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Curated Collection Of The Best Interviews From Our Sandy Springs Studio





Tim Quinn with HoneyBaked Ham, Mikhail Avady with SmartUp, and Deborah Westphal and Sherle Brown with IREM GA

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Tim Quinn/HoneyBaked Ham Corporation LinkedinFacebookpinterest

Tim Quinn has been Vice President of Retail and Business Development since January 2011. He joined HoneyBaked in February 2004 and was responsible for the sales, execution and operations of retail stores for most of the company’s territory. He has served a number of roles, including Senior Director of Franchise and Business Development, Director of Business Development, and Director of Sales. Tim created and implemented new sales and customer data tools, and staffing models, which reduced overhead and increased efficiencies.

Prior to joining HoneyBaked, Tim served as a Regional Retail Manager in the Central Division of Circuit City Stores Inc. He has extensive industry experience in operations, retail leadership and executive development. The Management Development Program at Circuit City recruited Tim after graduating from the College of Business Administration, University of Tennessee.

Mikhail Avady/SmartUp LinkedinTwitterFacebook

Mikhail directs the sales and marketing strategy of SmartUp®. Prior to SmartUp, Mikhail was leading Sales and Marketing Analytics at First Data, the largest payments provider in the world. He is currently working on his MBA at Emory University and Received his BA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. You can either find him at your local tech events or browsing Kickstarter campaigns for a new gadget.

Deborah Westphal and Sherle Brown/IREM GA LinkedinTwitterFacebook

Deborah Westphal, CPM®, ARM® the Executive Director for the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) for the GA Chapter. Westphal brings to IREM expansive knowledge and background of the real estate industry from personal experience of more than twenty years.

Deborah is presently serving on the IREM Executive Council as the VP of Education and was the 2013 VP of Communications, was at the national level as the 2012 Chairperson for the Income and Expense Committee. She has served as the Chapter’s VP of membership in 2012, VP of Communications in 2011, VP of Finance for 2008, and the VP of Membership for 2007 . She has received numerous honors: from IREM, including the Presidential Award, Certified Property Manager® (CPM®) of the year, Accredited Resident Manager (ARM®) of the Year, membership team awards with the Atlanta Apartment Association, and a previous company of fourteen years, Lane Company. As a Pillars of the Industry finalist for Regional Manager of the Year, she was also a Real Estate Owned Portfolio Regional awarded the Annual Highest Effective Rent Growth when the company had over 30K units, three time Business Manager award, and received over 12 perfect shoppers reports!

Westphal has a refreshing personality that combines the serious nature of her profession with the joy of helping others and favorably impacting the bottom line. Deborah is a professional trainer, motivational speaker, and an operational efficiency analyst.

Sherle Brown, Chief Learning Officer for Winthrop Management, has held leadership positions in all areas of the multi-family industry. Her roles have included include Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President, Treasurer, Asset Manager, Director, Consultant, Mentor and Coach.

Sherle is on the staff of NAAEI as an Advanced Instructor Trainer and chairs committees for NAA and IREM. She is an adjunct instructor and subject matter expert for Georgia Piedmont Technical College and Kennesaw State University and is a subject matter expert and author for The Training Factor.

Sherle is a summa cum laude graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan College with a BS in Accounting and is completing her MA at Lewis University in Organizational Leadership. As a national speaker and trainer, Sherle combines her commitment for training with her strong analytical abilities and extensive practical experience to share information with others. Her passion is helping organizations and individuals reach their full potential.

 

 

Keith McDermott with Hydration Station USA, Tracie-Ruth Kriete with S4b Social, Andrew Lechter with Studley Inc. and Jim Reese with Atlanta Mission

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Keith McDermott/Hydration Station USA TwitterFacebookinstagram

Tracie-Ruth Kriete/S4b Social

I started my career back in the late 90’s as an graphic designer/promotions. After graduating with my Masters in Management I was able to expand my skills and expertise. Over the years I evolved my career from online advertising to brand management.

In addition to being a published author I have also been interviewed for Podcasts, Radio, Tv, Newspaper on the topics ranging from Online brand management for Small Businesses to Social media for SMB’s. I have been able to help my clients with all aspects of their marketing strategies ranging from; concept development, website creation, website optimization, traditional (TV, Print) advertising, direct mail, search, SEO/SEM, social media, and display campaigns. I truly enjoy working one on one with my clients to create individualized campaigns that will help them reach their goals and objectives.

