Speakers

Eric Metaxas is the author of seven New York Times bestsellers, including the groundbreaking, million-selling biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. His new book is REVOLUTION: The Birth of the Greatest Nation in the History of the World. Eric is the founder and host of Socrates in the City and The Eric Metaxas Show.

Known for his wide-ranging conversations, he has interviewed Hollywood icons such as Ron Howard, Mel Gibson, Morgan Freeman, and Dick Cavett, as well as tech entrepreneurs such as Peter Thiel. His work has been translated into over twenty-five languages and has appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, The New Republic, USA Today and many other publications. His writing, which includes more than thirty children’s books, has inspired a documentary based on the book Letter to the American Church, influenced a Hollywood film on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and led to a streaming series based on the bestselling book Is Atheism Dead?

Rex D. Geveden is president and chief executive officer of BWXT, a $3.2B nuclear technology and manufacturing company headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia. As CEO, Mr. Geveden directs all business operations and leads strategic planning, capital allocation and leadership succession.

BWXT manufactures nuclear reactors, fuel and components for the U.S. Navy; provides nuclear technical services at contractor-operated Department of Energy and other government laboratories and facilities; develops and manufactures microreactors for national security and space applications; and processes special nuclear materials and advanced nuclear fuels. BWXT also manufactures medical radioisotopes and supplies precision manufactured components, engineering services and fuel for the commercial nuclear power industry.

With about 10,000 employees, BWXT has 20 major operating sites in the U.S., Canada and Europe, comprising over four million square feet of manufacturing space. In addition, BWXT joint ventures operate at more than a dozen U.S. Department of Energy and Canadian Nuclear Laboratory sites. Mr. Geveden joined BWXT in 2015 as chief operating officer (COO) before advancing to CEO in 2017. Previously, he advanced to the position of executive vice president at Teledyne Technologies over an eight-year period, ultimately leading the Digital Imaging and Engineered Systems segments of the business.

He spent 17 years at NASA, including service as the agency’s COO responsible for a $16 billion portfolio of work in NASA’s mission areas of science, aeronautics, space operations and exploration, along with oversight of NASA’s 10 field centers. Mr. Geveden chairs the board of TTM Technologies, Inc., a global electronics manufacturing company. He is also on the Board of Trustees of the Universities Research Association and is a member of the Wall Street Journal CEO Council. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics from Murray State University.

Jeff Williams has dedicated his life to building and creating meaningful places. As an engineer collaborating with architects, investors, municipal leaders, and business executives, he believes deeply in fostering a sense of place. Jeff is one of the few engineers who has successfully transitioned to civic leadership, merging his engineering expertise with community building to align civic and business goals. His impactful work is most evident in his hometown of Arlington, Texas. Jeff champions the ties that bind people to their communities, asserting that every citizen is an ambassador. In a culture where individuals seek purpose and belonging, he emphasizes the role of businesses and civic leaders in fostering a healthy, thriving community—a sense of place that drives both business success and city betterment.

James Dumoulin is the Co-Founder and face of The School of Hard Knocks, the #1 most-viewed business media channel. Founded in 2021, the channel is built on a simple premise: everyone has a financial lesson they learned the hard way. By interviewing business owners, millionaires, and 60+ billionaires to share those lessons, James has turned raw, real-world money advice into entertaining, accessible content that has grown to reach over 25 million followers across social media, with brand partnerships including Burger King, Microsoft Copilot, and CELSIUS. He’s since parlayed that platform into a portfolio of businesses spanning a media agency, coaching, and consulting, helping others turn attention into real income.

Holly Petroff is Executive Vice President of Great Place To Work’s Global Client Services business, partnering with Fortune 500 executives to create employee experiences that enable agility, speed, and transformation in the AI era and turning high-trust leadership into a powerful competitive advantage.

John is Co-CEO and Managing Partner at Sovereign’s Capital, a faith-driven investment firm, with strategies in public equities, private equity, real estate, and venture capital. He has prior professional experience at McKinsey & Company, Invesco, and Bridgewater Associates, among others.

He serves on the boards of PROSPR Aligned, The Wonder Project, Everest Brand Group, and Vermeer Mountain West. He’s active in the community, with current or prior experience on the boards of Berry College, Passages Israel, the DeKalb County School System, the Georgia Student Finance Commission, the Georgia Charter Schools Association, and the Georgia Independent College Association.

