Rich Casanova Archives - Page 14 of 17

Larry White with The Ritz Group, Karen Burns with Karen Burns Photography, Vic Uzumeri with interactive Point of View (iPOV), Troy Burns with La Culture du Vin – Buckhead Business Radio

July 8, 2014 by angishields

Buckhead Business Radio

Larry White with The Ritz Group, Karen Burns with Karen Burns Photography, Vic Uzumeri with interactive Point of View (iPOV), Troy Burns with La Culture du Vin - Buckhead Business Radio

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Karen Burns, Troy Burns, Tres Crow (Host), Vic Uzumeri, Larry White

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 duties include, but are not limited to:

-Growing and managing the paid membership community of 400 people, and ensuring that members are using all of the tools that the Ritz Group offers.

-Maintaining the company website, and producing all physical and electronic collateral and communications to our broader membership of 2500 people.

-Signing up sponsors for all Ritz Group venues, and meeting monthly sales quotas. Sponsorships range from $349 to $5000.

-Selling licenses for the Capital Expo, a privately licensed virtual trade show.

-Developing new products, services, and marketing opportunities.

-Organizing the monthly networking events and Shark Attack presentations

-Organizing and hosting the monthly Ritz Group Radio Show

www.RitzGroup.org Linkedin Twitter

Larry White/The Ritz Group

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

Vic Uzumeri/interactive Point of View (iPOV)

iPOV is a knowledge concierge. It creatively leverages the global freelance market to solve creative and knowledge-intensive business problems. iPOV processes information to serve clients from small business to Fortune 500 companies. The company specializes in rapid, low cost production of web-based training, knowledge capture and analysis solutions. iPOV has pioneered the application of lean thinking (i.e., Toyota Production System) concepts to the production of eLearning.

www.ipov.net Linkedin Twitter

Karen Burns/Karen Burns Photography

Owner Karen Burns Photography since 1997. Fine Art, Architecture, Corporate, Commercial, Events, Headshots, Marketing, Products, Wedding Photography. Photoshop retouching, Album design, Card & Announcement design, & canvas & framed imaging.

www.KarenImages.com www.KarenBurnsPhotography.com

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Troy Burns/La Culture du Vin

La Culture du Vin is a 30 minute weekly documentary on the culture built by wine in the small country French villages surrounded by rolling vineyards and wine houses.

www.lacultureduvin.com Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Special Episode! U.S. Small Business Administration Eugene Cornelius, Jr. with U.S. SBA, Tasha Reid with Visionary Construction Inc., Terri Denison with U.S. SBA Georgia District Office, Mark D. Gibson with SBA Georgia District Public Affairs – Buckhead Business Radio

July 8, 2014 by angishields

Buckhead Business Radio

Special Episode! U.S. Small Business Administration Eugene Cornelius, Jr. with U.S. SBA, Tasha Reid with Visionary Construction Inc., Terri Denison with U.S. SBA Georgia District Office, Mark D. Gibson with SBA Georgia District Public Affairs - Buckhead Business Radio

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Terri Denison, Tasha Reid, Mark Gibson, Eugene Cornelius

Eugene Cornelius, Jr./U.S. Small Business Administration

Deputy Associate Administrator For Field Operations

Mr. Cornelius is the Deputy Associate Administrator for Field Operations for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). He was appointed after serving as the Acting Regional Administrator for Region III that covers Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. As Deputy Associate Administrator, Mr. Cornelius is responsible for management and oversight of over 90 offices covering all 50 States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and U.S. Territories. Mr. Cornelius has served the SBA in numerous capacities prior to this appointment beginning in 1999 as the District Director for the Michigan District Office. After graduating from the Senior Executive Service (SES) Training Program in 2002, he served as the agency’s Chief Procurement Officer and as the Associate Administrator for 8(a) Business Development in SBA’s national headquarters. In 2004, he was appointed as SBA’s Louisiana District Director where he served as the Agency’s point of contact during the Katrina hurricane disaster and recovery. In 2008 he served as the Washington Metropolitan Area District Office Director overseeing the largest Government Contracting Portfolio in the country. Before joining SBA, Mr. Cornelius was the Director of Business Services for the Los Angeles Community College District in California, the largest community college system in the United States, the Senior Administrative Officer for the City of Redondo Beach, California, and the Risk Manager for the Compton Unified School District in Compton, California. Mr. Cornelius is a trained Federal Acquisition (Level 3) Senior Project Manager and is nationally certified as an Associate in Risk Management (ARM). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Public Administration. In addition, he has professional designations in Economic Development and Urban Planning. A Chicago native, Mr. Cornelius is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Inc.

www.SBA.gov Linkedin Twitter

Tasha Reid/Visionary Construction Inc.

