Board of Advisors

Sharon Decker

President - Carolina Operations

Tryon Equestrian Partners

Betsy Fleming

Executive & Organizational Coach

Lara Hodgson

Co-Founder, President & CEO

NOW Corp

Thomas O'Neill

Executive Vice President

Würth Line Craft North America

John Switzer

Board Member

Retired KPMG Managing Partner

Grace Weisiger

MBA Candidate

Wharton School of the

University of Pennsylvania

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.

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Betsy Fleming

Executive and Organizational Coach, Charlotte, North Carolina

Betsy Fleming is a highly trained coach, an experienced consultant and a transformative leader with experience leading business and arts organizations, nonprofits and educational institutions.

In her leadership and consultant roles, she has helped organizations develop breakthrough strategies and restructured organizations for sustainability and growth. With extensive public speaking, teaching and writing experience in the areas of leadership, advancing women, creativity, art, and design, Betsy is passionate about cultivating creativity, collaboration and diversity of thought.

In addition to her coaching role, Betsy is a moderator for The Aspen Institute and serves on two corporate boards as well numerous nonprofit and education entities.

Previously, Betsy served as the president of Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C., and the executive director of the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, S.C.

Betsy has a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, a master’s degree from the Royal College of Art and her doctorate from Yale University.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Grace Weisiger

MBA Candidate, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Grace Weisiger is an experienced strategic marketing and operations professional with a demonstrated history of working in fast-paced environments. Prior to pursuing her MBA, Grace was senior manager, field marketing operations for Bumble, where she supported a fast-growing brand by executing strategic marketing strategies. She is passionate about building community through meaningful marketing initiatives, growing teams and driving results.

Grace received her bachelor’s from The University of Georgia where she studied business administration, risk management and international business.

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