Ula Kauppi became the Executive Director of the LSO on June 1, 2024. Ula comes to the LSO with an extensive background in resource development, marketing, and communications at the Free Clinic of Central Virginia, E.C. Glass Theatre, and United Way of Central Virginia. She has also served on the Board of Trustees at the Academy Center of the Arts f…

Alliance COO, Christine Kennedy sits down with local business owner, Rick Scruggs, CEO of Financial Designs to discuss his new book: "What's Wrong With My Thinking?" Hear real-world success stories of local businesses fueled by abundance thinking and learn more about how you can achieve your business goals.…

How well do you know small business? Stephanie Keener and Jawansa Hall of the Small Business Development Center - Lynchburg Region join us for a trivia podcast for National Small Business Week! Learn how small businesses are the backbone of our national and local economy and test your knowledge. Learn more about the SBDC - Lynchburg Region here. Ce…

Our host, Chal Nunn, sat down with new Liberty University President Dondi Costin to talk about who he is and how his career has led him to the Lynchburg region. Listen in to get to know the president of one of our region's largest employers and educators. About Dr. Costin Dr. Dondi Costin began serving as Liberty University’s sixth president on Jul…

On this episode we chatted with Etta & DD - the co-owners of the historic Timberlake Tavern. Etta & DD describe what its like running an event venue, their journey to becoming business owners, and how the Timberlake Tavern continues to serve guests today. Listen in and hear their story! What is the Timberlake Tavern? When Edley Craighill and Fred S…

On this episode of All For Business, we strike up a conversation with Melissa Lucy, CEO of Horizon Behavioral Health. Horizon was recently recognized as a 2023 Best Place To Work by Lynchburg Business magazine and plays an important role in serving the mental health needs of our region. Listen in! About Melissa Lucy Melissa L. Lucy, LPC, QMHP is cu…

On this episode of All For Business, we chatted with Craig Ranson of Framatome about the future of nuclear and how they are investing towards a bright future through new projects, research, and education. Lynchburg has the potential to not only be a hub for the energy industry in Virginia but also continue to grow as America's Nuclear City. Listen …

On this week's episode we sat down with Jared Hesse, owner of Gentleman John's Classic Barbershop in Downtown Lynchburg. You'll hear about Jared's journey from cutting hair in his parents basement to opening several locations across the Lynchburg region. You'll also hear about Jared's recent travels and trainings with master barbers and his own adv…

Happy National Small Business Week! On this episode of All For Business, we sit down with Megan Lucas, CEO & Chief Economic Development Officer of the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance, and Stephanie Kenner, Executive Director of the Small Business Development Center - Lynchburg Region, to discuss the resources available for small businesses her…

Who’s ready for OKTOBERFEST???? Grab your fellow beer lovers and join The Water Dog on Saturday, October 22 at Riverfront Park in Downtown Lynchburg to “Prost like a Pro!” for this years Oktoberfest celebration. We sat down with Dave Henderson for a mini episode of All For Business and get the scoop on the German-inspired feasting, dancing, axe thr…

In this week's episode of the Alliance's All4Business podcast, join retired physician, Dr. Chal Nunn, as he sits down with Amy Carrier, President & CEO of CENTRA, the largest healthcare organization in the Lynchburg region. During the episode, Amy shares her experience of leading CENTRA more than a year after the onset of the pandemic, providing le…

For this week's episode of the Alliance's All4Business podcast, join the Alliance's Executive Vice-President & COO Christine Kennedy and Carrie Wright, Executive Director of Strategic Development for Chick Fil A Wards Rd and River Ridge Mall in Lynchburg, VA. As an industry expert in customer relations, executing planning, development, talent train…

In our final Mental Health Awareness Month podcast, we sit down with the new CEO of Horizon Behavioral Health, Melissa Lucy. We hope this series has been helpful for you and your employees. Stay tuned for our next episode!

Our fourth Mental Health Awareness Month episode explores ways you can help yourself and your teams manage stress and improve mental health with Corporate Trainer, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Certified Behavioral Consultant, Jen Rowland.

Now in the third week of our Mental Health Awareness Month series, let's examine mental health from a legal standpoint. How can employers and employees tackle this challenge? Big thanks to Leah and Patrick of Woods Rogers for speaking with us on this important topic.

In the second episode of our Mental Health Awareness Month series, we speak with two experts from Centra on the clinical side of things. How do we impact our mental health for better or worse? What can we be doing to keep ourselves mentally healthy?

