UNC Pembroke's fourth annual entrepreneurship summit will be held Thursday, Feb. 23, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Regional Center for Economic, Community and Professional Development at COMtech.

It is sponsored by UNCP's Thomas Family Center for Entrepreneurship. Registration information is available by calling (910) 775-4208 or by emailing tfce@uncp.edu.

The mission of the Thomas Family Center is to create educational opportunity for future entrepreneurs and to nurture new and small businesses in the community.

Following the establishment of the center in 2006, UNCP developed academic programs in entrepreneurship for undergraduate and graduate business majors and a certificate program for students of any major.

The theme of the 2012 summit is "Small Business/Entrepreneurial Growth and Sustainability." There will be sessions on:

n Manufacturing by Mark Scott, of Thermal Metal Treating Co. in Aberdeen

n Service industry by Heidi Dent, of Hirease Inc.

n Construction by Aaron Thomas, of Metcon Construction in Pembroke.

n Overview from Dr. Rami Maysami, chairman of UNCP's School of Business.

The keynote speaker following lunch will be N.C. Treasurer Janet Cowell. Opening remarks will be given by UNCP Chancellor Kyle R. Carter and Jim Thomas, CEO of Thomas Properties and founder of the Thomas Family Center.