Rich Casanova, Author at Business RadioX ® Page

Maria Lee-Driver with Oria’s O’shay Inc., Ricardo Ibarria with Hygeia, Sean Standberry with LYFE Marketing – Buckhead Business Radio

December 2, 2014 by Rich Casanova

Sean Standberry, Ricardo Ibarria, Maria Lee-Driver

Sean Standberry/LYFE Marketing

CEO & Co-founder

As a co-founder of LYFE Marketing, Sean has built a successful social media marketing company from the ground up with his younger brother and closest friend. To date, Sean and his team have generated over a half million dollars in revenue for their clients using social media tactics. LYFE Marketing has worked with over 100 businesses in several mainstream industries.

www.LyfeMarketing.com | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Maria Lee-Driver/Oria’s O’shay Inc.

CEO

Maria Lee-Driver is the creator of Oria’s O’shay Body Butter sold in Whole Foods Mid-Atlantic, salons, online worldwide. An All natural product which is used from head to toe! Hosted of her own TV and radio show in Philadelphia now hosting a radio show here in Atlanta.

www.OriasoShay.com | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

Ricardo Ibarria/Hygeia

Founder and CEO

An analytical professional focused on the future of healthcare & how technology will change healthcare delivery. As the founder of Hygeia Health, a outpatient medical kiosk company in Atlanta, Ricardo is working with very bright engineers on simplifying the complex and tedious outpatient triage process with a mission to improve healthcare access by focusing on two things: clinicians & patients.

www.hygeia.us | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

Niko Karatassos with Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, Mary Kathryn Wells with Buckhead Atlanta, Jamie Bodner with Pinnacle Fitness, Dr. Tejal Lalaji with The Womans Imaging Group

November 25, 2014 by Rich Casanova

Simply Buckhead Radio 11-25-14 Group 2 — Mary Kathryn Wells, Jamie Bodner, Tejal Lalaji, Niko Karatassos, Joanne Hayes (Host)

Niko Karatassos/ Buckhead Life Restaurant Group

President and COO

Dining in any of the Buckhead restaurants is an experience to be savored. Each has its own style, atmosphere and flavor. Yet they all share one quality: a comfortable dining experience at a terrific value, unlike any other. We look forward to serving you soon. As in the beginning, what distinguishes Buckhead Life today is an all-consuming devotion to both food and guest. Imaginative menus composed by elite chefs delight and surprise, artfully mixing the classic and exotic. Gracious, impeccable service, perennially praised in a variety of publications, leaves patrons feeling as though theirs is the only table in the room. The History of Buckhead Life Restaurant Group: “A Thousand Little Things” On his philosophy for success, Pano has said, “Running a restaurant is not one big thing. It is a thousand little things.” Which is the reason each night, in every restaurant, it is a thousand little things that make the Buckhead Life experience unlike any other. 25 years and 12 internationally renowned restaurants later, the name Pano Karatassos rings synonymous with upscale Atlanta dining of every flavor. While CHOPS, PRICCI and VENI VIDI VICI mirror the dark-wooded, traditional sensibilities of forbearer PANO’S & PAUL’S, nouveau concepts such as KYMA and BLUEPOINTE dazzle with superstylish surrounds and chic, clubby vibes. For business or pleasure, Buckhead Life offers a destination perfect for any appetite, mood and occasion. Pano Karatassos did not set out to build a dynasty. Yet, starting with a passion for food, a pioneering spirit, and a now-famous hideaway in the heart of Old Buckhead, he would launch the company – and culinary renaissance – that put Atlanta’s restaurant scene on the map. Low-lit, velvet-draped and awash in Old World charm, PANO’S & PAUL’S debuted in 1979 to the acclaim of critics and locals alike. The shared vision of Pano and longtime friend, Chef Paul Albrecht, PANO’S & PAUL’S would defy fine-dining convention with a blend of casual sophistication and innovative gourmet fare. An instant landmark, it was little wonder that PANO’S & PAUL’S, the first Buckhead Life restaurant, would be far from the last.

www.BuckheadRestaurants.com Twitter Facebook YouTube Instagram

Dr. Tejal Lalaji/The Womans Imaging Group (WIG)

Tejal M. Lalaji, M.D. is a subspecialty radiologist in breast imaging and has been with The Radiology Group since 2006. She earned her medical degree from St. George’s University and completed her radiology residency at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn Heights and Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital. She completed her fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta. Her residency and fellowship focused on neuroradiology, head and neck imaging, and breast imaging. Dr. T. Lalaji, M.D. is MQSA certified and has over 10 years of experience in the field of mammography. She is trained in Breast MRI and passionate about women’s imaging.

