Ben is the President & CEO of Continental Disc and Groth Corporations, manufacturers of pressure relief and safety systems for fluid processing. Ben brings global experience in International Business Management, Sales & Marketing, Operations Management, and Private Equity for Industrial Markets. Ben’s prior companies include GE, Alcoa, Goodyear, Celanese, and Trelleborg. Ben has a BS in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Ohio University, 6 Sigma Black Belt, LEAN Practitioner, Toyota Production Systems, Value Based Selling, Value Based Pricing and many more. Highlights: • 25+ years of industrial management • Industrial marketing and business development • Mergers & acquisitions • Product design and development • Engineered plastics • Strategy development • Private equity and venture capital • Innovation and disruptive technology

Bill is the Senior Sourcing manager for the world’s largest plumbing/building products distributor. He has experience in merchandising agreements for products with locations like Lowes and Home Depot. Have a product, or question about getting into one of the big retailers? Bill's your man.

Bill's highlights include:

• 30+ years in distribution and retail industry business
• Areas of expertise include product management, product merchandising, product pricing, negotiations and business development
• Past experience as Director of Merchandising Lowes Home Centers with direct P&L responsibility
• Product expertise in connected home, plumbing, lighting, tools, appliances

Blake is the Director of the Ventures arm of the world’s largest plumbing/building products distributor.  He is currently focused on corporate venturing and innovation in areas that can resolve industry challenges and help contractors grow their business.  He has experience in corporate business development, sales process and strategy, and driving the adoption of technology solutions across the construction industry.  If you need help developing a sales strategy or pitching your ideas to a VC / CVC, Blake’s your guy. Blake’s highlights include:

• 12+ years in the wholesale distribution industry
• Areas of expertise include developing sales process and strategy, business development, and accelerating business technology adoption
• Past experience as Director of eBusiness for a $13B distributor, responsible for driving sales and adoption for business technology, platforms and system integrations

Like his father David, Brandon grew up in the construction Industry, having worked in many different aspects of the trade. He brings more than 18+ years of experience with a heavy focus on Civil and Commercial Construction. He currently oversees the entire commercial and civil divisions as well as select national retail accounts with his team to provide the safe and successful completion of projects on time and within budget. Brandon is also responsible for overseeing a large portion of the company’s business development and pre-construction services while working closely with the other Project Executives and bid teams for national accounts. Over the years, He has personally managed some of the companies most challenging and diverse multi-million dollar projects ranging in everything from roller coasters and water attractions for Seaworld to complicated civil infrastructure projects on some of the nation’s oldest historical sites. He is driven, passionate and committed to building strong relationships and projects, all  based on the foundation of which he was taught. Outside of work, Brandon enjoys spending time with this his wife Amy and their three children. He enjoys anything outdoors and adventures on the family farm. He loves to ride dirtbikes, hunt, play music for his church worship team and stays very active with Crossfit. He holds a Bachelor of Arts with upper class honors from Middlesex University of London, with SAE Institute of technology.

Brenda is widely regarded as the leading pioneer in patient engagement. Her agency Snow Companies is active globally and has helped over 50 businesses representing 150 disease categories become more patient-centric and more successful at the same time. The company provides patient-focused initiatives that include Patient Ambassador ® programs, call center support, research, patient leadership councils, and creative agency services such as design, copywriting, and video. It is an agency within Omnicom Health Group, the largest healthcare marketing and communications group in the world, and part of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC).

Corbin is one of the biopharmaceutical industry’s most noted leaders, having taken companies like Novartis and Biogen to previously unknown marketing successes while he was based in Boston and Basel. Corbin's experience includes years in senior management positions at companies such as Novartis and EMD. Before patient centricity became mainstream, he recognized the significance of this major development and joined Snow Companies as a co-owner and COO to promote patient engagement and give it the importance it has today. Snow Companies is an agency within Omnicom Health Group, the largest healthcare marketing and communications group in the world, and part of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC).

