Dr. Arnon Krongrad with Allevion, Inc. has cloned a gene, invented a clinical use for magnetism, modeled cancer survival, and introduced laparoscopic prostatectomy. He is building a free market for surgery, because patients need more than widgets. Follow Allevion, Inc. on Twitter.
Jayne Latz is an expert in communication skills. She is an executive communication coach and worked for over 25 years as a speech-language pathologist, college educator, professional speech trainer, and coach. In 2006 she founded Corporate Speech Solutions, LLC which specializes in advancing speech and communication skills for business professionals. She has been featured in the Wall Street Journal (three times) and was a guest on the Today Show. She is the proud author of Communicate Up The Corporate Ladder, How To Succeed In Business With Clarity and Confidence.
Follow Corporate Speech Solutions, LLC on Facebook and Twitter.
On this CEO Exclusive we talk with Scott Griffin and Steve Ponsell with Griffco Design/Build about trends happening in the construction industry.
Griffco Design/Build, Inc. is an Atlanta-based planning, engineering and construction firm that specializes in industrial and commercial facilities. Our industrial projects include both conventional and automated refrigerated, frozen food and dry distribution facilities. Our commercial projects include self-storage facilities and movie studios.
Scott Griffin is the President and Founder of Griffco Design/Build, Inc., a planning, engineering and construction firm that specializes in refrigerated and frozen food distribution centers and
commercial/industrial facilities. Since he began his career in the construction industry more than 25 years ago, Scott has worked with companies like Kroger, H.E. Butt Grocery Company,
US Cold Storage and Americold and is responsible for the planning, design and construction of more than 10,000,000 square feet of food distribution facilities.
Scott founded Griffco in 2007 and credits its success to hard work, long-lasting relationships in the industry and the Griffco team.
Connect with Scott on LinkedIn and follow Griffco on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Steve Ponsell is a Senior Vice President at Griffco Design/Build and currently leads the company’s Self Storage Division. Since he started his career in 1985, he has worked in the development and contracting business for clients like Coca Cola, Delta Airlines, Federal Express and UPS. In 2002, Steve founded a real estate development firm that built several self-storage facilities in the Greater Atlanta area until he joined the Griffco team in 2010.
Proficient in all steps of the design, engineering and construction processes, Steve is a leader in the self-storage industry and enjoys working alongside clients to make each project a success.
The following story was made possible by The Farm. To learn more about The Farm, you can follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
A native of Atlanta, Ashley Francis coupled her love for fitness with an appetite for entrepreneurship to open the first boutique indoor cycling and strength studio in Sandy Springs. Her self-motivated drive to succeed in both sports and business have culminated in her latest venture, TURN Indoor Cycling + Strength Following graduation from Clemson University, a burgeoning career in medical sales led Francis to San Diego where she spent years honing her business expertise and learning the value of customer relationships while promoting a healthy lifestyle. In 2017, drawing upon her business prowess and enthusiasm for wellness, she took a leap of faith and returned to Atlanta to build a place with everything she craved: intensity, inspiration, and a community of hard working hustlers getting an empowering workout. That place is TURN Studio. Francis is a powerhouse of positivity and hopes to build positive change in the lives of her clients through inclusive motivation, engaging fitness classes and active charitable involvement within the Sandy Springs community. She is certified through Stages Cycling and an international presenter and trainer. A respected leader in the boutique fitness industry, Francis is a living, breathing example of taking your passions seriously without taking yourself too seriously.
Follow TURN Studio on Facebook.
Craig Miller, Executive Producer Respected filmmaker and founder of Craig Miller Productions in Atlanta, Craig Miller has produced award-winning productions for an extensive list of Fortune 500 clientele for over 30 years. Craig’s long-term relationships with companies like The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, AGCO, UPS, U.S. Army, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Georgia Tourism are a testament to the company’s creative and technical capabilities. In 2015, Craig was named Chairman of the Georgia Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment Commission by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. He is a proud member of the Producers Guild of America. He is the past president of the Georgia Production Partnership (GPP), the grassroots organization responsible for establishing and maintaining Georgia’s film incentive. Serving it that role from 2005 – 2009 and again from 2011 -2015. Craig has completed two feature films and one TV pilot since 2016.
