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DeKalb Business Radio

DeKalb Business Today – October 15, 2015

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On a special Thursday edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes does a quarterly catch-up with DeKalb Chamber of Commerce president Katerina Taylor. In the interview, Taylor weighs in on the latest corruption allegations in the county, the future of embattled Interim CEO Lee May and what it will take to finalize an agreement between the county and Atlanta United FC to bring the headquarters of Major League Soccer’s 21st franchise to the proposed site off Memorial Drive.

 

Katerina Taylor/President of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

 

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Katerina Taylor has been a part of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce for almost three years. In September 2014 she became the Chamber’s first woman president and CEO in its 77-year history.  She’s a 15-year banking veteran and a strong advocate for community and business.  Her goal is to re-educate the DeKalb community on why the Chamber is so critical for growth and progress in DeKalb.

DeKalb Business Today “Lunch Hour” – October 9, 2015

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The latest edition of DeKalb Business Today looks at everything from the booming business of college football to job placement for refugees to movie making in DeKalb County. We also sit down with one of the leaders from Decide DeKalb to discuss exciting new business opportunities on their way to the county.

 

Araba Dowell/VP of Marketing & Communications for Decide DeKalb Development Authority

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As Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Decide DeKalb Development Authority, Araba is responsible for the organization’s strategic marketing and communication plan as well as branding, messaging and media relations. She also oversees the organization’s WE DeKalb Program, a workforce enhancement housing initiative, as well as the Film, Music and Digital Entertainment department.

Dowell is a 20-year marketing and communications veteran with experience in corporate, public sector, nonprofit and agency arenas. Previously, she served as Group Manager for General Motors’ Southeast Region Communications team, where she had overall responsibility for GM’s product and brand management, media relations and diversity outreach spanning 10 states.

Dowell received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Studies from Emory University. She is a board member and Chair of the Marketing committee for Safe Kids Georgia. She also serves on the Marketing committee for the Atlanta Press Club.

 

Vince Thompson/Founder, Chairman & CEO of MELT, LLC

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Founded by CEO Vince Thompson in 2000, MELT, LLC, is an Atlanta-based, fully integrated sports and entertainment marketing agency. MELT services include advertising, original content development, digital, social media, event and experiential marketing, retail and consumer promotions, brand strategy and sports property evaluation and activation.

Vince Thompson has devoted his entire professional life to the craft of brand building, sports marketing and story-telling. Since founding MELT in 2000, Thompson has built his firm into one of the country’s leading sports and entertainment marketing firms. MELT’s services include the production of live and large-scale events; sponsorship; talent and endorsement marketing strategy and sales; television and digital content production and brand strategy for America’s top brands and corporations.

Thompson and MELT have represented The Coca-Cola Company for 14 years including their sponsorship of ESPN College GameDay and the activation of 13 straight Final Fours. MELT actually created the entertainment strategy for the NCAA Final Four in 2003, now called “March Madness”, which annually attracts more than 200,000 basketball fans during Final Four weekend.

Thompson and MELT have represented and work with many of the greatest brands in the world including Kia, State Farm, Hostess Twinkies, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Budweiser, Jeff Foxworthy’s Grit Chips, Avon, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and many others.

Thompson has produced hundreds of live event experiences and television content at top levels including The Super Bowl; Chick-fil-A Bowl; SEC Championship; College World Series; Hangout Music Festival. He streamed the first live concert ever on Facebook in 2010 and his productions have been seen on CBS, TBS, TNT, TrueTV, ESPN, VH1, CMT, Palladia and many others.

Thompson and MELT also work with many great celebrities including Lebron James and DC Comics turning Lebron into super hero “King James”; Fergie and the release of her Avon fragrance; American Idol star Ryan Seacrest; Demarcus Ware of the Denver Broncos; Eddie Lacy of the Green Bay Packers and tennis legend Jimmy Connors. Thompson also works very closely with famous sports agent Pat Dye Jr.

Thompson and MELT have captured numerous industry and national awards including Biz Bash, Top 5 Event Productions, Cynopsis Brand Activation of the Year, The American Business Awards; AD Week Buzz; Marketer of the Year; Event Marketers Ex Award and the Agency It List. Thompson is a featured speaker at many industry conferences including Variety Magazine; IEG Sponsorship Report, the LA Office Entertainment Forum and is a regular on The Paul Finebaum ESPN/ SEC Network Radio Show. Thompson also mentors many young sports marketing professionals through the MELT intern program. He is also a board member of the Buckhead Club and on the Advisory Board of Samford University School of Sports Business.

