Alpharetta Archives - Page 4 of 5

Scott Jordan, Rose Sharif, and Matthew Ricks, Pinnacle Financial Partners

July 27, 2022 by John Ray

Business Beat

Scott Jordan, Rose Sharif, and Matthew Ricks, Pinnacle Financial Partners

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Frazier & Deeter’s Business Beat: Scott Jordan, Rose Sharif, and Matthew Ricks, Pinnacle Financial Partners

On this edition of Business Beat, host Roger Lusby welcomed three seasoned banking professionals, Scott Jordan, Rose Sharif, and Matthew Ricks, who joined Pinnacle Financial Partners in order to start and build the bank’s North Fulton presence. Scott, Rose, and Matt shared why they joined Pinnacle, their perspective on the North Fulton economy, how they plan to grow, Pinnacle’s recognition as a “best place to work,” and much more.

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

Pinnacle Financial Partners

The Pinnacle approach is a very people-centric one. It takes an unwavering focus and commitment of leadership to make it work.

The same five key business strategies Pinnacle has employed since its inception shape our focus today: Focus on businesses, real estate professionals, and consumers that desire a deep relationship with their financial partner. Provide distinctive service and effective advice. Hire and retain highly experienced and qualified financial services professionals. Offer a full line of financial services including banking, investments, mortgage, trust, insurance, and financial planning. Offer extraordinary convenience.

Pinnacle is much more than a bank. It’s a place for people to find true partners for their business. It’s a place where seasoned professionals give clients unmatched service and advice that betters their financial well-being. And it’s a place where people love coming to work every day.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook

Scott Jordan, Senior Vice President / Area Manager, Pinnacle Financial Partners

In 1999, Scott was accepted into the SunTrust Bank (now Truist) Management Associate Program. Upon graduation, he served in various roles including Financial Services Representative and Account Executive. He transitioned to BB&T (now Truist) in 2001 and served as a Financial Center Manager and Business Banker.

Scott was recruited by Accenture in 2004 as part of a new team focused on Bank Mergers & Acquisitions. He returned to BB&T (now Truist) in 2005 and spent the next 16 years in various business development and leadership roles including Commercial Banking Relationship Manager, Market President – North Metro Atlanta, Market President – Central Atlanta, and Market President – Northeast Metro Atlanta.

Currently, he is leading the newly created North Metro Atlanta Banking/Financial Services Division for Pinnacle Financial Partners.

Scott currently serves on the Boards of Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, North Fulton Community Charities, Forsyth Chamber of Commerce, and Leadership Forsyth. Furthermore, he is a graduate of Leadership North Fulton, Leadership Gwinnett, Leadership Forsyth, and Leadership Atlanta.

Rose Sharif, Senior Vice President / Office Leader, Pinnacle Financial Partners

Rose Sharif is the office leader for Pinnacle Financial Partners and will be opening the New Avalon office in Q4 of 2022. She works very closely with the Commercial lenders at her office to help expand current and new clients’ business and personal relationships.

Rose grew up in the Food and Beverage industry working for her family’s business. Once she married, she moved to Houston Texas where she worked as a food and beverage manager for Hilton Hotels and later for the 4 Seasons Hotels. But in 1990 she decided she was ready to raise a family and decided to enter the banking industry. She completed the Management Associate Program for C & S and has held multiple positions in retail bank and the private bank at various institutions.

Rose as a child lived in multiple states but at the age of 15, her parents moved to New Orleans LA where she attended and graduated from St. Mary’s Dominican College. She has a Major in Business Management and Administration with a minor in Finance. In 1985 she married her husband Kaz, and they have 2 wonderful sons, Armand and Cameron, and 2 grandchildren, Iris and Luka. She has lived in the Roswell area the entire time she has lived in Georgia but has worked in the Alpharetta market since 2004.

