Appendix A documents the current organizational structure of LKNConnect and identifies responsibility for the major functions required to operate the organization.
LKNConnect does not currently operate as a traditional employee-based corporation.
Instead, LKNConnect operates through an expanding network of approximately 28 individuals serving in different organizational capacities.
The model combines:
Some individuals serve in more than one capacity.
This Appendix reflects how LKNConnect operates today, not an idealized future organizational chart.
As revenue, technology, automation, and organizational capacity develop, responsibilities may be delegated, automated, reassigned, or expanded.
The objective is:
Know Who Owns It Today.
Determine Who Should Own It Tomorrow.
Build the System That Makes the Transition Possible.
Founder & CEO — 90% Owner
Douglas provides executive leadership and remains the primary owner of many current operational functions.
COO — 10% Owner
David provides executive leadership, operational perspective, financial management, business-development participation, sales participation, and process discipline.
Ownership establishes the financial and governance interests of LKNConnect.
Ownership should be distinguished from individual operating responsibilities.
Douglas provides overall organizational leadership and currently remains directly involved in significant portions of LKNConnect’s daily operations.
Current responsibilities include:
As LKNConnect develops, Founder involvement should increasingly concentrate on responsibilities where Founder experience, relationships, judgment, and leadership create the greatest organizational value.
David provides an operational and process-oriented perspective within Executive Leadership.
His role includes:
David serves as the Primary Owner of Financial Management.
The CEO and COO intentionally bring different perspectives to leadership:
Vision + Process
Change + Stability
Speed + Operational Discipline
The objective is not for either perspective to dominate.
The objective is better organizational decisions.
LKNConnect benefits from experienced advisors who participate in strategic discussions without becoming part of the ownership structure or automatically assuming operating authority.
Business Consultant / Executive Advisor
Retired President of Halmark International.
Jack provides:
Executive Advisor / Charter TEAM Member / Contributor
As one of LKNConnect’s charter TEAM members, Margi provides:
Margi also remains an active Contributor through:
People in the Know
and
Sunday Recipes
Her Executive Advisor role is advisory rather than an ownership or executive operating position.
LKNConnect’s vision and strategic direction are developed collaboratively by:
Douglas Fitzgerald
David Beard
Jack Moore
Margi Kyle
Together, this group contributes to:
Different perspectives are intentionally encouraged.
Shared strategic participation does not eliminate defined decision authority.
Final organizational decisions remain subject to the appropriate ownership and executive authority.
Different Perspectives Shape the Strategy.
Clear Leadership Turns Strategy into Action.
LKNConnect operates as an interconnected organizational network rather than a traditional top-down employee structure.
Douglas Fitzgerald — 90%
David Beard — 10%
↓
Douglas Fitzgerald — Founder & CEO
David Beard — COO
↔
Jack Moore — Business Consultant / Executive Advisor
Margi Kyle — Executive Advisor / Charter TEAM Member
↓
Content Creators + Community Ears + Visibility Strategists™
↓
Genesis Film — David Woodruff
Chapter One Films — Greg Prinz & Marko Brutus
↓
T2 — Ty, Tara & Todd Youngblood
Laith — Technology / CRM / Automation
Local & Qualified — Brad Watkins & Ryan Shearer
↓
↓
T2
Local & Qualified
LKNSBN — Jim Vogel
↓
Individuals and organizations may appropriately appear in more than one category when they perform multiple functions.
