WALL OF FAME

BRETT WATKINS

EO Emeritus Member
EO Tenure: 2001-2023
Brett Watkins is the President and CEO of L&E Research, a rapidly expanding qualitative market research firm with offices in Raleigh, Charlotte, Tampa, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Columbus and Baltimore. L&E provides focus group facilities, recruiting, and other services in these markets and nationwide.
Under Brett’s leadership, L&E has received numerous awards and recognition for its success, including being ranked #752 on the 2014 Inc. 5000 list. Brett has also been recognized in his home city of Raleigh, receiving the prestigious 40 under 40 award from Triangle Business Journal, as well as being named a top 50 entrepreneur by Business Leader Magazine. His passions at home include his wife of 15 years, Belinda; his two “kids”, dogs Maggie and Riggo; his love of wine; and his obsession with anything sports related, including his middling golf game.
CHRIS NG CASHIN

EO Emeritus Member
EO Tenure: 2011-2023
Prior to Bootstrap advisors, Chris was a founder and partner with both Ben and Jay on Thundershirt and Snaptotes. Prior to these entrepreneurial ventures, Chris worked in the ad business at Leo Burnett and several North Carolina agencies in account management and planning helping to launch and rebrand many large and small businesses.
Chris speaks Mandarin Chinese and has experience in the logistics and sourcing industry with American President Lines.
Chris holds a Bachelors Degree in Economics and Asia Area Studies from Duke University and an MBA in Marketing and Finance from the University of Chicago.
BILL LAUGHLIN

EO Emeritus Member
EO Tenure: 1998-2023
Prior to starting Systematic Business Consulting, Bill was a Founder and CEO of Orion International, a recruiting firm specializing in placement of ex-military personnel into large public and private companies. Orion became one of the largest permanent placement firms in the US. He is a serial entrepreneur having started 12 Companies and was also one of the founding members of the Young Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) of Raleigh-Durham. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, has served as a Navy Pilot, and was a National Award winning Officer Recruiter before entering into Business.