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Past EventsPlease click on the date for more Event Details
On February 16, 2010 we spent an evening with Alvin C. Miles, MBA, Director, Executive MBA Programs, Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University.
Alvin C.
Miles is a native of Lake Charles, La, and he recently retired from AT&T
with over 30 years of business experience. Effective June 1, 2009; His
assignment is the Director of the Executive MBA Program and Instructor
of Management in the Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State
University. His home academic department will be the Department of
Management and Entrepreneurship.
On January 29, 2010 we spent an evening with Brian Cork, Principal of brian cork Human Capital™ who discussed "Bad business is good for everyone else. But, good business works best for me!".
Our guest speaker this month is Brian Cork. Mr. Cork has been a highly successful executive and entrepreneur; is a popular speaker; Professional Athlete; and, an accomplished Executive and Business Coach.
On December 15, 2009 we spent an evening with Joey Asher, President of Speechworks, who discussed "How to Look and Sound Like a Leader, Organize a Message that Will Connect with Listeners and Deliver the Message in a way that will inspire confidence".
Joey Asher is a professional
communication and selling skills coach who has worked with executives,
managers, and salespeople at dozens of firms including The Home Depot,
Georgia Pacific, Global Payments, The Weather Channel, UPS,
Kimberly-Clark, Alston & Bird, PricewaterhouseCoopers, AMVESCAP, Verizon,
Scientific-Atlanta and Kurt Salmon Associates.
On November 17, 2009 we spent an evening with Mary Norwood, Atlanta City Councilwoman, as she discussed "Why the City of Atlanta Matters.'"
The Metro Region has expanded
to more than 5 million people in more than 15 counties. So, why should
the City of Atlanta with just 500,000 be so important to everyone in the
metro Atlanta Area? Come meet Councilwoman Mary Norwood and learn why we
all have an interest in the City. Mary Norwood is a long time resident,
passionate about the City of Atlanta and has a broad and deep record of
hands on involvement and commitment to civic improvement. She personally
brings strong business credentials, energy and integrity to her current
role on the Atlanta City Council. Through more than a decade of
community activism, Mary has developed expertise in environmental,
preservation, zoning, traffic, public safety, housing and homeless
issues. In her years as an activist prior to her election to Atlanta
City Council, citywide, she lobbied for over 60 issues and had a 98%
track record of success.
On October 20, 2009 we spent an evening with Dr. Raymond Hill, Assistant Professor in the Practice of Finance, Goizueta Business School, Emory University, for "An Economist Tries to Make Sense Out of the Health Care 'Discussion.'"
Raymond Hill joined
Goizueta Business School in 2003 and teaches managerial economics and
finance. Hill began his academic career by teaching economics at
Princeton University, before leaving in 1982 to become an investment
banker with Lehman Brothers. His work at Lehman included a seven year
stay in Hong Kong as managing director of its investment banking
business in Asia outside of Japan. Hill returned to his native Georgia
in 1993 and worked for ten years at Mirant Corporation and its
predecessor, a subsidiary of Southern Company. During that time he
served as the company’s chief financial officer, except for an eighteen
month stint as a CEO of one of the largest independent power companies
in Asia, which was owned by Southern.
Some useful reading on the “big” health care issues.
On September 15, 2009 we spent an evening with Michael Young, President & Chief Executive Officer, Grady Health System, as he discussed, "What you need to know about the reform that has been taking place at Grady Hospital."
Michael A.
Young brings more than 25 years of health-care industry leadership to
Grady Health System where he joined the health system as President/CEO
on Sept. 2, 2008.
On August 18, 2009 we spent an evening with Dr. Paul J. Voss, President of Ethikos, Associate Professor at Georgia State University, and a lecturer in the UGA's Terry College of Business's Leadership Development Series as he presented Leadership Essentials. Leadership does not exist in a vacuum. Leadership requires action, business judgment, integrity, and consistency. Today, more than ever, the current business climate will require such attributes in leaders of all types, and at all levels. This workshop will examine the core concepts of leadership and examine the way leaders, past and present, shape culture and organizational success. Dr. Paul Voss will lead a highly interactive discussion on what some of the greatest thinkers in history (Aristotle, Plato, Socrates, Dante, Shakespeare) said about leadership, and how their insights relate to leadership today. Participants will examine the five levels of thinking and relating—and the five possible ways we can demonstrate leadership. Participants will also be asked to debate Machiavelli's famous question: “Is it better to be loved or feared?” Dr. Paul J. Voss is President of Ethikos and an Associate Professor at
Georgia State University. A gifted public speaker and award-winning
teacher, Dr. Voss teaches courses on Shakespeare, Dante, Machiavelli,
Business Ethics, Renaissance Literature, and the History of the Book. He
publishes on a wide variety of topics (for both academic audiences and
for the popular press) and regularly appears on television and radio
programs.
On July 21, 2009 we spent an evening with Harsha V. Agadi and Church’s Chicken. Mr. Agadi is President & Chief Executive Officer of
Church’s Chicken in Atlanta, Georgia. His focus over the last 20 years
has been in the restaurant industry with Private Equity Partnerships. Mr. Agadi serves on the Board of Directors of Church’s Chicken, Inc., Board of Visitors of Fuqua School of Business – Duke University and the Board of Trustees of the Agadi College of Engineering.
On June 16, 2009 we spent an evening with Tim Blumentritt, Assistant Professor of Management at Kennesaw State University and Director of the Coles College MBA Programs, as he presented "Advance Degrees Advance Your Career: How your MBA/Business Education Really Does Make You SMARTER!" Please click here to download the presentation.
Tim Blumentritt is an Assistant Professor of Management at Kennesaw
State University and Director of the Coles College MBA Programs. He has
also served as the Director of the Coles College International Center
and Director of Coles College Online Programs. His has a Ph.D. in
International Business from the University of South Carolina, a MBA in
Finance from the University of Minnesota, and a B.B.A. in Finance from
the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
On May 19, 2009 we spent an evening with Wendy Kinney, as she shared research on the difference between making a sale and generating a referral.
This was a special event with referral marketing expert Wendy Kinney as she explored the effectiveness of different client generating strategies and explained how referral-based marketing systems are different and why that difference delivers such powerful and profitable results.
For more than a decade, Wendy Kinney has given sales people and entrepreneurs the tools they need to build their businesses through referral-based marketing.
In 1995, she opened the Atlanta office of PowerCore, the most effective referral network in America. Today, PowerCore Atlanta has 44 teams and over 700 members who understand the power of referral marketing and use it to their advantage.
She is passionate about referral-based marketing, because she knows it works. Wendy delivers customized training courses, facilitates work sessions, and presents keynote addresses for meeting planners who want to add more interactivity to their events. Some of her clients include Philips Lifeline, ChoicePoint, Regions Bank, Barfield, Murphy, Shank and Smith, Project Management Institute, and Smartwork|Network.
On April 21, 2009 we spent an evening with Roger K. Quillen, Chairman & Managing Partner of Fisher & Phillips LLP as he discussed “2009 Ushers in Many Important Changes to Workplace Laws - Are You Ready for the Changes and Challenges?" 2009 brings important changes to labor and employment laws and regulations. Join Roger Quillen as he discusses why employers must be prepared to deal with the New Family and Medical Leave Act Regulations, the potential passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, along with other "Big Labor" initiatives, the RESPECT Act, the Fair Pay Act, and the amended Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act. Roger will address these issues along with other important workplace legislative initiatives. About the Speaker Roger K. Quillen is the chairman and managing partner of Fisher & Phillips LLP a law firm representing employers nationally in labor, employment, civil rights, employee benefits, and immigration matters. With headquarters in Atlanta, the firm has 225 attorneys in 21 offices. Click here for website. Roger’s practice involves litigation covering a wide range of employment discrimination issues, employee welfare benefit plans, the Railway Labor Act and issues arising before the NLRB and the EEOC. His special emphasis is in federal appellate litigation. He has received repeat recognition as a "Georgia Super Lawyer," a member of Georgia's "Legal Elite" and is listed in “The Best Lawyers in America.” Roger earned his law degree from The Ohio State University College of Law. He holds an M.S. from Purdue University and a B.S. and a B.A. from Ohio State.
