rpowell, Author at Business RadioX ® Page

InMotionNow, Wyrick Robbins, and Toss the Boss

November 17, 2014 by rpowell

Raleigh Business Radio

InMotionNow, Wyrick Robbins, and Toss the Boss

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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 11^th 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, 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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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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Smith Anderson and Vistage

November 12, 2014 by rpowell

Carolina Connections

Smith Anderson and Vistage

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Alicia Gilleskie, Partner, Smith Anderson

Alicia Gilleskie is a partner with Smith Anderson, the largest law firm based in Raleigh. She chairs the firm’s Data Use, Privacy and Security practice group, and focuses her practice on regulatory and transactional matters involving technology and data privacy law, and licensing and outsourcing transactions.

Alicia advises companies on all aspects of data and information technology, including policies and procedures, audits, data breach response and investigations. She also frequently handles strategic collaborations that involve information technology, software-as-a-service, cloud computing and other technology platforms that are used to manage, host and share sensitive information. Her clients range from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies in the software, information technology, software-as-a-service, life sciences, healthcare, Internet, retail, and data hosting industries.

Alicia is a member of the Board of Advisors for the North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA). She also volunteers as a member of the Board of Directors for Communities for Sustainable Abodes (CASA).

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Terry Conlon, Chair of Private Peer Advisory Boards, Vistage

Terry has over 30 years of leadership experience with the United States Air Force, manufacturing, technology, and professional services companies, including my own consulting and executive coaching firm. He has excelled throughout his career as a leader, strategy planner and implementer, financial and operations executive, mentor and coach, and a highly effective people change leader at The Northern Trust Bank, Nortel Networks, Siemens, and Vishay InterTechnology to name only a few.

Terry has extended his practice recently to become a Chair of Vistage International, the largest organizer of private peer advisory boards for CEOs, Executives and Business Owners in the world. CEOs using Vistage Chairs’ professional services grow their businesses at over twice the rate of non-Vistage CEOs, Executives and Business Owners.

Terry’s enthusiasm for increasing the effectiveness and enhancing the lives of CEOs, Executives, and Business Owners enables him to engage his clients in achieving extraordinary results.

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HQ Raleigh, Citrix, Akili, and Red Hat

November 10, 2014 by rpowell

Raleigh Business Radio

HQ Raleigh, Citrix, Akili, and Red Hat

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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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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, CEO, Akili

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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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Wireless Connections by WRCNC: Entigral and Bright Wolf

November 5, 2014 by rpowell

Carolina Connections

Wireless Connections by WRCNC: Entigral and Bright Wolf

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Booth Kalmbach, CEO, Entigral Systems, Inc.

Mr. Kalmbach co-founded Entigral in 2003, and has directed the architecture, development, and product marketing of TraxWare®, Entigral’s groundbreaking sensor automation platform. Mr. Kalmbach is a successful serial software entrepreneur who has founded, managed, funded, and exited several software ventures including Virtus Corporation (CEO & Co-founder; 3D modeling and gaming; acquired in 1996 by Ubisoft Entertainment S.A.), Q+E Software Inc. (VP Marketing; database access; acquired in 1994 by Intersolv Inc.), ProMedex Inc. (CTO & Co-founder; web-based disease management; acquired in 2000 by InLight Inc.), and Coactive Systems Corporation (CEO & Founder; cloud-based contact center software; acquired in 2003 by First Consulting Group Inc.). Mr. Kalmbach holds a U.S. patent in distributed computing from his career as an IBM Scientist. He received a B.E. in Electrical Engineering from Vanderbilt University, Cum Laude, and an M.B.A. from Duke University Fuqua School of Business, where he was a Fuqua Honors Scholar.

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Mark Gemberling, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Entigral Systems, Inc.

Mr. Gemberling is an experienced sales and marketing executive with over 25 years of experience in the technology industries. He has provided transformational leadership in the areas of strategic and tactical planning, sales process improvement, and organizational development. He comes to us from Belden where he was the Vice President of Sales, Americas. While there, he developed and implemented strategic plans to generate demand for Belden’s products to end users through direct sales, contractors, consultants, and distributors. Prior to Belden, he held several key leadership roles at GE Healthcare including being the National Sales Manager for Systems &Wireless where he leveraged technology and accessibility of data to improve patient and clinical workflow. He holds a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University.

