Business Post, July 2014 by Appen Media Group

July, 2014

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Tech capital

Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle makes case. PAGE 23

Hospital profiles

By the numbers on the hospitals north of Atlanta. PAGE 10 Volume I, Issue I • Part of Appen Media Group • Cherokee • Cobb • Forsyth • Fulton • Gwinnett • Hall

Land of innovation

Metro-Atlanta leads nation in health-tech. PAGE 12

Safety first

Hospitals with strict guidelines perform better. PAGE 15

Sprouting up

PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Atlanta, GA Permit #3592

Sprouts Farmers Market opens in Snellville. PAGE 20

New tech saves limbs Dr. Greg Robertson of Emory Johns Creek Hospital uses a tiny laser camera to detect clogs in arteries which leads to loss of limbs. See story, page 8. EMORY JOHNS CREEK HOSPITAL

Roswell, Georgia — a classic, southern town where small business makes a big impact Learn more about how your small business can ﬁnd success in Roswell on page 26

2 • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

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WELCOME

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • July 2014 • 3

QUICK GLANCE:

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER: Welcome to the first edition of The North Atlanta Business Post. We at Appen Media Group could not be more excited or more proud. After months of work and preparation the first edition is coming out. This year, Appen Media Group is celebrating 30 years in the publishing business and it is fitting that we are launching a number of new products including our new business monthly, which will provide reliable business news and information as well as a targeted business to business marketing vehicle for one of the fastest growing markets in the country – North Atlanta between I-75 and I-85. We have been publishing in this market since 1990 and have seen several business booms. We believe the boom that is just now emerging may very well be the biggest one yet and our new North Atlanta Business Post will be in place to cover it all. I want to thank many people for helping make the new Business Post possible. A.J. McNaughton, our production manager, has been our point person and visionary for most of the design and composing work. He has remained our anchor – calm and cool as the deadline approached and just doing what ever it took to get us ready on time. Aldo Nahed, our managing editor, has

been instrumental in creating and implementing a 12-month editorial calendar and simply being a great leader in the newsroom. Wendy Goddard has lead the charge on the sales floor and provided training, motivation, and encouragement to the entire advertising staff. Of course we could not do it without our loyal readers and advertisers – you! Thank you for the 30 years of support and we look forward to another 30 years of reporting your news – your story – your business. Lastly, I am thankful to my parents Ray and Christina Appen, the owners of Appen Appen Media Group who have been so encouraging and supportive with The North Atlanta Business Post. I admire their hard work and determination and hope to work the same way for our readers and our staff. Please know that we are open to your news submissions and story ideas – always. Please do not hesitate to contact us by phone and email and help us write your story. Our main phone number is 770-442-3278 and news-related material can be emailed to News@AppenMediaGroup.com or Hans@NorthFulton.com. I hope you enjoy this first edition and that you will look foreard for many more to come.

Percent of Georgians overweight or obese

Best,

Hans Appen Publisher

64.8% of adults

(18 and over)

12.4% of adolescent

Obesity has important consequences on our nation’s health and economy. It is linked to a number of chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers. An adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight.

In this issue: News

[4] Halyard Health locates HQ in Alpharetta Kimberly-Clark brings 200 jobs

[7] Tech industries growing in the state

CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION; CDC.GOV

Georgia companies in top 100 Health IT sector

Medical

[8] Doctor offers hope to amputees Laser technology saves legs otherwise lost to arterial disease

[12] World focuses on metro Atlanta for healthcare innovation

SUBSCRIBE TODAY 770-442-3278 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET

Georgia leading medical industry

Hall County

[14] Growth and development, hospitality news

Meet the staff

[16-17] Learn more about this publication

Cobb County

[18] Company’s incentives go beyond medical coverage

Forsyth County

[19] Why a roofing business chose to relocate to Forsyth County

Gwinnett County

[20] Sprouts begins growth in area with launch of Snellville market

Fulton County

[23] Alpharetta makes pitch for technology capital

Sound Advice

[24] Business management and real estate experts

Movers & Shakers

[28] New hires, promotions, recognitions

Cherokee County

[25] Canton named top place to live in Georgia

Cherokee County

[27] Ken Davis takes over as GNFCC chairman

Real Estate

[29] Roswell leads way to energy efficient homes

Technology

[31] CorMatrix seeks FDA OK for lifesaving technology

319 North Main Street Alpharetta, Georgia 30009 Published by Appen Media Group 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 advertising@ appenmediagroup.com. NEWSROOM: All press releases and editorial information can be sent to business@appenmediagroup.com Visit northatlantabusinesspost.com for more information.

NEWS

4 • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Halyard Health locates HQ in Alpharetta Kimberly-Clark spinoff brings up to 200 jobs By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A new company is heading for Alpharetta, and bringing with it potentially hundreds of jobs. Halyard Health, Inc., is a spin-off from health giant Kimberly-Clark. The announcement came that the new company headquarters would be based near Kimberly-Clark’s Roswell campus, in neighboring Alpharetta. Incoming CEO of Halyard, Robert Abernathy, said the decision was made to stay close to the Roswell campus of Kimberly-Clark. “Alpharetta allows us to stay close to the community and reduces the impact of a commute on our employees,” Abernathy said. “We have been in this area for over 30 years and are proud to be part of the community here in Georgia.” Halyard will set up shop in a 240,872- square foot vacant building on the corner of Windward parkway and Westside Parkway, close to the intersection with Ga. 400. They will move in December 2014.

Halyard Health in the forefront • A leader in driving better clinical practices and partners with forwardthinking hospitals to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). • Offer more than 100,000 clinical training credits to clinicians. • ON-Q Pain Relief System is a non-narcotic, portable pain relief pump that utilizes a local anesthetic to manage post-operative pain. • Millions of Americans suffer from chronic pain. Halyard’s COOLIEF procedure is a non-invasive, outpatient treatment option for those suffering from chronic back pain. • In surgical sterility protection, they are a pioneer in disposable sterile wrap and surgical drapes and gowns. • Develop gloves and facial protection to protect healthcare workers from infections. • Design closed-suction catheters and respiratory products to aid in patient recovery and minimize pneumonia risk. Once the planned spin-off is completed later this year, Halyard Health will be a stand-alone public company and is expected to trade on the New York Stock Exchange. The company already generates approximately $1.7 billion in annual net

sales, has leading market positions in both surgical and infection prevention products and medical devices and employs approximately 16,500 employees worldwide. Abernathy said plans were still being drawn up for the new headquarters, but

he expected between 150-200 new jobs to be created over the next two years in areas such as information technology, finance, procurement and human resources. Halyard is already one of the leading producers of health-related equipment, dominating the market in enteral feeding, sterilization wrap, face masks, surgical pain pumps and global suction catheters. “Halyard Health will look to maintain market leadership and further grow these businesses while identifying, developing and pursuing new opportunities,” Abernathy said. The company already has a large presence in the sterilization and creation of health products and procedures. “[We are] committed to advancing health and healthcare by preventing infection, eliminating pain and speeding recovery,” Abernathy said. “Advancing healthcare means fueling individual and industry progress against health goals by improving infection, pain and recovery outcomes for our customers and their patients.” The company has facilities in 12 countries around the world. However no products are made in Georgia. For more on Halyard, visit them online at www.halyardhealth.com.