An entrepreneur at heart, Dave Baum is the founder of Billsburg Brewery, a destination brewery and beer garden on the James City County Marina waterfront that opened in October 2017. Dave’s experience prior to opening up Billsburg spans various sectors including banking, non-profit, and retail. Mr. Baum most recently served as Director of eCommerce and Marketing for Lumber Liquidators, a publicly traded billion dollar retailer. Always surrounding himself in marketing and data, Dave has been able to constantly grow from his experience and diversify his perspective. While continuously feeding his entrepreneurial spirit, Dave’s greatest accomplishments include his family, wife Kristin Baum, and three daughters, Montana, Rylie and Piper, and two rescue dogs, Bear and Lil.

David is the founder of Morgan James Publishing and the chairman of Guerrilla Marketing International, and has co-authored sixteen books, including Performance Driven Thinking, The Best of Guerrilla Marketing and The Entrepreneurial Author. NASDAQ cites David as one of the world’s most prestigious business leaders, and he is reported to be the future of publishing. As founder of Morgan James Publishing, he was named a finalist in the Best Chairman category in The American Business Awards, hailed as “the business world’s own Oscars” by the New York Post. David was also selected for Fast Company Magazine’s Fast 50 for his leadership, creative thinking, significant accomplishments, and his significant impact on the industry over the next ten years.

David Janoff enables organizations to achieve communications goals through technology. As president of Terrier Communications he helped companies tell their best story to convert interest into sales by assessing communications goals and channels to deliver messages driven by the organization's mission, values and beliefs. Prior to founding Terrier Communications he supported U.S. Federal, state and local, and global public sector at HP.

​Elliot Roth is the founder of Spira, a company that creates devices to grow microalgae as a protein ingredient. After being trained as a University Innovation Fellow at the Stanford d.School, he started multiple entrepreneurial projects including the DIYbio lab Indie Lab, and a number of science startups, through which he has raised over $300,000. He has worked to catalyze community science labs in the Virginia area, and is working on starting his second lab in DC. Elliot graduated Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Biomedical Engineering; he spent five years consulting in product design and business strategy before starting Spira. He is a Kairos Fellow, a Seasteading Ambassador, and sits on the Virginia Governor’s Council for Youth Entrepreneurship. Elliot has spoken at Synbiobeta, SXSW, and Thought for Food on social impact, synthetic biology and food. Spira was chosen for the RebelBio, Lighthouse Labs, and the World Food Programme accelerator programs, and is the winner of the CommBeBiz award and Halcyon Fellowship. He is incredibly motivated to solve physiological needs using simple biological design.​

As an executive leader in marketing communications, I’ve been fortunate to have worked with many of the top brands in the country across the retail, healthcare, and higher education industries. Working in both permanent salaried roles, and as a consultant, key accomplishments throughout my career include: - Founder and Managing Partner, Particle Advertising (general and social media advertising agency) - Vice President for Marketing and Enrollment Management at Hamline University, St. Paul, MN - Vice President of Corporate Marketing for UnitedHealth Group, Minneapolis, MN - Founder, Virtual Motorworks, Minneapolis, MN (web-based start-up automotive sales aggregation engine) - Vice President, Business Development for Harte-Hanks Marketing Services, San Antonio, TX - Director, Business Development at Ogilvy and Mather, Minneapolis, MN - Customer Development Analyst, Target Corporation, Minneapolis, MN With over 28 years of marketing, public relations and business development experience across retail, health care, and higher education in B2B and B2C settings, Jeff offers a wealth of knowledge and experience in developing successful go-to-market strategies involving sales and marketing organizations. Working in a business development capacity at one of the world’s largest International marketing services organizations, Jeff used his business and relationship development skills to create multi-million- dollar relationships with many of the top retail brands Internationally, including The Gap brands, Kohl’s, Target, Best Buy, Macy’s, Nordstrom, American Eagle Outfitters, REI and The Sharper Image.

Joe Belsterling is the founder of MajorClarity, an award winning career exploration platform used by some of the top K-12 and Post-Secondary institutions in the U.S. He was named to D.C. Inno's 25 under 25 list, has served as an advisor to various other startups and organizations (including the Dept. of Education), and has taught entrepreneurial thinking/helped schools build entrepreneurship curriculum.

