GNFCC 400 Insider Archives - Page 3 of 4

2021 GNFCC Nonprofit Award Winners: Holly York, North Fulton Community Charities and Amy O’Dell, Jacob’s Ladder

August 9, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

2021 GNFCC Nonprofit Award Winners: Holly York, North Fulton Community Charities and Amy O’Dell, Jacob's Ladder

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2021 GNFCC Nonprofit Award Winners: Holly York, North Fulton Community Charities and Amy O’Dell, Jacob’s Ladder (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 65)

The two winners of the 2021 GNFCC Nonprofit of the Year were welcomed to this edition of the GNFCC 400 Insider. Holly York, Executive Director with North Fulton Community Charities, and Amy O’Dell, Founder of Jacob’s Ladder Neurodevelopment School and Therapy Center, joined host Tori Kerlin, Communications Coordinator at GNFCC, to discuss the tremendous work their respective organizations do. The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

North Fulton Community Charities, Holly York, Executive Director

**Holly York, Executive Director, North Fulton Community Charities**

North Fulton Community Charities assists residents living in North Fulton serving the cities of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park and Roswell with short-term emergency needs. NFCC collaborates with many local providers to provide the resources necessary to help individuals and families remain stable in our community. NFCC provides services in English and Spanish.

Since 1983, North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) has addressed homelessness and hunger in North Fulton. Each year the agency serves close to 10,000 individuals with emergency need in the cities of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park and Roswell.

Qualified residents can receive:

Emergency financial assistance for housing, utilities, medical care, transportation and other necessities.
Food and staples
Clothing using vouchers to purchase clothing from the NFCC Thrift Shop.
Education for workforce development and life skills workshops to help move toward financial stability and self-sufficiency.

Website | Holly York Linkedin

Jacob’s Ladder Center, Amy O’Dell, Founder and Executive Director

Jacob’s Ladder is a non-profit SAIS-SACS accredited private school serving pre-k through 12th-grade students, as well as a therapy center serving infant through young adult students.

Our campuses throughout Metro Atlanta offer full-time and part-time enrollment options in a variety of learning environments, with levels of support ranging from a 1:1 to a 6:1 student-teacher ratio.

We also offer various full-time and part-time remote enrollment options, facilitated either in-home or virtually, serving students and their families locally, nationally, and internationally.

In addition to serving students and their families directly, Jacob’s Ladder is committed to encouraging and empowering the global special needs community through research, training, certification, and licensure.

Every day, our students overcome challenges and reach goals once thought impossible:

those who have struggled with social cues begin establishing eye contact and engaging with the world around them in a meaningful way,
those who have struggled to grasp language begin communicating not only their wants and needs but also their original thoughts and feelings in ways that ensure that they know they are heard and understood by those around them,
those who have struggled relationally due to anxiety or frustration begin managing their emotions and thriving in a group setting,
those who have struggled with intrinsic motivation begin to discern their unique passion and purpose, and to embrace that each day is a beautiful opportunity to work towards that which they personally care about, and
those who have struggled to learn in previous educational settings take steps towards unprecedented academic achievement.

Our Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care has transformed the lives of thousands of families and counting because it is grounded in science and guided by love.

Ms. Amy O’Dell is the founder of Jacob’s Ladder, designated as a 501(3) in 1999. The model, now trademarked and recognized nationally and internationally, was developed in response to critical developmental challenges faced by her own son, Jacob.

Ms. O’Dell holds a degree in Activity Therapy and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Clemson University. She is a licensed Professional Counselor with extensive training on the Neurodevelopmental process and is certified as a Neurodevelopmental consultant. She has worked in a wide variety of clinical settings, including Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta, and later at Woodridge Psychiatric Hospital in Clayton, Georgia, where she held the positions of Director of Activity Therapy and the Director of Adolescent Psychiatric Services. She is a recognized national leader in the field of autism and neurodevelopmental disorders, and a sought-after speaker at national and international forums.

