matthews consulting group Archives

Bill Bolling – Atlanta Community Food Bank

December 16, 2013 by angishields

Growth Matters

Bill Bolling - Atlanta Community Food Bank

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Bill Bolling – Atlanta Community Food Bank

Bill Bolling has served as Executive Director of the Atlanta Community Food Bank since founding the organization in 1979. In this capacity, he oversees the distribution of more than 45 million pounds of food and grocery products each year through a network of 600 local and regional partner nonprofit organizations that feed the hungry across 29 Georgia counties. As a charter member of Feeding America, the national network of food banks, Bill was instrumental in the start-up of food banks across the country. He is a frequent speaker on topics related to hunger, poverty, regionalism, affordable housing and public policy reform. His skills in bridging various public sectors have made him a leader in strengthening the community to serve those most in need. Prior to his association with ACFB, he served as director of community ministries for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta. In January of 2012, Bill was named Georgia Trend Magazine’s 2012 Georgian of the Year. Bill earned his Master of Arts in Psychology and Counseling from West Georgia College and degrees in Business and Education from Central Piedmont College and Appalachian State University.

http://www.acfb.org

https://www.facebook.com/atlfoodbank

https://twitter.com/acfb

http://followgram.me/acfb/

http://www.youtube.com/user/atlcommunityfoodbank

Baha Zeidan – Azalea Health and Stuart Bracken – Bioscape Digital

December 1, 2013 by angishields

Growth Matters

Baha Zeidan - Azalea Health and Stuart Bracken - Bioscape Digital

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Baha Zeidan – Azalea Health

Baha Zeidan, co-founder and CEO, provides the strategic direction for Azalea Health. Mr. Zeidan’s leadership ensures goals are both achieved and surpassed in the areas of customer service and experience, sales, profitability, and the overall company objectives. As the leading force behind new technology development, Mr. Zeidan acts as an ambassador; enabling the Azalea Team to forge ahead of industry standards and exceed expectations. He is also a strong proponent of Health IT, cloud computing, mobile development, device computing, and big data analytics. Additionally, Mr. Zeidan cultivates quality relationships with partners and shareholders that aid in the further advancement of Azalea Health. Though fostering external relationships is important, Mr. Zeidan also works to provide an upbeat work atmosphere where team members are empowered, enthusiastic, and driven to deliver top-notch results in their respective fields. He received his BS in Computer Science from Valdosta State University, and is currently pursuing his Masters degree in Information Technology Management with a focus in healthcare.

Website: www.AzaleaHealth.com

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

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/azalea-health

Twitter: https://twitter.com/azaleahealth

Stuart Bracken – Bioscape Digital

Stuart Bracken guides the strategic vision of Bioscape Digital, a next generation healthcare company fixing healthcare through cutting-edge tablet technology.

A serial entrepreneur, Mr. Bracken’s career to date includes co-founding four separate successful companies. With experience in Mobile, SAAS, and License models, Bracken previously co-founded CallMe!, a built for purpose human capital management company. Previously, Bracken was an early employee at Firethorn, a startup in the mobile commerce space, which was acquired by Qualcomm (QCOM). Bracken holds a Bachelors Degree in Business and Information Systems and a Masters in Accounting from Wake Forest University as well as an MBA from The Goizueta Business School at Emory University. Mr. Bracken is currently President of Goizueta’s Alumni Entrepreneurship Network and serves on the Goizueta Alumni board at Emory.

Website: www.bioscapedigital.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/shbracken/

Belinda Stubblefield – Year Up Atlanta and Chris Morocco – KidsLink

November 22, 2013 by angishields

Growth Matters

Belinda Stubblefield - Year Up Atlanta and Chris Morocco - KidsLink

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Belinda Stubblefield/Year Up Atlanta

Belinda Stubblefield was appointed Executive Director of Year Up Atlanta in July 2013. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in large corporations as well as in entrepreneurial firms, Ms. Stubblefield is the founder of Stubblefield Ventures, LLC, a partner of Paradies-Atlanta, LCC, which operates 20 retail stores at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The Atlanta Business League has recognized Ms. Stubblefield as one of “Atlanta’s Top 100 Black Women of Influence.” She received an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.A. in Mathematics Applied Science from University of California at Los Angeles.

Facebook.com/yearupatlanta

Twitter.com/yearupatlanta

Website: www.yearup.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/yearup

LinkedIn: http://http://www.linkedin.com/in/stubblefield

Twitter: www.twitter.com/yearup

Chris Morocco/KidsLink

KidsLink CEO Chris Morocco brings nearly two decades of early stage and start-up experience and leadership to KidsLink. Chris has broad experience in developing and successfully launching companies in various industries during his career: retail & consumer product, Internet, and healthcare software & services.

Prior to KidsLink, he was CEO and board member of Petrus Brands, the owner and operator of two national franchise concepts: Planet Smoothie and Shane’s Rib Shack. Chris led the management buyout of the $80 MM franchise-based brand portfolio in the fast-casual dining and healthy lifestyle categories from Raving Brands. Three years later he orchestrated the sale of two of the brands to a strategic buyer.

