Veterans Connect Radio Episode 011

July 25, 2016 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

Veterans Connect Radio Episode 011

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Veterans Connect Radio

A spotlight episode of Atlanta Business Radio and powered by Business RadioX. Co-Hosted by Ryan “Redhawk” McPherson and Brandon Skolnick with Gathering Of Angels. Featuring veteran entrepreneurs, support organizations, outreach groups and more in the Atlanta area continuing to serve our families, our communities and our country.

#VetsConnect

@VetConnectRadio

Kyle Norton, Brandon Skolnick and John Belman

Kyle Norton / Materiall

CEO

Kyle Norton is Co-Founder and CEO of Materiall in Atlanta, GA. Materiall is a new visual discovery and recommendation engine, making it easier to find products where looks are a first consideration.

Prior to founding Materiall, Kyle was a Junior Partner at McKinsey and Company (a global management consulting Firm). As a core leader in McKinsey’s North American operations practice, Kyle lead transformation efforts for multiple Fortune 500 clients, generating in excess of $1B in financial impact for those organizations. Kyle also previously served as a Captain in the United States Army, serving 24 total months in Baghdad, Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Kyle holds a MBA in Management and Finance from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and a BS in Management and Systems Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY.

LinkedIn Twitter kyle@materiall.com

John Belman / Vistage International

Group Chair

John has broad leadership experience across a range of industries, companies (public, private, family-owned), and functional roles. Most recently he served as a CEO of a mid-market logistics company following 7 years at Target Corporation as a leader in transportation and finance. Prior to Target, John held senior business development and marketing roles in the media and technology industries.

John received his BA from Washington University in St. Louis, was a graduate fellow in history at Columbia University, and holds an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

A veteran of the 75^th Ranger Regiment, John participated in the 1993 “Black Hawk Down” mission in Mogadishu, Somalia.

LinkedIn Twitter john.belman@vistagechair.com

Chris and Jessica Simms with High Five Filter Company

July 18, 2016 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

Chris and Jessica Simms with High Five Filter Company

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Jessica Simms / High Five Filter Company

Founder

1998 DePaul University Grad- Journalism degree

Background in pharma/medical device sales as well as sales training for managed care health plan (BCBS of AL) started High Five Filter Co with Chris Jan 1. We sell air filters to commercial business (HVAC companies, property managers, Paint Booth operations). 5% of our profits go towards veteran out reach programs.

Chris Simms / High Five Filter Company

Founder

US Army Green Beret and Ranger that is a combat tested and proven leader. Experienced in multicultural and high-risk environments, risk mitigation, IED/C-IED operations and forensic exploitation, crisis management and training/business development. Strong acumen track in logistics and operations. A trainer of trainers, a builder of networks, focused on the art of managing people and processes. Entrepreneur and Philanthropist.

MILITARY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

US Army Sergeant First Class/E-7

Acitve Duty 1999-2002

National Guard 2002-Present

Iraq Jan 2015 – August 2015:

•Senior Engineer on Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 2124. Advised Coalition and Peshmerga leadership up to the General office level on best practices to mitigate ISIS/ISIL tactics, techniques and procedures.

•Conducted over 30 named, combat operations.

•Provided strategic planning and execution for all sensitive site and forensic exploitation to US and Peshmerga senior leadership.

•Joint Training Support for 100+ Peshmerga Officers in IED/C-IED operations.

•Implemented successful policies and procedures to improve logistical operations, safety and consistency on the battlefield.

Afghanistan October 2012 – March 2013:

•Advised the ANASFQC Commander on how to develop and deploy training tactics for Afghan Special Operation Soldiers.

•Conducted combat operations against Taliban and Al-Quada forces.

•Planned, organized, and executed security details for US and Afghan military leaders.

•Led a cross-functional team of US and Afghan Personnel that used the SEEK II and other exploitation avenues to maintain camp security and validate future Afghan Special Forces and Commando candidates.

Colombia, South America May 2007 – September 2008:

•Team member of Operation Willing Spirit/Jaque to free American hostages from FARC control.

•Provided personal security for Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos Calderón and his family.

•Worked at the US Embassy for 2 months as a liaison between military, government and civilian officials.

