Damon Sams - is a young entrepreneur that has been around the operations of business his whole life. At a young age he helped run his father’s construction company. Since that time he has helped start-up, improve and run several business operations, from RAMACC to Wachovia Bank. Damon’s success has come from his ability to give companies and departments a competitive edge by developing an innovative approach to processes and his ability identify and sustain long range goals. Damon is a certified project manager. As a former member of the Enterprise-Level IT Education (ELITE) Academy Network Advisory Council, he provided assistance and consulting to over 65 colleges, universities and high schools nationwide.

Lucy Sams - received a working knowledge of developmental schematics while receiving her Bachelor Of Arts Degree at Cleveland State University. Lucy has a demonstrated expertise in early childhood education with a special emphasis on developmental disabilities. Lucy has worked with various community service projects and non-profits to increase her knowledge around early childhood development. Lucy has an ongoing involvement in a program that determines the basic writing skill assessment techniques for students across the country. Her observation of her own children’s growth and development has been very instrumental in her continued effort to be actively engaged in their environment and involved with the community, on their behalf. She firmly believes that whether or not a community thrives is based solely on the efforts of its occupants.

Linda Kiser - has a BFA in Design (East Carolina University), BS in art (East Carolina University) , BS in elementary education (UNCC at Charlotte), Masters in elementary education (UNCC at Charlotte), EDS in educational leadership (Winthrop University). Linda has been in education for 33 years and has taught from pre-k to high school and college level. Linda Kiser currently serves at the executive director for the Central Learning Community of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system. Linda Kiser previously served as the principal of Park Road Montessori School in Charlotte, NC, where she has served since 2001.

Francene Marie - is a graduate of the International Academy of Fashion and Design, and has worked as agency Director and model for many years. In 1994, Francene studied Communications and landed a career with Infinity Broadcasting in 1996, as talk show host for Kiss 95.1. Francene soon grabbed 4 more radio stations and hosted and produced issues of concern to the Charlotte community for: WNKS-FM, WKQC-FM, WFNZ-AM, WSOC-FM & WFNA-AM. Currently Francene is writing, and producing esteem enhancing television shows, hosts radio shows for Radio Disney and talks to audiences large and small about her new project “Balancing Act”. Francene works with many non-profit organizations in North and South Carolina, such as the American Red Cross, Leukemia Society, Special Olympics North Carolina and Domestic Violence agencies.

Michelle Darby - holds a Master of Project Management degree from the College of Business at Western Carolina University and a BS from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.), where she majored in International Economics. She also holds a certificate from the Karl F. Landegger Honors Program in International Business Diplomacy at Georgetown. Michelle has worked in the financial services industry for over 15 years. She currently holds the title of Vice President and is serving as a Senior Project Manager within Wachovia’s General Banking Group. Michelle was a member of the Towne Meadows Homeowners Association Board of Directors from 2002 to 2005; during that time she served in the capacity of Secretary-Treasurer and then as Board President. She was also an active participant in the annual “Building on Faith” blitzes for Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte, helping to organize Wachovia’s participation from 2000 to 2003. Michelle currently serves as a volunteer tutor with the Central Piedmont Community College ABLE program, tutoring adult learners in math and reading. She is a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI) and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte.

Adolph Thorpe - has 13 years experience in Financial Services Industry. In those years Adolph has served in the capacity of an Accountant, IT Project Manager, and Financial Analyst. Adolph has BA in Accounting from Shaw University and is certified as a QuickBooks Pro Advisor. Adolph is currently the CEO of Tahpi Financial Solutions and serves as the Board treasurer of Miss Ebony’s School of Etiquette, a nonprofit organization focused on uplifting young girls.

Rhonda Cox - has home schooled her son for the last 4 1/2 years and as a result she has done hours of research on learning styles, curriculum and approaches to teaching. During the 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 school years, Rhonda has developed and managed a small, volunteer tutoring/mentoring program for 8 children who had been identified by their school as being at risk of not graduating. She helped in identifying and meeting their literacy goals. Rhonda has written and illustrated via photography 10 children’s books, which were published by “Richard C. Owen Publishers” in Katonah, NY, who specializes in literacy education and professional development materials. Rhonda's books are a part of their classroom materials.