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NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • July 2014 • 5

NEWS

6 • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Top 10 highest-paying occupations in Metro-Atlanta* OCCUPATION

AVERAGE ANNUAL PAY

1. Surgeons

$248,940

2. Orthodontists

$224,800

3. Internists, General

$221,600

4. Anesthesiologists

$218,000

Surgeons in Metro-Atlanta

5. Obstetricians and Gynecologists

$214,030

6. Physicians and Surgeons, All Other

$201,790

7. Chief Executives

$200,250

Ranking first amongst all profesions in Metro-Atlanta, surgeons have an average annual pay of $248, 940. Atlanta is the sixth highest-paying market for surgeons behind: 1. Modesto, CA., $251,180 2. Albany N.Y., $250,380 3. Portland, OR., $250,160 4. Baton Rouge, LA., $249,690 5. Greensboro, N.C., $249,110

8. Dentists, General

$193,300

9. Dentists, All Other Specialists

$192,430

10. Psychiatrists

$188,330

*Metro Atlanta includes Atlanta, Sandy Springs and Marietta. Figures taken from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

LEADING DIN NG

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CONNECTING C ONNECTING

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EENHANCING NHANCING

Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations accounts for 9 of the top 10 highest-paying jobs in Metro-Atlanta. The top 5 major sectors in Metro-Atlanta are: 1. Management Occupations, $114,140 2. Legal Occupations, $104,310 3. Computer and Mathematical Occupations, $78,360 4. Architecture and Engineering Occupations, $75,490 5. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations, $73,720

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NEWS

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • July 2014 • 7

TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA REPORT:

Tech industries growing in Georgia By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga.— Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) President Tino Mantella came to North Fulton to give his State of the Tech Industry in Georgia address, and he brought a lot of good news. Speaking at the June 4 Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce’s Lunch Connection, Mantella, who has been TAG president since 2004, said he is more optimistic about Georgia’s tech companies since the 2004 Tech Bust. “Georgia’s tech companies created 5,000 new jobs in 2013, and metro Atlanta is where the bulk of the tech companies live,” Mantella said. “That does not count the support jobs created when tech companies expand.” Overall, the tech industry is a $22 billion contributor to Georgia’s economy. Growth of the tech industry in the state has “forced” TAG to open offices outside Atlanta in Marietta, Augusta, Athens, Macon, Savannah, Columbus, Albany and Valdosta. “It really is a statewide industry now, with 267,000 people employed. The average salary in the tech field has risen each year from $77,600 to $83,000. That means technology is leading all other business sectors in the state,” Mantella said. “The tech industry is undeniably a major force in Georgia’s economy.” Georgia is the national leader in health care IT, led by Alpharetta-based McKesson Technology Solutions (see chart). McKesson once again topped the HCI 100 list at No. 1, while other Georgia companies improved their ranking from the previous year such as Med Assets, Greenway Health, Brightree, Navicure and Surgical Information Systems. This was echoed by earlier statements from David Hartnett, interim senior vice president of economic development of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “The metro Atlanta region is recognized as the nation’s health IT capital, consistently delivering some of the most innovative technologies in this sector,” Hartnett said. “As indicated by this year’s more than $600 million increase in revenue earned by the companies on the list,

EDITORIAL CALENDAR 2014-15

TAG President Tino Mantella, left, and Alpharetta City Manager Bob Regus. we are growing the economy in this sector with the potential to create thousands more high-paying jobs per year.” Mantella said North Fulton is a leader in the state’s tech community. In all, three of Georgia’s tech sectors surpass the industry average in growth: health information, communications and logistics. TAG also wants tech businesses to get involved in one of the big sore spots for the industry – training up new employees locally. That can begin in getting involved the Georgia schools’ STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program designed to prepare more students for the technical careers that modern society demands. Tech companies can get involved by offering internships in TAG’s internship program for rising high schools seniors, Mantella said. Another critical area Georgia needs to get better in is that of venture capital. Georgia leaped from No. 10 to No. 4 in venture capital raised, but that was just one year, and half of the venture capital raised, $200 million, went to AirWatch in 2013, Mantella said. “The first of 2014, AirWatch was acquired by VMware for $1.2 billion,” he said. “So that skews our VC outlook somewhat.” But with VC successes like AirWatch, that should turn heads. Georgia’s technology industry can be optimistic about its future, Mantella said, but the industry still exists in a global market, which means — get better or get left behind.

Georgia companies in Top 100 Health IT sector Rank No. 1

Company McKesson

Revenues $3.4 billion

Location Alpharetta

No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

MedAssets Inc. Greenway Health LLC HealthPort Technologies LLC Brightree Navicure Surgical Information Systems Craneware Inc.

$680,416,000 $378,000,000 $277,000,000 $74,900,000 $63,152,000 $52,600,000 $41,452,000

Alpharetta Carrollton Alpharetta Lawrenceville Duluth Alpharetta Atlanta

17 32 36 76 79 89 95

Issue Date

Space Reservation Date

Materials Deadline

July 2014 Health and Medical

July 14

July 3

July 7

August 2014 Banking and Finance

Aug. 11

July 31

Aug. 4

September 2014 Real Estate (commercial)

Sept. 15

Sept. 4

Sept. 8

October 2014 Retail

Oct.13

Oct. 2

Oct.6

November 2014 Chamber Spotlight

Nov. 10

Oct. 30

Nov. 3

December 2014 Entrepreneurs (Venture capitalists, 10 success stories)

Dec. 15

Dec. 4

Dec. 8

January 2015 Growth and Development

Jan. 12

Dec. 31

Jan. 5

February 2015 Banking and Finance

Feb. 9

Jan. 29

Feb. 2

March 2015 Real Estate (residential)

Mar. 9

Feb. 26

Mar. 2

April 2015 Small Business

April 6

Mar. 26

Mar. 30

May 2015 Leisure (vacations, golf, baseball)

May 11

April 30

May 4

June 2015 Technology

June 8

May 28

June 1

• North Fulton business scene

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• Gwinnett business scene

• Cobb business scene

• Cherokee business scene

• Hall business scene

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MEDICAL

8 • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

our communities

Appen news lets us know what’s going on right in our own backyard. As busy parents, it’s a great resource for places to go. As doctors, it helps us connect with our community and share our knowledge to better serve local medical needs. When we first arrived in Johns Creek, Appen helped us get to know our community and helped the community know who we are! I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to know what’s going on in this area without our community newspaper.

DR. JOHN REYES & DR. INGRID REYES Physicians, Modern Obstetrics and Gynecology of North Atlanta

EMORY JOHNS CREEK HOSPITAL

Main image: This is what the surgeon can see as the arteries are cleared of life-threatening plaque. Inset: This laser camera fits on the end of the doctor’s scouring device so that he can see in real time how clogged arteries are cleared without damaging them.