Matthew Ricks, Senior Vice President / Financial Advisor, Pinnacle Financial Partners

Matthew Ricks comes to Pinnacle Financial Partners with 18 years of banking experience, all of it with the Bank of North Georgia and Synovus. He began as a personal banker but quickly moved into lending after graduating from the Management Trainee program and began working with commercial clients in 2006.

Ricks earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Georgia and graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. He was also a member of the 2013 class of Leadership Cobb.

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.

Tim Evans, Evans General Contractors

May 18, 2022 by John Ray

Business Beat

Tim Evans, Evans General Contractors

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Frazier & Deeter’s Business Beat: Tim Evans, Evans General Contractors

Tim Evans, Founder and Chairman of Evans General Contractors, joined the show for a wide-ranging conversation, starting with the beginnings of Evans General Contractors to the work he does today to improve the lives of so many Georgians. He and Frazier & Deeter Alpharetta Office Managing Partner Roger Lusby discussed the founding and growth of Evans General Contractors, the need for a succession plan, Tim’s work in the community, how he sees the economy changing because of the pandemic and its implications on education in Georgia, his appointment to the Georgia Board of Regents, and much more.

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

Evans General Contractors

Evans General Contractors is a National/International Design/Build firm focused on projects in the fields of Pharmaceutical Industry, Advance Technology, Manufacturing, Logistics, and Distribution and Healthcare. Evans has six offices in the United States and one in Germany. The company’s annual revenues are approximately $1.5 Billion.

As a national/international design-build, general contracting, and construction management firm, Evans provides cost-effective solutions and comprehensive project development to clients across a broad spectrum of markets. Whether the requirement is for cold storage, a state-of-the-art distribution center, a high-performance additive manufacturing plant, a mission-critical data center, or an ISO level cleanroom, they create solutions and provide turn-key facilities to some of the best minds and companies in their industries.

They focus our efforts on specific markets including – Manufacturing – Life Sciences – Office & Corporate Environments – Food & Beverage – Healthcare – Distribution & Logistics/Cold Storage Within each market segment, Evans provides the following core services to its clients: – Project Development – Preconstruction & Technical Services – General Contracting & Construction Safety and integrity are guiding principle at Evans.

Evans protect employees, sub-contractors, and facilities by implementing one of the most aggressive safety programs in the industry. Their personal and professional integrity serves as the basis for all business transactions – it is the foundation upon which we build successful long-term client relationships.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook

Tim Evans, Chairman and Founder, Evans General Contractors

Tim is the chairman and founder of Evans General Contractors.

Tim is a Georgia native and graduated from Dunwoody High School in 1976. He attended UGA and Georgia State and graduated in 1981 with a BBA in Economics. He started construction, working as a laborer and carpenter in 1978 full time while attending college. He graduated and continued working over the next 20 years for four regional General Contractors.

Tim started Evans Contractors in February 2001 and maintained his position as President until February 2020. He stepped down as President and took the role as Chairman.

RT Evans, his son, took over as President. Tim is married to Ellen Evans and his two children, Sarah Evans Rothwein and RT Evans are directly involved with the company.

Tim enjoys hunting, pickleball, golf, and fishing.

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.

You can find Frazier & Deeter on social media:

LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

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

Slade Scoles, Brimstone Restaurant & Tavern

January 19, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Slade Scoles, Brimstone Restaurant & Tavern

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Slade Scoles, Brimstone Restaurant & Tavern (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 427)

Slade Scoles, Owner of Brimstone Restaurant & Tavern, joined host John Ray to share the “dancing, food, and fun” happening there. Brimstone hosts ShagAtlanta and offers a large dance floor. Brimstone’s chef trained at Le Cordon Bleu, and all the food is freshly-prepared, down to even the mayonnaise and salad dressings. Brimstone offers great entertainment options as well, such as poker tournaments. Slade discussed his decision to buy the restaurant, their expansion plans, plans to offer grass-fed beef from the Wyoming ranch he owns, and much more. North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Brimstone Restaurant & Tavern

Brimstone Tavern is a locally owned sports bar on the south end of North Point Mall.

