Lenise Williams Archives - Business RadioX ®

Ramon Tookes, Founder and Real Estate Investor at The Tookes Group

January 28, 2016 by angishields

Cobb Business Radio

Ramon Tookes, Founder and Real Estate Investor at The Tookes Group

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Ramon Tookes is a real estate investor, coach, and developer with 20 years of experience in the industry.

A natural-born thinker and problem solver, Ramon’s analytical prowess has afforded him the opportunity to be involved in over 900 transactions ranging from buying and selling single family homes to the development of entire subdivisions to purchasing and selling commercial projects.

Ramon currently oversees the daily operations of The Tookes Group, a real estate consulting firm he founded in 2005. Specializing in investment consultation, The Tookes Group (TTG) offers subject matter expertise on all aspects of real estate investing including property location and value assessment, loan brokerage and project analysis. Ramon is also a principal and funds manager of The Gallagher Group, the general partner of The Gallagher Fund, a private equity fund focused on raising capital through accredited investors for real estate investment projects.

To satisfy his philanthropic passion by empowering others to utilize real estate as a viable wealth building vehicle, Ramon recently introduced the Flipology training program in 2015 with a signature 2-day boot camp complete with intense classroom training and a bus tour (field trip) allowing participants to walk through properties at various stages of the remodeling and/or repair process.

For as far back as he can remember, Ramon has been surrounded by entrepreneurs. He watched his grandfather build many successful businesses and his father amassed a respectable real estate portfolio. Ramon stayed close to the action and could often be found riding with his father to collect rent or working side by side with his uncles who had a lucrative contractor business. As a teenager, Ramon began his entrepreneurial career when he started his own lawn care service and car wash. Ramon inked his first real estate deal as a freshman in college and went on to finance his college career with the proceeds from his real estate investments.

Ramon earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University and continued his formal education at Emory Law School where he earned his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) Although he started out wanting to become the next Johnnie Cochran, his passion for real estate was undeniable and seems to continue to grow daily. Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, Ramon is the proud father of five children and enjoys reading, sports, and travel.

Kevin Greiner, President and CEO of Gas South

January 14, 2016 by angishields

Cobb Business Radio

Kevin Greiner, President and CEO of Gas South

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Kevin Greiner, President and CEO of Gas South, has more than 15 years of experience in the energy industry, including prior management roles with Southern Company. He has served as Gas South’s CEO since its formation in 2006.

Under his leadership, Gas South has grown to serve more than 290,000 customers in the metro Atlanta area and added more than 150 jobs over its 10 years in business. Most recently he directed an expansion initiative to begin serving customers in Florida, in-sourced all customer care operations and renovated the corporate headquarters to house all employees in the same location.

Mr. Greiner is a strong advocate for community service both in his business and personal life. In the past 10 years, Gas South has donated more than $3,225,000 to local charities and causes focused on education, social services and arts. He serves on a number of boards and committees for local non-profits including, the United Way of Greater Atlanta, where he previously chaired the 2012-13 Workplace Campaign bringing in community investments valued at more than $77 million; the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, Georgia’s leading education policy and advocacy organization where he serves as chairman; the Georgia Chamber Executive Committee and the Board of Governors; and the YMCA board.

Mr. Greiner holds a master’s degree in business administration and a master’s of science in natural resource policy from the University of Michigan. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University.

Whitney Nicely of Nicely Done Auctions, LLC

December 16, 2015 by angishields

Cobb Business Radio

Whitney Nicely of Nicely Done Auctions, LLC

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Whitney Nicely is a native to Knoxville, TN. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.

Whitney defines herself as a self-motivated individual with a passion for exceeding goals and delivering exceptional results. She has a proven track record for establishing value based relationships built on trust, honesty, and strong ethical principles.

Whitney found a connection with real estate auctions in her teenage years by attending Saturday sales with her parents. They didn’t “win” the first house auction she visited, but Whitney was hooked. In May 2015, Whitney became the Principal Auctioneer for Nicely Done Auctions, LLC.

Whitney has auctioned properties from 1 acre with a house to 215+ acres of rolling hills.