MELT has won industry awards including finalist for 2014 Cynopsis Social Good Award; 2014 Cynopsis Sports Brand Marketing Award; 2013 Top 50 Biz Bash Event Producers; 2013 Sports Business Journal Game Changer, Event Marketer EX Award and Adweek Buzz Marketer of The Year. In 2015, Thompson was nominated as Father of The Year by The American Diabetes Association.

Thompson, born in Chatom, Ala., is a 1984 graduate of Auburn University with a B.A. in Communications where he was a student assistant in the Auburn Sports Information Department, a sports editor for the Auburn Plainsman, and a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. In his spare time, Thompson enjoys spending time with his two sons, Carter and Stefhan, traveling, and music and college football.

 

Chris Chancey/CEO & Founder of Amplio Recruiting

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Chris Chancey is the founder of Amplio Recruiting, a for-profit job placement company solving labor shortage issues in DeKalb County by helping local businesses connect with the refugee workforce. Chris is a graduate of the University of Georgia and lives in Decatur with his wife, Sarah, and 16-month-old son. You can follow along with Chris on Twitter at @chrischancey.

 

Alicia Haley Daniels/DGA 2nd Assistant Director

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Alicia Hailey Daniels, a native of Bloomfield, Connecticut, graduated from Clark Atlanta University in 2006 with the distinction of Magna Cum Laude. One month after graduation she was accepted into the illustrious Director’s Guild of America Training Program for Assistant Directors in Los Angeles, California.

Alicia’s career began on television shows such as ER & Criminal Minds. This year alone, Alicia has worked on the dramas, The Haves and Have Nots, If Loving You Is Wrong, & the feature film Creed (Additional Photography). Throughout Alicia’s fast paced career, she has gained varied experience working with several studios such as Warner Bros, Universal, TPS, Sony, TBS, BET, ABC Family, CBS, ABC, OWN, Lionsgate, & NBC. Her vast experience has shaped her into a well knowledgeable Assistant Director for TV, Film, & Commercials.

Additionally, Alicia is an active member of the Directors Guild of America and she had the privilege of serving on the Mentor Committee, African American Steering Committee, 2nd AD Committee, & Women’s Steering Committee. She has a passion and dedication to training the upcoming film industry elite.

Knowledge is power and it’s her mission to share her achievements & failures along the way in hopes of helping others pursue their dreams.

Alicia’s pride and joy is her husband of three years & their one-year-old daughter. She truly believes in life we should live, love, & laugh as often as possible.

Find more information on Alicia’s upcoming workshop here.

DeKalb Business Today – October 9, 2015

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On this edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes explores the growing industry of dog rehabilitation. Jennifer Andreae joins the show to talk about how her business, The Paw Stand, is helping dogs to bounce back from injuries related to athletics and aging. She also shares her tips on finding the best food for your four-legged friend.

 

Jennifer Andreae, MS, PT, DPT, CCRT/Co-Owner of The Paw Stand

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Jennifer Andreae holds a Master’s of Science in physical therapy, a doctorate of physical therapy and a certification as a canine rehabilitation therapist. She is co-owner of The Paw Stand, Inc. – a unique “pet-centric” boutique with retail and services.

Jennifer has been a physical therapist for 29 years. She has worked at the Shepherd Center treating spinal cord injuries and acute brain trauma patients, as well as working with amputees, sports injuries and in outpatient orthopedics.

DeKalb Business Today – October 8, 2015

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On a special Thursday edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes takes a look at the issues facing Metro Atlanta’s aging population. Marty Bell will discuss how the National Aging in Place Council is offering a wide variety of resources to assist seniors nationwide. Doug Lueder joins the show to offer a local perspective on how his company, Prosper Home Care, is helping folks of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to live comfortably in their own homes. Bob Carr rounds out the panel, discussing how CommonCourtesy provides transportation options for seniors who have trouble getting around town.

Marty Bell/Executive Director of the National Aging in Place Council

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Marty Bell serves as Executive Director of the National Aging in Place Council. This is Bell’s professional Act III after careers in books and journalism and the Broadway theater. He is the author of two novels, four non-fiction books, and his journalism has appeared in such publications as Playboy and New York Magazine. He wrote and produced the award-winning documentary film, The Boys of Summer, and produced fifteen Broadway shows that won twenty-seven Tony Awards including Ragtime, Fosse, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

The National Aging in Place Council will hold its annual meeting December 2 and 3 at Georgia Tech.

