Ben Navarro
Co-Founder
BeemokBold ideas. Inspiring founders. $1M in potential investment. Don’t miss the Lowcountry’s biggest pitch competition on November 8 at Union Pier.
Co-Founder
Beemok
CEO
Fifth Third Bank
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President Fifth Third Bank
Tim Spence has led Fifth Third Bank with a steadfast focus on shareholders, customers and community. Under his leadership, the Bank has achieved top-tier performance metrics among peers. His commitment to culture and community is reflected in record-low employee attrition, strong internal development, and a bank-wide commitment to volunteerism.
Mr. Spence joined the bank in 2015. Prior to Fifth Third, he was a senior partner at Oliver Wyman, where he advised global financial institutions. He also held leadership roles at two growth-stage technology companies.
Mr. Spence earned his bachelor’s degree with high honors from Colgate University. He serves on the supervisory boards of both The Clearing House and the Bank Policy Institute, where he chairs BITS the technology policy division. In addition to his national involvement, Tim plays a key role in Ohio’s business community as the vice chair of the Ohio Business Roundtable. In 2025, he was named chair of the Cincinnati Business Committee (CBC) and is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). He also contributes to higher education through his service on the board of trustees at Xavier University in Cincinnati.
Co-Founder and CEO
Gnosis Freight
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Gnosis Freight
Austin McCombs is the Co-Founder and CEO of Gnosis Freight, a logistics technology company pioneering Container Lifecycle Management® to improve supply chain visibility and collaboration. Since founding Gnosis in 2017, he has led its rapid growth, including a 2024 investment from Vista Equity Partners.
Mr. McCombs began his career working with freight forwarders and their customers, sparking his passion for applying technology to global logistics challenges. He continues to focus on data-driven solutions that help logistics companies work more efficiently.
He earned both his B.S. in Supply Chain Management and his M.S. in Management Information Systems from Auburn University. Based in Charleston, Mr. McCombs leads Gnosis Freight in its mission to modernize global shipping operations.
Founder
Meeting Street Capital
Founder, Meeting Street Capital
Claudius “Bud” Watts IV is the Founder of Meeting Street Capital and a seasoned investor with more than two decades of leadership in technology, semiconductors, software, and software-enabled services. Through Meeting Street Capital, he focuses on investing in early-stage technology companies, helping innovative founders scale their businesses and navigate critical phases of growth. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Commscope, Inc. (NASDAQ: COMM).
Previously, Mr. Watts established and led the Technology Buyout Group at The Carlyle Group where he oversaw investments in numerous companies including CommScope, SS&C Technologies, and Freescale Semiconductor. Earlier in his career, he was a Managing Director at First Union Securities and a principal at Bowles Hollowell Conner & Co. Before entering finance, he served as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, qualified as an instructor in both the F-16 and A-10 aircraft.
Mr. Watts earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from The Citadel and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He serves on several boards, including The Citadel Foundation and Roper St. Francis Foundation, and is recognized for his deep commitment to education and community impact in Charleston.
An entrepreneur or founder looking for inspiration, connections, and insight.
An investor scouting the next big opportunity in the Charleston region.
A business leader or professional passionate about supporting local growth.
A student or aspiring founder ready to learn from the best.
A community member who loves seeing bold ideas take shape.
Privacy Policy © 2025 Catalyst by Beemok.
