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Franchise Industry Update with Marisa Felker of Washington Federal and Jeff Wolf of Quarles and Brady

June 28, 2018 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Franchise Industry Update with Marisa Felker of Washington Federal and Jeff Wolf of Quarles and Brady

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Franchise Industry Update with Marisa Felker of Washington Federal and Jeff Wolf of Quarles and Brady

In recent years the restaurant franchise industry has been growing approximately 6% per year, and it is currently a $256 billion industry with no signs of slowing. Arizona is among the hottest states for both new franchisees to get their starts and established franchisees to grow their businesses.

Washington Federal Bank’s Franchise Finance Division Team Leader, Marisa Felker and Quarles & Brady Franchise Law Partner, Jeff Wolf, get us caught up on what’s happening in the world of franchise, offering helpful tips for those looking to get into the industry – and those seeking to grow their current franchise businesses as well. Listen in and let us know what you think.

Washington Federal is a full-service national banking institution that focuses on business-to-business banking, commercial and equipment lending, as well as home loan and corporate real estate financing. It has 31 offices in Arizona including locations in Chandler, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Green Valley, Mesa, Yuma, Phoenix, Prescott Valley, Scottsdale, Sun City, Sun City West and Tucson. Washington Federal is committed to developing a strong and loyal relationship with clients, shareholders and the community at large.

Marisa Felker is the Franchise Finance Manager at Washington Federal. In mid-2028, Washington Federal launched a formal Franchise Finance Division focused on helping established restaurant franchisees secure funding for their businesses. The division is being led by industry veteran Felker, who will work from the Arizona Regional Headquarters office in Scottsdale and oversee the program across Washington Federal’s eight-state footprint.

Over her 25-year career, Felker has served as a leader in franchise funding and also brings expertise in the areas of private banking and portfolio management. She has worked in leadership roles with both CitiCapital and GE Capital in franchise finance. Felker holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Southern Illinois University. She earned her Master’s degree in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Connect with Marisa on LinkedIn and follow Washington Federal on Facebook and Twitter.

Quarles & Brady is a full-service AmLaw 200 firm with more than 500 attorneys offering an array of legal services to corporate and individual clients that range from small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies, with practice focuses in health care and life sciences, business law, labor and employment, real estate, data privacy and security, and complex litigation. The firm has offices in Chicago; Indianapolis; Madison; Milwaukee; Naples, Florida; Phoenix; Scottsdale; Tampa; Tucson; and Washington, D.C.

Jeff Wolf, a partner at Quarles & Brady in Phoenix, is a commercial litigator with nearly 30 years of experience representing clients in a variety of business sectors. His practice focuses on franchise, employment, health care, contract, partnership, real estate, and intellectual property matters. He also serves as outside general counsel to several Phoenix-based behavioral health care companies.

As a member of the firm’s national Franchise & Distribution team, Wolf devotes a significant part of his practice to representing franchisors in litigation involving issues of unpaid or under reported royalties, fraud, liquidated damages, system standards, earnings claims, encroachment, advertising funds, trademark and trade dress infringement, and vicarious liability. He also has extensive experience handling cases requiring the enforcement of restrictive covenants and other post-termination rights and the defense of franchise and consumer class actions and other system-threatening cases.

Wolf has handled numerous arbitrations, bench trials and jury trials in state and federal courts throughout the United States. He is a highly effective, detail- oriented and responsive attorney committed to helping clients resolve their disputes as cost efficiently as possible, whether through early settlement, mediation or, if necessary, trial.

Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn and follow Quarles & Brady on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Identifying Investment Fraud and Misconduct

April 27, 2018 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Identifying Investment Fraud and Misconduct

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Robert Port, Jason Doss, David Bain, Millie Baumbusch

Jason Doss/The Doss Firm

Jason Doss is the owner of The Doss Firm, LLC, an Atlanta-based law firm devoted to representing consumers across the country in a variety of areas including investment disputes and consumer class action litigation. He has helped recover millions in damages from well-known financial services companies on behalf of individual investors who lost their life savings due to bad investment advice and in some cases, financial fraud.