 

Doug Lueder/Prosper Home Care

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A home care veteran for nearly ten years, Doug Lueder is the owner of one of the largest independent home care agencies in the Atlanta area. A passionate supporter of the rights of individuals to live at home and age in place, he is the Atlanta Chapter Advocacy Chair of National Aging In Place Council (NAIPC).

Mr. Lueder started his career in hospitality before transferring his skills to medical sales and marketing with companies including Whittle Communications and the Medical News Network, as well as MedCast and WebMD. In 1987, Mr. Lueder’s younger brother suffered a spinal cord injury that left him a quadriplegic. His need for highly-qualified, reliable, and consistent home care provided him with an acute awareness of the challenges faced by elderly and disabled people on a daily basis. He became an Atlanta licensed home care provider in 2006, and today Prosper Home Care serves more than 250 clients, within five different ethnic communities, throughout the Atlanta area.

 

Bob Carr/Co-Founder of CommonCourtesy, Inc.

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Bob spent his very early years in Nashville, Tenn. as well as Jackson, Mississippi. He has, however, lived in Atlanta since 1959 and calls himself a nearly native Atlantan. He attended the University of Georgia, was a member and officer of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, and graduated with a BS Degree in Psychology. After college, Bob served as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He now has 2 sons, Scott & Travis, 2 step children, William and Anne-Carson , and 7 grandchildren. And most importantly met and married the love of his life Anne Brady Carr in 1996. Bob’s 96 year old mother lives in Nashville, TN!

Bob’s business career began in the insurance field and he started his own property & casualty agency at age 25. After 10 successful years, a leading insurance carrier purchased Bob’s first enterprise. Soon after in 1982, Bob founded Executive Adventure with the mission of encouraging better communication and teamwork in business and corporate settings. Over time, Executive Adventure, with its professional facilitation and business consultants, worked with over 1,000 companies and organizations serving over 100,000 participants internationally and throughout the U.S.  The client list includes many Fortune 100 organizations as well as government, education, religious, civic and other not-for-profit organizations. Executive Adventure was acquired in 2009.

In 2007, Bob founded, along with his wife Anne, a non-profit organization, CommonCourtesy, Inc. The Common Courtesy project has a mission to provide safe and dependable “alternative automobile personal transportation” to support anyone who cannot or should not operate a vehicle. The project has now become extensively available by partnering with local ride-sharing companies such as Uber and also provides ADA transportation through local commercial operators. The goal of Common Courtesy is to be Viable, Desirable and Sustainable. Common Courtesy’s motto is “in partnership with YOU for transportation”.

Bob is actively involved in the church and community and has membership including leadership positions in many local civic and business associations including the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, American Society of Training and Development, Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Cobb, and Meeting Professionals International.  He is also a certified instructor in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument from his career with Executive Adventure.

The unique combination of entrepreneurship, forty plus years of business experience, consulting expertise and community leadership gives Bob the powerful tools to share his insightful experience with YOU.

Bob can be contacted at:

CommonCourtesy, Inc.®

678-809-2421 or info@ccrides.org

DeKalb Business Today “Power Lunch” – October 2, 2015

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On the latest edition of our monthly “Power Lunch”, host Matt Holmes sits down with a panel of leaders from in and around the DeKalb food scene. Mary Moore discusses her path from chef to small business owner to CEO of the area’s premier locally-owned kitchen supply company. Rory Webb shares the inspiration behind Cafe JAYA, a non-profit coffeehouse that’s dedicated to helping the community in Stone Mountain. A.J. Cannon stops by from DaVinci’s of Decatur to talk about the importance of fresh, handmade, preservative-free ingredients in making gourmet pizza. Chef Eric Roberts steps out of his kitchen at The Iberian Pig to help preview Decatur Restaurant Week.

 

Mary Moore/Founder & CEO of The Cook’s Warehouse

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As founder and CEO of The Cook’s Warehouse, Mary Moore has combined her love of cooking and business. The Cook’s Warehouse is Atlanta’s premier gourmet store and cooking school with three convenient locations: Midtown, Decatur and East Cobb. These are complemented by an on-line store at cookswarehouse.com and a mail order catalog.