www.wigmammo.com Facebook

Jamie Bodner/Pinnacle Fitness

Owner and Fitness design expert

Jamie Bodner. Jamie’s love for fitness, weight training, and health began at a young age. He realized he could finally be in-shape like those around him by taking care of himself through exercising and eating right. He started reading every book and magazine he could and working out every moment he was able. Once he started, it quickly became a passion and it opened up a new world and way of life for him. Growing up in New York, Jamie always expected to go to college before settling into the corporate lifestyle. He never once thought about making his passion for fitness his career. Still, while he was working his way up the corporate ladder at the World Trade Center, he never felt one hundred percent fulfilled. After 9/11, Jamie decided to follow his dream to fruition. Studying with the renowned Dr. Jack Barnathan, owner and founder of NYStrength, a worldwide leader in health, fitness, strength, and conditioning, he became a certified Fitness trainer with the International Sports Science Association (ISSA). He then moved to Miami and began his fitness career working for Bally’s initially as a trainer before then to assistant manager. He was later recruited by Results Fitness Studio for the head trainer position. During his time at Results Fitness, he also worked with the United Teaches of Dade County (UTD)creating and implementing dynamic fitness programs which resulted in a 90% increase in productivity, lower insurance premiums, and a raised level of moral. In 2005, Jamie and his wife, Laura, relocated to Laura’s hometown of Atlanta where Jamie set about realizing his lifelong goal: opening his own fitness studio. After thinking of the name and discovering the perfect location, Pinnacle Fitness opened in May 2008 in the heart of Buckhead. Since his first certification, he has continued to obtain additional certifications in Sports Performance such as Nutrition, Arthritis, Special Population and Sports Posifice Training, and Core/Functional Training. Jamie prides himself on understanding his clients’ needs and desires and seeing their potential. Jamie has worked with every type of client across the spectrum, from people in their late sixties who had never used free weights to high school athletes to improve their performance. No matter what fitness level, he will design a program that will suit your needs, whether it’s to make everyday activities easier or to make you a stronger competitive athlete. Jamie will always encourage you, pulling your inner strength out with a smile. Along with instructing you on the gym floor, he will also share with you the latest research he finds on nutrition and health. A healthy lifestyle doesn’t start or stop in the gym; he wants you to have the tools you need to reach your goals. He asks every client, “You know you are doing your best when you are here at Pinnacle for your workout. Are you doing the best outside of the gym?” Jamie will ensure that you will. Having been overweight as a child at the age of twelve, Jamie fully understand the difficulties and humiliation that is faced daily by those who are overweight and out-of-shape. That’s why Jamies first became interested in fitness, weight training, and health – and that’s why Jamie can be your special advoicate in finally geting yourself in-shape.

www.PinnacleFitnessGym.com Twitter Facebook

Mary Kathryn Wells/Buckhead Atlanta

Director of Marketing

What is Buckhead Atlanta? Buckhead Atlanta is a 1.5 million-square-foot mixed-use neighborhood covering six city blocks and eight acres in the heart of the Buckhead Village. The project features in its first phase 370 high-end apartments, luxury retail and dining and office space that will include the headquarters of shapewear company Spanx. Planning for a second phase is in the works. The project started its life as the Streets of Buckhead, a $1 billion-plus mini-city atop Buckhead former rowdy bar scene, that also veered heavily toward world-class luxury retail. It also included plans for ritzy hotels and residences. That project stalled after the recession started, and California-based OliverMcMillan took over at the end of 2010 and restarted the project on a smaller, but still ambitious scale.

www.Buckhead-ATL.com Twitter Facebook Instagram Pinterest

Kevin Jenkins and Erik Holdo with Chef and the Fatman Radio Show, Scott Schnell and Michelle Davidson with MedZed, Dirk Ebener with Kids Business Expo and Global CIF, Jerome Washington with TBC Cooperative, Jerry Stettner with CXO Collective – Buckhead Business Radio

November 25, 2014 by Rich Casanova

Erik Holdo, Jerry Stettner, Michelle Davidson, Jerome Washington, Dirk Ebener, Scott Schnell,Kevin Jenkins — Erik Holdo, Jerry Stettner, Michelle Davidson, Jerome Washington, Dirk Ebener, Scott Schnell, Kevin Jenkins

Kevin Fatman Jenkins/Chef and the Fatman Radio Show

Co-Host

We produce the only weekly live radio cooking and travel show (that actually cooks every show) in the world. Keven and Erik as the creators of Chef and the Fatman Radio Show have been guests of the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, the Irish Tourism board and have been to the famous My Father Cigar facility in Estili Nicagragua and cooked from Don Pepin Garcia’s personal compound.

www.ChefAndTheFatman.com Linkedin Facebook Facebook (Kevin)

Erik Holdo/ Chef and the Fatman Radio Show

Executive Chef

We produce the only weekly live radio cooking and travel show (that actually cooks every show) in the world. Keven and Erik have been guests of the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, the Irish Tourism board and have been to the famous My Father Cigar facility in Estili Nicagragua and cooked from Don Pepin Garcia’s personal compound.

