GNFCC Archives - Page 9 of 15 - 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

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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

**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®.

2022 Legislative Wrap Up with Lauren Fralick, Fralick Bozeman Public Affairs

April 28, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

2022 Legislative Wrap Up with Lauren Fralick, Fralick Bozeman Public Affairs

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2022 Legislative Wrap Up with Lauren Fralick, Fralick Bozeman Public Affairs (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 74)

Lauren Fralick, Co-Founder of Fralick Bozeman Public Affairs, was the guest on this episode of the GNFCC 400 Insider. She and host Kali Boatright covered the 2022 Legislative Session, including how tax incentives were addressed in this year’s session, the Georgia Mental Health Parity Act, upcoming primary elections, the redistricting process and how it might affect races in this year’s elections, 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®.

Fralick Bozeman Public Affairs

At Fralick Bozeman Public Affairs, their public policy, strategic consulting, business development, and procurement work ensures that clients have their fingers on the pulse and their fingerprints on the outcomes.

For over a combined 40 years, Fralick Bozeman partners have been at the table working with decision-makers to help resolve many of Georgia’s most complex and transformational public policy initiatives.

Their successes and reputations are built on being trusted partners. They believe that every client and public sector relationship is cultivated and preserved through honesty, integrity, creativity, hard work, and resourcefulness.

Whether serving in the public sector or championing causes for the private sector, Fralick Bozeman partners have built a solid reputation by relentlessly pursuing paths that help align decision-makers to achieve positive outcomes.

Company website

Lauren Fralick, Co-Founder, Fralick Bozeman Public Affairs

Lauren W. Fralick has over 15 years of lobbying experience in Georgia. Fralick is a co-founder of Roll Call Public Affairs Consultants LLC and Fralick Bozeman Public Affairs, LLC – firms designed to bring innovation, positive disruption and best in class service to the public affairs market.

Prior to forming these ventures, Lauren was a partner for seven years at a large lobbying firm serving clients of multiple industry sectors in Georgia. Before that, she served as the Vice President of Government Affairs for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Georgia’s leading business organization for nearly eight years. She represented the interest of the state’s business community before the Georgia General Assembly and the Constitutional Officers of Georgia on issues important to the economic competitiveness of our state.

She also oversaw the Georgia Chamber’s Political Action Committee and Independent Expenditure Committee by identifying and supporting pro-business candidates for office. Her legislative areas of focus have included agriculture, economic development, regulated industries, taxation, healthcare, transportation, workforce development, education, environment, and energy.

Before lobbying, Fralick gained political experience by working on campaigns in Georgia at the federal, state, and local levels. She was voted “Rookie Lobbyist of the Year” by her peers under the Gold Dome after her first year of lobbying. Fralick is a graduate of Leadership Georgia and serves on the Board of the Georgia Center for Civic Engagement.

Fralick is a native of Swainsboro, Georgia. She and her husband Frank have three daughters and reside in the Virginia-Highland neighborhood of Atlanta.

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®.

The GNFCC 2022 Women INfluencing Business Award Winners: Leslie Day-Harrell, Jackson Healthcare, Melody Swilling, Swilling Family Law, and Valarie Mackey, WrightNow Solutions

March 30, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The GNFCC 2022 Women INfluencing Business Award Winners: Leslie Day-Harrell, Jackson Healthcare, Melody Swilling, Swilling Family Law, and Valarie Mackey, WrightNow Solutions

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The GNFCC 2022 Women INfluencing Business Award Winners: Leslie Day-Harrell, Jackson Healthcare, Melody Swilling, Swilling Family Law, and Valarie Mackey, WrightNow Solutions (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 73)

This episode of the GNFCC 400 Insider celebrates three recipients of the GNFCC 2022 Women INfluencing Business Awards. Leslie Day-Harrell with Jackson Healthcare is the 2022 Business Woman of Excellence Large Business Award Winner. Joining her were Melody Swilling of Swilling Family Law, who was the Rising Star Award Winner, and Valarie Mackie of WrightNow Solutions who was awarded the 2022 Business Woman of Excellence Small Business Award. They each talked about their path to their chosen fields, some of the challenges they encountered, the ways they give back, lessons they would pass along, and much more. Congratulations to these Women INfluencing Business award winners! The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

