GNFCC Archives - Page 13 of 15 - Business RadioX ®

The GNFCC 400 Insider: Leadership North Fulton and Emerging Leaders – An Interview with Dr. Joe Hutto, Gwinnett Technical College, and Chris Miller, Law Offices of J. Christopher Miller

February 19, 2020 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The GNFCC 400 Insider: Leadership North Fulton and Emerging Leaders - An Interview with Dr. Joe Hutto, Gwinnett Technical College, and Chris Miller, Law Offices of J. Christopher Miller

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“The GNFCC 400 Insider,” Episode 33, GNFCC Leadership Programs: An Interview with Dr. Joe Hutto, Gwinnett Technical College and Leadership North Fulton, and Chris Miller, Law Offices of J. Christopher Miller and the Emerging Leaders Program

Leadership North Fulton and the Emerging Leaders Program are arguably the region’s most established, in-depth leadership programs. On this edition of “The GNFCC 400 Insider,” LNF Committee Chair Dr. Joe Hutto and ELP Committee Chair Chris Miller join host Kali Boatright to discuss these programs and enrichment opportunities each offers to their participants. The “GNFCC 400 Insider” is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Joe Hutto, Gwinnett Technical College and Leadership North Fulton Chair

Dr. Joe Hutto is the Director of Student Affairs at Gwinnett Tech. Gwinnett Tech, a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, is a public two-year college which serves the communities of Gwinnett and North Fulton.

In his role overseeing Student Affairs, Joe has responsibility for the departments of Enrollment Management, Recruitment, Testing and Assessment, Veteran’s Affairs and Customer Service.

Joe chairs the Leadership North Fulton committee at GNFCC. Leadership North Fulton (LNF), has been the region’s signature leadership development program for more than 30 years. Each year, graduating participants join the ranks of more than 500 LNF alumni and continue to invest in our communities through their time and talent. Pillars of the program include promoting community awareness, instilling civic responsibility, and building relationships. Participants engage civic leaders through program class days, and many alumni have gone on to serve in government or community-based organization staff roles and as elected officials. The relationships that are forged through participation and investment in LNF by business and nonprofit partners continue to affirm the program’s foundational role in community leadership development. LNF projects continue to impact the region in a lasting way, most notably, through the founding of The Drake House in 2004, founding of the Emerging Leaders Youth Program in 2009, and establishment of The Drake House Young Professionals Advisory Council in 2017.

.For more information on Leadership North Fulton, follow this link.

Chris Miller, Law Offices of J. Christopher Miller and Emerging Leaders Program Chair

Chris Miller owns and operates the Law Offices of J. Christopher Miller, PC. His team of lawyers and legal staff guide their clients through difficult times when a loved one passes away. They also work with clients to plan for the future with Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Directives. Chris has experience in forming and working with Special Needs Trusts. His over two decades of practice in Alpharetta have taught him how to walk clients through and around probate in Georgia.

Chris chairs the Emerging Leaders Program Committee at GNFCC, which offers a unique opportunity for area high schoolers who wish to develop leadership skills, identify and address community issues and interact with local leaders. This is accomplished through a combination of interactive lectures, discussions, site visits, community service, and networking opportunities.

Each class focuses on topics such as public safety, government, interviewing skills, personal finance, nonprofits, and leadership skills.

The mission of Emerging Leaders is to provide students with an understanding of the concept of leadership, and provide skills and knowledge to become effective leaders in our communities.

.For more information on the Emerging Leaders Program, follow this link.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC

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

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

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

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

The GNFCC 400 Insider: Experts on North Fulton Development Trends, An Interview with Josh Barnes, Orkin & Associates and Dean Collins, Axis Companies

January 21, 2020 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The GNFCC 400 Insider: Experts on North Fulton Development Trends, An Interview with Josh Barnes, Orkin & Associates and Dean Collins, Axis Companies

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“The GNFCC 400 Insider,” Episode 32, Experts on North Fulton Development Trends: An Interview with Josh Barnes, Orkin & Associates and Dean Collins, Axis Companies

A discussion of North Fulton development trends was on the table on the latest “GNFCC 400 Insider,” including insight into developments of the Crabapple Market in Milton and Six Bridges Brewing in Johns Creek, Host Kali Boatright welcomed Josh Barnes, Vice President of Real Estate Investments at Orkin & Associates, and Dean Collins, Founder and President of Axis Companies. The “GNFCC 400 Insider” is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

Josh Barnes, Orkin & Associates

Josh Barnes is the Vice President of Real Estate Investments at Orkin & Associates, in Milton, GA. He is responsible for asset management activities of Orkin’s real estate portfolio including acquisitions, dispositions, leasing and development.

