Mark E. Owens

Blue Rhino Corp. provides propane tank exchange and propane fueled products to consumers. Its outdoor living products include grills, barbecue tools and accessories, patio heaters, firepits, fireplace accessories, mosquito traps, furniture/grill covers and more sold under such brands as Mr. Bar-B-Q, Mr. Pizza, Endless Summer, UniFlame, Backyard Basics and SkeeterVac. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC.

PureLux, Inc. develops and commercializes advanced lighting technologies based on nano-technology. It delivers exceptional brightness and efficiency through the use of nano materials in thin film devices. The company technologies provide a unique combination of performance and form factor that will enable us to address a wide variety of markets and applications. The company was founded in March 2007 and is headquartered in Charlotte, NC.

Associated General Contractors provides services to the commercial construction industry. The private company is based in Tallahassee, FL.

Novant Health, Inc. engages in the operation of hospitals and provides healthcare services. It is a medical group consisting of physicians as well as numerous outpatient surgery centers, medical plazas, rehabilitation programs, diagnostic imaging centers, and community health outreach programs. Its services include breast health, pediatrics, orthopedics, surgery, and sleep health. The company was founded on July 1, 1997 and is headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC.

Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP provides legal services. The firm provides services to the manufacturing, transportation and energy, financial services, insurance, health care, education, and technology industries. The company was founded in 1876 and is headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC.

Operation Smile, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides free surgeries for children suffering form cleft lip or cleft palate. The company was founded by William P. Magee, Jr. and Kathleen Magee in 1982 and is headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA.

Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center provides health care services. It is a Winston-Salem hospital providing emergency services, medical services, surgical services, rehabilitation and behavioral health services. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC.

Rowan Regional Medical Center provides health care services. The firm provides alcohol and drug treatment to cardiology, cancer care, emergency medicine, neurosurgery, rehabilitation and women's health services. The company was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Charlotte, NC.

JDRF International is a leader in setting the agenda for diabetes research worldwide, and is the largest charitable funder of and advocate for type 1 diabetes research. JDRF find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly, and can be fatal. Until a cure is found, people with type 1 diabetes have to test their blood sugar and give themselves insulin injections multiple times or use a pump each day, every day of their lives. And even with that intensive care, insulin is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its potential complications, which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation. It was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

The United Way of Forsyth County, Inc. operates as a non-profit organization that promotes education, financial stability, health, basic needs, and place matters. The company was founded in 1923 and is headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC.

The Links, Inc. is a volunteer service organization founded in 1946, committed to enriching and sustaining the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. With over 17,000 professional women of African descent in 299 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom, the organization engages in educational, civic, and inter-cultural activities that enrich the lives of members of the black community at large. The non-profit company is based in Washington. The organization's five programming facets include services to youth, the arts, national trends and services, and international programs.

Allegacy Federal Credit Union has been helping its members, employees, and communities make smart financial choices for 54 years. The private company is based in Winston-Salem, NC, and has subsidiaries in the United States. With almost $2 billion in assets and nearly $1.60 billion in assets under management in its financial planning group, Allegacy is one of the largest credit unions serving over 166,000 members worldwide. The credit union has 16 locations and nine high school student-run credit unions, offering personal and business financial services to a broad membership base, including the employees, retirees, and families of over 1,800 companies throughout the country. Allegacy's goal is to help its members pursue wellness of mind, body, and wallet. The company was founded in 1967, and the CEO is Cathy Pace.

Industries for the Blind, serving the Winston-Salem community since 1936, the Asheville community since 1991, and the Mayaguez, Puerto Rico community since 2006, provides employment and services for people in the local blind communities. The company produces high quality, value priced products ranging from custom-made mattresses and military clothing to prescription eye glasses for consumers in the local community and across the nation as well as for military personnel and their families around the world. Industries for the Blind provides meaningful employment with competitive marketplace wages and benefits for a segment of the population that national statistics indicate might not otherwise be employed. The firm is widely known for their quality workmanship, teamwork and dedication. Its mission is to provide opportunities for persons who are blind or visually impaired in need of training, employment and services. The mission is accomplished through creating a state of the art work environment with work processes and training programs custom designed to meet special needs. The company's agency has been recognized locally, regionally and nationally as a provider of choice for jobs, products and services. Industries for the Blind has provided employment for thousands of visually impaired people since its inception. It is currently the largest employer of the blind in North Carolina with over 200 (and over 350 blind employees in total) blind employees and 80 million dollars in sales. Industries for the Blind is a self-supporting not-for-profit organization that has won many prestigious awards over the years, most recently received national recognition by the company’s industry for having the highest growth in blind jobs for an unprecedented three out of four years. Industries for the Blind is proud to be a strong builder of social, capital and an economic contributor in the Winston-Salem and Asheville communities.

