Rich Casanova Archives - Page 12 of 17

Robert Balentine with Balentine and Company, Jim Cook with National Financial Services Group, Brad Stonecipher with Peachtree Planning Corporation, Reo Oravec with Pilot House Advisors – Buckhead Business Radio

October 21, 2014 by angishields

Buckhead Business Radio

Robert Balentine with Balentine and Company, Jim Cook with National Financial Services Group, Brad Stonecipher with Peachtree Planning Corporation, Reo Oravec with Pilot House Advisors - Buckhead Business Radio

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Robert Balentine/Balentine and Company

Partner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Robert Balentine is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Balentine, the Atlanta based independent investment advisory firm. In 1987, Robert founded Balentine and Company, which grew to become the largest independent investment advisory firm in the south. In 2002, the firm was acquired by a large public company where Robert become CEO of their investment management business, managing more than $36 billion in assets. Five years ago, he and his partners became entrepreneurs once again and created Balentine as an independent firm. Robert began his career with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, where at the age of 28, he was elected the youngest vice president in Merrill Lynch history. In 1987, he and his father cofounded Balentine & Company, which grew to become the largest privately owned investment counseling firm in the Southeast. In 2002, the firm was acquired by Wilmington Trust Company where Robert served as Executive Vice President and Chairman and CEO of Wilmington Trust Investment Management. There, his Atlanta based team managed over $36 billion in assets for clients throughout the United States. Robert has held a variety of leadership positions in the community. He was Chairman of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Vice Chairman of the Woodruff Arts Center and Chairman of the Salvation Army Atlanta Boys & Girls Clubs. He is a 20 year member of Vistage, an international organization of CEOs; founding president of The Southeastern Horticultural Society; and a member of the Elachee Nature Center Advisory Board. Robert is also founder of the Southern Highlands Reserve (SHR), a nationally recognized native plant arboretum in western North Carolina, and in 2014 was honored for his work with SHR by Invest in Others in its annual Community Leadership Awards. Since its founding in December 2009, Balentine has grown to nearly $2 billion in assets, employing 25 people in two offices and has been named one of the Top 50 fastest growing RIAs by Forbes and a best place to work in Money Management by Pensions & Investments. In addition, the Metro Atlanta Chamber awarded Robert with the Entrepreneur of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. In August of this year, Robert was named one of the nation’s “Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors” by Barron’s.

www.Balentine.com LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Jim Cook/National Financial Services Group

CEO

James L. Cook serves as CEO of National Financial Services Group (NFSG), a comprehensive financial services firm headquartered in Atlanta. Under his leadership, which began in 2000, the firm has become one of the premier financial services companies in the Southeast having grown from a single office of 16 associates to over 125 financial services professionals with offices in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. NFSG has a long proud history. Through its association with National Life Insurance Company (NLIC), NFSG can trace its roots back to 1896, the year the first NLIC agency opened in Atlanta. Over the years, the firm’s name has changed but its solid reputation for excellence in service and long term client relationships has endured. Jim’s steadfast commitment to ongoing training and education builds the intellectual capital of the firm and enables the firm’s financial professionals to stand out among their peers in the industry. NFSG was recognized as the top National Life agency from 20052010 and for the past ten years, it has been ranked as one of the top agencies for insurance and assets under management by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. The firm has been the recipient of numerous GAMA International Awards which recognize exceptional agencies and firm leaders around the world. These awards include the Master Agency Award (five times), the First in Class Award (six times) and the International Management Diamond Award (eight times). Jim served for four years as a GAMA International Board Member.1 A 1981 graduate of Western Illinois University, Jim earned his Certified Fund Specialist® designation in 1995 and became a Chartered Financial Consultant® in 1997. He is past President of NAIFA Atlanta and served as a board member for three years. Jim has traveled to Washington D.C., along with NAIFA leaders from across the country, to discuss important industry issues with members of Congress. Jim and his wife, Belynda, live in Cumming, GA and have three daughters. They are members of Johns Creek United Methodist Church. During his occasional free time, Jim can be found golfing or cheering on the Atlanta Braves.

www.NationalFinancialServicesGroup.com LinkedIn

Brad Stonecipher/Peachtree Planning Corporation

Executive Vice President Investments

Brad Stonecipher has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He was previously employed with Trust Company Bank, Merrill Lynch, and Robinson Humphrey, before joining Peachtree Planning in 1995. Brad currently oversees Peachtree Planning’s Investment Department which includes, Operations, Compliance, and Investment Product Sales. He is responsible for over 90 registered representatives who currently manage over $2.6 billion of their clients’ assets. Brad is the recipient of several professional organizational awards. He has served as a member of the Field Advisory Board for Park Avenue Securities (PAS) and for Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company. He helped develop and implement the PAS Investment Specialist Training Program, a program that has trained over 200 Investment Specialist’s throughout the country. He graduated with a BBA, from the University of Kentucky. He is a member of the IAFP, International Association of Financial Planners, a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the ALU, Association of Life Underwriters, and a member of GAMA International, The General Agents and Managers Association. Brad lives in Buckhead with his wife, Iris, and their son, Nick, and daughter, Haley. They are members of Peachtree Presbyterian Church.

www.PeachtreePlanning.com LinkedIn Facebook

Reo Oravec/Pilot House Advisors

Founder

Reo Oravec comes with 32 years as a trusted advisor to clients. He started his career with Anderson Consulting in Europe where he attended the University of Oxford for an MBA. He returned to the US to run the West coast branch of Anderson and was hired as a CIO for a DOT COM client, which he took public. Reo has spent over a decade in various VP roles for a global consulting company helping a broad range of businesses from startups to F100 companies. As CEO of Pilothouse Advisors, he currently leads the business strategy efforts that focus on customer’s high growth and innovation execution. Reo has a vast experience with SMEs from all aspects of business operations, and, today, he will uncover their origins and usefulness in today’s challenging environment. Optional: Reo holds certifications in project management from Stanford University, business intelligence from TDWI, and is a certified outsourcing executive from IAOP. He’s the author of an upcoming book on effective business processes and revenue generation titled “Sales Best Practices.” In Atlanta, he is involved in TAG, ASP, AICPA, IIBA, the AQAA, and is a fund raiser for SOGA, the Salvation Army Bed and Bread program, Feed America, and the Wounded Warrior Project.

