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NC Tech Talk hosted by NCTA: Avalara

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Matt ?   Matt Tormollen, EVP/GM of Excise & CertCapture, Avalara

Avalara helps businesses of all sizes achieve compliance with sales tax, excise tax, and other transactional tax requirements by delivering comprehensive, automated, cloud-based solutions that are fast, accurate, and easy to use.  Avalara’s end-to-end suite of solutions is designed to effectively manage complicated and burdensome tax compliance obligations imposed by state, local, and other taxing authorities in the United States and internationally.

Avalara offers hundreds of pre-built connectors into leading accounting, ERP, ecommerce and other business applications. The company processes millions of tax transactions for customers and free users every day, files hundreds of thousands of transactional tax returns per year, and manages millions of exemption certificates and other compliance related documents.

Avalara employs more than 750 people at its headquarters on Bainbridge Island, WA and in offices across the U.S. and in London, England and Pune, India.

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Avalara, OBX, and CloudWyze

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Jason Warren   Jason Warren, Founding Employee & Corporate Account Executive, Avalara 

Jason Warren joined Avalara as a founding employee in 2004. He has be given responsibilities over the last ten years in nearly all aspects of the business; Field Sales, Business Development, Department Launches and Management Level Responsibilities. Co-host of an online compliance series focused on sales and use tax challenges, technologies and legislation. Regional Sales Manager – Responsible for building the southwest region from the ground up for Avalara. Selling the popular AvaTax Connect product for MAS 90, MAS 500, Great Plains, Navision, and QuickBooks. Director, Customer Support Services – Developed (from the ground up) a world-class technical services and support organization. Hiring a team of top notch support analysts to provide customer support and professional services. Customer support specialist for Sage Software’s MAS 90/MAS 200 customer support group. Sales Engineer (Pre-Sales) – Sage Software’s MAS 90/MAS 200 Sales. Assisted in closing sales… assisted Partners and Employees with the technical details of a sale. Sales Representative/Technical consultant for a MAS 90/MAS 200 VAR in the Greater Cleveland Ohio area. Responsible for prospecting, closing business, and implementing accounting systems for several manufacturers and distributors.

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Follow Jason on Twitter and LinkedIn

 

Tom Sullivan   Tom Sullivan, Co-Founder & CEO, OBX Computing Corporation

Tom is a senior finance executive with a proven track record of delivering results. An energetic, motivated individual, Tom has developed outstanding leadership skills and a strong business acumen to supplement solid financial and risk management fundamentals. Tom is skilled in negotiation and well versed in the transactional aspect (legal, regulatory, etc.) of financial and project management. He is a hands-on contributor with excellent influencing, execution and implementation skills to accomplish overall objectives.

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Follow Tom on LinkedIn

 

Shaun Olsen   Shaun Olsen, Founder & CEO, CloudWyze

Shaun Olsen is CEO and Founder of CloudWyze, Inc., a communications and technology services company focused on providing the ultimate business technology experience. Through its consultative approach, the company offers comprehensive communications and technology services, cloud-based solutions, 24×7 support, phone and dedicated Internet, assuring business owners complete confidence in their technology.

Olsen is a leader in Wilmington’s tech community, and has been a part of numerous tech startups over the last 15 years. He received a degree in Business Administration from the Cameron School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, is an active-member of the Center for Entrepreneurial Development, the Cameron Executive Network, as well as a contributor / advisor to a number of other professional organizations within the greater-Wilmington area.

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Pivot Points by EntreDot: Adapt Partners and ohSnapp

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Fred Hathaway   Fred Hathaway, Managing Director, EntreDot

Fred Hathaway understands growth strategies and the tactical execution that creates successful outcomes. Whether advising on higher order decisions (e.g. succession plans, new product launches, diversification through new enterprise development, restructuring business development approaches, client persona identification, organizational and leadership development, or cultural due diligence in a transaction) or tactical issues like social media engagement, investor relations, personal marketing plans and similar, he knows how to take theory and create best practice. Deep experience in consulting and marketing across industries and cultures helps shape the innovation and creativity that his clients appreciate and that distinguish custom solutions from “shelf product” alternatives. Fred demonstrates identification with the client needs through making strategic introductions, negotiating alternative fee arrangements, and working with the existing team of executives and advisers to create “win-win” scenarios on a recurring basis. Some of the projects he has led are listed below:

At the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, he conducted the research that led to the establishment of the Turnaround Management Association, pulling together 8,000+ professionals in the field of business renewal. Fred was integral in the publishing of the research findings in 46 national business publications and the creation of a monograph of best practices.

