Geoff Smith Archives - Business RadioX ®

Together in Business as a Married Couple, with Brenda and Geoff Smith, Assurance Financial

March 18, 2025 by John Ray

Family Business Radio

Together in Business as a Married Couple, with Brenda and Geoff Smith, Assurance Financial

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Together in Business as a Married Couple, with Brenda and Geoff Smith, Assurance Financial (Family Business Radio, Episode 62)

In this episode of Family Business Radio, host Anthony Chen interviews Geoff and Brenda Smith from Assurance Financial. The couple shares their journey of building and managing their family business while navigating personal and professional challenges. They discuss their beginnings in construction, the transition to the mortgage industry, and the importance of setting boundaries, clear communication, and defined roles to maintain a successful business and healthy marriage. Highlighting notable milestones, empowering stories, and practical advice for other family businesses, this episode sheds light on the dynamics of working together as spouses and balancing family life.

Anthony concludes the show with thoughts on finding harmony as a couple, in and out of the family business.

Family Business Radio is underwritten and brought to you by Anthony Chen with Lighthouse Financial Network. The show is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Geoff and Brenda Smith

Geoff and Brenda Smith are the husband-and-wife team behind the Assurance Financial branch in downtown Roswell, where they help individuals and families navigate the mortgage process with clarity and care.

Geoff began his career in business journalism before moving into construction and later mortgages, becoming a full-time loan officer in 2011 and opening his own branch in 2021. Brenda, with a background in advertising and education, ensures every loan runs smoothly behind the scenes, making their client experience seamless.

Committed to their community, Geoff serves on the boards of STAR House, the Alpharetta Business Association, and Wellstar North Fulton Regional Hospital while also coaching youth football. Brenda brings creativity and organization to both their business and home life.

Married since their college days at the University of Georgia, they’ve raised two sons: Samuel, a freshman at Auburn, and Charlie, a sophomore at Blessed Trinity. When they’re not helping clients secure their dream homes, you’ll find them enjoying an espresso at the office or unwinding at North End Tavern.

LinkedIn | Facebook

Assurance Financial

Assurance Financial is a mortgage lender and refinance company that has been serving homeowners since 2001. The company is known for its customer-centric approach, offering a wide range of loan options tailored to meet the individual needs of homebuyers. They provide various loan types, including VA, FHA, construction, non-qualified, modular home, jumbo, first-time home buyer, conventional, and USDA RD loans.

Assurance Financial emphasizes a seamless and efficient loan application process, utilizing the latest technology to simplify steps such as prequalification, full application, processing, and funding. They pride themselves on outstanding customer satisfaction, with an average rating of 4.98 out of 5 stars based on numerous reviews.

The company is recognized as a Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac seller/servicer-approved and Ginnie Mae issuer-approved lender. Assurance Financial operates across 28 states in the U.S., providing personalized support through their team of experienced loan officers. Their services are designed to assist clients at various stages of life, whether buying a first home, a vacation property, or an investment property.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to Family Business Radio
00:51 Meet Geoff and Brenda Smith
01:21 Geoff’s Journey from Journalism to Construction
02:51 The Early Days of Construction
03:52 Building Their First Home Together
05:42 The Taco Stand Connection
09:31 Transitioning to the Mortgage Business
09:51 Navigating the 2008 Financial Crisis
11:32 Starting a Mortgage Branch
16:27 The Mortgage Process Demystified
23:29 Balancing Work and Family Life
27:18 Navigating Communication in Family Business
28:37 Top Tips for Couples Starting a Family Business
31:30 Balancing Family Life and Business
35:17 Memorable Projects and Milestones
41:38 Future Goals and Hiring Plans
46:56 Final Thoughts and Advice

Anthony Chen, Host of Family Business Radio

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

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

The complete show archive of Family Business Radio can be found by following this link.

ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: Roxie and Michael Hernandez, The Hernandez Group

February 14, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: Roxie and Michael Hernandez, The Hernandez Group

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ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: Roxie and Michael Hernandez, The Hernandez Group

Host Geoff Smith welcomed Roxie and Michael Hernandez with the Hernandez Group. They discussed the current real estate market, how they work together as a couple, staying nimble amid uncertainty, the role of the buyer’s and seller’s agents, and much more. Regular episodes of ATL Developments with Geoff Smith are broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

The Hernandez Group

The Hernandez Group, a team of specialists out of the Keller Williams Consultants office, serves real estate buyers, sellers, and investors in the Atlanta Metro Area. Since 1995, Roxie and Michael have been dedicated to building relationships and are committed to providing the highest level of service by being honest, loyal, understanding, and attentive.

