Dekalb Chamber of Commerce Archives

DeKalb Business Today – December 2, 2015

December 2, 2015 by mattholmes

Dekalb Business Radio

DeKalb Business Today - December 2, 2015

00:00 /

On a special edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes sits down to talk about the future of commerce in DeKalb with two of the top business leaders in the county. Al Edwards shares his perspective as a longtime DeKalb resident and business owner. Ray Gilley reflects on his first year heading up operations at the Decide DeKalb Development Authority and looks at some of the keys to attracting more business to the county.

Albert Edwards/Founder & Managing Director of CERM, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

Albert Edwards is the Founder and Managing Director of Corporate Environmental Risk Management, LLC (CERM), a regional engineering, environmental and program management firm that provides vast services for some of Atlanta’s premier institutions, including MARTA, Georgia Power, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Atlanta Beltline and many others.

Mr. Edwards chairs CERM’s Management Committee and provides day-to-day leadership and strategic direction to the firm’s business management, project delivery and client management functions. Mr. Edwards has more than 20 years of experience in the environmental and engineering industry in assisting organizations managing of environmental, engineering, infrastructure and capital projects throughout the United States.

He is heavily involved in the greater Atlanta region community, serving as the Chairman of the Board of the DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Regulatory Fairness Board of Directors; Georgia Piedmont Technical Colleges Foundation’s Trustee Board and Camp of Champions Board of Advisors. Mr. Edwards has been honored with the Georgia Governor’s Small Business Award of Excellence Award, the Georgia Mentor Protégé Connection Eagle Award, COMTO Transportation Trail Blazer and the DeKalb Chamber Apex Small Business of the Year Award, among many other community service and business acknowledgments.

Ray Gilley/President of the Decide DeKalb Development Authority

As President of the Decide DeKalb Development Authority, Ray Gilley leads a professional staff and works with his board and partners to deliver comprehensive economic development services designed to increase high wage jobs, capital investment and diversify the DeKalb economy.

“Decide DeKalb will continue to develop and cultivate the industries of advanced manufacturing, logistics, professional and business services, as well as support trades, tourism and life sciences throughout DeKalb County,” said Ray Gilley. “These represent healthy industries in our country so we will create an environment in our region that allows for synergistic growth.”

He was formerly Chief Executive Officer at Solodev, a leading provider of content management software that enables organizations to easily manage and maximize their online presence. Ray worked with his Solodev team to provide secure and scalable online solutions for clients in diverse industries, including healthcare, government and enterprise corporations. Previously, Ray was Executive Council Director for TWsquared, a leading regional PR & marketing firm. He served as President of Metro Orlando EDC where he and his team produced 41,300 announced high wage jobs and $2.69 billion in capital investment from 2001 through 2010. They marketed Orlando internationally and focused on economic diversification and consistently attracted innovative industries to Central Florida, including the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute. Ray’s leadership resulted in the retention and expansion of major employers including Lockheed Martin, Darden Restaurants, EA Sports and JetBlue.

Ray also served 15 years in professional and executive roles in the electric utility industry with Progress/Duke Energy. He is currently a board of trustee member at University of Central Florida and the International Economic Development Council. Other former boards include Florida TaxWatch, BBVA Compass Central Market, Orlando Health, Leesburg Regional Medical Center. He is past chair of Workforce Florida and the Florida Economic Development Council.

DADC Mission

The Development Authority of DeKalb County is charged with bringing prosperity to DeKalb County through stimulating new investment, expanding existing industry and developing sustainable economic strategies for balanced growth in every DeKalb community through the following services:

Loan and Grant Programs.
Business and Film Site Selection Services.
Business Recruiting and Retention.
Business Start-up Assistance and Capacity Building.
Incentive Programs.
International Business Facilitation.

The DADC works closely with local and state wide governments, including Workforce Development, DeKalb-based Chambers of Commerce, business associations, utility companies, colleges and universities, large private sector employers, as well as neighborhood and community groups. Through collaboration with local governments, businesses and citizens we can expand DeKalb’s economy, strengthen our tax base, support local businesses and create an IDEAL DeKalb!