On March 24, 2009 we spent an evening with Brandon Smith of Core Growth Partners, LLC as he discussed “Personal Growth and the Meaningful Life… in Uncertain Times.” In today’s turbulent environment, it is more important than ever to remain focused on growth and on defining your “highest and best” use. Join Brandon Smith as he will discuss how those objectives can be achieved today despite the pressures to settle for what is easy or safe. Brandon will share his experiences with clients ranging from high potentials to senior executives and the secrets they have discovered as they have struggled to answer some of life’s most challenging questions. In addition, participants will leave equipped with frameworks and processes to assist in defining their growth plan as well as tactics that can be employed in today’s challenging environment. About the Speaker Brandon Smith is a cofounder of Core Growth Partners, LLC, an executive coaching and strategy consulting firm. Brandon has worked with clients representing such notable organizations as: Chick-fil-A, The Coca-Cola Company, McKinsey & Co., The Home Depot, Goldman Sachs, Procter & Gamble, Morgan Stanley, Emory University, IBM, and Bank of America. Prior to forming Core Growth Partners, Brandon worked for AEGON (NYSE: AEG), a global insurance and financial services provider. While at AEGON, Brandon managed the training and business development arm for North American financial institution clients. Brandon received an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University with a concentration in communications and team dynamics. His graduate work includes an M.S. in counseling from Georgia State University as well as an M.B.A. from Emory University's Goizueta Business School. Brandon also serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Practice of Management Communications at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.
On Tuesday February 17, 2009 we spent an evening with Mike Esposito, Director of Associate Relations, The Home Depot, as he discussed, “Why you Can, and Should, Become a Connector.” The meeting handouts are available for download: presentation notes and the article "Do You Know Any Recruiters". Mike Esposito, Director of Associate Relations for The Home Depot’s Northern Division, discussed career planning and networking from a hiring executive’s perspective during these challenging economic times. Based on his experiences and by incorporating some of the current literature (e.g., by Keith Ferrazzi, Malcolm Gladwell), Mike will discuss how and why every professional can and should become a "connector." The attendees will come to appreciate the importance of connecting with others in and outside their profession and the imperative of doing so within the context of helping others. Mike will share the lessons learned from his career, starting in Human Resources with Exxon Corporation and taking them on his journey through HR, private legal practice, unemployment, a ministry of helping others in transition….all the while developing and utilizing some powerful tools and learnings along the way. Michael Esposito is a native of East Rockaway, New York, having moved to Marietta, GA, from Coral Springs, FL, with his wife Ann (a Registered Yoga Teacher) and two teenage children. He moved to Georgia to join The Home Depot’s Northern Division as its Director of Associate Relations in 2005. Michael’s career started in Human Resources and then migrated to law after he earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Seton Hall University School of Law. He worked in private legal practice and in-house as a labor/employment attorney before serving as the Chief HR Officer for two multi-billion dollar organizations. Michael’s current job allows him to integrate his legal and HR experience to promote positive employee relations to drive performance for a Company generating $25B in sales and boasting of over 700 stores and 100,000 employees. He currently serves on the Alumni Board of The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business and chairs its Networking Committee. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Knights of Columbus, Council 10362, for Transfiguration Church in Marietta. To learn more about Mike please check him out on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldesposito
On Tuesday January 29, 2009 we spent an evening with Dr. Joan Curtis as she presented "Keep that Job! - Communicate Your Way out of Conflict." (Please click here to download a copy of the presentation) Today’s uncertain economy changes the way we look at everything, including our jobs. Last year we might have thought if things didn’t go well in this job, we’d find another. Or, if we didn’t get our anticipated bonuses, we’d just leave. Or, if people didn’t appreciate our work, we’d simply find a job where we’re more appreciated. With unemployment numbers soaring and stable, secure businesses going belly up, our jobs are becoming more valuable. Those of us with jobs are considered the lucky ones. In this environment, how do you keep that job when last year it didn’t seem worth keeping? One way is to deal more effectively with the little annoyances we face daily at work. In essence, today’s economy forces us to look at conflict differently. We can no longer ignore it or run from it, we must deal with it directly. This presentation will introduce you to a way to communicate your way out of conflict. You will gain a new or renewed understanding of how hard it is to keep your job satisfying. You will also learn a practical approach to conflict using the, the Say It Just Right™ Model that will enable you to deal with conflict in a way that keeps your integrity intact and gets you out of the hot seat. Dr. Joan Curtis is a nationally known communications coach. She has over 20 years experience as a trainer and educator. She has taught communication skills and presentation skills to leadership groups throughout the country. With a doctorate in Adult Education and a Master's in Journalism, she has a strong knowledge of what it takes to communicate successfully. She is known as an energetic speaker whose knowledge spans strategic interviewing, dealing with sticky situations, developing powerful presentations, business etiquette and networking, high performance coaching, skills for speaking with confidence, image making, conflict resolution, developing high performance teams, and facilitation skills. Her clients include major corporations as well as colleges and universities throughout North America. Dr. Curtis’s new book: Managing Sticky Situations at Work: Communication Secrets for Success in the Workplace will be released by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt early in 2009 and debuts her proprietary communication model: Say It Just Right. Her landmark text book, Strategic Interviewing: Skills and Tactics for Savvy Executives, provides a communication process for interviewing called POINT. She teaches groups how to interview strategically in order to find the best candidates for their companies. T+D Magazine published her article titled, Engage Me, Please: Readiness Factor in Training Design in November 2008. This is the professional magazine of the American Society of Training and Development. Licensed to administer the Center for Creative Leadership 360’s Dr. Curtis has access to that internationally recognized organization’s vast resources. Dr.
Curtis produces a monthly e-zine: The Savvy Communicator and posts
regularly on the Say It Just Right blog
http://www. Her
website is
http://www.
On Tuesday December 16, 2008 we spent an evening with David Abney, COO of UPS, as he presented, “What's Ahead on Global Street”. (Please click here to download a copy of the presentation) As chief operating officer for UPS, David Abney directs all operations worldwide and a sophisticated global transportation network, including the eighth largest airline in the world. He oversees the pick-up and delivery of 15.8 million packages and documents daily to a service area that includes every address in the United States, as well as to over 200 countries and territories. A native of Greenwood, Miss., Abney received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Delta State University. He began his UPS career in 1974 as a part-time employee loading and unloading packages. Abney has held various positions throughout his UPS career, including division manager in New Jersey and district manager in Utah. He also served as president of SonicAir®, UPS’s same-day delivery service. While president of SonicAir®, Abney was honored with the Professionalism in Services/Support Management Award by the International Association of Services Management for demonstrating exemplary managerial characteristics. Prior to his current position, Abney led UPS’s logistical and freight operations in Canada, Latin America and the United States. He later headed up the global operations of UPS’s freight forwarding and customs brokerage operations. During his tenure, Abney oversaw one of UPS’s largest acquisitions in recent history – the Fritz Companies. He later served as president, UPS International. In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Abney is a Trustee of The UPS Foundation, UPS’s charitable arm. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Air Courier Conference of America and the U.S.-Japan Business Council. Currently, Abney serves on the Board of Directors of the Delta State University Alumni Foundation and the Air Transport Association. He is also a board member of the Southern Center for International Studies and the Coalition of Service Industries.
On Tuesday November 18, 2008 we spent an evening with Robert L. Baxter, Senior Client Partner at Korn/Ferry International as he presented, “What to do When the Headhunter Calls” (Please click here to download a copy of the presentation)
Robert L.Baxter is a Senior Client Partner in
Korn/Ferry International’s Atlanta office.
On Tuesday October 21, 2008 we spent an evening with John R. Seffrin, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of the American Cancer Society. (Please click here to download a copy of the presentation) John Seffrin has been CEO of the American Cancer Society since 1992, but his first encounter with this disease dates to his childhood. His grandmother, who was living with his family at the time, died of cancer when he was only 10 years old. He has since lost his mother to cancer, and his wife of 42 years, Carole, is a breast cancer survivor. Dr. Seffrin has been on the frontlines of the war against cancer for many years, not only as CEO of the American Cancer Society, but also – for many years before that – as one of the Society’s roughly three million volunteers nationwide. Under his leadership, the Society has become the world’s largest voluntary health organization fighting cancer, with a billion dollars in resources to fund cancer research, advocacy, education, and service. During his tenure, Dr. Seffrin has made his organization’s voice heard in legislatures around this country and in forums worldwide. And he has not shied away from a fight, especially if the foe is the tobacco industry. In the political realm, Dr. Seffrin has transformed the world’s largest voluntary cancer-fighting group into one of the world’s most progressive public health organizations. Under his leadership, the American Cancer Society has become a leading advocacy organization, educating lawmakers about health issues and holding them accountable to every American citizen touched by cancer. Dr. Seffrin is active in numerous organizations. He is a past president of the Geneva-headquartered International Union Against Cancer, the first globally-oriented cancer non-governmental organization (NGO). He served as chairman of the board of Independent Sector, the largest coalition of nonprofit groups, and he helped to create the National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids, among his many collaborations and affiliations. In 1999, Dr. Seffrin was selected to be a charter member of C-Change (formerly known as the National Dialogue on Cancer) Steering Committee, which is co-chaired by former President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush. In 1997, he was appointed to the National Cancer Policy Board of the Institute of Medicine, and in 1999, he was appointed by Senator Dianne Feinstein to co-chair the National Cancer Legislation Advisory Committee. He current serves on the Advisory Committee to the Director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a Secretary-level appointment. Dr. Seffrin is a contributing author to more than one dozen books and has written more than 100 articles and other publications. He is an internationally esteemed speaker who has presented more than 100 invited lectures worldwide. Both Ball State University and Purdue University have bestowed honorary doctorates upon him in recognition of his more than three decades of leadership in the worldwide fight against cancer. Prior to being named the American Cancer Society’s top staff executive, Dr. Seffrin served at Indiana University as Professor of Health Education and Chairman of the Department of Applied Health Science.
