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Alpharetta’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan: Why It Matters

November 6, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Alpharetta's 2045 Comprehensive Plan: Why It Matters

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Alpharetta’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan: Why It Matters (North Fulton Voices, Episode 14)

On this edition of North Fulton Voices, hosts Jack Murphy and Nancy Diamond sit down with Benjamin “Ben” Kern of MKSK Studios and Michael Woodman, Planning and Development Services Manager for the City of Alpharetta, to unpack Alpharetta’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan. This conversation explains what a comprehensive plan is and why it is relevant for everyday life in Alpharetta. You will hear how the plan sets the city’s long-range vision for land use, redevelopment, transportation, parks and greenways, housing, and economic development. The guests clearly distinguish between the plan and the zoning code: the plan establishes policy direction and a future land use map, while zoning serves as the legal tool to implement this vision when projects arrive.

Alpharetta is moving from a growth pattern defined by open land to one focused on redevelopment and reinvestment. The discussion covers how older commercial areas can be reimagined, why mixed-use nodes near jobs and services reduce congestion, and how the city evaluates proposals against the plan month in and month out. You will also learn how progress is tracked through a short-term work program and a formal Report of Accomplishments that keeps Alpharetta eligible for key regional and state funding.

Most importantly, the episode shows how residents and businesses can influence outcomes. Public input includes a steering committee, online surveys, and in-person sessions, with community meetings on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 12:00–1:00 p.m. and 5:00–6:30 p.m. at Alpharetta City Hall. Listen to understand the choices ahead and how to weigh in with feedback that leads to better projects, stronger neighborhoods, and a city that reflects the community’s shared priorities.

Learn more on the 2045 Alpharetta Comprehensive Plan updates website, and add your voice by completing the community survey on future city development priorities.

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

Plan vs. zoning, decoded: The comprehensive plan sets vision, goals, policies, and the future land use map. Zoning is the legal code that implements that vision when projects are proposed.
Future land use map matters: Staff and elected officials use the map every month to evaluate whether a proposal aligns with the city’s long-range direction before any rezoning is considered.
From greenfields to redevelopment: With little vacant land left, Alpharetta’s growth will come from reinvestment, infill, and reimagining aging commercial and office areas into mixed-use, walkable places.
Transportation is more than roads: The plan ties land use to mobility, aiming for safer local streets, strategic congestion relief, and better walking, biking, and trail connections between jobs, housing, and parks.
Housing mix and affordability tools: The update looks at diversifying housing types near services and employment to support workforce needs and reduce long commutes that strain the network.
Short-term work program and accountability: Progress is tracked through a Report of Accomplishments, which keeps Alpharetta eligible for key regional and state funding.
Public input shapes outcomes: Residents and businesses can influence priorities through surveys, a steering committee, and in-person sessions at City Hall. Thoughtful feedback can shift where, what, and how redevelopment happens.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to North Fulton Voices
01:01 Comprehensive Plans: Importance and Current Updates
01:29 Regional Housing Data and Trends
02:54 Meet the Experts: Benjamin Kerr and Michael Woodman
04:23 Understanding Comprehensive Plans
10:44 Community Involvement and Vision for Alpharetta’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan
17:01 Challenges and Opportunities in Alpharetta
27:38 Future Plans and Community Engagement
34:57 Conclusion and Contact Information

Michael Woodman, Planning and Development Services Manager, City of Alpharetta

The Community Development Department for the City of Alpharetta guides the city’s growth and development to enhance the quality of life while respecting its historic and natural features. The department plays a key role in planning and implementing projects related to land use, economic development, housing, and community facilities, including Alpharetta’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan. It supports diverse housing options, pedestrian-friendly environments, mixed-use developments, and public infrastructure improvements. The department also engages with the community and private sector to ensure development aligns with community goals, including projects like downtown revitalization, greenways, and city-owned property consolidation for municipal offices. Overall, it focuses on sustainable growth, creating vibrant neighborhoods, and improving public access to city services.

Website

Benjamin Kern, Planner, MKSK Studios

MKSK Studios is a planning, urban design, and landscape architecture firm that partners extensively with municipalities to create vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive communities. They provide strategic master planning and design services that guide long-term improvements for municipal campuses, public parks, streetscapes, and civic spaces, with a strong focus on pedestrian connectivity, sustainable stormwater management, and adaptive reuse of existing city infrastructure. MKSK’s work for municipalities aims to enhance public engagement, strengthen community identity, and improve the quality of life through thoughtful, context-sensitive design that integrates social, environmental, and cultural values. Their projects often include comprehensive engagement efforts to ensure plans align with community needs while fostering equity and resilience in growing urban environments.