Before his role as CEO of Petrus, Morocco was President of Innovative Brands, which was integrated into Raving Brands and where he served as Chief Development Officer and oversaw the Emerging Brands Division of the company. Chris previously cut his teeth with various technology and early stage companies in the mid-90s, including Nextron, a SafeGuard Scientifics partnership company that provided internet software and services for small to mid-size organizations.

Website: www.mykidslink.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/KidsLink/294945547301107

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/chris-morocco/12/4a7/975

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KidsLinkApp

John McKinney of CRB Atlanta

November 15, 2013 by angishields

Growth Matters

John McKinney of CRB Atlanta

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John McKinney – CRB Atlanta

CRB, a leading provider of engineering, design and construction services for customers in the biotech, pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, has expanded into Atlanta with a dedicated office and local leadership team. Atlantan John McKinney, a proven leader in the field of engineering and design, will serve as Core Team Leader for the office located in the Palisades Office Park in the central perimeter area. Georgia’s status as a burgeoning hub for the life sciences industry along with CRB’s growing local client base brought about the decision to open the local office.

The opening of the CRB Atlanta office is a critical step for continuing our growth in the Southeast region,” said McKinney. “The office enables us to more closely engage in this burgeoning life sciences market and enabling us to be even more responsive to our customers in Georgia.”

While its Atlanta office is new, CRB is not a newcomer to the market. The firm is currently working on several major projects for life science and pharmaceutical companies in Atlanta and throughout Georgia, including Baxter, Ethicon, Merial and Alkermes. Based on demand for its specialized services, CRB expects to expand its Georgia portfolio substantially over the next few years.

CRB is a full-service network of engineers, architects, constructors and consultants assisting advanced technology organizations in the planning, design, construction and operational support of facilities across the globe. With world-class technical expertise and an empowered team of 600-plus, we relentlessly pursue and deliver the right solutions to our clients’ technical challenges, no matter how big or small.

Founded in 1984, CRB has twelve production offices located in: Kansas City, Mo.; St. Louis, Mo.; Raleigh, N.C.; Philadelphia, Pa.; San Diego, Calif.; San Jose, Calif.; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Kalamazoo, Mich.; Boston, Mass., Boulder, Colo., Baltimore, Md., and Atlanta, Ga.

Website: www.crbusa.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CRB1984

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/crb-consulting-engineers

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CRB_USA

Brooke Lucas – Georgia Department of Labor

November 11, 2013 by angishields

Growth Matters

Brooke Lucas - Georgia Department of Labor

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Brooke Lucas, the Chief of Staff for State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler

Brooke Lucas joined the Georgia Department of Labor in January of 2011 as Deputy Commissioner of Workforce Solutions. She was hired by then newly elected Labor Commissioner Mark Butler to lead the process of improving the Labor Department’s contributions and connectivity to Georgia’s economic development efforts.

In January of 2012, Brooke was promoted to Chief of Staff. In addition to managing oversight of daily operations at the Department, Brooke also serves as liaison between the Commissioner’s office, the Georgia General Assembly, the Governor’s Office, 47 Labor Department Career Centers, multiple state agencies and private industry on labor and workforce issues.

In the fall of 2012, SWAT (Special Workforce Assistance Team) was created to identify workforce system improvement opportunities across Georgia. SWAT is a grassroots approach to full employment in Georgia’s most threatened communities – economically depressed areas with high unemployment rates. SWAT works with communities to raise awareness of economic realities, develop and employ effective response strategies, and gain support for Georgia Department of Labor and its workforce partners.

In the spring of 2013, the Business Services Unit was created to strengthen GDOL labor exchange activities through an innovative combination of new computer efficiencies and personal attention from specialized front-line staff. This combination ensures GDOL labor exchange is a smoothly functioning job matching system, making connections between the business community’s varied workforce needs and fully trained job-seekers with skillsets that match those needs. By proactively working with workforce partners to help job-seekers build those specific skill sets, Georgia’s businesses will continue to keep pace with emerging technologies and successfully compete in our global economy.

A native of Metro Atlanta, Brooke is a graduate of Mercer University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts. Brooke is currently enrolled at the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia in Atlanta. She is scheduled to receive her MBA in May of 2014.

James Franklin with TechBridge and Anthony Joseph with Concessions International

September 20, 2013 by angishields

Growth Matters

James Franklin with TechBridge and Anthony Joseph with Concessions International

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James Franklin/TechBridge

James Franklin was named Chief Executive Officer of TechBridge in July 2011 when he transitioned from his position as Chairman of the Board. James’ service to TechBridge started in 2006 as a volunteer. From there he joined the Board, serving as Products and Services Chair, Digital Ball Chair, and Board Vice-Chair before becoming Board Chair.

Prior to joining TechBridge as CEO, James held executive management positions at a number of IT products and services companies. Most recently, James was General Manager for the Enterprise business segment of Omnilink, a software-as-a-service business. He also worked at Avanade, an Accenture company focused on Microsoft solutions, where he ran the Southeast Region, and HP, where he served as General Manager for HP’s US State Government Consulting business unit. Throughout James’ career he has focused on the delivery of top quality IT products and services for leading brands.

