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Starts with Education

July 22, 2026 by Tom Sheldon

Northeast Georgia Studio

Starts with Education

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Maggie Brown, Judge Sherry Moore & John Uesseler

Jackson County Mental Health Task Force

Join Probate Judge Sherry Moore and other community leaders for a monthly meeting of the Jackson County Mental Health Task Force, a collaborative effort focused on improving mental health awareness, expanding local resources, and reducing stigma across the county. Launched in May 2023 in partnership with Family Connection, the Task Force brings together educators, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, faith leaders, and concerned citizens to address the growing mental health needs of Jackson County families. Meetings are open to anyone interested in supporting or learning more about local mental health initiatives. The group gathers on the second Tuesday of each month at 8:30 a.m. in the Jackson EMC Board Room, 850 Commerce Road, Jefferson, Georgia.

All are welcome—your voice and participation can make a difference.

Tomorrow Together presented by:

Bouchard Farms, where a doctor with land and a dream for Jackson County, meets. Learn more at boucharddevelopments.com

Recorded and Produced at the Northeast Georgia Business RadioX studio located at the Empower College & Career Center of Jackson County.

Visit negabrx.com for all series produced at the Northeast studio.

Catching Up with John Uesseler

August 16, 2025 by Tom Sheldon

Northeast Georgia Business Podcast

Catching Up with John Uesseler

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Empower Automotive Lab Ribbon Cutting

The Jackson County Empower College and Career Center’s exciting new addition—the state-of-the-art Automotive Lab. Designed to prepare students for high-demand careers, this innovative space blends hands-on learning with industry-level training, giving high schoolers the opportunity to gain real-world experience before graduation. The lab is equipped with professional-grade tools and technology that mirror what technicians use in the field, ensuring students are not only learning theory but also applying it in a practical setting.

This program will help meet the growing need for skilled automotive professionals, from mechanics and service advisors to advanced technicians trained in modern vehicle systems. Hear about the partnerships that made it possible and how it connects education with local workforce needs.

Whether you’re a parent, student, educator or community member; Jackson County is investing in its future by creating career pathways that lead directly to high-paying, sustainable jobs. The Empower College and Career Center is driving innovation in education; one student, one skill and one engine at a time.

Episode 100!!! – John Uesseler & Empower C3

November 10, 2023 by Tom Sheldon

Northeast Georgia Business Podcast

Episode 100!!! - John Uesseler & Empower C3

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Amberlie Smith, John Uesseler & Syod Schlecht

Empower College and Career Center of Jackson County

The Empower College & Career Center (EmpowerC3) is an educational partnership with businesses in Jackson County and the surrounding area. The Empower Center engages students in career relevant learning experiences. Through partnerships with business and industry, higher education and our community, students work toward goals that help them reach their college and career objectives. Some of these goals include completing pathways and earning credentials.

EmpowerC3 provides a variety of high-tech and academic opportunities as part of the high school experience. Students can work toward associate’s degrees through the University System of Georgia or the Technical College System of Georgia while earning their high school diplomas, qualifying them immediately for a variety of professional careers and post-secondary opportunities. Parents of students participating in dual enrollment will save up to two years of post-secondary tuition.

Students will leave high school with authentic experiences that will help them define and refine their choices about college, careers, or the military. EmpowerC3 will provide a continuum of work-based learning experiences, internship possibilities, and a pervasive use of science, math, technology and engineering within the classroom curriculum.

The ultimate goal for every EmpowerC3 student is to graduate prepared for a successful career in an ever-changing world. Established high school programs and dual-enrollment programs offered through partnerships with the University of North Georgia and Lanier Technical College will allow EmpowerC3 to provide high-demand skills for high school students and adults from Jackson County and the surrounding areas. Empower College and Career Center will provide post-baccalaureate opportunities for individuals seeking new skills or a career change after earning a college degree. Students will engage in authentic, integrated, work-based, and service-learning experiences that simulate the professional environment.

Stuart Selbst with Nothing but NET, Gus LaZear with Ability360 and Elaine Szeto with Integro Bank

November 8, 2023 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Stuart Selbst with Nothing but NET, Gus LaZear with Ability360 and Elaine Szeto with Integro Bank

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Stuart Selbst with Nothing but NET, Gus LaZear with Ability360 and Elaine Szeto with Integro Bank

Established in 2001 by Bob Cox and Steve Brown, Nothing But NET was founded with a clear vision: to offer top-tier technology solutions while prioritizing customer satisfaction. They maintain close collaborations with their clients, partners, and vendors, ensuring successful engagements for all.

In 2023, Nothing But NET proudly achieved the #7 rank among the world’s leading Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Nothing But NET is renowned for its agility, flexibility, and innovation, consistently adapting to meet the evolving needs of our customers.

