All For Business Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance

How well do you know small business?



Stephanie Keener and Jawansa Hall of the Small Business Development Center - Lynchburg Region join us for a trivia podcast for National Small Business Week! Learn how small businesses are the backbone of our national and local economy and test your knowledge.



Learn more about the SBDC - Lynchburg Region here.



Celebrate National Small Business Week with us from April 28-May 4!


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Our host, Chal Nunn, sat down with new Liberty University President Dondi Costin to talk about who he is and how his career has led him to the Lynchburg region. Listen in to get to know the president of one of our region's largest employers and educators.



About Dr. Costin

Dr. Dondi Costin began serving as Liberty University’s sixth president on July 1, 2023. He returned to Liberty, his alma mater, after five years as president of Charleston Southern University. He is a retired Major General with more than 32 years of commissioned service in a military career that culminated as a senior leader in the Pentagon, where he served as the eighteenth Air Force Chief of Chaplains.

Dr. Costin is a native of Wilmington, N.C., and was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy in 1986. He then served successively as an industrial engineer evaluating air-to-ground precision guided munitions, chief of scientific analysis on a major command headquarters staff, and assistant professor of aerospace studies at Texas Christian University. After ten years as a line officer, he became an Air Force chaplain in 1996.

An ordained Southern Baptist minister, he was endorsed by the Liberty Baptist Fellowship during his 22 years as a chaplain. His chaplain assignments included service as Air Force Basic Military Training chaplain, senior flightline chaplain for both special operations and conventional forces in England, readiness instructor/evaluator preparing Chaplain Corps personnel for worldwide deployment, Air Staff branch chief, wing chaplain in Germany, senior chaplain for the air component mission in Southwest Asia, senior chaplain for Pacific Air Forces, and Air Force Chief of Chaplains.

As Chief of Chaplains, he established guidance and provided advice on all matters pertaining to the religious and moral welfare of Air Force personnel and their families. He led an Air Force Chaplain Corps of 2,000 chaplains and Religious Affairs Airmen and was the senior pastor for more than 664,000 personnel. As chairman of the Armed Forces Chaplain Board, he advised the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff on religious, ethical, and quality-of-life concerns for the entire U.S. military.

He assumed the presidency of Charleston Southern University (CSU) immediately following his military career. The university flourished as an unapologetically Christian university under Costin’s leadership, which featured a visionary strategic plan, the university’s award-winning response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, and recognition as the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 Business of the Year.

Dr. Costin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in operations research from the United States Air Force Academy and graduate degrees from Liberty University (M.A. in counseling), Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (M.A. in religion), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Air Command and Staff College (Master of Military Operational Art and Science), Air War College (Master of Strategic Studies), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min in evangelism and church growth; Ph.D. in leadership).

Dr. Costin has also received the U.S. Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award and the Military Chaplains Association Distinguished Service Award as Air Force Chaplain of the Year, led his chapel team to recognition as the Air Force Outstanding Large Chapel Organization of the Year, was twice named one of Charleston’s 50 Most Influential People, has been recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and was commissioned as a Colson Fellow in 2023.

His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Gallant Unit Citation, Kosovo Campaign Medal, three Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Korean Defense Service Medal, and NATO Medal.


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On this episode we chatted with Etta & DD - the co-owners of the historic Timberlake Tavern. Etta & DD describe what its like running an event venue, their journey to becoming business owners, and how the Timberlake Tavern continues to serve guests today. Listen in and hear their story!



What is the Timberlake Tavern?

When Edley Craighill and Fred Showalter conceived of Timber Lake in 1926 as a summer colony for residents of the Lynchburg area, a club site and beach was proposed. The lake was not yet completely formed. Yet over the next two years as the lake filled and the winding lake side drive was completed, 80 lots were sold and about 20 summer homes built.

By May of 1929, the work was nearly complete on a tavern, the Club beach, and a nine-hole golf course with the final hole located on high ground above the lake next to the Tavern.

In one short resort season, the Tavern became the social center of Timber Lake for dining, music, and celebrations.

The Tavern was modernized as an event center with apartments in the early 2000s. Current owners and managers, Etta Legner and Tom and DD Gillett, redecorated and upgraded the infrastructure and amenities in 2020.

Timberlake Tavern is both practical and elegant with its symmetrical layout, large dining room and dance floor with dual fireplaces on the first floor and a central staircase that leads to a library, three apartments, and two guest rooms convenient as a bridal suite or restful family retreat space during an event.

Learn more and book your next event at: TheTimberlakeTavern.com



About Etta Legner

Etta was born and grew up in south central Virginia - Charlotte County - on a small family tobacco farm. She attended Radford college and became a teacher. Her experiences included working with all ages, preschool through community college. She taught in Indiana and California, but mostly in Virginia public and private schools. She was an administrator for the majority of her career. After retirement, she started her own business, Life's Work, where she was a resource for educators and parents offering them a positive way to manage children's behavior.

Following that, an opportunity in her community to own and operate a historic venue, Timberlake Tavern, became available. In 2020, during the pandemic, she along with another community couple, began operating the event venue which also has several Airbnb spaces for rent.

