SumnerBaird | SeaGlass Grows Coastal North Carolina Presence with Wilmington

Expanded leadership and connectivity strengthen the SeaGlass network across Coastal Eastern North Carolina

WILMINGTON, NC, UNITED STATES, August 24, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — SumnerBaird | SeaGlass is growing its presence across Coastal Eastern North Carolina, extending its leadership and resources to Wilmington while building on the strong SeaGlass foundation already established in the Cape Fear region.

This next chapter creates greater connectivity across the North Carolina coast, bringing together local expertise, relationships, and resources to better serve clients and real estate advisors across multiple markets.

John Jesso, Managing Partner of SumnerBaird | SeaGlass, will lead the Wilmington operation alongside Chris Lopata, who will continue as Broker of Record and serve clients and advisors throughout Wilmington and the Cape Fear region.

“We see this as an important next step in the growth of SumnerBaird | SeaGlass and our vision for building a truly connected real estate company across Coastal Eastern North Carolina,” said Jesso. “By connecting our presence from the Albemarle region through Wilmington and the Cape Fear coast, we can offer our clients greater reach and deeper local expertise while creating more opportunities for our advisors to collaborate across markets.

“I’m excited to continue building alongside Chris Lopata and the Wilmington team. Chris has established a strong foundation in the Cape Fear region, and this next chapter is about connecting markets, people, and opportunities to create greater value for both our clients and our advisors.”

For Lopata, the next chapter builds on the relationships and presence SeaGlass has already established in Wilmington.

“Wilmington is a relationship-driven market, and this next chapter gives us an opportunity to build on the strong local foundation we’ve established while connecting our clients and advisors to a much broader coastal network,” said Lopata. “I’m excited about what we can build together as SumnerBaird | SeaGlass.”

The expanded structure provides clients with access to a more connected network of real estate professionals across Coastal North Carolina while creating additional opportunities for advisors through shared marketing, technology, resources, referrals, and relationships across markets.

For SeaGlass, this reflects the continued evolution of its North Carolina presence and its vision of connecting strong local leadership and market expertise across the network. Wilmington will continue to benefit from the local relationships and knowledge already in place while gaining greater connectivity across Coastal Eastern North Carolina.

About SeaGlass
SeaGlass is a boutique lifestyle real estate franchisor serving waterfront, resort, and lifestyle-driven markets. The brand provides entrepreneurial brokers with elevated marketing, innovative technology, operational support, and a collaborative network while allowing locally owned brokerages to preserve the identity and independence that define their businesses. Learn more at seaglassfranchising.com

About SumnerBaird | SeaGlass
SumnerBaird | SeaGlass is a North Carolina real estate brokerage serving clients across Coastal Eastern North Carolina, including Washington, Wilmington, and the Cape Fear region. Led by John Jesso and Stacy Sumner Jesso, the company combines deep local market expertise and personalized service with the marketing, technology, resources, and collaborative network of SeaGlass. Learn more at sumnerbaird.com

Sarah Humphrey
Sea Glass
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