The Smart Business Dealmakers Dealmaker of the Year Awards recognize exceptional individuals who are shaping the landscape of business and innovation in Nashville.
In addition, The Nashville Dealmakers Hall of Fame recognized a class of dealmakers that has made an often-groundbreaking impact on their organizations, industries and the region over the course of decades in business.
We celebrated the accomplishments of the 2025 class of winners on May 1 at the Nashville Smart Business Dealmakers Conference. Together, they provide a strong picture of the Nashville business community.
Dealmaker Of The Year Honorees
John Anderson, former CEO of, and partner, Resource Communications Group. John and his partners bought RCG in 2018 and sold it to Bluewave Technology Group in 2023. The group took a stagnant services firm and created a new and innovative product category that led to a better product-to-market fit, quadrupled revenue, and then sold the company to Bluewave.
Matt DiMaria, CEO of Stelao. In August of 2018, as CEO in Residence for Alpine Investors. He partnered with Alpine to acquire Virtual Hold Technology, based in Akron, Ohio. Matt moved the headquarters Nashville, transformed the business and more than doubled revenue. In 2022, he sold the company to Medallia Inc. Today, Matt leads Stelao, backed by GTCR.
Richard Flores, Co-Founder & COO of Healthpoint Ventures. Richard Flores is a dynamic health care executive with a proven track record of assisting and leading large-scale transactions and driving strategic growth and revenue cycle improvements in the hospital sector. As SVP at LifePoint Health, Richard helped spearhead the acquisition and integration of 48 hospitals, expanding the organization’s portfolio from 17 to 65 hospitals and driving annual revenues from $700 million to $5.5 billion. His leadership in executing these high-value acquisitions positioned LifePoint as a dominant player in the healthcare industry.
Max Goldberg and Benjamin Goldberg, Co-Founders & Co-Owners of Strategic Hospitality. Since founding Strategic Hospitality in 2006, brothers Max and Benjamin Goldberg have helped shape Nashville’s dining and hospitality scene. Their impressive portfolio includes The Patterson House, The Catbird Seat, The Band Box and The Country Club at First Horizon Park, Bastion, Henrietta Red, Locust, Kisser, and more, each adding to the city's culinary culture. Their work extends beyond restaurants, as they proudly operate Friends In Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk, owned by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, which opened in 2023. The Goldberg brothers have been nominated for multiple James Beard Foundation Awards for Outstanding Restaurateur, a testament to their innovation and commitment to excellence.
Erick Goss, CEO and Co-Founder of Minno. Erick Goss leads Minno, a global Christian media company that has become a premier platform for faith-based children's content. Under his leadership, Minno launched the popular Minno Kids streaming app and YouTube channel, producing award-winning series like "Laugh & Grow Bible" and "Young David." Previously, Erick was instrumental in launching "Buck Denver Asks...What's in the Bible?" and served as a senior manager at Amazon. In 2024, Minno secured $14.74 million in venture funding from Cubit Capital and other investors, fueling further growth.
Joey and Trent Hemphill, Co-Founders of Hemphill Brothers Coach Company. Joey and Trent Hemphill built Hemphill Brothers Coach Company into the largest luxury tour bus provider in the industry, serving major artists like Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, and George Strait. In November 2023, they sold the company to Dreamliner, growing the fleet to 125 buses and 250 employees before the sale. The acquisition solidifies Dreamliner as the premier resource for high-end tour coaches, while Joey and Trent now focus on new ventures.
Reggie Polk, Polk & Associates Construction, Inc. Reggie Polk leads Polk & Associates Construction, Inc., a key player in Nashville’s new $1.55 billion Tennessee Titans stadium project. Set to open in 2027, the 60,000-seat enclosed stadium will reshape the city’s skyline and elevate its reputation as a world-class entertainment hub. The project includes 170 luxury suites, a fan lounge, and a porch-style concourse with stunning downtown views. Beyond the stadium, Reggie’s leadership contributes to Nashville’s growth through mixed-income housing, green spaces, and retail developments.
Rich Thomson, Founder & CEO of Dreamliner. Rich Thomson has positioned Dreamliner as the leader in upscale travel for high-profile entertainers. In 2024, Dreamliner acquired Shomotion and Show Pro, expanding into event logistics, motion picture productions, and mobile marketing campaigns. The deal brings 65 full-time employees, 70 trucks, and 220 trailers, including a five-acre Denver facility and a three-acre Nashville facility. With this expansion, Dreamliner now offers comprehensive transportation solutions across North America.