Since its founding in Georgia in March 2010, Visionary Management Services is working toward becoming the leading professional supplier of cost effective facility management solutions. Ms. Tasha Reid holds a Master Degree in Business Administration with extensive experience as a project manager. She has been active in the field of pro-development, project development, construction, and information technology for ten years. Ms. Reid has managed national construction projects for one of the top fortune 100 companies Ms. Reid greatest strengths are her perseverance, drive and leadership. She has successfully directed Visionary Management Services strategic planning, business development, resources, quality assurance and customer satisfaction. She thrives on challenges, particularly those that expand the company’s reach. She has also done several volunteer projects for her church, community and abroad. Ms. Reid destiny fulfilled philosophy is very simple “Inspire before you expire.” Since childhood, Tasha Reid always knew she was an entrepreneur. Her first business venture was selling candy bars to her fellow classmates. She was so successful that she was able to earn twice as much as she spent buying the candy from the store! She used her passion for selling, along with the discipline she gained from playing basketball, to earn a Master’s in Business Administration. Using her education, natural talents and innovative ideas, she was able to earn her first real estate license at 25 and begin a successful career in the housing market. Unfortunately, the 2008 housing crash impacted her business along with the financial stability of millions of Americans. While it was a difficult decision, Tasha eventually had to close her real estate business. In December of that year she relocated to Atlanta, GA, to help out a family member. It was then that she became a member of The Vision Church of Atlanta. According to Tasha, the lessons she learned from her church are what gave her the faith and determination to continue to strive toward success. While building her faith, Tasha was also building her skills. She began booking speaking engagements and mentoring others while hosting her own internet show. However, she was reluctant to start another business because she was afraid it would fail as her real estate business had. However, she took a leap of faith and founded Visionary Management Services. Visionary Management Services (VMS) is a company that offers facilities support through contracting services to businesses. Some of the services that are contracted include construction, janitorial service, and landscaping and facility maintenance. One of the highlights of the company is that it provides small business owners with contracted work that they otherwise would not have been able to obtain on their own. Since its founding in 2010, VMS has completed numerous public and private projects throughout the southeastern United States. Tasha first applied for the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program. However, she faced the risk of her application being denied because of limited past performance with her business. Taking the advice of an SBA official, she withdrew her application. But she didn’t stop there. Instead, she took a class provided by the SBA that focused on doing business with the government, which allowed her to gain the past performance she needed to submit a successful 8(a) application in 2013. Thanks to her faith and perseverance, she was accepted into the 8(a) program on October 31, 2013, and is currently a thriving participant. Currently, Tasha Reid is looking forward to being part of SBA’s Mentor-Protégé program. Through this program, she will be mentored by Artesian Contracting so that her business will be better equipped for future success. It is because of her unwavering determination and that she has come this far and it is her unyielding desire for success that will propel her and Visionary Management Services even further. That focused on doing business with the government, which allowed her to gain the past performance she needed to submit a successful 8(a) application in 2013. Thanks to her faith and perseverance, she was accepted into the 8(a) program on October 31, 2013, and is currently a thriving participant. Currently, Tasha Reid is looking forward to being part of SBA’s Mentor-Protégé program. Through this program, she will be mentored by US &S Inc. so that her business will be better equipped for future success. It is because of her unwavering determination and that she has come this far and it is her unyielding desire for success that will propel her and Visionary Management Services even further.

www.VisionaryMgmtServ.com

Terri Denison/U.S. SBA Georgia District Office

District Director

Responsible for overseeing the implementation and operation of the SBA’s financial, counseling/training and procurement/business development programs for small businesses throughout Georgia.

