Chair
Ben is the Executive VP, Commercial Banking Officer with TowneBank. Ben’s career started as a Tank Crewmember in the US Army at Fort Knox and Camp Casey Korea. After completing his enlistment, Ben graduated from The Gatton College of Economics at the University of Kentucky. While in college, he worked at Central Bank in Lexington, KY and joined BB&T Bank in commercial banking after graduating. After 10 years with BB&T, Ben moved to Wells Fargo furthering his career in commercial banking and in 2018 stepped in to a leadership role at Wells Fargo. In March of 2020 Ben joined the team at TowneBank where he currently works. Ben serves on the Board for Folds of Honor, Novant Health Foundation Advisory Counsel, Ballantyne Rotary Club and Chairs South Charlotte Partners. He enjoys shuttling his 5 children to their sporting events and occasionally makes time to golf and fish.Leiden University. Alexis, born in Honolulu, grew up as a Marine Corp brat living in Europe and the Far East. While obtaining her BA with honors in Mass Communication/Broadcast Journalism and Political Science from Winthrop University she traveled to Antarctica to write, film and produce her own documentary. In what she often refers to as her pervious life, Alexis worked her way up from a radio reporter covering the government beat to a television news producer in Charlotte.
Vice Chair
Christina is the SVP of marketing and communications at Northwood Office. She provides leadership, strategy, planning and guidance for the firm’s marketing and communications efforts, economic development and community relations initiatives. Before Northwood, Christina was deputy director of economic development with the City of Charlotte. She held previous roles at Northwood Office and The Bissell Companies. Earlier in her career, she worked at Edelman and Lifetime Television. Thigpen has been active in the community for years, including serving on the board of South Charlotte Partners and previously as chair of the Charlotte Chamber’s Ballantyne Chapter and president and long-standing board member of PRSA Charlotte. Thigpen earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina.
Secretary
Alexis leads the City of Charlotte’s international trade and diplomatic programs. She finds joy helping others discover Charlotte global gems and find success in our market. Organizations like Meridian International Center, the Center for Public Diplomacy, and Engagement Global invite Alexis to speak on her field of expertise inspiring future global go-getters. Before working in the urban diplomacy, she completed her Masters in International Relations and Diplomacy at Leiden University. Alexis, born in Honolulu, grew up as a Marine Corp brat living in Europe and the Far East. While obtaining her BA with honors in Mass Communication/Broadcast Journalism and Political Science from Winthrop University she traveled to Antarctica to write, film and produce her own documentary. In what she often refers to as her pervious life, Alexis worked her way up from a radio reporter covering the government beat to a television news producer in Charlotte.
Finance Chair
Caryn is a retired banker who is active in a variety of advocacy and environmental groups. She currently serves as treasurer on the boards of both the Folds of Honor – Western Carolina, and South Charlotte Partners. She also serves on the Financial Committee at Alliance Center for Education. In addition, she is a volunteer with the Mecklenburg Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program, Trees Charlotte and Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary.
Caryn worked in community banking in Charlotte for over 25 years, most recently as Chief Operating Officer and Regulatory Compliance Officer of Carolina Premier Bank (based in Ballantyne until its acquisition). She graduated from High Point University with BA in English, resides in Charlotte with her husband Charles and has two adult sons and one grandson.
Marketing & Communications Chair
Born and raised in North Carolina, Matt has spent his entire life in the Tarheel state. He and his family moved to South Charlotte in 2019 and joined the Atrium Health Marketing, Communications and Consumer Experience Division in December 2021. In his role, Matt serves as the marketing liaison for all facility executives and hospital-based leaders across the Charlotte market from Lake Norman to Pineville and beyond. His career includes leadership roles in hotel sales and operations, brand agencies, retail marketing and currently healthcare marketing & communications. He has invested his volunteer time in organizations like Smart Start, United Way, Rotary, Zoning Boards, and Chambers of Commerce. Inspired by the example his parents set as servant leaders in the Winston-Salem and Forsyth County Communities, Matt strives to leave the world better than he found it by establishing effective relationships and being a strategic and innovative thinker.
