Samantha McElhaney Archives - Business RadioX ®

The Value of Collaboration, with Samantha McElhaney, Pinnacle Financial Partners

October 12, 2023 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The Value of Collaboration, with Samantha McElhaney, Pinnacle Financial Partners

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The Value of Collaboration, with Samantha McElhaney, Pinnacle Financial Partners

[00:00:00] Samantha McElhaney: I really like working with small business owners, but I have an opportunity right now to work with companies. And I’ve been introduced to companies in that need, 40, 50, 60 billion in financing, and they’re not getting factual information from other banks or they’re not getting the information that they need from other lenders.

[00:00:21] Samantha McElhaney: So I’m able at Pinnacle to pull in other people in different departments and all across the United States and they’re getting on the phone or they’re getting on zoom or they’re even getting in a plane and coming here to Georgia to work with me and help my prospects or my clients with those opportunities.

[00:00:41] Samantha McElhaney: And there’s no competition. There’s no, “I’ve got to meet a goal, so Sam get out of the way,” or.. I’m learning. At 30 years in my career, I’m learning just like my clients are learning of our capabilities and it’s fun. And they’re seeing it on my face, my clients are seeing it, and they’re eager to learn about what, not only capabilities we have, but how I can help, how my coworkers can help, and we’re all learning together.

[00:01:06] Samantha McElhaney: And if we can’t do it, we’re getting them in front of other institutions that can help, and there’s no fighting. among each other about that. And it’s just fantastic that we’re trying to help the business succeed.

Listen to Samantha’s full ProfitSense with Bill McDermott interview here.

The “One Minute Interview” series is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link.

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

Samantha McElhaney, SouthState Bank, Keith Costley, Keck & Wood, Inc., and Derek Griffin, Speartek

August 15, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Samantha McElhaney, SouthState Bank, Keith Costley, Keck & Wood, Inc., and Derek Griffin, Speartek

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Samantha McElhaney, SouthState Bank, Keith Costley, Keck & Wood, Inc., and Derek Griffin, Speartek (ProfitSense with Bill McDermott, Episode 35)

Host Bill McDermott was joined by three accomplished business leaders on this edition of ProfitSense. Banker Samantha McElhaney discussed what business owners need to be focused on now, what to look for in choosing an advisor, as well as how she uses her extensive network to assist her clients. Keith Costley shared how his engineering consulting firm develops and retains talent, how collaboration with clients has been so crucial to their success, and his firm’s succession planning process. Derek Griffin talked about how his firm helps gift and home decor firms, industrial products companies, distributors, and other B2B companies with website and e-commerce solutions for their marketing needs.

Bill closed the show with a commentary on the four components of getting a business ready to sell for its maximum value.

ProfitSense with Bill McDermott is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton Studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

SouthState Bank

SouthState is one of the leading regional banks in the Southeast – serving more than one million customers via 275+ locations in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia. They offer robust banking solutions, including consumer banking, mortgage, small business banking, commercial banking and wealth management.

SouthState bankers care about their customers and each other – and it shows. They are proud to have earned awards for their banking solutions, service, and workplace environment. For the past three years, they’ve been ranked on Forbes’ 100 Best Banks in America and have earned top workplace honors several years running. This is banking at its best. This is banking forward.

Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

Website | LinkedIn |Facebook

Samantha McElhaney, Commercial Relationship Advisor, SouthState Bank

Samantha McElhaney is a Commercial Relationship Advisor with SouthState Bank.

She is a single mom of twins at the University of Alabama and the University of South Carolina, respectively. She has been in financial services for 28 years this September and currently holds the position of Commercial Banking Advisor in Greater GA.

She loves Lighthouses because they provide hope in the darkness/storms of life and admits she is extremely hard on herself. She leads and participated in small groups at North Point Community Church and Woodstock City Church because her faith is extremely important to her personally and professionally.

And her favorite time of the year – college football season is about to start, so bring on Fall, food, and “fandemonium”.

Keck & Wood, Inc

Keck & Wood, Inc., founded in 1954, provides professional civil engineering, landscape architecture, and land surveying services to clients throughout the southeast. The company has 65 employees in four offices. Duluth and Fayetteville, GA as well as Rock Hill and North Charleston, SC. Our clients include city and county governments, utility companies, state agencies, education institutions, and private developers.

Company website | Facebook | LinkedIn

Keith Costley, President & CEO, Keck & Wood, Inc.

Keith Costley is the President and CEO of Keck & Wood, Inc., a 65-person civil engineering firm headquartered in Duluth, GA. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a civil engineering degree in 1994 and has become licensed as a Professional Engineer in GA, SC, and NC.