A frequent contributor to Harvard Business Review. John and his work have been featured in Forbes, the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Financial Times, Fox News, and the LA Times among other publications. He’s previously published 5 books, most recently Good Money: Six Steps to Building a Financial Life with Purpose from Harvard Business Review Press. John is a summa cum laude graduate of Berry College, where he was student commencement speaker.

He’s an MBA graduate with High Distinction from the Harvard Business School, where he was Class Day Speaker and a Dean’s Award Winner for leadership and service. And he’s an MPA graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School, where he was a George Fellow and a Zuckerman Fellow. John lives in Atlanta with his wife Jackie and their four children.

Sean Kouplen is Chairman & CEO of Regent Bank, Oklahoma’s former Secretary of Commerce, best-selling author, and small business investor. He has led Regent Bank’s growth from $72 million to over $2 billion in assets across four states and eight markets.

Kouplen coached the 2022 Oklahoma Little League World Series team, gaining global attention for Isaiah Jarvis’ viral hug. He’s a taekwondo black belt, podcast host, and founder of the international 94X faith at work movement. Kouplen serves on multiple statewide and national faith and business boards, and leads a daily devotional reaching hundreds of thousands across all 50 states and four foreign countries. He has been married to Angela for 27 years and has three children- Emory (22), Kennedy (18) and Finley (16).

Richard L. Scheel is Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Risk Officer at ERCOT and responsible for the company’s financial management, risk, and strategy functions, including accounting and control, financial planning and analysis, treasury, enterprise risk, strategy, and supply chain. He is also responsible for enterprise architecture, project portfolio management, and quality management.

Mr. Scheel has more than 20 years of finance experience. He joined ERCOT in 2020 as Controller and assumed his current role in October 2024. Prior to joining ERCOT, Mr. Scheel served in senior finance leadership positions with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, the City of Austin, and Dell. His work in finance spans financial services, oil and gas, hi-tech, and government.

Mr. Scheel is a licensed CPA in Texas, earned a BBA from the University of Houston, an MS in Accounting Information Systems from UT Dallas, attended Harvard’s Program on Negotiation, and served as a committeeman for the AICPA’s Government Performance and Accountability Committee

Bob Smith is the Co-Founder and President of Moov Financial, responsible for the strategic planning, growth, and performance of the organization. As a respected leader and seasoned entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience, Bob has advised investors with over $2.5 billion in asset value. He served as Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board for Banno, a pioneer in personal digital banking, which was successfully sold to Jack Henry and Associates (NASDAQ JHA) in 2014.

Bob holds a Business Administration degree from John Brown University, an MBA from the University of Northern Iowa, and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Young Presidents’ Organization executive program. When he’s not mentoring his team, you can find him enjoying the outdoors or spending time with his four kids and wife Teresa of more than 30 years.

Brittany Dunn is a nationally recognized expert in the fight against human trafficking, with extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. She earned a B.A. in Economics and English from Wellesley College and an MBA with distinction from Thunderbird School of Global Management. Before co-founding Safe House Project, Dunn spent a decade in mergers and acquisitions, leading international business development across Europe and Southeast Asia. Her corporate background in strategic planning and fostering cross-sector and cross-cultural collaboration now informs her innovative work in combating trafficking.

As co-founder and COO of Safe House Project, Dunn has redefined the national response to human trafficking by building a pioneering network of safe housing and holistic care for survivors while driving systemic change at every level of government. Appointed by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to the Governor’s Commission on Human Trafficking Prevention and Survivor Support, she has shaped policy, enhanced protections, and created sustainable public-private solutions.

Her leadership has been featured in Forbes, The Hill, and CBN, and in 2024, she co-authored “Eradicating Human Trafficking: A Transformative Approach through Collective Impact” and “United: Bridging the Data Divide to Eradicate Human Trafficking.” A military spouse and proud mother of two, Dunn is dedicated to creating a safer, more equitable world for future generations.

Chris Carneal is the Founder and CEO of Booster, the nation’s largest school fundraising company. Since 2002, Booster has generated over $1 billion for schools across America. Raised by an educator, Chris built Booster to help schools surpass their fundraising goals, inspire students with fun fitness & character programs, and free up school staff to focus on what matters most. This year, 900+ Booster team members will serve 7,000 schools across all 50 states.

Beyond fundraising, Chris is a champion of culture. He’s the founder of Virtue Village, a private workspace north of Atlanta. Most recently, he released his first book, The Virtue- Driven Business, which explores the six core virtues behind Booster’s success— Gratitude, Wisdom, Care, Courage, Grit, and Celebration. He and his wife, Lyndie, have been married 24 years and have four kids. Outside of his work, you’ll find Chris coaching his kids’ sports teams or cheering on the Atlanta Braves.

