IBEX IT Business Experts Archives

Celebrating Small Business Month, with Tracey Grace, IBEX IT Business Experts, and Heather Demis, Anchor Marketing

May 22, 2024 by John Ray

Tracey Grace, IBEX IT Business Experts, and Heather Demis, Anchor Marketing, with Kali Boatright, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

North Fulton Studio

Celebrating Small Business Month, with Tracey Grace, IBEX IT Business Experts, and Heather Demis, Anchor Marketing

00:00 /

Celebrating Small Business Month, with Tracey Grace, IBEX IT Business Experts, and Heather Demis, Anchor Marketing (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 95)

In honor of Small Business Month, this episode of the GNFCC 400 Insider features Tracey Grace, IBEX IT Business Experts, and Heather Demis, Anchor Marketing, two accomplished business owners in the North Fulton region. The discussion with host Kali Boatright revolves around their initial challenges, strategies for success, and the importance of community engagement and partnerships. Both share significant milestones, such as adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on business practices. Tracey announces her company’s global expansion, and Heather discusses her firm’s evolution into offering online stores and branding services. The episode emphasizes the value of utilizing local resources, like the Chamber, and underscores the impact of mentorship and continuous learning to achieve business success.

The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

Tracey Grace, 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, the 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.

In 2022, IBEX launched Certifiably Diverse, a new supplier of diversity software. Certifiably Diverse helps clients like the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) increase their supplier diversity by 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 has 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 and the Jane Addams Peace Association, and is Chair of the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council’s Minority Business Input Committee, where she assists minority businesses throughout the state.

Heather Demis, Anchor Marketing

Heather Demis is the founder and president of Anchor Marketing, a branding and marketing firm she launched in 2005. With a passion for helping companies discover their unique voice, Heather has dedicated her career to creating impactful branding strategies.

Heather possesses a deep understanding of how messaging, color, and design influence corporate identity. She consistently crafts memorable campaigns that ensure businesses reach their target audiences and leave a lasting impression. Her expertise spans branding, commercial printing, and promotional products, enabling her to assist companies of all sizes in conveying their brand values with professionalism and trustworthiness. Heather’s work ultimately helps businesses attract more opportunities and achieve their growth goals.

Heather’s approach is rooted in treating her clients’ brands and businesses as her own. She is committed to meeting deadlines, respecting budgets, and delivering top-tier marketing solutions on time and within budget. Her mission is to help companies stand out in the marketplace with a consistent, professional image that fosters trust and reliability, reflecting the high level of service they provide.

Outside of her role at Anchor Marketing, Heather is a dedicated community member. She is an active member of the Rotary Club of Alpharetta, a Charter/Founding Board Member of the Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce, and a founder of the Business Alpharetta Roundtable (B.A.R.), a support network for female entrepreneurs.

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Heather’s LinkedIn

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Welcome to the GNFCC 400 Insider: Celebrating Small Business Month
01:42 Tracey Grace’s Journey: From Corporate America to Entrepreneurship
05:31 Heather Demis: The Birth of Anchor Marketing
07:54 Entrepreneurial Spirit: Born or Made?
10:06 Community Engagement: Beyond Business
13:20 Unique Business Strategies in North Fulton
14:51 The Unseen Competition: Thriving Through Referrals and Relationships
15:42 Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry: Strategies for Success
16:01 Leveraging Partnerships and Programs for Business Growth
18:40 The COVID-19 Pivot: Adapting and Innovating in Business
22:27 Global Expansion and Future Plans: A Sneak Peek
26:40 Strategic Advice for New Entrepreneurs: Insights from Experience
29:35 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

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

The GNFCC 400 Insider is sponsored by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC), and the host of the show is 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 1,400 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.

As a five-star accredited chamber, GNFCC’s vision is to be the premier organization driving member and community success across the region, and they are dedicated to pursuing this vision based on the guiding principles of advocacy, inclusivity, and operational excellence.

GNFCC promotes the interests of their 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, follow this link.

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.

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.

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

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.

2021 GNFCC Small Business of the Year Award: IBEX IT Business Experts, with Tracey Grace, Founder and CEO

September 30, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

2021 GNFCC Small Business of the Year Award: IBEX IT Business Experts, with Tracey Grace, Founder and CEO

00:00 /

2021 GNFCC Small Business of the Year Award: IBEX IT Business Experts, with Tracey Grace, Founder and CEO (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 67)

IBEX IT Business Experts was recently named the 2021 GNFCC Small Business of the Year. Tracey Grace, Founder and CEO, joined host Kali Boatright to share the story behind her founding the company, the path which has led to the company’s inclusion on the Inc. 5000 list of Top Private Companies, her company’s launch of Certifiably Diverse, supplier diversity management software service which helps companies find qualified minority-owned vendors, 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®.