Follow Craig on Facebook.
A pioneer of Atlanta’s prominent dining scene, Pano I. Karatassos is executive chef of Kyma, corporate executive chef for Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, and author of a forthcoming, Greek-inspired cookbook that will debut in fall 2018. With more than 25 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality business, Karatassos’ decorated career has shaped him into celebrated talent in the culinary industry. Karatassos grew up in the kitchen – from watching and listening his Yiayia (grandmother) work magic with Greek recipes, to cooking in his father’s celebrated Atlanta restaurants as a teenager. From his experience at Pano’s & Paul’s Restaurant, to the Fish Market at Lenox Square and 103 West, Karatassos learned the basic fundamentals of cooking at a young age. His passion for food led him to graduating with a degree in hospitality management from Florida International University in 1993, followed by formal chef training at the renowned Culinary Institute of America. Following his studies, Karatassos started his career under the tutelage of three of America’s best chefs including chef Thomas Keller at Michelin three-star restaurant, The French Laundry in California’s Napa Valley, chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten at The New York Times four-star reviewed Jean-Georges in New York City and chef Eric Ripert at Michelin three-star restaurant Le Bernadin in New York City. After five years working in these prestigious kitchens, Karatassos’ culinary journey came full circle when he returned to his fine dining roots in Atlanta working for the company founded by his father, Buckhead Life Restaurant Group. In December 2001, Karatassos and his family opened Kyma, an upscale Greek restaurant featuring contemporary and traditional Greek food, with special emphasis on seafood from the Aegean Sea. In a short time, Karatassos’ cooking garnered much national attention for the restaurant, including being named one of the top 20 restaurants in the country by Esquire in 2002, in addition to coverage in Food & Wine, Food Arts, Gourmet, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Nation’s Restaurant News, Cooking Light and In Style. Locally, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution featured Kyma on its top 10 best restaurants list three years in a row and recognized the restaurant with a four-star review. Internationally, Kyma received praised from noted Greek author, celebrated food critic and television host, Diane Kochilas, in Greek publications including Ta Nea, Odyssey, Vogue Greece and Keresma. Fast-forward 17 years later, recognition continues to grow for Karatassos’ modern take on Greek cuisine – a combination of respect for his intense French training while staying true to his roots and authenticity of Greece. In addition to his role as Kyma’s executive chef, Karatassos is also corporate executive chef for Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, which has since expanded into Florida with restaurants in Boca Raton, Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale. In fall 2018, Karatassos will release his first cookbook dedicated to authentic and approachable Greek cooking, with a special wine section developed by his cousin Sofia Perpara, one of the world’s leading authorities on Greek wines, and photography by acclaimed food and art photographer Francesco Tonelli.
Loren Marc Schmerler is President and Founder of Bottom Line Management, Inc., an Atlanta-based business brokerage, M & A and consulting firm. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of the prestigious Boston University School of Management and recipient of the Harold C. Case Scholarship for Academic Excellence, he holds a Master of Business Administration degree with Honors from Georgia State University. Prior to entering the business brokerage field, he served as Chief Financial Officer or Controller for several firms ranging from start-up to Fortune 500 subsidiary.
Mr. Schmerler is a certified professional consultant with experience in over 200 industries and types of businesses and has helped thousands of business owners throughout his career. He was a 1998 national business seminar presenter for STAPLES, the world’s largest office products chain. Loren was INC. Magazine’s Cash Flow and Negotiation expert for INC. World EXPOs in 1994 and a speaker for that publication’s “Growing the Company” conference in 1991 and 1992
His workshops and seminars have been offered by more than three dozen colleges, universities, organizations, Chambers of Commerce and municipalities including: Entrepreneur Magazine, BellSouth, IBM, John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, Manulife Financial, Virginia Power, Ohio Bell, Ameritech, Builder Magazine, International Association for Financial Planning, Small Business Administration, Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, City of Atlanta, Dekalb County Board of Education, Private Industry Council of Georgia, University of Tennessee, University of Kentucky, Emory University, Kennesaw State University, University of Georgia, University of Miami, Miami-Dade Community College, Oglethorpe University, and Florida International University.