Notably, Mr. Doss successfully represented a large of group of investors who were defrauded in a Ponzi scheme at the Atlanta-based mega-church New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. The case was deemed as one of the largest church-based affinity fraud schemes in American history, received national media attention, and was featured on the popular ABC show Nightline. In addition, Jason Doss was co-lead counsel on two separate consumer class action cases against two of Georgia’s largest natural gas providers, obtaining class settlements totaling $18.5 million on behalf of over 750,000 Georgia residents for alleged overcharges.

Jason Doss is past-President and a current Board of Directors member of Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association (PIABA). PIABA is an international bar association devoted to protecting the rights of the investing public. Mr. Doss is also a founding board member and current President and CEO of The PIABA Foundation, a charitable organization devoted to promoting investor education.

Jason Doss believes that the best way to avoid becoming a victim of consumer fraud and/or investment abuse is through education. To help prevent investment and consumer abuse, Mr. Doss co-authored a book with best-selling author and investment adviser Frank Armstrong III, entitled “The Retirement Challenge: Will You Sink or Swim?” It was released in January 2009 and is currently sold at book stores across the country.

David Bain/Law Offices of David A. Bain

David Bain represents angry investors. He began his practice with a class action firm, litigating securities class actions in the age of Enron. For the last 11 years he’s had his own practice The Law Offices of David A. Bain, representing investors in cases against directors, officers, auditors, investment bankers, venture capital firms, broker-dealers, and investment advisers. He often provides the plaintiff’s perspective at securities seminars and has assisted state officials in preparing to testify before Congress concerning securities legislation.

David received his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Georgia, where he was a Woodruff Scholar and was named to Phi Beta Kappa. He was awarded a Chancellors Scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, where he received his J.D. with honors.

David is active in the leadership of several community organizations, including having served as President of the Board of Directors for the Federal Defender Program, Inc. and President of the Board of Directors of GreenLaw (an environmental non-profit organization). He recently concluded his term as Co-Chair of the Atlanta Bar’s Securities Subsection, and he is currently the President of the Federal Bar Association’s Atlanta Chapter.

CLICK HERE to watch the video of this show.

About Gaslowitz Frankel:

Gaslowitz Frankel is an experienced trial practice firm specializing in all aspects of complex fiduciary litigation throughout Georgia and the Southeast. With a focus on representing individuals, companies, banks, and fiduciaries in dispute involving wills, estates, trusts, guardianships, businesses, and securities law, their experienced and highly qualified litigation attorneys have tremendous credentials and a proven history of success.

If you would like to watch past episodes of “Wealth Matters”, please visit their You Tube Channel.

Remember to tune in on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 8:30 AM to listen live to their show!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstateDispute

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstateDispute

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/estatedispute

Legacy Gifts: Should You Include Your Charities In Your Estate Plan?

September 27, 2017 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Legacy Gifts: Should You Include Your Charities In Your Estate Plan?

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Millie Baumbusch, Shari Martin, Dale Hughes, Lula Dawit, Craig Frankel

Dale Hughes/Jeremiah

Originally from Albany, Georgia, Dale grew up “all over” as his father was a career military man, so he thrives in new situations, embraces diversity and ideas, and loves taking on a challenge.

A graduate of Emory University (B.B.A., Accounting) and The University of Georgia School of Law, Dale has been working with businesses of all sizes—including some of Georgia’s most respected companies—for 30 years in the roles of providing legal counsel, advising private shareholders, managing real estate initiatives, and serving in various corporate capacities. He was managing partner for the Atlanta office of the national law firm, Dow Lohnes. He was a Senior Vice President at Cox Enterprises where he worked with the legal department, the real estate department, the family office/foundation and the energy department during his time at Cox.

Now, he and his wife, Cindy run a family business named Jeremiah that focuses on historic buildings, community projects including new business incubation and mentoring. Among their incubation investments are community restaurants, a soccer company and a learning and work performance software company named one of the “Coolest New Businesses in America” by Business Insider. In their real estate and consulting efforts, they focus on renovation and revitalization in historic downtown areas. He also has taught Business Law and Business Ethics as an Adjunct Professor. His priority, however, is family and he is very proud of his three children: Lauren, Lindsey and Luke. Dale is also a mentor to individuals and businesses and has a love for investing in others through volunteering in programs with focuses on the needs of our local communities and individuals. His favorite pastime is driving around in his truck with his daughters’ dogs, Scout and Lucy, thinking about ways to grow and build community.

