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.
In April of 2025 our Members gathered at the Truist Leadership Institute to hear Kelly King, former CEO of Truist, share his words of wisdom about the realities and choices a top leader must face. The talk focused on positive thinking, on fostering a sense of motivation from your team and how to shift from a mindset of management to one of teaching. Because, “If you are a leader, you are a teacher.”
Moderator
Jeff Lenhart, Partner, Forvis Mazars Private Client
Panelists
Clint Crocker, Partner, Barry, Evans, Josephs, and Snipes
Brandon Allain, Associate, Barry, Evans, Josephs, and Snipes
Sheila Christie, Director, Forvis Mazars
Thomas Yonchak, Managing Director, Forvis Mazars
Key Learnings
“Roadmap to Protecting Your Wealth” invites five of Charlotte’s most notable financial and insurance experts to lead a masterclass on how smart families can begin preparing now. Discuss cutting-edge tax strategies. Understand how multigenerational wealthy families are structuring their insurance coverage. Learn how legal entities can shield personal and business assets from crippling bills.
Moderator
Sharon Decker, President, Tryon International Equestrian Center
Panelists
Dr. William T. Lewis, Sr., Author, “Perched in the Storm”
Chuck Hutchison, Formerly Schreiber Foods, Author, “Getting My Hands Dirty”
Ginger Frank, Founder, Poppy’s Popcorn
Cheryl Antoncic, Owner, Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ
Key Learnings
In today’s unpredictable landscape, privately held small and midsize businesses face mounting challenges—tight cash flow, workforce pressures, succession uncertainties, customer concentration, and the rapid pace of change. Dr. Lewis will unpack the 7 Behaviors of Resilient Leadership—a framework grounded in hard-earned lessons from business owners who’ve weathered some of the toughest storms. These behaviors aren’t just inspirational—they’re actionable tools every private business leader can implement to stay steady, strategic, and strong in times of crisis and complexity. The talk will include a panel of Western NC businessmen and women to provide input and insight into how resilience has shaped their journey in ownership and authorship.
Moderator
Dana Alligood, Executive Director, Center for Private Business
Panelist
Kelly King, Former CEO, Truist Financial
Key Learnings
During our “Coffee with Kelly” talk Kelly will reflect on lessons learned in leadership with Dana Alligood, Executive Director of the Center for Private Business. The discussion will focus on what makes a stand out leader, the challenges one may face at a heightened executive level and how to balance happiness both in and out of the office. This talk will take place in the gorgeous new building at The Truist Leadership Institute and include a dedicated portion for networking among other executives in North Carolina.
+ Lessons from 40 Years at the Executive Level
+ 3 Traits of a Great Leader
+ 4 Steps to Happiness Both In and Outside of Work
Moderators
Tara Brown, Senior Director of Corporate Responsibility at Jack Henry
William Pleasant, Adjunct Professor at WFU Sustainability Graduate Programs
Panelists
Mac Steele, President at J.C. Steele & Sons
Taylor Ghost, Director of Interior Design at STITCH Design Group
Laura Brim, Environment Team Lead & Customer Dev. Manager at ILNA Inc.
Key Learnings
A sustainable business is an enterprise that has a minimal negative impact or potentially a positive effect on the global or local environment, community, society, or economy—a business that attempts to meet the triple bottom line. Listen to a panel of corporate sustainability leaders discuss their ongoing sustainability efforts in the workplace. Leaders will share corporate practices and approach to sustainability education, challenging the status quo and reimagining systems that have caused or perpetuated critical social and environmental issues.
+ Corporate Practices for Sustainability
+ Reimagining Critical Environmental Issues
+ Sustainable Organizational Management
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
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
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
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.
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?
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
“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. “