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Curated Collection Of The Best Interviews From Our Sandy Springs Studio





Carol O’Kelley with Salesfusion and Jerry Stone with Big Green Egg

salesfusion

Carol O’Kelley / Salesfusion
CEO

Carol joined Salesfusion as Chief Executive Officer in 2015. Carol has more than 20 years of technology marketing and operations experience, ranging from startups to multi-hundred million dollar global businesses.

Previously, Carol was Chief Marketing Officer of RedPrairie, now operated as JDA . She led global strategy and marketing during a time of rapid growth for the company. Before RedPrairie, Carol was Vice President and Chief of Staff of Oracle’s global business unit for retail, which acquired and successfully integrated numerous leading retail technology companies. Prior to that Carol was Director of Corporate and Americas Marketing at Manhattan Associates, the world’s leading provider of supply chain management solutions. Carol graduated from Washington and Lee University with a Bachelor of Arts in English, where she serves on the university’s board for the Connolly Center for Entrepreneurship.

LinkedIn   Twitter   Facebook

 

Jerry Stone / Big Green Egg

Life is short. Let’s EAT. Jerry Stone is the business development manager for the world largest producer and distributor of ceramic grills, the Big Green Egg.

Jerry grew up with a love of food passed along by his grandfather and uncle who were the kings of the grill. The flavors produced, and taste of the food, always drove him to enjoy grilling himself. He has over 30 years in the retail and grill business and has found the Ultimate place to match up both passions.

Today Jerry is helping grow the dealer/distributor network and supports the development of new products for the Ultimate Cooking Experience, The Big Green Egg.

LinkedIn   Twitter   Facebook

 

Veterans Connect Radio Episode 019

Veterans Connect Radio Episode 019

Warren Taninbaum, Andrew Harazin, Brandon Skolnick, Todd Ervin,

Veterans Connect Radio

A spotlight episode of Atlanta Business Radio and powered by Business RadioX. Co-Hosted by Ryan “Redhawk” McPherson and Brandon Skolnick with Gathering Of Angels. Featuring veteran entrepreneurs, support organizations, outreach groups and more in the Atlanta area continuing to serve our families, our communities and our country. 

#VetsConnect
@VetConnectRadio

Veterans Connect Radio “Fire Your Guns”
Dec. 02 6-8pm

 

 

Warren Taninbaum / Ballistic Armor Defense and Equipment, LLC
Owner

Warren Taninbaum earned a Bachelors degree of Commerce from Concordia University, Montreal, Canada in June 1976.  He received a commission in the Canadian Navy in February 1978 and served several years before attending graduate school, earning a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Victoria in June 1984. While working for IBM in Calgary, Canada, Warren served with the Kings Own Calgary Regiment, a Reserve Armored Corps Unit.  

After moving to Atlanta in 1984 he also joined the U.S. Navy Reserve as a Direct Commission Officer in June 1986. He served in numerous supply billets throughout his 28 year Navy career, including two overseas mobilizations for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Warren retired as a Commander in 2014 and is authorized to wear the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with 5 gold stars, and the Navy Achievement Medals with 2 gold stars.  He also earned the Seabee Warfare Qualification Pin.

In his civilian life, Warren worked for a number of software companies until he joined First Choice Armor in 2005, selling body armor to the military and federal government. That experience eventually led to the formation of his own company, Ballistic Armor Defense and Equipment, which sells body armor and related tactical gear to law enforcement, security companies, and law-abiding citizens. He resides in Cobb County with his wife and two daughters.  In his spare time, Warren enjoys playing hockey, biking, shooting, and boating.

Warren Taninbaum

Ballistic Armor Defense and Equipment, LLC

warren@ballisticarmordefense.com

w: 770-456-5612

c: 678-828-1326

 

 

Todd Ervin / Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business
Director of Marketing and Communications

Todd Ervin serves as Director of Marketing and Communications for the Georgia Tech, Scheller College of Business.  Prior to that he served as Sr. Vice President Cultur8.  He brings over 20 years of leadership and marketing experience to the higher education world.  His extensive knowledge in strategy, market research, brand and multicultural marketing are all called upon in the development and implementation of a 360 degree marketing and communications program for Scheller College.