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David A. Houghton, Director, Bright Wolf

David has over 25 years experience working at the intersection of technology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and performance improvement in a variety of strategic planning, management, operations, business development and marketing posts. Mr. Houghton currently leads the sales and business development activities as Director for Bright Wolf, a software company developing and deploying IoT solutions. Before joining Bright Wolf, Mr. Houghton was the CEO of Veedims, leading the commercialization of a novel technology targeting the real time M2M automation space. The prior two years were spent consulting to Verizon, shaping and executing their healthcare vertical and identity solution strategies. Before Verizon, Mr. Houghton managed and led the sale of Systems Pathology Company, an innovative software start up to Charles River Laboratories. As a Vice President for SAIC, David initiated and led the Commercial Life Sciences Practice for 9 years. Mr. Houghton was Vice President, Business Development for Axios Data Analysis Systems Corp – a high performance software analytics firm targeting the Healthcare marketplace. Mr. Houghton held senior positions at Pfizer Inc, in the Global Development Organization where he was responsible for strategic planning and operations. His field sales and systems experience spans 13 years and includes assignments with Sun Microsystems and Unisys Corporation. Mr. Houghton holds a BA in Economics from Villanova University.

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Pivot Points by EntreDot: FanBase and Tru Access

November 3, 2014 by rpowell

Raleigh Business Radio

Pivot Points by EntreDot: FanBase and Tru Access

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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.

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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, 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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SAS, Silicon Valley Bank, nCino, and Workplace Options

October 29, 2014 by rpowell

Carolina Connections

SAS, Silicon Valley Bank, nCino, and Workplace Options

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Paula Henderson, Vice President of State and Local Government Practice, SAS

As Vice President of the State & Local Government practice at SAS, Paula Henderson is responsible for leading an $80 million business that brings the power of SAS analytics to all 50 states as well as many counties and municipalities across the U.S. Under her leadership the business unit has sustained double digit growth each year for five years.

Henderson is known for her hands-on selling and management approach, her ability to affect state legislature and government policy, and her 20 years of success as a sales leader. In her role as vice president, she oversees SAS’ commitment to helping state and local government organizations provide high-quality services to their constituents, while maximizing resources and budgets.

Henderson is a founding member of North Carolina Women in Science and Technology, co-chair of the North Carolina Information Technology Roundtable and chair of the North Carolina Beautiful Foundation. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina, and bachelor’s degree in business management from North Carolina State University.

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Chris Stoecker, Managing Director – Carolina Region, Silicon Valley Bank

Chris Stoecker is responsible for business development and portfolio management at an industry leading technology bank for the North & South Carolina region. He specializes in lending and comprehensive banking services to early stage (typically venture or angel backed), growth stage and publicly traded technology and life science companies. Chris’s activities include account acquisition, credit evaluation, term sheet negotiations, loan closings, and active networking with venture capitalists, CPAs, & attorneys.

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Martin Barbee, SVP of Strategic Accounts, nCino

Martin is responsible for sales and business development within the community and regional bank spaces throughout the United States. Martin started his career in the technology space and then spent 11 years in mortgage lending prior to joining nCino.

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Alan King, President and Chief Operating Officer, Workplace Options

As President and COO, Alan brings more than 20 years of employee assistance and work-life experience to Workplace Options. He was VP at the Ceridian LifeWorks EAP, where he oversaw international resource and referral, provider relations, external training, quality control, and customer service. Prior to that, he managed resource and referral and central database operations at work-life consulting firm Work Family Directions.

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

October 27, 2014 by rpowell

Raleigh Business Radio

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

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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.

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

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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.

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eMerging Entrepreneurs, New Century Planning, and Dillon Consulting Services

October 21, 2014 by rpowell

Carolina Connections

eMerging Entrepreneurs, New Century Planning, and Dillon Consulting Services

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T.J. Breeden, Founder and Executive Director, eMerging Entrepreneurs, Inc.

