University of North Georgia Archives

Dr. Mary Gowan and Dr. Rose Procter – UNG Mike Cottrell College of Business

November 5, 2023 by Rose

North Georgia Business Radio

Dr. Mary Gowan and Dr. Rose Procter - UNG Mike Cottrell College of Business

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It’s been said that knowledge is power. Every business owner knows that to be a true statement. You need to have market knowledge, knowledge of your craft, and knowledgeable employees. Today, we will talk about creating a knowledgeable workforce and some fantastic resources available in our community!

Dr. Mary Gowan, Dean of the Mike Cottrell College of Business @ The University of North Georgia, Georgia’s premiere military college, and Dr. Rose Procter, Director of the TRUIST Center for Ethical Leadership at the Mike Cottrell College of Business UNG – University of North Georgia and Associate Director for Ethics and Compliance with the University System of Georgia join host Phil Bonelli on this episode of North Georgia Business Radio.

Dr. Mary Gowan is a highly accomplished leader in the field of business education. With a focus on preparing students for the workforce, Dr. Gowan has implemented various initiatives to enhance their skills and knowledge. The UNG’s cybersecurity program, for instance, has garnered recognition as a two-time winner of the NSA Code Breaker Challenge.

Additionally, the college offers logistics, finance, accounting, and professional sales programs, all aimed at meeting the region’s workforce needs. Dr. Gowan has also prioritized leadership development, reinstating the business leadership track and launching the Cottrel Leadership Fellows Program. Through these efforts, the University of North Georgia equips students with the necessary tools to succeed in business.

Joining Dr. Gowan is Dr. Rose Proctor, director of the TRUIST Center for Ethical Leadership, whose expertise in ethics and compliance adds further value to the university’s offerings.

In this episode, you will be able to:

Discover how the University of North Georgia entrepreneurship program can empower local businesses to thrive in the dynamic modern economy.
Unlock the potential of the UNG Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and tap into a hub of creativity, innovation, and collaboration to take your business to the next level.
Explore how UNG prioritizes student success and workforce preparation, equipping graduates with the skills needed to excel in today’s competitive job market.
Learn about the internship opportunities available for UNG students, providing real-world experience and helping them build a strong foundation for their future careers.
Harness the power of the UNG graduates and local business network, connecting with talented professionals who are uniquely poised to contribute to the growth and prosperity of North Georgia’s economy.

Key moments in this episode are:

00:00:07 – Introduction
00:00:31 – Importance of Knowledge
00:01:16 – Introduction to the Guests
00:03:32 – Overview of the Mike Cottrell College of Business
00:08:01 – Cybersecurity and Compliance
00:15:17 – The Importance of Critical Thinking and Ethics in Business
00:17:26 – Hands-on Learning and Practical Application
00:19:26 – Empowering Employees to Make Ethical Judgment Calls
00:25:01 – Leadership Effectiveness and Entrepreneurial Mindset
00:30:14 – Introduction to the Entrepreneurship Program
00:31:54 – Programs and Opportunities
00:33:27 – Success Stories and Student Support
00:35:07 – University’s Impact and Affordability
00:37:50 – Internship Opportunities and Employer Engagement

Resources mentioned in this episode are:

Explore the Mike Cottrell College of Business at the University of North Georgia to discover their programs and resources.
Check out the Cybersecurity Program at the University of North Georgia for opportunities in the growing field of cybersecurity.
Learn about the Logistics Program at the University of North Georgia and its partnership with Siphon Logistics.
Discover the Finance Program at the University of North Georgia and the Bloomberg Terminals available for students.
Find out more about the student-managed investment fund at the University of North Georgia and the opportunities it provides for hands-on experience in investing.
Consider the professional sales program at the University of North Georgia and the competitions its students have won.
Explore the accounting program at the University of North Georgia and its strong reputation among regional employers.
Learn about the Cottrell Leadership Fellows Program at the University of North Georgia and how it prepares students to be leaders in their fields.
Discover the Compliance and Ethics program at the University.

