October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Did we see you there?
At the Johns Creek Chamber Business Expo. PAGES 2B – 3B
Growth continues to the north North Fulton reaping benefits of economic recovery. PAGE 1B
Volume 2, Issue 10 • Cherokee • Cobb • Forsyth • Fulton • Gwinnett • Hall • An Appen Media Group Publication
Off to the races
Braselton’s Road Atlanta area’s biggest draw. PAGE 21A Kennesaw State University merged with Southern Polytechnic State University earlier this year, marking it the largest consolidation by the University System of Georgia.
Let’s go downtown
Woodstock redevelopment fuels growth. PAGE 23A
Here comes the sun
PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Atlanta, GA Permit #3592
Solar panel manufacturer expands in Gwinnett. PAGE 24A
Gwinnett Tech President Dr. Glen Cannon addresses the crowd during the inaugural State of the College address Oct. 2.
University of North Georgia’s main campus is located in Dahlonega and also includes campuses in Blue Ridge, Cumming, Gainesville and Oconee.
UNIVERSITIES OF METRO ATLANTA AT
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Appen Media Group 319 North Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009
LA
Thinking about getting your MBA? Wondering what’s going on at Gwinnett Tech? Or maybe you want to know what career path to take. You will find coverage of Metro Atlanta’s higher education programs, including University of North Georgia, Gwinnett Tech and Kennesaw State. Read more, Pages 14A – 19A.
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AND THE WINNERS ARE... The final selections have been made for North Atlanta Business Post’s 40 under 40. Make plans to attend the awards ceremony at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Alpharetta. Learn more, Page 3A
2A • October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
WELCOME
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • October 2015 • 3A
Letter from the publisher The North Atlanta Business Post has been growing and that is good news for any company or organization that markets to other businesses (B2B) in Atlanta or on the northside. Of the 20,000 copies that we print each month, over 7,000 are going out through the U.S. Mail (7,286 to be exact). Over 12,000 are home delivered to primarily gated and estate communities in the North Atlanta area as well as chambers of commerce and economic departments in all six counties within the Post’s footprint. The Post now delivers a larger business audience in the North Atlanta Market than of any other B2B publication in the region. We have targeted companies and organizations (CEO’s, CFO’s, COO’s, CTO’s, CIO’s and more) that so many of you want to reach: over 1,000 North Atlanta medical practices and/ or physicians, the top residential and commercial realtors, the top 50 colleges and universities, the top 50 banks and financial institutions, the top 50 employers, top technology companies, credit unions, engineering firms, developers, chambers of commerce, municipalities and many more. If your business depends on selling to other businesses, The Post should be an integral part of your marketing plan. Call me directly – Hans Appen at 770-442-3278 x 116. This edition is full of business news on the north side, but with a focus on the higher education opportunities and updates
in the area. We have also included a supplemental section, North Fulton Market Report. Thank you to Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce for helping us put this section together. Our 40 under 40 selection and planning committee had a fun month, as they hosted a meet and greet at Jekyll Brewery for all the candidates. It was a fun way for the committee to meet all the nominees, ask them questions and better qualify them for the final 40 under 40 list. Selections have been made and the winners will be notified soon. The 40 under 40 awards event and gala will be held at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Oct. 22. If you are interested in coming, reserve your tickets at northatlantabusinesspost.com In next month’s edition of the Post, just in time for the holiday shopping season, we will be putting a focus on retail in north Atlanta, including trends, newcomers, vacancy rates, major players, etc. In addition to that we will also be publishing the full list of 40 under 40 winners with brief bios for each. Until next time.
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40 under 40 awards ceremony Oct. 22 NORTH ATLANTA – North Atlanta Business Post has made the final selection of their “40 under 40.” An awards ceremony will be held in honor of the Class of 2015, 6 – 9 p.m. Oct. 22 at Ruth’s Chris Steak House 11655 Haynes Bridge Road, Alpharetta. Each winner will receive two complimentary tickets to the event. A full list of the winners will be printed in our November edition. North Atlanta Business Post’s 40 under 40 is unique in that a majority of the winners are submitted by the Chambers
Did we see you there? See pictures from the 40 under 40 after hours event, Page 12A.
40 under 40 partners
Advertising: All advertising published in North Atlanta Business Post is subject to current rate card; copies available from the advertising department. To obtain a copy contact your sales representative at 770-442-3278 or email hans@appenmediagroup.com. Newsroom: All press releases and editorial information can be sent to business@appenmediagroup.com Visit NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com for more information.
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of Commerce in their coverage area. The remaining 10 are selected from the pool of nominations from other businesses, municipal chambers, individuals and more. Tickets to the event are $100 for individuals or $1,000 for a table of ten. To learn more about the program or to purchase tickets, visit NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com/40under40.
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REAL ESTATE
4A • October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
New mixed-use development for Old Milton 186 units of residential planned on 21 acres By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA. Ga. – A new mixed-use development is planned for Old Milton Parkway across the street from Avalon.
...Old Milton Holdings, the site has extreme topography issues, notably a large depression in the center, requiring tons of infill to level it off.
The area highlighted in red is the location of the proposed mixed-use development.
A 21-acre tract of land along Old Milton Parkway, bordered on the east by the post office, on the west by Westside Parkway and Avalon, and on the north by Thompson Street, will contain residential, retail and office components. Plans call for 186 units of residential, in a mix of single-family homes, apartments and
townhomes. Unfortunately for the developer, Old Milton Holdings, the site has extreme topography issues, notably a large depression in the center, requiring tons of infill to level it off. Bob Cheeley, of Old Milton Holdings, asked the city Sept. 28 to allow him to fast track his land disturbance permit and allow him to take advantage
of neighbor Avalon’s construction which requires Avalon to get rid of thousands of square yards of fill. Eric Graves, with the city, said city rules do not allow tree removal and land grading to be done on a site without an LDP. However it does allow grading permits on their own if conditions are met. Graves said working with the devel-
oper in this way will save city streets from the hundreds of dump truck-loads needed for the work, if the fill is able to be had from Avalon, across the street. During this work, 100 feet of undisturbed buffer will encircle the site until the next phase is ready to begin. Council unanimously approved granting a permit to begin the grading work.
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • October 2015 • 5A
I N V I TAT I O N A WOMEN IN BUSINESS LUNCHEON
Wed., Oct. 21, 2015 • 11:30am - 1:00pm The Metropolitan Club, Alpharetta, GA
Join us for this premiere networking event and connect, share and learn with the dynamic women committed to the growth and prosperity of one of Georgia’s most vibrant and robust business communities. Take advantage of this opportunity to be a partner in our community, to promote your reputation and brand, and to increase your visibility and drive sales. Be a part of this Alpharetta Chamber event, and drive the business that will drive our future. CONNECT, SHARE AND LEARN. NETWORKING WITH A PURPOSE.
What makes this event unique? We’re networking with a purpose. Attendees are asked to be a new or nearly new winter accessory (hat, gloves, scarves, etc.) that will be donated to North Fulton Community Charities to benefit local women and children in need.
Sponsored by
Featured Speaker Allison Moran, CEO of RaceTrac MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR
Sponsorship Investment NETWORK with FELLOW PROFESSIONALS, COMMUNITY LEADERS and ADVOCATES, DRIVERS and INFLUENCERS CONNECT with POTENTAL CUSTOMERS, SUPPLIERS, VENDORS and OTHER RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS LEARN and SHARE in a DYNAMIC, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT
Sponsorship Opportunities WALKING THE WALK SPONSOR $1,000
• Chance to introduce keynote speaker • Table of 8 seats • Logo placement on marketing and in pre-event area • Company profile in program • Limit 1 business TALKING THE TALK SPONSOR $600 • Table of 4 seats • Logo placement on marketing and in pre-event area • Company profile in program • Limit 3 businesses LUXURY SPONSOR $300 • Table of 2 seats • Logo placement on marketing and in pre-event area
Door Prizes by
Other Opportunities • Donate $1,000.00 to be a title sponsor* • Purchase a table at the event and bring people to attend (table cost $360) • Attend event as an individual for $45 * these items may make you eligible to have a booth at the pre-event networking.
Goody Bags by • Anchor Marketing • Exhale MindBody Spa • Sage Fashion Wisdom • Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
• DryBar • BurgerFi • Athleta • LottaFrutta
• Kendra Scott • Opulence Nail Boutique • Taziki’s • Great Expressions Dental
Learn More
Contact Lillian Morgado lillian@alpharettachamber.com • 404.277.4930
NEWS
6A • October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Census: Quarter of North Fulton lives in rentals Many renters in single-family homes By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. – Rental homes, especially apartments, have long been seen as a negative when it comes to housing in North Fulton. The cities of Milton, Alpharetta, Roswell and Johns Creek – as well as many residents – often look favorably on single-family housing developments and poorly on apartment complexes. However, according to census figures, as many as a third of all residents in the cities live in rental housing and, in a report commissioned by Alpharetta, many of those are in single-family homes. “A significant portion of your renters don’t live in apartment complexes,” reported Ken Bleakly of the Bleakly Advisory Group. Bleakly created the Alpharetta study, which looked at all housing options within the city and how their uses have changed over time, largely since 2000. While his numbers showed a decline in rental housing overall since 2000, a quarter of the population still lives in rentals. In 2000, 40 percent of the city’s housing inventory was occupied by renters. “Everybody equates renters with [apartment] complexes,” Bleakly said. “But in North Fulton, a lot of renters live in single-family homes and townhomes.” Surrounding cities told a similar story in 2010. Johns Creek has the lowest number of rentals of the North Fulton cities. With a population of 76,728 residents and 26,266 occupied housing units, almost 80 percent were owner-occupied (20,914). The remaining 5,352 are rentals. In Milton, with a population of 32,661, just over a quarter of the population (26.1 percent) live in rental housing. Out of the 11,659 homes in 2010, 74 percent of them (8,616) reported being owner-occupied, with the rest listed as rented. This equated to 6,747 residents. Roswell was most similar to Alpharetta in its numbers of renters. Out of 36,344 residents, 33.1 percent (11,235 people) reported being in rentals. Roswell has a population of 88,346. All told, North Fulton’s renter population in 2010 was 66,564 out of a total population of 255,286 (26 percent). While these census numbers are from the 2010 census, the housing stock in North Fulton’s cities has grown significantly, primarily in single-family homes. However, large apartment developments
Owner and renter households in North Fulton in 2010 Alpharetta Population: 57,551 Total housing units: 23,029 Occupied housing units: 21,742 Owner-occupied housing units: 14,129 (65%) Population in owner occupied: 40,676 Renter-occupied housing units: 7,613 (35.0%) Population in renter occupied: 16,806 Johns Creek Population: 76,728 Total housing units: 27,744 Occupied housing units: 26,266 Owner-occupied housing units: 20,914 (79.6%) Population in owner occupied: 62,779 Renter-occupied housing units: 5,352 (20.4%) Population in renter occupied: 13,949 Milton Population: 32,661 Total housing units: 12,328 Occupied housing units: 11,659 Owner-occupied housing units: 8,616 (74%) Population in owner occupied: 25,910 Renter-occupied housing units: 3,043 (26.1) Population in renter occupied: 6,747 Roswell Population: 88,346 Total housing units: 36,344 Occupied housing units: 33,945 Owner-occupied housing units: 22,710 (66.9%) Population in owner occupied: 58,768 Renter-occupied housing units: 11,235 (33.1%) Population in renter occupied: 29,062 Source: U.S. Decennial Census
have shown up recently, notably Avalon in Alpharetta and River Walk in Roswell. Several more are planned in both cities in the coming years. Bleakly said the renters in North Fulton tend to be younger – Generation X and millennials – and without children. They pay a premium in rent, often over $1,000 a month, can be new to the area thanks to a new job, and are waiting to buy a home.
NEWS
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • October 2015 • 7A
State’s unemployment rate 5.9% in August ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) has announced that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in August was 5.9 percent. The rate was 6.0 percent in July. “This is the first time Georgia’s unemployment rate has dropped below six percent since May 2008,” said State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. “The rate declined as our employers laid off the fewest workers for any month in more than 15 years and continued to create jobs.” Most of the decrease in August was due to a decline in temporary claims filed in manufacturing and administrative and support services, which includes temporary employment agencies. And, over the year, claims were down by 15.4 percent. The decline came mostly in manufacturing. The number of jobs in Georgia increased to 4,260,300 in August, 0.1 percent, from July. The growth came mainly in the construction industry. Over-the-year, the number of jobs in Georgia grew by 2.0 percent. The national job-growth rate was 2.1 percent. Most of the job growth in Georgia came in trade, transportation and warehousing. Georgia’s continuing job growth increases the existing demand for skilled
“This is the first time Georgia’s unemployment rate has dropped below six percent since May 2008.” Mark Butler, State Labor Commissioner
workers. The Georgia Department of Economic Development recently announced that it has received a $3 million federal grant to help address the skillsshortage issue. The grant will fund work-based training programs for 30 companies throughout Georgia who are committed to hiring 400 apprentices. Butler encouraged job seekers to utilize the GDOL’s new job listing service, EmployGeorgia, where employers posted 75,207 jobs throughout the state in August.
Newtown Medical Associates announces new location ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Newtown Medical Associates and Dr. James L. Stewart announce the opening of their new location at the Northside/Alpharetta Medical Campus on Old Milton Parkway. The practice began seeing patients at the new location July 6. Newtown Medical serves adults and adolescents ages 13 and older. With a focus on same-day appointments, shorter waiting times, more face time with providers and prompt call backs, Newtown Medical provides patients with high-quality primary medical care. Affiliated with Northside Hospital, Newtown Medical Associates now accepts most insurance plans as well as providing a larger network of specialists. Newton Medical Associates’ newly renovated office is located at the Northside/ Alpharetta Medical Campus, 3400 Old Milton Parkway, Building A, Alpharetta. For information, call 770-740-8550, or visit newtownmed.com.