Gregory A. Petroff, Esq. is a seasoned entrepreneur and corporate attorney. For 18 years, he served as the managing partner of the Princeton, New Jersey office of Reitler Kailas & Rosenblatt LLP, a national corporate transactional law firm, and as a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Legacy Service Enterprises, as well as a member of the board of directors of Anvil Workforce, Legacy Technology Labs and Accrual Equity Partners, a private equity firm investing in highly fragmented industries and service-based businesses. He also serves as the chair of the Board of Trustees of Ambassador Christian Academy. Gregory is the chairman emeritus of the Miss America Foundation, and has also served as a member of the board of trustees of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and China Outreach Ministries.

Gregory is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, LL.M.; New England School of Law, J.D.; Monmouth University (M.B.A) and Liberty University (B.S,) where he was named Liberty’s Alumnus of the Year in 2025. Gregory also studied economics and international business at Oxford University.

Jill specializes in multifamily, retail and industrial real estate. Duemelands Commercial has sold more multifamily units and achieved the highest dollar volume in apartment transactions in North Dakota. She also partners with QSR brands on development, site selection for new markets, relocations, and disposition of locations. Jill’s client portfolio includes Centerspace, Dakota REIT, Edgewood, Costco, Amazon, Graybar Electric, Chipotle, Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee and Dunkin. She leads Duemelands Commercial as the first woman — and first non-family member by blood — to head the company, a 4th generation family business with roots dating back to 1905. Under her leadership, the firm continues a legacy of over 120 years of service to the region. She is a CCIM designee, a featured professional in Brokers Who Dominate and Dominators of Commercial Real Estate by Rod Santomassimo, and a “Rising Star” by the CCIM Institute. Licensed in ND, SD, and MN, Jill leverages ongoing coaching with The Massimo Group to stay at the forefront of the industry. Jill and her husband reside in North Dakota chasing Jesus with their four children, who are actively involved in hockey, synchronized skating and volleyball.

 

Ryne DeBoer is the President & CEO of The Morey Corporation, a 92-year-old American manufacturing and technology company focused on rugged connected electronics, IoT, and smart connected solutions.

Raised in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and spending summers in Holland, Michigan, Ryne grew up around Midwestern values, entrepreneurship, hard work, faith, and family. Those foundations still drive how he leads today. He believes leadership is about stewardship — honoring God through excellence, courage, innovation, accountability, and genuinely caring for people.

At Morey, Ryne is focused on building a world-class company that creates meaningful impact through technology while enriching people’s lives through opportunity, growth, and purpose-driven work.

Outside of business, Ryne loves spending time with his wife Heather and their children, Alivia and Isaac. As a family they enjoy traveling, boating, golfing, great food, and making memories together. Ryne is passionate about leadership, technology, faith, mentoring others, and helping inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and builders.

Jim Evans is a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, entrepreneur, and founder of Sevan Multi-Site Solutions. He launched the company in 2011 with a group of trusted partners and built it on the principles that shaped his military career: precision, accountability, service, and follow-through. Under Jim’s leadership, Sevan has grown into a nationally recognized, veteran-owned firm delivering real estate development, design, program management, and construction services to many of the largest Fortune 100 companies. In 2025, Sevan generated $125 million in revenue and supported clients nationwide through a team of 400 professionals across 42 states. The company is headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, with offices in Dallas, Texas, and Bentonville, Arkansas.

Jim graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and earned an MBA in Finance from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business in 1992. He served in the 82nd Airborne Division and the 10th Special Forces Group, completing missions in nine countries. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Airborne, Ranger, Special Forces, and HALO schools.

Before founding Sevan, Jim worked at JPMorgan Chase in institutional sales and trading and in structured finance from 1992 to 2000. He joined Lendlease in 2000, where he helped form a business that privatized 40,000 military family homes on installations across the country. From 2005 to 2009, he led a joint venture alliance with BP, delivering program management for retail sites in the U.S., Mexico, and 13 European countries.

Jim chairs the Sevan Board of Directors and The Sevan Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) founded in 2017. He is a former chair of the United Service Organizations (USO) Advisory Board of Illinois and serves as a Regional Executive Council Member for Business Executives for National Security (BENS) in Chicago. He also serves on the board of Illinois Joining Forces, which supports veterans, service members, and their families. Jim is a member of his local Rotary Club and previously served as an Assistant Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in McKinney, Texas. Together, they have five children, including two Army officers.