Jennifer Herring, University of North Georgia

April 17, 2023 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Jennifer Herring, University of North Georgia

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North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 649)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, Jennifer Herring, University of North Georgia, joined host John Ray to discuss Gen 1, UNG’s program for first-generation college students. Jennifer talked about her own experience as a first-generation college student and how that experience makes her passionate about her work. She also discussed what it means to be a first-generation college student, how first-generation students are different from other students, what UNG is doing differently than other institutions to support them, the diversity of Gen 1 students, and much more.

North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Being the first in your family to attend college means potential challenges navigating an institution and its confusing roadmap of new terminology, processes, and procedures.

The First Generation Initiatives at UNG are designed to simplify that roadmap by creating strategic partnerships that will provide the necessary academic, social, and financial supports to increase retention and degree completion by:

Normalizing experiences in college by meeting other first generation students
Providing a safe environment to ask questions and receive information
Providing connections to positive adult role models and mentors on campus
Creating networking opportunities with community organizations who support first generation students

UNG also offers a mentoring program that connects first-generation faculty and staff to first-generation students for formalized mentoring relationships. The program launched in the fall of 2020 and was founded on the Gainesville Campus in collaboration with the Dean of Students, Dean of University College, and Office of the Vice President, Gainesville Campus.

Mentors and mentees meet once a month and have regular check-ins between meetings.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter

**Jennifer Herring, Special Assistant to the Vice President of Regional Campuses, University of North Georgia**

Jennifer Herring, a Hall County native, currently serves as the Special Assistant to the Regional Campus Administration Vice President at the University of North Georgia.

She served North Georgia and Metro Atlanta in the banking industry for nearly 20 years, most notably as a small business, commercial lender, and local bank president. Before she arrived at UNG, she served the state of Georgia as the Senior Vice President of College Affordability Initiatives at Georgia Student Finance Commission, where she focused on programs that increased students’ access to higher education and promoted ways to make higher education more affordable.

Herring has served on various boards, including the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Lottery Corporation. In addition, she has served as a volunteer for multiple nonprofit organizations supporting and empowering economically disadvantaged women and children and as a certified financial education instructor for the City of Refuge in Atlanta.

She attended Gordon College in Barnesville, Georgia, and Gainesville State College, now known as the University of North Georgia in Oakwood, Georgia. Herring was selected in 2014 as a member of the Leadership Georgia Program to represent Hall County. In addition, she is a member of the South Hall Rotary Club and serves as one of three advisors for the UNG chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha Honor Society for First-Generation Students, as well as a coordinator for the First Generation Student Initiatives at UNG.

As a First Generation College Student, she is passionate about paving the way for students who are the first in their families to attend college and earn a degree, relieving burdens and removing barriers that prevent students from achieving their dreams. She and her husband, David, live in North Hall County.

What Does it mean to be a First Generation College Student?
Why had UNG chosen to focus on First Generation College students?
How are First-Generation College students different from those with parents or grandparents who earned college degrees?
What is UNG doing that is different from other institutions to support First-Generation college students?
How did you arrive at the structure for the mentoring program?
What results are you seeing with the mentoring pilot cohorts?
How are you awarding the First-Generation Scholarships now?
If people want to know more about what UNG is doing to support First-Generation students, where can they go?

North Fulton Business Radio is hosted by John Ray and broadcast and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, TuneIn, and others.

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

Since 2000, Office Angels® has been restoring joy to the life of small business owners, enabling them to focus on what they do best. At the same time, we honor and support at-home experts who wish to continue working on an as-needed basis. Not a temp firm or a placement service, Office Angels matches a business owner’s support needs with Angels who have the talent and experience necessary to handle work that is essential to creating and maintaining a successful small business. Need help with administrative tasks, bookkeeping, marketing, presentations, workshops, speaking engagements, and more? Visit us at https://officeangels.us/.