TECHNOLOGY
8A • October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Avoiding extinction in the digital age GATN speaker event focuses on using latest digital technology to edge competitors By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Greater Alpharetta Tech Network continues its quarterly lecture series with Rich Napoli, CEO of Alpharetta-based Object Frontier Software. Napoli has proNapoli vocatively labeled his lecture “Avoiding Extinction in the Digital Age” and will speak on using the newest digital technology to “outrun” the competition. GATN is a nonprofit association with Cashion a mission to engage and grow the thriving Greater Alpharetta technology community. GATN President Karen Cashion said she was especially happy to get Napoli as the third speaker in the 2015 series. “Rich Napoli and Object Frontier Software are a perfect example of the
tech innovation that is happening right here in Alpharetta,” Cashion said. “They build innovative custom software using the latest technologies, which include social, mobile, cloud and data analytics technologies. “Cutting edge is an overused expression but in the case of OFS, they truly are cutting edge.” OFS customers identify the parameters of what they need from technology to fill a need or accomplish a goal at a specified speed, and OFS will build it. They build custom software to the customer’s specification. OFS was recently named to Inc. magazine’s 2015 list of 5,000 fastest-growing privately held companies in the U.S. It has grown an astonishing 253 percent in the last three years. OFS has created 275 new jobs in that three-year span and currently employs more than 500 people worldwide, Cashion said. “Rich will share his insights on how companies are completely re-envisioning their business and relationships with customers using the latest digital products to drive revenues in new ways. “He is a highly accomplished and
“Rich will share his insights on how companies are completely re-envisioning their business and relationships with customers using the latest digital products to drive revenues in new ways.” Karen Cashion, GATN President innovative tech leader, and we are really honored to present him as GATN’s featured speaker.” Napoli will be discussing how companies today outperform their competitors
If you go What: GATN Fall Lecture Series: Using latest technology to stay ahead of the competition When: Thursday, Oct. 15, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Where: Microsoft Experience Center, 1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite 300, Alpharetta, Ga. Cost: Free to GATN members; nonmember tech execs $20. by using the latest digital products to drive revenue. This event will also feature tours of the Microsoft Technology Center in Alpharetta showcasing MTC’s purposebuilt collaborative environments that provide access to innovative technologies and world-class expertise. The purpose is to allow customers to envision, design and deploy solutions to address their business needs. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet some of the MTC solution architects that work side-by-side with customers to solve technology challenges.
Get Your Foot In The Door.
Now its easy to reach business owners and decision makers. Metro Atlanta is home to 5.3 million people, more than 148,000 businesses. and is the 10th largest GDP in the U.S. North Atlanta Business Post, a monthly business-centric publication is distributed to 20,000 business professionals in a variety of industries. Available both in print and online, The North Atlanta Business Post is your “foot in the door”. To find out more information, contact Hans Appen at 770-442-3278 today.
319 North Main Street • Alpharetta, GA 30009 NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • 770-442-3278
TECHNOLOGY
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • October 2015 • 9A
Caution urged for cybersecurity Online threats can be costly By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Cybercrime happens every day and, chances are, it will happen to everyone at some point. Recent computer breaches with companies such as Target or Home Depot are only the largest and most publically visible attacks on personal information, exposing millions of people to potentially dangerous personal information leaks. FBI task force agent and Alpharetta officer Christopher Breen said such breaches will continue to happen and the best way for consumers and business owners to keep themselves safe is to be aware of their exposure to such breaches. “Awareness is key,” Breen said. Breen spoke to a gathering of Alpharetta business owners Sept. 30 organized by the Alpharetta Business Association. The luncheon was to inform the guests about cybercrime and property crime. Breen gave examples of common security issues and viruses that can harm, destroy or exploit an individual’s or company’s data.
Ransomware Ransomware is basically a computer virus that, once on a computer or network, infects it by locking a user out of the computer and demanding money to get an unlock key. It can be spread through emails and clicking links that contain the virus.
Worst Passwords 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
123456 password 12345678 qwerty abc123 123456789 111111 1234567 iloveyou adobe123 Source: SplashData
“About $18 million a year is spent in the U.S. on ransomware,” he said. Breen suggested always backing up your computer and business files and keeping antivirus programs up to date. That way, those attacked never have to pay the ransom. “Be skeptical of emails and attachments you don’t know,” he said.
The Internet of Things Wireless technology is in nearly everything – cars, phones, televisions, fridges and the thermostat. Just as it is easy for a user to interact with these devices, it is also easy for someone else to hack into the systems. A baby monitor can be used to scout out a home; a wireless fridge can note when it is opened, telling someone when you are home. Breen said one incident earlier this year saw two men using a wireless component in a Jeep vehicle to control its acceleration and brakes from a cell phone. In another incident, a passenger on a commercial flight managed to take
control of the plane from his seat. He suggested an awareness of security exploits and points of entry into systems.
Breen suggests businesses review policies concerning employees using personal devices at work that may contain viruses.
Social Engineering
Web attacks
Not everything is high-tech. Sometimes it’s the simple tricks that fool people. “Always confirm who you are talking with,” Breen said. This can be a phone call from someone in authority – the police, IRS or even “Microsoft Tech Support” – who asks for money or for usernames and passwords. Breen said hackers are using such social engineering ploys more frequently because it is easier than writing viruses or trying to hack passwords. Never give out usernames or passwords to anyone, Breen cautioned.
Attackers are shifting their strategies from spam to malware and web-based exploits. One prominent issue is with Adobe Flash, on which much of the Internet’s webpages were based. To protect against these issues, your business and website should contain the most up-to-date security patches and make sure your website and its hosting company are secure.
Rogue insiders Disgruntled employees, friends or family members may pose security problems for employers, Breen said. Take Edward Snowden, the former CIA analyst who released classified government information. Breen suggested that not all employees need access to everything on a company’s computers. “Not everyone needs to know everything,” he said.
Mobile devices Android mobile phones have 79 percent of the smartphone market share and there are over two million types of malware – over 17 percent of all Android apps – to exploit any and all security issues in the phones.
EXECUTIVE HOMES FIND THE PERFECT HOME FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Advertise in Executive Homes for our November Edition Deadline: Oct. 29 Email: advertising@appenmediagroup.com or call 770-442-3278
Cyber theft Many merchants and companies that accept credit cards are exposed to risks, especially if they have not fixed or upgraded their payment system. “The frequency of payment card breaches continues at an alarming rate,” Breen said. Businesses may be at risk of lawsuits if their customers have their data breached. There may also be extensive recovery costs. Any individual or business with questions or concerns about threats to their security can contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.iC3.gov/default.aspx. While the federal government may get involved in small-business crimes, it is unlikely. In those incidents, Breen and his Atlanta task force may be able to help. Breen can be reached at Christopher. breen@ic.fbi.gov.
RIBBON CUTTINGS
10A • October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
New businesses in your area
Did your business recently cut a ribbon? Submit it to business@appenmediagroup.com
Business: Royal Dental Spa Opened: July 1, 2015 Owner: Dr. Samy Samaan What: Dental services for the whole family including cleanings, crowns,
veneers, whitening, partials, implants, dentures and Invisalign. Address: 26 East Crossville Road, Roswell Phone: 678-878-2801 Web: royaldentalspaofroswell.com
Business: Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia Opened: June 2015 Owners: Michael Bednarz, DPM, and Shamir Bhikha, DPM What: Podiatry practice that provides
Business: Focused Direction Opened: Sept. 3, 2014 Owner: Moira Cleary What: Life coaching for teens, Focused Direction helps teens develop their identity while managing their in-
dependence by creating personalized solutions to manage the challenges of time management and organization. Phone: 203-788-5167 Website: FocusedDirection.com
Business: Comeback Vinyl Opened: August 2015 Owners: Alex and Karen Vernon What: Comeback Vinyl is a record store selling new and used vinyl records, as well as new turntables and
music-related posters, T-shirts and more. Address: 520 S. Main Street, Suite A, Alpharetta Phone: 678-580-0583 Website: comebackvinyl.com
Business: Kathleen’s Catch Opened: Aug. 29, 2015 Owner: Kathleen Hulsey What: Kathleen’s Catch is a familyowned seafood market dedicated to bringing the freshest seafood
from the oceans of the world to your table. Address: 12660 Crabapple Road, Suite 110, Milton Phone: 678-691-3064 Website: kathleenscatch.com
Business: Tomorrow’s Hope Montessori School Opened: September 2015 What: A child care and early learning facility following the Georgia Department for Early Care and Learning,
Bright from the Start guidelines, and Montessori curriculum. Address: 305 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Suwanee Phone: 678-546-0704 Website: tomorrowshopemontessori.com
Business: Moctezuma Mexican Grill Opened: September ‘15 Owner: Jesus Ruelas What: Fun, festive and casual restaurant that offers authentic fresh-Mex. Addresses: 5950 North Point Parkway Alpharetta and 13020 Morris Road, Suite A, Alpharetta Phone: 770-7513974
Business: Tapout Fitness Opened: October 2015 What: All-encompassing fitness experience. Offering fitness, martial arts, group exercise and
more. Address: 5770 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Norcross Phone: 678-359-6455 Website: tapoutfitness.com
the best in ankle and foot care to Roswell and surrounding communities. Address: 865 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell Phone: 770-992-9980 Website: AnkleAndFootCenters.com
SOUND ADVICE
Is Atlanta really the secondbest city for millennials? Kathleen Sturgeon NABP Reporter
A recent study by Money magazine, a Time Inc. publication, ranked Atlanta as the second-best city for millennials. According to Money, the five cities on the list “boast high projected job growth and easy living.” But as a millennial living just outside of Atlanta, I can’t help but think: Should Atlanta really make the cut? Sure, Atlanta offers plenty of fun activities, like visiting the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coke or cheering on your favorite team at one of many sports venues. According to the magazine, millennials comprise about 26.2 percent of the city’s population and there are top employers in the city hiring local workers. The nightlife is great, too, but living about 30 miles outside of the city hinders my ability to party and then return home without paying a hefty taxi fee. There are definitely many great aspects about the “big city.” I’m just wondering if the North Fulton/Forsyth area is really capitalizing on the obvious benefits of being so close to Atlanta.
So often I hear government officials, coworkers and even my family talk about how the suburbs need to invest in getting millennials to move on in and hunker down. And, honestly, I think they’re going in the right direction. Just over the three-day Labor Day weekend, I attended multiple events. There was the Decatur Book Festival, Dragon*Con, outlet-mall shopping, the Forsyth rodeo and many other local events. I got out and experienced what it’s like to be a millennial living in Atlanta. And it was great. So the answer to my question of whether Atlanta should have made the second-place spot for best cities for millennials is yes, it should. With a rich history, countless hours of fun and entertainment and something going on every weekend, living in and just outside of Atlanta is a pretty cool place to be. Now, if our local suburbs could just copy some of what makes Atlanta attractive to my generation, I believe millennials would indeed begin flocking to the city’s northern communities. For example, investing in public space that could accommodate something like Dragon*Con would be an investment in the future by bringing the party here for millennials. Honestly, there is nowhere else I’d rather live. (Now if only we could work on that affordable local housing!)
Using mapping technology Dick Jones Founder & President Jones Simply Sales
When you plan your meetings with potential customers, are you organizing your meeting schedule to minimize your drive time? With GPS capabilities now available on most computers, smartphones and tablets, using mapping technology can significantly improve your productivity in the marketplace. There are many mapping technology systems available for you to use, and some of them are free. Simply upload the address information of your prospects or customers, and the mapping software takes over and places “pins” on a map to visually show you all the addresses.
Seeing your prospects and clients on a map, especially if you have a large territory, can help you plan your meetings and minimize your drive time between meetings. Some mapping technology will allow you to upload additional data for each of your customers or prospects, such as their industry or revenue, so that you can “filter” the clients and prospects on the visual map. For example, if you want to focus on calling on manufacturing companies with revenues above $50 million, the mapping software will show you all the prospects you have that meet this criteria. There are many applications you can use with mapping technology. If you have the data, mapping software can visualize this data for you on a map. If you are not using mapping technology, you are most likely spending a lot more time driving and navigating to your customers and prospects than you need to.
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • October 2015 • 11A
Simple, strong medicine for cybersecurity Read about specific types of security issues, Page 9A.
Joe Brannen President and CEO Georgia Bankers Association
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and Georgia’s banks are helping consumers and businesses take simple, effective steps to protect accounts and information. The other day I paid all my bills from my bank account at 10 p.m. While I was doing that, I also got an email from a scammer claiming to be a former Libyan army officer promising me millions of dollars if I help him get money out of his country by sharing my account information with him. That’s a prime example of how, along with the convenience and cool factor that comes with managing our money electronically, there are also important security concerns. Keeping your money safe has always been at the forefront of priorities for the 240 banks doing business in Georgia. Banks spend hundreds of millions of dollars to have the latest in cyber-protection capabilities to protect your accounts and your identity. But, unfortunately, hackers and cyberthieves know how to exploit our common human tendencies to get access to sensitive information. A study out last year from IBM said 95 percent of cybersecurity incidents involved human error at some point. So it’s clear that whether we’re guarding our own family’s checking account or are responsible for making sure our company’s finances and data are safe, people play a big role in having a strong cybersecurity fence. Every person who is connected to a computer at your place of business, for example, needs to know how to avoid inadvertently infecting your company’s systems or sharing sensitive information. The good news is that many of the
best protections are easy and don’t cost anything. Using tips such as change your passwords frequently, don’t open email attachments from sources you don’t recognize, and don’t fall for unsolicited phone or Internet scams asking for money are all good starts. Maybe the simplest protection related to banking is to use banks’ technology to watch your account like a hawk. Online banking, mobile banking apps, and mobile alerts make it easier than ever to spot transactions that look suspicious so you can let your bank know right away if something is not right. And also remember that your bank will never email you asking you to click a link or open an attachment to share account numbers or other critical data. If there’s ever any question, simply call or visit your bank, or go to its online banking site directly from your browser. If you’re a business owner, talk to your banker to make sure you know the best ways to protect the critical links and transaction verification procedures between your business and your accounts. And make sure your employees have access to training about how to protect your own systems from infection and hacking. In short, basic awareness and simple actions are strong medicine. In support of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, Georgia’s banks and the Georgia Bankers Association will be sharing these types of tips with consumers and businesses around the state. You can get more information from your bank or from the special cybersecurity center in the consumer information section of our website, www.gabankers. com.
If you’re a business owner, talk to your banker to make sure you know the best ways to protect the critical links and transaction verification procedures between your business and your accounts.
SAY CHEESE
12A • October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Did we see you there?
North Atlanta Business Post hosted an after hours event at Jekyll Brewing in Alpharetta on Sept. 23, 2015 in honor of the 40 under 40 nominees.
By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA, Ga. – Many of the most productive business meetings are conducted over food and drinks, and, for several dozen of north Atlanta’s best and brightest young stars, Sept. 23 was no different. The after-hours event for the North Atlanta Business Post’s inaugural 40 Under 40 competition kicked off at Jekyll Brewery in Alpharetta. The NABP has organized 40 Under 40 as a means to highlight the up-andcoming talent in the six counties of the north Atlanta area – Cherokee, Cobb, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett and Hall. Each chamber of commerce in the NABP’s coverage area selected a list of nominees, with the greater business community selecting their own. Staff from the NABP will chose 40 winners from the nominations. The meet-and-greet, the first step in the selection process, was designed for the nominees to mix and mingle with each other as well as the staff of the NABP. “Getting to know these individuals personally in a more intimate environment went a long way in helping to qualify the candidates before the final selections are made,” said NABP Publisher Hans Appen. “It was great to see attendees from all six counties the contest represents and it says a lot about the quality of the contest and how competitive the final selections will be.” Food for the event was sponsored by BurgerFi in Alpharetta. The 40 Under 40 finalists will be announced in early October, with an awards ceremony for the winners to be held Oct. 22. For more about the 40 under 40 and the NABP, visit www.northatlantabusinesspost. com.
photos by Abby Breaux/Staff
Edward Bailey, left, and Jeremy Skinner enthusiastically greet each other at the 40 Under 40 event Sept. 23.