www.ChefAndTheFatman.com Linkedin Facebook

Scott Schnell/MedZed

Co-founder and CEO

Scott H. Schnell is a seasoned executive with a true entrepreneurial spirit and co-founder of the recently launched medical service MedZed. The Atlanta-based company specializes in at-home pediatric care after normal office hours, seven days a week, in the comfort of a patient’s home. As a hard-working businessman, husband to wife Randi and father of three sons, Zachary, Matthew and Jacob, Schnell knows busy. He saw the need for a service like MedZed tailored for the working, busy parent returning home to a sick child. Schnell’s business endeavors began at the early age of 11 when he went door-to-door selling juice to neighbors, and in his college years owned and operated his own hot dog cart. He went on to serve in various senior management roles with companies such as Evermark Building Products and Pike Nurseries. He also co-founded RMA Home Services, Inc. and Simply Floored. Schnell resides in Atlanta, Ga. with his family. He is a trustee of the Paideia School and its Endowment Board, a member of the Development and Executive Committees, and serves on the Board of Intown Collaborative Ministries.

MyMedZed.com Linkedin Twitter Facebook Instagram Pinterest

Michelle Davidson/MedZed

Pediatric Nurse

Dirk Ebener/Kids Business Expo and Global CIF

CEO

www.KidsBusinessExpo.com Linkedin Twitter

Jerome Washington/TBC Cooperative Innovations

CEO-President

Former Profession Boxer and Chef

678-308-1565

Jerry Stettner/CXO Collective

Managing Partner

Jerald Stettner was a Sr. V.P. in a fortune 100 co until 2004. He has started a real estate investment co, which he owns, and is Managing Partner of 20/20 Growth Solutions, a consulting firm which he also founded. Since 2013 he has been a partner with CXO Collective.

www.CXOcollective.com Linkedin

Justice Nwaigwe with Wells Fargo and Atlanta Fire Foundation, Kim Painter Chesney with Diversity Earth, Janet Page Author

November 18, 2014 by Rich Casanova

Joanne Hayes (Host), Kim Painter Chesney, Janet Page, Justice Nwaigwe

Justice Nwaigwe/Wells Fargo and Atlanta Fire Foundation

District Manager and AFF Board Member

Justice began his career in the financial services industry in the year 2000. Working for Direct Merchant Bank in Texas he was able to learn about consumer and business credit lending. Intrigued by credit management he began facilitating training classes around establishing personal credit and managing a budget. Justice then went into the United States Air Force to serve as an active duty helicopter flight engineer. Justice’s last duty station was Kirkland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After exiting active duty military, Justice went back to finance where he worked for Citibank as a loan officer. Two years at Citibank took Justice from unsecured lending, to business credit, and finally to management. Wells Fargo bank reached out to Justice and offered him an opportunity to become a Branch Manager. Over the last 6 years with Wells Fargo bank Justice has managed 7 branches in 4 different regions and is now the District Manager for Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia. Justice is responsible for 552 million dollars in deposits and manages 74 employees. Volunteerism has always been a consistent part of Justice’s professional career as he’s logged over 300 volunteer hours with Wells Fargo. Habitat for humanity, Susan G. Komen breast cancer walk, Aids walk Atlanta, and United Way have been a few of the organizations that he participates in every year.

www.WelsFargo.com www.atlff.org Twitter Facebook

Kim Painter Chesney/Diversity Earth

Artist

Kim brings commitment, enthusiasm and energy to everything to which she jumps on board. As an artist, she has studied in several mediums including oil, watercolor and graphite. Currently, she is immersed in developing her own brand of encaustic painting, in which the works are both sculpted and painted. The encaustic process is an ancient hot wax technique known to have been used prior to 100 A.D. Using photographs of her travels around the world, Kim mounts the image on boards, spreads a combination of hot beeswax and resin onto its surface. She then fires up her blow torch and fuses the wax to the image. Using sculpting tools to etch into the cooled surface and then covering this with a colorful mix of oil pastel, creates a unique, rare piece of art. She began showing her work since 2008 and has gained recognition and won awards for her paintings, which hang in a number of private collections. Her work has been featured in several local publications. Kim has studied with acclaimed artists/instructors, among them, Marc Chatov, Jerry Fresia, Joe Paquet, James Richards and Terry Miura. Born with the name of Painter, Kim Painter Chesney was destined to become an artist. With years of working, child-rearing and fund-raising for child-related nonprofit organizations, there is no task too big for Kim to tackle. Her biggest joy to date is being a match for a bone marrow harvest, saving the life of a gentleman with leukemia. Kim’s creative juices are always flowing, from developing a culinary arts program for impoverished kids to donating art to charities and designing and running fundraising events that are wildly successful. Having lived in Asia and in multiple regions in the USA, Kim believes, “Art is a universal language, that unites us both spiritually and historically. That belief is directing her current work on a major series of encaustic paintings exploring and celebrating common humanity, drawn from her experiences across six continents.

