Business & Industry Spring Conference (Virtual)

Since July 2024, Mark has been the Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants. In this role, he works with the Board of Directors in the development and implementation of the organization’s strategic direction. Prior to this role, Mark joined NCACPA in May 2016 as their Chief Operating Officer, where he oversaw communications, engagement, professional development, learning and innovation, finance and administration. Prior to joining NCACPA, Mark worked in public accounting with Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP for 10 years and as Chief Operating Officer for Fidelity Bank for three years. Mark has served on various boards including NCACPA’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee, Junior Achievement of Eastern North Carolina, the Triangle Land Conservancy as a board member and treasurer, as well as on both the Wake Technical Community College and North Carolina State University’s Poole College of Management’s Accounting Advisory Boards.

Peter Gwaltney has served as President & Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Bankers Association since January 2015. He is a former banker and previously served as President & CEO of the Louisiana Bankers Association, and Chairman, President & CEO of the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation.

He serves on the Federal Delegate Board of the Independent Community Bankers of America, the Board of the North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center, the Dean’s Advisory Council at School of Business at Louisiana State University, and has served on the American Bankers Association Board of Directors, the Board of Trustees at Mary Baldwin University, and the Dean’s Advisory Council at the School of Business at Louisiana State University. He is a past chairman of the ABA Alliance of State Bankers Associations, the Graduate School of Banking at LSU, and the Louisiana Governor’s Prayer Breakfast.

Peter and his wife, Ginny, have six children and eleven grandchildren.

Glenn Hopper is an author, speaker, and lecturer on the intersection of artificial intelligence
and corporate finance. He is the author of two books on the intersection of AI and finance:
Deep Finance: Corporate Finance in the Information Age (2021), and AI Mastery for Finance
Professionals (October 2024). Glenn’s work emphasizes the transformative role of AI and
automation in enhancing financial operations, improving accuracy, and driving data-driven
decision-making. Glenn is the Head of AI Research and Development at Eventus Advisory
Group, where he spearheads the creation of AI-powered solutions tailored to the finance and
accounting industries. His insights and expertise are regularly featured in publications such
as Fortune Magazine and Forbes, and he contributes to platforms including the AI Journal
and the Forbes Finance Council. With more than two decades of experience as a CFO in
private equity-backed companies, Glenn has led initiatives in finance automation, M&A, and
operational efficiency. He has a proven track record of modernizing finance departments by
integrating data and automation to achieve better business intelligence, faster reporting, and
improved operational performance. In addition to his professional work, Glenn is an instructor
at Duke University’s Executive Education program, the Corporate Finance Institute,
AICPA/CIMA, and LinkedIn Learning, where he teaches financial leaders how to leverage AI in
their strategic planning – making advanced AI concepts accessible to finance professionals
worldwide. Glenn holds a Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies in Finance from
Harvard University, where he also completed the Harvard Business Analytics Program; and
an MBA from Regis University in Denver, CO.

Glenn Hopper is an author, speaker, and lecturer on the intersection of artificial intelligence
and corporate finance. He is the author of two books on the intersection of AI and finance:
Deep Finance: Corporate Finance in the Information Age (2021), and AI Mastery for Finance
Professionals (October 2024). Glenn’s work emphasizes the transformative role of AI and
automation in enhancing financial operations, improving accuracy, and driving data-driven
decision-making. Glenn is the Head of AI Research and Development at Eventus Advisory
Group, where he spearheads the creation of AI-powered solutions tailored to the finance and
accounting industries. His insights and expertise are regularly featured in publications such
as Fortune Magazine and Forbes, and he contributes to platforms including the AI Journal
and the Forbes Finance Council. With more than two decades of experience as a CFO in
private equity-backed companies, Glenn has led initiatives in finance automation, M&A, and
operational efficiency. He has a proven track record of modernizing finance departments by
integrating data and automation to achieve better business intelligence, faster reporting, and
improved operational performance. In addition to his professional work, Glenn is an instructor
at Duke University’s Executive Education program, the Corporate Finance Institute,
AICPA/CIMA, and LinkedIn Learning, where he teaches financial leaders how to leverage AI in
their strategic planning – making advanced AI concepts accessible to finance professionals
worldwide. Glenn holds a Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies in Finance from
Harvard University, where he also completed the Harvard Business Analytics Program; and
an MBA from Regis University in Denver, CO.

David Peters is the Founder and Owner of Peters Professional Education and Peters Tax Preparation & Consulting, PC in Richmond, VA. He has over 15 years of experience in financial services, including 3 years in the hedge fund industry and six years in the insurance industry.

