North Carolina CHRISTIAN PEER ADVISORY GROUPS

Steve Andrews

Steve is an operations-oriented senior executive, with both CPA and CMA professional certifications, and prior roles as financial analyst/auditor, CFO, CEO and business owner.  Steve has had significant experience in the areas of operating general management, acquisitions, divestitures, strategic planning, and financial management.  In his roles as an international accounting firm auditor and manufacturing executive/owner, Steve has had exposure to many industries including banking, light manufacturing, textiles, apparel, and service.  He has had responsibility for multi-site operations, international commerce, ERP system implementation and buying, operating and selling a plastics manufacturing business as a Christian owner.

A father of five children, Steve has known the Lord since childhood and has been active as a church elder, youth director, Bible teacher and active board member for several Christian organizations.  Steve initially joined C12 as a member CEO/Owner, and has been a C12 Area Chair since 2004. Steve is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and resides in Reidsville, NC with his wife Kim and family.

Jeff Burkett

Born in Somerset, PA, Jeff is the oldest of 4 children from a family in which God came first.   He was active in sports, music, and service organizations, often in a leadership role.  Jeff has been married for over 40 years to his high school sweetheart, Glenda Rose Burkett.  He earned a BS in Accounting degree from Virginia Tech, graduating with honors.

A former CPA, Jeff started his career with Peat Marwick Mitchell in the Greensboro, NC office.  He later joined WFMY-TV, where he held positions of controller and account representative.  In 1989, he founded Advanced Direct Inc., a direct marketing company that soon established a strong reputation for managing targeted promotions that covered the entire country for national retailers like Outback Steakhouse, Lowe’s, and Jos. A Bank Clothiers.  As a 12-year C12 member, Jeff grew Advanced to a $10 million plus sales company before selling it in 2012 to a large North Carolina printer.  During these years, the company flourished in both profitable business growth and Christ-centered ministry flowing through their daily interaction with the company’’s many stakeholders.

Jeff and Glenda have two married sons and five grandchildren.  Jeff enjoys tennis, hiking, and physical fitness programs.  His other interests include men’’s small groups, church activities at Mt. Pisgah United Methodist, guitar, singing, and travel.

Doug Fincannon

Doug’s business leadership experience spans 20+ years in the mutual insurance industry and includes roles in the agency distribution channel, C-suite, and directorship.  He is particularly passionate about strategic planning, company culture, leadership development, and enterprise risk management.  Before becoming a C12 chair, Doug was a member of a local C12 peer advisory group and saw firsthand how the CEO monthly roundtable could shape a business leader through a time of mutual sharpening, high-impact learning, and peer accountability.  Doug and his adorable wife Shelly have two delightful children and enjoy reading, hiking, and providing Christian hospitality in their home located in Mebane, NC. 

Steve Calhoun

At the age of 30, after being raised in a Christian home, Steve realized his relationship with Christ was not real and true.  Once he realized his need for Christ, Steve surrendered everything in his life to Him and thankfully has never gotten over it.  Steve has served the local church in various lay capacities including several Bible study group start-ups and was instrumental in a local church plant.

A native of Rocky Mount, NC, Steve earned his undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 1990 and his MBA from Liberty University in 2007.  He was a contributing author of Essentials of International Business (Satterlee, 2006) and has obtained many professional certifications in the insurance and financial services industry over the past 20 years.  Steve served the insurance industry for 18 years in various sales and service capacities with Equitable Life and NC Farm Bureau, and managed all aspects of claims service in eastern NC for Erie Insurance.  Steve also pursued his entrepreneurial spirit during the 1990’s by providing various services to local jewelry stores in eastern North Carolina.

More recently, Steve and his family lived in China for three years where he primarily worked with Chinese business owners to bridge relationships with U.S. counterparts.  While in China, he explored much of Chinese culture and language all while studying the business practices of Chinese companies. His experience in China gave Steve a unique opportunity to lead and disciple Chinese believers in their walk with Jesus Christ.