•Worked with and Trained Colombian National Police and Lancero (Colombian Rangers) soldiers in security, mobility, Counter mobility and demolition operations.

Iraq Invasion March – June 2003:

•Southwest Asia Operation Iraqi Freedom.

•Personal security detail to Defense Intelligence Agency officials.

•Conducted sensitive site exploitation (SSE) in search of chemical munitions and weapons of mass destruction.

Other Military Schools and Awards:

•Exploitation Analysis Organic managers course

•Combat Infantry Badge (CIB)

•Special Forces Qualification Course (18C)

•Ranger

•Jumpmaster

•Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Instructor

•Survival Escape Resistance Evade (S.E.R.E. ) Level C Instructor

•Gryphon Group Mobile Force Protection

•Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)

CIVILIAN PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Co-Owner/Operator CrossFit East Cobb, LLC May 2009-Present:

Affiliate opportunity to support personal beliefs in physical fitness and take advantage of a niche market trend early in its lifecycle.

•Standardized and managed staff, program, and membership development.

•Coach members, troubleshoot and put a plan together to motivate member success.

•Build local network of supporting businesses, including Reebok.

•Financials, marketing, and construction.

•Consistent 25% annual business growth.

United States Training Center, (Formally Blackwater Worldwide June 2009-March 2010):

Responsible for selection, assessment, integration and training of Afghanistan National Policeman (ANP).

•Leadership development and advanced field training with Small Units. Training focused on Small Unit Tactics, Marksmanship, Medical, Search and Seizure, and Vehicle Check Points.

•Advised and assisted the Afghanistan Border Police Commanders on mission essential tasks including operational tactics, techniques, and procedures regarding the safest and most efficient way to successfully employ men in the battlefield.

•Conducted site surveys of, and personal security to proposed sights in order to expand the operational capability of the Afghan National Police in depth.

Lead Instructor, Tate Incorporated December 2006-September 2008:

•Worked in a blended team of both military and civilian team members teaching, implementing and instructing survival and evasion tactics.

•Designed and implemented the Survival Escape Resistance and Evasion (S.E.R.E.) level C course at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

•Taught Evasion tactics, firearms marksmanship, crisis action planning and basic/advanced survival skills to US Army Green Berets, Rangers and Aviators.

NON PROFIT EXPERIENCE:

Founder/Director, Fitness Fueling Awareness (FFA) June 2013 – Present

•FFA is a fundraising organization to encourage athlete participation in local community causes.

•To date FFA has donated more than $50,000 to Cystic Fibrosis (Emory Research Center), Lift Up for Autism, and the Special.

The Episode is Sponsored in Part By:

Business Writers Conference 2016

www.business-writers-exchange.com

July 27-29 • Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa

Young Harris, GA

USE PROMO CODE “BWC 20”

WIT Atlanta Features David Bingenheimer with Mohawk Industries

July 14, 2016 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

WIT Atlanta Features David Bingenheimer with Mohawk Industries

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David Bingenheimer / Mohawk Industries

CIO

Highly motivated self-directed leader , results driven in business operations and information technology, with extensive industry background spanning operations, manufacturing, sales, field service, and financial services. Enterprise system (SAP, Oracle, Siebel, Hybris, SiteCore, Sterling WMS, SAP CEC, SAP Cloud 4 Sales, SAP Cloud for Service) implementation and support experience in a global environment, hands on experience with application development, application support, enterprise application integration, and infrastructure analysis on multiple software platforms and technologies. Focused on delivering business value, developing high performing teams, and continuous improvement.

Extensive experience in aligning strategic business objectives with technology enablement and transformational change. Ability to create strategic plans and execute at all levels. In depth understanding of Six Sigma, CMMi, and various business operating systems to deliver customer quality and operational initiatives. Can successfully work within a global matrix organizational structure.

Sandy Welfare / WIT

Sandy Welfare is the Executive Director of Women In Technology (WIT). Prior to that, she was the Executive Director of Cool Girls Inc, an award-winning early intervention after-school program dedicated to the empowerment of girls (2009-2015).

