North Fulton Archives - Page 5 of 6

Manuela M. Davis, Century 21 Connect Realty

April 28, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Manuela M. Davis, Century 21 Connect Realty

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(North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 452)

Manuela Davis, a realtor with Century 21 Connect Realty, was the guest on this edition of North Fulton Business Radio. She and host John Ray talked about her love of meeting people, her ability to navigate and understand neighborhoods for her clients, her commitment to over-communication to ensure her clients are getting the best results possible, the current market, rates, and much more.

North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Since 1971, the CENTURY 21^® brand has been changing the real estate game by offering independent brokers, entrepreneurs and affiliated agents the ability to achieve extraordinary results in an increasingly competitive market. But a lot has changed since then. Many have copied the CENTURY 21 approach, and over time we have seen a ‘sea of sameness.’

With more brand awareness* than any real estate brand, Century 21 Real Estate is poised to change the game once again. To do this, we are reinventing what the CENTURY 21 brand means in the hearts and minds of those who are buying, selling and working in real estate today.

This starts with our new mission – to defy mediocrity and deliver extraordinary experiences – and comes to life in our identity as a brand and the services we develop for our system members.

Our new approach led us to create a new brand identity for the CENTURY 21^® brand – a stylish, sleek and sophisticated makeover designed to catapult us into the next century. With a refreshed color palette that stays true to our iconic gold and black scheme, the new identity is more modern and distinctive than ever.

The new C21^® Seal allows us to project a modern view as well as be more relevant to those buying apartments, commercial properties and more.

Ultimately, we believe this new identity delivers an enormous amount of value to our members – helping our affiliated brokers and agents to stand out and attract more prospects than ever before.

The CENTURY 21 System currently has over 14,250 independently owned and operated franchise brokers across 86 countries and territories who have started this movement.

Company Website |Instagram | Facebook

**Manuela M. Davis, Realtor, Century 21 Connect Realty**

Born and raised in Austria, Manuela Davis has lived in Roswell for more than half of her life and she likes to think that it has earned her the recognition that she is “from Atlanta”. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to own and operate Voilà Hair Salon since the early nineties. It was her long-time passion and intimate knowledge of the greater Roswell area that brought her to join Century 21 Connect Realty and become a Real Estate Market Expert.

She is fluent in German and uses her language skill for global referrals. She is a dedicated and hard-working lady who loves to give back to her community. Organizing fundraisers for almost three decades, she is a past president of the Roswell Woman’s Club and continues to serve as an active member. She works with several Non-Profit Organizations organizing fundraisers and is very involved in her community.

She and her husband Mike enjoy their two Labradoodles – Dundee and Grace whom they walk at the Roswell Recreation Park on a daily basis. Mike and Manuela enjoy Pickleball and exercise but also love good food! Their son Jack likes to play basketball and enjoys playing with their doggies.

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived in the US?
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
What have you been doing since you arrived in the US?
What are other things you like to do?
What Fundraiser do you have coming up this week?
What do you like to do best and how do you do it?
Why do people hire you?
How is the market?
How does the interest rate affect your business?
People say there are no homes for sale?
What is your claim to fame?

North Fulton Business Radio is hosted by John Ray and broadcast and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. 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, Stitcher, TuneIn, and others.

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Special thanks to A&S Culinary Concepts for their support of this edition of North Fulton Business Radio. A&S Culinary Concepts, based in Johns Creek, is an award-winning culinary studio, celebrated for corporate catering, corporate team building, Big Green Egg Boot Camps, and private group events. They also provide oven-ready, cooked from scratch meals to go they call “Let Us Cook for You.” To see their menus and events, go to their website or call 678-336-9196.

Ehab Jaleel, Amana Academy Charter Schools

April 25, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Ehab Jaleel, Amana Academy Charter Schools

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Ehab Jaleel, Amana Academy Charter Schools (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 448)

With a diverse population of over eight hundred students, Amana Academy Charter School is a unique K-8 school using the Expeditionary Learning (EL) model for its curriculum. Ehab Jaleel, Executive Director, and host John Ray talked about the EL learning model, what the children learn and experience, the partnership with the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta which has resulted in their new West Atlanta Campus, and much more.

North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Amana Academy Charter Schools

Amana Academy is a K-8 tuition-free public charter school open to all students who are eligible to attend Fulton County Schools.

Considered among the most well-regarded charter schools in the state of Georgia, Amana Academy’s Alpharetta campus was established in 2005 and authorized by the Georgia Department of Education and the Fulton County Schools system.

