Who We Are

Harry Smith

Partner

When Harry Smith became CEO of Flanders Corporation, the company was in bankruptcy. Eight years later, Flanders was the largest air filter manufacturer in the United States. With double-digit EBITDA, Harry led Flanders for four more years as a NASDAQ-traded company, then as a privately-held entity, and, ultimately, he spearheaded the successful private sale of the company.

This is just one example in Harry’s long and thriving career. Before launching Rise Capital, Harry also founded or co-founded the National Wholesale Leasing Company, Pronamics, and Pitt Electric.

Harry actively mentors business owners and entrepreneurs and advises mergers and acquisition analysis and deal structuring.

Harry earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from East Carolina University. He is the former chair of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors.

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Dale Jenkins

Board Member

After serving 26 years as the chief executive officer of Curi, Dale Jenkins joined Rise Capital as a board member in 2021.

Curi began in 1975 as Medical Mutual Insurance Company of North Carolina and earned the distinction of being recognized among Ward’s Top 50 property and casualty insurance companies in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Prior to joining Curi, Dale spent 16 years with Ernst & Young, where he was a partner.

Dale has served as board chair for the University of North Carolina Health Care System, the N.C. Chamber, MyFutureNC and Capital Associated Industries.

In 2014, Dale received Triangle Business Journal’s Health Care Heroes Lifetime Achievement award and is a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. In 2019, Mr. Jenkins was awarded Wake Education Partnership’s Vernon Malone Friend of Education Award for his exceptional commitment to public education.

Dale currently serves on Wake Forest University, Orlando Health IMC, OnCall Solutions, and Curi boards.

Dale graduated from Wake Forest University in 1978 with a degree in accounting. He is a native of Rutherford County and currently lives in Raleigh.

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Ben Remke

Board Member

Ben Remke is the Chief Financial Officer of Curi, responsible for Curi’s financial strategy, execution, and performance. He joined the company in 2014 as the Director of Finance and has served the company at increasing levels of responsibility since then. Before joining Curi, Ben worked as a Finance Director at the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company. Ben is a Certified Public Accountant with a BS in Business Management and a BS in Accounting from North Carolina State University. He is a past board member and former president of the Carolinas Chapter of the Insurance Accounting and Systems Association. Ben, his wife Alana, and their two children live in Raleigh, NC where they are active with various sports and school activities.

Susan Rothecker

CEO

Susan Rothecker is a seasoned industry leader with a remarkable track record of over three decades in the manufacturing sector. As the Chief Executive Officer of The Rise Companies, Susan brings a deep understanding of the manufacturing landscape, combined with a keen insight into market dynamics, which is shaping the strategic direction of The Rise Companies to market prominence. This commitment has not only solidified the company’s reputation for delivering world-class products but has also established a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Sharon Albrecht

Vice President, Human Resources

Sharon Albrecht is an accomplished and dynamic professional with a wealth of experience in Human Resources including recruitment, employee development, performance management, benefits administration, and payroll. As the Vice President of HR, Sharon plays a pivotal role in driving the HR strategy of the organization and its partner companies.

Kevin Boyd

COO

Kevin Boyd brings over 30 years of experience in manufacturing operations to his role as COO of The Rise Companies. He works closely with cross functional teams to develop and implement strategies that drive workplace improvements. With a deep understanding of The Rise Companies mission and an unwavering dedication to operational improvements, Kevin is a driving force in the company’s continued success.

Jon Anderson

President M&A

Jon Anderson’s journey in the financial industry has been characterized by a diverse and enriching experience that has honed his skills and knowledge in Mergers and Acquisitions. With a unique blend of financial acumen, analytical skills, and a deep understanding of the M&A landscape, Jon is dedicated to facilitating successful mergers and acquisitions that drive growth and create value for The Rise Companies. Jon has a strong ability to communicate complex financial information to various stakeholders, board members, and senior management.

Blaine Fuller

Corporate IT Director

Blaine Fuller brings a wealth of experience and expertise to steer IT initiatives towards the attainment of business objectives. He has consistently demonstrated an ability to lead cross-functional teams, develop and execute IT strategies, and align technology investments with corporate goals by enhancing security measures, and optimizing operations to ensure a seamless digital experience for the entire organization.