They are located at the intersection of Mansell Road and Old Alabama Connector, in the same shopping complex as Fancy Pantry. The restaurant layout is unique, where their custom carved bar is physically separated from a family-style dining area which is ideal for families with kids.

On one side of the restaurant, they also have a large private room, where a lot of working professionals can not only convert into their office but also use it as a meeting and training room. With super-fast free WiFi, secured with the best firewall technology in the industry; it’s a no-brainer! This large event space is fully-equipped with a PA system, a projector, and smart TVs, which has become a recent attraction for a lot of corporate events, local Meet-Ups, as well as family events, such as wedding rehearsals, birthday parties, Bar Mitzvahs, and more!

Brimstone’s chef-inspired menu features comfort food with international flavors. For example, their gourmet burgers are more than your idea of a traditional cheeseburger because of their signature sauces and other top-secret ingredients! Their burgers also feature an optional gluten-free bun, fried pickles, gourmet salads, and other options.

**Wyoming Brand Certificate for Slade’s cattle ranch**

Later in 2022, Brimstone will start sourcing all its beef directly from Slade’s 650-acre cattle ranch in Wyoming.

The sports bar has an extremely large selection of whiskeys (single malts/blended) and bourbons. Starting with the most basic ones, all the way to the Balvinies, Macallan’s, Johnny Walker’s, Basil Hayden’s, Knob Creek, Angels Envy of the Bourbon World… The list goes on and on! They feature local craft beer on tap to support local breweries and give their customers a taste of what your neighborhood businesses can do.

They are not just about food and drink, they are about Entertainment! For this very reason, they bring nightly activities, such as Trivia, Poker, and Live Music for their customers. They also give back to the community by hosting regular fundraisers for local charities, such as St. Baldrick’s. Come experience this unique sports bar that’s rocking the Alpharetta restaurant scene.

They host Any 2 Cards, the poker tournament company. For more information, visit the Any 2 Cards website.

Company Website | Facebook | Instagram

Slade Scoles, Owner, Brimstone Restaurant & Tavern

**Slade Scoles, Owner, Brimstone Restaurant and Tavern**

Slade Scoles, a U.S. Veteran, is the new owner of Brimstone Restaurant & Tavern. He is eager to make Brimstone your destination for food and drinks in the Alpharetta area. He also owns Any 2 Cards, a poker tournament company in the Atlanta area that plays at Brimstone.

Slade is also the Chief Scientist with SES Environmental. Founded in 1993, SES was formed to provide quality nationwide environmental services based on the principle that experienced professionals provide superior service. SES originally focused on government clients and performed Phase I and Phase II Assessments for clients such as the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia Department of Corrections.

SES has grown to serve banks, law firms, property management firms, property developers, and industry leaders.

With a staff of over 20 people in the Atlanta area and over 60 nationwide, SES provides a credible and successful solution to a variety of environmental issues.

Slade has a Master’s in Public Health from Tulane University and a Master’s in Administration from Central Michigan University.

Questions and Topics Discussed in this Episode

Tell us about Brimstone
Let’s hear about the food and entertainment
How did you come to own Brimstone?
Talk about Any 2 Cards
Talk about your expansion
Where do you source your beef?

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 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.

Alina Lee, Your Ad Attorney, Chasidy Ashley, TBK Wellness Spa, and Angie Williams, BeLocal Alpharetta Milton

January 17, 2022 by John Ray

Family Business Radio

Alina Lee, Your Ad Attorney, Chasidy Ashley, TBK Wellness Spa, and Angie Williams, BeLocal Alpharetta Milton

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Alina Lee, Your Ad Attorney, Chasidy Ashley, TBK Wellness Spa, and Angie Williams, BeLocal Alpharetta Milton (Family Business Radio, Episode 28)

