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Jon Bradway with CapTech, Chris Duncan with Decisely and Rupen Patel with Healthgrades
Jon Bradway, Managing Director & Atlanta Office Lead at CapTech, is passionate helping companies use technology to launch strategies, products and business models to connect with customers and drive growth in the digital economy. With extensive experience identifying, launching and commercializing digital businesses and products, he is trusted to lead innovation and transformation projects for the world’s top companies.
At CapTech, Jon is responsible for managing all aspects of the Atlanta office. In addition, he is a leader in CapTech’s Innovation service offering, which helps clients to structure organizations for transformation and identify growth opportunities. Jon also leads multiple client accounts for CapTech ensuring delivery and client success.
Before joining CapTech, Jon was co-founder and COO of Vunify, a direct-to-consumer, content discovery platform which incorporated social recommendations and personalization features. Previously, Jon was a founder and Managing Partner of Blueshift Media, which provided consulting services, technology development and analytic software to media companies and Fortune 500 consumer marketers. Earlier in his career, Jon was a consultant and client lead for inCode Consulting and ioko. Additionally, Jon spent 8 years at Turner Broadcasting where he launched and ran 12 Video On Demand services, and was instrumental in developing the early strategy and business models for streaming video.
Jon received a BA in Economics from Hampden-Sydney College and an MBA from Emory University (Goizueta Business School). Jon lives in Atlanta, GA with his wife, daughter and son.
Chris Duncan is EVP/COO of Decisely, a fast growing “insuretech” company focused providing integrated benefits and other HR solutions to small businesses, Insurance Brokerage Partners, Associations and Franchisee nationally. Decisely is owned by Two Sigma, a leading private equity firm, and management. At Decisely he is responsible for sales and operations. Decisely is HQ in Alpharetta GA, with offices in Salt Lake City and Folsom, Sacramento CA.
Formerly, Chris was the Chief Growth Officer of EPIC, a “Top 15” property/casualty, benefits, loss control, claims and HR administration company with various offices in the U.S. His primary responsibility was to grow and lead its expanding employee benefits brokerage and consulting practice.
Previously, he is a Partner with Mercer Health & Benefits involved with strategy and M&A, as well as leader of its Atlanta Health & Benefits Business
His background includes COO/CFO of a regional brokerage, benefits and administration firm, Chief Risk Officer at Delta Air Lines, and multiple positions including strategic planning, finance, and risk/security/insurance management leadership positions within PepsiCo companies of Frito-lay and KFC. He started his career at Ford Motor Company as a casualty insurance analyst.
Active in the community, he is a board member of the Brantley Risk & Insurance Center at Applachian State University in Boone, NC. BBA in Marketing and an M.B.A. in Finance and Risk Management, both from the University of Georgia, was named Alumnus of the Year (2003) for the Terry College of Business Risk Management and Insurance Program, the University of Georgia. He is also a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU).
Rupen Patel is Chief Strategy Officer at Healthgrades. With more than 15 years of experience in assembling and directing fast-paced software engineering teams, Rupen specializes in strategy and roadmaps to help businesses drive growth and innovation. He’s passionate about creating products that address healthcare’s need for better consumer engagement solutions.
Rupen previously served as CEO of Influence Health. He initially joined the company in 2017 as Chief Technology officer, and shaped the vision and technology agenda for Influence Health’s consumer experience platform. He focused on providing oversight across the organization to ensure timely and efficient execution of strategic initiatives and operations as well as driving product development and technology innovation efforts.
Rupen formerly served as CTO for NCR’s Small and Medium Business division, where he led global engineering for NCR Silver and launched SaaS and Mobile products in three new markets. He also drove innovation efforts in streaming analytics and Internet of Things. Prior to that, he founded and directed Mercurium which helped SaaS companies create new products in marketing automation, eCommerce, health gamification, and more. He also led CMS and Social Network product development for many Turner brands including CNN.com, SI.com, and Money.com
An alum of Vanderbilt, Rupen also received a Master’s degree from Georgia Tech. His honors include a Frost and Sullivan Excellence in Technology Innovation Award in 2016.
