Alpharetta Archives - Page 3 of 5

John Hipes, Hipes & Belle Isle, LLC, and Councilman, City of Alpharetta

June 27, 2023 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

John Hipes, Hipes & Belle Isle, LLC, and Councilman, City of Alpharetta

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North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 675)

John Hipes, attorney and owner of Hipes & Belle Isle, LLC, was the guest on this episode of North Fulton Business Radio. He and host John Ray talked about the firm and its evolution, how he prepares clients for litigation, legal success stories, why he serves on the Alpharetta City Council, what makes Alpharetta such a superb place to work, live, and play, and much more.

North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Hipes & Belle Isle, LLC

Hipes & Belle Isle, LLC provides expert legal assistance, advice, and representation to businesses of all sizes.

Their attorneys have the experience, knowledge and judgment to handle your legal matters and protect your company’s interests to the fullest extent of the law. They have highly skilled, ethical and successful negotiators, courtroom litigators, real-estate experts and business advisors who provide prompt, aggressive and reasonably priced legal services.

When a complex legal question demands knowledge and experience in several areas, Hipes & Belle Isle offers single-source convenience by providing legal services in:

Business Litigation
Commercial Real Estate Law
Construction Law
Employment Law
Insurance Law

At Hipes & Belle Isle, they are also proud of their success and standing within the legal, professional and civic communities. They look forward to even greater achievements as they meet and address the legal challenges of our rapidly evolving society, but most importantly we look forward to serving you with experience, expertise and integrity.

Website| LinkedIn | Facebook| Twitter

John Hipes, Attorney and Owner, Hipes & Belle Isle, LLC

John Hipes is from Muncie, Indiana. He received his B.A. cum laude from Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) in 1981 and his J.D. magna cum laude from Georgia State College of Law (Atlanta) in 1988, where he served as senior editor for the Georgia State University Law Review. He authored Abusive Litigation in Georgia, Georgia State Univ. L. Rev., Vol. 3, 1987.

John has practiced law for 33 years. He began his law practice in 1988 with Smith, Gambrell & Russell LLP and then with Morris, Manning & Martin (both in Atlanta) before forming Hipes & Norton, P.C. (Alpharetta) in 1996. In 2004, John helped to form Bach, Dewberry & Hipes, LLC (Alpharetta). In 2013, John founded Hipes & Belle Isle, LLC.

John practices commercial litigation, including insurance coverage and interpretation, construction, real estate, employment, partnership and shareholder disputes, and tort and injury law. He has successfully resolved and tried numerous lawsuits on behalf of residential and commercial policyholders, including issues involving bad faith, unfair claims practices, fraud, arson, theft, cancellation procedures, protective safeguard endorsements, and coverage interpretation.

John is a member of the State Bar of Georgia. He is admitted to practice in all Georgia courts, including State and Superior, the Georgia Court of Appeals, and the Georgia Supreme Court. He is also admitted in the United States District Court, Northern District of Georgia and the United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. John is a Past-President of the North Fulton Bar Association for 2011-2012.

John is an Alpharetta City Councilman and liaison to the Alpharetta Public Safety Department and the Alpharetta Municipal Court. He has been an active member of the Rotary Club of Alpharetta since 1997, served as President in 2008-2009, and was founder of the Alpharetta Memorial Day Tribute. He serves on the boards of North Fulton Community Charities and the Alpharetta Public Safety Foundation. John previously served on the Alpharetta Planning Commission, the Board and Executive Committee of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, and the Board of the Ed Isakson Alpharetta YMCA. He is a member of the Leadership North Fulton Class of 2000, Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce, and Alpharetta Business Association.

John is an active member of the Alpharetta First United Methodist Church. He has participated in many humanitarian and mission trips to Africa, Central and South America with Rotary and AFUMC. John resides in Alpharetta with his wife Karen.

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

Overview of Hipes & Belle Isle legal practice
Legal success stories
Community involvement
Why Alpharetta is a great place to operate a business
What’s happening in Alpharetta and what lies ahead

North Fulton Business Radio is hosted by John Ray and broadcast and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, TuneIn, and others.