On Tuesday September 16, 2008 we spent an evening with Jeffrey Rosensweig, Director of the Global Perspectives Program at Goizueta Business School of Emory University, as he discussed "The Economy: What it Means for You." Jeffrey Rosensweig is the Director of the Global Perspectives Program at Goizueta Business School of Emory University. Previously, he served six years as Associate Dean. An international business and finance professor, his research, teaching, and consulting focus is business in the global economy. He also specializes in financial, macroeconomic, and business forecasting. A frequent keynote speaker on topics related to global strategy and economic trends, he was selected seven consecutive years as Keynote International Speaker by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He was named one of “America’s Young Leaders” in 1996 by the Swiss-American Foundation. In January 2000, Dr. Rosensweig was elected to the Council on Foreign Relations. Dr. Rosensweig is often quoted in the national business press. He has appeared nationally on ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT and GOOD MORNING AMERICA, the NBC TODAY SHOW, NBC National Nightly News and NigHTLINE, and frequently as an economic commentator for CNN and CNN Headline News. He has published numerous papers in academic and business journals. His book, Winning the Global Game: A Strategy for Linking People and Profits, received critical acclaim. Pearson Prentice-Hall published his third book, Age Smart, in May 2006. Active in executive education, Dr. Rosensweig received the "Distinguished Educator" award voted by Emory's Executive MBA students during four consecutive years. He won the award for a record sixth time in 2005. BusinessWeek ranks this program sixth in the world and second for Global Business. Dr. Rosensweig received his M.A. and B.A. in economics (summa cum laude) from Yale University and a Ph.D. in economics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Further, he received a master's degree in philosophy, politics, and economics as a result of two years of study at Oxford University as a Marshall Scholar. The British Government has selected him to serve on the Marshall Scholarship Selection Committee for many years, and recently appointed him Chairman for the Southeast. Before Emory, Dr. Rosensweig served as senior global economist in the Research Department of the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank. Other previous experience includes serving as an economic consultant to the Government of Jamaica and teaching international finance at Yale’s School of Management. Elected by the faculty in 1996, Dr. Rosensweig continues to serve as Chairman of Emory University's Center for Ethics. He has also been the Pack Leader for a multicultural group of over 100 Cub Scouts.
On Tuesday August 19, 2008 we spent an evening with AJ Robinson of Central Atlanta Progress, as he discussed “Why Downtown Matters to Atlanta Business.” A.J. Robinson is President of Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID). CAP, a private business association started in 1941, remains one of the most effective advocacy organizations in the city. CAP has created and spun off a number of organizations such as Trees Atlanta, Research Atlanta, COPA, Inc. and the Midtown Alliance. In 1995, CAP created the ADID and the Ambassador Forceâ of downtown to address public safety and cleaning concerns. In his role, he manages the overall strategic functions of the organizations which are designed to make the Downtown Atlanta community more livable, vital and diverse. Key initiatives focus on economic development, planning, public safety, sidewalk environment, transportation, events and overall marketing of Downtown Atlanta. CAP is funded through membership dues and grants from many of Atlanta's major corporations, as well as organizations and foundations committed to the development of downtown. The former President of Portman Holdings, he was responsible for all activities of this multi-dimensional real estate company with offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Shanghai and Warsaw. During his 22-year career with Portman, he managed all aspects of real estate development process, including identification of new opportunities, securing financing, design, construction, marketing, acquisition, property management, and asset management. Various projects included property and asset management of SunTrust Plaza, a $400 million multi-use urban development in the heart of downtown Atlanta. Other assets included the AmericasMart, Atlanta Decorative Arts Center, Westin Charlotte, Westin Warsaw and Shanghai Centre. He had primary responsibility for development of Shanghai Centre, a US$200 million multi-use facility in downtown Shanghai, when completed in 1990 was one of the largest foreign investment projects in the People's Republic of China (PRC). In his over 20-year career with Portman, he worked on projects in China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Egypt, Israel, Austria, Brazil, India, Poland, Russia, Hong Kong, South Africa, the United Kingdom and most major US cities. From June 1980 to January 1981, he participated in the U.S. Department of Commerce's historic creation of China's first business school under the protocol signed by President Jimmy Carter and the Chinese Department of Education. During that time, he researched, wrote and taught case studies in Dalian, China, and traveled extensively throughout the Chinese cities. A 1980 graduate of Harvard School of Business, he received a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. With high distinction, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in June 1977 from Emory University. A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, he is married to Dr. Nicole Ellerine, a pediatrician, and they reside in Atlanta with their twelve-year old daughter, Micaela, ten-year old son, Ethan and eight-year old son, Nathaniel. He has traveled extensively in the U.S. and internationally. His special interests include American history, politics and sports. He was chosen as one of ten Outstanding Young Atlantans in 1986, was a member of the 1991-92 Leadership Atlanta Class, and has published articles in The Wall Street Journal, Asian Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Atlanta Business Chronicle and National Real Estate Investor. His other recognition includes being chosen as one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians by Georgia Trend Magazine in 1992, 2004, 2005, 2006,2007 and 2008; one of Atlanta's Top 40 Power Players by Atlanta Magazine and one of the Most Influential Atlantans by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. His business and civic interest include the following positions: Board of Directors, America’sMart, Inc, American Israel Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. Southeast Region, Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, Greenfield Hebrew Academy, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Regional Business Coalition, The Breman Heritage Museum; Trustee, Marcus Jewish Community Center; Advisory Board, Novare Group, Inc.
On Tuesday July 15, 2008 we spend an evening with David Nour, Managing Partner of BeOne Now, Inc., as he discussed how he developed a unique set of methodologies for monetizing referral-based personal and business development efforts. This framework provides a focused road map for individuals and organizations to develop new skills, leverage relationships and build the discipline necessary for lasting (and profitable) relationships.
Your personal and professional success depends on the diversity and quality of your relationships. Yet most of us don't spend enough time building, nurturing and quantifying the key personal, functional, and strategic relationships we need to achieve success. That's where Relationship Economics® comes into play and the expert advice of David Nour.
David is a social networking
strategist and one of the world’s foremost thought leaders on the
quantifiable value of business relationships. A native of Iran, David
came to the U.S. with just a suitcase, $100, few family ties and limited
English speaking skills. Over the past 25 years, he has built an
impressive career both within large corporations and early stage
ventures.
On Tuesday June 17, 2008 we enjoyed the SEVENTH ANNUAL ENTREPRENEUR'S BEER TASTING. This popular event featured a presentation study by our host, Dennis Lange and FIVE SEASONS Brewery and Restaurant, entitled: "Recent Developments in Craft Brewing."
Partners Dennis Lange and David
Larkworthy met in the early '90s. David, a managing chef at Buckhead
Life Restaurant Group, was a regular guest at Yakitori Den-Chan,
Dennis' groundbreaking Buckhead eatery. The rapport between Lange
and Larkworthy ... clicked ... and what united the two was a shared
passion for food and beer. It wasn't long before Dennis and David
began cooking — and brewing — for each other, their families, and
friends. Why, they wondered, was it still so difficult to find
world-class beers in Atlanta? Why was it even tougher to find
premium beer and food served side-by-side?