Website

North Fulton Improvement Network

The North Fulton Improvement Network (NFIN) is a think tank made up of community leaders from various sectors, focused on missing middle housing and the livability challenges confronting North Fulton. Its members come from the six cities constituting 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, NFIN centers their work on five areas of impact, seeks to educate the public about these issues, builds a network of individuals and organizations with innovative private and public solutions, and connects 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 a 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 8-year-old 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 is devoted to solo and small-firm professional services providers and covers issues such as pricing, value, and business development.

North Fulton Mayors: City of Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin and City of Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison

October 23, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

North Fulton Mayors: City of Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin and City of Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison

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North Fulton Mayors: City of Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin and City of Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 100)

In this episode of the GNFCC 400 Insider, hosted by GNFCC CEO Kali Boatright, special guests Mayor Jim Gilvin of Alpharetta and Mayor Peyton Jamison of Milton provide an in-depth discussion on local politics, city planning, and regional collaboration. They share their personal motivations for entering politics, highlights from their cities’ growth, and key revitalization projects such as Alpharetta’s downtown transformation and Milton’s Highway 9 redesign. Emphasizing a collaborative spirit, the mayors discuss joint initiatives like the development of a joint court building and public safety efforts. They also delve into strategic insights gained from leadership visits, the importance of balanced growth, and improving city connectivity through projects like new flex lanes.

The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Mayor Jim Gilvin, City of Alpharetta

Jim Gilvin has been serving as the Mayor of Alpharetta, Georgia, since May 2018, following a tenure on the City Council from 2012 to 2018. A resident of Alpharetta since the late 1990s, he lives in the Windward subdivision with his wife, Mary Anne, and their two children. Gilvin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Georgia Southern University and is a licensed residential real estate agent as well as a small business owner in the technology sector. His leadership focuses on enhancing local infrastructure, promoting economic development, and maintaining a supportive environment for businesses, especially in the technology and fintech industries.

Under Gilvin’s administration, Alpharetta has seen significant growth and development, including the revitalization of the North Point Mall area and the establishment of a vibrant downtown district. He emphasizes the importance of creating walkable communities and improving transportation infrastructure to accommodate the city’s expanding population, which has grown from 3,000 residents in 1980 to over 68,000 today. His initiatives aim to foster a robust technology ecosystem while preserving the city’s “hometown” feel and enhancing quality of life for its residents.

City of Alpharetta Website | Awesome Alpharetta

Mayor Peyton Jamison, City of Milton

As a native of North Fulton, Peyton Jamison’s love for Milton runs deep, as he has been actively involved in community and citizen-related activities in the city for many years. Jamison’s “community first” approach has led him to serve in roles as Planning Commission Chairman (2013-2017) and Chairman of the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (2016). One other notable achievement was Jamison’s role as the President of the Crabapple Community Association (2012-17), a community group made up of residents, businesses, and area schools dedicated to improving, protecting, and enhancing the overall quality of life in the Crabapple District. He took this love for community a step further when he was elected to the Milton City Council in 2017. Jamison was sworn in to represent District 1, Post 1 on January 8, 2018, and served as the Mayor Pro Tempore since January 7, 2019, through the end of 2021.

In November 2021, Jamison was elected as Milton’s second-ever mayor. He assumed office several weeks later.

Jamison and his wife, Megan, and their three children live on beautiful acreage along Birmingham Highway. In addition to his service with the City and the community, Jamison is actively involved in youth sports with his children. His extensive financial background has led to the operation of his company, Jamison Private Wealth Management, a successful small business located in Crabapple that has served our area since 1988. He and his family are members of Birmingham United Methodist Church.

Jamison graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Auburn University.

City of Milton Website

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to GNFCC 400 Insider
00:31 Meet the Mayors: Jim Gilvin and Peyton Jamison
01:12 Mayor Gilvin’s Journey to Leadership
02:58 Mayor Jamison’s Path to Office
04:37 Alpharetta’s Unique Culture and Business Environment
06:59 Milton’s Development and Community Planning
08:23 Regional Collaboration and Shared Success
09:47 Public Safety and Community Services
15:22 Achievements in Parks and Recreation
16:12 Revitalizing Downtown Alpharetta
18:29 Insights from Indiana’s Municipalities
22:20 Future Visions for Milton and Alpharetta
26:53 Must-Visit Spots in Milton and Alpharetta
28:58 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

**Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC**

The GNFCC 400 Insider is sponsored by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC), and the host of the show is 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 1,400 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.