Prior to joining Cultur8, Ervin served as Director of Marketing at Turner Broadcasting System, INC., where he oversaw marketing for all of Turner’s NBA properties (NBA on TNT, NBA TV, NBA League Pass, and NBA.com).

He also spent over five years as Sr. Director of Brand Strategy and Market Insights for International Speedway Corporation, a motorsports and entertainment company based in Daytona Beach, FL.  Honored by African Americans OnWheels as among the 70 Most Influential Men in 2007, Ervin oversaw ISC brand marketing, marketing research, and emerging markets.

His civilian career started at Sprint Nextel Corporation where he served as Sr. Manager of Market Research and Sponsorship Diversity Initiatives.  His main responsibilities included building and implementing the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series research plan and ROI model, and developing a diversity program to support all Sprint Nextel sponsorship properties.

From 1995 through 2000, Ervin was an AH-64A (Apache) Attack Helicopter Pilot in the U.S. Army.  During his tenure, he served as a Platoon leader, Company Executive Officer, and Assistant Regiment Operations Officer.  Ervin concluded his military service in February 2000 as a Captain, having completed tours in Ft. Rucker, AL, Fort Bragg, NC, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

During his spare time, Ervin also serves as a member of the National Advisory Committee for the American Stroke Association.  Ervin holds a Masters of Business Administration from Webster University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from East Carolina University.

 

 

Andrew Harazin, MBA Candidate  / Scheller College of Business at Georgia Tech
Class of 2017

I grew up in Central Florida, joined the Navy in 2005 and served for just under 10 years as a Nuclear Electronics Technician.  I was an E-6 when I separated in 2014.  I spent about 2 years in the various nuclear training schools, then was stationed on a Virginia Class fast attack submarine that was being built at the time.  I spent 4.5 years on her, with a few home port changes from Norfolk, VA to Groton, CT to Pearl Harbor, HI, before going to recruiting duty for 3 years out of New Orleans, LA and then separating.  I took a few months to relax before starting the full time MBA program using the Post 9/11 GI Bill.  I interned at Bank of America over this last summer and accepted a full time offer, so I’ll be working for BoA in Charlotte after I graduate in May.

 

 

Thank You!

sharpshootersusa

Business Growth

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Cause & Affect Radio Brought To You By
UHY Advisors

 

 

 

Stephen Meadows / Westrock

WestRock Company was formed on July 1, 2015 as a result of the merger of Rock-Tenn Company and MeadWestvaco Corporation. WestRock is a multinational provider of paper and packaging solutions for the consumer and corrugated packaging markets. WestRock has operating and business locations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia.

 

 

Maria D’ Alessandro, CPA / Hospitality Ventures Management, LLC

Maria has an extensive and varied background in multiple aspects of finance, including business operations, treasury, financial planning & analysis and financial accounting. Prior to joining HVMG, Maria worked as a consultant for leading organizations such as Gaylord Entertainment, Hilton and Orbitz. Among her positions, she was a senior auditor at Ernst & Young for three years. She also worked for Delta Air Lines for 8 years as the general manager of treasury, manager of financial planning and analysis, and director of accounts receivable. She has had as many as six department managers and 200 employees under her direction and leadership. Most recently she was a principal at the highly regarded consulting firm, North Highland, based in Atlanta where she was the international network leader for the CFO services practice. In addition, Maria was Senior Vice President for Wachovia Treasury & Financial Consulting where she reengineered financial processes, managed working capital optimization projects and restructured finance operations.

 

 

Amy Gallagher / UHY Advisors

Amy Gallagher is a Principal with UHY Advisors and the leader of the Atlanta Resource Solutions practice. Resource Solutions provides corporations with experienced and proven professionals to execute finance and accounting related projects and offers Executive Search and Recruiting Consulting. Amy brings over 20 years of experience in recruitment, talent acquisition advisory and recruitment operations for national and international corporations.

 

 

Frank Fenello / UHY Advisors

Frank Fenello is managing director of the UHY Atlanta office, and leads the national management consulting practice. He has more than 20 years of experience in management and professional consulting in the finance, audit and accounting professional services industries.
UHY Advisors, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest professional services firms in the U.S., delivering financial, tax and business consulting services to companies ranging from mid-sized to the Fortune 500. The firm’s innovative Management & Technology Consulting practice provides a one-stop solution for a company’s financial and operational functions, with a full suite of services to transform a company’s performance and profitability.