On Tuesday, May 20th, we welcomed Douglas A. Blackmon, The Wall Street Journal’s bureau chief in Atlanta when he shared with us the information in his recently published book “SLAVERY BY ANOTHER NAME.” Based on a vast record of original documents and personal narratives, SLAVERY BY ANOTHER NAME unearths the lost stories of slaves and their descendants who journeyed into freedom after the Emancipation Proclamation and then back into the shadow of involuntary servitude. It also reveals the stories of those who fought unsuccessfully against the re-emergence of human labor trafficking, the modern companies that profited most from neoslavery, and the system’s final demise in the 1940s, partly due to fears of enemy propaganda about American racial abuse at the beginning of World War II. Over the past 20 years, Douglas A. Blackmon has written extensively about the American quandary of race, exploring the integration of schools during his childhood in a Mississippi Delta farm town, lost episodes of the Civil Rights movement, and, repeatedly, the dilemma of how a contemporary society should grapple with a troubled past. Many of his stories in The Wall Street Journal have explored the interplay of wealth, corporate conduct and racial segregation. As The Wall Street Journal's bureau chief in Atlanta, he manages the paper’s coverage of airlines and other major transportation companies and publicly traded companies and institutions based in the southeastern U.S. The bureau directly covers the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and more than 1,200 companies, including Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, Delta Air Lines, Bank of America, Wachovia, Wells Fargo, United Parcel Service and FedEx. The Journal staff in Atlanta also writes about key news and issues in the 11-state region. Blackmon's stories or the work of his team have been nominated by the Journal for Pulitzer Prizes four times, including for coverage of the subprime meltdown, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Florida hurricanes in 2004 and for his 2001 examination of slave labor in the 20th century. His article on U.S. Steel was included in the 2003 edition of Best Business Stories. The Journal’s coverage of Hurricane Katrina received a special National Headliner award in 2006. Blackmon joined the Journal in October 1995 as a reporter in Atlanta. Prior to joining the Journal, Blackmon was a reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he covered race and politics, and special assignments including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the civil war in the former Yugoslavia. Previously, he was a reporter for the Arkansas Democrat, managing editor of the Daily Record in Little Rock, Ark, and a writer for weekly newspapers. Blackmon penned his first newspaper story at the age of 12, for the Progress, in his hometown of Leland, Mississippi. He graduated from Hendrix College in Conway, Ark., and lives in Atlanta with his wife and two children.
On Tuesday, April 15th, Tino Mantella, President of the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) presented: “TAG State of the Industry: Technology in Georgia Report.” The TAG State of the Industry: Technology in Georgia Report (Please click here to download report) was created to be a useful tool for Georgia's many technology stakeholders. The report and the valuable information it contains will have far-reaching and virtually unlimited uses, including:
Tino Mantella joined TAG in September, 2004 as the organization's new President. Prior to joining TAG, Tina amassed over 20 years of related experience leading two of the nations more prestigious volunteer-driven organizations - National Arthritis Foundation and YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. As President and CEO of two multifaceted and complex charities, he spearheaded agendas that led to the development of innovative new services, resulting in the facilitation of significant membership growth. In addition, Mantella’s track record reflects impressive results in fund raising, advocacy, and economic development. Since coming to TAG, Mantella has worked with a team of dedicated volunteers and staff to: build a prestigious board made up of 48 technology stakeholders; grow membership by more than 20%; and add a series of program and services that support TAG’s vision of educating, informing and uniting the technology community. Mantella is a long-standing member of the Northwestern Universities’ Kellogg Board; the Young Presidents Organization (YPO); and the board of Catholic Social Services of Atlanta. TAG is the largest tech association in the region with over 4000 members and acts as an umbrella association with 22 societies, 7 affiliate partners and over 100 meetings per year. It offers its members a distinct source for education, information, networking and visibility. Our membership is diverse and includes entrepreneurs, leaders and executives from start-ups, tech-enabled and large, publicly traded companies. (Please click here for TAG membership brochure)
On Tuesday, March 18th, Dr. Gary Selden and Mr. Harry Vardis of the Center for Innovation and Creativity, Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University presented: “A Report Card on Innovation: How Companies and Business Schools are dealing with innovation in today’s environment.” Come to discover, through a 7 month-old study conducted by the Center for Business Innovation and Creativity and BusinessWeek among 513 companies with over 1,000 employees, some myths and facts about innovation:
Plus, what are corporate expectations of MBA graduates?? Are Colleges and Universities are meeting these expectations with their curricula?? February's
program features Gary L. Selden and Harry Vardis, co-directors of the
Center for Business Innovation and Creativity at Kennesaw State
University's Coles College of Business.
Come join Harry and Gary,
educators, businessmen, and consultants, as they give us a brief
overview of Creativity and Innovation as a competitive advantage. They
promise we will have fun and learn something - an interesting
combination and well worth the commitment.
Or if you cannot be there join Harry and Gary and some of
the greatest brains in the field of innovation at the May 2008
conference. Go to
www.atlantacreativity.org and register before March 17, 2008 Harry holds a B.S. in Mathematics, and a M.S. and M.A. in Organizational Psychology. To read more about Kennesaw State University's Business Innovation and Creativity, please visit: http://coles.kennesaw.edu/innovation/workshops.html and to get information about our annual conference in May 2008 go to www.atlantacreativity.org
On Tuesday, February 19th, Steve Hoeffler, Associate Professor of Marketing at the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University, discussed “Creating a Winning Brand.” Please click here to download presentation materials.
Steve Hoeffler is an expert in consumer products
marketing, brand management and consumer behavior. His research on such topics
as positioning multiple category products, marketing radically new products and
the advantages of strong brands have appeared in such journals as Journal of
Consumer Psychology, Journal of Product Innovation Management and Journal of
Marketing Research. Among his current research interests are the marketing of
"really new" (novel) products and the development of consumer preferences.
On Tuesday, January 15th, Dr. Karsten Jeske of the Federal Reserve discussed "Globalization: A Threat to the U.S. Labor Market?"
Globalization
in general and the large trade deficit in particular have been blamed for job
losses in the U.S. I take a closer look at labor market data. Contrary to common
belief, trade deficits spur record employment growth. Moreover, manufacturing
job losses around the world are mostly a result of higher productivity rather
than foreign competition.
“Being Part of the Solution – and, Not the Problem”. Why some people succeed in business – and, most fail. On Tuesday, December 18th, we spent an evening with Brian Patrick Cork, who has been a highly successful executive and entrepreneur, is a seasoned public speaker, a Professional Athlete, and an accomplished Executive and Business Coach.
Brian Cork has raised over $500 million dollars in private placement
capital for a wide array of companies across every industry;
recruited and counseled hundreds of executives and other
decision-makers; and, has actively participated in building dozens
of successful organizations.
An evening with Clive Rainey, Director of Community Relations for Habitat for Humanity International, Inc. Learn how Habitat for Humanity has taken on the daunting task of changing the world from its base in Atlanta. Clive Rainey joined Habitat for Humanity International on April 1, 1977, soon after the organization was formed, as its first volunteer. One of his early duties was serving as chair of the family selection committee for the house-building program of Koinonia, a rural Christian community where the idea of building homes in partnership with the poor was conceived. It was Rainey who brought the concept of "sweat equity" to Koinonia — and ultimately Habitat — after learning that developers of middle-class housing sometimes used a family’s unskilled labor on their house in lieu of a down payment. In the summer of 1978 Rainey was sent to Immokalee, Fla., to assist Habitat’s fledgling second affiliate in setting up its family selection process. The first homeowners there volunteered to do 2,000 hours of sweat equity — a number they suggested and the equivalent of a whole year of paid labor! After sitting in on planning sessions for the launch of a Habitat project in Kinshasa, Zaire, Rainey felt called to be involved in that effort. In May 1979, he went to Kinshasa and began three years of work on Habitat’s third international project. During that time Idi Amin, the infamous dictator of Uganda, was overthrown and the opportunity arose to start Habitat work in northern Uganda. Inspired by two books — "A Distant Grief" by Ugandan pastor Kefa Sempangi about life under Amin, and a biography of David McKay, the first Protestant missionary to Uganda — Rainey felt compelled to take the lessons he had learned in Zaire and apply them to the effort to rebuild Uganda. The first permanent structure built in Uganda in a decade was a little two-room house built by Habitat for Humanity with a widow and her two children as the occupants. From September 1983 until September of 1989 Rainey served as Habitat’s first Africa area director. Under his direction Habitat’s work in Africa spread to 12 countries located throughout the continent. From 1989 to 1999 he served as a fund-raiser helping to fund the Sumter County Initiative, Habitat for Humanity International’s effort to eliminate substandard housing from its home community. Currently he serves as director of Community Relations for HFHI. In this role, he travels to affiliates asking them what they are prepared to do in leading their communities in the elimination of substandard housing. He urges affiliates to plan for and work toward significant increases in their own housing production and to create collaborative partnerships with other housing providers, local governments, civic groups, churches, and other organizations and individuals in order to meet Habitat’s goal of eliminating substandard housing worldwide. As local communities take on this challenge Rainey works with Habitat field staff to strengthen affiliates for their role in the effort. This includes raising the affiliates’ profile in their communities and helping them to develop the resources needed to meet the challenge. Rainey’s active speaking schedule as a promoter of Habitat and its 21st Century Housing Challenge also includes teaching Sunday school classes, preaching and speaking at fund-raising events, civic clubs and other venues. He holds a B.S. in history and an M. Ed. in reading from Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Ga. Prior to his association with Habitat, he served in the U. S. Army for three years and taught 7th and 8th grade reading and social studies for three years. He is an honorary chief of the village of Assin Akropong in Ghana, West Africa; an honorary Conch of the Florida Keys; and an honorary citizen of several other U. S. communities. At home in Americus he is active in church and civic organizations, and has served on the boards of art, tourism, education and literacy groups as well as his local Rotary Club. He is a member of Calvary Episcopal Church in Americus and also worships with a Hispanic Baptist congregation on Sunday evenings. He is a birder and pursues this hobby with the same passion that he has for Habitat. His other interests include learning Spanish and studying the natural and social history of Central America to which he hopes to retire in a few years. There he hopes to volunteer as a literacy teacher and with local Habitat groups. He also hopes to organize and lead budget birding trips for visitors to Central America.
