Andrew G Kelleher (Hagrid)
On this CEO Exclusive we talk with Rob Chen and Scott Allen with Brightlink about trends in technology and communication.
Founded in 2009, Brightlink is a leading communications platform and technology company that delivers voice, messaging, analytics and cloud-based solutions. Our industry-leading CPaaS platform, technology solutions and network services are used by companies ranging from small to mid-sized businesses to the largest enterprises and communication service providers around the globe.
Rob Chen serves as CEO and Board Member for Brightlink. Rob has a strong track record that includes more than 20 years of executive leadership and general management experience across several industries.
Prior to Brightlink, Rob was the Chief Marketing Officer of CEB (now Gartner), where he had global responsibility for the company’s strategic marketing efforts and played a key role in launching CEB’s talent management business. Before CEB, Rob was a Senior Vice President at First Data, where he transformed and implemented go-to-market strategies for numerous product innovations leading up to its IPO.
During his career, Rob held a number of executive roles with Visa Inc. before and after its IPO, including Head of Global Client Strategy, Head of Commercial and Processing Marketing, and VP of Small Business Marketing. He has also served in senior management roles in several leading technology companies in Silicon Valley, including Siebel Systems (now Oracle), Edge Dynamics (a venture-funded startup), and Salesforce.com.
Rob holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of California at Berkeley.
Scott Allen is the Chief Operating Officer and has been with Brightlink since 2011. Scott is responsible for commercial operations that comprise numerous key facets of the organization including its customer portfolio, core network platform and administration. Scott oversees a range of functions from implementation and product delivery to customer service, supply chain, human resources, and legal & regulatory affairs. He also spearheads the execution of strategic initiatives and corporate development activities.
Prior to his appointment as the COO in 2016, Scott was the CFO of Brightlink overseeing finance, accounting and treasury functions. During this time, he led two successful recapitalizations of the company along with the successful purchase of certain regulated entities that are now integrated into Brightlink.
Scott serves as the Secretary to the Board of Directors and provides operational guidance to the Board regarding the development of corporate policies and establishing governance related best practices.
Prior to joining Brightlink, Scott was a consulting actuary with a global risk management firm for 17 years specializing in mergers and acquisitions. Scott has deep expertise in both strategic and private equity transactions with key areas of focus in restructuring, executive compensation programs and valuation of complex contingent liabilities.
Scott has a BS in Statistics from the University of Rochester.
Connect with Rob and Scott on LinkedIn, and follow Brightlink on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
SpaLife
619-980-0429
diane@dianehalfman.com
As a highly successful author, celebrity speaker and creator of the Diane Halfman Academy, Diane Halfman has 24 years of experience in this work. Diane is an expert in helping people live the Spalife, by showing them how they can live in their ultimate personal spaces; physically, emotionally and spiritually. She is passionate about connecting and collaborating with others. Helping to eliminate paper clutter is just the tip of the iceberg. The ripple effects are huge!
Having achieved a Master’s Degree in Human Resources, with an emphasis in Structure and Systems, she is an expert in moving people from overwhelm to get it done, helping clients achieve a life rich in Happiness, Health & Wealth. By partnering with Diane, you’ll simply watch clutter, confusion and frustration evaporate.
Connect with Diane on Twitter and Facebook.
BANKCODE
619-980-0429
kerry@theaudiencewhisperer.com
Kerry Mensior is the consummate First Responder. A US Navy Submarine Service veteran, former Firefighter, current EMT and Police Sergeant, Kerry’s entire adult life has been spent in public service. Kerry is also an international speaker, author and sought after Communication Mastery trainer.
Kerry will help you, the same way he has helped thousands of people, learn how to communicate in ways that will make your life much easier, less stressful and give you the tools to have influence with the people that matter most in your life. His Communication Mastery and Public Speaking courses show you how to package your message, use voice, body & movement and how to effectively use the Power of Story to grow your business. Remember that elite speaking equals elite performance.
Connect with Kerry on Twitter and Facebook.
Tierra Antigua Realty
216 E. Congress St.
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-406-0206
As a longtime Tucsonan, Carolyn Minor became a real estate broker to help people in finding their home, creating community and investing in this wonderful city. She specializes in energy efficient and historic homes as well as urban infill/redevelopment.