The Winston-Salem Foundation promotes philanthropy through community organizations. It provides knowledge on current community issues and community leadership bringing diverse voices and groups together to address issues and support high impact opportunities. The company was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC.

Winston-Salem Business, Inc. is a local agency that conducts external economic development marketing. It focuses on bringing new companies and their latest technologies to the area. The annual marketing efforts include targeting industries and companies in specific sectors through various media including print advertising, direct mail, website, email newsletter, direct visits, events and trade shows. Winston-Salem Business was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC.

The Greensboro Chamber of Commerce engages in promoting and protecting the interest of the business community. It offers advocacy, workforce development, transportation and logistics, utilities, and triad workforce solutions collaborative. The company was founded in 1877 and is headquartered in Greensboro, NC.

Goodwill Industries of NW North Carolina, Inc. is a multi-faceted organization that operates as a donor-driven agency, retailer, contract services provider, and textile recycler. The private company is based in Winston-Salem, NC. However, their primary focus is on providing workforce development services to individuals through classes, training, and work experience offered at their Workforce Development Centers.

Industries for the Blind, Inc. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was established in 1952 for the purpose of providing employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired individuals. Industries for the Blind, Inc. of Milwaukee (IB Milwaukee) is a self-sustaining, not-for-profit organization that provides individuals the opportunity to work, grow, develop life skills and maintain independence through meaningful jobs. Memberships It is a proud member of National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind (NAEPB) and one of 80 plus agencies associated with National Industries for the Blind (NIB). Products and Services The company's 100,000 square foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility produces pens, pencils, brooms and glassine envelopes for the U.S Postal Service. It manufactures over 300,000 writing instruments and 250,000 envelopes daily. Its quality management systems are certified to the International ISO 9001 quality standards. IB Milwaukee is the major fulfillment center for the federal government. It procures, warehouses, manufactures and distributes products for: The U.S. Navy Recruiting Command The U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service The U.S. Army Recruiting Command The Department of Justice Its base supply program supports government agencies seeking to procure all of their office supply needs, including furniture, while assuring all purchases are compliant with the provisions of the AbilityOne program, a mandatory source program, formerly known as the Javits-Wagner O'Day act (JWOD). It is currently operate nine base supply stores located on military bases around the country including Hawaii and that number is growing. The company prides it selves on its service and offerings in the areas of: Customer Relationship Management Global Logistics Support Ergonomic Product Engineering E-Commerce Fulfillment Services Custom Imprint Design Worldwide Sourcing Capabilities Online Procurement ?

Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina, Inc. is a private company that offers career development services. The company is based in Greensboro, NC. The company's Career Development team provides one-on-one support to evaluate career decisions and the steps needed to achieve goals.

Carolinas AGC, Inc. operates as a construction trade association. The non-profit company is based in Charlotte, NC. Dave Simpson has been the CEO of the company since 2015.

HICAPS, Inc. provides project management, consulting and engineering services. It is engaged in the provision of management, building diagnostics and telecommunications services. The firm offers solutions for general construction, program management, project scheduling, value engineering, estimating, cost control, contract administration and claims analysis. The company serves the federal, local and state government and commercial clients including contractors, hospitals, manufacturers and educational institutions. HICAPS was founded by Daniel M. Hood and Robert McGee in 1984 and is headquartered in Greensboro, NC.

Kaplan Early Learning Co. provides educational services. It is an international provider of products and services that enhance children's learning. The firm brings market innovative curricula, cutting edge assessments, teacher resource materials and valuable professional development opportunities to early childhood and elementary school educators, caregivers and parents around the world. The company was founded by Leon Kaplan in 1968 and is headquartered in Lewisville, NC.

Greer Development Corp. works to increase the wealth creating opportunities in the community. It provides Economic, Community Development, Business Retention, Business Recruitment, Greer, South Carolina, Incentives and Commercial Real Estate services. The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Greer, SC.

Service Disabled Veterans Business Association, Inc. provides building maintenance and facilities support services. It also offers services, such as carpet care and cleaning, construction, landscaping, document preparation, facilities support, and staffing services. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Silver Spring, MD.

WSPR LLC (WSPR fund) is a venture capital firm founded in 2021 by Clay Johnson. The firm is headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.