If knowledge is powerful
this is a forum to be reckoned with.
TLF Charlotte gives Charlotte’s tech brainpower an exclusive space for the meeting of minds to share ideas, grow their business,
and catalyze our community.
TLF:
Our Mission
To provide a unique forum for member CEOs, CFOs, and executives of fast-growing tech companies in the Charlotte Area.
To share, challenge and test their ideas freely so they are better equipped to run their companies
TLF Charlotte is where Charlotte’s technology executives come
together to exchange, challenge and test their ideas through
candid talk about complex issues.
Quarterly TLF meetings feature speakers and panels of local and national experts covering topics, such as strategic alliances, crisis management, non-conventional financing, M&A, intellectual property protection and other issues of interest to senior executives intent on company growth.
Think TLF Might Be For You?
Attend a meeting as a guest and discover what we have to offer. Technology professionals who meet the qualifications for TLF membership are welcome to attend one of our tech talks as a guests.
Come together. Get ahead.
Questions?
TLF:
Our History
The Tech Leaders Forum (TLF) Charlotte was founded in 2014 by John Yates and John Christenbury. It was created to provide a space for CEOs, CFOs, General Managers, and Founders of tech companies in the region to connect and engage in discussions around industry challenges and leadership topics.
TLF now consists of hundreds of high-profile CEOs, CFOs and General Managers in the southeast technology community.
Over the past few years, TLF has been focused on increasing member participation and value through more targeted and compelling programs that meet the needs of the chief executives and CFOs of technology companies.
TLF:
Leadership
John Yates
jyates@gunder.com
John is a partner at the Gunderson Dettmer law firm where he co-leads the firm’s Southeast office. He is a recognized leader in the field of corporate and technology law as well as VC and M&A transactions. Gunderson is the leading law firm in the US representing emerging and fast growing tech companies.
As a prolific author and leading voice in technology law, John is a sought-after speaker, having delivered more than 250 presentations at prestigious events hosted by organizations like the American Bar Association. His expertise has been recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court, and his insights have found their way into prominent technology business and law publications.
He is a co-founder of several key organizations that foster innovation and collaboration within the technology sector, including the Southeastern Software Association, the Technology Association of Georgia, the Tech Executives Roundtable/Atlanta, and the Tech Leaders Forum/Charlotte.
John Christenbury
john.christenbury@cbre.com
John works within CBRE’s Tenant Representation Group, where he leads the Charlotte CBRE tenant representative team. John’s focus is on assisting clients with their real estate needs from starting in co-working all the way to building their own building. He serves as their strategic advisor, lowering real estate costs and occupancy risks, while maximizing workplace flexibility and productivity. His clients find the knowledge of their industry and powerful network as an added resource to real estate experience.
John is a real estate advisor to many of Charlotte’s most well-known technology based companies. He is a native Charlottean, highly involved with the community, and an active investor in the Charlotte technology community.
John sits on the CBRE National Tech and Media Practice Group sharing best practices for technology based companies across the United States. John is proud to be a co-founder of the Tech Leaders Forum.
Juan Garzón
juan@innovatecharlotte.org
Juan Garzón is Managing Director of Innovate Charlotte and head of innovation-led entrepreneurship at Charlotte Economic Development with almost a decade of entrepreneurial ecosystem-building experience in the region. Prior to joining Innovate Charlotte, Juan was the head of ecosystem development for American Inno and general manager for Charlotte Inno (formerly StartCharlotte, which he founded)
Juan’s experience includes nonprofit and private business leadership including as director of PitchBreakfast and principal of the communications consulting firm Garzón Company. He has also served as a coach and mentor to numerous startups and nonprofits.
Juan is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University Charlotte, where he majored in marketing and served as student body president.
Todd Buelow
todd.buelow@dualbootpartners.com
Todd is co-founder of Dualboot Partners, a Charlotte-based development firm. He has over 25 years of experience managing digital products and was a founding member of Elogex, Bella Tunno, Cloud Logistics, and Castle Digital Partners. He’s a firm believer in servant-leadership and is active in the local community.
He currently serves on the boards of the Speedway Children’s Charity, American Football without Barriers, and Bounce Out the Stigma. Todd was previously the Board President at the Charlotte Rescue Mission and Society of Information Management (SIM) Charlotte.
He lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife Michelle and daughters Riley and Ella.
Brandon Martin
brandon.martin@claconnect.com
Brandon has almost 2 decades of public accounting experience working with entrepreneurs and leadership teams to drive enterprise value and manage business execution risk to build stronger and more successful businesses.
As a veteran of the United States Armed Forces, Brandon now serves as a principal within CLA’s Technology Group providing advisory, transaction and assurance services to software developers, SaaS and technology companies, high growth businesses, and other privately held entities as well as employee benefit plans.
Brandon continually strives to identify opportunities to add value for businesses and the business owner(s) by building long lasting and impactful relationships.
TLF:
Enterprise Partners
TLF:
Business Partners
People Solution Group
Jennifer Miller