dawn ely, Author at Business RadioX ® Page

Risk Decisions for your Business (02/08/2011 show)

February 8, 2011 by dawn ely

How to make sound risk decisions? Listen to our experts.

02/08/2011 Show

Alan Urech is Managing Partner of Stoney River Capital Partners with over 30 years executive experience with growing companies. He and his partners provide senior business level commercialization and exit strategies to rapidly expand growth opportunities. He and his company help their clients understand items during different growth stages.

His background includes an HIS management system where he was part of team that saw the company’s expansion from an initial start up of under 3 million to over 180 million in revenue within 12 years. During this period Alan was instrumental in developing very successful health care product lines which significantly expanded the company’s overall profitability. The company ended up being sold in 1998 for over 13.8 billion.

Currently, Alan is an instructor at Georgia State University’s School of Business, instructing a multiple of graduate and undergraduate level programs. He is on numerous corporate and non-profit boards. Alan Urech’s Segment

Bill Caffall is the Sr. Security Safety analysis for Corp Security and Investigations. Prior to entering private business he served in the US Air Force and retired as a Colonel and Commander having served for more than 28 years. His exemplary roles include the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, the 14^th Air Force Division of Operations, and the Commander of the only space and missile launch group in the US. Bill was also the Inspector General and Vice Commander for the largest wing in the Air Force. Bill Caffall’s Segment

Manufacturing Industry in Georgia (01/04/2011 Show)

January 5, 2011 by dawn ely

How is the manufacturing industry doing in Georgia? Listen to our experts.

01/04/2011 Show

Ed Robinson is the Managing Partner of Definity Partners here in Atlanta. He has spent most of his 20 year career in the manufacturing and services industries. He has worked for companies in leadership roles such as Definity Partners and Cintas. He is also on the Honorary Board of Members for the Special Olympics Georgia. Ed has an Engineering degree from the University of Dayton and has been helping manufacturing companies for years develop their businesses. Ed Robinson’s Segment

Jenny Bass is President of Essev Tech, which she started several years ago. She is a graduate of Wharton School of Business in 2004 and since then has put her knowledge and previous experience as a process engineer to work when she purchased Essev Tech in Alpharetta. Although Jenny does not have the usual investment/banking/consulting career that many of her classmates chose, she instead decided to take over this small, under-utilized corrugated steel pipe company of Essec Tech that supplies the construction industry. After only 2 1/2 years she has increased revenues by more than 250%, sold out capacity, added additional equipment and doubled the number of employees. Her products have been incorporated into many high profile projects in the Atlanta area such as the rebuild of the 5th runway at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the Hwy 316 and I-85 interchange, and the North Springs Marta station. Essev Tech ships all over North America and the Caribbean.

Jenny has also served as a panelist on the Tech 2 Night educational series at Georgia Tech where she advises on the topic of positioning small businesses for sale. She currently is a panelist for the TAG Association, course titled “Managing your Business as an Asset”. Jenny has a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alabama and an MB from Wharton and has lived in the Atlanta area since 2004. Jenny Bass’ Segment

Non-Compete Clauses in Georgia Are Enforceable – How Do You Make Them Work For You & When You Might Want to Use Them. (03/15/2011 Show)

October 11, 2010 by dawn ely

Corporate Conversations

Non-Compete Clauses in Georgia Are Enforceable - How Do You Make Them Work For You & When You Might Want to Use Them. (03/15/2011 Show)

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Most executives think that non-compete clauses are not enforceable in Georgia. That is wrong. They are – you just have to draft them properly. Learn how to draft enforceable clauses and when you should consider using them for your business. Changes to non-competes may be coming to make application broader – learn how.

Jeffrey D. Mokotoff, Partner Ford & Harrison, LLP

Jeff Mokotoff has a broad employment law practice and routinely counsels clients n a myriad of employment issues, drafts and reviews employment agreemnts, conducts management training, and litigates employment cases in state and federal court. He has extensive experience in representing clients cncnerning cass involving non-compete agreements, misappropriateion of trade secrts, employment/business torts, and wage and hour litigation.

