Avalon Archives - Business RadioX ®

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Lisa Amundsen, Le Macaron French Pastries Alpharetta

September 26, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Lisa Amundsen, Le Macaron French Pastries Alpharetta

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LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Lisa Amundsen, Le Macaron French Pastries Alpharetta (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 525)

Lisa Amundsen is the owner of Le Macaron French Pastries Alpharetta, with locations at North Point Mall and at Avalon. She joined host John Ray at the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Grand Opening Celebration to talk about the delicious handmade macarons and other French pastries she and her team offer. Lisa also discussed the rewards of being involved in GNFCC, the Chamber’s Women INfluencing Business committee and events, and 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.

Lisa Amundsen, Owner, Le Macaron French Pastries Alpharetta

Today’s consumers are eager to engage with their food in new, creative ways. They want flavor and texture, quality, and presentation; they are more health conscience. Each of Le Macaron’s signature pastries is handcrafted.

Their true French macaron is made with the finest gluten-free ingredients, no preservatives, and is about 80 calories each. Beyond the signature macarons, their menu includes gourmet chocolates, French gelato, classic French pastries, European-style beverages, and homemade candies. You will want to come back often to experience their limited-time seasonal macaron flavors and fresh seasonal offerings.

Le Macaron French Pastries Alpharetta has two locations: one at North Point Mall and one at Avalon.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Lisa Amundsen LinkedIn

Questions and Topics in the Interview:

About Le Macaron French Pastries
Products and locations
Lisa’s involvement with GNFCC
Women Influencing Business

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.

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Connor Griffin, Cortavo

September 23, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Connor Griffin, Cortavo

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LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Connor Griffin, Cortavo (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 524)

Connor Griffin, Sales Manager and Account Executive at Cortavo, joined host John Ray LIVE from the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Grand Opening Celebration. Connor discussed not only the IT solutions Cortavo solves for their clients, but some of the serious technology issues businesses are facing right now. Connor also talked about Cortavo’s membership in GNFCC, the GNFCC Small Business Awards, and much more.

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

Connor Griffin, Sales Manager and Account Executive, Cortavo

**Connor Griffin, Sales Manager and Acount Executive, Cortavo**

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Cortavo was founded in 2019 as a complete and affordable IT solution for small to mid-sized businesses.

Cortavo’s mission is to remove the complexity of business IT and provide everything businesses need to be successful. From cybersecurity, helpdesk support, networking equipment, and cloud data storage to hybrid workplace systems. Their all-inclusive IT plans and support are designed to scale as your business grows.

With Cortavo, all you have to do is focus on your business while they handle your IT.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Connor Griffin LinkedIn

Questions and Topics in the Interview:

About Cortavo
Problems they have been solving for their clients
Connor’s involvement with GFNCC
GNFCC Small Business Awards

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Jerry Orlans, BIS Benefits, and Anthony Chen, Lighthouse Financial

September 12, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Jerry Orlans, BIS Benefits, and Anthony Chen, Lighthouse Financial

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LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Jerry Orlans, BIS Benefits, and Anthony Chen, Lighthouse Financial (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 516)

Two Greater North Fulton Chamber Diplomats, Jerry Orlans of BIS Benefits and Anthony Chen of Lighthouse Financial, sat down with host John Ray LIVE at the Grand Opening Celebration of GNFCC’s new offices at Avalon. Jerry and Anthony discussed their respective businesses, the work they do as Diplomats to orient new Chamber members, and more.

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

BIS Benefits

Employee benefits and insurance for your business or non-profit organization can be a maze—especially with healthcare reform and compliance. You need a trusted advisor.

One with the experience and knowledge to structure a strategic insurance and employee benefit plan that’s cost-effective yet works to keep your employees healthy, productive and satisfied. Instead of cookie-cutter offerings, you want customized options. A team of benefits experts providing the latest technology solutions to help you save time and increase communication with your employees. Your search has led you to the right place: BIS Benefits.

Company website

Jerry Orlans, Consultant, BIS Benefits

Jerry is President of RBC Benefits, Inc., and a recognized expert in employee benefits administration for small to mid-sized companies. He has over 35 years of industry experience and attributes his continued success to placing his clients’ needs first and foremost.