www.KimPainterChesney.com

Dr. Janet Page

Psychotherapist, Author, Speaker

Janet Page, PH.D., is a psychotherapist in private practice working with individuals, couples, and groups 30 years in New York City and Atlanta. She has been featured extensively in the media including appearances on CNN, FOX, The Early Show, Salle Jesse Raphael, The Roseanne Show, and Hour Magazine, and articles in The Ladies Home Journal, Glamour Magazine, The New York Times, New York Magazine, New York Daily News, Atlanta Magazine, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Self Magazine, and L.A. Singles. She speaks to audiences around the country about how to win at marriage, building intimacy, and achieving excellence in business and professional relationships. For fourteen years, she was “Noonday” psychotherapist on NBC WXIA TV’s popular news show, and later joined “Peachtree Morning” and “Good For Parents”. For 22 years, she taught “I Will Be Married In A Year” Dr. Page is currently teaching “ The Sexiest Years: Romance from Forty to Forever”, How to Find your Perfect Mate”, and “Eat, Love, Live”.

www.DrJanetPage.com Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Rick Griffin with Midlife Road Trip, Leslie Kuban with FranNet, Karen Reynolds with zBoost, Amy Self with Capstone Financial – Buckhead Business Radio

November 18, 2014 by Rich Casanova

Leslie Kuban, Amy Self, Karen Reynolds, Rick Griffin, Rich Casanova (Host)

Rick Griffin/Midlife Road Trip

Founder/creator

Rick Griffin, is the founder/creator and co-host of the Midlife Road Trip, an unscripted food, travel and adventure series. Rick’s website, MidlifeRoadTrip.tv was named by The Luxe Insider as one of the “Best Travel Blogs for 2014” and named by TripIt as one of the “15 must read travel blogs for 2014.” Rick has been designated by The Travel Media Group as one of the “Top 20 Twitter Travel Experts” in a list that includes Anthony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern. Rick named one of the Huffington Post’s “39 Inspiring Men,” and has been featured in a variety of media including Daytime Television, BBC Travel, and USA Today.

MidLifeRoadTrip.tv LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Leslie Kuban/FranNet

Consultant

A FranNet consultant in Atlanta since 1999, my role is to provide education about the franchise world. I assist you with determining if franchise ownership is right for you, and identifying franchise businesses that will offer your best opportunity for success with the lowest risk. I’ve helped over 300 people successfully transition from corporate life to business ownership. My personal experience as a franchise owner gives me the perspective to help my clients assess their real opportunities, risks, and timing to make sound decisions. We address your career options first, and work together face-to-face locally if franchise ownership is a consideration. When I graduated from Vanderbilt University, I had already operated family-owned franchises and became a franchise owner in 1996. As the operating partner of Mail Boxes Etc. (now The UPS Store) in Marietta GA, I joined the local support team to assist other MBE franchisees successfully run their businesses. I continue as a franchise owner today as a FranNet franchisee. FranNet is the 26-year pioneer and recognized leader of the franchise consulting and placement industry. We’ve been recognized by Inc. Magazine in their top 500 fastest growing companies 2010 – 2013. I’m a guest lecturer at Emory University, Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State University. Attending my popular seminar, “Straight Talk about Franchising” is a terrific first step to learn more about exciting franchise opportunities, costs, funding options, the risks and the process to use. Locally, I proudly support Literacy Volunteers and the Humane Society.

www.FranNet.com LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Karen Reynolds/zBoost

President and CFO

As President and CFO of zBoost, formerly Wi-Ex, Karen Reynolds has immersed herself in the technology, manufacturing and business aspects of the wireless industry and under her leadership, zBoost cell phone signal boosters has expanded into new markets, and increased sales by more than 35%. Reynolds brings over 25 years of operational, financial and consulting experience in service, technology, distribution, and manufacturing industries primarily for entrepreneurial-based and fast-growing companies, Reynolds has become a pioneer of sorts in the wireless industry. The recent FCC Report and Order “Improving Wireless Coverage for Consumers through the Use of Signal Boosters” which adopted more stringent technical standards for cellular signal boosters is an endorsement of the growing need for boosters and Reynolds was instrumental in briefing the FCC commissioners regarding the industry. More than one Commissioner, commented on the rarity of being briefed by a woman in the wireless industry. The Opportunity for Cell Phone Signal Boosters The wireless industry must continue to focus on developing solutions to meet the needs of today’s mobile society. While the technology continues to advance including 4G for data, recent announcements of 4G for voice and the continued growth of smartphones and tablets, there are still challenges to a strong indoor cell phone signal including green building materials, heavy foliage in the warm months, hills and mountains, valleys, and adjacent tall buildings, to name a few. This can result in the potential for millions of unhappy mobile users as a result of slow data and dropped calls. The recent FCC ruling is an endorsement of the need for boosters and is supported by recent research from Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project which found 72 percent of cell owners experience dropped calls at least occasionally.

www.zBoost.com LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Amy Self/Capstone Financial Group

Manager Capstone Financial

www.CapstoneFinancialGA.com LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Rosina Seydel with Dorsey Alston Realtors, Jessica Camerata with My Style Vita, Sandra Grimaldi Recording Artist