About Your Host
Joey Kline is a Vice President at JLL, specializing in office brokerage and tenant representation. As an Atlanta native, he has a deep passion for promoting the economic growth and continued competitiveness of communities in and around Atlanta, as well as the Southeast as a whole. He has completed transactions in every major submarket of metro Atlanta, and works primarily with start-ups, advertising/marketing agencies, and publicly-traded companies. With a healthy mix of tenacious drive and analytical insights, Joey is a skilled negotiator who advises clients on a myriad of complex real estate matters.
With a strategy and business development background, Joey is first and foremost a pragmatic advisor to his clients. Most recently, he was the Director of Business Development for American Fueling Systems, an Atlanta-based alternative energy company. While at JLL, he has become a member of the Million Dollar Club, and has built a reputation as an expert on the intersection of transit-accessibility and urban real estate. With intimate involvement in site selection and planning/zoning concerns, Joey approaches real estate from the perspective of the end user, and thus possesses a unique lens through which to serve his clients.
Joey holds a Master of Business Administration from Emory University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Washington University in St. Louis. He is a founder, board member, and the treasurer of Advance Atlanta, and also sits on the Selection Committee for the Association for Corporate Growth’s Fast 40 event. In addition, he is a member of CoreNet and the Urban Land Institute. Finally, he is part of LEAD Atlanta’s Class of 2019.
Connect with Joey on LinkedIn.
Mike Roush and David Judd with Inxeption, Atul Agarwal with Althea Brands and Todd McAllister with McAllister Retail
Mike Roush is an experienced software executive with a commitment and passion for leading and developing a highly energetic and knowledgeable sales organization. Recognized for his consultative approach to working with customers to ensure they realize the full potential of their investment. A financial and consulting background in ERP, Supply Chain, Human Capital, Agile and Project and Portfolio Management provides for a knowledge base to prepare sales teams to speak to the impact of technology on the bottom and top line.
Current role at Inxeption is to build and lead the N.A. business in a hyper growth Silicon Valley technology company pursuing blockchain driven initiatives in the areas of eCommerce, supply chain, logistics and financials. Inxeption is a B2B SaaS I-commerce platform that allows product and services companies to promote their products/services online, sell directly to their end customers, analyze their online presence real-time with embedded logistics. Inxeption will exponentially increase online sales and significantly reduce the cost and friction in B2B logistics.
Connect with Mike on LinkedIn.
David Judd is VP Customer Success at Inxeption. David has 30 years’ experience in developing enterprise solutions for manufacturing and service-based companies. He has worked with most of the Fortune 500 bringing digital transformation in the areas of marketing, sales, and service.
As director at Oracle for 12 years he led partner and field sales enablement. He managed sales integration and go-to-market strategy for Oracle acquisitions. He has a PhD in leadership and administration.
His dissertation examined online communities in knowledge-based organizations. He has published articles and speaks on the uses of blockchain technology in higher education and industry. In his role at Inxeption, he supports sales operations and leads customer success through growing GMV.
Connect with David on LinkedIn.
Atul Agarwal is Founder and CEO of Althea Brands. Althea Brands brings together traditional medicine and contemporary scientific research to develop natural and healthy foods and beverages.
Our first line of products leverage the 5000 year old Indian system of holistic health and medicine – Ayurveda – to provide enhanced hydration by combining ancient herbs with contemporary scientific knowledge. Branded Béla, these products are now available online and being steadily launched in key markets.
Follow Béla on Facebook.
Todd McAllister, CEO and Founder, McAllister Retail, a direct supplier of electric boilers, presses, vacuum tables and sewing machines for the garment, retail stores, hotels and dry cleaners nationally. We are very unique as we deliver, install and service nationally, utilizing our staff of steam and sewing technicians.
