EDENTON — Blazing a trail means creating a path others can follow — and two Edenton men are being recognized statewide for doing just that.

Ches Chesson and Ron Causey have been named to Business North Carolina magazine’s 2025 “Trailblazers” list, honoring rising business and community leaders under 40 who are shaping the future of small-town North Carolina.

“The Town of Edenton proudly congratulates Ron Causey and Ches Chesson on being named 2025 Trail Blazers by Business North Carolina magazine,” Mayor Hackney High said. “The Trail Blazers program honors outstanding young leaders under the age of 40 who live in North Carolina towns with fewer than 100,000 residents. Ron and Ches represent two of Edenton’s brightest business minds, and we are honored that they have chosen to build their careers and raise their families in our community.”

High continued, “Six years ago, the Town made a concerted effort to create a business and social environment that would attract young professionals and their families to Edenton. Ron and Ches are shining examples of that vision coming to life. Their achievements reflect the vibrant, forward-thinking spirit we strive to cultivate.”

“We thank them both for their belief in Edenton’s future, and we look forward to the continued impact they will make in their respective industries. Ron and Ches are living proof that Edenton is truly a great place to live, work, and play.”

This marks the eighth year the magazine has highlighted innovators and entrepreneurs in towns of fewer than 100,000 residents. From more than 60 nominations across the state, this year’s Trailblazers represent industries ranging from hospitality and construction to technology and manufacturing. Though their paths differ, each honoree shares a commitment to building opportunity in North Carolina’s rural communities — where 36% of the state’s population still resides.

Returning Home to Build a Future

For Ches Chesson, 35, returning home after 11 years in the U.S. Navy was a mission of the heart. Now executive director of Main Street Edenton and lead economic developer for the Edenton-Chowan Partnership, Chesson focuses on preserving the town’s historic charm while expanding its economic base.

“Edenton’s story is special,” Chesson said to Business North Carolina. “We’re rooted in history, but we’re also looking forward — creating opportunities that let young people build careers here instead of having to leave.”

A 2008 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former instructor pilot, Chesson also earned an MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill. His leadership in economic development has already made waves. He helped bring Provalus, a technology services firm, to downtown Edenton — a move expected to create 155 IT jobs over five years.

Chesson credits his parents for shaping his values. “My father grew a business and treated employees with respect — that example stuck with me,” he said. “My mother’s dedication to community and family inspired my wife and me to come home and raise our kids here.”

When he’s not guiding Edenton’s growth, Chesson coaches youth soccer and enjoys sailing — a passion that began during his college days competing in offshore races to Bermuda, Halifax, and Newport.

“The best way to show off Edenton,” he said, “is to start at the Penelope Barker House, take a trolley tour, and then stroll downtown for dinner on the waterfront.”

Building People and Business

At 39, Ron Causey brings a different kind of leadership to Edenton’s business scene — one grounded in teamwork, faith, and perseverance. As vice president of Atlantic Tire Distributors, a division of Colony Tire, Causey helps manage a company that employs about 1,000 people across five states. Roughly half of those work in the wholesale division he oversees.

Causey joined Atlantic nine years ago and stepped into his current role six years later. Under his leadership, the company has continued to grow while maintaining the family-like culture started by founder Charlie Creighton, who began with two employees and a single truck in 1976.

“Our biggest success,” Causey said to Business North Carolina, “has been growing the business without losing our culture. We try to keep people first — just as Charlie did.”

A Duke University graduate and former Blue Devils baseball player, Causey credits his mother, Mary, with instilling the faith, love of family, and drive that guide him today. “She taught me balance and empathy,” he said. “It’s important to be firm when needed, but always understanding.”

In addition to his corporate role, Causey served as president of the Edenton-Chowan Chamber of Commerce last year and coaches his son’s baseball team. He takes pride in promoting his hometown’s heritage, especially during Edenton’s annual Candlelight Christmas Tour — which he calls “the closest thing to a Hallmark Christmas movie.”

Small-Town Spirit, Statewide Recognition

Both men exemplify what Business North Carolina’s Trailblazer program celebrates — leaders proving that innovation and opportunity aren’t confined to the state’s growing urban centers. While cities like Charlotte and Raleigh continue to attract thousands of new residents each year, Chesson and Causey represent a growing movement of professionals investing their energy in smaller communities.

“Creating business opportunities in towns like Edenton can make a real difference,” Chesson said. “It’s about building something sustainable — for families, for our kids, and for future generations.”

The magazine notes that many of this year’s honorees share that same focus on community impact. Across the state, Trailblazers are coaching youth teams, volunteering at food drives, mentoring young entrepreneurs, and revitalizing main streets.

For Edenton, the recognition of two local leaders underscores the town’s blend of tradition and ambition — a place where historic charm meets modern progress.

As both Chesson and Causey continue blazing trails in their respective fields, their paths reflect the spirit of the town they call home: a community that values hard work, resilience, and the belief that great things can grow from small beginnings.

Or, as Causey puts it, “You don’t have to be in a big city to do big things. Sometimes, the best opportunities are right where you started.”