Andrew Lechter/Studley Inc. Twitter

As Executive Vice President in Studley’s Atlanta office, Andy brings more than 25 years of experience dedicated exclusively to representing tenants. To date, Andy has negotiated more than 10 million square feet of transactions valued at over $5 billion, including traditional leases, lease restructures and build-to-suits. His specialties include complex real estate agreements, strategic planning and solution implementation.

Andy’s record of success executing corporate real estate transactions makes him one of the most sought after and respected tenant representatives in the Southeast. His career has been devoted solely to representing tenants and helping them turn real estate into a strategic advantage. By using a hands-on approach designed to identify numerous areas of leverage for clients, Andy has developed a strong reputation for securing millions of dollars in occupancy cost savings and lease enhancements in a wide variety of lease and ownership structures.

Since joining Studley in 1997, Andy has consistently been recognized as one of the firm’s top-producing brokers nationwide. He is among the select group of partners who purchased Studley from its founder in 2002.

Jim Reese/Atlanta Mission TwitterFacebook

As the president and CEO of Atlanta Mission, Jim Reese feels that professionally he has found the perfect fit. “I felt that God had called me and prepared me for this assignment as I look back on my life,” says Reese. “I feel the opportunity to be part of an organization that God uses to change lives every day is a great responsibility and privilege.” He considers it a privilege to see lives altered everyday, and witness people coming off the streets, asking for help, and finding their way out of homelessness and into a new life.

Prior to Atlanta Mission, he served as CEO of Randstad North America, Chief Operating Officer of both the Honeybaked Ham Company and CCCi, and Division Vice President of Frito Lay. He also managed General Food’s Maxwell House Coffee Plant, and co-‐founded First Coast Manufacturing Association, which today consists of over 300 Florida manufacturers. Reese was also a member of the Board of the American Staffing Association and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He is currently a board member of both the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education and Carter Center Board of Counselors. In addition, he is the Chairman of the Elders at Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, GA. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 1980 with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing and Business.

 

Special Edition Featuring SparkMarket

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Jeff Bekiares and Marcus Cannady/SparkMarket Twitter

Jeffrey A. Bekiares (Co-Founder and COO) — Jeff is the Co-Founder and COO of SparkMarket, a Georgia based crowdfunding platform. He is a Georgia attorney with over six years of experience in securities and corporate law. He was one of the first attorneys to identify the crowdfunding potential of the Invest Georgia Exemption (“IGE”) and has worked closely with regulators and experts in the state and national crowdfunding community to design IGE campaigns that are compliant and safe for issuers and investors. His specific expertise is in “intrastate” crowdfunding campaign design and execution, and his company SparkMarket hosted the nation’s first successful securities based crowdfunding campaign in the nation’s history, which closed above its funding goal in November 2013.

Marcus Cannady (VP, Marketing and Development) — Among his SparkMarket peers, Marcus is the resident non-attorney; however, before having warm feelings, he spent nearly 10 years working in the banking industry. In fact, it is his experience in mortgage finance, retail banking and bank management consulting that eventually led to “Big Bank” fatigue. His refuge was found working within Atlanta’s thriving advertising/marketing industry with Cox Media Group. SparkMarket has allowed for the marriage of all these skill sets and experiences–he couldn’t be happier.

Adam Lee/Bohemian Guitars Twitter

Adam Lee, is a South African born entrepreneur and the Cofounder & CEO of Bohemian Guitars. Adam leads Bohemian Guitars, a company with a vision of changing the way people think about musical instruments by offering a more affordable, stylish, & sustainable way to make music. Adam, with Bohemian Guitars recently completed the nations first open equity crowdfunding campaign since 1933 via the Georgia based platform, SparkMarket. This past March, Bohemian Guitars competed at the Global Innovators Competition at the GTS Summit in Palo Alto, a competition judged by VC’s including Dave McClure and Bill Tai (Bohemian Guitars placed 3rd out of 10 international start-ups). Prior to Bohemian Guitars, Adam worked as an IT Project Manager for BCD Travel in which he managed a cross-functional project team of 30+ members that focused on implementing PCI Compliant web, development, and application environments to host and protect sensitive data.