As a five-star accredited chamber, GNFCC’s vision is to be the premier organization driving member and community success across the region, and they are dedicated to pursuing this vision based on the guiding principles of advocacy, inclusivity, and operational excellence.

GNFCC promotes the interests of their 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 more information on other GNFCC events, follow this link.

Fun, Greenspace, and the Arts in Alpharetta, with Morgan Rodgers, Director of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Services, City of Alpharetta

April 17, 2024 by John Ray

Fun, Greenspace, and the Arts in Alpharetta, with Morgan Rodgers, Director of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Services, City of Alpharetta (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 764)

Morgan Rodgers, the Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Services for the City of Alpharetta, joins host John Ray on this edition of North Fulton Business Radio. As the “Minister of Fun,” Morgan discusses the myriad of activities and services offered by the City of Alpharetta to enhance the community’s quality of life. From the extensive network of parks and greenspaces designed for accessibility and community engagement to innovative arts and music programs aimed at enriching residents’ experiences, Alpharetta showcases its commitment to being a vibrant, fun-filled city. The episode also touches on bond-funded projects enhancing the city’s infrastructure, community-driven initiatives like the rebuilding of the Wacky World playground at Wills Park, and the strategic use of music and the arts to foster a dynamic community atmosphere. Additionally, Morgan shares unique offerings like adult sports leagues, community agriculture, and health and wellness programs, underscoring Alpharetta’s imaginative approach to community service and engagement.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Morgan Rodgers, Director of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Services, City of Alpharetta

Morgan Rodgers is an experienced recreation and parks professional with extensive and varied leadership experience. He currently serves as the Director of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Services for the City of Alpharetta, Georgia.

Prior to his role in Alpharetta, Rodgers held director-level positions with the City of Roswell, Georgia Lockheed Employee Recreation Club, Jekyll Island Authority, Rome/Floyd County Recreation Authority, and Moore County, North Carolina.

Rodgers holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Parks Administration from Clemson University, where he graduated with honors.

He is a Certified Park & Recreation Professional (CPRP) and has been recognized with the Mike Daniels Leadership Award and Roy Hammond Leadership Award from the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association.

In addition to his professional work, Rodgers is also an author, having published four books: three novels, Family Business, Past Sins, Timing…The Key to Life, and a management book, One Line Management.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter)

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
01:23 Introducing Morgan Rogers: Alpharetta’s “Minister of Fun”
01:48 Exploring Alpharetta’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services
04:56 Morgan Rogers: A Lifetime in Recreation and Parks
07:45 Alpharetta’s Commitment to Greenspace and Community Connectivity
12:40 Revamping Wacky World: A Community-Built Playground
17:04 Bond Projects and Enhancements in Alpharetta
21:30 Alpharetta: A Music City with a Plan
26:14 Innovative Programs and Future Plans
30:43 Closing Remarks and Resources

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 760 shows and having featured over 1,200 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show welcomes a wide variety of business, non-profit, and community leaders to get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates business by sharing positive business stories that traditional media ignore. Some media leans left. Some media leans right. We lean business.

John Ray, Business RadioX - North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors — **John Ray, Business RadioX – North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors**

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded 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.

The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. 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 national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

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.

Revitalizing an Iconic Alpharetta Landmark, with Jacqueline Welch, Wills Park Equestrian Foundation

February 23, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Revitalizing an Iconic Alpharetta Landmark, with Jacqueline Welch, Wills Park Equestrian Foundation

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Revitalizing an Iconic Alpharetta Landmark, with Jacqueline Welch, Wills Park Equestrian Foundation (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 745)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, John Ray welcomed Jacqueline Welch of the Wills Park Equestrian Foundation. Jacqueline discussed the history of the Wills Park Equestrian Center, its impact, and the public-private partnership between the Foundation and the City of Alpharetta to revitalize the Center. Jacqueline also addressed the Foundation’s aim to raise $5 million to match city funding for renovations, the facility’s ability to attract bigger, more involved horse shows after the planned upgrades, and the different ways the community can get involved, from attending annual fundraising events to providing donations. The revitalization project not only preserves an important community asset but also significantly impacts the local economy. The economic impact of the Wills Park Equestrian Center is currently estimated at $4.8 million annually, and planned upgrades would increase that impact even further.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Jacqueline Welch, Director of Development and Operations, Wills Park Equestrian Foundation

Jacqueline Welch quickly fell in love with horses after moving to an Alpharetta farm at 11 years old. Within a year, she competed at the Wills Park Equestrian Center in her first horse show. Over the next ten years, she made countless life-long memories and learned many life lessons at Wills Park Equestrian Center. Jacqueline credits her love for horses as a crucial element in her development, as it taught her the power of patience, discipline, and the importance of establishing strong, trusting partnerships—skills that would later prove indispensable in the world of business.

