Listen Now!

Business Talk 24-7

Check below to find this program's broadcast schedule





Atlanta Tech Leaders

Spotlight on WIT

Posted on

Podcast: Download

ATL

Sandy Welfare / WIT Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Since 1992, Women in Technology has had a mission dedicated to promoting the advancement of women in Georgia’s technology community. Through the WIT Foundation, WIT also educates and encourages girls and young women to pursue careers in STEM.

Cherie Fuzzell and Tina Dyer/Parkmobile USA FacebookTwitter

Parkmobile is the leading global provider of seamlessly integrated end-to-end solutions for mobile payments, parking guidance using business analytics and parking. Its offerings include mobile payments for on and off-street parking, digital parking permits, real-time enforcement and a seamless transit experience. Their services are used in 500 cities around the world by millions of registered users. Parkmobile USA was founded in Atlanta, Georgia and its call center, engineering team and corporate headquarters are located in the U.S. Parkmobile’s investors include BCD Holdings and Fontinalis Partners. With annual global revenues of $22.8 billion, BCD Holdings is an international market leader in the corporate and online travel, and off-airport and mobile parking industry. Fontinalis Partners invests in and partners with innovative technology companies that modernize and improve transportation. Fontinalis is led by Bill Ford, a lifelong environmentalist and the executive chairman of Ford Motor Company.

Cherie Fuzzell has over 17 years of executive experience in the payments and healthcare industries as well as 7 years of mergers & acquisitions experience with the international law firm Jones Day. Cherie was most recently President and CEO of FirstView and has held senior positions with USBancorp, NOVA Information Systems, Inc. (now Elavon) and Magellan Health Services. Cherie earned a bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama and a juris doctorate from the Vanderbilt University School of Law where she served as Associate Editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review. She is a member of the Bar Associations of the States of Texas, Ohio and Georgia.

 

 

Special Edition: Women in Technology (WIT)

Posted on

Podcast: Download

ATL

Denise Reese / Endava Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Denise Reese is Director, Business Development with Endava, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Endava UK Limited, a leading IT Services and Consulting firm with operations in London, Germany The US and Central Eastern Europe. In her role, Denise leads sales and operations for Endava’s newest US office in Atlanta, GA.

Denise has spent more than a decade in Sales and Strategic Alliances for several major IT Services and Software organizations and has held positions both in The United States and Europe. Her experience spans multiple disciplines including Identity and Access Management, IT Security and Regulatory Compliance Management. Denise has built a brand rooted in developing trusted advisor relationships with her
clients. This, coupled with a keen ability to build repeatable and sustainable revenue generating opportunities, has afforded Denise with the opportunity to achieve significant milestones for the firms she’s worked with.

During her tenure with Wipro Technologies, a leading IT Services, Consulting and Business Process Outsourcing Organization headquartered in Bangalore, India, she secured Wipro’s 1st and largest Hospitality Client in the US and was a multi -million dollar contributor to the RCTG (Retail, CPG, Transportation and Government) Business Unit.

Denise holds an MBA in Strategic Management from The Henley Business School in The United Kingdom. Her dissertation research focused on the importance of businesses adapting a sound IT Security and Risk policy. During her MBA Program, she completed her International Business Experience in Hong Kong. This allowed her the opportunity to analyze and provide strategic direction to Asia-Pacific companies in multiple industries including Manufacturing, Retail, and Public Sector.

Denise is passionate about serving in the community and embodies the qualities of a true Servant Leader. She served as Board Chair of the University Community Academy Board of Directors from 2009-2012. She is currently President of The Women in Technology (WIT) Foundation Board, the philanthropic arm of Women In Technology, Inc. Additionally, she serves as Executive Advisor to WIT’s “WIT on Campus ” Program and is also responsible for developing Strategic Relationships for The WIT Foundation. Denise also had the honor of being a contributing author to WIT’s leadership book CLIMB: Leading Women in Technology Share Their Journey’s to Success. Denise also serves on the Board of Directors for Cool Girls, Inc. where she has held positions as both Board Development and Resource Development Chair. She was also Event Chair for Cool Girls’ signature fundraiser, Hot Pink Party 2013. She had the privilege of being a 2012 Girls, Inc. “Strong Smart and Bold” Award Nominee and was recently bestowed the honor of serving on the Judges Panel for Distinguished Young Women’s (formerly Junior Miss) 2013 National Finals.