DeKalb Business Today – October 15, 2015

October 15, 2015 by mattholmes

Dekalb Business Radio

DeKalb Business Today - October 15, 2015

00:00 /

On a special Thursday edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes does a quarterly catch-up with DeKalb Chamber of Commerce president Katerina Taylor. In the interview, Taylor weighs in on the latest corruption allegations in the county, the future of embattled Interim CEO Lee May and what it will take to finalize an agreement between the county and Atlanta United FC to bring the headquarters of Major League Soccer’s 21st franchise to the proposed site off Memorial Drive.

Katerina Taylor/President of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

Katerina Taylor has been a part of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce for almost three years. In September 2014 she became the Chamber’s first woman president and CEO in its 77-year history. She’s a 15-year banking veteran and a strong advocate for community and business. Her goal is to re-educate the DeKalb community on why the Chamber is so critical for growth and progress in DeKalb.

DeKalb Business Today – “DeKalb Chamber Golf Tournament”

September 8, 2015 by mattholmes

Dekalb Business Radio

DeKalb Business Today - "DeKalb Chamber Golf Tournament"

00:00 /

On a very special edition of DeKalb Business Today, hosts Matt Holmes and Jason Becknell take you to the 11th annual DeKalb Chamber of Commerce golf tournament at historic Druid Hills Golf Club. Some of the top business leaders from in and around DeKalb County spent their day on August 31 hacking away, all to raise money for the Chamber’s efforts to grow and foster business in DeKalb.

Here is a list of business leaders we caught up with at the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament:

Katerina Taylor, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

John Kelley, Georgia Power

Ray Gilley, Development Authority of DeKalb County

Al Edwards, CERM

Adrienne White, Center for Civil and Human Rights

Neca Smith, AidevO People Consulting

Thele Moore, American Family Insurance

Dan Bell, Discover DeKalb

Bridget Lewis, Workplace Learning Solutions

Nancy Jester, DeKalb County District 1 Commissioner

Margaret Mason Tate McIntyre, Intown Doula

Monica Selden, Selden Enterprises

Jim McMahan, DeKalb County School Board and McMahan Mortgage

Terrell Patton, Keller Williams Realty

Michael Shields, Surge 365

Fred Daniels, Citizens Trust Bank

Otis Threat, Lieneur

DeKalb Business Today “Lunch Hour” – July 24, 2015

July 24, 2015 by mattholmes

Dekalb Business Radio

DeKalb Business Today "Lunch Hour" - July 24, 2015

00:00 / 00:29:01

On the latest edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes looks at the importance of bookkeeping to local businesses. Dwayne Belle and Bianca Crawford from Decatur’s ACC Business Services join the show to talk about the accounting and payroll services they offer. Plus, Laura Vandewiele from Young Rembrandts stops by to talk about the work she’s doing in local schools to expand children’s brains through art.

Dwayne Belle/CEO, ACC Business Services

Dwayne Belle is a native Texan. He has been practicing accounting for 25+ years. He has a BA in Business Administration and an MBA in Accounting and Financial Management. Dwayne is truly a “numbers” kind of guy! He is serious about his work and providing his clients with World Class Service.

Bianca Crawford/Business Development Manager, ACC Business Services

Bianca Crawford has lived in Atlanta for 10 years and has a BA in Communications. Bianca is a “connector” by natural trade. Meeting and networking with other like-minded business professionals is truly her gift. She is responsible for attracting new business clients to ACC Business Services and providing the business with Public Relations Management.

Laura Vandewiele/Owner, Young Rembrandts of North Fulton and DeKalb

Young Rembrandts is an award winning drawing program for children ages 4 – 12. The drawing classes are taught at local elementary schools and recreation centers across the United States and Canada. Young Rembrandts uses a step-by-step methodology that teaches students the technical skills of drawing. This method of directed drawing allows students to draw increasingly complex images and ensures that every child is a creative success.

