Engage in a deep-dive session with a subject matter expert and leave a panel with the most up-to-date information on an important business subject.
Expert Panels hosted by the Center bring together the smartest-minds and leaders across top businesses in North Carolina to go over their area of expertise.
The more knowledge you have on a particular subject, the more adept you are at making influential decisions. Learn from the smartest minds how other businesses are handling specific subjects such as cybersecurity, inflation, and diversity.
Panelists
Aubrey Rothrock III, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs
John Gugliada, Director Family Business Engagement, Family Enterprise USA
Key Learnings
Speakers will address the current Washington, DC landscape and provide a legislative update on tax policy issues impacting successful families, family offices, and family businesses.
+ Understand the Sunset of Estate Tax in 2025
+ Direction of TCJA (Tax Cuts & Jobs Act)
+ Current Update on the State of Congress and the Senate Post Election
Panelists
Leslie Speas, President, InfluenceHR Consulting
Hill Stockton, President, Norman Stockton
Richard Stockton, Vice President, Norman Stockton
Vicki West, COO, Verger Capital Management LLC
Key Learnings
Our panel will discuss the various traits and work styles of each generation in the workforce. Hear from real world experience of managers about how they tailor their approach to different generations of employees. The discussion will revolve around how to better approach and coach an employee using their generation’s values as a starting point.
+ Bridging Generational Gaps
+ Understanding the Values & Traits of Each Generation
+ Management Styles Generation-to-Generation
Panelists
Adrienne Walker, Senior Tax Manager, FORVIS
Andy Clarke, Director, FORVIS Private Client
Kevin Rayfield, Tax Partner, FORVIS
Key Learnings
Join FORVIS tax experts for a discussion on various tax strategies and planning opportunities to explore before tax changes are set to occur at December 31, 2025. This session will also address other tax savings available forcurrent tax filings by individuals and businesses.
+ Individual and Estate tax law changes set to expire at 12/31/25
+ Business tax law changes set to expire at 12/31/25
+ Tax planning ideas for 2023 return filings and looking ahead for 2024
Panelists
Yates Parker, Financial Advisor, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Michael Barnes, President, Unique Background Solutions
Chuck Millsaps, President, Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Katie Chung, CFO, Southland Electrical Supply
Key Learnings
Listen to a panel of leaders from Pinnacle Financial as they break down and talk about the various stages of planning for an ownership transfer in the short and long-term. Topics covered will include how to set realistic expectations with employees (timing, acceptance, process), managing family dynamics and relationships, and keeping employee moral high.
+ Anticipating Management Change
+ Planning for Major Financial Upheaval
+ Protecting Your Company and Yourself
Panelists
Phillip Ross, Senior Vice President, Brown Brothers Harriman
Heath Tripp, Senior Vice President, Brown Brothers Harriman
David Zickler, Vice President, Brown Brothers Harriman
Key Learnings
This 90-minute panel discussed the various financing strategies for privately-owned businesses. We covered the differences in capital offerings, learned about the pros and cons of each avenue and talked about why your business may want to choose one strategy over another.
+ Understanding Different Capital Offerings for Businesses
+ Learning About the Pros and Cons of Specific Liquidity
+ How to Select the Right Funding for Your Business
Moderator
Tommy Battle, President & COO, Financial Designs
Panelists
Paul Liles, President, G. W. Liles Construction Co.
Chuck Millsaps, President, Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Mac Steele, President, J.C. Steele & Sons
Key Learnings
We may be in the same storm, but we’re not in the same boat. The economy will look different in three months. What does the current environment imply for your business? What will the impact be? Hear a discussion from three leaders in global businesses based in North Carolina as they talk through preparations and risk management of thriving through an economic downturn.
+ Gain awareness of your strengths and weaknesses and how those inform your actions.
+ Understand how to develop traction with the right leadership team to stay on a successful path.
+ Learn what to do, and what not to do, to grow through a turbulent time.
Panelists
Amy Carroll, President, TradeMark Properties
Gary Greene, CEO & Founder, Greene Resources
Jade Franklin, VP Strategy, Alfred Williams & Company
Key Learnings
Space Utilization: What are companies doing with physical office space? What trends are we seeing in commercial development and space utilization/design?
Back to Work Policies: Are you in the office? Working from home? Hybrid? How are you creating a meaningful culture and maximizing engagement?
Talent Recruitment and Retention: How are the top companies recruiting talent? What are the geographic footprint expansion for recruitment? What kinds of policies seem to be attracting and retaining top talent? For companies that require in-person work (i.e. manufacturing, etc.) how do you offer competitive workplace policies and benefits?
Moderator
Rick Guirlinger, President/Manager, Bourke Services
Panelists
Scotti Vaughn Teschke, Assurance Partner, Smith Leonard Accountants & Consultants
Jeff Cline, Partner, BGW CPA
Jason Wilkinson, Office Managing Partner, DHG
Key Learnings
Presenting an accurate financial picture of your company is vital to your business success. We will discuss selecting your accounting partner and how to manage this important relationship.