He joined the firm as a Project Manager in their Rock Hill, SC office in 2000 and has steadily progressed his career by becoming the office leader in 2012 and then the President and CEO in 2017.

Speartek

Speartek is a technology company that builds online business solutions for product-based businesses that sell primarily in Business to Business environments. Yes, that online solution is a website but it is so much more than that because it enables the client to do business with their clients in a much more automated and efficient manner. Clients are typically manufacturers or product importers that well either wholesale to retailers or through a distribution channel. B2B selling is significantly more complex than selling to consumers and many of these client websites are integrated into accounting or ERP systems so that data is exchanged automatically, reducing the administrative costs and time in managing orders. With B2B as a primary focus for the past 20 years, the experience that Speartek delivers coupled with a platform built for B2B is an incredibly valuable combination.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Derek Griffin, President, Speartek

Derek Griffin has spent 22 years as the leader of Speartek, a niche B2B eCommerce solution provider. His background includes being a CPA in public accounting for 7 years as well as a CFO for a $20M manufacturing company. That financial experience and understanding of how a business needs to operate has been tremendously valuable in what Speartek delivers for its clients. Derek has lived in the Atlanta area since 1992, is married and has 2 children. Outside of work, his interests are mountain biking and hiking national parks (up to 30!), live music, and college sports.

About ProfitSense and Your Host, Bill McDermott

ProfitSense with Bill McDermott dives into the stories behind some of Atlanta’s successful businesses and business owners and the professionals that advise them. This show helps local business leaders get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession. The show is presented by McDermott Financial Solutions. McDermott Financial helps business owners improve cash flow and profitability, find financing, break through barriers to expansion, and financially prepare to exit their business. The show archive can be found at profitsenseradio.com.

Bill McDermott is the Founder and CEO of McDermott Financial Solutions. When business owners want to increase their profitability, they don’t have the expertise to know where to start or what to do. Bill leverages his knowledge and relationships from 32 years as a banker to identify the hurdles getting in the way and create a plan to deliver profitability they never thought possible.

Bill currently serves as Treasurer for the Atlanta Executive Forum and has held previous positions as a board member for the Kennesaw State University Entrepreneurship Center and Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity and Treasurer for CEO NetWeavers. Bill is a graduate of Wake Forest University and he and his wife, Martha have called Atlanta home for over 40 years. Outside of work, Bill enjoys golf, traveling, and gardening.

Connect with Bill on LinkedIn and Twitter and follow McDermott Financial Solutions on LinkedIn.

Don Ross and Tara Gilbert-Ross, The Boujee Southerner Experience, and Samantha McElhaney, SouthState Bank

August 12, 2022 by John Ray

Family Business Radio

Don Ross and Tara Gilbert-Ross, The Boujee Southerner Experience, and Samantha McElhaney, SouthState Bank

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Don Ross and Tara Gilbert-Ross, The Boujee Southerner Experience, and Samantha McElhaney, SouthState Bank (Family Business Radio, Episode 35)

Host Anthony Chen profiled Don Ross and Tara Gilbert-Ross, The Boujee Southerner Experience, and banker Samantha McElhaney, SouthState Bank, on this edition of “Family Business Radio.” Don and Tara discussed their journey as entrepreneurs, their military service, how they work together as business owners and a married couple, and their plans for The Boujee Southerner Experience. Sam McElhaney shared how she works not only to give the best banking and financial advice and service for her clients but connects them in ways which help their business. Anthony closed the show will a commentary on using money to fulfill life’s purpose.

Family Business Radio is underwritten and brought to you by Anthony Chen with Lighthouse Financial Network.

The Boujee Southerner Experience

The Boujee Southerner Restaurant, and Selfie Museum (AKA) “The Boujee Southerner Experience” was created to educate and celebrate African American contributions to Southern cooking and healthy living. The business seeks to serve plant-based replicas to popular Southern soul food dishes in an African American culturally inspired space that promotes pride and self-love.

The boutique section of the restaurant seeks to provide a shared retail space for minority businesses looking to gain more exposure. The Selfie Museum is dedicated to “Mental Health Awareness”, focusing on those who are learning to love themselves.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Don Ross, Co-Owner, and Tara Gilbert-Ross, Co-Owner and Lead Chef, The Boujee Southerner Experience

Donald and Tara Ross are a happily married couple originally from Chicago, IL. Parents of 7 children (2 boys and 5 girls), grandparents to 6 grandchildren, and 1 grand puppy. The retired military couple has dedicated their lives to service of God, country, family and community. 2 1/2 years ago Tara had a mental breakdown that led to her leaving the workforce and losing own identity and purpose. Donald worked to provide for the family while caring for Tara.