Emory JC doctor offers hope to amputee candidates Laser technology can save legs otherwise lost to arterial disease By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com

NorthFulton.com • 770-442-3278 319 North Main Street, Alpharetta, Georgia

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Emory Johns Creek Hospital’s Dr. Greg Robertson says many of the 150,000 limb amputations annually could be prevented if more people were aware of a new surgical procedure he helped pioneer. The cause of these amputations is what is known as peripheral arterial disease (PAD) where the arteries become clogged with plaque – the build-up of fatty deposits and other cells that can build up in the walls of arteries over time. The old technology of detecting plaque build-up with X-rays does not provide the degree of visual competency to go in and scrape the walls of the arteries. In advanced cases, the treatment becomes amputation. “It’s a problem. There is so much awareness of cancer and heart disease, but PAD flies under the radar,” Robertson said. Robertson says what is especially tragic is there is a new procedure to allow a tiny laser camera mounted in the device that allows the surgeon to see to score the arterial walls. The way Robertson describes the device (called an Ocelot and manufactured by Avinger Co.) is it is like an auger with a laser camera.

“So what we need to do is a better job of educating doctors and nurses to screen for PAD – not only to diagnose it, but to treat it with the latest technology,” he said. “It’s a 15-minute test similar to an EKG. “What is needed is the understanding, the training and the passion to treat PAD patients.” Patients most at risk of PAD are diabetics and smokers. Robertson has been working with Dr. John Simpson at Stanford University. Simpson is perhaps the leader in less invasive cardiovascular surgical procedures and invented the Ocelot. Robertson conducted the trials for the Ocelot in Germany and South America that got the Ocelot medically approved for use in the United States. “It is really life-changing for these patients,” Robertson said. “It allows the surgeon to see inside the artery as he performs the [removal of plaque]. You put a laser camera on the device; it allows the surgeon to stay on target without poking a hole in the artery.” He recently had a 38-year-old patient who was a farmer in Tennessee. Diagnosed with PAD, he was referred to Robertson as his last and best chance to prevent amputation. Robertson was successful in saving the leg with this minimally invasive procedure. “He had already lost his other leg at the knee in an accident. As a farmer, had he lost his other leg he would not have been able to earn a living,” Robertson said. “Not only that, blocked arteries are the leading cause of death in America.”

LEISURE

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • July 2014 • 9

Topgolf Alpharetta opens doors, fairways New entertainment center along Ga. 400 By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – After much hype, the new golfing entertainment venue Topgolf opened May 20 to excited golfers. Employing about 450 people, the 60,000-square-foot location sits on 12 acres alongside Westside Parkway and boasts 102 golfing bays that allow golfers to hit balls into a large open field filled with multi-colored rings. Each special golf ball has a microchip inside that tracks it and scores the player, turning the game of golf into more of a game and making it open to more casual golfers. “We introduce more people to the game of golf than any other entity,” said

Brian Harper, Topgolf’s director of sales. The Alpharetta location is the company’s first foray into the Southeast. They have other locations throughout the country. “It’s going to be an amazing summer at Topgolf,” said Topgolf Alpharetta Director of Operations Bob Dodson. “We will be hosting golf tournaments, daytime clinics for kids, Monday evening leagues, themed costume parties and live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night on our rooftop terrace. Even if you don’t play golf, there will be no shortage of things to do at Topgolf.” Topgolf estimates that it will serve 450,000 visitors in Alpharetta in its first year of operation, with a 10-year economic output in excess of $264 million. Topgolf Alpharetta is located at 10900 Westside Parkway off Ga. 400 in Alpharetta. For more information, visit www.topgolf.com/alpharetta.

Topgolf redefines leisure sports.

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MEDICAL

10 • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

By the numbers: Hospital profiles WellStar Cobb Hospital • Number of beds: 382 • Number of doctors: 734 physicians, more than 1,300 outside of the Medical Group. • Areas of specialty: Burn Program, Cardiac Catheterization, Home Health Services, Comprehensive Oncology Program, Medical Imaging, Minimally Invasive Services, Robotic Surgery, Senior Services, Occupational Medicine, Orthopedic Services, Senior Services, Wellness & Prevention Programs, Wound Care, STAT Cancer Clinic • The No. 1 message to the community: WellStar Cobb Hospital is the only hospital in Georgia to receive ‘meritorious’ status for surgical patient outcomes from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. • 3950 Austell Road SW, Austell, GA 30106, 770-732-4000, wellstar.org

Northside Hospital - Cherokee • Number of beds: 84 • Number of doctors: 1,200 • Areas of specialty: 24/7 Stroke Care, Bariatric Surgery, Breast Care Program, Cancer Institute, Clinical Trials, Critical Care Services, Diabetes Education, Emergency Services, Gastroenterology, Gynecology, Heart & Vascular Institute Cardiac Catheterization and PCI, Interventional Pain Treatment, Interventional Radiology, Laboratory Services, Maternity & Newborn Services, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Radiology (Imaging), Rehabilitation Services, Respiratory Care, Robotic Surgery, Sleep Disorders, Specialty Medicine, Surgical Services, Urology • The No. 1 message to the community: In April 1962, R.T. Jones Memorial Hospital opened its doors in Canton, Georgia, with 62 semi-private rooms and 17 physicians on staff. In October 1997, with approximately 100 physicians on staff, the hospital joined the Northside Hospital family and became Northside Hospital-Cherokee. Today, Northside Hospital-Cherokee has grown to include 84 beds, more than 400 physicians and more than 1,200 employees. The hospital offers a wide range of medical services to the community. • 201 Hospital Road, Canton, GA. 30114, 770-720-5100, northside.com/cherokee

Northside Hospital - Forsyth • Number of beds: 217 • Number of doctors: More than 2,200 • Areas of specialty: Maternity, emergency, diagnostic and interventional cardiology, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, breast care, neurosurgery, sleep disorder, spine care, imaging, plastic surgery, orthopedics, urology, GI services, cancer care and radiation therapy • The No. 1 message to the community: The Northside Hospital Healthcare System is an extensive network of state-of-the-art medical facilities, leading-edge technology and pioneering experience, and is dedicated to the health and wellness of the communities it serves. • 1200 Northside Forsyth Drive, Cumming, GA. 30041, 770-844-3200, northside. com/forsyth

North Fulton Hospital • Number of beds: 202 • Number of doctors: 400 • Areas of specialty: Accredited Community Cancer Center, Emergency Services, Neurosciences, Pain and Spine Center, Women’s Health Services, Orthopeadics, Inpatient Rehabilitation, Surgical Services, Gastroenterology, Trauma, Cardiology, Stroke Center, Intensive Care/Critical Care • No. 1 message to the community: For 30 years, North Fulton Hospital (NFH) has been serving North Fulton County and surrounding counties through its team of more than 800 employees, 400 doctors, and 200 volunteers. NFH has grown with the community and for the community, and is deeply committed to providing the very highest level of expertise, safety, and compassion to our patients and their families. • 3000 Hospital Blvd, Roswell, GA. 30076, 770-751-2500, nfultonhospital.com