Carolyn began her career in real estate as a partner in a renovation company where she managed condominium conversion projects, including acquisition, scheduling, budgets, billing, payroll and reporting. After becoming a licensed real estate agent in 2006, she was almost immediately working in one of the toughest real estate markets in history.
Carolyn honed her skills working for one of the leading REO sales teams in Arizona and earned her designation as a Certified Distressed Property Expert, representing buyers and sellers in foreclosures and short sale transactions.The Tucson market has recovered now, and the stronger market allows her greater expression of creativity in matching clients to the property that works for their lifestyle. Carolyln’s experience taught her to negotiate effectively and accurately determine a property’s market value, skills that are still invaluable in any market.
Connect with Carolyn on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Karen FisherSummit Funding, Inc.
210 E Broadway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85701
Branch NMLS ID# 1165964
(520) 447-2279 Direct Phone
Karen.Fisher@summitfunding.net
Jonathan Dalton, CEO and Co-founder of THRIVE, helps clients achieve business objectives and redefine markets through user-centered products and strategic brand design. He’s expert at helping organizations see what people will want in the future and helping development teams manage the change to meet those needs. Jonathan speaks regularly around the globe on people-centered consumer research and innovation, and he brings a rare balance of design sensibility and strategic thinking to development programs—deciphering user needs and desires and connecting brand with product strategy. Jonathan’s career has spanned a number of continents and design disciplines. He worked for the Electrolux Group in Europe before joining internationally renowned ZIBA Design in the United States, where he led strategy, research and product development programs. Before forming THRIVE, Jonathan was the Regional Director for Philips Design’s Consulting Practice in North America. He honed his innovation skills, leading engagements across multiple industries for clients such as AT&T, KitchenAid, GM, Motorola, SC Johnson, Medtronic, DeWalt, Coca-Cola, Intel and more. Jonathan graduated with 1st Class honors in Design for Industry from the University of Northumbria in England.
Follow Jonathan Dalton on LinkedIn and Thrive on Twitter and Facebook.
Foo Foo Fest events – www.FooFooFest.com
5th Annual Foo Foo Festival Arrives in Pensacola, Florida November 1-12
The “Festival City of the South” Offers 12-Day Arts & Culture Celebration
Pensacola, Fla. – When the modern performance arts have the backdrop of America’s oldest settlement, one of the South’s most charming coastal cities is magically transformed into a delightful, sensory feast. The nonprofit organization, Art, Culture, and Entertainment, Inc. (ACE), presents this sensory event when the 5th Annual Foo Foo Festival occurs November 1-12, 2018 in Pensacola, Fla. The 12-day Foo Foo Fest celebrates culturally creative happenings, events and moments and invites visitors to “Vacation Artfully” in Pensacola for nearly two weeks.
Pensacola, known as the “Festival City of the South,” is the only city on the stretch of the Gulf Coast from Mobile, Ala. to Tampa, Fla. that boasts having the “big five,” an opera, ballet, symphony, theatre and museum. Foo Foo Festival’s roster of events celebrates art, music, dance, opera, theatre and cuisine with programming from 30 grant recipients, throughout the city of Pensacola for nearly two weeks. The 2018 ACE grant recipients will host individual experiences specific to their craft throughout the festival. Strategically positioned in and around some of Pensacola’s most popular and longer-running events, the Foo Foo Fest encourages cultural tourists to make Pensacola an arts destination and enjoy other events those two weeks including The Greater Gulf Coast Arts Festival, the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show, Pensacola Eggfest, the 34th Annual Frank Brown Songwriters Festival and the 14th Annual Pensacola Marathon.
To mark the fifth anniversary of the Foo Foo Fest, this year’s 2018 event features a special, large-scale interactive picture mural created from thousands of images of festival-goers. This Foo Foo Festival Picture Mosaic allows visitors to become “part of the art,” actually leaving personal, creative marks on a permanent historical art collage in downtown Pensacola, thus further emphasizing the wider community’s interconnectivity.
“Pensacola, Fla. has established a stellar reputation for its unique, diverse cultural arts offerings,” said David Bear, trustee emeritus for Art, Culture, and Entertainment, Inc. “So, it’s only natural we bring not only a variety of opera, ballet, symphony, theatre and museum culture to visitors and residents, but so many other diverse offerings of high artistic, cultural caliber during the 5th annual Foo Foo Fest.”
