North Carolina Sound

Founding Story

“I first met Mary Creech, the founder of North Carolina Sound, in 1998 while working as a subcontractor. Mary started the company in 1988, and we quickly developed a strong working relationship built on shared values and a passion for serving our customers. In 2000, she gave me the opportunity to open a satellite office in Eastern North Carolina, and in 2001, we launched North Carolina Sound of Goldsboro. For nearly a decade, we operated alongside one another before merging the two companies in 2010. As Mary began stepping away from the business, I assumed ownership and became the sole owner in 2012.

What drew me to North Carolina Sound was never just the technology—it was the people. I've always believed we're in the relationship business first. Strong relationships with our employees create strong partnerships with our vendors, and together those relationships allow us to serve our customers at the highest level. Over the years, I've been fortunate to watch the company grow throughout North Carolina, creating opportunities for our team, our customers, and the communities we serve. The most rewarding part of the journey has been building a business where people can grow their careers, support their families, and make a meaningful impact through the work they do every day.”

Why Cobalt

“For most of my career, I assumed that when the time came, North Carolina Sound would transition to another individual owner. As the company continued to grow, however, I began to realize that its future needed to be bigger than any one person. I felt a responsibility to our employees, customers, and vendor partners to ensure that North Carolina Sound would continue to thrive for decades to come. That meant finding a long-term succession plan that could preserve what made our company special while creating new opportunities for growth.

From my very first conversations with the team at Cobalt, I felt a strong alignment of values. They understood that our business is built on relationships and that our people and culture are our greatest strengths. As I got to know the Cobalt team, they continued to reinforce that belief through their actions, their approach, and their genuine commitment to doing what's right for employees and customers alike.

Choosing Cobalt wasn't just about growth; it was about stewardship. Mary entrusted me with the opportunity to build upon the foundation she created, and I've spent the last two decades working to honor that responsibility. As I began thinking about the future of North Carolina Sound, I felt the same obligation to find the right steward for the next chapter. I wanted a partner who would protect our culture, invest in our people, and strengthen the relationships that have always been at the heart of our success. I believe Cobalt is that partner, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to help ensure that the foundation Mary built—and that our team has continued to strengthen over the years—will continue to support our employees, customers, and communities long into the future.”

– Gary Hinton, Owner (2012 - Present)