Lance Zaal founded itourmobile.com after graduating from William and Mary's Flex MBA program in 2012. iTourMobile is a SaaS improving the visitor experience at tourist destinations, national parks, museums, and other organizations by creating interactive adventures and tours available on mobile devices, both through the native iTourMobile mobile application, and by embedding the software into existing mobile applications and websites. iTour serves the federal government, local and state governments, and private organizations; while its B2C side boasts more than 100 digital experiences across the world and a subscriber user base of more than 10,000 users. In addition, Lance started two tourism companies in Williamsburg that now operate in eight cities across the US, and is co-founder of Mandela Coffee. His focus is marketing, design, technology, business strategy, and advertising. Lance founded Ignition because of the lack of resources and support network for entrepreneurs in the Williamsburg area. Lance is a 2009 graduate of William and Mary, where he double majored in economics and international relations. Zaal worked for Booz Allen Hamilton, Oracle Corporation, and Mythics Inc. before becoming a full-time entrepreneur. He served four years in the Marine Corps Infantry and in FAST Company from 2002-2006, where he completed two combat deployments in Iraq and a third in South America. Lance enjoys traveling (he's visited more than 20 countries), scuba diving, marksmanship, standup comedy, food, and bringing ideas to reality.

Former CEO of Smithfield Foods from 2006-2015. During Mr Pope's 35 year career at Smithfield, he saw the company grow from a small local pork processor to the world's largest pork company with sales totally nearly $15 billion and global operations across the US, Mexico and Europe. He and his wife, Mary, are natives of Virginia and are residents of Williamsburg. They have two children and three grandchildren. Mr. Pope holds an undergraduate and graduate degree from the College of William and Mary. He has been active in philanthropy in the Tidewater area for many years.

Ms. Meredith joined the Ignition board in March 2019. She has over twenty years of experience in real estate asset management, operations, marketing and property management. Ms. Meredith currently serves as the General Manager at SIMON Properties Williamsburg Premium Outlets.  Prior to joining SIMON Property Group, Ms. Meredith served as the Executive Director of Operations and Marketing for New York based Olshan Properties where she made significant contributions to the company’s expansive real estate portfolio including resorts, hotels, residential, offices and shopping centers. Previous positions also included Vice President of Operations and Marketing for Prime Retail LP where she was responsible for the asset management of the companies highest net operating portfolio. Additionally, Ms. Meredith has served as the Senior General Manager for McArthur Glen and Horizon Group Properties as well as Marketing Director for Charter Oak Partners supporting real estate properties nationwide. Ms. Meredith graduated from the University of North Carolina with a Bachelors of Arts degree and is a Certified Shopping Center Manager (CSM) and Certified Marketing Director (CMD); designations accredited by the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Matt is the Head of Marketing and a founding team member of Leesa Sleep, the online luxury mattress brand with a purpose-driven mission. Matt helped build the Leesa brand from the ground-up and led the startup’s innovative digital marketing launch strategy, propelling Leesa from $0 to $30 million in its first year. Now in just its fourth year of business, Leesa has donated nearly 25,000 mattresses to homeless shelters, won Shopify’s Build a Business competition, been cited as one of Forbes’ Next Billion Dollar Brands and was listed as the Fastest Growing e-Retailer in 2015 by Internet Retailer. Matt’s expertise is in building, launching and growing disruptive, digitally-native brands. His focus is on digital & influencer marketing, branding, online storytelling, and conversion rate optimization. He loves working with young companies to help define a growth strategy, develop their unique voice and value proposition, work towards product-market fit and find and build a world-class team. Before Leesa, Matt was the EVP of Digital Services and Ventures at BrandJourney, an innovation agency that helps big companies innovate and bring new ideas to life. He has helped build brands and services from the ground up for General Mills, Nestle Purina, Shell, VF Corporation and Procter & Gamble. Matt holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the College of William and Mary’s Mason School of Business.

Matt is the co-leader of the VALET Global Business Accelerator for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and a Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Play & Co., a premium indoor children’s play center located in Hampton Roads, VA. His prior experience includes 10 years in the consumer-packaged goods industry in Global Brand Management, Global Project Management, and International Businesses Management for MARS Inc., The J.M. Smucker Company and Spin Master Inc. Matt is an MBA candidate at William & Mary (’20) and holds a BS in International Business from Tennessee Tech (’08).