In 2013 Jerry connected with Ray Bachman and BIS Benefits, Inc., in a strategic partnership for the benefit of their clients. Jerry is now a consultant working with BIS Benefits. Jerry and Ray offer almost 80 years of combined experience in the Employee Benefits arena.

Prior to starting RBC Benefits, Inc., he served as Regional Director for a National Brokerage and Consulting firm and as a Regional Sales Manager for two major national insurance companies. He has supported small, medium and large employers by consulting in all areas of employee benefits. His expertise covers health care, including self-funded health plans, dental and vision benefits, long-and-short term disability and 401(k) retirement and profit sharing plans.

Jerry is currently serving his fifth term as an elected City Councilman in Roswell, Georgia. He served nine years on the Board of Directors of North Fulton Regional Hospital and rotated off in January of 2011. He has previously served on the Boards of North Fulton Community Foundation, the Rotary Club of Roswell, and the North Fulton YMCA. He is a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters and keeps abreast of legislative issues impacting his clients. Additionally, he is actively involved in the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and the Roswell Rotary Club. In recognition of his leadership in the community, he was invited by the Atlanta Regional Commission to participate in the Regional Leadership program in 1997.

Jerry graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan with a degree in Finance. He obtained the designation of FLMI (Fellow Life Management Institute) from LOMA. LOMA (Life Office Management Association) has set the standard in Insurance education for over 70 years.

Lighthouse Financial Network

Lighthouse Financial Network is affiliated with Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. The firm is located in Melville, NY and has an additional 14 affiliated offices located throughout the nation. They provide financial guidance to clients across the country, each with unique financial needs.

Lighthouse is comprised of a dedicated group of professionals, with high core values and extensive experience in finance, insurance, and money management. Many of its advisors have attained advanced degrees and professional designations to enhance their ability to best represent you to make certain that they meet your needs effectively. Their advisors are responsible for understanding your financial picture, applying a comprehensive strategy, and providing the appropriate resources to help meet your goals and objectives.

Company website | LinkedIn

Anthony Chen, Investment Advisor Representative, Lighthouse Financial Network, and Host of Family Business Radio

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 is also the host of Family Business Radio. His show features family business owners and the advisors who assist them in their journey. The show archive can be found here.

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.

Questions and Topics in the Interview:

Jerry’s work at BIS Benefits
Anthony Chen’s work as a Financial Advisor
GNFCC Chamber Diplomats

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.

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

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Bill Bland, Construction Industry Veteran, and 2019 Chairman, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

August 31, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Bill Bland, Construction Industry Veteran, and 2019 Chairman, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

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Construction Industry Veteran, and 2019 Chairman, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 509)

Bill Bland, an icon of the construction industry and the 2019 Chairman of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, was on hand at the Grand Opening celebration to reflect with John Ray on not only his accomplishments and involvement with GNFCC, but why GNFCC membership is so important and what he’s doing now.

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

Bill Bland, Construction Industry Veteran, and 2019 Chairman, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Bill Bland recently retired from Choate Construction after 26 years of service where he was employed initially as a project manager and became a principal and Senior Vice President.

Prior to joining Choate, Bill was a principal and project manager for Wood, Morris & Bland where he was involved in the design and construction of numerous healthcare-related projects across the country. Bill earned a Bachelor of Science from Georgia Southern University, and he is also a graduate of Georgia College and State University, where he received his Masters in Business Administration.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Bill is active in several civic and professional associations. He has served as past President of CoreNet Global and Real Estate Group of Atlanta (REGA), and he is an active member of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), and the Urban Land Institute (ULI).

Bill is also a former board member of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce where he served as chair for the annual golf tournament and was the 2019 Chairman of The Board.

Bill is now an independent consultant in the construction industry.

Questions and Topics in the Interview:

Bill’s experience
Bill’s consulting work
Why be involved in GNFCC

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Andy Kalajian, Fort Leadership and Sales Consulting

August 30, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Andy Kalajian, Fort Leadership and Sales Consulting

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North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 508)

Andy Kalajian, founder of Fort Leadership and Sales Consulting is deeply involved in GNFCC as a Chamber Diplomat, a Chairman’s Circle member, and several other capacities. Andy sat down with host John Ray during the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration to talk about Fort Leadership, Andy’s approach to sales and relationships, why he’s so involved with GNFCC, and much more.