Governor Nathan Deal appointed Ms. O’Dell to serve on the Board of Directors of Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency as the expert in the field of Autism where she served a 3-year term. Ms. O’Dell currently serves on the Zac Brown Camp Southern Ground Board of Advisors for the Autism focus and the Board of Directors for HINRI.

Website | Amy O’Dell 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 “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®.

Brandon Beach, North Fulton CID

June 30, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Brandon Beach, North Fulton CID

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Brandon Beach, North Fulton CID (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 63)

North Fulton CID Executive Director Brandon Beach joined host Kali Boatright to discuss his career journey, the history of the North Fulton CID, infrastructure improvements the organization has funded, wider transportation projects which are improving the quality of life 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®.

The North Fulton Community Improvement District (NFCID)

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

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

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

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

Website

Brandon Beach, Executive Director, North Fulton Community Improvement District

Brandon Beach was named Executive Director of the North Fulton Community Improvement District (CID) in January 2018. Previously, he was President of the North Fulton CID and President & CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. Under his leadership, the North Fulton CID has invested more than $20 million to help bring more than $100 million in new infrastructure for the District area.

Beach was also elected to the State Senate in 2013. He represents District 21 which includes portions of Cherokee and Fulton counties. Senator Beach is the Chairman of the Transportation Committee. He is also a member of the Economic Development, Higher Education and Science and Technology committees. Senator Beach served as the Chairman of the Public Private Partnership Committee (P3 Committee). Under his leadership, the P3 Committee was able to acquire key local transportation projects approved for Cherokee and North Fulton.

In 2001, Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Sen. Beach to the board of Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA). In 2008, he was selected to chair one of GRTA’s most important committees — The Land Development Committee. In this role, Sen. Beach is responsible for leading a review of every significant development brought before the 16-county area that GRTA serves. Sen. Beach was elected to the Board of the GDOT by state legislators from the 6th Congressional District in 2008. Senator Beach is a member of numerous community boards including the Regional Business Coalition, Grady Hospital Board of Visitors, the Greater Metro Atlanta American Heart Association, the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, Encore Park and the Historic Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Senator Beach received an undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and a Masters in Business Administration degree from Centenary College. He is also a graduate of the Regional Leadership Institute and a former member of the Alpharetta City Council and the Alpharetta Planning and Zoning Commission.

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

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

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®.

WellStar Chamber Luncheon Series: Focus on Small Business Resilience and Opportunity – Ryan Pernice, RO Hospitality, Amanda Wilbanks of Southern Baked Pie Company, and Taylor Neary, Restaurant Holmes

August 25, 2020 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

WellStar Chamber Luncheon Series: Focus on Small Business Resilience and Opportunity - Ryan Pernice, RO Hospitality, Amanda Wilbanks of Southern Baked Pie Company, and Taylor Neary, Restaurant Holmes

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WellStar Chamber Luncheon Series: Focus on Small Business Resilience and Opportunity – Ryan Pernice, RO Hospitality, Amanda Wilbanks of Southern Baked Pie Company, and Taylor Neary, Restaurant Holmes

Three outstanding entrepreneurs, Ryan Pernice of RO Hospitality, Amanda Wilbanks of Southern Baked Pie Company, and Taylor Holmes, Restaurant Holmes, share their stories on how they’ve successfully navigated the pandemic. It’s a episode which is both instructive and encouraging.

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.

**Scott Hilton, Georgians First Commission**

Moderator: Scott Hilton, Executive Director, Georgians First Commision

Scott Hilton serves as Executive Director for the Georgians First Commission under the Office of the Governor. The Georgians First Commission is laser focused on streamlining government to make Georgia the most attractive state for small business.

Prior to this role, Scott spent a career in commercial banking at a regional financial institution, providing small businesses with the valuable capital needed to fund growth. Scott also served as a State Representative in the Georgia General Assembly. During his tenure as representative, Scott was appointed to a leadership role as deputy whip and was recognized as “Legislator of the Year” by numerous organizations, including the Georgia Charter School Association and Council of Municipal Court Judges.