Many years ago, God placed a desire in Steve’’s heart to combine excellent business and marketplace ministry knowing the impact that the marketplace can have in expanding God’s Kingdom.  With Steve’’s varied educational past and experience in both business and ministry, he has much to bring to the table in helping C12 members “Build Great Businesses for a Greater Purpose.”

Steve and his wife, Beth, have been happily married for 16 years.  They have been blessed with three sons and two daughters.  Beth is a full-time mother and homemaker and enjoys homeschooling their children.

Robert Beaman

God called Robert to be a businessman. When at age 29 Robert became a Christian, he asked God what he should do now. God’s clear call was to continue in his business career as Vice President and later COO of a large regional retail company with 650 retail outlets and three thousand employees.

Later while serving as President of another significant retail chain, Robert spearheaded a TQM initiative for his organization that led to huge reductions in expenses and employee turnover. Company size and sales more than doubled in less than ten years. Along the way, Robert received specialized training as a facilitator to enhance the performance and teamwork among his management staff. The team’’s resulting heightened effectiveness later enabled the business to later be sold for a record amount.

In 2000, Robert co-founded Share and Compare, a CEO peer group facilitation company engaging a network of 150 retail and distribution companies who participate in regular financial benchmarking and best practices sharing meetings and conferences.

At a critical juncture in the life of his church, Robert was called by God to leave his business career and to serve for five years as Executive Pastor of his church. Robert joined C12 in 2006 as Area Chair for Eastern NC. His unique blend of work experiences and his journey of faith provide him a framework to encourage and support Christian business owners as they run their businesses for Christ.

Robert and his high school sweetheart, Janet, have been married 42 years and have two daughters and four grandchildren. Robert attended East Carolina University.

Jim Steele

Jim comes to C12 from having served for the prior decade as VP for a midsized insurance company, where he had responsibility for strategic planning, execution, P&L, and the corporate flight department. He also operated a small general aviation airport during this same period which served the needs of customers and the community. In these roles Jim’’s greatest contributions were in the areas of team-building and organizational development. Preparation for those duties began in the United States Air Force where he served for 22 years in a variety of command, staff and leadership positions. Most of Jim’’s career was in the operational arena, but he also gained significant experience in human resources and personnel policy matters while working at the highest levels within the Department of Defense. A devoted student of leadership, Jim has been actively engaged in small group studies and mentoring relationships for over 25 years. He holds graduate degrees in Management from Webster University and in Education from East Carolina University. He is also a graduate of the National War College where he completed graduate level studies in National Security Strategy and Policy Formulation.

Although a professional aviator for more than 35 years, Jim’’s passion is not flying – it’’s people. It’’s his desire to see lives and businesses transformed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ that brought Jim to C12. He joined the C12 team in 2009 as an Area Chair to help further develop C12’’s ‘business as ministry’ service to Christian CEOs in the eastern part of North Carolina. Jim lives in Kinston, NC with his wife, Judy. They have been blessed with two terrific children, Jeff and Julie, as well as five marvelous munchkins (their code name for grandchildren).

John Berry

Helping Christ change the world one heart and one business at a time is the motivation John embraced when he joined The C12 Group, the amazing marketplace movement which is the nation’’s leading ministry for CEO’s. God had been preparing him for this exhilarating transition for years, as he was lead to shine the light of his faith in the businesses he owned and the boards he served on. He exemplified this passion by encouraging employees, customers and board members alike to consider choosing a truly meaningful life revolving around embracing Christ’s awesome message of inner peace. As CEO and owner of a nationally recognized, award winning, retail golf shop and corporate apparel business, John witnessed firsthand the miracles that can only happen when one lets go and gives God control of every aspect of their life and business.

Before becoming an Area Chair for The C12 Group, John was a devoted member of the organization for six years where he and his business experienced the transformative power of aligning with this movement. As a C12 member, John came to realize how fleeting his successful 30-year career, many awards, and millions in sales were and how they would dissipate just like a vapor; yet all work done in that business honoring God would last forever. John is now fixated on allowing God to multiply his gifts and talents by helping other business owners and CEO’s build great businesses for a greater purpose.

