The Upstate Coalition for Entrepreneurial Development’s next meeting is April 5, 2004 at the University Center of Greenville at 5:30. The topic, “Raising Venture Capital”, will be presented by Leighton Cubbage of iOnosphere and William Herlong of Nelson Mullins. (more)
The Upstate Coalition for Entrepreneurial Development’s next meeting is April 5, 2004 at the University Center of Greenville at 5:30. The topic, “Raising Venture Capital”, will be presented by Leighton Cubbage of iOnosphere and William Herlong of Nelson Mullins.
Leighton Cubbage is a successful entrepreneur and business leader in South Carolina. He started in the telecom business in the early 80’s in sales with Tel-Man and TIT.. He started CTG in 1987 and eight years later sold it for $164 million to LCI. He has been Chairman of New South and Chairman of Serrus Ventures where he was involved in raising over $500 million in venture capital. Leighton also owns seven automobile dealerships and a trucking company. He is the Chairman of iOnosphere a $70 million telecom company. He has recently started a new company, Champion Communications, to take advantage of the new VoIP technology.
He serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Greenville Hospital System and is on the board of Greenville First Bank. Leighton graduated from Clemson University in 1977 with a degree in Political Science.
William D. Herlong is a partner of the firm where he practices in Greenville in business and corporate law and litigation, and technology law and litigation. With extensive experience in technology mergers, acquisitions, financing and all manner of technology-related agreements,
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Herlong served as President and Chief Executive Officer of HomePoint Corporation where he managed a multi-million dollar cash and stock acquisition of a leading retail- management/point-of-sale software company. As HomePoint vice president and general counsel, Mr. Herlong managed the legal affairs of the corporation and was instrumental in raising $71 million in venture financing. Before joining HomePoint, Mr. Herlong was a partner of the firm Wyche Burgess Freeman & Parham, P.A. From 1986 to 1989, he was an associate of Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C. From 1985 to 1986, Mr. Herlong was a law clerk for U.S. District Judge James B. McMillan of the Western District of North Carolina.
In 2002, Mr. Herlong was elected to a second term on the School District of Greenville County board of trustees. The district serves 63,000 students and has an annual operating budget of $320 million.
Mr. Herlong was awarded a Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law in 1985. Mr. Herlong earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry, with High Distinction, from the University of Virginia in 1981.
