Honoring the Legacy of JC Robinson: BEDA Renames Annual E2E Event

Bluefield, WV – We are honored to announce the renaming of our annual Entrepreneur to Entrepreneur (E2E) event to the JC Robinson Entrepreneur to Entrepreneur event. JC was a business leader and visionary born and raised in Bluefield, WV, with a passion and drive to see our community grow and thrive.

He graduated from BHS in 1971, attended Bluefield State College, and later studied business at the University of Alabama. After returning to Bluefield, he began his career in sales with Coppinger Machinery Service, followed by management roles in a small business. He then partnered to acquire Glass Service, Inc., expanding it into kitchen remodeling and general construction before stepping away in 1996. He founded GCI, Inc., which he led until 2000, when he joined Frye Roofing, Inc. as General Manager. Within a year, he assumed leadership and the role of President under owner Joe Burmer, serving in that capacity until his passing in 2020.

JC never lost sight of serving the “little guy,” taking as much pride in meeting everyday community needs as he did in leading large-scale projects. Employees, customers, and fellow business leaders have shared how JC served as a mentor to them. They often spoke of how his encouragement and guidance helped shape their personal and professional growth, and how they continue to carry forward the lessons he instilled in them.  

His personal motto, which he instilled in his children and embedded into the culture of Frye Roofing, was simple yet powerful: “Do the right thing.” He often emphasized, “Do the right thing. If you make a mistake, go back and do it over until it’s right.” This philosophy guided not only his approach to business but also the way he lived his life, setting an example he hoped others would follow.

JC had a deep passion for entrepreneurship and, after building a successful small business, dedicated himself to helping others do the same. He believed small businesses strengthen both the economic and social fabric of a community and saw their development as vital to Bluefield’s future. A personal friend of JC and his family and advocate for Bluefield's progress, commented on JC's desire to help build change in our city.

“JC and I were graduates of BHS, Class of 1971, and over the years, we were dismayed by the running comments of our classmates who mourned the loss of the "Bluefield we knew". I have to admit that I was one of those folks until JC and I had a talk in his kitchen one night about Bluefield and our memories of growing up with a vibrant small business community. He didn't stop at reminiscing, he believed that it was possible to reignite that small business community, and his belief was contagious...we came up with the idea of working to create the financial, educational, and community culture in Bluefield that would allow that same kind of small business development to flourish." -Cathy Strupp Nielson

To build on JC's belief and desire to see Bluefield become a thriving business community for all, we are reforming the E2E Event in his honor with the support of the Robinson family and the JC Robinson Entrepreneurial Fund. Join us on May 6^th as we begin this new chapter together.

Event Details

Location: Bluefield Art Center | 500 Bland Street, Bluefield WV 24701

Date: May 6th

Time: 5:30-7:30PM

*Complimentary light refreshments will be served

JC Robinson Entrepreneur to Entrepreneur will feature local and regional successful business owners. We will start the event with a 30-minute panel Q&A followed by our traditional round-table open discussion, where attendees will be able to sit with each business owner and ask questions. The event provides a high-energy environment where participants can ask questions, hear personal stories, and gain valuable insights drawn from years of business experience. By fostering candid conversations and connections, the event equips emerging entrepreneurs with practical advice, inspiration, and a strong local network to support their journey.