Members of the North Atlanta Business Post 40 Under 40 selection committee are, from left, A.J. McNaughton, Paige Roman, Regan Schoch and Taylor Wright.
Lesa Wilson won a raffle to see country music star Chris Young at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.
Milton city councilmember Matt Kunz attends the event.
Jason Binder is all smiles.
From left, Eamon Keegan, North Atlanta Business Post 40 Under 40 selection committee member Jonathan Copsey and 40 under 40 nominee Peyton Jamison chat during the after hours event.
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • October 2015 • 13A
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14A • October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
HIGHER EDUCATION
‘State of the college’
Cannon delivers address to business leaders, college supporters Gwinnett Tech president highlights North Fulton campus GWINNETT — Gwinnett Technical College is at the hub of the community’s economic growth, according to its president, Dr. Glen Cannon. Addressing an audience of business and industry leaders, volunteers, donors and other supporters of the college at the inaugural State of the College address Oct. 2, Cannon spoke of a bright future for Georgia’s third-largest technical college. “We don’t guarantee success,” Cannon said in his speech, “but we do guarantee opportunity.” From its partnerships with recognized industry leaders to its strong placement and graduation rates, Gwinnett Tech is primed for success as it opens its second campus in a few months. In addition to its flagship campus in Lawrenceville, the college is expanding into Alpharetta to support students in the North Fulton part of its service area. Opening this January is a new three-story building, located at Old Milton Parkway and Ga. 400, that will include 35 classrooms plus lecture halls, labs, computer centers, a library, study spaces and student support facilities. “This puts us in a position to be in the center of growth and work with some of the biggest and best companies in Georgia and the Southeast,” Cannon said. “That is an exciting place to be, as well as one of great responsibility to help develop the workforce for these industries.” According to Cannon, the role that Gwinnett Tech
Info sessions with Gwinnett Tech
Gwinnett Tech President Dr. Glen Cannon, left, with Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce President Brandon Beach.
plays in the region’s workforce development is a vital component to success that businesses have realized. More than half of the top technology employers and a strong percentage of the top public companies in metro Atlanta are located within the approximately 700 square miles served by the college. From leaders in technology and health care to the logistics and finance giants, Gwinnett Technical College offers both credit and continuing education programs that enhance productivity and efficiency through quality learning opportunities for
Two one-hour sessions to provide a general overview and provide a checklist for admissions, registration and financial-aid needs have also been scheduled. Representatives of the college will be on hand Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 5 and 7 p.m. at Alpharetta City Hall. Another opportunity to attend an information session will be at the North Fulton Service Center on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 4 and 6 p.m. Additionally, Gwinnett Technical College will offer three full-service quick-admit events. Representatives from recruitment, retention, admissions, advisors, financial aid and other departments will be able to answer questions and move applicants through the process from application to registration. Prospective students will be able to attend 30-minute info sessions, apply and pay online, sit for Compass testing, register and apply for financial aid. These events are scheduled to be held at Reinhardt College’s North Fulton Center, 4100 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta on Friday, Nov. 13, from 4-7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; and Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 4-7 p.m. For more information on admissions and enrollment at Gwinnett Technical College visit http://www. gwinnetttech.edu/enrollment/ or call 678-226-6616.
current and future employees, Cannon said. Gwinnett Technical College offers more than 150 degree, diploma and certificate program options that can be completed in two years or less. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • October 2015 • 15A
HIGHER ED
16A • October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
UNG’s MBA program strives to fulfill workfo By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — The University of North Georgia’s director of the Mike Cottrell College of Business MBA program has only been with the program since August, but already he’s looking toward the future. Jeremy Bennett, who started his new job as director two months ago, said the program is currently in strategic realignment. Bennett and his team are reaching out to local businesses in various industries to find out what the workforce needs are for business students throughout north Georgia, mainly focusing in North Fulton, south Forsyth, Gwinnett and Hall counties. “In the past it’s been a base MBA program, which is typical, and now we’re developing specializations, concentrations or certificates,” Bennett said. “We’re trying to figure out what the need is out there. We’re getting the local businesses involved with development.” In order to achieve that, a survey is
circulating to local businesses, he said. Information technology companies are receiving the survey first, with health care and manufacturing companies next in line. Bennett said UNG BENNETT will also be meeting with local chambers of commerce to see what is needed in the workforce. “Multiple IT companies in the North Fulton area are getting involved in the survey,” Bennett said. “We are hoping to get more, as many as we can get involved.” UNG is a state university with a business focus, Bennett said. He said it’s an excellent school with quality instructors and the top accreditation a business school can have. These are all reasons why local businesses should want to get involved, he said, especially since UNG is looking into the changing dynamic of industries throughout north Georgia. “We already have a quality program.
We’re just looking to improve it based on specific needs rather than generalized needs,” Bennett said. And with more recognition comes more enrollment, something Bennett said he is hoping to grow. “I want to meet needs for local businesses and individuals who want to get their MBAs and assist them in finding the right jobs they’re interested in,” Bennett said. “I also want to get students who don’t have jobs or don’t like their job and to come to us to get realigned where they’re heading and get them where they want to go. Businesses might send us students to be trained up in graduate-level business practices and then meet their workforce needs there.” Although the MBA program has been around at UNG since about 2006, Bennett said many people don’t realize the university has locations in both Gainesville and Cumming. He said UNG offers a part-time evening MBA and it currently takes about 20 months to get a full degree. Attending a
“We’re trying to fig need is out there. the local business development.”
Jeremy Bennet, Director of the Mike Co local school’s program could reduce stress for a working student. “It’s an excellent ability to go to work, come back home and get an MBA on the path,” Bennett said. “This is still a quality MBA but hopefully works with your schedule and gives you more time with your family. It’ll allow you to better yourself and your company.” This close-by opportunity eliminates the need to drive to Atlanta after working all day, Bennett said. “You’re getting a quality MBA without having to drive to downtown Atlanta,” he said. “That’s what I had to do at Georgia
DUCATION
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • October 2015 • 17A
Technical college system sees activity, mergers New Gwinnet Tech campus latest in offering By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com
orce needs
NORTH ATLANTA – It’s not often an institute of learning builds a brand-new campus, but that is the plan of Gwinnett Technical College, Georgia’s third-largest technical college. Cannon Gwinnett Tech is building a new 25-acre campus in Alpharetta, scheduled to open to students Jan. 6, 2016. Phase one includes a 95,000-square-foot building across the street from the Avalon mixed-use development, just off Ga. 400. It is expected to handle about 2,000 students on opening. Further phases will add two more buildings and take in a total of 10,000 students. A focus of the college’s AlpharettaNorth Fulton campus is technology and catering to the needs of local businesses. When the North Fulton campus opens its doors it will have more than 30 degrees on offer, including business management, computer programming, hotel management and website design. One aspect of Georgia’s technical colleges is their ability to offer an educated workforce that meets employer demands.
and Lanier Technical College. Recently in the news is the merger of Georgia State University and Georgia Perimeter College, both of which have AlIn Gwinnett Tech’s case, President Glen pharetta locations. This Cannon said his college merger was announced reached out to the business in January 2015 and community. should be complete Cannon said the collater in 2016. lege conducted a survey of Currently, a comtechnology companies in mittee has been formed north Atlanta and what they to work through the wanted out of the workaspects of the consoliforce, both now and in the dation, including what future. staff and buildings to “We want to make sure keep and what to get we are headed in the right rid of. This committee’s direction,” Cannon said. recommendations will Based on the results of be given to the Georgia the survey, Gwinnett has Board of Regents in tailored its course offerJanuary 2016 and full ings to jobs local businesses implementation will want to fill. Technical debe complete by the fall grees and health care were semester of 2016. both in demand, Cannon Another consaid. solidation, this one “We want to make sure involving Kennesaw we are matching students Glen Cannon, President State University and with the actual workforce Gwinnett Tech Southern Polytechnic needed when they go to State University, was work,” Cannon said. “Our approved Jan 6, 2015, No. 1 goal of students is by the Board of Regents of the University finding them a good job with a great System of Georgia. This represents the career.” USG’s fifth and largest consolidation. As impressive as Gwinnet Tech’s The new university – retaining the name new location will be, it is one of several Kennesaw State University – focuses on universities in the north Atlanta area teaching, nursing, architecture, science helping those wishing to pursue a late or and math programs. new career, including Kennesaw State
“We want to make sure we are matching students with the actual workforce needed when they go to work.”
gure out what the We’re getting ses involved with
ottrell College of Business MBA program State and I wouldn’t get home until 11 p.m. That’s not good for my family.” He’s also trying to let students know they don’t have to transfer schools to go to a “better” program that’s farther away. “Not a lot of people know there is an MBA program in Cumming and Gainesville,” Bennett said. “We have to get on top of these mountains and start shouting out. There is also a full campus in both places, not just the MBA program. People could just be driving five miles away.” For information on UNG’s MBA program, visit http://ung.edu/masterbusiness-administration/index.php.
The new North Fulton campus of Gwinnett Tech will eventually hold 10,000 students on 25 acres. The location will open to new students Jan. 6, 2016.
18A • October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
HIGHER EDUCATION
Kennesaw State among most innovative schools in region Ranked 71st overall by U.S. News & World Report KENNESAW, Ga. — Kennesaw State University was named among the nation’s “Most Innovative Schools” by U.S. News & World Report. Kennesaw State University, ranked No. 6 among regional universities in the South, was recognized for its innovative improvements in the areas of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities. “We are proud to be recognized among the top universities for innovation, especially as a fairly young and newly consolidated institution,” said Kennesaw State University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Ken Harmon. “This designation symbolizes Kennesaw State’s entrepreneurial spirit and our dexterity in creating innovative changes that benefit the entire campus community.” “Most Innovative Schools” is a new category for U.S. News this year, added as a way to allow college officials to pick schools that the public should be watching. Presidents, provosts and admissions directors at peer institutions identified universities that are making promising, cutting-edge changes on campus. Kennesaw State University, which
consolidated with Southern Polytechnic State University earlier this year, is now one of the 50 largest public institutions in the nation. The University continues to provide innovative opportunities for the campus community: State-of-the-art facilities such as the $38.7-million Dr. Betty L. Siegel Student Recreation and Activities Center with fitness facilities such as pools, multiplestory rock climbing wall and a multisport gym. A $1 million National Institutes of Health grant to create career pathways in biomedical research for diverse students. Academic degree programs in innovative fields, such as a Ph.D. in Data Science, as well as undergraduate programs in mechatronics engineering and computer game design and development. An award-winning dining hall that serves farm-to-campus cuisine with fare from one of the University’s three farms. In addition, Kennesaw State ranked among 26 universities in the nation recognized for its First-Year Experience programs in the "Academic Programs to Look For" category from U.S. News for the 12th year. Kennesaw State’s Division of Student
Affairs and University College’s Department of First-Year and Transition Studies help students transition from high school to college life, aiding retention rates and building a sense of community on campus. As part of the First-Year Experience programs, students enroll in a first-year seminar course or learning community, where they are encouraged to study together, establish friendships and sharpen their critical thinking skills as they become globally engaged citizens. As part of the ranking, only 26 schools were chosen from among 1,500 colleges and universities for their work with first-year students.
“This recognition is exciting and highlights the importance of helping our first-year students transition successfully into college life,” said Keisha Hoerrner, dean of University College. “When you add in the growth of our learning communities, our pilot project for firstgeneration students, the expansion of academic support initiatives on both campuses, as well as the master’s degree in First-Year Studies, University College plays an important role in our students’ success.” Overall, U.S. News & World Report ranked Kennesaw State No. 71 among regional universities in the South.
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HIGHER EDUCATION
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • October 2015 • 19A
POWER RANKING:
Top jobs in Georgia GEORGIA – Choosing and getting accepted to a four-year institution can be a challenging task. Picking a career path can be just as daunting. North Atlatna Business Post decided to make the challenge easier. We power-ranked the best jobs in Georgia, from the highest percent growth in jobs over 10 years, with an average salary of $70,000 or more and at least 1,000 jobs projected to be added in a 10-year period – between 2012 and 2022.