 

 

KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring John Belman

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KSUEntrepreneurship

 Where can a young entrepreneur figure out how to turn their dreams into reality? Just take a step into the Shrimp Tank. The Shrimp Tank brings you interviews with some of the most successful business owners in the United States to learn the do’s and don’ts of starting and running a successful business. Then, the fun really starts when we bring in high school and college students to pitch their business ideas to the Shrimp Tank. We don’t fund any business, but we do teach kids how to turn their business ideas into a successful business.

Hosts of The Shrimp Tank Chris Hanks, Ted Jenkin and Lee Heisman

 

 

 

John Belman /  Vistage Atlanta Chair 

 

John Belman is CEO of Own Accord, LLC, a CEO coaching and advisory firm serving the great Atlanta area. John also serves as a CEO Group Chair with Vistage Worldwide, facilitating advisory groups of high-performing CEOs and business owners. John has broad leadership experience across a range of industries, companies (public, private, family-owned), and functional roles. Most recently he served as a CEO of a mid-market logistics company following 7 years at Target Corporation as a leader in transportation and finance. Prior to Target, John held senior business development and marketing roles in the media and technology industries. John has a BA from Washington University in St. Louis, was a graduate fellow in history at Columbia University, and holds an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
A veteran of the 75th Ranger Regiment, John participated in the 1993 Black Hawk Down mission in Mogadishu, Somalia.

LinkedIn

 

 

KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring Mark Fonseca

KSUEntrepreneurship

 Where can a young entrepreneur figure out how to turn their dreams into reality? Just take a step into the Shrimp Tank. The Shrimp Tank brings you interviews with some of the most successful business owners in the United States to learn the do’s and don’ts of starting and running a successful business. Then, the fun really starts when we bring in high school and college students to pitch their business ideas to the Shrimp Tank. We don’t fund any business, but we do teach kids how to turn their business ideas into a successful business.

Hosts of The Shrimp Tank Chris Hanks and Ted Jenkin.

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Mark Fonseca / Executive Image Consultant & Professional Speaker

The best-dressed man always makes a powerful statement. Mark Fonseca should know; he’s one of them. The first thing one will notice when meeting Mark is that he is impeccably dressed, with an unpretentious elegance. His exquisite attire and flawless detail package a look that radiates confidence, success and quiet authority. Mark has mastered the art of dressing. As founder and owner of Fonseca Clothiers, it’s no wonder that he also dresses some of the country’s most dynamic, affluent men, guaranteeing that they will always look and feel their absolute best.

Veterans Connect Radio Episode 018

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Veterans Connect Radio

A spotlight episode of Atlanta Business Radio and powered by Business RadioX. Co-Hosted by Ryan “Redhawk” McPherson and Brandon Skolnick with Gathering Of Angels. Featuring veteran entrepreneurs, support organizations, outreach groups and more in the Atlanta area continuing to serve our families, our communities and our country. 

#VetsConnect
@VetConnectRadio

 

Veterans Connect Radio “Fire Your Guns”
Dec. 02 6-8pm

 

 

Veterans Rally in the Woods
Dec. 09-11 2016

 

 

 

Charlie Whitfield / Whitty IT Solutions
CEO

Charlie Whitfield is the CEO of Whitty Apps LLC, a SBA certified 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WBE, MBE, Woman Owned and Operated Company.
Whitty IT Solutions, LLC is a Software Engineering & Technology Integration company. We deliver next generation innovative solutions that address our client’s needs. Our expertise centers around Technology Strategies including the following: Information Technology, Risk Management and Software Engineering.
Technology Integration | Application Development & Management | Enterprise Risk Management | Custom Computer Programming | IT Consulting and Strategy | Native, Mobile and Web Applications | Cyber Security | Data Hosting and Related Services | Computer Systems Design | Project Management | Program Management |

 

David Rowell

I am currently working for a Large IT company in Alpharetta. I grew up an Air Force brat, and I finished Middle and High School in Metro Atlanta. I attending Georgia Southern University and upon graduation I enlisted in the Marine Corps. I served 5 years in the Marine Corps as an Infantryman in Panama, Kosovo, and Iraq (03). After my time in the Marines, I got into government contracting and worked in Iraq and Afghanistan. Eventually, starting my own government contracting company that focussed on providing services and support in the frontier regions of North Africa, Afghanistan, and the Middle East. I was able to move back to Atlanta and pivot into IT where I am a customer success manager supporting Fortune 500 company’s IT Divisions.