Jeff is the co-editor of the “Wage & Hour – Fair Labor Standards Act” chapter of Ford & Harrison’s annual Sourcebook and the editor of Ford & Harrison’s Noncompete News newsletter. Jeff joined Ford & Harrison in 1996 and has published numerous publications related to non-solicits, non-competes and restrictive covenants in various environments.

Brian P. McGowan, Managing Partner Aquinas Search Partners

With over two decades of consumer goods and executive search experience, Brian McGowan’s approach to consulting consists of helping clients think through solution alternative to achieving their vision and delivering the leadership teams capable of making an immediate and sustainable impact. Mr. McGowan’s clients range from Fortune 50 market leaders to equity-back growth companies. He has completed over 250 executive search assignments.

Prior to leading Aquinas Search Partners, Mr. McGowan was a partner and consultant with two other global executive search firms. He has led search projects on a global basis and offers well developed senior management expertise across consumer oriented businesses, healthcare, and industrial markets. Before entering executive search, Brian acquired his marketing and business development expertise in both corporate and entrepreneurial settings. He spent 14 years in the consumer packaged goods industry at The Coca-Cola Company and Campbell Soup Company, where he developed a strong reputation for identifying and creating new business ventures, products, and channels. Additionally, he has built and commercialized two successful start-up companies.

Mr. McGowan is an active author and contributing speaker focusing his topics towards the needs of aspiring career minded executives. He has a M.B.A. from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor’s degree from Grove City College.

Do you have the right financial information to make your business decisions? (10/05/2010 Show)

October 4, 2010 by dawn ely

Corporate Conversations

Do you have the right financial information to make your business decisions? (10/05/2010 Show)

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Too many executives are using the standard balance sheet and profit & loss statements to manage their business. In most cases, this is not going to give you the right information to see the real story behind your business’ financial health. Learn what you should be doing instead.

Debra Pauli, CPA/CFF, CTP, Founder Corporate Financial Solutions, LLC

Debra is a CPA, certified in Financial Forensics and a Certified Turnaround Professional with extensive experence with companies ranging from entrepreneurial companies to the Fortune 500. In 1997, Ms. Pauli started Corporate Financial Solutions, LLC to consult with companies in addressing their most pressing financial problems. Prir to starting her consulting firm, Ms. Pauli was Controller of Oxford Industries; CFO of the US subsidiary of a German-owned company and was a manager in Entrepreneurial Services for Arthur Young & Co, now Ernst & Young. Mr. Pauli’s consulting projects have included transaction services including acquisition dure diligence for private equity groups; company integration post closing; cash managemetn for companies in decline; CFO services including developing business and cash flow plans; process improvement design and implementation and cost accounting. As a Certified Turnaround Professional, she had conducted business assessments for investors and financial instiutions. The common thread in all of Ms. Pauli’s assignements is the need to quickly assess the company’s risk and opportunities, including its business model, processes, and management capabilities and recommend action for change. Debra Pauli Segment

Don H. Bravoldo, III, CPA, Principal, Practice Group Leader Middle Market Group Walden Businesses, Inc.