| Function | Primary Owner(s) | Support / Advisory | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vision & Strategy | Douglas Fitzgerald / David Beard / Jack Moore / Margi Kyle | Executive Leadership & Advisory Group | Active / Shared |
| Daily Operations | Douglas Fitzgerald | David Beard / TEAM as available | Founder-Dependent |
| Organizational Development & Structure | Douglas Fitzgerald / David Beard | T2 / Jack Moore / Margi Kyle | Active / Developing |
| Business Development | Douglas Fitzgerald / David Beard | Contributor TEAM / Visibility Strategists™ | Developing / Shared |
| Sales | Douglas Fitzgerald / David Beard | Lynn Marshall — Sales Consultant / Visibility Strategists™ | Developing / Shared |
| CRM | T2 / Laith | Douglas Fitzgerald / David Beard | Implementation |
| Editorial | Douglas Fitzgerald | Contributors | Active/ Founder Dependent |
| Publishing | Douglas Fitzgerald | — | Active / Founder-Dependent |
| Video Production Management | Genesis Film / David Woodruff; Chapter One Films / Greg Prinz & Marko Brutus | Program Hosts / Douglas Fitzgerald | Active / Distributed |
| Social Media | Douglas Fitzgerald | — | Active / Founder-Dependent |
| Website Programming & Development | Brad Watkins / Local & Qualified | Ryan Shearer / Douglas Fitzgerald / David Beard | Active / External Partnership |
| Financial Management | David Beard | Douglas Fitzgerald | Active / Distributed |
| Client Relationships | Individual Who Brought Client Onboard | Appropriate TEAM Members / Executive Leadership | Active / Distributed |
| Partnerships | Douglas Fitzgerald | David Beard / TEAM / Executive Advisors | Active |
| Operating System | Douglas Fitzgerald / David Beard | Executive Advisors | Active / Shared |
| Technology & Automation | T2 / Laith / Brad Watkins | Ryan Shearer / Douglas Fitzgerald / David Beard | Active / Developing |
At the current stage of LKNConnect’s development, Douglas Fitzgerald remains the primary owner of day-to-day organizational operations.
While significant responsibilities have already been distributed, many recurring activities still require Founder initiation, coordination, execution, or follow-through.
The current organizational state can therefore be described as:
Founder-Led → TEAM Supported → Systems Developing → Responsibilities Gradually Distributed
This is not intended to be the permanent structure.
One of the principal purposes of the LKNConnect Operating System™ is to progressively reduce unnecessary Founder dependency.
Business Development and Sales are shared executive responsibilities between:
Douglas Fitzgerald — Founder & CEO
David Beard — COO
They are supported by:
Lynn Marshall — Sales Consultant
and
LKNConnect Visibility Strategists™
The Contributor TEAM and Visibility Strategists™ help identify:
The developing business-development model is:
Connection → Content / Interview Opportunity → Relationship → Business Visibility Audit™ → Recommendation → Proposal → Client → Growth
This is particularly important to LKNConnect’s model.
A relationship does not necessarily begin with a sales call.
It may begin with:
The content opportunity creates value first.
The relationship can then develop naturally.
Sales Consultant / Contributor / Community Ear / Visibility Strategist™
Lynn serves LKNConnect in several related capacities.
As Sales Consultant, Lynn provides experience, perspective, relationship development, and support as LKNConnect develops a structured and repeatable sales process.
Her role may include:
Douglas Fitzgerald and David Beard retain executive responsibility for the overall sales function.
The developing sales structure is:
Douglas Fitzgerald / David Beard — Executive Sales Ownership
↓
Lynn Marshall — Sales Consultant
↓
Visibility Strategists™ — Relationship & Opportunity Development
↓
CRM — Tracking, Follow-Up & Organizational Memory
Lynn also produces Weekly Connections Around the Lake.
The individual who brings a client onboard normally becomes that client’s:
The Relationship Owner helps ensure:
However:
The client remains a LKNConnect client.
The relationship model is:
Individual Builds the Relationship
↓
Relationship Owner Maintains the Connection
↓
CRM Preserves Organizational Knowledge
↓
LKNConnect Delivers the Value
People Build Relationships.
Systems Preserve Knowledge.
LKNConnect Owns the Client Commitment.
LKNConnect’s developing technology infrastructure combines several specialized resources.
CRM / Automation / Lead Generation / Organizational Development
T2 assists LKNConnect with:
T2 also serves as a Strategic Partner.
Technology / CRM / Automation Resource
Laith works with LKNConnect on the development and implementation of technology supporting CRM, automation, lead generation, workflow, integration, and related systems.
Douglas Fitzgerald and David Beard provide organizational knowledge, priorities, business requirements, and backup support.
Website Technology, Programming & Development
Brad Watkins, owner of Local & Qualified, provides technical and strategic expertise involving:
Brad also participates in the broader Technology function when website systems must connect with CRM, automation, AI, or other LKNConnect technology.
Primary LKNConnect Contact
Ryan serves as LKNConnect’s primary contact with Local & Qualified, helping coordinate:
Use Specialists Where Their Expertise Is Strongest.
Integrate the Systems Where the Business Requires It.
LKNConnect Owns the Process.