David was the first-ever Chief Financial Officer at Compare.com – a position he held for over three years. David is a national CPE Instructor for the AICPA, Surgent, Kaplan and Don Farmer Tax Seminars. He regularly teaches courses in accounting, finance, insurance, and ethics throughout the United States.

David holds four Masters degrees and is currently pursuing his PhD in Financial Planning. He contributes regularly to various CPA publications, including NCACPA’s Interim Report, SCACPA’s CPA Report, and VSCPA’s Disclosures. He was also a co-author of the 2018 Virginia CPA Ethics course – a required course for all CPA’s licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He was recently awarded AICPA’s Outstanding Facilitator Award for the 2021 CPE Year.

Special Agent Jessica Nye is a member of the FBI’s Cyber Squad in Raleigh, NC. Prior to her arrival in NC in 2015, SA Nye spent eight years working in the Baltimore Field Office on their Cyber Squad and two years at FBI Cyber Division Headquarters in Washington D.C. She has significant experience working cyber-related matters including computer intrusion investigations, intellectual property (IP) rights violations, theft of trade secrets, economic espionage and other investigations.

Higgins Advisory, LLC was established with the mission of helping CPAs, CFOs and other financial professionals to successfully guide their firms and business organizations through a successful digital transformation. This transformation leverages the power of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, data analytics, workflow automation and more.

As a seasoned entrepreneur, John Higgins, founder and CEO, has experience with local CPA firms and as well as serving as a technology advisory practice leader partner in a national CPA firm. John founded, managed and grew two separate accounting technology advisory firms, both of which were successfully acquired by larger organizations.

John shares his expertise as a nationally recognized thought leader, strategic advisor, and speaker on accounting technology through coaching and speaking engagements. His primary contribution is his passion for helping the profession move forward through the understanding and adoption of emerging technologies.

David Peters is the Founder and Owner of Peters Professional Education and Peters Tax Preparation & Consulting, PC in Richmond, VA. He has over 15 years of experience in financial services, including 3 years in the hedge fund industry and six years in the insurance industry.

David was the first-ever Chief Financial Officer at Compare.com – a position he held for over three years. David is a national CPE Instructor for the AICPA, Surgent, Kaplan and Don Farmer Tax Seminars. He regularly teaches courses in accounting, finance, insurance, and ethics throughout the United States.

David holds four Masters degrees and is currently pursuing his PhD in Financial Planning. He contributes regularly to various CPA publications, including NCACPA’s Interim Report, SCACPA’s CPA Report, and VSCPA’s Disclosures. He was also a co-author of the 2018 Virginia CPA Ethics course – a required course for all CPA’s licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He was recently awarded AICPA’s Outstanding Facilitator Award for the 2021 CPE Year.

Higgins Advisory, LLC was established with the mission of helping CPAs, CFOs and other financial professionals to successfully guide their firms and business organizations through a successful digital transformation. This transformation leverages the power of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, data analytics, workflow automation and more.

As a seasoned entrepreneur, John Higgins, founder and CEO, has experience with local CPA firms and as well as serving as a technology advisory practice leader partner in a national CPA firm. John founded, managed and grew two separate accounting technology advisory firms, both of which were successfully acquired by larger organizations.

John shares his expertise as a nationally recognized thought leader, strategic advisor, and speaker on accounting technology through coaching and speaking engagements. His primary contribution is his passion for helping the profession move forward through the understanding and adoption of emerging technologies.

Featured everywhere from NPR and PBS to the Moth Radio Hour and Reader’s Digest, Colin Ryan is a comedic financial speaker, author, and an award-winning storyteller.

Colin was named one of the top 10 finance presenters in America, and to date has spoken to over 1 million students and adults.

Colin is the author of “A Comedic Guide to Money” and the founder of “Public Speaking for Leaders.” Colin served as a passionate advocate for economic equality on the Vermont Commission on Women, and co-founded a comedy charity series that raised over $150,000 for good causes.

Colin now lives in Durham, North Carolina with his wife Lindsey and their dog Remy.

Rafe Martin, CRO, CCRP
ComTech

Rafe Martin is the Chief Risk Officer at ComTech. He helps clients manage cyber risks and enhance operational preparedness through effective cyber resilience planning.

With over 30 years of IT experience, Rafe holds a Certificate in Artificial Intelligence from MIT, is Certified in Cybersecurity, and holds the Certified Cyber Resilience Professional (CCRP) designation from DRI International.

As an in-demand speaker and host of ComTech’s RippleFX podcast, Rafe shares insights on emerging technology, including cybersecurity, cyber resilience, and artificial intelligence at conferences, on podcasts, and in webinars.

