Matt Holmes Archives - Page 2 of 5

DeKalb Business Today “Lunch Hour” – November 13, 2015

November 15, 2015 by angishields

Dekalb Business Radio

DeKalb Business Today "Lunch Hour" - November 13, 2015

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On the latest edition of DeKalb Business Today, we explore the “sticky” side of marketing with Syrup Marketing‘s Tai Anderson. Also, Bianca Crawford joins the show to with a preview of the mouthwatering options coming to Uncle Boo’s Catfish Corner.

Tai Anderson/Growth Director at Syrup Marketing

After a 20 year career developing lifelong fans for a multi-Grammy award-winning entertainment brand, Tai brings an insatiable passion in helping businesses create champions to Syrup. Whether meeting with a tech startup or an established business, Tai offers fresh insights to better serve your customers at every phase of their relationship with your company. When not growing businesses, Tai can be found on the sidelines or in the stands cheering on one of his 6 children in their sporting events and activities.

Bianca Crawford/Uncle Boo’s Catfish Corner

Coming in early 2016, Uncle Boo’s Catfish Corner will be the newest spot on the Atlanta culinary scene. Uncle Boo’s will be located on Walker Street in downtown Atlanta, just blocks from the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

DeKalb Business Today – November 13, 2015

November 15, 2015 by angishields

Dekalb Business Radio

DeKalb Business Today - November 13, 2015

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On this edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes sits down with two of the business leaders in the Tucker-Northlake part of DeKalb. Ann Rosenthal looks at progress being made in the CID, as well as a busy legislative session ahead for her consulting business. Brad Spratte discusses the secrets to the success of his Chick-fil-A restaurants and looks at how a simple chicken sandwich has sparked an empire.

Ann Rosenthal/President of the Tucker-Northlake Community Improvement District, President of ARC, Inc.

Ann Rosenthal was named President of the Tucker-Northlake Community Improvement District in August of 2013 after serving as a member of its formation committee, spearheading the governmental affairs process. Less than a year later, she successfully led the annexation of the Northlake area commercial district into the CID. Ann lives in Tucker with her husband and has called DeKalb County home for more than 20 years. In addition to Ann’s duties as President of the CID, she is also President of ARC, Inc., a governmental affairs consulting firm. She is a 2000 graduate of Leadership DeKalb and 2003 graduate of Leadership Georgia. Ann is an active member of the community and among the many organizations she works with, she serves on the board of People to People International and is a member of the Stone Mountain Rotary.

Brad Spratte/President & CEO of DB Spratte Enterprises, LLC

Brad Spratte, President and CEO of DB Spratte Enterprises, LLC., currently operates two Chick-fil-A restaurants in the Tucker Northlake area. Prior to Chick-fil-A, Brad served as COO of a pan asian restaurant chain, and President of Restaurant Development Group, Inc. Prior to getting into the food service industry, Brad served as President of a logistics company for 14 Brad served as President of the Produce Dealers Association as well as its Chairman of the Board. He also served on the Board of Trustees for the Northlake Community Alliance, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Sports Dekalb and the Northlake Business Association. In September of 2014, Brad was appointed to the Tucker-Northlake CID Board of Directors by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners.

Brad is the owner of the Chick-fil-A’s located in the Northlake Festival and Tucker Station shopping centers in Tucker, Ga. He has been with Chick-fil-A for eight years and has operated locations in the Snellville, Tucker and Northlake area.

Brad grew up and currently lives in the Northlake area, graduating from Lakeside High School in 1983. He graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Finance where he met his wife of twenty six years, Deone. Brad and Deone have two children, Lauren(24) who lives in Atlanta, and David(21) who attends the University of North Carolina.

DeKalb Business Today “Lunch Hour” – October 30, 2015

November 1, 2015 by angishields

Dekalb Business Radio

DeKalb Business Today "Lunch Hour" - October 30, 2015

00:00 / 00:45:56

On the latest edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes profiles a panel of guests who are helping local businesses in their own specific ways. Lynda Martin shares the successes she’s seen in her years as a business coach. Bridget Lewis gives her tips for small businesses owners to enhance their cybersecurity. DeKalb Fire Capt. Eric Jackson and Pete Hajjar of Reliable Restoration talk about how a little planning can help businesses avoid costly accidents.

Lynda Martin/Professional EOS Implementer with Goodwin Growth Works, Inc.