Denise was a Founding Board Member and Director of Development for the Greater Atlanta Professional Chapter of Women MBA’s International, formerly known as NAWMBA -National Association of Women MBA’s. Recently, Denise was inducted into the Financial Times/European Business School’s Women on Board Initiative, “Global Board Ready Women.” This groundbreaking program is a global database of 8000 high achieving women in business and supports greater gender diversity on publicly quoted company boards in Europe. Denise is also a member of the National MS Society of Georgia’s MS Leadership 2014 Class.

Ben Hendrick / Dell Services Linkedin Twitter Facebook

As Managing Director of the Consulting & Systems Integration team, reporting to Dell Services – Vice President – Joe Schoenbaechler, my new responsibilities will include the following:

Enterprise Systems & Networking (ES&N) / Service Lines: 1) Networking & Advance Networking Services 2) Microsoft Infrastructure & End-User Services 3) Security & Advance Security Services 4) Telephony & Wireless Services 5) Platform Management Services 6) Global Principal Architects

Delivery Managers, Technical Consultants, and Principal Architects on the ES&N team / Service Lines are deployed globally in the United States (on-shore), Mexico, (near-shore) Romania, and India. (off-shore)

Within Dell Services – C&SI, we focus on retention customers (farming) by doing repeat business (LAND & EXPAND) through Field Identified Opportunities (FIO). We engage and assist in pre-Sales with Principal Consultants, Client Executives, Application Sales Executives, Systems Consultants, and Global Account Managers. We also assist in winning new business with acquisition accounts (hunting) that are a part of the Global 1,500 named account list. In addition, my team is tasked to define new business solutions and to deliver these solutions to our customers while working the various Sales teams.

 

 

Special Edition: Georgia CIO Leadership Association

Posted on

Podcast: Download

ATL

Kelly Harris / Georgia CIO Leadership Association

The GCLA is Georgia’s preeminent professional association for senior technology leaders. The GCLA exists to provide a forum to share ideas, best practices and experiences relevant to CIOs. It is committed to creating opportunities for Georgia CIOs to engage in substantive, issues-based discussion related to their industries and profession. The organization promotes industry growth and professional development by hosting luncheons, round tables and executive events that facilitate valuable interaction among senior-level experts as well as the Georgia CIO of the Year® Awards community-wide annual event.

Kenny Coleman / Southern Company

A 15-year veteran of Southern Company, Kenny has held leadership positions of increasing importance in Wholesale and Retail Marketing, External Affairs, Customer Operations and IT. He has been CIO for the past 3.5 years and leads a team of more than 1,100 employees across the Southern Company footprint that develops and supports more than 800 applications; manages more than 4 zetabytes of data; leads our efforts on cyber security; and manages a telecom network that spans more than 120,000 square miles.

Kenny has been very involved in his community serving in leadership capacities for the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, University of New Haven Business School advisory board; Georgia CIO Leadership Association; and YearUp.

 

 

 

Spotlight on Startup Riot

Posted on

Podcast: Download

ATL

Sanjay Parekh / Startup Riot Twitter

Sanjay Parekh is the Founder of Startup Riot, an all-day event which highlights 30 startups through three minute, four slide presentations given by the startups. The startups subsequently answer questions from a judging panel for three minutes. The upcoming event will be March 4, 2015 at Terminal West.

Patrick Braswell / RealNex Linkedin Twitter

Patrick Braswell is the former CEO of Ten Eight a Deal Automation Solution for Commercial Real Estate Brokers, Owners and Tenants. Ten Eight was purchased by RealNex August 2014, 2 years after Patrick and his co-founders launch the Ten Eight.

Spencer Barkoff / Campus Bubble

Rob Kischuk / PerfectPost Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Rob Kischuk is CEO and Founder of PerfectPost, a Social Media Optimization Platform for small and midsize businesses. PerfectPost was in the first class of the Flashpoint Startup Accelerator, and our investors include Mark Cuban and Atlanta Angel Investors. Rob has been involved in Atlanta startups since graduating from Georgia Tech 15 years ago, including Air2Web and LivePerson, both acquired by public companies, as well as WeTheCitizens and Xeko Elf Island.

 

 

Women in Technology WIT Special

Posted on

Podcast: Download

ATL

Sandy Welfare / WIT Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Sandy D. Welfare was recently appointed as the interim Executive Director of Women In Technology (WIT), a non-profit organization that supports women at every stage of their STEM careers – from the classroom to the boardroom. Prior to joining WIT, she was the Executive Director of Cool Girls Inc, an award-winning early intervention after school program dedicated to the empowerment of low-income girls.