Whether it’s creating harmony with his bluegrass band or experimenting with the culinary philosophy that anything wrapped in bacon and put on the smoker is bound to be a masterpiece, Rafe enjoys life’s varied flavors. He also cherishes spending time with his wife of 35 years and their family.

Higgins Advisory, LLC was established with the mission of helping CPAs, CFOs and other financial professionals to successfully guide their firms and business organizations through a successful digital transformation. This transformation leverages the power of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, data analytics, workflow automation and more.

As a seasoned entrepreneur, John Higgins, founder and CEO, has experience with local CPA firms and as well as serving as a technology advisory practice leader partner in a national CPA firm. John founded, managed and grew two separate accounting technology advisory firms, both of which were successfully acquired by larger organizations.

John shares his expertise as a nationally recognized thought leader, strategic advisor, and speaker on accounting technology through coaching and speaking engagements. His primary contribution is his passion for helping the profession move forward through the understanding and adoption of emerging technologies.

Economic Leadership LLC, based in Shallotte North Carolina, is a small group of data, strategy and policy experts working with private and public clients to analyze competitiveness, develop strategy, identify best practices, and reimagine the future. Over the past ten years the team has worked on over 140 projects in more than twenty states and internationally, Ted is the principle author of dozens of reports on future trends, workforce, and technology and speaks on the economy almost every week. He currently serves as the economic advisor to the National Association of State Chambers.

Born in Dallas, NC, Ted received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; his master’s from Johns Hopkins University, is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute and is an Eisenhower Fellow for global economics.

Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CGMA, CSCA is an executive coach who helps smart professionals transform from technically talented to strategically savvy. If you want to be more productive, have more of an impact, and maintain your organization’s ethical standards, Jennifer can deliver interactive and engaging training sessions. In 2022, Jennifer received the Women Who Count award in education by the Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA). In 2018, Jennifer earned the designation of Certified Speaking Professional (CSP). Making her one of only 15 people worldwide who hold both the CPA and CSP designations. CPA Practice Advisor named Jennifer one of the Top 25 Women in Accounting in 2018. She currently volunteers on the boards of several organizations including the New Hampshire Board of Accountancy, the Northeast Regional Council of the IMA, and Jennifer chairs the CSP Committee of the National Speakers Association.

As NCACPA Director of Advocacy, Robert works with our members to develop, implement, and communicate the association’s public policy agenda to legislators and regulators. He serves as staff liaison to several NCACPA Resource Groups, including Advocacy, Tax, Government, and Accounting & Attestation.

Robert has more than two decades of experience in government relations and executive management for professional associations. A native of Tennessee, he worked in Nashville and Atlanta before moving to Raleigh in 2013. He earned his Certified Association Executive credential in 2020, and he serves on the Board of Directors for Association Executives of North Carolina.

Nathan Batts is Senior Vice President and Counsel for the North Carolina Bankers Association. He joined the NCBA in January 2005. Nathan focuses on legislative issues and is a registered lobbyist in North Carolina. He oversees the NCBA’s government relations initiatives and lobbying at the General Assembly and works with the association’s President and CEO on issues before Congress. He also serves as a banking lawyer, providing regulatory and compliance assistance to member banks of the NCBA, and advises the association and its subsidiaries. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his law degree, with a concentration in business transactions, from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Michelle Tracz is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) with over 30 years’ experience encompassing public accounting, internal auditing and compliance, financial management in manufacturing and nonprofit industries. In 2012, Michelle established her own accounting and consulting practice. Her firm specializes in assisting small to mid-sized businesses and nonprofit agencies, to help them meet their accounting and financial reporting needs, as well as fill gaps in staffing and manage special projects. Michelle and her team assist business owners, CFO’s, Executive Directors, Controllers, and Board Members by providing Contract Controller, Accounting/Bookkeeping, and Consulting services. In addition to running the firm, Michelle also serves the community in several volunteer roles: Chair of the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce Leads South Group; Member of the Small Business Committee of the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce; Treasurer for the Board of Directors of the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce; Treasurer for the United Way of Henderson County; Vice President for the Board of Directors of the North Carolina CPA Foundation; Member of the Business & Industry Resource Group and Not for Profit Resource Group of the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (NCACPA). Michelle is also an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (NCACPA), the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, the Brevard Chamber of Commerce, and the Fletcher Area Business Association. Michelle also teaches workshops and offers consulting services for the Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center and the Western North Carolina Nonprofit Pathways.

Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CGMA, CSCA is an executive coach who helps smart professionals transform from technically talented to strategically savvy. If you want to be more productive, have more of an impact, and maintain your organization’s ethical standards, Jennifer can deliver interactive and engaging training sessions. In 2022, Jennifer received the Women Who Count award in education by the Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA). In 2018, Jennifer earned the designation of Certified Speaking Professional (CSP). Making her one of only 15 people worldwide who hold both the CPA and CSP designations. CPA Practice Advisor named Jennifer one of the Top 25 Women in Accounting in 2018. She currently volunteers on the boards of several organizations including the New Hampshire Board of Accountancy, the Northeast Regional Council of the IMA, and Jennifer chairs the CSP Committee of the National Speakers Association.

Randy is the Founder of LakeTurn Automation, a Virginia-based professional services firm providing custom AI and Intelligent Automation Automation Solutions, with deep experience in Accounting Services and back-office Finance modernization. Before starting LTA, Randy began his career with Deloitte and spent 20+ years in leadership roles across various industries, including professional services, manufacturing, construction, distribution, and retail. Randy holds a BS in Accounting Information Systems from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He has earned a PMI certification as a Project Management Professional, is a Certified ScrumMaster, and is certified in Production and Inventory Management with APICS. Randy lives in Southside VA with his wife April. When not partnering with clients on Intelligent Automation projects, Randy enjoys spending time outdoors and is an avid backpacker, mountain biker, and fly fisherman.

Higgins Advisory, LLC was established with the mission of helping CPAs, CFOs and other financial professionals to successfully guide their firms and business organizations through a successful digital transformation. This transformation leverages the power of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, data analytics, workflow automation and more.

As a seasoned entrepreneur, John Higgins, founder and CEO, has experience with local CPA firms and as well as serving as a technology advisory practice leader partner in a national CPA firm. John founded, managed and grew two separate accounting technology advisory firms, both of which were successfully acquired by larger organizations.

John shares his expertise as a nationally recognized thought leader, strategic advisor, and speaker on accounting technology through coaching and speaking engagements. His primary contribution is his passion for helping the profession move forward through the understanding and adoption of emerging technologies.

Terrell A. Turner, CPA, is a 3x 40 Under 40 CPA, 2x Global Finance Influencer, and founder of a NY Times Featured CPA firm. In 2020, he founded the TLTurner Group, a premium accounting firm that provides bookkeeping and CFO services to law firms. In leading the firm, he oversees the marketing, sales, and staff development functions. These responsibilities lead him to consistently think about the product/service development process and go-to-market strategies that help the firm continue to see profitable growth

Chris Word, CPA, is a seasoned finance and accounting professional with extensive experience in financial transformation, transaction advisory, controllership, and process optimization. With a career spanning public and private companies—including publicly traded firms, private equity-backed businesses, and startups—Chris has developed a strong expertise in mergers & acquisitions, financial restructuring, and strategic leadership.
Chris has led financial transformation initiatives that improve operational efficiency, streamline reporting, and enhance compliance. As a former Controller and Finance Transformation Director, he has successfully reduced month-end close timelines, integrated financial systems post-merger, and implemented best practices for ASC 606 revenue recognition, ASC 842 lease accounting, and financial compliance.
Currently, Chris serves as the Founder & Principal Consultant at Word & Co PLLC, where he specializes in helping businesses optimize financial operations, leverage AI-driven financial solutions, and navigate complex transactions. His deep understanding of technical accounting, process automation, and finance strategy makes him a sought-after advisor for organizations looking to scale and improve financial performance.
Beyond his professional career, Chris is actively engaged in leadership and mentorship, serving as the Chairman of the National Association of Black Golf Merchants (NABGM) and supporting various professional and community-driven initiatives.
Chris is passionate about empowering businesses through financial strategy and technology, helping them operate more efficiently, make data-driven decisions, and achieve long-term success.

Elizabeth McDowell, CPA, CIA has nearly 20 years of audit experience and is the founder of Audit Forward, an innovative internal audit consulting and training firm. In addition to training and consulting, Elizabeth is an adjunct Professor of Accounting at Front Range Community College and serves as a Non-Executive Independent Director for an internal audit firm in the UK.

Elizabeth’s most recent industry experience was at Achieve, where she was Sr. Director, Audit Strategy; prior to that, she held internal audit leadership roles at Elevations Credit Union, Fidelity Investments, and Xcel Energy after first starting her career at Ernst & Young.

Higgins Advisory, LLC was established with the mission of helping CPAs, CFOs and other financial professionals to successfully guide their firms and business organizations through a successful digital transformation. This transformation leverages the power of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, data analytics, workflow automation and more.

