Business Conference Fall 2019

Business: Behind the Scenes

Nov. 18th -22nd

Virginia Wesleyan University

The Speakers

Jason Barnes

Keynote Speaker

Originally from Hanover, VA, he got his Associate’s Degree from SUNY Broome where he played ice hockey for 2 years. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Carson-Newman University where he played soccer for 3 years. Next he received his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Tennessee. There he applied his education as a teacher, soccer coach, and Assistant Principal from 2003-2011. In 2011, Jason took on a leadership role as the Franchisee of Chick-fil-A Haygood in Virginia Beach and in 2019, opened a location at Northampton Blvd in Norfolk outside Norfolk Premium Outlets where he now runs this second successful franchise.

Merle Gilley

Merle Gilley is the President at TriQuest USA and specializes in retirement planning, sales and planning, wealth distribution, and software design. Merle is a founding member of Equity for Life, LLC, and has served in the United States Air Force. Merle graduated from Bayside high school. Merle and TriQuest USA teach agents and advisors on how to help people create extra money for retirement using what they currently have and earn without compromising their cash flow.

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Ashley Mullinix McLeod

Ashley Mullinix McLeod is the Vice President of Communications and Membership at the Virginia Maritime Association. She is a current Virginia Beach resident who studied at Indiana University Bloomington. As the Vice President of Communication and Membership, she focuses on increasing membership and serving members of the Virginia Maritime Association.

Ashley also works to increase the influence of the Virginia Maritime Association across Virginia and beyond, provide marketing planning, and improve communication.

Jerry Foley

Jerry is a senior project management professional in the telecommunications and information industry with more than 30 years of experience. He has great experience and success in assessing, planning, developing, deploying and managing software systems and large-scale projects. He has great hands-on experience with many important software and technologies in the business realm and has invaluable knowledge about project management.

Speakers

Charles Jones

Charles is Vice President, Chief of Sales, and an owner of Jones Printing Service, Inc. in Norfolk, Virginia. Jones Printing Service is a full-service printing and mailing company that prints everything from business cards to magazines and posters.

NOV 18

7:00-10:00 pm

Opening Banquet

NOV 19

8:00 - 10:30am

Shark Tank

2:30 - 4:30pm

Shark Tank

6:30 - 7:00pm

NOV 20

1:00 - 2:00pm

Shark Tank

2:00 - 3:00pm

Shark Tank Finals

NOV 21

13:00

Lunch

14:00

16:00

Q & A Session

NOV 22

Agenda

Monday | NOV 18

7:00 - 10:00 pm

Opening Reception - The Henry Watts Grand Lobby of the Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center

8:00 - 8:45 pm

Keynote Speaker | Jason Barnes - the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre

Tuesday | NOV 19

8:00 - 9:15am

ISP - Pearce Suite, Batten Student Center

9:30 - 10:45am

Shark Tank - The Lighthouse in Lambuth M. Clarke Hall

11:30 - 1:30pm

Pizza Party / Improv Workshop - The Marlin Grille

2:30 - 3:45pm

Shark Tank - Pearce Suite, Jane P. Batten Student Center

6:30 - 7:00pm

Meet and Greet - Pearce Suite, Jane P. Batten Student Center

7:00 - 8:00pm

Ashley McLeod -"Growth and Innovation of the Port of Virginia" - Pearce Suite, Jane P. Batten Student Center

Wednesday | NOV 20

11:00 - 11:45am

Jerry Foley - Pearce Suite, Jane P. Batten Student Center

1:00 - 2:15pm

Shark Tank - Pearce Suite, Jane P. Batten Student Center

2:30 - 3:45pm

Shark Tank Finals - Pearce Suite, Jane P. Batten Student Center

Thursday NOV 21

8:00 - 9:15am

ISP - Pearce Suite, Jane P. Batten Student Center

11:15am - 12:00pm

Charles Jones: Jones Printing Service - Pearce Suite, Jane P. Batten Student Center

12:30 - 2:30pm

Ice Cream Social - the Marlin Grille

6:00 - 9:00pm

Silent Auction - Blocker Auditorium in S. Frank and Wilma Williamson Blocker Hall

Friday NOV 22

8:00 - 10:00am

Coffee and Dessert Social - The Marlin Grille, Jane P. Batten Student Center

11:00am - 12:00pm

Merle Gilley - Pearce Suite, Jane P. Batten Student Center

12:00 - 1:30pm

Alpha Psi Omega Skit "Interviews: The Good and the Bad" - Pearce Suite

2:00 - 6:00pm

Closing Ceremony - Greer Environmental Sciences Center

Campus Map

About Us

Marlin Prestige

Vision: Helping students and community members alike to gain an elementary knowledge and expand on their own knowledge of business in creative and entertaining ways.

Mission statement: To provide educational, entertaining, and engaging experiences to show our guests elements of business they may not be aware of or that surprises them.

The Venue