For ongoing support and service, we have over 300 agents nationally who can respond to your needs quickly; and with genuine replacement parts. We look forward to continuing to serve you, our valued customer.
April Stammel with Newport, Milliner Otis Damón, Sean Keaton with Kea Beverages and Courtney Johnson with Agape Gems
April Stammel is the VP of Marketing and Community Development at Newport, focusing on bringing out all the stories of South Downtown – how it began and is beginning all over again. Prior to joining the company two years ago, she held a range of leadership positions in business development, marketing, creative strategy and event management for start-ups, non-profits and social enterprise organizations.
April received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Florida and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Vanderbilt University.
Follow South Downtown on Instagram.
Otis Damón is a millinery brand that does not focus on creating trends but timeless pieces for his wearers. Each creation has its own personality & style without duplication. A lover of the 1920’s, 1930’s, & 1940’s era milliner Otis Damón incorporates the past with the present as he orchestrates an artistic flow with each creation. Color & shape is the main focus of the birth of each millinery piece.
At age 15, Otis Damón had contemplated suicide. Otis hid his thoughts of ending this lonely state of struggling with depression through his laughter & caring for others. After meeting & confiding to educator Gleora Sibley of his suicidal thoughts, Otis was instructed to attend Mrs. Sibley’s class everyday on his lunch break. Mrs. Sibley taught him sewing techniques & entrepreneurship during these meetings. Otis soon began creating wears for him & others.
Finding his niche in this whole creative & fashion world Otis Damón began creating a collection of hats. His mom would become his first muse & patron of pride. Little did he know that his talents would fester a career involving head transformations. Otis Damón had garnered a significant following for his millinery creations from community residence.
In his home town of the Incorporated Village of Hempstead former Mayor James A. Garner presented Otis Damón a Citation for Entrepreneurship at the age of 16. While attending Nassau Community College Otis caught the eye of hat guru Lola Ehrlich of Lola Millinery, where he interned and later assisted. Otis also worked under the tutelage of the late Horace Weeks of Peter & Irving. This is where he mastered the art of hat blocking /molding.
His eyes are presently set on upscale retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman & Neiman Marcus. His breathtaking couture designs have been on 5th Avenue in Fortunoff with Mr. Fortunoff’s fine jewelry & sold at Henri Bendel. His hat drama has been in movie & film such as Step Up, Queer Eye, Being Mary Jane, The Skinny & off Broadway productions such as “Look What The Cat Dragged In” written by Cheryl Lane Lewis. His hats continue to top off New York Fashion Week. Otis Damón has created millinery pieces for actors & entertainers Neyo, Musiq SoulChild, Gabrielle Union, Alicia Keys, Patti Labelle, & Victoria Rowell to name a few.
Although his demeanor is polite and shy, his creations are cloaked in ribbons, para sisal, velour, beaver felt, fur, austrian crystal, & flowers peak volume. His creations narrate the character of the women & men wearing them without restrictions.
Connect with Otis on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
If you asked Sean Keaton, Co-Founder of Kea Beverages, as a child what he wanted to do when he grew up, he probably would have told you he wanted to go into advertising. His late mother was a hometown hero within the industry and her passion for storytelling was instilled in him before he was old enough to walk.
In lieu of becoming an ad man, Sean spent the better half of his life exploring what it means to be a storyteller. From hosting a speakeasy in New York City with six course meals, inspired by the flavors and people around him, to being the personal photographer for an Atlanta mayoral candidate, Sean has always sought the moments that will add up to the fullest life journey.
So it makes sense that when Sean was feeling stagnant in his prior restaurant job that he would seek out an adventure that would lead to a great story. Start a restaurant called “ParmaSean” or take his sailing to the next level and become a part-time yacht skipper?
The answer ended up growing in his backyard (quite literally). Sean was inspired by his plum tree to make plum wine. When friends and family asked for more, he knew he was on to something. Plum wine may not be on the official menu (yet) but beverages did become the greatest story of all.
Follow Kea Beverages on Facebook.