MEDICAL

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • July 2014 • 11

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta • Areas of specialty: Cardiology and CT surgery, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Emergency services, Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Radiology, Cancer and blood disorders, Sports medicine, Surgery, Neurosciences, Urgent care • The No. 1 message to the community: Every child deserves Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. To impact more kids with this care and expertise that is unique to Children’s, we are expanding our locations and bringing together pediatric physicians in our community to build a system of care, just for kids. Children’s is preserving freestanding pediatric care in our community for future generations of Georgia’s kids. • North Fulton Neighborhood Locations: Children’s at Alpharetta Highway, 11835 Alpharetta Highway, Roswell, GA. 30076 Children’s at Forsyth, 410 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 300, Cumming, GA. 30041 Children’s at North Point, 3795 Mansell Road, Alpharetta, GA. 30022 Children’s at Old Milton Parkway, 3300 Old Milton Parkway, Suite 370, Alpharetta, GA. 30005 Children’s at Webb Bridge, 3155 North Point Parkway, Building A, Alpharetta, GA. 30005 • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospitals: Egleston hospital, 1405 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA. 30322 404-785-6000 Hughes Spalding hospital, 35 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE, Atlanta, GA. 30303, 404-785-9500 Scottish Rite hospital, 1001 Johnson Ferry Road NE, Atlanta, GA. 30342, 404-7855252

Emory Johns Creek Hospital • Number of beds: 110 • Number of doctors: More than 850 • Areas of specialty: Advanced Cardiology, Primary Stroke Center, Bariatrics, Neurology, Women’s Services, Emergency Services • The No. 1 message to the community: The hospital is best known for providing compassionate care in a truly state-of-the-art setting with hotel like amenities. • Advanced imaging, diagnostics and surgical capabilities. Cardiac Cath Lab, Only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the Area, Orthopedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, 24/7 Emergency. • 6325 Hospital Parkway, Johns Creek, GA. 30097, 678-474-7000, emoryjohnscreek. com

Northeast Georgia Medical Center • Number of beds: 557 • Number of doctors: More than 500 • Areas of specialty: Heart and Vascular, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Joint Replacement, Orthopedics, Neurosciences, Women and Children’s Services, Cancer Services, Bariatric Weight Loss • The No. 1 message to the community: Northeast Georgia Medical Center is one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals (Healthgrades®) and one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals (Truven Health Analytics®) – and it’s the only hospital in Georgia named to either list for 2013. • So the next time you or a loved one need health care, make sure your decision is based on quality – not just convenience – and consider Northeast Georgia Medical Center. • 743 Spring St. NE, Gainesville, GA. 30501, 770-219-3840, nghs.com

Gwinnett Medical Center • Number of beds: 553 (system wide) • Number of doctors: More than 800 • Areas of specialty: Bariatrics, Cardiology, Imaging, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Neuroscience, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine, Women’s Services • The No. 1 message to the community: As the hospital most preferred for all health needs in Northeast Metro Atlanta, Gwinnett Medical Center is an award-winning not-for-profit healthcare network. GMC includes two hospitals (Gwinnett Medical Center-Lawrenceville and Gwinnett Medical Center-Duluth), Glancy Rehabilitation Center, Johns Creek Orthopedic Surgery Center, the Center for Surgical Weight Management and numerous outpatient imaging and rehabilitation facilities. • Gwinnett Medical Center–Duluth: 3620 Howell Ferry Road, Duluth, GA. 30096 678-312-6800, gwinnettmedicalcenter.org • Gwinnett Medical Center-Lawrenceville: 1000 Medical Center Blvd., Lawrenceville, GA. 30046. 678-312-1000

MEDICAL

12 • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

World focuses on metro Atlanta for healthcare innovation By PAT FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA – Metro Atlanta is the backbone of the state’s multi-billion-dollar health care market, and the world is taking notice. Georgia leads the country with more than 225 health information technology companies. Eight of those rank in the top 100 in the nation, and seven are in metro Atlanta. The area also garners global interest in its expertise and cutting-edge facilities, like Emory Healthcare Systems, for the development, testing and practice of healthcare. The global market for health-related products, services and expertise has been growing, particularly over the past few years, and particularly in Asia. Just last year, a delegation from Sandy Springs, home to more than 40 percent of the hospital beds in metro Atlanta, sent a delegation of city and business leaders to its sister city in Taicang, China, to discuss trade. Healthcare was one of the key markets discussed. “Sandy Springs has the largest concentration of healthcare facilities between Washington and Houston,” said James Comerford, managing director of Proscenium Capital and chairman of the city’s Economic Advisory Committee. Sandy Springs is targeting a developing need in China: care for the elderly. China’s one-child mandate and the massive move of the younger population to cities has created a growing need for eldercare, Comerford said. Grandparents no longer have large families to rely on for care as they grow more dependent. And, the families they do have may not be nearby. “’What do we do with the grandparents?’ is the question that now confronts the Chinese,” Comerford said. “So what they’re reaching out to us for is expertise as to how does either private enterprise, or the state, then provide eldercare? They’ve never been in that business before.”

About PillCam The PillCam COLON video capsule is equipped with two miniature color video cameras. Designed to be ingested by the patient, PillCam transmits for approximately 10 hours to a recording device worn by the patient. The video data is reviewed by a physician.

GIVEN IMAGING

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared PillCam COLON as a new modality to provide visualization of the colon in February, 2014.

“We know that the health care industry is emerging in this area. We are telling French businesses that this is the place to be in order to be best in the healthcare industry in the U.S.” Marie Laumont, Executive director of the French American Chamber of Commerce for the Southeast

Comerford said conversations are continuing with the Chinese government as to how Sandy Springs can best fill that need. “We really focused it on some areas of expertise that we thought Sandy Springs had a very good base in,” he said. “We’ve got great intellectual knowledge in an area of health care that is now one of the greater societal issues facing the Chinese.” Gwinnett County has included its substantial portfolio of healthcare services in its frequent dealings with the Asia market, primarily South Korea. Some of the discussions deal with recruitment of doctors, while others deal with selling the services already in hand, said Nick Masino, senior vice president of economic development and Partnership Gwinnett, an arm of the Gwinnett

Israel’s strong partnership with Georgia pays dividends Gov. Deal holds economic development mission to Israel By ALDO NAHED ATLANTA — Since 1994, Israel and Georgia have had a long-established partnership through government, friendship, business, international trade, tourism and a variety of other avenues. From 2012 to 2013, imports from Israel to Georgia increased by 71 percent and total trade increased by 46 percent. In fact, Israel is the leading Middle Eastern investor nation in Georgia.

Chamber of Commerce. “We had our three biggest providers, Gwinnett Medical, Eastside Medical and Kaiser, all recently make multi-million dollar upgrades to their facilities,” Masino said. “So our healthcare is well regarded.” Some of the interchange involves patients from other countries visiting Gwinnett facilities to obtain a second opinion, Masino said. “We’ve had visitors from Bangladesh, China and South Korea to get second opinions or diagnoses” he said. Asia is not the only target audience. Israel has also created a robust market for medical technology. One of the leading companies is Given Imaging, developer of the PillCam, a small capsule swallowed by a patient to