As head of enthusiast brand management at Ford, I’m blessed to lead the Bronco, Bronco Sport and Mustang team in sales, market share, P&L, brand marketing and customer experience. More importantly than that, through many successes and failures in my thirty-one year career at Ford, Jesus Christ saved my life! I’m married to the love of my life, Cindy, and we have two kids, Kate and Zach, who both graduated from LU. I love everything that Liberty stands for and am grateful that God introduced us to the LU family – Go Flames🔥

Keith Poettker is Chairman and CEO of Poettker Construction Company, a nationally recognized construction management and design-build firm with 46 years in business. Founded in 1980, the company has established a strong presence across the Midwest and Southeast, with Charlotte, North Carolina serving as a strategic hub for regional growth.

Since becoming CEO in 2021, Keith has led the organization through a period of purposeful expansion, more than doubling revenue while strengthening Poettker’s relationships with local, regional, and national clients. In addition to leading Poettker Construction, Keith provides strategic oversight and leadership across the broader Poettker Family of Businesses, aligning growth, culture, and long-term vision across the organization as it continues to evolve. Keith’s servant leadership approach emphasizes integrity, safety, and a people-first culture, with impact that extends well beyond the company.

In 2025, he was named a Most Admired CEO by the Charlotte Business Journal, reflecting his commitment to values-driven leadership. He remains deeply invested in the community, supporting local nonprofit organizations such as Dream On 3. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and serves as the qualifying agent for the firm’s contractor licenses nationwide. Outside of work, he spends time with his family, traveling with his wife and son, entertaining, watching, and cheering his son on in various sport-related activities.

Ken assumed the role of Dean, Liberty University School of Engineering in August 2025.  This followed his long career with BWX Technologies in Lynchburg, VA which began in 1984.  Prior to his retirement in 2024,  Ken served as president of BWX Technologies’ Nuclear Services Group in Lynchburg, Va., overseeing commercial nuclear, technical services, and business development operations. BWXT customers have included NASA, the Department of Energy, Department of Defense, national research labs, state governments, and other commercial sectors supporting precision manufactured components and services.

Ken earned an M.E. in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia, an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago, and a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science from the University of Notre Dame. He holds several U.S. and international patents has received a prestigious R&D 100 Award.

Lin Sensenig, 61, from Denver has been married to Patti for 39 years. Their three children are: Katelyn, 34, married to Matt Stoltz (they have a five-year-old son named Wade, a four-year-old son named Bryce, a two-year-old daughter named Nora and a newly arrived daughter June) they live in Cornwall. Kate is a Physical Therapist currently working very part time for Select PT. Makenzie, 29 is married to Ben Skiles, they live in Cornwall also. Makenzie is an Occupational Therapist for Schreiber Pediatric; Tiana 21, is a senior at Liberty University studying to be an RN. Lin and Patti both grew up in Lancaster County.

He is employed by Houck Group in Harrisburg as their CEO. Houck is a specialty contractor focused mainly on restoration work in the commercial building space. Their divisions include Roofing, Masonry, Concrete, Millwright, Electrical, Steel service centers and a pre-engineered metal building GC. They have multiple acquired brands under the Houck umbrella and work in a 2–3-hour radius of Harrisburg PA. Approximately 500 folks and growing.

Prior to 2016 Lin worked for 25 years with Illinois Tool Works which is a global multi-industry manufacturer. He oversaw manufacturing in US and Canada for commercial dishwashers, manufacturing multiple brands most notably Hobart.

Patti and Lin attend the LCBC Ephrata campus and volunteer as pre-marital mentors there. Lin’s non-profit board affiliations include. • LCBC Elder Board • Lancaster YWAM Lin’s for-profit board affiliations include. • Superior Walls of America • Kleen-Rite Corporation • Utility Keystone • PaulB Hardware

Paul Denham is President & CEO of Southern Air, Inc., an eighty year old specialty construction and service company headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia. Southern Air has offices throughout Virginia, West Virginia and Northern North Carolina employing over 900 people. The firm serves customers with needs in Climate control, Electrical, and Plumbing and mechanical systems within the residential, commercial, and industrial markets.

A registered Professional Engineer, Paul holds an engineering degree from The University of Virginia and a master’s degree in engineering administration from George Washington University. He is currently serving as Chair of the Region 2 Governors Opportunity Fund in Virginia and serves on the State Workforce Development Board. He is a Ruling Elder of Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church and proud husband to his wife for over 40 years. He has four adult sons, three of whom are married and 5 grandchildren.