Lula Dawit/Woodruff Arts Center

Lula S. Dawit was born and raised in Gainesville, Florida and moved to Atlanta in 2010 after completing her JD and Masters in Taxation from the University of Florida. Lula is the Director of Planned Giving for the Woodruff Arts Center. Prior to joining the Woodruff Arts Center, Lula managed Spelman College’s planned giving program. Prior to Spelman, Lula worked as a wills, trusts, and probate attorney in Atlanta.

Lula is an active member of the Fiduciary Planning and Taxation sections of the Georgia Bar. She was a member of the 2014 LEAD Atlanta and is president of the Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art’s advisory board at Kennesaw State University. On her spare time, Lula enjoys reading, camping and visiting national parks

Shari Martin/Cobb Community Foundation

After five years on its Board of Directors including one as Board Chair, Shari B. Martin stepped into the role of Executive Director of the Cobb Community Foundation (CCF) in 2017. Shari’s personal passion is to help others to help others, a phrase which has also become the mantra for CCF.

Shari’s background of 30 years in the wealth management industry provided a firm foundation for her to lead this growing community foundation. She began her career at SunTrust when it was still known as Trust Company Bank in 1986, served as Regional Manager for Synovus Trust Company, then ended her wealth management career as a Principal with Diversified Trust Company. It was there that she learned about the Cobb Community Foundation and the impact it is having in the region. Shari remains a member of the Atlanta Estate Planning Council and is also now a member of Marietta Kiwanis.

Shari was raised in Atlanta and obtained her B.A. from Furman University in Greenville, SC. She has resided in Atlanta since college. She has two grown sons, Michael and Matthew Harvey, of whom she is immensely proud, and is married to the love of her life, Tom Martin. Shari and Tom are active members of North Point Community Church.

ABOUT GASLOWITZ FRANKEL, LLC:

To watch the video of this show, CLICK HERE.

If you would like to watch past episodes of “Wealth Matters”, please visit their You Tube Channel.

Remember to tune in on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 8:30 AM to listen live to their show!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstateDispute

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstateDispute

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/estatedispute

SIMON SAYS, LET’S TALK BUSINESS: Scott Deaton with Dataforensics, Nancy McGill with Cartridge World Lawrenceville, and Andy Morgan with the Morgan Law Group

September 22, 2017 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

SIMON SAYS, LET’S TALK BUSINESS: Scott Deaton with Dataforensics, Nancy McGill with Cartridge World Lawrenceville, and Andy Morgan with the Morgan Law Group

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Scott Deaton, Nancy McGill, Al Simon, Andy Morgan

Scott Deaton/Dataforensics

Dataforensics is a software company focused on streamlining and improving the data collection and data management process for geo-technical and geo-environmental engineers, geologists and hydrogeologists. Technological advances over the past decade have created the opportunity for a transformational shift in how organizations gather and manage their data and how they serve and interact with their contractors and clients. At the heart of Dataforensics software is a substantially less human dependent data collection model, founded on the precept that data should only be input once and that integrated systems can subsequently enhance usability and reliability of data while improving the data management process. Clients routinely tell Dataforensics that their software results in a positive return on investment within a few months of deployment.

Nancy McGill/Cartridge World Lawrenceville

The 2016 Pinnacle Award winner for small business (6-24 employees), Cartridge World of Lawrenceville will celebrate 13 years in business in December 2017. They save their customers on high quality ink, toner and printers, and provide service that no one else does.

Andy Morgan/Morgan Law Group

The Morgan Law Group is a law firm that provides legal representation to clients on general corporate matters and business transactions such as purchases, sales, financing and deal structuring. They assist with contract drafting and negotiations and help their clients assess and address potential legal risks.