U.S. SBA Georgia District Office Linkedin Twitter

Mark D. Gibson/SBA Georgia District Public Affairs

Public Information Specialist

U.S. SBA Georgia District Office Twitter

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School

July 8, 2014 by angishields

BRX National

Atlanta's John Marshall Law School

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Tiffany Simmons, Jeffrey Van Detta, Lisa Kaplan, Anna Sokol, Emily Rowell

Lisa Kaplan/Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School

Lisa Kaplan received her JD from Duke University in 1987. From there she practiced employment law and litigation for two large Atlanta firms before moving to education. Prior to joining Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, Lisa wrote and edited legal materials. In 2010 she joined John Marshall as the schools first LL.M Program Director. As Director Lisa has overseen the LLM program through ABA approval and launch. The thee programs they offer are Online Employment Law, Residential LLM in American Legal Studies, and Online LLM in American Legal Studies.

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Jeffrey A. Van Detta/Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School

Jeffrey A. Van Detta holds the John E. Ryan Chair in International Business and Workplace Law and serves as Associate Dean for Scholarship at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.

Professor Van Detta joined the Law School faculty in 1999, after practicing in the Labor and Employment Law Group in the Atlanta Office of Kilpatrick Stockton, now known as Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, where he was a partner and represented Fortune 500 clients such as PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, Delta Air Lines, Lockheed Martin, and Asahi National Broadcasting Network of Japan.

Professor Van Detta teaches courses in contracts and other international and domestic business law areas, including labor and employment law. He teaches in both the Juris Doctor and the LL.M. degree programs at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.

Professor Van Detta is a prolific author of legal scholarship. Recently, for example, he published two articles on the role of LL.M. degrees, both ground-based and online, for foreign-educated lawyers seeking to learn about American law.

In May 2014, Professor Van Detta gave four presentations to groups of Turkish lawyers, law students, and law professors at an International Legal Education conference in Istanbul and Ankara, Turkey, co-sponsored by Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School with Bahçeşehir Üniversitesi and the Union of Turkish Bar Associations.

Professor Van Detta graduated with honors on a full-tuition merit scholarship from Albany Law School, the nation’s fourth oldest private law school, where he was Editor-In-Chief of Volume 51 of the Albany Law Review. After law school, he clerked for U.S. federal appeals court judge Roger Jeffrey Miner in Albany and Manhattan.

He is a member of both the New York and Georgia Bars, and serves as the Law School’s representative to the State Bar of Georgia’s Formal Advisory Opinion Board.

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Anna Sokol/Joseph H. Rosen Immigration Law Group

Ms. Sokol is a Polish Citizen and Legal Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) in the U.S. Ms. Sokol has a law degree from the University of Lodz, Poland and a Master of Law, LLM from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. She is anticipating taking the Georgia State Bar in January 2015.

Ms. Sokol has assisted the Polish Embassy to the U.S. in registering Polish citizens in the U.S so that they could vote in the Polish national elections. She has been employed as a Law Clerk in the Joseph Rosen Immigration Law Group since 2006. Ms. Sokol specializes in working with foreign athletes, entertainers, artists, foreign professionals, and U.S. businesses seeking to employee foreign professionals. Ms. Sokol is fluent in Polish, English, and Italian.

TIFFANY M. SIMMONS, ESQ.

Award-winning, enthusiastic and resolute on rejecting defeat, Attorney Tiffany M. Simmons is the legal counsel of choice for those who seek the absolute very best representation. Attorney Simmons represents clients ranging from celebrities, businesses, to everyday citizens. Ms. Simmons was honored to receive the 2013 and 2014 Client Distinction Award for being in the top 1% of her profession by Martindale-Hubble. Ms. Simmons has been featured on many media outlets including, CNN’s HLN After Dark, talk and radio shows In addition to her media presence, Attorney Simmons is a published author writing for the American Bar Association and other publications. Ms. Simmons was also featured in the American Bar Association magazine and the GA Bar Young Lawyers Newsletter.

A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Attorney Simmons graduated from the US World Reports “Top High School in the Nation” City High School. At the age of 16, she was a Page for the United States House of Representatives. After leaving Michigan, Attorney Simmons graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the award winning, Florida A & M University. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.