Orkin is a third-generation, family-owned company that was founded in 1964. The company’s culture extends back to the late 1800s when Otto Orkin began what evolved into the world’s largest pest control company, Orkin Pest Control. Otto and his children operated the business until selling it to Rollins Inc. in September, 1964. At that time, his fourth child, William, established Orkin & Associates. In the years since, Orkin has grown from a raw land investment business to a multi-faceted company holding a diversified portfolio of real estate and other assets.

Josh, a native of the Atlanta area is a licensed real estate agent. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Georgia State University. He and his wife Whitney reside in Woodstock, GA with their two children.

For more information go to the Orkin & Associates website, or call Josh, 678.297.2700.

Dean Collins, Axis Companies

Dean Collins is Founder and President of Axis Companies. Axis offers a unique blend of services in land development, design, project management and construction management services. This Development Suite paired with significant industry experience, allows for services to reside under one professional management team. Clients have the flexibility to choose either individual services to supplement in-house staff, or turnkey services to manage an entire project or program. All projects from site selection and purchase/lease negotiations to general contractor bidding and construction project management are performed in-house.

In the early 1990s, Dean led the transportation design group for FRA Engineering where he prepared traffic studies, development plans, and roadway plans for McDonald’s, Rite Aid, CVS, Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart and several large shopping center developers around the country. In addition, he worked on single-family and multi-family residential complexes, office parks, and institutional and manufacturing facilities. In 2007, when FRA was acquired by international consulting firm T.Y. Lin International, Dean became Director for Facilities with responsibilities for all vertical planning, design and construction-related services throughout the Americas, China and Southeast Asia.

For more information go to the Axis Companies website, or call Dean, 678-395-4920.

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®.

The GNFCC 400 Insider: The Greater North Fulton Chamber Year in Review: An Interview with outgoing Chairman Bill Bland, and Chairman-Elect Alan Najjar

December 20, 2019 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The GNFCC 400 Insider: The Greater North Fulton Chamber Year in Review: An Interview with outgoing Chairman Bill Bland, and Chairman-Elect Alan Najjar

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Alan Najjar and Bill Bland — **Alan Najjar, Kali Boatright, and Bill Bland**

“The GNFCC 400 Insider,” Episode 31, The North Fulton Chamber 2019 Year in Review: An Interview with Chairman Bill Bland and Chairman-Elect Alan Najjar

2019 was a record-breaking year for the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, and 2020 promises to be a year of continued growth and activity. On this edition of “GNFCC 400 Insider,” host Kali Boatright speaks with outgoing GNFCC Chairman Bill Bland and Chairman-Elect Alan Najjar. “GNFCC 400 Insider” is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

Bill Bland, 2019 Chairman, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Bill Bland is Senior Vice President with Choate Construction. Bill’s primary responsibility for Choate is to originate and implement a marketing and sales strategy; focusing on procuring projects which fit the company’s experience and qualifications. On select projects, he works with the preconstruction team to review plans, and offer input into the program and schedule. Bill has been with Choate for 25 years where he was a project manager before joining the executive management of the company.

Prior to joining Choate, Bill was a principal and project manager for Wood, Morris & Bland where he was involved in the design and construction of numerous healthcare-related projects across the country. Bill earned a Bachelor of Science from Georgia Southern University and he is also a graduate of Georgia College and State University, where he received his Masters in Business Administration.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Bill is active in several civic and professional associations. He has served as past President of CoreNet Global and Real Estate Group of Atlanta (REGA), and he is an active member of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), and the Urban Land Institute (ULI). He is also an executive board member of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce where he serves as chair for the annual golf tournament and the 2019 Chairman of The Board.

Alan Najjar, Chairman-Elect, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Alan Najjar is the 2020 Chairman for the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. Alan has overseen the business development efforts of Smith & Howard since 2011.