November 11, 2014 by Rich Casanova

Sandra Grimaldi, Jessica Camerata, Rosina Seydel, Joanne Hayes (Host)

Rosina Seydel/Dorsey Alston Realtors

Realtor

Founded in 1947 by prominent Atlanta’s Roy Dorsey and Robert Alston, Dorsey Alston has a distinguished legacy of real estate service. For 65 years, generations of clients have trusted Dorsey Alston to represent them with integrity, discretion and professionalism. Working with fine properties in Atlanta, Alpharetta, Ansley Park, Brookhaven, Brookwood Hills, Buckhead, Dunwoody, East Cobb, Marietta, Roswell, Sandy Springs and Vinings, our commitment to providing the highest quality of client service and market knowledge is legendary. Our agents often uncover hidden gems overlooked by other Realtors who lack our insider access to Atlanta’s best addresses. The Atlanta real estate market is competitive and complex. School districts, city and county taxes, neighborhood trends and location are all factors in making successful real estate decisions. In guiding buyers and sellers, there is no substitute for experience. Dorsey Alston associates are among the most experienced and accomplished people in Atlanta real estate. On average, our agents have more than 14 years of experience. Dorsey Alston agents have access to all of the tools necessary to help our buyers and sellers understand the complexities of the Atlanta real estate marketplace and beyond. While we are proud of being locally owned and managed, Dorsey Alston has expanded its reach far beyond Atlanta and our region. Our affiliations with Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate and LuxuryRealEstate.com give us a global presence which includes a partnership with 1,641 outstanding luxury real estate firms with more than 120,000 sales associates throughout the United States and 65 other countries.

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Jessica Camerata/My Style Vita

Founder

Jessica is a fashion and lifestyle blogger behind My Style Vita where she shares her daily looks, beauty favorites, home decor inspiration and easy recipes. My Style Vita (vita is Italian for life!). My little space in the world wide web where I share my Outfit du Jours and random stories with the world. And yes, that’s Pork my Boston Terrier, she says hi too! MSV got started when I wanted to pursue a new career in writing and fashion. My previous job in a very conservative corporate America atmosphere had me itching for something that I was passionate about. What really got the fire under my butt was getting reprimanded several times for “offensive” outfits at the old 9-5. A little nudge and push from friends and family and My Style Vita was born. MSV is to be quite literal, My Style “life”, which is everything from fashion, food to decor. I’m really just a girl, trying to figure out what the hell I’m going to wear today. You’ll find lots of fashion and wardrobe tips on how to make the best use out of your closet as well as easy recipes and home decor inspiration. In addition to MSV, I am also the co-founder of Southern Blog Society, a community of Southern lifestyle bloggers. This is a great place for bloggers and the resources that help make blogs successful to network and build as a community. Apply to be a member of this community here. I hope you stay a while and check out my Outfit du Jours!

mystylevita.com LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Sandra Grimaldi

Singer, Model

Sandra was always told to have a backup plan, “just in case” her dreams fell through. Well, she has always been, and still is, a dreamer. At a young age, Sandra was exposed to idols like Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Prince and Stevie Wonder and her passion for music exploded! She began singing her heart out and writing songs very early on but learned quickly that she had to create her own opportunities. By high school she began putting herself in music, dance, and acting lessons and then went on to study Music Business in college.

Her determination and ability to take challenges head-on led her to Atlanta, in 2008, after signing with a local independent music company that discovered her in NY. While working on her first independent record straight out of college, she decided to make Atlanta her temporary home making the move here in January 2009. Sandra has performed on TV, at MLB stadiums, at renowned convention centers and arenas, and has shared the stage with artists such as the OJs, Diana Ross, Pat Benetar, Train, Tone Loc and many many more!

Sandra recently spent 4 years performing and touring with top bands both nationally and internationally. Although born and raised in NY, she has marked new territory in the state of Georgia over the last 5 1/2 years and the Peach State is no longer just her “temporary home”. After marrying her GA bred beau, she competed as Mrs. Atlanta United States in the Mrs. Georgia State Pageant and was crowned as the 2013 state title holder, Mrs. Georgia United States 2013. She went on to compete for the national title, Mrs. United States, in July 2013 and was a top 10 finalist. During her reign Sandra spent time raising awareness and fundraising for her platform cause, the SADS (Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes) foundation, who she has been an avid supporter of since suddenly losing her best friend 6 years ago to a SADS condition (www.SADS.org) She also helped raise awareness and thousands of dollars for several other organizations throughout the state of GA.

In 2013, Sandra was recognized at the Georgia State Capitol and awarded with a Certificate of Resolution by the House of Representatives for her charitable work within her community. Also recently, Sandra and her husband, Chris Cauley, were featured as 2 of Atlanta’s 50 Most Beautiful and were also recognized for their charitable works, as well as their talents, by Jezebel Magazine.

