|
"I am thrilled to be joining the amazing CIC / SBDC teams here in Charlottesville. After spending most of my career on the road consulting with clients throughout the US, I am very excited to work closely with people in my own community and contribute to this amazing resource for entrepreneurs in Central Virginia.
I was first introduced to the organizations’ missions when I met Stephen Davis in 2015. In 2024, I resigned from a technology company that I co-founded in 2007 and leapt at the chance when I saw the SBDC Director Position opening. Sometimes good timing finds us!
During the interview process I was able to meet many folks on the team and was immediately pulled in by the passion, thoughtfulness and camaraderie in the office. Rebecca Haydock, the previous CV SBDC Director, has given me a very helpful overview of where things stand organizationally and has been incredible in helping me get up to speed as she transitions into her new role at Venture Central.
As for my background, I grew up in Georgia, attended high school in Chattanooga and completed undergraduate degrees in History and Secondary Education at Emory University in Atlanta. After college, I taught Math, English and Agriculture as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Papua New Guinea for 2 years. I also obtained a Masters in History from the University of Mississippi and an MBA in eCommerce and Computer Information Systems from Georgia State. I spent over 20 years consulting to retail companies and implementing their eCommerce strategies on both the Oracle and Salesforce platforms. I also served as the founder or first employee in 3 technology startups and led over 120 platform builds for retailers including Ethan Allen, Kenneth Cole, Tory Burch, Calvin Klein, Floor and Decor, Oreck, The WWE, FUBU, Russell Athletic, and Jenny Craig.
I am excited to share my knowledge and perspectives with our clients and to learn from the incredible organizations and people with whom we partner. I believe that while becoming an entrepreneur is not the perfect career for everyone, those who bravely choose to build their own businesses have a tremendous amount to learn and ‘starting up’ successfully is greatly enhanced by listening to other perspectives. Access to training, capital, specific expertise, and community helps shortcut many (but not all!) of the challenges that startups face and ensures a more fruitful launch. I feel fortunate to have found an organization that so closely matches my vision.
Outside of work, I am a father of two great kids (10th and 12th grades), a husband for over 30 years, a dedicated runner and hiker, and a generally curious person. I have completed multiple Ultramarathons, 3 Ironman races and cycled from San Francisco to New York City. I feel very fortunate to be part of CIC / SBDC and I appreciate all of the warm welcomes I have received."
– Central Virginia Small Business Development Center Director, Bo Grist
| 
