Breakout Sessions

Evans Kariuki

CEO, Circle K Supply Chain Solutions, LLC

Bio: After an 11-year lean career at Toyota as a Kaizen Specialist, Evans Kariuki founded Circle K Supply Chain Solutions to train business leaders in the Toyota Production System. Under his leadership, Circle K has helped clients achieve 32.4% savings per project and 17.2% yearly revenue increases while training over 8,000 leaders. Evans developed the Lean Shepherd Training program, integrating operational excellence with Christian values, and helped one client grow from $45M to $80M in revenue through operational excellence.

Abstract: In his talk, Evans Kariuki presents practical tools for process excellence rooted in faith and efficiency. With the current economic outlook in mind, Evans explains how to raise an army of problem-solvers to identify issues, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and maximize results with existing company resources. Evans walks you through the problem-solving frameworks of A3 thinking and the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) checklist. Walk away with insight to build a culture of innovation, address problems at their roots, and use data to avoid complacency and sustain growth.

Adam Weisner

President & CEO, Sherman Portfolios

Bio: Since becoming president & CEO of Sherman Portfolios in 2023, Adam Weisner and his team increased the firm’s combined assets under management and assets under advisement to over $1.1 billion, rebranding the company to enhance market presence while also securing a US patent. Adam previously served as president of an auto parts manufacturer whose innovative direct-to-consumer digital marketing strategies resulted in partnerships with industry giants, tripling revenue and quadrupling net profit. In 2024, Adam co-founded Kingdom Mindset Investing, championing a balanced, biblical approach to stewardship for business owners. Sherman Portfolios is set to donate 51% of its net income to gospel-promoting charities in 2024.

Abstract: Is it possible to execute a high-impact, low-cost digital marketing strategy in just a few hours per week? According to Adam Weisner, the answer is “yes.” Drawing on his success multiplying revenue in businesses as diverse as financial services and auto parts, Adam explains the power of guerrilla marketing, geo-targeting, and content-driven demand generation. During the session, attendees will gain hands-on experience using an AI-powered method to create multiple social media posts. Walk away with insights on how to drive market awareness and revenue growth without significant expenditure.

John Dudley

President, United Home Experts & Chief Visionary Officer,
Divine Stoneworks

Bio: John Dudley founded and leads two home improvement companies, United Home Experts and Divine Stoneworks, and is a Partner at Barksdale Capital. John’s passion for home improvement began during high school, and after graduating college with a degree in finance, he launched United Home Experts with his father. The companies have enjoyed over three decades of profitable business growth, employing over 65 year-round staff members and hundreds of seasonal workers yearly while achieving more than $25M in combined annual sales.

Abstract: Is it possible to execute a high-impact, low-cost digital marketing strategy in just a few hours per week? According to Adam Weisner, the answer is “yes.” Drawing on his success multiplying revenue in businesses as diverse as financial services and auto parts, Adam explains the power of guerrilla marketing, geo-targeting, and content-driven demand generation. During the session, attendees will gain hands-on experience using an AI-powered method to create multiple social media posts. Walk away with insights on how to drive market awareness and revenue growth without significant expenditure.

Erin Hunt Ferguson

CEO, Pizza Wholesale of Lexington & Hunt Advantage Group

Bio: Erin Hunt Ferguson serves as the CEO & president of Pizza Wholesale of Lexington and the Hunt Advantage Group, overseeing the Hunt Brothers Pizza brand in half the brand territory. With an MBA from the Jack C. Massey School of Business and degrees from the University of Kentucky, Erin has held various leadership positions within the fourth-generation family business, serving over 4,000 customer partners and employing over 250 team members across 21 states. Her transformational leadership style and faith-driven approach to business emphasize humble excellence and servant leadership.

Abstract: Erin Hunt Ferguson’s talk delves into the intricacies of shaping company culture and navigating the dynamics of a multi-generational family business. Erin shares her experience with the fast-growing Hunt Brothers Pizza, discussing the challenges of creating a healthy, values-centered, and faith-based company culture in an ever-evolving business environment. Through faith and perseverance, she emphasizes the power of prayerful decision-making, “telling the kind truth,” and reinforcing core values to foster healthy family relationships and a thriving business culture.

Garrett Blackwelder

Founder & CEO, Grover Gaming

Former East Carolina basketball shooting guard Garrett Blackwelder is the founder & CEO of Grover Gaming, a company that provides software and games for lotteries, casinos, and charitable gaming markets across the United States. The company prioritizes investing in people with programs like Grover University, Grover Care, and Community Outreach Programs. Grover Gaming’s latest Inc. 5000 rank was 194, and Glassdoor named it the second-best place to work in the US.

Tim Suter

Executive Chairman, The Suter Company

Bio: After 25 years as president and CEO, Tim Suter transitioned to Executive Chairman at The Suter Company in 2024. Under his tenure, the 100-year-old food processing business experienced remarkable growth, increasing revenue by more than tenfold. Tim spearheaded multiple facility expansions, grew total employment to over 400, and led the company to become 100% employee-owned. Inspired by his C12 peers, Tim initiated a Dream Manager Program, an employee emergency fund, and company chaplains and gifted 10% of the company to a Christian foundation.