Like you, professional business coach Lynda Martin combines a passion for business with the drive to find new ways to do things better!

With over 25 years broad experience, both in the corporate structure and real-life, in-the-trenches business experience, Lynda works with the best and brightest business owners and leadership teams to clarify their Vision, define a strategy and then streamline systems and processes to give your business Traction. Partnering with your team, she takes a holistic approach to integrate your daily activities into a cohesive, synergistic business plan.

As an experienced entrepreneurial leader, Lynda has refined her leadership and coaching skills over the years through working with over 80 leadership teams in businesses from solo-preneurs to 50+ employees, including Nike, SnapOn Tools and Continental Airlines. Her past successes include growing for-profit subsidiaries by 150% to $800,000 for a religious organization and doubling annual revenues to $150 million within Norrell Services (now Spherion) light industrial services, both in a period of only two years.

Lynda is one of only 50 Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) Implementers and she combines her diverse experience and passion with the complete proven EOS Model, Process and Toolbox to facilitate conversations, teach key principles and coach you to achieve serious business growth. Clients praise Lynda for her unique combination of communication and number skills, which help teams achieve the EOS Principles of Vision, Traction and Healthy for their business.

Bridget Lewis/President of Workplace Learning Solutions LLC

Bridget C Lewis is a workplace learning professional with more than 30 years of combined experience in education and training. She is passionate about developing the workforce of the future. Much of her early experience was gained working as a school teacher in the Caribbean. Today she is a seasoned professional development consultant and training provider. Since being in the US, she has contributed to organizations like Mercer University and InterContinental Hotels Group. In early 2010, she established Workplace Learning Solutions LLC, through which she works with local government agencies like DeKalb County, nonprofit agencies like DeKalb Workforce Development and DeKalb Medical Center, and other local small businesses. Ms. Lewis is passionate about the professional retooling of the long-term unemployed.

Workplace Learning Solutions LLC (WLS) is an Atlanta-based small business. We work with small and mid-sized businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits, providing performance consulting and professional development services. Our clients are organizations that need an outsourced resource to manage their people performance improvement strategies. We collaborate with our clients to identify and implement the best approaches for improving performance in the workplace. As WLS continues to grow, we believe in making a valuable contribution to our areas’ economic development by adding jobs and working with non-profits that support a holistic approach to the professional development of our long-term unemployed citizens. Our mission is to help create an engaged and productive workforce.

Peter J. Hajjar/Managing Partner of Reliable Restoration LLC

The team at Reliable Restoration are experts in disaster recovery. The company specializes in water, fire, flood and wind damage. Their services also include reconstruction, contents cleaning/storage and asbestos abatement. They serve clients in Georgia and throughout the Southeast.

Eric L. Jackson/Fire Captain and Public Information Officer for DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department

Eric L. Jackson is a Fire Suppression Captain who serves as Spokesperson with DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department in Tucker, Georgia. As Fire Captain and Spokesperson, he has had the awesome task and responsibility of supervising, training and overseeing the daily work activities of fire station personnel as well as managing the da-to-day departmental public affairs activities that include but are not limited to community relations, media affairs, crisis communications, public education, social media management and public speaking at fire service seminars, conventions and trade shows.

His professional career with the fire service spans over thirty years including time as a teenager involved with the Pasadena, California Fire Department Explorer Program. That program is designed to introduce young people to the firefighting profession.

Captain Jackson rose from the rank of Firefighter, then on to Fire Suppression Lieutenant and now Fire Suppression Captain where he spearheaded the creation of the DCFR Public Affairs Office followed by being named in 2000, as Firefighter of the Year by the West DeKalb Rotary Club. In October of 2008, Captain Jackson was named Public Information Officer of the Year for the State of Georgia by former State Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John Oxendine.

In addition to holding several certifications and licenses such as Fire Instructor and Public Fire Education Officer, Captain Jackson is a graduate of Leadership DeKalb Class of 2009. If that wasn’t enough, Captain Eric Jackson graduated from Mercer University the following year with his Bachelors of Applied Studies Degree in Organization Leadership.

DeKalb Business Today – October 30, 2015

October 31, 2015 by angishields

Dekalb Business Radio

DeKalb Business Today - October 30, 2015

00:00 / 00:30:56

On this edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes previews the first-ever RAISE (Retention and Advanced Investment for the Southeast at Emory) Forum at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. Forum founder Barry Etra discusses his vision for the investors’ showcase and how it could change the face of commerce across the southeast United States. Presentation coach Steve Brett delves into the mistakes some of these entrepreneurs will need to avoid as they make their multi-million dollar pitches. The RAISE Forum is an invitation-only event taking place on Friday November 6 at Emory University.

