Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Fall Leaders Conference 2022: A Scaling Up Sell Out

Most of the Virginia Council of CEOs’ events are for CEOs and sponsors only.

For this year’s Fall Leaders Conference we invited non-member CEOs and executive teams to engage with presenter Verne Harnish on the topic of “Scaling Up” your business. And we sold out the room at The Jefferson Hotel. There’s an appetite for growth!

Bringing my leadership team to this event was a game-changer. They were inspired by the concepts and are now thinking beyond their individual departments. This event established a common vocabulary and approach to scaling our business in the years ahead.

Chris Leone, WebStrategies Inc.

Verne spoke at a VACEOs luncheon in 2008 and we’ve been trying to get him back every since. A master story-teller, Verne connects the dots on trends, practices, models and techniques. He focused on the four key decisions every business must make in order to Scale Up: People, Strategy, Execution, and Cash.

We’ve already made plans for next year’s Fall Leaders Conference. It will be held on September 21, 2023 and will feature world famous sales coach Jack Daly. Save the date, tell your team, and get ready to “Get Jack’d”!

As a non-profit association, our sponsors provide expertise and resources that make events like this happen. Thanks to all of our them, and especially to those that backed this conference: Blue Ridge Bank, Fahrenheit Advisors, and Transact Capital Partners.

Leaders networking at our Fall Conference
Speakers like Verne Harnish bring world-class learning to our members
Hard at work scaling up
Rich Reinecke, Fahrenheit Advisors
Brad Eure with VACEOs board chair
Corey Divine
Chris Layne and Lisa Streat with some great SWAG from Blue Ridge Bank
Patrick Morin of Transact Capital

Posted by Scot McRoberts at 12:18 pm
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Wednesday, April 13, 2022

VACEOs Fall Leaders Conference 2022

This is a new event you won’t want to miss! We encourage business owners/CEOs to bring their executive teams. VACEOs Members and Sponsors will get a discounted rate but register now to receive the best rates.

Join VACEOs on September 19, 2022, at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia, to spend the day with Verne Harnish – scaleup expert, world renown speaker and bestselling author.

Verne’s Scaling Up presentation focuses on the Four Decisions methodology that every company must get right: People, Strategy, Execution and Cash. Verne will be sharing fours specific ideas-one each for People, Strategy, Execution and Cash-that you can use immediately to drive a positive impact in the business. Look at the #1 most important question to ask in each of the four decisions-and practical examples of how various small to mid-market firms answered these questions, driving much better results.

In the end it’s about getting more money, saving more time, and having more fun in scaling up your business. Verne Harnish will help you get there. To register, click HERE.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact Scot McRoberts to learn more.

Topics Verne will cover in Scaling Up include:

PEOPLE: Recruitment, on boarding, coaching & culture:
Designing the employee journey.

STRATEGY: Purpose, core customer, brand promise & identifying the company culture.

EXECUTION: Systems, processes & accountability through current technologies.

CASH: Cash flow, margins, key performance indicators & efficiencies.

To register now, click HERE.

Schedule for the day:

Monday, September 19

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Registration

9:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Verne Harnish (People & Strategy)

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch

1:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Verne Harnish (Execution & Cash)

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Cocktail Reception

Who is this for:

This program is open to all CEOs and their senior executive teams. Click HERE to register.

Verne Harnish

About the Speaker

Verne Harnish is founder of Entrepreneurs‘ Organization and Scaling Up, a global coaching and executive education firm. He has spent the past four decades helping companies scale. He‘s author of Mastering the Rockefeller Habits; The Greatest Business Decisions of All Time; Scaling Up (Rockefeller Habits 2.0) and Scaling Up Compensation.

Register Now!

Posted by Scot McRoberts at 11:13 am
Thursday, October 21, 2021

VACEOs Fall Leaders Conference Sights and Sounds

The inaugural VACEOs Fall Leaders Conference at VA Beach was a huge success!