Sandy’s career began in 1989 in Greenwich, Connecticut where she joined Rand Insurance as the operations controller. Six years later, she accepted a position with Lucent Technologies, an international telecommunications leader, holding a number of positions including from 1999-2000 serving as accounting and treasury manager in Singapore and then from 2000-2002 as senior operations manager in Australia and New Zealand. Sandy returned to Atlanta in 2002 as senior manager global financial services.

In 2003, Sandy accepted a position as director of operations for Xchanging, a business processing outsourcing company. In 2006, her career took her to London, England as managing director for professional services, where she managed global business processing services for bank financial transactions, insurance and retail. Two years later, Sandy returned to the Atlanta area and was asked to chair the Cool Girls’ Board of Directors. In 2009, Sandy was offered the Executive Director position which she accepted and led the organization until stepping down in October 2014.

Sandy received her undergraduate degree from St. John’s University in New York, and a Master of Business Administration from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Sandy resides in Marietta, Georgia with her husband Cliff and son Soloman.

Denise Detamore / Kids 4 Coding Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Kids 4 Coding teaches Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to students in grades K-12. Their unique learning center is designed to prepare students with 21st Century skills, which will be needed to compete for jobs of the future.

Co-Founder, Denise Detamore, is a former school teacher with 20 years of experience and a passion for innovation. Her business partner, AnnMarie Laramee, is a social entrepreneur with a background in marketing & design. Together they’re tackling the technology education gap by getting kids started early.

 

 

Kurt Heinrich and Nate Kristy with eCommHub

Posted on

Podcast: Download

ATL

Kurt Heinrich and Nate Kristy / eCommHub Linkedin Twitter Facebook

eCommHub came out of the frustration experienced by founder, Kurt Heinrich, over point solutions which only solved part of the problem and custom-built enterprise solutions that were designed (and priced) for large businesses. All retailers – not only the biggest – should have access to scalable and efficient automation.

A great technology platform, spectacular client support and ruthlessly efficient pricing is only the beginning. eCommerce is undergoing a rapid democratization that’s enabling any online retailer to build a store, take products into new markets and thrive.

 

 

Spotlight on WIT

Posted on

Podcast: Download

ATLSandy Welfare / WIT Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Sandy D. Welfare was recently appointed as the interim Executive Director of Women In Technology (WIT), a non-profit organization that supports women at every stage of their STEM careers – from the classroom to the boardroom. Prior to joining WIT, she was the Executive Director of Cool Girls Inc, an award-winning early intervention after school program dedicated to the empowerment of low-income girls.

Sandy’s career began in 1989 in Greenwich, Connecticut where she joined Rand Insurance as the operations controller. Six years later, she accepted a position with Lucent Technologies, an international telecommunications leader, holding a number of positions including from 1999-2000 serving as accounting and treasury manager in Singapore and then from 2000-2002 as senior operations manager in Australia and New Zealand. Sandy returned to Atlanta in 2002 as senior manager global financial services.

In 2003, Sandy accepted a position as director of operations for Xchanging, a business processing outsourcing company. In 2006, her career took her to London, England as managing director for professional services, where she managed global business processing services for bank financial transactions, insurance and retail. Two years later, Sandy returned to the Atlanta area and was asked to chair the Cool Girls’ Board of Directors. In 2009, Sandy was offered the Executive Director position which she accepted and led the organization until stepping down in October 2014.

Sandy received her undergraduate degree from St. John’s University in New York, and a Master of Business Administration from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Sandy resides in Marietta, Georgia with her husband Cliff and son Soloman.

Denise Reese / Endava Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Denise Reese is Director, Business Development with Endava (US) LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endava UK Limited, a leading IT Services and Consulting firm with operations in London, Germany The US and Central Eastern Europe. In her role, Denise leads sales and operations for Endava’s newest US office in Atlanta, GA.

Denise has spent more than a decade in Sales and Strategic Alliances for several major IT Services and Software organizations and has held positions both in The United States and Europe. Her experience spans multiple disciplines including Identity and Access Management, IT Security and Regulatory Compliance Management. Denise has built a brand rooted in developing trusted advisor relationships with her
clients. This, coupled with a keen ability to build repeatable and sustainable revenue generating opportunities, has afforded Denise with the opportunity to achieve significant milestones for the firms she’s worked with.