They strive as a team to ensure a smooth and seamless transaction from start to finish as well as make every effort to be proactive and limit surprises. They are committed to always exceeding our clients’ expectations that they always think of and recommend the Hernandez Group to friends and family for any Real Estate needs.

If you know of anyone who needs help buying or selling Real Estate, Roxie and Michael would love the opportunity to earn their business!

Company website | Facebook

Roxie and Michael Hernandez, Agents/Brokers, The Hernandez Group

**Michael and Roxie Hernandez, The Hernandez Group**

Roxie is a native Texan and moved to Atlanta in 1990 where she met her husband, Michael. They have 3 beautiful daughters. Roxie sits on the board for the Foster Care Support Foundation and Michael also sits on the boards for Roswell First Responder Foundation as well as the Roswell Rotary board since 2000.

Both are leaders and mentors in their communities. Roxie and Michael have been selling real estate full-time in the Atlanta metro area since 1995. They are deeply passionate about giving back to the communities that they serve and live in.

Roxie’s LinkedIn | Michael’s LinkedIn

Geoff Smith, Host of ATL Developments with Geoff Smith

ATL Developments with Geoff Smith covers all things economic development in the Atlanta Metro area. From everything inside the Beltline to Avalon and beyond, Geoff Smith interviews the movers and shakers making the ATL one of the best places to live, work and play. An archive of past episodes can be found here.

Geoff Smith is a mortgage banker with Assurance Financial working with Real Estate agents and homebuyers to help them get happily to their closing table. Geoff is an authority on the latest economic development trends shaping the Atlanta Metro area. His interviews reveal an inside perspective at how things get done in the ATL.

Geoff is an active member of his community serving on the Board of Directors of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, as well as holding the position of chairman for the Chamber’s Education Committee. He is also Secretary of the Roswell Youth Baseball Association and coaches his sons in football, baseball and basketball. Geoff enjoys golf, camping and traveling with his wife and two sons. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia.

ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: Ribbon Cutting for the new Assurance Financial office in Roswell, GA

December 3, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: Ribbon Cutting for the new Assurance Financial office in Roswell, GA

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ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: Ribbon Cutting for the new Assurance Financial office in Roswell, GA

On this special edition of ATL Developments, North Fulton Business RadioX® host John Ray broadcast live from the ribbon cutting of the new Assurance Financial office in Roswell, led by Geoff Smith. John interviewed several key Assurance Financial executives who attended the celebration as well as real estate agents who came to support Geoff. The turnout was amazing, and Geoff was so busy that John and Geoff didn’t get to have a conversation until the next day by phone! Congratulations to Geoff and the rest of the Assurance Financial team on the new Roswell office!

Regular episodes of ATL Developments with Geoff Smith are broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Kenny Hodges, President & CEO, Assurance Financial

Kenny Hodges is the President and CEO of Assurance Financial. After working with Wells Fargo for seven years out of college, he founded Assurance Financial in 2001 and has grown the company to over 20 branch offices supported by two operations centers. He is a licensed mortgage banker through the National Mortgage Licensing System Registry and has 27 years of mortgage lending experience. Kenny earned a B.S. in Entrepreneurship Management from Louisiana Tech University where he was elected to serve as the Student Government Association President. He is an active member of the Mortgage Bankers Association and the Louisiana Mortgage Lenders Association where he is a past Board President. He is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) Louisiana and is a past Chapter Chair. Kenny currently serves on the Louisiana Tech University College of Business Dean’s Advisory Board. Kenny is married with three children and resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Clavis Smith

Clavis entered the mortgage business in 1989 and has held numerous positions in mortgage origination and sales production before moving exclusively into sales leadership in 2014. He joined Assurance Financial in 2018 as the Eastern Regional Sales Manager. His experience in retail mortgage production provides great guidance and support to branch leaders and loan production personnel. Clavis is also very active in both state and national Mortgage Banker’s Associations advocating on issues to support the industry. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and currently resides in Glen Allen, VA with his wife. He has four children and one grandchild, and enjoys fishing on the Chesapeake Bay or playing tennis and golf in his spare time.

