Leadership North Fulton Archives

Christy Hulsey on GNFCC Leadership Programs

August 25, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Christy Hulsey on GNFCC Leadership Programs

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Christy Hulsey, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, LIVE from the 2025 GNFCC BOLD Women’s Leadership Summit (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 897)

Christy Hulsey, Community Programs Coordinator at the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, joined host John Ray live from the 2025 GNFCC BOLD Women’s Leadership Summit to share her journey from building a national floral brand out of Statesboro, Georgia, to her current role empowering leaders and small businesses through Chamber programs.

Christy described her responsibilities overseeing Leadership North Fulton, Emerging Leaders, NextGen Connects, the Mentor Match program, the North Fulton Friendship Initiative, and nonprofit engagement. She explained how these programs foster connections, deepen community involvement, and create lasting impact through intentional mentorship and collaboration.

She also reflected on lessons learned from her floral business, which grew from a small rural shop to international recognition, including White House invitations. Christy emphasized the roles of authenticity, transparency, and generosity in marketing, while reminding business owners that true generosity must be paired with valuing themselves and ensuring profitability.

This interview was originally broadcast live from the 2025 GNFCC BOLD Women’s Leadership Summit held on August 12, 2025, at The Commons at Phase in Alpharetta, Georgia. John Ray Co. and North Fulton Business Radio were the Media Sponsors for this year’s Summit.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:12 Meet Christy Halsey: Community Programs Coordinator, GNFCC

02:31 Leadership Programs Overview

04:48 Mentorship and Connections

06:35 Christy’s Business Journey

07:56 Marketing and Generosity in Business

11:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Christy Hulsey, Community Programs Coordinator, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Christy Hulsey is the Community Programs Coordinator at the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. Her responsibilities include overseeing Leadership North Fulton, Emerging Leaders, NextGen Connects, the Mentor Match program, the North Fulton Friendship Initiative, and nonprofit engagement.

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.

Connect with Christy: LinkedIn

Connect with GNFCC: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

2025 GNFCC BOLD Women’s Leadership Summit

The 2025 GNFCC BOLD Women’s Leadership Summit was held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at The Commons at Phase in Alpharetta, Georgia.

The mission of BOLD—Businesswomen Organizing for Leadership and Development—is to connect businesswomen to build outstanding networks and spheres of influence, to collaborate with each other and with partner organizations to develop their businesses, and to celebrate and recognize the women of North Fulton.

Website

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (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 other GNFCC events, follow this link.

Connect with GNFCC: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 890 episodes and having featured over 1,300 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their market, community, and profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

John Ray, host of North Fulton Business Radio, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors — **John Ray, host of *North Fulton Business Radio* and Owner, Ray Business Advisors**

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, and it is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

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, and many others.

John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants, bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, with over $17 billion in assets and more than 180 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from each banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way to better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

If you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you would rather not make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.

Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, these professionals are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

GNFCC Leadership North Fulton

February 23, 2023 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

GNFCC Leadership North Fulton

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GNFCC Leadership North Fulton (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 83)

Three graduates of Leadership North Fulton, Margaret Shiver, GNFCC Leadership Programs Coordinator, Lalitha Alladi, Senior Associate with JMG Law Firm, and Ben Huard, Managing Partner at GO Agency, joined host Carisa Turner, GNFCC Sr. Director of External Affairs and Economic Development, to share their experience, highlights, and what benefits they’ve seen from the program. They also talked about what the future of LNF might look like as the community grows. They concluded with advice for others who might be interested in the program as well as where to apply.

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

Lalitha Alladi, Senior Associate with JMG Law Firm

Lalitha Alladi is an immigration attorney whose practice areas include family based and employment-based cases. Prior to joining JMG Law Firm, where Lalitha provides more personal attention to her clients, Lalitha practiced at a nationally renowned immigration firm and at international Fortune 500 corporations. In addition to focusing on bringing families together, she provides businesses with solutions to bring employees to the United States and maintain short-term and long-term work authorization.

Lalitha received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida in 2002 and her Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law in 2005. She is licensed in both Florida and Georgia. Lalitha is the current President of the South Asian Bar Association of Georgia and Past President of the Florida Chapter.

Her involvement in these organizations has allowed her to serve as a Co-Chair during the Annual Naturalization Drives as well as lobby for policy change in Washington D.C. on issues such as H-4 dependent Employment Authorization. Additionally, she serves on the board of the non-profit, Shakthi US, which assists South Asian women who are survivors of domestic violence and empowers future generations of women and children. Lalitha is also an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.

Ben Huard, Managing Director of GO Agency

With over 15 years of creative experience in the Atlanta market, Ben brings leadership, communication and a wide network to GO Agency. He is a highly motivated and accomplished creative professional. His vast experience includes over-delivery in CPG, startups and overseeing projects while successfully collaborating with clients & partners. He is proud to say that he believes in heart count, not head count.