2022 Business Woman of Excellence | Large Business

Leslie Day-Harrell, Executive Vice President, Associate Experience, and Head of Corporate Real Estate, 2

Leslie Day-Harrell, Executive Vice President, Associate Experience, and Head of Corporate Real Estate, Jackson HealthcareLeslie works with associates to develop an overarching strategy created to help ensure positive employment experiences, including career and personal growth, physical, emotional, and financial health, and spiritual and social wellbeing. She also works to advance the company’s ongoing commitment to serve others including the company’s Fostering Holiday Hope initiative for North Fulton foster children and work with LoveLifts Village, providing co-working space for 15 local non-profit organizations at a reduced cost.

Leslie also serves in the North Fulton community through board positions on Sunshine on a Ranney Day, YMCA and after school programs.

Jackson Healthcare is a family of highly specialized healthcare staffing, search, and technology companies. With $1.4 billion in annual revenue, Jackson Healthcare is Atlanta’s 10th largest privately held company and is the third-largest healthcare staffing company in the country.

Company website | LinkedIn

2022 Rising Star Award Winner

Melody Swilling, Owner and Founder, Swilling Family Law

On top of growing her child-centered family law practice, mentoring a first-year associate and a third-year legal intern, Melody volunteers with Meals by Grace and iCanShine, where each summer she helps children with special needs learn to ride bicycles. In addition, she has worked with the State Legislature behind the scenes to discuss drafts of legislation and the implications of drafted legislation – including the landmark Equitable Caregiver Statute.

At Swilling Family Law, you have a partner who has the knowledge, judgment, and experience to help you overcome life’s most trying times so that you can reach your life’s most important goals – in the most expedient, prudent, and painless way possible.

Company website | LinkedIn

2022 Business Woman of Excellence| Small Business

Valarie Mackey, CEO, WrightNow Solutions

Valarie left a successful career to start WrightNow Solutions where she could dedicate her efforts to pushing the needle in providing education and tools needed for everyone to have equitable opportunities. By orchestrating technology credentialing programs, she has helped take people out of generational poverty and provided opportunities for them to change the trajectory of their families by doubling and tripling their salaries in four months.

After graduating with various co-op and internships, Valarie started her career in management consulting with Ernst & Young, went to a smaller consulting firm, and then progressed to The Coca-Cola Company. She started out as an engineer, however, made a transition to Information Technology. While in Technology she had responsibility for large global portfolios and had overarching accountability for technology solutions to enable business success.

Valarie built her career in a variety of roles including strategic planning and execution, program management and delivery, business development, customer service and retention, vendor and supplier management, employee development and engagement, organization optimization, and community outreach.

WrightNow Solutions was created in part to help underrepresented populations launch successful careers by providing Life and Career Readiness training, thus preparing them for, and bridging the gap to, companies that need entry-level talent. Because the entire talent lifecycle is critical, they have curricula and programs that place a keen focus on helping people thrive and excel in their career from entry-level to executive level.

Company website | 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®.

Technology in North Fulton, with Darwin Newton, Siemens Infrastructure, and Ben Cagle, Cagle Consulting Partners

February 28, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Technology in North Fulton, with Darwin Newton, Siemens Infrastructure, and Ben Cagle, Cagle Consulting Partners

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Technology in North Fulton, with Darwin Newton, Siemens Infrastructure, and Ben Cagle, Cagle Consulting Partners (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 72)

Darwin Newton, Siemens Infrastructure, and Ben Cagle, Cagle Consulting Partners, are spearheading GNFCC’s Tech400 Alliance. Darwin and Ben joined host Tori Kerlin to spotlight the thriving tech environment along the GA 400 corridor and throughout North Fulton. They covered different sectors of tech in the region, The Bailey, a planned tech-centric multiplex on Northwinds Parkway, the crucial role of education, new initiatives by Siemens, 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®

Siemens

Siemens is a global innovator focusing on digitalization, electrification and automation for the process and manufacturing industries, and is a leader in power generation and distribution, intelligent infrastructure, and distributed energy systems. For more than 160 years, the company has developed technologies that support multiple American industries including manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and infrastructure.