Ms. Simmons sits on the board of many organizations including the Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School Alumni Board serving as Secretary. Tiffany serves as a member of the Executive Council of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of GA. As a distinguished leader in the community, Ms. Simmons has participated in numerous community activities that showcase her abilities as a model, volunteer, fundraising/campaign leader, sports enthusiast and exemplary attorney. In 2014, Tiffany was selected for the Georgia Bar YLD Leadership Academy. In addition to her legal skills, she is an actress, writer and producer who tactfully shares her expertise in the film and television industry. Ms. Simmons proves herself to be one who works well behind the scenes of TV/film as well as in front of the camera. Ms. Simmons is a member of: Georgia State Bar, American Bar Association, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, Young Lawyers Division of State Bar, and Gate City Bar Association. Attorney Simmons’ philosophy of life encourages her to work hard, play hard, love hard and trust God.

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Jeff Spaccio with Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel and Conference Center & Shulas 347 Grill, Chris Schroder with Schroder PR and The Atlanta 100, Ken Scroggs with Health Works Solutions, Rob Broadfoot with BumFloat.com – Buckhead Business Radio

July 1, 2014 by angishields

Buckhead Business Radio

Jeff Spaccio with Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel and Conference Center & Shulas 347 Grill, Chris Schroder with Schroder PR and The Atlanta 100, Ken Scroggs with Health Works Solutions, Rob Broadfoot with BumFloat.com - Buckhead Business Radio

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Rob Broadfoot, Ken Scroggs, Chris Schroder, Jeff Spaccio

Jeff Spaccio/Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel and Conference Center and Shulas 347 Grill

Jeffrey Spaccio As Regional Director of Sales & Marketing, Jeff responsible for overseeing all revenue aspects of the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel and Shula’s 347 grill. Spaccio arrived in Atlanta 6 months ago from Las Vegas and Miami, where he spent the 3 years with Pyramid Hotel Group – overseeing multiple properties revenue operations and a number Hotels and Resorts in Las Vegas and South Florida. Previously, Spaccio held an array of sales management positions at hotel and resort properties within Florida. He was Area Director of Sales & Marketing at Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront and Doubletree Guest Suites Melbourne Beach Oceanfront; and Director of Sales & Marketing at Doubletree Hotel Coconut Grove and Doubletree Grand Hotel-Biscayne Bay. He got his start in the hospitality industry as a Sales Manager for Hilton Melbourne at Rialto Place back in 1997. A native of Central Florida, Spaccio earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida.

www.MarriottBuckhead.com Twitter Facebook Linkedin

www.Shulas347Atlanta.com Twitter Facebook

Chris Schroder/Schroder PR and The Atlanta 100

After working as a publisher, editor and reporter in the newspaper business for 25 years, Chris Schroder decided to explore the other side of media … serving clients who want to raise their public profile or protect themselves while facing a crisis or redeem themselves after one. Guided by his media background, he founded his own PR firm in December 2002 to provide clients the necessary techniques to ensure they deliver “Clear Messages in a Cluttered World.” By adding other media, PR, legal and personal counseling professionals to the team, Schroder PR now helps businesses present their stories in the best possible manner to meet strategic goals and reach targeted audiences – including clients, prospects, the media and their own employees. With years of counseling experience in the three areas of crisis management – image, HR/legal and personal – Chris and his team is able to provide urgent expert advice when clients most need it. Specialties: Schroder PR is a full service communications firm offering a wide range of crisis management with capabilities designed to help clients achieve their corporate public relations and marketing objectives.

www.SchroderPR.com Linkedin Twitter Facebook

www.TheAtlanta100.com Facebook

Ken Scroggs/Health Works Solutions

Health Works Solutions Ken Scroggs is the founder and CEO of Health Works Solutions a Risk Management/Wellness company. Health Works provides “Pre-claims” Risk Management services to companies by providing programs that will identify and control the risks the drive healthcare costs. Unlike most benefits experts, Health Works goes beyond mere cost shifting within the plan design or increasing deductibles. Instead, they solve the problem. Founded in 2009 Ken founded Health Works Solutions in response to requests from his client companies’ need to control their health care costs. To accomplish this goal, Ken launched a strategic plan with three crucial components. These three components are data analysis, coordinated services alignment, and leadership through employee engagement. Ken has over 40 years experience in both the military and civilian life creating successful healthcare programs. He was a Captain in the U. S. Army serving at Ft. Hood Texas where he helped coordinate all available human services. During his military career he also initiated numerous programs to coordinate healthcare programs including mental health services for cardiac care, PTSD, Leadership Development and Child Abuse Prevention to name a few. Ken has earned degrees in Psychology and Social Work, and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1972. He has provided services to the US Army, Navy, NASA, Oglethorpe Power Co., EMS Technologies, Gwinnett County Government, Scientific Atlanta, IBM, The Torrington Company, Atlanta Business Women’s Association, Gwinnett Leadership, Emory University, Race Trac, Resurgens and other centers of influence. Ken is also a facility member of WELCOA, the Wellness Counsel of America.

