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Curated Collection Of The Best Interviews From Our Sandy Springs Studio





Special Edition: Working Together For Change

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Working Together For Change Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Working Together For Change (WTFC for short), is a student-led nonprofit that is creating a large student-network to help the homeless people. Right now, in Atlanta alone, over 10,000 people experience homelessness! There is a lot of work being done by many organizations – but nothing really includes the students. We want to raise awareness about this problem among the students and find many more that also care about this issue. Join our cause!

 

View / Download WTFC Brochure Here

 

Spotlight on ProWIN Atlanta

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Becky Davis / MVPwork LLC Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Leadership Transformation Coach Becky Davis works with leaders in corporate and small business owners on business growth though effective leadership. Becky helps small businesses stay up after they start up. Becky specializes in helping leaders build their business and boost their bottom line through effective and engaging leadership.

Becky has over 20 years leadership and business building experience. She was the turnaround queen in her former role as a regional vice president the largest optical company in the world, Luxottica (Lenscrafters, Pearle Vision, Sunglass Hut, Sears and Target Optical and EyeMed Insurance), where she managed 12 regional directors and over 200 store locations with 45 million in sales. Becky was frequently assigned to the worst performing markets to turnaround performance and increase profits, which is where she learned and acquired the skills she now teaches to business leaders.

She is the President of MVPwork LLC, a consulting and executive coaching/training firm for small businesses, entrepreneurs and business leaders, and the Founder of Leading In High Heels (Healing, Elevating, Entrusting Love to Sisters) a non-profit business that provides leadership workshops to professional women who donate their shoes to women of domestic violence and abuse.

Becky is a national speaker, trainer, coach and author of six books. She is an expert in leadership, personal development and entrepreneur growth.

Carol Dunlop / Creative Services International, Inc. Linkedin Twitter Facebook instagram pinterest 

Laura Biering / True Voices Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Laura Biering is a Certified Life and Leadership Coach and the Founder and President of True Voices – a coaching, consulting, and creative agency. Since finding her own True Voice, she has made it her mission to help others find theirs. Laura has been coaching individuals and teams to authentic success since 1999. In addition to providing insightful questions and perspectives, Laura provides a safe and courageous space for her clients. In this open, non-judgmental environment, her clients – ranging from executives to entrepreneurs, from ministers to moms – build the courage to take meaningful, intentional risks, thus more easily and quickly achieving their goals and dreams. Laura is currently excited about offering groups and retreats using the highly experiential methodology of The Daring Way™, based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown. In her spare time, Laura enjoys relaxing with her partner and their two adorable, “four-legged children,” and retreating to her centuries-old farm in SE Georgia.

To find out if working with Laura is the right next step for you, please contact her at Laura@TrueVoices.com and mention that you heard her on Atlanta Business Radio. This will entitle you to a complementary clarity conversation – one that you won’t want to miss!

Karen Curry Davis / Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) Twitter

Karen Davis currently serves as Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs’ (ACE) Strategic Initiatives Director. In this role, she directs ACE’s Women Investing in Successful Entrepreneurs (WISE) Initiative which is a $2.5 million revolving loan fund specifically for women entrepreneurs wanting to expand or start a business within Metro Atlanta and the North Georgia region. In addition to the loan funds, WISE offers business advisory support through individualized business consultations, business development seminars, speed coaching, and mentoring from high net-worth business owners. Karen is also the Principal Consultant of Curry Davis Consulting Group, LLC. Karen has more than 13 years of program management and community development experience and has made strides in her efforts to assist families with moving towards economic self-sufficiency, health and wellness.

 

 

Special Edition: Business Marketing Association (BMA) Atlanta

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Business Marketing Association (BMA) Atlanta Linkedin Twitter Facebook

The Atlanta chapter of the BMA is made up of marketing executives from a variety of industries and backgrounds. Many of our members are corporate marketers at mid-sized business-to-business companies in industries like technology, healthcare, manufacturing, telecommunications and professional services. We also have a large number of marketing service providers (firms, agencies and consultants) in areas such as research, advertising, promotions, events, Web development, printing and more. Our members view the BMA as the sole source in Atlanta to learn the latest business-to-business marketing best practices and network with peers.

Mark Semmelmayer is the 2014 President of BMA’s Atlanta Chapter and the Chief Idea Officer of Pen & Inc. Marketing Communications, a marketing consultancy he founded in 2013. Mark has over 40 years of broadcast, ad agency and corporate communications experience and retired from corporate life last year after 32 years with Kimberly-Clark. https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksemmelmayer

Dan Hansen – With over 30 years in marketing, Dan handles strategic plan development for Red House healthcare clients. Red House specializes in integrated marketing solutions for the healthcare and technology industries with a strict focus on business to business. Dan’s integrated marketing solutions have helped countless clients achieve measurable results by mapping marketing to the buying and sales processes. Red House has been recognized by the Business Marketing Association for “Best of Division” for Lead Generation, BtoB Magazine’s “Top Agencies” list, and Chief Marketing Officer magazine’s “Top Shops”. Dan attended Syracuse University for both his undergraduate and post graduate degrees. http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dan-hansen/1/367/581