Chris Bartelski, Realtor and Educator

Chris’ passion for helping his wonderful clients find their home comes from his family house. Filled with 2 energetic boys, 2 cats, and a dog, it’s everything he ever wanted. It’s a gift that he will never take for granted. Using his experience as a marketer and associate broker, his purpose is to help you find your happy.

Website | LinkedIn

Damian Cook, Atlanta Branch Manager, Assurance Financial

Damian Cook is a Branch Manager and Loan Officer in the Atlanta Branch of Assurance Financial. Recognized for outstanding service, Damian has helped more than 775 clients become homeowners. Over 95% of borrowers who participated in a survey gave Assurance Financial the highest satisfaction rating. 100% of those rated Damian Cook’s attention to detail and customer service excellence as their primary reasons for the high satisfaction rating.

A native Georgian, Damian is involved with several organizations; he is as an active member of Dunwoody Baptist Church, Committee Chair of Young Life Perimeter North, and a volunteer of the Atlanta Food Bank. Damian enjoys CrossFit and traveling and spending time with his wife and three children. He graduated from the University of Alabama and received his master’s degree from Mercer University.

Damian is a recipient of the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Mortgage Bankers Association of Georgia Gold Award, and the 2016 Mortgage Bankers Association of Georgia Platinum Award. He is licensed with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry in the state of Georgia.

Michael Hernandez, The Hernandez Group

Michael & Roxie joined the Atlanta Board of Realtors in July of 1995. Roxie immediately began helping buyers and sellers with their real estate needs, earning “Rookie of the Year” while Michael finalized the sale of his family business.

In 1998, Michael joined Roxie forming the Hernandez Group. They have since added a full-time Team Coordinator, several agents specializing in buyer representation, a full-time Business Development Department and a Multi-Lingual Agent, further improving the level of service they provide their clients.

The Hernandez Group is dedicated to building relationships and committed to providing the highest level of customer service that is embodied by all in their office. They take the extra steps necessary to fully grasp their clients’ needs: whether it’s buying or selling their first home, downsizing from their estate home, starting an investment portfolio with rental property, giving advice such as whether to build onto their current home or move to a larger home or looking for land to build their perfect home.

When you work with the Hernandez Group you get the full service and attention their highly qualified team believes you deserve.The Hernandez Group specializes in: Single Family Homes, Luxury Homes, Estate Sales, Condo/Townhomes, Lease Purchase Programs, New Construction, Relocation (In/Out of Georgia), Investment/Rental Properties,1031 Tax Free Exchanges & Self-directed IRA’s.

Geoff Smith, Host of ATL Developments with Geoff Smith

Hans Meier, Hans Wooden Puzzles

December 3, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Hans Meier, Hans Wooden Puzzles

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Hans Meier, Hans Wooden Puzzles (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 415)

Recorded during a remote broadcast from the Ribbon Cutting of the new Assurance Financial office led by Geoff Smith, Hans Meier, Hans Wooden Puzzles, and host John Ray had a “mic test” which turned into a brief and fun conversation. Hans and John discussed the Pro Alliance meeting at the Greater North Fulton Chamber and the “Rudolph Awards” which Hans passes out at Pro Alliance during the holidays. They also celebrated Geoff, his new Assurance Financial branch, and how Geoff goes out of his way to use Chamber members. North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Hans Meier, Owner, Hans Wooden Puzzles

Hans creates custom wooden puzzles 3-D (Animals, Dogs, Cats, Horse and etc), puzzles flat, solving puzzles, and wooden cutouts. He is a world-renowned woodworker who specializes in scroll saw work. Prior to the pandemic, he was selling the bulk of his items at craft shows during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. He is currently selling at the Lakewood 400 Antique Mall the third weekend of every month.

He also creates custom wood gifts for business customers.

Hans is now involved as a volunteer making canes for Canes for Heroes. CFH donates canes and walking sticks at no charge to veterans throughout the country

Hans Wooden Puzzles website | Canes for Heroes website | Donate to Canes for Heroes

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.

ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: Mitchell Palm, Smart Real Estate Data, and Tom Curtin & Joanne Curtin, Curtin Real Estate Team

November 15, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: Mitchell Palm, Smart Real Estate Data, and Tom Curtin & Joanne Curtin, Curtin Real Estate Team

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ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: Mitchell Palm, Smart Real Estate Data, Tom Curtin & Joanne Curtin, Curtin Real Estate Team

Tom and Joanne Curtin founded the Curtin Real Estate Team twenty years ago and have excelled in the local real estate market both professionally and as community members. Also joining host Geoff Smith was Mitchell Palm, who discussed some of the recent market data and what those trends may indicate for future activity. Mitchell, Tom and Joanne, and Geoff reviewed what’s working in property sales and purchases, what’s ahead for 2022, and much more. ATL Developments with Geoff Smith is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Mitchell Palm, President of Business Development, Smart Real Estate Data

Mitchell Palm, President of Business Development, Smart Real Estate Data

Since 1996, Smart Real Estate Data has been the premier source for residential real estate information in the Southeast, providing timely and accurate data to the nation’s top builders, developers, appraisers, suppliers, brokers, investors, and banking professionals. Smart Real Estate Data was the only company used for analysis to extend the 2010 housing stimulus in the US Senate at the request of Senator Johnny Isakson.

Since arriving at Smart Real Estate Data, Mitchell has run market due diligence and consulted on hundreds of residential real estate developments throughout the Southeast. He is the primary consultant and account representative for over 70 different real estate companies, including many Fortune 500 companies. His work has been featured on news publications and has been a regular guest on numerous radio shows.

Company website | LinkedIn

Curtin Real Estate Team

Founded in 2001 by Joanne and Tom Curtin, The Curtin Team is a top-rank and award-winning real estate team headquartered in Roswell, GA.

Since its start, the Team has over $620 million in home sales volume and 1850 clients served.

In addition to attending training throughout the year, their team hosts educational workshops on a variety of topics from real estate investing, home trends, and teaching other Realtors best practices.

They truly operate as a Team at Curtin. Each of their Agents and staff members specializes in their core competencies, ensuring the process runs smoothly and clients receive the best service. Currently, the Curtin Team consists of 12 Team members, including a Home Transformation Manager, seasoned support staff, and a top-notch Team of agents.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

Tom Curtin, CEO, Curtin Real Estate Team

Tom is the CEO of the Curtin Real Estate Team. Tom began his real estate career in 2001, building the operations side of the Curtin Team with his wife Joanne.
He applies knowledge from previous marketing positions to the real estate business. Together they have built a successful Team of agents with over $500 million in sales and 1700 transactions and consistently ranked one of the top Teams. Tom also operates a Property Management Company, manages a real estate portfolio in North Atlanta and teaches others to create wealth through real estate. Tom is passionate about investing and helping others realize financial freedom. Tom and Joanne helped launch the Keller Williams Realty Roswell Market Center which is one of the top offices in the Southeast Region. Prior to real estate, Tom managed corporate marketing and sales for DirecTV. Because of their mutual ambition, Joanne and Tom work together in building their business and family life. They strongly believe in work-life integration and coach others to do the same. Tom has a business degree from the prestigious Honors Program at the University of Georgia and is a Roswell High Scholl alum. When not at the office, you can find Tom hiking, watching his son play soccer, or traveling.

Joanne Curtin, Co-Founder, Curtin Real Estate Team

Joanne started her career as an Elementary school teacher. Early into her teaching career, Joanne became curious about investing and building wealth. After reading the Rich Dad, Poor Dad series, she made the bold decision to leave her teaching post and move into the real estate business. Soon after, she joined Keller Williams with agents thinking big about their careers.

The Curtin Team began with Joanne selling houses in North Atlanta in 2001 and with husband Tom, they grew it into a team. From it’s start, the Team has over $500 million in home sales volume and 1700 clients served. Growing a real estate team grew into launching a brokerage office. Joanne and Tom earned the opportunity to co-own the Keller Williams Realty Consultants Roswell Market Center after just one year with the company. That eventually grew into a mega agent team office location in the heart of their local town.

In 2018, Joanne co-founded Curtin Team Cares, a non-profit organization, as a way to assist the community in times of need. This passion for helping her local neighborhoods drives the mission to provide local support when it’s needed most and give back to her community.

Joanne is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Master’s in Education. She continues her teaching in the real estate community. Originally from Dalton, Georgia Joanne resides with Tom, their two beautiful children, and dogs Fluff and Charlie in Milton.