www.eapworklife.com Linkedin

Rob Broadfoot/BumFloat.com

Atlanta native now resides in Decatur, GA. Rob launched BumFloat in 2012 along with two business partners. While not “bumming it” on the lake or rivers, Rob is also part owner of MOCK, the agency a Midtown, Atlanta advertising, graphic, and digital design company. Creatively-driven work to help solve marketing challenges. Personal relationships drive better ideas, and we apply them to every client and project, no matter how big or small. Talk directly with the people doing the work. That just makes sense.

bumfloat.com Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Buckhead Business RadioX 07-01-14 Wall of Fame

Buckhead Business RadioX 07-01-14 Wall of Fame

Bill Grodnik with DaVinci Virtual Offices & DavinciMeetingRooms.com

July 1, 2014 by angishields

BRX National

Bill Grodnik with DaVinci Virtual Offices & DavinciMeetingRooms.com

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Bill Grodnik with DaVinci Virtual Office Solutions and DaVinciMeetingRooms.com is special guest on Atlanta Legal Experts today. As CEO of Davinci Virtual Offices and Davinci Meeting Rooms he is responsible for overseeing the growth and marketing strategy of both companies. Mr. Grodnik was previously President of Davinci International, a business center operator in four western states. Prior to creating the Davinci brand, Mr. Grodnik was President of HQ Business Centers of Arizona, where he held the franchise rights to the HQ Business Centers. Mr. Grodnik has an extensive background in finance and Management and was previously the Chairman of Board and CFO of American Traffic Systems. ATS was the first provider in the US of automated enforcement devices including Red Light and Speed Cameras. Mr. Grodnik earned a B.S (cum laude) in Business from Arizona State University.

Bill explains on the show that he originally worked for a privately held Executive Suite firm. Due to the high demand of clients/prospects asking for locations outside the company’s area, Bill started to see the vision of the Virtual offices going global. Years ago, it was necessary for professionals in the legal world to have a full-time office. Now, with the ever changing society, most professionals/entrepreneurs are mobile, including Solo-practice firms and Law School Graduates starting their practice. The high demand now is to meet the needs of the mobile worker. So, Bill developed www.DaVinciVirtual.com. He became partners with small Executive Suites firms like his all over the country and eventually the world to make this happen. It’s an easy site to find an address a place to meet your clients anywhere in the world.

A few years in, Bill began to see the need for more meeting space arise, hence the development of www.DaVinciMeetingRooms.com. The mobile entrepreneur needs places to meet clients more than anything else. The need for an address is big, but not as big as a place to work/meet your clients. This website Bill developed addressed these particular needs for the modern professional.

To summarize, I believe the show focused on his ingenuity, vision, and success in helping meet the demand of the current market for attorneys and the simplicity of making it happen for them.

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June Cline with Open Heart Communications and Samuel Hayes III with Caliber Training Group – Buckhead Business Radio

June 24, 2014 by angishields

Buckhead Business Radio

June Cline with Open Heart Communications and Samuel Hayes III with Caliber Training Group - Buckhead Business Radio

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Buckhead Business RadioX 06-24-14 Group 1 — Craig Williams (Co-host), June Cline, Wendy Guarisco (PR Agent) and Sam Hayes

June Cline/Open Heart Communications, LLC

June Cline, CSP is the Southern, Sassy and Savvy Harley Riding Humorist. As President of Open Heart Communications and author of “Is It God Or Is It Gas?” her writing is also featured in “Humor Me” along with sixteen of the nation’s other top humorist. June is also co-host of The Happiness Recipe Radio Show which is currently being heard in 43 States & over 20 Countries. Over 1,500 corporations, associations and colleges such as Toyota, PetSmart, National Dental Association and a slew of other names you’d recognize have benefited from her teaching them the ROI of LOL: Return On Investment of Laughing Out Loud.

