North Fulton Archives - Page 7 of 8

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.

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.

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®.

The GNFCC 400 Insider: All Things Alpharetta, An Interview with Janet Rodgers, Awesome Alpharetta (Alpharetta CVB) and Matt Thomas, City of Alpharetta Economic Development

August 23, 2019 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The GNFCC 400 Insider: All Things Alpharetta, An Interview with Janet Rodgers, Awesome Alpharetta (Alpharetta CVB) and Matt Thomas, City of Alpharetta Economic Development

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**Kali Boatright, Matthew Thomas, and Janet Rodgers**

Episode 27, All Things Alpharetta

Why does Alpharetta keep achieving such high rankings for quality of life? What makes Alpharetta such an attractive place to do business, particularly for technology companies? What are some of the signature events which draw visitors to Alpharetta? Join Host Kali Boatright as she poses these questions and more to Janet Rodgers, Awesome Alpharetta, and Matthew Thomas, Economic Development Manager of the City of Alpharetta. The “GNFCC 400 Insider” is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

Janet Rodgers, Awesome Alpharetta, the Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau

**Janet Rodgers, Awesome Alpharetta, the Alpharetta CVB**

Janet Rodgers is President and CEO of Awesome Alpharetta, the Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau. The mission statement of the Alpharetta CVB is “to position the city of Alpharetta as a regionally, nationally and globally recognized premier tourism destination by developing quality programs and facilities to attract overnight visitors.”

The Alpharetta CVB uses innovative and targeted marketing strategies, along with aggressive sales efforts, to attract overnight visitors to the city. They do this in three key areas:

1. Increasing the awareness and identity of Alpharetta as a destination for the leisure and individual traveler and raising awareness of the economic importance of the visitor industry to Alpharetta by placing advertisements, writing press releases, utilizing social media and maintaining a technologically advanced website

2. Employing a variety of sales strategies to increase the number of group room nights booked in Alpharetta’s 26 hotels through attendance at tradeshows, association meetings and conferences as well as sales calls and site visits with event organizers

3. Providing leadership for the visitor industry, coordinating activities, encouraging marketing activities and partnerships, and projecting an appealing image on behalf of the city of Alpharetta

For more information on the Alpharetta CVB and their services, call 678-297-2811 and request their brochure, “A Look at the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau.” You can also visit the Awesome Alpharetta website.

Matthew Thomas, City of Alpharetta Economic Development

Matthew Thomas is the Economic Development Manager for the City of Alpharetta.

There’s a reason why more than 640 technology-based businesses have made their home in Alpharetta, and it’s not just the nice houses and great weather. The city’s fiber-optic network is the most extensive and redundant in the Southeast, and they work closely with state and local economic development agencies to provide tax credits and incentives to complement any brand of business. Some of the biggest and most recognized names in the tech industry are thriving in Alpharetta. With more than 20 million square feet of office space, there’s plenty of room in the neighborhood for you next expansion.

The City of Alpharetta has been recognized nationally in a variety of awards and rankings, including Best Small City to Start Business (Entrepreneur.com), Best Atlanta Suburb (Movoto), Top 25 Best Places to Move (Forbes), 7th Friendliest City (Forbes), and 6th Fastest Growing City (U.S. Census, 2012).

For more information, go to GrowAlpharetta.com, or call 678-297-6024.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

**Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce**

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.

The GNFCC 400 Insider: All Things Roswell, An Interview with Andy Williams, Visit Roswell, the Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Steve Stroud, Roswell Inc.

July 19, 2019 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The GNFCC 400 Insider: All Things Roswell, An Interview with Andy Williams, Visit Roswell, the Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Steve Stroud, Roswell Inc.

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**Steve Stroud, Kali Boatright, and Andy Williams**

Episode 26, All Things Roswell

What makes the City of Roswell so attractive to millennials, families, and empty-nesters? Why is Roswell such an attractive location for business? What are some of the signature events which draw visitors to Roswell? Join Host Kali Boatright as she poses these questions and more to Andy Williams, Visit Roswell, and Steve Stroud, Roswell Inc. The “GNFCC 400 Insider” is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

Andy Williams, Visit Roswell, the Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau

**Andy Williams, Visit Roswell, the Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau**

Andy Williams is the Executive Director of Visit Roswell, the Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau. Visit Roswell and the Roswell Visitors Center is the place for “All Things Roswell.” It is a convenient place to start your excursion whether you are looking for historic attractions, trails to hike, nature, entertainment, breweries, or Roswell’s extensive culinary scene.

Knowledgeable staff can assist with arrangements for a fun filled day, overnight stay, or a several day trip. The Roswell Visitors Center is located at the intersection of Hwy. 9 and Sloan Street in Roswell’s Historic District (just across the street from the Historic Town Square.) at 617 Atlanta Street; Roswell, GA 30075.

You can email info@visitroswellga.com, or call 770-640-3253 or 800-776-7935. The Visit Roswell website can be found at http://www.visitroswellga.com/.

Steve Stroud, Roswell Inc.

Steve Stroud is the Executive Director for Economic Development with Roswell Inc.

As the economic development and business advocacy organization for the City of Roswell, Roswell Inc. serves as a catalyst for a sustainable, innovative and vibrant business community in the city.

Their vision is for Roswell to be the best place in the region for innovative, community-minded businesses and entrepreneurs, and they accomplish this through four main areas of work—business attraction and recruitment, business retention and expansion, industry support programs, and business development.

As a 501(c)6 nonprofit, Roswell Inc. has worked with the City of Roswell through a public-private partnership since 2012 by serving as an advocate for business and economic growth.

For more information, go to https://roswellinc.org/ or call 678-823-4004.

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.