2018 Foo Foo Festival Highlights include:
In addition to the arts, downtown Pensacola offers historic walking tours, a large farmer’s market, quaint shops, food trucks, brewery tours and daily running clubs. Hosting the Foo Foo Festival in the fall offers big fun and a hefty dose of Southern sophistication delivered to boost tourism and travel during the “off season” with its unique slate of events.
For more information about the 2018 Pensacola Foo Foo Festival visit www.FooFooFest.com or follow Foo Foo Festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Art, Culture, Entertainment, Inc. (ACE)
ACE is a nonprofit organization that receives Federal, State of Florida, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, corporate, foundation and personal funds. ACE disperses these funds through an equitable granting process to nonprofit arts, culture and entertainment organizations throughout Escambia County, Fla., and promotes Escambia County as an arts and cultural destination through the annual Foo Foo Festival and other marketing efforts. For more information about ACE, visit www.acepensacola.org.
Aron Levine leads a team of more than 40,000 employees responsible for helping with the financial needs of Bank of America‘s Consumer Banking and Merrill Edge® investment clients. Aron and his leadership team are focused on ensuring the organization provides an industry-leading client experience, including building and developing talent to effectively deliver solutions based on clients’ priorities and helping to drive responsible growth through effective risk management. The team, located across approximately 4,500 Bank of America financial centers and call centers Footnote *, offers clients insight on a wide range of financial products and services designed to support their banking, lending, small business and investment planning needs. In addition, Aron leads the management and delivery of Merrill Edge®, which helps clients pursue their financial goals by seamlessly providing access to the investment insights of Merrill Lynch and the banking convenience of Bank of America. Merrill Edge enables clients to view and manage their banking and investment accounts with a single sign on through advanced online and mobile platforms. Clients can also connect with licensed Merrill Edge Financial Solutions Advisors™, either in select financial center locations or over the phone.
Follow Aron Levine on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Burunda Prince is the managing director of The Farm, which is a corporate start-up accelerator that is part of Comcast NBCUniversal and housed at The Battery Atlanta. It focuses on providing early-stage startups with the resources, access, expertise, and advice they need to succeed. The Farm’s twelve-week, twice-yearly program provides a customized curriculum, company-building guidance, industry mentorship, and a network of startup ecosystem supporters.
Follow Burunda Prince on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
The following story was made possible by DecisionLink Corporation. To learn more about DecisionLink, follow them on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Clarissa J. Sparks is a brand strategist, experienced facilitator, and founder of the She Sparks Agency in Atlanta, Georgia. She is passionate about leveraging her experience across a wide range of industries to help multi-passionate entrepreneurs, emerging leaders, and corporations design innovative, sustainable business models and strategies. She turns ideas into visual and tangible experiences, and always brings a new perspective to the table – inspiring others to make an impact. She is the author of The Invisible Brand: A Guide to Making the Invisible Visible – How to Create A Strong Brand, This Little Light of Mine, A Guided Journal of Purpose, Passion and Shine and co-author of Business & Career for the Christian Woman. Clarissa has been featured as a ‘Side-Hustler’ by Essence Magazine, a ‘Achiever’ by Huffington Post, ‘Rising Star’ by VoyageAtl, and 2017 1st place winner of the ‘Innovate Her” SBA competition.
Follow Clarissa J. Sparks on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
On this CEO Exclusive we talk with Dr. Janet Cox with Synapse about the growing issue of addiction.
Synapse, LLC was established in 2015 in response to both the national drug crisis facing our youth and the need to bridge research-based technology into the clinical practice of substance use treatment. Having worked in the field of recovery with over 75 years of combined experience, the evolving science of addiction could no longer be ignored. There is a great need to reduce the gap that exists between brain research in the 21st century and the impact these findings can have on treatment delivery. Very few treatment centers in our country are adopting technological, research-based interventions and facilitating their use into front-line clinical settings. In response to this vacuum, we developed The Synapse System to empower adolescents and adults to make informed choices in their lives; reduce drug use, misuse and addiction; and improve their overall well-being.