Courtney Johnson is an Atlanta native, a graduate of UGA, and a mom of two. After a decade of nonprofit leadership, Johnson decided to pursue her passion for creating beautiful things that make women feel beautiful. She formally launched her artisan jewelry collection, Agape Gems, in March of 2016. In 2017, Johnson won the Belk Southern Designer Competition and had her collection featured in 9 Belk stores and on Belk.com.
In 2018, Johnson assisted with launching EmpowerDesign, a wholesale showroom at AmericasMart showcasing handcrafted jewelry from 15 female designers from around the globe. You can find Agape Gems at more than 20 locations across the southeast. Metro Atlanta stockists include The Beehive, Scottsdale Farms, Garage Door Studio, Hello Gorgeous, Crafted Perimeter Mall, and Sugarboo & Co.
Most recently, Johnson was selected to receive a storefront on Pop-Up Row on historic Mitchell Street in downtown Atlanta. She seized the opportunity to create a space called Atlanta Makery. As the name suggests, Atlanta Makery carries the work of some of Atlanta’s most inspiring makers, designers, and artists. Jewelry, apparel, candles, apothecary, fine art, leather accessories, artisan chocolate truffles, air plants, prints, and more can be found in this beautiful shop. Johnson took care to curate a collective of primarily female and minority owned brands. Atlanta Makery offers public and private workshops and also offers corporate gifting services. Atlanta Makery is located at 211 Mitchell St.
Roop Singh with Intuit Factory, Munir Tawfique with Prinsta and Josiah Mihok with Qoins Technologies
Roop Singh is founder and principal at Intuit Factory, a Blockchain business strategy consulting firm. He’s also a co-founder of a stealth product startup in the Blockchain identity space. Roop gave a TEDx talk in March 2019 on “Who owns your digital identity?” Blockchain – unlocking the emerging identity revolution.
As a public speaker, Roop helps audiences understand the potential, impacts, pitfalls, and risks, guiding the evolution of business and society into a Blockchain driven world. As a trainer and a coach, Roop designs and delivers seminars, workshops, and trainings for Fortune 100 and Global 2000 clients. He has also featured as a guest speaker and invited panelist at Harvard University, Emory University, and others.
Prior to delving into the Blockchain space, Roop was a business transformation leader with 14 years of experience driving change at the intersection of business and technology. As a techno-strategist, his expertise includes business process transformation, business architecture, customer experience management, and aligning strategy and operational process excellence. His professional experience spans leading corporations like IHG, AT&T, Home Depot, SecureWorks, Cox Enterprises as well as multilateral UN programs, non-profits, and startups.
Roop was elected to the Board of Directors of the Georgia Indo-American Chamber of Commerce in 2008-2010 and also served as co-chair of its Trade committee. He was also invited to join the Executive Team of TiE Atlanta, the Top 5 chapter of a global entrepreneur development network, and was instrumental in establishing and leading its TMT (Telecom, Media and Technologies) Special Interest Group. He has also served on the Advisory Board of the Process Excellence Network (PEX), a community of process professionals and business leaders promoting process and operational excellence in the industry.
Roop is a Certified Process Professional (CPP)- Master with the BP Group, focusing on Outside-In Customer Experience Management. He has an Advanced Business Certificate in Business Process Management from the Objects Management Group. He also holds a certificate from Harvard’s HBX program.
Roop has a Bachelors in Computer Science and Engineering from Mysore University, India. He received a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems from the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University. He has served as an adjunct in their top-ranked Computer Information Systems program. His research interests integrate Data Management, Artificial Intelligence, and Ontology Management and Semantics. He has published in industry journals and regularly presents at conferences.
Connect with Roop on LinkedIn and Instagram, and follow Intuit Factory on Twitter and Facebook.
As co-founder and COO of Prinsta, Munir Tawfique is working on bringing cutting-edge tech to market in the electronics industry. Along with co-founder and Georgia Tech alumnus Yasser Boumenir, Prinsta is building autonomous circuit board printers that bring the capability to prototype circuit boards in- house, significantly reducing product development cycles for hardware companies.