So it was no surprise when last month, Gov. Nathan Deal held a five-day mission to Israel that included a delegation of state of Georgia officials and business leaders. The delegation visited Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Herzliya and Atlanta’s sister city of Ra’anana. “Israel is a vital partner in friendship and in our economic development efforts,” Deal said. “We are here to bolster our ties as we celebrate Georgia’s 20th year in the Israeli market and our longstanding commitment to the country.” During the mission, Deal announced that Israelbased Haifa Group will build a new controlled release fertilizer manufacturing facility in Savannah. Haifa is a global supplier of potassium nitrate, specialty plant nutrients and food phosphates, which help the agriculture industry. The new plant, a $12 million investment, will cre-

provide doctors with a glimpse inside the human body. The Israeli-based firm has American headquarters in Duluth. Nearby, in Alpharetta, Israeli-based Alpha Omega provides cutting-edge neuroscience technology to world markets. Alpharetta-based EndoChoice is another medical device company that has forged a global path. The company, founded in 2008, has been named by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in the United States for four years running. Its product line includes the patented Full Spectrum Endoscopy System which provides doctors a broader view of a patient’s gastrointestinal tract. France is another country courting the region for investment in health care. Late last month, a delegation of six health IT companies, along with representatives from the French government met in Atlanta to discuss shared markets. There are a lot of French companies interested in Atlanta, said Marie Laumont, executive director of the French American Chamber of Commerce for the Southeast. Healthcare is one of the chamber’s key focuses. But the country’s interest is not limited to people. Merial, a division of Paris-based Sanofi, is headquartered in Duluth. The company has a global market for its animal health products, including research and production of vaccines. “We know that the health care industry is emerging in this area,” Laumont said. “We are telling French businesses that this is the place to be in order to be best in the healthcare industry in the U.S.”

ate nearly 20 jobs. While in Israel, state leaders also recognized several Israeli companies for their respective partnerships with the state at the “Georgia: Destination for Global Success” seminar. To help increase exports to Israel and other countries, Georgia leveraged federal grant money to implement a program that attracts international buyers to Georgia. In the three years that Georgia has received this grant funding [STEP], the state has captured the interest of 38 buyers from such countries as Israel, Brazil, China, Germany, Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Of the nine countries represented in the program, Israel’s buyers were among the first to make purchases. Their purchases have been the largest of all countries to date and therefore have produced the greatest impact.

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • July 2014 • 13

HALL COUNTY

14 • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

BRIEFS & SHORTS: Hall County GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT:

Bread facility expands in Hall County, adds 400 jobs OAKWOOD, Ga. — California-based King’s Hawaiian plans to expand its production facilities in Oakwood with a new 120,000-square-foot production facility. The facility will manufacture hamburger and hot dog rolls. The state-of-the-art bakery and distribution center plans to add 400 new employees in phases by 2016. King’s Hawaiian has invested $100 million into its Hall County operations. Food processing is an $11.1 billion industry in Georgia. “It is a source of local pride to see King’s Hawaiian in every major grocer and to know that’s a fantastic quality product that everyone loves and it’s baked in Hall County,” said Kit Dunlap, chief executive officer of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit www.KingsHawaiian. com.

Heavy construction manufacturer expands in Hall County OAKWOOD, Ga. — A Korean-based heavy construction equipment parts manufacturer will locate to Hall County, creating 30 jobs and investing $10 million in the next five years, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Jinsung T.E.C’s expansion will allow for the supply of parts to the Caterpillar facility in Athens. The new location in Georgia will establish the company’s manufacturing facility in the Southeast U.S. and will supply idlers to the Caterpillar facility near Athens. Production at the facility will focus on the under carriage parts of automotive equipment – primarily rollers, idlers and sprockets.

locally in North Georgia. Visit www.bigcreekfoods.com for more information.

Pet food maker Big Creek Foods to grow, add new jobs

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — The first board members for Gainesville’s new convention and visitors bureau were approved by mayor and city council at their July 1 meeting. The board members are: Mike Azotea, general manager, Buffalo Wild Wings; Sheri Hooper, executive director, Interactive Neighborhood for Kids; Morgan House, manager, Lake Lanier Olympic Venue; Richard Labriola, general manager, Hilton Garden Inn; Grier Todd, general manager, the Fairfield Inn & Suites; Gainesville Parks and Recreation Director Melvin Cooper and Gainesville City Manager Kip Padgett. “Our next move will be an organizational meeting for the Gainesville CVB,” Catiel Felts, a city spokeswoman told Access North Georgia. The CVB aims to position Hall County and Gainesville in the marketplace as a destination for meetings, conventions and tourism, as well as sporting activities utilizing special facilities. The group aims to stimulate jobs, new business and local tax revenues and to promote awareness of Hall County and Gainesville among local, state, regional and national markets. Visit www.discoverlakelanier.com or call 678-6962491 for more information.

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Big Creek Foods will create 25 jobs at their new pet treat processing facility in Gainesville. The company, 2637 White Sulphur Road in Gainesville, plans to open a state-of-the art 20,000-square-foot facility to manufacture and distribute premium pet treats using food safety standards only found in human food production. “Pets are family members and they deserve treats that are delicious, nutritious and made from the highest quality ingredients, “said Thomas Gay, president of Big Creek Foods. “We are excited about starting up our brand new facility and bringing innovative products to this growing market.” There are currently eight pet food manufacturing facilities that operate in Georgia, employing 636 Georgians, according to Georgia Department of Economic Development. The company plans to utilize a wide variety of ingredients including chicken that is sourced

HOSPITALITY:

Gainesville’s Convention and Visitors Bureau names board members

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MEDICAL

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • July 2014 • 15

Best hospitals employ strict practices to safeguard patients By PAT FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA — Hospitals constantly work to improve on their safety records, but recent reports show patients are still at risk of mortal errors while under care. A 2014 report by BORNSTEIN the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claims that one in 25 hospitalized patients suffers from an infection contracted in a healthcare facility. These infections affect more than 600,000 patients each year, the study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, says. Moreover, a May 2014 article in Consumer Reports suggests that miscommunication between doctors, staff and patients contribute significantly to the hospital mortality rate. While all hospitals have a list of procedures to guard against these threats, the reports suggest that the best ones incorporate them into their culture. Emory Healthcare Systems, the state’s highest-ranked hospital system according to a U.S. News and World Report survey, takes these reports seriously, said Dr. William Bornstein, chief quality officer and chief medical officer for Emory Healthcare. While the safety rankings are valuable tools hospitals use to address strengths and weaknesses, he said, they are not perfect. The data collected may not be complete and up to date and it may not factor in the complex mix of patients one hospital treats over another, he said. Emory, for example, treats a variety of patients who tend to have multiple health issues and must undergo complex treatments, while other community hospitals serve a much less diverse clientele. Nevertheless, Emory has garnered stellar rankings from the University Health System Consortium, in their Quality & Accountability Scorecard developed in 2005, which attempts to include these patient variables in the rankings it issues. Among the more than 100 academic medical centers that participate across the nation, the Consortium ranked Emory University Hospital No. 2 and the Emory University Midtown facility No. 3. Bornstein said one of the key threats receiving a lot of attention are central line-associated bloodstream infections, which occur when germs enter the bloodstream through a tube placed in a large vein. The CDC estimates these infections lead to thousands of deaths each year and billions of dollars in added costs to the U.S. healthcare system. “We’re very focused on what we’d call a checklist for central line insertion,” Bornstein said. Those safeguards include gloves and gowns for those performing the procedure, maintaining sterile