Jacqueline obtained her B.S. in Business with a Sport Management concentration from Florida Gulf Coast University before returning to Alpharetta to work for the family business, where she was given opportunities to wear many hats. She was often given responsibilities she didn’t quite feel prepared for, but she prides herself on knowing that she will always figure them out.

In 2023, Jacqueline made the decision to combine her 15 years of business and hospitality experience with her passion for horses and fond admiration for the Wills Park Equestrian Center, and she accepted a full-time position with the Wills Park Equestrian Foundation, where she currently serves as the Director of Development and Operations.

Wills Park Equestrian Foundation

Wills Park Equestrian Center has been the heart of the north Atlanta horse community since its inception in the early ‘70s. Located on 50 acres of rolling fields and woods, the center currently includes a covered arena, two outdoor competition rings, more than 290 shed row stalls, two schooling rings, and a show office.

Each year, the center hosts multiple local and USEF rated horse shows, as well as dog shows, reining shows, an annual rodeo, and other community activities.

Wills Park Equestrian Center is one of the few equestrian facilities remaining that is located in a thriving suburb of a major metropolitan city. It has become a well-loved hub for equestrians from across the Southeast. Yet as the center has grown in usage over the past five decades, the horse show industry has grown and evolved.

By upgrading the center’s infrastructure, the Foundation can ensure that this unique facility can continue to serve the equestrian community, the City of Alpharetta, and the citizens of north Metro Atlanta for years to come.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:18 Welcoming Jacqueline Welch from Wills Park Equestrian Foundation

01:31 Overview of Wills Park Equestrian Foundation

02:43 The History and Impact of Wills Park Equestrian Center

04:52 The Role of the Equestrian Center in the Community

06:54 The Need for Revitalization and the Partnership with the City

10:03 Fundraising Efforts and Community Involvement

13:48 The Economic Impact of the Wills Park Equestrian Center

16:33 Future Plans and Opportunities

20:17 Conclusion and Contact Information

21:22 Final Remarks and Acknowledgements

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 740 shows and having featured over 1,100 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

John is the author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

Strategic Leadership Visit to North Carolina’s Research Triangle Region, with Samir Abdullahi, Select Fulton, and Kathi Cook, City of Alpharetta

May 2, 2023 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Strategic Leadership Visit to North Carolina's Research Triangle Region, with Samir Abdullahi, Select Fulton, and Kathi Cook, City of Alpharetta

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Strategic Leadership Visit to North Carolina’s Research Triangle Region, with Samir Abdullahi, Select Fulton, and Kathi Cook, City of Alpharetta (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 83)

Samir Abdullahi, Director of Select Fulton, and Kathi Cook, Director of Economic and Community Development for the City of Alpharetta, joined host Kali Boatright to recap their Strategic Leadership visit to Raleigh, Cary, and Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. They described the ways the two regions collaborate on information, learnings from the trip, the implications for growth in North Fulton, and much more.

The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

Samir Abdullahi, Director, Select Fulton

Samir Abdullahi is Director of Economic Development at Select Fulton. It is Fulton County, Georgia’s economic and workforce development initiative that drives collaboration among public and private partners in order to generate inclusive growth, opportunities, and prosperity for the Metro Atlanta region.

Select Fulton does this by fostering the creation of middle and high-skill jobs in our key industries, preparing our residents for those opportunities, and accelerating the growth of connected and sustainable commercial development. Additionally, Select Fulton provides collaborative economic development leadership to promote a globally competitive, prosperous, and growing Fulton County economy to improve the wellbeing of our residents and communities.

Company website | LinkedIn

Kathi Cook, Director of Economic and Community Development, City of Alpharetta

Kathi Cook joined the City of Alpharetta over 30 years ago and is now the Director of Economic and Community Development.

The Community Development Department guides the growth and development of the City of Alpharetta to enhance the quality of life in our community while recognizing the City’s historic and natural features.