 

Spotlight on ProWIN Atlanta

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Linda Collett, Esq./The Collett Law Firm, LLC

Linda A. Collett is the owner of The Collett Law Firm, LLC in Marietta, Georgia, a boutique law firm that helps business owners successfully start and operate their business and avoid litigation. She uses a collaborative approach to provide her clients the information they need to make informed business decisions and specializes in drafting contracts and legal agreements in plain English that minimize disputes and litigation. Her clients range from sole proprietorships to multi-million dollar companies. Linda also works with individuals and married couples with their estate planning by providing Last Will and Testaments, Advance Directives for Health Care and Financial Powers of Attorney.

After spending 17 years in the business world, Linda graduated cum laude from Georgia State University College of Law in 2005. In addition to her law practice, Linda launched an e-commerce business in 2012 and for the last 6 years has served on the board of ProWIN, a membership organization of influential Atlanta businesswomen.

Linda enjoys teaching and public speaking and has been a guest speaker for various business groups in the Atlanta area. She has also taught various courses and seminars on legal issues for the Kennesaw State University Small Business Development Center.

Linda can be reached at (770) 485-7505 or lcollett@collettlaw.com.

Sandy Jones/Stunning Affordable Jewelry Twitter

Katharine Pike/Lighter Body Solution Linkedin

Known as the Queen of Permanent Weight Loss, Katharine has worked with hundreds of women over the past 14 years to help them go from deprivation and diets to losing weight while eating what they love. Katharine gained and lost thousands of pounds in her 22 year journey until she finally figured out what it took to lose weight permanently and has been at her ideal weight for 12 years. Her own journey led her to the Institute of Integrative Nutrition so she could help others who struggle with this issue.

In her cutting-edge programs Katharine combines the science of metabolism with the spirit of alignment. The result is lightness, joy and a radiance that shows up in greater confidence, energy, and business success.

 

Special Edition: PRSA Georgia Chapter

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PRSA’s Georgia Chapter , the second-largest local chapter in the national society, consists of some 850 professionals throughout Georgia. Its mission is to enhance the profession, provide continuing education and offer networking opportunities for its members.

The Chapter has monthly meetings as well as eight Special Interest Groups (Corporate & Employee Communications, Healthcare, Independent Counselors, Leader Board, Nonprofit, Technology, Travel & Tourism, and Young Professionals) that meet at various times.

The Chapter supports nine PRSSA (student society) groups at the following colleges: Berry College, Clark Atlanta University, Georgia College & State University, Georgia State University, Georgia Southern University, Kennesaw State University, Savannah State University, University of Georgia (largest PRSSA chapter in the world), and University of West Georgia.

LinkedinTwitterFacebook

Jason Anthoine, APR/GE Energy Management

Jason Anthoine is global communications leader for GE Energy Management, a $7.5 billion electrification and automation business with 30,000 employees worldwide. He is responsible for global external and internal communications, culture change and alignment, and crisis communications.

Previously, Jason co-founded the public relations firm, Albright Group, where he served as a Managing Partner. Prior to that, he served as senior vice president at the global public relations firm Manning Selvage and Lee (MSL), where he led a team of communications professionals in developing employee communications strategies, plans and tactics for clients including Mars Chocolate North America, Sealed Air, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, and The Coca-Cola Company.

He has also served in employee communications roles for Siemens Energy & Automation, Southwire Company, Stockholder Systems and Georgia Federal Bank.

Jason has more than 25 years of experience in corporate communications, employee communications, change management and employee engagement.

He is Accredited in Public Relations by the Public Relations Society of America, serves on the board of the PRSA Georgia chapter, serves on the board of trust for the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at The University of Georgia, and is a frequent speaker at communications industry conferences on the subjects of internal communications, employee engagement, change management and enterprise social media.

He earned his bachelor of arts in journalism degree with a major in public relations from The University of Georgia.

Jason Rollins, APR/Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc.

Jason Rollins serves as Communications and PR Manager for Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc., where he manages all external communications and media relations on behalf of the global brand.