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Since 2000, Office Angels® has been restoring joy to the life of small business owners, enabling them to focus on what they do best. At the same time, we honor and support at-home experts who wish to continue working on an as-needed basis. Not a temp firm or a placement service, Office Angels matches a business owner’s support needs with Angels who have the talent and experience necessary to handle work that is essential to creating and maintaining a successful small business. Need help with administrative tasks, bookkeeping, marketing, presentations, workshops, speaking engagements, and more? Visit us at https://officeangels.us/.

Karen Cashion, Tech Alpharetta

March 21, 2023 by John Ray

Business Beat

Karen Cashion, Tech Alpharetta

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Frazier & Deeter’s Business Beat: Karen Cashion, Tech Alpharetta

Karen Cashion, CEO of Tech Alpharetta, joined host Roger Lusby and his colleague at Frazier & Deeter, Reid Blalock, on this edition of Business Beat. Karen discussed how and why Tech Alpharetta was founded, their work as an incubator for tech startups, their strong graduation rate, available programs and educational opportunities, their dedicated, experienced board, tech trends locally, and much more.

Business Beat is presented by Alpharetta CPA firm Frazier & Deeter and is produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®

Tech Alpharetta

Tech Alpharetta is an independent, 501c(6) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help grow technology and innovation in Alpharetta. There are nearly 700 tech companies located in the City of Alpharetta today. Tech Alpharetta helps to recruit and retain tech companies, grow new tech startups and innovation, create jobs, and grow the next generation of skilled tech workforce for the many employers in the Alpharetta and north metro region.

Tech Alpharetta also focuses heavily on giving back to the community, through its Women’s Forum, which supports area women in STEAM-related careers and provides STEAM mentoring to high school girls. Tech Alpharetta is partnered with the new, Innovation Academy Fulton County public STEM high school in Alpharetta. Tech Alpharetta, through its Board companies and its Women’s Forum, will be providing mentorship, classroom challenges, and internship opportunities to the school’s students.

Tech Alpharetta helps to effectuate its strategy through its Strategic Board of Directors, by operating a thriving tech startup incubator and its Women’s Forum, and by hosting year-round, locally-based, educational and tech thought leadership events for technology executives.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

Karen Cashion, President and CEO, Tech Alpharetta

Karen Cashion is President & CEO of Tech Alpharetta, which was created by the City of Alpharetta in 2012 and is now a 501(c)6 nonprofit organization.

Karen is an attorney with twenty years of experience as a commercial litigator and corporate technology lawyer. Karen began her career at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in New York City, and in addition to law firm practice, has served as Assistant General Counsel for EarthLink and Legal Counsel, Global Technology for Travelport, LP in Atlanta.

Karen received her J.D. with high honors from Duke University School of Law, where she served as Senior Editor of the Law & Contemporary Problems Journal. Karen received her Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, from Emory University, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

Karen has served as a Commissioner on the City of Alpharetta’s Planning Commission, is a 2014 graduate of Leadership North Fulton, and is a graduate of the 2015 Georgia Academy for Economic Development. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the North Fulton Bar Association and the Advisory Board for the University of North Georgia’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. In addition, Karen is a member of the Advisory Board for Vinings Bank.

Karen and her family are longtime residents of the city of Alpharetta.

Frazier & Deeter

The Alpharetta office of Frazier & Deeter is home to a thriving CPA tax practice, a growing advisory practice and an Employee Benefit Plan Services group. CPAs and advisors in the Frazier & Deeter Alpharetta office serve clients across North Georgia and around the country with services such as personal tax planning, estate planning, business tax planning, business tax compliance, state and local tax planning, financial statement reviews, financial statement audits, employee benefit plan audits, internal audit outsourcing, cyber security, data privacy, SOX and other regulatory compliance, mergers, and acquisitions and more. Alpharetta CPAs serve clients ranging from business owners and executives to large corporations.