For more information about the Siemens STEM Day Sweepstakes, click here.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

Darwin Newton, PE, MBA, Head of Operations, Smart Infrastructure Electrical Services at Siemens

Darwin serves as the Head of Operations for the Electrical Service Business segment at Siemens Infrastructure. In that capacity, he leads a team of professional engineers, technicians, specialists, and project managers, in the construction installation configuration of large power systems.

Originally from the Virgin Islands, Darwin Newton worked there on substation and plant projects and then joined Siemens in the U.S. in 2000.

Cagle Consulting Partners

Cagle Consulting Partners (CCP) is an Advisory Firm focused on helping clients: • Accelerate Revenue Growth • Respond to Rapidly Changing Markets • Building/Scaling Organizations • Sell into Large Global Customers.

CCP currently serves large Global Enterprises (IBM, Cisco, SAS), Mid-Market Firms, and diverse Technology Start-Up clients in Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, IoT, and Blockchain.

Ben Cagle, Managing Partner, Cagle Consulting Partners

Ben Cagle is Managing Partner of Cagle Consulting Partners (CCP), an Advisory Firm. Prior to founding CCP, Ben served as a Division President for a Global 100 Enterprise. Ben had P&L responsibility for a global business unit (several $ hundred million in revenue) and was on the core team leading an industry consolidation initiative (with McKinsey & Company).

Transitioning from “industry” into global management consulting, Ben served in various Consulting Partner, Practice/Industry Leader, Solution Innovation, Marketing, and Thought Leadership roles. Ben’s global enterprise consulting leadership experience includes positions at HP Enterprise (formerly EDS), DXC Technology (formerly CSC Consulting), and Hitachi Consulting with clients across four continents.

Ben also has led various NASDAQ, VC-backed Software/SaaS, and entrepreneurial companies focused on Advanced Data Analytics, Market Insights, and Brand/Marketing Strategy targeting multiple industries.

Ben is an Alpharetta, Ga. native and currently resides in Alpharetta with his wife, Sara. He graduated of the Georgia Institute of Technology, is active in various Technology and Start-up organizations, and currently serves as the Chairman of Tech400 (sponsored by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce).

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 more information on GNFCC events, 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®.

2022 North Fulton Economic Outlook with Ian Wyatt, Principal Economist, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

January 28, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

2022 North Fulton Economic Outlook with Ian Wyatt, Principal Economist, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

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2022 North Fulton Economic Outlook with Ian Wyatt, Principal Economist, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 71)

Ian Wyatt, Principal Economist with the Metro Atlanta Chamber, joined host Kali Boatright to cover the North Fulton economic outlook for 2022. Ian discussed the strength of North Fulton schools, inflation, housing affordability, how childcare costs affect the labor market, job growth and unemployment 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 Metro Atlanta Chamber

The Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) is a 160-year-old organization that today represents businesses, colleges and universities, and nonprofits across the 29-county region that makes up the nation’s ninth-largest market.

MAC works to position metro Atlanta as a top-tier global region by focusing on three key areas: economic development, public policy and promotion. Its efforts build on the qualities that make Atlanta one of the nation’s most unique metros — its neighborhoods, culture, quality of life, welcoming business community and more. MAC’s economic development efforts focus on recruiting new companies to the region and retaining and growing the innovative businesses that already call the area home. In addition, MAC convenes thought leaders in supply chain, IoT, bioscience, global commerce, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship — the region’s key ecosystems.

Company website

Ian Wyatt, Vice President, Principal Economist, Metro Atlanta Chamber

Ian Wyatt is a Senior Economist with extensive experience and expertise in commercial portfolio strategy, industry analytics, macroeconomic forecasting, competitive intelligence, and risk management.