Under contract with the National Association of Homebuilders, Fred and a co-author wrote Building Up When Business is Down, a definitive discussion of how a builder can identify and respond to warning signals in their business performance. In similar manner, he advised the American Banking Association on how to view loan workouts as turnaround opportunities through quarterly contributions to the Workouts column of The Commercial Lending Review.

While working within a non-profit, Fred and his team grew the volunteer base from 40 to 1000+ in five years, resulting in a 100X increase in number of prospects reached with the programs of the organization. Additionally, the model that was developed for the operation on North Carolina was prototyped for use in similar locations around the world.

As an internal advisor to the executive committee of a CPA firm, Fred rebranded the organization, implemented an e-marketing and CRM platform, and developed and delivered training that resulted in all billable professionals taking responsibility for personally marketing the firm. Subsequent to these accomplishments, he contributed to the institution of a performance and compensation management system that rewarded business development activities.

Within another professional services organization, Fred led the strategic marketing planning associated with a series of transactions that resulted in a regional firm becoming one of the top 50 national firms in their field. Niche practice business development and marketing messaging were coordinated with identification of thought leaders and assignments were given and managed by Hathaway.

In an interim executive role with a consulting firm serving family businesses, Fred launched national accounts strategy that resulted in securing the first billion dollar client as well as faculty appointments at several corporate universities of organizations with extensive dealer/operator networks. A national business talk radio show was conceived, designed, and hosted by Hathaway on the topic of succession planning.

A local non-profit dedicated to helping entrepreneurs commercialize their business ideas was looking for a way to create sustainable competitive advantage. In a volunteer role, Fred advised the group on curriculum-based programs, marketing campaigns, and management team and board development.

Now serving as the managing director of EntreDot, Hathaway has been instrumental in guiding the organization to a national platform whereby virtual learning and application of best practices can occur, thereby giving more businesses the tools to succeed. In addition to the key projects above, Fred Hathaway has served as startup COO, outsourced CMO, Director of Programs, advisory board member, board of directors’ chair, and in an adjunct capacity with numerous enterprises. Whether working on the clock, by the project, or on retainer, he brings a wealth of experience, insight, and energy to each situation.

Follow EntreDot on Twitter and Facebook

 

Brian Chappell   Brian Chappell, Managing Partner, Adapt Partners

Brian Chappell is a search and social marketing expert, speaker and consultant. Through Brian’s optimization and lead generation practice, he has helped companies achieve significant multi-million dollar increases in revenue since 2005. Since that time, he has delivered and executed on strategies including search engine optimization, content generation, conversion rate optimization, PPC and social media marketing initiatives as well as customer acquisition strategies such as pre-existing website purchases and vertical takeovers.

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Follow Brian on Twitter and LinkedIn

 

Kyle Cyree   Kyle Cyree, CEO, ohSnapp

Kyle Cyree was born in Dalton, GA but currently calls Carrboro, NC his home. He’s working on an MBA at UNC, where he studies entrepreneurship and anything else he can get his hands on and make time for. Before starting ohSnapp, he spent years in executive positions at startups and in consulting early stage companies. In his free time, he enjoys running long distance, drawing cartoons, and listening to country music as he drives down the back roads of North Carolina to get some fresh ice cream.

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HealthFIRST Pharmacy, OSNC, SAH Senior Care, and Carillon Assisted Living

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Lynn Holt   Lynn Holt, Owner/Pharmacist, HealthFIRST Pharmacy

Lynn graduated from UNC School of Pharmacy 1990 and has been married to her husband, Nick Holt, for almost 23 years. She has three children – Abby,Zach, and Tyler, and 3 dogs-Ellie, Maggie and Jack. Lynn has worked for various organizations, including WakeMed, NCSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and now her own Pharmacy , HealhFIRST, which opened in 2005. Lynn specializes in compounding drugs(sterile and non-sterile) and compliance packaging.