Roger Lusby, host of Frazier & Deeter’s Business Beat, is an Alpharetta CPA and Alpharetta Office Managing Partner for Frazier & Deeter. He is also a member of the Tax Department in charge of coordinating tax and accounting services for our clientele. His responsibilities include a review of a variety of tax returns with an emphasis in the individual, estate, and corporate areas. Client assistance is also provided in the areas of financial planning, executive compensation and stock option planning, estate and succession planning, international planning (FBAR, SFOP), health care, real estate, manufacturing, technology, and service companies.

You can find Frazier & Deeter on social media:

LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

An episode archive of Frazier & Deeter’s Business Beat can be found here.

Jim Miller, CEO & Co-Founder, DutchCrafters Amish Furniture

March 13, 2023 by John Ray

Jim Miller, DutchCrafters Amish Furniture

North Fulton Business Radio

Jim Miller, CEO & Co-Founder, DutchCrafters Amish Furniture

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North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 621)

On this edition of North Fulton Business Radio, Jim Miller, CEO and Co-Founder of DutchCrafters Furniture, joined host John Ray to discuss what makes DutchCrafters an industry disruptor, how they got started, what it was like to sell custom Amish furniture on the internet prior to the booming e-commerce industry we see today, why the company located a showcase store in Alpharetta, and much more.

North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

DutchCrafters is a niche retailer, selling more than 15,000 products on its Amish furniture website www.dutchcrafters.com. DutchCrafters Showrooms and Design Centers welcome customers in Sarasota, Fla. and Alpharetta, Ga. and in an outlet store in LaGrange, Ind. DutchCrafters was named to Newsweek’s prestigious Best Online Shops for 2021 and Fastest Growing Online Shops for 2022. The company has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and was listed six times as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States, according to Inc. Magazine’s prestigious Inc. 5,000 List.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

**Jim Miller, CEO & Co-Founder, DutchCrafters Amish Furniture**

Jim Miller is the Founder and CEO of JMX Brands, a Sarasota-based e-commerce company that he began with his wife Linse Miller, and Miao Xue in 2003. JMX Brands is a six-time Inc 5000 company, a Gulf Coast 500 company, and is recognized by Furniture Today as a leading e-tailer.

JMX Brands was recognized as a 2016 Florida Company to Watch by GROW FL and 2021 Medium Business of the Year by the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. The company was named Best Place to Work by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune in 2020, 2021, and 2022 and by Furniture Today in 2021 and 2022.

The company’s flagship brand, DutchCrafters, is the largest e-commerce brand of Amish-made furniture – retailing products from more than 150 small American vendors and delivering throughout the United States and Canada. DutchCrafters is one of Newsweek’s Best Online Shops of 2021 and Fasted Growing Online Shops of 2022 and from his work, Jim received a Top Entrepreneur Award from the Business Observer in 2022.

Jim previously served as the founding director of Goshen College – Sarasota. Goshen College is a four-year, private, liberal arts college located in Goshen, Indiana. The Sarasota program offers baccalaureate degree completion in management, computer certifications, and personal enrichment courses. In 1999, as the new director, Jim was recognized in Gulf Coast Business Review’s inaugural publication of “40 Under 40” – the region’s forty most promising leaders under age forty. Jim has taught management, organizational communication, and related courses in non-traditional programs at Goshen College and Eckerd College.

Jim was associate pastor at Bahia Vista Mennonite Church in Sarasota from 1993-1998. He served various roles in his congregation and with Southeast Mennonite Conference and the larger Mennonite Church. From 2011-13, he served as a bi-vocational pastor at Covenant Mennonite Fellowship in Sarasota. He continues to speak in various settings on issues of faith.

Jim earned a bachelor’s degree from Goshen College and a master’s degree in management in leadership and organizational development from the University of South Florida. In addition, he has studied at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Eastern Mennonite University, and Bethel Theological Seminary.

Jim’s community service has been extensive. He has served in a variety of capacities, including aquatic rescue at Mote Marine Laboratories, youth basketball coach, and in directorships with Charis Center, Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity, Sunnyside Properties, and as president of the Sunnyside Foundation.