Mary Gowan, Dean of the Mike Cottrell College of Business at the University of North Georgia

March 13, 2023 by John Ray

Mary Gowan, University of North Georgia, Mike Cottrell College of Business

North Fulton Business Radio

Mary Gowan, Dean of the Mike Cottrell College of Business at the University of North Georgia

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North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 620)

On this edition of North Fulton Business Radio, Mary Gowan, Dean of the Mike Cottrell College of Business at the University of North Georgia, joined host John Ray this thriving educational institution. Dean Gowan discussed ways the Cottrell College of Business contributes to regional workforce development, the new Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation on the Dahlonega campus, recent student wins in national competitions, the College’s course offerings in logistics, supply chain management, and fintech, the growth of the Cumming campus, the increase in demand for certificates, and much more.

North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

The Mike Cottrell College of Business serves business and technology students across all five UNG campuses and currently enrolls more than 20% of the entire UNG student body. The college prepares students to lead in the workplace and strengthen their communities through academic excellence, experiential learning, innovative teaching, as well as, entrepreneurial and ethical leadership development. Students learn the skills and expectations necessary to become strong and effective leaders in their future careers. In addition, the Mike Cottrell College of Business is a valued partner in regional economic development.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Learn About the Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation

**Mary Gowan, Dean, University of North Georgia, Mike Cottrell College of Business**

Mary Gowan is dean of the Mike Cottrell College of Business and professor of management at the University of North Georgia. She previously served as business dean at James Madison University and at Elon University, and as Associate Dean at George Washington University.

Her Ph.D. is in business administration from the University of Georgia and her extensive teaching, research, and consulting experience focuses on human resource management and organizational behavior, and includes international teaching and research.

Mary is currently on the boards of the Southern Business Association of Administrators, Beta Gamma Sigma, and the North Georgia Community Foundation. Previously, she served as a board member of the Society for Human Resource Management Foundation, the Human Resource Division of the Academy of Management, the Southern Management Association, and a number of other nonprofit organizations.

Mary has also served on a number of journal editorial boards and published research focused on career transitions and related HR topics and has been published in the Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Applied Psychology, and numerous other HR-related journals.

What are some of the ways UNG’s Mike Cottrell College of Business contributes to regional workforce development?
How is your new Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation helping the college better prepare students for their careers?
How have your logistics and supply chain management courses gained even further value in the current world of consistent supply chain issues?
How is UNG preparing students for careers in the emerging fintech and cybersecurity fields?
Can you talk about the importance of your MBA now being offered online so you can reach working professionals who want to further their education?
What bachelor’s degrees will you be offering on the Cumming Campus and online within the next two years?
What can you tell me about UNG’s partnership with the NSA to offer undergraduate and graduate certificates in compliance and ethics?
Can you talk about the role your TRUIST Center for Ethical Leadership and the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation play in educating your students and serving the community?

Maxwell Bentley, Bentley Media Group and Clipify

October 18, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Maxwell Bentley, Bentley Media Group and Clipify

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Maxwell Bentley, Bentley Media Group and Clipify (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 397)

While many small business owners acknowledge that video marketing is effective, they sometimes shy away from the medium because of both cost and ease of use concerns. That’s where Clipify, an app developed and founded by Maxwell Bentley of Bentley Media Group, comes in. Maxwell joined host John Ray to explain why Clipify is the ultimate DIY video marketing toolbox, allowing users quickly and easily to create marketing videos, collect video testimonials, and send unlimited video emails. North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Clipify

Clipify is the ultimate do-it-yourself video marketing toolbox anyone can use on any device. Send unlimited video emails, create marketing videos for social media, collect video testimonials from customers, and more.

Clipify gives you the tools to send unlimited video messages via email and get notified when they’re watched. No apps or extra downloads needed.

With Clipify, you can collect unlimited video testimonials via your own branded landing page and unlimited cloud storage. Record your video message, add your logo intro, and select a music track quickly and easily. Download and share the finished video anywhere.