conditions throughout the duration and removing the tube as soon as it is no longer necessary. He said the same reasoning and safeguards are applied to the use of bladder catheters, whether they are necessary and whether they are well maintained. Using the best sterile techniques also applies to treating the skin site of a surgical wound, he added. “One of the unifying efforts across all the infections is to make sure that everybody is doing effective hand hygiene,” Bornstein said. “We’ve put in reminder systems, and are exploring some automated systems that can remind caregivers when they go in and out of a room.” Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville has culled from other industries, such as airlines and nuclear power facilities, that address human factors in risk mitigation, said Dr. Sam Johnson, chief medical officer. The hospital ranked first in Georgia in overall hospital care in a 2014 study by CareChex, a rating service of COMPARION “It’s a high-risk, complex industry, and it depends very much on human interaction,” he said. The big focus over the past six years has been designing good processes, so that almost everything that occurs to a patient is a process backed by the best practices available, Johnson said. “We’ve developed a good quality management system so we’re holding ourselves accountable to follow the processes and making continual improvement,” he said. Hospital staff conduct regular daily meetings on every unit to review data and any concerns, potential risks or problems. If any problems have developed, Johnson said, those issues are analyzed and the factors that led to them are tracked. Another element of the process involves developing a culture of safety, instilling a mindset that everyone takes their responsibility to safety seriously, he said. This includes personal accountability, subordinate accountability and peer-to-peer accountability, he said. “This way, you’re not only looking out for yourself, but you’re looking out for everyone around you as well,” Johnson said. Another important aspect of the process, he said, is ensuring that patients receive ongoing education about

One unifying effort to prevent infections in hospitals is to make sure that doctors and patients frequently wash their hands.

medications and treatments. In addition to written and verbal information, the hospital has a closed-circuit television system wired to each room that provide customized education programs relating to a patient’s particular condition. WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, ranked 6th in Metro Atlanta by U.S. News, and its affiliates institute a series of protocols to govern safety procedures. Every team member completes the Safety First program annually, a practice that instills a safe culture, safety behaviors and communication practices, said Dr. Robert Lubitz, vice president of medical affairs for WellStar. Team members are encouraged to ask questions, request changes when appropriate, express concerns and escalate their views up the chain of command, he said. STAR is another practice used to encourage staff to stop, think, act and review, a process that “reminds team members and providers that briefly pausing before making a decision decreases the risk of an error,” Lubitz said.

A 2014 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claims that one in 25 hospitalized patients suffers from an infection contracted in a healthcare facility.

One of the keys to improved communication is the hospital’s practice of changing shifts at the patient’s bedside, allowing the patient to be personally involved in the discussion of his or her treatment with the attending nurse. Staff also use read-back verification to reduce the risk of verbal miscommunication. WellStar also employs numerous safeguards related to medications. Patients are assigned a bar code on their armbands and on medications, creating a check step to help reduce medication errors, Lubitz said. In addition, Independent double checks are used for high-risk medications. This technique requires a second caregiver to independently check dosage, administration orders and to verify correct setup of administration equipment, he said. “Hand hygiene is the most important thing caregivers and families can do to prevent infections,” Lubitz said. “Hand hygiene includes soap and water, foam or gel, and is required of all providers before and after a patient encounter. Patient’s families are also educated in proper hand hygiene.” Another problem that plagues hospitals is misidentifying patients and misplacing equipment, Lubitz said. WellStar uses a standardized two-patient identifier approach to ensure the right patient is receiving care. Also, the hospital uses standardized equipment counts to assure the team that all equipment is accounted for at the end of a procedure. Finally, every area at WellStar has a safety coach who reinforces safe practices and serves as a conduit of communication throughout the year on how to improve safe patient care, Lubitz said.

NORTH ATLANTA

16 • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

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16 | April 24, 2014 | Revue & News | northfulton.com

GEORGE PLATTENBURG, Managing partner of Burton Energy Group

Alpharetta company honored by EPA One of six in state with Energy Star award By JONATHAN cOPSEY jonathan@northfulton.com

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ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) honored an Alpharetta company as a recipient of the 2014 Energy Star awards. Burton Energy Group, of Alpharetta, received the Partner of the Year award for the second consecutive year. Burton is one of six organizations in Georgia receiving the award. A total of 127 organizations will be honored for their commitment to protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. The winners were selected from 16,000 Energy Star partners, including manufacturers,

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retailers, public schools, hospitals, real estate companies and home builders, for their dedication to protecting the environment through greater energy efficiency. “We’re proud,” said George Plattenburg, a managing partner of Burton. “It’s a reflection on the great work that our clients are doing and that we support them on.” The 12-year-old company moved to a Mansell Road location two years ago from Roswell. It employs 22 workers. Plattenburg said the company helps clients manage and lower energy consumption costs, largely in utilities such as electricity, water and sewer. They work with many large, national companies such as hoteliers, banks, retailers and

manufacturers. “It’s not unusual for these people to literally spend hundreds of millions of dollars a year on energy,” Plattenburg said. “We help them develop strategies and help track their progress.” More companies are warming up to the idea of conserving energy for two reasons, he said. First, it saves money in the long run. Second is sustainability. “EPA applauds this year’s Energy Star Partner of the Year Award winners, who have demonstrated innovative strategies to help their customers, partners and stakeholders save energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe. “Their commitment to saving energy helps fight climate change while also helping their bottom line.” Products, homes and build-

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16 | April 24, 2014 | Revue & News | northfulton.com

It’s not unusual for these people to literally spend hundreds of millions of dollars a year on energy.

Georgia companies that received Energy Star Awards are:

GEORGE PLATTENBURG, Managing partner of Burton Energy Gr

Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence: Servidyne, Atlanta The Home Depot, Atlanta Partner of the Year: Beazer Homes USA Inc., Atlanta Burton Energy Group, Alpharetta Hoshizaki America Inc., Peachtree City Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, Decatur

Alpharetta company honored by EPA One of six in state with Energy Star award By JONATHAN cOPSEY jonathan@northfulton.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) honored an Alpharetta company as a recipient of the 2014 Energy Star awards. Burton Energy Group, of Alpharetta, received the Partner of the Year award for the second consecutive year. Burton is one of six organizations in Georgia receiving the award. A total of 127 organizations will be honored for their commitment to protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. The winners were selected from 16,000 Energy Star partners, including manufacturers,

The complete list of winners can be found at www.energystar.gov/awards.

ings that earn the Energy Star label prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency requirements set by the U.S. EPA. From the first Energy Star-qualified computer in 1992, the Energy Star label can now be found on products in more than 70 different categories, with more than 4.5 billion sold. Over 1.5 million new homes and 23,000 office buildings, schools and

hospitals have earned the Energy Star label. Since the Energy Star program began, American families and businesses have saved $297 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 2.1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions with help from Energy Star. For more about Burton Energy Group, please visit www. burtonenergygroup.com.