Dr. Janet Cox, a licensed clinical psychologist, is the founder of the Intensive Outpatient Program, Synapse, LLC. With over 28 years of experience in treating Substance Use Disorders, Dr. Cox is one of the leading pioneers in the country responsible for developing an innovative, non-residential treatment and rehabilitation program focused on improving brain health. Her Professional and Executive Rehab Program (PERP) applies a patented set of evidence-based and evidence-informed treatment modalities to address substance use and co-occurring disorders. The program was designed for those looking for a high level of privacy, discretion and convenience to maintain their professional and personal responsibilities while providing the most up-to-date treatments available to address addiction as a brain disease. Being the first IOP of its kind nationally, Synapse is setting a new bar for 21st century addiction treatment. Acquiring a fit and healthy brain is perhaps the new Holy Grail for recovery.
Supply Chain Now Radio brought to you by APICS Atlanta and TalentStream.
Sandra MacQuillan serves as Chief Supply Chain Officer for Kimberly-Clark, where she leads company’s global supply chain, with responsibility for procurement, logistics, manufacturing, quality, safety, and sustainability. Sandra brings extensive experience in procurement, technology and engineering to Kimberly-Clark, and has lived and worked in the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.She joined Kimberly-Clark in 2015 from Mars Incorporated, where she served from 2009 to 2015 as global vice president, supply chain and was responsible for manufacturing, engineering and logistics for Global Petcare, a $15 billion business. Sandra earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with honors from the University of Greenwich, U.K. and was awarded Chartered/Engineer status from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, London. She is a Royal Society of Arts Fellow and an Institute of Mechanical Engineers Fellow. In addition to her role at Kimberly-Clark, Sandra serves on the SCM World Executive Advisory Board and the LEAD Advisory Board. Follow Sandra MacQuillan on LinkedIn here.
Amy Gray serves as HR Director for Global Supply Chain at Kimberly-Clark. Amy has served in a variety of HR-related roles at K-C over the last 12 years, to include HR Business Partner and HR Project Leader. Amy is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University and holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) credential from the Human Resource Certification Institute. Follow Amy Gray on LinkedIn here.
Claire Ughetto serves as Senior Director of Supply Chain Strategy & Transformation at Kimberly-Clark. Prior to this role, Claire has served as Global I.E. Director for Wrigley and Global Customer Supply Chain Director for Mars, amongst other roles. Claire earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.Follow Claire Ughetto on LinkedIn here.
Will Haraway is Founder & Lead Evangelist at Backbeat Marketing. Will has 20 years of executive experience in B2B Technology Marketing. Will is a certified analyst relations practitioner by the Knowledge Capital Group and has helped companies including Manhattan Associates, Aptos, Atlantix Global Systems, American Software and Rubicon Global improve their brand reputations with marketing results that help increase sales. Will also serves as a member of the APICS Atlanta Executive Advisory Board. The Backbeat team includes lead generation, digital marketing, media relations and content marketing specialists with a combined 50 years of experience in their chosen disciplines. Connect with Will on LinkedIn and learn more about Backbeat Marketing here: www.backbeatmarketing.com
Ben Harris is Director of Supply Chain Ecosystem Expansion for the Metro Atlanta Chamber. Ben comes to the Metro Atlanta Chamber after serving as Senior Manager, Market Development for Manhattan Associates. There, Ben was responsible for developing Manhattan’s sales pipeline and overall Americas supply chain marketing strategy. Ben oversaw market positioning, messaging and campaign execution to build awareness and drive new pipeline growth. Prior to joining Manhattan, Ben spent four years with the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Center of Innovation for Logistics where he played a key role in establishing the Center as a go-to industry resource for information, support, partnership building, and investment development. Additionally, he became a key SME for all logistics and supply chain-focused projects. Ben began his career at Page International, Inc. where he drove continuous improvement in complex global supply chain operations for a wide variety of businesses and Fortune 500 companies. An APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Ben holds an Executive Master’s degree in Business Administration (EMBA) and bachelor’s degree in International Business (BBA) from the Terry College at the University of Georgia. Connect with Ben on LinkedIn and learn more about the Metro Atlanta Chamber here: www.metroatlantachamber.com
Scott W. Luton is founder of Supply Chain Now Radio and also serves as Managing Partner for TalentStream. 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 currently serves as Executive Vice President of APICS Atlanta and was also named to the 2018 Georgia Logistics Summit Executive Committee. He is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and holds the APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) 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. Connect with Scott Luton on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter at @ScottWLuton. He can also be reached by email. Learn more about WBENC-certified TalentStream here, a leading recruiting & staffing firm that helps companies find top talent in the Engineering, Manufacturing and Supply Chain space.: www.talentstreamstaffing.com
Supply Chain Now Radio brought to you by APICS Atlanta and TalentStream.