A veteran of the Atlanta banking and business community, Alan has held executive level leadership positions at SunTrust Bank and other Georgia financial institutions. Prior to joining Smith & Howard, he was the EVP and Chief Operating Officer of an Atlanta-based financial services company.

Alan is a graduate of the University of Georgia and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University. He is a veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Alan serves on the Board of Directors for The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and is a trustee emeritus for Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation and Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia. He is active in numerous civic, social and academic organizations. Alan and his wife, Donna, are long-time residents of Gwinnett County and when away from the office, Alan most enjoys sunrises on the lake and time with his family.

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®.

The GNFCC 400 Insider: All Things Sandy Springs, An Interview With Jennifer Cruce, Visit Sandy Springs, and Andrea Worthy, City of Sandy Springs Economic Development

November 19, 2019 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The GNFCC 400 Insider: All Things Sandy Springs, An Interview With Jennifer Cruce, Visit Sandy Springs, and Andrea Worthy, City of Sandy Springs Economic Development

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**Jennifer Cruce, Kali Boatright, and Andrea Worthy**

“The GNFCC 400 Insider,” Episode 30, All Things Sandy Springs: An Interview with Jennifer Cruce, Visit Sandy Springs, and Andrea Worthy, City of Sandy Springs Economic Development

The dynamic economic activity in the City of Sandy Springs was discussed on this edition of “GNFCC 400 Insider,” as host Kali Boatright interviewed Jennifer Cruce, Executive Director of Visit Sandy Springs, and Andrea Worthy, Economic Development Director for the City of Sandy Springs.

Jennifer Cruce, Executive Director of Visit Sandy Springs

Jennifer Cruce was named Executive Director of Visit Sandy Springs in 2014. Visit Sandy Springs is the Destination Marketing Organization for the North Fulton city. Sandy Springs incorporated in 2005 and prides itself on being a place where residents decided on the development they wanted to see and experience.

As the director of hospitality and tourism, Jennifer showcases Sandy Springs’ restaurants, arts, culture and attractions. Prior to her current role, Jennifer was senior manager of marketing for Inside CNN Studio Tours at Turner Broadcasting for more than 10 years.

For more information go to the Visit Sandy Springs website. Email Jennifer or call 770-206-1447.

Andrea Worthy, Economic Development Director for the City of Sandy Springs

Andrea Worthy has served as Economic Development Director for the City of Sandy Springs since July 2018. For six years prior, she was Vice President of Economic Development for The Collaborative, which managed the city’s Economic Development until June 2018. Andrea is responsible for facilitating the location or expansion of local businesses.

Andrea is a former Redevelopment Director for Smyrna where she implemented the city’s Tax Allocation District. Her past economic development experience includes work as an independent consultant, as well as a manager of policy development at Mirant, an independent power producer and energy trading firm.

For more information go to the City of Sandy Springs website. Email Andrea or call 770-730-5600.

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®.

The GNFCC 400 Insider: An Interview with Kerry Armstrong, Chairman of the Board, and Kristin Winzeler, Program Director, North Fulton CID (Community Improvement District)

October 22, 2019 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The GNFCC 400 Insider: An Interview with Kerry Armstrong, Chairman of the Board, and Kristin Winzeler, Program Director, North Fulton CID (Community Improvement District)

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**Kali Boatright, Kerry Armstrong, and Kristin Winzeler**

“GNFCC 400 Insider,” Episode 29, An Interview with Kerry Armstrong and Kristin Winzeler, Chairman and Program Director of North Fulton CID (Community Improvement District)

First in the nation connected vehicle technology in Alpharetta was just one of the topics discussed on this edition of “GNFCC 400 Insider,” as host Kali Boatright interviewed Kerry Armstrong, Chairman, and Kristin Winzeler, Program Director, of the North Fulton Community Improvement District (CID). The “GNFCC 400 Insider” is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

Kerry Armstrong, North Fulton Community Improvement District

Kerry Armstrong is Chairman of the North Fulton Community Improvement District (NFCID) and Managing Director and Development Partner at Pope & Land Real Estate, which specializes in developing office and mixed-use properties in the Southeastern United States. The firm is rooted in the real estate marketplace with a history dating back to 1979. Since 2000 alone, Pope & Land led partnerships have developed and acquired over 5 million square feet of office product, more than 400 acres of land and executed over $1 billion in real estate transactions.