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

Fort Leadership and Sales Consulting, LLC is a Professional and Personal Development company that creates healthy corporate cultures by developing the personal and professional leadership capacity of the person. Fort Leadership and Sales Consulting, LLC believes that a healthy Corporate Culture benefits the business leader and the employee alike, and it enhances the customer experience.

The culture on the inside of a company is what the customer experiences on the outside of the company. That is the customer experience. But if this is true, why do so many employees feel that their corporate culture is not where it needs to be? Why do some employees describe their corporate culture as dysfunctional or even toxic? How does this dysfunction impact the customer experience? Furthermore, why do some business leaders when asked “how many employees work for you?” respond by saying, “about 1/2”!
Demographic studies indicate that in 5 years up to 75% of the employees will be millennials. That means that for a business leader to be able to attract and retain the best talent from the biggest pool of talent, the business leader must have a healthy corporate culture.

But if a healthy corporate culture is what the employer and the employee are looking for, what does a healthy corporate culture look like? How is a healthy corporate culture created? The answer is Leadership! Fort Leadership and Sales Consulting creates healthy corporate cultures through Leadership Development. Leadership development is all about Character. After all, when we talk about corporate culture, what we are really talking about is corporate character. Corporations are made up of people. And people bring their character to work. So, it only stands to reason that when a collection of people brings their collective characters to work, a corporate character or a corporate culture is created.

Fort Leadership and Sales Consulting, LLC is creating healthy corporate cultures.

Company website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Andy Kalajian, Founder, Fort Leadership & Sales Consulting

Andy Kalajian has been a highly sought-after public speaker for more than 25 years. He has received public acclaim for his brand, EnTheos, Latin for Spirit Within and predecessor to the word Enthusiasm. Andy enthusiastically delivers powerful talks and lessons steeped in wisdom literature and their practical application to busy lifestyles. His tagline, transformational thought in action, serves as a reminder to the participant that one can, indeed, permanently change the destiny of their life by changing the nature of their thoughts and actions.

Andy was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. As a young boy he discovered his passion for serving others in medicine and his gift for public speaking. At the age of 12, Andy, at the urging of his father, began to earn his own way as a Golf Caddy. His sense of adventure also led him, along with his father, to the Boy Scouts of America where he achieved the Rank of Eagle Scout. In High School, Andy was fed books from his mother, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

While a golf caddy, Andy was awarded the prestigious Evans Scholarship, a full academic and leadership scholarship, to study at Michigan State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology. In 1985, he coupled his lifelong passion for medicine and serving people with his gift of enthusiastic speaking and moved to Atlanta to begin his career in Medical Sales.

As a young professional, Andy’s Mom continued to fuel his desire for wisdom literature from authors/speakers Zig Ziglar, Earl Nightingale, Les Brown, Stephen Covey, and John Maxwell. Andy applied the character traits instilled in him from the Boy Scouts and the leadership skills taught to him by John Maxwell, Stephen Covey, and others to enjoy over 30 years in an award-winning medical sales career. It was during this time that Andy was asked to speak to groups as small as 4 or 5 and as large as 500+ all over the US and Puerto Rico.

Andy is very involved in the lives of his two children, Mallory and Drew. For 12 years they were engaging in monthly adventures with the YMCA Adventure Guides program where Andy volunteered in several leadership positions including Nation Chief. Andy and his wife, Sherrie, have four adult children and are active members of Pastor Andy Stanley’s congregation at North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Andy enjoys time invested with his wife Sherrie, his family, and his friends. He still has a voracious appetite for reading the wisdom literature and the biographies of the American Founders. He enjoys weightlifting, aerobics, golf, and hiking the outdoors. Andy continues to have a passion for speaking, coaching, and training others to lead a life of significance.