David Landsman leads the SAP Ariba Discovery organization and serves as Global Vice President & General Manager. For over 15 years he has been connecting companies at the exact moment they need each other. He has helped companies achieve cost savings, break into new markets and drive new business leveraging e-commerce marketplaces. Since joining SAP Ariba, Landsman directed the reconstruction of both the buyer and supplier adoption teams driving record growth in marketplace adoption. Landsman is extremely passionate about emerging technology and start-ups. Between First Index & MFG.com Landsman has over 10 years of experience at VC funded companies that raised, in aggregate, close to $100 million dollars. With over a decade in leadership, Landsman has been a champion of diversity and inclusion. He has a deeply held belief that different backgrounds bring different perspectives and different perspectives lead to innovation. As a thought leader in the supply chain space and connecting companies, Landsman has been invited to speak at the National Institute of Standards & Technology (N.I.S.T) on matters of supplier discovery, strategic sourcing and taxonomic science. Landsman is widely followed on the subjects of leadership, manufacturing & supply chain and can be reached via Twitter @DavidILandsman. Also, connect with David on LinkedIn and learn more about SAP Ariba Discovery at www.aribadiscovery.com
Some people talk about cutting-edge technology, others actively engage in it… Linda Goetze, MEd., has been actively engaged in blockchain technology for over six years and currently serves as President of the Blockchain Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber’s mission is to raise awareness and facilitate adoption of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies through education and improvements in the consumer experience. Mensan and mother of twins, Linda enjoys golf, pickleball and volleyball when she’s not busy connecting with blockchain businesses around the world or sharing her passion for BloomInTheDark.org – her favorite charity. Connect with Linda on LinkedIn and learn more about the BlockChain Chamber of Commerce at www.blockchainchamber.org
Roger Dunkin is Co-Founder and Vice President, Product and Development with Riskonnect. He is a worldwide leader in risk management technology solutions, with more than 20 years of experience serving global organizations and providing solutions that directly and positively affect the bottom line. In his role, Dunkin is responsible for creating and launching innovative, scalable solutions to address challenges in the management of risk facing key global industries. Prior to joining Riskonnect in January 2010, Dunkin served as Chief Operating Officer of Shelter Island Risk Services, a risk technology consultant firm, previously a division of Arthur J. Gallagher and Co. He is the author of Risk Management Reporting Best Practices Guide and Risk Management Data Quality Strategies. He earned his undergraduate degree in Computer Sciences from Berry College. Connect with Roger on LinkedIn and follow Riskonnect on Twitter at @Riskonnect.
Ashley Liebke is President & CEO at Vision Media Group and is an innovative digital marketing and strategy leader with two decades of business development experience. Over the last five years she has become a noted leader in retail supply chain optimization and digital consumer experience – – and is connecting the dots for businesses looking to optimize their cloud platforms for today’s on demand economy. Ashley collaborates with partners and customers to publicize how unified customer experience with store operations, distributed order management and supply chain optimization can drive growth for US and global businesses. In previous roles, Ashley has served as Vice President of Marketing with Deposco and Acting Director/Marketing Manager with UPS. Ashley earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Economy from Tulane University, as well as an MBA from Georgia State University. Recently, she co-founded Epic Taste, a blog that delivers mouth-watering imagery and reviews of the finest food, beverages, tables, places, chefs in Atlanta. Connect with Ashley Liebke on LinkedIn and learn more about Epic Taste here: http://www.epic-taste.com/
Scott W. Luton is founder of Supply Chain Now Radio and also serves as Managing Partner for TalentStream. 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 currently serves as Executive Vice President of APICS Atlanta and was named to the 2018 Georgia Logistics Summit Executive Committee. He is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and holds the APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) 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. Connect with Scott Luton on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter at @ScottWLuton. He can also be reached by email. Learn more about WBENC-certified TalentStream here, a leading recruiting & staffing firm that helps companies find top talent in the Engineering, Manufacturing and Supply Chain space.: www.talentstreamstaffing.com