EAT MOR CHIKIN! The Story of Truett Cathy and Chick-fil-A. An evening with Truett Cathy, the Founder and Chairman of Chick-fil-A, Inc. Meet and learn from an Icon in the Atlanta business community how to combine business success with ethical life balance. “Nearly every moment of every day we have the opportunity to give something to someone else-our time, our love, our resources. I have always found more joy in giving when I did not expect anything in return.” — Quote from "Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People" by S. Truett Cathy, published 2002. S. Truett Cathy is founder and
chairman of Chick-fil-A, Inc. Cathy started the business in 1946,
when he and his brother, Ben, opened an Atlanta diner known as The
Dwarf Grill (later renamed The Dwarf House). Over the years, that
restaurant prospered and led Cathy to further the success of his
business. In 1967, Cathy founded and opened the first Chick-fil-A
restaurant in Atlanta's Greenbriar Shopping Center. Today, Chick-fil-A
is the second-largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain in the
United States based on annual sales. Cathy has received countless
awards over the years including: Lifetime Achievement Award from the
National Poultry & Food Distributors Association (2005); Norman
Vincent & Ruth Stafford Peale Humanitarian Award (2003); Catalyst
Lifetime Achievement Award from Injoy/John Maxwell (2003); Georgia
Sports Hall of Fame – Chairman’s Award (2003); the Ernst & Young-
Entrepreneur of the Year – Lifetime Achievement Award (2000) and
Horatio Alger Award – Horatio Alger Association, Washington, D.C.
(1989) He is also the author of Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More
People (Looking Glass Books, 2002), It’s Easier to Succeed
Than to Fail (Thomas Nelson Publishing, 1989), and It’s
Better to Build Boys Than Mend Men (Looking Glass Books, 2004),
and he is co-author of The Generosity Factor with Ken
Blanchard (Zondervan Publishing, 2002).
SUCCESS AT UPS – Atlanta’s 100 year old Global Titan! Dealing with the
challenges of diversity, confronting 9/11, and thriving in corporate America, as
BGS presented the inspiring story of attitude by UPS officer, Ken Lee. Lee is vice president of Security for UPS. He is the first Asian
American to attain the title of vice president and is one of the
highest ranking Asians at UPS.
An
interactive evening with expert negotiator Harv Frankel, President of HF
Associates. Negotiating – a process that collectively uses
communication and persuasion skills to help you get ahead in your
career, and expand your interpersonal relationships. Learn how to
improve this vital skill by joining us for an interactive evening
with expert negotiator, Harv Frankel, who will walk us through the
negotiation process and provide valuable suggestions for improving
your next negotiation! An event you will not want to miss.
An
evening with the High Museum of Art’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Susan Clark, MBA,
and a presentation on the business of the High Museum, the genesis of Louvre Atlanta and a brief highlight of a few pieces that we are so honored to have here in Georgia. Susan Clark is the Director of Marketing & Communications for the High Museum of Art. She has responsibility for Marketing, Public Relations, and Group Sales. She came to the High from the Eastman Kodak Company, where she directed worldwide and US marketing teams. Prior to joining Eastman Kodak, Susan worked in brand management at SC Johnson & Sons, Inc in Racine, Wisconsin, where she managed several leading consumer brands. She has also worked in the non-profit sector, managing national and regional hunger relief programs. Susan received her MBA from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, specializing in marketing and management & strategy. She holds a BA in Public Policy Studies and Political Science from Duke University. In her free time, Susan enjoys adventurous travel, reading, and exercise. She also enjoys singing, and regularly performs with Octave, an Atlanta-based female acapella singing group.
An
evening with Dennis Lange, Master Restaurateur / Provocateur of Five Seasons
Brewing, as he presented “An Entrepreneur's Story in Three Acts (With a Free
Beer Tasting as a Chaser). Partners Dennis Lange and David
Larkworthy met in the early '90s. David, a managing chef at Buckhead
Life Restaurant Group, was a regular guest at Yakitori Den-Chan,
Dennis' groundbreaking Buckhead eatery. The rapport between Lange
and Larkworthy ... clicked ... and what united the two was a shared
passion for food and beer. It wasn't long before Dennis and David
began cooking — and brewing — for each other, their families, and
friends. Why, they wondered, was it still so difficult to find
world-class beers in Atlanta? Why was it even tougher to find
premium beer and food served side-by-side?
An evening with Jim Villwock, President & CEO, of the IEM Group, as he discussed "Identity Theft."
Don’t miss this great program! Handouts will be provided for all participants. Mr. Jim Villwock is a Senior Executive with 27 years of experience in General Management, Supply Chain and Finance/Treasury roles, and is a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist. He has created and implemented paradigm shifts within Technology, B2B, and Logistics Products and Services Industries. He possesses the ability to create vision, strategies and the organizations required to increase competitive advantages and profitability. Mr. Villwock has been the Director of Global Procurement for Cendian Corporation and Unisys Corporation. While at Unisys he built a global strategic commodity, contracting and relationship management team for all hardware, software, parts and services which resulted in cost savings which exceeded $475 million. He was also the Managing Director for Emeritor Group where he developed an organization for e-procurement software and procurement consulting and he had full profit and loss responsibility including the creation of sales, marketing, operations, product development, finance, human resource and IT departments. Earlier in his career Mr. Villwock held positions in finance, accounting and Treasury. Mr. Villwock has an MBA from North Texas State University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He possesses a Masters degree from the Dallas Theological seminary and has a BA in Business Management from Golden Gate University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. Mr. Villwock proudly served in the United States Air Force, and has received many honors in business.
An evening with Patrick Noonan, Assoc. Professor in the Practice of Decision & Information Analysis at the Goizueta Business School of Emory University as he discussed "Strategic Decision Making - Game Theory vs. Business Reality." Click here to download presentation materials
An evening with David Lee, Founder and CEO of AirShares Elite, as he presented "The ABCs of Starting your Own Business."
David realized that he wanted more. He thought of “that something” and recognized it had always been a part of his life, ever since he was 16 years old when he earned his private pilot’s license. He remembered the freedom he experienced when he acted as the Pilot in Command in the multiple aircraft he flew. Then, he decided to be the Pilot in Command of his Life.
Beta Gamma Sigma invites you for an evening of learning about the ABCs of entrepreneurship. David Lee will share his experience and lessons learned on his journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur. An event you will not want to miss!
Inspired by Richard Santulli, founder of NetJets, David co-founded AirShares Elite in 1999 with a simple vision of "Enhancing the Human Journey." David is the CEO and Co-Founder of AirShares Elite. AirShares Elite offers fractional aircraft ownership and management services in the incredible Cirrus SR22 - the only single engine aircraft that has a parachute system.
David built AirShares Elite from the ground up to become the leader in fractional aircraft ownership in the single engine market. AirShares helped paved the way for this new "fractional" concept making it a viable and acceptable way by which people can own the aircraft of their dreams. AirShares currently has a fleet of 50 Cirrus SR22, has over 235 clients spread over 15 markets in the nation.
An
evening with Dr. Gary Selden and Mr. Harry Vardis of the Center for Innovation
and Creativity, Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University as they
presented "One Foot Out-of-the-Box: Creativity and Innovation for Competitive
Advantage."
An evening with Jim Bradford, Dean and Ralph Owen Professor for the Practice of Management at Vanderbilt University as he discussed how to act strategically in a changing global environment.
"Lessons from the Red Cross: How to Manage a Catastrophe Under Media and Public
Scrutiny", an evening with Tim English, Chief Executive Officer of the American
Red Cross, Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter and learn what you and your business can
learn from the experiences of the Red Cross in managing a catastrophe under
media and public scrutiny.