Geoff Smith, Host of ATL Developments with Geoff Smith

2021 NextGen Connects Mentor Match Program

October 27, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

2021 NextGen Connects Mentor Match Program

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2021 NextGen Connects Mentor Match Program (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 68)

The 2021 NextGen Connects Mentor Match Program initiated by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is the focus of this episode, featuring two pairs of mentors and mentees, Lisa Tilt and Tori Kerlin, as well as Geoff Smith and Tukker Penrod. Over the year as mentors and mentees have met, the program has produced amazing results and collaboration not just for the mentees, but the mentors as well. The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

Geoff Smith, Branch Manager, Assurance Financial

Geoff Smith is the branch manager for the new Roswell branch of Assurance Financial working with Real Estate agents and homebuyers to help them get happily to their closing table. Geoff is an authority on the latest economic development trends shaping the Atlanta Metro area. His interviews reveal an inside perspective at how things get done in the ATL.

Company website | LinkedIn

Tukker Penrod, Outreach Fundraising Coordinator in Georgia, The Younique Foundation

A longtime friend of and advocate for The Younique Foundation, Tukker Penrod joined the staff when The Younique Foundation expanded to Georgia for its East Coast presence. Tukker is a mentee in the first of the NextGen Connects Mentor Match Program.

Company website | LinkedIn

Lisa Tilt, Founder and CEO, Full Tilt Consulting

Lisa Tilt is the Founder and CEO of Full Tilt Consulting.

Full Tilt Consulting was born from the idea that a marketing firm can be both big picture and roll-up-the-sleeves tactical, strategic but approachable, and level-field collaborative to the degree that the best idea always wins, no matter where it originates. Its team of senior-level marketing, communications, and digital experts is always in pursuit of accomplishing great work that achieves outstanding results while enjoying each other’s company. This formula has propelled Full Tilt and its clients forward since 2006.

Full Tilt provides counsel and custom marketing programs to a robust roster of clients in a variety of fields. Through constructive partnerships, they determine where clients are in their business life cycle, identify their goals, and create plans to capitalize on opportunities and solve challenges through communications.

Company website | LinkedIn

Tori Kerlin, Communications Coordinator, GNFCC

Tori Kerlin is the Communications Coordinator of GNFCC and is a mentee in the first of the NextGen Connects Mentor Match Program.

She has a bachelor’s in Public Relations from Georgia Southern University.

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 “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®.

ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: Realtor Chris Bartelski and Mitchell Palm, Smart Real Estate Data

August 12, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: Realtor Chris Bartelski and Mitchell Palm, Smart Real Estate Data

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ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: Realtor Chris Bartelski and Mitchell Palm, Smart Real Estate Data

Noting that the market right now is “a street fight,” host Geoff Smith is joined by Realtor Chris Bartelski and Mitchell Palm of Smart Real Estate Data to survey current Atlanta residential real estate data and trends. Mitchell discussed not just current sales data, but signs to look for which might indicate a more moderate market is coming. Chris discussed proactive moves you must make if you must buy today and can’t wait. ATL Developments with Geoff Smith is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Chris Bartelski, Associate Broker and Educator

Chris’ passion for helping his wonderful clients find their home comes from his family house. Filled with 2 energetic boys, 2 cats and a dog, it’s everything he ever wanted. It’s a gift that he will never take for granted. Using his experience as a marketer and associate broker, his purpose is to help you find your happy.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Mitchell Palm, President of Business Development, Smart Real Estate Data

Mitchell Palm, President of Business Development, Smart Real Estate Data

Company website | LinkedIn

Geoff Smith, Host of “ATL Developments with Geoff Smith”

“ATL Developments with Geoff Smith” covers all things economic development in the Atlanta Metro area. From everything inside the Beltline to Avalon and beyond, Geoff Smith interviews the movers and shakers making the ATL one of the best places to live, work and play. An archive of past episodes can be found here.

ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: Frank Norton, Jr., The Norton Agency

November 21, 2019 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: Frank Norton, Jr., The Norton Agency

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ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: An Interview with Frank Norton, Jr., The Norton Agency

Host Geoff Smith speaks with Frank Norton Jr., Chairman and CEO of The Norton Agency, on the growth dynamics of Metro Atlanta and the North Georgia regions.

Frank Norton, Jr., The Norton Agency

Frank Norton, Jr. is the Chairman and CEO of The Norton Agency. In 1986, Frank Norton Jr., joined the Norton Agency to direct the Commercial and Residential Real Estate Divisions of the Agency. His expertise, combined with his energy and creative imagination, has thrust the company forward at a faster pace. He was elected President of the firm by the Board of Directors in 1997 and Chairman in 2004.