On this edition of Family Business Radio, host Anthony Chen welcomed three accomplished women entrepreneurs. Alina Lee discussed her passion for working with small business owners to meet growth objectives and avoid legal pitfalls. Chasidy Ashley discussed how she designed TBK Wellness Spa to offer better amenities and service than found in competing chain operations. Finally, Angie Williams discussed her hyper-local magazine and why its popularity is so advantageous for advertisers. Anthony closed the show by offering thoughts on financial planning, living dreams, and a reminder that “you can’t take the portfolio with you.” Family Business Radio is underwritten and brought to you by Anthony Chen with Lighthouse Financial Network.

Alina Lee, Founding Partner, Your Ad Attorney, LLC

Proactive compliance with consumer and business laws is the best protection from marketing risks and liabilities.

You’ll find Your Ad Attorney’s approach to marketing legal services avoids typical legal hurdles and makes better business sense for every size business.

Alina Lee is the founding partner of Your Ad Attorney, LLC. She is a marketing law and business transactions attorney who helps marketing agencies and companies with marketing departments protect their reputation through providing legal drafting and review for their marketing materials.

Prior to starting her law firm, Your Ad Attorney, LLC, she was Senior Corporate Counsel at Mailchimp, a profitable tech company with millions of customers worldwide. At Mailchimp, she was the primary attorney who led legal matters for the partnerships department and marketing department. Alina was also the primary attorney over all major marketing initiatives and managed the company’s trademark portfolio.

Alina graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School and the University of Georgia.

Company website | LinkedIn

Chasidy Ashley, Owner, TBK Wellness Spa

TBK Wellness Spa was created to benefit anyone who needs having a therapeutic and nurturing environment. The owner was very intentional in providing something for everyone. From the far infrared sauna to the treatment rooms, this place is a one-stop-shop for wellness.

They have a team that is knowledgeable and committed to giving you the best experience while in their care. Massages, facials, pedicures, and body scrub treatments are only a few of the amenities that they have to offer.

They also have a gym that comes with a personal trainer. He teaches self-defense while focusing on your endurance and flexibility. They have a balance of hard work in the gym and then getting pampered on the spa side.

TBK Wellness Spa was surely created to give you the best of both worlds.

Company website | Facebook | Instagram

Angie Williams, Owner/Publisher, BeLocal Alpharetta Milton

BeLocal Alpharetta Milton is a franchise of The N2 Company in Wilmington, NC.

BeLocal is the comprehensive guide for all new movers to the greater community. The first BeLocal magazine hit new movers’ mailboxes back in 2018. Since then, BeLocal expanded to serve residents in more than 100 communities across the country.

N2 began in 2004 and is over $150 million company. Angie tells us that N2 is for niche marketing and that their products are targeted to Affluent Communities, New Movers, Medical Professionals, and Realtors.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Anthony Chen, Host of Family Business Radio

**Anthony Chen, Lighthouse Financial, and Host of “Family Business Radio”**

This show is sponsored and brought to you by Anthony Chen with Lighthouse Financial Network. Securities and advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. (RAA), member FINRA/SIPC. RAA is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of RAA. The main office address is 575 Broadhollow Rd. Melville, NY 11747. You can reach Anthony at 631-465-9090 ext 5075 or by email at anthonychen@lfnllc.com.

Anthony Chen started his career in financial services with MetLife in Buffalo, NY in 2008. Born and raised in Elmhurst, Queens, he considers himself a full-blooded New Yorker while now enjoying his Atlanta, GA home. Specializing in family businesses and their owners, Anthony works to protect what is most important to them. From preserving to creating wealth, Anthony partners with CPAs and attorneys to help address all of the concerns and help clients achieve their goals. By using a combination of financial products ranging from life, disability, and long term care insurance to many investment options through Royal Alliance. Anthony looks to be the eyes and ears for his client’s financial foundation. In his spare time, Anthony is an avid long-distance runner.