“The Role of International Trade and Investment in the Growth of Atlanta: A view from 30+ Years on the Front Lines” with Ben Greer of Alston and Bird. Ben Greer is the senior partner of the firm’s International Practice Group. Ben has more than thirty years of international business and securities experience, including:
Recent transactions on which Ben has served as lead counsel, include representation of a major investment bank based in the United Kingdom in connection with the financing of the acquisition of the assets of a division of a major multinational corporation for an aggregate consideration of $140,000,000. Ben has also advised both US and non-US directors on their fiduciary and other duties as directors of United States companies. He has represented more than a dozen non-US companies in connection with the establishment of manufacturing operations in the United States in all aspects of their establishment, including financing. Ben has written and lectured frequently on international business topics as well as the impact of globalization on the legal profession. For more than thirty years, Ben has been active in the International Bar Association, the world’s largest international lawyer’s association, in a variety of capacities. From 2000 to 2002, he served as the IBA’s Secretary General, and he continues to chair the IBA’s WTO Working Group. His other professional affiliations include the American Law Institute, the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Georgia, the State Bar of New York and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. Ben is the Chair Emeritus and a member of the Executive Committee of Lex Mundi, the world’s largest alliance of independent law firms. He serves as Chair of the Japan-American Society of Georgia, Inc. He has been honored by Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law and Who’s Who in the World. He also serves as a member of the Editorial Board of The European Lawyer. He has long been active in community affairs in Atlanta and is a Lifetime Trustee of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Inc.
Pandemic Influenza Challenges for Business" with Jim Seligman, Chief Information
Officer for The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Click here to download
presentation materials What is the current situation on pandemic flu globally? What are the business continuity implications should pandemic influenza occur in the U.S.? How should business executives prepare? Jim Seligman was appointed to the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO) at The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1999. Mr. Seligman is responsible for the agency's Information Technology Services Office, Management Information Systems Office, and Management Analysis and Services Office. As the agency's CIO, Mr. Seligman provides leadership for the agency's overall information technology (IT) program including IT Architecture, IT capital investment management, policy and standards development, information security, IT workforce development, and other enterprise activities. He serves on the HHS CIO Council and the HHS Information Technology Investment Review Board. Mr. Seligman graduated from the State University of N.Y. at Stony Brook in 1974 with a B.S. in Earth Sciences and received an M.S. in 1978 in Environmental Science. He has won numerous awards including the President's SES Meritorious Rank Award.
"Interviewing from the Outside In and the Inside Out" with Gail Geary, JD, CMC. A presentation/discussion on "Interviewing from
the Outside In and the Inside Out". This high content and
entertaining program is based on Gail Geary's personal experience as
a career consultant working with over 2000 business professionals
and her research for the recently released Over-40 Job Search Guide.
The program is a combination of real case studies, riveting stories
and extensive research and includes:
This is a dynamic, not to miss program! Handouts
will be provided
for all participants and will demonstrate the best way to deliver a
Killer interview.
Haven Riviere, Vice President of Coca-Cola's Marketing Division, presented a sneak preview of the New World of Coca-Cola. Haven
Riviere, Vice President in Coca-Cola's Marketing Division, is
managing the design and development of the new World of Coca-Cola.
The new facility, located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, is
scheduled to open in the summer of 2007. The venue will allow
consumers to see, touch and taste many of the company's brands,
learn how they intersect with popular culture, and experience The
Coca-Cola Company's impact around the globe. You won't want to
miss this refreshing presentation!
Fifth Annual Entrepreneur's Beer Tasting. This popular event featured a presentation study by our host, Dennis Lange and FIVE SEASONS Brewery and Restaurant, entitled: "Recent Developments in Craft Brewing." Dennis prepared a very entertaining presentation about brewing and the restaurant business. He also took us on his famous "Brewery Tour" to demonstrate what goes into creating award-winning beer.
An evening with Dr. Rajeev Dhawan as he shared his latest forecasts with Beta Gamma Sigma. Dr. Dhawan is the Director of the Economic Forecasting Center at Georgia State University in Atlanta where he develops forecasts for the U.S., Southeast regional, and local metro Atlanta economies. Dr. Dhawan has received several awards for his forecasting accuracy, including most accurate GDP forecast by Bloomberg News in 2005. Appearing often in the media, Dhawan is frequently seen on CNN and CNBC, and is quoted in national and regional publications, including USA Today, The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, among others. A popular speaker on national and international business lecture circuit, Dhawan is known for his entertaining style and straightforward analysis. As a consultant, he regularly briefs the boards of private companies. He has also been commissioned to prepare economic impact reports, develop home price forecast models, and provide public policy recommendations. In addition, he serves on the Georgia Governor's Council of Economic Advisors. Dhawan is the author of the book, "Firm Size, Financial Intermediation and Business Cycles," which explores the effect of credit constraints on the U.S. economic performance with special emphasis on the role of small firms. Currently, he is examining strategies that have enabled Toyota to dominate U.S. automakers, but Japanese counterparts as well. Prior to joining Georgia State University in 2000, Dhawan served as director of Econometric Forecasting at UCLA's Business Forecasting Center and as a lecturer at Pepperdine University and the University of California at Long Beach. He earned a B.A. in Economics, with honors, from St. Stephen's College in India, an M.A. in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics in India and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California at Los Angeles.
An evening with Christopher Hanks, Entrepreneur Extraordinaire and faculty member of the Herman J. Russell Sr. International Center for Entrepreneurship at Georgia State University, as he discussed "Risk Free Entrepreneurship: Building Wealth Through Business Ownership". Christopher C. Hanks is an entrepreneur and owner of multiple businesses, including e-commerce, retail, service, and export ventures. Mr. Hanks also is a Visiting Instructor at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University where he teaches entrepreneurship. He spends much of his time helping aspiring and existing entrepreneurs achieve their visions of success through business ownership. Mr. Hanks is a principal of Academy Capital, a firm comprised of valuation experts. He serves business owners and their advisors by determining value, increasing value, and transferring value into cash. Mr. Hanks has extensive expertise in all areas impacting value, such as venture creation, mergers & acquisitions, and exit planning. He also provides expert witness testimony regarding the value of privately held businesses. Mr. Hanks has spoken on a variety of entrepreneurship, exit planning, and business valuation issues before numerous national, regional, and local organizations. He also served as a frequent guest on a syndicated radio program targeting business owners. He is a member of several organizations, including the Business Enterprise Institute, Society of Entrepreneurs, and Institute of Business Appraisers. Mr. Hanks received a BBA in Risk Management from University of Georgia and an MBA in Finance from San Jose State University. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Mr. Hanks held corporate finance positions in the pharmaceutical and beverage industries. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and two children.
An evening with Evelyn A. Ashley of Trusted Counsel LLC as she discussed "The Rewards and Risks of Entrepreneurship: Creating, Building & Selling a Business." In 2001, Evelyn Ashley did what many lawyers
have never done themselves. She negotiated and closed the sale of her own
business. As a result, she was put in the same position as so many of her
clients before her and after: Living with a Deal. Come hear of lessons
learned, what she would do differently and the same and some thoughts on
setting the right foundation for growth, success and sale of your own
business. And she can tell you a lot about the clash of business cultures!
An evening with Bill Dyke, the founder of Rich Relationship Training, where he answered: How do you do this? How do you inspire your people to have more self confidence? And how do you ensure it does lead to higher productivity and morale?. Bill Dyke proposes we look at the enormous importance of
people doing what they do best. In 1997 the Gallup Organization began a
study of 80,000 individuals in 2000 companies in which they found that
one of the key determinants of organizational success is a high
percentage of people "doing what they do best." Bill discusses the
landmark Gallup survey, uses the findings to propose a model for
determining what it is you do best, and ties it all back to self
confidence, leadership and personal success. You will want to hear about
all of this in "Managers and Leaders - A New Perspective."
An interactive evening with Dr. Dick Daft, professor, author and frequent speaker from Vanderbilt's Owen Graduate School of Management.
This event is a sample of the Vanderbilt Executive Development Institute
program, " Practicing Performance-Driven Leadership." This
interactive learning session, requires participants to do a little work
and discussion
in groups of 5-8
people. The central themes are about how to effectively recruit to your
needs (get the right people on the bus) and how to retain talent, once
you've hired.
An evening with Jim Muncy of Muncy Leadership International, who presented his inspiring career success formula: "The Right Kind of Smarts for the Right Kind of Success." Jim Muncy's educational background is in psychology, communication, statistics, and marketing, receiving his Ph.D. in Business Administration from Texas Tech. He has spent the past twenty-five years teaching at the University of Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Clemson University, and Valdosta State University. He also served for five years as the Executive Director of the Association for Consumer Research which is the largest global consumer research association in the world. As an author, his writings have been distributed widely among business professionals and professors in North America, Europe, and the Pacific Rim. Recently, he published the book A Few Keys to All Success: Discovering the Best Person I Can Become. Dr. Muncy has won various awards ranging from Teacher of the Year for his classroom teaching to Adult Black Belt of the Year for his participation in the martial arts. Dr. Muncy and his wife Lisa have four children. Together, they served for six years as Presidents of the Valdosta Area Homeschooling Association. Dr. Muncy is a frequent speaker to many business firms, civic groups, and religious organizations. Audiences love his highly entertaining style. But it is style with substance. He can present deep, profound, life-changing insights in a light and lively way. "Gets You Laughing, Keeps You Smiling, Leaves You Thinking"
An evening with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) in conjunction with their Atlanta Conference on December 3-6. Dan LeClair and Neal Mero, representing AACSB International, the most prestigious accrediting organization for business schools worldwide, will discuss "Continuing Your Management Education. These business school experts will address the trends in management
education, opportunities and alternatives for continuing your education,
what to look for when considering business programs. Most importantly, they
will address your most pressing questions about continuing your education
and business schools worldwide.
