Founder, Agentic.Ventures Rik Willard is the Founder of Agentic Ventures, a federation of over fifty blockchain and exponential technology companies worldwide. Based in New York City, Agentic is a thought leader in the emerging discipline of Exonomic Applications — the use of blockchain-based token ecosystems as extra-platform economic vehicles for consumer engagement, community development, financial… Read more

Director of the Carter Real Estate Center, College of Charleston Dr. Elaine Worzala, CRE, FRICS is the Director of the Carter Real Estate Center at the College of Charleston. She got all three of her degrees (doctorate, masters and undergraduate) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   She is an active member of several academic associations as well… Read more

President and Chief Executive Officer, Rose & Associates Southeast, Inc. Ms. Rose is President and Chief Executive Officer of Rose & Associates Southeast, Inc. Ms. Rose combined decades of experience as a development expert and real estate analyst to build a unique consulting practice which assists public, private and institutional clients in market feasibility, project… Read more

Chief Executive Officer, Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Helen Hill is the Chief Executive Officer of the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the organization the represents 849 member businesses and 9 municipal governments in Charleston and Dorchester counties.  Growing up in Charleston provided Ms. Hill with unique insights she has put to use… Read more

General Manager, Owner of Hall Hospitality Group LLC Professional Experience Hall Hospitality Group LLC, Charleston, SC General Manager, Owner March 2009 – Present Achievements & Responsibilities: 2009 Forty Under 40 – Outstanding Leadership in Charleston Business Community. Coordinate management and operation of $10 million award-winning, Halls Chophouse which has experienced continued growth since opening; over 130… Read more

Lawyer and Partner, Austen & Gowder, LLC Andy counsels and advocates for clients in the areas of real estate and land use, eminent domain and inverse condemnation, local and state government, corporate formation and governance for profit and nonprofit organizations, business transactions, the environment, natural resources, land conservation and historic preservation. He received his JD… Read more

Mayor of Charleston, SC Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg spent much of his career as a businessman and entrepreneur—a family legacy that began with the opening of his great-great-grandfather’s corner grocery store at St. Phillip and Wentworth streets in 1867. Mayor Tecklenburg founded Southern Oil Company in 1978, which he successfully owned and operated for nearly… Read more

Joe Riley is widely considered one of the most visionary and highly effective governmental leaders in America.   He served ten terms as Mayor of the City of Charleston from 1975 to 2016. He graduated from The Citadel in 1964 and the University of South Carolina Law School in 1967, and served in the S.C. House… Read more

President & CEO, South Carolina Ports Authority Jim Newsome is the President and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority in Charleston, SC.  He assumed that role on September 1, 2009 and is only the fifth leader in the history of the port. He is also currently the longest serving leader of a major container port… Read more