The most exciting and dangerous time of her life was during her teenage years. She dated a stunt pilot and was a willing co-pilot, flying through barns, doing nose dives and loop de loops!



About DD Gillett

DD grew up in rural Buckingham county. The impressive lessons in her life began in Charlottesville where she began her 37 year nursing career.

Once married to her husband, Tom (of 39 years), she moved to Lynchburg. She and Tom have been a proud part of the Timberlake community for 18 years. In the fall of 2020, she and Tom teamed up with their neighbor and dear friend, Etta, and purchased the Timberlake Tavern.

Unlike Etta, the most adventurous stunt she ever tried was playing on active railroad tracks---she says Buckingham is VERY rural.


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On this episode of All For Business, we strike up a conversation with Melissa Lucy, CEO of Horizon Behavioral Health. Horizon was recently recognized as a 2023 Best Place To Work by Lynchburg Business magazine and plays an important role in serving the mental health needs of our region. Listen in!



About Melissa Lucy

Melissa L. Lucy, LPC, QMHP is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Horizon Behavioral Health with 24 years of experience in community behavioral health and 18 years in leadership roles. She has dedicated her career to helping children and adults overcome their life challenges with compassion, professional guidance, and caring support. Her experience as a leader and direct service provider includes program development, evaluation, strategic planning and oversight of a portfolio of services that includes: emergency mental health, forensic services, psychiatric services, primary care, and youth and family behavioral health services.

Melissa has served as a member of several state and local committees and taskforces including SJ47 Joint Subcommittee on Mental Health Reform, Emergency Mental Health, Psychiatric Policy, Criminal Justice and Mental Health Transformation. Melissa currently is a member of the Crisis Intervention Team Coalition of Central VA. She represents Horizon Behavioral Health as a member of the VACSB Emergency Services Council and is the Emergency Services Council representative on the Data Management Team. Melissa is Licensed by the state of Virginia Board of Counseling, is extensively trained as a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) specialist, Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) specialist, and she has specialized training from University of Virginia in forensic services. Melissa has trained with leading experts in her field and received certification from Marsha Linehan, the program founder of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Today, Melissa leads her team in making Horizon Behavioral Health a leader in the field of Behavioral Health. Mrs. Lucy has presented at the International Crisis Intervention Conference in Florida, on the Crisis Intervention Program established at Horizon Behavioral Health. Mrs. Lucy was instrumental in the establishment of this program in the Central Virginia area at Horizon Behavioral Health.


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On this episode of All For Business, we chatted with Craig Ranson of Framatome about the future of nuclear and how they are investing towards a bright future through new projects, research, and education. Lynchburg has the potential to not only be a hub for the energy industry in Virginia but also continue to grow as America's Nuclear City. Listen in as we discuss state and national energy plans, innovative Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and the relaunch of the Framatome Nuclear Technology Academy at the Central Virginia Community College - training the next generation of nuclear energy technicians and more.



What is the Framatome Nuclear Technology Academy?

This program in partnership with CVCC is designed to prepare students for employment in the nuclear energy service industry. It provides in-class and practical hands-on training in basic maintenance, electricity, engineering, programming, and related skills. Students completing this program will be prepared for employment as an entry-level technician in the nuclear energy field. Learn more about nuclear technology programs at CVCC here.



About Craig Ranson

Craig Ranson is the Senior Vice President of Installed Base America for Framatome Inc. In this role, Ranson is responsible for the Installed Base Business Unit’s continued development and overall delivery of innovative products and services, component upgrades, and engineering solutions to sustain and enhance the nuclear energy facilities in North America. Ranson began his career with the company in 1991 as an intern, which led him to the Reactor and Services organization in 1992, supporting the development of advanced robotics and remote tooling. After leaving the company in 1997, Ranson returned in 2001 to what became AREVA Nuclear Services, performing operations and engineering work in the Outage and NDE Services group.

In 2010, Ranson was promoted to Vice President of NDE Solutions and later as Vice President of Component Repair and Replacement Services. In 2014, Ranson was appointed Chief Operations Officer for AREVA Inc. and served as interim Chief Commercial Officer where he was responsible for the entire operations and customer relations for North America. In August, 2016, Ranson was appointed Senior Vice President of Installed Base Services Business Unit, responsible for all operating and engineering services for existing operating plants. Effective January, 2017, Craig Ranson became the Senior Vice President of Installed Base America.

A graduate of Virginia Tech, Ranson holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. In addition, he completed the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations’ (INPO) Senior Nuclear Plant Management course (class 109) and attended the Harvard Executive MBA training course.


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On this week's episode we sat down with Jared Hesse, owner of Gentleman John's Classic Barbershop in Downtown Lynchburg. You'll hear about Jared's journey from cutting hair in his parents basement to opening several locations across the Lynchburg region. You'll also hear about Jared's recent travels and trainings with master barbers and his own advice for starting your own business.

Jared has just written his first book and it is on sale now! We'll be holding a book signing at Gentleman John's next week, May 24. Come buy a book and get it signed by Jared AND book an appointment for a haircut while you're at it. You can buy copies of Jared's book: "The Fit Barber Coach: Faith, Family, Fitness, Finance" on Amazon here.


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