Don Bravaldo is a CPA who specializes in M&A and Corporate Finance Advisory Services. Don is a principal with Walden Businesses, an Atlanta based M&A firm that is focused on the southeastern US. In 2001, he established a practice group within Walden to work on larger privately owned business deals for the smaller end of the middle market than a business brokerage focuses on. This could equate to a revenue range of $3MM to $100MM depending upon the industry. The practice group is called The Walden Middle Market Group (WMMG). WMMG is referral based, primarily comprised of privately held family run businesses where the hands on approach from start to finish is highly valued and beneficial. Approximately 50% of the work is sell-side focused, 20% is buy-side for small to midsize corporate clients or high net worth individuals who have a specific buying target in mind, 20% is corporate finance debt restructuring and 10% is advisory related work with a deal already on the table. Don has worked with many different industries including manufacturing, distribution and B2B service type clients but there is a sprinkling of technology (IT, software and SAAS). Through WMMG, “Large private and closely held business clients now have a resource for the same level of service (if not more) and the same access to research and technical capabilities and the benefits of a process driven approach to sell side or buy side related activity as middle market businesses. We refer to this level of service as a “boutique investment banking” level of service. Don’s ability to be hands on from start to finish, drawing on public accounting experience makes a real difference in bringing a business to market and in closing a deal. Don has over 10 years of auditor experience that provides insight into understanding and assessing risk. This experience, along with Don’s deal making experience buying businesses for a public company has uniquely qualified him to package a business for sale and increase the odds of closing a successful transaction in today’s volatile private equity markets. Don Bravaldo Segment

Tyler Tatum, President & CEO, Brainlike, Inc.

Tyler Tatum is Chief Executive Officer of Brainlike, Inc., a technology company that delivers smart sensing solutions for real-time monitoring applications. Tyler’s career has been marked by quickly and effectively managing the transition of technology into valuable customer applications. His career began as a programmer with Netuitive (then known as Rapid Clip Neural Systems), in 1997. He went on to lead that company’s programming team as software engineering manager, then as product manager. In every new market that the company entered (electricity demand forecasting, energy price forecasting, and server performance management), Tyler took the lead in understanding customer requirements and delivering the best possible solution.

After leaving Netuitive in 2001, Tyler ran Project Planet, a leading hotel environmental services company. Starting with negative cash flow, he succeeded in bringing the company to profitability, raising its sales by 50%, and decreasing its debt structure within an otherwise depressed hotel market. At Brainlike, Tyler is focusing his strong technical abilities, project management skills, and leadership experience on delivering valuable solutions to satisfied customers very quickly, and ensuring Brainlike’s commercial success in the defense and homeland security sector. Tyler holds a B.S. in computer science from Cornell University.Tyler Tatum Segment

How the New Healthcare Legislation will Impact the Small/Mid-sized Business & Some of the Wellness Options Available to Help (09/28/2010 Show)

September 27, 2010 by dawn ely

Corporate Conversations

How the New Healthcare Legislation will Impact the Small/Mid-sized Business & Some of the Wellness Options Available to Help (09/28/2010 Show)

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Listen to our experts talk about how the new legislation could affect you, what types of unique and innovative wellness programs are out there & available that could help you take advantage of the wellness plan incentives and how some of their customers have benefitted.

Deborah Ault, President Ault International Medical Management (“AIMM”)

Deborah Ault (aka Nurse Deb) has been a Registered Nurse for 20~ish years with bedside experience in ER and ICU. She is the President of Ault International Medical Management – a company she co-founded over 8 years ago in response to her dis-satisfaction with the insurance industry’s and corporate America’s unwillingness to do “what needed done”. Last year the company had 200% growth – the year prior it had 158% growth. The company practices a model of medical management she created, and which she is in the process of patenting, called P3CM ® which stands for Patient-Centric Comprehensive Care Management. Essentially this model puts a team of nurses in charge of helping each and every sick individual within a health plan to get the care they need to be as healthy as possible as quickly as possible (which benefits everyone in this equation). It’s putting evidence-based medicine into the hands of the sick person, is advocating for the sick person (ensuring that they get the gold-standard of care), helping employers to get the biggest and most effective bang for their buck when it comes to health expenditures, and helping physicians to get care for patients that is going to mean something and will result in actionable data (and will eliminate waste) increasing the accuracy and efficiency of their efforts.