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Dr. Mark Galland   Dr. Mark Galland, Provider, OSNC

Dr. Galland began his career in Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine while serving in the United States Navy at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. There he served as Chief of Orthopedic Surgery, and received numerous awards and commendations for both leadership and excellence in treating the musculoskeletal and sports injuries common among sailors and marines. The broad experience in spor medicine Dr. Galland received during his service in the Navy complemented the training he received at University in his home state of Louisiana.

Dr. Galland demonstrated an early affinity for the treatment of injured athletes during his residency, and trained under renowned sports medicine specialist, Michael Brunet, M.D. The relationship between Dr. Galland and Dr. Brunet had a profound effect on his practice style and approach to complex sports injuries. Dr. Gall had abundant opportunity to refine that approach when he was selected to serve as assistant team physician to both the undefeated Tulane University football team and Tulane men’s basketball team. He also served as team physician to several local high schools and colleges including Dillard and Xavier Universities.

Since joining Orthopaedic Specialists of North Carolina, Dr. Galland has continued his commitment and dedication to the treatment of injured athletes. He currently serves as team physician and Orthopaedic consultant to the Carolina Mudcats, the Advanced A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians Major League Baseball team; medical director and orthopedic consultant to the Louisburg College Athletic Program, medical of the Barton College athletic program, adjunct clinical professor at Marietta College, and team physician Orthopaedic consultant to several area high schools.

Dr. Galland has authored many book chapters and papers in sports medicine. His advice and consultation has been sought by world-class athletes of track and field and Major League Baseball. His passion for resolving musculoskeletal ailments and injuries in the most conservative manner possible puts all his patients in most capable and caring of hands.

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Follow Dr. Galland on Twitter and LinkedIn

 

Kim Dingus   Kim Dingus, Family Services Director, SAH Senior Care

Stay at Home Senior Care was founded by Deborah Bordeaux in 2003, and has grown to become a market leader. The agency is the hometown care provider for Wake Forest, and also has the honor to serve families in North Raleigh, Wakefield, Youngsville, Louisburg, Creedmoor and surrounding areas. Caregivers provide a wide array of services, from medication reminders and cooking to bathing and mobility assistance. With each relationship, the company’s mission is apparent – “to treat every contact as a friend, every client as family and complete every task with honor.”

The agency has received many accolades, including the Wake Weekly Best of the Best Award from 2011-2014, and the 2012 Small Business of the Year Award from the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce.

Kim Dingus has been the Family Services Director since 2007 and performs an in-home assessment to determine if a client’s needs require companion or hands-on/personal care. After the determination is made, she decides who will help support a client in their home. She will ensure that care plan needs are being met by Stay At Home. Kim is in charge of hiring new employees and conducts the orientation and training of caregivers, as well as their annual evaluations. She oversees all aspects of assignments and scheduling.

She has lived in Wake Forest for twenty-five years and enjoyed many active years with the Wake County Public School System and PTA. She is a Certified Companion Aide, a Certified Hospice Companion Aide, and has completed the Alzheimer’s North Carolina Course “Accepting the Challenge: Providing the Best Care for People with Dementia.”

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Mark Foreman   Mark Foreman, Executive Director, Carillon Assisted Living of Wake Forest

Carillon of Wake Forest opened in July of 2014, and has become an active part of the Wake Forest Community. Mark Foreman has been with Carillon for almost ten years. Carillon was established in 1996 by Karen Moriarty and is a North Carolina born company based in Raleigh. Carillon is 20 communities strong, and Mark has opened four of these locations. Mark has known Wake Forest as home for the last 12 years.

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NC Tech Talk by NCTA: AvidXchange and nCino

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Michael Praeger   Michael Praeger, CEO & Co-Founder, AvidXchange

Michael Praeger is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AvidXchange, Inc., the leading provider of on-demand accounts payables management and automated payment solutions. Since founding AvidXchange in 2000, Michael has been an active participant and speaker on “payables and payment automation” at various industry conferences and considered a thought leader within the industry in developing creative solutions and best practices for payables and payment automation.

Michael has spent the last 20 years founding, managing, merging and selling technology and web services-related companies. Prior to establishing AvidXchange, Michael was Co-Founder of PlanetResume.com, a technology career enhancement and recruiting site that successfully completed its merger with CareerShop.com and CareerTV.net in November 1999. Prior to that, he was Co-Founder and CEO of InfoLink Partners and InfoVentures, LP. Michael also served as an Associate with Summit Partners, a Boston-based Venture Capital and Buyout partnership with more than $1 billion under management. He received a B.S.B.A. in Finance from Georgetown University. Michael is also a graduate of the “Birthing of Giants” executive entrepreneurship program at MIT.