Whitney is also the Principal Broker with Whitney Buys Houses, LLC. Whitney Buys Houses is more than a company name. It’s a fact! Whitney has purchased over 15 houses in 2015 by paying CASH, Lease with Option, taken over debt or she has received Owner Financing.

Whitney’s favorite house is a Vacant house. She has several strategies to acquire unwanted properties. If you need cash within 60 days, call Whitney. She buys houses! 865-309-4500.

Whitneynicely.com

Felicia Phillips of The PINKtech Institute & The PINKpreneur Network

December 10, 2015 by angishields

Cobb Business Radio

Felicia Phillips of The PINKtech Institute & The PINKpreneur Network

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When you are the founder of a GLOBAL initiative (The PINKtech Institute & The PINKpreneur Network) centered around economic empowerment for women, its safe to say that partnerships and collaborations are key. For more than 20 years, Felicia has had the pleasure of developing powerful relationships with government and foreign entities, corporations, politicians, celebrities and many other influential people. Her connections have lead to multiple 7-figure business ventures, the production of numerous mega events and thousands of dollars in sponsorships. Felicia has worked with major brands such as Microsoft, Cricket, IKEA, State Farm, Fifth-Third Bank and The WNBA Atlanta Dream to name a few.

Felicia M. Phillips, known as The Pink Mogul, is a Serial Entrepreneur and Master Business Coach and has been instrumental in coaching entrepreneurs on professional relationship management, building strategic partnerships and discovering how to use their power of influence to attract clients, increase their cash flow and expand their business. Felicia co-authored the book Pink Mastermind and is a Master Guide Facilitator for mastermind groups.

Felicia is not only passionate about helping women obtain success through collaboration, she is also an advocate for the environment. In April 2011, Felicia was awarded The Phoenix Award by City of Atlanta Mayor, Kasim Reed for her commitment to sustainability. She was honored in 2013 for her sustainability efforts by Who’s Who in Black Atlanta. Felicia has also been received The 2015 Connector Award and been nominated for a R.I.C.E. Award.

As a Speaker, Felicia has had the pleasure of working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), FDIC, International Women’s Think Tank, Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy, Green For All, The Urban League of Greater Atlanta’s Entrepreneurship Center, Fulton County Economic Development and many other organizations.

Her heart-centered mission is to teach female entrepreneurs how to master their mind, heart and soul in order to unleash their unique talents and manifest the wealth, freedom and lifestyle they so richly deserve.

A Native of Atlanta, Felicia M. Phillips is a wife and mother of two beautiful children.

Website: www.feliciaphillips.com

All Social Media @thepinkmogul

FB Group: The PINKpreneur Network

Derryll Wristpus of Real Soul Living Inc.

November 19, 2015 by angishields

Cobb Business Radio

Derryll Wristpus of Real Soul Living Inc.

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Derryll Wristpus is a passionate human being who has always seemed to find himself encouraging, giving advice, or simply listening to others. When he was asked, “Why do you always let people ‘dump’ on you?” He later realized and came to always answer, “I guess it’s because I don’t feel like they’re ‘dumping’ on me.”

Coming from a heavily involved church-going family, he was the youngest of three children. With an absentee alcoholic father, Derryll was raised in a very strict single parent home in northeast Indiana, where there wasn’t much value put on the life of a young black male. This message became abundantly clear, when at the age of eleven, he was present when his 22-year-old brother lost his life in the alley behind their house, at the hands of the police. In spite of it all, he always felt in his spirit that there was something different in store for him.

Just after turning seventeen and suddenly finding himself homeless, he began experimenting with alcohol and drug use, in order to numb the pain. Derryll ultimately made a key decision about his life when he witnessed the birth of his son. He got off the streets, promising himself that he would not allow his son to have the same history of seeing his life go down the same road of his own father, or end like his brothers. He began embracing a variety of teachings such as Les Brown, Stephen R. Covey, Anthony Robbins, Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, and others with the intentions of understanding who he is as an individual, and finding his spiritual path on his terms, and in God’s grace.