Kerry is on the board of directors of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, and the Council for Quality Growth, a not-for-profit trade association, that works to ensure that the Atlanta region’s regulatory environment supports quality growth and development.

Kristin Winzeler, North Fulton Community Improvement District

Kristin Winzeler is Program Director of the North Fulton Community Improvement District (NFCID), and assists in advancing infrastructure projects throughout the District.

Prior to joining the NFCID, Kristin studied community improvement districts as a graduate research assistant for the public administration department at Kennesaw State University. Her work has been published in Public Performance and Management Review.

The 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 NFCID 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.

For more information go to the North Fulton Community Improvement District website. Email Kristin or call (678)-397-0570.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

**Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce**

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

For previous episodes of “The GNFCC 400 Insider,” go to GNFCC400Insider.com.

The GNFCC 400 Insider: All Things Alpharetta, An Interview with Janet Rodgers, Awesome Alpharetta (Alpharetta CVB) and Matt Thomas, City of Alpharetta Economic Development

August 23, 2019 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The GNFCC 400 Insider: All Things Alpharetta, An Interview with Janet Rodgers, Awesome Alpharetta (Alpharetta CVB) and Matt Thomas, City of Alpharetta Economic Development

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**Kali Boatright, Matthew Thomas, and Janet Rodgers**

Episode 27, All Things Alpharetta

Why does Alpharetta keep achieving such high rankings for quality of life? What makes Alpharetta such an attractive place to do business, particularly for technology companies? What are some of the signature events which draw visitors to Alpharetta? Join Host Kali Boatright as she poses these questions and more to Janet Rodgers, Awesome Alpharetta, and Matthew Thomas, Economic Development Manager of the City of Alpharetta. The “GNFCC 400 Insider” is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

Janet Rodgers, Awesome Alpharetta, the Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau

**Janet Rodgers, Awesome Alpharetta, the Alpharetta CVB**

Janet Rodgers is President and CEO of Awesome Alpharetta, the Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau. The mission statement of the Alpharetta CVB is “to position the city of Alpharetta as a regionally, nationally and globally recognized premier tourism destination by developing quality programs and facilities to attract overnight visitors.”

The Alpharetta CVB uses innovative and targeted marketing strategies, along with aggressive sales efforts, to attract overnight visitors to the city. They do this in three key areas:

1. Increasing the awareness and identity of Alpharetta as a destination for the leisure and individual traveler and raising awareness of the economic importance of the visitor industry to Alpharetta by placing advertisements, writing press releases, utilizing social media and maintaining a technologically advanced website

2. Employing a variety of sales strategies to increase the number of group room nights booked in Alpharetta’s 26 hotels through attendance at tradeshows, association meetings and conferences as well as sales calls and site visits with event organizers

3. Providing leadership for the visitor industry, coordinating activities, encouraging marketing activities and partnerships, and projecting an appealing image on behalf of the city of Alpharetta

For more information on the Alpharetta CVB and their services, call 678-297-2811 and request their brochure, “A Look at the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau.” You can also visit the Awesome Alpharetta website.

Matthew Thomas, City of Alpharetta Economic Development

Matthew Thomas is the Economic Development Manager for the City of Alpharetta.

There’s a reason why more than 640 technology-based businesses have made their home in Alpharetta, and it’s not just the nice houses and great weather. The city’s fiber-optic network is the most extensive and redundant in the Southeast, and they work closely with state and local economic development agencies to provide tax credits and incentives to complement any brand of business. Some of the biggest and most recognized names in the tech industry are thriving in Alpharetta. With more than 20 million square feet of office space, there’s plenty of room in the neighborhood for you next expansion.

The City of Alpharetta has been recognized nationally in a variety of awards and rankings, including Best Small City to Start Business (Entrepreneur.com), Best Atlanta Suburb (Movoto), Top 25 Best Places to Move (Forbes), 7th Friendliest City (Forbes), and 6th Fastest Growing City (U.S. Census, 2012).

For more information, go to GrowAlpharetta.com, or call 678-297-6024.