Tracy Stowell with The Rhoads Group and Grant Brim with Brim Law

September 5, 2017 by Mike

North Fulton Business Radio

Tracy Stowell with The Rhoads Group and Grant Brim with Brim Law

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Tracy Stowell/The Rhoads Group

The Rhoads Group is an independent insurance agency in Cumming, GA. They are able to find the best rates on the market for your home/auto/life and business insurance needs. Their mission is to help busy people reduce cost, increase coverage, and ultimately achieve peace of mind. Since they are independent, The Rhoads Group is free to match your needs with the insurance company that best fits them. This means receiving excellent coverage, at the most competitive price.

Grant Brim/Brim Law

Grant Brim is an attorney and the owner of Brim Law Firm. Grant specializes in business law. From business formation and the preparation of organization documents to employment manuals, employment agreements, expansion (mergers or acquisitions), and general counsel, Grant has the knowledge and experience needed to serve small and medium sized business as a trusted advisor. Grant has been named a rising start in the legal community by Super Lawyers Magazine for three consecutive years.

State Income Tax Issues For Residents Relocating To States Without Income Tax

July 27, 2017 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

State Income Tax Issues For Residents Relocating To States Without Income Tax

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Robert Port, Brian Enlow, Richard Litwin, Millie Baumbusch

This episode of “Wealth Matters” includes a roundtable discussion about how Georgia residents can address income tax issues when relocating to states that don’t have income tax. Special guests include attorney Richard Litwin and CPA Brian Enlow. Hosted by Robert Port and Millie Baumbusch of Gaslowitz Frankel LLC.

Richard Litwin/The Litwin Law Firm

Richard C. Litwin is an Atlanta attorney, who specializes in state and local taxation and tax disputes, including sales and use tax, multistate corporate income tax, personal income tax, state residency, employment tax and property tax matters. Mr. Litwin is a Georgia Super Lawyer and has been listed in The Top 100 (lawyers in Georgia). He is also listed in U.S. News and World Report’s The Best Lawyers in America, for (1) Litigation and Controversy – Tax and (2) Tax Law; Georgia’s Top-Rated Lawyers (publication of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Wall Street Journal and The Daily Report) and Mr. Litwin has also been voted as one of the state’s top attorneys in Georgia Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite, in Taxes/Estates/Trusts. Mr. Litwin is Co-Moderator of the Georgia Department of Revenue Attorney Liaison Committee, which meets twice each year.

Mr. Litwin served as Chairperson of the State Bar of Georgia Section of Taxation (2001-2002) and served as a member of the State Bar of Georgia Tax Section Georgia Tax Court Task Force. Mr. Litwin was Chairperson of the Atlanta Bar Association Taxation Section (2004-2005) and currently serves as a board member. Mr. Litwin has also served as a member-at-large of the Atlanta Bar Association CLE Board of Trustees. Mr. Litwin has worked on projects with the Department of Revenue, in his role as a member of the Georgia Department of Revenue Liaison Committee and as a member of a special task force formed to address State consolidated return filing regulations. He also served as a member of the Georgia Department of Revenue Business Advisory Committee from 2007-2008.

Prior to forming his current firm, Mr. Litwin was a partner at an Atlanta law firm. Mr. Litwin was also an Assistant Attorney General in the Tax Section of the Georgia Attorney General’s Office and worked in the Tax Department at the Atlanta office of an international accounting firm. Mr. Litwin speaks frequently on various tax topics, at national and state bar seminars and at seminars sponsored by the Georgia Society of CPAs. Mr. Litwin has also published articles on various aspects of taxation, including “The Georgia Tax Tribunal Act of 2012,” an article that he co-authored and that was published in the December 2012 edition of The Georgia Bar Journal. Mr. Litwin serves as a volunteer tax lawyer with Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta. He also serves, by appointment by the Georgia Supreme Court, as on the State Bar of Georgia’s Standing Committee on the Unlicensed Practice of Law.

Mr. Litwin graduated from the University of South Carolina, with a B.S. degree, cum laude, in Economics, and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated from Emory Law School, where he was a member of the Moot Court Society. In September 2016, Mr. Litwin was appointed by the Univ. of South Carolina Board of Trustees to serve a three-year term as an at-large member of the USC Board of Visitors.

Brian Enlow/Warren Averett

Brian Enlow is a CPA in Warren Averett’s tax division and is a member of the firm’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Roundtable. For over 15 years, Brian has served as a trusted advisor to multi-state businesses and their owners, focusing on the manufacturing and distribution, real estate, and service industries. He has helped these clients in all stages, from business formation to successful exits, including sales to private equity funds and ESOPs. Brian resides in Atlanta with his wife and twin 3 year old sons.

About Gaslowitz Frankel:

To watch the video of this show, CLICK HERE.

If you would like to watch past episodes of “Wealth Matters”, please visit their You Tube Channel.

Remember to tune in on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 8:30 AM to listen live to their show!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstateDispute

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstateDispute

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/estatedispute

Strategies For Sharing or Transferring the Family Vacation Home

March 22, 2017 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Strategies For Sharing or Transferring the Family Vacation Home

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Millie Baumbusch, Cynthia Duncan, Frank Norton, Robert Port

This episode of “Wealth Matters” presents a discussion about the financial impact of vacation homes. Hosted by Robert Port and Millie Baumbusch of Gaslowitz Frankel with special guests Cynthia Duncan of The Bowden Spratt Law Firm and Frank Norton of The Norton Agency.

Cynthia Duncan/The Bowden Spratt Law Firm

Cynthia Duncan is a shareholder in The Bowden Spratt Law Firm, P.C. She has over fourteen years of experience in the field of trusts and estates matters. Her practice focuses on wealth transfer, business succession, and family governance.

Cynthia is a member of the Atlanta Bar Association, the State Bar of Georgia, and the American Bar Association. Cynthia is also a member of the Business Planning Group of the ABA. Cynthia is the co-author of several articles for professional journals and frequently speaks at continuing legal education programs. Her most recent article “McCord to Holman – Five Years of Value Judgments” appeared in the Spring 2009 ACTEC Journal. Cynthia spoke at the 2009 ABA Spring Symposium on the Anatomy of a Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement. In 2011, she spoke at the 56th Annual Estate Planning Institute on the Anatomy of a Grantor Trust and, most recently, at the 62nd Annual Estate Planning Institute on the nontax issues associated with family recreational properties.

Cynthia received her B.A., cum laude, in English from Wake Forest University in 1996 and received her J.D. from the University of Florida in 2002, where she graduated with high honors. Cynthia and her husband, Derek, have two young children, Lucy and Sam.

Frank Norton/The Norton Agency

Many people think they know Frank Norton, Jr., but the real Frank Norton, Jr. just may surprise you. Spend some time talking with him and you’ll uncover a creative introvert with strong family values, an untenable work ethic, and a heart for being a community servant—all traits that serve him well in his role as President of The Norton Agency.

Norton grew up in a family devoted to real estate—his grandfather, father and mother all worked in the profession from as far back as the late1920s—but he decided to pursue a degree in architecture at Georgia Tech. While working his way through college in the research department at Coldwell Banker, however, Norton found himself enticed to try his luck in the real estate field, and quickly became the youngest manager in Coldwell Banker’s history.

“My time with Coldwell Banker gave me an unbelievable perspective of the real estate field,” he says. “I also saw other people working hard, but enjoying what they were doing; I saw you could have fun at work and still be successful.”

After the birth of his first child, the appeal of living and raising his family in a small town drew Norton home and, in 1986, he joined The Norton Agency, rolled up his sleeves and became a part of the community.

“I chose to come back to Gainesville to work and raise my family because, to me, family is the most important part of my life and being a part of a community is important, as well,” Norton says. “Being from a small town, being a part of Gainesville was what I knew, and I wanted those same experiences for my children.”

Norton’s personal and professional commitment to community has led him to support numerous area non-profits; however, his only “hands-on” philanthropic work is with the Boy Scouts of America. A life-long Scout, Norton received his personal Eagle Scout designation at the age of 13, and he’s been involved with the Eagle Scout program for 11 years, helping more than 100 young men achieve the distinction.

Norton’s Boy Scout ties influence several of his business philosophies—specifically his belief in unflinching honesty and challenging injustice—while his general approach to business was shaped by his dad, Frank Norton, Sr., a “workaholic” entrepreneur with an uncanny memory and a passion for taking risks.

“I’ve never considered myself the smartest person in the room, but I can outwork anyone,” Norton says. “I have the work ethic, the energy, and a passion for what I do, and I hire people with those same traits. Certainly, I love my family and my time spent with them, but I also love coming to work and the positive energy generated by the people around me at the agency.”