Tailwinds stemming from innovation in emerging technologies such as AI, autonomous vehicles (cars and trucks), 5G and other wireless tech, and additive manufacturing are driving demand for electronics. To meet this ever-increasing demand, Prinsta is working on the final piece – autonomous, on-demand manufacturing for circuit boards.
Prior to Prinsta, Munir was a management consultant at Booz, now Strategy&. He advised clients in the food and restaurant, consumer products, and retail industries on driving profitable growth through focused innovation and improved supply chain efficiency. Munir also worked on the turnaround at global consumer products company Newell Brands in Atlanta where he was responsible for driving cost reduction in the supply chain and rationalizing product portfolios.
As an avid soccer player, Munir used to play soccer in the Sons of Pitches league and looked forward every week to Friday pickup at the CRC at Georgia Tech. As a newly minted New Yorker, he spends his spare team exploring the city and meeting with other hardware and blockchain entrepreneurs.
Connect with Munir on LinkedIn and follow Prinsta on Facebook.
Josiah Mihok is an operations management consultant at Qoins Technologies who helps tech startups and small businesses strategically scale their operations in order to run faster and smoother as they grow by unlocking their organizational potential.
Follow Qoins Technologies on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Amber Lewter with Psynchronicity and Katie Culp with Tulipcake EMBROIDERY
Amber Lewter is Founder and CEO of Psynchronicity.
Connect with Amber on LinkedIn.
Katie Culp, Founder of Tulipcake EMBROIDERY, is a textile artist turned entrepreneur in Atlanta, GA.
With a background in custom fabrication and costuming, in 2015 Katie was able to identify the specific need for garment decoration with unmatched turnaround speed, specifically dedicated to costume departments within Georgia’s film and television industry.
Connect with Katie on LinkedIn, and follow Tulipcake on Facebook and Instagram.
Grace Hayden with Atlanta Planning Group, Crystal Chisholm with Tech Talent South and Nicole Toole with EcoDrop Technologies
Grace Hayden is dedicated to building comprehensive wealth management strategies to suit each of her clients’ financial paths. By establishing and maintaining good relationships with her clients, Grace is able to set up her clients’ accounts based on their needs, goals, and objectives.
In addition to being a familiar face around Atlanta Planning Group, after obtaining two bachelor’s degrees in Economics from the University of Venice – Ca’ Foscari and Georgia State University, Grace went on to work for some of the most well-known names in the financial industry, including Jackson National and Invesco, a global asset manager headquartered in Atlanta.
In Grace’s spare time she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, traveling and exploring Atlanta’s culinary scene.
Connect with Grace on LinkedIn.
Crystal Chisholm, a graduate of Georgia State University, has been serving the startup/small business space since graduating in 2016. She began her trajectory with the City of Atlanta working as a communications intern for an initiative serving women entrepreneurs. After her time with the City of Atlanta, she started an LLC to create and content and manage brands for startups located in the Atlanta area.
In 2018, she paused the freelancer role to serve as Tech Talent South’s Atlanta Community Organizer where she is tasked with coordinating coding bootcamps, building community partnerships and curating programming focused in the tech and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Connect with Crystal on LinkedIn and follow Tech Talent South on Instagram.
Nicole Toole is a sophomore here at Georgia State University and the CEO of EcoDrop Technologies, a reverse vending machine company that incentivizes recycling.
She is also a concussion prevention advocate and helps those with brain injuries receive the necessary resources to reach a full recovery. She plans to graduate from Georgia State University with an undergraduate degree in Computer Information Systems in Spring 2022.
Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn.
Telisha Jackson with Small Business Development Center and Jeff Patterson with Small Business Administration
Telisha Farrow Jackson brings her engaging personality, as well as, over 15 years of experience in managing all levels of large scale projects to the SBDC. She has an extensive and varied career in multiple industries, including lending and underwriting; business development; project management; compliance and controls.