No. 1 Physician Assistants 10-year percent change: 67.94% Annual growth rate: 5.3% Average salary: $93,392 Projected jobs added: 1,920 Degree required: master’s
No. 2 Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 10-year percent change: 65.46% Annual growth rate: 5.2% Average salary: $99,041 Projected jobs added: 3,190 Degree required: doctoral or professional
No. 3 Nurse Practitioners 10-year percent change: 53.88% Annual growth rate: 4.4% Average salary: $86,091 Projected jobs added: 1,750 Degree required: master’s
No. 4 Physicians and Surgeons 10-year percent change: 40.42% Annual growth rate: 3.5% Average salary: $199,243 Projected jobs added: 4,680 Degree required: doctoral or professional
No. 5 Personal Financial Advisors 10-year percent change: 38% Annual growth rate: 3.3% Average salary: $105,123 Projected jobs added: 2,110 Degree required: bachelor’s
No. 6 Education Administrators, Postsecondary 10-year percent change: 35.79% Annual growth rate: 3.1% Average salary: $97,760 Projected jobs added: 1,170 Degree required: master’s
No. 7 Physical Therapists 10-year percent change: 34.64% Annual growth rate: 3% Average salary: $81,307 Projected jobs added: 1,460 Degree required: doctoral or professional
No. 8 Computer Systems Analysts
10-year percent change: 31.7% Annual growth rate: 2.8% Average salary: $77,064 Projected jobs added: 5,010 Degree required: bachelor’s
No. 9 Medical and Health Services Managers 10-year percent change: 29.1% Annual growth rate: 2.6% Average salary: $90,480 Projected jobs added: 2,620 Degree required: bachelor’s
No. 10 Civil Engineers 10-year percent change: 29.06% Annual growth rate: 2.6% Average salary: $86,986 Projected jobs added: 2,080 Degree required: bachelor’s If none of those professions are calling your name, we also have the jobs you want to stay away from. These are the top ten worst jobs with the highest projected percentage loss in jobs with a minimum 1,000 jobs in 2012. N0. 1 Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders 10-year percent change: -42.7% Projected job loss: 940 N0. 2 Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders 10-year percent change: -42.1% Projected job loss: 2,000 No. 3 Textile Winding, Twisting and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders 10-year percent change: -40.4% Projected job loss: 3,660 No. 4 Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders 10-year percent change: -33.7% Projected job loss: 750 No. 5 Sewing Machine Operators 10-year percent change: -28.3% Projected job loss: 1,550 No. 6 Postal Service Clerks 10-year percent change: -22.7% Projected job loss: 460 No. 7 Farmers, Ranchers and Other Agricultural Managers 10-year percent change: -21.5% Projected job loss: 4,560 No. 8 Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors and Processing Machine Operators 10-year percent change: -20.4% Projected job loss: 730 No. 9 Chemical Plant and System Operators 10-year percent change: -20% Projected job loss: 240 No. 10 Data Entry Keyers 10-year percent change: -19.6% Projected job loss: 1,400 SOURCE: The Georgia Department of Labor
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20A • October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Georgia banks continue trend of earnings growth By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com GEORGIA – Georgia banks are thriving in today’s economic turnaround, with earnings up 22 percent through the first six months of the year, according to recent figures from the Federal Deposit InsurWiley ance Corporation. “More Georgians are borrowing money and trusting our state’s banks with their deposits, and more of them continue to be able to make loan payments on time,” said Joe Brannen, Georgia Bankers Association president and CEO. “These are all good signs for our state.” During the second quarter, Georgia’s 203 state-based FDIC-insured banks earned $685 million, an increase of 35 percent from the second quarter of 2014. Total loans of $204 billion and total assets were at their highest level since 2008, and total deposits of $233 billion hit a record level. For the first six months of the year, Georgia banks earned $1.34 billion, up 22 percent from the same period last year. “The (Georgia) unemployment rate for August was 5.9 percent, and that’s the lowest it’s been since May 2008, so the economy is continuing to improve,” said David Oliver, senior vice president of communications and marketing for the GBA. “So, as more and more Georgians are going back to work, they’re able to use the banking system and participate more strongly in the economy.” Oliver said the north metro area in particular is benefiting from a strong homebuilding market. Banks have cleared out their inventories of loans to
developers for lots that lay idle during the recession. “If you look at the jobs report, the construction industry is the leading industry for job growth,” Oliver said. “You can look no farther than Cobb County with what’s going on with the Braves stadium development.” The tech industry is another sector faring well in the northern suburbs, Oliver said. Equally important, Oliver said the ratio of nonperforming loans has gone down for 21 consecutive quarters. “That means the people who borrow are able to pay back their loans on time, and that’s always good news for those families, those businesses and their banks,” he said. Another factor contributing to the rise in earnings, Oliver said, is a reduction in expenses. Banks appear to be setting aside less money to cover and protect against bad loans, he said, so lenders are more confident as the economy improves. One local bank that poised itself to cash in on the recovery is State Bank & Trust in Alpharetta. Between 2009 and 2011, State Bank Financial, the institution’s holding company, raised almost $300 million to acquire 12 failed Georgia banks at bargain prices. Today, the institution has one of the most attractive lowcost deposit bases in the state, according to Barron’s magazine. While the bank is less than 10 years old, the senior leadership has been in finance for more than four decades. “There’s a general excitement and buzz about metro Atlanta, particularly in the northern arc, which is where we predominantly focus our efforts, Fulton, Gwinnett and Cobb,” said Tom Wiley, State Bank CEO. With $3.3 billion in assets, State
Highlights of latest FDIC report Here are some of the trends for Georgia-based banks from the FDIC’s announced results for the second quarter of 2015: • Net income for the quarter was 34.9 percent higher than during the same quarter in 2014. • Nearly 88 percent of banks were profitable through the first six months of the year. • Total assets grew by 3.8 percent from second quarter a year ago and are at the highest level since year-end 2008. • Total deposits grew by 6.8 percent from second quarter a year ago and are at record levels. • Total loans grew by 3.1 percent from second quarter a year ago and are at the highest level since year-end 2008. • Credit quality continues to improve. Noncurrent loans were down for the 21st straight quarter. • Charge-offs and bank-owned-real-estate continue to decline. Bank is active in the small business arena, ranked No. 2 in the state behind Wells Fargo in SBA 504 lending for real estate projects. And, it’s the fourth largest lender in the more popular SBA 7A Program designated for small businesses. The bank also maintains a portfolio of large commercial clients as well. “Georgia and Atlanta had such a difficult time, sometimes we fail to realize how well things are going now,” Wiley said. “The rebound of Georgia banks doesn’t get much attention.” For an extended period of time, Wiley said, banks were simply trading clients who were looking to get better pricing. “What we’re seeing this year at State Bank as a reflection of that growth is relationships that are actually expanding their business and starting new businesses, which is a reflection of how robust Atlanta is,” he said. “We’ve got 132 new commercial relationships this year, which is a lot of new commercial relationships. You can maintain your commercial relationships, but just to
“There’s a general excitement and buzz about metro Atlanta, particularly in the northern arc, which is where we predominantly focus our efforts, Fulton, Gwinnett and Cobb.” Tom Wiley, State Bank CEO
During the second quarter, Georgia’s 203 state-based FDIC-insured banks earned $685 million, an increase of 35 percent from the second quarter of 2014.
have that type of momentum has us very excited.” A large community bank, Wiley said State Bank maintains a staff trained to tailor its services after understanding a client’s business model. “We don’t go in peddling or pitching products,” he said. “We go in to understand that client’s business and how money flows into the business and how money flows out. Until we really understand that business, we don’t really make recommendations.” The bank also offers investment, payroll and insurance services that many businesses find appealing, Wiley said. Technology and the film industry are leading the way in bringing new jobs to Georgia, Wiley said, and new jobs have led to the need for residential construction. “Millennials are beginning to figure out Atlanta’s a good place to be, with its quality of life,” he said.
HALL COUNTY
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • October 2015 • 21A
Petit Le Mans races to top in Hall Has second biggest economic impact in county By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com BRASELTON, Ga.- Since its inaugural year in 1998, Petit Le Mans continues to have a big economic impact on Hall County, second only to Lake Lanier tourism in generating revenue. The latest Petit Le Mans took place Oct. 3. Petit Le Mans, which is French for “little Le Mans,” at Braselton’s Road Atlanta has become one of the premier sports car races in the country and attracts race teams from around the world. The 1,000 mile or 10-hour race (whichever comes first) was a part of the American Le Mans series schedule before ALMS merged with the Rolex Sports Car Series to form the United SportsCar Championship that began in 2014. Tim Evans with the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce said 130,000 fans attended this year’s event over the four-day race weekend, which had a huge economic impact on hotels in the area. According to Evans, hotels in Hall, Barrow, Gwinnett and Jackson counties around the track were booked during the event. “We have a number of visitors which helps bring in a lot of revenue with the hotel/motel tax. It’s also televised around the world and a lot of sports pages are all focused on Braselton, Georgia, for the four-day period,” he said.
“We haven’t done an economic impact [study] recently and it’s probably something we need to revisit. However, when we did it last we found that Lake Lanier was the top generator of tourism expenditures in Hall County, but number two for many years has been Petit Le Mans. We see about 320,000 visitors to Road Atlanta each year for their various events and about 130,000 of those are here for Petit Le Mans.” The last economic impact study was conducted in 2005. That study found that Road Atlanta attracted over $50 million to the area and that Petit Le Mans was the biggest revenue generator of all the events held at Road Atlanta. The event has since grown in number of visitors and media coverage, meaning the impact is likely greater than it was a decade ago. In addition to revenue generated by hotels and vendors in the area, Petit Le Mans also attracts car buyers and sellers. “Each of the car clubs have their own section of the paddock inside the track, so in addition to vendors that are selling things for the race fans there is also the Corvette, Porsche, Cadillac, Ferrari and Lamborghini car clubs,” Evans said. “They come out and display their cars and put them out for show and for sale. There are people who put their cars out in the hopes that another car collector will want to buy their car.” That can also generate revenue during the event.
Braselton’s Road Atlanta was home to Petit Le Mans Oct. 3, 2015. “It’s hard to quantify [the economic impact] but the whole event has so many layers to it, it’s not just the race itself” that produces revenue, said Evans. The event has also attracted businesses to the area, such as the Skip Barber Racing School, which moved its corporate offices to Road Atlanta in 2011.
BRIEFS & SHORTS: Hall County
Kubota officially breaks ground on its new Gateway utility vehicle plant in Gainesville.
Kubota breaks ground on Gainesville-Hall plant GAINESVILLE, Ga. —Kubota Manufacturing of America broke ground recently on its 502,000 square-foot manufacturing facility at Gateway Industrial Centre, in Gainesville-Hall County. With a goal to begin mass production in spring of 2017, the new plant will be positioned on 180 acres, three miles from KMA’s existing facilities. The plant will manufacture Kubota’s RTV series utility vehicles, with the capacity to produce 50,000 units annually. KMA estimates the expansion will allow the company to increase production capacity by 60 percent over
“Over the years we have found that the event brings a lot of decision makers. We are excited to have a lot of racerelated businesses around Road Atlanta. There is a raceway technology park right next door to Road Atlanta and [Petit] has been very successful in attracting those businesses to the area.”
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the next five years. The existing KMA facility, which has been in operation since 1988 and employs approximately 1,300 people, will also undergo enhancements to increase its production capacity to support Kubota’s growing turf business. “Kubota’s continued investments in Georgia make it one of our state’s greatest business success stories,” said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, who attended the groundbreaking. Kubota has been doing business in Georgia for more than 40 years, with its first operations located in Norcross.
Kilgore, specialty construction. The Master Craftsmen program was designed to work in conjunction with Governor Deal’s Go Build Georgia campaign, which seeks to educate young people on the value of learning a trade, dispel their misconceptions about the skilled trade industry and inspire them to consider building a career as a skilled tradesman
2015 Master Craftsmen announced
GAINESVILLE, Ga. – The Greater Hall Chamber’s 7th Annual Industry Appreciation Luncheon will be Nov. 17 at 11:30 a.m. at the Chattahoochee Country Club. The Industry Appreciation program is presented by Lanier Technical College and includes awards honoring area existing industries. Shelley Davis, chamber vice president of existing industry said, “With 27 percent of Hall County’s workforce represented in goods producing, honoring the best of the best in manufacturing, processing and distributing acknowledges the impact industry has in the area.” The Chamber is now seeking nominations for Industry of the Year Awards, due by Oct. 15. To nominate a company, go to https://www.surveymonkey. com/r/2015IndustryNOMINATION.
GAINESVILLE, Ga. –The 2015 Master Craftsmen Awards were presented to 10 skilled tradesmen from North Georgia Oct. 1 at Featherbone Communiversity (Lanier Tech Manufacturing Development Center Rotunda), 999 Chestnut Street in Gainesville. The 2015 Master Craftsmen award recipients were: Tracy Phillips, sitework; Michael Carew, mason/stone; Steve Shaw, plumber; Bob Cornett, HVAC; Ira Woodard, electrician; Elmer Hopper, residential builder; Jerry Chambers, machinist/toolmaker; Aaron Wortman, welder/fabricator; Don Morgan, carpenter; and Harold
Chamber Industry Appreciation luncheon and program Nov. 17
22A • October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
FULTON COUNTY
Fusionetics helps athletes, local students By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Preventing injuries and maximizing an individual’s performance is what Fusionetics is all about. The Alpharetta-based business is run by chairman, founder and CEO Dr. Micheal Clark and COO Ben Tucker. The company provides consulting to sports organizations to assist with the ongoing development of their athletic care and player development systems. While Fusionetics was founded in 2012, Clark and Tucker have been working together for years. Clark has been utilizing this system of assessment and training of the human body from the performance perspective for about 20 years through his research with the University of North Carolina and his clinical expertise and operations he’s been utilizing in professional sports, according to Tucker. “We think everyone who moves from 8 to 88 as an athlete,” Tucker said. “You have to be able to do something physical in your day, any given day. Whether you’re an elite-level athlete or you just want to be able to play tennis with your friends.” Fusionetics looks at the human body including the movement dysfunctions
that are causing either lack of performance or potential injury risk, Tucker said. “Once we identify those, we go through the process of specifically fixing those problems, which dramatically enhances somebody’s ability to do the things they’d like to do pain free and do them with a higher durability and with less risk of injury,” he said. Some of the company’s clients include members of the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons, University of Georgia athletes, Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns and Texas Rangers. But they also work with local high school students through a partnership with the Atlanta Falcons and Northside Hospital. “Northside Hospital has underwritten an opportunity for basically every high school north of I-285 to have Fusionetics brought to them for free,” Tucker said. “They get free testing, programing, etc. There have been a number of programs participating in the program, including Milton High School and King’s Ridge, and we’ve done that for three years. Our plan is to get out to as many schools and help those programs as much as we can.” Their method of action helps all clients, young and old, to gain confidence and understanding of what their bodies
need for recover, optimized movement and performance, Tucker said. “As an athlete, every day you’re performing or training and you’re breaking down in some way, especially when you’re competing,” Tucker said. “You’re doing something that’s a repetitive motion and something that’s very hard on your body. When you do those things, you have consequences associated. So it’s not just rest that somebody needs. They need some specific targeted interventions to be able to regain the way their body needs to move so they don’t go through a process of compensating for poor movement quality which ultimately leads to high risk of injury.” That risk is something Tucker knows well. He was a professional baseball player and a four-year letterman with the University of Southern California. “I knew via the training I was receiving, especially the performance training, that my body was not recovering and not performing in a way it should have,” Tucker said.
“I ended up getting hurt and that’s the main reason why I didn’t end up achieving my overall goals. I personally want to make sure every young person and every person who likes to be active has an opportunity to maximize what they do. They only way to do that is to be sure you’re injury free and are able to utilize your body to its capabilities.” Fusionetics has developed software that makes it possible to share their teachings with different groups, such as physical therapies, chiropractic offices and fitness centers to continue to expand their company. They also have plans to open offices in California and Texas. For information on Fusionetics, visit www.fusionetics.com.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • October 2015 • 23A
Photo courtesy DOWNTOWNWOODSTOCK.ORG
Woodstock has seen its population grow by 134 percent since 2000, and many residences in downtown Woodstock have accompanied that growth.