A former college administrator, June draws on her experiences in education, banking and career development to teach audiences to use humor to gain recognition, respect and reward. June’s wisdom has appeared in publications as diverse as CNN, The Boston Globe, INC, Selling Power, Harvard Management Communication Letter, Competitive Edge, Redbook, First For Women, and by Gannett News Service’s syndicated columns.

When June isn’t teaching audiences about the power of laughter she can be found riding her Harley-Davidson, “Good Golly Miss Molly” through the scenic mountains of North Georgia. Her riding experiences inspired her latest project, the creation of her one woman show, “A Night of Levity and Laughter with June Cline,” targeting pre thur post menopausal woman and the people who love them. Entitled, “Make It A Great Ride!” June inspires all who hear her that regardless of the bumps in the road, we still have the power to make it a GREAT ride!

www.JuneCline.com Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Sam Hayes/Caliber Training Group

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

Laura Reis, Darl Champion, Alan Hamilton, & Doug Dumont

June 24, 2014 by angishields

BRX National

Laura Reis, Darl Champion, Alan Hamilton, & Doug Dumont

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groupshot — Alan Hamilton, Darl Champion, Laura Reis, Doug Dumont, Emily Rowell

Laura Reis/Reis Law

Laura Reis, a workers compensation lawyer with Reis Law in Atlanta, has successfully resolved over one thousand workers compensation claims and procured millions of dollars for the injured workers she represents. Along with her dedication to the representation of injured workers, Laura has handled hundreds of third party injury claims through selected associations with leading attorneys across the country. Since she understands these claims, she also understands the need to hire a specialist who will work well with your workers compensation attorney. Reis Law is fully equipped to handle these claims and understands that bringing in legal experts can increase the value of third party claims, all at no additional cost to the client. Sometimes a single injury can result in multiple claims against multiple parties- meaning a higher recovery and multiple settlements. Most of the time these associated cases are complex and Reis Law has a network of top attorneys in every legal specialty across the country that understand the delicate balance among the associated claims. You can rest assured that when you hire Reis Law, you are hiring a team of legal specialists with strong contacts across the country for all of your injury-related issues, from products liability to medical malpractice to employment-related claims.

Website AVVO Full Blog Post

Darl Champion/The Champion Firm, P.C.

Darl Champion is a trial lawyer with significant experience representing plaintiffs in a variety of catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases involving serious car and trucking accidents, premises liability claims, defective products, medical negligence, and railroad accidents and injuries. He has represented plaintiffs in every federal district court in Georgia, the Georgia Court of Appeals and Georgia Supreme Court, and numerous state and superior courts throughout the state. He has helped recover millions of dollars on behalf of his clients, and in each of the last three years Georgia Super Lawyers has recognized him as a Rising Star in the area of plaintiffs’ personal injury litigation. In June 2014, he founded his own law firm, The Champion Firm, P.C., where he specializes in personal injury and wrongful death cases, insurance disputes, and constitutional rights cases.

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Doug Dumont/Warshauer Law Group

Doug joined the Warshauer Law Group over seven years ago after working at an insurance defense firm. This experience gave him an important understanding and familiarity with insurance companies and corporations and how they approach lawsuits involving serious personal injuries. Although Doug enjoyed the attorneys he worked with at his prior firm, he realized that his calling was join a team of Georgia personal injury lawyers representing individuals and their families. Fortunately he was given the opportunity to work with lawyers like Michael and Lyle Warshauer who have dedicated their professional careers and much of their personal lives defending those wrongfully injured and their families. As a member of our team of Atlanta personal injury attorneys, Doug works every day to plan, strategize, and prepare cases to secure the best compensation for individuals and families who are injured as the result of the carelessness of others. He now feels his successes truly make a difference and improve people’s lives, which is very rewarding.

Like the other attorneys at the Warshauer Law Group, Doug strives to be the best both inside and outside the courtroom. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1998 with a degree in Political Science and then received his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from the University of Georgia School of Law. He has successfully argued motions for clients in state, federal, and appellate courts throughout the state of Georgia. In fact, Doug’s appellate record is unbeaten.

Doug has been lead counsel in several jury trials, including a disputed liability snow skiing incident he won in Forsyth County last year. Doug and Michael also won a $20,000,000 verdict in Federal Court in 2012.

