@Work Podcast

Today we're joined by Natalie Parmenter, founder of Primary Focus—a resource hub helping parents support their child's learning with simple, research-backed strategies. A former kindergarten teacher with a master's from Johns Hopkins, Natalie now shares practical tips on school readiness, early literacy, and more through her YouTube channel, newsletter, workshops, and 1:1 coaching. Natalie is our...

Jason Soucy is the championship director for the 2025 PGA Championship, to be played May 15th through 18th. At our very own Quail Hollow Club here in Charlotte. Jason returned to the PGA of America in November 2022, following more than 13 years with the Travelers Championship. He previously served with the PGA of America as tournament director for the 2001 and the 2003 KitchenAid senior PGA Champi...

For the past decade, Miller Yoho has worked in digital media and built a skillset that ranges from social media to video production to public relations. From agency work to running his own business, Miller has worked on a variety of sports properties ranging from college football to the PGA Championship. Best known for his work around the Duke's Mayo Bowl and the Jumpman Invitational, Miller is pa...

Sam Grogan LOVES his job. Helping folks in the Carolinas find their perfect home, or sell the home that they have loved, has been his passion for OVER 20 years! Together with his team of seasoned agents he has assisted over 2500 clients with their Real Estate needs. Always on the go, he covers a fairly large territory and is intimately familiar with communities from the Top of Lake Norman, to the...

Adam Rhew is President and CEO of SouthPark Community Partners, an economic and community development nonprofit established in 2022 with a mission to drive the vitality of Charlotte's SouthPark area. A native Charlottean who was raised in SouthPark, Adam led the creation of the SouthPark Forward 2035 Vision Plan and is shepherding some creative solutions to making SouthPark even more of a great ex...

Pardon Dexter is owner of Dexter Insurance Associates and a founding member of CAP Insurance Group. Since 1995, Dexter Insurance Associates has specialized in employee benefits and has a combined 140 years of industry experience among the members of the team. Pardon has built a successful career on the values of integrity, experience, personalized customer service and strong relationships. He is a...

Garrett Tichy is the Founder of Hygge Coworking and the co-owner with his wife of Seemingly Overzealous, a non-dairy ice cream store. A strong advocate for small businesses, Tichy is well-known for his natural ability to build diverse and inclusive communities. This once college drop-out turned serial entrepreneur who found success with several ventures is now focused on the joy of running a famil...

Spencer Lueders is the President of State Building Services, a seasoned business leader, engineer, attorney, and philanthropist with a strong focus on customer service, operations, and brand development. With more than 20 years of legal experience, he blends business acumen with a people-first approach to deliver strategic solutions and exceptional results. Beyond his professional career, Spencer...

Brooke Adler is the Principal Designer of Brooke Adler Interiors, specializing in high-end residential design across North Carolina and beyond. With expertise in new construction, remodels, and curated room design, she brings a refined, full-service approach to every project, including select commercial spaces. Brooke's path to interior design was shaped by her background in fashion merchandising...

In this reprise episode of The @Work Podcast, we're joined again by Dena Diorio, Mecklenburg County Manager. As the CEO of the state's largest county, Dena oversees 6,000 employees, a $1.5 billion budget, and a $1 billion capital program. Known for her collaborative leadership, she works closely with the Board of County Commissioners and local organizations to drive effective problem-solving and a...

Jim Keffer is the owner and investing partner at Keffer Auto Group, a multi-brand dealership group serving Charlotte, Albemarle, and Columbia with Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, Ford, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Genesis, and exotic car brands. A second-generation leader in the automotive industry, Jim has built a legacy of service, leadership, and innovation in car sales. Beyond the showroom, Ji...

Linda Kirby serves as part owner and Executive Vice President of Boingo Graphics, a company specializing in high-quality printing and marketing solutions. With a reputation for innovation and a client-first mindset, Linda has become a respected leader in the print and marketing industries. Her journey began in high school when a graphic arts vocational program sparked her passion for print communi...