www.PilothouseAdvisors.com Linkedin

Heather Thompson/Pilot House Advisors

Show Producer

Mark Toro with North American Properties, Steve Palmer with Indigo Restaurant Group, Patrick Scullin with Ames Scullin O’Haire, Denver Rayburn and Jeff Meng with HackAtl – Buckhead Business Radio

October 14, 2014 by angishields

Buckhead Business Radio

Mark Toro with North American Properties, Steve Palmer with Indigo Restaurant Group, Patrick Scullin with Ames Scullin O'Haire, Denver Rayburn and Jeff Meng with HackAtl - Buckhead Business Radio

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Jeff Meng, Denver Rayburn, Patrick Scullin, Steve Palmer, Mark Toro

Mark Toro/North American Properties

Partner

Mark Toro founded the Atlanta office of North American Properties in 1996 and since then has led the acquisition, development and redevelopment of more than 7 million square feet. An industry veteran, he has completed more than 60 projects, totaling 19 million square feet, in his 26 year career in commercial real estate.

Toro is currently focused on building North American’s portfolio by identifying opportunities to acquire or develop retail, multifamily and mixed use assets, adding value by leading a select group of best-in-class professionals engaged in development, leasing, management, marketing and finance.

Prior to opening the Atlanta office, he served as Managing Director for Faison & Associates and Vice President of Development at Cousins/New Market Development Company. Toro holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Rutgers University.

An advocate of walkability and transit oriented development, Toro serves on the Midtown Alliance Board (Executive Committee) and ULI Atlanta’s Livable Communities Council (Chairman)

www.naproperties.com www.experienceavalon.com @AvalonInsider

Steve Palmer/Indigo Road Restaurant Group

Managing Partner

Steve Palmer formed the Charleston-based hospitality group The Indigo Road in 2009 when he began working with the celebrated Oak Steakhouse and went on to open O-Ku, Cocktail Club, The Macintosh, The Oak Table (Columbia, SC) and Indaco. Prior to forming The Indigo Road, Palmer served as vice president of food and beverage for the Ginn Clubs and Resorts. In this role, he managed eleven properties in the Southeast and the Caribbean, while still developing other hospitality concepts for the company. He eventually served as the lead developer for Ginn Resorts, and developed over $100 million in hotel and club space.

www.theindigoroad.com LinkedIn

Twitter: Steve Palmer Oak Steakhouse

Patrick Scullin/Ames Scullin O’Haire

Adman/Wordsmitty

Patrick is chief creative officer and a founding partner of Ames Scullin O’Haire Advertising, Inc. (www.asoy.com) working with clients Mitsubishi Electric, The Georgia Aquarium, Seagram’s Ginger Ale, Seagram’s Sparkling Seltzer Waters, Mellow Mushroom Pizza, Sealed Air Corporation, Wild Wing Cafes and Anthony HillPhoenix. The agency has also created successful campaigns for UPS, Randstad Staffing Services, Danka Business Systems, HEARTGARD Plus and Delhaize America Grocery Stores.

He has worked with Hal Riney & Partners/San Francisco, Leo Burnett/Chicago and The Richards Group/Dallas and created successful marketing campaigns for American Airlines, McDonald’s, Kellogg’s Cereals, The Stroh Brewery, Church’s Chicken, The Mirage Hotel & Casino, Arby’s, Anheuser-Busch and Alamo Rent-A-Car.

(He even worked as an advance man for The Clyde Beatty–Cole Bros. Circus.)

He’s been named to ADWEEK’s All-Star Team and was selected as “One of The Hottest Copywriters in America” by Winners Magazine. Patrick served three terms as President of The Atlanta Ad Club and received The 2007 Silver Medal Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Advertising Federation’s Atlanta chapter in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the business community.

Scullin writes a popular blog called The Lint Screen (www.thelintscreen.com) and is casually working on his first novel about an adman who works for a circus. Go figure

www.asoy.com LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Denver Rayburn/PosterFuse.com

Founder

As a founding member of technology startup PosterFuse.com, Denver was recognized by the USA Today for innovation in the digital media space, specifically for his efforts in programming and supply chain management. Through his experience at PosterFuse, Denver has gained extensive exposure to the venture capital and startup ecosystems of Atlanta. This exposure led him to become the Executive Director of HackATL, an annual tech conference held in Atlanta, as well as a strategic advisor for multiple venture backed startups.

In addition to his startup and technology experience, Denver worked as a summer analyst at global investment banking firm Lazard Frères & Co. in New York. His experience at Lazard includes M&A related valuation, cross border re-organizations, and strategic advisory within the Power & Energy and Technology Media & Telecommunications groups. Prior to Lazard, Denver worked as a summer analyst at Dover Corporation’s Hydro Systems gaining exposure to cross-border M&A transactions.

hackatl.org Twitter Facebook

Jeff Meng/Emory Entrepreneurship & Venture Management

President

Jeff is currently a senior at Emory University studying finance and consulting. He has previously worked at a $9B growth equity/venture capital investment fund, as well as Ericsson and Intel corporation. In 2012 in co-founded the Emory Entrepreneurship & Venture management organization to develop the entrepreneurship community and help other students launch start ups at Emory.

hackatl.org Twitter Facebook

Whitney Wilson with LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Stacy Weenick with Taste of Atlanta, Terry Carver with Bricktop’s, Kit Cummings with Power of Peace Productions, Inc. – Buckhead Business Radio

October 7, 2014 by angishields

Buckhead Business Radio

Whitney Wilson with LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Stacy Weenick with Taste of Atlanta, Terry Carver with Bricktop's, Kit Cummings with Power of Peace Productions, Inc. - Buckhead Business Radio

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Whitney Wilson/ LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Marketing Manager

Enthusiastic and dedicated professional, with two years working for Merlin Entertainments, the second largest global entertainments company. With experience in all Operational and Marketing aspects of the business, I strive to achieve maximum guest satisfaction, optimization of all Marketing channels and the personal career development of the Marketing team. I enjoy working in a fast-paced and energetic environment. In my career at Merlin Entertainments have demonstrated excellent customer service and problem solving skills, and have developed a passion for the entertainments industry.

– Source, develop and execute promotional partnerships.

– Work with the Finance Department to develop annual visitor budget.

– Oversee Trade Sales activity, group bookings, hotel relationships, and 3rd party partnerships.