Michael is currently active in the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), as well as the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). Michael is also currently serving on the advisory board of the North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA), and on Comdata’s Customer Advisory Board. Michael is revered as a leading business-to-business provider of innovative electronic payment solutions.

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Follow Michael on Twitter and LinkedIn

 

Pierre Naude   Pierre Naudé, CEO, nCino

Pierre Naudé has more than 34 years experience in the financial technology industry. Named CEO of nCino in 2012, Pierre played a key role in the initial founding and oversees all aspects of the organization including strategy, sales, marketing, professional services, customer support and product engineering. Prior to joining nCino, Pierre served as divisional president of Community Financial for S1 Corporation, a leading global financial services software company, until its acquisition by ACI Worldwide in February 2012. Prior to S1, Pierre was vice president and managing partner of the Global Channels and Alliances division at Unisys Corporation, a global technology services and solutions company. Pierre earned his degree from Upper Iowa University.

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InMotionNow, Wyrick Robbins, and Toss the Boss

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Ben Hartmere   Ben Hartmere, CEO, inMotionNow

Ben Hartmere is the CEO of inMotionNow, serving on the company’s board of directors.  As CEO, Ben has brought his 15 years experience leading venture-backed and publicly-traded technology organizations delivering enterprise technology solutions and professional services. Hartmere works closely with the inMotionNow leadership team to set strategy and foster a culture of innovation and continuous process improvement within enterprise creative departments.

Prior to joining inMotionNow, Mr. Hartmere served as Vice President of Business Development for FileONE, managing the company’s global sales and marketing efforts.  Among his achievements, Hartmere led the implementation of an enterprise-wide business registration workflow application for the Government of Puerto Rico, credited with positioning Puerto Rico as the world’s 11th most efficient country/territory in which to open a business.

Mr. Hartmere holds both a M.B.A. and undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, where he also serves as Advisory Board member for the school’s Executive M.B.A. programs, as well as an Adam Advisors with Kenan-Flagler’s Center for Entrepreneurial Studies.

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Zach Bishop   Zach Bishop, Partner, Wyrick Robbins

Zach’s practice is concentrated on technology and corporate transactions, including the licensing and distribution of intellectual property, business process and information technology outsourcing, technology acquisition and development, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and general corporate matters. Zach’s practice includes the representation of prominent video game and middleware developers on a full range of matters. He has significant experience in sourcing and complex technology transactions. Prior to joining the firm in 2009, Zach practiced in the Raleigh office of Hunton & Williams LLP and the Atlanta office of Alston & Bird LLP.

Zach received his B.A. in Economics from Duke University and received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Tulane University Law School. Zach served as an Assistant Managing Editor for the Tulane Law Review and is a member of the Order of the Coif.

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Follow Zach on Twitter and LinkedIn

 

Chip Fudge   Betty Fudge    Chip Fudge & Betty Fudge, Consultants, Toss the Boss

Since 2001, Chip and Betty Fudge have matched new and veteran franchise owners with America’s best and fastest growing franchise systems. They have an extensive background in owning and operating franchised and non-franchised businesses. They understand the challenges of balancing work, marriage, and raising children within the constraints of corporate demands and they have enjoyed the freedom of business success. They are ideally suited to answer our questions about franchise ownership.

 

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HQ Raleigh, Citrix, Akili, and Red Hat

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Elizabeth Tracy   Elizabeth Tracy, Director of Community Development, HQ Raleigh

Liz Tracy is the Director of Community Development at HQ Raleigh and a facilitator for both the ThinkHouse and Citrix-Red Hat Accelerator programs. Liz brings international experience in community development and public outreach to her role as Community Director. She has coordinated  international leadership and social entrepreneurship programs in Panama, started and run a nationally-recognized jewelry company and last year  was selected by the U.S. State Department as the adult mentor for an entrepreneurship program in Central Europe for high school students. Originally from California, Liz has lived in the Triangle for the past two years.