Amanda Wilbanks, Southern Baked Pie Company

Amanda Wilbanks is the owner and founder of Southern Baked Pie Company, and the author of Southern Baked: Celebrating Life with Pie.

With family recipes, Southern charm and an all-butter pie dough that melts in your mouth, Amanda and her team of bakers create gourmet sweet and savory pies for all of life’s special occasions and celebrations. Southern Baked Pie Company masterfully creates a variety of decadent flavors and specialty selections utilizing seasonal fresh fruit from local Georgia farmers and businesses. They offer pies in a variety of sizes including: whole pies, petite pies, and bite-size tassies. While they’re born and baked in Georgia, Southern Baked Pie Company ships pies to corporate and individual clients nationwide.

Taylor Neary, Co-owner and Executive Chef, Restaurant Holmes

Co-owner and Executive Chef of Restaurant Holmes, Taylor Neary grew up in the Roswell-Alpharetta area and prior to opening his own restaurant, worked at several well known restaurants in metro Atlanta. Restaurant Holmes lives in The Historic Jones House (built in 1915) in downtown Alpharetta’s City Center development. Holmes opened in July of 2018 and continues to specialize in plates to share, offering local hyper seasonal vegetables and other unique chef creations – all cooked on a wood fired grill.

Ryan Pernice, Owner, RO Hospitality

Ryan Pernice and his brother Daniel, a co-owner in the restaurants, have lived in Roswell for 25+ years, both graduating from Roswell High School many years ago. RO Hospitality currently owns three restaurants: Table & Main and Osteria Mattone in Roswell and Coalition Food and Beverage in Alpharetta.

Ryan graduated from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration with distinction in 2007. Afterwards, he lived in New York City working for acclaimed restaurateur Danny Meyer at Maialino, an Italian trattoria, before moving home in 2011 to open Table & Main.

Ryan’s restaurants are currently back to full operation and trying everything under the sun to remain top-of-mind for potential guests amidst all this craziness. Early on in the pandemic, they transformed Table & Main into a soup kitchen donating meals at no charge to the newly food insecure. They are proud to have fed 9,750 people during this difficult time.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

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

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

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

Resources and Planning for North Fulton Regional Recovery: Kali Boatright, CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

August 13, 2020 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Resources and Planning for North Fulton Regional Recovery: Kali Boatright, CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

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Resources and Planning for North Fulton Regional Recovery: Kali Boatright, CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 47)

Five months into a pandemic, Kali Boatright, CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, joined the “GNFCC 400 Insider” to share what she’s learned about leadership through a pandemic, uncertain times for chambers generally, GNFCC task force committees formed to gather resources for a North Fulton regional recovery, and much more. The show is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

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

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

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

WellStar Chamber Luncheon Series: Legislative Update with Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan

July 28, 2020 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

WellStar Chamber Luncheon Series: Legislative Update with Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan

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WellStar Chamber Luncheon Series: Legislative Update with Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan

Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan joined this month’s Wellstar Chamber Luncheon as the keynote speaker, offering a 2020 legislative review and more. The host of “The GNFCC 400 Insider” is GNFCC CEO Kali Boatright and the show is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®. John Ray and North Fulton Business RadioX served as the media sponsor for this event.

Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan

A former professional baseball player and successful entrepreneur, Geoff Duncan was elected Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor in November of 2018.

Geoff graduated from Chattahoochee High School in Alpharetta where he met his wife, Brooke. Geoff and Brooke both attended the Georgia Institute of Technology where Geoff was a scholarship pitcher. After a successful career at Georgia Tech, Geoff was drafted by the Florida Marlins’ organization. Geoff spent six seasons playing baseball in the minor leagues, advancing as high as AAA before a shoulder injury forced his retirement in the early 2000s.

After retiring from baseball, Geoff and his wife Brooke started a small marketing firm in their living room. The company experienced tremendous success which allowed Geoff and Brooke to sell the business and move on to multiple other entrepreneurial ventures. Geoff most recently served as the CEO of a health technology startup.