– Oversee social media activity and initiatives.

– Oversee the development and execution of all community events, both on site and off site.

– Develop and track ticket products to ensure daily, monthly and annual targets are achieved.

– Develop online digital marketing strategies and relationships.

– Actively manage and monitor online social review sites.

– Responsible for the creation and execution of the annual marketing plan.

LegoLandDiscoveryCenter.com LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Stacy Weenick/Taste of Atlanta

Event Manager

Taste of Atlanta packs the bold flavors, colorful personalities and vibrant energy of an entire city into 10 blocks in Midtown Atlanta. The three-day festival explores the city’s unique neighborhoods by sampling tastes from the chefs and bartenders that give each area its own creative energy. Since its inception in 2002, Taste of Atlanta has become an annual pilgrimage for thousands of food, wine, beer and cocktail lovers from across the country. Festival attendees bring their adventurous appetites and experience a full range of flavors, from time-honored Southern classics to innovative dishes that are destined to be the next culinary trend. Patrons also enjoy interactive cooking demonstrations on four main stages, live entertainment and family-friendly activities for food lovers of all ages. Taste of Atlanta supports several Atlanta non-profit groups, including Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters, Atlanta’s Table, Georgia Organics and Hospitality Education Foundation of Georgia and ProStart®. Indulge in the city’s flavors Friday through Sunday, October 24-26 in Midtown at Tech Square to truly savor what makes Atlanta the food capital of the South.

www.TasteofAtlanta.com LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Terry Carver /Bricktop’s

General Manager

www.BrickTops.com LinkedIn

Kit Cummings/Power of Peace Productions, Inc.

Founder & President

Born and raised in Atlanta, Kit has been involved in the field of personal development and leadership for over two decades. Kit earned a BBA in Marketing from the Terry School of Business at the University of Georgia, and he also holds a Master of Theology. Kit founded Power of Peace Project, Inc. and Power of Peace Productions, Inc. and brings his experience working in some of the most dangerous areas in the world– to bring about organizational CHANGE in your community. Kit has inspired people to aim higher in places as far away as Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe, and recently completed speaking tours in South Africa, Mexico, Honduras and Ukraine. Kit has negotiated peace between rival gang leaders in dangerous prisons and recently spoke at the Gandhi Global Peace Summit in Durban, South Africa. Having taught in some of the toughest environments in the world, he now brings his dynamic message to schools, prisons, churches, corporate events and seminars. Kit has authored four books.

www.PowerofPeaceProject.com LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

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Loretta Lepore with MediaBar Services, Erica Danylchak with Buckhead Heritage Society, Kevin O’Malley with B2BCamp and Will Geer with Callaway Geer – Buckhead Business Radio

September 30, 2014 by angishields

Buckhead Business Radio

Loretta Lepore with MediaBar Services, Erica Danylchak with Buckhead Heritage Society, Kevin O'Malley with B2BCamp and Will Geer with Callaway Geer - Buckhead Business Radio

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Will Geer, Kevin O'Malley, Loretta Lepore, Erica Danylchak — Will Geer, Kevin O’Malley, Loretta Lepore, Erica Danylchak

Loretta Lepore/MediaBar Services

Princpal

Loretta Lepore is the founder of strategic communications firm, Lepore Associates, LLC and is a principal in MediaBar Services, a media coaching and presentation training consultancy.

Loretta’s career spans more than two decades as a journalist and network news anchor, gubernatorial spokeswoman and consultant to corporate, entrepreneurial and non-profit clients. She has managed a diverse client portfolio with interests ranging from healthcare to technology to transportation. Loretta has leveraged her expertise in public strategy, crisis & issues management as well as message development, media relations, interview coaching and presentation training to help her clients achieve their business goals.

During her tenure with the national law firm McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP, she designed and executed communications and crisis management strategies on behalf of lawyers, lobbyists and their clients. Appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue, Loretta led Georgia’s effort to re-energize its brand and she managed the subsequent launch of the nationally acclaimed Georgia logo, website, and global commerce and tourism advertising campaigns. While serving as the Governor’s press secretary, she was the administration’s primary spokesperson and the chief communications liaison with the White House planning team for the G8 Summit, which drew thousands of global journalists to Sea Island. Loretta worked for CNN, NPR, Westwood Radio Networks and local stations in Washington, D.C. and Florida.

www.MediaBarServices.com LinkedIn Twitter

Erica Danylchak/Buckhead Heritage Society

Executive Director

Erica Danylchak was appointed Executive Director of the Buckhead Heritage Society in January of 2010. Ms. Danylchak earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Boston University in 2001 and a Master of Heritage Preservation degree from Georgia State University in 2008. Ms. Danylchak has previously worked at the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center and at Easements Atlanta, Inc. and has served as a Research Fellow for the Georgia Historic Landscape Initiative. In 2009, Ms. Danylchak received the Jenny D. Thurston Memorial Award from the Atlanta Urban Design Commission for her contributions to historic preservation in Atlanta.

www.BuckheadHeritage.com Twitter Facebook

Kevin O’Malley/B2BCamp

Lead Host

Over 15 years of Product Management & Marketing experience. I enjoy learning new methods of Product Management and Marketing that improves the speed and accuracy of creating predictable and scalable demand. Specialties: Product Management, Product Marketing, Strategy, Business Development, Event production and management, B2B Marketing, Sales Development and Demand Generation.

B2BCamp (www.b2bcamp.com) is a user organized gathering focused on improving B2B marketing & sales with next generation tools and techniques. The event is an unconference meaning that there are no “attendees” because everyone participates in some manner. B2BCamp is a self-organizing collaborative event that is rewarding, fun and a totally cool experience!

www.B2BCamp.com LinkedIn Twitter

Will Geer/Callaway Geer

Owner and Managing Partner

Will Geer is a founding partner of Callaway Geer, LLC, a firm of Certified Public Accountants and advisors located in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Geer performs construction, governmental, franchisor, and not-for-profit audit and accounting functions, consults on tax matters and controversies, and provides forensic and valuation services for its clients. Mr. Geer is responsible for creating both the tax practice, audit practice and forensic accounting practice within the firm. Prior to founding his firm, Mr. Geer worked for a large regional accounting firm and worked for a United States Bankruptcy Trustee in the Southern District of Georgia.