Amana chose the Harvard-based EL Education (Expeditionary Learning) model* because of its equal emphasis on academic achievement and character education. With high standardized test scores, an integrated STEM curriculum, a focus on stewardship and ethical character, and Arabic world-language instruction across all grade levels, Amana is a success story in the world of whole-child education.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

Ehab Jaleel, Executive Director, Amana Academy Charter Schools

Ehab Jaleel has a zeal for pursuing innovation and mobilizing new ventures with an eye toward making a difference in his community and the world. He aspires to be a “weaver”—building community connections and weaving a rich social fabric.

A graduate of the Leadership Atlanta class of 2016, Ehab is a corporate professional turned nonprofit leader/educator. He is Executive Director of Amana Academy Charter Schools, an emerging network of metro-Atlanta public schools. He co-founded Amana’s flagship school in 2005 in Alpharetta, GA, a STEM-themed EL Education credentialed Title-1 school that is among the highest performing schools in Georgia. Amana’s first replica school is in partnership with Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta at their Camp Timber Ridge.

Ehab’s education and community focus extends to a number of organizations including the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce’s Tech400 Committee, the Advisory Council for North Fulton Community Charities, as a board member of the Atlanta International Night Market, and as a Regional Director for the Georgia Tech President Scholars Selection Committee. He led the governance committee on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Charter Schools Association, and he served as a board member at U-Beyond, a youth mentorship & professional development organization.

In 2014 Ehab was included in the list of Georgia’s 100 Most Influential Muslims; and in 2015, The Alif Institute recognized him with the Arab American High Achiever award.

Born in Jordan, Ehab immigrated to the United States at the age of six and resided in Albany, NY until his family moved to Florida’s Tampa Bay area. He has also lived in Louisville, KY while working for General Electric, but most of his adult life has been in metro-Atlanta where he earned degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Psychology from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and where he worked at The Coca-Cola Company’s headquarters in operational marketing and innovation roles for fifteen years.

Ehab resides in Milton, Georgia with his wife Lara ‘Lemiya’ Alexander. They have three adult daughters, the eldest an equestrian, the second a veteran of the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, and the youngest attending his alma mater studying Environmental Public Policy and minoring in Japanese. He is a foodie who enjoys global travel, fitness, outdoor adventure, and following Formula 1 racing.

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

What are charter schools? How did Amana get started?
Why did you make the switch from the corporate world to running a school?
How do you see yourself fitting into the North Fulton landscape?
What is the student experience at Amana? How does it benefit them? Where do your students come from?
How do families find you?
Where do they go after 8th grade?
Education was in the news quite a bit during the pandemic. How did your school navigate it; and how will emerging trends affect your organization and the education sector in general? Are there lessons for leaders?
We hear you are expanding with a very innovative partnership with Girl Scouts. Tell us more about that.
What local partnerships do you have going?
How can the community get involved and help with your mission?

2022 North Fulton Economic Outlook with Ian Wyatt, Principal Economist, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

January 28, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

2022 North Fulton Economic Outlook with Ian Wyatt, Principal Economist, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

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2022 North Fulton Economic Outlook with Ian Wyatt, Principal Economist, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 71)

Ian Wyatt, Principal Economist with the Metro Atlanta Chamber, joined host Kali Boatright to cover the North Fulton economic outlook for 2022. Ian discussed the strength of North Fulton schools, inflation, housing affordability, how childcare costs affect the labor market, job growth and unemployment 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®

The Metro Atlanta Chamber

The Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) is a 160-year-old organization that today represents businesses, colleges and universities, and nonprofits across the 29-county region that makes up the nation’s ninth-largest market.

MAC works to position metro Atlanta as a top-tier global region by focusing on three key areas: economic development, public policy and promotion. Its efforts build on the qualities that make Atlanta one of the nation’s most unique metros — its neighborhoods, culture, quality of life, welcoming business community and more. MAC’s economic development efforts focus on recruiting new companies to the region and retaining and growing the innovative businesses that already call the area home. In addition, MAC convenes thought leaders in supply chain, IoT, bioscience, global commerce, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship — the region’s key ecosystems.

Company website

Ian Wyatt, Vice President, Principal Economist, Metro Atlanta Chamber

Ian Wyatt is a Senior Economist with extensive experience and expertise in commercial portfolio strategy, industry analytics, macroeconomic forecasting, competitive intelligence, and risk management.

Ian currently serves as the Vice President, Principal Economist at the Metro Atlanta Chamber. In his previous role, Ian served as the Vice President/Economist, Analytics and Information Strategy, Wholesale Credit for the Bank of America.