T’Neil Walea is a senior technology executive and trusted advisor to the Federal government and Defense Industrial Base, currently serving as Vice President and Head of Federal, Aerospace, and Defense for Siemens. With prior leadership roles at Microsoft and IBM, she has led go-to-market strategy, product innovation, and advanced AI initiatives across civilian and defense sectors. Known for bridging the gap between policy and emerging technology, T’Neil works at the intersection of national priorities and frontier innovation to engineer the future of American defense production. A frequent keynote speaker, she is passionate about developing high-performing teams and inspiring the next generation to build something great.

Dr. Bradley Thayer is an American Freedom Alliance Fellow and the author of America’s Hundred Years’ War: How to Win Against Communism (New York: Warroom Books, 2026).

Tom Feusse is Chairman Wallick Communities. In that role, he oversees the firm’s Board, participates in its Investment Committee and, together with Wallick’s other board members and its CEO, formulates the organization’s guiding values and mission. He joined the company in 2005 and served as Wallick’s CEO from 2006 to 2021.

Active in his profession and community, Tom serves on the boards of Huntington University, Goodwill Columbus, Franklinton Rising and Kellogg Garden Supply. He teaches in the real estate executive education program at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design and is a frequent guest lecturer at the Ohio State University Fisher School of Business.

Before joining Wallick, he spent 19 years with The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, where he served in various leadership positions. He began his career in public accounting at Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

As a life-long learner, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University, a master’s degree from Otterbein College, an abbreviated executive MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School at Northwestern University and is an alumni of the executive real estate program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. He previously served on the faculty of Ohio Wesleyan University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

A resident of Dublin, Ohio, he spends time with his family, his church, volunteering, traveling, and on his golf game when not working.

Watt R. Foster Jr., a Brookneal, VA native, has served as CEO of Foster Fuels, Inc. since 1998. A third-generation owner, he transformed the company founded in 1921 by his grandfather into a multi-award-winning, diversified business competing locally and internationally. Foster earned a Business Management and Marketing degree from James Madison University and holds certifications as a Master Plumber, Gas Fitter, HVAC professional, and Class A Contractor. Under his leadership, Foster Fuels has pioneered industry-leading innovations and maintained a “say yes” culture. Foster is married to his wife, Jennifer Bryant Foster, and he has six children.

Dr. Zach Clinton, Ph.D., LPC, serves as the Executive Vice President of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), the world’s largest and most diverse Christian counseling organization. He is also host of the renowned ‘Built Different Podcast’ as well as President and host of Ignite Men’s Ministry and Conferences. A Licensed Professional Counselor at Light Counseling, he also serves as an athletic counselor specializing in sport and performance psychology at Liberty University.

As a former Division 1 college baseball player, Dr. Clinton loves working with professional and collegiate athletes and has a deep passion for helping today’s generations build self-esteem, emotion regulation, leadership qualities, and perspective shifts. He has dedicated his life to reminding people that no matter how dark, difficult, or painful life can be, they are never out of the fight! He is the author of Even If and Forged, and is thrilled to be married to his lovely wife, Evelyn, as they make their home in Central Virginia.

Tony Cothron retired from the U.S. Navy in 2009 after over 30 years as an Intelligence Officer and having been appointed as a Rear Admiral and serving as the Director of Naval Intelligence. He continued to support the national security for 12 years as Vice President for Business Development with General Dynamics Information Technology. He joined the Helms School of Government with Liberty University in the fall of 2021 and is an Associate Professor and the Program Director for National Security and Intelligence and the Senior Service College Fellowship Program.

Ash Shrivastav is General Partner at Uma Ventures, where Prism Fund invests in foundational technologies at key inflection points shaped by advances in artificial intelligence that are driving the next decade of frontier research and innovation. Ash previously served as a Principal at Buckhill Capital LP, where he led investments across technology companies and funds. He has led investments in notable companies such as Mach Industries, Varda Space Industries, Tucker Carlson Network, Perplexity AI, and Hydra Host, spanning early to late‑venture rounds.

Ash has driven over 300,000 miles across 46 U.S. states and has lived in Houston, Boston, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Cambridge (UK), and Nepal. He has a longstanding interest in ancient history, frontier technologies, and faith and religious philosophy, bringing a long-term perspective on leadership, character, and the institutions that enable human flourishing.