On this edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes welcomes CSR Computers General Manager Scott Rippy as well as Nikki Foreman from the DeKalb Chamber Young Professionals group. We also take a look at DeKalb County’s newest business – organic food retailer Earth Fare – which just opened its doors Wednesday at Emory Point.
Scott Rippy/CSR Computers General Manager
Scott is the Executive Vice President of CSR Smarttech LLC and General Manager of CSR Computers, a retail computer store specializing in Home and Business IT Solutions. He is a Microsoft Certified Professional with over 25 years industry experience as a senior technology and business consultant.
Scott has over 16 years’ experience in supporting the technical needs of small businesses with emphasis on Security and OS configuration, DNS, Group Policy, hardware support, storage, and raid methodologies. He has strong knowledge of the Small Business Server Suite.
He currently supports dozens of small- to medium-sized businesses remotely monitoring established network infrastructures and implementing changes as needed to maintain a secure and efficient network. He performs preventive maintenance and develops technical installation work plans, as well as implementing network and software upgrades and modifications. He also provides data backup and recovery, quality assurance reviews, and accurate risk assessment, while building and maintaining PCs and the functionality/security of virtual private networks (VPNs).
He is skilled in managing local and wide area network connectivity through maintenance and troubleshooting of routers, switches, hubs, network cards, and dial-up networking with 20+ years of break fix and server experience within a LAN environment through proactive LAN administration roles. He has system architecture design (LAN and WAN) experience, as well as strong knowledge of implementing and utilizing remote network management and monitoring tools (LAN Desk, WebEx, Microsoft RDP).
Scott serves on the Board of Directors of the Tucker Business Association and is a member of the Tucker Day 2015 and Friends of Kelley Cofer Park Planning Committees.
Certifications: MCSA, MSDST, MCP, A+, Network + Lexmark, HP, Dell, IBM, Compaq
Nikki Forman/DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Chairperson
Nikki Forman is the new Chairperson of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals organization. Professionally, Nikki serves on the DeKalb Medical Marketing Communications team, where she manages internal strategic communications to engage and align more than 4,000 employees and physicians in over 20 locations around the goals of the organization.
She has major responsibility for counseling the CEO and members of the senior leadership team in excellent communications practice and in positively positioning the DeKalb Medical brand both internally and externally. Earlier this year, Nikki was recognized by the DeKalb Chamber as their 2014 Ambassador of the Year for her volunteer service to the organization.
Nikki is the oldest child of two retired Army colonels who served our country for more than 50 years collectively and has had the opportunity to live around the United States and abroad, but has found the most satisfaction since moving to Atlanta. She is passionate about the opportunity to serve young professionals in DeKalb County and looks forward to seeing DCYP grow and thrive.
Amanda Arnet/Earth Fare
Founded in 1975 in Asheville, North Carolina, Earth Fare is the authentic organic and natural healthy grocery store with 37 locations across the Southeast, mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Their full-service philosophy incorporates the highest food Quality Standards in the industry with compelling value, friendly and knowledgeable service, and a superior customer experience.
They opened their newest Earth Fare location on July 8 at Emory Point in Decatur.