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Follow Elizabeth on Twitter and LinkedIn

 

Grady Slane   Grady Slane, Product Marketing Manager, Citrix

Grady Slane is a product marketing manager at Citrix. He is a graduate of Duke University and joined ShareFile in 2010, prior to its acquisition by Citrix. He is a cofounder of one of two internal teams participating in the Citrix Innovators Program.

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Michelle Harper   Michelle Harper, CEO, Akili

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DeLisa Alexander   DeLisa Alexander, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, Red Hat

DeLisa Alexander serves as the executive vice president and chief people officer of Red Hat, leading the organization responsible for global human resources including Red Hat® University. The organization’s mission is to be a strategic partner to the business in acquiring, developing, and retaining talent and to enhance the Red Hat culture and talent brand. Red Hat has been recognized as one of the best places to work in multiple publications around the globe.

Alexander received a “Women in Business” executive award from the Triangle Business Journal in 2010. She serves on the executive committee for the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED), the board of directors for Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, the board of advisers for the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, Bull City Ventures, NC State University Poole College of Management, Soar, and Innovate Raleigh.

Alexander joined Red Hat in 2001 and served in the office of general counsel until mid 2006, most recently as assistant general counsel and assistant secretary. During this time, Alexander was responsible for equity and executive compensation, and trademark, copyright, and employment matters. Alexander also advised the company’s management and board of directors on securities and corporate governance.

Prior to joining Red Hat, Alexander was associated with the law firm Kilpatrick Stockton where she focused on mergers, acquisitions, venture capital, and intellectual property licensing. She started her career as a judicial clerk for the Honorable William B. Chandler, chancellor of the renowned Delaware Court of Chancery.

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Pivot Points by EntreDot: FanBase and Tru Access

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Fred Hathaway   Fred Hathaway, Managing Director, EntreDot and Host of Pivot Points

Fred Hathaway understands growth strategies and the tactical execution that creates successful outcomes. Whether advising on higher order decisions (e.g. succession plans, new product launches, diversification through new enterprise development, restructuring business development approaches, client persona identification, organizational and leadership development, or cultural due diligence in a transaction) or tactical issues like social media engagement, investor relations, personal marketing plans and similar, he knows how to take theory and create best practice. Deep experience in consulting and marketing across industries and cultures helps shape the innovation and creativity that his clients appreciate and that distinguish custom solutions from “shelf product” alternatives. Fred demonstrates identification with the client needs through making strategic introductions, negotiating alternative fee arrangements, and working with the existing team of executives and advisers to create “win-win” scenarios on a recurring basis. Some of the projects he has led are listed below:

At the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, he conducted the research that led to the establishment of the Turnaround Management Association, pulling together 8,000+ professionals in the field of business renewal. Fred was integral in the publishing of the research findings in 46 national business publications and the creation of a monograph of best practices.

Under contract with the National Association of Homebuilders, Fred and a co-author wrote Building Up When Business is Down, a definitive discussion of how a builder can identify and respond to warning signals in their business performance. In similar manner, he advised the American Banking Association on how to view loan workouts as turnaround opportunities through quarterly contributions to the Workouts column of The Commercial Lending Review.

While working within a non-profit, Fred and his team grew the volunteer base from 40 to 1000+ in five years, resulting in a 100X increase in number of prospects reached with the programs of the organization. Additionally, the model that was developed for the operation on North Carolina was prototyped for use in similar locations around the world.

As an internal advisor to the executive committee of a CPA firm, Fred rebranded the organization, implemented an e-marketing and CRM platform, and developed and delivered training that resulted in all billable professionals taking responsibility for personally marketing the firm. Subsequent to these accomplishments, he contributed to the institution of a performance and compensation management system that rewarded business development activities.

Within another professional services organization, Fred led the strategic marketing planning associated with a series of transactions that resulted in a regional firm becoming one of the top 50 national firms in their field. Niche practice business development and marketing messaging were coordinated with identification of thought leaders and assignments were given and managed by Hathaway.

In an interim executive role with a consulting firm serving family businesses, Fred launched national accounts strategy that resulted in securing the first billion dollar client as well as faculty appointments at several corporate universities of organizations with extensive dealer/operator networks. A national business talk radio show was conceived, designed, and hosted by Hathaway on the topic of succession planning.