Highlights included a reception at the Cavalier Beach Club and a full day of learning with Dr. Margie Warrell (“Leading with Courage”) and Craig LeMasters (Unstuck).

The day also included a special ceremony where we named Mike Matthews, Elissa Mast, and Connie Hom as Charles E. McCabe Leadership Award winners.

Unable to attend? Check out this very brief video to get a glimpse of what you missed.

Sights and sounds of 2021 Fall Leaders Conference


2021 Fall Leaders Conference Event Sponsors

Sponsor logos 2021-0914

About the VACEOs Fall Leaders Conference

The Fall Leaders Conference is a program that VACEOs offers to all business leaders – business owners, C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, and consultants. You don’t have to be a VACEOs member to attend!

Individuals and leadership teams have the opportunity to change the trajectory of their organizations in just one day.

Posted by Staff at 12:36 pm
Thursday, September 23, 2021

VA Council of CEOs Names Mike Matthews, Elissa Mast, and Connie Hom as Charles E. McCabe Leadership Award Winners

2021 Chuck McCabe Winners

Recipients honored for their tireless work as VACEOs volunteers and for unwavering dedication towards sustaining the mission and the growth of the Council. 


Richmond, Virginia: The Virginia Council of CEOs (VACEOs), a non-profit association serving more than 200 small and mid-sized business owners, announced today that three members were awarded the Charles E. McCabe Leadership Award on September 20, 2021 at the 1st Annual VACEOs Fall Leaders Conference held at the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront in Virginia Beach.

The Charles E. McCabe Leadership Award, presented by the Virginia Council of CEOs Board of Directors, recognizes VACEOs members who make significant leadership contributions to the Council. Chuck McCabe, CEO of Peoples Tax and The Income Tax School, was appropriately named as the first recipient of the award during the 2017 VACEOs Retreat.

“Volunteers are a core strength of our organization. I am humbled by their dedication,” said Scot McRoberts, Executive Director, VA Council of CEOs. Adding, “These honorees represent many others who apply their talents and energy to connect CEOs across Virginia for learning and growth.”

As last recipient of the award in 2019, Arlene Lee, CEO, Lee Construction Group, was given the honor of introducing each new recipient. 

Mike Matthews, President of Froehling & Robertson, was celebrated for his efforts in shaping the VACEOs Forum program and more. 

Said Lee during the ceremony, “He was a member of our first CEO Forum for larger company CEOs, and helped shape that program. He served as leader of his Forum, on committees, the board of directors, as Treasurer, Vice Chairman, and finally as Chairman in 2016. 

When Mike Matthews had a very successful business exit, and during his brief early retirement, Mike was a fantastic facilitator for a couple of our CEO Forums. He has since gone back to a full-time president role, but continues to serve VACEOs as chairman of the Finance Committee. Thank you and congratulations Mike Matthews.”

Elissa Mast, President, E&R Sales, has been a member of the Council since 2005 and was honored for her active role within the Council and especially her impact on the Annual Retreat.

About Mast, Lee said, “Elissa Mast joined VACEOs 16 years ago to solve her ‘lonely at the top’ issue, and boy are we glad she did. In addition to speaking up at every meeting she ever attended, Elissa has led her roundtable, launched our Knowledge Network luncheons – where the experts are in the room – and served on the board of directors for nearly a decade. Perhaps her greatest impact has been in chairing several Retreats, where she raised the bar on content and speakers for us all.”

And finally, Connie Hom, CEO of Buckingham Greenery, was celebrated for her dedication towards promoting and advancing the Council. 

“This leader joined VACEOs in 2002. She has led her roundtable, served on nearly every committee, and on the board of directors since 2018. As a leader and active member in a host of business and community organizations, she has leveraged her network to advance the Council. Connie Hom always provides live plants to decorate our stages, and we are healthier for it!

