Henry Batten - President, Concrete Supply Company
@Work Podcast
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 control and administrative support functions. He has led and participated in various operational committees aimed at improving safety, customer service, quality, productivity, cost control...
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Jennifer De La Jara - Director of Philanthropy, Goodwill Industries
@Work Podcast
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 Preschool, Jennifer brings a wealth of experience in education, workforce development, and community advocacy. She served as an At-Large Member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education from...
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Dena Diorio- County Manager, Mecklenburg County
@Work Podcast
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 budget of $1.5 billion, along with a capital program exceeding $1 billion. A collaborative leader, she has developed strong partnerships with the Board of County Commissioners, department...
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Karen Calder - Executive Director, Classroom Central
@Work Podcast
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 today on The @Work Podcast. -- --
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Byrd Bergeron- CEO and Extreme Vacation Enthusiast, The Travel Byrds: A Novel Travel Agency
@Work Podcast
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...
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Christopher James Lees - Resident Conductor, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
@Work Podcast
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...
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Barbara Bleiweis - Supervisor, Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District
@Work Podcast
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...
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Tameka Gunn and Tierra Brant - Community Link and Affordable Housing in Charlotte
@Work Podcast
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...
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Billy Lipari & Pete Futia - Sur-Seal (Reprise)
@Work Podcast
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....
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Daniel Fogarty and Isabella Mebane - Executive Director, The First Tee of Greater Charlotte
@Work Podcast
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...
info_outlineElizabeth McKee, Leadership Charlotte
Elizabeth McKee has served as the Executive Director of Leadership Charlotte since 2007, and she is a proud graduate of Leadership Charlotte Class number twenty five. During her tenure, she has guided and facilitated the organization’s programs for thousands of leaders. Prior to her role at Leadership Charlotte, Elizabeth served as the Director of Leadership Initiatives at the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte. There, she developed and implemented leadership curriculum programs for both undergraduate studies and MBA programs.
Elizabeth continually develops her own leadership skills through travel and challenge. She trekked to Mount Everest Base Camp in 2012, and summited Mount Kilimanjaro in 2017. A native of Lumberton, North Carolina; Elizabeth received her bachelor’s from Elon University and master’s from Appalachian State University.
Elizabeth McKee is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.
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