I have recently completed my MBA from Georgia Tech with a concentration in Management of Technology. I am a “hang around” in the startup scene around Atlanta. I am interested in technologies like AI that give SMB’s a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

    Thank you

sharpshootersusa

Bob Bartels with Siemens and Samuel Katz with Boxer Property

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Bob Bartels / Siemens
Director of Communications

Creative and results-oriented corporate communications professional with the demonstrated ability to manage projects and programs, budgets, staff, vendors and processes with an entrepreneurial spirit.

Twitter     Facebook   LinkedIn

 

 

Samuel A. Katz / Boxer Property
Workstyle Product Manager

As the Workstyle Product Manager, Samuel Katz oversees the end-to-end delivery and management of Boxer Property’s proprietary collaborative spaces, Boxer Workstyle. These duties include involvement in all aspects of the business’ development; from concept, design, and planning, to construction and delivery, through leasing and operations of the workspaces. Since taking the Product Manager role in 2015, Samuel has overseen the rapid expansion and development of the Workstyle product, growing to over 650,000 square feet across 70 locations nationwide.

In addition to managing the Workstyle product, Samuel also sits on the A.C.E. (Analytic Center of Excellence) and Data Governance committees, both dedicated to integrating and maintaining high quality data and analytics within the organization.  Before joining Boxer, Samuel had extensive experience in service-based sales, business development, entrepreneurship, and residential real estate. He holds a B.A. from the University of New Orleans.

Twitter     Facebook     LinkedIn

KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank with Shawn Vernimo

KSUEntrepreneurship

 Where can a young entrepreneur figure out how to turn their dreams into reality? Just take a step into the Shrimp Tank. The Shrimp Tank brings you interviews with some of the most successful business owners in the United States to learn the do’s and don’ts of starting and running a successful business. Then, the fun really starts when we bring in high school and college students to pitch their business ideas to the Shrimp Tank. We don’t fund any business, but we do teach kids how to turn their business ideas into a successful business.

Hosts of The Shrimp Tank Chris Hanks and Ted Jenkin.

 

 

shawn-headshotShawn Vernimo / Greystone Consulting Group
Owner
Shawn Vernimo is the expert in solving roofing problems and applying an investment approach to all roofing portfolios. An engineer by training and roofer by choice, Mr. Vernimo’s clients have included 3 of the top 5 property management firms and the largest pension fund in the United States. Additionally, he has consulted on numerous multimillion dollar projects including a $6.6 million roofing project in Dallas, Texas and $4 million project in St. Louis, Missouri. Throughout his 27+ years of roof consulting and contracting experience, Mr. Vernimo has saved business owners and property managers alike hundreds of thousands of dollars by providing clients with his roofing expertise, insight into industry realities and investment approach solutions. Leading efforts to elevate roofing industry standards, Mr. Vernimo makes it easy for clients to make cost-effective decisions for all investments surrounding the roof.

Atlanta’s Most Trusted Advisors

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Atlanta’s Most Trusted Advisors interviews industry experts from in and around the Metro Atlanta Area. Our goal is to provide valuable information that all business owners and managers can use in their day-to-day work to help them succeed.

 

Sanford (Sandy) Wallack / Wallack Law
I have been practicing criminal defense for over 20 years. I have experience handling criminal matters in state and federal court, at the trial and appellate levels. I received my law degree from Emory University School of Law in 1994.

 

 

Amy Brown Williams / The Fritz Farm 

 

Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk (Host) / bbr Marketing
President

Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk has been a member of the creative and marketing services community for over 20 years and does not appear to be leaving it anytime soon. As president of bbr marketing, she has relished the challenges of entrepreneurship as she worked to grow and nurture a new business. Since the firm’s inception in 2009, Bonnie has led the young company to become widely recognized and respected within the professional services marketing niche, with award-winning client websites and an outstanding history of business success having worked with clients in 23 states and 2 Canadian provinces.