Mr. Geer has been engaged in forensic matters, economic damages and valuation tion services for litigation, tax controversies and financial statement reporting. His Litigation and testimonial experience ranges from business valuation, debt confirmations, bankruptcy, eminent domain, forensic accounting, economic damages, life care plan valuations divorce, criminal matters, governmental forensic audits, governmental service, delivery strategies, construction, tax and financial statement reporting.

Since 1999, Mr. Geer has been involved in more than 175 litigation matters in federal and state matters. He is typically hired in litigious matters with high probability of ending with a judicial hearing. He has testified by way of deposition or court testimony more than 125 times in his career. Mr. Geer has worked with various legal disciplines and professionals, allowing him to expand his knowledge base. A list of attorney references can be made available upon request. His continued involvement with a traditional Certified Public Accounting firm provide him with continued working knowledge of tax law, AICPA Professional Standards and a continued breadth of working knowledge in the area of accounting. Mr. Geer presently serves on the Peer Review Committee of the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. As a partner in the firm, he is required to maintain continuing professional education credits in the area of accounting, audit and taxation. He continues to share this breadth of knowledge with his traditional and forensic clients.

www.CallawayGeer.com LinkedIn

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Special Episode: Ritz Group Radio! Kevin Harrington with “As Seen On TV”, Larry White with The Ritz Group, Dan Moss with The World Chamber of Commerce, Cathy Hankinson with IMPACT Success Systems, Glenn Carver with Heat Ventures, George Horrigan with Fountainhead Consulting Group, Tres Crow with The Ritz Group – Buckhead Business Radio

September 23, 2014 by angishields

Buckhead Business Radio

Special Episode: Ritz Group Radio! Kevin Harrington with "As Seen On TV", Larry White with The Ritz Group, Dan Moss with The World Chamber of Commerce, Cathy Hankinson with IMPACT Success Systems, Glenn Carver with Heat Ventures, George Horrigan with Fountainhead Consulting Group, Tres Crow with The Ritz Group - Buckhead Business Radio

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Larry White, Glenn Carver, George Horrigan, Dan Moss, Cathy Hankinson, Tres Crow

Kevin Harrington/As Seen On TV Pioneer and Original Shark on Shark Tank

Chairman

Inventor of the Infomercial, Original Shark on Shark Tank and As Seen on TV Pioneer and one of the most successful entrepreneurs of our time! While watching television one night in 1984, Harrington noticed that sometimes the only thing on the screen were the color test bars that stations ran when they had nothing else to air, thus giving Kevin the idea to produce the industry’s first 30-minute infomercial to fill that dead air space, which is what coined him the Inventor of the Infomercial. Since then, he has been involved with over 500 product launches that resulted in sales of over $4 billion dollars worldwide and 20 products that reached individual sales of over $100 million. By 1990, Harrington was named one of the 100 best entrepreneurs in the world (by Entrepreneur Magazine). In the mid- 80’s he formed Quantum International which grew to $500 million in sales selling products in 100 countries in 20 languages. He then formed HSN direct in conjunction with Home Shopping Network and soon after formed Reliant International Media. Kevin also founded As Seen on TV, Inc. and acquired AsSeenOnTV.com, the world’s largest web site featuring as seen on TV products! In 2009, Kevin was selected as one of the original ‘Shark Tank’ Sharks on the ABC hit show. As an innovator and pioneer in the industry, Kevin has been featured on over 150 Shark Tank segments over the last five years on both ABC and CNBC. Kevin has continued to be a champion for Entrepreneurs He founded two global associations – ERA (Electronic Retailers Association), which is now in 45 countries and Young Entrepreneur’s Association (now EO – Entrepreneurs Organization) which boasts combined member sales of over $500 billion dollars. Equally important, he is actively engaged in fostering and speaking on Entrepreneurism nationally and internationally.

www.AsSeenOnTV.com Twitter Kevin Harrington: Linkedin Twitter

Larry White/The Ritz Group

CEO

Larry White is the Founder and CEO of Retail Electronic Visions a software development company providing social media communities for Retail, Capital, Emergency Management, Yachting and Sports vertical industries. Retail Electronic Visions is the holding company for brands doing business as the Ritz Group, (www.ritzgroup.org) TheAisles (www.theAisles.net) and eLink 911 (www.elink911.com)

In 2012 Retail Electronic Visions purchased the 26 year old Ritz Group and added the Capital Community, a Reg D private equity solicitation community, for entrepreneurs, Investors and service providers. In addition, the Capital Expo was launched as the industry’s first video virtual e-trade show for companies raising equity funds under the Invest Georgia Exemption Act (IGE)

The Ritz Group meets monthly at the City Club to network and added Shark Attack where 3 companies (Bait) pitch for 15 minutes to 3 Industry ICONS (Sharks). Professionally Emcee’d by Bob Rathbun, Fox Sports South broadcaster for the Hawks. 8 exhibitors are featured at the Networking Event.

In addition to providing members with electronic Incubation and physical networking, the Ritz Group provides members with a free and fee-based services to improve the “investor-readiness” of early and later stage companies through debt, crowdfunding and equity funding process.

New 2014 programs will include online delivery of Equity-U courses, Ritz Group Radio to showcase our members, Angel Meet-Ups to serve our Angels, plus the launch of Blue Chips – a new collaborative approach to fund Georgia’s “best” disruptive Technology, Consumer Goods, Medical, Food and Beverage and Entertainment early-stage ventures.

www.RitzGroup.org Linkedin Twitter

Dan Moss/The World Chamber of Commerce

Vice President and Chairman of the Committee on Investment-Economic Development/Board of Directors

Event planning and organization to gather the international community of Atlanta together with, government, business leaders, Consuls and Ambassadors to enhance international and domestic business, with the goal of creating jobs and wealth.

For over 40 years Dan has been involved in the investment, business and civic communities around Atlanta. He has helped hundreds of individuals and families achieve their financial goals.

Through his involvement in the capital community, Dan has also helped launch start-up businesses as an angel investor and entrepreneur.

www.WorldChamberc.org LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Cathy Hankinson/IMPACT Success Systems

CEO, Speaker, Trainer

Cathy Hankinson has a passion for helping people. As a powerful results-driven leader, her expertise is in creating Make-over Strategies that result in a roadmap taking you from where you are now to where you want to be with your business, life and money. Cathy spent her career building a solid, expansive network of trusted experts.