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

How Fort Leadership got its name
Andy’s path to leadership
Andy’s sales career
How he motivates sales professionals
Andy’s involvement with GNFCC
Advice for engaging in groups like GNFCC

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Senator Brandon Beach, North Fulton CID

August 29, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Senator Brandon Beach, North Fulton CID

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North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 505)

Senator Brandon Beach, the Executive Director of the North Fulton Community Improvement District (CID), joined John Ray at the Grand Opening Celebration and shared his reflection on the growth of the Greater North Fulton Chamber, recent North Fulton CID projects, plans for the GA 400 corridor, and more.

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

The North Fulton Community Improvement District (NFCID)

The North Fulton Community Improvement District (NFCID) is a self-taxing district that was formed in 2003 by a group of business leaders committed to maintaining and enhancing the North Fulton community. With the goal of investing in a more vibrant and sustainable North Fulton, the CID advances infrastructure projects that enhance the livability, walkability and drivability of the entire community. The NFCID spans from Mansell Road north to McGinnis Ferry Road, serving as a catalyst for transportation planning, investment and improvement.

Commercial property owners within the District’s boundaries pay a voluntary tax, which funds the NFCID’s efforts. The CID’s mission is to work continuously to improve the economic viability of its district. This includes the development of efficient transportation services, with an emphasis on access, mobility, diversification and modernization.

The NFCID partners with the three cities that fall within its boundaries – Alpharetta, Milton and Roswell – to design and implement projects that improve the community of North Fulton. The NFCID regularly solicits input from its members for new projects and any member can submit requests to the NFCID for consideration.

Since its inception, the NFCID has leveraged more than $22 million to advance more than $116 million worth of transportation and infrastructure improvements. The North Fulton CID is committed to further enhancing the community and improving the quality of life for the nearly 400 property owners along the Georgia Highway 400 corridor and North Fulton’s more than 270,000 employees.

Website

Sen. Brandon Beach, Executive Director, North Fulton Community Improvement District

Brandon Beach was named Executive Director of the North Fulton Community Improvement District (CID) in January 2018. Previously, he was President of the North Fulton CID and President & CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

Under his leadership, the North Fulton CID has invested more than $20 million to help bring more than $100 million in new infrastructure for the District area. Beach was also elected to the State Senate in 2013. He represents District 21 which includes portions of Cherokee and Fulton counties. Senator Beach is the Chairman of the Transportation Committee. He is also a member of the Economic Development, Higher Education and Science and Technology committees. Senator Beach served as the Chairman of the Public Private Partnership Committee (P3 Committee). Under his leadership, the P3 Committee was able to acquire key local transportation projects approved for Cherokee and North Fulton. In 2001, Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Sen. Beach to the board of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA).

In 2008, he was selected to chair one of GRTA’s most important committees — The Land Development Committee. In this role, Sen. Beach is responsible for leading a review of every significant development brought before the 16-county area that GRTA serves. Sen. Beach was elected to the Board of the GDOT by state legislators from the 6th Congressional District in 2008.

Senator Beach is a member of numerous community boards including the Regional Business Coalition, Grady Hospital Board of Visitors, the Greater Metro Atlanta American Heart Association, the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, Encore Park, and the Historic Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau. Senator Beach received an undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and a Masters in Business Administration degree from Centenary College. He is also a graduate of the Regional Leadership Institute and a former member of the Alpharetta City Council and the Alpharetta Planning and Zoning Commission.

He and his wife, Shuntel, have two children and have lived in Alpharetta for the past 24 years.

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

The evolution of GNFCC
Projects from the NFCID
How NFCID is funded
What’s ahead
Public transportation in the metro area

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Tracey Grace, IBEX IT Business Experts

August 26, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Tracey Grace, IBEX IT Business Experts

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North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 504)

During the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration, Tracey Grace of IBEX IT Business Experts sat down with North Fulton Business Radio host John Ray to share her work at IBEX IT Business Experts, why she and her firm support the Chamber so strongly, her keynote address at the GNFCC Small Business Awards luncheon, and more.

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

IBEX IT Business Experts

IBEX IT Business Experts (IBEX) is a Training, Technology and Consulting Services firm, laser-focused on assisting companies and government agencies to be more effective and efficient in their execution.

