Courtney Stringer

Courtney, a native of Southwest Virginia, has deep roots in the region. In 2004, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a minor in Communication from The University of Virginia’s College at Wise and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from King University in 2006.

Courtney is employed by the Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia and serves as their Director of Engagement. Over the past year, she has served as the Virginia Grow with Google Digital Coach on behalf of Main Street America’s Downtown Wytheville program. She has trained over 1,500 small businesses on digital tools to enhance their online presence. Courtney spent 18 years in various professional roles at UVA Wise serving as a catalyst for problem solving and positive change. Her most recent position was Director of Community & Business Development. In this role, she led diverse teams focused on fostering community growth, promoting entrepreneurship, facilitating professional development, and encouraging collaborative coworking. She excelled at building and nurturing relationships with key stakeholders throughout the region. Through her adept networking abilities, Courtney fostered meaningful strategic partnerships that lead to the creation of customized training solutions and other initiatives designed to address the unique needs of multiple entities.

Courtney resides in Abingdon, Virginia, alongside her husband, Chad, and their children: Conner and Bree. Additionally, their household includes three adored dogs named Remi, Knoxlee and Denali.

Joshua Miller

Joshua leverages over 20 years of experience in photography, branding, project management, design, and marketing to empower businesses in reaching their goals. He works closely with clients to enhance their online presence, build brand awareness, and achieve sustainable growth.

As a strategic digital marketing professional with expertise in social media, content creation, public relations, and project management, Joshua supports businesses in the development and implementation of successful campaigns while effectively communicating with their customer base.

Having transitioned from working with large corporations, Joshua now channels his passion into empowering small businesses. He utilizes his extensive knowledge of digital tools to equip clients with the skills and resources needed to thrive in today’s competitive online marketplace.

During 2023, Joshua served as the Pennsylvania Grow with Google Digital Coach in partnership with Main Street America and Google to provide training on digital skills to small businesses in rural communities. During this time, Joshua worked in-person and virtually to assist and train over 1,200 participants on digital tools to enhance their online presence and become more efficient in their day-to-day operations.

As a Pennsylvanian, Joshua finds joy in exploring the state’s beautiful scenery with his family. When he isn’t working or with his family, you will likely find him on the streets or trails running with his four-legged friend.

Joshua is eager to connect with you and learn about your business and goals to customize a strategy to ensure your business reaches its target audience and achieves its full potential.

Teresa Heger

Teresa’s forward-thinking, focus on process improvement, and reliable organizational development allow her to design innovative coaching plans that improve individual and team performance which boosts company culture. By looking at the client as a whole, her executive coaching focuses on all facets of their life, bringing in mindfulness and empowering transformation. 

Teresa’s journey from sales, manufacturing, process improvement, training, executive coaching, and organizational change leadership has brought her here. She meets clients as individuals, teams, or groups and uses her wisdom, education, experiences, and knowledge to support individuals’ transformation in their personal and professional lives.

Before starting her coaching and consulting practice, Teresa played a pivotal role in establishing and building a manufacturing business from the ground up as a president and co-founder. She has held leadership roles in operations for Herman Miller and managed several Fortune 500 accounts for IBM, in sales and marketing capacity. Most recently, she partnered with Main Street America and Google, coaching start-ups, and small businesses on using online digital tools to grow their businesses and developing leadership skills as an entrepreneur. 

Teresa holds a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Administration from the School of Engineering and a Master of Art in Organizational Learning and Performance, both from Western Michigan University. She is a certified Executive Coach from iPEC, an ICF-accredited program, a licensed Speaker and Coach by the Impostor Syndrome Institute™, an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, and a 200 RYT certified yoga instructor.

She lives in Michigan with her husband and has two lovely daughters who are living their best lives.

Tierra Norwood

Tierra Norwood is the President of Ajon’s Professional Solutions LLC. Tierra attended UNC-Charlotte for Mass Communications. Tierra feels her purpose in life is to help others see and reach their full potential in both business and community.

She began her broadcast career as an intern on the National Syndicated Bob and Sheri Morning Show, while also stepping foot in the marketing world as the Marketing Associate for Mack Trucks of Charlotte. After completing her internship with Bob & Sheri, she began working as a Promotions Assistant for WLNK 107.9 FM. Tierra also worked as a part time board operator for WLNK and a copywriter for Dr. Bizness on 103.3 FM in Charlotte, NC having produced and voiced over 20 commercials. Tierra also worked for Charlotte Magazine and Charlotte Wedding as a marketing assistant.

Tierra worked as Downtown Development Coordinator with the City of Rocky Mount. During her time as the Downtown Development Coordinator, she assisted entrepreneurs and small business owners wishing to locate their business to downtown Rocky Mount. Tierra was recruited to work for the Department of Commerce’s Main Street and Rural Planning Center on a new initiative by Governor Roy Cooper called Downtown Strong. While with the NC Main Street and Rural Planning Center, Tierra assisted with organization and preparation of the NC Main Street Conference who hosted 94 communities annually. 

In May 2020, Tierra began her role as the Director of the Small Business Center. In her position with the Small Business Center, she assisted entrepreneurs and small business owners with free one-on-one business counseling, educational workshops, classes and educational opportunities through the Center.

Tierra launched her own small business, Ajon’s Professional Solutions, in 2021. In 2023, Ajon’s Professional Solutions was named Small Business of the Year by the Women’s Business Center of North Carolina.

In 2024, Tierra took on the role of Director of Community and Economic Development efforts for Freedom Org. In this role, Tierra is actively developing housing programs to fight the current housing crisis for many Americans, specifically in Edgecombe County.