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Kevin Link, Senior Vice President Marketing at HTI, joins Inside the Winners’ Circle

February 16, 2012 by angishields

Inside the Winner's Circle

Kevin Link, Senior Vice President Marketing at HTI, joins Inside the Winners' Circle

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Hughes Telematics, Inc. (HTI) is a leader in implementing the next generation of connected services for the automobile. Centered on a core platform of safety and security offerings, we develop and manage vehicle- and driver-centric solutions to enhance the driving and ownership experience. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., HTI offers a portfolio of manufacturer, aftermarket, fleet and dealer services provided through two-way broadband connectivity to the vehicle.

Kevin Link is one of the original organizers of Hughes Telematics, Inc. and currently serves as Senior Vice President. In this position, he is responsible for competitive research, branding, marketing, public relations and assists with defining overall corporate strategy.

Link created the initial business model and strategic plan for HTI, and has been very instrumental in shaping the future services for consumers, OEMs and dealers. Link is very involved in industry research and is a key contributor to the thought leadership within industry organizations and trade associations.

Link is a proven entrepreneur who previously served as CEO of Altius Solutions, a company he founded in 1999 to support multiple entrepreneurial initiatives involving vehicle telematics. Altius Solutions designed, developed, and manufactured complex vehicle “black boxes” for research purposes. Altius Solutions’ clients included NHTSA, Department of Transportation, Federal Highway and many research universities and academia. Through Altius, Link was able to develop a command of the telematics landscape, industry challenges, and also work with leading edge experts to craft solutions. This experience provided the platform for which HTI was built.

Prior to Altius, Link founded and developed a Web-based technology company where he served as President and CEO. He began his career in the banking sector in 1984 with Wachovia and later moved to the consulting industry. As a consultant, Link served as a partner for Accenture and Ernst & Young in various strategy development and financial management roles.

Link earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from North Carolina State University, and is a licensed CPA and CMA. He lives in Atlanta with his wife Joanna and their three sons.

Kathy Nguyen, Senior Project Manager at Cobb County Water System, discusses water conservation on Inside the Winners’ Circle

February 16, 2012 by angishields

Inside the Winner's Circle

Kathy Nguyen, Senior Project Manager at Cobb County Water System, discusses water conservation on Inside the Winners' Circle

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Cobb County Water System is a leader in Water Conservation and demand management. Cobb has developed successful programs to manage water sustainably in Cobb and within their own system. The Cobb County Water System is a utility operation responsible for water distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, and stormwater management. It is committed to providing these services to all retail and wholesale customers with full assurance of accountability, equity, reliability and reasonable cost. The Cobb County Water System is committed to its important role in protecting and supporting our community.

Kathy Nguyen graduated from Berry College in Rome, GA with a Communications degree. She has been with Cobb County Water System since 2001. She previously worked in administration for the Water System. In December of 2005 she became the Water Conservation Coordinator for Cobb County Water System. She created and implemented Cobb County’s Water Efficiency Plan. Ms. Nguyen is currently a member of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District’s Water Supply and Water Education Subcommittees. She is a member of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division Technical Advisory Committee for Water Conservation, a member of Georgia Association of Water Professionals, and American Water Works Association.

Laurie Bassi on Atlanta Business Success in the Worthiness Era

February 15, 2012 by angishields

Chic Perspectives

Laurie Bassi on Atlanta Business Success in the Worthiness Era

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Laurie Bassi, business advocate, economist, and author, will be discussing â€œthe worthiness eraâ€ and how local companies and business owners can mold their companies to fit into the worthiness era and how they can be successful in 2012 and beyond.

Laurie Bassi is the CEO and a co-founder of McBassi & Company,Â www.mcbassi.com.Â She is also Chair of the Board at Bassi Investments, Inc.

Laurie is one of the worldâ€™s leading authorities on the emerging â€œdecision-scienceâ€ of human capital managementâ€”the processes and practices within an organization that align the management and development of employees with its business results.Â She loves working with clients to help them improve organizational performance through targeted, effective strategies for managing and developing their people.

She has overseen the development of the McBassi People IndexÂ®, a powerful tool for pinpointing and improving the unique people-related drivers of an organizationâ€™s business results.

Prior to launching McBassi & Company, Laurie served as the director of research for Saba Software and as vice president at the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD).Â While at ASTD, she created internationally recognized standards for measuring and valuing firms’ investments in education and training, and a core set of quantitative indicators for measuring the effectiveness of knowledge management initiatives. She has also served as the director of several U.S. government commissions, and as a co-chair of the Board on Testing and Assessment at the National Academy of Sciences.Â The early years of Laurieâ€™s career were spent as a tenured professor of economics and public policy at Georgetown University.

Laurie has authored over 80 published papers and books, and is a sought-after speaker both domestically and internationally.

She holds a Ph.D. in economics from Princeton University, a M.S. in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University, and a B.S. in mathematics from Illinois State University.

