By Josh Bergeron

Every year, the Salisbury Post names a list of 10 people and/or entities to watch in the upcoming year, but we seldom follow up on that list, asking “what did they do after we started watching?”

Our list is intended to serve as a sampling of local folks and entities with momentum on their side, whether because of past action or future plans. People named to the list may be or eventually become our community’s leaders.

Naturally, not everyone has risen to a more prominent position since being named to the list. And that’s not an indication that they weren’t worth watching. Many named to the Post’s most recent lists have simply elevated the places they work or the causes they champion.

Said another way, the list isn’t an exact science.

But consider some names on the 2016 list as examples of selections whose work has been exciting to watch.

Javon Hargrave, a three-year NFL veteran on the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line, recorded career highs in tackles and sacks during the 2018 season and started 14 of the 16 games in which he appeared.

Kelly Alexander, who had just been named N.C. Transportation Museum director, was another name on the 2016 list. And, by all accounts, the museum is in its best shape ever. Last year, it marked another record for visitors — 146,993.

Anthony Smith, a pastor and community leader, was another name on the 2016 list. And he’s become a more prominent community leader since that time.

How about 2017?

Names on that list included Police Chief Jerry Stokes; Gemale Black, who had just become Salisbury-Rowan NAACP president; Cheerwine, which was celebrating its 100th anniversary; Rowan Museum Director Aaron Kepley; country music singer and China Grove native Darrell Harwood; Kannapolis, then just embarking on its downtown revitalization plan; Go Burrito owner Mikey Wetzel, who had just begun an expansion plan for his restaurant; Salisbury native and standout linebacker Keion Adams, who was hoping to make an NFL roster at the time; and Travis Morehead, director of what was then the LandTrust for Central North Carolina.

That’s another good list.

Consider Harwood, who’s continued entertaining country music fans near and far. Maybe even more impressive, however, he has raised tens of thousands of dollars in 2017 and 2018 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through his Stand Together Music Festival.

Stokes has done an admirable job, too, in getting the police department back to full staff. Just a few years ago, the department was dealing with gang violence while simultaneously being severely understaffed. Worth noting along with Stokes is Deputy Police Chief Shon Barnes, named to the 2018 “10 to watch” list. Barnes also has been a key part in getting the Salisbury Police Department to its current point.

Kannapolis is an example where there’s been plenty to watch and much more still to come, as construction is ongoing in downtown. Just last week, the city announced its first business in the revitalized downtown would be a craft brewery.

That’s also true for some of the names on the 2018 list. For example, Jason Walser, executive director of the Blanche and Julian Robertson Family Foundation, has his biggest project yet still in front of him — Belltower Green Park.

Also on the 2018 list, Rowan County Economic Development Commission President Rod Crider has certainly been worth watching of late. Our community’s economy has been steadily improving and the recent announcement about Chewy.com’s massive fulfillment center was a massive win.

Other names on the 2018 list were former NASCAR driver Mike Wallace, who has plans to redevelop the old Corriher Mill; Emergency Services Chief Chris Soliz; Addison Davis, who leads the Rowan IDEA Center; Downtown Salisbury Director Larissa Harper; West Rowan Elementary School; James Harvey, associated with the Salisbury Symphony at the time; and Healthy Rowan Executive Director Alyssa Smith

It’s far too soon to offer any judgment about the 2019 list, but there’s plenty to be excited about in the possibility that the Empire Hotel’s redevelopment might get underway soon. At the United Way, Executive Director Jenny Lee is also in the midst of a big project in shifting the nonprofit agency to the “impact model” for funding.

In a year or so, it will be interesting to look back at what the 2019 list has been up to.

Josh Bergeron is editor of the Salisbury Post. Email him at josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com.