Sandy’s career began in 1989 in Greenwich, Connecticut where she joined Rand Insurance as the Controller. Six years later, she accepted a position with Lucent Technologies, an international telecommunications leader, holding a number of positions including serving as Accounting and Treasury Manager in Singapore (1999-2000) and then as Senior Manager in Australia and New Zealand (2000-2002). Sandy returned to Atlanta in 2002 as Senior Manager of Global Financial Services.

In 2003, Sandy accepted a position as Director of Operations for Xchanging, a business processing outsourcing company. In 2006, her career took her to London, England as Managing Director for professional services, where she managed global business processing services for bank financial transactions, insurance and retail.

Sandy received her undergraduate degree from St. John’s University in New York, and a Master of Business Administration from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. She serves on the board of several non-profits, including Kiwanis Club of Atlanta. Sandy resides in Marietta, Georgia with her husband, Cliff and son, Soloman.

Twitter Twitter(Sandy) LinkedIn

Aaron Aycock with UserIQ and Alma G. Davis with The Alma G. Davis Foundation

July 6, 2016 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

Aaron Aycock with UserIQ and Alma G. Davis with The Alma G. Davis Foundation

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Aaron Aycock / User IQ

CEO & Founder

Nominated for the 2013 Georgia CIO of the Year, Aaron Aycock has an unmatched passion for building the worlds best SaaS products. With more than 15 years of experience leading technical teams that have built and launched highly sophisticated software applications, Aaron is a true leader in his field. Aaron received his MBA from Duke University.

Currently, Aaron is CEO and Founder of UserIQ, a Customer Growth Platform that works with B2B SaaS companies to help them retain and expand revenue while mitigating churn and increasing referrals. In March 2016, UserIQ was designated as a Top 10 Most Innovative Technology Startup by the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG).

Prior to founding UserIQ, Aycock was the CIO of TRX, a public company that was sold to Concur. At TRX, Aaron experienced first-hand the difficulty many SaaS companies have in effectively engaging with their users. That was when he first realized that there was a major opportunity to help SaaS companies interact more effectively with their customers. He knew that there needed to be a solution to pick up where other marketing automation tools left off during the customer journey. Thats why UserIQ was developed: to help SaaS companies grow profitable revenue by engaging with the right user at the right time with the right message – and all without any custom coding.

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Alma G. Davis / Alma G. Davis Foundation

CEO

Growing up in an environment of domestic violence and having to endure physical abuse from a boyfriend starting at age 14, Alma G. Davis, a world-renowned entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and visionary felt it only right at the height of her success to reach back and grab those who were pushing their way forward through domestic violence abuse. Emergent as a leader in the hearts of many through her desire and dedication to serving women and youth, Ms. Davis believes in the “E2C” philosophy of educating, empowering and celebrating domestic violence survivors. Through her foundation, participants are offered continuous, year-round programming providing them with opportunities to attain employment and work maturity skills, financial security, and gain the necessary resources to transition to lives of independence. Most recently, Ms. Davis’ work and expertise was acknowledged as she was selected to attend the “United State of Women” White House Summit. Additionally, she was a finalist for the 2016 Presidential Leadership Scholars Program and received a special invitation to the White House to give guidance on Violence against Women and discuss continued strategies to combat domestic violence. Ms. Davis’ credentials reach beyond the boundaries of the United States, as she has participated in four humanitarian trips to Ghana, Africa delivering advocacy care to over 40,000 people. A native of Albany, GA, Ms. Davis received certiﬁcation as a Victims Advocate and Crisis Interventionist from the University of Georgia. She also received her MS in Management from Troy State University and a BS in Computer Science from Albany State University. Booking inquiries: (678) 957-9464 or PR@almagdavisfoundation.org

Facebook Twitter www.AlmaGDavisFoundation.org

Christina Beyer / WIT

Director Of Programming

Founded in 1992, Women In Technology (WIT) serves as a passionate advocate for women and girls at every stage of their STEM careers – from the classroom to the boardroom. WIT utilizes its programs, connections, volunteer opportunities and events to enable the development of the WIT community through recognition, thought leadership and foundation efforts. WIT is driven to help women and girls write their own stories of success throughout the full lifecycle of their careers and continued evolution as STEM leaders.

The Episode is Sponsored in Part By:

Business Writers Conference 2016

www.business-writers-exchange.com

July 27-29 • Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa

Young Harris, GA

USE PROMO CODE “BWC 20”

Veterans Connect Radio Episode 09

June 20, 2016 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

Veterans Connect Radio Episode 09

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Veterans Connect Radio

#VetsConnect

@VetConnectRadio

Jason Sobczak, Chris Sims, Derek Smith, Phil Kuban, John Phillips

Derek Smith / Financial Advisor

Phil Kuban / FranNet of Atlanta

Advisor

I began my career as a marketing executive at 3M Company. In this role, I was exposed to independent entrepreneurs and gained a real sense of their work-life balance, something that I had never been exposed to even as a corporate executive. This led me to explore ways of starting my own business while recognizing that I was not an entrepreneur in the true sense. I had a young family to support and taking a high risk was not viable. I began my career in franchising in 1982 with VR Business Brokers. I soon realized that buying an independent small business was far more often, “the American nightmare” for people than “the American dream”. In 1985, I shifted my brokering practice to franchise area development. For more than 30 years, I have been helping people (almost a thousand of them) realize their dream of business ownership. Since 1999, I have been affiliated with the FranNet organization, the world’s original, premier network of franchise consultants. My proven track record in numerous franchise systems has been a key factor in my success as a FranNet consultant. Additionally, I have personal experience owning and operating retail and professional services businesses. I’ve been personally involved with master franchise development and have been able to use that experience in my consultations with first- time prospective franchise owners. I always suggest a client begin “with the end in mind”. I believe that the right franchise opportunity with the right exit strategy is the key to building equity wealth. My extensive experience is an asset for anyone looking for assistance with investing in a new or existing franchise opportunity. I am a principal owner and board member of FranNet, LLC, an international franchise company. I spend part of my time contributing to growth strategies for FranNet LLC, building the value of the company. My daughter Leslie and I recently celebrated our 16 th year as owners of FranNet of Georgia.

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Jason Sobczak / Crossfit East Cobb

Owner

Grew up in Orlando, FL. Served as a paratrooper in the 82^nd Airborne Division from 1991 to 1994

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, University of Florida, 1997. Long Range Surveillance Team Leader, H CO 121^st Infantry, Long Range Surveillance, GA Army National Guard 2001-2005 Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom Licensed Georgia Residential Mortgage Loan Officer since 2003. Co Owner and Coach of CrossFit East Cobb since 2009.

Facebook Instagram

Chris Sims / Crossfit East Cobb

Owner

Director – Fitness Fueling Awareness (501c3 dedicated to providing relief for Cystic Fibrosis). Married to my beautiful wife Jessica Sims, Daughter – Naomi 6yo, attends Mt Bethel and will attend Dickerson and Walton. Son – Sam 5yo, will follow sis starting Kindergarten next year at Mount Bethel. Moved to East Cobb in 1985. Mt. Bethel, Dickerson and Walton Graduate 1999. Favorite Teachers – Mrs Krosner and Mrs. Jedlica BA Social Science, Current MBA student at Thomas Edison State College. US Army Green Beret. US Army Ranger, 6 Combat deployments between Iraq (2003, 2015), Afghanistan (2009, 2010, 2012/13) and Colombia, South America (2007). Just hit 16 years service in the military.

Facebook Instagram

John Philips LTC, U.S. Army Retired / Boots To Loafers

Author, Speaker, Leader / Vice Chairman VETLANTA

John has had a distinguished career in both military and civilian service. John is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the US Army where he served in the Field Artillery as well as a Financial Comptroller. With more than 20 years of service, he served in Corps Artillery, Division Artillery, Army Headquarters and Forces Command, the largest command and the generating force provider for combatant commanders – at home and abroad. He has served in Europe, throughout the Middle East and the United States. Among his awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Assault Badge.

John is the Author of Boots to Loafers, Finding Your New True North which outlines a proven process of transitioning out of the military and into the private sector. He is also a contributing author to Paddling Guide to the Sunshine State and An American Crisis, Veteran Unemployment, Stand by Them/How You can Help/Solution. He has been featured on The Mike Huckabee Show, the Dennis Miller Show as well as a number of radio appearances across the country.

