Recently a Client Adviser and Finance Manager for Barbour - Hendrick Honda and has over 15 years’ experience in the auto industry in various positions. Martin has managerial experience in other fields of industry including Nike, Double AA Rentals and was also a program coordinator for The Pitt County NC Department of Social Services. Martin is a distinguished graduate of Pitt Community College with a degree in Human Services. Martin has also worked in his family’s businesses for many years.

John is a Senior Managing Director at Blackhawk Technologies, LLC. He has over 30 years’ experience with emerging companies and has managed venture capital investments. John has a Master’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute along with an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Walter R. Perkins is the founder of Hatteras Hammocks®.  The Hammock Source is the world's largest source for premium hammock products, sold at specialty and home-improvement stores across the U.S. and Canada, as well as through a variety of high-end catalogs and online retail sites. Walter and his company have received numerous honors and awards including: 1992 Entrepreneur of the Year by the State of North Carolina; 1992 Inc. Magazine List of Regional Entrepreneurs of the Year: and 2005 Manufacturer of the Year by the Pitt County Development Commission.

David Mayo is a faculty member teaching in the field of entrepreneurship in the Miller School of Entrepreneurship at East Carolina University.  He is a graduate of NC State University with a major in marketing as well as a graduate of East Carolina University with an MBA.  David began his professional career by managing property around the Greenville, NC area, and trading stocks professionally.  

Dennis Barber III earned a PhD in Economics from the University of New Mexico in 2013. He is a professor in the Miller School of Entrepreneurship at East Carolina University. He works as a business consultant for small and family businesses. He has expertise in rural entrepreneurship, economic development, and entrepreneurship education. He has experience working in and managing teams in large corporations, startups, and small businesses.

Ryan co-founded eAudit, an Inc500 software company which processed in excess of $1B in spend annually on behalf of its customers in the logistics industry and sold in 2019. Ryan attended East Carolina University and also holds various industry certifications including system engineering (MSCE:S) and security specialist (CISSP).

Currently Senior Software Engineer/Team Lead at a Smart Earth Technologies. Jason has 10 years of software development experience, and worked in research and development for 5 years at 3M in their Health Information Systems Division as a Senior Software Engineer and Team Lead.

A stand out graduate of Fayetteville Technical Institute with special certifications in Mercedes Benz and Audi. Bruce is also a GM, Chevy, GMC, Pontiac, and Subaru Certified Master Mechanic. Bruce has also held positions as a manager for Goodyear, Western Auto, and presently Emmanuel Service Center. He also has ASE Master Tech status for over 10+ years as well as an ASE Parts Pro. Bruce was also a commercial manager for AutoZone. In total Bruce 30+ years of automotive, parts, and mechanical experience.