Who is this for? Company owner, CEO, CFO, Senior Level specialists who manages your insurance protection.
What will I learn? Learn from the experts and other Center members. Gain key insights on making your Accounting partners your business advantage.
Moderator
Sepi Saidi, Sepi Engineering & Construction
Panelists
James Morgan, Towne Insurance Agency
Chris Neal, Scott Insurance Services
Fletcher Wilson, Wilson Insurance Services
Key Learnings
Your insurance agent is the key to making sure you have the right commercial insurance coverage. Join us to learn how to select your agent and make sure you have the right coverage at the right price.
Who is this for? Company owner, CEO, CFO, Senior Level specialists who manages your insurance protection.
What will I learn? Learn from the experts and other Center members if you are adequately protected and proactively taking action to minimize your risk. Hear from industry experts, learn from other privately held businesses and gain key insights on making these partners your business advantage.
Panelists
Diana Medina, Vice President, Retail Transformation at Inmar Intelligence
April Whittington, Director, E-Commerce Marketing at Reynolds American Inc.
Lori Pimental: Associate Sales Analyst, Amazon at Newell Brands
Key Learnings
In this ever growing and evolving field especially in the wake of COVID, we invite you to join us for a Panel Discussion around e-commerce strategy, marketing, development and trends with three top Business Leaders in the field. The conversation will feature:
What will I learn?
+ Key Factors in Developing & Growing the E-Commerce Sector of Your Business
+ Current Trends & What is on the Horizon in the Industry
+ Data Management (Tracking KPIs and Measuring Success)
+ Managing Risks associated with E-Commerce
Panelists
Tara Cho, Partner, Cyber & Security Chair, Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP
Jonathan Broyles, Lead/Commercial Insurance, Olivier VanDyk Insurance
Fletcher Wilson, CIC, Founder & President, Wilson Insurance Services
Mathew Galimi, Founder & President/CEO, Divergent IT
Key Learnings
Being proactive about your Cybersecurity will be one of the most important actions you can take for your business in 2021. Protecting your network from intruders should be top of your list. Join this high priority conversation with industry experts to build an actionable cybersecurity game plan and ensure your business is protected.
Who is this for? Business Owners, Mid Level and Senior Level Leadership Teams, IT Staff and Professionals
What will I learn? Most important Cyber Security Needs for your businesses, Actionable steps you can take to protect your data and mitigate risk, New Threats, Trends and Action Plans
Panelists
Tiffany Waddell Tate, Founder, CEO, Career Maven Consulting
Drew Chin, Leadership Development Manager, Spectrum
William Lewis, Founder & President, WillHouse Global
Key Learnings
As a Center, we are committed to growing and empowering a diverse community of leaders who strive to build better, more equitable businesses. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is vital to your business success. D.E.I. Every Day is a culture that will drive measurable and tangible returns on the profitability, productivity, and innovation in your business. Understanding, engaging and empowering your people is directly correlated to your organization’s growth and success.
Who is this for? Business Owners, Senior and Mid-level Business Leaders, HR Professionals
What will I learn? Ignite your D.E.I initiatives with this data driven, actionable, and engaging symposium
Moderator
Jane Sommers-Kelly, Founder, JSK Leadership
Panelists
Richard Carver, Business Banking Leader, Triad Region, BB&T now Truist
Jennifer Champion, Manager of Business Banking, First Citizens Bank
Travis Rouse, SR Vice President, Chief Sales and Lending Officer, M&F Bank
Key Learnings
Having a banking partner that understands your business is crucial during a turbulent economy. We will discuss how to insure your company has adequate funding and is protected from financial fraud.
Who is this for? Company owner, CEO, CFO, Senior Level specialists who manages your insurance protection.
What will I learn? Learn from the experts and other Center members about selecting and proactively building a relationship with your banker. Gain key insights on making your banking partner your business advantage.
Moderator
Bryan Starrett, Legal Counsel, Kontoor Brands
Professor of Business Law, Wake Forest University School of Business
Panelists
Sonny Haynes, Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson, Adjunct Professor, WFU School of Law
Kelly Rains Jesson, Co-Founder, Attorney, Jesson & Rains, PLLC
Will Joyner, Partner, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
Key Learnings
Selecting the legal services that fit your needs is an important process. We will talk about how your legal partner(s) can protect your business in today’s business climate.
Who is this for? Company owner, CEO, CFO, Senior Level specialist who manages your legal services.
What will I learn? Learn from the experts and other Center members on how to build your legal team. Hear from industry experts, learn from other privately held businesses and gain key insights on making your legal partners your business advantage.
“I found panel information very useful and the program was executed flawlessly. Great job everyone!”
“I realized during the Partners for Business Success series that it’s easy for a small business owner to be intimidated by bankers, insurance brokers, lawyers, or accountants, but this series demystified and humanized these key professionals as true business partners. “