John is a finance executive at The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, Georgia. In his spare time, John spends his time travelling with his wife, Sailing in the British Virgin Islands, remote wilderness trips in the western United States, and helping our nation’s military and veterans make the transition into society and finding a job in the private sector.

John holds a BS in Finance from University of Central Florida and an MBA from Syracuse University. He lives in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia with his wife, the former Melissa K. Smith and their Australian Shepherd, Bear.

Boots To Loafers The Book VETLANTA Twitter LinkedIn Facebook

Spotlight Episode with Justin Barnes from iHealth

June 13, 2016 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

Spotlight Episode with Justin Barnes from iHealth

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Justin Barnes, Health IT Industry Leader, Joins iHealth drawn by opportunity to help providers navigate new payment models.

Ryan “Redhawk” McPherson and Justin Barnes

www.iHealthInnovations.com

Justin Barnes, one of the best-known thought leaders in health IT, has joined iHealth as Partner and Chief Growth Officer. iHealth was formed recently when iHealth Solutions, LLC acquired DNA Healthcare Inc.(DNAH); the new company is operating under the name of iHealth.

“Healthcare organizations and providers are being challenged with new payment models, and iHealth helps to address that,” Barnes said. “Through a robust technology platform combined with high-touch support, we are navigating healthcare providers through the future of healthcare and helping them to thrive. “I truly believe that all care providers that intentionally and deliberately engage with these new payment and care delivery models, and create the right partnerships,will have more opportunity in the future than they have today,”

Barnes added. “Justin Barnes has a deep passion for helping providers succeed in these turbulent times for the healthcare industry,” said Venkat Sharma, iHealth Chief Executive Officer. “His extensive healthcare experience and expertise in new care models, such as value-based care, will greatly benefit the company as well as the customers we serve.”

Barnes was a member of Greenway Health’s senior leadership team for11 years, directing Greenway’s marketing, corporate development, strategy, government relations and international affairs. He has pulled several members of the original Greenway team into iHealth.After leaving Greenway in 2014, he has served as a corporate, board and policy advisor focused on assisting companies, associations and entrepreneurs with growth and acquisition strategies.

Prior to Greenway, Barnes was a member of the founding team and Vice President of the patient-provider communications and engagement company, Healinx. Today, Healinx is known as RelayHealth. Before Healinx, Barnes held several positions with HBO & Company/McKesson.Barnesserves as Chairman Emeritus of the HIMSS EHR Association as well as Co-Chairman of the Accountable Care Community of Practice where he assists these organizations with industry strategy and leadership. Barnes is also the host of the weekly syndicated radio show “This Just In” on Healthcare Radio and Business Radio X. Barnes has formally addressed or testified before Congress as well as the last two Presidential Administrations on more than 20 occasions with statements relating to value-based medicine, accountable care, interoperability, EHR meaningful use, consumerism, innovation, patient engagement, quality, HIPAA, the globalization of healthcare and much more.

Barnes is a public speaker on these issues and has appeared in more than a 1,200 journals, magazines and broadcast media. In addition, Barnes has advised several U.S. Presidential campaigns on healthcare public policy.

About iHealth– iHealth helps healthcare providers navigate to value-based care and thrive under new payment models. iHealth offers Revenue Cycle Performance™, which includes comprehensive revenue cycle services, and supports population health and care coordination through a robust, innovative technology suite and high touch professional services.

www.iHealthInnovations.com

Media contact: Lynn Hood, Press@iHealthInnovations.com, 678-974-2623

Andy Wickman and Andrew Hurst with Warrior Outdoors Inc.

June 13, 2016 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

Andy Wickman and Andrew Hurst with Warrior Outdoors Inc.

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www.WarriorOutdoors.org

Andy Wickman is one of the founding members of Warrior Outdoors. He has owned and operated several business’, including a transmission shop, a full motorcycle shop and a dating service. Andy has always had a service heart. He has worked with Habitat for Humanity, the Lions Club and is very accomplished in the Masonic fraternity.

Andrew Hurst- 12 year army veteran, served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, father, husband, and avid outdoorsman when at all possible. He got into helping other veterans with the VFW and found that Warrior Outdoors would allow him the ability to help even more by taking the State Director position.