With Clipify, you’ll rise to the top of a busy inbox and build trustworthy business relationships quickly. Your custom video messages will make old-school follow-up emails a thing of the past.

Clipify website | LinkedIn

Maxwell Bentley, Founder, Bentley Media Group and Clipify

Maxwell Bentley is a marketing strategist who specializes in producing “films that excite” for brands across the United States. He has partnered with Disney, Roblox, Hyundai, Toyota, Xbox, TED Talks, and an extensive clientele of small businesses nationwide.

Maxwell is the Founder & Chief Storyteller at Bentley Media Group, a strategic video marketing studio that was named a finalist for Forsyth County Business of the Year in 2018 and 2019. His firm has generated over 100,000,000 video hits that have translated to millions of dollars in sales revenue for his clients since 2015.

In 2017, he produced a trailer for the Xbox title Super Bomb Survival and served as the lead editor for the Roblox app trailer — he was subsequently added to the University of North Georgia (UNG) Student-Entrepreneur Wall of Fame.

Maxwell serves on multiple advisory boards and has partnered with area schools to help prepare rising talent for the demands of the video production industry. He exists to form profitable relationships where his clients and his staff feel successful.

LinkedIn | Bentley Media Group | YouTube

Questions and Topics

What’s Clipify?
Why did you launch Clipify?
What kinds of ways can Clipify be utilized?
Why is video marketing important in a covid-19 economy?
How can someone develop camera confidence?

North Fulton Business Radio is hosted by John Ray, and broadcast and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, TuneIn, and others.

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

Special thanks to A&S Culinary Concepts for their support of this edition of North Fulton Business Radio. A&S Culinary Concepts, based in Johns Creek, is an award-winning culinary studio, celebrated for corporate catering, corporate team building, Big Green Egg Boot Camps, and private group events. They also provide oven-ready, cooked from scratch meals to go they call “Let Us Cook for You.” To see their menus and events, go to their website or call 678-336-9196.

Dr. Ruben Boling, University of North Georgia, and Caleb Hearn, Opus Affinity

April 16, 2019 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Dr. Ruben Boling, University of North Georgia, and Caleb Hearn, Opus Affinity

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**John Ray, Dr. Ruben Boling, and Caleb Hearn**

Dr. Ruben Boling, Director, Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, University of North Georgia

With over 30 years of combined experience in business and academics, Dr. Boling has developed an expertise in the fields of strategy, entrepreneurship and management. During his business career, Ruben has served in leadership and staff positions for several major companies including Arthur Andersen, Georgia Power and WorldColor. He has also served as owner or co-owner of two different small businesses and as a key partner in start-up initiatives in larger companies and institutions. His managerial and consulting experience has spanned several industries and focused on enhancing or improving strategy, customer acquisition and retention, and operations.

As part of the Mike Cottrell College of Business and as Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Dr. Boling’s primary focus is to promote entrepreneurship and business leadership in the classroom and regional and international business community.

The Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation in the Mike Cottrell College of Business at UNG is a collaborative initiative that engages students, faculty and staff across the University, as well as communities within the region who imagine, innovate, start and grow new and existing ventures. The initiatives within the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation are designed to spark entrepreneurial efforts become the go-to place for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs across the north Georgia region.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) comprises five campuses and almost 20,000 students. UNG offers more than 100 programs of study ranging from certificate and associate degrees to professional doctoral programs.

Opus Affinity, a student business founded by Caleb Hearn and Sam Herrera at UNG, provides a means for brands and individual to share their unique amazing stories through their application, unique code recognition software, and direct integration into existing product label design.

Opus Affinity was a top 5 finisher in the 2019 Georgia Inventure Prize Competition.