During her tenure with Wipro Technologies, a leading IT Services, Consulting and Business Process Outsourcing Organization headquartered in Bangalore, India, she secured Wipro’s 1st and largest Hospitality Client in the US and was a multi -million dollar contributor to the RCTG (Retail, CPG, Transportation and Government) Business Unit.

Denise holds an MBA in Strategic Management from The Henley Business School in The United Kingdom. Her dissertation research focused on the importance of businesses adapting a sound IT Security and Risk policy. During her MBA Program, she completed her International Business Experience in Hong Kong. This allowed her the opportunity to analyze and provide strategic direction to Asia-Pacific companies in multiple industries including Manufacturing, Retail, and Public Sector.

Denise is passionate about serving in the community and embodies the qualities of a true Servant Leader. She served as Board Chair of the University Community Academy Board of Directors from 2009-2012. She is currently President of The Women in Technology (WIT) Foundation Board, the philanthropic arm of Women In Technology, Inc. Additionally, she serves as Executive Advisor to WIT’s “WIT on Campus ” Program and is also responsible for developing Strategic Relationships for The WIT Foundation. Denise also had the honor of being a contributing author to WIT’s leadership book CLIMB: Leading Women in Technology Share Their Journey’s to Success. Denise also serves on the Board of Directors for Cool Girls, Inc. where she has held positions as both Board Development and Resource Development Chair. She was also Event Chair for Cool Girls’ signature fundraiser, Hot Pink Party 2013. She had the privilege of being a 2012 Girls, Inc. “Strong Smart and Bold” Award Nominee and was recently bestowed the honor of serving on the Judges Panel for Distinguished Young Women’s (formerly Junior Miss) 2013 National Finals.

Denise was a Founding Board Member and Director of Development for the Greater Atlanta Professional Chapter of Women MBA’s International, formerly known as NAWMBA -National Association of Women MBA’s. Recently, Denise was inducted into the Financial Times/European Business School’s Women on Board Initiative, “Global Board Ready Women.” This groundbreaking program is a global database of 8000 high achieving women in business and supports greater gender diversity on publicly quoted company boards in Europe. Denise is also a member of the National MS Society of Georgia’s MS Leadership 2014 Class.

Special Edition: Georgia CIO Leadership Association

Posted on

Podcast: Download

ATL

Joe Surber / AGL Resources Linkedin

Joe Surber is the senior vice president and chief information officer for AGL Resources (NYSE:GAS). As chief information officer since 2008, he is responsible for the ongoing enhancement of the company’s technology platform in alignment with business goals. His role extends to leadership of the company’s enterprise portfolio of real estate and facilities.

Mr. Surber serves on the board of directors for the Georgia Technology Authority as an appointee of Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. His industry leadership is recognized through his service as the chair of the Technology Advisory Council of the American Gas Association and as a member of the advisory board of the Georgia CIO Leadership Association. Mr. Surber is an active member of the Atlanta community where he serves on the board of directors for Midtown Alliance and also supports many other local non-profit organizations. He has twice served as the technology campaign chair of the United Way of Greater Atlanta, where he remains on the cabinet.

Mr. Surber is a member of the 2013 class of Leadership Atlanta and the Multiple Sclerosis Society Leadership Hall of Fame and a graduate of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute. Mr. Surber also has been recognized by Georgia Trend magazine as a “Top 40 Under 40” and as an “Up and Comer” by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. He is a recipient of the U.S.B. Award from the United Way of Greater Atlanta for his advocacy and support of the organization.

Jay Ferro / American Cancer Society

Jay is currently Chief Information Officer for the American Cancer Society (ACS), a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the American Cancer Society has more than 900 local offices nationwide and a presence in more than 5,100 communities. Jay is responsible for the people, strategy and operations of the Global Information Technology organization.

Prior to joining ACS in 2012, Jay served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for AdCare Health Systems, a rapidly growing and recognized innovator in health care facility management. Jay spent the previous 7 years at AIG (American International Group), most recently as VP and CIO for AIG Aerospace, a leading global aerospace insurer. At AIG, Jay implemented numerous improvements that have delivered substantial value to the organization while managing significant organizational change in a turbulent market environment. In addition to his role as AVP of Information Technology with AIG Personal Lines, Jay was selected as CFO for Operations and Systems in 2006 and led multiple global IT Finance and Governance Standards initiatives that resulted in millions of dollars in savings for the organization.