A local non-profit dedicated to helping entrepreneurs commercialize their business ideas was looking for a way to create sustainable competitive advantage. In a volunteer role, Fred advised the group on curriculum-based programs, marketing campaigns, and management team and board development.

Now serving as the managing director of EntreDot, Hathaway has been instrumental in guiding the organization to a national platform whereby virtual learning and application of best practices can occur, thereby giving more businesses the tools to succeed. In addition to the key projects above, Fred Hathaway has served as startup COO, outsourced CMO, Director of Programs, advisory board member, board of directors’ chair, and in an adjunct capacity with numerous enterprises. Whether working on the clock, by the project, or on retainer, he brings a wealth of experience, insight, and energy to each situation.

Follow EntreDot on Twitter and Facebook

 

Will Hardison   Will Hardison, Founder, FanBase

Will Hardison is a serial entrepreneur and avid sneaker collector. Making his first deal at age 13, he turned a $250 pair of rare Air Jordan sneakers into a $750 online sale. Since then, he’s been hooked on the daily hustle of building companies. He is currently the founder of FanBase, LLC, a customer retention application for the fitness industry. When Hardison isn’t working on FanBase, you are likely to find him on stage as an emcee at events like the RTP180, or orchestrating entrepreneurial meetups like StartupAndPlay.

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Tru Pettigrew   Tru Pettigrew, Founder, Tru Access

Tru is an award winning marketing executive, inspirational speaker and successful entrepreneur. Tru’s expertise also includes co-founding qualitative research agency Y-Access, which was acquired three years later by Alloy Inc. He is currently the founder and CEO of Tru Access, which is a leading Millennial Insights and Empowerment organization. Mr. Pettigrew has been featured in such prominent publications as The New York Times, USA Today, The Boston Globe and Fortune Magazine for his marketing expertise. Some of the brands that Tru has worked with include Axe, Moet-Hennessy, Nike and State Farm just to name a few.

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NC Tech Talk hosted by NCTA: Rep. Tom Murry and Ed Turlington with Brooks Pierce Law Firm

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Brooks Raiford   Brooks Raiford, President & CEO, NCTA

Brooks Raiford has served as President & CEO of NCTA since 2008. NCTA is the statewide industry association for the tech sector, representing over 700 member companies and organizations that collectively employ over 100,000 North Carolinians.

In the early 1990s, he served as a policy aide in the North Carolina Governor’s Office, where a key focus area was information technology and its impact on a variety of public policy areas. Subsequently, Brooks served as Director of the Independent College Fund of North Carolina, and then President of Leadership North Carolina. Most recently, he was Business Development Director with Balfour Beatty Construction.

Brooks’ current and recent leadership activities include serving on the North Carolina eLearning Commission; the Board of Advisors of North Carolina New Schools; the Board of Directors of the Technology Councils of North America; the North Carolina Advisory Committee of the US Global Leadership Coalition; Member of the Guilford College Board of Visitors; and President of the Dean’s Advisory Board for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at NC State University, where he is a former Student Body President and University Trustee.

Recently, the organization that represents the technology associations across North America named Brooks the 2014 “TechVoice Champion,” the first time an association CEO has received this award for advocacy on behalf of the tech sector.

Brooks’ wife Stephanie is a Principal in the Wake County Public School System, and they have two children, Lauren and Will.

Follow NCTA on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn

Follow Brooks on Twitter and LinkedIn

 

Rep. Tom Murry   Rep. Tom Murry, Representative, North Carolina House of Representatives

Follow Rep. Murry on Twitter and LinkedIn

 

Ed Turlington   Ed Turlington, Partner, Brooks Pierce Law Firm

Ed Turlington is a partner at Brooks Pierce, which is a business law firm of 90 attorneys with offices in Raleigh, Greensboro and Wilmington. He has served as State Government Counsel for over 10 years to NCTA and represents a number of IT companies on legal and regulatory matters. His background includes serving as Chief of Staff to the Governor of North Carolina and in various roles for five US Senators. He holds an undergraduate degree from Duke and a law degree from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Follow Brooks Pierce on Twitter and LinkedIn

Grant Thornton, Vaco Raleigh, and Nexsen Pruet

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Dewayne Southern   Dewayne Southern, Audit Partner and Carolinas Technology Industry Leader, Grant Thornton LLP

Dewayne Southern is an Audit partner in Grant Thornton’s Raleigh office and also leads the Technology Industry Practice in the Carolinas. Dewayne is well-known in the technology industry in the Triangle and committed to the community and helping NC companies find success through efficient and effective business practices.

