GNFCC Archives - Page 8 of 15 - Business RadioX ®

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Bill Bland, Construction Industry Veteran, and 2019 Chairman, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

August 31, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Bill Bland, Construction Industry Veteran, and 2019 Chairman, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

00:00 /

Construction Industry Veteran, and 2019 Chairman, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 509)

Bill Bland, an icon of the construction industry and the 2019 Chairman of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, was on hand at the Grand Opening celebration to reflect with John Ray on not only his accomplishments and involvement with GNFCC, but why GNFCC membership is so important and what he’s doing now.

This show was originally broadcast live from the Grand Opening celebration and ribbon cutting of the new offices of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce at the 10000 Building at Avalon in Alpharetta, Georgia, on August 18, 2022.

North Fulton Business Radio is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Bill Bland, Construction Industry Veteran, and 2019 Chairman, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Bill Bland recently retired from Choate Construction after 26 years of service where he was employed initially as a project manager and became a principal and Senior Vice President.

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).

Bill is also a former board member of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce where he served as chair for the annual golf tournament and was the 2019 Chairman of The Board.

Bill is now an independent consultant in the construction industry.

Questions and Topics in the Interview:

Bill’s experience
Bill’s consulting work
Why be involved in GNFCC

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.

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Andy Kalajian, Fort Leadership and Sales Consulting

August 30, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Andy Kalajian, Fort Leadership and Sales Consulting

00:00 /

North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 508)

Andy Kalajian, founder of Fort Leadership and Sales Consulting is deeply involved in GNFCC as a Chamber Diplomat, a Chairman’s Circle member, and several other capacities. Andy sat down with host John Ray during the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration to talk about Fort Leadership, Andy’s approach to sales and relationships, why he’s so involved with GNFCC, and much more.

North Fulton Business Radio is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Fort Leadership and Sales Consulting, LLC is a Professional and Personal Development company that creates healthy corporate cultures by developing the personal and professional leadership capacity of the person. Fort Leadership and Sales Consulting, LLC believes that a healthy Corporate Culture benefits the business leader and the employee alike, and it enhances the customer experience.

The culture on the inside of a company is what the customer experiences on the outside of the company. That is the customer experience. But if this is true, why do so many employees feel that their corporate culture is not where it needs to be? Why do some employees describe their corporate culture as dysfunctional or even toxic? How does this dysfunction impact the customer experience? Furthermore, why do some business leaders when asked “how many employees work for you?” respond by saying, “about 1/2”!
Demographic studies indicate that in 5 years up to 75% of the employees will be millennials. That means that for a business leader to be able to attract and retain the best talent from the biggest pool of talent, the business leader must have a healthy corporate culture.

But if a healthy corporate culture is what the employer and the employee are looking for, what does a healthy corporate culture look like? How is a healthy corporate culture created? The answer is Leadership! Fort Leadership and Sales Consulting creates healthy corporate cultures through Leadership Development. Leadership development is all about Character. After all, when we talk about corporate culture, what we are really talking about is corporate character. Corporations are made up of people. And people bring their character to work. So, it only stands to reason that when a collection of people brings their collective characters to work, a corporate character or a corporate culture is created.

Fort Leadership and Sales Consulting, LLC is creating healthy corporate cultures.

Company website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Andy Kalajian, Founder, Fort Leadership & Sales Consulting

Andy Kalajian has been a highly sought-after public speaker for more than 25 years. He has received public acclaim for his brand, EnTheos, Latin for Spirit Within and predecessor to the word Enthusiasm. Andy enthusiastically delivers powerful talks and lessons steeped in wisdom literature and their practical application to busy lifestyles. His tagline, transformational thought in action, serves as a reminder to the participant that one can, indeed, permanently change the destiny of their life by changing the nature of their thoughts and actions.

Andy was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. As a young boy he discovered his passion for serving others in medicine and his gift for public speaking. At the age of 12, Andy, at the urging of his father, began to earn his own way as a Golf Caddy. His sense of adventure also led him, along with his father, to the Boy Scouts of America where he achieved the Rank of Eagle Scout. In High School, Andy was fed books from his mother, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

While a golf caddy, Andy was awarded the prestigious Evans Scholarship, a full academic and leadership scholarship, to study at Michigan State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology. In 1985, he coupled his lifelong passion for medicine and serving people with his gift of enthusiastic speaking and moved to Atlanta to begin his career in Medical Sales.