Norton’s day-to-date tasks center on strengthening the agency’s brand, steering a proactive strategic planning and vision process, and being a “rainmaker” through company expansion and generation of new business. He also acts as a “cheerleader” for a 300+ member team representing 49 family units.

“We’d be nowhere without nepotism,” Norton jokes. “In all honesty though, we are extremely diligent and careful about recruiting our staff. We want people who are going to be engaged and who want to work here. We want people who want to be a part of a family and hold the same values and vision.”

When asked what he values most, Norton’s answer is quick and simple: “Life experiences. Those moments you remember and treasure for a long, long time,” he says. And buying a home is one of the largest life moments.

“The Norton Agency doesn’t need to be the biggest, and we don’t need to have our name on everything in town, but we do want to help shape, mold and change lives,” Norton says. “Finding someone a home changes their life, and we want to be a part of those life-changing moments.”

About Gaslowitz Frankel:

To watch the video of this show, CLICK HERE.

If you would like to watch past episodes of “Wealth Matters”, please visit their You Tube Channel.

Remember to tune in on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 8:30 AM to listen live to their show!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstateDispute

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstateDispute

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/estatedispute

THE DR. DIONNE SHOW: Bias, Discrimination and the Law

January 13, 2017 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

THE DR. DIONNE SHOW: Bias, Discrimination and the Law

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This episode of “The Dr. Dionne Show” includes a candid conversation about bias and discrimination in the workplace, and how employers can protect themselves from lawsuits and discrimination claims.

Robert McDonald/The Law Offices of Robert C.D. McDonald

Robert McDonald with The Law Offices of Robert C.D. McDonald has been serving employment discrimination clients for over thirty years in Atlanta. Bob has successfully represented employees in sex discrimination and age discrimination cases. He has also negotiated many severance agreements with positive outcomes. His areas of practice include all forms of employment discrimination including age and sex discrimination, successfully representing both in-court and out-of-court negotiated settlements concerning all forms of discrimination. His emphasis is to avoid protracted litigation through negotiation, but he’s ready to fight hard in court if necessary.

Specific areas of practice include discrimination (age, race , disability, pregnancy, and national origin); sexual harassment and discrimination; whistle-blower; severance negotiations; non-compete agreements; employment contracts; and unpaid overtime.

The firm has two office locations: Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth, GA and Peachtree Parkway in Cumming, GA. Contact information is (404) 314-6738 and rmcdonaldlaw@ceocenters.com.

HOST: Dr. Dionne Wright Poulton

Dionne Wright Poulton, Ph.D., is an HR and Leadership Consultant, Educator, Author, Speaker, and Owner of Poulton Consulting Group, LLC, an HR and leadership consulting business specializing in diversity and inclusion, equity, bias, intercultural communication, adult learning, adult behavior, and conflict mediation. Since its inception in 2004, Poulton Consulting Group has worked with a wide range of diverse clients in the U.S. and Canada including many in the San Francisco tech and digital marketing industry; K-12 schools and higher education; and many corporate and service industries. Poulton Consulting Group is also a government-approved business for local, state and federal level contracts.

Dr. Wright Poulton is author of the acclaimed book “It’s Not Always Racist…but Sometimes It Is” which is an extension of her PhD dissertation at the University of Georgia where she researched the racial biases and assumptions of teachers. She is also a certified K-12 teacher whose work is inspired by her 16 years of cumulative experiences as a high school teacher and university instructor in public and private institutions in Canada and the United States. Additionally, Dr. Wright Poulton has earned professional degrees from San Francisco State University (M.A.), the University of Toronto/OISE (B.Ed.), and from Rice University (B.A.) in Houston, TX where she was a former NCAA Division I track and field scholarship athlete.

In 2014, Profiles In Diversity Journal identified Dr. Wright Poulton as “a woman to watch.” She has presented social commentary in print media in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, as well as on numerous radio shows including CBS Radio stations in Atlanta, GA and on Tavis Smiley’s Radio Show. “The Dr Dionne Show” debuted in 2016 on Business RadioX with a focus on smart dialogue about diversity, leadership, and behavior in the workplace and beyond.