Ian currently serves as the Vice President, Principal Economist at the Metro Atlanta Chamber. In his previous role, Ian served as the Vice President/Economist, Analytics and Information Strategy, Wholesale Credit for the Bank of America.

Ian also served as Vice President/Economist, Pricing Strategy and Business Analytics, Wholesale Credit with Bank of America where he led a team that produced detailed analysis of loan yields at competitors to improve margins on $400B commercial loan portfolio. He also held the positions of Vice President/Economist, Industry Risk Group and Vice President/Economist, Industry and Country Risk Group.

Prior to joining the Bank of America, Ian served as a Senior Economist with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, where he was responsible for developing and evaluating forecasts of major macroeconomic variables, including GDP, inflation, employment, balance of trade, and monetary policy. These forecasts formed the basis of official U.S. government economic forecasts.

Ian began his career as an Economist, Occupational Outlook and Occupational Employment Statistics Division with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, where he co-developed new statistical metrics and methods in response to customer requests for information on the employment outlook for college graduates.

LinkedIn | Twitter

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 more information on GNFCC events, 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®.

GNFCC Year in Review and Leadership Transition: An Interview with 2021 Chair Lindsey Petrini and 2022 Chair James Holmes

December 16, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

GNFCC Year in Review and Leadership Transition: An Interview with 2021 Chair Lindsey Petrini and 2022 Chair James Holmes

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GNFCC Year in Review and Leadership Transition: An Interview with 2021 Chair Lindsey Petrini and 2022 Chair James Holmes (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 70)

Lindsey Petrini, 2021 Chair, and James Holmes, 2022 Chair, joined host Kali Boatright to reflect on GNFCC’s accomplishments and challenges of 2021, to look ahead to 2022, including the move to Avalon, 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®.

Lindsey Petrini, 2021 GNFCC Chair, and Chief Operating Officer, Wellstar North Fulton Hospital

Lindsey Petrini is the Chief Operating Officer of WellStar North Fulton Hospital. WellStar North Fulton Hospital is a 202-bed facility located in Roswell, Georgia.

The hospital is recognized for its accredited cancer program, trauma and primary stroke center designations, and for providing a continuum of services through its centers and programs, including neurosciences, pain management, cardiology, women’s services, rehabilitation, surgical services, and oncology. For more information click here.

Company website | LinkedIn

James Holmes, 2022 GNFCC Chair and SVP & North Fulton Market President, Truist

**James Holmes, 2022 GNFCC Chair and SVP & North Fulton Market President at Truist**

James Holmes serves as the Market President for Northeast Atlanta encompassing Gwinnett, North Fulton & Forsyth Counties. James is responsible for overseeing the commercial banking team and integration of all other lines of business such as Wealth Management, Institutional Services, Insurance, Retail, & Capital Markets into the Northeast Atlanta Commercial Banking Group.

His focus is helping privately held corporations and non-profits with annual revenues of $5,000,000 – $75,000,000; by aiding them in areas of Capital Formation, Payment Solutions, and Risk Management. James is experienced in real estate transactions, asset-based lending, equipment financing, and leveraged financing transactions.

BB&T and SunTrust formed Truist with a shared purpose—to inspire and build better lives and communities. With our combined resources, collective passion, and commitment to innovation, we’re creating a better financial experience to help people and businesses achieve more. With 275 years of combined BB&T and SunTrust history,

Truist serves approximately 12 million households with leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country. The company offers a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending; and wealth management.

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is the sixth-largest commercial bank in the U.S.

Company website | LinkedIn

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 more information on GNFCC events, 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®.

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

December 3, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

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

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

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

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

Kenny Hodges, President & CEO, Assurance Financial

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

Clavis Smith

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

Chris Bartelski, Realtor and Educator

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

Website | LinkedIn

Damian Cook, Atlanta Branch Manager, Assurance Financial

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

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

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

Michael Hernandez, The Hernandez Group

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

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

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

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

Geoff Smith, Host of ATL Developments with Geoff Smith

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

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

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

Hans Meier, Hans Wooden Puzzles

December 3, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Hans Meier, Hans Wooden Puzzles

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

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

Hans Meier, Owner, Hans Wooden Puzzles

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

He also creates custom wood gifts for business customers.

