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Atlanta’s Most Trusted Advisors Features Alicyn McLeod and Emma Foulkes

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Amy Williams

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.

 

Alicyn McLeod / FinLogic, LLC
Tax Partner

Alicyn McLeod specializes in tax planning and compliance for closely-held businesses and not-for-profits. She also offers fiduciary services, including serving as trustee, administrator, financial power of attorney, and conservator. She previously ran her own solo practice and brings the same drive and dedication to her clients at FinLogic, along with 15 + years of accounting & tax experience.

Alicyn, a Georgia native, is a graduate of Augusta University where she earned both her Bachelors in Business Administration in Accounting and her Masters of Business Administration. She is an animal-lover who wanted to be a veterinarian as a child and accidentally stumbled into accounting while working her way through school. She quickly appreciated that each day holds its own unique professional challenges and learning opportunities.  She enjoys applying her specialized knowledge to her clients’ business and tax situations to help them understand and navigate confusing issues that have a large impact on their finances.

Alicyn resides in Buckhead and is an active member of the Atlanta business community. She contributes her professional skills by volunteering with several organizations including serving as President-Elect of the American Woman’s Society of CPAs – Georgia Chapter, Goethe-Zentrum Atlanta (a German cultural center) as treasurer, Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s finance committee, and Georgia Lawyers for the Arts’ advisory board.

 

Emma Foulkes / Foulkes Steele Wealth Management
Certified Financial Planner, Managing Partner, Branch Manager

Emma Foulkes is a Certified Financial Planner, Managing Partner and Branch manager of Foulkes Steele Wealth Management.  Emma Has been guiding clients to financial freedom for over 15 years.  She is a board member & the Past President of the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and Past board member of the Financial planning association.  She is a disabled veteran of the U.S. Army – Operation Desert Storm.

 

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.

Rob Consoli with Liaison Technologies, Ria Story with Top Story Leadership and Sean Hardy with CarMax, Inc.

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Rob Consoli / Liaison Technologies
Chief Revenue Officer

Rob Consoli is responsible for Liaison’s overall revenue strategy which includes overseeing U.S. Sales and Global Marketing. Since joining the company in 2010, Rob has held various leadership roles in sales and marketing and has been instrumental in establishing Liaison as market leader. Prior to joining Liaison, Rob held key sales leadership roles at I.D. Systems, Visiprise (acquired by SAP), Jacada, Forte Software, and Programming Research. Rob has Master of Engineering Management degree from SMU and a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Auburn University.

LinkedIn   Twitter   Facebook

 

Ria Story / Top Story Leadership
Leadership and Motivational Speaker

Ria is a motivational speaker, author, and professional coach with a passion to help others make the right choices today to reach their goals tomorrow. She triumphed over being sexually abused from age 12 – 19 by her father, and escaped by leaving home at 19 without a job, car, or even a high school diploma.

Ria successfully applied leadership principles throughout her career in the healthcare industry, learning to lead at all levels with increasing responsibilities, before resigning from corporate life to pursue her passion for coaching, motivational speaking, and leadership development. Ria holds degrees in Office Administration, Human Resource Management, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. She is a certified leadership coach, speaker and trainer with The John Maxwell Team.

A published author, Ria is also a fierce health and wellness advocate. She is a certified fitness instructor, teaches group fitness classes several times a week, runs marathons and is an avid mountain biker – winning the 2011 and 2012 State Mountain Biking Championships in both Alabama and Georgia.

Ria is an accomplished speaker, sharing her inspirational victim-to-victor story of overcoming adversity with humor and a down-to-earth style that connects with audiences. Ria speaks on leadership and personal growth topics including:

  • Making the Right Choices Today to Achieve Your Goals Tomorrow
  • Overcome Adversity and Setbacks with Resilience
  • Finding Your Purpose
  • Dealing with Change
  • Time Management/Effective Planning
  • Communication Skills
  • Leadership for Women

Ria lives near Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, Mack Story.

LinkedIn   Facebook

 

Sean Hardy / CarMax, Inc.
Location General Manager

Sean is the Location General Manager for the Norcross CarMax location, and has been with CarMax for 12 years. Prior to coming to CarMax, Sean managed stores for Circuit City.

LinkedIn   Twitter   Facebook

 

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

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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

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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

KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring Mark Fonseca

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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 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

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.

Jay Ferro with Earthlink and Matthew May with Acuity

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Jay Ferro / Earthlink
EVP, Chief Information and Product Officer

Mr. Ferro has served as our Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer and Products since July 2016. From January 2012 to July 2016, Mr. Ferro served as the Chief Information Officer for the American Cancer Society, a volunteer health organization. From August 2011 to January 2012, he served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for AdCare Health Systems, a health care facility management company. Prior to joining AdCare Health Systems, Mr. Ferro spent seven years at American International Group (AIG), including as Vice President and Chief Information Officer for AIG Aerospace, an aerospace insurer. Prior to that, he served as Chief Financial Officer for Operations and Systems for AIG Aerospace.

Twitter     LinkedIn

 

 

 

Matthew May / Acuity
Managing Partner

I have experience adding value to companies by helping navigate tax and accounting rules. Prior to coming to Atlanta, I was a part of the Austin technology community both as an advisor and as a part of a start-up that had a successful $100 million exit in November 2000.