Debra Williams – Over the last 20 years, Debra has established herself as a highly effective integrated marketer in health care, technology and financial services. She has worked for a variety of businesses from start-ups to large organizations. Her experience runs the gamut from the development of successful brand strategies, digital marketing and public relations. She has also developed and activated highly effective multi-layered campaigns including digital marketing and social media to achieve targeted revenues and thought leadership. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Debra completed her masters degree at the University of West Georgia and teaches evenings as an adjunct Instructor at Kennesaw State University. http://www.linkedin.com/in/williamsmarketing

 

 

Sapna Tauro with Great Advancement and Leslee Chadwick with The Metropolitan Club

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Sapna Tauro / Great Advancement Facebook Twitter

Great Advancement provides high quality, cost effective, world class business services in Marketing, Staffing, Technology & B2B Networking. The president and CEO of Great Advancement, Mrs. Sapna Tauro started Great Advancement, in view of helping startups, and small businesses that cannot afford their own marketing teams, staffing departments, or technology departments. Mrs. Tauro, completed her Bachelors in Commerce and Masters in Business, with over four years of education and training in technology, and years of experience in business, she is well equipped to help businesses excel, and achieve their goals.

Great Advancement Business Social Media Network, is a project that Sapna, is very passionate about and hopes to see it help businesses tremendously in the future. Great Advancement Business Network can be used as an efficient marketing tool and the strategies that it adapts match no other B2B social media network. It is an online solution for businesses to connect and collaborate with each other.

Great Advancement is about bringing businesses together to work for the best of the community and the world. While Great Advancement supports small, new and emerging businesses with their marketing, staffing and technology needs, Great Advancement’s main intention is to avail all small business owners a platform to connect and network with each other, creating great value for the business community and the people. Great Advancement Business Network is a tool for any business to grow and succeed and reach new heights.

Gen Next Business Expo is an event held every year, sponsored by Great Advancement to help businesses synergize and share new business ideas. To know more about our upcoming events and business knowledge series please visit our website Website: www.greatadvancement.com Email: info@greatadvancement.com

Leslee Chadwick / The Metropolitan Club

 

 

John Zielinski with Crossman and Company, and Dr. Dale Callaway with Lakeside Chiropractic Wellness Center

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John Zielinski / Crossman & Company Twitter Facebook

John Zielinski is Senior Vice President of Crossman & Company, one of the largest retail leasing, management, development, and marketing firms in the Southeastern United States, with over 18 million square feet of properties. John directs all leasing and management services for Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and North Carolina and South Carolina.

Prior to joining Crossman & Company John served as an executive with Publix Super Markets, Inc. for over 15 years in a variety of roles. In addition to spending time managing the leasing of the Publix shopping center portfolio he was also the Real Estate Manager for the Atlanta Division for nearly 10 years. This territory not only included the Atlanta Metro area, but also Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tennessee and Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina.

John earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University and his MBA from the University of South Florida. He is a licensed Real Estate Broker and holds the CCIM designation. Additionally, John is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers where he has spoken on numerous panels and most recently served on the Southeast ICSC Planning Committee.

Dr. Dale Callaway / Lakeside Chiropractic Wellness Center

 

 

HIPAA Privacy & Security / Intro to HIMSS

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This episode is a special edition spotlighting the HIPAA Privacy & Security and an Introduction to HIMSS (GAHIMSS).

Debra Steen / ACR 2 Solutions, Inc. Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Debra Steen is a seasoned, multiple award winning, and highly accomplished sales executive with 20 + years professional track record backed by a positive attitude, high degree of enthusiasm and energy, and a passion for success. She has extensive experience in product marketing, channel planning, and information technology products within the healthcare sector. Debra has a proven ability to train, motivate, and lead cross-functional account sales and service teams. Her strong communication, presentation, and negotiation skills are used to close sales with clients at all levels. She is a successful strategic business planner, decision maker, and problem solver. Specialties: Sales Executive with 20 + years in the medical software market. Electronic Health Records, Electronic Medical Records, Practice Management, Revenue Cycle Management, EDI, Document Management / Scanning, Hardware / HIPAA Risk Assessment / Training & Testing and Clinical Trials.

Christopher Kunney / Infinite Options, LLC Linkedin

Christopher is a senior level healthcare information technology executive and strategist. He is called upon by his clients to provide guidance and thought leadership specific to emerging healthcare technology offerings, compliance related issues and technology adoption. His recent roles include serving as Director of Emerging Healthcare Technology for AT&T, Vice President & COO for HealthInovation and Vice President and CIO for Piedmont Healthcare. Christopher currently serves as managing partner of Infinite Options, LLC. and also maintains strategic alliances with various HIT consulting firms such as ACR2, Smartecute, The BAE Company and The Desir Group.