Dewayne serves technology, manufacturing, distribution and services clients. He has IFRS experience, and the majority of his clients have significant international operations. He also has significant SEC experience and has served public companies his entire career.

In addition to providing standard assurance services, he also has experience in:

• Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 internal control implementations;
• Mergers and acquisitions (including performing due diligence, consulting on purchase accounting and financial reporting);
• Public and private debt and equity offerings; and
• Consulting on internal controls and process improvements.

Community/professional involvement:

• Board of Directors and Finance Committee, Communities in Schools of Wake County
• Board of Directors and Treasurer, Junior Achievement of Central North Carolina

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Follow Dewayne on LinkedIn

 

Matthew McCleary   Matt McCleary, Audit Senior Manager, Grant Thornton LLP

Matt is a Senior Manager in Audit at Grant Thornton LLP and has been practicing in public accounting for more than a decade. His focus is on serving an array of public and private companies, predominantly in the technology industry with revenues ranging from start-up enterprises to public entities with over $1 billion in sales as well as those with significant international operations.

Matt also has experience with an array of SEC filers and privately held companies in the telecommunications, life sciences, software and manufacturing industries.

In addition to his audit responsibilities, Matt has participated in various consulting projects for his clients, including Oracle/Hyperion implementation and upgrade scoping project, transaction services including acquisition due diligence, as well as SEC filings including stock offerings and reverse merger IPO engagements. Matt is also a member of Grant Thornton LLP’s national team for implementation of the new revenue recognition standard.

Prior to joining Grant Thornton LLP in 2005, Matt worked with another public accounting firm focused on SOX implementation.

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Sid Mitchener   Sid Mitchener, Managing Partner, Vaco Raleigh

Sid Mitchener is the partner of technology services and co-founder of Vaco Raleigh, LLC, where he is part of the core management team that manages new business opportunities in addition to day-to-day operations. One of the top producers in the information technology (IT) division, Sid has spent the last seven years assisting in the launch of the technology division at Vaco offices in Raleigh and Richmond, Va. 

Sid has more than 19 years of recruiting and sales management experience in the fields of engineering, IT staffing and consulting, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Virginia Military Institute. Prior to joining Vaco, he spent six years with a $3 billion, privately held technical consulting and placement firm, where he established offices in Knoxville, Tenn., and Atlanta for the contract engineering division. Sid consistently achieved President’s Club sales levels, and both new offices were recognized in the top fifth percent of sales growth for the firm. He later worked as a producing branch manager developing the IT consulting and placement division with a S&P 500 staffing firm in Raleigh. Sid joined forces with David Rhode in 2004 and co-established the Raleigh office of Vaco. 

Sid donates his time to the Membership and Ambassador committee for the North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA) and serves on the board of directors for Triangle Technology Executive Council (TTEC) as director of public relations. An active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of Raleigh, he has participates in the Tour de Cure charity bike ride benefiting the American Diabetes Association.

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Follow Sid on Twitter and LinkedIn

 

Sam Whitt   Sam Whitt, Attorney, Nexsen Pruet

Sam Whitt is a seasoned transactional lawyer with a broad range of experience. His practice is focused primarily on general counsel services and start-up initiatives focused on specific verticals, such as sustainable development and Internet applications.

Sam represents corporate clients ranging from start-up ventures to Fortune 500 companies. He has served as General Counsel and a C-level executive of several venture-backed companies in the Research Triangle Park, NC area. His hands-on experience and versatility enables him to counsel clients on a broad range of activities, such as:

  • General Corporate

  • Mergers & Acquisitions

  • Financing: Debt & Private Equity

  • Economic Development

  • Contract Analysis

  • Corporate Strategies

  • Asset Protection

Sam earned his B.S. in Accounting from BYU and worked for a “Big 8” public accounting firm prior to Law School. He earned his Juris Doctor from George Mason University School of Law where he served on the Law Review. He is a native of Vienna, Virginia. He and his wife raised their five children in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he remains an active member of the community through church and various civic organizations. In his younger years, Sam was recognized as “40 Under 40” by the Triangle Business Journal.

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