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.

The GNFCC 400 Insider: All Things Roswell, An Interview with Andy Williams, Visit Roswell, the Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Steve Stroud, Roswell Inc.

July 19, 2019 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The GNFCC 400 Insider: All Things Roswell, An Interview with Andy Williams, Visit Roswell, the Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Steve Stroud, Roswell Inc.

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**Steve Stroud, Kali Boatright, and Andy Williams**

Episode 26, All Things Roswell

What makes the City of Roswell so attractive to millennials, families, and empty-nesters? Why is Roswell such an attractive location for business? What are some of the signature events which draw visitors to Roswell? Join Host Kali Boatright as she poses these questions and more to Andy Williams, Visit Roswell, and Steve Stroud, Roswell Inc. The “GNFCC 400 Insider” is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

Andy Williams, Visit Roswell, the Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau

**Andy Williams, Visit Roswell, the Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau**

Andy Williams is the Executive Director of Visit Roswell, the Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau. Visit Roswell and the Roswell Visitors Center is the place for “All Things Roswell.” It is a convenient place to start your excursion whether you are looking for historic attractions, trails to hike, nature, entertainment, breweries, or Roswell’s extensive culinary scene.

Knowledgeable staff can assist with arrangements for a fun filled day, overnight stay, or a several day trip. The Roswell Visitors Center is located at the intersection of Hwy. 9 and Sloan Street in Roswell’s Historic District (just across the street from the Historic Town Square.) at 617 Atlanta Street; Roswell, GA 30075.

You can email info@visitroswellga.com, or call 770-640-3253 or 800-776-7935. The Visit Roswell website can be found at http://www.visitroswellga.com/.

Steve Stroud, Roswell Inc.

Steve Stroud is the Executive Director for Economic Development with Roswell Inc.

As the economic development and business advocacy organization for the City of Roswell, Roswell Inc. serves as a catalyst for a sustainable, innovative and vibrant business community in the city.

Their vision is for Roswell to be the best place in the region for innovative, community-minded businesses and entrepreneurs, and they accomplish this through four main areas of work—business attraction and recruitment, business retention and expansion, industry support programs, and business development.

As a 501(c)6 nonprofit, Roswell Inc. has worked with the City of Roswell through a public-private partnership since 2012 by serving as an advocate for business and economic growth.

For more information, go to https://roswellinc.org/ or call 678-823-4004.

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.

The GNFCC 400 Insider: Millennials in the Workplace, An Interview with Hilary Lew, City of Alpharetta, and Sophia Niemeyer, Smile Doctors Braces

June 19, 2019 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The GNFCC 400 Insider: Millennials in the Workplace, An Interview with Hilary Lew, City of Alpharetta, and Sophia Niemeyer, Smile Doctors Braces

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**Hilary Lew, Tori Kerlin, and Sophia Niemeyer**

Episode 25, Millennials in the Workplace

There’s been a lot of conversation about the defining characteristics of millennials, particularly about their impact on the workplace. So why don’t we hear from millennials themselves and get their perspectives? That’s exactly what this edition of the “GNFCC 400 Insider” features, as GNFCC Communications Coordinator Tori Kerlin interviews Hilary Lew, City of Alpharetta, and Sophia Niemeyer, Smile Doctors Braces.

Hilary Lew, Special Events Coordinator, City of Alpharetta

Hilary Lew is a millennial living in Georgia, originally from Honolulu, Hawaii. A graduate of Georgia Tech, she currently works with the City of Alpharetta’s special events division to produce annual food, music, and art festivals for one of the fastest growing cities in the state. She lends her experience in event planning to other nonprofit organizations, serving on the Board of Directors for the Atlanta International Night Market and on Concrete Jungle’s event planning committee. Committed to seeking dynamic social environments, she also works part-time at Ameris Bank Amphitheater, her first job out of high school. You can find Hilary on Instagram @hillabalew.