She has initiated negotiations, partnership initiatives and cost analysis for businesses majority of her career. Her expertise lies in analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of program operations to ensure that strategies can be effectively and efficiently executed.
One of her most rewarding professional experiences was developing young minds as an elementary school teacher. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, she developed curriculum and led multiple school-wide process improvement and best practice initiatives.
Telisha has used her people skills to build community involvement and awareness by participating in various community outreach events and professionally moderating conferences. She is an inspiring talent and we look forward to the innovative outlook she’s going to add to the UGA SBDC at Georgia State University team.
Follow SBDC on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
Jeff Patterson has 34 years experience as a commercial banker. He has been in senior management for the majority of those years serving as Chief Credit Officer, COO, and CEO of a Community Bank. He joined SBA Georgia District Office 4 months ago and has a passion to help small business and our economy grow.
Stacey Key and Reginald Phams with GMSDC, Ryan Waldrep with the Department of Economic Development, Melanie Watson with Discover Dunwoody, Adam Moore with Suntrust Bank and Walter Griggs with SquarePac
Stacey Key is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC) – the state of Georgia’s leading authority on supplier diversity and minority business development. Key has more than 20 years of corporate experience in sales, marketing, operations and customer service at global brands like IBM, AT&T, Schlumberger and Samsung Telecommunications.
Prior to joining the GMSDC, she was responsible for leading nationwide marketing efforts at Samsung Telecommunications as its Marketing Director. She also served as Vice President – Public Sector for Schlumberger, the world’s leading supplier of products and services to the oil and gas industry. She is an accomplished entrepreneur, with more than 15 years of experience at the helm of a successful family business.
Stacey has been recognized as a leader throughout the state for her career accomplishments and community service. Some of her awards and honors include: the 100 Influential Women to Know by Engineering Georgia, Who’s Who of Black Atlanta, the Business Advocacy Award from MARTA, the Atlanta Business League’s 100 Top Women of Influence, Diversity Plus Magazine’s Top 25 Women in Power Impacting Diversity, the Black & Latino Council’s Global Commerce Award, and the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Apex Small Business Champion Award.
Key earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Computer Science from Western Kentucky University, and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. She holds a certificate in Mergers and Acquisitions from Kennesaw State University and is a graduate of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2014. Key is actively involved in the community and serves on numerous boards of directors, including the Georgia Department of Transportation, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Midtown Alliance and the Renew Atlanta Infrastructure Bond Advisory Committee. She is the proud mother of one daughter who is a college student.
Connect with Stacey on LinkedIn and follow GMSDC on Twitter and Facebook.
Reginald Phams is the Certifications Manager at the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC). He has held several positions with GMSDC including, starting as an Intern, Certification Specialist, and Operations Manager of the Georgia Mentor Protege Connection.
In addition to being an advocate to the small business community, He has also worked as an Adjunct Professor at Atlanta Technical College Since 2016. He has been a member of several Advisory Boards for Atlanta Technical College and Keller Graduate School of Management.
Reginald received an Associates Degree in Marketing Management from Atlanta Technical College, a Bachelors of Science in Business Management form Devry University, and Master of Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management.
He spend countless hours speaking to and encouraging emerging leaders and the small business community at large. Small business has been a large part of Reginald’s life, who has his owned his own businesses since 2006.
As the Assistant Director of Entrepreneur and Small Business and Regional Project Manager with the Department of Economic Development, Ryan Waldrep provides assistance to companies considering Georgia as a business destination and identifying and pursuing prospective companies with expansion and or relocation potential. He also assists local Chambers of Commerce and Development Authorities in their economic development activities and development of entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Ryan earned his Certification in Economic Development through the International Economic Development Council in 2006 and Economic Development Finance Professional through the National Development Council in 2012. His membership affiliations include the Georgia Economic Development Association and the International Economic Development Council. Ryan is a member of several local organizations as well as a graduate of Leadership Georgia and Leadership Telfair.
