The RISE Summit for Entrepreneurs and Innovators on Thursday, August 27, 2026 in Danville, VA will include networking opportunities and breakout sessions featuring amazing speakers to support entrepreneurs at each stage of business, from ideation to starting, growing, and scaling.

In this session, participants will learn how to adopt a growth mindset to build generational wealth and create lasting community impact. Derrick Ziglar Jr. will share insights from his experience in real estate investing, real estate development, and technology entrepreneurship. Greg Preston will offer a perspective on sustaining and growing a family-owned cattle farm across generations. Learning objectives include understanding strategies for long-term wealth creation, succession planning, and contributing to community development through entrepreneurship.

Learning objectives for this workshop include:

• Understand the key principles of adopting a growth mindset to build generational wealth.
• Learn strategies for long-term wealth creation through real estate investment, business development, and sustainable farming.
• Gain insights into effective succession planning for family-owned businesses.
• Explore ways entrepreneurs can make a lasting impact on their communities through innovation and entrepreneurship
• Discover diverse approaches to entrepreneurship in both the real estate and agricultural sectors.

Speakers:

• Derrick Ziglar, Jr. of Ziglar Properties LLC and Generational GameChanger LLC
• Greg Preston of Preston Farm LLC

Moderator: Bethann West James of Gemstone PSC

Derrick Ziglar, Jr.

Founder, Ziglar Properties LLC and Generational GameChanger LLC

Derrick Ziglar Jr., the Founder and CEO of Ziglar Properties LLC and Generational GameChanger LLC, is deeply committed to revitalizing his hometown of Martinsville, VA, through strategic real estate investments. After a successful career in corporate America, Derrick returned home with a vision to transform and uplift his community. His work focuses on developing affordable housing and commercial spaces that not only enhance the local economy but also provide opportunities for residents to thrive. Derrick is a 2015 graduate of Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington, VA.

Learn more about Derrick by connecting with him in this VMI Alumni Association article or follow him on Instagram here.

Greg Preston

Owner, Preston Farms

Greg Preston is the owner of Preston Farm LLC, a cattle farm that has been in his family for multiple generations. Greg also serves as the Executive Director of the Piedmont Community Services, a community services board (CSB) serving Martinsville and Henry County, VA. Greg holds a Master of Science in Counseling from Longwood University in Farmville, VA and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from St. Pauls College in Brunswick County, VA.