WFU Center for Private Business

WFU Center for Private Business At the Center for Private Business, we work to support and serve privately held and family held members across the state.

Join the 220+ member companies who make up the Center and begin ensuring your legacy of success today!

“If I was in your business I would do two things on the first day. Number one — give everyone a goal. My mindset is alwa...
09/14/2026

“If I was in your business I would do two things on the first day. Number one — give everyone a goal. My mindset is always, “Be led by your dreams not pushed by your problems.” The second thing I would do is hammer in the importance of everyone on your team taking pride in their work. Regardless of what job you have on the team, do the best that you can possibly do. If every one of your employees felt a deep pride for their work, that would take care of a lot of problems.”

Coach Roy Williams gave a room full of entrepreneurs, business owners, and Western NC business leaders a master class at leading and coaching individuals to their full potential. Around 150 people attended this event at UNC Asheville on September 10 and we heard stories of how greatness isn’t built in the glory, it’s built in the hard work.

“Everybody’s got a great attitude on the first day of practice,” said Williams. “Everybody thinks the coach is smart on the first day. But by the tenth day? By the end of the year? People start to get worn out. You have to maintain positivity while pushing people hard.”

Thank you to Chancellor Kimberly van Noort for introductions and Tate Groome, for moderating the talk. Special mention to , and Scott Fowler.

The spirit of small business community is alive and well in Asheville, North Carolina! Take a look behind the scenes at ...
09/14/2026

The spirit of small business community is alive and well in Asheville, North Carolina! Take a look behind the scenes at a private reception held for Center Members and guests before our event with Coach Roy Williams last Thursday. We're grateful for the network of professionals we've gathered along with WNC Business and University of North Carolina Asheville.

09/08/2026

We've been working on something new! 🎉 Launching today, "How to Wake Up Your Business" is a 6-part podcast by the Wake Forest Center for Private Business highlighting the stories of six of North Carolina's most respected businesses.

🎙️ "Every great company has a story, and we want to share that insight with you. At the Center for Private Business, we hope to be a catalyst for economic growth and the social prosperity of our region and beyond. So I sat down with a number of leaders of six of North Carolina's most respected businesses to hear their stories. Each episode dives into a challenge every private business faces: succession planning, governance, culture, strategy, family harmony, and leadership development."

📳 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eaPmvzRb

📳 Subscribe on Spotify Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/efH3y_CQ

Produced by the team at Walk West

Celebrate the Legacy Luncheon "Breaking Ground, Building Beyond: 65 Years of Entrepreneurial Evolution” at D.H. GriffinA...
08/21/2026

Celebrate the Legacy Luncheon "Breaking Ground, Building Beyond: 65 Years of Entrepreneurial Evolution” at D.H. Griffin

About D.H. Griffin Companies: D.H. Griffin Wrecking Co., Inc. was founded in 1959 by D.H. Griffin, Sr. and his wife Marylene F. Griffin. Starting from humble beginnings, the Company’s first job was the dismantlement of a local church for the salvaged building materials. For the first two years of business, all the work was done by hand with sledgehammers, crowbars and brute strength; salvaging materials piece-by-piece and loading trucks by hand. In 1961, the Company purchased its first piece of equipment, a 7G Allis-Chalmers Front End Loader. Since then, we have continued to grow piece by piece, tractor by tractor, and truck by truck. Today the D.H. Griffin Companies’ fleet numbers over 1,200 pieces and D.H. Griffin Companies is a group of nine independently owned but integrated companies that perform contract demolition as well as environmental and site development services. The company is headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina and known as one of the premiere demolition companies in the world.

In September 2001, David Griffin Jr. was on-site at Ground Zero less than 48 hours after the 9-11 attacks. With his expertise in demolition, David and the DHG team were able to provide the city with a plan to cleanup over 17 acres of impacted structures that either collapsed or had been affected by the attack. Upon completion, the team recovered over 1.7 million tons of material, they saved the city over 400 million dollars, and they were 9 months ahead of schedule. To this day, the World Trade Center project is the largest demolition job in United States history.

🗓 Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST
📍 Old Town Club | 2875 Old Town Club Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27106
🍽 Seated Lunch Provided

🔗 Register Here: https://cpb.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat.detail&evid=263&Itemid=115&year=2026&month=09&day=29&title=triad-celebrate-the-legacy-luncheon-from-sledgehammers-to-skyscrapers-with-dh-griffin&uid=52efa342d0e4b506c5bef6867dca171f

Soft skills are interpersonal “people skills” that determine how effectively you interact with others and navigate situa...
08/21/2026

Soft skills are interpersonal “people skills” that determine how effectively you interact with others and navigate situations.

While hard skills represent what technical tasks you can do, soft skills define how you do them—encompassing traits like communication, teamwork, empathy, and time management. Excellent soft skills set a leader a part from their peers and serve a person over the entirety of their career.

Talitha Vickers, Marketing & Business Development Manager, for Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, has built her career on communicating effectively. On September 15 she leads both a virtual and in-person offering to help our Members and guests navigate communication skills for leaders. This workshop will cover strategies for clear and effective communication that strengthens teamwork and client relationships.