Praveen Ghanta with HiddenLevers, Ed Pimentel with MobileMonday Atlanta, Randall Toussaint with Cumming-Forsyth Chamber and Ruben Boling with UNG

October 30, 2014 by angishields

Atlanta Tech Leaders

Praveen Ghanta with HiddenLevers, Ed Pimentel with MobileMonday Atlanta, Randall Toussaint with Cumming-Forsyth Chamber and Ruben Boling with UNG

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Praveen Ghanta / HiddenLevers

Praveen Ghanta is responsible for the HiddenLevers engine and product development. Praveen has a deep background in financial technology, having built credit derivatives trading and risk management systems at Deutsche Bank. Previously, he founded and led SmartWorkGroups, an online collaboration startup, until its acquisition by Intralinks (NYSE:IL) in July 2000. Praveen has also served as a co-Director of the Founder Institute Atlanta chapter, and is the author of a SeekingAlpha-certified blog called TrueCost, which looks at economics and government policy through the lens of cost-benefit analysis. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with Bachelor’s degrees in computer science and economics, and a Master’s degree in computer science.

Ed Pimentel / MobileMonday Atlanta

Randall Toussaint / Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber

Randall Toussaint is the Vice President of Economic Development at The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. In this capacity he leads an economic development program that works to recruit new companies to his community, while helping local businesses to grow and expand. Prior to moving to Forsyth County Randall worked in the field of economic development in such communities as Clayton County, Georgia and Savannah, Georgia. Randall holds a bachelors degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia; a Masters in Public Administration from Savannah State University; a certificate in Spanish Studies from La Universidad de Benito Juarez in Oaxaca, Mexico; a certificate in Economic Development Leadership from the Georgia Academy for Economic Development; and a certificates in Strategic Planning and Business Marketing & Attraction from the International Economic Development Council.

Ruben Boling / University of North Georgia

Jeff Lovejoy with ActionCOACH Atlanta, Jonathan Sparks with Sparks Law Practice, Dr. Ruben Boling with the University of North Georgia, Lloyd Lofton with American Eagle Financial Services, Leo “Skip” Shababy with Skips Hot Dogs, Larry White and Tres Crow with The Ritz Group – Buckhead Business Radio

March 18, 2014 by angishields

Buckhead Business Radio

Jeff Lovejoy with ActionCOACH Atlanta, Jonathan Sparks with Sparks Law Practice, Dr. Ruben Boling with the University of North Georgia, Lloyd Lofton with American Eagle Financial Services, Leo “Skip” Shababy with Skips Hot Dogs, Larry White and Tres Crow with The Ritz Group - Buckhead Business Radio

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Jeff Lovejoy/ActionCOACH Atlanta (Co-Host)

Jeff joined ActionCOACH Atlanta out of a desire to help owners grow their businesses in pursuit of their dreams and to provide a positive contribution to their community. His goal is to take the seemingly complicated responsibility of running a successful business and making it simple and fun. He helps owners de-mystify sales, marketing, planning, profit growth, leadership, business systems, time management, team building and financial management responsibilities. In working with Jeff, business owners are able to increase the success of their business which increases profits while gaining more “free time”.

Examples of the benefits Jeff has provided local business owners include:

• Doubled annual revenue for a remodeler

• Dramatically improved efficiency of a nonprofit’s Executive. Dir.

• Developed a marketing plan for an IT company

• Implemented recruitment process for a med. spa

• Worked with owner of engineering business to design their sales process

• Adopted formal planning and review for a retailer

• Increased sales performance at recreation company

• Taught CPA how to make better use of his time

Prior to joining ActionCOACH Jeff had built a successful 26 year career in sales, sales management, sales support leadership, marketing and project management. As a Senior Vice President at Bank of America and Wachovia he led initiatives that achieved dramatic results.