The Community Development Department led the City’s efforts in achieving a Gold Level Certification through the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Green Communities Program.

Alpharetta was the first city in the State of Georgia to achieve this accomplishment. This highest level certification demonstrates Alpharetta’s commitment to resource conservation and sustainability.

Company website | LinkedIn

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

The GNFCC 400 Insider 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 more information on other GNFCC events such as this North Fulton Mayors Appreciation Lunch, follow this link.

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

Wellstar Chamber Luncheon Series: COVID-19 Vaccine Update from the Centers for Disease Control

April 1, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Wellstar Chamber Luncheon Series: COVID-19 Vaccine Update from the Centers for Disease Control

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Wellstar Chamber Luncheon Series: COVID-19 Vaccine Update with the CDC, with Amanda Cohn, MD, and Michelle Wilson, Centers for Disease Control (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 59)

CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Amanda Cohn offered an update on the Covid-19 vaccine rollout and CDC Senior Advisor Michelle Wilson joined the call as well. Today’s program was sponsored by The City of Alpharetta and Logic Speak. 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®. John Ray and North Fulton Business RadioX served as the media sponsor for this event.

Amanda Cohn, MD, Chief Medical Officer, COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Dr. Amanda Cohn currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer of the National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) and Executive Secretary of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. She previously served as the Deputy Director of NCIRD’s Immunization Services Division. Dr. Cohn came to the CDC in 2004 as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer and joined the Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch in 2006, where she focused on prevention and control of meningococcal disease, both domestically and internationally. She is board certified in Pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

She obtained her medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine and completed a residency in pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston Medical Center in Massachusetts.

CDC website | Amanda Cohn LinkedIn

Michelle Wilson, Senior Advisor, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

**Michelle Wilson, Senior Advisor, CDC**

Michelle Wilson is a Senior Advisor at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the Office of the Chief Operating Officer. Her work focuses on strategic external relations as she directs CDC’s Georgia Relations work. Michelle has worked at CDC for 20 years, including the past seven years in the Office of Appropriations, most recently serving as Congressional Team Lead – leading activities related to the Agency’s appropriations outreach strategy with Congress.

During her CDC tenure, Michelle has worked in policy at all levels of the Agency, including time in Washington, D.C. – focusing on government relations, budget, appropriations, and non-federal partnerships. Prior to coming to CDC in 2001 as a Presidential Management Intern, Michelle worked at several large health related non-profits and practiced front-line social work in California in Los Angeles and Yolo Counties.

She is a graduate of the University of California at Davis and received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California.

CDC Website | Michelle Wilson LinkedIn

Lindsey Petrini, Board Chair, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Lindsey Petrini is the Chief Operating Officer of WellStar North Fulton Hospital. WellStar North Fulton Hospital is a 202-bed facility located in Roswell, Georgia.

The hospital is recognized for its accredited cancer program, trauma and primary stroke center designations, and for providing a continuum of services through its centers and programs, including neurosciences, pain management, cardiology, women’s services, rehabilitation, surgical services, and oncology. For more information click here.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

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

North Fulton Mayors Appreciation Luncheon 2020

December 3, 2020 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

North Fulton Mayors Appreciation Luncheon 2020

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North Fulton Mayors Appreciation Luncheon 2020 (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 53)

This year’s North Fulton Mayors Appreciation Luncheon included updates from City of Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin, City of Roswell Mayor Lori Henry, and City of Mountain Park Mayor Jim Still. 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®. John Ray and North Fulton Business RadioX served as the Media Sponsor for this event.

Mayor Jim Gilvin, City of Alpharetta

Jim Gilvin is the Mayor of Alpharetta, GA, elected in May 2018. Mayor Gilvin has lived in Alpharetta since the late 1990’s along with his wife, Mary Anne, and their two children Justin and Sarah. The Gilvins live in the Windward subdivision and attend Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church. Mayor Gilvin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Georgia Southern University.

He is a residential real estate agent and an owner of an Alpharetta-based technology company. He served on the Alpharetta City Council from 2012 to 2018, when he resigned his seat to run for Mayor. During his time as City Councilman, Gilvin served as liaison to Alpharetta’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Public Safety Department.

Mayor Jim Still, City of Mountain Park

Jim and his wife Debbie have lived in Mountain Park with their 3 rescued pets since 2001. They own a HR consulting company and rental properties in Mountain Park and on the Gulf Coast. Jim served one year on Citizens Review Advisory Board (CRAB), four years on city council, and has been the Mayor since 2008.