The Norton Commercial and Acreage Group provides clients extensive resources and services associated with the purchase or sale of commercial property and large acreage tracts for development. Investment counseling, corporate relocation, in-depth development services, territory market analysis and an unparalleled customer base give clients confidence as they invest in the community.

In the field of commercial real estate, The Norton Agency’s professionalism, service and knowledge are unmatched. Investors and corporations have a wide range of real estate needs. The Norton Agency specializes in site selection for restaurants, industrial parks, retail centers, neighborhoods, resorts, multi-family and single family developments. In addition, The Norton Agency offers brokerage services for industrial sites and buildings and industrial park development.

The Norton Agency’s Commercial and Acreage Division is designed with the brokerage needs of the investor in mind. Eighty-five years of experience and unique resources unite to form the area’s most comprehensive brokerage service.

Since 1986, Frank has collected and interpreted community market research data through Norton Native Intelligence™ , and has developed consulting and strategic planning services for the firm. Norton Native Intelligence™ is a unique and powerful tool employed by Norton to power their client’s purchases, investments and portfolio strategies. This 30 year statistical database is sought out by relocating businesses, investors and developers alike. The material is modeled to strategically position banking, medical, retail, residential and industrial development and to provide a deeper understanding of ever-changing market dynamics.

Clients as diverse as Hall County School System, Valentine Farms, Northeast Georgia Medical Center, United Community Bank, Wendy’s, Walmart and Publix use the ever changing stream of data to secure strategic opportunities and better anticipate future growth directions.

Geoff Smith, Host of “ATL Developments with Geoff Smith”

“ATL Developments with Geoff Smith” is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®, located inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. 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 approximately $12.9 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.

ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: Egbert Perry, The Integral Group LLC

September 4, 2019 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: Egbert Perry, The Integral Group LLC

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ATL Developments with Geoff Smith: An Interview with Egbert Perry, The Integral Group LLC

Host Geoff Smith speaks with Egbert Perry, Chairman and CEO of The Integral Group LLC, on the the distinction between commercial real estate development and community development, the moral imperative of improving housing affordability, the Assembly Yards project, and much more.

Egbert Perry, The Integral Group, LLC

Egbert L. J. Perry, a native of Antigua and Barbuda, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Integral Group LLC, a company he co-founded in 1993 with a mission to “create value in cities and (re)build the fabric of communities.” Since then, Integral has become a premier provider of sustainable real estate and community solutions in mature and emerging markets across the United States and, more recently, internationally. The Company is vertically integrated with subsidiaries in the community development, commercial real estate, investment management, property management, and program management fields.

A community development, commercial real estate and construction professional since 1979, Egbert has developed and/or built most project types, including residential, office, retail, institutional and mixed-use projects. For 13 years from early 1980 to late 1992, he helped to grow an Atlanta-based real estate and construction company into the nation’s 3rd largest African-American owned business, with annual revenues of about $200 million.

Integral’s mission was first put on display in 1996 when Centennial Place, a collaboration that also involved another firm and the Atlanta Housing Authority, was created. This forward thinking project was the nation’s first urban mixed-use community, integrating mixed-income housing, early childhood development, K-12 education reform, recreation, health & wellness facilities, and human services. This holistic revitalization approach to community development has since been emulated in Atlanta and scores of cities across the country.

Over almost a quarter century, Integral has implemented scores of public-private partnerships that promote “responsible” community development and commercial real estate. It is well-respected for its expertise in affordable, workforce, luxury, and mixed-income housing solutions, often as components of master planned, mixed-use and Transit Oriented Developments (“TOD’s”).

Today, Integral is a diversified, 300-person organization with projects in the mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Southwest and Western regions of the United States. The Company is headquartered in Atlanta, with offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas and Denver. Integral and Egbert have received numerous awards, and are regarded nationally as innovators in the field of urban development and revitalization. Egbert’s policy positions are often sought on issues of housing, community economic development, regional planning and development, public-private partnerships and K-12 education reform.

An honors graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Egbert received both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Civil Engineering from the University’s Towne School, and a Master of Business Administration degree with majors in Finance and Accounting from its Wharton School. In 1990, he was elected as the eleventh graduate in the University’s then 250-year history to be named to the “Gallery of Distinguished Engineering Alumni” of the University’s Engineering School.

Past Board assignments include Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta International School and United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta.