Matt Hoffman/Frontline Technology
Frontline Technology provides full-service IT solutions for nonprofits. As one of the only ministry-focused IT companies founded by pastors and ministry leaders, we truly understand the challenges nonprofits face, and have a passion to see their visions succeed.
John Peak is a die-hard technologist, who at 26 decided to start his own company – so he learned how to raise capital, manage people, and many more things that the software developer in him never thought he would have to deal with. Come hear about his journey and the work that goes on at Candid Partners – a company that has a 4.7 (out of 5) rating on Glassdoor.
John is the co-founder and a Managing Partner of Candid Partners, Atlanta’s premier cloud consulting firm and AWS Partner. A self-proclaimed “cloud geek” he brings more than 25 years of expertise in application architecture plus 6 years in cloud architecture to lead and advise the transformation of Fortune 500 companies.
Prior to Candid Partners, John founded three other start-ups beginning at age 26. John started the Atlanta Java Users Group (AJUG), attained AWS certifications for both Solutions Architect and DevOps Engineer, and has a Bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University in Computer Science and Mathematics.
Follow Candid Partners on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
Aleksander Cardwell is the Product Marketing Manager at Smarp, an employee communication platform that services major enterprise organizations across the world. At Smarp, Aleks is responsible for everything from strategic narrative and content creation all the way to sales enablement, demo strategy and storytelling.
After spending time living, studying and working in 3 continents, Aleks eventually made the jump from Finland to Atlanta when Smarp chose the city as the location for their North American headquarters. The city has welcomed Smarp and Aleks with open arms and served as the perfect springboard into the US market.
Aleks is a graduate from Aalto University in Helsinki, Finland. If he’s not in the office working on how to tell the next great story, he’s probably out in the park showing the locals how they play basketball back home.
Follow Smarp on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Marshall Mosher, from Atlanta, Georgia, is a 2015 graduate of the University of Georgia where he completed a triple major in Biology, Psychology, and Economics along with a Masters in Public Health Administration.
After graduation, Marshall participated in a summer at NASA and Google at the Silicon Valley technology incubator Singularity University’s annual Global Startup Program (GSP) where he was dedicated to positively impacting America’s obesity problem in encouraging a more active and healthy lifestyle through the power of exponential technology.
In an effort to encourage physical activity as a tool for both physical and mental enhancement, Marshall combined his passions for Public Health and action/adventure sports with the founding of Vestigo. With clients like CNN, Home Depot, and Chick-fil-A, Vestigo utilizes the mental performance enhancing power of adventure sports, both real and virtual, to create experiences that train teams to embrace innovation, tap into the Flow State, and successfully navigate change, using adventure as a catalyst for both positive health impact and fostering a mindset of limitless possibilities.
To live by this mindset in his personal life, Marshall is a semi-pro multisport adventure athlete constantly seeking to challenge his own limits as a Class V Whitewater paddler, paraglider pilot, Jet Suit pilot, Ultralight pilot, mountain biker, snowboarder, kite boarder, scuba diver, caver, and climber. Currently, Marshall is training to set a world record with the tallest Summit to Sea expedition ever completed, a completely human-powered journey from the top of Mt Everest to the Indian Ocean via mountaineering, paragliding, whitewater kayaking, and mountain biking.
Follow Vestigo on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
Joey Kline is a Vice President at JLL, specializing in office brokerage and tenant representation. As an Atlanta native, he has a deep passion for promoting the economic growth and continued competitiveness of communities in and around Atlanta, as well as the Southeast as a whole. He has completed transactions in every major submarket of metro Atlanta, and works primarily with start-ups, advertising/marketing agencies, and publicly-traded companies. With a healthy mix of tenacious drive and analytical insights, Joey is a skilled negotiator who advises clients on a myriad of complex real estate matters.
With a strategy and business development background, Joey is first and foremost a pragmatic advisor to his clients. Most recently, he was the Director of Business Development for American Fueling Systems, an Atlanta-based alternative energy company. While at JLL, he has become a member of the Million Dollar Club, and has built a reputation as an expert on the intersection of transit-accessibility and urban real estate. With intimate involvement in site selection and planning/zoning concerns, Joey approaches real estate from the perspective of the end user, and thus possesses a unique lens through which to serve his clients.
Joey holds a Master of Business Administration from Emory University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Washington University in St. Louis. He is a founder, board member, and the treasurer of Advance Atlanta, and also sits on the Selection Committee for the Association for Corporate Growth’s Fast 40 event. In addition, he is a member of CoreNet and the Urban Land Institute. Finally, he is part of LEAD Atlanta’s Class of 2019.
Connect with Joey on LinkedIn.
Designed to be reflective of Gwinnett and metro Atlanta area, the Gwinnett Chamber IMPACT Regional Business Awards recognize leading organizations in top industries that are driving economic development and job creation, while enhancing our quality of life. This event is truly one of a kind as it brings together leaders from the AEC, higher education, healthcare, hospitality, information technology, international business, nonprofit, service, and small business industries.