Moore opened the first Cook’s Warehouse location in Midtown on Amsterdam Avenue in 1995, and under her leadership, the business has expanded to include a cooking school with more than 800 classes taught annually by renowned chefs in three kitchens. In 2005, Moore, in partnership with Doug Bryant, owner of Sherlock’s Wine Merchant, and Craig Maske, general manager of Sherlock’s Wine Merchant, opened the second retail location in downtown Decatur.

In the spring of 2006, Moore re-launched Cookswarehouse.com to include a full retail section. Web offerings include top brands of cookware, cutlery, kitchen electrics and gadgets as well as new, unique and local products.

In the fall of 2009, Moore moved her flagship store to Ansley Mall in a space formerly occupied by Piccadilly Cafeteria. This 6,500-square-foot space is 30% larger than her original Amsterdam Avenue location and features a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen and more than 15,000 items for the aspiring cook to professional chef.

In September 2011, Moore opened the third retail location in Merchant’s Walk in East Cobb. Since opening her first store, Moore has grown her business to over 80 associates in four retail locations plus support staff and a separate warehouse location.

Prior to opening The Cook’s Warehouse, Moore managed the kitchens and cooked at the award-winning Atlanta restaurants Partners Morningside Café and Indigo Coastal Grill. She then served as the director of research and development for Harry’s Farmers Market, which at the time was Atlanta’s largest and most prestigious gourmet and fresh food supplier.

Moore frequently shares her culinary experience through the media. She has made television appearances on the Atlanta affiliates for NBC, Fox (Good Day Atlanta), Home Shopping Network, FamilyNet, CBS, PBS and Turner South. Moore is a hand model for commercials, was a set stylist for GPTV Julia Child and Burt Wolf production and “Nathalie Dupree Entertains,” a PBS series. She has filmed cooking demonstrations for “Southern Living Presents” and a commercial for Duke’s mayonnaise. Moore has been a radio guest on “Business Radio X”, “Chef and the Fat Man,” and “Behind the Line” on WGSR Atlanta. In addition to leading The Cook’s Warehouse, Moore is a guest teacher of cooking classes. She is also respected nationally as a culinary resource and is frequently asked to speak at industry conferences.

Moore has received numerous awards and has been recognized as a successful businesswoman and leader in the culinary industry. She is an active member of many organizations including the Past President of Les Dames d’Escoffier International, a member of the Carter Center Board of Councilors, Chair of the Atlanta Community Food Bank Board, a member of the Metro Atlanta Chamber Board of Directors, and a member of the Woodward Academy Governing Board.

Rory Webb/Proprietor of Cafe JAYA

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Rory Webb is the proprietor of Stone Mountain’s non-profit community coffeehouse and drinkery, Cafe JAYA. Created in 2015, Cafe JAYA serves the finest coffee from Selva Negra Estates in Nicargua, craft beers and fine wines.

 

A.J. Cannon/DaVinci’s of Decatur

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DaVinci’s Pizza has four convenient locations around Metro Atlanta, serving customers in Decatur, Midtown, Smyrna and Roswell.

 

Chef Eric Roberts/The Iberian Pig

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Celebrating the burgeoning culinary scene in the Decatur and Avondale Estates neighborhoods, Decatur Restaurant Week will kick off from Sunday, October 4, through Thursday October 8, 2015. This exciting event provides an excellent chance for diners to experience the area’s most acclaimed restaurants at exceptional prices.

Booming with a cluster of sophisticated, yet accessible dining destinations, the Decatur neighborhood has earned its spot as one of the most vibrant and highly-rated collections of restaurants in the nation. Throughout Decatur Restaurant Week, a variety of participating restaurants will be offering gourmet prix fixe menus ranging from $15, $25 and/or $35.

The Iberian Pig – one of the establishments participating in Decatur Restaurant Week – is a modern Spanish restaurant combining the tastes of Spain, with a fresh, eclectic, American social atmosphere. The focus of their menu is on traditional cured meats and Spanish cheese, tapas, salads and cocas (flatbreads). While they spend a great deal of time honoring traditional Spanish flavor combinations they are also inspired by modern techniques and culinary creativity. In addition, they also place a strong emphasis on their beverage program – including a focused wine list comprised of selections from Spain, Chile and Argentina and a cocktail list that consists of faithful classics and their signature combinations.