Chad Bonner, Chief Strategy Officer & Founder Usable Health, LLC

Chad Bonner is a Founder and Director of Business Development for a start-up health IT company, Usable Health LLC. Usable Health is a spin-off of the Georgia Institute of Technology, and is currently funded by the Georgia Research Alliance and the Advanced Technology Development Center in midtown Atlanta. Mr. Bonner’s background is in management and technology consulting for the health care industry. Prior to co-founding Usable Heath, he spent six years in various leadership roles consulting CEOs and senior executives at hospitals and health care systems, Fortune 500 medical technology companies, international public health organizations, and U.S. state health departments. These experiences have fueled his passion for improving health outcomes through innovative decision-support solutions, both for individuals and their care providers.

Lisa Owen, Founding Partner CORE Benefit Solutions

Lisa Owen is the founding partner of CORE Benefit Solutions and has over 15 years of experience in employee benefits brokerage and consultation for both corporations and individuals. Lisa started her career with Northwestern Mutual in Tallahassee, Florida and moved to Atlanta in 1995 where she gained valuable experience working under a General Agency umbrella. She became a partner in 2003 and was promoted to Vice President of Sales & Marketing in 2005. Her business knowledge and industry expertise, paired with her innovative ideas and commitment to client satisfaction, have earned her notable credibility in the insurance industry.

Lisa is licensed in various states for Health, Life & Accident insurance and is a member of business and industry focused organizations, such as the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU), Vistage International, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), North Buckhead Civic Association, Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Buckhead Club, and Assurant Most Valuable Producer (MVP) program.She is a Board Member of the National Association of Women’s Business Owners (NAWBO) and founding member and chair of the Benefit Resource Council.Lisa has also served on numerous broker advisory boards for carriers such as Blue Cross, Kaiser, and Assurant.

Is Your Business Suitable for Franchising? What is Involved in Franchising Your Business? (09/21/2010 Show)

September 20, 2010 by dawn ely

Corporate Conversations

Is Your Business Suitable for Franchising? What is Involved in Franchising Your Business? (09/21/2010 Show)

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Sheila Reed, President & Owner What’s Your Dream, Inc. d/b/a Franchise Mart & Biz1 Brokers

Sheila D. Reed is President and Owner of What’s Your Dream, Inc. d/b/a FranchiseMart and Biz1 Brokers serving the Atlanta market. FranchiseMart and Biz1 Brokers is a franchise matchmaker and business brokerage firm that provides guidance and financial assistance to individuals seeking to become Entrepreneurs. She guides people from executives to investors, retirees and blue collar workers through the due diligence of owning their own business. Sheila Reed brings more than 25 years of Business Banking experience to her role as a FranchiseMart and Biz1 Brokers owner in Atlanta. Sheila has a proven track record of successful transactions and experience in both general industries and franchises. At one of the largest banking institution here in Atlanta she was responsible for franchise business development in the SE region, involving business acquisitions and mergers.

Joe Gottlieb, Partner Cohen Goldstein Port & Gottlieb, LLP

A native of New York City, Joe obtained his BA with honors from the State University of NYat Binghamton and his law degree from St. Louis University Law School in 1980. He represents both franchisors and franchisees, including a number of nationaland regional franchisors. He has 28 years of experience in general corporate transactions and bankruptcy issues. He is a member of the American Bar Association Franchse Forum and the State Bar of Georgia Franchise & Distribution Section.

David D. Humphreys, President & COO EQUITAX, Inc.

Mr. Humphreys has (22) twenty two years of experience in most facets of the commercial and residential real estate business. In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, Mr. Humphreys was engaged by and worked closely with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and with the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC). Under the Financial Institution Recovery and Reform Enforcement Act (FIRREA), Humphreys was hired by FDIC – Bossier City, LA, FDIC – Atlanta, GA, and FDIC – Miami, FL to institute and operate a national property tax program. The program ensured that the Federal Government, through FDIC, was not being subject to excessive property taxes, assessment values, interest, or penalties levied by local jurisdictions. Likewise, working with Standard Asset Management & Disposition Agreement (SAMDA) contractors, and the RTC, Mr. Humphreys was engaged for similar nationwide property tax management, consulting, and advisory services.