Downtown Woodstock thriving after redevelopment Trolley service now running, new amphitheater construction begins By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com WOODSTOCK, Ga. — Downtown Woodstock, which has become a thriving commercial and residential area since redevelopment in the early 2000s, continues to grow and offer amenities to residents. A new free trolley is now in operation that shuttles visitors and residents past businesses in and around downtown Woodstock. The city has also begun construction on its amphitheater project that will provide a permanent concert and event venue in its downtown The Park at City Center. Meanwhile, more residences are being built throughout the thriving downtown. All this comes just 13 years after the city began to redevelop the downtown area. In the early 2000s, downtown Woodstock did not have much to offer residents. Businesses and residences were few. In 2002, the city conducted a Livable Centers Initiative that proved to be the catalyst for the downtown’s growth, with developer Hedgewood leading the way. Kyle Bennett, tourism manager of the Woodstock Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, said the city was redeveloping its master plan, which included the downtown area, in 2002. “A huge part of [the LCI] was that a live, work and play style of mixed-use development should be encouraged. The developer Hedgewood realized the potential of downtown and saw that there was a lot of unused land. The city had a very similar vision of commercial, retail, dining and different types of residential space. The development was named
‘Woodstock Downtown,’” Bennett said. Along with Hedgewood, the city began the push to redevelop downtown. Restaurants and retail stores began moving to the area and the old train depot was converted into a restaurant space. “New restaurants and commercial space really helped to kick-start to make downtown a shopping and dining destination. Before that, there really wasn’t a lot of restaurants. When they opened they became very popular right away. Successful restaurants help attracted other restaurants as well as retailers,” Bennett said. Of those retailers and restaurants, almost all are unique to Woodstock, something Bennett said is “hugely important.” “[Residents and visitors] like the idea that this store or this restaurant can only be found here in Woodstock. It helps build a sense of community pride,” he said. As the downtown area began to grow, Hedgewood began constructing nearly 400 residences, including single-family homes, townhomes and flats. As the population of downtown Woodstock increased, more businesses began setting up shop. There are now nearly 1,000 residences along Main Street and downtown Woodstock, with more currently in construction. According to Bennett, the redevelopment has led to a significant rise in property values along Main Street, but higher prices do not seem to have deterred new development. Bennett said one factor contributing to the downtown area’s successful growth is a vision that is shared by both the city and developers.
“One reason why the success has continued over the past decade is that everybody in the city is on the same page and has the same vision for the city. From the developers to the city to the retailers to downtown residents, everyone works in the same direction. Everyone has agreed that this is the direction we want to take downtown.” The process of blending existing buildings with new projects, all in keeping with the theme of the city’s history as a railroad hub, has also been very important to redevelopment, said Bennett. The addition of new businesses and homes was not the only part of the project. An emphasis was also put on providing events and concerts that would attract visitors to downtown Woodstock. A farmers market, a restaurant week and an event dubbed “Taste and Sound of Woodstock” are also held throughout the year. The city has also hosted a free concert series every summer since 1998, and the event has grown immensely since the redevelopment of downtown. Due to the success of the concert series, the city has begun construction on an amphitheater project that adjoins the Park at City Center. The amphitheater will provide a permanent concert and event venue, as well as the first public restrooms in downtown, something Bennett said is “very much needed.” In lieu of traditional permanent seating, the city plans to slope the ground in front of amphitheater to create natural, tiered grass seating. “[The seating] will still function as a park the rest of the year,” Bennett said. “Our City Council really liked the idea
of people being able to go out and have a picnic there or throw a Frisbee around without permanent structures in the way.” With growth, there are inevitably growing pains, and some residents in downtown Woodstock have voiced their concerns over parking. However, while Bennett said parking is ample, there is a “parking perception problem.” “People go to a business and see that the parking spaces in front of that business are full and they think there isn’t enough parking when there may be a lot just a few blocks away that is only halffull. You can’t do what a Wal-Mart or a shopping mall does and build a 1,000car parking lot in a downtown area,” he said. If residents do not want to find parking, they can utilize the city’s new trolley, which is free to ride and runs Thursday through Sunday. The trolley runs through hot spots in the downtown area including Reformation Brewery, businesses along Main Street and the Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta. The city is also developing a smartphone app that will track the trolley so users can see where it is along its route. “Several new residents, even if they live outside of downtown, have cited downtown as a major reason why they moved to Woodstock,” Bennett said. “They like the idea that there was a place they could go to in their city that had a lot of local stores and restaurants that were unique to that city. It’s a big reason why they choose to move here.” Woodstock was recently named the 50th best place to live in the U.S. by Money Magazine, which cited its “lively downtown area” among reasons for the selection.
GWINNETT COUNTY
24A • October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Suniva expansion adds to Gwinnett’s tech portfolio By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com NORCROSS, Ga. – Gwinnett County scored another major coup in September with the announcement that solar panel manufacturer Suniva is expanding operations at its Norcross Card headquarters. The expansion represents $96 million of capital investment and will add up to 500 new jobs, more than doubling the company’s current local workforce. Suniva is the leading American manufacturer of high-efficiency crystalline silicon photovoltaic solar cells and high-power solar modules. The announcement comes in the wake of a string of recent major commercial announcements in Gwinnett, many of them tech-related. “Obviously, it’s a huge project for the entire region, and being in Gwinnett is definitely a plus from our standpoint,” said Andrew Carnes, director of economic development for the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. The Suniva announcement speaks to the long history of Gwinnett as a technology leader in the state, he said. “We have more technology jobs than Alpharetta and Johns Creek, and that’s our bread and butter,” Carnes said. The company’s decision to expand had a lot to do with Gwinnett’s proximity to Georgia Tech, the birthplace of Suniva, said Matt Card, vice president, global sales and marketing. “The metro area overall is core to our strategy because of the relationship with Georgia Tech,” he said.
But why Gwinnett? “For the past eight years, we’ve had a very strong relationship with the county and the city of Norcross,” Card said. “There are many companies in this area with high-tech employees. It’s an area that is rich in qualified workers.” Suniva produced its first solar cell in Gwinnett County seven years ago. Today, its products are marketed worldwide. “It’s great that we’ve come full circle, and the county, the area and the city that supported us in our initial establishment, we’re now able to give back to with the ongoing expansion and the creation of up to 500 new jobs,” Card said. Suniva, the country’s second-largest producer of solar cells, manufactures equipment to install energy systems throughout the world. With the Norcross expansion, the company will triple its capacity, and most of that production will be consumed fairly quickly, Card said. “Our demand right now outstrips our supply fairly significantly, and we think that’s a great indication of the ongoing maturing of the U.S. solar market,” he said. The Suniva expansion is one in a string of recent announcements feathering Gwinnett’s economic development nest. And much of that nest is built on technology. Gwinnett County has been the epicenter of technology outside the Georgia Tech campus for 40 years,” said Nick Masino, senior vice president of economic development and Partnership Gwinnett, an arm of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. Masino said Gwinnett often gets short shrift for its status as a tech center. “Thirty years ago, Georgia Tech graduates and alumni created Georgia’s first technology park in what is today
Suniva, which only began producing solar cells seven years ago, markets to companies and governments around the world. The Norcross company's solar cells power the president's Marine 1 hangar in Quantico, Va. Peachtree Corners,” he said. “The reason they chose that was, No.1, there was land available convenient to Atlanta and I-285, but it was also within a few miles of Western Electric’s gigantic facility off of I-85 and Jimmy Carter.” The plant later became Bell Labs, then AT&T and finally Lucent. Today, it is known as the OSS site. At its peak, the site has had 5,000 engineers working on the property, Masino said. Those engineers lived in Gwinnett County. Entrepreneurs from Bell Labs and another famous local company, Scientific Atlanta, spun off other companies. Scientific Atlanta has a long history in Gwinnett County. It has spun off many technology companies, including Cisco, whose largest campus in Georgia is in Lawrenceville. Now, Technicolor, which in July
BRIEFS & SHORTS: Gwinnett County Gander Mountain opens Snellville store SNELLVILLE, Ga. – Gander Mountain, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing outdoor specialty retailer, celebrated its new Snellville store with a grand opening ceremony including celebrity appearances, family activities and giveaways Oct. 1. The 52,000-square-foot store is located at 1200 Scenic Highway, Suite G, Lawrenceville. The Gander Mountain Company, headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, is the nation’s largest and fastest-growing retail network of outdoor specialty stores for hunting, fishing, camping, marine and outdoor lifestyle products and services.
Galectin Therapeutics begins study on plaque psoriasis NORCROSS, Ga. – Galectin Therapeutics Inc. the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin pro-
teins to treat fibrosis and cancer, announced the start of a 10-patient pilot study with GR-MD-02 in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The genesis of this study is the apparent remission of a patient with severe psoriasis who participated in the company’s Phase 1 study cohort of 4 mg/kg of GRMD-02 for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Additional information is available at www.galectintherapeutics.com.
Gwinnett Tech launces new business management program GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. – Professionals who want to expand their leadership and supervisory expertise will have a new opportunity to hone their skills. Gwinnett Technical College plans on launching a new Professional Accelerated Business Management program in spring 2016. An information session for the new program will be Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 7:30
bought Cisco’s set-top box business for $600 million, is currently looking for a site for its Southeast headquarters. “I’ll give you a heads-up, it’s likely going to be Gwinnett County,” Masino said. The Technology Association of Georgia’s latest report ranks Gwinnett second in the state in its innovation index, a rating system based on an area’s enabling environment to innovation and its innovation outputs. With the national average at 100 percent, Forsyth County led the state with a 111.9 percent ranking, followed by Gwinnett at 106.5, then Fulton at 105.5. “We have been part of the innovation economy in the United States for 30 years,” Masino said. “Gwinnett County has more technology companies and more tech employees than Midtown, and that’s nothing new.”
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p.m. in Building 900, Room 2.111, on the Lawrenceville campus. “The program mirrors all the best aspects of executive MBA programs, but we’re making that type of experience available at the associate degree level to prepare front-line managers to advance in their careers,” said Dr. Jermaine Whirl, dean of business, at Gwinnett Technical College. The program, which will enable experienced professionals to earn their degree in just one year, will include small cohort-based learning and guest speakers as well as company site visits and field trips. In addition, students will have flexible scheduling options with eight-week mini-mesters and classes offered on Friday evening, Saturday morning and online. Graduates will earn an associate degree in business management, as well as certificates in management and leadership and human resource management. Applications are now being accepted for Spring 2016. Contact Whirl at 678-226-6829 or jwhirl@gwinnetttech. edu for more information.
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • October 2015 • 25A
We Have Exciting News! In the last five years (2008-2013) which media use is increasing? 47% 48%
17%
Survey Question: “Which of the following news sources would you say that you rely on the most for news about issues and problems in Johns Creek? 18%
15%
13% 5% 5%
Atlanta Journal Constitution
5/2/2013
10/1/2008
Johns Creek Herald
Johns Creek Patch*
9%
7% 3%
Johns TV Stations Creek From Neighbor** Atlanta
1%
Internet
4% Other
4%
5%
Unsure or Refused
APPEN MEDIA newspapers reach 40% more (over 30,000 more homes) in North Fulton / South Forsyth than the next closest competitor and is by far the preferred source for local news. If your business depends on reaching buyers in North Fulton or South Forsyth, we deliver. Why settle for less? Let us connect you. Call now for more advertising information 770-442-3278.
Circulation Comparison
AppenMediaGroup.com Survey of Voter Attitudes in Johns Creek, Georgia conducted from April 30 - May 2, 2013 by The Tarrance Group for the City of Johns Creek. Question #QD7. *Listed as Johns Creek Post in 2008 survey. ** Not included in 2008 survey.
AJC WEEKDAY 16,481
AJC SUNDAY 29,241
NEIGHBOR 43,250
APPEN 75,000
Data based on the following: 2013 CVC Audit for Appen, 2013 ABC Audit for the AJC, 2013 CAC Audit for the Neighbor. Comparison only of circulation in Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek, and Forsyth county.
COBB COUNTY
26A • October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Photo courtesy Atlanta Braves
The new 41,500-seat SunTrust park is scheduled to open April 2017.
SunTrust Park bond transaction closed COBB COUNTY, Ga. – Cobb County announced the closing of the bond transaction financing the construction of SunTrust Park, the new home of the Atlanta Braves located in Cobb County. Butler Snow served as bond counsel for the issuance by the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority and also served as special counsel and disclosure counsel to Cobb County, where the new stadium will be located. The bonds, totaling $376.6 million,
will fund a portion of the estimated $622 million cost of construction of the stadium. In addition to the backing of the bond issue provided by Cobb County, other funding sources in the public-private partnership include businesses in the Cumberland Community Improvement District and the Braves. “This state-of-the-art stadium is opening a new era in sports for the Braves organization and Major League
Baseball and a major impact development for Cobb County,” said Donald Clark Jr., chairman, Butler Snow. “Butler Snow is proud to be part of this historic new chapter in our national pastime and in the future of Cobb County.” The 41,500-seat stadium, located at the intersection of interstates 75 and 285, is scheduled to open in April 2017. It will occupy approximately 15 acres of a larger tract being developed by the Braves as a mixed-use development.
BRIEFS & SHORTS: Cobb County The Barter Company, with offices in Georgia and Florida, provides businesses with an alternative currency network by using barter dollars instead of cash to handle transactions. The company acts as a third-party records keeper, providing clients with monthly statements that reflect all barter purchases, sales and current barter dollar balance. For more information, visit www.thebartercompany.com
Six Flags White Water adds slide complex Art Jewelers reaches million-dollar barter level KENNESAW, Ga. – Barter Company, a leader in the barter industry, announced that one of its clients, Art Jewelers, located in Woodstock, has reached the company’s million-dollar club level. To reach the million-dollar club level, a barter client must exchange goods and/or services worth at least $1 million within the 2,500-client network. Art Jewelers is a family-owned business that provides beautifully crafted jewelry, including bridal and custom jewelry, repairs and other services.
MARIETTA, Ga.—Six Flags White Water is adding a new Wahoo Racer for the 2016 season. The multilane water-slide complex will be the largest in the world and will be part of a lineup of more than 50 slides and attractions at the park. The two-tiered mat slider will send racers through an intense, snake-like stretch of multicolored tubes and then into track-like style sprinting lanes and will feature a tower standing nearly 60 feet and easily visible from Interstate 75 where the park is located; speeds of up to 40 feet per second; and six aerodynamic-designed water toboggans. Six Flags White Water and Wahoo Racer will open for the 2016 season in mid-May.
Butler Snow attorneys Lesly Gaynor Murray, Blake C. Sharpton and Ryan L. Pratt handled the transaction. Butler Snow LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 300 attorneys representing local, regional, national and international clients from 17 U.S. offices and an office in London. Ranked as one of America’s Top 100 law firms in the BTI Power Rankings, Butler Snow is recognized as one of the nation’s top law firms for client service.
