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    Faith Christian School's

    Roanoke Valley Leadership Series

    Roanoke's Premier Leadership Event

    Better Leaders | Better Region

     

     

     

     

     

    Wednesday, April 29, 2026 | 8:00-9:30 AM

    Networking & Breakfast to begin at 7:30 am
    The Roanoke Valley Leadership Series is free and is not a fundraiser.

     

    Featuring Special Guest Speaker:

    Dr. Henry L. Deneen

    Roanoke Ballroom |  Hotel Roanoke  |  Limited Seating

    HD standing in backyard

    Emotional Intelligence Growth:

    A Pathway to Transformation

    Henry currently serves as the CEO of Global Hope Network International, having joined GHNI on December 1, 2021. He also serves as President of the Geneva Institute for Leadership and Public Policy.

    Henry has been an attorney for over 40 years, and began his legal career as a litigator in private practice, later being appointed a municipal judge for the city of West Columbia, SC. He served as Chief Legal Counsel for then-South Carolina Governor, David M. Beasley from 1995 through 1997. Gov. Beasley and Henry co-founded The Center for Global Strategies, Ltd., a non-profit organization connecting business people to international initiatives.

    Henry also served as President of Greater Europe Mission, during which time he earned a Doctorate in Executive Leadership, with a focus on Emotional Intelligence.   He now regularly offers training courses on Emotional Intelligence and mediates disputes between parties.

    He and his wife, Celia, have been married for 39 years and have four children: Laura, Lee, Leslie, and Layna, two of whom are married. Henry and Celia enjoy four beautiful grandchildren.

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    Sponsor Reception

    An exclusive evening for event sponsors on Tuesday, April 28th at Rockledge, the home of Drs. Nancy and Kevin Dye.   To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Leslie Ramsey at leadership@fcsva.com.

     
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    Leadership Breakfast

    The Roanoke Valley Leadership Series Breakfast is Roanoke's premier leadership and networking event. The free breakfast will be held on Wednesday, April 29th  at the Hotel Roanoke.  Mark Conklin will deliver a message designed to inspire and equip Roanoke's Leaders.

    Past Speakers

    • Mark A. Conklin

      2025

      Mark A. Conklin

      Wise Counsel, Inc.

    • Travis Mills
      2024
      Travis Mills
      US Army
      Staff Sergeant, Retired
    • Dee Ann Turner
      2023
      Dee Ann Turner
      President
      Dee Ann Turner & Associates, LLC
    • Jeremie Kubichek
      2022
      Jeremie Kubicek
      President and founder
      GiANT Worldwide
    • David Weaver
      2019
      David Weaver
      President
      BB&T Community Banking
      Senior Executive Vice President
      BB&T Corporation
    • Mark Miller
      2018
      Mark Miller
      Vice President
      of High Performance
      Leadership
      Chick-fil-A
    • Gregg Marcantel
      2017
      Gregg Marcantel
      Former Secretary
      of Corrections
      for the
      State of New Mexico
    • Chad Hennings
      2016
      Chad Hennings
      Air Force Veteran & 
      Three-time Super Bowl Champion
    • Jimmy Collins
      2015
      Jimmy Collins
      Former COO of
      Chick-fil-A &
      author of
      Creative Followershp

    What people say about the Roanoke Valley Leadership Series

    "The Roanoke Valley Leadership Series provides local leaders the opportunity to network, learn from one another and experience leadership insights from keynote speakers. As a speaker, I was impressed by the hospitality and quality of the event! Perfect logistics, delicious food and gracious hosts. Engaging with the students at Faith Christian School was one of the highlights of my visit in addition to meeting so many impressive leaders from the Roanoke Community. "

    Dee Ann Turner, Author of Bet on Talent

    The Faith Christian School’s Roanoke Valley Leadership Series epitomizes the best of our community. Being present with the best minds, across all industries, dedicated business leaders, faithful servants and those who care deeply about our Valley is so inspiring and gives great hope for our future.

    Kim Blair, Carilion Foundation

    "If you want to impact your clients, partners, and employees on topics ranging from leadership to character, then you need to attend the Roanoke Valley Leadership Series event. As a previous speaker, I was impressed with event and the vision of impact that it has upon the community. This event serves as great reminder as to what the emphasis needs to be for our personal lives and businesses.”

    Chad Hennings, Air Force Veteran and three-time Super Bowl Champion

    FCS Fall Color
    Presented By

    Faith Christian School

     In 2015, Faith Christian School began the Roanoke Valley Leadership Series to inspire leaders in the Roanoke Valley.   Faith Christian School, is a Christian classical school that offers a historically unique approach to learning that has produced some of the greatest leaders, inventors, scientists, writers, philosophers, physicians, lawyers and artists in the world. Given such, the school’s approach to classical education will be highlighted in a historically and meaningful way within our purpose.

    RVLS COMMITTEE

    Chair, Stephen Hamilton, Executive Vice President, Hawk Advisors

    Peter Baur, Head of School, Faith Christian School

    Bob Childress, Owner-Operator, Chick-fil-A

    Aaron Copeland, President, Copeland Excavation

    Ellie Hammer, Senior Vice President, Merrill Lynch

    Eric Johnson, Vice President & General Manager, Empire Bakery

    Steven Jones, Executive Vice-President & CFO, VFP, Inc.

     

    JoAnn Kowtko ‘01, Director of College Counseling & Alumni Coordinator, Faith Christian School

    Amy Milberger, Director of Development, Faith Christian School

    Alex Phillips, President, Tidy Services, Inc.

    Leslie Ramsey, Executive Director, Roanoke Valley Leadership Series

    James Taylor, Attorney, Spilman, Thomas, and Battle, PLLC

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