From 1992 to December 1996, Mr. Humphreys worked as a manager in the Atlanta office of a National property tax consulting firm. The firm was the largest privately owned property tax consulting firm in America, having (14) fourteen offices in major Metropolitan cities throughout the country. Mr. Humphreys was responsible for business development throughout the Southeast, including Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Florida, and Kentucky.

Financing Options for the Small and Mid-Sized Growing Businesses (09/14/2010 Show)

September 14, 2010 by dawn ely

Corporate Conversations

Financing Options for the Small and Mid-Sized Growing Businesses (09/14/2010 Show)

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Are you running a company that needs working capital to fund its growth and you don’t know

where to turn? Listen to our experts and learn how to get what you need.

Dominic C. Mazzone, President and Managing Director Mazzone & Associates, Inc.

Dom Mazzone is a Managing Director of Mazzone & Associates with significant experience executing mergers, acquisitions and financing transactions domestically and internationally in a variety of industries. They include: consumer goods, retail, technology, distribution, logistics, healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, building products, building services, renewable energy and packaging. Mr. Mazzone is also on the Advisory Board for The HoneyBaked Ham Company based in Georgia, which is privately-held. Mazzone & Associates is a middle market investment banking firm based in Atlanta, Georgia with experience working on over 300 transactions with over $15 billion in value primarily in the Southeastern U.S., but has experience working on transactions in over 20 other countries around the globe. Prior to forming Mazzone & Associates, Mr. Mazzone was the Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Oxford Industries, Inc., a producer, marketer and retailer of branded and private label apparel for men, women and children located in Atlanta, Georgia. Oxford’s brands include Tommy Bahama® and Ben Sherman®. While at Oxford, Mr. Mazzone was recognized by Chain Storage magazine as one of the top 40 executives in retail under age 40. Before joining Oxford in 2004, Mr. Mazzone was the head of mergers and acquisitions in The Home Depot’s legal department. While he was at The Home Depot, it acquired two large Mexican home retail chains, a large distribution and supply company, and various service companies. Prior to joining The Home Depot in 2002, he practiced law at Alston & Bird LLP in its Atlanta office since 1997, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions, securities and finance transactions. Mr. Mazzone has been recognized as one of Georgia’s top up-and-coming lawyers in the Georgia Super Lawyers – Rising Stars Edition of Atlanta Magazine. Mr. Mazzone received a B.A. from Wabash College as a Presidential Scholar; M.P.A. from Florida State University; and J.D. from Emory University with distinction and as a member of the Order of the Coif. He is also an adjunct professor at the Emory University Law School, on the Board of Directors and President of the Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth, is on the Advisory Board for the Georgia State University’s Business School MS in Finance program, and was on the Advisory Committee of the Southeastern Chapter of the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals. Mr. Mazzone regularly speaks publicly at financing, merger and acquisition-related seminars and has published numerous articles on a variety of finance, merger and acquisition topics.

David A. Balos, President Middle Market Banking, Atlanta, Georgia

David had 23 years of banking experience, all of it at Chase and its predecessor organizations. David was formerly the Market Manager for two regions in Michigan before accepting the position to lead the Atanta maket in May 2009. David joined NBD Bank, a legacy organization, in 2986 as a Financial Analyst. In 1989, he moved to Credit Administration and held various positions before starting his lending career in a legacy Middle Market banking group. David’s tenure also includes eight years of Capital Markets experience, including experience in loan synidcations, high yield bond origination and private placements. In 2001, David rejoined the Middle Market and has held various management positions leading up to his prior role as Market Manager in Michigan.David holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Finance from Oakland University and a Master’s of Science in Finance from Walsh College. He was an active member of the Michigan community; including board memberships on Leadership Macomb, The Anton Art Center, and Automation Alley.