Barry Etra/Founder of the RAISE Forum

Barry Etra brings bushels of business experience, having worked in Sales and Marketing, Operations, and General Management. He came to Atlanta as the COO of a plastics manufacturing plant and now he runs the Etra Advisory Group, helping companies and institutions find funding if they can’t get funded traditionally or have been turned down by traditional sources. He serves as an active intermediary in transactions to move deals through and gets them done, often when others have failed. He works on business acquisition, expansion, and refinance; specialty loans; early-stage companies, and nonprofit debt funding. He has a BA and an MBA from Columbia University; his MBA is in marketing and finance. RAISE is his baby and it grows when you grow.

Steve Brett/Founder & Teacher at Presentation Tune-Ups

Steve Brett is a pioneer in digital marketing and website development and has 30-years of experience in marketing, advertising and sales. With Presentation TuneUps, LLC, he is putting all that experience to work for people who have to communicate directly with others, whether it’s an investor pitch, a sales pitch, a training or a TED talk. He built a 4As ad agency in New York City that worked with Fortune 500s as well as local retailers; companies like the New York Stock Exchange, pharmaceutical giant Merck, and an early cellphone company that merged into Verizon. He also helped create the first enterprise web sites for Citizen Watch and Sport Authority. No one’s made more pitches than this guy.

DeKalb Business Today – October 23, 2015

October 23, 2015 by angishields

Dekalb Business Radio

DeKalb Business Today - October 23, 2015

00:00 / 00:25:52

This edition of DeKalb Business Today focuses in on the world of social media marketing. W2S Marketing CEO Tamay Shannon discusses which platforms businesses should be using to get their message out to consumers, mistakes companies are making on social media and how they can use social media to actually make them money.

Tamay Shannon/CEO of W2S Marketing

My story starts out at the height of unemployment. I got out of school and literally applied to hundreds of agency jobs. I had an excel file that I used to keep track of them all and it was daunting. But alas, to no avail. I wasn’t getting very far. I had been doing some work on the side helping people with their marketing and sharing what I knew.

Mother: Why don’t you start a business?

Me: Eh?

You see, I thought having a business meant I had been in corporate for 20 years or at least had a PhD. I really believed that I didn’t have enough to start my business.

Not enough contacts.

Not enough knowledge.

Not enough money.

Well, as you may know:

You see, what I didn’t understand then – and what I do understand now, is that everyone has something to provide. And you don’t need some outside entity to validate your knowledge and experience! So, I started my business.

And that’s where I got my second lesson.

I had a coach. One who said I might want to look into niching. Logically, I said NO. I was focusing on “marketing for small business” in general. Anything that remotely dealt with marketing – I did it. And I was being pulled in a million different directions. So I decided to take a chance and tell people that my focus was social media.

Well, it was hard. There was the constant feeling that I was leaving people out and leaving money on the table. That’s not true. Narrowing my focus has opened up a lot for me. I’d love to say that the business took off and we’re making a million a month. That’s not the case. What has happened:

By focusing on one aspect of marketing it is easier for me to educate myself on my industry.

I know the trends, ebbs, and flows of social media and use that knowledge for my clients.

I’ve developed great partnerships with others who compliment my expertise.

I know what my clients’ needs are and how to solve them.

And this is where we are now. 5 years in business and a social media agency that listens to your needs, spoken and unspoken, to deliver the results that will rock your business. Let’s get together and talk.

DeKalb Business Today “Lunch Hour” – October 16, 2015

October 18, 2015 by angishields

Dekalb Business Radio

DeKalb Business Today "Lunch Hour" - October 16, 2015

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The latest edition of DeKalb Business Today focuses in on the economic development happening in and around the city of Chamblee. Broc Fischer discusses his efforts to grow membership at the Chamblee Chamber of Commerce, while Van Pappas and Adam Causey talk about spurring development in the city. And Jim Ellis VP of Operations Mark Frost joins the panel, representing one of Chamblee’s best-known industries – automotive sales.