T.J. is the Founder & Executive Director of eMerging Entrepreneurs, Inc.; a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, that provides Career Transition Assistance, Small Business Training, and Entrepreneurial Developmental services to veterans, military spouses, and under-served minority communities. The organization employs a grassroots approach to assisting those who seek to advance their small business interests; partnering with state & federal agencies, universities, local chambers of commerce, and military installations in an effort to extend high-tech training & resource solutions to under-served communities.

T.J. is a 2012 recipient of the White House’s “Champions of Change” award, as well as the US Small Business Administration’s 2013 “Veterans Entrepreneurship Advocate of the Year” award for his efforts in advancing small business growth within the military community. He also serves on the City of Durham, NC’s “Small Business Advisory Committee,” is a former board member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce, and was recently invited to serve on the NC Advisory Committee for the US Global Leadership Coalition; a broad-based network of 400 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic and community leaders in all 50 states who support a smart power approach of elevating diplomacy and development alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world. Lastly, T.J. is also the Program Director of the Urban Leadership Lab, a social-incubator that provides urban youth with access to mentorship and career development training.

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April Ellerbe, Founder and Senior Events Analyst, New Century Planning

April Ellerbe is the Founder and Senior Events Analyst of New Century Planning, LLC, an event consulting firm with over 20 years of experience in offering consulting, design, events coordination, and travel services. Founded in 2006, New Century Planning has grown into nationally recognized event management firm. With service hubs in Durham, North Carolina and Washington, DC, New Century Planning’s name commands instant recognition in the events and hospitality industry! Because of April’s talents and accomplishments, she was recently highlighted as one of the event industry’s top young professionals to know and has been awarded various awards, including the industries “40 under 40″ recognition, 1st place in AFR’s 2013 National “Design and Inspire” competition, as well as being awarded 1-of-12 contracts to host an official delegate event for the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC. Her work has been published in national media outlets such as Today, CNN, Politico, Biz Bash, Smart Meetings, Collaborate, and PBS; and her portfolio includes the likes of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Duke University Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology, The Sundance Film Festival, and most recently she facilitated a gathering in the Nation’s Capital for “The Executives’ Alliance to Expand Opportunities for Boys and Men of Color,” also know as the My Brothers Keeper Initiative. April not only oversees the firm’s growth and development, but also plays an integral role in the day-to-day operations and client activities. Her efficiency, creativity, and spirit of excellence will prove extremely valuable to the development and expansion of our Champions program, and we’re excited to have her full commitment as we press forward in “creating environments where collaboration can thrive!

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Paul Dillon, President and CEO, Dillon Consulting Services LLC

Paul A. Dillon is the president and CEO of Dillon Consulting Services LLC, a U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs certified Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, based in Durham, NC and Chicago, IL. He created and co-taught the highly successful course “Law and Veterans’ Issues: Policy Challenges and Best Practices” at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago. Paul’s client engagements include a research assignment for Crain’s Chicago Business, for the highly acclaimed “Veterans in the Workplace” Focus section that was published in November, 2011. Paul is also the creator of the concept for a successful and widely adapted veteran’s startup incubator in Chicago, called The Bunker. He has been quoted in numerous publications about veterans issues, such as the National Federation of Independent Businesses newsletter (NFIB.com), eLearners.com, and USAA Magazine, and has been the subject of profiles, such as “A Veteran Fights Back”. Paul holds an A.B. Degree from John Carroll University, an M.S. Degree from Northern Illinois University, and has done advanced graduate study in Systems Management at the University of Southern California, Ft. Rucker, AL branch. He is a former trustee of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and a former Public Member and Commissioner of the national Commission for Case Manager Certification. Read Paul’s recent Op-Ed in Forbes Magazine, entitled: “Memo to Employers: Veterans Aren’t PTSD Basketcases, They’re Disciplined and Committed!” Mr. Dillon is a U.S. Army Reserve veteran, he served in Vietnam as a 1st Lieutenant, and was awarded 2 Bronze Star Medals.

Grant Thornton, Vaco Raleigh, and Nexsen Pruet

October 20, 2014 by rpowell

Raleigh Business Radio

Grant Thornton, Vaco Raleigh, and Nexsen Pruet

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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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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, 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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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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