Forsyth County store to open in 2015 By ALDO NAHED aldo@forsythherald.com PHOENIX, Ariz. – Sprouts Farmers Market is kicking off its Southeast expansion by opening a Johns Creek store in 2014, and a Forsyth location in 2015. Other Georgia locations opening in 2014 include Snellville, Dunwoody and Norcross. Next year a Cumming location will open at Lakeland Plaza, a company spokeswoman said. Sprouts Farmers Market

will soon finish construction on four of their healthy grocery stores in the Atlanta area. The Johns Creek market, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, will open Sept. 17. The Snellville location, 1250 Scenic Highway, Suite 1704, will open June 18. On July 16 and the company opens its Dunwoody location, 2480 Mt. Vernon Road. A Norcross location opens Aug. 20 at 5130 Peachtree Parkway, All stores are also hiring for 500 full and part-time

positions including store managers, department managers, clerks, cashiers, administrative coordinators and cashiers. Sprouts, which has about 15,000 employees companywide, offers consumers a complete grocery store experience featuring fresh produce, bulk foods, dairy, meat and seafood, bakery, vitamins and supplements and more. “For more than a decade,

Sprouts has focused on helping our customers reach their health goals by providing high quality natural and organic products at prices the everyday grocery shopper can afford,” said President and CEO Doug Sanders in a news release. “We are excited to introduce Atlanta-area residents to Sprouts beginning this summer.” Sprouts was recently

Forsyth County store to open in 2015 By ALDO NAHED aldo@forsythherald.com

named one of the top five supermarket chains by Consumer Reports, based on feedback from more than 27,000 shoppers who rated 55 grocers. This marks Sprouts’ first expansion into the Southeast. Earlier this year, the company opened its first store in Overland Park, Kan. Sprouts sources its own produce and plans to support the Atlanta market through its Dallasbased distribution center. For information, visit www. sprouts.com or for a career, visit sprouts.com/careers. Interviews will be scheduled for select candidates in early May.

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Sprouts Farmers Market is kicking off its Southeast expansion by opening a Johns Creek store in 2014, and a Forsyth location in 2015. Other Georgia locations opening in 2014 include Snellville, Dunwoody and Norcross. Next year a Cumming location will open at Lakeland Plaza, a company spokeswoman said. Sprouts Farmers Market

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Our story

Meet the staff

Thirty years ago, Ray and Christina Appen bought a bi-monthly newspaper in Alpharetta called The ReVue, left their positions at The Miami Herald and moved to run the newspaper. In the following years, they renamed the paper The Revue & News and increased the publishing frequency to weekly. Following the success of The Revue & News, the Appens started publishing three more weekly papers, a monthy women’s magazine and a quarterly relocation guide. They even expanded outside of publishing to social media management, design and graphics services, digital newsletter management and website services. However, the core business remains community news publishing. July, 2014 marks a new chapter for the Appens with the introduction of the North Atlanta Business Post, covering six counties north of Atlanta.

Christina Appen Owner

Ray Appen Owner

Hans Appen Publisher

Lisa McKemey Accounting Manager

Jade Rodgers Events Manager

Julia Johnson Account Executive

June Michaels Classified Representative

Becky Nelson Account Executive

Phyliss Anderton Sales Assistant

Susan Hernandez Sales Assistant

Sales team

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Sprouts Farmers Market opening J

Sprouts Farmers Market opening Johns Creek store

A BUSINESS POST

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • July 2014 • 17

Bringing business news to North Atlanta Aldo Nahed Managing Editor, Newsroom The North Atlanta Business Post is another way Appen Media Group is connecting readers to news that is local and useful. This 32-page print and online issue is not our first foray into business coverage. We’ve been leading coverage of North Fulton and Forsyth County businesses for 30 years. We are just expanding our coverage to also include our neighboring communities in Cherokee, Hall, Gwinnett and East Cobb counties. Our editorial team plans to bring readers a monthly business-centric publication that will be distributed to 20,000 business professionals in a variety of industries and business sectors. The Business Post will feature in-depth analysis, interviews and sec-

tions on careers and people. Our publication will provide a comprehensive look at health, medical, banking and finance, retail, NAHED chamber of commerce news and entrepreneurs who are thriving in our coverage area. The editions will also be a showcase for success stories, announcements and hospitality. This month’s cover story puts the spotlight on how metro Atlanta is a worldwide health care provider and how Georgia leads the country with more than 225 health information technology companies. Our inaugural issue also covers the complex issues facing health and

wellness in the workplace, business expansions, a profile of the technology capital of the South and best practices that safeguard patients. With your help, the North Atlanta Business Post will thrive. That’s why we want to hear from you. We are looking for stories on entrepreneurs, executives, business owners and philanthropists who embody this growing region and who drive economic growth. Send us criticisms (you won’t hurt our feelings) on how we can improve; features you’d like us to cover; and leaders you’d like us to spotlight. Email me at business@appenmediagroup.com. Thank you for making this a successful launch. Also, visit our website www. northatlantabusinesspost.com for daily content and to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Distribution Print: 20,000 The North Atlanta Business Post will be delivered to 20,000 business professionals in a variety of industries and through a multitude of different vehicles. A mailed subscription will be made available to area chamber of commerce members, and distributed in bulk to North Atlanta visitors bureaus, welcome centers, municipal buildings, chambers of commerce, and more.

Web Presence: The website for the Business Post will be a state of the art, high traffic website with exclusive content available to the North Atlanta business community. With state of the art tools to better provide readers with an analysis of the business community, northatlantabusinesspost.com will be an outlet for readers to become informed and involved.

Frequency:

Let’s get down to business Wendy Goddard Sales Team Leader Appen Media Group is excited to announce the addition of the North Atlanta Business Post to our family of publications. A Marketing Presence in the North Atlanta Business Post will offer your business exposure to some of the most influential decision makers in the Southeast who call the “Golden Crescent” their business (and personal) home. North Atlanta Business Post is direct-delivered to CSuite Executives, Relocation Specialists, Business Owners, Decision Makers, Entrepreneurs as well as members of the local chambers of commerce and CVBs. It is also deliverd to municipalities specifically in North Fulton, Forsyth, Hall, Cherokee, Gwinnett, and East Cobb counties. Fortune 500 companies and all major influential businesses in the area receive special attention. North Atlanta Business Post will cover prominent business news, technology, economy, community impact, fundraisers, galas and so much more for the affluent business market north of the Perimeter. With special content focused on influential leaders, women in business, 40 under 40, directories and lists, the Business Post will quickly become the go-to business publication for the ever-growing and influential corporate

market North of Atlanta. We will also be distributing weekly content via e-newsletter and daily content via the www.NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com website. North Atlanta Business Post will be similar in content and style to other popular business publications with one GODDARD distinct advantage. The Business Post will focus on pertinent business news north of the Perimeter. It is one of the fastest growing and most influential business markets nationwide and includes the fifth-largest concentration of Fortune 500 businesses in the U.S. I have been privileged to experience the excitement and buzz surrounding this, our inaugural edition. That gives me confidence that the North Atlanta Business Post will soon be the go-to business publication for the region’s professional community. North Atlanta is unique area unto itself. It is nvolved, tight-knit, dynamic, influential, progressive, and and above all growing. It is a market that demands a strong media presence which the Business Post will provide. For information on marketing packages with North Atlanta Business Post contact us today at 770-442-3278 or advertising@appenmediagroup.com.

Newsroom

Aldo Nahed Managing Editor

The North Atlanta Business Post will be printed once a month, and supplemented weekly with a subscriber newsletter. Content will be available daily via the website, and subscribers will be provided an outlet to furnish news about their business and employees through forums, blogs, etc.

Strategic Alliance: Connecting businesses to customers is what we do well. Through alliances with local chambers of commerce, convention and visitors bureaus, and municipalities, the North Atlanta Business Post will be able to account on and distribute pertinent news to the business community.

