Uncategorized

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Karen Calder

45- Byrd Bergeron, CEO and Extreme Vacation Enthusiast, The Travel Byrds: A Novel Travel Agency

Byrd Bergeron
CEO and Extreme Vacation Enthusiast, The Travel Byrds: A Novel Travel Agency

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.

Under Byrd’s leadership, The Travel Byrds has set a new standard for excellence with a meticulous triple-check process that ensures every itinerary is flawless. Whether it’s a last-minute reservation or a complex multi-destination journey, Byrd and the team consistently exceed expectations, turning dream vacations into seamless realities.

Byrd’s passion for crafting bespoke travel experiences has earned her a reputation as an “extreme vacation enthusiast,” pushing the boundaries of luxury, efficiency, and adventure.

Byrd Bergeron is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.

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Byrd Bergeron

44- Christopher James Lees, Resident Conductor, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra

Christopher James Lees
Resident Conductor, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra

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 Prize-winning composers such as John Adams and Jennifer Higdon. A passionate advocate for music education, he has worked with student orchestras nationwide. Lees holds degrees from the University of Michigan and has trained for the Boston Marathon.

Christopher James Lees is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.

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Christopher James Lees

43- Barbara Bleiweis, Supervisor, Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District

Barbara Bleiweis
Supervisor, Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District

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 on several boards, including the North Carolina Association for Soil and Water Conservation Districts. She is also a member of the National Association of Conservation Districts’ Water and Climate Committee.

Barbara Bleiweis is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.

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Barbara Bleiweis

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42- Tameka Gunn and Tierra Brant, Community Link and Affordable Housing in Charlotte

Tameka Gunn & Tierra Brant
CEO of Community Link, Commercial Loan Consultant

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 programs are impactful, fostering long-term change in the community.

Joining Tameka with us in the studio is Tierra Brant, an experienced commercial loans consultant — who also leveraged the services of Community Link on her own family’s journey to homeownership.

Tameka Gunn and Tierra Brant are our guests on this episode of The @ Work Podcast.

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Tameka Gunn

Tierra Brant

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Billy Lipari & Pete Futia - Sur-Seal (Reprise)

Billy Lipari & Pete Futia
Sur-Seal (Reprise)

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 how they create a respectful workplace.

Billy Lipari is the marketing director and Pete Futia is the chief operating officer at Sur-Seal. Sur-Seal is a top tier manufacturer of engineer components. They help their customers solve complex sealing, insulation, thermal and protection challenges. Sur-Seal offers a range of custom die-cut, molded, formed and extruded parts. On their website they state that they foster a positive company culture that values the contributions of their employees, and we believe they keep their word. Billy Lipari and Pete Futia are our guest today on the @Work Podcast.

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Pete Futia on LinkedIn

Billy Lipari on LinkedIn

Sur-Seal

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40- Daniel Fogarty and Isabella Mebane, Executive Director, The First Tee of Greater Charlotte

Daniel Fogarty and Isabella Mebane
Executive Director, The First Tee of Greater Charlotte

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 accessing their inner strength, building self-confidence, and learning resilience.

Daniel is joined in the studio today by Isabella Mebane who is a participant at First Tee.

Daniel Fogarty and Isabella Mebane are our guests on this episode of The @ Work Podcast.

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Daniel Fogarty

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39- Syble Latta & Pam Nixon - Poffie Girls (Reprise)

Syble Latta & Pam Nixon
Poffie Girls

As a single mother of modest means in the 1970s, with no retail or business experience. Syble Latta faced many challenges when she decided to open a bridal salon. The economic times were bad, and banks felt that women were a loan risk and treated them differently from men in business. However, Syble had passion, determination and a commitment to meeting the needs of her customers.

For over 50 years, Poffie Girls has served women in all of their special events from high school prom to wedding day to Mother of the Bride. And Syble is passing along the business to her daughter, Pam Nixon, the original Poffie Girl. Pam has worked in every aspect of the business with guidance from her mom as she now looks forward to taking Poffie Girls into the future.

One of the top bridal salons in the Southeast, Poffie Girls has an undisputed reputation for honesty, high quality products, competitive pricing, and, of course, real customer service. Syble Latta and Pam Nixon are our guest today on the @Work Podcast.

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Poffie Girls Website

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38- Andy Sturge & Charlie Sternberg, Majority Owners, CAP Insurance Group

Andy Sturge & Charlie Sternberg
Majority Owners, CAP Insurance Group

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 Sturge & Charlie Sternberg are our guests today on The @ Work Podcast.

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Andy Sturge

Charlie Sternberg

CAP Insurance Group

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37- Benton Bragg, President & CEO, Bragg Financial Advisors

Benton Bragg
President & CEO, Bragg Financial Advisors

Benton Bragg is the President and CEO of Bragg Financial Advisors. A second-generation family business, Bragg Financial Advisors was started by Frank Bragg in 1964 and is now led by three of the Bragg sons and a brother-in-law. Benton has worked in the family business for over 30 years.

Benton and his family also live with the extended Bragg clan on the family farm near Huntersville, North Carolina. He enjoys reading, traveling, being outdoors and spending time with his family. He enjoys all types of outdoor manual labor projects, particularly cutting wood with his father and taking on chores he can do while driving his John Deere tractor.

Benton Bragg is our guest today on The @ Work Podcast.

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Benton Bragg

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