ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS.

Arts, entertainment, athletics, motorsports and many other cultural activities have a significant financial impact in our state. Leaders in the sector include the owner of an NFL football team, arguably the best basketball player of all time and performing arts masterminds.

DON BEAVER

CEO | Charlotte Knights

Charlotte

Since moving to downtown Truist Field in 2014, the Mooresville native's team has ranked among the national leaders in minor league baseball attendance. Beaver, who pitched in the 1952 Little League World Series, owned the Hickory-based Brian Center nursing home chain for more than two decades.

TERA BLACK

COO | Charlotte Checkers

Charlotte

Prior to assuming her current role in 2008, the California native served as vice president of the team, which is owned by wine and spirits distributor Michael Kahn. The San Diego State University graduate has led the team through its transition from different hockey leagues and move to Bojangles Coliseum.

MARK BRAZIL

CEO | Wyndham Championship / Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation

Greensboro

Director of Greensboro's annual Professional Golf Association tournament since 2001, the Baylor University graduate was named CEO last fall. He also oversees the Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation, which raises money through the Wyndham Championship for philanthropies in the region.

Pre-workday motivation: Two things:

How do we most effectively showcase the Piedmont Triad and North Carolina to the rest of the world with a fun and successful Wyndham Championship as the vehicle and the objective of creating a cool, "live music vibe" around the region.

Key to industry success: At the Wyndham Championship, we deal with a bunch of important partners--sponsors, pro golfers, fans, PGA TOUR staff, agents, vendors. Sedgefield Country Club, volunteers, community leaders and others. So. undoubtedly, the key to our success is building and maintaining relationships.

Best advice: When dealing with a request from a sponsor or client, my chair. Bobby Long, always says, "The answer is yes. Now, what's the question?" Even if the request is challenging, we will always figure out a way to say "yes."

Three people to share a meal: Michael Iordan. Fred Couples and Kevin Hart.

Favorite hobby: Definitely playing golf.

Where to entertain a visitor: I love taking guests to the home of the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club. The golf course and clubhouse are absolutely beautiful.

RICHARD CHILDRESS

owner | Richard Childress Racing

Lexington

The Winston-Salem native founded his stock-car racing team in 1969 and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2017. Childress, 76. has diverse interests including building Childress Vineyards into one of the state's largest wineries. It opened near Lexington in 2004.

BOO CORRIGAN

athletic...