Ed has been the Managing Partner of SouthPointe Ventures since 2003. SouthPointe is a small-cap private equity firm which acquires manufacturing, distribution, and business services companies with sales under $50 million. Prior to SouthPointe, Ed spent 5 years with 2 other private equity firms, 6 years in operations, and 10 years as a commercial lender and investment banker at the beginning of his career. Ed is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, and currently serves on the boards of Junior Achievement of Georgia, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and the Association for Corporate Growth.

How the Part-Time Executive Can Benefit the Small to Mid-Sized Company. (09/07/2010 Show)

September 7, 2010 by dawn ely

Corporate Conversations

How the Part-Time Executive Can Benefit the Small to Mid-Sized Company. (09/07/2010 Show)

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Bernie Wolford, Founder & President Buckingham Associates, LLC

In 1999 Mr. Wolford founded Buckingham Associates, LLC and serves as President. Mr. Wolford has over 30 years of experience in the manufacture, distribution and retail of consumer goods and services. Additionally, Mr. Wolford’s experience and skill sets have been provided to the healthcare market: employers, employees, providers and payors, as an extension of productivity improvement and cost reduction services. Also, since 1999, and in joint-venture with a private equity investment firm, Bernie has performed advisory services for numerous privately-owned emerging growth companies. This has included periods of time as “acting COO” and “Part-Time COO”, the subject of today’s discussions. Bernie’s clients have included major domestic manufacturers and retailers plus leading companies in Germany, Chile, Columbia and Brazil.Prior to founding Buckingham Associates he was Director of Strategic Business Development/Growth Initiatives for the Home Depot. Before joining The Home Depot, Mr. Wolford was with Kurt Salmon Associates (KSA), the leading full-service management consulting firm providing specialization in the manufacture, distribution and retail of consumer goods and services. In 1988, Mr. Wolford was appointed Regional Manager of KSA’s Northeast and Canadian Operations. While the sale and delivery of consulting services continued during this time, the internal management task was added to Bernie’s responsibilities. Mr. Wolford holds a B.S. degree in industrial engineering from West Virginia University where he serves on the faculty advisory committee.

Peter Rosen, J.D., SPHR, Founder HRSAS, Inc.

Peter uses a practical, business-focused approach to HR issues based on both theory and experience. He has built HR capability and the infrastructure to support it in a variety of environments, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies in the financial services, consumer products, technology, healthcare, and staffing industries. He has held strategic HR roles in established companies like The Coca Cola Company, SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories, Norrell Corporation, Alexander and Alexander, and Capital One Financial Services. As the founder and owner of a boutique HR consulting firm, www.hrsas.comhe now focuses on helping growing companies establish and implement HR infrastructure and works with their CEOs and senior executives on strategic HR issues. Peter has also taken on selective coaching assignments as a consultant with Marshall Goldsmith Partners.

Alan Urech, Managing Partner & Principal, Stoney River Capital Partners, LLC

Mr. Urech is Managing Partner and Principal at Stoney River Capital Partners LLC, an Angel-backed consultancy with over 17 direct partners. Mr. Urech is a Senior Executive with over 25 years experience successfully developing and commercializing entrepreneurial businesses. He supports the growth of businesses by using his strong strategic, tactical and operational leadership skills, proven methodologies and best practice expertise.His support enables Stoney River Capital Partner’s (SRCP) client organizations to understand and methodically implement resource and team strategies during different business growth stages.

