Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Archives

Why Attainable Housing Feels Impossible in North Fulton

March 5, 2026 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Why Attainable Housing Feels Impossible in North Fulton

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Why Attainable Housing Feels Impossible in North Fulton, and What Can Actually Change, with Mark Murphy, City of Mountain Park and the Fuller Center for Housing of Greater Atlanta (North Fulton Voices, Episode 17)

Housing affordability is no longer a “someday” problem in Metro Atlanta. It is here, and it is changing who can live near where they work in North Fulton. In this episode of North Fulton Voices, Jack Murphy and Nancy Diamond from the North Fulton Improvement Network (NFIN) discuss with Mark Murphy the reasons behind the seeming impossibility of affordable housing and the practical solutions that can significantly improve the situation.

Mark serves on the Mountain Park City Council and leads the Fuller Center for Housing of Greater Atlanta. He makes the issue concrete: the local rules and approvals that quietly decide what gets built, why zoning matters more than most people want to admit, and why small, sensible moves like ADUs (accessory dwelling units) and cottage homes are part of the answer.

If you are concerned about enabling teachers, first responders, and working families to remain in the communities they serve, this episode will provide you with the essential language and perspective to actively participate in the next zoning discussion in your city.

North Fulton Voices is presented by the North Fulton Improvement Network. The show series is proudly sponsored by John Ray Co. and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Housing affordability is now the region’s top concern, ahead of traffic, and it is hitting hardest for those building families and careers.
The affordability gap is structural, not a matter of personal effort. The numbers have shifted under everyone.
Zoning and local approvals are not background noise. They often decide what gets built and what never gets a chance.
“Gentle density” is a practical path, including ADUs and cottage homes that add options without flipping neighborhood character.
When attainable housing disappears, the people who keep a community running get pushed out: teachers, school staff, caregivers, and first responders.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Show Intro and Hosts
00:40 Meet Mark Murphy
01:08 Data Gems on Affordability
02:15 Workforce Housing Reality Check
03:37 Mark’s Path to Service
05:08 Run the River and Homestretch
05:51 Finding NFIN Through Cycling
08:57 Fuller Center Housing Mission
11:16 Land Zoning and Build Costs
13:05 Mountain Park Comp Plan and ADUs
16:20 ARC Support and Regional Survey
17:59 Housing Pain Points
18:24 Cherokee vs North Fulton
19:53 Why Cherokee Moves Faster
21:50 NIMBY Myths and Fear
24:02 Who Attainable Housing Serves
25:23 Hidden Heroes Focus
26:32 Eligibility and AMI Basics
28:14 ADUs Cottages and Momentum
29:25 Land Banks and Trusts
30:40 Collaboration and Hope
33:53 Call to Action and Wrap

Mark Murphy

Mark Murphy is President of the Fuller Center for Housing of Greater Atlanta and a city council member in the City of Mountain Park.

Mark holds a finance degree and spent more than 30 years as an executive in consulting and IT outsourcing, including senior roles with HP Enterprise Services, Capgemini, CIBER, and CSC Consulting. Since his retirement in 2016, Mark has concentrated on raising funds and providing support for causes that are dear to him, such as Homestretch, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and the housing initiatives of the Fuller Center.

Markis is also the founder and director of the St. Paddy O’Pedal Ride to Conquer Childhood Cancer, which benefits Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Mark and his puppy Mosby have lived in the City of Mountain Park for eight years.

North Fulton Improvement Network

The North Fulton Improvement Network (NFIN) is a think tank made up of community leaders from a variety of sectors, focused on missing middle housing and the livability challenges confronting North Fulton. We come from the six cities making up the northern half of Fulton County, Georgia—Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell, and Sandy Springs—and are working to address the widespread yet little-known financial vulnerability across the region. With stakeholders from sectors including business, nonprofit, faith, government, and citizens, we center our work on five areas of impact, seek to educate the public about these issues, build a network of individuals and organizations with innovative private and public solutions, and connect resources to those in need.

The leadership team of NFIN is Jack Murphy, Nancy Diamond, and Kathy Swahn.

Jack Murphy

Jack Murphy is a volunteer with The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and is Chair of the North Fulton Improvement Network. He is also in his 21st year of working for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Prior to the Chamber, Jack worked for and with Fortune 500 companies in operations, human resources, training, and quality areas. Jack was a senior adjunct professor for Quality & Operations Management at Keller Graduate School for 14 years.