Broc Fischer/President of the Chamblee Chamber of Commerce

President of Fischer Funeral Care and Cremation, Broc has two daughters, Mary Katherine and Emelia Fischer, and a grandson, Ari Michael Fischer. His hobbies include gardening, playing guitar, recreational sports and reading non-fiction. Broc holds an Associates Degree of Funeral Service from Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service and has been a licensed Funeral Director serving the Atlanta and North Georgia area for the past 26 years. He founded Fischer Funeral Care in Chamblee in 2007. Service to others has always been a foundational principle of Broc’s personal and professional life. Broc volunteers and serves the community through his work with the Rotary Club of North Atlanta, The Atlanta Chapter of the National Aging in Place Council, The Blue Hair Technology Group, The Buckhead Heritage Society and Heritage Sandy Springs. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Senior Connections and is an active member of the Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and John’s Creek Chambers of Commerce.

Fischer Funeral Care was founded in 2007 with the mission of serving people in their time of greatest need. Fischer Funeral Care offers uncompromised service and attention to detail while also focusing on providing a high value to the families they serve. They offer full services and cremations as well as international arrangements for the deceased and their loved ones. Fischer Funeral Care is proud to be a Memorial Society of Georgia provider as well as a provider of “Green” burials. They are proud to call Chamblee home and will endeavor to be a vital, stable, part of the great community for years to come.

Mark Frost/VP of Operations for Jim Ellis GM Brands

Mark Frost’s responsibilities include Jim Ellis Chevrolet and Jim Ellis Buick GMC in Chamblee, as well as Jim Ellis Buick GMC Mall of Georgia in Buford. Mr. Frost is also the President of the Georgia Buick GMC Dealers’ Advertising Association, Board Member for the Georgia Chevrolet Dealers’ Advertising Association, Vice-Chairman of the NADA GC-06 Chevrolet 20 Group Dealer Association, and a Member of the Chevrolet Southeastern Regional Dealer Advisory Board. Additionally, Mr. Frost is on a number of national General Motors Dealer Advisory Councils.

Mr. Frost has been with Jim Ellis for eleven years and lives in Brookhaven, Georgia.

Adam Causey/Economic Development Manager for the City of Chamblee

Adam Causey is a planning and economic development official with 10 years of public and private experience. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a Master’s degree from Georgia State University. A resident of Decatur, he helps businesses and citizens connect with local government.

Van Pappas/Vice Chair of the Chamblee Downtown Development Authority

DeKalb Business Today – October 16, 2015

October 17, 2015 by angishields

Dekalb Business Radio

DeKalb Business Today - October 16, 2015

00:00 / 00:37:42

On this edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes welcomes a diverse panel of leaders helping to shape the business scene in and around DeKalb County. Keline Bornelus reveals how her agency is helping families save on bundled insurance, while also reaching out to businesses for their insurance needs. Nancy Ladson Rowan will discuss her journey from small town girl to big city lawyer. Decatur Boxing owner Xavier Biggs shares how the sweet science is helping local men and women get into shape. And we’ll find out how Tammie Bailey-Fults is organizing local businesses to boost female entrepreneurs.

Keline Bornelus/Principal Agent & Owner of Bornelus Insurance Agency

The companies comprising the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies make up one of the country’s largest insurers of vehicles, homes and small businesses and provide a wide range of other insurance and financial services products.

Farmers is proud to serve more than 10 million households with more than 20 million individual policies across all 50 states through the efforts of over 50,000 exclusive and independent agents and nearly 24,000 employees.

The Farmers Exchanges are three reciprocal insurers (Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange and Truck Insurance Exchange) owned by their policyholders, and together with their subsidiaries and affiliates comprise the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies. Farmers Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, in their capacity as attorneys-in-fact, provide administrative and management services to the Farmers Exchanges.

Nancy Ladson Rowan/Law Office of Nancy Ladson Rowan, LLC

Nancy Ladson Rowan was born and raised in Sampit, S.C, a small, rural community near Georgetown, SC. Nancy graduated from Clemson University in 1999 with a B.A. in History and proceeded to obtain her Juris Doctorate degree from Wake Forest University School of Law. Nancy served as a prosecutor in both the Solicitor’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office in Fulton County. While at the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, she was assigned to the Special Victims Unit that prosecuted complex cases like child molestation, sodomy, and rape. In 2010, Nancy went into private practice, practicing Family Law and Criminal Defense. Her firm is dedicated to helping everyday families navigate the legal system and to providing the best possible legal representation for the purpose of aiding every day families during times of crisis.