Laura Vandewiele owns the local Young Rembrandts franchise serving Fulton and Dekalb Counties. Laura’s background is in education, but since starting Young Rembrandts in 2012, she finds that owning a business is a great fit for her. She is passionate about helping kids develop their drawing skills and discovering their own creativity.

DeKalb Business Today – July 24, 2015

July 24, 2015 by mattholmes

Dekalb Business Radio

DeKalb Business Today - July 24, 2015

00:00 /

On this edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes looks at the role technology plays in our corporate culture. Keith Drew of Morse Communications and Joshua Gerber from Digital Agent join the show to discuss how their companies are helping businesses large and small to stay up to speed in an ever changing technological world. Plus, Decatur attorney Douglas Park stops by to explain his work in small business and trademark law and Dr. Shanesha Brooks-Tatum of Creative Research Solutions discusses how she’s helping companies to re-examine their futures.

Keith Drew/Director of Sales, Morse Communications

As a leader in Unified Communications (UC), Keith Drew has evaluated thousands of businesses, their communications needs, and designed UC solutions to improve their organizations as they seek to meet their goals and objectives in an ever-changing business environment; transforming businesses within the global/internet-connected economy. This process is the concept of Transforming Businesses through Process Innovation–blending people and technology; making companies more effective, more efficient, and thereby more profitable. After having worked with four manufacturers in the telecom industry, Keith now brings this expertise to Atlanta as Director of Sales for Morse Communications, so together they can help your business find the same transformation through improved communications.

Dr. Shanesha Brooks-Tatum/Vice President, Creative Research Solutions

Dr. Shanesha Brooks-Tatum is Vice President of Creative Research Solutions, LLC, a research and evaluation firm located in DeKalb County. Creative Research Solutions was founded in 2009 by Dr. Brooks-Tatum and Dr. Travis Tatum. Their firm’s results-driven approach measures and documents their clients’ impact, maximizes clients’ resources and enables them to tap into new sectors.

In 2014, Creative Research Solutions received the Shining Star Award from the National Association of Women-Owned Small Businesses (NAWOSB). Creative Research Solutions is the 2015 Business of the Year, Community Workforce Award Recipient from the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Brooks-Tatum was a recent Scholar-in-Residence at Agnes Scott College (2012-2014), a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow at Emory University in 2014, and a Fulbright-Hays Fellow in Brazil in 2013. She is also Founder and Chair of the National Annual Black Women’s Life Balance and Wellness Conference, convening its 5th conference this September.

Douglas Park/President, Douglas Park Law

Doug Park focuses his practice on providing transactional legal services to small businesses in the Atlanta metropolitan area. His services include entity formation, corporate governance, trademarks, mergers and acquisitions and exempt securities offerings. He has practiced law for over a decade and has previously worked for the Atlanta office of an international law firm and as in-house counsel for a public company.

Mr. Park graduated magna cum laude from Wake Forest School of Law and he also had a Master of Laws degree in Tax from the University of Alabama.

Joshua Gerber/Sr. Sales Executive, Digital Agent

Joshua Gerber is the Senior Sales Executive for Digital Agent, LLC. He’s been with the company for over six years and he’s responsible for closing and managing most of the firm’s largest accounts. Joshua is a Grant Park resident, graduate of Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business and an active member of Atlanta’s business community. Joshua is a sailor, home brewer and a motorcycle enthusiast. He and his wife are expecting their first child this December.

DeKalb Business Today – July 10, 2015

July 8, 2015 by mattholmes

Dekalb Business Radio

DeKalb Business Today - July 10, 2015

00:00 /

On this edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes welcomes CSR Computers General Manager Scott Rippy as well as Nikki Foreman from the DeKalb Chamber Young Professionals group. We also take a look at DeKalb County’s newest business – organic food retailer Earth Fare – which just opened its doors Wednesday at Emory Point.

Scott Rippy/CSR Computers General Manager

Scott is the Executive Vice President of CSR Smarttech LLC and General Manager of CSR Computers, a retail computer store specializing in Home and Business IT Solutions. He is a Microsoft Certified Professional with over 25 years industry experience as a senior technology and business consultant.