As a young professional, Andy’s Mom continued to fuel his desire for wisdom literature from authors/speakers Zig Ziglar, Earl Nightingale, Les Brown, Stephen Covey, and John Maxwell. Andy applied the character traits instilled in him from the Boy Scouts and the leadership skills taught to him by John Maxwell, Stephen Covey, and others to enjoy over 30 years in an award-winning medical sales career. It was during this time that Andy was asked to speak to groups as small as 4 or 5 and as large as 500+ all over the US and Puerto Rico.

Andy is very involved in the lives of his two children, Mallory and Drew. For 12 years they were engaging in monthly adventures with the YMCA Adventure Guides program where Andy volunteered in several leadership positions including Nation Chief. Andy and his wife, Sherrie, have four adult children and are active members of Pastor Andy Stanley’s congregation at North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Andy enjoys time invested with his wife Sherrie, his family, and his friends. He still has a voracious appetite for reading the wisdom literature and the biographies of the American Founders. He enjoys weightlifting, aerobics, golf, and hiking the outdoors. Andy continues to have a passion for speaking, coaching, and training others to lead a life of significance.

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

How Fort Leadership got its name
Andy’s path to leadership
Andy’s sales career
How he motivates sales professionals
Andy’s involvement with GNFCC
Advice for engaging in groups like GNFCC

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Senator Brandon Beach, North Fulton CID

August 29, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Senator Brandon Beach, North Fulton CID

00:00 /

North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 505)

Senator Brandon Beach, the Executive Director of the North Fulton Community Improvement District (CID), joined John Ray at the Grand Opening Celebration and shared his reflection on the growth of the Greater North Fulton Chamber, recent North Fulton CID projects, plans for the GA 400 corridor, and more.

North Fulton Business Radio is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

Sen. 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 the 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.

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

The evolution of GNFCC
Projects from the NFCID
How NFCID is funded
What’s ahead
Public transportation in the metro area

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Tracey Grace, IBEX IT Business Experts

August 26, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Tracey Grace, IBEX IT Business Experts

00:00 /

North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 504)

During the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration, Tracey Grace of IBEX IT Business Experts sat down with North Fulton Business Radio host John Ray to share her work at IBEX IT Business Experts, why she and her firm support the Chamber so strongly, her keynote address at the GNFCC Small Business Awards luncheon, and more.

North Fulton Business Radio is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

IBEX IT Business Experts

IBEX IT Business Experts (IBEX) is a Training, Technology and Consulting Services firm, laser-focused on assisting companies and government agencies to be more effective and efficient in their execution.

IBEX is a women-owned, minority-owned, SBA 8(a) certified business and is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion inside and outside of the company. For the 3rd year in a row, IBEX has been named the 802nd fastest-growing privately-owned company in America by Inc. 5000 and #31 in Georgia, after having placed #1897 in 2018, #806 in 2019. In 2020, IBEX obtained ISO 9001:2015 certification for its Quality Management System.

Company website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Tracey Grace, MBA, ITIL, President and CEO, IBEX IT Business Experts

Originally from New Jersey, Tracey attended the University of Pittsburgh where she obtained her BA in Economics and Spanish and was then awarded a Graduate Tuition Fellowship to fully fund her MBA in Marketing, which she completed in 11 months. Before breaking into the technology industry by founding IBEX IT Business Experts in 2012, Tracey led successful sales teams at international corporations including Learning Tree and FedEx.

At IBEX, Tracey helps organizations like NASA, CDC, and Cox Communications implement IT solutions and train workers on innovative technologies. As a minority woman founder, Tracey knows that IBEX brings value beyond technology training; IBEX also serves a major need in connecting organizations with underrepresented groups. Although her professional expertise lies in IT solutions, government contracting and best practices, she is a uniquely powerful authority on topics like diversity, networking, and leadership.