Prior to joining the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Ryan served as President of the Telfair County Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority and as an Economic Development Planner at the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission.
A native of McRae, Ryan holds a BFA in Speech Communication (Public Relations) and an MPA in Public Management, both from Valdosta State University. Ryan continues to reside in Telfair County with his wife, Amanda, and two sons, Adam and Ethan.
Melanie Watson is the Marketing Coordinator for Discover Dunwoody. Dunwoody, Ga. is a premier hub for shopping, dining, business, and culture located just 10 miles north of Atlanta. From boutique to crowd favorites, wine bars to patio dining, a fine art school to a theatre company and abundant green space to hiking trails, Dunwoody has something for everyone.
With easy access to mass transit and major highways, this city offers proximity to key Georgia tourist attractions, sporting events, and festivals. A little bit metropolitan chic, a little bit small-town escape, Dunwoody is above Atlanta and beyond the expected.
Follow Discover Dunwoody on Facebook.
Adam Moore is the Strategic Supplier Diversity Manager for SunTrust Banks, helping to promote the inclusion of small and diverse business in the supplier mix at the Bank. He is considerably active in the supplier diversity space as it relates to technology and the financial vertical. Adam is often sought as a speaker and moderator and he also writes for a blog on supplier diversity: diversitymanagementsourcing.com.
Adam is a true advocate for supplier diversity and works tirelessly to create opportunities for diverse business. Adam is also very involved in several mentoring programs to include the Emerging Young Entrepreneurs and the Georgia Mentor Protégée Connection. He also serves as a board member for TAG’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and is an active member of the GMSDC’s Supplier Diversity Leadership Committee as well. In these roles, Adam works to create new and innovative ways to further the conversation on supplier diversity and how it positively impacts business and communities.
Adam is a member of the Financial Services Roundtable for Supplier Diversity (FSRSD) and serves as Co-Chair on the Marketing and Communications committee. As Co-Chair he is also a member of the Executive Council for the FSRSD.
Walter Griggs is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at SquarePac LTD, a Material Handling Solutions Company based in Atlanta, GA. Griggs is a leader in the reusable packaging industry with an extensive knowledge in packaging and related processes. In addition to having years of experience in directing packaging operations, he revolutionized the packaging industry with new and innovative packaging techniques that have generated cost reductions and increased customer satisfaction.
Griggs brings a proven track record of success and a keen ability to align vital business components for customers and suppliers to maximize results and quality assurance. He has a “hands on” management approach and a broad awareness of Marketing and Operations strategies that has established Square Pac as a model company and trend-setter in the packaging industry. “We have a moral obligation to never design or build anything that would harm anyone” says Griggs.
Before founding SquarePac LTD, Griggs held a leadership position at Novyas Financial where he was in charge of its call center technical integration team. Entrepreneurial expansion is also a strong interest for Griggs, who has lead a variety of other businesses ranging from retail shops to technology integration.
Walter Griggs attended the prestigious Canisius College in Buffalo, New York and he has also attended Tuck school of business at Dartmouth Additionally, Griggs is Six Sigma certified, Osha certified and he holds memberships in a number of industry leading packaging organizations including: IOPP (International Organization of Packaging Professionals), GAMA (Georgia Automotive Manufacturing Alliance) and GMA (Georgia Manufacturing Alliance).
A strong community advocate, Griggs volunteers his time in a number of ways including serving as a mentor to young people through his work with the DANNY Center and Knights of Pythagoras; and supporting a variety of community based outreach programs including PHA Masons and Square Vision. Griggs attends industry trade shows, marketing conferences and business summits in order to remain current with industry updates and market trends to maintain his company’s high standards and customer satisfaction.
Under Griggs leadership , SquarePac has been honored with supplier of the year from GMSDC and the NMSDC. Innovations awards from the Atlanta MBDA. Griggs has also been honored to receive the MPC Eagle Award, MBE”S Who Rock!, and Who’s who is Black Atlanta.