The complete show archive of “Family Business Radio” can be found at familybusinessradioshow.com.

Brandon Wheeless, ALUX Properties

October 26, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Brandon Wheeless, ALUX Properties

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Brandon Wheeless, ALUX Properties (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 403)

Blending healthcare with lifestyle and fitness is the unique concept behind The Bailey, a first-of-its-kind mixed use development coming to Alpharetta. ALUX Properties is the company behind The Bailey, and ALUX Chairman & CEO Brandon Wheeless joined host John Ray to share details of this exciting new development, his entrepreneurial journey, other ALUX projects, and much more. North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

The Bailey

A beautiful, tech-centric wellness center.

A jaw-dropping medical rehab facility.

Exquisite hospitality suites. The Bailey will exhibit elite aesthetics, capture human physiology, incorporate current environmental principles, and tie it all within the context of luxury.

The Bailey will redefine the look, feel, and meaning of “country clubs” everywhere.

Website

ALUX Properties

ALUX is a development company that designs residential and commercial spaces that utilize innovative technological solutions to enhance their client’s experience.

They are solidifying our brand to become a leading name in the residential and commercial real estate development industry – trusted for innovative design, superior quality, and unmatched reliability. Through continued collaboration of industry experts from conception to completion, they deliver quality and dynamic projects that will undoubtedly meet and exceed the needs of their clients.

They offer a comprehensive range of development and management services that include Residential and Commercial Development, Construction Management, Consulting, and Property Management.

Company website

Brandon Wheeless, CEO and Chairman, ALUX Properties

The mastermind and driving force behind The Bailey development is Brandon Wheeless, a U.S. Armed Forces Veteran who is the founder, CEO and Chairman of Atlanta-based ALUX Properties, a global luxury design, building and management firm. Leveraging innovative technological solutions, the company is committed to enhancing quality of life – one project at a time – and serving as a trusted source for cutting-edge design, superior quality and unmatched reliability in the real estate sector.

Over the past decade, Wheeless has honed his expertise in commercial real estate and construction developing an array of industrial, office, retail, institutional and mixed-use structures. He began his career in project management while serving in the U.S. Navy, and later the U.S. Army, from 2006 to 2017, piloting ambitious logistical operations for personnel and equipment movement to stations and bases around the world – including managing a fleet of 750 vehicles.

Following his PMP accreditation and acquisition certifications, the Army appointed him to execute several infrastructure building projects for local and international bases. These ground-up, large-scale developments ranged in budget size from $2 million to over $2.7 billion. Wheeless takes projects from conception to ribbon-cutting, incorporating forward-thinking energy efficiency and environmental remediation initiatives along the way. He founded ALUX Properties in 2017.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Wheeless is a former NCAA Division I basketball player who graduated magna cum laude from Norfolk State University, where he played an integral role on the 2012 championship basketball team.

With his impressive background and achievements in sports, military, and business ventures – all of which demand the utmost in discipline and skill – Wheeless is uniquely positioned to bring his latest dream to life with The Bailey, a first-of-its-kind, multi-use regional development with a tech-centric focus on lifestyle-meets-health features. As the son of an award-winning chef, his passion for creating a world-class hospitality destination like The Bailey comes naturally.

LinkedIn | Instagram

Questions and Topics Discussed in this Episode

Share with us your plans for The Bailey, the first-of-its-kind wellness development coming to Alpharetta
What are some of your goals for The Bailey and ALUX Properties?
Tell us about your experience as a developer
What have been some of the challenges and most rewarding aspects of taking on a project of this magnitude?
ALUX Properties also opened Aria Spirits – what can you tell us about this recent development and what makes it unique?
Is there any advice you could give to business leaders in the area or perhaps something you wish you had known while starting out?
Where can we find out more information on The Bailey?