2021 marks a big year for IBEX, with the launch of Certifiably Diverse, a new supplier diversity software. Certifiably Diverse helps clients like the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) to increase their supplier diversity spend providing the smartest way to communicate, collaborate, and network with diverse suppliers. Additionally, IBEX has maintained its place on the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest-Growing Private Companies for 4 years straight and won Greater North Fulton Small Business of the Year and the Georgia Fast 40 Award, given to the top 40 fastest-growing Georgia-based mid-market companies.

Tracey enjoys serving others and giving back. She serves on several non-profit boards including North Fulton Community Charities, Jane Addams Peace Association, and is Co-Chair of the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council’s Minority Business Input Committee, where she assists minority businesses throughout the state.

LinkedIn | Twitter

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

IBEX Protegé
Certifiably Diverse
GNFCC Small Business Award
Tracey’s GNFCC involvement
Her keynote address at the Small Business Awards luncheon

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Kali Boatright, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

August 22, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Kali Boatright, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

00:00 /

North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 503)

The Greater North Fulton Chamber (GNFCC) recently celebrated their move to 10000 Avalon with a day-long grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration. During the event, President and CEO Kali Boatright sat down with host John Ray to reflect on the process of finding the space, making the investment in their members, celebrating with the community, and much more.

North Fulton Business Radio is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

The mission of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is to be the recognized leader in its region for business growth, talent development and regional prosperity.

The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a private, nonprofit, member-driven organization comprised of over 1,200 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. Its 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.

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Kali Boatright, President and CEO, GNFCC

Kali Boatright joined the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce as President and CEO in 2018. As an expert in nonprofit management and a proven leader in organizational growth and strategy execution, she is most proud of her history of growing individuals on her team and collaboration with similar mission-driven organizations. Prior to taking the helm at GNFCC, she served as the CEO of the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce from 2004-2018 and before that as Chief Operating Officer of the Golden Key International Honour Society.

Boatright is a graduate of the US Chamber’s Institute for Organizational Management and is a Georgia Certified Chamber Executive. In addition, she serves as chair of the Georgia Chamber Federation on the Georgia Chamber Board of Directors, as an executive board member of the Regional Business Coalition, as a board member of Tech Alpharetta and as past Chair of the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

In 2017, Boatright was honored by the chamber industry when she received the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Legacy Award. As the association’s most prestigious award, it recognizes long-term executives who have excelled over a period of years in leading and innovatively building their Chamber. The award is based on the demonstration of excellence in areas of chamber leadership, organizational management, service to the profession, community reputation/involvement, and personal attributes.

Kali is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism. She and her high school sweetheart David have recently become empty nesters with their oldest adulting ITP and only their youngest, a sophomore at Georgia Tech, remaining on payroll. David is a Chemistry Teacher at Cambridge HS in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

The celebration
The process of selecting a space
Investing in the membership
Navigating the move into Avalon
What’s ahead for GNFCC

Christian Tardif, Signs of Significance

August 17, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Christian Tardif, Signs of Significance

00:00 /

North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 497)

Christian Tardif, Sales and Marketing Director for Signs of Significance, joined host John Ray on this edition of North Fulton Business Radio to chat about business signage, family business, and the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Mentor Program. They covered how Signs of Significance works with a business to create and install signage, the various kinds of custom signage they can create, including graphic design, and the complexities of installation. They also discussed running a family business, the GNFCC Mentor Program which matched John and Christian, and much more.

North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Signs of Significance, located in Roswell, GA, is a full line signs and graphics business, specializing in monument signs, storefront signs, vehicle wraps, lobby signs, window & wall decals, wayfinding signs, tradeshow & promotional signs, custom banners, and more.

Signs of Significance can custom design, fabricate and install custom business signs for any office or building.

Company Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

Christian Tardif, Sales and Marketing Director, Signs of Significance

Christian grew up locally in Alpharetta, Georgia and attended Milton High School. After graduating high school, he attended the University of Alabama, studying advertising and business. He is an avid Crimson Tide fan and enjoys watching their games on Fall Saturdays. He is also a fan of all Atlanta sports teams including the Falcons, Braves, and Hawks. Some of his other interests include golf, being on the water at the lake, and spending time with friends and family. Christian started working at Signs of Significance in July of 2015. Although his focus is on sales, he also has a hand in design, production, and installation.

