Ed Weisiger Jr.
Chair - Weisiger Group
Ed Weisiger Jr. serves as Chair of Weisiger Group and began his career in 1987. In 1988, he became General Manager of Carolina Cat’s Engine Division before becoming President and CEO in 1991. His responsibilities include overseeing the company’s two operating divisions (Carolina Cat and LiftOne), shareholder strategy, and championing the customer service culture. Weisiger Group represents brands such as Caterpillar and Hyster-Yale Group in the Southeast and is one of the largest private businesses in North Carolina.
He is co-founder of Beacon Partners, a prominent real estate development and asset management firm in the Carolinas. Additionally, he co-founded WSC & Co., a private equity enterprise that supports entrepreneurs by facilitating the acquisition of existing small and medium-sized businesses and transitioning business leadership to these entrepreneurs, commonly referred to as search funds.
He is a member of the Chief Executive Organization (CEO), holding the position of Chair at the annual CEO Harvard Presidents’ Seminar. He is also a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (Past Chapter Chairman) and served the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce (Past Chair). Ed has also made significant contributions as a former President of the Southeast Caterpillar Dealer Association, a former Director of the North Carolina Chamber, and a former Director of the NC State Engineering Foundation.
Ed is also very community-minded and gives back in many ways to nonprofits and community organizations such as: Myers Park Presbyterian Church (Elder), North Carolina State University (Board of Trustees and current Chair), Charlotte Sports Foundation (Director), and has previously served on the boards of several educational institutions and non-profit organizations.
Ed's academic background includes a BS in Industrial Engineering from NC State University and an MBA from the Harvard University Graduate School of Business.
Sharon Decker
President - Carolina Operations, Tryon Equestrian Partners, Rutherfordton, North Carolina
Sharon Decker is president, carolina operations for Tryon Equestrian Partners. In her role, Sharon is managing development of the Tryon Resort brand and is spearheading the multi-use development of the 1600-acre Tryon Resort located in the Foothills of Western North Carolina.
Sharon began her career with Duke Power Company, now formally recognized as Duke Energy, where she was named the first female vice president in the company’s history. Since that time, she has held significant leadership roles in public, private and non-profit organizations, with a focus on economic development and job creation, new business start-ups, historic preservation and rural community re-development.
In 2013, Sharon was appointed secretary of commerce for the state of North Carolina by Governor Pat McCrory. As secretary of commerce, Decker oversaw the creation of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina and was responsible for marketing the state on a global scale.
Sharon has a Bachelor of Science from The University of North Carolina-Greensboro and a Master of Divinity from Gardner-Webb University.
Lara Hodgson
Co-Founder, President & CEO at NOW Corp, Atlanta, Georgia
Lara O’Connor Hodgson, president and CEO of NOW, serves as an entrepreneur in residence at Harvard Business School and is an internationally recognized speaker, leading seminars on creativity, innovation and access to capital.
Prior to NOW, Lara co-founded Nourish (the manufacturing company), and Insomnia, LLC, a firm specializing in investment, development, and management of complex and innovative world-changing projects. Her background also includes five years with Dewberry Capital Corporation, an Atlanta-based commercial real estate development and investment firm, where she served as the company’s chief marketing officer and chief operating officer.
Her product experience includes Dunk, a performance footwear and apparel manufacturing/retail company built on the concept of mass customization and founded with Shaquille O’Neal and Mike Piazza, where she served as executive vice president.
Today, she serves as a trustee of the Georgia Tech Foundation in addition to other boards. Ernst & Young recognized Lara as a 2018 Finalist for the Southeast Entrepreneur of the Year.
Lara received an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s in aerospace engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Thomas O'Neill
Executive Vice President, Würth Line Craft North America, Chicago, Illinois
Thomas O’Neill is the executive vice president of Würth Line Craft North America, where he is responsible for the activities of six operating companies and three separate divisions.
Previously, Thomas served as managing director and vice president of sales with Würth Baer Supply. Thomas has more than 25 years of sales management experience and is currently serving as past president of NBMDA, a trade association representing the leading wholesale distributors of specialty building materials for interiors.
Thomas received his Bachelor of Science in management from St. Joseph College in Indiana.
John Switzer
Board Member, Retired KPMG Managing Partner, Charlotte, North Carolina
John Switzer is a senior financial executive with successful experience leading a diverse professional services business. Industry experience includes consumer markets, retail, industrial markets, mining and financial services.
His strong finance and audit background meet the requirements of a financial expert for SEC audit committee purposes. John has demonstrated leadership ability in driving business strategy, including business development and marketing, personnel development and human resources, information technology, and the accomplishment of goals through motivation and direction of others.
Previously, John served as a managing partner for KPMG. He holds a Bachelor of Science from The University of Kentucky.
Grace Weisiger
Managing Partner, Willow Hill
Grace is currently the Managing Partner of Willow Hill Capital, a private investment vehicle serving the lower and middle market. Prior to starting Willow Hill, she was an early employee at a technology company, Bumble, and led the company's Community Marketing and Operations department. In her role, she focused on driving results through strong team management, creative marketing strategies, and effective process implementation. She guided her team through transitional moments including global market launches in 12 countries, an acquisition by Blackstone in 2020, and Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2021.
Grace received her MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and her Bachelor’s of Business Administration from the University of Georgia.
Kevin Pennington
Public Co. Board Member, HR Committee Chair, CHRO
Kevin Pennington most recently served as the Chief Human Resources officer of Fiserv, Inc. and as Special Advisor to the CEO on key talent management and acquisition integrations.
Kevin’s extensive experience spans across all aspects of human resource leadership including talent management, talent acquisition, organization development, merger and acquisition integration, executive compensation, HR committee management, benefits management, compliance, technology and employee services.
Kevin sits on the Board and as the HR Committee Chair of Morneau Shepell, a publicly traded, $1.3B market cap Global HR services and consulting firm. He specializes in providing strategic direction and advice to various executive committees and Boards of Directors.
Cam Dyer
Partner and IC Chair of Falfurrias Growth Partners, Former Co-Head of Global TMT Sector at The Carlyle Group
Cam Dyer joined Falfurrias Capital in 2021 as a coinvestor and assumed the role of lead Advisory Board member for Crosslake Technologies. Prior to this, Cam had an extensive career at The Carlyle Group, where he served as Managing Director and Partner from 2002 onwards.
Over his 19-year tenure at Carlyle, he achieved the position of Global Co-head of Carlyle's TMT sector and successfully executed investments in various sectors, including application software, data and information technology, IT services, and infrastructure businesses.
Before joining Carlyle, Cam worked as an associate at William Blair Capital Partners, a private equity firm. He also gained experience as a consultant at Bain & Company and as an investment banking analyst in the M&A Group of Bowles, Hollowell, Conner & Co.
Cam holds an MBA with High Distinction from Harvard Business School, where he was recognized as a Baker Scholar.
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