In September 2020, Tara and Don became grandparents to premature identical twins who were diagnosed with achondroplasia. Inspired by the twin’s tenacity and courage, Tara and Don wanted to resume life, serving others and building a foundation for their family and community. This desire brought them to Lawrenceville, GA where they’re building their family business “The Boujee Southerner.”

Don and Tara can be reached by email.

Website

SouthState Bank

Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

Website | LinkedIn |Facebook

Samantha McElhaney, Commercial Relationship Advisor, SouthState Bank

Samantha McElhaney is a Commercial Relationship Advisor with SouthState Bank.

She is a single mom of twins at the University of Alabama and the University of South Carolina. She has been in financial services for 28 years this September and currently holds the position of Commercial Banking Advisor in Greater Georgia.

And her favorite time of the year – college football season is about to start, so bring on fall, food, and “fandemonium.”

Anthony Chen, Host of Family Business Radio

**Anthony Chen, Lighthouse Financial, and Host of “Family Business Radio”**

This show is sponsored and brought to you by Anthony Chen with Lighthouse Financial Network. Securities and advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. (RAA), member FINRA/SIPC. RAA is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of RAA. The main office address is 575 Broadhollow Rd. Melville, NY 11747. You can reach Anthony at 631-465-9090 ext 5075 or by email at anthonychen@lfnllc.com.

Anthony Chen started his career in financial services with MetLife in Buffalo, NY in 2008. Born and raised in Elmhurst, Queens, he considers himself a full-blooded New Yorker while now enjoying his Atlanta, GA home. Specializing in family businesses and their owners, Anthony works to protect what is most important to them. From preserving to creating wealth, Anthony partners with CPAs and attorneys to help address all the concerns and help clients achieve their goals. By using a combination of financial products ranging from life, disability, and long-term care insurance to many investment options through Royal Alliance. Anthony looks to be the eyes and ears for his client’s financial foundation. In his spare time, Anthony is an avid long-distance runner.

The complete show archive of “Family Business Radio” can be found at familybusinessradioshow.com.

ProfitSense with Bill McDermott, Episode 4: Keith Costley, Keck & Wood, Samantha McElhaney, CenterState Bank, and Dr. Brianna Gaynor, Peace of Mind Psychological Services

January 9, 2020 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

ProfitSense with Bill McDermott, Episode 4: Keith Costley, Keck & Wood, Samantha McElhaney, CenterState Bank, and Dr. Brianna Gaynor, Peace of Mind Psychological Services

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**From Left: Sam McElhaney, Keith Costley, Bill McDermott, Brianna Gaynor**

ProfitSense with Bill McDermott, Episode 4: Keith Costley, Keck & Wood, Samantha McElhaney, CenterState Bank, and Dr. Brianna Gaynor, Peace of Mind Psychological Services

On this edition of “ProfitSense with Bill McDermott,” host Bill McDermott talks civil engineering services, banking relationships, and building a mental health practice were on the agenda with three great guests: Keith Costley, President and CEO of Keck & Wood, Samantha McElhaney, Commercial Relationship Manager at CenterState Bank, and Dr. Brianna Gaynor, owner of Peace of Mind Psychological Services. “ProfitSense with Bill McDermott” is broadcast from the North Fulton Studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

Keith Costley, Keck & Wood

Keith Costley is the President and CEO of Keck & Wood, Inc. Founded in 1954, Keck & Wood is a 50 person professional services firm that provides civil engineering, landscape architecture, and land surveying for clients in the southeast. Their clients include city and county governments, utility companies, state transportation departments, colleges and universities, and private developers. Keck & Wood has offices in Duluth, GA, Rock Hill, SC, and North Charleston, SC.

Keith has worked in the civil engineering industry since graduating from college in 1994, and has been a Keck & Wood employee for 20 years. He is a licensed professional engineer in three states, and is on the Board of Directors of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia. He is active with the North Gwinnett Arts Association and the Chair of the Gwinnett County Public Schools STEM Cluster Advisory Board. Outside of work, Keith enjoys photography, riding his bicycle, and is a home theater enthusiast.

For more information visit the Keck & Wood website. You can reach Keith by email or phone, 678-417-4000. Also connect with Keith on LinkedIn.

Samantha McElhaney, CenterState Bank

Samantha McElhaney is Commercial Relationship Manager at CenterState Bank in Atlanta, GA. CenterState Bank N.A. was started by a group of bankers and entrepreneurs over 25 years ago with three separate banks in Polk, Osceola and Pasco Counties. They had a history of quality service and community focus. The group of bankers came together around the belief that local ownership and local management would translate into a better bank. Through their vision and investment, a bank was born. CenterState’s core values–local market driven, long term horizon, world class service, relationship banking, faith and family–inspire how the bank operates as a company. They also reflect bank employees’ character and influence on the communities they serve.

