JOE PATRICK

As an accomplished leader and business executive, Joe is passionate about helping companies achieve purpose-driven, sustainable success through improved strategies, market development and operational excellence. He currently leads three CEO Boards and two Key Player Boards as a C12 Chair, as well as co-manages the C12 South Carolina Upstate and Midlands region. He is also the Principal Chair of C12 Atlanta. Joe first discovered and grew this passion in his family’s brick company (Southern Brick Company) before participating in its sale. He then honed a broad range of skills working from 1996-2011 with a stellar international brand & multibillion-dollar private company (VELUX). His time with VELUX also included a life-changing year in Copenhagen, Denmark, working in a group overseeing companies in Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the US. Joe was Vice President: Operations at OOBE Uniforms & Apparel, Inc., a provider of retail and custom apparel for brands including Chick-fil-A, Hendrick Automotive Group, and BMW Manufacturing. He has also helped start, fund or advise several companies with family and friends along the way. He is currently a Director on the Board of Fortis Riders and a founding partner of Wilderness Capital LLC. After Joe graduated from Erskine College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, he earned his MBA from Clemson University with concentrations in marketing and finance. His post-graduate business education also includes completion of The Moore School of Business at USC Mid-Level Management Program, as well as a customized International Management Program from MANNAZ for high potential VELUX managers conducted outside Paris, France by leading international business school professors. Joe finds deep satisfaction in serving others in his community. He serves as Chairman of the Board for the American Red Cross Palmetto Region in the Upstate of South Carolina and has mentored through Mentor Upstate. He lives in Greenville with his wife, Emily, and three children. He is an ordained ruling elder at Greenville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and served as Session Vice Moderator. He has previously been a member of the Erskine College & Seminary Board of Trustees, where he also served as its Chairman.

BEN COMERFORD

Ben is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Terry College of business where he majored in Finance and Real Estate.  In his professional career, Ben has contributed to the successful development, acquisition, and management of over a billion dollars in commercial real estate projects throughout North America.  He is skilled in differentiating details to forecast success, with the ability to discern and implement strategies for long-term, continuous growth.  In addition to a successful career in commercial real estate, Ben has served in regional economic development and has led business development teams in the textile, agriculture, and logistics industries. With a self-described ‘Jeffersonian’ love of agriculture, Ben is the owner of EverGrass Farms, a purebred and commercial cattle operation.  Additionally, Ben and his brother Matt co-founded Comerford Farms, a field-to-market producer, wholesaler, and retailer of poultry, pork, lamb, and beef. After receiving the redeeming grace of Christ, Ben considers marrying his wife Nicole to be the high-water mark in his life.  Ben and Nicole have been blessed with three children:  Amelia, Annie, and Will.  The Comerford’s are members of Rosemont Baptist Church where Ben serves as a deacon and teaches the 11th & 12th-grade boy’s Sunday school class.  As a disciple of Christ, He hopes to see lives changed and molded to the person of Jesus Christ.  Ben is eager to work with the business owners of Atlanta, West Georgia, and east Alabama to Build Great Businesses for a GREATER Purpose.

DAVE THIEL

Dave joined C12 as a Chair of Atlanta in May 2018. Prior to that, he served nearly six years as President/CEO, for the Center for Christian Growth (aka T Bar M Camps & Retreats)—a faith-based organization in Central Texas. Dave has served in various senior leadership roles in marketing, sales, and strategic development/partnerships. He brings over three decades of experience working with manufacturing, retail and service companies that were industry leaders—including Super Valu (Minneapolis, MN)., Pilgrim’s Pride (Dallas, TX) and Edwards Baking Company (Atlanta, GA). An accomplished marketing strategist, divisional leader, and executive, he is passionate about equipping business leaders. In addition, from 1999-2012, he was a Principal at Triaxia Partners (Atlanta, Georgia)—a boutique management consulting firm, where he served as leader of Triaxia’s Team Practice. The majority of client work involved a wide variety of senior-level engagements, both nationally and internationally, spanning across business, nonprofit, and government sectors. With C12, Dave is excited to combine his organizational leadership skill set with his heart-set of applying God’s Word in equipping leaders. The marketplace adventure of helping facilitate world-class C12 experiences by equipping CEOs and Owners to build great businesses for a GREATER PURPOSE is energizing and inspiring. Dave grew up in Wisconsin, is married to Colleen and they have, two adult children in Atlanta, Jonathan Married to Merry Emily), and Emily (married to Peter) and three grandchildren (Dave is known as “Pops”).  He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse and an MBA at the University of Texas at Dallas.

MARK HEEREMA

After leading and guiding sales teams in the corporate realm for almost three decades, Mark reached a pivotal moment where he risked it all for a new unknown journey.   The complete and eternal approach offered by C12 resonated with Mark, providing the ideal platform to combine his passions and faith with others who want better in their business, life, and faith. After setting company sales records at the age of 24, Mark earned a swift promotion into leadership.  His unique blend of combining a street smart and academic approach founded upon a “people first” mission allowed him to excel in high-level sales strategy, market integration, sales–operational collaboration, new business acquisition, and enhancing company culture. Mark’s influence on people, teams and revenue led him to ultimately oversee one of the largest multi-million-dollar national sales efforts in the wholesale lighting industry. His success reverberated across major markets, including in NJ/NY where he launched the fastest new office growth in company history. Beyond his corporate impact, Mark is the author of four books, delivered keynote addresses on sales and leadership nationally, contributed to prominent publications, and provided consulting services to some of the world’s leading leadership companies. Mark also holds a Masters in Management. On a personal note, Mark has enjoyed a 16-year marriage with Amy, and together they have two children, Ellie (13) and Joey (11), along with their two dogs, Baxter and Abby. The Heerema family attends Woodstock City Church and are involved in the Fostering Together program there.  During his leisure time, Mark loves moments with his family, golf, and loves his favorite sports teams: LA Dodgers, Cincinnati Bengals, and LA Lakers.