Rollins has a diverse background of agency, healthcare, not-for-profit, and consumer marketing and PR. Prior to joining Arby’s, Rollins worked at MSL Atlanta on the internal communications & employee engagement team, serving clients such as: Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Time Warner Cable , The Coca-Cola Company and Sealed Air. He also spent nearly six years in various marketing and PR roles at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Rollins also currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Marketing at Mercer University in Atlanta, teaching classes in marketing, PR and social media to undergrad business and MBA students. Rollins earned a BA in Communication Studies from UNC-Wilmington and a MBA in Marketing from Mercer University.

Jasmine Hoffman, APR/Emory University

Jasmine Hoffman is the Director of Communications at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, where she is responsible for internal and external communications, marketing, public relations, and digital engagement. In this position, Hoffman manages the development of websites, publications, videos, direct mail campaigns, media relations, email marketing campaigns, and social media campaigns.

Hoffman has received numerous awards for her work from the Public Relations Society of America, the International Association of Business Communicators, and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. In 2011, she received the Public Media Award from Sigma Theta Tau International for the media relations campaign, “The Gulf Coast Oil Spill: A Nurse’s Perspective.” In 2013, she received the Award of Distinction from Emory University, which is the highest honor given to University staff whose work has had a transformational impact on the institution.

Prior to joining Emory, Hoffman served as the public relations manager for the University of Pittsburgh’s $2 billion fundraising campaign.

Hoffman earned an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Alabama. In 2010, she received her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America.

 

Todd Goade with Orkin, Jason Prater with Sulky of America and Yasmine Jandali with Starwood Business Group

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Todd Goade/Orkin TwitterFacebook

Jason Prater/Sulky of America, Inc. LinkedinTwitterFacebookyoutube

Jason Prater is the President of Sulky of America, a leader in the home sewing industry. Now in his 20th year with the company, he has been an integral part of the company’s growth and rise to prominence within the industry. Having started with the company as a warehouse associate, he has stepped through the ranks to take over for the founder, Fred Drexler, who is widely recognized as a pioneer within the industry.

Jason is a graduate of Kennesaw State University, with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Management and a minor in Information Technology. He resides in Cartersville, GA with his wife and two young daughters.

Yasmine Jandali/Starwood Business Group LinkedinTwitterFacebook

Yasmine Jandali is Managing Broker with Starwood Business Group. Yasmine began her business career in the 1990’s working for one of the largest investment banking firms in the country. Helping clients succeed in their own businesses gave Yasmine the drive to build and sell her own company. She is a business owner, entrepreneur and business intermediary who brings more than 10 years of experience to the task of structuring winning deals for the sellers and buyers of businesses.

She is an experienced business owner who founded her own chain of upscale tanning salons and played a key role in making the company a success. Under her leadership, the company consistently grew revenues and profits, and built a dedicated customer base which resulted in a profitable sale to a private investor in North Carolina. Prior to her success in the service industry, Yasmine held numerous positions in the financial service industry such as Wachovia Securities where she specialized in Currency Risk Management and Foreign Currency Exchange; managing the currency needs of Wachovia’s Latin American bank market.

In addition to well-honed business skills, Yasmine brings a strong educational background to the task of transferring businesses. She has pursued post graduate studies in Business Administration at the University of North Carolina, and holds a B.A. in Marketing from Queens University. She speaks Spanish, French and Arabic and is well versed in international business issues. Her focus on detail and in-depth understanding of the essential workings of small and large businesses provide both buyers and sellers confidence that transactions will run smoothly.

 

Special Edition: “Speaking Insights” with the National Speakers Association Georgia

NSA Georgia

NSA Georgia is the leading source in Georgia for community, education and entrepreneurial business knowledge needed to be successful in the speaking profession. Our members include professional speakers, aspiring speakers, authors, consultants, salespeople, trainers and vendors for the speaking industry. We meet in the Atlanta area the third Saturday morning each month. You can learn more at www.nsageorgia.org.

“Speaking Insights” is a quarterly program of the Georgia chapter of the National Speakers Association. Each show will feature professional speakers who share their insights on how to succeed in the speaking business.

Our Co-Hosts:

NSA Georgia president (2013-14) Desmond “Dez” Thornton is an idea enthusiast with a natural ability to transform complex ideas into simple, sequential steps. His passion for words and commitment to service led him to discover his labor of love, professional speaking. He spreads this love by dedicating himself to the advancement of professional and beginner speakers who strive to articulate their vision with the clarity and enthusiasm necessary to inspire action. Dez can be reached at dez@desmondthornton.com.