IBEX IT Business Experts

Company website. | LinkedIn

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

IBEX Experts — **Tracey Grace, President and CEO, IBEX IT Business Experts**

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

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

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

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

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

Alpharetta Tech Talk: Tracey Grace, IBEX IT Business Experts

November 25, 2019 by John Ray

Alpharetta Tech Talk

Alpharetta Tech Talk: Tracey Grace, IBEX IT Business Experts

00:00 /

“Alpharetta Tech Talk,” Episode 4: Tracey Grace, IBEX IT Business Experts

Tracey Grace’s company, IBEX IT Business Experts, has been on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growth companies for two years running. Tracey joins “Alpharetta Tech Talk” to talk about her company’s journey, working with federal government and healthcare clients, and their newly developed diversity supplier software system. “Alpharetta Tech Talk” is hosted by John Ray and broadcast from the North Fulton Business RadioX® studio inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Tracey Grace, IBEX IT Business Experts

Tracey Grace is the Founder, President and CEO of IBEX IT Business Experts (IBEX) based in Sandy Springs, Georgia, and is a sought-after public speaker on Information Technology, Women in IT and diversity initiatives. She is originally from Morristown, New Jersey and attended the University of Pittsburgh where she received both her Bachelor’s in Economics and Master of Business Administration in Marketing. After a successful career in corporate America working for IT and consulting companies, Tracey started her own IT Services Firm with just one hospital system account. In less than 8 years Tracey and Team IBEX has been nominated for and received numerous awards ranging from “Small Business Person of Excellence” from the Greater North Fulton (GA) Chamber of Commerce and the “On the Rise Contractor of the Year” National Award from American Express. In 2017, Tracey won the GMSDC “Eagle Award” for her commitment to Supplier Diversity, and an award in the Capital One Catapult Competition for the development of a Supplier Diversity Vendor Management System called “Certifiably Diverse” currently being utilized at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Forbes Magazine took notice and published an article in August of 2019; Tracey Grace: The Tech Sector needs more Women and Minorities. In 2019, Owens & Minor, a Fortune 500 Company awarded Team IBEX the Earl G. Reubel Award for Diverse Enterprise of the Year and the Greater Women’s Business Council (GWBC) awarded Team IBEX with the LACE (Ladies Achieving Continuous Excellence) Trailblazer Award in Category III.

Tracey has been nominated to participate in leadership and diversity mentoring programs including the 2018 Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses program, and the Georgia Mentor Protégé Connection. Under her leadership in 2019, IBEX was named the 806th fastest growing privately-owned companies in America by Inc. 5000 and #50 in Georgia, after having placed #1897 in 2018. She regularly speaks to corporations large and small about utilizing minority suppliers and vendors in the procurement and purchasing process.

Today, IBEX has grown to 100 employees and is a Multi-Million Dollar IT Service & Support, Management Consulting, and Training Firm executing contracts for Healthcare, Military and Federal Government Agencies, Fortune 500 Companies and Educational Institutions. The company is a proud Woman and Minority-owned firm, certified by the Small Business Administration, the National Minority Supplier Development Council, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, and the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program.

IBEX works with healthcare and government agencies including the US Army, US Air Force, Defense Health Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), General Services Administration (GSA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). Corporate clients include: The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Tenet Healthcare, Cox Communications and Fulton County Schools.

Tracey and her husband Gary reside in Johns Creek, GA where they raised their family of 5 with only 1 left in college. They spend their free time playing golf and tennis and serving on various boards focused on Adult Literacy and Advanced Degrees and Scholarship opportunities for Minority Students.

For more information on IBEX IT Business Experts, and in particular on their ITIL certification training, go to their website or call 678-752-7542.

“Alpharetta Tech Talk” is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®, located inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with approximately $12.9 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you.

Special Edition: Health IT

November 11, 2014 by angishields

Let's Talk Small Business

Special Edition: Health IT

00:00 /

Health IT is the subject of mass attention, particularly as Georgia continues to grow and make national headlines for its work in the field. Recently, thought leaders Christopher Kunney of InfiniteOptions Technology Consulting Group, and MBEs Tracey Grace of IBEX IT Business Experts, and Dr. Cassandra Tancil of PharmaCare Solutions, came together to discuss major trends in this cutting edge industry. Topics included the Affordable Healthcare Act, electronic health records, telemedicine, and recommendations to small business owners on how to both stay in tune to the industry’s accelerated growth and make it work for you. Listen in!

Tracey Grace / IBEX IT Business Experts

Tracey Grace is President and CEO of IBEX IT Business Experts in Alpharetta, Georgia. Tracey founded IBEX after seizing the opportunity to staff Electronic Healthcare Record projects. IBEX today is a National Staffing and Training Firm.

Tracey earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics & Spanish at the University of Pittsburgh, and was awarded a Graduate Fellowship to attend the Katz Graduate School of Business where she earned her MBA in less than a year. Tracey has held various sales management positions at companies such as the FedEx Corporation, Learning Tree International and was as Vice President at Quint Wellington Redwood, a Dutch Consulting firm where she received numerous awards.