An evening with evening with Chuck Riepenhoff, Partner, KPMG Forensic as he discusses, "Front Page News of Forensic Accounting: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Balance Sheet Fairy".
KPMG ForensicSM is a
global practice comprising multidisciplinary professionals who can assist
clients in their efforts to achieve the highest levels of business integrity
through the detection, prevention, and investigation of fraud and
misconduct. This practice not only helps clients discover the facts
underlying concerns about fraud and misconduct but also assists clients in
assessing their vulnerabilities to such activities, and in developing
controls and programs to address these risks.
An evening with evening with Scott Raske of Organizational Development Associates. How do you measure the success of your organization? By the number of people in your organization? The number of products or services? Branch offices? We have learned that none of these gives a true measurement. The real measuring device is the quality of the people in your organization. The quality of the people can be measured by the results each person produces. We measure this in terms of "per person production." Since 1969, Organizational Development Associates has identified one recurring fact: Quality organizations are not necessarily the largest. They are the most profitable because they have the best people. Scott Raske is a Vice President at Organizational Development Associates, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Raske has 12 years of broad-based experience in management consulting, business development, organizational restructuring, and general management. His experience comes from developing distribution channels and growing new markets in telecom / wireless and consumer goods industries. Mr. Raske has significant international experience in privatization, restructuring, and emerging market development in Eastern Europe, India and Southeast Asia. Mr. Raske has an MBA from Thunderbird, The Garvin Graduate School of International Management and a BA in Political Science from Colorado State University. He lives with his wife and daughter in Atlanta, Georgia.
An evening with Roy Barnes, former Governor of Georgia, as he discussed "Business and Government".
On
January 11, 1999, Roy E. Barnes was sworn in as Georgia's 80th Governor.
BGS Atlanta's FOURTH ANNUAL ENTREPRENEUR'S BEER TASTING,
featuring a presentation and small business study by our host, Dennis Lange and FIVE SEASONS Brewery and Restaurant, entitled: "So, You want to Own a Business: What kind of an idiot goes into the Restaurant business."
An
evening with Rick Watson, Internet Strategy and Director of the Center for
Information Systems Leadership in the Terry College at the University of
Georgia, as he discussed "Customer-Managed Interactions."
An
evening with Joey Reiman. Mr. Reiman, Thinker & CEO of BrightHouse, LLC, and
Adjunct professor Goizueta Business School, Emory University who spoke about
"Thinking for a living."
An
evening with Professor David A. Owens, Clinical Professor of Management at
Vanderbilt University who spoke about "Innovation in Your Work."
An
eventing with Gail Geary, JD, as she discussed "Leading Edge Job Search
Strategies for Making Your Age a Career Advantage".
An
eventing with David Nour, Managing Partner of The Nour Group, Inc., as he
discussed how he developed a unique set of methodologies for monetizing
referral-based personal and business development efforts. This framework
provides a focused road map for individuals and organizations to develop new
skills, leverage relationships and build the discipline necessary for lasting
(and profitable) relationships.
An
evening with Mike Adkinson as he discussed "Technology industry of Georgia:
Past, Present and Future!"
An
evening with Patrick Jones, EVP and Executive Producer of Journey Productions
along with Eric Saperston, the founder and CEO of Journey Productions discussed
"Finding the Heart and Soul of Your Career."
An
evening with Dr. Shelley A. McConnell, the Associate Director of the Americas
Program at the Carter Center.
November 16, 2004 Grab your crystal ball and join the Atlanta Area Alumni Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma on TUESDAY, November 16, 2004 for an evening with Dr. Jeffrey M. Humphreys, as he discusses Georgia's economic outlook. Dr. Jeffrey M. Humphreys, Director of the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business is a member of the Governor's Council of Economic Advisors - the State of Georgia - and is a columnist for Georgia Trend Magazine. Dr. Humphreys has published over 200 applied and academic studies regarding marketing research, economic forecasting, transportation, and economic development. In Georgia, Dr. Humphreys is best known for his economic forecasts, but nationally he is best known for his detailed estimates of the spending power of African-Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans, and American Indians. In April 2003, the editors of American Demographics selected Dr. Humphreys as a "Demographic Diamond" - one of the 25 market researchers who have made the most significant contributions to the understanding of consumer trends for business leaders over the last 25 years.
October 19, 2004 Join the Atlanta Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma on TUESDAY, October 19, 2004 for an evening with Dean H. Fenwick Huss, of the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University. H. Fenwick Huss was named dean of the Robinson College of Business after having served as associate dean of the College for six years. Dean Huss has been a prime mover in developing the college's curriculum, hiring top faculty and helping to raise the profile and ranking of Georgia State's undergraduate business program to the highest level in its history. Through his efforts, the college has received more than $10 million in grants that have paved the way for its administrators, faculty and students to establish and participate in business education programs in countries around the world. Dean Huss has assisted universities in Russia, Ukraine and Sub-Saharan Africa in restructuring their business programs. He also directs Robinson's USAID-funded development projects in South Africa, Ghana and Egypt.
September 21,
2004 Join the Atlanta Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma on TUESDAY, September 21, 2004 for an evening with Patricia Harris as she tells us: "Venture Forth: You can own your own business!" Patricia Harris is the executive director and chief executive officer of Cobb Microenterprise Center, located at Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University. Cobb Microenterprise Center is an organization that provides low to moderate-income persons with entrepreneurial training and development, technical assistance and access to capital towards creating a job through entrepreneurship, or expanding an existing business. Ms. Harris was recruited by Jane Fonda, Founder of the Georgia Campaign of Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, Inc. (G-CAPP) in 1997 to forge microenterprise development in the state of Georgia. Today, there are over 100 organizations in urban and rural Georgia assisting people in starting their own businesses. A community social entrepreneur and organizational consultant with over 30 years experience describes Ms. Harris. She serves communities in the areas of organizational development, economic development, youth leadership initiatives and corporate human resources. She has held leadership positions in the non-profit and corporate sectors in many states and is the President of CP Harris Associates, a family based consulting firm.
August 17, 2004 J. Veronica Biggins is a Senior Partner of Heidrick & Struggles and the Managing Partner of the firm's Diversity Services Practice. She is also an active member of the Board of Director functional practice and the Global Financial Services industry practice. Prior to joining Heidrick & Struggles, Veronica served as Assistant to the President of the United States and Director of Presidential Personnel. She was responsible for the selection and hiring of all political appointees within the federal government. In this role, she worked directly with the President of the United States on appointments at all levels of the administration, including the placement of agency heads, ambassadors, and members of presidential boards and commissions. Veronica serves on the boards of AirTran Airways, Avnet, and NDC Health. She also serves on the trustee boards for the Georgia Research Alliance, Woodruff Arts Center, the Downtown Atlanta Rotary, and the International AIDS Fund.
July 20, 2004 Join the Atlanta Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma on TUESDAY, July 20, 2004 for an evening with Dr. Edward L. Davis, Dean of Clark Atlanta University's School of Business Administration.
Dr. Davis’ topic for the evening is: Diversity: Why it
Matters. Dr. Davis will present insights into diversity
efforts at Business Schools, as well as why diversity is an Dr. Edward L. Davis joined Clark Atlanta University's School of Business Administration twenty-four years ago in 1980 as a professor in the Department of Decision Sciences. He has served as the director of the Economic Development Center since 1983; chaired the Department of Decision Sciences from 1983 to 1996; became the interim Dean of the School of Business in 1996; accepted the position of Business School Dean in January 1999. Dr. Davis teaches in the areas of statistics, information systems management, production and forecasting. He specializes in the statistical analysis of availability and utilization with minority/women business enterprises (WMBE) in private and public procurement processes. He has authored several articles for national publications and authored or participated in more than 50 research studies. Recently Dr. Davis served as an evaluator for the National Highway Safety Institute, for the Atlanta Driver Assistance System and the KIOSK program for the City of Atlanta. Dr. Davis is principal of E. Davis Enterprises and serves on several Atlanta boards and advisory committees. Under Dr. Davis’ leadership, Clark Atlanta University has produced and continues to graduate the largest number of African American MBAs in the world. Clark Atlanta University’s undergraduate program is one of the top ten producers of African American business professionals in the nation.
