Frances Queen is the founder and CEO of Queen Associates, Inc.  With over 25 years of experience in the technology industry, Frances started her career as a hands-on consultant.  She advanced into executive management positions, steering corporations through mergers, acquisitions, and tremendous growth.  Frances’ leadership has led to winning prestigious awards and Prime Vendor selections.

Recently, Frances was named the 2009 Mecklenburg Times Women of the Year, 2007 Business Leader Entrepreneur of the Year, and the 2006 NAWBO Business Woman of the Year.  In 2008, Frances and her team were the proud recipients of the National Inner City 100 Award (ranked #10 in the country) and the 2005 Charlotte Chamber Blue Diamond Award for Top Growth.  She also was a 2006 Charlotte Business Woman of the Year finalist and the 2005 CPCC Richard Hagemeyer Educational Advancement Award winner.  She has also been recognized for the following accolades:  2004 National Women Owned Business Star Award, the 2004 Business Journal Top 25 Women in Business Award, a 2004 Chamber Entrepreneur Award finalist, and the 2003 NAWBO Rising Star Award.

As a dedicated member of the community, Frances continues to give back to the Charlotte region and the Carolinas.  She is a member of the CPCC Foundation as well as Goodwill of the Southern Piedmont Board. She serves on steering committees and boards of several Chamber of Commerce, education, non-profit, and technology organizations.  As a board member with organizations that support women (National Forum for WBENC, WBEC-Southeast, WISE, NAWBO, NBWW, and Webgrrls), Frances has become passionate about the promotion of women business entrepreneurship, women breaking through corporate barriers, and math and science careers for young women.