South Charlotte Partners

Breakfast Club March 2026
2026-03-19 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Halifax) | AC Hotel Charlotte Ballantyne, 14819 Ballantyne Village Way, Charlotte, NC, 28277, United States
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A monthly breakfast, networking and presentation event highlighting experts & business leaders in Charlotte.
Join South Charlotte Partners for its March Breakfast Club as regional sports and entertainment leaders explore “The Impact of the Sports & Entertainment Economy on Charlotte.” This dynamic morning program will examine how professional sports, major events, and entertainment experiences are fueling Charlotte’s growth, driving jobs, tourism, corporate investment, and a vibrant quality of life. The discussion will be moderated by Steve Bagwell, CEO of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, and features executive perspectives from Hornets Sports & Entertainment, Tepper Sports & Entertainment, and the Truist Championship.
Hosted at the AC Hotel Charlotte Ballantyne, this networking breakfast offers a behind-the-scenes look at Charlotte’s rise as a premier sports and entertainment market. Attendees will gain insight into economic impact, fan experience, innovation and branding, and the critical role of infrastructure and public-private partnerships, while connecting with business and community leaders shaping the region’s future. Don’t miss this timely conversation on how sports and entertainment continue to elevate Charlotte’s national profile.
Our Moderator
Steve Bagwell
CEO of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
Steve Bagwell is a dedicated advocate for the hospitality industry, with a career spanning over 25 years devoted to enhancing Charlotte’s visitor economy. A native of the Queen City, Steve brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to fostering a positive organizational culture. As CEO of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), he leads efforts to champion tourism as a key driver of economic development and to enhance the positive impact the visitor economy has on the community’s quality of life.
Steve’s leadership journey began at the Charlotte Convention Center when it opened in 1995, where he served as Warehouse Manager before transitioning into the role of Concessions Manager within the Food & Beverage department. His experience expanded during his tenure in Finance, where he played a pivotal role in the 2004 merger that formed the CRVA. Over more than a decade, Steve managed financial reporting and audit functions, earning his CPA designation in 2000.
By 2012, Steve was at the helm of the Charlotte Convention Center as General Manager, and by 2014, he was promoted to Vice President of Venues, overseeing operations at some of Charlotte’s most significant event spaces. His leadership has contributed to hundreds of successful events annually, generating millions for the local economy. Steve also spearheaded major projects like the $127 million expansion of the Charlotte Convention Center in 2021 and the $20 million enhancement to the Bojangles Entertainment Complex in 2020.
A testament to his ability to lead large-scale operations and navigate complex projects that leave a lasting impact on the city, Steve has been instrumental in hosting high-profile events such as the 2012 Democratic National Convention, the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend, and the 2014 Alpha Kappa Alpha 66th Boule.
Steve earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Clemson University and is a proud alumnus of Leadership Charlotte Class 41. He serves on several boards, including the Charlotte Sports Foundation, Charlotte Center City Partners, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame Foundation, where he is also a member of the Advisory Committee. Additionally, Steve is a Trustee of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Board, reflecting his deep commitment to advancing the economic and cultural vitality of Charlotte.

Our Panelists
Mike Behan
Chief Business & Revenue Officer, Hornets Sports & Entertainment
Mike Behan joined Hornets Sports & Entertainment in April 2025 as the organization’s Chief Business & Revenue Officer, bringing extensive experience in the sports and entertainment industry, with a proven track record of leadership, partnership development and revenue generation. In his role at HSE, Behan oversees areas including ticket sales and services, ticket operations, partnerships and business intelligence.
Most recently, Behan spent 13 years with Legends – a globally recognized leader in premium live events – where he played an instrumental role in launching Legends College, a first-of-its-kind company dedicated to assisting universities and athletic departments in elevating the experience of fans and growing revenues. As President of Legends College, Behan led strategic partnerships with over 25 major universities and athletic programs, including Notre Dame, Ohio State, Florida State, Oklahoma and Georgia Tech, while overseeing a team of over 300 full-time employees.
Before joining Legends, Behan served as Director of Team Marketing & Business Operations for the NBA, where he consulted with NBA, WNBA and NBA G League teams to optimize their revenue streams across ticket sales, sponsorships, premium seating and merchandise. Behan began his NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005-2010, starting in their inside sales department and ultimately advancing to the role of Director of Ticketing.
A 2020 Sports Business Journal Forty Under 40 honoree, Behan is a 2005 graduate of Le Moyne College. He and his wife, Amanda, have three children: Madison, Emma and William.