They have been fortunate to curate a very talented staff at the Iberian Pig and the success of the restaurant is in large part due to their commitment and creativity.  It is very much a family at Iberian Pig, and they encourage their team to be innovative and to experiment. This means that customers can count on a unique experience every time – your favorite dishes and drinks will keep you coming back, and there will always be something new for you to try!

DeKalb Business Today – October 2, 2015

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On this edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes looks at the path to home ownership. Lou Brown joins the show to talk about how Trust Properties is helping folks regardless of past credit issues to find a home in DeKalb County. On the mortgage side, Yulanda Munford details her work with Citizens Trust Bank. And Ryan Wilson will dish on the plans for Atlanta’s newest private club geared toward business professionals.

 

Lou Brown/Trustee of Trust Properties

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Lou Brown is the Trustee of a local company that buys, sells, manages houses, apartments and land and finances properties for their clients. They are Certified Affordable Housing Providers® who help people, regardless of past credit issues, to get into a home. They offer a program called the ‘Path To Home Ownership®’. He has been in real estate since 1976 and has their local headquarters in Tucker, GA.

Lou has served the local community as Vice President, President and now Past President of the Georgia Real Estate Investors Association, and as the Chairman of the Small Owners Council of the Atlanta Apartment Association, and was the Founding President of the National Real Estate Investors Association. He in on the Main Street Tucker Alliance and was on the formation committee, steering committee and just completed a two year term on the Board of Directors of the Tucker-Northlake Community Improvement District.

 

Yulanda Munford/Mortgage Operations Manager for Citizens Trust Bank

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Citizens Trust Bank is a leader in the financial services industry and one of the largest minority-owned financial institutions in the nation, offering a full range of quality business and consumer products and services including Small Business Association (SBA) financed loans, residential mortgage lending, and consumer and business online banking products with eleven financial centers in Metro Atlanta, Columbus, Georgia and in Birmingham and Eutaw, Alabama.

Celebrating over 90 years of success – Citizens Trust Bank continues to champion their commitment to offer customers viable banking solutions with first-class customer service to meet their growing business needs. Commitment transcends to the new generation of banking. Delivering on that promise, they continue to build on the legacy that has been established and position Citizens Trust Bank to become a household brand for an entire community.

 

Ryan Wilson/CEO & Co-Founder of The Gathering Spot

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Ryan Wilson is CEO and Co-founder of The Gathering Spot. In this role he is responsible for the club’s overall management and strategic vision. A lawyer by training, Wilson founded the company with his co-founder, TK Petersen, after identifying the need for a space for professionals of all backgrounds to have a private membership experience that spoke to their business and social interests. Wilson is the son of two successful Atlanta entrepreneurs and credits them for his own passion for entrepreneurship. He holds an undergraduate and a law degree from Georgetown University. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys spending his time with family and friends. He is excited to be back in his hometown and is looking forward to The Gathering Spot’s grand opening.

DeKalb Business Today “Lunch Hour” – September 25, 2015

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On this edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes explores corporate marketing strategies with Mike Killeen from Lenz Marketing. Quality Media Consultant Group CEO Lori Manns discusses how she’s helping small businesses to partner with large corporations. Teresa Punzi from The Smart Place shares the innovative ways she’s helping folks with developmental disabilities. Local author Keshius Williams also joins the show, talking about her popular Pepper Storm book series and the work she does to mentor youth in the community.

 

Lori Manns/CEO of Quality Media Consultant Group

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Lori A. Manns is CEO of Quality Media Consultant Group and an award-winning, marketing, sales coach and business strategist. Lori works with small business owners to help them elevate their brand, get more clients and grow revenue. With a long career in the media industry, Lori spent nearly 20 years in media sales and marketing at two of the largest media companies in the United States; Cox Media and CBS Radio. For the past six years Lori has been a passionate entrepreneur and enjoys helping small business owners increase sales and enjoy profitable businesses.  Lori is the founder of the Trailblazer Business Academy™ where advancing entrepreneurs go to learn business growth strategies the soulful way. Lori is also the creator of Sponsorship Sales Secrets System;™ that shows entrepreneurs how to get more sponsors and sales for their businesses, guaranteed. To learn more about expert consulting services on marketing, advertising or sales and, get proven strategies on how to increase your revenue and grow your business; please visit  the website.