As we all know mental health is often intricately tied together with our working lives. Stress, conflict, poor environments, and relationships all impact our mental health and whether we can feel at the top of our ability and happy. Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, we'll be diving in with local leaders and experts on mental health and wh…

Laura is the founding Executive Director of Lynchburg Beacon of Hope. As the idea for Beacon of Hope originated, she came on board to help build the model. She was tasked with building the structure, focus, and 501(c)3 organization status of Beacon of Hope. She naturally merged into the Executive Director as Beacon of Hope launched our Future Cente…

On this episode of All For Business, our host, Ryan, sits down with Amy Seipp, the Principal Engineer of Accupoint Surveying & Design. We talk about the world of surveying, designing, engineering, and all the infrastructure we use everyday, yet often take for granted. Amy also shares her experience working full-time, being a mom, and going back to …

On this episode of All For Business, Anna Bentson, Assistant Director of Economic Development for the City of Lynchburg, joins Jamie Glass, Director of Economic Development at the Alliance, to discuss the City of Lynchburg's exciting new brand campaign: "LYH Loves You". The new place brand strategy for the Office of Economic Development is the next…

All For Business is back for our second season! We're excited to kick it off with another "Around The Table" mini-series with Leadership Lynchburg in honor of Black History Month. Leadership Lynchburg believes that creating opportunities for healthy conversation builds awareness, trust and ultimately relationship. Relationships can create productiv…

All For Business is back for our second season! We're excited to kick it off with another "Around The Table" mini-series with Leadership Lynchburg in honor of Black History Month. Leadership Lynchburg believes that creating opportunities for healthy conversation builds awareness, trust and ultimately relationship. Relationships can create productiv…

All For Business is back for our second season! We're excited to kick it off with another "Around The Table" mini-series with Leadership Lynchburg in honor of Black History Month. Leadership Lynchburg believes that creating opportunities for healthy conversation builds awareness, trust and ultimately relationship. Relationships can create productiv…

All For Business is back for our second season! We're excited to kick it off with another "Around The Table" mini-series with Leadership Lynchburg in honor of Black History Month.Leadership Lynchburg believes that creating opportunities for healthy conversation builds awareness, trust and ultimately relationship. Relationships can create productive…

All For Business is back for our second season! We're excited to kick it off with another "Around The Table" mini-series with Leadership Lynchburg in honor of Black History Month. Leadership Lynchburg believes that creating opportunities for healthy conversation builds awareness, trust and ultimately relationship. Relationships can create productiv…

On this week's episode of All For Business, Carroll Moon, Chief Technology Officer of CloudFit, speaks on his journey from Lynchburg native to 17 years at Microsoft, to helping found CloudFit, a rapidly growing IT and digital transformation company started right here at the Alliance. About Carroll Moon Carroll has over 25 years of experience in the…

Adolphus Humbles, who is being inducted into the Business Hall of Fame posthumously, was a successful merchant in Campbell County and operated the toll road between Lynchburg and Rustburg. He was an early supporter of the Virginia Theological Seminary, a precursor to the Virginia University of Lynchburg, where Humbles Hall is named for him, and he …

Stuart Fauber attended Washington and Lee University where he studied economics and then entered the Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI upon graduation. He served three years active duty as Navigator and Communications Officer on board the USS Richard E. Kraus (DD 849). Stuart is also a graduate of Lynchburg College, now the University o…

J. Everette “Ebo” Fauber, III, is a graduate of Christchuch College Preparatory School and the University of Virginia where he studied Architecture. He is the founding principal of Fauber Architects, now known as Dominion Seven. During his career he received gubernatorial appointments from four different Virginia governors from 1989 to 2011 and ser…

John Fees is the chairman of BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT). He has served as chairman of the company since 2015, following a series of spin-offs from McDermott International, Inc. He was CEO of McDermott until July 2010, at which time he retired from the company with 31 years of service, In parallel, he has been an advisor and board member of Brook…

Rodger Fauber is a graduate of E.C. Glass High School and attended Washington and Lee University and Columbia University as well as the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University and the Member American Institute of Banking. Rodger served at Central Fidelity Bank for 30 years, 15 of which as the President of the Western Region until h…

On this episode of All For Business we check-in with Blair Godsey, Founding Partner of the Altus Group. Mr. Godsey has had profound impact on the sites and building of the Lynchburg region in the past decade. Part of his work has been in restoring historic buildings to their former glory with modern improvements, including the Virginian Hotel, a ma…

In this episode of All For Business, we chat with Gary Mignogna, President & CEO of Framatome Inc. in North America. Gary is a top-notch leader and expert on the nuclear energy industry and a long-time resident of the Lynchburg region. Over Gary's 40-year nuclear career, he has gained experience in engineering design and analyses, project engineeri…