Douglas Fitzgerald and David Beard retain primary responsibility for LKNConnect’s organizational structure and development.
T2 assists with:
Jack Moore and Margi Kyle provide additional advisory perspective.
Outside specialists may recommend, design, challenge, and help implement organizational improvements.
Final organizational authority remains with LKNConnect leadership.
Outside Expertise Can Help Build the Structure.
LKNConnect Leadership Must Own the Organization.
LKNConnect’s professional video-production capability is supported by two primary production partners.
Video Production Partner / Contributor / Community Ear / Visibility Strategist™
David Woodruff, through Genesis Film, serves LKNConnect in two distinct capacities.
David produces Around the Lake, using video storytelling to introduce audiences to local businesses, restaurants, destinations, events, experiences, people, and places.
Through Genesis Film, David also provides professional video-production capability supporting LKNConnect programming beyond Around the Lake.
Around the Lake — Program & Contributor Responsibility
Genesis Film — Organizational Video Production Responsibility
Video Production Partner / Contributors / Community Ears / Visibility Strategists™
Greg Prinz and Marko Brutus serve LKNConnect in two distinct capacities.
Greg and Marko develop and produce Chapter One programming focused on entrepreneurs, business owners, organizations, personal journeys, and the stories behind businesses throughout Lake Norman and the greater Charlotte area.
Through Chapter One Films, Greg and Marko also provide professional production capability supporting broader LKNConnect video programming.
Chapter One — Program & Contributor Responsibility
Chapter One Films — Organizational Video Production Responsibility
Professional Production.
Authentic Storytelling.
Community Relationships.
Shared Production Capability.
The LKNConnect Contributor TEAM is not simply a group of content creators.
Contributors serve three broader functions.
Produce authentic, useful, and locally relevant content.
Serve as LKNConnect’s ears throughout the community.
Contributors help identify:
Build relationships and identify businesses, people, organizations, and opportunities that may benefit from greater visibility.
Contributors therefore serve as:
Content Creators + Community Ears + Visibility Strategists™
A Contributor does not need to become a traditional salesperson to contribute to business development.
Their greatest contribution may simply be opening the relationship.
Weekly Connections Around the Lake / Sales Consultant
Wellness
Healthy Aging Around the Lake
Active Life Around the Lake
What’s Next™
The Success Connection — Host / Contributor
The Success Connection — Assistant to Joe Vagnone / Video Editor
Lauren works directly with Joe in the production of The Success Connection.
Her responsibilities include:
Chapter One / Video Production Partner
Around the Lake / Video Production Partner
Samantha Edwards
Heather Stiles
Brandi Hale
Swanky Straw also works with LKNConnect’s Featured Restaurant programming, helping showcase local restaurants, dining experiences, owners, chefs, and the people and stories behind Lake Norman’s dining community.
Guide to Family Activities
LKN Live Music Scene
Guide to Nightlife
People in the Know / Executive Advisor
Top Local News — Content / Media Partnership
Backstage Pass
Life Before the Lake™ / COO
Scam Report
The Financial Advantage — Primary Contributor
Advisory Consultant — The Financial Advantage
Stacie provides additional professional perspective, guidance, and subject-matter support to The Financial Advantage.
Adopt a Pet
Sunday Recipes
This Week on LKNConnect
Some TEAM members perform important responsibilities within a specific LKNConnect program without serving as organization-wide production or executive resources.
Assistant to Joe Vagnone / Video Editor — The Success Connection
Lauren’s responsibilities are specifically associated with supporting Joe Vagnone and the production and editing of The Success Connection.
This differs from organization-wide Video Production Partners such as Genesis Film and Chapter One Films.
Advisory Consultant — The Financial Advantage
Stacie provides program-specific professional perspective and advisory support to Douglas Marion and The Financial Advantage.
Her role should be distinguished from LKNConnect’s Executive Advisory function.
Contributors are encouraged to participate in conversations concerning LKNConnect’s direction.
They may:
Their advisory contribution is important.
Formal organizational decision authority remains with Executive Leadership and the appropriate Decision Owner.
Everyone Can Contribute to the Conversation.
Responsibility for the Decision Must Remain Clear.
Not every organization or professional working with LKNConnect is a Contributor, employee, or Executive Advisor.