Dan Hooks – Party Reflections Founded in 1958 by Wayne and Sue Hooks, Party Reflections started in a rented garage with a small inventory of tables and chairs. Now over 60 years later, Party Reflections has expanded to four locations in North and South Carolina, being led by the second generation and employing the third generation in this successful family business.   The event business isn't just...

Henry Batten, Concrete Supply Company   Henry Batten is the President of Concrete Supply Company, the Carolina's premiere source for top quality Ready-Mix concrete products, with 90 plants producing nearly 3 million cubic yards of concrete annually throughout the Carolinas.   Henry's current and past responsibilities include the organization's general management, dispatch, engineering, quality con...

Jennifer De La Jara is the Director of Philanthropy at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, where she leads fundraising initiatives and forges partnerships with donors, foundations, and corporations to advance Goodwill's mission of economic mobility. With a career spanning roles like Director of Education at International House and Director of Workforce Development at Charlotte Bilingual...

Dena Diorio is the Mecklenburg County Manager, serving as the CEO of the largest county in the state. With a wealth of experience in executive oversight and managerial leadership, she directs department heads to ensure that county operations align with policies set by the Board of County Commissioners. In her role as County Manager, she oversees 6,000 employees and manages an annual operating budg...

Karen Calder is the Executive Director of Classroom Central and a dynamic nonprofit leader with expertise in fundraising, marketing, operations, and program development. With experience spanning both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, she combines business acumen with a passion for community impact, ensuring students and educators have the resources they need to succeed. Karen Calder is our guest t...

Byrd Bergeron is a trailblazer in the luxury travel industry and the visionary CEO of The Travel Byrds: A Novel Travel Agency. Leading an $8MM agency, Byrd has redefined what it means to travel in style by creating an innovative model that allows travel agents to focus on designing unforgettable experiences while a specialized support team manages the logistics, from invoices to spa appointments....

Christopher James Lees is an acclaimed conductor known for his dynamic performances and commitment to contemporary music. Since 2018, he has been Resident Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra. Lees has also conducted major orchestras like the Los Angeles, New York, and Rochester Philharmonics and collaborated with Pulitzer...

Barbara Bleiweis has been a Supervisor for the Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District since 2017, where she advocates for sustainable land and water practices. She has led efforts to increase community awareness of soil health, water quality, and their impact on local food systems. Bleiweis played a key role in securing the Farmland Preservation Plan for Mecklenburg County and is active...

Tameka Gunn is the President and CEO of Community Link, a nonprofit organization committed to helping individuals and families achieve financial stability and housing security. With 19 years of experience in social work, Tameka has spent much of her career in management roles, including overseeing the agency's Homelessness to Housing and Asset Building programs. Her leadership ensures these progra...

This is @Work with Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden. For over a decade, Dr. Teagarden has worked with small to medium enterprises to create more drama free workplaces. Here on the @Work podcast, she speaks with presidents, owners and executives of companies about their unique workforce ecosystems and how they create great places to work. On this episode, Billy Lipari and Pete Futia from Sur-Seal talk about...

Daniel Fogarty   Daniel Fogarty is the Executive Director of First Tee of Greater Charlotte. First Tee is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Professional Golfers Association of America. The program helps kids get access to golf clubs, courses and scholarships. Along with learning the fundamentals of golf, participants also build important character traits that carry into life including a...

This is @Work with Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden. For over a decade, Dr. Teagarden has worked with small to medium enterprises to create more drama free workplaces. Here on the @Work podcast, she speaks with presidents, owners and executives of companies about their unique workforce ecosystems and how they create great places to work. As a single mother of modest means in the 1970s, with no retail or bu...

Andy Sturge & Charlie Sternberg Andy Sturge and Charlie Sternberg are the majority owners of CAP Insurance Group. Together they have built a thriving commercial property and casualty insurance company from a passion for helping people protect what matters most to them.   We asked Andy and Charlie to be on the show because we admire their company culture and their commitment to their people.   Andy...