 

Mike Killeen/VP of Marketing at Lenz Marketing

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Mike Killeen directs client marketing at Lenz, an integrated agency based in Decatur. Lenz specializes in marketing healthcare groups, non-profit organizations, and small businesses. Mike also serves as program director of Lenz’s two radio programs, “The Weekly Check-Up,” a healthcare talk show on News/Talk WSB, and “The Sports Insider,” a sports-oriented talk show on 92.9 FM The Game.

Mike is the founder of Amplify My Community (formerly Poverty is Real), a non-profit organization that travels from city-to-city throwing fundraising concerts to support local organizations fighting poverty. He is a singer, songwriter, and musician who performs regularly and has released several albums.

Mike received a journalism degree from the University of Georgia and a masters in business administration from Georgia College. He joined Lenz in 2002 and became a partner in 2014. Mike and his wife Jessica live in Decatur with their children, Liam and Emily.

 

Teresa Punzi/Executive Director of The Smart Place

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Teresa Punzi is the visionary behind The Smart Place Adult and Children Services, Inc.. Started in 2001 – and located 1916 Glenfair Road in Decatur, GA – it is a unique, community-based educational and training program for individuals with developmental disabilities, offering vocational training, life skills instruction, counseling and support services designed to enable our individuals the opportunity to succeed in work and to live independently.

Fulfilling everyday dreams, learning necessary functional vocational, academic, community, and daily living skills, and having a positive place in the world are the goals of The Smart Place’s programs. They work individually and closely with each individual to design an appropriate program in a nurturing community setting.

The mission of The Smart Place is to support people with mental and physical challenges in a respectful, safe and productive environment. That environment allows them the ability to reach their highest level of individual independence. The Smart Place welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with families and other service organizations to expand each individual’s opportunity to engage in community activities that would otherwise be out of their reach.

Teresa and her team of 22 full-time staff members ensure that the values of that mission are accomplished because they all understand that each individual enters adult life with powerful dreams of a more positive future. At The Smart Place, they are committed to identifying and sustaining the dreams of individuals and their families. Their vision is a partnership to ensure that all individuals participate in meaningful activities and are viewed as valued members of their community.

 

Keshius Williams/Author & Founder of Living on Purpose Leadership and Mentoring Program

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Keshius Williams is the author of three children’s books- Who Is Pepper Storm?, Pepper Storm and the Gang, and Inspirational Quotes for the Teenage Soul. She is currently working on the next installment of the Pepper Storm Book Collection called Pepper Storm’s (Pep) New Style!

In addition, Keshius Williams is a storyteller, sought-after inspirational speaker, and the Founder of Living On Purpose Leadership and Mentoring Program, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing life skills through encouragement, empowerment, leadership and service. Ms. Williams believes that every child has the potential to be successful if nurtured and guided in a direction where GREATNESS is their only destiny!

With her love for children and writing, Keshius has infused both passions to create an amazing Pepper Storm Book Collection that children of all ages will enjoy.

DeKalb Business Today – September 25, 2015

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On this edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes looks at how Leadership DeKalb is making a difference in the DeKalb County business scene. Executive Director Maria Balais talks about her role in enhancing the leadership skills of program participants young and old. Chris Chavez, Metro President of DeVry University and Chairman of the Board of Leadership DeKalb, talks about the program from the perspective of someone who’s been through it.

 

Maria Balais/Executive Director of Leadership DeKalb

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Maria Balais is a seasoned Non-Profit Executive with over 15+ years of experience in community affairs. She has had proven success in organizational management and fundraising, development and promotion of philanthropic and community affairs programs.

In her current role, Maria is the Executive Director for Leadership DeKalb. In the last three years, she has provided leadership in elevating their core program by making the core program relevant to current issues in the community. These outcomes include the implementation of the new program day, Integrity & Ethics and an updated Diversity & Inclusion day. This has resulted in the organization having its largest class ever which brought in over 180K in tuitions raised. Maria has led the organization to reorganization involving staff and other resources. She has cultivated donors and increased sponsorships resulting in reduced negative equity by 100%. Maria Balais has strengthened the pipeline for human capital to take on leadership roles in the community.