Dr. Wright Poulton is originally from Toronto, Canada and is a former member of Canada’s National Track and Field Team. She currently lives with her husband and two daughters in Snellville, GA.

To book Dr. Dionne Poulton as a speaker for your next event, or to facilitate one of her innovative professional development workshops based on her PhD research, you can reach her through:

Email: dionne@poultonconsultinggroup.com
Phone: 404-323-3842 or 1-877-263-2227 (internationally)
Facebook: The Dr. Dionne Show
LinkedIn: @Dr Dionne (Wright) Poulton
Twitter: @DrDionnePoulton

For more information, visit Dr. Poulton’s business website: www.poultonconsultinggroup.com

So You Think Your Estate Plan is Done: Fixable Problems/Simple Cures?

July 27, 2016 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

So You Think Your Estate Plan is Done: Fixable Problems/Simple Cures?

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Craig Frankel, Carly Howard, Rebecca Cummings, Adam Gaslowitz

So You Think Your Estate Plan is Done: Fixable Problems/Simple Cures? Adam Gaslowitz and Craig Frankel discuss this topic with their special guests, Carly Howard and Rebecca Cummings.

Carly Howard/Atlantic Trust

Carly Howard is a senior wealth strategist in Atlantic Trust’s Atlanta office, with more than 10 years of industry experience. In this role, she provides high net worth clients with integrated wealth management services, including comprehensive estate and financial planning solutions, multi-generational legacy planning, and fiduciary administration for trusts and probate estates. Prior to joining Atlantic Trust, Carly was a senior vice president and personal trust specialist with BB&T Wealth’s Professional and Executive Advisory Group, where she provided customized wealth management services for executives and business owners with a focus on fiduciary issues related to executive compensation. She previously served as a fiduciary specialist for BB&T Wealth in South Carolina and Wells Fargo Private Bank in North Carolina. Prior to joining the financial services industry, Carly was an adjunct professor at the Charleston School of Law and an attorney practicing estate planning and fiduciary litigation with major law firms in Miami and Charlotte. She holds Juris Doctor and Master of Laws degrees from the University of Miami and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from the College of Charleston. Carly currently chairs the board of directors for PhilanthroFest, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and was included in the Community Building Initiative (CBI) Charlotte’s 2015 “Leaders Under 40” program. She has also served on the South Carolina Probate Code Revisions Committee, Charleston Tax Council, Florida Association for Women Lawyers and other trade groups. Carly has written articles for or been quoted in national and local publications, including The Wall Street Journal and Trusts & Estates magazine.

Rebecca Cummings/Rebecca Godbey Cummings, LLC

Rebecca Cummings is an expert in wills, trusts and estates. For nearly two decades, she has given clients the peace of mind that their estate planning is in perfect working order, and she has counseled families through the process of administering the estate of a loved one. Rebecca spent a decade as an entrepreneur and founder of a small law firm before becoming a partner in one of the most respected estate planning groups in Atlanta. In 2015 she established this law firm to make expert legal advice more affordable for middle class people, and in 2016 she began offering professional fiduciary services for Georgia estates and trusts. Previously a law professor, Rebecca is known for her exceptional ability to explain complex ideas and systems in simple terms; she has repeatedly been named one of the state’s “most effective” lawyers and one of the Top 100 lawyers in Georgia. Rebecca also serves as an expert witness in estate and trust disputes and is the author of “The Case Against Access to Decedents’ Email: Password Protection as an Exercise of the Right to Destroy.” Rebecca is also a dynamic speaker, facilitator, and business development coach. She is past president of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers (GAWL) and she has given hundreds of workshops, presentations and keynote speeches to companies and organizations such as Coca Cola, the CDC, Emory, Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) and the Fiduciary Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia, on topics as diverse as Georgia’s trust code, running effective meetings, and successful negotiation strategies. Rebecca returns year after year to facilitate strategic planning retreats for organizations that value her ability to create fun and productive multi-day planning sessions for their employees and volunteers. She is affiliated with Novateur Partners, an Atlanta-based consulting, training and coaching company. Rebecca earned her B.A. at Emory University and her J.D. at William & Mary Law School.