Jake Burns
Chief Strategy & Development Officer, Tepper Sports & Entertainment
Jake Burns joined Tepper Sports & Entertainment in April 2021 and serves as the Chief Strategy and Development Officer. In his role, Burns focuses on forward-looking, high-level strategic initiatives, encompassing commercial endeavors of significant impact across the enterprise, while also guiding the Business Strategy and Analytics team.
Burns came to TSE after five seasons with Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals, most recently as the team’s Executive Vice President, Business Operations. In his role, he was responsible for all functions related to revenue generation, including corporate partnerships, licensing, ticket and suite sales, strategy and analytics, broadcasting, marketing, brand management, game entertainment, retail, food and beverage and non-baseball events at Nationals Park.
Burns has nearly ten years of professional sports experience. Prior to joining the Nationals, Burns spent 14 years in organizational and human capital strategy consulting, including time with Booz Allen Hamilton, a strategy and technology consulting firm based out of McLean, Virginia. While at Booz Allen Hamilton, Jake served as a Senior Associate in the firm’s Defense and Intelligence Group, where he was responsible for business development, account leadership, client delivery and career management for a team of consultants who helped organizations envision, design and implement major transformations.
Burns is a member of the Johnson & Wales University Executive Advisory Council, the North Carolina Travel & Tourism Board and the World Affairs Council of Charlotte Board. He also serves as a volunteer youth baseball coach.
Burns holds a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the UVA Darden School of Business. Burns and his wife, Katherine, have two children, Jackson and Charlotte.

Kali Ryan Jones
Senior Manager of Event Services
Originally from Roanoke, Virginia, Kali serves as Senior Manager of Event Services for the Truist Championship. A proud graduate of James Madison University, she began her professional career with the PGA TOUR and has been part of the organization ever since.
In her role, Kali leads the event services team and works closely with colleagues and key stakeholders to plan and execute all on-site activations, partnerships, and tournament experiences. Her responsibilities span tournament logistics, volunteer and vendor management, hospitality operations, client services, player and caddie experience, and special events – all critical elements that bring a world-class championship to life.
Kali is especially passionate about the intentionality behind the work — building strong internal collaboration while creating meaningful, memorable experiences for players, sponsors, and fans. Her focus is ensuring that every guest leaves with an unforgettable, Charlotte-inspired impression of the Truist Championship.
One of the highlights of her career was helping bring the Truist Championship to life at the historic Philadelphia Cricket Club in 2025. Despite a condensed timeline and the complexities of hosting a pop-up event on a historic course, the team delivered an exceptional championship experience — an accomplishment she remains deeply proud of.
Kali and her husband Brett recently made Charlotte home, along with their goldendoodle, Moose, and she is thrilled to continue building the tournament’s impact in the community.

Breakfast Club February 2026
2026-02-19 08:00 - 09:30
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A monthly breakfast, networking and presentation event highlighting experts & business leaders in Charlotte.
Join South Charlotte Partners for an insightful morning of networking and conversation at our February Breakfast Club focused on Public Safety. Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) Chief Estella Patterson will share her vision for keeping Charlotte safe, touching on key priorities like reducing crime, strengthening community partnerships, and supporting officer wellness.
Chief Patterson will also address timely neighborhood concerns, including staffing, vehicle break-ins, and the growing impact of e-bikes, alongside other CMPD leaders who will share local crime stats and answer questions from attendees.
The event takes place Thursday, February 19, from 8–9:30 a.m. at the AC Hotel Charlotte Ballantyne (14819 Ballantyne Village Way, 16th Floor).
Come connect with local leaders, neighbors, and business professionals for an engaging discussion about safety and collaboration in South Charlotte.

Breakfast Club January 2026
2026-01-22 08:00 - 09:30
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A monthly breakfast, networking and presentation event highlighting experts & business leaders in Charlotte.
Be part of an exclusive opportunity to engage with South Charlotte’s leaders—at no cost to you.
The January Breakfast Club will spotlight the “State of South Charlotte,” offering a unique chance to hear firsthand about the growth, infrastructure, and community priorities shaping our region.
Panelists will be:
Susan Rodriguez-McDowell, Mecklenburg County Commissioner, District
Commissioner Rodriguez-McDowell will share updates on job growth, economic successes, and parks and recreation projects that enhance community living.

Ed Driggs, Charlotte City Councilmember, District 7
Councilmember Driggs will discuss rezoning activity, the South Charlotte Area Plan, public safety priorities, and new transportation projects funded through the recent referendum.
This complimentary event is designed to deliver meaningful insights and foster connections among residents, business leaders, and advocates committed to South Charlotte’s success. Space is limited, so secure your spot today and join the conversation that matters for our community’s future.