She brings together people and resources to create powerful results.

Having become a Make-Over expert in the areas of image, money, and other life and business skills, Cathy created the Make-over Matrix™. She is also the Inventor of IMPACT The Money Mastery Game™ – the board game where players can play their “way to wealth.” It is a game that anyone can understand, regardless of education or experience. It is full of success principles for business, life and finances that many of us wish we had known sooner. That game recently became the catalyst for an upcoming new TV reality series, Project Launchpad.

As Executive Producer and Host, Cathy created a show where small business owners across the U.S. are the stars. This series showcases the riveting journeys of real people working to make their dreams a reality, their business into a success as a team of business experts guides them along the way. Share the triumphs, and the disappointments, faced throughout the journey of a typical entrepreneur.

Cathy’s is on a Mission to educate people of all ages on foundational success principles for money, business and life. Her greatest passion is to educate, inspire and empower people to be able to have freedom, choices, peace of mind and happiness. As a catalyst in the transformation process, Cathy hopes to empower others to unleash their full potential and become a greater contribution to our world.

www.IMPACTsuccessSystems.com Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Linkedin (Cathy) www.ProjectLaunchpad.tv Facebook

Glenn Carver/Heat Ventures, LLC

Speaker, Author, Entrepreneur

Glenn Carver is the Chief Entrepreneurial Officer of HEAT Ventures, LLC, a media production company designed to inspire people worldwide to realize their greatest potential through his speaking, writing, television production and online information products. In February 2010, Glenn was inspired to write his first book on entrepreneurship called “Stand in the Heat – Lessons from Legendary Entrepreneurs on Staying Cool under Pressure”. Stand in the HEAT is a survival guide for entrepreneurs and it is Glenn’s personal mission to empower today’s entrepreneurs with inspiration and strategies for long-term success. Stand in the HEAT received early praise from personal development legend, Brian Tracy who said, “This could be one of the most important books ever written.” Glenn was recently interviewed by Inc. Magazine on how a corporation can cultivate the “entrepreneurial spirit” within its ranks.

www.GlennCarver.com LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

George Horrigan/Fountainhead Consutling Group

Founder and President

George is a noted innovation and business planning expert who over the past 17 years has shown over 1,200 business owners how to achieve the hopes and dreams for your business so you can Work Less, Make More and Have Fun in Your Business. George shows you how to take the business you have and turn it into the business of your dreams. He is Founder and CEO of Fountainhead Consulting Group, Inc. which provides consultations on a full range of business planning and operation issues thus enabling you to “Work Less, Make More and Have Fun in Your Business”.

George has personally has started and operated seven companies and understands the mindset and mentality of an entrepreneur thus giving him both professional and personal perspectives on creating a thriving business. From his over 25 years of experience of being a CPA and a business planner he has a proven track record of showing people step by step, how to grow and take their businesses to the next level by eliminating the guesswork, trial and error, and uncertainty that plague so many business owners.

Fountainhead Consulting Group, Inc.’s Business Consulting and Planning services area includes a unique service named Structure of Success™ which is ideal for business owners who want to solve real world problems and take their business where they want it to go thus enabling you to – Achieve the Hopes and Dreams for Your Business.

George holds a BA in Accounting and a Masters degree in Computer Science from Cleveland State University, is a frequent speaker on various business planning and operations topics and has been recognized in a number of Who’s Who National Registry’s. He shows people how to create the business of their dreams, is author of four books including “Creating a Thriving Business” and has a forthcoming book “Work Less, Make More and Have Fun in Your Business” due out in late 2014.

Specialties:George has a proven track record of showing people how to start, grow, manage and take your business and turn it into the business of your dreams. Over the past 17 years George has shown over 1,200 people either how to grow an existing business or start a new business. From his over 25 years of experience of being a CPA and a business planner he knows what actions a business owner can adopt to improve cash flow, boost profitability, take a business your next level or what can kill a business.

FountainheadConsultingGroup.com Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Show Host: Tres Crow/Ritz Group

Director of Membership and Ambassador for The Ritz Group, the premier electronic and physical networking organization in the state of Georgia. With over 2500 members, monthly networking and pitch events, hundreds of opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors.

Primary responsibilities include:

Growing and managing the membership community of 400 people, ensuring members are using all of the tools that the Ritz Group offers.
Maintaining the website, producing physical and electronic collateral and communications to the broader audience of 2,500.
Signing up sponsors for all Ritz Group venues, and meeting monthly sales quotas. Sponsorships range from $349 to $5000.
Selling licenses for Capital Expo, a privately licensed virtual trade show.
Developing new products, services, and marketing opportunities.
Organizing monthly Shark Attack networking events and presentations.
Organizing and hosting the Ritz Group Radio Show.

www.RitzGroup.org Linkedin Twitter

Buckhead Business Radio (Ritz Group) 09-09-14 On-Air 8 — Dan Moss, Cathy Hankinson, Tres Crow (LIVE On-Air)

Buckhead Business Radio (Ritz Group) 09-09-14 On-Air 5 — Larry White, Glenn Carver, George Horrigan, Dan Moss, Tres Crow (LIVE On-Air)

Buckhead Business Radio (Ritz Group) 09-09-14 On-Air 2 — Larry White, Glenn Carver, George Horrigan, Dan Moss, Tres Crow (LIVE On-Air)

Buckhead Business Radio (Ritz Group) 09-09-14 Group 2 — Celebrating Partnership Announcement w/ Pioneer and Chairman of “As Seen On TV” & Original Shark on Shark Tank, Kevin Harrington!

Buckhead Business Radio (Ritz Group) 09-09-14 Group 3 — “Team Ritz Group” posing for the Official “RadioX Sign-Off”

Buckhead Business Radio (Ritz Group) 09-09-14 On-Air 1 — LIVE “On-Air” with “Team Ritz Group” Breaking BIG News!

