Paul Beyer, Founder & Director of the Tom Tom Festival
Paul’s vision for the Tom Tom Festival is to catalyze the formation of creative, civic, and entrepreneurial ventures, aiming to foster creativity and entrepreneurship in Charlottesville and beyond. Paul is the Vice President of R. L. Beyer Custom Homes, his family's home building business, and he ran in the Democratic primary for City Council in 2011.
Bryan Harris, Executive Director
Bryan became the new Executive Director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities Charlottesville in early 2025 and in his new role, will offer a Member Focus on his transition, vision and plan for the future of RMHC Charlottesville.
Kris Ream, Owner, Jack’s Shop Kitchen
From WMD to Jack's Shop Kitchen (Ruckersville): A Restaurateur's Journey
Kris Reams was a seasoned intelligence officer with 25 years of service, specializing in Weapons of Mass Destruction. Then one day he decided life needed a new path, and eventually after a few failed attempts he became a small business owner and restaurateur.
Richard Chrisler, Owner, Sunday Solar
For 15 years, Richard has maintained a thriving, debt free business while most solar companies failed to survive the ever-present “solar-coaster”. Together with his new COO, Sunday Solar is navigating a new solar reality of disappearing solar income tax credits.
Dargan Coggeshall, Executive Director, LearningRx Charlottesville
Dargan is the Executive Director for LearningRX Charlottesville, a company helping students become more proficient learners and preventing age related cognitive decline in seniors. Dargan has an extensive background in business development, strategic partnership formation and sales.
Todd Jenkins, Senior Mortgage Banker, Gray Fox Mortgage
Todd will conduct a Member Focus on the Mortgage Industry, his business in general and the good, bad and ugly about navigating mortgage loan products in today’s economy. He is a long standing member of CBE so no doubt good stories of yesteryear thrown in during his presentation for all to enjoy.
Alex Inman, Career Ownership Coach
Alex is one of our newest members and will present his inaugural Member Focus to discuss his business, The Entrepreneur’s Source.
Cheryl Reynolds, RPM Presidential
Cheryl will conduct a Member Focus about her business evolution, stories of success as well as lessons learned.
Andrea Copeland, President & CEO, Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce
Since joining the Chamber team in 2012, Andrea has steadily advanced within the organization, demonstrating exceptional leadership in various roles, including Director of Leadership Charlottesville, Director of Member Education Services, and Chief Operating Officer, before serving most recently as Interim CEO. Now the Chamber’s President and CEO, she will discuss her journey, the Chambers value proposition for small business and her vision for the future.
Happy New Year - No Meeting
Happy New Year to Members, Family and Friends! Cheers to an amazing 2026!
Loren Shetler, Custom Garages
Before Custom Garages, I started Capitol Sheds Inc. in 1998 with just ten sheds and grew it into Virginia’s largest storage shed dealer, reaching over $10 million in annual sales before selling the company in 2023. Along the way, I made plenty of mistakes that cost time and money. I look forward to sharing some of those lessons so others can hopefully avoid the same pitfalls.
Dr. Jason Itri, Member Focus
Dr. Jason Itri, founder of Longevity Health Clinic, presents his unique approach that integrates the best of traditional and functional medicine to uncover and address the root causes of chronic health conditions. Through advanced diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, and a strong emphasis on lifestyle interventions, he delivers measurable outcomes for individuals seeking proactive, evidence-based care. This presentation will highlight how a thoughtful, outcomes-driven model can support long-term health and performance.
Michelle DeLang Conner, Member Focus
CBE Member Michelle Conner will share one of the Club at Glenmore’s top areas of pursuit – membership growth - as well as how she leverages private club access to help non-profits raise money through golf.
Brandon Lee, Founder & Owner, Symba Solutions, LLC
Founded on the principles of innovation and equity, Symba Solutions collaborates with world class institutions to deliver tailored educational solutions for all. Brandon will share his lessons learned as a new entrepreneur and his experience at the recent Tom Tom Festival’s “Pitch Competition”.
John Coppi, Member Focus
As one of our newest CBE members, John will be conducting his initial Member Focus and discuss his company, Westminster Canterbury Charlottesville.
Jon Duman, President and CEO, Central Virginia Paul Davis
Jon has built a highly respected business providing full scale restoration services to residents and businesses in central VA. Jon will discuss the systems he found most useful in building his enterprise and include thoughts on “if I had to do over again.”
Kenton Chelf, Aramark & UVA Sports Catering
Kenton has an extensive background in running large scale catering operations such as feeding the Cleveland Barons and personnel at the Tampa Naval Base. Hired as a subcontractor, Kenton is in charge of catering for UVA’s sports teams.
Ian Ayers, CEO RECmint
Ian is an experienced entrepreneur based in Charlottesville. During his visit, he will speak on “How to talk with new and existing partners to unlock transformative growth.”
Meghann Jensen, Jansen Bookkeeping
Meghann Jansen, one of our latest new members will conduct her new member focus and present her business, Jansen Bookkeeping.
CBE “Focus Group Thursday”
Members of CBE will present their respective business ideas and/or challenges to peer members for feedback, questions and suggestions. Together we make our member businesses smarter and stronger.
Crystal Evatt, Co-Owner, At Home Care Staffing
Since 1996, At Home Care Staffing has utilized certified healthcare providers to deliver all levels of care to independent seniors . Crystal has been with the company for over 10 years and has progressed from Marketing Director, Regional Marketing Director, Director of Operations, to most recently co-owner. She will be discussing how she differentiates her company from other in-home care services.
Angelo S. Jennings, Grout & Carpet Wizards, Inc., Owner & CEO
In 2001, Angelo founded Grout & Carpet Wizards in Lexington, Kentucky. He moved the operation to Central Virginia in 2006 and has enjoyed serving the community and surrounding area ever since. The company has grown into a profitable business and has transformed the surface restoration business in Charlottesville.
Last Thursday - No Meeting But President’s Club is on Deck!
Great day for RB opportunities! And congrats to our Q4 2024 President’s Club Members: Any, Nina, Bryan, Bill, Nancy, Paul, Don, Lisa, Jim, Robert & Michelle. For details regarding the President’s Club Event, click here! See you at 1717 Allied Lane, Cville at 1:30 p.m.
CBE Cancelled Today
Today’s Meeting Has Been Cancelled Due to Weather Conditions. Our guest speaker will be rescheduled.
Nancy Trudel, Trudel Law
Nancy Trudel, a CBE Member, will offer a presentation on Trademark Registration and Intellectual Property.
Adam Holt, Owner, Albemarle Angler
Adam has an extensive background in investment banking. He will discuss his experience with buying the Albemarle Angler in Barracks Road, the unforeseen challenges and his plans to grow sales.
Christmas in January @ The Local
CBE Christmas in January Celebration. We will return to The Local in Belmont and this is a member plus guest event.
Happy New Year - No Meeting
Happy New Year to Members, Family and Friends! Cheers to an amazing 2025!
White Elephant Event - Members Only
CBE Annual White Elephant Event. This will be a members only event and don’t forget that “special gift”.
Aaron & Malina Rivers, Owner/Operator of BrightStars Senior Care
Aaron and Malina will discuss their entrepreneurial journey and how it lead them to the ownership of BrightStars Senior Care here in Charlottesville.