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Nancy Whatley with IgniteHQ and Andrew McConnell, CEO of Rented

June 8, 2016 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

Nancy Whatley with IgniteHQ and Andrew McConnell, CEO of Rented

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Nancy Whatley / IgniteHQ

Executive Director

Nancy Wright Whatley serves as executive director of IgniteHQ where she is charged with providing strategic planning, recruiting entrepreneurs, budget management, fundraising, and facility oversight. Overall, her focus is supporting the economic growth of Cobb County, the Northern Arc region and the state of Georgia by promoting entrepreneurship and business growth through IgniteHQ’s partnership with Kennesaw State University. Prior to IgniteHQ, Nancy established and ran VantagePoint Staffing Solutions, a certified Women’s Business Enterprise, which she successfully sold in 2010. In addition, she spent more than two decades working for Georgia-Pacific Corporation where she was the architect in creating Encadria Staffing Solutions – a wholly owned subsidiary and in-house staffing company. Most recently, Nancy interacted with hundreds of the state’s entrepreneurs as vice president of entrepreneurial development and business growth at the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC). An Atlanta native, Nancy earned a B.B.A. in management from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. In addition to IgniteHQ, she serves on the executive committee of Terry’s Alumni Relations Board, is a part of the Atlanta Regional Commission, Innovation Committee, and is a member of Vistage International.

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Ignite2 — Nancy Whatley and Andrew McConnell

Andrew McConnell / rented.com

CEO

Andrew came up with the idea for rented.com after hearing two vacation homeowners tell horror stories of the time and hassle involved in their self-management of the properties. With degrees from Harvard College, Harvard Law School, and Cambridge University, and experience working with some of the largest companies in the world during his time at McKinsey & Co. and Axiom, Andrew is excited to apply all he has learned to the sharing economy in order to create a better experience for all.

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ABR Spotlight Episode Minority Business Radio with Host Kunbi Tinuoye

May 27, 2016 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

ABR Spotlight Episode Minority Business Radio with Host Kunbi Tinuoye

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Kumbi6 — Justin McLeod, Mary H. Parker, Dr. Kelly Burton and Kunbi Tinuoye

Mary H. Parker / ALL (n) 1 Security Services, Inc.

Founder/ President & CEO

” If it is to be it is up to me”

Ms. Mary H. Parker is the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of ALL(n)1 Security Services, Inc. With more than 25 years of management and experience in the security industry, she has held management at General Motors Corporations; Airborne Express; Georgia Dome; and Roger Penske’s Diesel Technology Division. She holds a BS Degree in Criminology and a Masters Degree in Security Management. Mary Parker has extensive training on various security systems and software integration packages and is a graduate of the Tuck Executive Leadership Program at Dartmouth. She is very actively involved in the growth and development of her employees, educating clients and consumers on security awareness and new products and trends within the industry. As President, she is responsible for developing new business relationships for strategic alliance and joint venture opportunities and increasing company’s visibility in national and global markets.

In 2011, Mary Parker founded, The Mary Parker Foundation with a mission of “Raising Other Generations.” Her plan to achieve this mission is through three initiatives: Education, Entrepreneurship and Re-Entry Programs. She also partners with Carver Bible College by offering annual support to its base of Haitian students. Because of her overwhelming heart for the youth, she hosts an annual Back to School Bash. Contributions from friends, colleagues and corporations, The Mary Parker Foundation provided over $30,000 in scholarships to 11 college-bound students and over 300 book bags and school supplies for the 2013-2014 school year. Her annual Christmas Toy Drive is always a success, providing many families with much needed toys, food and clothing .

As the President and CEO of ALL(n)1 Security Services, Inc., Mary Parker provides annual support and security service for the Hosea Williams Feed the Hungry and Homeless and The Trumpet Awards. She serves as Chair of the Atlanta Business League. She also is a member of Georgia Women Business Council, National Minority Supplier Development Council, and Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

As an entrepreneur, mentor and philanthropist, Mary Parker has mentored many women, new business owners, and aspiring security professionals. Her motivation is faith, commitment to change, and the responsibility to give back. As an ordained minister, she truly understands that to whom much is given, much is required.