As the first and only business advice columnist in the early 1990’s for Wal-Mart’s Sam’s Club, more than 20 million business owners have read his advice. Mr. Schmerler was broadcast over more than 50 radio stations, and he was selected by the Small Business Administration to conduct “austerity survival” workshops for communities hardest hit by the Persian Gulf War.
Bottom Line Management’s federally registered slogan, “Your Bottom Line Is Our Foremost Concern”, reinforces its constant desire to put the client’s best interests ahead of its own. The firm has saved its clients millions of dollars by showing them how to “work smarter” and use their resources more effectively and efficiently to maximize the value of their businesses when they are ready to implement their exit strategy. Mr. Schmerler is a member of the Georgia Association of Business Brokers(GABB) and International Business Brokers Association(IBBA). The firm also offers a Buyer’s Broker Program to assist qualified buyers in their search for business acquisition opportunities. Mr. Schmerler can co-broker businesses located anywhere in the United States and has sold businesses in Seattle, Tennessee, Minneapolis and Virginia.
Audrey Howes accidentally pursued a career in marketing from a very early age. With an entrepreneurial dad and an ‘I’ll figure it out’ attitude, she taught herself many of the marketing principles she now relies on to guide her clients. From real estate branding to megachurch youth ministry to running the creative division of a startup to managing content creation for a growing company, Audrey’s breadth of marketing experience spans many industries. In 2013 Audrey founded 27th Letter Media where she brings her marketing know-how and leadership to her team and their clients. She manages all facets of the business including client acquisition, relationship management, budgeting and forecasting and creative direction for both 27th and their clients. Audrey has continued to grow professionally, graduating from Seth Godin’s exclusive altMBA program in 2016 and becoming one of the first StoryBrand Guides in early 2017. Outside of the office, you’ll likely find Audrey spending time with her husband and two awesome kids, coaching a bunch ball soccer game, escaping to the beauty of the Colorado mountains (especially the family cabin near Steamboat), exploring a new coffee shop, working out at Orangetheory or reading a great book.
Follow 27th Letter Media on Facebook.
Supply Chain Now Radio brought to you by APICS Atlanta and TalentStream.
Scott Luton serves as Managing Partner for TalentStream and is a member of the ownership group. He has worked extensively in the end-to-end Supply Chain industry for more than 15 years, appearing in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Dice and Quality Progress Magazine. Scott has held a variety of leadership roles with organizations, with significant experience in the manufacturing and professional services sectors. Scott currently serves as Executive Vice President of APICS Atlanta and was also named to the 2018 Georgia Logistics Summit Executive Committee. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and holds the APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional credential. As a Veteran of the United States Air Force, Scott also volunteers as Co-Chair of the Business Pillar for VETLANTA, and maintains active membership in the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance & CSCMP Atlanta Roundtable. He founded Supply Chain Now Radio in 2017. Follow TalentStream on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Connect with Scott on Twitter.
Supply Chain Now Radio brought to you by APICS Atlanta and TalentStream.
Scott Luton serves as Managing Partner for TalentStream and is a member of the ownership group. He has worked extensively in the end-to-end Supply Chain industry for more than 15 years, appearing in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Dice and Quality Progress Magazine. Scott has held a variety of leadership roles with organizations, with significant experience in the manufacturing and professional services sectors. Scott currently serves as Executive Vice President of APICS Atlanta and was also named to the 2018 Georgia Logistics Summit Executive Committee. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and holds the APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional credential. As a Veteran of the United States Air Force, Scott also volunteers as Co-Chair of the Business Pillar for VETLANTA, and maintains active membership in the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance & CSCMP Atlanta Roundtable. He founded Supply Chain Now Radio in 2017. Follow TalentStream on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Connect with Scott on Twitter.