Previously, Maria Balais managed her consulting firm that provided corporate and not-for-profit organizations with community outreach, communications, organizational development and program management services. Her consulting firm executed a five-month long Diversity Leadership program for top business and community leaders, reigning in over $200,000 in sponsorships and tickets sales. She developed and managed the organizational strategy for diversity management institute, resulting in a successful execution of several high-profile public outreach events. Prior to consulting, she managed the ING Corporate Foundation and led community relations at Troutman Sanders, LLP.

As a community advocate, Balais serves on the Emory Board of Visitors. She has served on the boards of the League of Women Voters Atlanta-Fulton Chapter, Provost Academy Georgia, Anti-Prejudice Consortium, and the Atlanta Downtown Neighborhood Association. She is a graduate of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2006.

Maria holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Agnes Scott College. She has resided in Downtown Atlanta for 19 years and is a proud Mom to C.J., a student at Centennial Academy Charter School.

Maria Balais is a woman that means business.

 

Chris Chavez/Metro President of DeVry University, Board Chair at Leadership DeKalb

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DeKalb Business Today “Lunch Hour” – September 18, 2015

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On the latest edition of DeKalb Business Today, we delve into the worlds of banking and cloud computing. Judy Turner and Rosemarie Codling from Private Bank of Decatur explain why banking local is the best way to go. Bill Seybolt shares how Cumulus Global is making small- and mid-size businesses more efficient and more productive by taking them into the cloud.

 

Judy Turner/Private Bank of Decatur President

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Judy Turner is President of Private Bank of Decatur. She is responsible for all Decatur market initiatives. In 2015, Judy celebrated 50 years in banking in Metro Atlanta, having started with Citizens & Southern National Bank in the Personnel Department. She worked in Auditing, became one of the first Personal Bankers when C&S started that program, and became an officer of the bank in 1974. A year after C&S became NationsBank (1995), Judy had an opportunity to go to work in the Decatur Office of Bank South. Three years later Bank South was purchased by NationsBank and several community leaders felt a need for a community bank in Decatur. They looked to Judy to organize and lead Decatur First Bank, where she was President and CEO. In November of 2011, Judy had the opportunity to join Private Bank of Buckhead to organize and open Private Bank of Decatur.

Community involvement has always been important to Judy, who currently serves as President of the Decatur Book Festival, Trustee of the DeKalb History Center, Treasurer of Seniors Helping Seniors and as a member of the Junior League of DeKalb Advisory Board. She has served on the boards of both the Community Bankers Association and the Georgia Bankers Association, as well as Leadership DeKalb, the Development Authority of DeKalb County (former Chair), and the DeKalb Medical Foundation.

Judy lives in Decatur with her husband Roy. They have a daughter and twin grandchildren.

Rosemarie Codling/Private Bank of Decatur SBA Portfolio Manager

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Rosemarie Codling is SBA Portfolio Manager and Banking Officer for Private Bank of Buckhead and Decatur, which includes PrivatePlus Mortgage. She recently celebrated 20 years in banking.

Her 20-year banking career began in New York, though the majority of it has been in the Atlanta market, with the past 10 years focusing on SBA lending. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Management from Bernard M. Baruch College and a Master’s degree (with Distinction) in Banking from Mercy College.

The bank added its SBA program in 2008 and by the next year the bank was designated a Preferred Lender by the U.S. Small Business Administration. That designation has continued to be renewed. Preferred Lenders are allowed to expedite the processing of SBA loans because of their depth of experience with SBA lending. PLP status means that the bank’s borrowers have 24-hour or less turn-around from SBA once their loan has been approved at the bank level. A Preferred Lender also is allowed to make certain unilateral changes or addendums to the loan without having to wait for SBA’s approval.

“One of Rosemarie’s chief roles is to help small- and medium-sized businesses acquire loans for a broad range of business and business start-up purposes,” Brent says, “beginning by helping demystify SBA lending for anyone who might be seeking business lending solutions.”

Away from the bank, the Jamaican native is involved in her church and enjoys reading about Eastern philosophy and history, and talking with people from other cultures and learning more about them. She has a college-aged son. Rosemarie and her family – three generations – reside in Lawrenceville.

Bill Seybolt/Cumulus Global Cloud Advisor

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Cumulus Global measures success by their customers’ results. As a Cloud Solutions Provider, they help small- and mid-size businesses, nonprofits, governments, and educational institutions move from in-house systems to cloud computing solutions. Partnering with both Google and Microsoft – and more than three dozen cloud services – they focus on their customers’ goals, objectives, needs, and priorities and bring forward the best solution.