James has a MBA from the University of Maryland and BA in Management Information Systems from the University of Georgia. With generations of family history in Georgia, James is honored to have the opportunity to serve the community through TechBridge.

View James’ LinkedIn Profile HERE

Anthony Joseph/Concessions International

Atlanta-based Concessions International, LLC, founded in 1978, is a dynamic food and beverage concessionaire with operations in eight airports. The company’s portfolio includes franchised, licensed and proprietary concepts, including casual dining, quick service, snack, deli and bar and grill. The company is a franchisee of major national brands including Fresh To Order, Seattle’s Best Coffee, and Einstein Bros. Bagels. CI operates Pemberton Café at the World of Coca Cola and a brick-and-mortar Paschal’s in the historic Castleberry district of downtown Atlanta.

Lynn Hood with Crackerjack Marketing and Jennifer Copeland with Georgia PROBE

September 13, 2013 by angishields

Growth Matters

Lynn Hood with Crackerjack Marketing and Jennifer Copeland with Georgia PROBE

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Lynn Hood/Crackerjack Marketing

Lynn Hood is the Top Kernel at Crackerjack Marketing, an integrated marketing firm that helps medical device, bioscience, high tech and business-to-business companies strategically position themselves and increase sales. Crackerjack is the answer for businesses that need a right-sized solution for their marketing, branding or public relations needs.

Lynn has more than 25 years of experience working with agencies and corporations in marketing and communications. Before founding Crackerjack Marketing, she was President of Hood Marketing Solutions for 20 years. Prior to that, Lynn was a senior writer for the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) and served as Communications Manager for Oglethorpe Power Corporation. She has also worked with Liberty Life Insurance/Liberty Corporation, Southern Vital Record Center, Pearl River Basin Development District and the Appalachia Health Council, and began her career as a reporter for the Augusta Chronicle-Herald.

Jennifer Copeland/Georgia PROBE

The PROBE College Fair tour is an annual tour of the state of Georgia by colleges and universities across the state and country. More than 150 institutions will participate in over 60 fairs throughout the state from September to November.

September 2013 Newsletter – Business RadioX

September 3, 2013 by angishields

In this issue of On The Air, we feature the following:

Our upcoming Networking Mixer, New Show Concept Pitch Hours, Results Matter Radio, our latest show Growth Matters, our new HVR co-host Desiree Scales, and much, much more…

CLICK HERE to view full newsletter

Michael Grindell with 22squared, Meridith Rentz with MedShare International and Tanya Lewis with Equifax

August 20, 2013 by angishields

Growth Matters

Michael Grindell with 22squared, Meridith Rentz with MedShare International and Tanya Lewis with Equifax

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Michael Grindell/22squared

Mike joined 22squared six years ago and currently serves as the Chief Administrative Officer. He had a 16-year career as an Executive for The Coca-Cola Company, where he held senior roles for their largest global business unit. Prior to Coca-Cola, he served in various leadership positions at Citigroup and Federated Department Stores, respectively.

Mike ensures 22squared operates smoothly and delivers results. He is deeply involved in digital, social and 22squareds proprietary analytics and dashboard platforms. He brings a unique combination of business savvy and commitment to 22squared’s people and culture.

In addition to spending time with his family, Mike is an avid Kansas Basketball fan and lifelong runner completing over fifteen half-marathons and two marathons. He serves as board chair for Quality Care of Children, an Atlanta-based organization that serves almost 150,000 children in Georgia each year; Mike has been active in the Atlanta community for many years.

Meridith Rentz/MedShare International

Meridith Rentz is CEO & President of MedShare, an innovative nonprofit with a dual mission to deliver surplus medical supplies to underserved populations around the world while lessening the impact of medical waste across the United States. The organization bridges the gap between surplus and need to improve healthcare and the environment through the efficient recovery and redistribution of surplus medical supplies and equipment to those most in need.

Meridith currently serves on the board of Atlanta-based Quality Care for Children and is a member of the Advisory Council for the Georgia Center for Nonprofits’ CEO Peerspectives Program and the Medical Surplus Recovery Advisory Group. She is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Atlanta and a recipient of Goizueta Business School’s “Guiding Star” Award.

Meridith is an alum of both the Rollins School of Public Health and the Goizueta Business School at Emory University where she received her MPH and MBA degrees as a Woodruff Fellow. She received her BA in Economics from the University of North Carolina as a Morehead Scholar. She is married to Dean Baker and enjoys trying to keep up with three very active and extremely inquisitive sons, ages 11, 9 and 6.

Tanya Lewis/Equifax

Tanya Lewis is a 30 year veteran in global corporate sales and marketing with work experiences spanning 3 distinct industries – Oil and Gas, Beverage/Consumer Goods, and Consumer and Commercial information services. She is currently a Senior Leader with Equifax Inc. in the capacity of VP, Sales Governance & Planning – Mortgage Services, US Consumer Information Solutions. Throughout her career, she served in a variety of leadership roles with accountabilities in sales, marketing, strategic planning, franchise leadership, operations and global customer management.