Xavier Biggs/Owner of Decatur Boxing

Xavier Biggs, the fourth of five siblings, was raised in West Philadelphia, where he received a traditional public education. After a few jobs in the private sector, Xavier decided to pursue a latent sports interest and traverse Philadelphia’s rich, cultural, and challenging field of boxing. His amateur career was brief and he turned professional in the late 70’s. However, in the mid-1980s, Xavier traded a frustrating professional boxing career without a promoter for a once in a lifetime opportunity to assist his youngest brother, three-time world amateur boxing champion Tyrell, in his quest to be the first to receive the Olympic gold medal in boxing in the newly established superheavyweight division. That dream manifested at the 23rd Olympiad, 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.

With the revered gold medal in hand, Tyrell advanced to the world of professional boxing, and Xavier stayed on in an advisory capacity as part of his professional team. In his travels to different training camps with Tyrell, there were many opportunities for Xavier to strengthen his boxing prowess, sparring with champions Pernell Whitaker, Meldrick Taylor, Mark Breland, Rocky Lockridge, and Johnny Bumphus, to name a few. He was also one of Kevin Howard’s chief sparring partners as Kevin prepared to fight Sugar Ray Leonard for Leonard’s first comeback fight.

Tyrell’s professional career peaked three years later with his 1987 bout with Mike Tyson for the heavyweight championship title. Xavier, enriched by his newly amassed knowledge of the field moved his family (wife and son) to Atlanta in 1988 where he started a business devoted to training amateur boxers. His first two amateurs were undefeated 2-time golden glove champions, and he worked with Zavia Pounds and Cesar Esquivel, both 4-time golden glove champions.

Following these successes, Xavier would soon take on his first professional fighter, Raul Fernandez, who enjoyed a short reign as undefeated. In 1998, Xavier partnered with local businessman Mike Morrison and opened BIGGS MORRISON BOXING, one of the biggest boxing gyms in the country. It quickly became training headquarters for some little to best known celebrities. It was there that he trained Paul Delgado, who soon turned pro. In addition, he trained Sam ‘Bam Bam’ Garr to world contender status, and took on Atlanta’s first premier female boxer ‘Isra Girgrah’. Xavier was instrumental in transforming her career, as she went on to win 5 world titles.

Other notables who frequented BIGGS MORRISON BOXING include Vernon Forrest, Robert Allen, Denzel Washington, P-Diddy, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Mase, and Sinbad. Later Xavier opened three (3) more gyms in the Atlanta area and operated one in Greensboro, N.C. The popularity of his training programs continued to attract more top amateurs and pros such as 1996 Olympic bronze medal champ Ziaire Raheem. Xavier did early pad work with Raheem as he prepared for his spectacular win over Eric Morales that segued into a brief undefeated reign for Raheem. Biggs also trained 2-time female champion and Guinness world record holder, Terri ‘the Boss’ Moss, transforming her losing record to a record of successive wins. Other female boxers turned champions under Xavier’s auspices include Laura Serrano, Mellissa Shaw, and Suzy Taylor.

Also to Xavier’s impressive training and co-training credits are Falcon cheerleader Nina Ahlin, world ranked contender Steve Dotse, and Mexican sensation and 5-time champion Jorge Lacierva. Rounding off this list is his work with undefeated Heavyweight Cedric Boswell and ’92 Olympic bronze medalist Chris Johnson. In more recent years, Xavier has worked with the undefeated Felix Fernandez, 9-time golden glove champion, 3-time national champion Kitten Carlos Monroe, and upcoming undefeated professional prospect Jerry Odom.

The mark of a successful business is its affected clientele. Xavier’s diverse training outreach encompasses the entertainment and sports arenas where he’s had the privilege of working with football sensations Vernon Davis and Derrick Morgan, as well as basketball luminaries Surge Ibaka and Shannon Brown. Xavier’s work with music industry giants began with his training sessions with world famous DJ Nabs for charity fights, R L, and soul singer Monica.

One of Xavier’s most prized fitness training efforts was his work with superstar recording artist, dancer, and now actor, ‘Usher’, in his role as Sugar Ray Leonard in the upcoming film ‘Hands of Stone’, a biographical action film on the life of boxer Roberto “No Mas” Duran, written and directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz. Xavier continues as Usher’s private trainer keeping him in peak condition for concert performances. He just recently trained Usher and his dancers for their World Tour, and Usher’s team on the popular NBC reality television singing competition, ‘The Voice’.