Jennifer Overturf, Ray’s at Killer Creek

July 8, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Jennifer Overturf, Ray's at Killer Creek

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Jennifer Overturf, Ray’s at Killer Creek (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 368)

Sales & Events Manager Jennifer Overturf, Ray’s at Killer Creek, joined host John Ray to discuss their new chef, a menu with old favorites and new, delicious seasonal options, gorgeous outdoor and indoor dining, and why Ray’s at Killer Creek is such a great choice for memorable events. North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Ray’s Restaurants

Since 1984, Ray’s Restaurants have won countless culinary awards and become an important part of the communities they serve.

We are passionate about providing the freshest seafood flown in daily, prime steaks, our extensive wine list recognized by Wine Spectator, and knowledgeable, attentive service.

Founded by renowned restaurant industry veteran Ray Schoenbaum, Marietta-based Ray’s Restaurants, LLC, is comprised of Ray’s on the River, Ray’s in the City and Ray’s at Killer Creek. Each restaurant features an award-winning menu with an emphasis on fresh fish flown in daily from the Atlantic and Pacific, house-cut chops, prime steaks and extensive wine offerings from around the world.

Since opening, Ray’s Restaurants have been delighting guests as premier private event venues. Their team includes award-winning chefs, a highly trained service staff and a dedicated events manager that will work with you every step of the way as you plan your event.

Whether you’re hosting a corporate event, cocktail party, luncheon, dinner, meeting, shower, wedding reception, bat/bar mitzvah or rehearsal dinner, they can offer you and your guests a truly memorable event. They have a variety of private event spaces that can accommodate up to 180 guests. Complete restaurant buy-outs are also available.

Company website | Facebook

Jennifer Overturf, Sales & Events Manager, Ray’s at Killer Creek

Bringing more than a decade of restaurant and hospitality experience to the Ray’s Restaurants team, Jennifer Overturf’s passion for serving others led her to Ray’s at Killer Creek. She currently serves as sales and events manager, overseeing the Alpharetta location’s special events, coordinating private reservations and developing relationships to help Ray’s at Killer Creek maintain close ties with its community. Jennifer’s leadership and enthusiasm for the industry has helped her to push the already outstanding Ray’s at Killer Creek team to be first-class in everything they do.

Jennifer moved to Atlanta in 2009 and began her hospitality journey in a local coffee shop, then moved to bartending and restaurant management before returning to school in 2012. Prior to her time with Ray’s Restaurants, Jennifer received a dual degree in accounting and management from Georgia State University. She joined the Ray’s in the City team as a server and bartender in 2016, then worked her way up the ranks to events associate before transitioning to Ray’s at Killer Creek in early 2020. Overturf continues to challenge herself by studying wine through Ray’s Restaurants’ wine education program, and she has completed a Level 3 Certification from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, alongside the Introductory Sommelier Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Professionally, Jennifer enjoys bringing her passion for taking care of others on the restaurant team. When she is not coordinating events, Jennifer can be found gardening, cooking and experimenting with preserving heirloom vegetables.

Questions and Topics in This Interview

Private Events at Ray’s – how to get started and what details to consider before you book
Outdoor dining
Killer Creek’s new menu – New Chef
Frequent Diner Cards/Ray’s Loyalty program
Special Events & Happy Hour – getting the most out of your Ray’s experience
Creating Memories

Rich Barrett and Frank X. Perissi, Noctis Technologies, LLC

January 13, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Rich Barrett and Frank X. Perissi, Noctis Technologies, LLC

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Frank Perissi and Rich Barrett, Noctis Technologies, LLC (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 320)

Noctis Technologies is a manufacturer of state-of-the-art night vision devices and systems headquartered in Alpharetta, GA. Rich Barrett and Frank X. Perissi join host John Ray to discuss their product line, what attracts major clients like the U.S. Army, and much more. “North Fulton Business Radio” is produced virtually from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

Noctis Technologies, LLC

In 2002, Carson Industries was established to provide the Department of Army and the Defense Logistic Agency a robust logistical support authority for repairs and components of tactical night vision systems in support of the Warfighter. In 2006 Noctis Technologies was established, providing over 70 years of combined experience in the design, manufacture, maintenance, and real-time use of various night vision devices, supplying the United States government and allies with state-of-the-art night vision systems and components and continually striving to grow the expanding need for new solutions that modern warriors find essential.

