte, NC, where he spent most of his time on his family’s boats. Consequently, his interests developed into part-time jobs at local marinas during high school. After hearing his older brother’s praises of CFCC’s boat building program, Paul decided to try it out for himself in the 2003-04 school year. He graduated in August, 2004 with President’s List honors.

Paul says Cape Fear Community College has helped him in many ways, including valuable lessons experienced, friendships made, and wisdom gained from his instructors. Paul says, “Professionally CFCC has helped me with specialized skills learned in the program, the numerous business contacts found, and most recently by employing me as an instructor.” Paul is now a boat manufacture and service instructor at CFCC, specializing in fiberglass boats.

Paul’s advice to future students of the CFCC boat building or boat manufacture and service program is to “stick with it even through the occasional difficult and unglamorous tasks associated with boat building.” He assures that the reward of seeing the finished product and the pride felt when the job is completed is “well worth the sweat.” Paul explains that virtually every aspect of modern boat construction is covered to some degree in his courses leaving students open to go into the area of the marine business that they enjoy most.

As for his plans for the future, Paul hopes for a long career at CFCC. “The pride and respect felt by the entire faculty and staff at Cape Fear Community College has been a wonderful environment to work in,” says Paul. His goal is to be able to grow with the program and to help train his students with the newest technology to help prepare them for a rapidly changing industry.

Larry Fuller is originally from Bartow, Florida, but was raised in Wilmington. He graduated from Cape Fear Community College in 2002 with an associate’s degree in culinary arts and is currently employed by Lawler’s Catering.

Larry says he has always found himself around food and cooking, serving as a sidekick, sous chef and assistant in the kitchen to his mother. He spent thirteen years in the restaurant business before he decided he was ready to go back to school to earn a degree. “Younger kids were coming in and stealing my job because they had a degree that I didn’t,” he says. Larry enrolled at CFCC where he took courses in baking, nutrition, hospitality, food and science, and beverage control.

“The best part of Cape Fear was all the people I got to meet, the experiences I encountered, and it was just a lot of fun,” he said. Larry excelled while at Cape Fear, graduating with honors from the department, an award given to only two students. Larry was surprised by a faculty member with a nomination for a $2,000 Domino’s Pizza scholarship.

Larry says he discovered his favorite dish while preparing for a final project at Cape Fear: shrimp and grits. He says although it just began as a school project, his own personal touch and added ingredients make it a huge hit with family, friends and customers!

In honor of its 50th Anniversary, Cape Fear Community College is proud to announce the launch of an all-new Alumni Association, and its first member: Juan Gonzalez, a 1985 graduate from Venezuela. Juan Gonzalez worked in the oil industry in Venezuela until 1982, when he entered a nationwide contest and won a scholarship from the Venezuelan government to come to the United States and study Instrumentation Technology, a program that was not offered in Venezuela at that time.  When he arrived in the states in October 1982, Juan learned English at Sacred Heart College in Belmont, NC before moving to Wilmington early in 1983 to attend CFCC.

Juan graduated from CFCC in 1985 and returned to Venezuela, where he pursued a BS in Electrical Engineering.  He has held many Instrumentation positions since his return to Venezuela and he currently holds the position of Reliability Engineer in Instrumentation in a major Oil Upgrader Complex in Eastern Venezuela. He also recently enrolled at Instituto Universitario Politecnico Santiago Mariño in Barcelona (Venezuela) to work toward an Architecture Degree.

“By getting this degree at CFCC many doors opened before me in Venezuela because at the time, there was a major need for people with a degree in Instrumentation Technology in the Venezuelan oil industry,” says Juan.

Juan says that what he appreciates most about his CFCC experience is the quality of the education and the kindness of the students and faculty.  He found out about the Alumni Association because he often tours the CFCC website to recall memories from his time at CFCC.  Juan advises future alums to “enjoy your time at this prestigious school and get ready to face life with an excellent tool: a degree from CFCC.

Reggie W. Barnes

Reggie established Eastern Skateboard Supply (ESS) in 1985. ESS is a wholesale distributor of skateboards and surf accessories based out of Wilmington. The company supplies retail stores in all 50 states as well as international locations and proudly offers, “the most complete wholesale selection in America.” He also owns affiliates in Satellite Beach, Florida (Ocean Avenue Distribution) and a retail store in Raleigh (Endless Grind).

“Cape Fear was the perfect fit for me at that time of my life,” says Reggie. “And every day in my business I use what I learned from my associate’s degree. I also love seeing how the College has grown.”

 William Gray, originally from Roseboro, N.C., attended Cape Fear Community College from 2004 to 2007, where he earned associate degrees in accounting, general education and arts. Gray began studying at CFCC through a study release program while incarcerated at New Hanover Correctional Center. Gray served eight years at the facility after he was involved in a drunk driving accident. Since then, he has become an outspoken proponent for alcohol awarenes. He believes people must not let mistakes define them as individuals, and said he always strove to “rise above” his circumstances by concentrating on his education and future. Carol Cullum, CFCC Vice President of Student Development, described Gray as focused, driven, and a true “inspiration to others.” Gray, who attributes his success to God, is dedicated to motivating others. He continues to give testimonials in churches and warn young adults about the consequences of drinking and driving.

While attending Cape Fear Community College, Gray said he never felt like “just another student ID number,” explaining that individuals such as “teachers up to administrators, were all really good people.” Gray built long-lasting relationships with faculty and staff at the college, including President Eric McKeithan, who Gray considers to be a mentor. McKeithan described Gray as an outstanding student making up for lost time. “I’m extremely proud of him,” he said, “William is a classic case of someone who deserves a second chance.”

Gray now attends Campbell University on a full, presidential scholarship. He is majoring in accounting, with a minor in financial planning. Upon earning his undergraduate degree, he intends to become a certified public accountant. Gray also plans to attend graduate school at Campbell, where he will study trust and investment management.

Although New Hanover Correctional Center is in the process of re-evaluating the study release program, Cape Fear Community College works with local correctional facilities to offer educational opportunities for inmates.