Abstract: When Tim Suter became the fourth-generation CEO of The Suter Company, now a 100-year-old business and major employer in Sycamore, Illinois, he began a journey to grow the business while fostering employee well-being. In this session, Tim shares insights on building a God-honoring culture, implementing successful ministry initiatives, and planning for ownership succession. Suter discusses the benefits and requirements of implementing an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), emphasizing the importance of early preparation and aligning succession strategies with long-term business goals and values.

Michael Thompson

Co-Founder & CEO, Turas Group and Tru Recruiting

Bio: Michael Thompson is the co-founder & CEO of TruRecruiting, a faith-driven, global recruiting firm with 20+ years of experience sourcing talent for domestic and global markets. His vision for TruRecruiting grew out of a desire to redeem the recruiting business and train the next generation of redemptive recruiters. TruRecruiting’s collective of impact-driven brands includes Turas Recruiting (faith/mission-aligned talent), Amplio Recruiting (refugees), and Rahmah Recruiting (survivors/those at risk of trafficking). In 2025, TruRecruiting plans to launch a new brand focused on placing orphans and widows. The business has grown from one employee to 100+ employees across five cities, three continents, and $10M in revenue.

Abstract: In today’s pursuit of top talent, faith-driven leaders often face a challenge: can you hire for mission without compromising competency? Imagine a world where your job creation and hiring strategy not only attracts the best talent to grow your business but is also one of the most significant ways for your business to do ministry, care for the broken, help eradicate trafficking and poverty, and reach the nations. Join Michael Thompson as he shares his company’s Recruiting as a Ministry (RaaM) model and helps you design your own.

Cheri Garcia

Founder & CEO, Cornbread Hustle

Bio: As the founder of Cornbread Hustle, Cheri Garcia has placed over 2,500 formerly incarcerated individuals into meaningful jobs across the US, including her latest venture, Junk Hustlers, LLC. Drawing from her personal struggles with addiction, Cheri created the 12-Week Starting Over Program to prepare her clients for placement. Her diverse background includes roles as an inventor, marketer, television reporter, and public relations specialist. Cheri’s expertise in second-chance hiring has made her a valuable consultant for businesses of all sizes, from small enterprises to Fortune 500 corporations.

Abstract: In her session, Cheri Garcia will discuss common fears business leaders have around second-chance hiring, drawing from over a decade of experience helping formerly incarcerated individuals find work and create generational change for their families. She will share real-life examples, data, and unique approaches to ensure success for those with criminal records or in recovery. You will learn how to create a criminal background policy that works for your business, the importance of empathy, and strategies to conduct manager training to effectively support second-chance hires.

Dr. Rica McRoy

Co-Founder, R City Eye Care

Bio: In 2018, Dr. Rica McRoy co-founded R City Eye Care, a Kingdom-focused optometry clinic dedicated to holistic patient care and community welfare. Blending clinical excellence with spiritual guidance, R City Eye Care has flourished and expanded into a multi-doctor, multi-site practice over the past five years. Dr. McRoy’s innovative approach integrates cutting-edge technology with a culture of prayer, fostering impactful patient interactions. Rica and her team seek to provide exceptional eye care and make a life-changing impact through individual patient encounters and partnerships with over 15 organizations in the community.

Abstract: Dr. Rica McRoy shares her journey of transforming her optometry practice into a generosity engine to raise awareness and rally behind local non-profits. From being raised in a Hindu family through personal struggles to becoming a Christian, Rica’s story is one of surrendering to God’s unmistakable call on her life. She discusses her practice’s unique mission, dedication to prayer, and how her strategic commitment to supporting community partnerships has led to profound impacts. Learn practical ways your business can serve the community, embodying Christ’s love and generosity.

Robb Wilson – Panelist

CEO, Wilson Lumber

In 2011, Robb Wilson took the helm of Wilson Lumber as CEO and initiated a transformative restructuring, propelling the company’s annual revenue from $28M to $140M. Concurrently, Robb led Kudzu Millwork’s remarkable turnaround from an unprofitable $5M business, transforming it into a $15M profitable enterprise. Robb’s success stems from his dedication to fostering robust workplace cultures where employees maintain high standards and practice mutual respect. A key element of Robb’s thriving organizational ethos is his commitment to ministry, achieved by clearly articulating and embodying the company’s mission, vision, and core values. This approach employs the caring matrix to support employees, local ministries, and international initiatives like Awakening Hope in Guatemala.

Robb Wilson

CEO, Wilson Lumber

Bio: In 2011, Robb Wilson took the helm of Wilson Lumber as CEO and initiated a transformative restructuring, propelling the company’s annual revenue from $28M to $140M. Concurrently, Robb led Kudzu Millwork’s remarkable turnaround from an unprofitable $5M business, transforming it into a $15M profitable enterprise. Robb’s success stems from his dedication to fostering robust workplace cultures where employees maintain high standards and practice mutual respect. A key element of Robb’s thriving organizational ethos is his commitment to ministry, achieved by clearly articulating and embodying the company’s mission, vision, and core values. This approach employs the caring matrix to support employees, local ministries, and international initiatives like Awakening Hope in Guatemala.

Abstract: Dr. Rica McRoy shares her journey of transforming her optometry practice into a generosity engine to raise awareness and rally behind local non-profits. From being raised in a Hindu family through personal struggles to becoming a Christian, Rica’s story is one of surrendering to God’s unmistakable call on her life. She discusses her practice’s unique mission, dedication to prayer, and how her strategic commitment to supporting community partnerships has led to profound impacts. Learn practical ways your business can serve the community, embodying Christ’s love and generosity.