Ian also served as Vice President/Economist, Pricing Strategy and Business Analytics, Wholesale Credit with Bank of America where he led a team that produced detailed analysis of loan yields at competitors to improve margins on $400B commercial loan portfolio. He also held the positions of Vice President/Economist, Industry Risk Group and Vice President/Economist, Industry and Country Risk Group.

Prior to joining the Bank of America, Ian served as a Senior Economist with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, where he was responsible for developing and evaluating forecasts of major macroeconomic variables, including GDP, inflation, employment, balance of trade, and monetary policy. These forecasts formed the basis of official U.S. government economic forecasts.

Ian began his career as an Economist, Occupational Outlook and Occupational Employment Statistics Division with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, where he co-developed new statistical metrics and methods in response to customer requests for information on the employment outlook for college graduates.

LinkedIn | Twitter

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

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 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®.

Maggie DeCan, Children’s Development Academy

November 30, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Maggie DeCan, Children's Development Academy

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Maggie DeCan, Children’s Development Academy (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 413)

The Children’s Development Academy, founded fifty years ago, focuses on high-quality early education and childcare for low-income families in North Fulton. CEO and Executive Director Maggie DeCan joined host John Ray to talk about their mission, why their work is such a compelling long-term investment for the North Fulton community, how she moved from corporate to nonprofit work, and much more. North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Children’s Development Academy

The Children’s Development Academy (CDA) enjoys a rich history of broad support, built over the past five decades.

Focused on low-income working families in our community, the CDA can serve 156 children each day ages 12 months through 5 years in our full-day early care and learning program, including three Georgia Pre-K classes.

The CDA is NAEYC-accredited (National Association for the Education of Young Children), the highest level of accreditation available to any education program, with a curriculum committed to preparing children to be “ready by five” for school success.

In July 2015, the CDA received the highest rating of three stars from Georgia’s Quality Rated program. The Quality Rated system was designed so that any parent selecting a program participating in Quality Rated can feel confident that they are enrolling their child in a program that is committed to continuous quality improvement and higher quality standards.

Company Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

Maggie DeCan, CEO and Executive Director, Children’s Development Academy

Maggie DeCan took the helm at the CDA in November of 2016 with considerable experience in both corporate and community leadership as well as having been an active volunteer and financial contributor to the CDA and its mission. With an active board, she has led organizational rebranding as well as driving strategic priorities focused on increased enrollment, sustainable giving, and quality outcomes.

Prior to taking the helm at the CDA Maggie ran day-to-day operations for the HoneyBaked Ham national system as president and COO leading a team responsible for $500MM annually of system sales in 500 corporate and franchise operating units. Her leadership style is built on a focus on the customer and those who serve them. Prior to assuming the role of President and COO, Maggie served as Chief Human Resource Officer.

Before HoneyBaked, Maggie served in human resources for well-known retailers Circuit City, Belk, and Macy’s. Maggie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications from the University of Michigan. Maggie’s leadership experience extends to the community where she has become a respected educational advocate, receiving an award from the State of GA PTA for visionary leadership. In 2014 she was a finalist for the Turknett Leadership Character Award and in 2015, she was honored by the Georgia Diversity Council as a “Most Powerful and Influential Woman” and in 2016 was a Womentics P.O.W. winner.

She has served on the Advisory Board for the Children’s Restoration Network and as Chairman Emeritus Roswell North Elementary Education Foundation, a 501(c) 3 that she helped found in 2009. She is also past president of the Woodstock Junior Service League.

Maggie’s free time is spent first with her family. Her husband of 35 years, Bob, is a high school economics teacher, son Riley a junior UGA and son Brady a freshman at UTK.

Questions and Topics Discussed in this Episode

How did the CDA get its start?
Why is the mission of the CDA important to the North Fulton community?
What are the benefits of early childhood education?
How can the community get involved and help with your mission?
Why did you make the switch from the corporate world to running a nonprofit?
Tell us more about the partnership with Be Rich that you are launching today for Giving Tuesday

North Fulton Business Radio is hosted by John Ray, and broadcast and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. 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, Stitcher, TuneIn, and others.