What makes DutchCrafters an industry disruptor?
Whose idea was it to pair custom Amish furniture with the internet and bring Amish furniture to homes and offices across America via the internet (prior to Facebook and the booming e-commerce industry we see today)?
What is something most people don’t know about you?
With showrooms in Sarasota, Florida, and Alpharetta, Georgia, and an outlet store in LaGrange, Indiana, what is next for JMX Brands / DutchCrafters?

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Gerald Pulsinelli, Viva Chicken

March 2, 2023 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Gerald Pulsinelli, Viva Chicken

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North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 614)

On this edition of North Fulton Business Radio, Gerald Pulsinelli, CEO of Viva Chicken, joined host John Ray to discuss his company and their new Haynes Bridge Road location in Alpharetta. Gerald talked about their delicious menu offerings, including their Peruvian Rotisserie Chicken, how every menu item, even sauces, are made fresh on premises, why Alpharetta represents an attractive market for the company, how Viva Chicken takes care of its team members and gives back to the community through VivaCares, and much more.

North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Viva Chicken is a fast-casual charcoal-fire Peruvian Rotisserie Joint specializing in the authentic Pollo a la Brasa (Peruvian Rotisserie Chicken) found on the streets of Peru. Serving the hottest, freshest chicken, Viva promises distinctive and flavorful menu items packed with inspired recipes that will transform your taste buds.

Convenience is key, whether guests dine in or take out. Order with the VIVA App for a seamless experience and earn Viva Points when signing up for our loyalty program.

Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

**Gerald Pulsinelli, CEO, Viva Chicken**

With nearly thirty years of experience, Gerald Pulsinelli plays an active leadership role in the hospitality industry. A strategic-driven senior executive with a proven history of success in restaurant operations, Gerald serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Viva Chicken, a fast-casual, authentic Peruvian Rotisserie Joint founded in 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Viva Chicken currently operates 12 restaurants across the country and is making its market entry into Georgia in late 2022.

Gerald’s role with Viva Chicken began in 2018. Since that time, he has dug into every aspect of the aspiring brand, partnering with the co-founders, current board of directors, and operations team, and working to fortify the homegrown company into a national brand.

Much of Gerald’s strong commitment to delivering superior hospitality was instilled in him when he served as a member of the Senior Executive Team at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, also based in Charlotte. He was with Firebirds from its inception in 2000, serving as General Manager of the restaurant’s first location, and in numerous senior-level positions over the next 18 years.

As a member of Firebirds’ Senior Leadership Team, Gerald was responsible for helping the team deliver the company’s version of iconic hospitality to all team members and every guest, while also helping define and execute the company’s purpose, mission, and values. As the Firebirds concept developed and grew from a single location to 50 by the end of 2018, Pulsinelli took pride in integrally shaping the growth and culture of the company nationwide.

As Firebirds’ Vice President of Development, he was responsible for leading and directing the development team in achieving the company’s high growth objectives. He oversaw the rollout of two new prototype restaurants, including evaluating the overall design and construction costs to ready the innovative prototypes for the expansion of the company.

Giving back to the community is part of Gerald’s DNA. In early 2020, Gerald pioneered a valued partnership between No Kid Hungry and Viva Chicken through the “Churros for Children” campaign. In addition, he is an active supporter of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), helping to find a cure for childhood cancer. Gerald is currently an ambassador for CORE (Children of Restaurant Employees) as well as a former member of the CHEERS Advisory Board.

Why is Viva Chicken opening in Alpharetta?
Philanthropy is a big part of Viva Chicken’s corporate culture – how do you as Viva’s CEO inspire your team to be as passionate as you are?
When did you know you wanted to be in the restaurant and hospitality industry?
How have you navigated your team through a pandemic and actually grown your business while others have not?
What have the VivaCares initiatives been in the last 60 days?
Any expansion plans in metro Atlanta?