Some relationships are more appropriately classified as:
Current examples include:
Lake Norman Publications / Lake Norman Citizen — Content & Media Partner
Genesis Film — Video Production Partner
Chapter One Films — Video Production Partner
Local & Qualified — Website Technology & Development Partner
T2 / Laith — CRM, Automation, Technology & Organizational Development Resources
Stacie Bright — Advisory Consultant to The Financial Advantage
Lauren Strom — Program-Specific Assistant & Video Editor, The Success Connection
Strategic Partners are organizations and individuals whose relationship with LKNConnect extends beyond a traditional vendor or service-provider relationship.
Strategic Partners contribute expertise, relationships, technology, organizational capability, business-development opportunities, or other resources that support LKNConnect’s long-term growth.
Strategic Partner — Organizational Development / CRM / Automation / Lead Generation
T2 works with LKNConnect to develop scalable systems, organizational capabilities, business processes, CRM, automation, and lead-generation infrastructure.
LKNConnect leadership retains ownership of organizational direction and business processes.
Strategic Partner — Website Development / Programming / Technology
Owner / Strategic Partner / Website Technology & Development
Brad provides technical and strategic expertise involving LKNConnect’s website, programming, development, infrastructure, and technology integration.
Primary LKNConnect Contact — Local & Qualified
Ryan helps coordinate communication, priorities, projects, website requirements, and ongoing development needs between LKNConnect and Local & Qualified.
Strategic Partner — Business Community / Networking / Collaborative Opportunities
Jim Vogel and LKNSBN provide an important connection between LKNConnect and the Lake Norman business community.
The relationship supports opportunities involving:
Build the Relationship.
Combine the Strengths.
Create Mutual Value.
Grow Together.
LKNConnect currently operates through a network of approximately:
This number includes individuals serving in:
It includes the three current Swanky Straw TEAM members whose individual names are awaiting confirmation.
It does not mean LKNConnect has 28 employees.
Instead, it demonstrates the breadth of the LKNConnect Operating Network.
Different people participate at different levels and in different capacities.
Some individuals appropriately serve in more than one organizational role.
Appendix A intentionally distinguishes between the organization LKNConnect has today and the organization it may eventually require.
A single individual may currently perform responsibilities that will eventually belong to several positions.
The function should still be identified even when LKNConnect cannot yet financially support a separate employee.
This creates a roadmap for organizational development.
Each Founder-owned operational responsibility should periodically be evaluated using four categories.
Founder involvement creates significant strategic value.
Likely examples:
Another qualified person can own the responsibility.
Potential examples:
Technology can reliably manage significant portions of the process.
Potential examples:
The responsibility logically belongs with another established role or resource.
Examples already include:
Financial Management → David Beard
Video Production Management → Genesis Film / Chapter One Films
Website Programming & Development → Local & Qualified
CRM & Automation Development → T2 / Laith
Client Relationships → Primary Relationship Owner
The goal is not simply:
Douglas Does Less.
The objective is:
As systems mature, Founder time should increasingly concentrate on:
Operational work that does not require Founder judgment should progressively move into:
People + Process + Technology + Automation
Regardless of organizational structure:
Every important function should ultimately have one clearly identifiable owner.
Multiple people may contribute.
Advisors may provide counsel.
Technology may perform portions of the process.
Partners may provide specialized expertise.
But accountability should remain clear.
Many People May Contribute.
One Person Owns the Outcome.
Appendix A is a living organizational document.
It should be updated whenever there is a significant change involving:
At least annually, leadership should review the Responsibility Map and ask:
Who owns this today?
Is that still the right owner?
What remains unnecessarily Founder-dependent?
What should be delegated?
What should be automated?
What should be reassigned?
LKNConnect does not need a large traditional staff to operate professionally.
It needs:
Clear Leadership.
Clear Responsibility.
Strong Contributors.
Trusted Partners.
Documented Processes.
Appropriate Technology.
Measurable Accountability.
The organization should grow deliberately as revenue and opportunity support that growth.
The objective is not to build overhead.
Know Who Owns It.
Document How It Works.
Use the TEAM.
Use the Partners.
Build the Systems.
Reduce Unnecessary Founder Dependency.
Keep Accountability Clear.
Build LKNConnect Beyond Any One Person.
LKNConnect Operating System™
Appendix A — Organizational Chart & Responsibility Map
Master Edition — Version 1.0