Wellstar Chamber Luncheon Series: COVID-19 Vaccine Update from the Centers for Disease Control

April 1, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Wellstar Chamber Luncheon Series: COVID-19 Vaccine Update from the Centers for Disease Control

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Wellstar Chamber Luncheon Series: COVID-19 Vaccine Update with the CDC, with Amanda Cohn, MD, and Michelle Wilson, Centers for Disease Control (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 59)

CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Amanda Cohn offered an update on the Covid-19 vaccine rollout and CDC Senior Advisor Michelle Wilson joined the call as well. Today’s program was sponsored by The City of Alpharetta and Logic Speak. 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 North Fulton Business RadioX served as the media sponsor for this event.

Amanda Cohn, MD, Chief Medical Officer, COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Dr. Amanda Cohn currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer of the National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) and Executive Secretary of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. She previously served as the Deputy Director of NCIRD’s Immunization Services Division. Dr. Cohn came to the CDC in 2004 as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer and joined the Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch in 2006, where she focused on prevention and control of meningococcal disease, both domestically and internationally. She is board certified in Pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

She obtained her medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine and completed a residency in pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston Medical Center in Massachusetts.

CDC website | Amanda Cohn LinkedIn

Michelle Wilson, Senior Advisor, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

**Michelle Wilson, Senior Advisor, CDC**

Michelle Wilson is a Senior Advisor at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the Office of the Chief Operating Officer. Her work focuses on strategic external relations as she directs CDC’s Georgia Relations work. Michelle has worked at CDC for 20 years, including the past seven years in the Office of Appropriations, most recently serving as Congressional Team Lead – leading activities related to the Agency’s appropriations outreach strategy with Congress.

During her CDC tenure, Michelle has worked in policy at all levels of the Agency, including time in Washington, D.C. – focusing on government relations, budget, appropriations, and non-federal partnerships. Prior to coming to CDC in 2001 as a Presidential Management Intern, Michelle worked at several large health related non-profits and practiced front-line social work in California in Los Angeles and Yolo Counties.

She is a graduate of the University of California at Davis and received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California.

CDC Website | Michelle Wilson LinkedIn

Lindsey Petrini, Board Chair, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Lindsey Petrini is the Chief Operating Officer of WellStar North Fulton Hospital. WellStar North Fulton Hospital is a 202-bed facility located in Roswell, Georgia.

The hospital is recognized for its accredited cancer program, trauma and primary stroke center designations, and for providing a continuum of services through its centers and programs, including neurosciences, pain management, cardiology, women’s services, rehabilitation, surgical services, and oncology. For more information click here.

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 “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®.

Ron Wilder, 1-800 Water Damage of North Fulton

July 16, 2020 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Ron Wilder, 1-800 Water Damage of North Fulton

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Ron Wilder, 1-800 Water Damage of North Fulton (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 260)

The owner of 1-800 Water Damage of North Fulton, Ron Wilder, joined host John Ray to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and why his desire to serve people is fulfilled through his business. “North Fulton Business Radio” is produced virtually by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

1-800 Water Damage of North Fulton

Unexpected flooding, fire, or sewage disasters take a great toll on home or business owners and leave damage in their wake. Their local restoration experts use advanced equipment and techniques to perform property damage restoration in Fulton and DeKalb Counties in Georgia. Their IICRC-certified restoration professionals deal with damage stemming from water, smoke, fire, sewage, and mold. 1-800 WATER DAMAGE is trusted nationwide for high quality restoration services, and they are proud to bring those services to the North Fulton community. With over a decade of experience, their restoration professionals have the tools and knowledge necessary to get customer’s property looking like new again.

Ron Wilder, Owner/Operator, 1-800 Water Damage of North Fulton

Ron’s career began in the Army National Guard where he served 8 years. It was the launching pad for his graduation from The Ohio State University as a Certified Public Accountant. Ron’s career included over 23 years in the accounting profession helping people.

As next phase, he now leads the 1-800 WATER DAMAGE of North Fulton team with a continued focus on helping people.

Point of Contact for Ron Wilder

Company website

Twitter

Questions/Topics Discussed in this Show

How has your company been since COVID-19?
What makes you different from all the other companies in your industry?
Why the change from Corporate America to being an Entrepreneur?
Why did you pick the Property Restoration industry?
How would previous customers describe you all?
As a business owner, what are your top three priorities?
How do you define success?
Explain a time when you exceed a customer’s expectation

North Fulton Business Radio” is produced virtually from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta. 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, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, TuneIn, and others.

WellStar Chamber Luncheon Series: Education with Dr. Mike Looney, Fulton County Schools

May 26, 2020 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

WellStar Chamber Luncheon Series: Education with Dr. Mike Looney, Fulton County Schools

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WellStar Chamber Luncheon Series: Education with Dr. Mike Looney, Fulton County Schools (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 39)

Dr. Mike Looney, Superintendent of Fulton County Schools, briefed attendees of the WellStar Chamber Luncheon Series on fall school reopening scenarios, lessons learned this past spring, and much more. It’s must listen for parents, students, businesses, and all stakeholders in Fulton County Schools. 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.