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Zach Ellard with Zipcar Atlanta, Bhavesh Patel with S3 Catering, Michael Crandal with Crandal Hospitality – Buckhead Business Radio

September 16, 2014 by angishields

Buckhead Business Radio

Zach Ellard with Zipcar Atlanta, Bhavesh Patel with S3 Catering, Michael Crandal with Crandal Hospitality - Buckhead Business Radio

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Michael Crandal, Zach Ellard, Divya Vaswani, Bhavesh Patel

Zach Ellard/Zipcar Atlanta

General Manager

Zach Ellard, General Manager of Zipcar Atlanta, has significant expertise managing multiple brands in global and domestic markets. For the past two years Zach has worked tirelessly to grow Zipcar’s presence in Atlanta. As the General Manager he oversees all operations for the Atlanta metro area for Zipcar, including: marketing, member services, fleet operations, human resources, P&L responsibilities and managing relationships with consumers, corporate clients and government agencies.

www.ZipCar.com Twitter

Bhavesh Patel/S3 Catering

Executive Chef

www.S3Catering.com Twitter Facebook

Co-Host: Michael Crandal/Crandal Hospitality

25+ years of successfully building and maintaining exemplarily management teams by identifying talent, mentoring — and monitoring accountability for terrific results with a style of leadership based upon positive support and empowerment, rather than fear or micro-management.

A compelling speaking style before large audiences. Ability to communicate, lead, and gain confidence from reporting at regular Board of Director meetings, annual shareholders / membership meetings, presenting staff training / leadership / business ethics seminars – to offering the keynote address at Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management MBA Conference.

Engaging, upbeat and sincere personality in interacting on a personal level throughout every day with every person encountered, while consistently bringing sound business savvy & financial acumen to the table. Expertise in creating, presenting, gaining ultimate approval — and then monitoring unwavering adherence to both Operating and Capital budgets. An experienced strategic planner who has developed and successfully implemented meaningful 5+ year Capital Reserve Plans and ongoing Cash Management Programs.

BY THE WAY: Just in case you were wondering, the letters after Michael Crandal, CNG stand for: Certified Nice Guy. Self-certified, by the way. But, a nice guy nonetheless. He and his wife, Kim, have recently moved to the Buckhead area of Atlanta, GA.

I PRESENT CUSTOM DESIGNED LEADERSHIP / ETHICS / MOTIVATIONAL WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS AND KEYNOTE SPEECHES. I’ve proudly completed my book, LIFE’S 10-POINT MUST SYSTEM (available NOW on amazon.com) — I continue to author management / leadership magazine articles — accept speaking engagements, and present custom designed Leadership / Ethics workshops to clients around the country. My wife has recently accepted the position of Town Club Manager with the Cherokee Town & Country Club in Atlanta, GA and we have moved from our home in Palm Desert, CA.

I now consider meaningful relationships (Atlanta based) where my proven Executive Committee level leadership expertise is best utilized. I EFFECTIVELY ENHANCE MANAGEMENT TEAM PRODUCTIVITY & ENTHUSIASM THAT PROVES CONTAGIOUS THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION RIGHT DOWN TO THE ULTIMATE CONSUMER OF SERVICES.

www.CrandalHospitality.com Linkedin

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Jacqui Chew with TEDx Peachtree, Dave Danielson with Have A Good Day, George Horrigan with Horrigan & Company CPA’s, Sam Hayes with Caliber Training Group – Buckhead Business Radio

September 9, 2014 by angishields

Buckhead Business Radio

Jacqui Chew with TEDx Peachtree, Dave Danielson with Have A Good Day, George Horrigan with Horrigan & Company CPA’s, Sam Hayes with Caliber Training Group - Buckhead Business Radio

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Dave Danielson, George Horrigan, Jacqui Chew, Sam Hayes

Jacqui Chew/TEDxPeachtree

Licensee

Jacqui Chew is the Founder and CEO at iFusion, a consultancy that helps technology and technology related businesses grow. She is a seasoned digital strategist with hands-on experience in lean marketing and product launches.

Jacqui is also the licensee of TEDxPeachtree the largest and longest running TEDx event in Atlanta called a “brain spa” for attendees the event is full of speakers and ideas “worth spreading’. (tedxpeachtree)

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Dave Danielson/Have A Good Day

President & Founder

Founder and President of Turning Point Selling, Inc. and Have a Good Day, an independent consultancy specializing in Sales Effectiveness and Business Process Optimization 34 years of sales, marketing, and executive management experience having worked for and consulted with several industry leading companies such as Hewlett Packard, Agfa, T/R Systems, Barco Graphics, and Presstek, Inc. Served in various capacities as CEO, CMO, VP of Sales, VP of Creative Services, World-Wide Sales Channel Manager, Director of Marketing, and National Sales Manager. Logged thousands of hours facilitating training sessions in the US, Canada, Europe, India, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Australia.

Clients include Hewlett-Packard, Verizon, Siemens, Ingersoll Rand, SAP, BMC Software, RSA and SOPHOS. Areas of expertise and training certification include sales process, sales skills development, business development, collaborative selling, account management, sales coaching, change management, sales negotiating and effective sales management, certified SPIN Selling instructor. LEAN Six-Sigma and Agile Project Management practitioner. Green Belt training at Motorola University, Schaumburg, IL – 2006. Black Belt training at Georgia Institute of Technology in 2009.

Founder and CEO of Atlanta Graphic Services, 1982 – 1990, a full service marketing and communications company employing 36 people. Account list included Delta Air Lines, Georgia Pacific, Bell South, Atlanta Magazine as well as a host of Atlanta’s largest advertising agencies.

Founder and Chairman of Play 18-4 Blue, Inc, a Georgia non-profit 501(3)3 corporation.

Our mission at Play 18-4 Blue is four-fold.

1: Build Awareness with men and their loved ones about the serious risks associated with Prostate Cancer.

2: Educate the public at large about Prostate Health, Prostate Cancer Testing and Prevention.

3: Provide Information and resources for Prostate Cancer Treatment and Treatment Options.

4: Encourage men and their loved ones to Get Involved!

www.GoHaveAGoodDay.com Linkedin

George Horrigan/Horrigan & Company CPA’s

Founder and President

Horrigan & Company CPA’s P.C., is a full service CPA and Financial Planning firm that provides comprehensive services for both your personal and business areas including a number of unique services that most CPA firms do not provide. Traditional CPA firm services that we provide are: Personal Tax Preparation, Business Tax Preparation and various Accounting Services. Unique services that we provide are: Personal and Business Tax Planning, Personal and Business Financial Planning, Choice of Entity Planning (sole-proprietorship, partnership, C-Corporation, S-Corporation, LLC vs. an LLP) the full range of Business Planning services, Business Valuations and implementation and support of QuickBooks and Peachtree Accounting Packages

www.horrigancpa.com Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Sam Hayes/Caliber Training Group

CEO & Lead Instructor

Samuel R Hayes III is a physical security expert, firearms and combatives instructor and close personal protection specialist with over 20 years of experience in corporate security operations and protective services for high profile individuals. Hayes has also worked extensively with various law enforcement and government entities in support of protective details for key political figures and visiting dignitaries.