LIVE from the GNFCC 2022 Women in Leadership Summit: Gloria Mattei, Nothing Bundt Cakes

November 15, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

LIVE from the GNFCC 2022 Women in Leadership Summit: Gloria Mattei, Nothing Bundt Cakes

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LIVE from the GNFCC 2022 Women in Leadership Summit: Gloria Mattei, Nothing Bundt Cakes (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 569)

Gloria Mattei, Owner of two Nothing Bundt Cakes stores in North Fulton, joined North Fulton Business Radio host John Ray LIVE from the GNFCC 2022 Women in Leadership Summit. They talked about the growth of her Nothing Bundt Cakes business, community engagement, the Women INfluencing Business Committee, the Summit itself, and much more.

This show was originally broadcast live from the GNFCC 2022 Women in Leadership Summit held at The Commons at Phase in Alpharetta, Georgia.

North Fulton Business Radio is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Gloria Mattei, Owner, Nothing Bundt Cakes

Gloria Mattei is the Owner of Nothing Bundt Cakes Alpharetta, Milton, Roswell as well as a newly acquired store in Sandy Springs. Nothing Bundt Cakes reintroduces an old family favorite – the Bundt cake – with a light, moist taste and fresh, clean look that appeals to all ages. Each 8” and 10” Bundt cake features custom concept cake decorations that are smart, contemporary, and fun to enhance any occasion, large or small, in a wide range of cake flavors and sizes. Nothing Bundt Cakes celebrates the very heart of true hospitality where all are welcome and no one is a stranger. Each thoughtful detail of the experience, from the heartfelt welcome at the door to remembering the customer’s favorite flavor, has been naturally embraced at Nothing Bundt Cakes

Nothing Bundt Cakes is not in the cake business, they are in the “joy-giving” business. Their mission is to come up with unique valuable solutions to every guest celebration need.

Website

GNFCC 2022 Women in Leadership Summit, presented by the Women INfluencing Business Committee

The 2022 Women in Leadership Summit, organized by the Women INfluencing Business Committee of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, was held on November 2, 2022, at the Commons at Phase in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Powered by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC), the Women INfluencing Business Committee strives to engage female leaders and enhance the standing of professional women within the community. Its annual awards program recognizes women with exceptional vision who have implemented innovative ideas in both the workplace and community and who inspire others.

Website

Questions and Topics in the Interview

Nothing Bundt Cakes
Community Engagement
Women INfluencing Business Committee
Women in Leadership Summit

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

LIVE from the GNFCC 2022 Women in Leadership Summit: Dr. Malika Reed Wilkins, Atlanta Regional Commission

November 14, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

LIVE from the GNFCC 2022 Women in Leadership Summit: Dr. Malika Reed Wilkins, Atlanta Regional Commission

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LIVE from the GNFCC 2022 Women in Leadership Summit: Dr. Malika Reed Wilkins, Atlanta Regional Commission (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 567)

Dr. Malika Reed Wilkins, Chief External Affairs Officer at the Atlanta Regional Commission, joined host John Ray on North Fulton Business Radio LIVE from the GNFCC 2022 Women in Leadership Summit. Dr. Wilkins was a speaker at the summit. She shared the work of the ARC, her talk at the Women’s Summit, the value of resilience in life, advice on how to embrace change, and much more.

This show was originally broadcast live from the GNFCC 2022 Women in Leadership Summit held at The Commons at Phase in Alpharetta, Georgia.

North Fulton Business Radio is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Dr. Malika Reed Wilkins, Chief External Affairs Officer, Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)

Dr. Malika Reed Wilkins is the Chief External Affairs Officer for the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). She heads the agency’s strategy development, corporate and community engagement, governmental affairs, board engagement, and communications. She also spearheaded the agency’s diversity, equity, and inclusion program. Wilkins has more than 25 years in public policy and administration, operational leadership, strategic organizational communications, and building long-standing partnerships in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

Prior to onboarding with ARC, she served the State of Georgia in various executive-level roles with the State Road and Tollway Authority, Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, Georgia Commute Options, and the Georgia Department of Human Services. In addition, she served as Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Southern States Police Benevolent Association and worked as a consultant for several advertising agencies. Dr. Wilkins is known for her strategic relationship development and consensus-building across multiple disciplines.