He has served on both the National and Georgia Boards of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, responsible for Diversity, Advocacy, & Systemic Change. Jack is currently the national SVDP chair of Systemic Change and Advocacy.

Jack received a BA in psychology from Belmont Abbey College and an M.Ed. from UNC-Greensboro. Jack and his wife, Nancy, a retired elementary school principal, have two grown daughters and two grandchildren. They live in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Nancy Diamond

Nancy Diamond is a Project Manager with Schmit & Associates, a real estate development firm, creating town center revitalization in communities all around the metro area.

Nancy served 8 years as a Roswell City Council Member, including a term as Mayor Pro Tem, with liaison positions with Community Development, Transportation, Recreation & Parks, and Public Safety.

In addition to her work with the North Fulton Improvement Network, Nancy has been active in area non-profit organizations, including board leadership positions in the STAR House Foundation, WellStar North Fulton Hospital, and the Roswell Rotary Club.

A native of Atlanta and a 42-year North Fulton resident, Nancy worked at Turner Broadcasting in the early years of CNN, then became a freelancer in sports television graphics. While raising her two daughters, she worked from home, first developing a corporate gift service and later as a mortgage loan originator.

Nancy and her husband, Glenn, now relish the role of grandparents to Owen.

Sponsor for North Fulton Voices: John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC

The North Fulton Voices show series is proudly sponsored by John Ray Co. and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

John Ray is a podcast show host and producer and owns North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, the North Fulton (Georgia) affiliate of Business RadioX®.

John also operates his own business advisory practice, Ray Business Advisors. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the author of the #1 nationally best-selling book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

John is the host of North Fulton Business Radio and The Price and Value Journey. North Fulton Business Radio, the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton region of Georgia, features a wide range of business and community leaders. The Price and Value Journey focuses on professional services providers in solo and small-firm settings, addressing topics like pricing, value, and business development.

Business Success, Networking, and Giving Back, with Mark McKenzie, Docqmax Digital Printing

January 19, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Business Success, Networking, and Giving Back, with Mark McKenzie, Docqmax Digital Printing

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Business Success, Networking, and Giving Back, with Mark McKenzie, Docqmax Digital Printing (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 738)

This episode of North Fulton Business Radio features Mark McKenzie of Docqmax Digital Printing, who joined host John Ray to share his experiences as a business owner and the significant lessons he’s gained over the course of his career. Mark discussed the history of Docqmax, their remarkable record as a second-generation family business, and how he and his brothers have navigated the twists and turns in the printing industry. Mark shared his views about the importance of networking and creating valuable relationships for business growth. He also discussed the importance of giving back, touching on his longtime involvement with the Golf for the Kids Invitational, an annual golf tournament that raises funds for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and supports children battling cancer. Additionally, Mark imparted insights on how investing in real estate became one of Docqmax’s best business moves, the importance of support from outside professional advisors, and much more.

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.

Docqmax Digital Printing

Docqmax Digital Printing and the McKenzie Brothers have been providing their experience and expertise in marketing, printing, and copying to Metro Atlanta area businesses since 1975, and you’ll find that they’re enthusiastic about what they do.

They started out as a Quik Print Printing Franchisee in the heart of Buckhead and established locations in Downtown and Midtown Atlanta, as well as the Cobb Galleria Area. During this time, Rich, Mark, and Mike became second-generation owners and led the company to become one of the top Quik Print franchisees in the nation. After more than 22 years of being a consistent sales leader and producer in the Quik Print franchise system, they became an independent printing company, and Docqmax Digital Printing was launched.

They later consolidated their strengths under one roof in Atlanta’s West Midtown district in 2004. In their current location, they have been able to capitalize on technologies, processes, efficiencies, longtime experienced staff and partners, all of which help them meet their client’s demands, which allows them to drive revenue and sleep at night.

They do all this by offering an online, print-on-demand web portal, strategic marketing services, traditional full-color offset printing, various digital printing services such as digital color printing, black-and-white digital printing, high-speed duplicating, large-format color printing, banners, posters, variable-date printing, and direct mail, as well as a complete bindery and finishing department.

Docqmax Digital Printing is a unique and special place. As a second-generation family-owned business, the McKenzie brothers feel privileged to be the owners of this company. They are 100% locally owned and operated and are proud of the fact that over 85% of all the labor, supplies, raw materials, and resources they use to create and manufacture printing are purchased from other locally owned companies that support our local economy.