Social Impact Honorees
Zeena Johar, co-founder, Imagine Pediatrics. Zeena Johar is a health care innovator who co-founded Imagine Pediatrics, a home-based medical group serving the sickest children on Medicaid. She developed the concept at Rubicon Founders, securing $25 million in funding and launching the company in 2022 alongside Oak HC/FT, Rubicon, and Optum Ventures. Under her leadership, Imagine Pediatrics secured value-based care contracts with United Healthcare and Centene in Texas and Florida, now serving 20,000 children and managing $700 million in total cost of care. Previously, Zeena scaled Advantia Health’s ObGyn network tenfold and founded a chronic disease management company in India, later featured as a Brookings Case Study. A Ph.D. in biochemistry from ETH Zurich, she has dedicated her career to expanding health care access for underserved populations. Through Imagine Pediatrics, Zeena is reshaping pediatric care, ensuring the most vulnerable children receive the attention they need.
Hall of Fame Honorees
Sid Chambless, Managing Partner, Nashville Capital Network. Sid has played a defining role in shaping Nashville’s venture capital ecosystem. As Managing Partner of Nashville Capital Network (NCN) since its founding in 2003, he has led investments in more than 62 early-stage technology and health care companies, with NCN now managing over $200 million in assets. Under his leadership, NCN has backed some of Nashville’s most successful startups, including Aspire Health, Emma, EnableComp, Contessa Health, and Digital Reasoning.
Beyond funding, Sid has been a driving force in connecting investors with high-growth companies, accelerating the success of Nashville’s entrepreneurial community. His influence extends beyond venture capital — he has been a mentor, advisor, and leader in fostering Nashville’s innovation economy. Through his work at NCN, he has helped transform the city into a hub for early-stage investing.
Townes Duncan, Managing Partner at Invergarry Holdings. With over 35 years in private equity and venture investing, Townes Duncan has left an indelible mark on the industry. Currently Managing Partner at Invergarry Holdings, he has previously led Solidus Company and Massey Burch, investing in dozens of companies across various sectors. Townes has also served as CEO of Comptronix and Chairman of Breathe America, giving him direct management experience that enhances his investing acumen.
Townes has served on over two dozen boards, including Endeavor Business Media, Vigilant Health, and nPhase, and has been a director of major public companies like Bright Horizons and J. Alexander’s. His ability to identify and scale innovative businesses has helped shape Nashville’s investment landscape, making him a trusted name in private equity.
Julia Polk, Founder, ClimateWiser. Julia Polk has spent four decades driving innovation in health care technology, biotech, and venture capital. Now, as Founder of ClimateWiser, she’s channeling her expertise into climate advocacy and venture acceleration. Previously, she co-founded Decode Health and IQuity Labs, pioneering AI-driven analytics for precision medicine, and has advised over 100 early-stage companies on fundraising and growth.
A longtime champion of entrepreneurship, Julia served on the board of Launch Tennessee for a decade, fostering economic growth and startup success. She continues to mentor female founders in health care and technology and serves on the boards of Decode Health and Shep Digital Solutions. Now, she’s applying her impact-driven leadership to climate-focused ventures.
Jim Sohr, co-founder, AIM Healthcare Services. A health care entrepreneur and private equity investor, Jim Sohr has spent decades building and investing in companies that transform health care technology. In 1995, he co-founded AIM Healthcare Services, which he grew into an industry leader before its 2009 acquisition by Ingenix (now Optum).
In 2013, Jim founded Powered Health, a platform supporting multiple health care IT startups, where he continues to provide capital and strategic guidance. A graduate of Vanderbilt University and its Owen Graduate School of Management, Jim is deeply committed to mentoring entrepreneurs and helping companies navigate the path from startup to successful exit. His expertise has been instrumental in fostering healthcare innovation and scaling businesses for long-term success.
Barry Walker. Barry Walker has spent his career preserving history while creating new opportunities. His largest reclamation project is Marathon Village, a creative community and business hub housed in the historic Marathon Motor Works building. When Barry purchased the abandoned factory in 1986 for $52,000, few could have imagined it would become one of Nashville’s most unique developments, now home to over 80 tenants, including a museum, and cultural spaces.
Before Marathon Village, Barry built Ingenuity Shop, a business that originally specialized in audio-visual consoles, elevator cabs, and custom furniture, later expanding to serve Vanderbilt University and its Medical Center. His knack for adaptive reuse and urban revitalization has made him one of Nashville’s most visionary developers. Today, Barry continues to invest in real estate, including 300 acres along the Cumberland River, proving his ability to transform overlooked spaces into thriving communities.
