Buckhead Business Radio spotlights thought leaders and companies doing business in and around the Buckhead community (the heart of Atlanta’s financial district) with compelling stories to tell. Join Host Rich Casanova every Tuesday morning at 10am EST.
Tune in to other weekly and special shows broadcasting live from Buckhead Business RadioX®:
Dean Trevelino and Genna Keller / Trevelino Keller 
Everett Steele/Kanga 
Rafael Escoton, Tres Crow, Pamela Currie, Mark Jones, Marcia Jaffe, Ken Escoe
Tres Crow/The Ritz Group
Tres Crow (guest co-host) is an experienced marketing and sales professional. Having worked successfully in a variety of fields–as a lender, banker, insurance agent, membership manager, marketing and copywriting freelancer, as well as a sales and operations manager at both regional and national retail banks–Tres have a wide-ranging view of several key aspects of the business and entrepreneurial communities.
He has an eclectic range of personal and semi-professional interests, which make him exceedingly unique in the business world. In addition to over 8 years of sales, marketing, and management experience, Tres is also a published fiction author who has completed two novels, an adapted screenplay, and countless short stories. He spent over 8 years in Nashville and Ann Arbor, MI as a songwriter, releasing 2 LPs, 2 EPs, and 2 digital singles during that time. He has also developed a keen interest in developing green and sustainable solutions through entrepreneurship, which led him to form the Green Entrepreneurs of Atlanta group in October of 2013, which has seen its membership grow to 30 in just a few months.
He completed his MBA at University of West Georgia in July, 2013, where he maintained a 4.0 GPA and was honored with induction to the prestigious Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society. He is currently an Ambassador for the Ritz Group, tasked with growing and maintaining membership.
Ken Escoe/Alpharetta Beverage Company
Marcia Jaffe/Buckhead Business Association
A graduate of the University of Florida Marcia is now retired after 37 years with the Atlanta Journal Constitution. She currently divides her time as the Senior Captain Cheerleader of the WNBA Dream Dancers and columnist with the Atlanta Jewish Times. Marcia is a well known figure in the Buckhead business community, currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Buckhead Business Association as Vice President of Area Retailing.
www.buckheadbusiness.org Linkedin Twitter Facebook
Mark Jones/Franchise Systems
Mark Jones is a sales and management professional consultant with over 20 years of experience in franchise sales, master Franchise operations and single-unit franchise operations. He has owned franchises; sold franchises; created franchises; and managed a master franchise. As the owner of Franchise Systems Advisors, he helps individuals find a franchise business they can own & enjoy and most importantly, CREATE EQUITY.
Mark Jones and Pamela Currie are Franchise Advisors, who help people find the franchise business that meets their client’s skillset, financial capability, lifestyle and business ambitions. They are “Business Matchmakers” and each has their own franchise consulting company with additional services. Mark and Pam collaborate together to provide a comprehensive service to their clients and would be happy to speak with anyone who has questions regarding franchising.
Pamela Currie/Franchise Intellect, Inc
Pamela Currie has over 20 years in franchising and traditional corporate America; She has aacquired business acumen from multiple perspectives of the franchise business model, starting at the franchisee level, then as a franchisor business support & trainer, to a franchisor launch & system developer, all of which included creating strategies for sales development and implementation of effective-relevant training programs. Her experience puts her in the role of training other franchise advisors.
She founded Franchise Intellect, Inc. and offers franchise consulting to individuals who are interested in pursuing franchise ownership and to franchisors that are looking to receive assistance in developing a franchise growth strategy and/or a training strategy. She specifically enjoys guiding her client’s in making a knowledgeable decision in selecting the best franchise based upon their criteria, with the objective of achieving financial health and life enjoyment.