Sandra, who works as a model, singer, is an enterprising and forward-thinking artist. She intends to use every avenue possible as a state ambassador to raise awareness and do good in the community, and to seek out opportunities in the pursuit of her musical dreams and the happiness of those around her.

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Joanne Hayes/Simply Buckhead Magazine (Show Host)

Publisher /Founder

Publisher and Founder of Simply Buckhead Magazine, launched in 2010. More than 18 years in the industry, worked for Journal Register Company (owners of 377 weeklies and dailies across the country), for 12 years, then as Marketing Director for SO RI Magazine, launched in 2007 at Providence Media, for 3 years, before moving to Atlanta. Without knowing a single person here, we spent 8 months in early 2010 researching and educating ourselves on the Atlanta media landscape before launching. As the fastest-growing publication in Atlanta, we are very excited to collaborate with many local businesses and Buckhead and Brookhaven residents, bringing to the readers unique stories that continue to keep them seeking us out. My specialty is building long-term relationships, educating clients, and helping businesses grow through advertising and editorial opportunities.

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Sean Weatherspoon with Atlanta Falcons and Spoonful of Hope Foundation, Kristin Connor with CURE Childhood Cancer, Michele Stumpe with Taylor English and Children of Conservation, Joanne Hayes with Simply Buckhead

November 4, 2014 by Rich Casanova

Michele Stumpe, Kristin Connor, Sean Weatherspoon, Joanne Hayes (Show Host)

Sean Weatherspoon/Atlanta Falcons

Spoonful of Hope Foundation

The mission of the Sean Weatherspoon’s SPOONful of Hope Foundation is to provide low income and inner-city youth with opportunities and resources to reach their full potential. The goal of the Sean Weatherspoon’s SPOONful of Hope Foundation is to impact the lives of more than 150,000 at-risk Atlanta-area youth.

SeanWeatherspoon.org Twitter Facebook

Kristin Connor/CURE Childhood Cancer

Executive Director

Kristin Connor joined CURE Childhood Cancer in March 2006 as Executive Director after a personal experience with childhood cancer changed and redirected her life. Kristin’s second son was diagnosed in Oct 2001 at a month old with an aggressive form of childhood cancer called neuroblastoma.

The suffering of children and families at the hands of childhood cancer caused her to leave her law practice and take the reins at CURE Childhood Cancer. Kristin graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1991 with a B.A. in International Studies. She attended law school at University of Georgia and graduated with a J.D. in 1994. She practiced law at Arnall Golden Gregory until 2004 when she took a leave of absence to work as Senior Vice President of Community and Business Development at a national childhood cancer nonprofit. She joined CURE as Executive Director in 2006. Under Kristin’s leadership, CURE has experienced 400% growth in revenue, allowing the organization to grow its investment in childhood cancer research and patient and family services, refocused its mission, rebranded the organization, established a strong Scientific Advisory Board and strengthened board leadership. Kristin is a strong advocate for strategic collaborations and seeks out opportunities to work with other mission driven organizations to further the goal of eradicating childhood cancer in our lifetime and supporting the critical and urgent needs of patients and their families.

CureChildhoodCancer.org LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Michele Stumpe/Partner Taylor English

Co-founder Children of Conservation

Children of Conservation takes a global approach towards wildlife conservation in third world countries. Our projects are designed to have immediate but long-lasting impact. We focus, not only on the animals themselves, but also on the education and well being of the people fighting for their protection and the people in the communities surrounding their habitats.

ChildrenofConservation.org LinkedIn Facebook

Joanne Hayes/Simply Buckhead Magazine (Show Host)

Publisher /Founder

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Robert Balentine with Balentine and Company, Jim Cook with National Financial Services Group, Brad Stonecipher with Peachtree Planning Corporation, Reo Oravec with Pilot House Advisors – Buckhead Business Radio

October 21, 2014 by Rich Casanova

Robert Balentine/Balentine and Company

Partner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Robert Balentine is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Balentine, the Atlanta based independent investment advisory firm. In 1987, Robert founded Balentine and Company, which grew to become the largest independent investment advisory firm in the south. In 2002, the firm was acquired by a large public company where Robert become CEO of their investment management business, managing more than $36 billion in assets. Five years ago, he and his partners became entrepreneurs once again and created Balentine as an independent firm. Robert began his career with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, where at the age of 28, he was elected the youngest vice president in Merrill Lynch history. In 1987, he and his father cofounded Balentine & Company, which grew to become the largest privately owned investment counseling firm in the Southeast. In 2002, the firm was acquired by Wilmington Trust Company where Robert served as Executive Vice President and Chairman and CEO of Wilmington Trust Investment Management. There, his Atlanta based team managed over $36 billion in assets for clients throughout the United States. Robert has held a variety of leadership positions in the community. He was Chairman of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Vice Chairman of the Woodruff Arts Center and Chairman of the Salvation Army Atlanta Boys & Girls Clubs. He is a 20 year member of Vistage, an international organization of CEOs; founding president of The Southeastern Horticultural Society; and a member of the Elachee Nature Center Advisory Board. Robert is also founder of the Southern Highlands Reserve (SHR), a nationally recognized native plant arboretum in western North Carolina, and in 2014 was honored for his work with SHR by Invest in Others in its annual Community Leadership Awards. Since its founding in December 2009, Balentine has grown to nearly $2 billion in assets, employing 25 people in two offices and has been named one of the Top 50 fastest growing RIAs by Forbes and a best place to work in Money Management by Pensions & Investments. In addition, the Metro Atlanta Chamber awarded Robert with the Entrepreneur of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. In August of this year, Robert was named one of the nation’s “Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors” by Barron’s.