His background includes HBO & Company where he was part of a team that saw the organization’s expansion from an initial start-up of under $3 million to over $180 million dollars in revenue within 12 years.During this period, Mr. Urech was instrumental in developing very successful healthcare product lines which significantly expanded the Company’s overall profitability.He provides senior level management consulting on investment funding strategies, corporate growth planning and plan implementation, business directions and exit strategies to young viable entrepreneurial seed, start-up and expanding companies.His goal is to help them successfully communicate and transition the company’s business proposition from successful product/service commercialization through harvest. SRCP cultivated over 200 capital sources that places investments into high growth companies.Mr. Urech is an Instructor in Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business. He instructs Graduate and Undergraduate level programs in entrepreneurship at the Herman J. Russell, Sr.International Center for Entrepreneurship.Mr. Urech is currently on numerous Boards including Blank Stage Productions, NuVision Pharmaceuticals, TAG Health, MIT Forum (Atlanta) Programs, Georgia State University Health Advisory Board, Digitainment Georgia and the Stage2 Business Accelerator. He has written a column entitled “Entrepreneurs’ Corner” for the Business Post, an Appen Newspaper.He is a frequent judge in numerous Business Plan competitions including the Georgia Bowl and the international Moot Bowl in Austin,TX, where 40 countries compete. Mr. Urech worked with the Vatican in Vatican City for five years in Information Technology while being the volunteer president of the council in the Saint Vincent de Paul Society of North Georgia.

Are the costs of providing health benefits to your employees breaking the corporate bank? Listen to real solutions that you can implement that have real impact – even for the small to mid-sized company. Shopping for the cheapest premiums is no longer the answer. (08/31/2010 Show)

August 31, 2010 by dawn ely

Corporate Conversations

Are the costs of providing health benefits to your employees breaking the corporate bank? Listen to real solutions that you can implement that have real impact – even for the small to mid-sized company. Shopping for the cheapest premiums is no longer the answer. (08/31/2010 Show)

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Terri Forman

Terri is President Impact Corporate Health Solutions and past Corporate Benefits Manager of TI Automotive where she implemented a very successful wellnes program in the Cartersville, GA plant of less than 300 employees that was then take corporate wide and even more successful. She is now serving as a consultant to small and medium-sized businesses throughout the U.S. helping them implement proven strategies to reduce andstablize health care costs. She has developed and implemented nationally recognized employee health imprvement programs resulting in an average of 20% reduction in health care costs. She is a frequent speaker with large employers and associations around the country, she is the author of the award-winning article “Closing the Competitive Gap” and has received the Michigan Employer Health Program Tribute, Institute for Health and Productivity Award and the National Kidney Foundation – Business Award.

Christopher B. Clark

Chris Clark is Vice President for The McCart Group’s Employer Services Division with over 20 years experience in employee benefits consulting. Chris began his career in 1985 with Milliman, an international actuarial consulting firm. Throughout the 1990’s he worked for Aon, the second largest international insurance brokerage and risk management consulting firm. Immediately before coming to McCart Chris worked for Palmer & Cay, a regional insurance brokerage firm based in Savannah. Chris earned a BBA in Actuarial Science and a MS in Risk Management, both from Georgia State University. Chris also earned the CEBS designation from The Wharton School and is a past Fellow of the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists. He holds current Insurance Agent and Consultant licenses for Georgia and a number of other states. Mr. Clark is an occasional speaker at SHRM events and other Human Resources and insurance industry forums and has published articles on employee benefits topics. Chris was an adjunct professor at Georgia State University from 1998-2000 in the Risk Mgt and Insurance Department teaching courses in employee benefits. He has also taught continuing education and preparatory courses for various professional credentials.

John F.Meyers

John Meyers is a partner in the law firm of Seyfarth Shaw, LLP, concentrating in labor and employment law representing employer management. Since 1983 he has represented private and public employers in all aspects of labor and employment law and litigation, including class action litigation, National Labor Relations Board matters, labor arbitrations,unfair competition, enforcement of covenants not to compete, employment discrimination and wrongful discharge. Mr. Meyers has litigated and tried various employment law disputes involving tort, contract and statutory claims by employees. He also advises clients extensively in all aspects of human resources, including employee discipline, layoffs, wage & hour, employee handbooks, drug testing, workers’ compensation and disability matters. Mr. Meyers advises clients all over the country. Mr. Meyers was educated at Penn State University, B.A. with high distinction and Emory University, JD., Order of the Coif & Emory Law Review. He is also a frequent speaker and author on these topics and is license to practice law in GA, CA and FL.