Participants
Owen is the Chairman and CEO of Boston Properties. He is a Director of Lehman Brothers Holdings and served as its first Chairman from 2012 until 2013, when he joined Boston Properties. Prior to Lehman, Thomas was with Morgan Stanley for 24 years, serving in a number of different roles, business units, and locations, including Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Stanley Asia and Chairman of Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities, while living in Hong Kong from 2008 until 2011. He also held the roles of President of Morgan Stanley Investment Management and Head of Morgan Stanley Real Estate and served on Morgan Stanley's Management Committee from 2005 until 2011. Thomas is a Director and former Global Chairman of the Urban Land Institute, a Director of the Real Estate Roundtable, a member of the Executive Board of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, and a member of the Economic Club of New York. He is a Director of Episcopal Charities of New York and former Chairman of the Pension Real Estate Association. Owen received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Owen Thomas '79
Jennie has been active in non-profit organizations focused on education, land conservation and mental health. She is a member of the Board of the Roundabout Theatre Company, the largest non-profit theater company in the country, and serves on the Education Committee there. Jennifer is a member of the Board of the Adirondack Mountain Reserve/Ausable Club in upstate New York and serves on the Board of Trustees at St. Andrews School in Delaware. Jennie received her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from New York University.
Jennifer Thomas
Roddey joined Charlotte Pipe and Foundry in 1981. During his career at Charlotte Pipe he has worked in many different areas. Currently serving as a director and CEO of the company, He oversees Charlotte Pipe’s manufacturing operations as well as corporate and new product development. He also works with senior colleagues on long-range planning initiatives. Before coming to Charlotte Pipe, Roddey worked for the Irving Trust Co. in New York City. Over the years, Roddey has held leadership positions on numerous boards for charitable and non-profit organizations and educational institutions, including the Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Historical Landmarks Commission and Woodberry Forest School. Roddey recently joined the board of the Council for a Secure America. Roddey attended Woodberry Forest School and received a B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Roddey Dowd, Jr. '74
Matthew graduated Vanderbilt University with BS in 1992, worked for Wachovia Bank, N.A. for 17 years until 2009, have been and continue working primarily in the distressed commercial real estate sector through a Private Equity platform here in an Atlanta Family Office. Married to Lorin for over 20 years and we have four children. He has served on the charitable boards of Callanwolde Fine Arts Center for almost 20 years and Holy Innocents' Episcopal School Board of Trustees for six years, leading the Development Committee.
Matthew Middelthon '88
Lorin CFP®, CPWA® spent over 2 decades in the banking and wealth management before transferring her skills to the non-profit arena. Lorin graduated from The Florida State University in 1993 with a degree in Actuarial Science. Determined not to be a nerd forever, she enjoyed leadership positions at Barnett Bank, Wachovia Bank and then spent 13 years working for a family office in Atlanta. In 2018 Lorin took on a role as Director of Development for an equine-assisted therapeutic program at Chastain Horse Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Passionate about the mission she continues to find new ways to engage corporations and families. Married to Matthew Middelthon (’88) for over 20 years she has had the joy of getting to be a part of the WFS community. Empty-nesting after raising 4 kids happened in August 2024 and although exciting, it still stings a little.
Lorin Middelthon
Sumner is the founder of Cargill & Westwood, an investment firm established in 2012. Prior to this entrepreneurial endeavor, he made significant strides as President and CEO of TRS Furniture. He received a B.A. and M.B.A from the University of North Carolina.
Sumner Finch '75
E. Hooper Hardison, Jr. is president and CEO of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company, a manufacturer of cast iron and plastic pipe and fittings for the construction industry. Before beginning his career with Charlotte Pipe in 1988 he worked in the banking industry. Mr. Hardison serves on the boards of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry, The Dowd Foundation, Queens University, Crosland Interests LLC Control Trust, Central Piedmont Community College Foundation and Christ Church Foundation. Mr. Hardison earned a BA degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received his Masters in Business Administration from the Darden School at the University of Virginia.
E. H. Hardison, Jr. '79
Bill is the co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of ScoutLogic Inc. Previously, he ran commercial organizations in the US and Europe for a number of data analytics businesses. Bill has served on the Woodberry Forest School Board of Trustees since 2018 and currently chairs the Development Committee. He has also served on the Chautauqua Foundation Board and the Vestry of the Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York City. Bill and Angela are the parents of 3 children, Kate, Alice and Reid ’15. They live in New York City.