As a seasoned entrepreneur, John Higgins, founder and CEO, has experience with local CPA firms and as well as serving as a technology advisory practice leader partner in a national CPA firm. John founded, managed and grew two separate accounting technology advisory firms, both of which were successfully acquired by larger organizations.

John shares his expertise as a nationally recognized thought leader, strategic advisor, and speaker on accounting technology through coaching and speaking engagements. His primary contribution is his passion for helping the profession move forward through the understanding and adoption of emerging technologies.

I’m Nikki Bradley and I’m your go-to girl for branding and target marketing strategy. I help you get clarity around your brand and messaging so that you can make more money doing what you love.

I teach business people who want to get better at attracting more of the RIGHT customers the best practices that I’ve learned from being in the trenches in Corporate America, working with businesses of all sizes, and as an entrepreneur myself. I show you how to use proven branding and marketing techniques applied to your specific business so that you can grow your sales, but also get your customers to become your own team of raving fans.

Elizabeth McDowell, CPA, CIA has nearly 20 years of audit experience and is the founder of Audit Forward, an innovative internal audit consulting and training firm. In addition to training and consulting, Elizabeth is an adjunct Professor of Accounting at Front Range Community College and serves as a Non-Executive Independent Director for an internal audit firm in the UK.

Elizabeth’s most recent industry experience was at Achieve, where she was Sr. Director, Audit Strategy; prior to that, she held internal audit leadership roles at Elevations Credit Union, Fidelity Investments, and Xcel Energy after first starting her career at Ernst & Young.

Higgins Advisory, LLC was established with the mission of helping CPAs, CFOs and other financial professionals to successfully guide their firms and business organizations through a successful digital transformation. This transformation leverages the power of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, data analytics, workflow automation and more.

As a seasoned entrepreneur, John Higgins, founder and CEO, has experience with local CPA firms and as well as serving as a technology advisory practice leader partner in a national CPA firm. John founded, managed and grew two separate accounting technology advisory firms, both of which were successfully acquired by larger organizations.

John shares his expertise as a nationally recognized thought leader, strategic advisor, and speaker on accounting technology through coaching and speaking engagements. His primary contribution is his passion for helping the profession move forward through the understanding and adoption of emerging technologies.

Peter Gwaltney has served as President & Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Bankers Association since January 2015. He is a former banker and previously served as President & CEO of the Louisiana Bankers Association, and Chairman, President & CEO of the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation.

He serves on the Federal Delegate Board of the Independent Community Bankers of America, the Board of the North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center, the Dean’s Advisory Council at School of Business at Louisiana State University, and has served on the American Bankers Association Board of Directors, the Board of Trustees at Mary Baldwin University, and the Dean’s Advisory Council at the School of Business at Louisiana State University. He is a past chairman of the ABA Alliance of State Bankers Associations, the Graduate School of Banking at LSU, and the Louisiana Governor’s Prayer Breakfast.

Peter and his wife, Ginny, have six children and eleven grandchildren.

As the long-time managing director and senior economist for Wells Fargo, Mark Vitner, CBE offers unparalleled expertise in tracking the U.S. economy, housing, commercial real estate, and regional economies.
Mark has developed a strong national reputation providing business leaders and policymakers with the information they need to make informed decisions.

As the founder and chief economist at Piedmont Crescent Capital, Mark shares his breadth of expertise with clients from across the country. He is in high demand as a speaker and regularly meets with business leaders around the country.
As a Chief Economist and owner of Piedmont Crescent Capital, Mark leads a team who provides independent economic consulting services to a wide range of businesses, trade groups and municipalities across the country.

Their common-sense approach to complex economic issues helps business leaders more confidently make key decisions.

John Register is a force of nature, and a recent Hall of Fame Speaker recognized by the National Speakers Association. He is renowned for his expertise in helping companies embrace change. John doesn’t just tell a story—he ignites a fire in the hearts of his audience. When you book John, you’re not just getting a keynote speaker; you’re bringing in a catalyst for change who will challenge your audience to think bigger, push harder, and transform their setbacks into powerful comebacks.

His “Amputate to Elevate” model, praised by leadership teams like Vail Resorts, Socure, Coca-Cola, and Deloitte, provides actionable insights tailored to each business’s unique needs. John’s engaging storytelling and ability to weave his journey into growth-focused agendas leave leaders with practical strategies they can implement immediately. He deeply connects to business needs, ensuring his message aligns with organizational goals. Attendees leave inspired and equipped to drive growth, calling his sessions the highlight of their event.