This is the second of 3 special episodes featuring the 2019 IMPACT Regional Business Award winners and sponsors.
Allen Read/M3 – IT winner
Built by hoteliers, exclusively for hoteliers, M3 is a powerful cloud-based accounting software solution for the hospitality industry that drives cost savings, revenue enhancement and business insight. Celebrating 20 years in business without increasing prices, M3 touts a 98% customer retention rate without contracts. Used by management groups and hotels of all sizes, the platform works seamlessly with other key systems and tools in the hospitality industry and offers robust accounting and financial analysis across entire portfolios with optional operations and time management features. Privately-held and employee-owned, M3 also includes a proprietary hotel benchmarking index that combines data from a multitude of properties into a single accessible data set to compare hotels.
Frank Oorreel/BOPLAN – International winner
BOPLAN‘s flexible guardrails have been re-shaping industrial safety in the United States for the past 6 years. They provide innovative safety products that protect against the accidental impacts of forklift trucks. Thanks to innovative products and know-how, BOPLAN solves problems that others haven’t been able to solve so far.
Thanks to their flexibility, BOPLAN’S guardrails return to their original shape immediately after impact, alleviating damage to themselves, the forklift, or the concrete they are bolted onto, and there’s no more need to re-paint them as they are colored to the core.
Under the name Flex Impact, the original polymer barrier, BOPLAN manufactures a range of polymer handrails, guardrails, bollards, rack protectors, column protectors and safety gates.
Lisa Sherman/City of Lawrenceville – Hospitality winner
Lawrenceville is the county seat of Gwinnett and home to Gwinnett’s major assets in education, healthcare, government and the arts. With a bustling downtown square complete with dining, entertainment, shopping and residential opportunities, Lawrenceville serves as the heart of the county where the arts can flourish and a smart, talent-rich citizenry can enjoy a walkable urban environment in a suburban location.
Chris Braun/Renasant Bank – Presenting sponsor
Headquartered in Tupelo, MS, Renasant Bank is a 115-year-old $13 billion regional bank with a presence in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Renasant was named Time/Money Magazine “Best Bank in the South” for 2018-2019. Renasant Bank has 190 offices in their footprint and 30 branches in North Georgia to service your personal and business banking needs.
Frank O’Brien/IberiaBank
Frank O’Brien is the Client Advocate Officer for IberiaBank serving the North Fulton communities. Frank has lived in Alpharetta for the past 15 years, and loves living and working in his community. He enjoys outdoor activities including running, biking, hiking, and generally any outdoor activities. A little secret about Frank is that he’s a regular vendor at the ABA Alpharetta Farmers Market where he shares his passion for Kombucha and his love for animals by donating the proceeds to the Atlanta Humane Society.
Frank can be found at Iberiabank’s newly opened Mansell Branch in Roswell. he leads a team of retail, business, and private bankers as IberiaBank expands its coverage to its partners in the North Fulton communities. He offers his partners the resources of a regional bank with the agility and personalized customer service of a smaller organization. Frank’s business plans and decisions are made locally by his market leadership who have deep roots in Atlanta and know the industries and communities.
Ron Freeman/ITsimple
ITsimple is an Alpharetta-based software startup and the creator of ITsMyTown City App. ITsimple was founded based on a vision of “Simplifying People’s Everyday Life” and practicing a mission of “Connecting City and Community”. ITsimple’s solution is an SaaS-based content platform for cities and counties built with the latest cutting-edge technologies.
IT Marketing Today with host – Mark Bishop
Jeff Auerbach520-301-0750
Jeff Auerbach has been in the IT industry for the last 22 years being fortunate enough to travel throughout the world while working for cutting-edge companies. Jeff founded EMR Group in 2005 with the goal of helping small business owners better protect and market their company’s assets by providing IT Services, Cyber Security and Digital Marketing Solutions that are cost-effective, aligned with the business goals of its customers. All while measuring and delivering a high ROI”.
In 2017 Jeff founded Emphasis Digital Marketing Agency with the goal of helping businesses get more sales by using online advertising. Emphasis has helped companies throughout the United States grow using platforms like Facebook, Google, Youtube, and Instagram.
Jeffrey Landers(520) 407-6330
Jeff Landers has over 25 years of comprehensive creative development and execution.
While on his way to law school, he thought, an internship at a local NBC television station would create a desire to work in television and the learning has never ended.
From a multidisciplined diverse corporate and broadcast background, he founded JL Images in 1993. From there Jeff co-founded an advertising agency, which he later sold, that gave him the diversity as the agencies creative director. While there Jeff worked with a diverse client base managing advertising efforts for companies like Columbia/HCA, Big-O Tires and many other companies and non-profits.
As the title, Chief Everything Officer suggests, Jeff is multi-talented and multi-disciplined. From Creative Development, Strategy, Producing, Directing, Cinematography, Editing, Still Photography, Website Development, he’s done it all.
https://www.abbottanimation.com/index.php
(520) 327-1993
After graduating the U of A with a degree in Media Arts, Don quickly found his way into the world of production. As a producer and creative director at Fox for 10 years, Don makes sure all of his clients receive great customer service and high production value. Don is always raising the bar and encourages the team to think outside the box and produce bigger, better, and more exciting projects for our clients. Don has always had a unique perspective on things and brings that creativity to Abbott Animation.