He has a track record of successfully implementing and providing strategic enterprise-wide solutions that address the current issues faced by health systems including; meaningful use, PPACA, HITECH Act, HIPAA, EMR Adoption, CMS quality measures, and HIEs.In addition, Christopher is an experienced IT leader with demonstrated ability to build peak-performing teams and achieve cross-functional business objectives that effectively integrate within the clinical setting. As a valued member of senior management teams, he’s contributed a seasoned, broad-based perspective with the maturity to lead IT transformation efforts in all areas of the healthcare business. His business philosophy is to create pragmatic IT strategies and implementation plans designed for maximum return.

 

 

Joe Reardon with Hotel Equities, Soyini Coke with Annona Enterprises and Gary and Justine Martin with Fresh Coat Roswell

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Joe Reardon / Hotel Equities Twitter Facebook

Joe Reardon serves as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Hotel Equities, an Atlanta-based, full-scale hotel management, development and consulting firm.

He oversees the development team, negotiates management contracts and evaluates the financial feasibility of the firm’s acquisition opportunities. He utilizes the existing portfolio of 50+ hotel assets as a platform for rapid growth with current and potential owners.

With more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Mr. Reardon came from Alliance Hospitality where he served as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing where he also oversaw business development for the firm’s extensive portfolio. He previously served five years as VP Sales & Marketing for the Noble Interstate Group and Noble Investment Group where he managed a nationwide portfolio of hotels.

Mr. Reardon began his career with Marriott International in Sales and Marketing, transitioned to Operations as General Manager in various locations, but later moved back to sales where he was promoted to Regional Director of Sales & Marketing. Over a 17-year span, he earned prestigious awards for work in select service, full service and resort hotels, including the Director of Marketing of the Year and the General Manager President’s Cup.

With a proven track record of transforming sales cultures and systems to drive top line revenue, he develops strong teams and creates opportunities that make a positive impact on market share and profitability.

Mr. Reardon holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration & Tourism Management from North Carolina State University. He and his wife live in Roswell with their two sons.

Soyini Coke / Annona Enterprises Linkedin Twitter youtube

Gary and Justine Martin / Fresh Coat Roswell Facebook

 

 

Brett Cooper with Bluefletch, Howard Sanders with Marketing Workshop, and Grady Thrasher with CrowdVested

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Brett Cooper / Bluefletch Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Brett Cooper is CEO of BlueFletch Mobile. Since founding BlueFletch in 2008, Brett and his business partners have grown the company to a 25 person boutique consulting firm focused on Mobile Solutions. They serve a wide range of companies, from small startups to large enterprises, helping to build innovative and creative Mobile Solutions that help solve important business problems.

Prior to staring BlueFletch, Brett managed teams at Accenture and Coca-Cola Enterprises. Despite not being born in Atlanta, Brett considers himself an Atlanta native. He grew up here and graduated from Georgia Tech with a Computer Engineering degree. After working in multiple cities around the US, he moved back to Atlanta to start BlueFletch. Additionally, he received his executive MBA from Emory University.

Howard “Bud” Sanders / Marketing Workshop Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Marketing Research and Analytics professional with nearly twenty years in the business. Passionate researcher with the heart of a teacher. Rare education background that includes graduate degrees in both statistics and business, thus uniquely equipped to help clients navigate the research process, and then aid in the formulation and implementation of strategies and initiatives.

Grady Thrasher / CrowdVested Twitter Facebook

Grady is the CEO and founder of CrowdVested, the first platform to open up commercial real estate investing to all Georgians for as little as $500. Grady is a Georgia native and securities attorney who has represented business owners, entrepreneurs and investors for the past 20 years.

 

 

Special Edition: TiE Atlanta

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Sam Tandon / 1010 LLC Linkedin

Sam is an MBA and successful entrepreneur, investor, mentor, business adviser and leadership coach, with over three decades of experience. Sam pursues his passion of helping people and companies grow. With his real-life, in the trenches business experience in 4 continents, Sam, “gets business”. Sam fuses real-life stories and his conversational techniques to connect with decision makers at an intimate, intense and individual level. Sam is actively involved in investing in new businesses, is a business adviser and mentor, sits on both private business and not-for-profit boards.

Sam managed and created value for his investors, took his own start-up venture, made an initial public offering, and listed it as a publicly traded company. Sam, has co-founded four ventures in different industry segments: business consulting, IT software, international exports and manufacturing, and has employed hundreds of employees over the years. Sam, has traveled to four different continents, for his global export business, creating new markets, increasing market share and profits. Opened offices overseas, which enabled to leverage local contacts, by better understanding cultural and business environment.

Pursuing his passion of giving back to the community, Sam, mentored and coached a group of Young Entrepreneurs, Team TerraBacter — first selected as America’s regional winners—the team participated in the International Business competition and WON the first prize in the Global finals, organized by TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) in Vancouver, Canada. TiE is a Silicon Valley based entrepreneur’s association with worldwide chapters. Over 700 young entrepreneurs across 23 cities, around the globe participated.

Vamsi Gadde, Sai Maddali and Nilai Sarda / Terrabacter

 

 

Special Edition: Georgia Society of CPAs

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

Joel Pascaner/Stephen M. Berman & Associates

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

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.