Geoff’s faith inspired him to a life of leadership and prompted his upstart run for political office. He was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2012. During his time in office he authored several important pieces of legislation. These include HB 749-The Cargo Theft Act, HB152-Michael’s Law and most recently SB258- the Rural Hospital Tax Credit.

Geoff and Brooke are married and have three sons: Parker (17), Bayler (13), and Ryder (9). Geoff has coached 23 different youth sports teams, and also leads a weekly bible study with his wife Brooke. The Duncans attend Browns Bridge Community Church, an affiliate of North Point Community Church.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

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

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

GNFCC North Fulton HR Forum: “Pandemic: Changing People, Changing Places”

June 18, 2020 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

GNFCC North Fulton HR Forum: "Pandemic: Changing People, Changing Places"

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GNFCC North Fulton HR Forum – Pandemic: Changing People, Changing Places (“GNFCC 400 Insider,” Episode 43)

How should human resources professionals re-engage their workforce as the economy reopens? What’s the current pool of available talent look like? Those question and more were addressed in this Forum. The PowerPoint deck associated with this webinar can be found here. This Economic Recovery Forum was jointly presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and Roswell Inc.. The PowerPoint deck associated with this webinar can be found here.

The host of “The GNFCC 400 Insider” is GNFCC CEO Kali Boatright, and the show is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®. Business RadioX is the Media Sponsor for this series of Economic Recovery Forums.

Felton Anderson, Southern Company

Felton Anderson is a coordinator for labor relations for Georgia Power Company, headquartered in Atlanta. In this position, Felton provides strategic consulting and effective solutions to senior management of Georgia Power and leadership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 84 concerning labor and employment issues and plays an integral role in negotiations between the parties.

Felton joined Southern Company in 1994. Felton started her career with Alabama Power Company where her positions in corporate marketing included her Alabama Power United Way campaign roles of chair for marketing and co-chair for Alabama Power’s leadership giving. After leaving Birmingham in 1999, she led the implementation of a Southern Company system-wide uniform program on behalf of human resources for Southern Company Services in Atlanta.

Since 2002, Felton has held various positions of increasing responsibility at Georgia Power in corporate services, marketing, customer service, distribution, and human resources. Felton has been active in leadership development and mentoring programs for Southern Company and in the community. As an alumna of Leadership North Fulton, Felton is currently serving as a 2019-2020 program co-chair for Leadership North Fulton, a program of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. Felton also serves on the board of directors for the Children’s Development Academy in Roswell.

Felton earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Alabama. Felton and her husband, Johnny Herbert, have four sons and live in Milton, Georgia.

Forum Panelists

Matthew S. Harrison, Ph.D., VP of HR, Jackson Healthcare

Matthew S. Harrison, Ph.D. currently works at Jackson Healthcare as Vice President, Human Resources. In this role he is responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing all human resources and administrative service functions for various Jackson Healthcare companies, and leads delivery in the areas of: talent management/acquisition, learning & development, employee relations, performance management, organizational development, change management, job & compensation analysis, HR metrics & reporting, and diversity & inclusion.

Previously, Dr. Harrison served in leadership roles at Mannheim, McKesson, The Weather Channel, and Comcast focusing on talent management/acquisition, learning & development, organizational effectiveness, diversity & inclusion, and HR business partner work.

Dr. Harrison also currently serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Industrial/Organizational Psychology at The University of Georgia. He is a published diversity researcher, and is renowned for his research on the topic of colorism. His master’s thesis received wide publicity–being featured on websites such as CNN, CNBC, ABC News, was reported in various newspapers and media outlets across the US (and United Kingdom), and received an initial inquiry from an executive producer of The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Dr. Harrison is a graduate of Emory University (B.A.) and The University of Georgia (M.S. & Ph.D.).

Jay Litton, RUMC Job Networking

Jay Litton is an Enterprise Account Executive for Sumo Logic (www.sumologic.com) which is headquartered in Redwood City, CA. Sumo Logic helps large companies proactively find problems in real time with their IT applications, operations and security. The solution is a SaaS, Cloud Native service which helps prevent customer facing mission critical issues and data breaches via machine learning.