When Doug is away from the office, he enjoys spending most of his time with his wife and three children going to soccer, swim team, vacations, or just hanging around the house.

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Alan Hamilton/Shiver Hamilton, LLC

Alan Hamilton focuses his law practice on significant personal injury cases, wrongful death, and business torts. Alan has helped numerous clients obtain seven- and eight-figure verdicts and settlements during his career. He has represented individuals and appeared before courts in ten different states. Prior to co-founding Shiver Hamilton, LLC, Alan practiced with a nationally recognized trial firm and served as a federal judicial law clerk. Since founding the firm in 2011, Alan and Jeff have obtained a series of jury verdicts far exceeding the insurance company’s best offer.

Alan has been recognized as “Legal Elite” by Georgia Trend Magazine, and as a “Super Lawyer” by Atlanta Magazine. Alan holds an “AV-Preeminent” peer-review rating from Martindale-Hubbell Lexis-Nexis, which is the highest rating available. Alan has also been named to “Top 40 under 40″by the National Trial Lawyers Association and by the American Society of Legal Advocates.

Alan decided early on to dedicate his career to representing injured victims of negligence and corporate wrongdoing, turning down multiple job offers from corporate defense law firms to pursue a law practice representing plaintiffs.

Alan’s practice and experience covers a wide range of catastrophic injury cases, including automobile wrecks, business torts, product liability, tractor-trailer and log truck cases, dram shop (alcohol) liability, commercial vehicle cases, road defect cases, workplace injuries, premises liability/negligent security, wrongful death and professional malpractice. He has tried numerous cases to verdict and successfully represented clients in appellate courts in Georgia and other states.

Alan is involved in numerous bar and pro bono legal organizations. He served for several years as a campaign coordinator raising funds for non-profit legal aid organizations through the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation. Alan is also a member of Buckhead Church, where he serves as a community group leader. Alan and his wife, Morgan Henritze Hamilton, live in Atlanta with their three sons.

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Special Episode Jim Durrett with Buckhead (CID) Community Improvement District and Co-Host Michael Moore – Buckhead Business Radio

June 17, 2014 by angishields

Buckhead Business Radio

Special Episode Jim Durrett with Buckhead (CID) Community Improvement District and Co-Host Michael Moore - Buckhead Business Radio

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Jim Durrett/Buckhead (CID) Community Improvement District

Jim Durrett, an Atlanta native, directs all activities of the Buckhead CID. Jim has been promoting smart growth development and livable communities since 1996, when he left his hydrogeology practice and went to work at the Georgia Conservancy. From there his career took him to the Metro Atlanta Chamber where he was VP of Environmental Affairs, to the Urban Land Institute where he was founding executive director of ULI Atlanta, and to the Livable Communities Coalition where he was founding executive director. He came to the Buckhead CID in September of 2009 and serves full time as the Executive Director. Jim is an avid bicyclist, a member of Leadership Atlanta’s class of 2013, and serves on several boards, including MARTA’s board of directors. Jim and his wife, Pat, have two boys currently attending college.

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Co-Host Michael Moore/The Ritz Group

Michael E Moore is a farm kid from Alabama, an Eagle Scout, a military officer during an unpopular war, a recovering banker and entrepreneur. Michael received his BS degree in accounting and finance from Auburn University in 1972 and served his country as a U.S. Army officer. He relocated back to the South (Atlanta) with his wife Karen in 1975 to work for the Citizens & Southern National Bank. Michael has been involved with business since the age of 8 as a farm kid running a produce stand and more recently he’s helped to found and fund new and grow companies for the benefit of our economy. Michael has a passion to help people develop their skills and connect with the right opportunities to derive a high value from their experiences.

Mr. Moore shares beliefs that to succeed you must invest with those close by and use the skills on the team to set and accomplish objectives (goals). Michael brings over forty years of diverse experience in leadership, banking, manufacturing, retailing and business start ups to the table. He also can burn up, tear up or just about destroy old paradigms of thinking as that relate to execution of an idea while keeping the team moving forward. Michael has been involved with professional growth as a personal and business coach for his entire career. Michael currently is involved as an ambassador for the Ritz Group a board member of the Atlanta Micro Fund and the College Park Entrepreneur Fund.