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

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

North Fulton Business Radio is hosted by John Ray, and broadcast and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, TuneIn, and others.

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Special thanks to A&S Culinary Concepts for their support of this edition of North Fulton Business Radio. A&S Culinary Concepts, based in Johns Creek, is an award-winning culinary studio, celebrated for corporate catering, corporate team building, Big Green Egg Boot Camps, and private group events. They also provide oven-ready, cooked from scratch meals to go they call “Let Us Cook for You.” To see their menus and events, go to their website or call 678-336-9196.

The GNFCC 2021 Women INfluencing Business Award Winners

November 18, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The GNFCC 2021 Women INfluencing Business Award Winners

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The GNFCC 2021 Women INfluencing Business Award Winners: Linda Coyle, LGE Community Credit Union, Amy Bell, Goodwyn Mills & Cawood, and Holly Ranney, Sunshine on a Ranney Day (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 69)

This episode of the GNFCC 400 Insider celebrates three recipients of the GNFCC 2021 Women INfluencing Business Awards. Linda Coyle of LGE Community Credit Union is the 2021 Business Woman of Excellence Award Winner. Linda was joined by Amy Bell with Goodwyn Mills & Cawood, who was the Rising Star Award Winner, and Holly Ranney, Sunshine on a Ranney Day, who was awarded the Nonprofit Woman of Excellence Award. They each shared with host Kali Boatright a bit about their journey, how they encourage other women, lessons they’ve learned along the way, and much more. Congratulations to these Women INfluencing Business award winners! The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

2021 Business Woman of Excellence Award Winner

Linda Coyle, Business Development Officer, LGE Community Credit Union

After beginning her career in teaching, Linda decided to leave teaching and get into the business world. She met an LGE employee at a networking event and that led to her position in Business Development at LGE Community Credit Union.

In 1951, seven Lockheed Georgia employees dreamed of a better way to bank and LGE Community Credit Union was born.

Today they serve communities in Northwest Georgia as a not-for-profit financial institution. Unlike a bank, whose profits go to its shareholders, its profits go to its members in the form of better rates and lower fees. They are guided by a strong commitment to providing a better financial future for their members.

They are a not-for-profit, member-owned financial institution with a strong commitment to the local community. LGE is governed by a volunteer board of directors who are also members of the credit union.

Company website | LinkedIn

2021 Rising Star Award Winner

Amy Bell, Vice Present, Georgia Architecture, Goodwyn Mills & Cawood

**Amy Bell, Vice Present, Georgia Architecture for Goodwyn Mills & Cawood**

Over the years, architect Amy Bell has contributed numerous award-winning designs to GMC’s education design portfolio, in addition to managing complex commercial and municipal projects throughout the Southeast. Her leadership in Alabama led her to transfer to Atlanta, where she now leads our Georgia architecture team. Most importantly, Amy has developed a reputation for delivering the highest quality service and design leadership to her clients by maintaining involvement in every phase of their project to fully achieve their vision.

She plays a key role in the architectural division, however, her influence spans throughout the company through leadership of several firm-wide initiatives, committees and community outreach programs. While at Auburn University, Amy was selected to participate in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture’s Rural Studio-an off-campus design-build program that provides architecture students a hands-on educational experience while assisting an underserved population in West Alabama’s Black Belt region-and to study under program co-founder Samuel Mockbee.

It was during this time, while restoring an old, burned-out schoolhouse, that she developed a strong passion for educational design that has greatly influenced her professional design philosophy.

Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) is one of the largest architecture and engineering firms in the Southeast, with offices located throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. Whether designing schools, parks, hospitals and other commercial developments or providing clean water, safe streets and restoring resilient environments, GMC takes great pride in serving our communities through the transformative work we do.

Every project is guided by the foundational concept that communities are built by people, not companies, and we strive to serve our communities with quality, integrity, creativity and care. One of the Southeast’s most comprehensive multi-disciplined firms, GMC is equipped to provide all the services associated with architecture, interior design, civil engineering, environmental services, landscape architecture, planning, transportation engineering, geotechnical engineering, electrical engineering, surveying and disaster recovery.