Derryll spent ten years working in the school system with kids that were having learning difficulties, and nine years as a director for the YMCA developing and running two Before/After School Programs. He also worked as a youth counselor at his church. This gave him a tremendous amount of experience working with children, adolescents and teens.

After a fall out at the church and a failed marriage, he found himself at a crossroads in his life. However, no matter what happened, there was always a part of him that refused to believe that his life would be all about disappointments, failures and tragedy. He quit his job, gave everything away, and with his last check of seven hundred dollars in his pocket, moved to Baltimore, where he didn’t know anyone. Shortly thereafter, he began working for Johns Hopkins Hospital.

After spending three years in Baltimore, he moved to Atlanta where he released his first book, When Souls Speak “I Live,” a book of poetry and short stories. Derryll then began an extensive training program by Anthony Robbins and Chloe Madanes, two leaders in human needs psychology, and founders of Strategic Intervention. This was an opportunity to finally put the gift of making others feel comfortable enough to open up and share things that they would otherwise keep within, with the principles of SI, Marriage Preparation and Education training. Finally he’s doing what he truly believes he was put here to do; help and serve others. Today, Derryll still lives in Atlanta and is now a Life and Relationship Breakthrough Strategist, Speaker and Consultant. “Life is truly a journey, and the things we experience are simply life’s lessons and blessings… if we decide to give them empowering meanings that serves us.”

Liz Thomas, Business Development Manager of ETS Solutions

November 19, 2015 by angishields

Cobb Business Radio

Liz Thomas, Business Development Manager of ETS Solutions

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Liz Thomas is the Business Development Manager at ETS Solutions. She has been with the company for about a year and fulfills the business development role. In addition, she is in charge of all marketing and public relations for ETS. On a daily basis, Liz is involved in the Atlanta Business Alliance, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and many other business associations. She attends networking events all over the city and helps bring in new business. Liz graduated from Georgia State University in 2010 with a B.B.A. in Marketing.

Based in Kennesaw, Georgia, ETS Solutions is technology consulting firm in the areas of voice, data, and cloud. Founded in 2002, ETS has been helping businesses save money on their telecom expenses as well as develop IT strategies for over 13 years. We believe in taking a holistic approach to understanding a company’s technology infrastructure in order to develop and offer an integrated solution that creates business value for our clients. At absolutely no cost, we conduct a technology assessment where we review current phone and internet bills to identify

needs and/or pain points. After the assessment, we provide consultation to the business owner on technology as it relates to phone systems, VoIP platforms, data circuits, and backup circuits, and cloud solutions like disaster recovery or Office 365.

ETS then delivers a solution based upon offerings from our carriers and IT partnerships. We represent dozens of service providers. We provide objective options that will arm clients with knowledge so they can make an informed business decision. Once a decision is made, ETS assists with the implementation of the solution by managing the install process and staying on for the length of service to provide 24/7 customer support.. ETS Solutions takes on the details of clients’ telecom and cloud solutions so they can focus on growing their business.

It’s Technology Made Easy ®.

Sally Macaulay, Executive Director of Marietta Cobb Museum of Art

November 11, 2015 by angishields

Cobb Business Radio

Sally Macaulay, Executive Director of Marietta Cobb Museum of Art

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Sally Macaulay is the Executive Director for the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art. Sally earned a Bachelor of Arts from Florida State University and is very active in the community. She sits on several local Boards of Trustees and is a member of North Metro Church. Sally is actively involved in Kiwanis Club of Marietta where she has served chairing numerous committees and has served on the Kiwanis Board of Trustees. Sally is also the President of the United Arts of Cobb, and has been inducted into Women of Achievement for the YWCA. She is a 2011 graduate from Arts Leaders of Atlanta, 2013 graduate of Leadership Cobb and a 2015 graduate of Honorary Commanders.

She currently resides in Kennesaw with husband, Hugh and their 3 children – Katie (21) Claire (20) and Hugh (17).

Kadeem Dunwell, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Young Entrepreneurs of Atlanta Foundation, Inc.

November 1, 2015 by angishields

The Owners' Manual

Kadeem Dunwell, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Young Entrepreneurs of Atlanta Foundation, Inc.