In this interview Laurie talks about her book, Good Company, and shares with us why people are choosing the companies in their lives in the same way they choose the guests they invite into their homes, how Atlanta’s top companies score on the index and why the worthiness era is at its tipping point.

American Red Cross of Atlanta – Providing Hope for Those in Crisis

February 15, 2012 by angishields

Make A Difference Radio

American Red Cross of Atlanta - Providing Hope for Those in Crisis

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Make A Difference Radio welcomes staff and volunteers from The American Red Cross of Metro Atlanta. We speak about the organization’s history and its evolution. We will speak with disaster relief volunteers who share their personal stories of their important and impactful work.

February is “Severe Weather Month” and we speak about the organization’s response to last year’s devastating tornadoes. We also highlight the extensive reach and scope of the Red Cross as it celebrates the 69th anniversary of March’s designation by the President of the United States as “Red Cross Month”.

: From L-R: Derek van Dam, Ruben Brown, Aliza Levinson, Mike Richardson

Listen now and learn about how you can become involved in an organization that responds to hundreds of emergencies a day by coordinating food and shelter for those in immediate need during crises.

Javelin – How A Leading Experiential Marketing Agency Builds Brands for Their Clients and Themselves

February 14, 2012 by angishields

Listen to Brad Carsten of Javelin, Inc. as he talks with BrandMoney about new ventures in creating their own brands after more than 13 years of helping companies like Bacardi, Disney and People en Español strengthen their position in the market.

Brad Carsten’s 25-year career includes an extensive background in writing, production and sales in the radio industry, as well as being one of the pioneers in Experiential Marketing.

Brad’s current portfolio of responsibilities includes: new product introductions, licensing and cross-promotional tie-ins, strategic development and implementation of marketing programs for key agency accounts and new business.

Brad has also has overseen the development of Javelin’s expanded business interests, the launch of NoCoast Originals, and the development and acquisition of agency owned brands such as Randy’s Recycled Cycles and TRIM Industries.

A native of Brooklyn, NY, he is now a serial entrepreneur, avid golfer, outdoor enthusiast, art collector and a recycled bicyclist.

BrandMoney Show with Brad Carsten of Javelin

Stuart Brady of The Business House talks Exit Strategies for Business Owners

February 13, 2012 by angishields

M&A Atlanta

Stuart Brady of The Business House talks Exit Strategies for Business Owners

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Thinking about an Exit Strategy for your Family owned Business?…Stuart J. Brady joined Elizabeth Gordon in the studio at 200 Peachtree to discuss the process involved in strategically selling your company.

Stuart is a Senior Business Analyst with the Business House, INC., a boutique mergers and acquisitions (M&A) firm in the southeast. Mr. Brady specializes in developing and facilitating exit plans for the business owners that are fast approaching retirement. In this interview we discuss developing an exit plan to help you sell your business.

Stuart shared with us that there are 2 major fronts to the Business Brokerage or M&A game … the business owner’s personal agenda, and the viability of the business. When you own a business, at some point in time, you will need to consider your options: Closing the biz, turning it over to family members, selling it to your management or key employees, selling it to a financial buyer, a strategic buyer, or a private equity group.

Stuart recommends business owners looking towards retirement spend 20 minutes a day thinking about their exit. Selling your business is a process. Personal elements to consider include:

Do you an up-to-date well crafted business exit plan? The sooner you put a plan in place, the more exit options you will have
Do you have a contingency plan for death or disability.
Can you visualize what you will be do after the sale of your business? starting another venture?

It is a very personal having built a business over years and in many cases over decades. However, most business owners today approaching retirement do not have an exit strategy. The Business House Inc takes the emotion out of the business transfer by guiding the owners through a structured process, including a competitive bidding process. You must have a competitive bidding process in order to maximize your business value.

Second, how will your business be valued in the marketplace?

To a buyer, Profitability and Scalability are the most important factors
Management team (second in command and head of sales are crucial) and of course customer relationships
recurring revenue
small market share to potential customers
low customer concentration
minimize dependency on suppliers

Have you developed a proprietary product or service that is scalable and transferable?

“With over 10,000 folks in the United States turning 65 every day, there are many successful business owners who do not have a well-defined exit plan.” Mr. Brady continues, “We take the emotion out of the selling process. My goal is to help the business owner maximize their single largest asset and reap the benefits of having built a successful enterprise, so that they may now enjoy the next chapter in their lives.”

For the last 15 years, Mr. Brady has also owned and operated Kirkwood Car Wash, a self-service car wash located in Atlanta’s historic Kirkwood neighborhood. For more information visit: www.thebusinesshouseinc.com

You can reach Stuart directly at: sjb@thebusinesshouseinc.com

Consulting as a Strategic Weapon / The Age of Digital Marketing

February 13, 2012 by angishields

Renegade Radio

Consulting as a Strategic Weapon / The Age of Digital Marketing

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Consulting as a Strategic Weapon

with Cornelius V. “Skeet” Spillane II of Midtown Consulting Group

Our first guest, Skeet Spillane has 20 years of experience directing companies through start-up, turnaround and growth modes.