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

Christian’s background
How he and his father chose the sign business
The North Fulton business market
What kinds of businesses do you serve?
How do you work with the customer on signage?
What’s involved in installing signage?
Wrapping a vehicle
Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Mentor Program

Keith Parker, Goodwill of North Georgia

July 27, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Keith Parker, Goodwill of North Georgia

00:00 /

Keith Parker, Goodwill of North Georgia (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 77)

Keith Parker, President and CEO of Goodwill of North Georgia, joined host Kali Boatright to share the tremendous work his organization performs for jobseekers securing employment. Keith shared Goodwill success stories, their specific work in North Fulton, his career journey, which includes a five year stint as CEO of MARTA, 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®.

Goodwill of North Georgia

At Goodwill of North Georgia, their mission is a simple one: they put people to work.

Every day, thousands of men and women face barriers that make it difficult for them to find work and earn a paycheck to support their families. Sometimes it’s lack of training or education, limited job skills, or a disability. But with the support of donors and shoppers like you, Goodwill overcomes those barriers.

At career centers throughout North Georgia, Goodwill offers job-search resources, helps with writing a professional résumé and cover letter, provides access to employment opportunities, delivers hands-on skill training, and so much more.

They provide access to important job search resources like computers, résumé writing tools, local job listings, telephones, and photocopiers. They also host regular recruiting events, employment seminars, and even offer software training. As an extension of their career center services, they launched Career Connector powered by Goodwill of North Georgia, a site that allows you to register online and access job search resources from anywhere.

Their training programs prepare people for careers in a wide array of fields such as retail, financial services, floor technology, healthcare, traditional and green construction, forklift operations, and more.

Think about Goodwill and the good they do the next time you’re deciding what to do with your gently used goods, or even when you’re about to go treasure hunting for a bargain. If you’d like to help them improve our communities, strengthen families, and energize the economy, they welcome your donations and invite you to visit their stores.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Keith Parker, President and CEO, Goodwill of North Georgia

Keith T. Parker is president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Goodwill of North Georgia. One of the largest nonprofit organizations in the southeast, Goodwill spans a 45-county territory, operating 60 stores, 58 donation centers, and 13 career centers. Goodwill employs nearly 3,000 people, each of whom plays a direct or supporting role in the organization’s donated goods retail operations and its career services. Annually, Goodwill collects upwards of 2.5 million donations and serves more than 7 million shoppers. Through the revenue generated in its stores, the organization is able to connect tens of thousands of North Georgians to jobs each year. Parker took the helm at Goodwill of North Georgia in October 2017. Prior to transitioning into his leadership role at Goodwill, Parker has served as CEO of the largest transit systems in several cities, including San Antonio, Charlotte and most recently, Atlanta.

Throughout his career, Parker has received numerous awards and accolades for his work as an organizational leader and transportation visionary. He won Texas CEO of the Year Awards in 2011 and 2012. He was recognized as the nation’s Outstanding Public Transportation Manager by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) in 2015. METRO Magazine named Parker as one of its 20 Most Influential People of the Decade. In 2016, Parker was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC). In November the same year, he was named one of eight Public Officials of the Year by Governing magazine. In August 2017, Parker was selected as one of Atlanta’s Most Admired CEOs by Atlanta Business Chronicle.

A native of Petersburg, Virginia, Parker was appointed to the Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors by Governor Terry McAuliffe in 2016. Parker received VCU’s Alumni Star Award in 2015.

Parker served on the board of directors for Goodwill of San Antonio and Goodwill of North Georgia. He remains active and engaged in civic and charitable organizations, including service on various national and local boards of directors – such as Georgia Chamber of Commerce Board of Advisors, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, National Infrastructure Advisory Council, The Eno Center for Transportation, Park Over Georgia 400 Steering Committee, Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors, Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems Board of Directors, Grande West Board of Directors and Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Parker holds an MBA from the University of Richmond, as well as a Master of Urban and Regional Planning and a BA in Political Science from Virginia Commonwealth University.

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

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

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

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

For more information on GNFCC and its North Fulton County service area, follow this link or call (770) 993-8806. For more information on other GNFCC events such as this North Fulton Mayors Appreciation Lunch, follow this link.