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An Atlanta, GA native, Kadeem Dunwell is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Young Entrepreneurs of Atlanta Foundation, Inc. A 501 c(3) non profit who’s mission consists of turning the opportunity seekers of today into successful entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

A partner of select schools throughout the metro Atlanta area, Mr. Dunwell, and his team of local advisory members have impacted the lives of students across the city through their impact programming which instills confidence, inspiration, and the appropriate education within young people through entrepreneurship.

Mr. Dunwell is also Managing Partner of Young Entrepreneur Atlanta; a company devoted to community involvement and the branding and marketing of companies run by young professionals. Young Entrepreneur strives to execute their mission by providing a platform for the best and brightest young entrepreneurs through the provision of brand and media related opportunities through their digital publication, FAMEMagazine. Recognized by CBS Radio as a young adult making a difference, Mr. Dunwell sits on multiple boards for schools throughout the Atlanta area and is a member of the Fulton County “My Brother’s Keeper” Taskforce.

Nancy Couch of Graphic Vision, Inc., Dave Young of Edward Jones Investments, Stace Huff and Dr. Jeffrey Pipe of Tapestry Associates

October 29, 2015 by angishields

Cobb Business Radio

Nancy Couch of Graphic Vision, Inc., Dave Young of Edward Jones Investments, Stace Huff and Dr. Jeffrey Pipe of Tapestry Associates

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Nancy Couch of Graphic Vision, Inc.

Nancy is honored to be a part of the MBA Team! Having grown up in Cobb County, she want to continue to be a part of the “solution” to make it a great place to live, play and most importantly – create a successful business environment for our economy.

Nancy absolutely “LOVES” what she does every day! It has been an honor and with overwhelming gratitude for the past 22 years as a business owner of Graphic Vision, Inc. to enjoy helping clients with their print and marketing and event projects. We have had a lot of “fun” along the way “making it happen”! You will so enjoy visiting my website -graphicvisioninc.net– just click on Rave Reviews to read what my clients say about working together on projects!

Dave Young of Edward Jones Investments

Dave Young has proudly served in the United States Military in both Active Duty and National Guard. His military career has taken him all over the world training and leading Soldiers from various countries. He now currently serves in the Georgia National Guard as the Executive Officer of A Troop, 3/108th Cavalry Regiment.For his civilian job, Dave is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones and is proud to be a part of the local community.

Stace Huff of Tapestry Associates

Stace Huff is a true Marietta native who loves being a helping professional, wife, mother, sister, friend, and community partner. She has been a counselor for 14 years where she enjoys working with couples and individuals struggling in their relationships, with infertility, parenting issues, depression, anxiety, and family issues. She is trained as a divorce coach and parent coach to work with divorcing couples to assist in parenting plans and pre/post divorce care. She also offers premarital and marriage counseling utilizing the Prepare-Enrich curriculum.

Stace has a passion for helping others move through difficult times and find a more productive, happier way on their journey. In her spare time she enjoys reading, watching her son play sports, and spending time with her friends and family.

Dr. Jeffrey Pipe of Tapestry Associates

Dr. Pipe is a licensed psychologist who has been counseling professionally since 1993. He specializes in marriage counseling, as well as treating men struggling with sexual addiction. In January of 2006, Dr. Pipe founded Tapestry Associates, a private counseling practice dedicated to strengthening families and facilitating personal integrity. Tapestry’s team now includes 7 professionals and the practice is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Dr. Pipe’s work is divided between providing direct therapeutic services and strengthening Tapestry’s impact in the community. Dr. Pipe and his wife, Michele, also speak on marriage-related issues together and conduct several marriage retreats each year.

Dr. Pipe has also recently started an outdoor therapeutic program which takes men and families out into the woods for the purpose of building personal integrity and fostering deeper relationships. Dr. Pipe received his education from Bryan College, Colorado Christian University and The Georgia School of Professional Psychology. Prior to starting Tapestry, Dr. Pipe served as the Director for the Marietta/Atlanta office of AlphaCare Christian Therapy Services and the Clinical Director for Transitional Family Services.