John graduated from Central Bible College and has been married for 25 years to the love of his life, Jill. They happily reside in Goldsboro, North Carolina with their two teens, John and Jenna, and their two K-9 furbabies, Gabby and Gracie.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8

Mike Aman

Mike Aman grew up in Roanoke Rapids NC and is a graduate of East Carolina University with a BSBA & MBA.  He founded One Source Communications in Greenville, NC in 1996 and was a C12 Member for over 12 years and was a poster child as one who fully implemented C12 business and ministry principles and as a result, saw much eternal fruit and business success.  One Source Communications grew from the idea of serving all of client’s communications needs in Eastern NC to a national provider of this unique customer-focused communications business. Mike is an experienced leader skilled in Coaching & Development, Management, Marketing, Operations, and Client Satisfaction.

In late 2016, Mike was led to selling One Source and as he considered what’s next and felt the Lords leading to join the East Carolina C12 team.  Mike has been a committed community and church leader in Greenville. As a result of these commitments, he carries the respect of the faith and business communities.  Following his 2018 entry as a C12 Chair in Greenville, he quickly recruited more than a dozen area businesses to become C12 member firms. Mike is a sought-out coach, mentor, business leader, and accountability partner.  He brings a unique background and skill set to the East Carolina C12 team.

Ed Naylor

A number of years ago God encouraged Ed to live fully for Christ and revealed that worship, family, hobbies and career should be lived integrated with and revolving around Christ solely to glorify Him and His Kingdom. The first step was to use Ed’s business, a successful law practice, to further God’s purposes by engaging in marketplace ministry. Several years later, prompted by God’s call, Ed closed his law practice and entered the world of higher education, serving as Vice President of Student Affairs and Legal Affairs/ Dean of Students at a private Christian College. Ed was responsible for all areas of student life experience, including security, housing, food services, student programing, student conduct, spiritual life and others managing a budget of over 4 million dollars and leading 25 team members. The son of an entrepreneur, Ed grew up in eastern North Carolina and graduated from East Carolina University and North Carolina Central School of Law. A promising baseball career was derailed by lack of talent but lead to a lifelong passion for the sport and coaching youth baseball and soccer. Ed serves his local church facilitating study groups, teaching and serving as a Director. Ed has been happily married for 28 years to the love of his life, Sheryl, they have two adult children, Jonathan and Hannah.

Tony Tennaro

Tony Tennaro founded Cornerstone Initiatives in 2004 in order to bring C12 Group programs to the business community of Greater Charlotte. He sees his mission as helping business leaders align their work with God’s agenda, releasing the transforming power of Jesus Christ into all they touch.

Tony enjoyed a successful career in sales, marketing, and general management, both in large corporations, such as the Quaker State Corporation and Black & Decker, and in smaller entrepreneurial companies. He now brings the benefit of his experience to others, across a range of consumer and industrial markets, products, and services.

As C12 Chair, he enthusiastically serves marketplace leaders, sharing his love of business strategy and performance, integrated with his foundation of faith. Tony is also available to speak at conferences on the topics of “Your Next Right Move: How to Make Wise Decisions and Advance Careers,” and “Recalculating Route: a GPS for Getting Back on Course and Staying There.”

The love of his wife, daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren gives Tony daily opportunities to “rejoice and be glad” from their home in Waxhaw, NC.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10).

Dean Williams

With over 40 years of experience in project engineering, general management, and process improvement consulting, with a variety of organizations from Fortune 500 companies to smaller firms, Dean has consistently sought to add value through a focus on continuous improvement.

Prior to becoming an Associate Chair with the C12Group Greater Charlotte, Dean was a manager with Duke Energy, a Senior LEAN Consultant with Invistics, founder and president of Effective Focus Insights, a published author, and a regular speaker and workshop leader nationally and internationally.

Dean is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering. Dean has been married to his wonderful bride, best friend, and talented professional artist, Leigh, since 1977. They have three married children, and six amazing grandchildren (and counting). As a family, the Williams’ have sought, by God’s grace, to live out the words of Joshua when he said, “…. but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” as they integrate their lives and their work with their faith. To that end Dean and Leigh have been actively involved in the church, community, and mission outreach including Dean serving as a Deacon, Elder, and Sunday School teacher, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, Samaritans Purse, Charlotte Serve, Charlotte Rescue Mission, Wings of Eagles Ranch, and others, as well as participating in and leading numerous short term missions trips to eastern Europe. 