Scott has over 16 years’ experience in supporting the technical needs of small businesses with emphasis on Security and OS configuration, DNS, Group Policy, hardware support, storage, and raid methodologies. He has strong knowledge of the Small Business Server Suite.

He currently supports dozens of small- to medium-sized businesses remotely monitoring established network infrastructures and implementing changes as needed to maintain a secure and efficient network. He performs preventive maintenance and develops technical installation work plans, as well as implementing network and software upgrades and modifications. He also provides data backup and recovery, quality assurance reviews, and accurate risk assessment, while building and maintaining PCs and the functionality/security of virtual private networks (VPNs).

He is skilled in managing local and wide area network connectivity through maintenance and troubleshooting of routers, switches, hubs, network cards, and dial-up networking with 20+ years of break fix and server experience within a LAN environment through proactive LAN administration roles. He has system architecture design (LAN and WAN) experience, as well as strong knowledge of implementing and utilizing remote network management and monitoring tools (LAN Desk, WebEx, Microsoft RDP).

Scott serves on the Board of Directors of the Tucker Business Association and is a member of the Tucker Day 2015 and Friends of Kelley Cofer Park Planning Committees.

Certifications: MCSA, MSDST, MCP, A+, Network + Lexmark, HP, Dell, IBM, Compaq

Nikki Forman/DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Chairperson

Nikki Forman is the new Chairperson of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals organization. Professionally, Nikki serves on the DeKalb Medical Marketing Communications team, where she manages internal strategic communications to engage and align more than 4,000 employees and physicians in over 20 locations around the goals of the organization.

She has major responsibility for counseling the CEO and members of the senior leadership team in excellent communications practice and in positively positioning the DeKalb Medical brand both internally and externally. Earlier this year, Nikki was recognized by the DeKalb Chamber as their 2014 Ambassador of the Year for her volunteer service to the organization.

Nikki is the oldest child of two retired Army colonels who served our country for more than 50 years collectively and has had the opportunity to live around the United States and abroad, but has found the most satisfaction since moving to Atlanta. She is passionate about the opportunity to serve young professionals in DeKalb County and looks forward to seeing DCYP grow and thrive.

Amanda Arnet/Earth Fare

Founded in 1975 in Asheville, North Carolina, Earth Fare is the authentic organic and natural healthy grocery store with 37 locations across the Southeast, mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Their full-service philosophy incorporates the highest food Quality Standards in the industry with compelling value, friendly and knowledgeable service, and a superior customer experience.

They opened their newest Earth Fare location on July 8 at Emory Point in Decatur.

Chamber Roundtable Radio Show! Spotlighting Presidents and CEO’s From 18 Chambers of Commerce – Buckhead Business Radio

July 1, 2015 by Rich Casanova

“Chamber Roundtable Radio Show”

Spotlighting Presidents and CEO’s From 18 Chambers of Commerce

Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce

Hans Appen, President & CEO

Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce

Casey Dudek, President & CEO

Buckhead Coalition

Sam Massell, President

Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce

Pamela Carnes, President & CEO

Cobb Chamber of Commerce

David Connell,President & CEO

Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce

James McCoy, President & CEO

DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

Katerina Taylor, Interim President

Douglas County Chamber of Commerce

Kali Boatright, President & CEO

Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce

Beth Summers, Executive Director

Georgia Chamber

Chris Clark, President & CEO

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Brandon Beach, President & CEO

Henry County Chamber of Commerce

David Gill, President & CEO

Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce

John Bemont, President

Metro Atlanta Chamber

Hala Moddelmog, President & CEO

Midtown Alliance

Kevin Green,President & CEO

Paulding Chamber of Commerce

Carolyn Wright, President & CEO

Sandy Springs Chamber of Commerce

Tom Mahaffey, President & CEO

South Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Dyan Matthews, President & CEO

Stay tuned for upcoming show schedules etc.

DeKalb Business Today – July 2, 2015

June 30, 2015 by mattholmes

Dekalb Business Radio

DeKalb Business Today - July 2, 2015

00:00 /

On the inaugural episode of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes looks at the state of business affairs across DeKalb with three of the county’s top business minds.

