Founders Forum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has no full- or part-time staff member or administrators; instead it relies solely on its voluntary Board of Directors for its strategic and financial operations and management. Our board is comprised of a wide breadth of local business leaders representing private companies, educational institutions and business organizations.
CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS:



Joshua Adams (Board Chair)
Rock Paper Simple
Joshua Adams lives and breathes entrepreneurship, web development and marketing and is the Head Honcho at Rock Paper Simple.
Joshua started programming at 11 years old and was soon drawn into the web world by its infinite possibilities when he turned 14. Ever since, he has pushed his limits in the web design and marketing field.
His passion is to develop simple solutions to solve complex problems; to help his clients and partners produce results for their business online.
Joshua is involved in many areas of business and entrepreneurship in the marketing world with ownership of and in multiple companies. He is also proud to sit on the board of directors for Founders Forum.
He spends his free time rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers, playing Ultimate Frisbee and soccer, serving at his local church and collecting strategy board games.
He believes in always doing the best he can in everything he does and likes to quote Colossians 3:23 - "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord..."



Christine Thompson
Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC
Christine Thompson is the Business Development Executive for Carr, Riggs and Ingram CPAs covering all of East Central Florida. Her philosophy for business growth is to be a “people connector” and a “success resource” to help local businesses to grow and thrive.
She was formerly in charge of Business Development and Marketing for Hayworth, Chaney and Thomas, PA an Intellectual Property, Corporate and Personal Injury law firm in the Central Florida area. She has owned two successful businesses of her own. Christine founded Hip Hop Hooray, Inc. in 2000, developed and then sold it in 2006. Hip Hop Hooray, Inc. continues to grow in the South Florida area today. She then started Personal Assistant for a Day, Inc. which grew and eventually led to her position at the law firm. She is a Florida native and has a passion to help our local economy flourish.



Lee Garner
Lee Garner, CPA

Rob E. Salonen, CEcD
FIT



Bill Williams
A Cut Above Video Productions, Inc.


Bill Williams grew up on Long Island and received an electrical engineering degree from New York University. His early career fulfilled one of his childhood dreams of becoming a scientist and working on rockets after he worked as a missile guidance engineer for General Electric at Lockheed in Sunnyvale California & Cape Canaveral and Martin Marietta in Orlando. Another childhood dream was to be in the television or movie business, and in 1988 he started A Cut Above Video Productions. A Cut Above provides production of advertising placed in movie theaters, television and the web, instructional and informational videos, and marketing videos.
As a business owner Bill has been involved in the Space Coast community with long term involvement as a leader and member within the American Advertising Federation – Space Coast, Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, Melbourne Regional Chamber of East Central Florida, International Television Association (now Media Communications Association – International), Florida Motion Picture & Television Association (and other independent filmmaking groups), Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival, and Founders Forum.

Alex Simser
Lowndes





Brenda Plocharczyk

Founder of Strategic Business Solutions, Inc., a business consulting firm specializing in strategic growth, research-KPI’s, accounting services, and government relations, she brings 22 years of leadership and management experience with proven success directing a broad range of business and finance initiatives while participating in planning, analysis, and implementation of business objectives in business and technology. Brenda’s specific expertise is in accounting, marketing, strategy, product design/implementation, and business development in the economic development, technology, and healthcare sectors.
Originally from Florida, Brenda grew up in Thomasville, Georgia. She moved back to Florida in 2001 and moved to Brevard County in 2010. Her passionate to help others succeed allows her to follow her dreams and fulfill her life’s purpose.

Micah Widen
Groundswell



Barry Forbes
BB&T