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

North Fulton Hotel Industry: Ted Basco, Visit Roswell, and Xavier Etcheberrigaray, Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta

June 30, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

North Fulton Hotel Industry: Ted Basco, Visit Roswell, and Xavier Etcheberrigaray, Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta

00:00 /

North Fulton Hotel Industry: Ted Basco, Visit Roswell, and Xavier Etcheberrigaray, Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 76)

Host Kali Boatright welcomed Ted Basco, Director of Sales for Visit Roswell, and Xavier Etcheberrigaray, General Manager of the Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta, in a conversation about the hotel industry in North Fulton. They had a lively discussion about how the industry adjusted to the changing conditions of the pandemic, the need for resilience, the rise of Airbnb and VRBO properties and how hotels differentiate themselves, labor shortage issues, trends they see coming, 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®.

Visit Roswell

Visit Roswell is the convention and visitors bureau for the City of Roswell, Georgia.

Often referred to as a destination marketing organization (DMO), their organization incorporates targeted advertising and marketing programs with sales and public relations efforts to build the image of Roswell as a travel destination and increase visitation to the city.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Ted Basco, Director of Sales, Visit Roswell

Ted Basco is a seasoned veteran of the tourism & hospitality industry. He has extensive hotel experience with major worldwide brands like Hyatt Corporation, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Marriott International, and IHG Hotels and Resorts. The bulk of Ted’s career includes roles as Director of Guest Services, Director of Operations and Director of Sales & Marketing at numerous hotels in San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles and Atlanta.

Today, Ted is in his 3rd year on the DMO’s side of the business as Director of Sales & Film Liaison for Visit Roswell – the Roswell, Georgia Convention & Visitors Bureau. Ted currently serves as an active member of the MPI Georgia Chapter, co-chairing their Community Outreach Committee where he recently was awarded the Phoenix Award for MPI Georgia Supplier Member of the Year.

Ted also is also a recent graduate of the Leadership North Fulton – Class of 2022, a year-long class facilitated by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. Ted’s true personal passion is in sports, as he was a former student-athlete at San Francisco State University, majoring in Broadcast Communications and Sports Journalism. He also serves as a long-time volunteer and advisory board member with the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta.

Ted is married to Wendy, his wife of 14 years, who is also in the hospitality industry as an executive with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. They both have two amazing and talented children (11, 8).

And congratulations to Ted for being a 2022 MPI Georgia Phoenix Award Recipient as Supplier of the Year.

Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta

Experience attentive service in a prime setting at Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta. Ideally situated near business centers and popular attractions such as Top Golf, their updated hotel offers a modern yet warm and inviting ambiance that welcomes every traveler. Relax in the comfort of their spacious guest rooms or suites, each with deluxe amenities and products.

Savor delicious dining in the hotel’s restaurant or stop by the coffee shop to pick up drinks and treats to take along on your adventures around Alpharetta. If a business meeting, wedding, or social event brings you to Alpharetta, you’ll be delighted with their sophisticated venues, custom catering and unparalleled services. When it’s time to explore, you’ll find shopping, dining and entertainment nearby, including Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Avalon, and more.

Whether staying with Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta for work or enjoying a getaway, they look forward to greeting you.

Company website | Facebook | Instagram

Xavier Etcheberrigaray, General Manager, Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta

Xavier Etcheberrigaray serves as a GM for the Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta.

Previously he was the Corporate Director of Hotel Operations at Caesars Entertainment, based in Las Vegas. In this role, he was responsible for the development, implementation, and execution of hospitality-related initiatives for Caesars’ Brands in the Americas, including Caesars Palace, Paris, Flamingo, and Harrah’s properties.

Prior to joining Caesars, Xavier spent the last decade working overseas, for both Rixos and Kempinski Hotels. As the Corporate Director of Strategy and Development at Rixos, he oversaw the company’s strategic, long-term goal planning function and development pipeline for luxury resorts in emerging markets.

Xavier embarked on his career as a Management Trainee with InterContinental Hotels, working as a Food & Beverage MT in Miami and subsequently a Sales & Marketing MT in Atlanta, before assuming roles of increasing responsibility outside the company. He later pursued an MBA in hospitality from Glion in Switzerland.