www.Balentine.com LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Jim Cook/National Financial Services Group

CEO

James L. Cook serves as CEO of National Financial Services Group (NFSG), a comprehensive financial services firm headquartered in Atlanta. Under his leadership, which began in 2000, the firm has become one of the premier financial services companies in the Southeast having grown from a single office of 16 associates to over 125 financial services professionals with offices in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. NFSG has a long proud history. Through its association with National Life Insurance Company (NLIC), NFSG can trace its roots back to 1896, the year the first NLIC agency opened in Atlanta. Over the years, the firm’s name has changed but its solid reputation for excellence in service and long term client relationships has endured. Jim’s steadfast commitment to ongoing training and education builds the intellectual capital of the firm and enables the firm’s financial professionals to stand out among their peers in the industry. NFSG was recognized as the top National Life agency from 20052010 and for the past ten years, it has been ranked as one of the top agencies for insurance and assets under management by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. The firm has been the recipient of numerous GAMA International Awards which recognize exceptional agencies and firm leaders around the world. These awards include the Master Agency Award (five times), the First in Class Award (six times) and the International Management Diamond Award (eight times). Jim served for four years as a GAMA International Board Member.1 A 1981 graduate of Western Illinois University, Jim earned his Certified Fund Specialist® designation in 1995 and became a Chartered Financial Consultant® in 1997. He is past President of NAIFA Atlanta and served as a board member for three years. Jim has traveled to Washington D.C., along with NAIFA leaders from across the country, to discuss important industry issues with members of Congress. Jim and his wife, Belynda, live in Cumming, GA and have three daughters. They are members of Johns Creek United Methodist Church. During his occasional free time, Jim can be found golfing or cheering on the Atlanta Braves.

www.NationalFinancialServicesGroup.com LinkedIn

Brad Stonecipher/Peachtree Planning Corporation

Executive Vice President Investments

Brad Stonecipher has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He was previously employed with Trust Company Bank, Merrill Lynch, and Robinson Humphrey, before joining Peachtree Planning in 1995. Brad currently oversees Peachtree Planning’s Investment Department which includes, Operations, Compliance, and Investment Product Sales. He is responsible for over 90 registered representatives who currently manage over $2.6 billion of their clients’ assets. Brad is the recipient of several professional organizational awards. He has served as a member of the Field Advisory Board for Park Avenue Securities (PAS) and for Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company. He helped develop and implement the PAS Investment Specialist Training Program, a program that has trained over 200 Investment Specialist’s throughout the country. He graduated with a BBA, from the University of Kentucky. He is a member of the IAFP, International Association of Financial Planners, a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the ALU, Association of Life Underwriters, and a member of GAMA International, The General Agents and Managers Association. Brad lives in Buckhead with his wife, Iris, and their son, Nick, and daughter, Haley. They are members of Peachtree Presbyterian Church.

www.PeachtreePlanning.com LinkedIn Facebook

Reo Oravec/Pilot House Advisors

Founder

Reo Oravec comes with 32 years as a trusted advisor to clients. He started his career with Anderson Consulting in Europe where he attended the University of Oxford for an MBA. He returned to the US to run the West coast branch of Anderson and was hired as a CIO for a DOT COM client, which he took public. Reo has spent over a decade in various VP roles for a global consulting company helping a broad range of businesses from startups to F100 companies. As CEO of Pilothouse Advisors, he currently leads the business strategy efforts that focus on customer’s high growth and innovation execution. Reo has a vast experience with SMEs from all aspects of business operations, and, today, he will uncover their origins and usefulness in today’s challenging environment. Optional: Reo holds certifications in project management from Stanford University, business intelligence from TDWI, and is a certified outsourcing executive from IAOP. He’s the author of an upcoming book on effective business processes and revenue generation titled “Sales Best Practices.” In Atlanta, he is involved in TAG, ASP, AICPA, IIBA, the AQAA, and is a fund raiser for SOGA, the Salvation Army Bed and Bread program, Feed America, and the Wounded Warrior Project.

www.PilothouseAdvisors.com Linkedin

Heather Thompson/Pilot House Advisors

Show Producer

Whitney Wilson with LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Stacy Weenick with Taste of Atlanta, Terry Carver with Bricktop’s, Kit Cummings with Power of Peace Productions, Inc. – Buckhead Business Radio

October 7, 2014 by Rich Casanova

Whitney Wilson/ LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Marketing Manager

Enthusiastic and dedicated professional, with two years working for Merlin Entertainments, the second largest global entertainments company. With experience in all Operational and Marketing aspects of the business, I strive to achieve maximum guest satisfaction, optimization of all Marketing channels and the personal career development of the Marketing team. I enjoy working in a fast-paced and energetic environment. In my career at Merlin Entertainments have demonstrated excellent customer service and problem solving skills, and have developed a passion for the entertainments industry.