Jay has over 35 years of sales/sales management experience working at both start-up and multi-billion dollar companies primarily in the software IT industry.

Jay began his leadership 23 years ago at RUMC Job Networking (www.RUMCjobnetworking.com) in 1997 which was 9 years after the founding of the ministry. Since this time RUMC Job Networking has grown to become one of the largest ministries of its kind in the United States. Hundreds of people are typically on-site and now job seekers attend virtually every second and fourth Mondays through their 11-hour virtual workshop and one-on-one sessions. Jay is also the creator of the WoW! Interview (www.WowInterview.com) and has presented his method in person to over 10,000 people in career transition. RUMC Job Networking has been showcased by ABC’s World News Tonight by Diane Sawyer, The Economist, Atlanta Journal Constitution, WSB-TV, The Wall Street Journal and many other media sources.

Jay has been married to his wife Donna for 37 years and they have three adult children. Jay and Donna have lived in Roswell for 26 years.

Jenny Taylor, VP Career Services, Goodwill of North Georgia

Jenny Taylor is a sought after public speaker on the topics of successful large-scale public/private partnerships, employer engagement, workforce development, and employment outcomes for people with significant barriers. She is Vice President of Career Services at the second largest Goodwill in the nation, leading evidence-based programs with outcomes in the top 10% of the industry, as measured by the National Benchmarking Project.

Her agency has a $175 million dollar budget and operates programs that placed 25,688 people in competitive employment last year.

She holds a Masters of Rehabilitation Counseling and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She is a member of the National and Georgia Rehabilitation Associations, and Mensa.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

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

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

GNFCC North Fulton Legal Forum: Losses, Leases and Litigation

June 11, 2020 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

GNFCC North Fulton Legal Forum: Losses, Leases and Litigation

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GNFCC North Fulton Legal Forum: “Losses, Leases and Litigation” (“GNFCC 400 Insider,” Episode 42)

The pandemic environment has created a number of legal issues, touching everything from commercial leases to employees to legal liability. This GNFCC North Fulton Legal Forum, with three accomplished legal experts as panelists, addressed many of these issues. The PowerPoint deck associated with this webinar can be found here. This webinar was jointly presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and Roswell Inc..

Steve Stroud, Roswell, Inc., Moderator

Steve Stroud is a community leader, currently serving as the Executive Director of Roswell Inc, which promotes economic development through a public-private partnership with the City of Roswell. Roswell Inc, under Stroud’s leadership, has marketed an expanded Opportunity Zone, increasing the number of certified businesses, and launched networking/educational/informative programs to assist and retain local businesses. Stroud and his staff continue to forge an open line of communication between business owners, developers, citizens, corporations, non-profits and various entities. Roswell Inc continues to foster these relationships to enhance the quality of the community.

Previously, Stroud owned and operated Stroud’s Printing and Design for 30 years in Roswell, Georgia. Stroud has actively participated in community and nonprofits throughout Roswell for over 20 years. Stroud attended Georgia State University, with a focus in political science. A Roswell native, Stroud remains residing in Roswell, Georgia with his wife and three daughters.

Forum Panelists

Heather Brown, Brown Law LLC

For 18 years, Roswell-area and Georgia businesses in a variety of industries have turned to attorney Heather Brown, Brown Law LLC, for help litigating cases. Her track record of success has earned her a loyal and ever-growing client base. Specific areas of her business law practice include creditor’s rights (both in and out of bankruptcy courts), contract disputes and commercial real estate disputes.