In 2013, Bill Seybolt left one career in information technology and began anew in sales, joining Cumulus Global earlier this year. He brings a great deal of insight around collaboration, organizational change and how to adopt a new way of work as well as specific strategies outside the traditional workplace to succeed. You can read about it all over at www.the30secondcommute.com.

DeKalb Business Today – September 18, 2015

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On this edition of DeKalb Business Today, we focus on the great things happening in the East Metro DeKalb Community Improvement District (CID). Local business owners Nicole McGhee Hall, Van Jakes and Lloyd Nurse discuss ways that they – and their businesses – are helping to make East DeKalb a hot spot for innovation and investment.

Nicole McGhee Hall/Founder & Chief Consultant at Nickel Works Consulting, LLC

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Ms. Hall is the founder and lead consultant at Nickel Works Consulting. She has a B.S. in Civil Engineering and has been primarily focused in the area of transportation in her 20+ years of work experience. She is a Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) through the Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) and is adept in business development/marketing, government relations, community engagement and Community Improvement Districts (CIDs).

She has worked with multiple CIDs in the Metro Atlanta area providing Administration, Expansion, and Formation Services. She is a 2014 Atlanta Regional Leadership Institute graduate and a Georgia Academy for Economic Development graduate. Nicole’s team works for businesses, in communities and with the governments.

Van Jakes/Owner-Operator of Jake 22 Management Company

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Van Keith Jakes attended Kent State University from 1979-1983. He was a four-year starter as corner back and the captain of the football team during his senior year. He graduated from Kent State in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

Van played with the Kansas City Chiefs during the 1983 and 1984 seasons. He joined the United States Football League (USFL) and played with the Jacksonville Bulls in 1985. After the demise of the USFL in 1985, he returned to the National Football League (NFL). In 1986, he began a three-year career with the New Orleans Saints.  Van then played with the Green Bay Packers during the 1989 and 1990 seasons. He retired from the NFL in 1991.

Van became a McDonald’s Owner Operator in August 1992 where he opened his first restaurant in Tampa, Florida. In May 1994, he sold his Tampa store for four stores in Atlanta, Georgia.  In the summer of 1996 he acquired two additional stores. Currently, Van owns and operates three McDonald’s restaurants in the Stone Mountain/Lithonia area of Dekalb County; Panola Road, Turner Hill Road, and Fairington Road.

Van has many affiliations, hobbies and philanthropic interests. He is a member and past president (1997-98) of the Atlanta Black McDonald’s Owner Operator Association (BMOA), and serves on the Executive Board of the Greater Atlanta McDonald’s Owner Operator Association (GAMOA) and is president of the African American Consumer Market Target Marketing Subcommittee. He is the former president of the Stonecrest Business Alliance, and serves on the SDIA (South Dekalb Improvement Association).  He currently works on the McDonald’s Workers Compensation Committee.  He has been the chairperson for the Wheels of Dreams Youth Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic where he worked tirelessly to fulfill its mission to “create future business leaders.”  In April 2008 Van was inducted as a member of the prestigious organization “100 Black Men of Atlanta”. Van is a member of Antioch A.M.E. Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

In 1998, Van received the Women Looking Ahead, Blue Print Award, for Entrepreneur of the Year. He has been cited by the Atlanta Tribune, several years in a row, as one of Georgia’s Top 20 African-American owned businesses.  He has also received commendations from Governor Roy Barnes as an “Outstanding Citizen.” In September 2002 he was inducted into the Harvard Cup High School Hall of Fame in his hometown of Buffalo, New York. He is also a current member of the NFL Players Association, while also a Partner in Education with several schools in Dekalb County. In December 2009, he was inducted into the Atlanta Tribune, Hall of Fame with three other local NFL greats. He is an avid golfer and racquetball player. Van is a devoted husband and father to his wife Chrystal and their four children: Leigh, Van II, Jasmine, and Jordan.

Lloyd Nurse/Co-Founder & CEO of Nurse Technologies

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Lloyd Nurse is a man of many talents, having worked as a pilot, military officer and business owner with an eye on real estate development. Lloyd immigrated to the United States from his native Guyana, where – in addition to all his other professional pursuits – he took up inventing. He now holds three U.S. patents and has more in the pipeline.

Lloyd co-founded Nurse Technologies, a company geared towards raising awareness of problems related to medicine usage.