Derek Rogers

Derek has been in Charlotte for 25 years, and has loved seeing the city transform. After graduating from Wake Forest University with a double major in Sociology and French Language & Culture, Derek came to Charlotte in 1994 to join then-NationsBank. Since then, the city’s marketplace – and skyline – changed in significant ways; as part of that, Derek worked for NationsBank/Bank of America for 23 years, building extensive business and internal-consulting experience through enterprise-wide projects and strategic programs. In 2017 he left financial services to spend intentional time at home (focused on his wife Anne and 3 teenaged sons) and in the community (sinking more time into church and various volunteer efforts). Over the past two decades, he has been involved in the city through the Charlotte Leadership Forum, the Foundation for the Carolinas Impact Fund, Halftime Carolinas, partnering with Reformed Theological Seminary, and chairing the Board of The Barnabas Center, a counseling/teaching/training non-profit in town. Derek led the Diaconate at his local church for many years, and has recently transitioned to the office of elder. He loves the way God is leveraging C12 to use the gospel to address concrete marketplace challenges of local business owners: better-defined (and purposeful) strategies; clear execution of goals; and operational excellence, just to name a few. And how He does that within, across and through the discipleship of our Peer Advisory Boards. 

Will Dixon

Will‘s passion is to see dramatic advancement and improvement in people and companies. C12 offers an excellent platform to apply Will’s 40+ years of business process experience along with God’s redeeming grace, from which the Lord works incredible transformation in the businesses and lives of his clients. His spiritual commitment to Jesus Christ, business experience and academic background (MBA from Duke University) contribute to his effectiveness as a C12 Area Chair and business coach. He founded the NC Capitol Area C12 Group in 2003. Will lives in the Raleigh, NC area with his wife, Lynn.

Will has spent most of his career improving business operations to achieve greater efficiencies, quality and faster time-to-market as an employee, manager of consulting organizations and as owner of Advanced Business Strategies, a business consulting company. Personally, and through his organizations, he has provided consultation services to scores of Fortune 500 companies across many industries.

Jim Doherty

Jim is a career global senior operations executive with extensive P&L experience in operations, sales and marketing, and product development. Rising from the hourly ranks to lead a $400 million global division, Jim has a passion for the continuous improvement of processes and products as well as the integration of Christian principles in the workplace that glorify God. He has an excellent track record with successful ‘greenfield’ startups, turnarounds, restructurings, and quality/productivity improvement on four continents. With 40+ years of experience in both union and non union environments, Jim has successfully negotiated union contracts and global purchasing agreements, implemented ISO 9000 standards and Lean Six Sigma processes in six divisions of a North American manufacturing company, and is a certified Six Sigma ‘Black Belt.’

Jim presently serves a large Christian non-profit organization as Board Director, in addition to his roles as church treasurer, deacon, and Gideon Scripture Distribution Chairman and Regional Program Leader. He is a graduate of Philadelphia University (B.S.), Central Michigan University (M.A. in Management and Supervision), and Webster University (MBA). Jim resides in Raleigh, North Carolina, with his wife of over thirty years and their four children.

William Ray

William Ray is a Raleigh, North Carolina native with a passion and calling to help business owners steward and grow what God has entrusted to them. Will and Nancy own a photography business that they’ve built and grown over the course of the last eight years. A Dave Ramsey-trained Financial Coach*, Will has worked with and coached scores of business owners and individuals to help them manage their personal and business finances more effectively. While working at Walgreens he completed the Applied Drug Store Management training program.

In addition to his time as a financial consultant, Will spent nearly five years in full-time vocational ministry at Celebration Church in Raleigh. Will and his wife Nancy took their passion about stewardship seriously to the point that they became completely debt free, including their home and business. He received his B.A. in Communication/Public Relations from North Carolina State University.

Will resides in Raleigh with his wife Nancy and their daughter, Milly.