Dr. Mike Looney, Fulton County Schools Superintendent

Dr. Mike Looney joined Fulton County Schools after serving as Superintendent of Williamson County Schools in Tennessee, where he was named 2015 Superintendent of the year by Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents (TOSS).

He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Master’s degree in Education from Jacksonville State University in Alabama. Dr. Looney earned his Educational Specialist Degree and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Alabama.

Dr. Looney’s work has been presented for regional and national audiences on a wide range of educational and leadership topics.

He has served on several distinguished panels including President George W. Bush’s National Reading Leadership Panel in Washington D.C.

Dr. Looney also served as Superintendent of the Butler County School District in Alabama. Under his leadership the school district realized significant student achievement gains, improved the graduation rate, and established the district’s first magnet school. In recognition of his work there, he was selected as Greenville, Alabama’s Citizen of the Year in 2008.

Before arriving at Butler, he was Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in Montgomery Public Schools. Under his leadership, the district of 61 schools and 31,000 students received national notoriety for its improvement in reading achievement scores.

Dr. Looney, a public educator since 1994, has also served in the roles of classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal. During his tenure as principal, his school was recognized for closing the achievement gap for underprivileged and minority students. His school was highlighted at both the state and national levels and was named a National Title I Distinguished School.

Prior to entering the field of education, he served as finance manager for a privately-held corporation with fifty employees in Anniston, Alabama. His responsibilities included corporate finance, marketing, and human resource management.

Dr. Looney is a military veteran having served for seven years in the United States Marine Corps before being honorably discharged with a service-related injury. His military service was distinguished by four meritorious promotions which included his being selected as the Marine of the Year for MCRS Montgomery serving Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. In addition to other medals and ribbons, Dr. Looney was the recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. His military duties took him all over the world and included a six-month tour on the USS Raleigh with the 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Amphibious Force. He is the father of four grown children.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

North Fulton Mayor's Roundtable — **Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC**

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®.

The GNFCC 400 Insider: All Things Sandy Springs, An Interview With Jennifer Cruce, Visit Sandy Springs, and Andrea Worthy, City of Sandy Springs Economic Development

November 19, 2019 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The GNFCC 400 Insider: All Things Sandy Springs, An Interview With Jennifer Cruce, Visit Sandy Springs, and Andrea Worthy, City of Sandy Springs Economic Development

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**Jennifer Cruce, Kali Boatright, and Andrea Worthy**

“The GNFCC 400 Insider,” Episode 30, All Things Sandy Springs: An Interview with Jennifer Cruce, Visit Sandy Springs, and Andrea Worthy, City of Sandy Springs Economic Development

The dynamic economic activity in the City of Sandy Springs was discussed on this edition of “GNFCC 400 Insider,” as host Kali Boatright interviewed Jennifer Cruce, Executive Director of Visit Sandy Springs, and Andrea Worthy, Economic Development Director for the City of Sandy Springs.

Jennifer Cruce, Executive Director of Visit Sandy Springs

Jennifer Cruce was named Executive Director of Visit Sandy Springs in 2014. Visit Sandy Springs is the Destination Marketing Organization for the North Fulton city. Sandy Springs incorporated in 2005 and prides itself on being a place where residents decided on the development they wanted to see and experience.

As the director of hospitality and tourism, Jennifer showcases Sandy Springs’ restaurants, arts, culture and attractions. Prior to her current role, Jennifer was senior manager of marketing for Inside CNN Studio Tours at Turner Broadcasting for more than 10 years.

For more information go to the Visit Sandy Springs website. Email Jennifer or call 770-206-1447.

Andrea Worthy, Economic Development Director for the City of Sandy Springs

Andrea Worthy has served as Economic Development Director for the City of Sandy Springs since July 2018. For six years prior, she was Vice President of Economic Development for The Collaborative, which managed the city’s Economic Development until June 2018. Andrea is responsible for facilitating the location or expansion of local businesses.

Andrea is a former Redevelopment Director for Smyrna where she implemented the city’s Tax Allocation District. Her past economic development experience includes work as an independent consultant, as well as a manager of policy development at Mirant, an independent power producer and energy trading firm.

For more information go to the City of Sandy Springs website. Email Andrea or call 770-730-5600.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

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®.