The Team
Andrew Dieruf
Nick Conness
Chris Besten
CEO & Board Chair
Andrew Dieruf is a partner and owner at Besten & Dieruf CPAs and the founder of Artemis Solutions. His vision for Artemis was simple: build a team of trusted local experts who could remove the headaches from business owners and give them the resources to grow and scale.
Partner
Nick Conness is Co-Founder of Pelycon Technologies, a Lexington-based managed services provider helping businesses use technology to drive growth and efficiency. Nick is committed to building long-term partnerships that position technology as a driver of business performance.
CFO
Chris Besten is a partner at Besten & Dieruf CPAs, specializing in tax planning, tax compliance, and operational consulting for small business owners. Deeply rooted in Lexington, Chris brings the same commitment to his community that he brings to every client relationship.
Sarah Pickering
Jason Graves
Charles Combs
VP | BUsiness DevelopMENT
Sarah Pickering brings expertise in business development, marketing, and relationship-driven growth, with a unique career journey that sets her apart. Before transitioning into talent solutions, Sarah spent several years in professional sports management, serving in business development and leadership roles with Minor League Baseball organizations in both Kentucky and California—experience that honed her ability to build partnerships, drive revenue, and engage diverse stakeholders in competitive markets. With nearly eight years in the talent and staffing industry, including progressive leadership roles up to Practice Director and Vice President, she has developed a proven ability to build meaningful partnerships and drive sustainable revenue growth. Sarah has also served as adjunct faculty at a Kentucky university, reflecting her commitment to developing the next generation of business professionals. With deep roots across Kentucky and a passion for connecting people with opportunity, she plays a key role in expanding the firm's reach as a trusted partner to businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the region.
VP | Workforce Solutions
Jason Graves leads the firm's workforce and talent solutions division, bringing a diverse background that spans executive recruiting, staffing, IT management, medical device sales, and entrepreneurship. With nearly two decades of experience across multiple industries—including finance, manufacturing, construction, accounting, healthcare, and technology—Jason possesses a vibrant network and a wealth of knowledge that enables him to connect talent strategy with broader business objectives. His career includes leadership roles in software sales, medical device territory management, IT business management, and executive recruiting, giving him firsthand insight into the hiring challenges and workforce dynamics that organizations face today. Jason is also a former business owner, having founded and operated his own venture for three years, which deepened his appreciation for the entrepreneurial mindset and the critical importance of building the right team. His consultative approach and cross-industry expertise make him an invaluable resource for organizations seeking to align their talent acquisition efforts with long-term strategic goals.
VP | Network Solutions
Charles Combs leads Business Development for the firm's Network Solutions practice, bringing over two decades of deep experience in telecommunications, carrier services, and network infrastructure. His career includes more than 21 years with a regional technology company where he rose from Business Development Manager to Vice President of Sales, building long-term client relationships and driving consistent revenue growth. Charles has also held national channel management roles, expanding his expertise in cloud solutions, outside sales, and strategic partnerships across broader markets. He combines strategic sales acumen with hands-on technical knowledge, allowing him to serve as both a trusted advisor and credible partner who helps clients navigate complex technology decisions. His consultative approach and long-tenured industry relationships position him to align technology solutions with business goals, delivering measurable value to organizations seeking reliable, scalable network infrastructure.
Advisory Board
Jason Taylor
Shawn Burns
Matt Smith
BOARD MEMBER
BOARD MEMBER
BOARD MEMBER
Jason is a seasoned commercial real estate executive with over 15 years of experience and nearly a billion dollars in career transaction volume spanning asset management, leasing, development, and brokerage. He currently oversees more than 2 million square feet of retail, office, and industrial properties while actively managing acquisitions, dispositions, and third-party client representation. His expertise includes guiding ground-up development projects from conception through design to operational placement, giving him comprehensive insight into the economic drivers that create and sustain value in commercial real estate.
Shawn is a multi-faceted business development professional with deep operational and technical expertise, bringing a proven track record of success across both product and service industries. His sales and marketing acumen has consistently driven brand building and revenue growth, while his analytical capabilities enable him to chart, map, and introduce workflow efficiency procedures that deliver strategic value to stakeholders. Shawn brings cutting-edge expertise in AI and business process automation, positioning him to offer strategic insight on how emerging technologies can transform operational effectiveness and drive competitive advantage.
Matt Naylor-Smith is a dynamic cybersecurity leader with extensive technical and leadership expertise spanning Fortune 500 and SMB organizations. He brings a proven track record in designing and implementing robust security programs from the ground up, reducing enterprise risk through mature, measurable security initiatives aligned with industry best practices. As a trusted strategic partner, he focuses on delivering multigenerational product roadmaps that enhance organizational security posture with measurable outcomes, positioning him to provide valuable guidance on addressing evolving cyber threats and aligning security investments with broader business objectives.
Dougie Allen
BOARD MEMBER
Dougie Allen is a versatile entrepreneur and business operator with over 20 years of experience building and scaling enterprises across multiple industries. Dougie's diverse background spanning franchise operations, distribution, real estate, and hospitality gives him a well-rounded perspective on business development, operational efficiency, and local market dynamics. Prior to his business career, Dougie had a successful football career at the University of Kentucky, where he developed the discipline, teamwork, and competitive drive that continue to inform his leadership approach today.
BOARD MEMBER
Richard Walsh is a lifelong Lexington entrepreneur with deep roots in manufacturing, sports, and business ownership. Ritchie has spent his career building, partnering in, and leading multiple enterprises across diverse industries including advanced manufacturing and composites, indoor sports facilities, and youth athletics organizations, giving him firsthand experience with the challenges and opportunities facing both industrial and consumer-facing ventures.