Sophia Niemeyer, Local Marketing Liaison, Smile Doctors Braces

Sophia Niemeyer is a 2012 graduate of Milton High School in Milton, GA and a graduate of St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Communication Studies and a minor in History. After graduating college, Sophia returned to North Fulton to begin her career having gained experience in both nonprofit and the private sector. Currently, Sophia is a Local Marketing Liaison for Smile Doctors Braces and helps with local marketing efforts in twelve states, including three clinics in North Fulton. Sophia is a regular at Pro Alliance and other chamber events and firmly believes in the power of community involvement. Outside of the office, Sophia is a 200 Hour certified yoga teacher and practices at Lift Yoga in Alpharetta, GA.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

**Tori Kerlin, Communications Coordinator, GNFCC**

“The GNFCC 400 Insider” (formerly “North Atlanta’s Bizlink”) is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC). The host for this episode is Tori Kerlin, Communications Coordinator for 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.

NORTH ATLANTA’S BIZLINK: North Fulton Education Leaders Allison Townsend, 2019 Georgia Teacher of the Year, and Dr. Doannie Tran, Fulton County Schools

May 23, 2019 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

NORTH ATLANTA’S BIZLINK: North Fulton Education Leaders Allison Townsend, 2019 Georgia Teacher of the Year, and Dr. Doannie Tran, Fulton County Schools

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**Dr. Doannie Tran, Kali Boatright, and Allison Townsend**

Allison Townsend, 2019 Georgia Teacher of the Year, Barnwell Elementary School

As the 2019 Georgia Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Allison Townsend passionately believes each child should have a voice in his or her learning. She is dedicated to helping teachers create transparent classroom environments where, together with their students, they can make connections and have an impact beyond the four walls of their classrooms.

Since graduating from Clemson University in 2012, Allison Townsend has been a teacher in Fulton County Schools in Atlanta, Georgia. She has taught pre-k, 3rd, and 4th grades at Shakerag and Barnwell Elementary Schools. She inspires her students to grow beyond “engagement” to “ownership” by empowering them with a co-planning learning model she has created. She is also an advocate for transparency in education by inviting parents, teachers, and community members into her classroom, coaching teachers at her school, presenting at conferences, and using Twitter as a window into her classroom. Her mission is to inspire students and teachers to take risks, connect with people from around the world, and smile along the way!

In her role as 2019 Georgia Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Townsend is traveling the state as an advocate for students and teachers and spreading her message of student ownership, transparency in education, and the power of human connection.

Dr. Doannie Tran, Fulton County Schools

Dr. Doannie Tran is the Assistant Superintendent for Innovative Programs for Fulton County Schools. He is also overseeing the launch of FCS’s two innovative STEM schools, including the North Fulton STEM High School located in Alpharetta and to be opened in Fall 2020.

Doannie gradated from North Springs High School in Sandy Springs, GA and earned a Chemistry degree from the University of Georgia before joining Teach For America where he taught middle school science in Oakland, California. After moving to Boston, Doannie taught high school science in Boston before joining the staff of Teach For America to launch the Massachusetts region in 2009. Doannie was responsible for professional development for all new TFA teachers in Massachusetts. He built up their partnership with Boston University, where he has also served on faculty. During that time, the Massachusetts region was in the top 10% of all regions in terms of effectiveness, satisfaction and retention of teachers. The 2014 NCTQ/US News and World Report study of teacher preparation programs gave the program Doannie designed and executed the only high rating given to an alternative certification program.

Doannie received his doctorate in education leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. As a graduate student, he trained extensively in design thinking and Lean Startup methodologies and was sponsored as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at NewSchools Venture Fund. As an entrepreneur, he used design thinking and Lean principles to launch an education company called the Teaching Genome that provided teachers with insight into their teaching styles and used that knowledge to better support coaching and professional learning communities.

Doannie left his startup to join the leadership team of Boston Public Schools as Assistant Superintendent for Academics and Professional Learning. In that role, he focused on ensuring that every educator had high-quality curricular options and were competent in evidence-based instructional practices. He led a team of twenty-two teachers and over seventy central office experts to collaboratively develop the Essentials for Instructional Equity, Boston Public School’s vision for instruction that closes opportunity gaps. He led the collaboration of central office departments and dozens of teacher leaders to develop learning experiences that align to the Essentials, and to date, thousands of teachers have engaged in these courses.

Doannie is married to Holly Gooding, also a UGA alum and adolescent medicine physician at Emory and has two small children, Elliot (7) and Louise (5).

About GNFCC and “North Atlanta’s Bizlink”

“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.