🗓 Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EST
📍 Workshop in Person: 500 W 5th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
💻 Attend Virtually: On Zoom | Registration Required

🔗 Register Here: https://cpb.wfu.edu/programming/register/

Coaching and leadership share a fundamental focus on developing talent, driving performance and achieving shared goals. ...
08/18/2026

Coaching and leadership share a fundamental focus on developing talent, driving performance and achieving shared goals. And no one has a track record of talent development quite as decorated as Asheville native Roy Williams.

Join the Center for Private Business as we host the legendary Men’s Head Basketball Coach for a discussion on teams, talent and leadership. You won’t want to miss this VIP reception and panel moderated by Tate Groome, Co-CEO of Colton Groome Financial, on Thursday, September 10 at the Kimmel Arena on the UNC Asheville campus.

🗓 Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM EST

📍 The Sherrill Center and Kimmell Arena | 227 Campus Dr, Asheville, NC 28804

🔗 Register at cpb.wfu.edu

Direct from Washington, DC, Family Enterprise USA invites participants into a workshop design to decode the latest tax l...
08/18/2026

Direct from Washington, DC, Family Enterprise USA invites participants into a workshop design to decode the latest tax laws. This webinar and workshop translates confusing laws and policy directly into, "How does this affect how I run my business?" Hear information on recent research and voter attitudes as well as insights on opportunities and risks involved in introduction of the State and Federal wealth tax. And what is the forecast in Washington? Our speakers will share a cutting-edge bipartisan look at how upcoming political elections will alter or introduce future legislation.

🗓 Wednesday, September 9, 2026 | 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM EST

📍 On Zoom | Link Will Be Sent Out to Registrations 24 Hours in Advance

📍 In Person | The Center for Private Business Offices | 500 W 5th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
🎟 Free of Charge for Center Members | $100 for Non-Members

🔗 Register at https://cpb.wfu.edu/programming/register/

Truist and the Center for Private Business welcome senior executives for a luncheon celebrating the rich history of priv...
08/11/2026

Truist and the Center for Private Business welcome senior executives for a luncheon celebrating the rich history of privately-owned businesses across North Carolina.

Our afternoon begins on 55 pristine acres at the historic Graylyn Estate in Winston-Salem. The luncheon will take place in The Atlantis Room, built in 1932 as the Gray family’s private indoor pool room with oceanic-themed designs and seafood-green tiles.

During the luncheon Michael P. Lyons, Incoming CEO & President and Michael Maguire, Chief Financial Officer at Truist, will lead key remarks.

Michael Lyons is a dynamic leader with over three decades of financial services experience and a proven track record of driving growth and competitive innovation in the banking industry. He begins his role of CEO & President of the Truist Corporation on September 1, 2026.

Michael Maguire is one of 21 senior executive leaders that sits on Truist’s Operating Council to streamline decision-making and eliminate silos across the banking organization. His work includes oversight of Truist’s financial planning and analysis, treasury, accounting, tax, investor relations, corporate strategy, M&A, and sourcing.

Additional speakers include: Travis Rhodes, Brent Waddell, Joe Budd, and Drew Hancock.

Following networking and lunch, each attendee will receive tickets to the Wake Forest University Demon Deacon’s opening night game at Allegacy Stadium. End the day with the season opener at 7 p.m. against Akron University. Go Deacs!

🗓 Thursday, September 3, 2026 | Lunch, 12 to 2 pm | Game 7 pm

🔗 Register at https://cpb.wfu.edu/programming/register

Wilmington and Eastern NC, you’re invited on Thursday, August 13 to enjoy free drinks, appetizers and networking between...
07/13/2026

Wilmington and Eastern NC, you’re invited on Thursday, August 13 to enjoy free drinks, appetizers and networking between the business community.

Our Summer Socials are designed for intentional connection across industries to help local leaders expand their networks with fellow Center Members, Sponsors and Staff. It’s a valuable time to network with other business leaders in along the coast and deepen Center Member connections. Feel free to bring a friend, colleague or business leader who would benefit from the Center for Private Business.

Kevin Hicks, Eastern NC Market Manager, will lead the August 13 social and make introductions between Members.

🗓 Date & Time: Thursday, August 13, 2026 | 4:00 - 6:00 PM EST
📍 Location: Flying Machine Brewing | 3130 Randall Pkwy, Wilmington, NC 28403
🍻 Food and Drink: Complimentary Drinks & Apps Provided by the Center
🎟 Cost: Free of Charge for Center Members & Guests
🔗 Register at cpb.wfu.edu

Hiring for an entry level position? Connect to a qualified 2026 Wake Forest Graduate! Our partnership with Wake Forest U...
07/06/2026

Hiring for an entry level position? Connect to a qualified 2026 Wake Forest Graduate! Our partnership with Wake Forest University School of Business includes helping foster employer and student connections to put qualified candidates into local jobs.

Why hire a 2026 graduate? They are:

✅ Highly motivated
✅ Up to date on evidence based research
✅ Trainable and teachable
✅ Part of a wider WFU and NC network

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📩 Send information on open positions to: Dana Hutchens, Director, Employer Relations, [email protected]

Address

500 West 5th Street
Winston-Salem, NC
27101

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13367586125

Website

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