When not practicing law, Heather also finds time in her busy schedule to volunteer. She is passionate about helping others with a particular focus on disadvantaged women and children. She has also served in a variety of roles with several organizations that include:

Chair of multiple committees for Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Atlanta where she also completed the 2016 CREW leadership program
Member of the Advisory Council for the Drake House in Roswell
Member and past board member of the National Charity League
Supporter of Atlanta Women’s Foundation and part of the Inspire Atlanta Program

John Herbert, Herbert Legal Group

John Herbert is the managing partner at Herbert Legal Group and has been providing flat fee legal and advisory services in North Fulton since 2013. John’s primary practice area is concentrated in commercial practice for small- to medium-sized businesses but also includes some real estate services and commercial litigation. In addition to North Fulton, the HLG’s client base spans six continents with a heavy concentration in Africa. John has been practicing law since 1994. John has a B.S. in Polymer & Textile Chemistry from Georgia Tech and a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University.

Kurt Hilbert, Hilbert Law Firm

Kurt R. Hilbert is the Managing Member and Founder of The Hilbert Law Firm, LLC. He is a seasoned litigator, an AV Preeminent rated attorney by Martindale Hubbell, and repeatedly honored by his peers as an America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators, Georgia Rising Star Super Lawyer, ALM Legal Leader as featured in the Wall Street Journal, and Best Attorney in North Fulton County, Georgia 2014-2020. Mr. Hilbert can handle your matter all the way to the United States Supreme Court.

He has crafted a practice that provides a wide array of services to clients ranging from banking institutions and large corporations to small businesses. Hilbert is also a Certified Civil Mediator in the State of Georgia and has been certified as an expert witness in several GA cases involving real estate. Hilbert’s primary areas of expertise involve real estate, construction, banking, employment, and corporate matters. Hilbert oversees all litigation matters and cases at the firm to provide comprehensive customer service.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

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

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

GNFCC North Fulton Real Estate Forum: Real Estate Market Outlook

May 14, 2020 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

GNFCC North Fulton Real Estate Forum: Real Estate Market Outlook

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North Fulton Real Estate Forum: Real Estate Market Outlook (“GNFCC 400 Insider,” Episode 37)

The outlook for North Fulton real estate, both commercial and residential, is much more uncertain today as the local economy absorbs the effect of the pandemic. As part of a series of GNFCC Economic Recovery Forums, Gregg Logan, Managing Director of RCLCO Real Estate Advisors, offered his view of North Fulton real estate as well as the broader economic environment. The host of “The GNFCC 400 Insider” is GNFCC CEO Kali Boatright, and the show is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®. Business RadioX is the Media Sponsor for this series of Economic Recovery Forums.

Gregg Logan, Managing Director, RCLCO Real Estate Advisors

Gregg Logan is an RCLCO Managing Director based out of the Orlando, Florida office. With over 35 years development and consulting experience, Gregg has worked with real estate developers, land owners, cities and counties, private investors, builders, and legal and accounting firms. Gregg’s consulting work has included market and financial evaluations, fiscal impact assessment, economic impact evaluations, economic development strategies, valuations, and litigation support for a wide range of real estate product types.Gregg has conducted and supervised real estate consulting assignments throughout the U.S. and abroad, including projects throughout Florida. His international work includes projects for clients in the Caribbean, Central and South America, as well as Europe and the Middle East.

Gregg is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and a past Chairman of the Central Florida District Council. He has chaired several ULI district and product councils. He is a contributing author of several ULI books, including Transforming Business Districts and Housing for Niche Markets. He published a white paper for the U.S. EPA titled The Market for Smart Growth. Gregg participated as a market specialist to help create ULI’s Ten Principles for Developing Successful Town Centers. He served as a chair for the ULI Advisory Services Panel, Regional Cooperation for Florida’s Future.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

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

“The GNFCC 400 Insider” (formerly “North Atlanta’s Bizlink”) is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) and is hosted by Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC. The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, member-driven organization comprised of over 1400 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals. Their service area includes Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell and Sandy Springs. GNFCC is the leading voice on economic development, business growth and quality of life issues in North Fulton County.

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

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

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

May 7, 2020 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

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

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

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

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Dr. Daniel Salinas

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

Northside Hospital, Freda Hardage

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

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

Wellstar North Fulton Hospital, Jon-Paul Croom

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

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

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

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

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

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

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

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