Vinay served as President and CEO for SREE Hotels and currently serves as Principal for SREE Hotels, LLC which owns 25 hotels and partners with Hilton, Marriott and Intercontinental Hotel Group. Prior to joining SREE, Vinay Patel served as vice president, brand marketing for Microtel Inn & Suites. Patel joined Microtel after serving as Vice President of Marketing for Knights Franchise Systems, a division of Cendant Corp. Patel currently serves on the board of directors for the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Visit Lake Norman, Cabarrus County CVB and the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association. He is also a franchisee elected member of the TRIA (Residence Inn by Marriott) – the brand’s Franchise Advisory Council. On July 1, 2021, he was appointed to the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees by the NC Legislature.
A native of the Fiji Islands, Patel received his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He resides in Charlotte with his wife, Shefalee and two sons, Milan and Javel.
Greg served as Chairman from 2020 to 2022 and was prior to that Treasurer for the board. He is a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Greg is also a Charter member of the Ballantyne Rotary Club and was the previous chair of the Ballantyne Chapter of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
Roy currently serves as Director of Business Development for Froehling and Robertson – a 142-year-old consulting engineering firm. Prior to this position he held a Vice President position for a dental manufacturing firm and led the customer service team for the western hemisphere. Roy also was an Assistant Dean of Students and coach for a college in New York prior to working in Charlotte in the commercial furniture and logistics department. Roy has managed sales and operations for corporate firms as well. Currently, Roy serves on the Regional Leadership committee for ABC Carolinas and is also a board member of CBEX (Charlotte Business Exchange). He has lived in Ballantyne over 24 years and has held several leadership positions including Ambassador for the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, member of Charlotte Regional Partnership Business Development Committee and several other organizations.
Jim and family moved to Charlotte from Houston in the Fall of 1987. He got his undergrad degree from Texas Christian University and his graduate degree from University of Mississippi in land planning. He has been active in the residential real estate market and served on the Weddington Planning Commission for 12 years. He has seen Charlotte develop to include interstates, highways and new developments that extend from Waxhaw, Lancaster and Rock Hill. He hopes to assist the South Charlotte Partners with long-range plans and integration of a burgeoning system of roads, developments, parks and sustainable growth patterns. Jim is a residential broker with Coldwell Banker with a concentration on South Charlotte suburbs. He and his wife Lynn have 2 grown children and 3 grandchildren.
Krisha Chachra moved to Charlotte in early 2020 and joined the South Charlotte Partners board a few months later. She is a former elected official and served two terms on the City Council and a term as Vice Mayor of Blacksburg, Virginia, home to Virginia Tech and Krisha’s hometown.
Currently, she works as international travel writer for all the major magazines in Charlotte including SouthPark Magazine, Charlotte Parent, Charlotte Magazine, Queen City, Ballantyne Magazine and several other national and regional publications. She has visited over 50 countries in 6 continents and has reported for USA Today, NPR and PBS. Krisha moved to Charlotte from Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, and was appointed by Charlotte’s Mayor Vi Lyles to serve on the city’s Community Relations Committee. Krisha lives in South Charlotte with her husband, Dr. Derek Klinedinst and daughter Mina.
Marc was a member of the New York bar first before pursuing a career in business. He founded a family-operated company that he sold to a Fortune 250 conglomerate in 2000, and then worked for a decade as Corporate VP in charge of industrial design. Marc also is involved in real estate development, home construction, and serves on the Hone Owner’s Association (HOA) of Ballantyne Country Club. He joined the South Charlotte Partners board for an opportunity to help shape the area he loves as it continues to rapidly evolve. He believes that making informed decisions and taking action with a clear vision for South Charlotte, will create the best possible environment for future generations. For the past 27 years he has lived in South Charlotte with his wife and 3 children – and now 6 grandchildren.
Since opening the doors of Starrett Law Firm in 2009, Managing Attorney Allen Starrett has curated a lifestyle dedicated to helping people live out their legacies through estate planning, co-creation and community impact. His love of serving Ballantyne is evident. Allen co-founded and managed the Ballantyne Corporate Park’s social networking event, The Park Social, and a speaker series for entrepreneurs, Ballantyne Briefings. He chaired the Ballantyne chapter of the Charlotte Chamber (now, the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance) to represent local business interests as well as the Ballantyne Festival that brought fall fun to families across South Charlotte. Every February, you will find Allen behind a mask as the founder of the Ballantyne Ball, an enchanting masquerade gala drawing awareness to a unique charity each year and giving nearly $700,000 back to the community so far. Allen is married and has two daughters. He has resided in Ballantyne since 2006.
Hadi Atri is a respected figure in the real estate industry in North Carolina with over 40 years of experience. After graduating from the University of North Carolina, he ventured into both residential and commercial real estate. In 2007, he opened his first RE/MAX franchise, and now owns 21 across the Carolinas. Hadi is passionate about helping and supporting his agents, offering education and training they need to build their own successful businesses.
His leadership has led his franchises to rank among the top real estate firms in the Southeast and the U.S. Hadi has received numerous awards, including the RE/MAX Owner/Broker of the Year and the Mayor’s International Entrepreneur Award. Beyond business, he is dedicated to his community and actively supports organizations like the Children’s Miracle Network and Susan G. Komen.
Doug is a real estate developer and the founder/owner of York Development Group (YDG) based in Ballantyne. Prior to creating YDG, Doug was a partner with RealtiCorp for 8 years. After helping the company invest $250 million in primarily land and retail development and operating a regional office in Charlotte where he developed the largest non-mall retail center in North Carolina (NorthLite), Doug started YDG with a focus in neighborhood retail and office centers in high growth areas of South Charlotte. YDG’s Ballantyne developments include the Ballantyne Quad (Ballantyne Corporate Park), Ballantyne Corners, The Olde Lancaster Town Center, and Cross Creek center to name a few. Doug is an executive board member of the Morrison Family YMCA, a George Williams award winner (2012) for volunteer dedication over the years and a 2010 “Top 50 Entrepreneur of the Year” award winner from Business Leader. Doug graduated from The University of Western Ontario, and has graduate degrees from the University of South Carolina and Texas A&M University. Doug is married with three daughters and lives in the Ballantyne Country Club.
Vanessa Vargas-Bowers is a seasoned HR professional and empathetic leader with over a decade of experience in human resources and community engagement. She currently works for Ballantyne based RXO Logistics as Manager of Employee and Community Engagement, where she fosters employee engagement strategies and leads corporate philanthropy and community partnership initiatives. She has previously worked for Bank of America, Abercrombie and Fitch and the Center of Science and Industry (COSI).
Passionate about building community in the Charlotte area, she actively seeks opportunities to connect with organizations that make a difference. She currently resides in South Charlotte with her husband Bradley and 12-year-old boxer mix, Nora.
Tasha Anderson is currently the Pharmacy Manager at Ballantyne Medical Center in Charlotte. During her Novant Health career, she has held numerous leadership roles including pharmacy leadership positions at Presbyterian Medical Center and Charlotte Orthopedic Hospital. She is currently responsible for clinical and pharmacy operations with a primary focus on patient care and team member engagement.
Tasha has a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of South Carolina and serves on the Lancaster County Health and Wellness Commission and Central Piedmont Pharmacy Technology Advisory Committee. With a passion for helping others, she strives to support and develop connections within her community. As a lifetime Carolina resident, Tasha resides in Fort Mill, South Carolina along with her husband and two children Carter and Taylor.
Ed Driggs is a seasoned public servant and finance professional with extensive experience in both the private and civic sectors. A graduate of Princeton University with a degree in economics, he furthered his studies in mathematical economics at Berlin and Oxford universities. Driggs had a successful career in finance, specializing in corporate financings and advising on strategic transactions. As a Council Member representing District 7, he is deeply committed to south Charlotte, advocating for its growth and development – particularly in mobility and infrastructure. Driggs has worked closely with the North Carolina General Assembly to secure funding for local roads and sidewalks. He also serves on several boards, including the Arts and Science Council and Goodwill Industries of Southern Piedmont. His commitment to education is reflected in his tutoring and teaching efforts at local schools. Driggs has been honored as a Paul Harris Fellow and received the David Bruger Prize for his contributions to public television.
Stephen Rosenburgh has served as an at-large member of the N.C. Board of Transportation since August 2020. He is the founder, president and CEO of Charlotte-based US Developments, LLC where he leads a team of development and brokerage professionals. With a career rooted in real estate, Rosenburgh contributed to government and manufacturing sectors. A committed leader in south Charlotte, Rosenburgh has held multiple influential public service roles as a member of the North Carolina Banking Commission, the N.C. Works Commission, and a director for the City of Charlotte Housing Authority. He also chaired the Charlotte Planning Commission for four years and served on the Regional Transportation Board. Rosenburgh earned a bachelors in political science from Laurentian University, a masters in administration and marketing and an advanced degree in public administration from Carleton University and the University of Ottawa. He also completed an executive management program at Harvard.
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