In an attention-deficient, entertain-me-now, wait-while-I-post-that-on-my-Facebook kind of world, the typical business presentation doesn’t measure up. NSA Georgia president (2014-15) Kelly Vandever works with organizations and individuals whose presentations need to get results. An award-winning speaker herself, Kelly helps clients improve their presentations using old school and hi-tech techniques, all while annihilating bullet points and making this world a better place for business audiences everywhere. You can reach Kelly at SpeakingPractically.com, at 770-597- 1108, tweet @KellyVandever, or www.facebook.com/speakingpractically.

Our Guest:

ABRLt. Col. (ret.) Rob ‘Waldo’ Waldman – The Wingman – is a professional leadership speaker and author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller Never Fly Solo. He teaches organizations how to build trusting, revenue producing relationships with their employees, partners, and customers while sharing his experiences as a combat decorated F-16 fighter pilot and businessman.

Waldo overcame massive claustrophobia and a fear of heights to become a highly experienced fighter pilot with over sixty-five combat missions in Iraq and Serbia. He believes the key to building a culture of trust lies with your wingmen – those in your life who help you to overcome obstacles, adapt to change, and achieve success. In business & life, you should never fly solo!

Waldo is a graduate of the U.S Air Force Academy and also holds an MBA with a focus on Organizational Behavior. An inductee into the prestigious Speaker Hall of Fame, he is also a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) with real world sales experience. His clients include Hewlett Packard, Verizon Wireless, New York Life, Siemens, Home Depot, Aflac, and Johnson & Johnson.

In addition to his speaking business, Waldo is the founder and President of The Wingman Foundation, a 501(c)(3) whose mission is to build funds and awareness for soldiers, veterans and their families in need. He was voted one of the “Top 40 under 40” business leaders in Georgia and has been featured on Fox & Friends, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, The Harvard Business Review, Investor’s Business Daily, INC. Magazine, and Business Week.

For more info about Waldo’s programs or his bestseller Never Fly Solo, visit www.yourwingman.com, e-mail info@yourwingman.com, or call 866-925-3616.

Special Edition: TiE Atlanta

Today’s show features guest host Michelle Matthews with Matthews Consulting Group.

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Raj Rajan/TiEAtlanta 

Palaniswamy “Raj” Rajan is currently the co-founder, Chairman & CEO of Virima Technologies, Inc., an IT Operations and Datacenter software developer serving the fortune 5000 companies. He brings more than 15 years experience in the technology industry and combines a deep understanding of current technologies with the ability to articulate the application of these technologies in various business contexts and models. A highly versatile and proven entrepreneur, he has co-founded several ventures including, Vigilar, Inc, a leading network security technology firm; eLaunchpad, LLC, an early stage venture capital firm/incubator focusing on Internet infrastructure and network security technologies; and Resourcis, an executive recruiting firm. During his tenure at Vigilar, he conceived the company’s business plan and methodology, raised venture capital funding, recruited a talented management team and grew annual revenues from $0 in 2000 to $32M in 2005 in probably the most difficult technology industry climate. Another previous success, VerticalOne, a financial aggregator; was sold to S1 in 1999 in a deal valued at $166 million.

Mr. Rajan serves on the Board of Directors of the above companies and as well on the advisory boards of several early stage technology firms around the country. A leader in the business community, he is also involved in several professional and community related organizations. Mr. Rajan was instrumental in establishing the Atlanta CEO Council, a non-profit networking group of more than 1000 CEOs, CxOs, and investors in the Southeast. Mr. Rajan served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the CEO council from 1999 through 2011 and is currently one of its Board members. Mr. Rajan also co-founded and is the current President of the Atlanta Chapter of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TIE), a national mentoring organization for entrepreneurs.