Kevin Heath, Chief Procurement Officer/SVP with Georgia-Pacific
Beth Melendez, Global Category Director with Georgia-Pacific
Ben Harris, Director/Supply Chain Ecosystem Expansion, Metro Atlanta Chamber.
Loren Marc Schmerler is President and Founder of Bottom Line Management, Inc., an Atlanta-based business brokerage, M & A and consulting firm. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of the prestigious Boston University School of Management and recipient of the Harold C. Case Scholarship for Academic Excellence, he holds a Master of Business Administration degree with Honors from Georgia State University. Prior to entering the business brokerage field, he served as Chief Financial Officer or Controller for several firms ranging from start-up to Fortune 500 subsidiary.
Mr. Schmerler is a certified professional consultant with experience in over 200 industries and types of businesses and has helped thousands of business owners throughout his career. He was a 1998 national business seminar presenter for STAPLES, the world’s largest office products chain. Loren was INC. Magazine’s Cash Flow and Negotiation expert for INC. World EXPOs in 1994 and a speaker for that publication’s “Growing the Company” conference in 1991 and 1992
His workshops and seminars have been offered by more than three dozen colleges, universities, organizations, Chambers of Commerce and municipalities including: Entrepreneur Magazine, BellSouth, IBM, John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, Manulife Financial, Virginia Power, Ohio Bell, Ameritech, Builder Magazine, International Association for Financial Planning, Small Business Administration, Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, City of Atlanta, Dekalb County Board of Education, Private Industry Council of Georgia, University of Tennessee, University of Kentucky, Emory University, Kennesaw State University, University of Georgia, University of Miami, Miami-Dade Community College, Oglethorpe University, and Florida International University.
As the first and only business advice columnist in the early 1990’s for Wal-Mart’s Sam’s Club, more than 20 million business owners have read his advice. Mr. Schmerler was broadcast over more than 50 radio stations, and he was selected by the Small Business Administration to conduct “austerity survival” workshops for communities hardest hit by the Persian Gulf War.
Bottom Line Management’s federally registered slogan, “Your Bottom Line Is Our Foremost Concern”, reinforces its constant desire to put the client’s best interests ahead of its own. The firm has saved its clients millions of dollars by showing them how to “work smarter” and use their resources more effectively and efficiently to maximize the value of their businesses when they are ready to implement their exit strategy. Mr. Schmerler is a member of the Georgia Association of Business Brokers(GABB) and International Business Brokers Association(IBBA). The firm also offers a Buyer’s Broker Program to assist qualified buyers in their search for business acquisition opportunities. Mr. Schmerler can co-broker businesses located anywhere in the United States and has sold businesses in Seattle, Tennessee, Minneapolis and Virginia.
Follow Bottom Line on Facebook and Twitter.
Bonnie Daneker is a Consultant and Owner at Write Along With You. The former CEO of Write Advisors has been working in publishing and advising writers for more than a decade. If you’re a would-be author, you can rely on our seasoned writing professionals to ease you toward the destination of a finished manuscript. You’re not alone with Write Along With You.
Bonnie Daneker holds an MBA from Emory University, and a BA in Journalism from The Ohio State University. She is President-Elect of the National Association of Women Business Owners (Atlanta Chapter) and serves on the Board of the Green Chamber of the South. She is the author of several books including her latest, It’s In There! The Innovation, Dedication and Determination Behind the Birth of Prego Spaghetti Sauce.
The $30 billion marquis product from Campbell’s Soup can be found in kitchens worldwide. Foodies and biography lovers alike will love It’s in There! The book is part memoir and part product history, highlighting the many professionals who contributed to the famous sauce. All proceeds go to fund food technology scholarships at Ohio State University. Available at amazon.com and OhioStatePress.org.
Follow Bonnie on Twitter.