IBEX is a women-owned, minority-owned, SBA 8(a) certified business and is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion inside and outside of the company. For the 3rd year in a row, IBEX has been named the 802nd fastest-growing privately-owned company in America by Inc. 5000 and #31 in Georgia, after having placed #1897 in 2018, #806 in 2019. In 2020, IBEX obtained ISO 9001:2015 certification for its Quality Management System.

Company website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Tracey Grace, MBA, ITIL, President and CEO, IBEX IT Business Experts

Originally from New Jersey, Tracey attended the University of Pittsburgh where she obtained her BA in Economics and Spanish and was then awarded a Graduate Tuition Fellowship to fully fund her MBA in Marketing, which she completed in 11 months. Before breaking into the technology industry by founding IBEX IT Business Experts in 2012, Tracey led successful sales teams at international corporations including Learning Tree and FedEx.

At IBEX, Tracey helps organizations like NASA, CDC, and Cox Communications implement IT solutions and train workers on innovative technologies. As a minority woman founder, Tracey knows that IBEX brings value beyond technology training; IBEX also serves a major need in connecting organizations with underrepresented groups. Although her professional expertise lies in IT solutions, government contracting and best practices, she is a uniquely powerful authority on topics like diversity, networking, and leadership.

2021 marks a big year for IBEX, with the launch of Certifiably Diverse, a new supplier diversity software. Certifiably Diverse helps clients like the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) to increase their supplier diversity spend providing the smartest way to communicate, collaborate, and network with diverse suppliers. Additionally, IBEX has maintained its place on the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest-Growing Private Companies for 4 years straight and won Greater North Fulton Small Business of the Year and the Georgia Fast 40 Award, given to the top 40 fastest-growing Georgia-based mid-market companies.

Tracey enjoys serving others and giving back. She serves on several non-profit boards including North Fulton Community Charities, Jane Addams Peace Association, and is Co-Chair of the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council’s Minority Business Input Committee, where she assists minority businesses throughout the state.

LinkedIn | Twitter

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

IBEX Protegé
Certifiably Diverse
GNFCC Small Business Award
Tracey’s GNFCC involvement
Her keynote address at the Small Business Awards luncheon

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Kali Boatright, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

August 22, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Kali Boatright, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

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North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 503)

The Greater North Fulton Chamber (GNFCC) recently celebrated their move to 10000 Avalon with a day-long grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration. During the event, President and CEO Kali Boatright sat down with host John Ray to reflect on the process of finding the space, making the investment in their members, celebrating with the community, and much more.

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

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

The mission of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is to be the recognized leader in its region for business growth, talent development and regional prosperity.

The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a private, nonprofit, member-driven organization comprised of over 1,200 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. Its service area includes Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell and Sandy Springs. GNFCC is the leading voice on economic development, business growth and quality of life issues in North Fulton County.

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Kali Boatright, President and CEO, GNFCC

Kali Boatright joined the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce as President and CEO in 2018. As an expert in nonprofit management and a proven leader in organizational growth and strategy execution, she is most proud of her history of growing individuals on her team and collaboration with similar mission-driven organizations. Prior to taking the helm at GNFCC, she served as the CEO of the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce from 2004-2018 and before that as Chief Operating Officer of the Golden Key International Honour Society.

Boatright is a graduate of the US Chamber’s Institute for Organizational Management and is a Georgia Certified Chamber Executive. In addition, she serves as chair of the Georgia Chamber Federation on the Georgia Chamber Board of Directors, as an executive board member of the Regional Business Coalition, as a board member of Tech Alpharetta and as past Chair of the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

In 2017, Boatright was honored by the chamber industry when she received the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Legacy Award. As the association’s most prestigious award, it recognizes long-term executives who have excelled over a period of years in leading and innovatively building their Chamber. The award is based on the demonstration of excellence in areas of chamber leadership, organizational management, service to the profession, community reputation/involvement, and personal attributes.

Kali is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism. She and her high school sweetheart David have recently become empty nesters with their oldest adulting ITP and only their youngest, a sophomore at Georgia Tech, remaining on payroll. David is a Chemistry Teacher at Cambridge HS in Alpharetta, Georgia.