Katerina Taylor/DeKalb Chamber of Commerce President & CEO

Ann Rosenthal/Tucker-Northlake CID President

Ann Rosenthal was named President of the Tucker-Northlake Community Improvement District in August of 2013 after serving as a member of its formation committee, spearheading the governmental affairs process. Less than a year later, she successfully led the annexation of the Northlake area commercial district into the CID. Ann lives in Tucker with her husband and has called DeKalb County home for more than 20 years. In addition to Ann’s duties as President of the CID, she is also President of ARC, Inc., a governmental affairs consulting firm. She is a 2000 graduate of Leadership DeKalb and 2003 graduate of Leadership Georgia. Ann is an active member of the community and among the many organizations she works with, she serves on the board of People to People International and is a member of the Stone Mountain Rotary.

Vaughn Irons/APD Solutions CEO & Development Authority of DeKalb County Chairman

Vaughn D. Irons is the CEO of APD Solutions, a national community economic development firm providing Advisory, Program Management and Development Services. Under his leadership, APDS has been acknowledged with a Pacesetter Award by the Atlanta Business Chronicle in 2012 for Top Privately Held Company in Metro Atlanta, growing APDS by 1193% in his first 3 years. Irons has also been personally Awarded the 2014 CEO of the Year by the Georgia Business Council in conjunction with the Atlanta Business Journal.

Prior to APD Solutions, Mr. Irons served for nearly 12 years at Freddie Mac most recently as National Director of Housing & Community Investment. During that tenure he led a team tasked with assisting Freddie Mac’s customers in developing solutions to their community’s housing finance needs. Mr. Irons was also responsible for the oversight of activities and initiatives that involved minority lending, community development lending, homeownership counseling and Gulf Coast rebuilding activities post-Katrina. Previously Irons has held leadership positions at Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Atlanta, Fulton County Government, Onondaga County Government and Fleet Bank of New York.

Mr. Irons is very involved in community-based issues where he serves as Chairman of the Economic Development Authority of DeKalb County, Georgia. Irons is also on the Board of the National Association of Homebuilders, Leadership DeKalb, Women’s Resource Center Against Domestic Violence, the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, the Rockstone Foundation, Neighborhood Housing Services of New Orleans and YMCA of South DeKalb.

Mr. Irons holds a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Maryland, and undergraduate degree in Urban Policy from Syracuse University. Irons also has graduate-level certifications in Real Estate Development from University of Southern California and Housing/Community Development from the University of Maryland College Park. Irons also holds the designation of Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), Qualified Home Inspector (AQHI) and Comprehensive Housing Counselor(CHC).

DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Special Edition: John Hill with Citizens Trust Bank and Lee Jordan with Robins, Eskew, Smith & Jordan, CPA’s

September 6, 2012 by rhondachale

Atlanta Business Radio

DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Special Edition: John Hill with Citizens Trust Bank and Lee Jordan with Robins, Eskew, Smith & Jordan, CPA's

00:00 /

Today’s show is a DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Special Edition highlighting their Small Business Capacity Building Series for entrepreneurs.

John R. Hill/Citizens Trust Bank

John Hill, Business Banking Relationship Manager & Portfolio Specialist with the Commercial Banking Division of Citizens Trust Bank, is a 1996 graduate of Morehouse College with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration (Finance concentration). He has more than 15 years in commercial banking experience and has held management roles for major banking firms such as Merrill Lynch, Wachovia and Lehman Brothers.

John is currently a commercial lender at Citizens Trust Bank (CTB) in Atlanta. CTB is one of the largest minority-owned banks in the country with close $400 million in assets.

Lee R. Jordan, CPA/Robins, Eskew, Smith & Jordan, CPA’s

Lee Jordan is a CPA and a Partner in the local accounting firm of Robins, Eskew, Smith & Jordan. His firm is a full service accounting firm here in Atlanta with 4 offices, 8 partners and 40 staff professionals. They specialize in meeting the needs of small businesses and individuals in the area of tax, accounting and consulting.