They are committed to continual self-reinvention, always staying ahead of the curve to serve our clients better.

Stuart Selbst, known as Stu, serves as the Director of Client Experience at Nothing But NET, where he plays a crucial role in overseeing the sales team and ensuring the success of all our clients. With over three decades of experience in the IT industry, Stu has an impressive background. He has worked in both corporate IT and has also successfully managed his own IT firm.

His expertise extends beyond national borders, as he has provided consultancy services to IT firms and software companies worldwide. Stu’s career highlights include serving as the COO of a thriving software company.

Stu is not only a seasoned IT professional but also a dedicated business leader with a genuine passion for helping others achieve success. In addition to his professional commitments, he organizes a popular monthly networking event named Business and Brews, which fosters connections among local businesses at nearby craft breweries.

Residing in Mesa, AZ, Stu shares his home with his wife, Loree, and their cherished feline companions, Cliff and Chloe. An enthusiastic sports fan, Stu enjoys embracing life and immersing himself in the world around him. His love for adventure extends to travel, where he seeks to experience all that the world has to offer. Stu also takes great pleasure in treating his friends and family to his mouthwatering BBQ creations.

Follow Nothing but Net on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Ability360 is a Center for Independent Living. A Center for Independent Living, otherwise known as a CIL, is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization run by people with disabilities, for people with disabilities to address needs and barriers within the community.

Ability360 is located in Phoenix, Arizona and provides services throughout the state of Arizona. We also own and operate the Ability360 Sports and Fitness Center where we provide exceptional adaptive sports, recreation, aquatic, and fitness programs that promote the independence, health, and overall well being of people with disabilities and their family members.

Gus LaZear currently serves as Ability360’s Vice President of Operations and the Sports and Fitness Center for persons with Disabilities.

LaZear, whose background includes more than 29 years of experience managing major programs and initiatives in rehabilitative medicine, recreational therapy, outdoor adventures and other adaptive programming for people with disabilities.

Prior to Ability360, LaZear handled responsibilities as lead therapeutic recreational therapist at the Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. During that time he also served on the Board of Directors for Arizona Disabled Sports.

Before joining St. Joseph’s, LaZear had been with Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation in Pomona, CA working on the Outdoor Adventure team that organized adaptive surfing, skiing/snowboarding, sailing, fishing, camping, dog sledding, rock climbing, scuba diving, horseback trips, kayaking, outrigger canoeing, wheelchair sports and cycling programs.

LaZear earned a Master’s of Business Administration with an emphasis in Health Systems Management from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation from California State University Northridge.

LaZear’s licenses and certifications include Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, National Council of Therapeutic Recreation; Certified Pool Operator, National Swimming Pool Foundation; Certified in Aqua Stretch (Aquatic Therapy Technique); Certified in Ai Chi (Aquatic Therapy Technique); Advanced Scuba Diver, Professional Association of Diving Instructors; Certified Dive Buddy, Handicapped Scuba Association and Member of American Therapeutic Recreation Association.

He also serves as a guest speaker for the Barrow Neurological Institute Stroke Symposium, SCI Symposium, and Brain Injury Symposium. LaZear served as an associate Faculty at Arizona State University through 2020 and Grand Canyon University through 2019.

Follow Ability360 on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Integro Bank is a Mission-based bank with the objective of helping small businesses grow and increase employment.

Integro Bank is considered an industry disrupter with its proprietary INTEGRO360 consultation tool, powered by impactful data analytics and Integro CEO Club to serve the unique needs of small businesses.

Elaine Szeto – EVP, Chief Innovation Officer, and Founder of Integro Bank oversees and leads business strategy through operational excellence, digital marketing, technology, innovation, and strategic deliverables to provide leading-edge financial technology tools and proprietary INTEGRO360 services, driving and delivering best-in-class client experiences to position business clients for success and to fuel businesses and employment growth.

Szeto is a proven and forward-thinking leader in driving extraordinary growth via innovation and transformation in technology, digital solutions & products, marketing, and service excellence with winning business strategies for Fortune 500 companies with more than 30 years of success.

Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn.

John Uesseler with EmpowerC3….Back to School

July 17, 2023 by Tom Sheldon

Northeast Georgia Business Podcast

John Uesseler with EmpowerC3....Back to School

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John Uesseler/Empower College and Career Center of Jackson County

Our Community Partner for this episode of Northeast Georgia Business Radio is the Greene Insurance Group. A giant thank you to Nic and his team for their continued support. The Greene Insurance Group provides a personalized business or individual assessment. Home, Auto, Fire, Commercial, Life and much more. The Greene Insurance Group gives their clients peace of mind by insuring a brighter future!