Mayor Lori Henry, City of Roswell

Prior to being elected as Mayor in 2018, Lori previously served as a City Councilmember from 2001-2009 and in 2017. She has a strong history of public service and has served her community not only on City Council but also as a member of the Design Review Board, the Community Development Advisory Committee, and on several citizen advisory groups over the years. She is the owner of a small business, H and B Promotional Products, located near Roswell’s Historic District. Lori uses her business experience not only to attract businesses to Roswell but also to apply sound business practices to government.

Lori has always been an unwavering supporter of Roswell’s neighborhoods and the community’s needs. She wrote Roswell’s “Big Box Ordinance” which protects Roswell from large retailers who wanted to abandon their mega stores, devastating property values in the area. The ordinance mandates the renovation and reuse of the existing big box stores. Lori also wrote an update to the Tree Ordinance that tightened development standards in order to preserve Roswell’s tree canopy. She has spoken to numerous groups throughout the state including the City/County Managers Association, the Georgia Planning Association, and the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Community Planning Academy as an authority on redevelopment issues facing suburban communities.

Lori and her husband, Karl have been long-time residents of Roswell, where they raised their now-adult daughter, Scottie. Lori moved to Roswell as a young adult with her parents, who lived in Martin’s Landing for over 35 years. Lori is a graduate of Ohio State University and began her career as a Cobb County public school teacher.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

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

Mayor Jim Gilvin, City of Alpharetta

August 20, 2020 by John Ray

Business Beat

Mayor Jim Gilvin, City of Alpharetta

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Frazier & Deeter’s Business Beat: City of Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin

City of Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin joins the show to discuss leadership lessons learned in a pandemic, the budget impact of the pandemic on the City of Alpharetta, and much more. Roger Lusby, CPA is the host of “Business Beat” and the series is presented by Alpharetta CPA firm Frazier & Deeter.

Mayor Jim Gilvin, City of Alpharetta

Jim Gilvin is the Mayor of the City of Alpharetta, GA, elected in May 2018. Mayor Gilvin has lived in Alpharetta since the late 1990’s along with his wife, Mary Anne, and their two children Justin and Sarah. The Gilvins live in the Windward subdivision and attend Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church. Mayor Gilvin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Georgia Southern University. He is a residential real estate agent and an owner of an Alpharetta-based technology company. He served on the Alpharetta City Council from 2012 to 2018, when he resigned his seat to run for Mayor. During his time as City Councilman, Gilvin served as liaison to Alpharetta’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Public Safety Department.

Topics Discussed in the Show:

leadership lessons from the pandemic
pandemic-related effects on the city’s budget
commercial property values
Alpha Loop
relationships with other North Fulton cities
broader North Fulton economy

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: https://www.linkedin.com/company/frazier-&-deeter-llc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrazierDeeter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/frazierdeeter

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

Alpharetta Tech Talk: Ron Freeman, ITsimple

May 4, 2020 by John Ray

Alpharetta Tech Talk

Alpharetta Tech Talk: Ron Freeman, ITsimple

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“Alpharetta Tech Talk,” Episode 15: Ron Freeman, ITsimple

In a time of pandemic, where local information is vital, ITsimple’s solutions for community engagement and connection are shining. ITsimple Founder Ron Freeman joins the show to discuss his company’s work. The host of “Alpharetta Tech Talk” is John Ray and this series is the show is produced virtually by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

Ron Freeman, Founder and CEO, ITsimple

ITsimple, founded by Ron Freeman, connects smart local governments with their communities. Powered by a cloud-based SaaS content management system, their civic engagement platform and mobile-friendly apps enable municipalities, counties, public-safety agencies, and convention visitor bureaus to harness the power of technology to communicate with their constituents in real-time.

ITSimple is an Alpharetta-based software startup and the creator of ITsMyTown City App. The company was founded based on a vision of “Simplifying People’s Everyday Life” and practicing a mission of “Connecting City and Community.”

The company’s first app was developed for the City of Alpharetta. Most recently, the company has rolled out an application for the City of South Fulton.

Find out more at their website, or call (470) 223-2260.

About “Alpharetta Tech Talk”

“Alpharetta Tech Talk” is the radio show/podcast home of the burgeoning technology sector in Alpharetta and the surrounding GA 400 and North Fulton area. We feature key technology players from a dynamic region of over 900 technology companies. “Alpharetta Tech Talk” comes to you from from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

Past episodes of “Alpharetta Tech Talk” can be found at alpharettatechtalk.com.

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