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HD Supply completes sale of Power Solutions unit
MARIETTA, Ga. — HD Supply has completed the previously announced sale of its Power Solutions business unit, a leading provider of a diverse product and service offering serving the investor-owned utility, public power, construction and industrial markets, to Anixter Inc. HD Supply is one of the largest industrial distributors in North America. The company provides a broad range of products and value-added services to approximately 500,000 customers with leadership positions in maintenance, repair and operations, water infrastructure and residential and non-residential construction sectors. It has approximately 500 locations across 48 states and six Canadian provinces.
Spa Sydell opens new Kennesaw location KENNESAW, Ga. – The new Kennesaw Spa Sydell opened Sept. 16 at 835 Ernest Barrett Parkway, near Town Center. The facility features the newest spa concept showcasing 8,800 square feet and 28 treatment rooms. For more information, call 404-255-7727 or go to www. spasydell.com
FORSYTH COUNTY
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • October 2015 • 27A
GDOT proposals for Ga. 20 corridor presented to public Proposals open to public input and comments By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — Residents eager to learn more about the proposed Ga. 20 corridor, which would run between I-575 in Canton to Ga. 400 in Cumming, were given the chance to learn about the proposals still up for consideration and voice their concerns at Otwell Middle School earlier this month during a public information open house. Residents were able to view the proposals that will move to the next phase of screening before an alternative is decided upon. The proposed alternatives were a result of a Screen 2 analysis that cut the number of proposals from eight to two. Alternative 2 would widen Ga. 20 but not create bypasses. Alternative 4 would create a series of localized bypasses along Ga. 20 but would not include widening Ga. 20. Alternative 2 would widen Ga. 20 to six lanes and allow for a median. According to analysis by the Georgia Department of Transportation, “Widening the existing SR 20 would have significant construction impacts. During construction, access to businesses and residences along the corridor would be hindered.” Some businesses and residences would also be displaced along the highway. The
estimated cost of Alternative 2 would be $280 million. Alternative 4 would create bypasses through Canton, Buffington, Macedonia, Lathemtown, Ducktown and Cumming. The Ducktown bypass would begin at Heardsville Road and run through New Harmony Baptist Church, Doc Sams Road and Era Road before rejoining Ga. 20 approximately three-quarters of mile past the Post Road/Tribble Road and Ga. 20 intersection. Four proposed Cumming bypasses are still on the table. The 4F-1 proposed Suwannee Drive bypass would run from Newbury neighborhood and end at Baldridge Road just beyond Ga. 400. Some residences in the Newbury and Adair Park neighborhoods and residences across from Cumming Elementary would be displaced. Another proposal, 4F-2, would begin at Elm Street, pass through Forsyth Central High School, Tribble Gap Road, Dahlonega Street, Pilgrim Mill Road and end at Bald Ridge Road. Proposal 4F-3, which connects Ga. 20 to Ga. 9, would displace business along the route. Proposal 4F-4 would run south from Pine Lake Drive and meet with Chamblee Gap Road and extend to Ga. 400. Some residences along this stretch would be displaced.
Proposal 4F-5 would keep the corridor along Ga. 20. Businesses and residences would be displaced with this proposal. GDOT estimates the cost for Alternative 4 would be $356 million. Proposals that included bypasses north and south of Ga. 20, a widening of Ga. 20 and rerouting of Ga. 369, as well as a widening of Ga. 20 and a reroute along Bethelview Road were all dismissed by the Screen 2 analysis and will no longer be considered for implementation. Those in attendance were able to write comments regarding the proposed routes. Karlene Barron of GDOT says public opinion is extremely important to GDOT in analyzing proposed routes. “The public opinion is absolutely critical in this process,” said Barron. “We are excited about the turnout tonight and the turnout for our open house in Ball Ground.” Barron said all proposed routes take into consideration “performance, cost, mobility and safety.” Many in attendance were concerned about displacement of their homes or businesses. GDOT set up a map of Ga. 20 and had those is attendance plot where they lived along the road. Cumming resident Jerry Feist said safety is his main concern for the proposals. Feist, who lives in the Newbury neighborhood along Suwanee Drive, said speeding is a major issue along the road.
BRIEFS & SHORTS: Forsyth County County receives distinguished budget presentation award FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has presented Forsyth County with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the county’s 2015 budget book. This marks the third consecutive year the county has received the award, which is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and represents a significant achievement. In order to qualify for the award, a governmental entity must satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as a policy document, as a financial plan, as an operations guide, and as a communications device. The budget documents must be rated ‘proficient’ in all four categories and the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories to receive the award. “Receipt of this award reflects Forsyth County’s commitment to financial transparency and to making quality financial information accessible to our citizens,” Director of Finance/CFO David Gruen said. “We are certainly proud that Forsyth County has been recognized with this award for the third year in a row and commend everyone who was involved in the project.” The 2015 budget book can be accessed on the Finance Department page at www.forsythco.com.
“People come flying through there. There is a telephone pole there right by the road that has been hit six or seven times.” Jerry Feist, Cumming resident
“People come flying through there. There is a telephone pole there right by the road that has been hit six or seven times,” Feist said. “Safety is definitely the main issue for me with these proposals.” GDOT will now consider moving the project to a Screen 3 phase which will screen the current proposals and be subjected to a Detailed Environmental Analysis and Documentation. After the DEIS, a “preferred alternative” will be presented to the public. After purchasing right-of-way along the preferred alternative and the final design phase, construction can begin. There is no set timetable for construction to start, though it is predicted it will begin before 2020.
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contributions, over $420,000 funded for the HOPE and pre-K programs through the Georgia lottery program and $115,661 for Camp Sunshine, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce. In the past 20 years, charitable giving by Norman’s Landing has totaled $2,008,661.
Rep. Gilligan receives committee assignments
From left are Norman’s Landing employees Bill Norman, Tersea Thomas and Phillip Samples.
Norman’s Landing raises over $79k for HOPE and Pre-K CUMMING, Ga. — Last year, Norman’s Landing raised over $79,698.84 for HOPE and pre-K. To date the company has raised over $425,000 for United Way, over $520,000 for the 170 charity groups that visited Bill Norman’s house in Costa Rica, over $250,000 in gift certificates for various fundraisers, over $278,000 from their semiannual ping pong tournaments and daily
ATLANTA — Speaker of the House David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) recently named State Representative Sheri Gilligan (R-Cumming) to the Natural Resources & Environment, Human Relations & Aging and Code Revision committees. “I would like to thank Speaker Ralston for assigning me to these Gilligan three important House committees, and I look forward to being of service to the citizens of district 24 through these assignments,” said Gilligan. “I am eager to begin working with my colleagues and fellow committee members to tackle issues that arise throughout the upcoming legislative session.” For a complete list of all House committees, visit http://www.house.ga.gov/Committees/en-US/CommitteeList.aspx.
28A • October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Women in business: Julie Haley that our company is a great place to work, and knocks on our door wanting to join us. It is hard to find good IT talent, and when they seek us out, I feel great because I know that we have succeeded in building a great culture here at Edge Solutions. The word is out!
Julie Haley is the CEO and co-founder of Edge Solutions LLC, based in Alpharetta. Haley founded Edge, an information techology solution and service provider, with the idea of providing integrated, proactive IT solutions and a higher level of customer service to largeand mid-sized organizations in the Southeast. Haley began her career in Texas as a business and commercial litigation attorney with a focus on many of the same industries Edge Solutions serves today, including banking, finance, health care and manufacturing. Prior to founding Edge Solutions, she was committed to public service in Georgia for over 15 years as a volunteer lobbyist (North Fulton Legislative vice president 2002-2004 and Georgia PTA State Legislative vice president 2005-2007), working to set legislative policy for education, health, safety and welfare improvements for Georgia’s children. What decision did you make that put you on the path to this career? For many years, I was a business and commercial litigator in Texas. After moving to Georgia, I did pro bono and advocacy work, and realized that I did not miss the intense grind of private practice. I wanted to be recognized and rewarded for how well I served a client, not for how many hours I could bill. I also saw a lot of injustice and dysfunction in our judicial system, and it takes a toll on your psyche. The decision not to go back to practicing law and instead to start a career in technology was a challenge that intrigued me: I knew I could help create a better technology sales organization and meet the constantly evolving technology needs of our clients by leading an agile company with a great culture. What obstacles, if any, did you face on your way up the corporate ladder? Since I didn’t have a technology background, I had to “build my own ladder” by co-founding Edge Solutions. Luckily, my partners had extensive technology experi-
What keeps you up at night? All our growth has been organic with no venture capital investments. Business growth is not evenly gradual — it is full of spikes and dips and spikes again. Balancing our growth and cash flow has given me some gray hair, but our overall growth rate has been positive year over year and we consider that a huge success.
Julie Haley, CEO and co-founder of Edge Solutions LLC, based in Alpharetta. ence. My greatest challenge was to build the operational framework and a culture that would attract and retain the technical talent we needed to serve our clients, from payroll to finance and health benefits — there are so many things needed to get a business off the ground--all on a “start-up budget.” Within a year of incorporation in February of 2008, the economy tanked. Instead of panicking, we were able to hire a lot of great IT talent who were laid off because of the economy, through no fault of their own. Without the crash and resulting turmoil in the IT industry, it may have been a great deal more difficult to hire away the talent we needed from established companies. What gives you the most satisfaction at work? The thing that gives me the most satisfaction at Edge Solutions is when a gifted technical engineer has heard
What advice would you give to young women interested in pursuing a career in business? Find an industry that you are passionate about, and then talk to as many people as possible who are engaged in that type of business. Your passion will open doors and create opportunity more so than being in the highest growth industry that leaves you “empty” and uninterested. What degree do you think might prove most useful to students? Whatever makes you passionate and motivates you to stretch as far as possible is where a student today should focus. Of course, any degree in the STEM fields have the most opportunity right now, especially for women and minorities. Right now, companies and organizations in STEM fields are looking to become stronger in the global economy by becoming more diverse — diverse in backgrounds, ideas and perspectives. Where do you see the greatest opportunities for young people today? The greatest opportunity for technology students is in growth industries that utilize technology to reach their business objectives, like financial services, or to save lives and improve medical outcomes, as in the biosciences.
Mother-daughter duo join forces for Honey & Hazel Boutique By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The most nervewracking moments for Grace Gordy were not the years spent taking a business plan from idea to implementation, or the time spent learning the intricacies of finances to be able to run a business, or even the cascade of decisions regarding what to purchase to draw customers. It was in the moments right before the doors to Honey & Hazel Boutique finally opened in the fall of 2013; the end point of a dream Grace and her mother, Julie Gordy, had envisioned for more than a decade. Grace recalled the night before the boutique’s soft opening on North Point Parkway in Alpharetta, when she questioned all the decisions she and her mother had made for their women’s clothing and accessories boutique. “Thoughts of ‘what if no one comes in, what if we don’t have any sales, who is going to know about us?’ kept running
through my mind,” Grace said of her last-minute panic. In the end, her worries were for nothing. Honey & Hazel Boutique far exceeded Grace and Julie’s expectations for opening day, and continues to thrive two years later as an upscale boutique for unique fashions, handcrafted jewelry and accessories at affordable prices. For Julie, opening her own business was second nature. She had owned a successful home décor store for years in North Georgia before moving to North Fulton, and she came from a long line of entrepreneurs. “My mother was an excellent designer and seamstress and my father had multiple companies,” Julie said. “My husband has owned his own businesses all his life and has definitely passed on that gene to my son and daughter, Grace.” The idea of their own boutique was something mother and daughter had considered for years, but did not pursue seriously until Grace had graduated from college. At the time she was working in
Charleston, but moved back to Atlanta to begin planning the opening of Hazel & Honey Boutique. In an area filled with boutiques and shops of every scale and scope, Grace believes the success of Honey & Hazel is the unique offering of items at affordable prices. “Most everything in our shop is under $60 so you can leave with multiple accessories or outfits instead of just one or two things,” Grace said. “We cater to a vast range of ages, [and customers] can see both my Mom and I wearing the clothes to get an idea of how to find things in style [at any age].” For Julie, she believes customers like dealing with owners who lives in the community and buying from a locally owned business. “We also want to make our customers feel like part of our family. We try to get to know each and every person that comes through the door. You never know who you might see working with us, like my husband, sister, Grace’s best friends,
and fiancé,” Julie said. “They have all pitched in to help us on busy days, which makes it even more fun!” Working alongside her daughter six days a week is rewarding, but there comes a time when everyone needs a little “me” time. “For the most part we love working together, but there certainly are times when we need to separate and have some down time,” Julie said with a laugh. “Sometimes we each just need a “time out.” Both women encourage others to pursue their goals, but do their homework if they are thinking of owning a business. The better the plan, the more likely the business will succeed. “It was a TON of work!” Grace said, laughing and noting she was thankful for “How to Build a Business Plan for Dummies” in the early days. “There were so many things we had no idea about, like permits and licenses.” For more information on Honey & Hazel Boutique, visit www.shophoney andhazel.com
MOVERS & SHAKERS
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • October 2015 • 29A
Two top doctors join Fulton County Pair bring decades of public health, managerial experience ATLANTA, Ga. – Two highly respected members of the medical profession have assumed leadership roles in the Fulton County Department of Health Services. They are Dr. David Sarnow, who is the new deputy health director, and Dr. David Holland, recently named the new chief clinical officer for the Communicable Disease Prevention Branch of the Health Services Department. County Manager Dick Anderson said, “Both of these exceptional medical professionals join Fulton County at a critical
time and will undoubtedly make significant contributions to our strategic priority of public health.” Arriving directly from his most recent assignment as chief of Aerospace MediHolland cine in the United States Air Force, Sarnow has over 20 years of experience in the field of public health in both the civilian and military arenas. His most recent assignment has been as a preventive medicine physician and public health emergency officer at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas. His military career has taken him to
Resurgens Orthopaedics welcomes 4 new physicians ATLANTA - Resurgens Orthopaedics, Georgia’s largest orthopaedic practice, has added four highly trained and specialized orthopaedic surgeons. Drs. Deborah Kowalchuk Levine Kowalchuk, Mathew Levine, Anuj Netto and Phillip Walton Jr. are each joining the Resurgens practice after completing fellowships in their chosen areas of sub-specialty training in orthoNetto Walton paedics. “We are excited to have these four physicians join the Resurgens team,” Resurgens’ Co-President Dr. Douglas Lundy said. “The metro Atlanta area will benefit from their additions to the practice, allowing patients the convenience of having a specialized physician in their neighborhood. Access to timely physician care will also improve with additional physicians able to treat patients and get them back to doing what they love to do. That is what we’re all about.” Each of the new physicians are currently accepting patients at their respective locations.