Mike works with businesses of various sizes on corporate and securities matters but has a special emphasis on working with entrepreneurs and startup companies on intellectual property, corporate formation & governance, and early-stage equity financing. He has advised local startup businesses on trademark and trade secret protection, intellectual property licensing, business litigation, and private equity financing, including two of the “Venture Forum Companies to Watch – 2017.” He is heavily involved in working with groups and organizations throughout the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Central Virginia, and mentors early-stage startups through local incubator and accelerator programs, as well as mentoring student-run businesses at VCU and the University of Richmond. In addition to working with his clients, Mike also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Richmond, teaching several courses, including Drafting Intellectual Property Transactions, Entertainment Law, and Advising the Entrepreneur. Read Michael's "Founders' Guide to the Legal Landscape"

Robin Barret Bledsoe is a wife of 35 years and mother of two daughters. During those 35 years, Robin supported her husband Bob while serving his Country in the United States Air Force for over 20 years. Robin has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Washington in Seattle and a Masters Certification in Applied Project Management from Villanova University. She is also a graduate of the Stanford Nonprofit Leadership Institute held at Stanford University, the Executive Leadership Institute at the School of Philanthropy at the University of Indiana, the Court Appointed Special Advocate Leadership Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and locally the Leadership Historic Triangle class of 2003. Robin created B & D Capacity Builders, LLC in 2008, which specializes in nonprofit strategic crisis management and crisis situation analysis. Robin is considered an experienced and effective consultant, leading organizations out of times of crisis through program reorganizations, rebranding, and new program development. Robin is also an accomplished nonprofit manager and fundraiser, having raised millions of dollars for nonprofits through grant writing, annual campaigns, and aggressive social media campaigns. Robin has worked with a variety of organizations nationally and internationally. Most recently Robin created "Hiking for Virginia Fallen Heroes", a yearlong initiative bringing Veterans, Gold Star families, and Virginians from all walks of life together in recognition of the brave men and women from Virginia who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. Robin recently published her book "Trail Magic": a retelling of her adventures while hiking the trails throughout Virginia in memory of Virginia military heroes.

Tim Saumier is President/Owner of TYGES International (www.tyges.com) an executive search firm headquartered in Williamsburg, VA.  Tim Saumier started his recruiting career when he opened TYGES back in July 2002.  Since then, he has grown the business from a start-up office to where it is today helping clients around the world solve their talent acquisition problems.  While he does place people with companies, he brings much more through his consultative coaching with both companies and individuals hence the reason he has built long lasting relationships that continue to work with TYGES. Over the years TYGES has won numerous awards including “rookie office of the year” and numerous “billing manager of the year” awards.  TYGES continues to grow and now has offices in Jacksonville, FL, Atlanta, GA and soon to be in Chicago, IL. During this growth Tim has committed to staying on a producing desk as it keeps him close to his customers and what is happening in the market. Prior to starting TYGES International, Tim spent thirteen years in corporate America with companies like John Deere, Moen and Philips where he had the opportunity to work in supply chain, operations, and engineering during his career.  While at John Deere, Tim was involved in three greenfield plant startups of which he personally led one of them with a Japanese partner.  Tim’s formal education starts with his Bachelors in Manufacturing Materials Management that he received in 1989 from Rochester Institute of Technology.  He followed that up with his Masters in Management in 1994 from SUNY Oswego.  On a personal note, Tim grew up in Syracuse, NY and while he no longer lives there he continues to root for his Syracuse Orange college teams.  Tim’s greatest achievement is winning his wife of nearly 21 years hand in marriage Miranda and having two wonderful children Kennedy & Noah.  Tim’s family brings him great joy. Tim sits on the board of 3e-restoration (www.3erestoration.com) as he works with other community leaders to solve the systemic issue of homelessness.  In addition, Tim has a true passion for helping entrepreneurs and is an avid commercial property investor.  During his spare time, you will find Tim trying to help others or he will be sitting quietly reading a book.