Xavier is now operating the soulful and authentic DECATUR BOXING CLUB, founded by Arturo Rodriguez. He started out as head trainer and eventually took over as owner when Arturo’s career interests led him to explore other professional ventures. Xavier also serves as director of boxing for the fast growing boxing and kickboxing franchise ‘9 Round’, the brainchild of one of Xavier’s former trainees who was inspired by his unique brand and training techniques.

No question Xavier Biggs is making his mark in the world of fitness and training. His Abs of Stone workout for Usher, which comprises a rigorous combination of the Sugar Ray Rope Slap, shadowboxing, medicine ball work, bicycle crunch, reverse crunch, and bag work appears in the November 2013 25th Anniversary Special Issue of Men’s Health Magazine, which also features Usher on the cover. At a time when people are becoming more and more health conscious and staying physically fit, Xavier may have found his niche.

Tammie Bailey-Fults/CEO & President of the National Association of Women Owned Small Businesses

The National Association of Women Owned Small Businesses, Inc. (NAWOSB) is a national membership based organization focused on educating and positioning women owned companies to become suppliers and vendors to corporations, educational institutes and government agencies. Tammie Bailey-Fults has created chapters throughout Metro Atlanta, the state of Georgia and surrounding states. Members consist of diverse small businesses from traditional companies to nontraditional and the association is open to any small business from start-up to existing establishments.

The organization is best known for its monthly HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH series and its semi-annual signature event, PINK PROCUREMENT EXPO & LUNCHEON.

DeKalb Business Today – October 15, 2015

October 15, 2015 by angishields

Dekalb Business Radio

DeKalb Business Today - October 15, 2015

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On a special Thursday edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes does a quarterly catch-up with DeKalb Chamber of Commerce president Katerina Taylor. In the interview, Taylor weighs in on the latest corruption allegations in the county, the future of embattled Interim CEO Lee May and what it will take to finalize an agreement between the county and Atlanta United FC to bring the headquarters of Major League Soccer’s 21st franchise to the proposed site off Memorial Drive.

Katerina Taylor/President of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

Katerina Taylor has been a part of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce for almost three years. In September 2014 she became the Chamber’s first woman president and CEO in its 77-year history. She’s a 15-year banking veteran and a strong advocate for community and business. Her goal is to re-educate the DeKalb community on why the Chamber is so critical for growth and progress in DeKalb.

DeKalb Business Today “Lunch Hour” – October 9, 2015

October 10, 2015 by angishields

Dekalb Business Radio

DeKalb Business Today "Lunch Hour" - October 9, 2015

00:00 / 00:39:24

The latest edition of DeKalb Business Today looks at everything from the booming business of college football to job placement for refugees to movie making in DeKalb County. We also sit down with one of the leaders from Decide DeKalb to discuss exciting new business opportunities on their way to the county.

Araba Dowell/VP of Marketing & Communications for Decide DeKalb Development Authority

As Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Decide DeKalb Development Authority, Araba is responsible for the organization’s strategic marketing and communication plan as well as branding, messaging and media relations. She also oversees the organization’s WE DeKalb Program, a workforce enhancement housing initiative, as well as the Film, Music and Digital Entertainment department.

Dowell is a 20-year marketing and communications veteran with experience in corporate, public sector, nonprofit and agency arenas. Previously, she served as Group Manager for General Motors’ Southeast Region Communications team, where she had overall responsibility for GM’s product and brand management, media relations and diversity outreach spanning 10 states.

Dowell received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Studies from Emory University. She is a board member and Chair of the Marketing committee for Safe Kids Georgia. She also serves on the Marketing committee for the Atlanta Press Club.

Vince Thompson/Founder, Chairman & CEO of MELT, LLC

Founded by CEO Vince Thompson in 2000, MELT, LLC, is an Atlanta-based, fully integrated sports and entertainment marketing agency. MELT services include advertising, original content development, digital, social media, event and experiential marketing, retail and consumer promotions, brand strategy and sports property evaluation and activation.

Vince Thompson has devoted his entire professional life to the craft of brand building, sports marketing and story-telling. Since founding MELT in 2000, Thompson has built his firm into one of the country’s leading sports and entertainment marketing firms. MELT’s services include the production of live and large-scale events; sponsorship; talent and endorsement marketing strategy and sales; television and digital content production and brand strategy for America’s top brands and corporations.