www.franchiseintellect.com Linkedin Twitter
Rafael Escoto/Executive Trade Expo
Store Manager Executive Clothiers January 2011 – Present (3 years 3 months)Assist customers with men’s wear clothing and accessories Took measurements to make sure attire was fitted to perfection Manage interns to assure quality assurance and customer service is met Keep track of inventory and sales on weekly basis Experienced Manager skill sets with hands-on approach to business, service and techniques that achieve successfull outcomes Cheif Executive Officer Home Furniture, Art April 1996 – November 2010 (14 years 8 months)Baltimore, Maryland AreaTransferred, developed and established a 20,000 sq ft showroom and gallery Build continuous relationships with high-end manufacturers, vendors and new industries Developed brochures which showcase styles, services and creative programs Tenacious with flexible markets and economic stratus Hands-on approach to business, service and techniques that achieve successful outcomes Gain expedient turnaround on short term projects Experienced Manager skill sets with vendors, subcontractors and distribution channels President and CEO Interiors & Furnishings by Rafael April 1982 – April 1996 (14 years 1 month)Baltimore, Maryland AreaSpecialized in high-end home furnishings, art and design services Marketed and promoted to residential, government and high-profile clients Subcontracted with vendors, installers and product specialists Researched and executed all phases, on-time and within budgets In-depth knowledge of form, function, trends Published in Architectural Digest Chief Executive Officer In-House International April 1968 – April 1982 (14 years 1 month)Baltimore, Maryland AreaIdentified international business opportunities, imports and textiles for US market Planned, developed and organized wholesale distribution operations in North Carolina’s furniture mecca Developed international business and strategic relationships across Europe Set national wholesale distributorship and manufacturing to secure styles and unique business offerings Contracted and negotiated short term agreements between multiple businesses Created partnerships to expose international companies to American counterparts Successful B2B relationships opened pathways, eliminating barriers to trade Implemented Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) with systematic delivery and customer satisfaction Established a new division supportive of business development and written plan for success Modeled a creative process which offered an array of merchandise well below competition Utilized varying media approaches to advertise and promote amongst broad audiences
www.executivetradeexpo.com Linkedin Twitter Facebook
In this issue of On The Air, we feature the following:
Special Edition spotlighting growth and the launch of Four New Shows, Tech Square Ventures, Sponsors & Power Partners, and more…
CLICK HERE to view full newsletter
Sharon Goldmacher/Communications 21Â 
 
 
Sharon L. Goldmacher is a veteran in the marketing public relations industry. She develops integrated, results-oriented marketing PR and interactive campaigns for clients in industries from consumer products and real estate to food/beverage, sports and technology.
Competitive by nature, she created communications 21 in 1992, at the naive age of 28 and within the first two years, she won the DeKalb Chamber’s Stargazer award for “Small Business Start-Up of the Year†and the Young Advertising Professional Award presented by the Atlanta Ad Club, and in 21 years the company has garnered almost 70 awards.
Sharon speaks on marketing PR and interactive strategies across the country at various organizations such as the Association of Public Gardens, the American Marketing Association’s Annual Summit, the Exhibit Design and Producers Association, NewComm (Society for New Communications Research conference), MBA Conclave Curriculum and Teaching Conference, PRSA chapters in Washington, D.C., and Florida and more.
She currently volunteers on a number of industry and community boards, including the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, the American Marketing Association – Atlanta Chapter, Leadership Buckhead and The Blue Horse Association. She also has held volunteer positions with the Green Chamber of the South, Literacy Volunteers of America and Hands On Atlanta. In 2013, Sharon was the executive director of the Atlanta Local Organizing Committee for the planning and execution of the 2013 NCAA® Men’s Final Four®.
While a love-hate relationship, golf is her current passion, and her favorite golf saying is “fairway-play is for sissies.”
Madeline L. Reamy/Earthshare of Georgia Â
I have lived in Atlanta for my entire working career, since 1978. My undergraduate education includes two years in art school in Philadelphia, then two years at college in France where I completed my BFA in art and art history. I then returned to the USA and pursued graduate school at Syracuse University (full scholarship) where I received a Masters of Fine Arts in Museology (MUSEUM studies). For fourteen years I worked in museums in Atlanta, mostly in Director of Education positions, but it was my position at Chattahoochee Nature Center as Director of Education from 1992-98 that convinced me of my lifetime dedication to the environmental field. From there, I continued to work in environmental education for Keep Sandy Springs North Fulton Beautiful (1998- 2006) until I became the Executive Director of EarthShare of Georgia in March 2006.