– Source, develop and execute promotional partnerships.

– Work with the Finance Department to develop annual visitor budget.

– Oversee Trade Sales activity, group bookings, hotel relationships, and 3rd party partnerships.

– Oversee social media activity and initiatives.

– Oversee the development and execution of all community events, both on site and off site.

– Develop and track ticket products to ensure daily, monthly and annual targets are achieved.

– Develop online digital marketing strategies and relationships.

– Actively manage and monitor online social review sites.

– Responsible for the creation and execution of the annual marketing plan.

LegoLandDiscoveryCenter.com LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Stacy Weenick/Taste of Atlanta

Event Manager

Taste of Atlanta packs the bold flavors, colorful personalities and vibrant energy of an entire city into 10 blocks in Midtown Atlanta. The three-day festival explores the city’s unique neighborhoods by sampling tastes from the chefs and bartenders that give each area its own creative energy. Since its inception in 2002, Taste of Atlanta has become an annual pilgrimage for thousands of food, wine, beer and cocktail lovers from across the country. Festival attendees bring their adventurous appetites and experience a full range of flavors, from time-honored Southern classics to innovative dishes that are destined to be the next culinary trend. Patrons also enjoy interactive cooking demonstrations on four main stages, live entertainment and family-friendly activities for food lovers of all ages. Taste of Atlanta supports several Atlanta non-profit groups, including Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters, Atlanta’s Table, Georgia Organics and Hospitality Education Foundation of Georgia and ProStart®. Indulge in the city’s flavors Friday through Sunday, October 24-26 in Midtown at Tech Square to truly savor what makes Atlanta the food capital of the South.

www.TasteofAtlanta.com LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Terry Carver /Bricktop’s

General Manager

www.BrickTops.com LinkedIn

Kit Cummings/Power of Peace Productions, Inc.

Founder & President

Born and raised in Atlanta, Kit has been involved in the field of personal development and leadership for over two decades. Kit earned a BBA in Marketing from the Terry School of Business at the University of Georgia, and he also holds a Master of Theology. Kit founded Power of Peace Project, Inc. and Power of Peace Productions, Inc. and brings his experience working in some of the most dangerous areas in the world– to bring about organizational CHANGE in your community. Kit has inspired people to aim higher in places as far away as Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe, and recently completed speaking tours in South Africa, Mexico, Honduras and Ukraine. Kit has negotiated peace between rival gang leaders in dangerous prisons and recently spoke at the Gandhi Global Peace Summit in Durban, South Africa. Having taught in some of the toughest environments in the world, he now brings his dynamic message to schools, prisons, churches, corporate events and seminars. Kit has authored four books.

www.PowerofPeaceProject.com LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Maria Lee-Driver with Oria’s O’shay Inc., Ricardo Ibarria with Hygeia, Sean Standberry with LYFE Marketing – Buckhead Business Radio

Niko Karatassos with Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, Mary Kathryn Wells with Buckhead Atlanta, Jamie Bodner with Pinnacle Fitness, Dr. Tejal Lalaji with The Womans Imaging Group

Kevin Jenkins and Erik Holdo with Chef and the Fatman Radio Show, Scott Schnell and Michelle Davidson with MedZed, Dirk Ebener with Kids Business Expo and Global CIF, Jerome Washington with TBC Cooperative, Jerry Stettner with CXO Collective – Buckhead Business Radio

Justice Nwaigwe with Wells Fargo and Atlanta Fire Foundation, Kim Painter Chesney with Diversity Earth, Janet Page Author

Rick Griffin with Midlife Road Trip, Leslie Kuban with FranNet, Karen Reynolds with zBoost, Amy Self with Capstone Financial – Buckhead Business Radio

Rosina Seydel with Dorsey Alston Realtors, Jessica Camerata with My Style Vita, Sandra Grimaldi Recording Artist

Sean Weatherspoon with Atlanta Falcons and Spoonful of Hope Foundation, Kristin Connor with CURE Childhood Cancer, Michele Stumpe with Taylor English and Children of Conservation, Joanne Hayes with Simply Buckhead

Robert Balentine with Balentine and Company, Jim Cook with National Financial Services Group, Brad Stonecipher with Peachtree Planning Corporation, Reo Oravec with Pilot House Advisors – Buckhead Business Radio

Whitney Wilson with LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Stacy Weenick with Taste of Atlanta, Terry Carver with Bricktop’s, Kit Cummings with Power of Peace Productions, Inc. – Buckhead Business Radio

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