Tracey is on the MBEIC Leadership Council – Chair of the Healthcare Consortium, currently serves as a Board Member at the Katz Graduate School Alumni Association advising on Minority recruitment and has served as a board member of AFCEA – Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association. She actively speaks about Gender and Minority diversification, using IBEX as a platform. IBEX is a certified Woman Owned and Minority Owned Enterprise.

Christopher Kunney / InfiniteOptions Technology Consulting Group, LLC

Christopher is a senior level healthcare information technology executive and strategist. He is called upon by his clients to provide guidance and thought leadership specific to emerging healthcare technology offerings, compliance related issues and technology adoption. His recent roles include serving as Director of Emerging Healthcare Technology for AT&T, Vice President & COO for HealthInovation and Vice President and CIO for Piedmont Healthcare. Christopher currently serves as managing partner of Infinite Options, LLC. and also maintains strategic alliances with various HIT consulting firms such as Smartecute, The BAE Company and The Desir Group.

He has a track record of successfully implementing and providing strategic enterprise-wide solutions that address the current issues faced by health systems including; meaningful use, PPACA, HITECH Act, HIPAA, EMR Adoption, CMS quality measures, and HIEs. In addition, Christopher is an experienced IT leader with demonstrated ability to build peak-performing teams and achieve cross-functional business objectives that effectively integrate within the clinical setting. As a valued member of senior management teams, he’s contributed a seasoned, broad-based perspective with the maturity to lead IT transformation efforts in all areas of the healthcare business. His business philosophy is to create pragmatic IT strategies and implementation plans designed for maximum return.

Christopher serves as instructor-at-large for Southern Polytechnic University Professional Education – HIT Certification Program and is industry advisor to Georgia Institute Of Technologies – HIT Cluster Program, ITT Technical Institute and DeVry University – Atlanta. He also serves on the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce HIT Public Policy Taskforce and Bioscience – Health IT Leadership Council and active member of the Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF)

Some of his current leadership roles include, board member and FY14 President of the Healthcare Information Systems Society (HIMSS) – Georgia Chapter and Board Chairman of Ivy Preparatory Academy of Schools. He’s previously served as past chair of Dr. Ben Carson Foundation Atlanta Chapter and board emeritus for the Men’s Health and Wellness Center. Other previous professional organizational memberships include: Georgia Association of Healthcare Executives (GAHE), Georgia Chapter of the National Association of Healthcare Service Executives (NASHE). Christopher has also served as an adjunct professor in the School of Arts and Sciences at DeVry University.

Christopher is a graduate of Fort Valley State University, earning a Bachelor Of Science in Computer Science/Mathematics and Executive Master of Science in management of Technology from the Georgia Institute of Technology. In addition to his formal education, he’s received various certifications in the areas of healthcare information technology (CPHIT), customer relationship management (CRM), technical management, total quality control, project management, and other various I.T. related fields of study.

Christopher is a recipient of the Seaborn Lee Middle School Trailblazer Award; 2006 Minority Scholarship Award from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME). Along with this award he also was selected to participate in the CHIME’s CIO Boot Camp for high achieving business leaders. Christopher was also selected to deliver the commencement address for a recent graduating class at ITT Institute in Atlanta, GA and has appear as a subject matter expert at various healthcare IT industry conferences and events. Christopher has appeared in various publications including The Atlanta Business Chronicle, Modern Healthcare, 2006 thru 2012 editions of Who’s Who in Business and Industry, Who’s Who in Black Atlanta and was featured in a spring 2006 article on “Minorities in Healthcare” published by the Atlanta Hospital News. He’s also been featured in Black Enterprise Magazine’s executives “On The Move” section. He’s co-author various articles, whitepapers and presented nationally on topics surrounding the impact of health information technology on the clinical ecosystem. Christopher is an avid blogger and shares his perspective through various social media outlets including, Twitter, Linkedin and Google Plus.

Cassandra Tancil / PharmaCare Solutions, Inc.

Dr. Cassandra G. Tancil, co-founder and President/CEO of PharmaCare Solutions, Inc., has practiced as a clinical pharmacist for more than 25 years. Dr. Tancil began her career in a progressive community hospital in Baltimore, MD where she was responsible for overseeing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure the appropriate use of medications throughout the institution. After spending eleven years as the Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator in Baltimore, she moved back home to Georgia and decided to explore other facets of pharmacy. Her journey led her to diverse experiences within the pharmaceutical industry for a Fortune 500 global R&D company, an ambulatory care clinic for a leading HMO, and the nation’s leading provider of government pharmacy benefits management services.

The skills that Dr. Tancil has acquired during her career led to the founding of PharmaCare Solutions, a healthcare consulting company, whose primary focus is to manage your healthcare cost through clinical, analytical, and marketing services to ensure patients are utilizing medications to achieve positive health outcomes. Her willingness to work closely with other healthcare professionals and patients often leads to mutual accountability and a win-win for all.

Dr. Tancil received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry and Music from Emory University, a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy, and completed a residency at Howard University Hospital. She is also a board certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS).