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Five Stanly Community College students recently participated in a three-day Future Business Leaders of America Collegiate National Career Connections Conference in uptown Charlotte, giving them a closer look at corporate America and introducing them to business leaders and career possibilities.

Among the 140 delegates from states nationwide were SCC’s Gage Barrier, Lani Pope, Callie Ball, Timothy Karabet and Toby Neal, along with Chapter Co-adviser Dan Hazlett.

The conference began with workshops led by a local lawyer, the state Society of Human Resource Managers president, a representative from the International Business Culture department at Krispy Kreme’s new Charlotte headquarters and a top executive from First Citizens Bank. An evening reception allowed delegates to talk individually with Harris-Teeter CEO and President Tammy DeBoer before her keynote presentation.

Meeting at the Foundation of the Carolinas’ Levine Conference Center, the second day’s schedule included workshops, a panel of business leaders and tours of various businesses.

Johnson and Wales University hosted the third day’s closing session, over which Neal presided. A panel of FBLA Collegiate graduate success stories included Amy Ray, a senior tax accountant with BDO USA’s offices in Charlotte and Stanly Community College’s 2023 Outstanding Alumnus Award recipient.

“The Stanly students who attended the conference found it a motivating and interesting experience,” Neal said. “Even though we are close to Charlotte, it was exciting to be in the city’s heart, get a close look at top-level businesses and meet various established and upcoming business leaders.”