Kaiser Permanente names Wilson new medical director ATLANTA – Dr. Mary L. Wilson has been named executive medical director of Kaiser Permanente of Georgia, the state’s largest nonprofit health plan serving 269,000 metro Atlantans. A board-certified pediatrician, Wilson will lead The Southeast Permanente Medical Group, which Walton provides care exclusively for Kaiser Permanente members. One of the largest multispecialty
bases in New Mexico, Texas, Alabama and Florida here at home and to South Korea, Iraq and Japan abroad. Preventing disease is a primary mission of Fulton sarnow County Health Services and Sarnow’s focus on applying preventive medicine standards and planning ways to mitigate health hazards makes him a “good fit” for the county’s integrated care system of delivering services Holland is no stranger to Fulton Health Services. Following his residency training at Emory University, where he also earned his M.D. degree, he served
medical groups in the state, TSPMG has 600 clinicians who deliver care through a network of 26 medical centers, as well as at four contracted hospitals — Piedmont Hospital, Northside Hospital, Gwinnett Medical Center and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Graham named chief of Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center ATLANTA – After a nationwide search, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University announced that Douglas Graham, M.D., Ph.D. as director of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and chief of hematology/oncology/BMT in the Department of Pediatrics at Emory Graham University. Graham comes to the Aflac Cancer Center having previously served as professor of pediatrics and immunology at the University of Colorado, with clinical practice at Children’s Hospital Colorado. While there, Graham led the Biology and Treatment of Childhood Cancer Research emphasis area. In this capacity, he directly oversaw all basic science, translational and clinical oncology research for the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Hospital Colorado.
WestRock names Chief Financial Officer for Ingevity NORCROSS, Ga. – WestRock Company announced that John Fortson as chief financial officer of Ingevity, the company’s specialty chemicals business. He joined the company October 12. “Having previously served as a public company CFO and treasurer, John will bring strong financial leadFortson ership and experience to Ingevity,” said Steve Voorhees, chief executive officer of WestRock. “He has a proven track record of operational and financial management, as well as capital markets experience, that will help the new company thrive as a publicly traded entity early next year.”
as Fulton’s Tuberculosis Clinic physician from August 2001 to June 2006. As chief clinical officer of the Communicable Disease Prevention Branch, he will oversee the operations of the tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases and Ryan White HIV clinics. Holland completed his specialty training in infectious diseases at Duke University, where he was on faculty for five years and also served as a medical consultant for the North Carolina TB Program. He returned to Atlanta in 2014 to accept a position on faculty at Emory, where he has resumed work in the Fulton County TB Clinic. Holland has also served as a medical consultant for the Georgia TB Program.
Susan Brack joins Keller Williams in Cumming CUMMING, Ga. — Susan Brack has joined the Keller Williams Community Partners office in Cumming. Brack has been a highly successful agent with Keller Williams in the Milton and Alpharetta areas for three years. Brack, who has lived in Switzerland, Hong Kong and Japan, speaks fluent French and enjoys working with interBrack national clients. Joining Brack at the KW Community Partners office is Sharon Dicks, client care coordinator for The Susan Brack Team. Brack can be reached at 770-905-4156 or susanbrack@kw.com.
Toni McGowan honored as Woman of Power ROSWELL, Ga. – Many of Atlanta’s most accomplished women in business and the professions were honored as “Women of Power and Influence” at a cocktail reception held at Pryor Fine Art Gallery, Atlanta. Toni McGowan, executive vice president of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, was an honoree, chosen for her leadMcGOWAN ership of the largest residential real estate firm in metro Atlanta and her career of real estate achievements.
Arthur Rutenberg Homes welcomes Trish Hauser MILTON, Ga. - Arthur Rutenberg Homes has announced the addition of a new sales consultant, Trish Hauser. Hauser is joining the AR Homes sales team led by Michael Barsky in The Manor Golf and Country Club. Arthur Rutenberg Homes, a homebuilder since 1953, is known HAUSER for their understated elegance, exquisite style, maximum livability and quality craftsmanship.
RESTAURANTS
30A • October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Abbey of the Holy Goats brewery to open in Roswell Will be the first all-female-owned brewery in Georgia By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. - Roswell’s Kathy Davis will become the first female owner of a Georgia brewery later this year when her brewery, Abbey of the Holy Goats, begins production in Roswell. As a former Buddhist nun and nearly a goat farmer, Davis might not be considered a typical brewery owner, though she credits a few brews with altering her canonical course. She had taken her lay vows and was ready to move to Canada to enter the convent when a friend took her to the Brick Store Pub in Decatur. “Two weeks before I was to ship off to Nova Scotia to join the nunnery, my best friend took me to the Brick Store Pub and introduced me to Belgian-style beer and we drank quite a bit of it,” Davis said. “She convinced me I would never be able to see that again in a convent, so I quickly changed my tune about becoming a nun.” Davis then had aspirations to become a goat farmer. “I know people who own goats and I think they are quirky, fun animals. They are very interesting and they don’t play by any rules. They do whatever they want,” she said. That time, her parents offered occupational diversion in the form of a home-brewing kit. The first beer she brewed won first place in its category in a brewing contest. “I won several more awards after that,” she said.
Roswell brewer Kathy Davis plans to open Abbey of the Holy Goats brewery late this year, becoming the only all-female-owned Georgia brewery.
Bolstered by her success and still in search of a career, she decided to pursue the idea of opening a brewery and enrolled in business school at Georgia State University. “The plan came together at that point,” Davis said. “While I was at business school, I spent the entire time working on this project. I wanted to be an entrepreneur and open my own business and I loved brewing, so the two just came together.”
That was in 2010, and now Davis plans to have her dream come to fruition in late fall or early winter of this year. Abbey of the Holy Goats will have three production lines: a flagship line that will produce Belgian-style brews, a seasonal “brewer’s choice” line which Davis said will be “whatever we feel like brewing that season,” as well as a traditional souring line which will be inoculated with bacteria that will lend a pleasantly sour flavor to the beer. The sour beers will be fermented in oak vats and then barrel-aged in oak for at least a year. Davis said the brewery’s output hasn’t been determined yet, but her focus initially will be on quality. “We’re not going to be huge by any stretch of the imagination. If we were brewing at capacity, we could brew a bunch of beer. But I would rather get brew quality over quantity,” she said. Once production starts, the beers will be available in one-way kegs, which are recyclable. According to Davis, the beers will also be available in bottles in the future. Davis said the name Abbey of the Holy Goats encompasses many of her interests in life. “The name comes from my interest in abbeys as far as living in them, and the beer styles. And the goats come from my love of goats. Of course, it’s also a play on the words ‘holy ghost.’ “The monastic lifestyle is still something that really interests me. No matter what religion you follow, it’s always a wonderful thing to endeavor towards,” she said. The brewery is fully funded but a
While I was at business school, I spent the entire time working on this project. I wanted to be an entrepreneur and open my own business and I loved brewing, so the two just came together.” Kathy Davis, Abbey of the Holy Goats brewery
Kickstarter campaign will begin in the next few weeks that Davis hopes will stir community involvement in the brewery as well as provide funds for “fun” equipment and a tasting room. Currently, Davis is the only employee but says she will begin hiring staff in the near future. For more information on Abbey of the Holy Goats, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HolyGoatBrew
Mellow Mushroom now offering burgers at all locations Burger menu launched Oct. 1 By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA, Ga. — Atlanta-based pizza chain Mellow Mushroom has added burgers to the menu at all locations. “Burgers in a Mellow Way” began Oct. 1, with two burgers — one beef and one veggie —becoming staples at all Mellow Mushroom restaurants. Though the chain is known for its stone-baked pizzas, a statement released by Mellow Mushroom stated, “As the Mellow brand grows and continues to evolve our expectations have evolved as well. Consumers want more options … and Mellow Mushroom needs to respond to that challenge.” Mellow Mushroom began market testing the feasibility of offering burgers last year by testing them in 12 stores in six different markets. The stores varied by size, kitchen configuration and customer demographics. Customers who ordered the burgers at test stores were also surveyed on “product preference, product satisfaction, intent to repurchase and other questions.”
Within that survey, 89 percent rated the burger as “delicious” or “very good.” The beef burger, made from 100 percent choice, allnatural certified Black Angus from California’s Harris
Ranch, will feature a 6-ounce patty, Roma tomatoes, caramelized onions, romaine lettuce, pickles, aioli and Swiss cheese on a brioche bun. The beef burger will be cooked well done unless customers request otherwise. The veggie patty is made from kale, quinoa, roasted mushrooms, garlic, shallots, eggs, panko breadcrumbs and brown rice. The veggie burger consists of the veggie patty, Roma tomatoes, romaine lettuce, yellow onion, avocadoes, aioli and cheddar cheese on a brioche bun. Along with the burgers, Mellow Mushroom will offer a new side dish: roasted red potatoes with fresh rosemary. Both burgers will cost $9.99 with a side included in the price. Customers will have the option to customize their burgers, adding bacon, mushrooms, jalapenos and more for an additional price. Mellow Mushroom was created in 1974 by three students at the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech. The first location opened on Spring Street in Atlanta. The company began franchising in the late 1980s and now has over 170 locations in 21 states. The majority of locations are still within the metro Atlanta area.
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • October 2015 • 31A
32A • October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
SECTION B
October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
NORTH ATLANTA BUSINESS POST
Ga. 400, MARTA and more
NORTH FULTON MARKET REPORT
Transportaton key cog in North Fulton’s future. PAGES 4B – 5B
Economic snapshot
Building permits, attracations, employers and more. PAGE 6B
SPECIAL FOCUS SECTION
As growth continues, region focuses on trained workforce By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com
THIS DECEMBER:
NORTH FULTON, Ga. – While the pace of some indicators appears to be leveling off, North Fulton County continues to enjoy the benefits of the economic recovery. Residential property values are up across the board — as high as 6.6 percent in Sandy Springs — and the cities are adding jobs. “The number of jobs has been increasing over the past few years, just look at the number of construction projects you see currently, whether in transportation or housing or commercial,” said Bethany Usry, vice president of Progress Partners of North Fulton, the economic development arm of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. Usry said more than one construction company executive has told her they cannot find enough labor to meet demand. Progress Partners markets North Fulton to other regional and national businesses. “Every year, we’re involved in a number of marketing trips, a lot of the time in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development,” she said. “Another thing we do is try to strengthen our relationship with the national site selectors who are the people often guiding corporate relocation decisions.” Over the past year, North Fulton has been host to several major business events. For example: • The opening of Avalon Phase I in Alpharetta, and the start of Phase II • The announcement that Mercedes Benz is locating its U.S. headquarters in Sandy Springs • The continued expansion of the
General Motors Innovation Center in Roswell, one of four centers in the country • The continued growth in the mobile payment and health care technology industry • The continued growth in residential housing • The expansion of Alcon in Johns Creek Usry said Progress Partners is focusing this year on workforce development to help sustain businesses already located in the area. The organization has met with top technology and health care employers as well as delegates from K-12 and higher education. “The purpose of meeting with the employers was to have them identify their exact job-title needs,” she said. “Then we brought each group in individually to meet with the educators so they could start assessing what the needs were and the fact that there’s a gap between what’s available and what they need.” Progress Partners plans to kick off the initiative in November after all the meetings have been held, Usry said. “If we don’t have the workforce that these companies need, then the ones we have can’t stay, and we can’t attract any new ones,” Usry said. One person with his eyes on corporate expansions and relocations is Al Nash, director of the Development Authority of Fulton County. “There’s still a lot of unfilled jobs in the Atlanta region, but a lot of the jobs are specific in their skillsets,” Nash said. “That’s a trend all over the country.” Many companies today are faced with an aging workforce, Nash said, so many of the open positions require skilled replacements who can pick up where retirees left off.
NORTH ATLANTA BUSINESS POST
FORSYTH COUNTY MARKET REPORT
Mercedes Benz recently announced Sandy Springs as the home of their new U.S. headquarters.
North Fulton home values This shows the percent increase in home values over the past year in North Fulton cities and the anticipated increase through 2016. The information is from the Zillow Home Value Index and includes figures through August. City
% increase
Predicted for 2016
Alpharetta 5.9 +3.8% Johns Creek 4.9 +3.6% Milton 2.0 +3.0% Roswell 6.3 +3.9% Sandy Springs 6.6 +3.9% Still, Nash said there is evidence the North Fulton economy appears to have fully recovered from the recession. “We are seeing signs that companies are expanding, companies are hiring, and there is evidence that new companies and opportunities want to invest in North Fulton,” he said. Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, some of the top schools in the state and a business-friendly environment remain the reasons North Fulton has been able to
pull out of the recession faster than most communities, Nash said. All that talent can’t come out of those schools, though, he said. The good news is that the Atlanta region and North Fulton are on the radar of many regional graduates, from Auburn to the Carolinas. “What we need to do is make sure those young millennials see that opportunity, not only the jobs available in North Fulton, but the lifestyle meets their objectives,” Nash said.
Reach the key decision makers in the region that need to know about opportunities in Forsyth County. North Atlanta Business Post reaches over 20,000 business decision makers and high income individuals in the North Atlanta Region in between I85 & I75 and north of 285.
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NORTH FULTON
2B • October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Did we see you there?
The Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce Business was held Oct. 2 at The Bricks at Perimeter Church.
By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce just wrapped up its Business Expo 2015 Oct. 2, and the theme this year seemed to be: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Hundreds of businesspeople flocked to the expo again at The Bricks at Perimeter Church on Medlock Bridge Road to see around 100 businesses with expo booths, and the energy was palpable. For every booth there seemed to be about three people milling around the expo, talking to each other. Chamber President John Bemont said he could not be happier with the turnout. “We have about all we could hold,” he said. “There is lots of food, lots of folks and lots of deals getting made.” Although he says it every year, Bemont said he truly believed this was the best expo yet. “Well, the venue here at The Bricks is just great. It has so much space – even though we’ve filled just about all of it,” he said. “And the church just does everything so well and they treat us so nice.”
Photos by Hatcher Hurd/staff
Alcon gets a few moments of fame as Johns Creek Chamber Marketing Director Maria Rose, right, and her cameraman shoot Alcon’s Dan Callahan and Debbie Payne for a promotional chamber video. Bemont said the expo was also a great way to showcase the chamber. Getting
this much community support is the best endorsement he could ask for.
“Now I have to go back and figure how to top this year,” he said.
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Mayor Pro Tem Steve Broadbent does the ribbon-cutting honors for the Business Expo 2015 as chamber board members look on.
Chamber board member Paul Creamer, left, welcomes Clint Curry with Cartridge World to the expo.
NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • October 2015 • 3B
Keyworth Bank welcomes a visitor with information and a free gift. Alas, it wasn’t money.
Susan Thompson of Sweet Events has a great conversation starter at her booth, and it tastes as good as it looks.