• Increased sales teams’ annual results by over 27%, on average, through training and simplifying the sales process

• Played key role in driving division’s sales teams towards consultative selling

• Developed a team that improved the quality of over 900 proposals

• Led initiative to raise the quality of marketing communications

• Received a national award for best practices in sales effectiveness in financial services.

www.ActionCoachAtlanta.com Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Jonathan Sparks/Sparks Law Practice

Jonathan Sparks is the Principal Attorney at Sparks Law Practice. He works as the “on-call” in-house attorney for many small to medium-sized local businesses. He has worked as an attorney at King and Spalding in Atlanta, Georgia, and interned at the United States Senate Office, the Attorney General’s office for the District of Columbia, and the United States Department of Justice. He is a graduate of the George Washington University Law School, where he excelled at Corporate and Business law, Torts, Litigation, and Securities law.

www.http://sparkslawpractice.com/attorneys Linkedin Twitter

Dr. Ruben Boling/University of North Georgia

Ruben Boling Director, Center for the Future of North Georgia at the Mike Cottrell College of Business, University of North Georgia.

As part of the Mike Cottrell College of Business at the University of North Georgia and as Director of the Center for the Future of North Georgia, Dr. Ruben Boling’s primary focus is to promote entrepreneurship and business leadership in the classroom and regional and international business community.

Over his 30 years in business and academics, Dr. Boling has developed an expertise in the fields of strategy, entrepreneurship and management. During his business career, Ruben served in leadership and staff positions for several major companies including Arthur Andersen, Georgia Power and WorldColor. He has also served as owner or co-owner of two different small businesses and as a key partner in start-up initiatives in larger companies and institutions. His managerial and consulting experience has spanned several industries and focused on enhancing or improving strategy, customer acquisition and retention, and operations.

Ruben received his Doctor of Business Administration with a focus in Strategy and Entrepreneurship from Kennesaw State University, Master of Science in Management from Georgia Institute of Technology, and Bachelor of Civil Engineering Technology from Southern Polytechnic State University.

http://www.ung.edu/cfng Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Lloyd Lofton/American Eagle Financial Services

http://americaneaglefinancialservices.com Linkedin Twitter

Leo “Skip” Shababy/Skips Hot Dogs

Leo “Skip” Shababy is the founder/owner of Skips Chicago Dogs. In 1977 Leo Shababy Sr. and son Leo “Skip” Shababy Jr. moved their families from Chicago Illinois to the land of sweet tea and BBQ, Atlanta Georgia. Combining a hard work ethic, family values and a passion for quality food the duo set out to bring the great taste of the “Windy City” to Atlanta and in 1979 Skip’s Chicago Dogs was introduced.

Featuring Chicago Style Vienna Beef Hot Dogs, Italian Beef Sandwiches and Maxwell Street Polish Sausages, Skip’s has become a staple in the Atlanta area for high quality food served up loud, fast and fun just like in Chicago!

Though Skip himself has been working the biz for the past 35 years you can still come in throughout the week and catch him behind a register or putting together some delicious Chicago cuisine….all with a smile on his face that is contagious!

http://www.skipshotdogs.com Facebook

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). Shark Attack is professionally hosted 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.

http://www.ritzgroup.org Linkedin Twitter

Tres Crow/The Ritz Group

Tres Crow is an experienced marketing and sales professional. Having worked successfully in a variety of fields–as a lender, banker, insurance agent, membership manager, marketing and copywriting freelancer, as well as a sales and operations manager at both regional and national retail banks–Tres have a wide-ranging view of several key aspects of the business and entrepreneurial communities.

He has an eclectic range of personal and semi-professional interests, which make him exceedingly unique in the business world. In addition to over 8 years of sales, marketing, and management experience, Tres is also a published fiction author who has completed two novels, an adapted screenplay, and countless short stories. He spent over 8 years in Nashville and Ann Arbor, MI as a songwriter, releasing 2 LPs, 2 EPs, and 2 digital singles during that time. He has also developed a keen interest in developing green and sustainable solutions through entrepreneurship, which led him to form the Green Entrepreneurs of Atlanta group in October of 2013, which has seen its membership grow to 30 in just a few months.

He completed his MBA at University of West Georgia in July, 2013, where he maintained a 4.0 GPA and was honored with induction to the prestigious Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society. He is currently an Ambassador for the Ritz Group, tasked with growing and maintaining membership.

http://www.ritzgroup.org Linkedin Twitter