Ben graduated from Keene State College with a BS in Graphic Design with a dual minor in Visual Communication and Art History. Ben believes that in order to do good work, a great attitude is crucial.

Margaret Shiver, Leadership Programs Coordinator with GNFCC

Margaret Shiver joined the Greater North Fulton Chamber as the Leadership Programs Coordinator in 2022. In this role, she oversees the organization’s leadership programming, including Leadership North Fulton, Emerging Leaders Program, LNF Alumni Association, and Mentor Match.

Before joining the Chamber, she spent 15 years in the education and mental health field, including working as a high school counselor at The Cottage School, building her own private counseling practice, and working with kids in DFCS, foster care, and various hospitals in Metro Atlanta.

She is a graduate of the Leadership North Fulton Class of 2018 and has held various leadership roles in the community, including serving on the Young Professionals Advisory Council at The Drake House and leading volunteer groups with local churches and nonprofits. In addition, Margaret has spoken at many workshops for parents and local church leaders, using her counseling experience to help people build upon their personal and professional growth.

Margaret earned her B.A. in Psychology from Georgia College & State University, her M.S. in
Rehabilitation Counseling from Georgia State University, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the
state of Georgia. She was born and raised in Lawrenceville, and currently lives in Alpharetta.

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®.

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®.

WellStar Chamber Luncheon Series: Recognizing the 2020 Leadership North Fulton Class, Keynote Speaker Kevin Scott, ADDO

June 30, 2020 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

WellStar Chamber Luncheon Series: Recognizing the 2020 Leadership North Fulton Class, Keynote Speaker Kevin Scott, ADDO

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WellStar Chamber Luncheon Series: Recognizing the 2020 Leadership North Fulton Class, Keynote Speaker Kevin Scott, ADDO (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 45)

Kevin Scott, Co-Founder of ADDO, is the keynote speaker as the Chamber recognizes the 2020 graduating class of Leadership North Fulton. The host of “The GNFCC 400 Insider” is GNFCC CEO Kali Boatright and the show is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®. John Ray and Business RadioX was the media sponsor for this event.

Leadership North Fulton Class of 2020

Kimberly	Allred	Business Development, Retail and Events Specialist	Roswell Inc
Don	Barbour	Regional Director – External Affairs	AT&T Georgia
Jason	Binder	Councilman	City of Alpharetta
Tonya	Byrd	Director of Operations	WellStar Health System
Jasmine	Cockfield	Manager, Internal Communications & Special Projects	Rheem Manufacturing Company
Linda	Coyle	Business Development Officer	LGE Community Credit Union
Misty	Fernandez	Area Manager	Georgia Power Company
Kyle	Fox	Tax Senior Associate	Frazier & Deeter
Mike	Fuller	Director Digital Experience/CX/UX	State Farm
Alex	Girrbach	Director of Accounting & Operations	Greater North Fulton Chamber
Karim	Godamunne	Hospital Chief Medical Officer	Wellstar North Fulton
Brenda	Hall	Director of Admissions	The Cottage School
Kay	Howell	President	Patsy’s Closet Foundation
Staci	Hutto	Area Coordinator	Troy University
Victor	Jones	Underwriting Team Manager	State Farm Insurance Companies
Gloria	Mattei	Owner	Nothing Bundt Cakes- Alpharetta
Darwin	Newton	Head of Operations, Electrical Services	Siemens Smart Infrastructure
Frank	O’Brien	Business Development Officer	Iberiabank
Juli	Paladino	Accounting Manager	Blazej Accounting and Bookkeeping
Robyn	Rotunda
Garrett	Rowland	Assistant Branch Manager	Renasant Bank
Anne	Simpson	Financial Planner	Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors
Pabel	Troche	Battalion Chief of Special Operations and Training	City of Roswell
Darlene	Turk	Director of Volunteer Services	North Fulton Community Charities
Andrew	Walker	Manager, CPA	Brady Ware and Company
Andy	Williams	Executive Director	Visit Roswell

Kevin Paul Scott, Co-Founder, ADDO

Kevin Paul Scott has traveled to six continents and spoken to leaders from more than 100 countries. Kevin co-founded the leadership consultancy ADDO, which is Latin for “Inspire.” In addition to working with businesses and brands, ADDO has developed the national Chick-fil-A Leader Academy program, the Atlanta Braves Leadership Institute, and other leadership programs from cradle-through-career.

Kevin is the author of three books, including his latest The Lens of Leadership. In consecutive years, Kevin was named to the “40 under 40′ lists for Georgia Trend and then the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Kevin is a frequent guest on numerous media outlets, including Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC. He lives with his wife and son in Marietta, Georgia.

Find out more about ADDO at their website.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

North Fulton Mayor's Roundtable — **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 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®.