He served in Desert Storm and as a private security contractor, was deployed to provide security for BP following Hurricane Katrina. Today Hayes is CEO and lead instructor in his personal defense training and consulting company, Caliber Training Group, LLC.

CaliberTrainingGroup.com Linkedin Twitter Twitter (Sam) Facebook

Buckhead Business Radio 09-09-14 Group 3 — Dave Danielson, George Horrigan, Ryan (the intern) McPherson, Jacqui Chew, Sam Hayes

Buckhead Business Radio 09-09-14 Group 2 — Dave Danielson, George Horrigan, Jacqui Chew, Sam Hayes

Buckhead Business Radio 09-09-14 Group 4 — Dave Danielson, George Horrigan, Ryan (the intern) McPherson, Jacqui Chew, Sam Hayes

Buckhead Business Radio 09-09-14 Group 5 — Dave Danielson, George Horrigan, Ryan (the intern) McPherson, Jacqui Chew, Sam Hayes

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Business & Real Estate Disputes

September 2, 2014 by angishields

BRX National

Business & Real Estate Disputes

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GroupSHot — Victoria Bridgeman, Kristy Zimmerman, David Weinberg, Desmond Humphrey, & Emily Rowell (Host)

Victoria S. Bridgeman/ Bridgeman Law Group

Victoria S. Bridgeman, Esq., is the CEO and managing partner of the Bridegman Law Group. The practice focuses specifically on Labor and Employment, Contract, and Intellectual Property Law. Attorney Bridgeman has lived in the Atlanta area for over 27 years and seeks to provide practical and knowledgeable service to individuals and corporate entities alike. She can be reached at bridegmanlawgroup@gmail.com.

Kristy Zimmerman/ The Platt Law Firm

Ms. Zimmerman is an Associate at The Platt Law Firm. Ms. Zimmerman practices family law, representing clients throughout the Atlanta metro area in cases involving divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, alimony, modification and enforcement, mediations and other domestic relations matters. She is committed to being an effective advisor and advocate for all of her clients.

Ms. Zimmerman received her Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Sewanee: The University of the South. Ms. Zimmerman received her J.D. from the Charleston School of Law where she was actively involved with Crisis Ministries Homeless Justice Project and Juris One, the sports & entertainment law society.

Ms. Zimmerman is currently a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the American Bar Association, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, the Atlanta Bar Association, where she serves on the boards of the Women in the Profession (WIP) and the Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers (ACYL) sections, and is a current board member of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers (GAWL). Ms. Zimmerman also serves as a volunteer lawyer for the Georgia Lawyers for the Arts, which is a nonprofit organization that provides legal assistance and educational programming to artists and arts organizations throughout Georgia.

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David Weinberg/ Winter Capriola Zenner

David is one of the rare individuals born and raised in Atlanta that still calls Atlanta home. He grew up working in a family owned seafood restaurant. He attended Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and earned a JD from top-ranked UCLA Law School in 2007. Prior to law school, David was a customer service manager and product manager for a 1000+ employee global e-commerce company based in Atlanta. David also worked in production for two seasons of MTV’s “The Andy Dick Show” where he was exposed to both the artistic and business side of the entertainment industry. David also has extensive experience in commercial and residential real estate sales, leasing, and investment that benefits his clients. David’s breadth and depth of experience allows him to enjoy a broad practice where he primarily litigates business and real estate disputes. When not practicing law, David enjoys writing songs, playing guitar, mastering the BBQ grill, hiking, and social networking. If you think you have a legal question, call David first. If he can’t help you, he will tell you who can. You can follow David on twitter @SpeakerDave or call him at (404) 844-5667.

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Desmond A. Humphrey/ Humphrey Law & Associates

Attorney Desmond A. Humphrey is a native of Knoxville, TN but currently resides in Atlanta, GA with his beautiful Wife. Desmond attended Lee University in Cleveland Tennessee, where he majored in Religion with a minor in Political Science. After his tenure at Lee University he attended the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.

With his thirst for knowledge at an all-time high, Desmond decided to pursue his childhood dream of becoming an Attorney. In December 2013 Desmond graduated from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School with a Juris Doctorate Degree in Law. After Passing the Feb 2014 GA Bar Exam on his first attempt he opened his own Criminal Defense Law Firm. (Humphrey Law and Associates, LLC) specializing in DUI defense.

With God as an ever present force in his life since the age of 8 years old when he was called into the ministry, he has made it his life’s goal to serve God, and the people of God in spirit and in truth. In July 2011 Desmond became a licensed minister to preach the Gospel. Whether he is standing before a judge trying a case, or before a church congregation preaching, God will be glorified through his works.

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Georgia Food and Beverage Radio! David Audrain and Stephanie Everett with Exposition Development Co., Karen Bremer with Georgia Restaurant Association, Josh Brass with US Foods, Mark Haidet with Siftit & Takorea, Archna Becker with Bhojanic – Buckhead Business Radio

August 26, 2014 by angishields

Buckhead Business Radio

Georgia Food and Beverage Radio! David Audrain and Stephanie Everett with Exposition Development Co., Karen Bremer with Georgia Restaurant Association, Josh Brass with US Foods, Mark Haidet with Siftit & Takorea, Archna Becker with Bhojanic - Buckhead Business Radio

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: Karen Bremer, Josh Brass, Archna Becker, Mark Haidet, Stephanie Everett and David Audrain

David Audrain/Exposition Development Company Inc.