William James '80
Angela James
Angela is a freelance photographer focusing on both volunteer and professional work in coordination with the New York state corrections system. She photographs college graduations, reuniting families and other events inside prisons across New York state. Previously, Angela work as a senior project manager at MCI Worldcom and Procter and Gamble. In addition to extensive volunteer work at the Chautauqua Institution, she has been on the vestries of All Saints Episcopal Church in Chevy Chase, MD and Hampstead Parish Church in London, UK. Angela and Bill currently live in New York City. https://angelajamesphotography.com/about-2
Fred is the Chairman and co-founder of Platform and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Beacon Funeral Partners, Dynamic Glass, Encino Energy, NextEdge Networks and Evette Staffing. In addition, he was on the Board of Platform’s investments in Avalon Advisors, Evergreen North America Industrial Services, Landmark Aviation, TRE Financial Services and SmartSky Networks. He also serves as a trustee for Howard Hughes Medical Institute and recently served as Chairman of the Board of Baylor College of Medicine. He is also an advisory director of Amegy Bancorporation and director of Houston Baseball Partners. Prior to Platform, he co-founded The CapStreet Group where he managed its private equity investments. He has previous private equity experience with Duncan, Cook & Co. and Texas Commerce Bank. He also has significant operating experience having served as Chairman and CEO of American Tower Corporation, Advantage Outdoor Company and Cardtronics, Inc. Fred received a B.A. from Vanderbilt University and an M.B.A. from The University of Texas at Austin.
Frederick Lummis '71
Ted is the CEO of Blue Water Industries, LLC. After graduating from Woodberry, Ted received a B.A. in politics from Princeton University before co-founding Panadero Aggregates Holdings, LLC.
Edward Baker II '96
Hope Bryant is Vice Chairwoman of First Citizens BancShares, Inc., and First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company. Mrs. Bryant was appointed to this role in 2011 and has been instrumental in our expansion across the United States. She currently leads the General Bank including our expansive branch network, wealth management and other business lines such as treasury management, insurance and merchant. Mrs. Bryant currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the YMCA of the Triangle. A native of Smithfield, N.C., Mrs. Bryant earned a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Hope Bryant
Benjamin Wall II '94
Ben is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of WJ Partners, LLC. His responsibilities include overseeing the firm’s strategic direction as well as the firm’s operations and management. Ben has served on the boards of both private and publicly-traded companies and currently is a Director of PUPCO, Inc. Prior to founding WJ Partners, Ben worked for OTO Development, a national hotel developer and operator. Before OTO Development, Ben worked for Endurance Capital Management, a private equity firm in New York focused on the financial services sector. Ben started his career at Goldman Sachs in the investment banking division and was a member of the GS Strategy Group with responsibility for evaluating and executing strategic acquisitions and other strategic partnership opportunities for the firm. He is involved in various civic and community initiatives and is currently a Liberty Fellow of the Aspen Institute. Ben earned a B.A. from Davidson College where he previously served on the Board of Trustees and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Anne Bruce Ahearn
Catherine Wharton
Assistant Headmaster for External Affairs & Chief Development Officer
Ace Ellis
Chief Financial Officer
Matt Hastings
Director of Parent Engagement
Ned is a managing director and chairman at Harris Williams, and joined the firm in 1996. Working in collaboration with all Harris Williams leaders, Ned steers the firm’s strategic priorities and exemplifies their commitment to excellence and partnership, internally and externally. Ned has over 35 years of experience advising clients on a broad range of mergers and acquisitions and strategic advisory assignments, including divestitures, capital raisings, and financings. He received his B.A. in History from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from the Darden Graduate School.
Edward Valentine '83
Laura Valentine
Claudia Lummis
Claudia Lummis
Ed Weisiger, Jr. '78
Ed serves as Chairman and CEO of Weisiger Group (formerly CTE, Carolina Tractor and Equipment Co.) and began his career in 1987. In 1988, he became General Manager of Carolina Cat’s Engine Division before becoming President and CEO in 1991. His responsibilities include overseeing the company’s two operating divisions (Carolina Cat and LiftOne), shareholder strategy, and championing the customer service culture. Weisiger Group represents brands such as Caterpillar and Hyster-Yale Group in the Southeast and is one of the largest private businesses in North Carolina. He is co-founder of Beacon Partners, a prominent real estate development and asset management firm in the Carolinas. Additionally, he co-founded WSC & Co., a private equity enterprise that supports entrepreneurs by facilitating the acquisition of existing small and medium-sized businesses and transitioning business leadership to these entrepreneurs, commonly referred to as search funds. He is a member of the Chief Executive Organization (CEO), holding the position of Chair at the annual CEO Harvard Presidents’ Seminar. He is also a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (Past Chapter Chairman) and served the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce (Past Chairman). Ed has also made significant contributions as a former President of the Southeast Caterpillar Dealer Association, a former Director of the North Carolina Chamber, and a former Director of the NC State Engineering Foundation. He is also very community-minded and gives back in many ways to nonprofits and community organizations such as: Myers Park Presbyterian Church (Elder), North Carolina State University (Board of Trustees and current chair), North Carolina State University Student Aid Association (Past Director), Charlotte Sports Foundation (Director), and has previously served on the boards of several educational institutions and non-profit organizations. Ed received a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University and an M.B.A. from the Harvard University Graduate School of Business.
Byron Hulsey '86