Listen in to part 3 of our Leadership Lynchburg Around the Table Series to discuss the impacts of DEI in the workplace with a few professionals who apply it to their daily lives. This week we have Tina Garrett-Ragland, Tim Smith, and Trae Watkins joining us with host, Chal Nunn. Tina is a Senior Human Resource Executive at Pacific Life with 30 year…

Alyson Ramsey, President & CEO of Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest stopped by our brand new podcast studio to discuss the history and the future of one of region's best known landmarks. Alyson spoke to us about the new parkway project to create a new entrance to Poplar Forest off of Enterprise Drive which will create greater access and visibility f…

In this week's episode we took a trip to visit Fire Chief Gregory Wormser at the historic Fire Station 6 at Miller Park. Located at 2084 Fort Avenue, Station 6 is currently the oldest active station in the Fire Department and is the only station that still utilizes a sliding pole. Station 6 opened in November of 1914 is currently the home to Engine…

We sat down with Kelly Mirt, publisher of The News & Advance, to discuss his experience in writing, advertising, and news reporting, as well as how the world of print and digital is changing. About Kelly Mirt Kelly is a veteran newspaper executive who joined The News & Advance in 2018. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas and has also serve…

Welcome to Part 2 of our Around the Table with Leadership Lynchburg. We're bringing leadership to REAL conversations about REAL topics of our day. Leadership Lynchburg is the nationally award winning community leadership program in Lynchburg, Virginia offering programming for college students, emerging and mid-career managers, leaders, executives, …

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Mark Hine at Liberty University. Dr. Hine is a long-term resident of the Lynchburg region and in this episode you'll hear him describe just how much has changed after the last four decades. You'll also hear his thoughts on the new student life and mental health awareness, leadership styles, and l…

We met with Ryan Zuidema, Chief of Police at the City of Lynchburg Police Department at the Skyline on top of The Virginian Hotel to discuss societal issues facing our region and nation and how the department partners with our community to protect our citizens, while respecting the rights and dignity of all persons. Given that the issues discussed …

We had the opportunity to sit and talk with Gloria Witt, community leader and owner of Define Success Coaching & Consulting. Listen in to hear how she grew up in Virginia, her advice for leading your organization towards success, and how we should be responding to the events of our time. About Gloria Witt Gloria Witt, ACC, is the founder of Define …

We met up with Dr. David Brat, Dean of the Liberty University School of Business, to talk about his experience as a U.S. Congressman and businessman. Before coming to Liberty, Dr. Brat served in the United States Congress for Virginia’s 7th District. He served on the Budget, Education and Small Business Committees, and Chaired the subcommittee on E…

On this special episode of All For Business, Leadership Lynchburg, the nationally award-winning program of the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance begins to dive into the hard conversations our region and the nation is facing. Listen in to the "Around The Table" series to learn how to have tough conversations on issues such as race, equality, dive…

We caught up with University of Lynchburg President Dr. Alison Morrison-Shetlar to talk about her experience working around the world in higher education. About Dr. Morrison-Shetlar Dr. Alison Morrison-Shetlar is the 11th president of the University of Lynchburg. She most recently served as provost and interim chancellor at Western Carolina Univers…

We visited Liberty University's Williams Stadium to talk football, life, and the art of coaching with Head Football Coach Hugh Freeze. About Coach Freeze A winning tradition at the highest level of NCAA collegiate football was brought to Liberty Mountain when Hugh Freeze was introduced as the ninth head coach in football program history on Dec. 7, …

We sat down in the studio within the state-of-the-art Liberty University School of Music to chat with award-winning singer and songwriter, Charles Billingsley. Charles has sold thousands of records and is currently a professor and local business owner. About Charles Launching his career nearly three decades ago as a lead vocalist for GRAMMY®-nomina…

We sat down with Interim Lynchburg City Manager, Reid Wodicka, to discuss the City of Lynchburg as the hub for our greater region. Take a listen and find out how we stack up against the country's best small cities! (Spoilers- REALLY WELL). Reid Wodicka was appointed Interim City Manager for the City of Lynchburg on Tuesday, September 8. Prior to hi…

We sat down with Rex Geveden, President and CEO of BWX Technologies to talk nuclear power, lessons learned from growing up, and what skills a business leader truly needs! Rex D. Geveden is president and chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors of BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT), a $2 billion nuclear industrial conglomerate headq…

In our first-ever episode, we sat down with Geoff Kershner, Executive Director of the Academy Center of the Arts, to discuss his experiences and background, the importance of the arts in the Lynchburg region, and the impact of the pandemic on local business. About the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance is …

We believe business isn’t something you have to do alone. Introducing All For Business, a new podcast from the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance taking you on a deep-dive into all things business. Our conversational and personal episodes will help you get to know your peers around the Lynchburg region and give you the advice and tools you need t…