Get fit with Iron Tribe or get the book and become a franchisee at the expo.
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4B • October 2015 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com
Business leaders cite transp By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. – Transportation will key continued business growth in north Fulton and the region, a group of business leaders told a crowd of close to 300 at the Opportunity Outlook forum Sept. 23 in Alpharetta. Sponsored by Progress Partners, the four-hour forum featured insights from key leaders in transportation and business on how to address pressing transportation issues that threaten economic development. Ann Hanlon, executive director of the North Fulton Community Improvement District, said her organization was founded on improving transportation. Since its inception in 2003, the CID has spent $18 million of its own money in landscaping, intersections, sidewalks, roads and bridges. At the same time, the CID has brought in $90 million in grants and other public funds to help with those projects. “That’s our model,” she said. “Our board is willing to invest in projects as long as we’re getting other people’s money to bring into the community.” Currently, the CID is helping fund construction of a new $16 million bridge at Encore Parkway over Ga. 400 which connects Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre with North Point Mall. “You’ve got so many good assets there,” Hanlon said. “You’ve got the amphitheater, the mall, residential, senior living. Now there’s entertainment with The Main Event and Top Golf.” But Ga. 400 is like a river that divides the east side and the west side, so the bridge will help connect the two parts. The project is funded through the CID, the City of Alpharetta, GDOT, the Atlanta Regional Commission and a grant through the Georgia Tollway Authority. “The intent of the bridge project is to build something that’s pedestrian-friendly, so that people can actually walk from a concert to the mall or to the greenway,” Hanlon said. The CID is also helping fund the extension to Northwinds Parkway, which will provide access up to Kimball Bridge Road. That project is slated for completion next year.
Rail extension discussed Much of the discussion at the forum centered on transit, and MARTA in particular. For the first time in its history, MARTA has posted three years of solid surplus, a fact presented as unimaginable when general manager Keith Parker took over in 2012.
At that time, audit service surveys predicted the transit system would have a negative balance of about $25 million annually. “Since then, the system has made an abrupt turnaround, adding to its balance sheet,” Parker said. “We will close out this fiscal year with around $206 million to the good.” Parker attributed the turnaround to several factors: more frequent service, better customer service and safety. “Now, you get on at the airport, a train is coming every five minutes, and you can be downtown in 16 minutes,” he said. “You can go from baggage claim to the platform in less than three minutes. That’s the best in the country, third best in the world.” MARTA is also partnering with Uber to provide more connectivity. The service has just started its first 50 buses with Wi-Fi, and within the year every bus will have it. The service will subsequently be added to trains, Parker said. There was little debate about whether MARTA is good for business in north Fulton. Hanlon pointed to two separate studies focusing on connectivity with transit. The CID did an additional study looking at the effect MARTA rail would have if extended farther north. The CID passed a resolution in 2014 endorsing the idea of rail expansion farther north into north Fulton. The CID’s Blueprint North Fulton plan shows lease rates per square foot increase when you have proximity to transit, she said, adding that proximity to a rail station adds even more value. “We view transit as something a CID can invest in that does help those in economic development, because when they’re out marketing companies, I hear one of the first questions asked is ‘How close are you to transit?’” she said. Parker said MARTA is in the environmental phase of its plan to study rail service farther north up to Windward Parkway in Alpharetta. However, he pointed out revenues and current sales tax collections cannot support the extension. “We cannot squeeze the couple billion bucks it will cost to build this system out of existing resources,” Parker said. MARTA intends to address the issue of added resources before the Legislature. One proposal calls for having an additional one-half-cent sales tax capacity MARTA can use to build capital projects and pay for the ongoing maintenance and operation of those projects, Parker said.
The value of public transit Parker
Jeff Dils, vice president of leasing for Cousins Properties, said his group would welcome the opportunity to work with anything transit-related. Fully 90 percent
New plans call for significant improvement at the interchange of Ga. 400 and I-285.
of the company’s current assets are located at or near a MARTA station, he said. And the timing couldn’t be more perfect with a lot of these corporate users looking to put their offices near transit, he said. “If you look at some of the buildings that are near or on top of MARTA, Town Center at Abernathy and 400 for example, there are 19 Fortune 500 companies that have their offices there, and who sit on top of the Sandy Springs MARTA station,” he said. “I don’t think it’s any coincidence that that’s the case.” Mark Burkhalter, District 6 member of the Georgia DOT Board of Directors, added that legislative action last year to reconstitute the fuel tax has given the DOT added funds to tackle much-needed road projects.
The $1.1 billion interchange project at I-285 and Ga. 400, he said, is a collaborative effort, a public-private partnership that will “change everybody’s life.” The interchange is currently the biggest chokepoint in the state of Georgia. Bids are expected to be awarded in December to four teams of world-class construction firms, Burkhalter said.
To get MARTA up to Windward Parkway The legislative funding action, he said, “allows us to get in the game of doing what our mission is, which is building roads, not just repairing roads. Before now, the DOT was almost totally reliant on federal money. Because of that (legislative) leader-
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portation as vital to growth
MARTA is proposing five new stations on the northern line that would go to Windward Parkway in Alpharetta.
Infrastructure needs addressed
ship, we can do projects like widening of Ga. 400 north of Alpharetta.” The panel also included speakers from the area business community. Mark Toro, partner at North American PropToro erties, reported that the Avalon development in Alpharetta is about 50 percent complete. Construction is set to begin in November on building 276 units of residential over retail. In March, he said he expects to begin building 220,000 square feet of office over retail. Then in May, building begins on the $100 million Autograph Hotel along with a conference center in partnership with the City of Alpharetta.
Toro also used his time to pitch MARTA rail service farther north into Alpharetta. “I will just not shut up about the fact this region has got to do something about transit, and it’s got to be done now,” he said. As chair of the Atlanta Livable Communities Council, Toro said the group is devising a presentation to put in the hands of the Council’s 50 members, all leaders in the commercial real estate industry, to spread the word about public transit. “Unlike T-SPLOST, which failed miserably three years ago, this is a case we’re making for economic development, not about congestion,” Toro said. “It’s not about your commute, it’s about being able to compete.”
Jason Mastry, head of Lightstream 1 Manufacturing, Alcon, which develops and manufactures contact lenses, said his company moved to Johns Creek in the mid’80s because of the business environment. “One of the challenges was to find an area that specifically had a strategic outlook, developing a location where we could expand and grow into,” he said. “As the team looked around they realized that Technology Park in Johns Creek was being developed specifically for large-scale, high technology companies to grow and thrive.” He said Technology Park provided access to tractor trailers, which may not seem like a big deal to many people, but it provided easy arrangements for shipping and receiving at docks. He said the infrastructure and utilities on-site made the decision to locate there an easy one. Pat Raines, partner in Gate City Brewing, grew up in Roswell along with his two partners. Being a part of the community, he said he got Roswell Rotary early on. “It’s one of the best things that ever happened to me,” he said. “I was able to see how much the residents and the local business leaders care about this community, and how much goes on behind the scenes in this area.” Raines said he found Roswell to be forward-thinking and viewed that as an opportunity to build a business that could become part of the fabric of the community. He said he initially underestimated the assistance the city and its economic arm, Roswell Inc., could provide. But both helped lay the groundwork for zoning and permitting that would have taken any other business in any other community much more time and expense. “The strategic focus is to bring young professionals to this area to bump up the workforce,” he said. “For us, it works out nice, because young professionals tend to
“The strategic focus is to bring young professionals to this area to bump up the workforce. For us, it works out nice, because young professionals tend to like to drink craft beer, especially at the brewery.” Pat Raines, Partner in Gate City Brewing like to drink craft beer, especially at the brewery.” Karen Thurman, partner at Frazier & Deeter accounting, said her office decided on Alpharetta for its second location because it suited their needs. “In 2008, after 25 years in Atlanta, we were looking for a second office,” she said. The search included cities throughout Georgia and in other states. She said the demographics in the north Fulton area, the business environment, the number of businesses and the number of high-net-worth individuals were large factors in the decision. She said the second office would give the firm an opportunity to better serve its north Fulton clients and add new ones. “As far as incentives, we weren’t offered any,” she said. “We just chose to be here.”
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The Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Alpharetta.
North Fulton County economic snapshot Transportation: North Fulton lies chiefly to the north of I-285 in metro Atlanta. Its chief thoroughfare is Ga. 400 running north and south from Atlanta into Forsyth County. The area is also served throughout by MARTA bus service. MARTA’s transit rail line extends as far north as North Springs in Sandy Springs. Efforts are underway by some business groups to have the rail line extended farther north into Alpharetta.
Higher education: Georgia Perimeter College – Alpharetta is home to one of the five metro Atlanta campuses maintained by the college. The campus accounts for 2,089 of the school’s total enrollment of close to 30,000. Gwinnett Technical College – The college is constructing a 25-acre North Fulton campus at Old Milton Parkway and Ga. 400 in Alpharetta, across from Avalon. When completed next year, the site can accommodate up to 10,000 students and will offer classes tailored for the area’s business and technical community. In addition, North Fulton is home to other private, independent and parochial schools: • DeVry University, Alpharetta • Emory Continuing Education, Alpharetta • Georgia State University – Alpharetta campus • Reinhardt University – North Fulton Center, Alpharetta • Strayer University, Roswell • Troy University, Sandy Springs • University of Phoenix, Sandy Springs
High Schools: There are 12 public and 23 private high schools in North Fulton. Among those, seven are ranked in the top 25 in the state, according to the latest U.S. News and World Report survey of American high schools. School College readiness score No. 6 Milton High 69.6 No. 8 Northview High 64.8 No. 9 Johns Creek High 61.8 No. 10 Alpharetta High 61.5 No. 11 Chattahoochee High 59.7 No. 13 Roswell High 58.2 No. 21 Fulton Science Academy 50.0
Housing and income in North Fulton City
%Owner-occupied (2013)
Median Value of owneroccupied housing units (2009 -13)
Median household income
Alpharetta
63%
$311,100
$86,355
Johns Creek
80.5%
$324,800
$109,224
Milton
71.9%
$439,100
$113,000
Roswell
68.5%
$290,100
$79,579
Sandy Springs
47.1%
$424,700
$63,134 Source: Georgia Department of Labor
Employment - Unemployment: City Labor force Unemployment rate July August Alpharetta 33,457 4.8 5.8 Johns Creek 42,862 4.9 5.8 Milton 17,875 5.1 5.6 Roswell 51,805 4.8 5.6 Sandy Springs 58,593 5.0 6.0 Georgia 6.0 7.1 Metro Atlanta 6.1 7.3 Source: Georgia Department of Labor
Top employers Company Employees Northside Hospital 6,000 AT&T 3,500 Verizon Wireless 3,000 ADP/National Accounting Services 2,100 Children’s Healthcare 2,055 UPS 2,000
Tourist attractions and convention centers: Avalon, Alpharetta’s newest tourist attraction, features shops, entertainment, restaurants, residential and office buildings laid out like a minicity. Traffic studies performed in March and April show the development will have between 9-9.3 million visitors
this year. The Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek has hosted some major golf events, such as the 2011 PGA Championship and the 2014 U.S. Amateur Championship. The Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Alpharetta attracts between 200,000 and 240,000 guests a year. The venue features front-line musical entertainers. Canton Street in Roswell is the template by which all other cities measure their own commercial districts. The historic street features outdoor dining, shops and entertainment. Chattahoochee River – Roswell and Sandy Springs have set aside parks and green space along the metro area’s major waterway. Numerous boat and canoe rental businesses operate along the river. Heritage Sandy Springs is the community gathering point for residents and visitors to enjoy festivals, concerts and sporting events. The on-site museum is located within an 1869 plainstyle farmhouse and has two traveling exhibits along with one permanent exhibit displaying the history of Sandy Springs. The Anne Frank in the World Exhibit, located just above the Sandy Springs Welcome Center, features 600 photographs with more than 8,000 words telling the story of young Anne Frank. The exhibit provides visitors a chance to learn, explore, share and remember the history and lessons of the Holocaust and its continued relevance.
NORTH FULTON
Ga. 400 early offramp project axed City, GDOT have ‘difference in philosophy’ By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – A proposed early offramp from Ga. 400 in Roswell is dead after planners in the city and the Georgia Department of Transportation failed to reach consensus on designs. The intersection of Ga. 400 and Holcomb Bridge Road is one of the most heavily used in the metro area, said Roswell Transportation Director Steve Acenbrak, with more than 188,000 cars a day traveling Ga. 400 and more than 60,000 on Holcomb Bridge Road. To help alleviate traffic, Roswell had hoped for a new early off-ramp from Ga. 400 that would take drivers through what are now back roads to go eastward. One plan called for this to be incorporated into the proposed Riverwalk development at that intersection. Acenbrak said his department had a “difference in philosophy” with GDOT
in the design of the off-ramp. He and his department created a design that would have traffic traveling at 30 mph on the ramp. GDOT instead wished for 35 mph. “While that doesn’t sound like much, it doubled the cost of the project,” Acenbrak said. “We thought it was a good project at $3 million but not at $6 million.” Instead, Acenbrak said the money the city set aside for it will go to other city projects. He said $500,000 will go toward aesthetic improvements on the Holcomb Bridge Road bridge over Ga. 400, with new fencing. The rest of the money will go to the city’s Sun Valley Connector project, which will connect Sun Valley Drive, off Ga. 9, with Mansell Road at Warsaw Road. Despite the loss of the off-ramp, Acenbrak said there are several more improvements being done at the interchange to help traffic. Improvements on the northbound off-ramp and the westbound thru-lanes are currently in construction with more on the way, he said.
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Alpharetta planning project nets TSW chapter award ATLANTA – TSW, an Atlanta-based, full-service planning, architecture and landscape architecture firm, has won three chapter awards from the Georgia Planning Association. The awards were announced at the organization’s fall conference in Savannah Sept. 10. The three TSW projects that were honored are: the Downtown Alpharetta Master Plan and Zoning Code, the Clarkston LCI 10-year Update and the South Downtown Atlanta MARTA Transit Stations Enhancement Plan. For the award-winning project in Alpharetta, TSW served on a team that worked with the city to create a new downtown master plan to leverage the recent City Center development and promote greater connectivity between major activity centers while fostering increased economic sustainability. The process included a dynamic, hands-on approach involving community leaders, property owners, business owners and residents. The resulting plan included a roadway plan, bicycle/pedestrian paths, parking meter recommendations, a parking deck plan, stormwater system and downtown district plan. TSW also crafted comprehen-
TSW architect and planner Laura Richter, left, and TSW landscape designer and planner Sarah McColley.
sive plan amendments and design and development guidelines so the community vision could be implemented.
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