Cameron Cruse co-founded Riveter in 2011 and set out to provide mobile, flexible income for military spouses across the country. She graduated from SCAD in 2011 with a Masters in Architecture and a BFA in Architecture in 2010. From 2014-2021 she lived in Southern Pines, NC with her family which became home for the company’s flagship retail store.
In 2016, Cruse and her business partner made a successful appearance on Shark Tank, and accepted an offer from billionaire investor Mark Cuban, who already had a track record of working with and supporting military affiliated companies.
Cameron was named one of the 25 people changing the future of retail in 2019 by the NRF and Apparel’s 30 under 30 in 2018. Riveter landed on Inc’s fastest growing private company list not once, but twice. Cameron is a mother of two and proud Military Spouse. A self-proclaimed optimist with southern roots and a passion for creative, design + problem solving. She is a firm believer that we are stronger together than we are apart.
No cost to attend. Plan to arrive early for parking, building access, light breakfast and NETWORKING! Program begins promptly at 9:30AM.
Co-hosted by the Defense Alliance of North Carolina (DANC) and North Carolina State University Industry Expansion Solutions (NCSU IES)
AGENDA
8:00am-9:00am – VENDORS SETUP
8:00am-12:30pm – CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST – hosted by the Defense Alliance of North Carolina and catered by Lil’s Coffee Bar; fiji & perrier bottled water, orange juice & apple juice, freshly brewed coffee, hot tea – assorted flavors, assortment of seasonal pastries
9:00am-9:30am – ARRIVALS, CHECK-IN & NETWORKING
9:30am-9:50am – WELCOME
Visit High Point – Melody Burnett, CATP, President, Heroes Center of High Point – Patrick Davis, MBA, Executive Director, Business High Point-Chamber of Commerce – Brian Norris, IOM, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
9:50am-10:10am – OPENING REMARKS & RECOGNITION OF DISTINGUISHED GUESTS
Why DANC? – Tammy Everett, Executive Director, Defense Alliance of North Carolina
10:10am-12:10pm – INFORMATIONAL BRIEFINGS
Summary of the Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Manufacturing Community Program (DMCSP) – Michael Mullins, Director, North Carolina Defense Industry Initiatives Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) at NC State University
Overview of the North Carolina State University, Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) – Kami Baggett, Regional Manager, North Carolina Defense Industry Initiatives Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) at NC State University
“Workforce Development in a Growing State: players, opportunities, challenges, and resources you may not know about” – Dominick Stephenson, Director of Evaluation Services NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions
NC Frontline of the Future – Denny Lewis, Business Development Manager, Defense Industry, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC)
North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) – Rick Gilmore, Federal Business Development, Greensboro
Office of Science, Technology & Innovation (OSTI One North Carolina Small Business Program) – Dave Kaiser, North Carolina Department of Commerce
12:10pm-12:30pm – NETWORKING BREAK
12:30pm-1:30pm – LUNCHEON – Sponsored lunch catered by Kitchenology
Keynote speaker; Co-founder of R. Riveter, Cameron Cruse
1:30pm-2:10pm – “Veterans Supporting Manufacturing”
Panel Moderator: Patrick Davis, MBA, Executive Director, The Heroes Center of High Point
2:10pm-2:15pm – QUICK BREAK
2:15pm-2:50pm – “Growing North Carolina Manufacturers Through Defense Contracting”
Panel Moderator: Michael Mullins, Director, North Carolina Defense Industry Initiatives Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) at NC State University
2:50pm-3:00pm – CLOSING REMARKS
Business High Point-Chamber of Commerce – Brian Norris, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives Business
3:00pm-3:30pm – NETWORKING
3:30pm – ADJOURN
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