She is currently the Membership Chair for the Buckhead Rotary Club, and a Commission member for the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission. Wilkins is also a member of COMTO Atlanta, ULI Atlanta, Public Relations Society of America, and Past President of WTS Atlanta.

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech communications from the University of Georgia. A Master of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University.

Malika resides in the City of Atlanta with her husband Anthony and daughter Malia.

Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)

ARC is responsible for developing and updating the Atlanta Region’s Plan, a long-range blueprint that details the investments needed to ensure metro Atlanta’s future success and improve the region’s quality of life.

The Atlanta Regional Commission is charged with peering into the future and working with our partners across the community to plan for a better, brighter tomorrow.

On any given day, ARC works with local jurisdictions and various regional partners to:

The agency also serves as a regional convener, bringing diverse stakeholders to the table to address the most critical issues facing metro Atlanta.

ARC’s member governments are Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties, and the city of Atlanta.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

GNFCC 2022 Women in Leadership Summit, presented by the Women INfluencing Business Committee

Website

Questions and Topics in the Interview

The ARC
Dr. Wilkin’s presentation at The Women’s Summit
Resilience
Embracing change

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Pepe Fundora, Cork & Glass and Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant

October 24, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Pepe Fundora, Cork & Glass and Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant

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Pepe Fundora, Cork & Glass and Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 555)

Pepe Fundora of sister businesses Cork & Glass and Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant joined host John Ray on North Fulton Business Radio. Pepe discussed his Restaurant Manager of the Year award from the Georgia Restaurant Association, his father Tony’s posthumous induction into the Georgia Restaurant Association Hall of Fame, the beginnings of Cork & Glass, how Casa Nuova keeps its employee turnover so low, and much more.

North Fulton Business Radio is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Cork & Glass

Take a comfy seat and enjoy a specially curated wine tasting. Experience a wide array of tastes and maybe find your next favorite!

Their wine dinners embody our promise of “Making Wine Accessible”… and not just any wine, but GREAT wine.

C&G’s wine education experiences will help you grow your understanding and appreciation of the nuances of wines from around the world.

Food pairing challenge? Put their team to the test and let them help you find the perfect bottle for your next dinner event.

Company website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Casa Nuova

Casa Nuova is a family-owned gourmet Italian restaurant, owned by Maria Fundora and her son, Jose “Pepe” Fundora. Casa Nuova is a true farm-to-table restaurant and is Trip Advisor’s 2021 Traveler’s Choice in Alpharetta.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Pepe Fundora

Jose “Pepe” Fundora is the owner of the wine shop Cork and Glass and co-owner of Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant located in Alpharetta, GA, in the northern suburbs of Atlanta.

Pepe is a social Electrical Engineer turned Sommelier. Pepe earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering at Georgia Tech in 2010 and spent some time in the corporate world before ultimately deciding to return to his roots, his family’s local Italian restaurant.

From a young age, Pepe worked and became fully immersed in the hospitality industry, from dishwashing to serving tables and learning the tricks of the trade from his parents, Maria and Antonio Fundora, longtime restaurateurs in the Atlanta area. Pepe became a co-owner of the family restaurant in 2015.

Pepe always had a deep interest in wine though he affirmed his passion after meeting with reputable winemakers on a business trip taken to California wine country in 2013. Later on, Pepe had aspirations to open his very own wine shop, Cork & Glass, with the idea of “Making Wine Accessible”. His concept includes highlighting various regions to showcase current trends in the wine world, teaching how to pair different flavors together and offering sales on select exclusive wines. His goal is to offer high-quality wines at great, everyday values. Cork & Glass officially opened for business in July 2020!

Pepe is very engaged in the wine world both in the Atlanta area and across the US. Pepe has led over 40 virtual wine dinners with esteemed winemakers from California, Italy, Argentina, and Australia. He was nominated amongst restaurateurs across the country to participate in the prestigious Oregon Pinot Camp in Willamette Valley in 2016. He has volunteered for the High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction for several years and the Auction Napa Valley.

