Here is your 2026 Board and what the future of VACEOs looks like to them.
Henry Clifford, Livewire
Position on Board: Chairman
Something you’ve learned as a member: I’m not alone and there’s no shortage of opportunities to improve the lives of our employees thanks to the amazing camaraderie & collective wisdom found in our roundtables.
Dreams for the future of VACEOs: Roundtable health is vital to the success of our group. I’d love to help move the needle north on making the Roundtable experience more meaningful for our members.
Something more personal: I love live music, endurance racing and flying airplanes. I’ve been happily married to my wife for 22 years and we have 3 amazing kids with an incontinent French Bulldog serving as team mascot.
Melissa Ball, Ball Office Products and C.P. Dean Company
Position on Board: Vice Chair
Something you’ve learned as a member: Our problems are nearly all the same. Being together in our round tables and as a larger group gives us endless opportunities for continued personal and business growth.
Dreams for the future of VACEOs: To build stronger relationships and create resources for each other through programing and meeting structures our members find to be meaningful and valuable.
Something more personal: I am a wife. mom, dog lover, sailor, policy advocate and reluctant entrepreneur.
Ron Carey, Tilt Creative + Production
Position on Board: Past Chair
Something you’ve learned as a member: We not only have some amazing CEOs, but even better people. It’s really been a pleasure to build relationships with members and sponsors.
Dreams for the future of VACEOs: My hope for the future of VACEOs is that it continues to meet the needs of CEOs regardless of their stage in the CEO journey.
Something more personal: I hope that all of our CEOs have good health and prosperity in 2025!
B. Scott Crawford, Virginia 811
Position on Board: Treasurer
Something you’ve learned as a member: How the Round Tables are very powerful experiences that have facilitated my ability to learn more about me and gain more insight into who I am.
Dreams for the future of VACEOs: A VACEOs presence and participation rate in the Roanoke Valley to rival the Richmond area!
Something more personal: I have a strong passion for technology and innovation. I love working with others to explore how technology can be leveraged in new ways in my industry in order to help protect Virginia’s underground infrastructure!
Bryant Harrison, Seventh Wall
Position on Board: Director
Something you’ve learned as a member: I’ve learned that CEOs, as a group, are incredibly creative and generous with their insight. Being part of VACEOs has reinforced for me how powerful it is to be in a room where leaders are willing to be honest and supportive of one another.
Dreams for the future of VACEOs:
I believe VACEOs has a rare opportunity to help business owners truly understand the power they hold, not just within their companies, but within their communities. My hope is that VACEOs continues to help leaders use that power intentionally. To create meaningful, positive impact beyond their walls while also supporting us all to build power-house businesses.
Something more personal: I am most happy when sharing good meals or unique experiences with thoughtful, curious people. I also love snowboarding, wakeboarding, and kiteboarding, anything that combines movement, nature, and adventure.
Jill Lemon, Sandbox
Position on Board: Director
Something you’ve learned as a member: As a VACEOs member, I’ve learned how to be a more confident leader and gained reassurance that I’m not the only leader trying to figure things out on a daily basis.
Dreams for the future of VACEOs: In my dreams, the future of VACEOs looks like a diverse membership full of tenured and emerging leaders learning from each other.
Something more personal: I love thrifting and a hunt for a good deal!
Todd Mawyer, TK Promotions
Position on Board: Director
Something you’ve learned as a member: Being a member of VACEOs has helped me as much personally as it has professionally. When I joined the Council in 2015, I primarily thought it would be good for my business and quickly realized how impactful it was for me personally.
Dreams for the future of VACEOs: My dream for the future of VACEOs is a day when we are providing meaningful connections between Virginia’s top Fortune 500 CEOs with the CEOs of small businesses and everything in between.
Something more personal: My family and I are active members at Second Baptist Church in Richmond where my wife and I teach Kindergarten Sunday School every Sunday. My faith in Jesus is the most important aspect of my life.
Jock Wheeler, Old Dominion Mechanical
Position on Board: Director
Something you’ve learned as a member: I have learned that as a rapidly growing company learning through shared experiences has allow me to grow while avoiding many pitfalls through the experiences of others. By learning this way it has allowed ODM to leapfrog from a $10 million dollar a year company to a $40 Million dollar a year company in just a few years.
Dreams for the future of VACEOs: I hope that VACEOs will continue to broaden its base so other small companies can benefit from this model and continue to reach for their dreams.
Something more personal: By nature, I am an introvert. I have worked to overcome this to be better at my job but its always a work in progress.
Christie Thompson, Campfire & Co.
Position on Board: Director
Something you’ve learned as a member: It’s not essential you know everything to be a great leader or CEO. My time with my round table and the larger VACEOs community has shown me that a willingness to be open, vulnerable, and learn will always be my biggest asset in this journey.
Dreams for the future of VACEOs: I hope to support and grow new ways for the VACEOs community to connect and get to know each other in between official meetings and round tables.
Something more personal: I am forever engaging in a creative hobby of some sort. Currently, I am reigniting my love for sewing and just started an improv comedy class. I am the first one on the dance floor and the last one to leave. My perfect Saturday includes a local latte and a trip to the thrift store. Meet me for happy hour at Lillian?!