President & CEO

David Audrain is President & Co-owner of Exposition Development Company, Inc. (ExpoDevCo), a privately held business producing trade shows and conferences in North America that include owned events, licensed shows, and show management contracts. Previously, Audrain was President & CEO of Messe Frankfurt North America, where for more than six years he led a team of 40 staff spread across the USA, Mexico and Canada. This team was responsible for the production of nine exhibitions, including six launches, as well as exhibitor sales and attendee promotion to the North American markets of more than 100 worldwide shows. In 2010, Tradeshow Executive recognized four of the Messe Frankfurt shows as Fastest 50 events. Over his more than 20 year career in the exhibition industry Audrain has managed international shows, in multiple industries, including eight of the Top-200 shows in North America, such as the annual SEMA Show. Audrain was COO of private show management firm ConvExx from 2001 through 2005, having come from his position as General Manager for the Men’s Apparel Division of MAGIC, part of Advanstar Communications. As Vice President at Hanley-Wood Exhibitions Audrain directed the Surfaces and NACE trade show teams, and at Miller Freeman he was Vice President responsible for the Sewn Products / Decorated Apparel Group, which included nine trade shows and four monthly trade publications. Audrain joined Miller Freeman in 1997 after seven years with the Texas Restaurant Association, where under his direction the Southwest Foodservice Expo grew more than 75%. Audrain is a Past Chairman of the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO), a Past Chairman of the International Association for Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), and serves on the Board of Directors of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR). He earned his Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) designation in 1995.

AtlantaFoodserviceExpo.com Linkedin Twitter Twitter /David Facebook

Stephanie Everett/Exposition Development Company Inc

EVP & COO

Stephanie Everett is COO & Co-owner of Exposition Development Company, Inc. (ExpoDevCo), a privately held business producing trade shows and conferences in North America that include owned events, licensed shows, and show management contracts. She has more than 12 years of experience in the tradeshow industry including all areas of operational, marketing and sales functions which has involved the management of over 30 tradeshows with 8 of those being new show launches. Stephanie now leads the ExpoDevCo show teams, which include the Atlanta Foodservice Expo.

www.AtlantaFoodserviceExpo.com Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Karen Bremer/Georgia Restaurant Association

Executive Director

Karen I. Bremer Executive Director, Georgia Restaurant Association With over 35 years in the hospitality industry, Bremer is the Executive Director of the Georgia Restaurant Association, representing one of the largest industries in the state. The GRA serves as the unified voice for over 16,000 foodservice and drinking places in the state of Georgia with total sales in excess of $16.5 billion which provides more than 405,800 jobs. Bremer is a founding member of the GRA, Past President of the GRA Board and has served on the board of directors for the National Restaurant Association, Atlanta Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (ACVB) and Team Georgia. Currently, Bremer serves on the Industry Board of Georgia State University’s Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality, Board of Directors of DeKalb CVB, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Council of State Restaurant Associations and the Arby’s Foundation. She has also been inducted to Les Dames d’escoffier International and the International Women’s Forum. Bremer was the former owner of Dailey’s and City Grill restaurants and was a top executive with the Peasant Restaurant Group, starting out as a manager and ultimately being named its President. Bremer has garnered numerous awards including the ACVB Member of the Year Award in 2002 for her role in founding Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week. In 2009, Bremer received the Lifetime Achievement GRACE (Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence) Award for her outstanding contributions to Georgia’s restaurant industry. Recently, Bremer has also been listed as a notable Georgia by Georgia Trend Magazine for back to back years in 2012 and 2013.

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Josh Brass/US Foods

Director of Sales Support

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Mark Haidet/Siftit and Takorea

Founder & CEO / Co-Owner

Executive leader and entrepreneur with broad experience including technology, restaurant operations, operations management, acquisitions, transaction structuring and execution, sales and account management, finance, strategic planning, IT strategy and implementation. Specialties: Technology Start Up, Restaurant Start Up, Mergers and Acquisitions, Negotiation, Operational Management, Deal Structure, Finance, Investor Relations, Technology Implementation. Siftit: Siftit provides a mobile technology platform for restaurants and suppliers to connect more efficiently in the ordering process. The Siftit mobile ordering platform provides a drastic difference in the way independent restaurants manage their food and supplies; reducing time, saving on food cost, and providing valuable data insights. TaKorea: Takorea is fusion of Korean and Mexican flavors in a fun and energetic atmosphere. Chef Tomas Lee developed Hankook Taqueria which has evolved to Takorea with the idea of making Korean flavors available to everyone in a familiar format of Mexican food. Takorea offers the best of Asian fusion flavors with fresh ideas and fresh ingredients with a location in Midtown and one in Dunwoody.

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www.mytakorea.com Twitter Facebook

Archna Becker/Bhojanic Restaurant

Owner

As the creative force behind the tantalizing food of Bhojanic, one of the most awarded and popular Indian food restaurants in the greater Atlanta area, Archna Becker has earned an amazing amount of accolades in her 20 year restaurateur career. She has garnered “Best” Indian restaurant awards from countless prestigious magazines, blogs and other publications including Creative Loafing, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Atlanta Cuisine, City Search and Atlanta Magazine, which named Bhojanic one of Atlanta’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2011. Archna (pronounced “urch-na”) is on the board of the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA). She has been a regular guest host on a local radio talk show for foodies and has taught private and public cooking lessons in association with a national cooking equipment retailer. In 2013, she was nominated for Restaurateur of the Year by the GRA. Growing up in India Archna was the little one in the kitchen, always asking questions and helping her grandmother cook the food she loved. “In our family, everyone ends up in the kitchen, cooking, eating and listening to music,” said Archna. She was 11 when her parents brought the family to America. In the early 1990s Archna convinced her parents to co-found with her a catering business. Atlanta North Indian Cuisine (ANIC) would bring to Atlanta the authentic tastes that made up their Indian food heritage. ANIC won ongoing catering arrangements from Grammy-winning musicians that perform frequently in the Southeast, and became a popular caterer for major events at the Atlanta Convention Center, Emory and other large Atlanta area businesses. After her catering success, Archna opened Bhojanic, a full service restaurant that offers authentic home-style Indian menu items that can be ordered as full meals or as individual tapas-style small plates. The concept is so popular that Bhojanic has quadrupled its size in 10 years. Both her parents continue to ensure the authenticity of the food. The family works well together, and has built a business concept that is capable of tremendous growth. Bhojanic has won Creative Loafing’s Reader’s Choice “Best Indian Restaurant – 2013”, making them a winner now in each of the past six years. They recently opened to much fanfare a second, 120-seat Bhojanic location in the upscale Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta. Through the ANIC catering and Bhojanic restaurant operations, Archna Becker is quickly becoming one of the most recognized Indian food purveyors in Atlanta.