Four people have been named the 2019 Cucalorus Leadership Fellows, a recognition by the Cucalorus Festival.

The fellows include Tom Looney, Tobin Geatz, Rep. Deb Butler (D-New Hanover), and Rhonda Bellamy, according to the festival. The Cucalorus Connect Conference took place Nov. 14-15.

Looney is the past president of the Cuclorus Connect Conference and founder emeritus of Seahawk Innovation.

"Tom's keen interest in community and economic development, and entrepreneurship, helped to inspire the formation of Seahawk Innovation and its public-private partnership with UNCW," stated the festival. "Tom's career as a high-tech sales and business development executive mirrored the explosive growth of the industry he entered in 1982."

Geatz (right) is the co-founder and general partner of Seahawk Innovation. His vision and leadership helped Seahawk Innovation grow into a unique model to launch, fund and manage innovative businesses, stated the festival.

He has led five private companies as CEO, been a board chairman at six firms and a board member of a publicly-traded company.

Butler (left), an attorney, serves North Carolina's 18th District in the state House. She is a graduate of Wake Forest University School of Law. 

Bellamy has served as executive director of The Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County since the launch of the council in December 2011, stated the festival.

Bellamy (right) is a former co-chair of Wilmington City Council's Task Force on Arts and Cultural Affairs. She has served on a variety of arts-related boards, including Black Arts Alliance Inc. and the N.C. Black Film Festival. 

She also has more than 20 years of experience in broadcast news.

The leadership fellows recognize "bold, visionary leaders who have earned their influence rather than being assigned or anointed," stated the festival.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of Tobin Geatz.