June 15, 2004
An evening with CJ Bolser, Vice President and General Manager of the Southeast region of the Hay Group, as he discusses, "Engaging High Potentials - Lessons from Fortune's Most Admired - Why and how the most admired differ from the rest, why high potentials succeed, and how leading organizations reward high potentials".
Mr. Bolster is Vice President and General Manager of the firm’s Southeast region. Prior to this assignment, he was Managing Director of the firm’s Healthcare practice. The provider based Healthcare Consulting practice at Hay accounts for approximately 15% of Hay’s North American revenue and focuses on assisting academic health centers and large integrated delivery systems. Mr. Bolster has client and project manager responsibilities for large-scale projects in executive and organizational compensation organizational, performance improvement and leadership development. In this role, he has ongoing relationships with Boards, specifically performance and compensation committees and senior management in academic centers and integrated health delivery systems. Prior to joining Hay in 1993, Mr. Bolster spent nine years with KPMG Peat Marwick in Atlanta, where he directed and participated in numerous strategic planning and organization improvement efforts. Prior to that, he was a consultant and director of business development for Medicus Systems Inc. in Chicago, where he assisted with the identification of and planning for acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and product development opportunities. C.J. is an active speaker and author in the healthcare industry. He has published in Modern Healthcare, Hospitals and Health Network, Clinical Performance and Quality Health Care, Aspen’s Advisor for Nurse Executives, and the Journal for Health Systems.
An evening with Dr. Marco Del Negro, an economist with the macro group of the research department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and learn about the role of the FED in Atlanta.
Marco Del Negro is an economist with the macro group of the research department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Dr. Del Negro's research ranges from international macroeconomics and finance, to the use of general equilibrium models in forecasting and policy analysis. Dr. Del Negro has published his work in the several journals, and his research has been quoted and discussed in major magazines and newspapers (The Economist, The Financial Times). A native of Italy, Dr. Del Negro received his bachelor's degree from Bocconi University, in Italy, in 1992. He earned his doctorate in economics from Yale University in 1998.
An evening with Dr. Tim Mescon, and learn about "Disruptive Innovation: A Key Challenge to Business Today."
Dr. Mescon is a partner in HA&W Mescon Group and dean of the Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University where he holds the Tony & Jack Dinos Eminent Scholar Chair of Entrepreneurial Management. Through his leadership, the Coles College has been recognized by Success magazine and U.S. News and World Report for having one of the nation's leading entrepreneurship programs. The U.S. Association for Small Business & Entrepreneurship ranked Coles as the number one undergraduate entrepreneurship program in the nation. The Coles College also runs the nation's 2nd largest executive MBA programs which Business Week recently ranked as 3rd internationally in Teamwork and 10th internationally in e-Business. As a speaker, facilitator and consultant, Dr. Mescon provides 21st-century thinking in the areas of business strategy, customer service, leadership, optimum performance and change management to executives, managers and employees around the world. He is the author of more than 300 articles and cases and has co-authored three books: Cases in Strategic Management: An Industry Approach; Showing Up For Work and Other Keys to Business Success; and Memos to Management. Dr. Mescon has also co-authored an audiotape series for Nightingale-Conant entitled Management Excellence: Leadership for the Future. He is a contributing writer for AirTran Arrivals magazine.
An evening with Dr. Terry Loe, Associate Professor of Marketing and Associate Director - Center for Professional Selling, Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University, as he discusses, "Selling in a Tough Market Environment: The 4 P's of Selling."
Terry Loe has published research in the area of ethics, sales, and sales management. He has taught international marketing and marketing courses in France and England and co-developed a business ethics course at the University of Memphis, and has been recognized by several student groups for outstanding teaching in marketing. He has helped coordinate and develop two international ethics symposiums as well as delivered numerous presentations at national and international conferences and to business groups on the subject of business ethics and delivered a presentation on international marketing to the Chamber of Commerce in Caen, France. Dr. Loe created, developed and directs the annual National Collegiate Sales Competition that involves the leading university sales programs from across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
An evening with Tad Hutcheson, Director of Marketing for AirTran Airways, as he discusses, "How to Win Big When Your Competitor is an Industry Giant."
Tad Hutcheson, director of marketing, joined AirTran Airways in June 1997. Hutcheson oversees marketing, advertising, promotions, charitable giving, community relations, partnerships, frequency programs, the credit card program and the company’s Web site, airtran.com. Prior to AirTran Airways, Hutcheson served as director of strategic planning and later vice president of marketing for KIWI International Air Lines. Hutcheson also worked in both the planning and marketing departments at Delta Air Lines where he served on Leadership 7.5. A native of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, Hutcheson graduated from the McCallie School in Chattanooga. He received a bachelor of arts in French literature and a bachelor of arts in business administration from King College of Bristol, Tenn. In addition, Hutcheson completed international marketing studies at St. Peter's College, Oxford University and the International Business Institute in Europe. Hutcheson also earned a master of business administration from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. A resident of Alpharetta, Ga., Hutcheson is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta and serves on the Boards of Travelers’ Aid of Metropolitan Atlanta, the Atlanta College of Art, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Hutcheson also is a member of The Church of the Apostles and is the recipient of several professional awards, including two Rising Star awards from Travel Agent Magazine.
December 16, 2003
Based in Atlanta, CARE has offices in 44 countries, over 11,000 employees and annual revenues exceeding $420 million. As CARE's chief legal officer, Joe is responsible for all CARE's legal matters and supervises inside and outside counsel representing CARE around the world. Before joining CARE in 1998, Joe was in private law practice in Atlanta and New York City. Joe received his B.A. magna cum laude from Brown University and his J.D. from Cornell Law School. He is a director of MicroVest microfinance investment fund, an advisory board member of Social Accountability International and sits on the Piedmont Hospital Ethics Committee. Joe and his wife, Laura, have three daughters and live in Atlanta.
November 18, 2003 In September, Joanne Walter resigned from NCR after 20 years to start her own company, WalterPan LLC with a Russian partner. Ms. Walter will serve as President, and the business is focused on selling, installing and supporting technology solutions in Russia. The first offer is a Bill Payment solution because of the unique issues surrounding bill payment in post-communist Russia. The company has four customers planning to pilot in Q4 of this year and Q1 of next year in government, cell phone providers, banks and utility companies.
The software applications they use are contracted out to
rural Georgia IT schools. Future projects include pollution
clean up and re-use as well as point of sale systems for new
Russian retailers. Eventually, these The company will be based at the new ATDC building at Georgia Tech in Technology Square in November as well as have offices in Moscow and Chelyabinsk Russia. As Vice President of Strategic Marketing for NCR Retail Solutions Division, Joanne Walter was responsible for future retailing direction, strategic planning, and market intelligence. Her focus was to bring to market consumer-driven Retail business and technology solutions based upon advanced technology. She also managed the Retail’s sales and development processes. Businesses Walter has launched include NCR Self-Checkout Express and web-based as well as stand-alone kiosks across all industries for NCR. Walter began her career with NCR in 1983 as a personal computer product manager in Augsburg, Germany and has held a number of product management, sales and marketing positions. In 1987, she assumed responsibility for managing NCR’s personal computer line in Europe. She was appointed sales manager, Cooperative Marketing, for Latin America, Middle East and Africa markets in 1990 and was promoted to director of that organization in 1992. Walter was named assistant vice president, Personal Computer Marketing, in 1994, responsible for developing NCR’s worldwide personal computer marketing strategy.
October 21, 2003 Rockwell holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of California-Irvine, and is a native of Springfield, Virginia. Rockwell, 33, currently resides in the North suburbs of the Atlanta area, where he lives with wife Stephanie and his dogs P.T. and Thunder.
September 16, 2003
August 19, 2003 Dennis
Lange and his associates at Five Seasons host our annual social mixer, brewery
tour and beer tasting.
July 15, 2003 This event was
featured in the Fall Beta Gamma Sigma Newsletter from National. Please
click here to take a look.
June 17, 2003
May 13, 2003
April 15, 2003
March 18, 2003
February 18, 2003
January 21, 2003 Featuring as Roundtable Panelists: Ray Dillon, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Accounting and Director ofthe M.B.A. Program (Retired), Georgia State University Barry D. Friedman, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science and Coordinator of the M.P.A. Program, North Georgia College & State University, Dahlonega, Panelist Moderator John C. Knapp, Ph.D., President – The Southern Institute for Business and Professional Ethics Sheb True, Ph.D., Professor of Marketing, Michael J. Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University
December 17, 2002
November 19, 2002
October 15, 2002
September 17,
2002
August 20, 2002
July 16, 2002
June 18, 2002
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