On this CEO Exclusive we welcome guests Joan Guillory and Jennifer Mitchell with GSquared Group about what’s happening in the IT industry and what mid-market CEOs need to be watching out for.
GSquared Group is a woman-owned boutique technology services company in the Atlanta area. Founded in 2010, they are a premier provider of IT talent search, management consulting, and software development services.
Beginning her 25 years in the technology consulting services field in 1993 – Joan Guillory decided to go out on her own, launching GSquared Group as a boutique IT Staffing, Recruiting and Management Consulting company in July 2010.
Joan’s primary expertise and talent has been around growing and managing client relationships at all levels. She considers herself a “connector” and has been creating connections in the Atlanta area since her arrival. Those connections, combined with her intense sense of loyalty and integrity, created the foundation for GSquared Group as the local Technical Recruiting and Staffing firm it is today.
GSquared Group is now a thriving business in the Technology Services industry and Joan considers her entire team as her family; but it is truly a family business as both of her daughters chose to work for GSquared Group.
GSquared Group is a certified Woman Owned Entity and has been the recipient of the INC 5000 Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies award and was also recognized as a 2016 Business of Excellence by the City of Alpharetta.
Connect with Joan on LinkedIn.
Jennifer Mitchell is the Managing Partner for GSquared Group. She holds a Business Administration degree from the University of Georgia and has an extensive background in sales, marketing, recruiting and business development.
She has a passion for nurturing IT talent and when she’s not in the office enjoys entertaining friends and family and spending time with her two young boys.
Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn.
Follow GSquared Group on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
John Mamon/mPoweredIT
mPowered IT provides brings a full suite of IT services to the small and medium business segment. As a managed and cloud services provider, mPowered IT delivers everything from unlimited IT support, to full hosting and HIPAA compliance services. Security, voice-over-IP, and application services are additional areas of focus.
Reginald Turk/Forensic Home Inspections
Forensic Home Inspections uncovers the facts. When it comes to homes, what you see is not necessarily what you get. And what you don’t see can definitely hurt you.
Any home may have hidden issues that if not uncovered in time can cost you a lot in the long run. Older homes may have suffered from excessive wear and tear or neglect. Newer homes may have quality issues that should be corrected by the builder before you take possession.
If you’re buying, eliminate any unpleasant surprises before you close. If you’re selling, sell faster and get your asking price by assuring potential buyers of the health of your home. Whatever the case, be sure you’re making the right decision by having your home inspected by Forensic Home Inspections.
Rick Strawn/Paradigm Security Services
Over 150 years in law enforcement, private security and administrative services have created a company that is experienced in the field of security. Paradigm Security Services provide their employees with the best equipment, a supportive work place, and current industry knowledge, while providing clients with a safe and secure environment. Paradigm’s goal is to provide clients with trained professionals that will provide not only a safe and secure environment, but enhance the image that the client company wishes to present to its customer and to the public.
Rick Strawn is a veteran of 25 years in law enforcement and the owner of Paradigm Security Services. Paradigm is a “boots-on-the-ground” security solutions provider in all venues requiring physical protection personnel. Paradigm also provides consulting on security options and needs, marked patrol services, and training in both personal security and commercial employee training. The company’s Mission is “Superior Security through Superior Training”. Having their own onsite training academy and employing their own state certified trainer, Paradigm provides security officer training, firearms training, and outside training in security related matters.
Laura Faught/ACG Solutions
ACG Solutions serves all industries with a complete portfolio of information technology, security and telecommunications solutions for powering the intelligent building.
As a single-source supplier of solutions that protect, connect and manage business infrastructures and operations, ACG Solutions offers a wide range of products and consulting services, including a turnkey architectural blueprint for the Intelligent Building that incorporates the very latest technology to meet each client’s desired function and vision.
The company also recently introduced Synchronized Orchestrated Response (SOR), a combination of networked, integrated technologies designed to save lives, protect property damage and reduce liability exposure. Created for businesses and campus administrators alike, SOR features surveillance, lockdown and alert notification solutions that provide law enforcement and other first responders with real-time situational awareness intelligence and other critical location and visual information to coordinate a fast, informed and effective response.
Tino Mantella/Tier4 Advisors
Tier4 is one of the fastest-growing private companies in Atlanta and 2-years running PaceSetter award winner. The company is five years old and was founded by Jake Sherrill. Jake started the company on the premise that there had to be a better way to help companies procure their IT services. Tier4 was created to save companies time and money through their trusted advisory services. The company has developed a unique model of matching clients to optimum IT solutions. Their clients have recognized their extraordinary work by giving them a cumulative NPS score of 97 (in comparison, Disney is 83 and considered one of the best). Tino Mantella wanted a new challenge so he left TAG for Tier4 in January 2017.