The mission of Docqmax Digital Printing is to provide the best printing and most helpful service in our community.

How do they do that? First, while they are in the business of printing, they believe that their company produces something much larger than ink and toner on paper. They print your ideas, hopes, and dreams. They take pride in the fact that the documents they create help tell your story and make your business more successful. Finally, they make every effort to be successful, but recognize that they can only accomplish this if they can help you be successful.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | X (Twitter)

Golf for the Kids Invitational

In 20204, Golf for the Kids will celebrate 17 years of making a difference for children with severe medical diagnoses. This tournament, held in October every year, raises funds for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

To learn more, register, sponsor, or donate, follow this link.

Topics Covered in this Interview

00:04 Show Introduction

01:14 Guest Introduction: Mark McKenzie from Docqmax Digital Printing

01:46 The Evolution and Impact of the Printing Industry

02:37 The Power of Direct Mail in the Digital Age

07:02 The Role of Print in Different Industries

12:11 The Value of Print in a Digital World

14:08 Golf for the Kids

19:23 The Impact of Canine for Kids Program at Children’s Hospital

22:52 The Power of Networking

23:19 The Importance of Referrals and Business Relationships

24:12 The Impact of Networking on Business and Personal Growth

25:18 The Philosophy of Giving and Receiving

25:47 The Unexpected Returns of Generosity

26:07 The Power of Awareness in Recognizing Blessings

26:24 The Importance of Giving in Business and Personal Life

36:37 Investing in Real Estate as a Business Owner

38:24 Taking Action on Advice

39:06 The Value of Having a Strong Support System in Business

41:00 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

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, and many others.

RenasantBank

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.

Katie Hart Smith, Registered Nurse, Author & Artist

July 21, 2023 by Garrett Ervin

Celebrating Powerhouse Women

Katie Hart Smith, Registered Nurse, Author & Artist

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Katie Hart Smith and Amanda Pearch Marmolejo

Celebrating Powerhouse Women salutes and recognizes women who are making an impact, whether it’s in business, philanthropy, public service, or elsewhere.

Katie Hart Smith/Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Katie Hart Smith is a Registered Nurse for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, an artist, and a published author for nearly 30 years. Smith is an active leader in her community and sought out speaker on a local and national level. She enjoys speaking at literary festivals, libraries, book clubs, and community and civic organizations on a variety of topics. Born in 1964 in San Diego, CA, Smith had the opportunity to live all over the United States as a young girl. It wasn’t until 1976 that her family moved to Atlanta, GA where she has called home ever since. Smith loved writing and drawing as a child, creating her own story and picture books at a very early age. As a young adult, she pursued a nursing career and in 1987 obtained a B.S. in Nursing from Georgia State University. In 2002, she received a MBA from Troy State University. Throughout her professional career, Smith continued to write, illustrate, and lecture for the medical community and even served as a guest speaker at Emory University, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing for ten years. In 1995, Smith published, “In the Face of Disaster: Personal Reflections” in the Orthopedic Nursing Journal. The article recounted Smith’s work with the Red Cross to lead a group of volunteers from Atlanta to assist with the Flint River Flood recovery efforts. During the 4-hour commute home on a city commuter bus, Smith wrote on scratch pieces of paper to journal the day’s events.

Celebrating Powerhouse Women is presented by

Heather Orrico with Comcast Business, Sara Orton with Aflac Cancer Center, and Benji Hollis with Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

September 15, 2022 by Garrett Ervin

Gwinnett Business Radio

Heather Orrico with Comcast Business, Sara Orton with Aflac Cancer Center, and Benji Hollis with Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

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Heather Orrico, Benji Hollis, Sara Orton

Heather Orrico/Comcast Business

Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the Enterprise market, and has been recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, call 866-429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social.

Sara Orton/Aflac Cancer Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is one of the largest pediatric cancer and blood disorders programs in the country. The center cares for children and young adults with a wide range of cancer and blood disorders, from the most common to those rarely seen outside of the top centers.

Benji Hollis/Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

Peach Bowl, Inc. is the 501(c)3 organization that owns and operates the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Challenge charity golf tournament, manages day-to-day operations of The Dodd Trophy, and was the original recruiter and founding sponsor of the new College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. PBI was originally founded by the Georgia Lion’s Club in 1967 and hosted its first NCAA-sanctioned Peach Bowl game in Atlanta in 1968.

Gwinnett Business Radio is presented by

North Fulton Healthcare Leaders Forum: Managing Pandemic Change and Planning for Recovery

May 7, 2020 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

North Fulton Healthcare Leaders Forum: Managing Pandemic Change and Planning for Recovery

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North Fulton Healthcare Leaders Forum: Managing Pandemic Change and Planning for Recovery (“GNFCC 400 Insider,” Episode 36)

Three respected North Fulton healthcare leaders joined a forum organized by GNFCC to discuss the current state of Covid-19 care at their respective institutions. Jon-Paul Croom, Wellstar North Fulton Hospital, Freda Hardage, Northside Hospital System, and Dr. Daniel Salinas, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, also offered recommendations to individuals and businesses as Georgia “reopens,” dispelled myths, and much more. The host of “The GNFCC 400 Insider” is GNFCC CEO Kali Boatright, and the show is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®. Business RadioX and John Ray sponsored and moderated this forum.

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Dr. Daniel Salinas

Daniel Salinas, MD, is Chief Medical Officer for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. He provides executive oversight for quality and patient safety, medical staff services, and affiliations. In addition, Dr. Salinas has worked closely with community providers to develop The Children’s Care Network, one of the first pediatric, clinically integrated networks in the country, for which he also has executive oversight. He has also worked to advance Children’s Behavioral Health and primary care strategies. Dr. Salinas provides visionary leadership for the clinical delivery systems and draws on his skills as a relationship-builder and facilitator to forge strong relationships with physicians in Atlanta and across the state. A native of Houston, Texas, Dr. Salinas currently serves on several boards and lives in Roswell.

Northside Hospital, Freda Hardage

Freda Hardage is the Director of Northside Alpharetta Medical Campus and Director, Foundation and Community Services for Northside System. Freda’s responsibilities include all daily operations of Alpharetta Medical Campus which consists of 3 medical office buildings, 100 + physicians from multiple specialties. Her foundation responsibilities include comprehensive oversight for all fundraising, donor giving, community activities and research grant writing for the hospital system.

Freda has volunteered for many organizations and also serves as the first MARTA Chair from North Fulton, President Emeritus and Board Member of The Drake House and Former Chair and Board Emeritus for GNFCC. She has served with distinction on the North Fulton Poverty Task Force, Johns Creek Community Association, YMCA High Harbour Board and Windward Rotary.

Wellstar North Fulton Hospital, Jon-Paul Croom

**Jon-Paul Croom, Wellstar North Fulton Hospital**

Jon-Paul Croom is the President of Wellstar North Fulton Hospital, a 202-bed facility located in Roswell, GA. Croom joined Wellstar in April of 2017. Wellstar North Fulton Hospital is one of Georgia’s only Level Il Trauma Centers and delivers services including cardiovascular services, women’s services, Pain & Spine Center, Wound Care & Hyperbarics, and inpatient rehabilitation. North Fulton Hospital is a Primary Stroke Center arid an accredited Chest Pain Center.

Croom previously served as CEO for the 429-bed Central Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Miss. and opened the only burn center in Mississippi and increased the availability of inpatient psychiatric services at the facility. Croom also lives in Roswell where he serves his community.

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

care for patients diagnosed with Covid-19
common myths surrounding Covid-19
collaboration between these organizations
North Fulton community support and best ways to further support
PPE (personal protection equipment) and other safety measures
social distancing
time sensitive and elective surgeries
expected future Covid-19 case loads
safety advice for individuals
guidance for businesses to safeguard employees and customers

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

North Fulton Mayor's Roundtable — Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC

“The GNFCC 400 Insider” (formerly “North Atlanta’s Bizlink”) is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) and is hosted by Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC. The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, member-driven organization comprised of over 1400 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals. Their 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.

The GNFCC promotes the interests of our members by assuming a leadership role in making North Fulton an excellent place to work, live, play and stay. They provide one voice for all local businesses to influence decision makers, recommend legislation, and protect the valuable resources that make North Fulton a popular place to live.

For more information on GNFCC and its North Fulton County service area, follow this link or call (770) 993-8806.

For the complete show archive of “The GNFCC 400 Insider,” go to GNFCC400Insider.com. “The GNFCC 400 Insider” is produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.