Dave Basarab/Mobile Business Academy  Â
Dave Basarab has founded multiple consulting firms, including Dave Basarab Consulting and V.A.L.E. Consulting and LLC. Basarab has worked as chief learning officer and head of training and development for Fortune 100 companies like Motorola, Pitney Bowes, NCR and Ingersoll Rand. He has worked with clients like AT&T, The Cheesecake Factory, Ameriprise Financial, and many more. Basarab earned the Chief Learning Officer Innovator of the Year Award and helped Pitney Bowes earn a spot on the Training Magazine’s Top 100 Companies list. Basarab has developed many groundbreaking training and evaluation techniques and continues to do so with his new Mobile Business Academy. For more information, please visit www.mobilebizacademy.com.
Susan Eaton– The Wilmington NC Convention Center
Susan Eaton has lived in Wilmington for over 4 years and serves as General Manager of the Wilmington Convention Center of behalf of SMG, the world largest private management firm for public assembly facilities. Susan oversees the day to day operations of the Center and the in-house food & beverage operation, along with the outdoor event space. Susan has had a 29 year progressive career in Managing, Marketing, Sales, and Operations in five Convention Centers to include: Rochester, NY, Miami Beach, McCormick Place in Chicago and Knoxville, Tennessee, Wilmington, NC.
Susan’s education includes a B.S. Degree in Business majoring Hotel & Tourism Marketing from the RIT in Rochester, NY and an Associates degree from SUNY New York in Food Administration.
Connect with Susan Eaton on Facebook
TJ Dunn– Wilmington Fashion Weekend
Mike Singletary – Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee Co.
Mike Singletary wrangles coffee beans as Land of a Thousand Hills’ Roastmaster and Director of Coffee Excellence. He is also works as the Director of Marketing, managing all of the LOTH social media outlets, promotional campaigns, and new product development and launches. He loves his family, coffee, and the Walking Dead. You can keep up with them on their Facebook page as well.
Colgate Mattress is a family-owned and operated company started in 1955 by Sol and Anne Wolkin. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Sol started the company with the support of his partner and wife Anne, and a $1500 loan from his brother-in-law.
Alan Wolkin – President
The eldest son of Anne and Sol, Alan is currently the president of Colgate. Alan attended Emory University, where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). He worked at Colgate throughout college, following in his father’s footsteps. He went on to receive an MBA from Georgia State University before permanently joining the Colgate team.
Dennis Wolkin – National Sales Manager
The grandson of Anne and Sol and the eldest son of Alan Wolkin, Dennis joined the firm after graduating from Indiana University in 1996. He subsequently received his master’s degree from Georgia Tech. In addition to serving as the Secretary, Treasurer, and National Sales Manager of Colgate, positions have included plant manager, production supervisor, as well as loading trucks.
Three generations later, Sol’s Colgate Mattress is still producing some of the highest quality crib mattresses in the world. “After 60 years in the business, we are the unquestionable category patriarch and we take that role very seriously. We don’t sell crib mattresses that our own kids, grand kids and great grand kids haven’t slept on themselves. We believe in American ingenuity, craftsmanship and integrity. To some they are a lost art but to us they are simply a way of life. We choose to operate with integrity and put people before profits because that’s how our family business, does business.
All of our mattresses and pads are proudly made in the USA. Colgate uses only the finest materials available in our products and offers the largest selection of innerspring crib mattresses, foam mattresses and foam mattress pads in the industry. Without exception, you will not find better ingredients for your dollar.”
Colgate has been recognized for producing some of the highest quality crib mattresses in the country. The company has received numerous industry awards and is proud to be among the first members of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association.
Whitney Wilson/Eventive Group 
Whitney joined the Eventive Group team in January of 2012 after graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Event Management from the University of Central Florida. Serving corporate, association and non-profit clients she is able to provide her clients with exceptional service through contract negotiations, registration management and on and off-site logistics.