As a Commercial Relationship Manager with CenterState Bank, and over 25 years in the financial services industry, Samantha finds joy in providing solutions for her clients and prospects that will resolve their greatest pain points. Furthermore, it is her personal goal to be a leader within her organization and the community she has served in Georgia since moving to the state in July 2005.

For more information visit the CenterState Bank website. You can reach Samantha by email or phone, 678-626-3829. Also connect with Samantha on LinkedIn.

Dr. Brianna Gaynor, Peace of Mind Psychological Services

Dr. Brianna Gaynor is owner of Peace of Mind Psychological Services in Johns Creek, GA. Much of her work focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of various mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, trauma, and behavioral disorders through psychological evaluations. Peace of Mind individual and family therapy services are provided for clients as young as age 2 and through adulthood.

Brianna was licensed as a psychologist in the state of Georgia in 2011, and received her doctorate degree from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology in 2009. Her training while in graduate school focused primarily on the treatment of children, adolescents, and families. During Brianna’s internship year she was also trained in faith based therapy. Although she is not a traditional Christian counselor, Brianna has learned how to incorporate faith-based techniques when clients express a desire for them. She has also worked in various settings, including outpatient, residential, and a mental health hospital.

Brianna has a unique way of connecting with others through humor and kindness. Her goal in every encounter is to help others find peace in every circumstance.

For more information visit the Peace of Mind Psychological Services website. You can reach Brianna by email or phone, 678-667-3565. Also connect with Brianna on LinkedIn.

About Your Host, Bill McDermott

Bill McDermott is Founder and CEO of McDermott Financial Solutions. After over three decades working for both national and community banks, Bill uses his expert knowledge to assist closely held companies with improving profitability, growing their business and finding financing. Bill is passionate about educating business owners about pertinent topics in the banking and finance arena.

He currently serves as Treasurer for the Atlanta Executive Forum and has held previous positions as board member for the Kennesaw State University Entrepreneurship Center and Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity and Treasurer for CEO NetWeavers. Bill is a graduate of Wake Forest University and he and his wife, Martha have called Atlanta home for over 40 years. Outside of work, Bill enjoys golf, traveling and gardening.

Connect with Bill on LinkedIn and Twitter and follow McDermott Financial Solutions on LinkedIn. The complete show archive for ProfitSense with Bill McDermott” can be found at profitsenseradio.com.

Samantha McElhaney, CenterState Bank, and Bruce Petty, Today’s Chaplain

August 13, 2019 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Samantha McElhaney, CenterState Bank, and Bruce Petty, Today's Chaplain

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**John Ray, Samantha McElhaney, Bruce Petty**

“North Fulton Business Radio,” Episode 154: Samantha McElhaney, CenterState Bank, and Bruce Petty, Today’s Chaplain

Two fantastic business leaders, one paying it forward to her banking clients, another serving spiritual and emotional needs in the workplace, on this edition of “North Fulton Business Radio.” Join host John Ray as he speaks with Samantha McElhaney, CenterState Bank, and Bruce Petty, Today’s Chaplain.

Samantha McElhaney, CenterState Bank

Samantha McElhaney (“Sam”) is a Vice President, Commerical Banking, working in the Metro Atlanta area with CenterState Bank (formerly First Landmark Bank). She refers to herself as a financial advocate and community partner for small business owners. With 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Sam prides herself on placing her client’s needs first, gaining their trust and becoming a more important part of their overall team.

With over $16 billion in assets, CenterState Bank Corporation (parent of the former First Landmark Bank) provides traditional retail, commercial, mortgage, wealth management and SBA services throughout its Florida, Georgia and Alabama branch network and customer relationships in neighboring states. The Bank also has a national footprint, serving clients coast to coast through its correspondent banking division. For more details, go to https://www.centerstatebank.com/.

Bruce Petty, Today’s Chaplain

Today’s Chaplain is a Corporate Chaplain Agency based in Cumming whose mission is to care for a company’s most important asset, their employees. They seek to make a real difference in employee lives, work and relationships. The company was founded by Bruce Petty in October 2015 and currently serves clients in Forsyth and Gwinnett Counties. Bruce has been serving others for nearly 50 years, first as a Pastor and now a Corporate Chaplain. He graduated high school and went on to surprise his teachers by earning a Bachelors Degree from Lincoln Christian University, a Masters degree from The Graduate School at Kentucky Christian University and his PhD from Louisiana Baptist University. He loves a good double cheeseburger and doing fun activities with his wife Linda. Occasionally he wastes time and money playing golf.

To get in touch with Bruce, call (770) 557-5798. You find out more on Today’s Chaplain on their website.

“North Fulton Business Radio” is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®, located inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with approximately $12.9 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.