Xavier graduated from Ole Miss with a degree in Political Science. Xavier is a polyglot and serious foodie, speaking French, Spanish, some Portuguese, and English, and enjoying the food from those countries in that order.

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

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

NextGen Connects 2022 Chairs, Rachel Newcomer and Tukker Penrod

June 2, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

NextGen Connects 2022 Chairs, Rachel Newcomer and Tukker Penrod

00:00 /

NextGen Connects 2022 Chairs, Rachel Newcomer and Tukker Penrod (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 75)

Rachel Newcomer, Director of Development at Summit Counseling Center, and Tukker Penrod, Outreach Coordinator at Saprea, are the 2022 NextGen Connects Chairs. Rachel and Tukker joined host Tori Kerlin to discuss the work of NextGen Connects, why chamber leadership and involvement in the community offers both professional and personal benefits, the desire of young professionals for a better work-life balance, 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®.

Rachel Newcomer, Director of Development, Summit Counseling Center

Rachel Newcomer is Director of Development for Summit Counseling Center. Rachel is a native Atlantan and recently moved to Alpharetta from Buckhead. She previously spent ten years in community development for cancer organizations.

The Summit Counseling Center provides professional counseling, consultation and education services utilizing an integrated approach to care for the whole person – Body, Mind, Spirit, and Relationships.

Since 1990, Summit Counseling has been a trusted community partner; bringing hope, healing and restoration to children, teens, adults, couples and families.

Company website | Summit LinkedIn | Rachel Newcomer LinkedIn

Tukker Penrod, Outreach Director, Saprea

Tukker Penrod is Outreach Director at Saprea. A longtime friend of and advocate for Saprea, Tukker Penrod joined the staff when Saprea expanded to Georgia for its East Coast presence.

Tukker began his career in construction project management. When he began looking for a place to serve, he connected with Saprea just after the organization was founded.

At Saprea, they aspire for a world that is free of child sexual abuse. In this pursuit, they apply clinically proven, research-based best practices in providing healing and prevention resources.

One in five children in the United States is sexually abused before the age of 18. The impacts of this trauma last long after the abuse has stopped. Saprea is leading the charge against child sexual abuse using proven, practical methods for confronting and overcoming child sexual abuse. All of their services and resources are free thanks to the generosity of their donors.

Company website | Facebook| Tukker Penrod LinkedIn

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

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

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Bill Bland, Construction Industry Veteran, and 2019 Chairman, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 509)

Bill Bland, Construction Industry Veteran, and 2019 Chairman, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Questions and Topics in the Interview:

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Andy Kalajian, Fort Leadership and Sales Consulting (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 508)

Fort Leadership and Sales Consulting

Andy Kalajian, Founder, Fort Leadership & Sales Consulting

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Senator Brandon Beach, North Fulton CID (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 505)

The North Fulton Community Improvement District (NFCID)

Sen. Brandon Beach, Executive Director, North Fulton Community Improvement District

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Tracey Grace, IBEX IT Business Experts (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 504)

IBEX IT Business Experts

Tracey Grace, MBA, ITIL, President and CEO, IBEX IT Business Experts

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Kali Boatright, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 503)

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Kali Boatright, President and CEO, GNFCC

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

Christian Tardif, Signs of Significance (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 497)

Signs of Significance

Christian Tardif, Sales and Marketing Director, Signs of Significance

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

Keith Parker, Goodwill of North Georgia (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 77)

Goodwill of North Georgia

Keith Parker, President and CEO, Goodwill of North Georgia

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

North Fulton Hotel Industry: Ted Basco, Visit Roswell, and Xavier Etcheberrigaray, Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 76)

Visit Roswell

Ted Basco, Director of Sales, Visit Roswell

Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta

Xavier Etcheberrigaray, General Manager, Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

NextGen Connects 2022 Chairs, Rachel Newcomer and Tukker Penrod (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 75)

Rachel Newcomer, Director of Development, Summit Counseling Center

Tukker Penrod, Outreach Director, Saprea

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

Our Mission

Sponsor a Show

Partner With Us

Connect with us

Construction Industry Veteran, and 2019 Chairman, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 509)

North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 508)

North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 505)

North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 504)

North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 503)

North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 497)