I am an active leader in the Georgia technology community and serve on the selection committees for Venture Atlanta, the Technology Association of Georgia’s Top 40 Innovators, and the Association for Corporate Growth’s Georgia FAST 40. I have also taken community leadership roles with Georgia Aquarium’s Next Wave Society, New American Pathways, and Venture Atlanta.

Twitter    LinkedIn     Facebook

 

 

 

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CyberSecurity Month

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Cause & Affect Radio Brought To You By
UHY Advisors

 

David Barton / UHY Advisors
Managing Director

David Barton is a Managing Director with the firm in the Southeast and serves as leader in the Internal Audit, Risk & Compliance and Management & Technology Consulting groups. He has more than 25 years of practical experience in information systems and technology risk and controls.

 

 

Dave King / UHY Advisors
Senior Manager

Dave King is Senior Manager within UHY’s Technology and Risk Management consulting practice. He has over 15 years of experience in governance, risk, and compliance management. He is responsible for
advising business and technology executives on Cybersecurity, PCI Compliance, and technology risk management initiatives.

 

 

Glenise Moore / Ventiv
Director of IT Security, Compliance, and Privacy

Driven and Innovative leader with expertise in information systems security analysis and management. Seasoned in internal and external audit, risk mitigation and enterprise security posture. Keen understanding of IT and non-IT integrated issues and adept at bridging the gap between IT and business constituents. Proven ability to quickly understand key business drivers, and develop strategies to leverage and streamline continuous organizational development and growth, while delivering tangible results for all stakeholders.

 

 

Tony UcedaVelez / Internap
CEO

Tony is the CEO and Founder of VerSprite, a global security consulting firm offering strategic services offerings around information security, including virtual CISO services.  He currently is acting CISO for Internap, an international hosting and network service provider.  He is author to Risk Based Threat Modeling (Wiley 2015) and the PASTA risk based threat modeling methodology. Tony runs the OWASP Atlanta chapter and hosts monthly talks in Atlanta around emerging threats to application environments.  He has spoken at numerous international security conferences, including OWASP, ISSA, ISC2, ISACA, BSides Security Conference, Cloud Connect, and EC-Council. Tony’s 20 years of IT and Security experience across various industries has made him a strategic consultant for multiple Fortune 500 leaders.

 

 

Want to speak with the UHY team?
consulting@uhy-us.com

 

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KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring Ashley Daniele Carestia

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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 and Ted Jenkin.

 

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Ashley Carestia / Bark Fifth Avenue
Founder

Ashley Daniele Carestia is a Florida native and has been a successful fashion model since age four.  She is currently signed with CLICK models and has been making headlines and covers with her new business venture, Bark Fifth Avenue LLC, a luxury dog boutique in Buckhead Atlanta. With Ashley’s strong passion for fashion and dogs, she has created a world where upscale pet owners can treat their four-legged family members to only the best in fashion, travel, and accessories.

 

Walking runways and dressing pets are things that Ashley has done since childhood.   As a model turned CEO, she balances work, play, and family life in Buckhead with her husband, prominent litigator Michael Carestia. The two were married in 2015 in Bora Bora. Ashley has her degree in Nutrition & Exercise Science, which she decided to change after three years of pre-law.  She felt very “Legally Blonde” during her path toward her legal career, so she refocused her course of studies.

 

Today, she serves as Proprietor of Bark Fifth Avenue and continues her career as a fashion model. Ashley started Bark Fifth Avenue in 2013 as an online boutique and opened her first brick and mortar in October 2015. Since then she has been asked to sponsor many pet events including Star 94.1’s famous Woofstock where she was the sponsor of the VIP (Very Important Paws) area and the Atlanta Pet Expo where she took on the sponsorship and creation of their VIP area. Ashley has graced several covers of local area magazines and is now the fashion columnist for Atlanta Pet Life magazine where she writes about current trends in the pet fashion world. In addition to her various commitments and world travels, Ashley is involved socially and politically in Atlanta.  She supports many charitable and church organizations, including The Humane Society, GlobalX, and Angels Among Us. She currently serves as a mentor at Woodson Park Academy through her church at Northpoint Ministries (Buckhead Church).

 

Ashley lives by the motto that “Everything happens for a reason” and the philosophy that “Money will never make you happy. Love your friends, love your family, and love the things that make you happy. Have morals and values. Hold strong to the things you believe in.  If puppies, glitter, and rainbows make you truly happy, then chase those as they are more attainable.  Most importantly, love yourself and never let anyone ever make you feel bad about yourself.” Ashley’s determination to succeed as well as her sense of humor and spirituality allow her to live life to the fullest.

 

Facebook     Twitter     Instagram

 

Bark Fifth Avenue

(404) 803-1771

ashley@barkfifthave.com

info@barkfifthave.com

690 Miami Circle NE

STE: 625

Atlanta, GA 30324

www.barkfifthave.com

 

Also on today’s program, Ali Farnum, student at KSU majoring in Business management and with a minor in  entrepreneurship.