Jay continues to be a thought leader in the Information Technology arena and is a frequent guest speaker and panelist, both in Atlanta and Nationwide. In recognition of his accomplishments, Jay was selected as Georgia CIO of the Year in 2011, and is currently serving as Chair for the Georgia CIO Leadership Association.

His commitment and dedication to community involvement is evidenced by the time and energy he contributes. In 2007, he founded the non-profit group, Priscilla’s Promise, in honor of his late wife, which raises funds for cervical cancer education and research, and currently serves as its Executive Director. In 2011 he was elected to the Board of Directors for TechBridge, an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization which helps other nonprofits use technology to improve their capability to serve the community, and in 2013 was named Board Chair.

Jay earned both his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and his Masters of Business Administration from The University of Georgia. Jay continues to be involved with his alma mater, both as a mentor for young alumni and as a member of the Alumni Board of Directors for the Terry College of Business.

Jay lives in the Metro Atlanta Area with his 3 sons: Trey, Connor and Alex.

 

Lance Gleason and Nathan Settembrini with Attendalytics, Adam Wexler with Insightpool, Todd Harris with Hi-Rez Studios and Brian Harper with stable/kernel

Posted on

Podcast: Download

ATL

Lance Gleason and Nathan Settembrini / Attendalytics Linkedin Twitter

Attendalytics offers analytics for trade shows and conferences by combining location data with anonymized demographics to provide actionable insights to event organizers. Attendalytics is the brainchild of Lance Gleason, who took his idea to Atlanta’s Startup Weekend in late November 2014 and joined forces with a talented team to create a proof of concept. The team placed third locally and proceeded to the regional and ultimately the global competition, where it placed third out of the top 12 teams in the world.

Lance Gleason has 20 years of software development experience and is also the founder of Polyglot Programming, a local dev shop focused on Ruby on Rails, big data and Mobile projects.

Nathan Settembrini is a Double Jacket from Georgia Tech (EE ’06, MBA ’12), with a varied business and technology background across multiple industries. Currently, Nathan works at Equifax supporting B2B sales through database marketing and sales analytics. Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Adam Wexler / Insightpool Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Adam Wexler is the Founder of Insightpool, The Leader in Social Engagement Activation. The software helps many of the most innovative brands in the world like Home Depot, Intercontinental Hotels Group and General Mills drive their social goals and develop stronger relationships with their most relevant influencers, prospects and customers.

Over the years, Adam has been invited to speak in front of thousands of event attendees and students about subjects such as social media and entrepreneurship. Additionally, Adam has written for a wide variety of publications such as The Huffington Post, Digiday and Direct Marketing News. At different times, Adam has also been the voice behind numerous brands on social media including Sprite, NCAA March Madness and Cracker (the band).

Wexler graduated from The University of Georgia with a focus in Leadership studies.

Todd Harris / Hi-Rez Studios Twitter Facebook

Todd began his career as a software engineer at NCR before taking on product development leadership roles at Radiant Systems and BlueCube Software. In 2005, he entered the games industry when he co-founded Hi-Rez Studios, a creator of online action multiplayer games. Hi-Rez released the first free-to-play game on Steam in 2010, followed by the critically acclaimed shooter Tribes: Ascend in 2012. Todd and Hi-Rez are currently working on the mythology themed, 3D MOBA SMITE which has over 5 million players. Todd has spoken at numerous game industry events including gamescom, GDC, PAX Prime, PAX East, PAX Australia, Dragon*Con, and SIEGE.

Brian Harper / stable/kernel Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Brian Harper recently joined stable/kernel, an Atlanta-based software company offering end-to-end mobile solutions, in the role of Director of Design. With almost a decade’s experience designing for mobile apps and mobile web, desktop, gaming and other mediums, Brian brings a diverse background to the position. Brian draws from his experience designing mobile apps for clients such as P&G, Honeywell, Orkin and Whirlpool, to lead strategic user interface and user experience design at stable/kernel. Prior to joining stable/kernel, Brian served as deputy design manager at Big Nerd Ranch, a 2012 Inc. 500 company. Brian started as Big Nerd Ranch’s sole designer and helped grow the company’s design team to more than 10 strong designers. Brian also designed and produced front-ends, gameplay systems, level layouts and sound effects for Blue Heat Games, producing for Nintendo DS and mobile environments.