Company website

Questions/Topics Discussed in this Show

Types of night vision products
Who buys them
Tubes (Glass) inside the product
Location of Business
Military contracts

North Fulton Business Radio” is hosted by John Ray and produced virtually from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show can be found on all the major podcast apps by searching “North Fulton Business Radio.”

Jackson Speed, The Commons at Phase

December 22, 2020 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Jackson Speed, The Commons at Phase

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Jackson Speed, The Commons at Phase (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 316)

Jackson Speed, Community Manager of The Commons at Phase, joins host John Ray to discuss their Alpharetta-based coworking and event space, what distinguishes them from other area coworking locations, and much more. “North Fulton Business Radio” is produced virtually from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

Jackson Speed, Community Manager, The Commons at Phase

The Commons at Phase provides space for leaders to shape the future. They offer all the amenities you need as a professional to achieve your dreams. Work collaboratively in their shared coworking spaces or retreat to your private office, all while benefiting from their excellent service and collaborative environment. And with a month-to-month partnership approach, they can flex with you as your organization grows.

Jackson Speed is the Community Manager of The Commons at Phase, aka Phase Commons. It is her role to client face, be the catch-all for members, manage each of their personalized plans and their calendars in reference to booking meeting rooms, or studio space.

Company website

Facebook

Instagram

Questions/Topics Discussed in this Show

What is coworking? The history of the concept.
Why is it such a big deal in Alpharetta?
Demographic of people who could benefit from coworking?
What does the membership structure look like at The Commons or coworking in general?
What makes The Commons at Phase different from others?
What do you anticipate for the future of coworking post-pandemic?
How do coworking and events relate and coexist?

Frazier & Deeter’s Business Beat: Andrew Smoltz and Taylor McDermott, United in Gaming

October 21, 2020 by John Ray

Business Beat

Frazier & Deeter's Business Beat: Andrew Smoltz and Taylor McDermott, United in Gaming

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Frazier & Deeter’s Business Beat: Andrew Smoltz and Taylor McDermott, United in Gaming

United in Gaming Co-Founders Andrew Smoltz and Taylor McDermott join this edition of Frazier & Deeter’s Business Beat to discuss their community-centered gaming platform, how the pandemic has accelerated the growth of the gaming industry, and their goal of becoming the social network of choice for gamers. Roger Lusby, CPA is the host of “Business Beat” and the series is presented by Alpharetta CPA firm Frazier & Deeter.

United in Gaming

At United in Gaming, they believe in the power of one gaming community that welcomes casual and elite gamers to the same turf. No matter the skill level, they provide an inclusive platform for gamers to play and compete on their terms, creating an experience unique to each gamer.

Andrew Smoltz

Andrew launched UIG to tie together his experience and passion in esports and entertainment. Andrew has 10+ years of experience in the space with a focus in eSports and celebrity entertainment. The visionary behind COV-AID, Andrew has also helped jumpstart the debut league for ELEAGUE on TBS while working at IMG Live/WME. Andrew was also in charge of eSports research and recruitment for CSE Talent. In addition to agency background, Andrew brings relevant event planning and event management experience from his time with ETA.

Taylor McDermott

Taylor’s 10+ years of experience brings unique attributes that drive the eSports industry. Combining a high level of traditional sports marketing and sponsorship knowledge, experience in client facing representation with professional athletes, to strategic revenue growth and analysis for Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Following his entrepreneurial aspirations, Taylor founded UIG with longtime partner Andrew Smoltz, creating a strategic force with the goal of empowering a global gaming community through the power of opportunity.

Connect with United in Gaming

Company Website

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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.

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