Legacy Speaker Series

The Legacy Speaker Series hosts a talented individual or team to share their triumphs, failures, and journey to success.

Every successful business has a story.

The rise, the fall, the journey to the top. Hear from today’s top leaders how they persevered to find success in their field. 

Walk away from a Legacy Speaker knowing the personal story behind a household-brand. Hear firsthand about the lessons learned and strategies saved to run a successful company.

Some businesses are built. Others are grown — passed down through families who believe that how you treat people matters more than any balance sheet.

In March of 2026 our Members gathered at the Angus Barn to hear from the families behind the iconic Angus Barn and Winston’s Grille in Raleigh.

Both businesses have survived recessions, pandemics, and changing markets by investing in relationships with guests, with staff, with community. And entrepreneurship and philanthropy aren’t separate. Both Van and Winston’s teams have been changemakers in Raleigh far beyond their dining rooms.

Past Legacy Speakers Hosted by the Center for Private Business

Ken Dull

2026

Founder & Chairman
McKinley Building Corp.

Charles Winston

2026

Co-Owner
Winston’s Grille

Van Eure

2026

Owner
Angus Barn

Wes Day

2025

President
Teall Sports and Entertainment

Ben Sutton, Jr.

2025

Founder, Chairman & CEO
Teall Capital Partners

Najla Haywood

2025

CEO
FDY, Inc.

Keith Haywood

2025

President & Owner
FDY, Inc.

Sonja Nichols

2025

Owner
Southern Lion

Kannon Family

2024

Owners
Kannon’s Clothing

Coleman Team

2024

Partner
Front Street Capital

Robin Team

2024

Partner
Front Street Capital

Molly Cherry

2023

VP Retail Support
Great Outdoor Provision Co.

Chuck Millsaps

2023

President
Great Outdoor Provisions Co.

Travis Zarins

2023

VP Merchandise
Great Outdoor Provision Co.

Kathie Niven

2023

President & CEO
Biscuitville

Burney Jennings

2023

Executive Chair
Biscuitville

Blake Jennings

2023

Chief Development Officer
Biscuitville

Roddey Player

2023

CEO
Queen City Audio Video & Appliances

Kate Player

2023

Controller
Queen City Audio Video & Appliances

Roddey Player Jr.

2023

Operations
Queen City Audio Video & Appliances

Jim Noble

2023

Head Chef
Noble Food & Pursuits

Billie Redmond

2022

Founder & Chair
TradeMark Properties

Serena Dugan

2021

Co-Founder
Serena & Lily

Dr. Nathan O. Hatch

2021

President
Wake Forest University

Kelly S. King

2020

CEO
Truist Financial Corporation

Tim O'Shaughnessy

2020

President & CEO
Graham Holdings

Andrea Malik Roe

2020

President & Co-Founder
CRH Healthcare

J.J. Smith

2019

CEO
Valley Proteins, Inc.

Frank Holding Jr.

2019

Chairman & CEO
First Citizens Bank

Hope H. Bryant

2019

Vice Chairman & Corporate Sales Executive
First Citizens Bank

Jill Marcus

2019

President & Co-Owner
The Mother Earth Group

Scott Gerber

2019

Principal & CEO
The Gerber Group

Chip Skinner

2018

President
Skinner Bros. Realty Co.

Riley Skinner

2018

Vice President
Skinner Bros. Realty Co.

Tana Greene

2018

CEO
The Greene Group

Joe Budd

2018

CEO
The Budd Group

Yasser Youssef

2018

President
The Budd Group

Marcus Smith

2018

CEO
Speedway Motorsports Inc.

Shawn Gorman

2018

Executive Chairman of the Board
L.L. Bean

Sepi Saidi

2018

President & CEO
SEPI Engineering & Construction

Ed Weisiger

2017

President & CEO
Carolina CAT

Warren Stephens

2017

President & CEO
Stephens Inc.

Jon Bell

2017

CEO
Bell Partners Inc.

Pat Rodgers

2017

CEO & President
Rodgers Builders

Andy Warlick

2017

Chairman & CEO
Parkdale Mills

“Hearing from Legacy Speaker Serena Dugan was a super inspiring and informational discussion. Being able to hear firsthand about startup struggles, motivation tactics, and business strategies from the business owner was awesome. As a small business owner in a similar field, it was great to absorb the experience.”

Nisha Prasad, Co-Founder
Friend Design and Architecture