Dancers

Tim Ciurlik
VP Finance
WIX Filtration
Gastonia, NC

Tim Ciurlik moved to the Gastonia area over 12 years ago when he had the opportunity to join the team at WIX Filtration. During his many years at WIX he has held different positions, including the current position of Vice President of Finance.  He graduated from Miami University (of Ohio) and earned a MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management.   

Tim believes his greatest success in life was marrying his wife, Sherri, and raising their three kids, Alyssa, Kristen and A.J.  He believes that we need to invest in the next generation and spends his free time volunteering as an umpire in Lake Wylie and coach FIRST robotics teams.

Caroline Efird
Stay-at-Home Mother
Gastonia, NC

Caroline Efird is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, who was dragged across the river eleven years ago by her husband, Lewis Efird.  She is a graduate of Appalachian State University and worked in the field of interior design for 10 years.  She is an active member of First Presbyterian Church and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Gaston Day School.  

Caroline is excited about the opportunity to rekindle her love of dancing and is honored to have been asked to participate in this year’s Dancing for Future Stars event.  She is the proud mother of two children, Larkin and Thomas (three if you count Lewis).

Michael Fayed
Financial Planner & Founder
Michael E. Fayed Financial Planning
Gastonia, NC

Mike Fayed is the owner of Michael E. Fayed Financial Planning in Belmont, NC.  Mike grew up in Roanoke, Virginia, but has lived in the area since graduating from Winthrop University in 1997.  While at Winthrop, Mike earned undergraduate and graduate degrees and was a four year starter on the men’s basketball team. 

Mike and his wife, Jennifer, have two children – Colin (10) and Lana (7).  He currently serves on the YMCA Metro Board and the Heart Society Board and spends much of his time coaching youth basketball.

Alex Mullineaux
Director, Public Affairs
CaroMont Health
Gastonia, NC

Alex Mullineaux is an 11 year veteran in strategic government relations and public affairs. He cut his teeth working on successful political campaigns across the country before becoming a leading representative for the hospital industry in Washington, DC while working at the Federation of American Hospitals. He represented the industry through the conception, passage, and implementation of the Affordable Care Act, giving him an intimate knowledge of our nation’s health reform efforts. He now uses this experience to advise the senior leadership team at CaroMont Health (Gastonia, NC) on matters before all levels of government. He also serves as a leading external affairs representative in the communities the health system serves.

Mullineaux is a graduate of The Florida State University and The University of Maryland. He lives with his wife, Michelle, and two dogs, Pete and Henry, in Belmont, NC and is originally from Orlando, FL.

Morgan Rhoney
Territory Sales Manager
GE Healthcare
Gastonia, NC

Morgan is a native of Hickory, NC, but has called Gastonia home for the past 10 years.  She and her husband, Lance Smith, have a son, Tate.  Morgan is a Territory Sales Manager for GE Healthcare.  She is active in the community with Gastonia East Rotary and Gaston Dance Theater.
  
Morgan started taking dance lessons at the age of 6, attended a summer session at NC School of the Arts in high school and continued dancing throughout her college years.  In her spare time she enjoys running, mountain biking and outdoor adventure activities.

David Watson             Kim Watson
Account Manager       Stay-at-Home Mother
CBM                            Gastonia, NC
Gastonia, NC

David and Kim Watson married in 1999 and decided to  call Belmont, North Carolina their home.  David is employed at CBM as an Account Manager.  They have been blessed with one beautiful daughter, Josephine.  They are members of First Presbyterian Church in Belmont, where Kim serves as a Deacon.  They are committed to the development of their community and have served on several boards of directors.

David and Kim are honored to participate in this event and look forward to supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Gaston in the mission to improve the lives of children in Gaston County.

Chris Whelchel
Attorney
Gray, Layton, Kersh, Soloman, Furr & Smith, PA
Gastonia, NC

Chris has worked in Gaston County since 2008, and has been a resident of Gaston County since 2012.  Chris is an attorney with Gray, Layton, Kersh, Solomon, Furr & Smith, P.A. in Gastonia, North Carolina.  Chris advises individuals and employees regarding corporate and employment matters. Chris also represents athletes and coaches. 

Chris has two (2) year old twin sons, Rhett & Miles.  Chris is in involved in several organizations including the Gaston Chamber of Commerce, Gaston Country Club and the Partnership for Growth & Opportunity, Inc.  Chris is a three time graduate from the University of South Carolina (B.A. Economics, MHR and J.D.).  In his free time he loves spending time with Rhett & Miles, playing golf, and attending sporting events.   

Rachael Wruble
Partner & Optometrist
Summit Eye Associates
Gastonia, NC

Rachael A. Wruble is from Bad Axe, MI and migrated to NC in 2010 for the warm weather and wonderful Gaston County Community. Rachael graduated from the Michigan College of Optometry and continued with an ocular disease residency at the W. G. Hefner VA Hospital in Salisbury, NC. She is currently a partner and optometrist at Summit Eye Associates in Gastonia.

Rachael volunteers at Gaston Family Health Services, Girls on the Run, and is honored to be asked to participate for the Boys and Girls Club. She also serves on the Heart Society of Gaston County Board, Leadership Gaston Board, Gastonia East Rotary, Jaycees, and is  President of the Piedmont Optometric Society. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, exercising, and spending time with her husband, Brad (also an optometrist).