Among his significant previous positions, Skeet served as Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Midtown Consulting Group, an Atlanta-based consulting firm. He was Executive Director of EnterpriseOperations at North Highland Company, an Atlanta-based Management Consulting firm, and has worked with numerous start-up organizations in operational and technical roles.

Skeet has combined strong Operational and Process Skills with deep technical expertise to help organizationsin multiple industries and phases of growth.

In addition, Skeet is a former collegiate athlete and has coached many endurance athletes achieve theirpersonal goals in extreme endurance events. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional; Certified HIPAA Security Professional; Six Sigma Master Black Belt; an Ironman Triathlete and a USA CyclingCertified Coach.

Skeet Spillane

cspillane@midtowncg.com

727-492-5116

The Age of Digital Marketing

with Jennifer Dunphy of Vayu Media

Learn how to leverage the power of the web to enhance their personal and professional visibility. We are honored to have the expertise of Vayu Media’s Jennifer Dunphy. She is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Vayu Media, a strategic Internet marketing solutions consultancy in Atlanta. Jennifer is an expert in SEO, online and mobile marketing, and social media business solutions to establish a strong re-seller networkof advertising agencies, marketing organizations, and PR firms to drive significant new business growth for your organization.

To contact Jennifer and leverage the web to enhance your visibility:

Vayu Media www.vayumedia.com

JDunphy@VayuMedia.com

800-456-1563

TV Host Melanie Snare on Networking

February 13, 2012 by angishields

ShowBiz Atlanta

TV Host Melanie Snare on Networking

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Former Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader Melanie Snare talks with host Dana Barrett about her career path from NFL cheerleader to TV Host, producer, actress, model and talent agent. She says it’s all about getting to know people and staying open to the possibilities. Clearly one of the reason Melanie has been so successful is that she is as down to earth and likable as she is beautiful. She genuinely likes the people she works with and is not interested in being a diva.

Listen to Melanie discuss some of her current projects, share some casting opportunities and talk about her new blog, www.HowSheDoesItAll.com.

Chris Brand, CEO of FODAC and Kevin Reitz, new owner of Griswold Special Care in Dallas

February 9, 2012 by angishields

Eugeria

Chris Brand, CEO of FODAC and Kevin Reitz, new owner of Griswold Special Care in Dallas

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Growing up in the great state of Idaho, Kevin Reitz was a Boise State Bronco fan before it was fashionable to be a fan. Does that make him a hipster? After graduating from Boise State, Kevin took a position in the Enterprise Car Rental Management Training program. He later had an opportunity with a small software company selling crime scene and accident reconstruction software (yes, it really exists and no, I’m no making it up). As the company launched an initiative into the private sector, Kevin was asked to relocate to the Dallas area. About three years ago, he became aware of a sales position with a local assisted living facility. After only 8 months, Kevin was asked to take on the Executive Director’s role at a sister community. During this time, Kevin realized that the senior services market offered another dimension of meaning to his career.

About a year and a half ago, Kevin moved again for the opportunity to work at Griswold Special Care, a non-medical homecare provider serving the Dallas metro area. Kevin and his wife, Shelley, recently became the owners of the Dallas North Office of Griswold Special Care. Kevin tells us he and Shelley had often talked and dreamed of owning their own business, and now that dream has become a reality. Griswold Special Care’s unique differentiator is its ability to focus on both high quality and affordability at the same time. Kevin is proud of the fact that his service is several dollars per hour lower than most competitors, and at the same time, the caregivers make 10-15% more than their peers at other agencies. To find out more, contact Kevin directly at (972) 554-0700, email him at Kevin@gscdallas.com, or visit his website at www.gscdallas.com.

A rare Atlanta native, Chris Brand has been involved in helping disabled adults and seniors for as long as he can remember. As a young man, he had a friend of the family whose son suffered from Muscular Dystrophy. He watched the family’s struggles until the son died at the age of 19. This gave him a first-hand look at how difficult it can be for a family to deal with the disability of a loved one, particularly with respect to independence and mobility issues.

Interestingly, Chris began early in his career by volunteering for Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC). He was quickly hired by the founder of the organization, and spent three years as their donations coordinator. Moving on to broaden his experience, Chris left FODAC for a few years. In 1999, he returned as a program manager. He has been there ever since, and is now the President and CEO of the organization.

FODAC was founded in 1986 to assist families of disabled adults and children in accessing both equipment and services to facilitate accessibility and independence. FODAC fills 3,600 requests, distributing over 5,000 items each year from its 65,000 square foot facility in Stone Mountain. The retail value of all medical equipment that has been given away now totals over $60 million! To find out more about FODAC, or learn about volunteer opportunities, call them at (770) 491-9014, or visit their website at www.fodac.org.

We want to thank Griswold Special Care for sponsoring today’s show. Griswold Special Care has been a preferred provider of high quality, affordable in-home senior care in Dallas and Atlanta for 20 years.