For years, Connie has spread word of the Council to other CEOs, enthusiastically participated and promoted our programs, and served our association in so many ways large and small. Congratulations, and thank you Connie Hom for nearly 20 years of leadership,” said Lee. 

Charles E. McCabe Leadership Award Recipients (Past and Present)

Left to Right: Scot McRoberts, Mike Matthews, David Barrett, Chuck McCabe, Elissa Mast, Connie Hom, Arlene Lee

2021: Mike Matthews, President, Froehling & Robertson; Elissa Mast, President, E&R Sales; Connie Hom, CEO of Buckingham Greenery

2020: (Postponed due to Coronavirus)

2019: Arlene Lee, President, R.E. Lee Companies

2018: David R. Barrett, President and CEO of Barrett Capital Management

2017: Chuck McCabe, CEO of Peoples Tax and The Income Tax School

Posted by Staff at 8:53 am
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Wednesday, September 1, 2021

2021 Fall Leaders Conference: FAQs

Fall Leaders Conf 2021

The 2021 VACEO’s Fall Leaders Conference will be held at the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront in VA Beach from September 19-20. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Conference.

Q. What is the schedule for the conference?

Sunday evening*

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM Registration and Welcome Reception

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Reception at the Beach Bar and Grill hosted by Fahrenheit Advisors 

*Dinner on your own

Monday 

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Registration Breakfast

9:30 AM – 11:00 AM Welcome & Margie Warrell, Leading with Courage

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM Craig Lemasters, Unstuck!

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Lunch

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM Welcome Back & Chuck McCabe Award

2:00 PM – 2:45 PM Workshop with Craig Lemasters

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Margie Warrell closing address

3:30 PM Adjourn

Q. What are the COVID protocols?

A. We are asking everyone attending to either be fully vaccinated or have tested negative for COVID in the last 24 hours. Regardless of vaccination status everyone is encouraged to wear a mask whenever not eating or drinking indoors. We will have extra seating in the meeting room for those who prefer more space. Also, we will have color coded dots at registration to denote comfort level. See below.

Q. What do the red, yellow, and green dots on the name badges mean?

We’ve developed a sticker system to make sure everyone is comfortable while we gather. We ask everyone to please be mindful and respectful of each other during this event. Thank you!

Q. Is there a dress code?

A. Not really. Let’s call it business casual or resort casual. Relax and be comfortable. Our Sunday evening party is outside so please dress for the weather.

Q: I’ve arrived at the Marriott VA Beach Oceanfront hotel. Now what?

Sunday arrival: Check in to the hotel, then between 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM come to conference registration on the 2nd floor to pick up your name tag and a special gift

There will also be a Welcome Reception sponsored by Fahrenheit Advisors next to registration.

From 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM come to the Beach Bar and Grill for our Opening Reception. 

Monday arrival: we will officially welcome you at the Retreat Registration desk located on the 2nd floor at 8:00 AM.

Q. What is the menu at the reception Sunday night? Should I make dinner reservations?

A. We will have heavy hors d’oeuvres at the reception. There will be ample food but for those preferring a sit-down meal, we suggest making reservations as soon as possible. See dining options and the reception menu below.

Sunday Night Reception Menu**

  • Pasta Station
  • Raw Bar (Local oysters, crab claw cocktail, poached North Carolina shrimp)
  • Artisan Cheese Table and Becca Garden Crudite
  • Passed Hors d’oeuvres (Vegetable Spring Roll, Mini Beef “Wellington”, Baby Mozzarella and Tomato Skewers)
  • Dessert (Assorted mini sweets, petit fours & truffles)

**There will be gluten free options available at certain stations

Still have a question? Please email us or call: 804-360-2644

About the VACEOs Fall Leaders Conference

The Fall Leaders Conference is a program that VACEOs offers to all business leaders – business owners, C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, and consultants. You don’t have to be a VACEOs member to attend!

Individuals and leadership teams have the opportunity to change the trajectory of their organizations in just one day.

Posted by Staff at 12:03 pm