Pepe is a Certified Level 2 Sommelier. He is studying to become an Advanced Sommelier (Level 3) and eventually will finish at Master Sommelier (Level 4) in the future.

Questions and Topics in the Interview:

Georgia Restaurant Association GRACE awards
Restaurant Manager of the Year Jose “Pepe” Fundora and his father’s inductee into the Hall of Fame posthumously,Mario Antonio “Tony” Fundora
Virtual Wine Dinners
Seasonal Wines
Gift Giving
Wine pairings

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Special thanks to A&S Culinary Concepts for their support of this edition of North Fulton Business Radio. A&S Culinary Concepts, based in Johns Creek, is an award-winning culinary studio, celebrated for corporate catering, corporate team building, Big Green Egg Boot Camps, and private group events. They also provide oven-ready, cooked-from-scratch meals to go they call “Let Us Cook for You.” To see their menus and events, go to their website or call 678-336-9196.

Ken Adcox, Palmer House Properties

October 14, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Ken Adcox, Palmer House Properties

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Ken Adcox, Palmer House Properties (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 550)

Ken Adcox, “Realtor Guy Ken” and Realtor with Palmer House Properties, joined host John Ray to discuss the current residential housing market, specifically in North Fulton. Ken talked about how to evaluate schools, the downsides of downsizing, points for sellers to consider, interest rates, and much more.

North Fulton Business Radio is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Ken Adcox, Realtor, Palmer House Properties

Ken Adcox, “Realtor Guy Ken,” is a residential real estate professional with PalmerHouse Properties.

As a licensed REALTOR® and Broker, he is committed to serving buyers and sellers in the Alpharetta, GA area, where he has lived for over 13 years.

Ken lives in Alpharetta with his family.

Company website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Questions and Topics in the Interview:

Atlanta housing market
Fulton County school redistricting
Recent trends
Downsizing
Predictions for the future

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Rory Robichaux, Sciera

September 6, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Rory Robichaux, Sciera

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LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Rory Robichaux, Sciera (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 512)

Rory Robichaux of Sciera joined host John Ray LIVE from the Grand Opening Celebration of the new offices of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce at Avalon. Rory discussed the work of Sciera, why he and his company are so involved with GNFCC, their sponsorship of Chairman’s Circle activities, and much more.

This show was originally broadcast live from the Grand Opening celebration and ribbon cutting of the new offices of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce at the 10000 Building at Avalon in Alpharetta, Georgia, on August 18, 2022.

North Fulton Business Radio is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Sciera, Inc.

In late 2007, with the rapid explosion of publicly available information, Sciera’s two founders wondered, “What if this can be harnessed to answer the question, What Changed?” Using the then-nascent AWS (Amazon cloud), unstructured text mining, and advanced analytics, they set about creating a scalable framework to capture changes…which when combined with known client data, identifies triggers that initiate a buy journey.

Today Sciera is a team of Strategists, Analysts, Data Scientists and Technologists who provide answers to the most important marketing questions – Who, When, Where & Why.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook

Rory Robichaux, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Sciera, Inc.

Rory Robichaux has been at the forefront of each technology revolution of the past 40+ years. He has led technology, strategic planning, design and development, data analytics, and sales and marketing teams across the technology industry. He has held leadership positions in major firms such as Coca-Cola, Sun Microsystems, and Deloitte Consulting, as well as created and built successful start-ups in industries ranging from transportation and entertainment to technology and financial services. He currently leads the sales and marketing functions of a global market intelligence firm headquartered in Atlanta.

Outside of his responsibilities with Sciera, Mr. Robichaux belongs to the Chambers of Commerce across the Atlanta region and is very involved in helping to lead and mentor a number of Rotary Clubs across the Atlanta area.

Questions and Topics in the Interview:

What Sciera does
Sciera’s involvement in the Chamber
The Chairman’s Circle

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.