Barry Patel/Total Therapeutic Management – Indegene TTM Linkedin

Barry Patel has a Doctorate in Pharmacy from Mercer University and started his career in clinical research with Warner Lambert, before moving to medical affairs with Merck. In 1995 Barry left Merck to found Total Therapeutic Management, a unique physician focused quality improvement and education outreach company that services the healthcare industry’s needs for data driven solutions. Under his leadership, TTM has been recognized as a leader in the healthcare industry providing a unique way of improving quality through the abstraction, analysis and dissemination of vital health information. Since 1995, TTM has worked with hundreds of health systems and managed care organizations. As President, Barry maintains many client relationships and is hands-on as it relates to strategy development and implementation among various facets of the organization. The company has been recognized by various business publications for its entrepreneurial approach to solving problems within healthcare. TTM was acquired on December 31st, 2013 by Indegene, a leading global provider of solutions to pharmaceutical and healthcare organizations.

Shelley Saxena/Sevamob LinkedinTwitterFacebook

Shelley has managed several multi-million dollar products for IBM and co-founded a cash-flow positive mobile technology startup, Saasmob. He has an MBA from Cornell and B.E. from IIT Roorkee. He has extensive experience in all aspects of a business including product management, R&D, marketing, channels, sales, support and financials.

 

Special Edition: Georgia Society of CPAs

Today’s episode features guests who are members of the Georgia Society of CPAs.

ABRJoel Pascaner/Stephen M. Berman & Associates Linkedin

Joel L. Pascaner is a tax partner specializing in high net worth individuals, privately held entities, partnerships, S corporations, estates and trusts, not-for-profit organizations, and state and local tax matters. He also has extensive experience representing taxpayers before the IRS as well as numerous other taxing jurisdictions.

Joel is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, and The Leaderhship Team of the Tax Section of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. He has been an at-large member of the GSCPA Council. In addition, he has served as the Chairman of the Tax Section of the GSCPA as well as both the Federal Tax Legislation and the Georgia Tax Legislation Subcommittees of the GSCPA Tax Section, where he was involved in the drafting and introduction of proposed legislation. He is also a Past Chairman of the Depreciation Committee and the Tax Accounting Problems Committee of the NYSSCPA. Mr. Pascaner was a member of the GSCPA 2006 Tax Forum Planning Committee and served as Moderator at the Forum’s Luncheons with Georgia Tax Commissioner Bart Graham. He was awarded “2006 Distinguished Section Leader” by the GSCPA and served on their Task Force on Employment. Joel is a member of the Atlanta Tax Forum and the Atlanta Estate Planning Council. He is a graduate of the Philanthropic Advisor Leadership Institute and was awarded the “Best in Client Satisfaction Wealth Manager” by Atlanta Magazine for years 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Joel has authored numerous articles in professional and industry publications including the CPA Journal and the Taxation for Accountants.

He has served on the Board of Directors of the Interfaith Disabilities Network and is currently on the Board of Trustees of Georgia Shakespeare.

Prior to joining Stephen M. Berman & Associates, L.L.C., Joel practiced as a tax professional with Laventhol & Horwath and Peat Marwick.

Joel is a CPA and received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania as well as his Masters of Science in Taxation at the Long Island University.

John Masters, CPA, PC Linkedin

John Masters earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1969, followed by his Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business in 1975, and finally his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1979. During this period he was employed eight years in the Computer, Aerospace, and Electronics industries. During 1979 he was admitted to the Georgia Bar and received his certificate to practice as a Certified Public Accountant in Georgia and Alabama.

John has been active in professional, civic, and political activities throughout his career. He presently serves on the Georgia Society of Certified Pubic Accountants Professional Ethics Committee, and recently completed his term as Chairman of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants Tax Section. He has served as a SBA Score/Ace Volunteer Consultant, taught in the Junior Achievement Program and been a Future Business Leaders of America sponsor. He administered the “Call the Expert” on taxation program for 21 years at WGST News Radio where he also appeared as Tax Series Guest/Host. He has participated in various other radio and television tax related programs, testified at administrative hearings including the Georgia Special Council on Taxation, and held positions in other organizations.

John has taught courses at Oglethorpe University, Clayton Junior College (now Clayton State College) and the Becker CPA Review Course. For the last several years he has been an active member of the Dekalb Peachtree Squadron, Georgia Wing, of the Civil Air Patrol where he currently holds the rank of Major, and has been an active member of the Northside Atlanta Jaycees and the Decatur Dekalb Kiwanis Club. His is currently a member of the American Bar Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Georgia Bar Association, Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants.

John practices in Atlanta, Georgia principally in the areas of taxation and accounting, taxpayer representation before administrative bodies and tax tribunals, and related fields.