Company website | LinkedIn

2021 Nonprofit Woman of Excellence Award

Holly Ranney, President and Co-Founder, Sunshine on a Ranney Day

In 2012, inspired by a church sermon, Peter and Holly Ranney found their calling to use their God-given talents and resources to help others. Sunshine on a Ranney Day was created with the idea that every child should have their own unique space. Sunshine on a Ranney Day’s first makeover was completed for 11-year-old Mathew, who wanted to spend his last days in his military-themed bunker bedroom. Mathew’s makeover and passing showed how impactful a makeover could be on a child’s life. This experience helped shape Sunshine on a Ranney Day into what it is today.

Continuing to use their networks and resources, in 2020 the Sunny & Ranney Home Furnishings & Decor store opened in Roswell, GA. Sunny & Ranney carries donated excess stock, samples, and discontinued furniture and decor from wholesalers, retailers, designers, and market showrooms. All of the profits from the sales go toward funding Sunshine on a Ranney Day’s mission and our plan to expand to further areas.

Sunshine on a Ranney Day is a nonprofit organization that reimagines and builds custom rooms for children with special needs. Through partnerships and donors, we provide no-cost wheelchair-accessible bathrooms, dream bedrooms, and in-home therapy rooms.

Company website | 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®.

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

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2022 Legislative Wrap Up with Lauren Fralick, Fralick Bozeman Public Affairs (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 74)

Fralick Bozeman Public Affairs

Lauren Fralick, Co-Founder, Fralick Bozeman Public Affairs

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

The GNFCC 2022 Women INfluencing Business Award Winners: Leslie Day-Harrell, Jackson Healthcare, Melody Swilling, Swilling Family Law, and Valarie Mackey, WrightNow Solutions (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 73)

2022 Business Woman of Excellence | Large Business

2022 Rising Star Award Winner

Melody Swilling, Owner and Founder, Swilling Family Law

2022 Business Woman of Excellence| Small Business

Valarie Mackey, CEO, WrightNow Solutions

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

Technology in North Fulton, with Darwin Newton, Siemens Infrastructure, and Ben Cagle, Cagle Consulting Partners (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 72)

Siemens

Darwin Newton, PE, MBA, Head of Operations, Smart Infrastructure Electrical Services at Siemens

Cagle Consulting Partners

Ben Cagle, Managing Partner, Cagle Consulting Partners

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About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

2022 North Fulton Economic Outlook with Ian Wyatt, Principal Economist, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 71)

The Metro Atlanta Chamber

Ian Wyatt, Vice President, Principal Economist, Metro Atlanta Chamber

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

GNFCC Year in Review and Leadership Transition: An Interview with 2021 Chair Lindsey Petrini and 2022 Chair James Holmes (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 70)

Lindsey Petrini, 2021 GNFCC Chair, and Chief Operating Officer, Wellstar North Fulton Hospital

James Holmes, 2022 GNFCC Chair and SVP & North Fulton Market President, Truist

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

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

Kenny Hodges, President & CEO, Assurance Financial

Clavis Smith

Chris Bartelski, Realtor and Educator

Damian Cook, Atlanta Branch Manager, Assurance Financial

Michael Hernandez, The Hernandez Group

Geoff Smith, Host of ATL Developments with Geoff Smith

Hans Meier, Owner, Hans Wooden Puzzles

The GNFCC 2021 Women INfluencing Business Award Winners: Linda Coyle, LGE Community Credit Union, Amy Bell, Goodwyn Mills & Cawood, and Holly Ranney, Sunshine on a Ranney Day (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 69)

2021 Business Woman of Excellence Award Winner

Linda Coyle, Business Development Officer, LGE Community Credit Union

2021 Rising Star Award Winner

Amy Bell, Vice Present, Georgia Architecture, Goodwyn Mills & Cawood

2021 Nonprofit Woman of Excellence Award

Holly Ranney, President and Co-Founder, Sunshine on a Ranney Day

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

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