The GNFCC 400 Insider: Leadership North Fulton and Emerging Leaders – An Interview with Dr. Joe Hutto, Gwinnett Technical College, and Chris Miller, Law Offices of J. Christopher Miller

February 19, 2020 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The GNFCC 400 Insider: Leadership North Fulton and Emerging Leaders - An Interview with Dr. Joe Hutto, Gwinnett Technical College, and Chris Miller, Law Offices of J. Christopher Miller

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“The GNFCC 400 Insider,” Episode 33, GNFCC Leadership Programs: An Interview with Dr. Joe Hutto, Gwinnett Technical College and Leadership North Fulton, and Chris Miller, Law Offices of J. Christopher Miller and the Emerging Leaders Program

Leadership North Fulton and the Emerging Leaders Program are arguably the region’s most established, in-depth leadership programs. On this edition of “The GNFCC 400 Insider,” LNF Committee Chair Dr. Joe Hutto and ELP Committee Chair Chris Miller join host Kali Boatright to discuss these programs and enrichment opportunities each offers to their participants. The “GNFCC 400 Insider” is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Joe Hutto, Gwinnett Technical College and Leadership North Fulton Chair

Dr. Joe Hutto is the Director of Student Affairs at Gwinnett Tech. Gwinnett Tech, a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, is a public two-year college which serves the communities of Gwinnett and North Fulton.

In his role overseeing Student Affairs, Joe has responsibility for the departments of Enrollment Management, Recruitment, Testing and Assessment, Veteran’s Affairs and Customer Service.

Joe chairs the Leadership North Fulton committee at GNFCC. Leadership North Fulton (LNF), has been the region’s signature leadership development program for more than 30 years. Each year, graduating participants join the ranks of more than 500 LNF alumni and continue to invest in our communities through their time and talent. Pillars of the program include promoting community awareness, instilling civic responsibility, and building relationships. Participants engage civic leaders through program class days, and many alumni have gone on to serve in government or community-based organization staff roles and as elected officials. The relationships that are forged through participation and investment in LNF by business and nonprofit partners continue to affirm the program’s foundational role in community leadership development. LNF projects continue to impact the region in a lasting way, most notably, through the founding of The Drake House in 2004, founding of the Emerging Leaders Youth Program in 2009, and establishment of The Drake House Young Professionals Advisory Council in 2017.

.For more information on Leadership North Fulton, follow this link.

Chris Miller, Law Offices of J. Christopher Miller and Emerging Leaders Program Chair

Chris Miller owns and operates the Law Offices of J. Christopher Miller, PC. His team of lawyers and legal staff guide their clients through difficult times when a loved one passes away. They also work with clients to plan for the future with Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Directives. Chris has experience in forming and working with Special Needs Trusts. His over two decades of practice in Alpharetta have taught him how to walk clients through and around probate in Georgia.

Chris chairs the Emerging Leaders Program Committee at GNFCC, which offers a unique opportunity for area high schoolers who wish to develop leadership skills, identify and address community issues and interact with local leaders. This is accomplished through a combination of interactive lectures, discussions, site visits, community service, and networking opportunities.

Each class focuses on topics such as public safety, government, interviewing skills, personal finance, nonprofits, and leadership skills.

The mission of Emerging Leaders is to provide students with an understanding of the concept of leadership, and provide skills and knowledge to become effective leaders in our communities.

.For more information on the Emerging Leaders Program, follow this link.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

“The GNFCC 400 Insider” (formerly “North Atlanta’s Bizlink”) 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 the complete show archive of “The GNFCC 400 Insider,” go to GNFCC400Insider.com. “The GNFCC 400 Insider is produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

NORTH ATLANTA’S BIZLINK: Jeff Petrea with Georgia Power and Bill Bland with Choate Construction

December 4, 2018 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

NORTH ATLANTA’S BIZLINK: Jeff Petrea with Georgia Power and Bill Bland with Choate Construction

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Bill Bland, Kali Boatright, and Jeff Petrea

Jeff Petrea/Georgia Power

Georgia Power is an electric utility headquartered in Atlanta, GA. It was established as the Georgia Railway and Power Company and began operations in 1902 running streetcars in Atlanta as a successor to the Atlanta Consolidated Street Railway Company.

Georgia Power is the largest of the four electric utilities that are owned and operated by Southern Company. Georgia Power is an investor-owned, tax-paying public utility that serves more than 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties. It employs approximately 7,500 workers throughout the state.

Bill Bland/Choate Construction

Choate Construction Company is one of the largest general contractors in the Southeast specializing in Preconstruction, Design-Build, LEED Programming / Implementation, and Construction Management services for multiple market sectors. Choate is a 100% employee-owned company and proud to hold an 85% rate of repeat clients. Due to financial strength and depth of expertise Choate’s annual volume has continued to grow, topping $1.2 billion in 2017. Additionally, Choate has received many notable distinctions including being named the 2017 Southeast Contractor of the Year by ENR magazine. Choate’s employees are members of various professional and personal organizations with a strong backbone of charitable involvement. Choate is continually recognized as one of the top corporate fundraisers for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation having raised over $3 million to date.

North Atlanta’s Bizlink is produced 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. Our 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. We 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.

Christy Hulsey on GNFCC Leadership Programs