Whitney has been in the meetings industry for six years, prior to her work with Eventive Group she worked at Universal Orlando in their events department. She has been a member of the MPI Southern California Chapter for 2 years and has served on several committees, including chairing the Weekend Educational Summit in 2013.
Recently, Whitney was named Collaborate Magazine’s 40 under 40: Class of 2014.
David Adler/BizBash Media
David Adler is founder and C.E.O. of BizBash Media, the source for essential information about event marketing, meeting and event planning, and business entertaining in New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Orlando, Las Vegas, Toronto and Washington, D.C. The company also owns Masterplanneronline.com, a date conflict resolution calendar for event professionals and is an investor in The Event Leadership Institute, an on demand video training for event professionals.
In addition, Adler is a volunteer consultant to the Chief of Protocol of the United States advising on events and initiatives for the division.
Adler, a 35 year media and event veteran, has held posts a vice president of corporate communications for PRIMEDIA and Macmillan Inc and has also worked in PR has head of cause marketing and media relations for Cone Communications working and creating such programs such as the initial Avon Breast Cancer Initiative, the Reebok Human Rights awards, the Polaroid Missing Children Program, and the John F. Kennedy Library Profiles in Courage awards.
At the age of 21, a month after graduating from American University, Adler founded and was the CEO of Washington Dossier, a magazine that covered power, society, politics, and entertaining in the nation’s capital. The magazine was featured regularly in the national media because of its regular annual features including the “Top 1,000 Most Powerful People in Washington,” the Diplomat List, the Social 400, and the Senatorial Dossier, a guide to the personalities of United States senators.
Adler resides in New York City and is active in several nonprofit and professional organizations, including current and previous board positions with SISO (Society of Independent Show Operator), NYC & Company, the WNET Education Committee, the Dean’s Advisory Council of the American University School of Communications, The Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, the Magazine Publishers Association, and Citymeals-on-Wheels, The Fine Arts Committee of the State Department of the United States and the Open Future Institute.
April Ellerbe/New Century Planning
April Ellerbe brings more than 17 years of event consulting, destination management, design, and luxury sales experience to New Century Planning. As the Principal & Senior Events Analyst, she not only oversees the firm’s growth and development, but also plays an integral role in the day-to-day operations and client activities.
April has developed and maintained professional relationships with clients such eMerging Entrepreneurs, Inc. (whom she partnered with on the 2012 “Momentum” Expo Series, and later received the White House’s “Champions of Change” award for Veterans Economic Advancement, in conjunction with President Obama’s “Winning the Future” initiative), Duke University Healthcare System, West Point United States Military Academy, The Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology (CHAVI) was a consortium of universities and academic medical centers that was established by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Sundance Film Festivals, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Knight Foundation and many other nationally recognized foundations and institutions.
Finally, it is also worth mentioning that under April’s leadership, New Century Planning was selected among hundreds of planning organizations across the US to manage 1-of-12 welcome events for the 2012 Democratic National Convention Delegates; specifically the delegates from Nevada, New Mexico, Guam, American Samoa, Wyoming, and Utah at the Historic Duke Mansion of Charlotte, NC. April’s contributions to this successful event were featured on BizBash.com, which is the largest online source for essential information on event marketing, meeting and event planning, and business entertainment, powered by BizBash Magazine.
The goal of AFR’s “Design & Inspire” showcase was not only to align its growing portfolio of design fixtures with up and coming planners who understood new national trends, but also feature the kinds of ‘outside of the box’ trend setters who’s forward-thinking approaches best reflected the company’s creative identity. New Century Planning named winner of 2013 AFR Design and Inspire Challenge. For this event, New Century Planning had the distinct pleasure of partnering with the official North American Body painting Champions, South Korean International Body painting Champions, and three time consecutive first-place winner World Titles holders, Living Brush America on AFR’s “Design &Inspire” Showcase. Madelyn Greco and Scott Fray are the founders of Living Brush and also created the “American Body Arts Festival” in New York. They also successfully broke the Guinness World Record for body painting.