*Completion of this training does not make me an employee or agent of Dave Ramsey, nor give me the right to speak for or bind him, nor constitute an endorsement by him.

Mike Bennett

Mike’s experience spans multiple continents and organizations.  Mike and wife (Dawn) spent 8 years serving as missionaries in Rome, Italy and New Delhi, India.  Prior to that, Mike spent 20+ years in the telecommunications business starting in the infancy of wireless development and continuing to the full development of the industry.  He has been involved in various startup businesses and was responsible for sales, marketing, site building and customer service in different organizations.  As COO of a telecommunications company, he managed a revenue stream of over 500 million dollars.  In addition, Mike has operated personal businesses in the US and India.  Mike fully understands that any success in business and life is a gracious gift from God and produces a heart and life of thanksgiving.

Mike has spent a great deal of his adult life mentoring others in business and Christian living.  He has been involved in various positions in churches.  He and his wife have taught parenting classes and mentored young couples, a passion God has fueled in them.  He is excited to see how God uses his years in business and ministry to help business owners and others in the marketplace reach their full God- given mission.

Mike has been married to Dawn for 30 years. They have three godly sons and two wonderful grandsons.

Lynn Dixon

Connect with Lynn Dixon

Bill Maddox

Bill brings a unique perspective to his role of C12 Area Chair, having been a 17-year C12 member and a business owner since 1985.  These experiences enable him to understand the daily pressures on the business Owner/CEO as well as the opportunities that they have to influence many people for Christ.  Bill’s stated objective is to “use my God-given skills and talents to fulfill the purpose for which I was created and to leverage my life experiences to serve those in my sphere of influence.”

As the son of a Baptist minister, Bill grew up in a loving, Christian home.   At the age of 30, he found himself asking, “Is this all there is to the Christian life?”  God reminded him that He wanted a daily relationship with him that would influence all areas of his life, including his business.

In August of 1985, after obtaining a Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Florida, Bill established his own architectural practice in Sarasota, FL.   Over a 20-year period this business grew into a 20-person, multi-disciplined firm specializing in educational, religious and residential projects.

Bill is an original member of the C12 Group from its inception in Sarasota in 1992.  During his tenure he has been the recipient of the ‘Member of the Year’ award and has been designated as a ‘C12 Hero’ by the organization’s founder.  Since becoming the Area Chair in Western North Carolina, Bill has received the “Rookie of the Year” and “Chairman of the Year” awards from C12.

Bill and Nora, his wife of over 40 years, have 3 grown children; Garrett, Erin & Lindsey.  Their family has been active members of several churches over the years, where Bill has served as an Elder, Governing Board member, and chair or committee member for various Pastor Search teams and Strategic Planning groups.  He has taught adult Bible-study and other small groups for many years.

Bill and Nora consider it a privilege to live and work in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina and to serve those that God brings across their path. 

Scott Whitley

Prior to becoming an associate chair with C12 Group, Scott Whitley was part of executive management in a Fortune 500 company and most recently managing partner of a start-up entrepreneurial organization. Having over 30 years within the financial services industry, Scott has gained experience, expertise, and insight in sales, marketing, business operations, strategic planning, P&L management, business succession, and acquisition.  

A Registered Corporate Coach with the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches®, Scott coached and consulted many independent advisors within the firm and facilitated scores of roundtable groups to aid advisory practices achieve success in business growth, team development, operational efficiencies, and work/life balance.  

Feeling the Lord leading him on a new journey, Scott is following God’s calling to use his unique gifts and skill set to serve the marketplace for a greater purpose. As a C12 Area Chair, Scott focuses on helping CEOs, business owners, and executive leaders throughout Western North Carolina live out Christ’s plan for their lives, their businesses, and their families. 

One of Scott’s passions is mentoring and ministering to your people.  He teaches as a volunteer at Asheville Christian Academy, has been involved with non-profit organizations, facilitated church plants, and served on various ministry teams. 

Scott holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Winthrop University and a Masters of Education at East Carolina University.  He and his wife of 35 years and their 2 married sons all the mountains of Asheville home.