Thompson and MELT have represented The Coca-Cola Company for 14 years including their sponsorship of ESPN College GameDay and the activation of 13 straight Final Fours. MELT actually created the entertainment strategy for the NCAA Final Four in 2003, now called “March Madness”, which annually attracts more than 200,000 basketball fans during Final Four weekend.

Thompson and MELT have represented and work with many of the greatest brands in the world including Kia, State Farm, Hostess Twinkies, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Budweiser, Jeff Foxworthy’s Grit Chips, Avon, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and many others.

Thompson has produced hundreds of live event experiences and television content at top levels including The Super Bowl; Chick-fil-A Bowl; SEC Championship; College World Series; Hangout Music Festival. He streamed the first live concert ever on Facebook in 2010 and his productions have been seen on CBS, TBS, TNT, TrueTV, ESPN, VH1, CMT, Palladia and many others.

Thompson and MELT also work with many great celebrities including Lebron James and DC Comics turning Lebron into super hero “King James”; Fergie and the release of her Avon fragrance; American Idol star Ryan Seacrest; Demarcus Ware of the Denver Broncos; Eddie Lacy of the Green Bay Packers and tennis legend Jimmy Connors. Thompson also works very closely with famous sports agent Pat Dye Jr.

Thompson and MELT have captured numerous industry and national awards including Biz Bash, Top 5 Event Productions, Cynopsis Brand Activation of the Year, The American Business Awards; AD Week Buzz; Marketer of the Year; Event Marketers Ex Award and the Agency It List. Thompson is a featured speaker at many industry conferences including Variety Magazine; IEG Sponsorship Report, the LA Office Entertainment Forum and is a regular on The Paul Finebaum ESPN/ SEC Network Radio Show. Thompson also mentors many young sports marketing professionals through the MELT intern program. He is also a board member of the Buckhead Club and on the Advisory Board of Samford University School of Sports Business.

MELT has won industry awards including finalist for 2014 Cynopsis Social Good Award; 2014 Cynopsis Sports Brand Marketing Award; 2013 Top 50 Biz Bash Event Producers; 2013 Sports Business Journal Game Changer, Event Marketer EX Award and Adweek Buzz Marketer of The Year. In 2015, Thompson was nominated as Father of The Year by The American Diabetes Association.

Thompson, born in Chatom, Ala., is a 1984 graduate of Auburn University with a B.A. in Communications where he was a student assistant in the Auburn Sports Information Department, a sports editor for the Auburn Plainsman, and a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. In his spare time, Thompson enjoys spending time with his two sons, Carter and Stefhan, traveling, and music and college football.

Chris Chancey/CEO & Founder of Amplio Recruiting

Chris Chancey is the founder of Amplio Recruiting, a for-profit job placement company solving labor shortage issues in DeKalb County by helping local businesses connect with the refugee workforce. Chris is a graduate of the University of Georgia and lives in Decatur with his wife, Sarah, and 16-month-old son. You can follow along with Chris on Twitter at @chrischancey.

Alicia Haley Daniels/DGA 2nd Assistant Director

Alicia Hailey Daniels, a native of Bloomfield, Connecticut, graduated from Clark Atlanta University in 2006 with the distinction of Magna Cum Laude. One month after graduation she was accepted into the illustrious Director’s Guild of America Training Program for Assistant Directors in Los Angeles, California.

Alicia’s career began on television shows such as ER & Criminal Minds. This year alone, Alicia has worked on the dramas, The Haves and Have Nots, If Loving You Is Wrong, & the feature film Creed (Additional Photography). Throughout Alicia’s fast paced career, she has gained varied experience working with several studios such as Warner Bros, Universal, TPS, Sony, TBS, BET, ABC Family, CBS, ABC, OWN, Lionsgate, & NBC. Her vast experience has shaped her into a well knowledgeable Assistant Director for TV, Film, & Commercials.

Additionally, Alicia is an active member of the Directors Guild of America and she had the privilege of serving on the Mentor Committee, African American Steering Committee, 2nd AD Committee, & Women’s Steering Committee. She has a passion and dedication to training the upcoming film industry elite.

Knowledge is power and it’s her mission to share her achievements & failures along the way in hopes of helping others pursue their dreams.

Alicia’s pride and joy is her husband of three years & their one-year-old daughter. She truly believes in life we should live, love, & laugh as often as possible.

Find more information on Alicia’s upcoming workshop here.