The Mary Parker Foundation

@IamMaryHParker

Kimbi1 — Justin McLeod and Kunbi Tinuoye

Justin McLeod / Event Tent

Founder

Justin McLeod is a recent Georgia State University Alumnus where he majored in Marketing, minored in Hospitality while obtaining a certificate in Event Management. He has valuable experience in the event services industry from stints as the Special Events Director at Georgia State University, Sales Executive at the Georgia Dome, and Communications Assistant at the Georgia World Congress Center Authority.

Being an ambitious business savvy entrepreneur Justin combines his passion for events, marketing, and creativity in all of his endeavors. He started his first business at the age of 6 selling candy in his neighborhood to now running a tech startup called, Event Tent.

Event Tent is a centralized place to discover and share unique experiences in real-time. Justin and his company, Event Tent, has won multiple awards, contests, and recognitions including the following:

2015 GSU Business Plan Competition Winner
John Aderhold Fund for Excellence
The Herman J. Russell, Sr. Venture Award
The Moses Lee Reid Entrepreneurship Award
Collegiate Next Great Consumer Brands Competition Finalist
eMerge Americas Startup Competition Finalist
Urban Geekz & Atlanta Tech Village Women + Minority Entrepreneur Contest Winner

Justin’s main objective is to uplift the community in the most positive way possible by exemplifying leadership and encouraging the youth to purse their passions and dreams through entrepreneurship.

Website: http://www.eventtent

http://www.facebook.com/eventtentapp

Kumbi5 — Justin McLeod and Kunbi Tinuoye

Kimbi2 — Mary H. Parker and Dr. Kelly Burton

Kelly Burton, Ph.D / Nexus Research Group

CEO

Kelly Burton is an accomplished entrepreneur with greater than a decade’s experience launching and scaling start-up companies.

As Founder and CEO of her most recent venture Bodyology, a high-tech apparel company which infuses performance technology into women’s innerwear, Kelly is revolutionizing the way women dress. Since its launch in 2014, Bodyology has been identified as a high-potential apparel line by Macy’s Incorporated and featured in national publications like Inc. and Essence.

Kelly is also a social scientist having earned her PhD from Emory University in 2009. She went on to work for Emory University as a senior researcher and ultimately left to start her own consultancy, Nexus Research Group.

As the CEO of Nexus Research Group, Kelly advises non-profits, foundations and government agencies on how to improve their social programs and maximize their philanthropic investments. She has served on more than a half-dozen boards and received the Visionary Leadership Award for her efforts to increase access to opportunity for individuals and communities throughout the South.

Kelly Burton is a sought after speaker whose unique life experiences gives her powerful insight into the range of issues and topics relevant to the modern-day business leader. Her love for entrepreneurship is infectious and she is passionate about sharing her story with others looking to blaze their own path. Kelly is a veritable renaissance woman and evidence that women can lead in multiple areas of life, all at the same time.

Social Media:

Twitter and IG

Kunbi Tinuoye / UrbanGeekz

Founder and CEO

Kunbi Tinuoye is an award-winning British-born journalist and broadcaster based in the United States. She is the Founder and CEO of UrbanGeekz.com, a groundbreaking digital news platform focused on technology, science and business.

Tinuoye is a sought after on-air contributor, speaker, panelist, and moderator at conferences across the country. More recently she has appeared on MSNBC & Arise News and facilitated a panel discussion at the Spelman College Leadership and Women of Color Conference.

Tinuoye is a former News Correspondent for NBCs African American digital news platform theGrio.com. In 2013, she provided commentary as an investigative reporter on the Investigation Discovery hit television series Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall.

Prior to relocating stateside, Tinuoye was a senior broadcast journalist for the BBC in London. She is an international writer whose work has been published in The Daily Mail, Londons Evening Standard, Ebony.com and The Voice newspaper

lShe is one of the original founders of Aspire, a support network for ethnic minority journalists in the United Kingdom. The organization has partnered with and attracted sponsorship from mainstream media outlets, including the BBC, Channel 4, Trinity-Mirror, the Guardian and the Financial Times

Tinuoye graduated from Trinity College, University of Cambridge, with a bachelors and masters degree in Social & Political Sciences. She studied a post-graduate in journalism and is an NCTJ qualified journalist.