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Alcohol Administrative & Regulatory Law

June 17, 2014 by angishields

BRX National

Alcohol Administrative & Regulatory Law

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Emily Rowell (Host), Eleanor Benson, Tommy Williams, Nancy Palmer, Taylor Harper

Taylor Harper/Taylor, Feil, Harper, Lumsden & Hess, P.C.

Taylor Harper with Taylor, Feil, Harper, Lumsden & Hess, P.C. Mr. Harper’s practice involves all aspects of commercial litigation, including contract disputes, restrictive covenants, trade secrets, business torts, insurance coverage, landlord/tenant issues, premises liability claims, secured transactions and real estate litigation. His firm has a heavy focus on the hospitality and beverage alcohol industries. Specifically, Mr. Harper assists breweries, wineries, distilleries, importers, brokers, wholesalers, hotels, restaurants, package stores, and others in beverage alcohol administrative and regulatory matters at the federal, state, and local levels.

Mr. Harper graduated from Georgia State University College of Law where he was a member of the Moot Court Board as well as the Student Trial Lawyers Association. During law school, Mr. Harper received several accolades including the Honors Award for Excellence in Litigation, the Nai Award for Achievement in Advanced Evidence, the C.A.L.I. Award for Excellence in Advanced Evidence, the Weltner Inn of Court Star Pupil Award and Scholarship, and the Patrick Wiseman Award for Most Dedicated Moot Court Member. Additionally, during his second year of law school, Mr. Harper was chosen as one of seventy-five students nationwide to participate in the United States Army JAG Corps Internship Program. Mr. Harper earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science and International Affairs from Georgia State University where he was graduated with honors.

When not lawyering, he serves as president and chairman of Maji Mazuri USA, Inc., a non-profit organization which raises funds to support projects based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Buckhead, and he serves on the City of Dunwoody Board of Ethics. Mostly, though, he enjoys spending time with his wife and son and their two labs.

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Nancy Palmer/GA Craft Brewers Guild

Nancy is the Vice President of the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild and the founder and president of Cork & Key beverage consulting company. Founded in 2010, the Guild is organized to promote, protect and further, in every lawful manner, the common interests of the members and the licensed brewing industry in Georgia. Nancy Palmer is a perennial student of the beverage industry, having spent a decade exploring all facets of the business. Though she’s concentrated on wine for most of her career, she’s found tremendous pleasure in learning about both beer and spirits. Her favorite aspect of the business is certainly education – she enjoys making the complicated and often intimidating world of high-end beverage accessible and interesting for anyone with any background.

Nancy’s career began while working for Five Points Bottle Shop in Athens, Georgia. After graduating from the University of Georgia she worked at several establishments not only waitressing and bartending, but also conducting many wine classes at area restaurants. She then went on to become the wine buyer for Athens’ largest volume package store, Five Points Bottle Shop West. After a very successful stint there, she moved on to try her hand at the distribution side of the beverage business. She worked for Avant Partir representing the best international wine portfolio in the state and became familiar with the best restaurants and shops throughout Georgia and South Carolina.

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Tommy Williams/Independent Distilling Company, LLC

Tommy Williams is the Chief Operating Officer of Independent Distilling Company, LLC located in Decatur, GA. IDC is the first legal distillery in the Metro Atlanta Area since Prohibition. Along with his business partner Michael Anderson they are focusing on whiskey and rum at the moment and have begun shipping to their distributor for introduction into the market. The first product they are selling is Hellbender a copper pot distilled corn whiskey, the Rum will be available later this summer.

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Eleanor R Benson/Moondog Growlers

A lawyer by training, Eleanor became interested in craft beer back in law school when craft beer meant only Anchor Steam, Sierra Nevada & Sam Adams. Twenty years later – she had the opportunity to enter the craft beer business as the co-owner of Moondog Growlers. With three locations and over 100 taps – she is keenly aware of the changes in the craft beer industry as well as the challenges facing brewers and retailers of craft brews. Her love of special beer began way back in the late 80’s while attending GSU law school. Her study group was made up of her beer tasting buddies (fortunately), and together—between bar review sessions—they blind-tasted an array of types and styles of beer (little did she know back then that she was preparing for a career that’s a far cry from practicing law). Eleanor has enjoyed successful careers in law, marketing, and interior design, so she jumped at the chance to combine her background and creativity with one of her favorite hobbies – craft beer.

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