Coverage: The North Atlanta Business Post will focus on covering and distributing to six counties north of Atlanta that play a pivotal role in the economic well being of not only the state, but of the southeast. These include North Fulton, Forsyth, Cobb, Cherokee, Gwinnett and Hall Counties.

Design team

Hatcher Hurd Executive Editor

Jonathan Copsey Editor

Carolyn Aspenson Writer

Pat Fox Writer

Candy Waylock Writer

A.J. McNaughton Production Manager

David Brown Graphic Designer

Suzanne Pacey Graphic Designer

COBB COUNTY

18 • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Companies focus benefits on more than just medical coverage By CAROLYN RIDDER ASPENSON news@appenmediagroup.com ACWORTH, Ga. — With changes in healthcare coverage options, local companies are offering out-of-the box options to their employees. Acworth-based Heritage Corporate Benefits, a health insurance brokerage, has several clients enrolled in their wellness programs. Health and Wellness Manager Marie Saunders said their clients focus on physical wellness, but companies are moving toward adding more mental wellness options to wellness packages. “Times are tough for many,” Saunders said. “Employers want to help their employees handle the emotional stresses of life, too.” Saunders said companies are setting up individualized programs targeting employee’s specific concerns. “We create programs for people dealing with financial stress, problems at home and in the workplace,” Saunders said. “We’re seeing a trend for companies to target wellness as a whole package, not just the physical aspect.” It’s common for personal concerns to impact production and work issues certainly impact one’s personal life, said Pete Smith of Duluth-based McCart

Acworth-based Heritage Corporate Benefits offers unique coverage including mental wellness options. Group. Wellness packages provide ways for employees to tackle these types of issues properly and thus, live happier lives. “There is a lot that goes into a wellness package today,” Smith said. “From home-grown fitness programs to educational seminars.” Automation Direct, a Cummingbased automation and industrial controls product company, provides employ-

ees with an in-house gym and Weight Watchers program. In addition, they offer a smoking cessation and chronic illness management program. “Because of the changes in healthcare policy, we’ve put together programs to help improve the overall wellness of our employees,” said Mary Brehl, a human services coordinator at Automation

Direct. “We’re seeing about 90 percent participation from our employees.” Brehl said several employees have lost weight, quit smoking and eliminated prescription medications while participating in the company’s wellness program. “It’s exciting to see people taking control of their health,” Brehl said. “We’re thrilled to be able to offer assistance in doing that.” Automation Direct is one of several companies in metro Atlanta to focus on wellness. Automation Direct’s wellness program focuses on the whole person, too. “Our company has a strong focus on a commonly used concept called the Wheel of Life,” Brehl said. “Six spokes represent achievable goals for areas of life including family, career, social, financial, physical and spiritual. “If these spokes are in balance, a person has a rounded wheel that can spin freely and handle the ups and down of the road of life, but if out of balance, the wheel cannot spin without difficulty.” Brehl said they focus on providing a work environment and program to round out the wheel. “It’s good for the employee and ultimately for the company, too.”

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FORSYTH COUNTY

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • July 2014 • 19

Division 7 Supply staff includes drivers, outside sales representatives and warehouse.

Roofing, insulation company relocates to Forsyth Sees business grow with move By ALDO NAHED aldo@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Division 7 Supply, a distributor of roofing and insulation materials throughout Georgia and borders of Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina opened in 2008 in Suwanee. But it wasn’t until they relocated to Forsyth County in August 2013 that business started to really take off. “I wouldn’t say that business has exploded, but it has gone up significantly,” said Jeff Muratori, Division 7 Supply president and owner. “That’s a good thing.” Randall Toussaint, vice president of economic development for the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce said this is something he hears a lot from small businesses. “His story is indicative of the level of growth that we are seeing within our community’s small business sector,” Toussaint said. Muratori, 43, has lived in Forsyth County since 2001. He said there are additional benefits to being located at an industrial park, 2545 Ivy Street East in Cumming near Peachtree Parkway. “I think Forsyth County is leading the state in home starts and that has a little to do with it, as well as the location,” Muratori said. “We are between I-85 and I-75 and we are able to get to Gwinnett and Cherokee counties quickly.” They are also located near Ga. 400, which gives them access to the most affluent areas of metro-Atlanta. “We’re able to service that corridor a lot easier,” he said. Division 7 Supply distributes roofing, windows, doors and insulation materials

Only in Alpharetta Nation’s #6 Fastest Growing City U.S. Census Bureau (2013)

Jeff Muratori, owner and president of Division 7 Supply. to contractors. “We have a very extensive line and broad spectrum of materials,” Muratori said. “We also do sheet metal fabrication. Our main business with sheet metal fabrication is chimney pans and masonry chimney caps and stuff that has to do with the fireplace.” Since relocating to Forsyth County, Muratori has been supporting other local small businesses. He hands out each customer a flier with information about why they should shop locally. “The success of local businesses means more jobs and stability for our community,” one of the points says. Muratori employs 15 people that include drivers, outside sales representatives and warehouse staff. But location is not all it takes to succeed, Muratori said. Being there for customers is what’s important. “What’s good about our business is customer loyalty and the repeat business,” Muratori said. “We develop deep relationships with our customer. “Because of that, there’s a trust factor that’s involved and respect and that’s allowed us to grow so well.” Call 678-541-0303, or visit www. d7supply.com for more information.

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GWINNETT COUNTY

20 • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Sprouts kicks off expansion with Snellville market BY ALDO NAHED aldo@appenmediagroup.com SNELLVILLE, Ga. — Sprouts Farmers Market is kicking off its Southeast expansion by opening Snellville, Dunwoody and Norcross stores in 2014. Other Georgia locations include Suwanee and next year in Cumming in Forsyth County. Sprouts Farmers Market has completed construction on four of their healthy grocery stores in the Atlanta area. The Snellville location, 1250 Scenic Highway, Suite 1704, was the first to open June 18. On July 16, the company opened its Dunwoody location, 2480 Mt. Vernon Road. A Norcross location opens Aug. 20 at 5130 Peachtree Parkway, The Suwanee market, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, will open Sept. 17. All stores will hire about 500 full and part-time positions including store managers, department managers, clerks, cashiers, administrative coordinators and cashiers. Sprouts, which has about 15,000 employees companywide, offers consumers a complete grocery store experience featuring fresh produce, bulk foods, dairy, meat and seafood, bakery, vitamins and supplements and more. “For more than a decade, Sprouts has

Quick Facts • Founded in Arizona in 2002 • One of the fastest growing retailers in the U.S. • More than 170 stores throughout nine states • Operates in: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Kansas • More than 15,000 employees focused on helping our customers reach their health goals by providing high quality natural and organic products at prices the everyday grocery shopper can afford,” said President and CEO Doug Sanders. “We are excited to introduce Atlanta-area residents to Sprouts beginning this summer.” Sprouts was recently named one of the top five supermarket chains by Consumer Reports, based on feedback from more than 27,000 shoppers who rated 55 grocers. This marks Sprouts’ first expansion into the Southeast. Sprouts sources its own produce and plans to support the Atlanta market through its Dallas-based distribution center. For more information, visit www. sprouts.com.

BRIEFS & SHORTS: Gwinnett County event’s founder and organizer. Moss told the newspaper that because of the success, he may hold smaller quarterly expos across the state, including Columbus, Macon, Savannah, Dalton and Augusta. Visit http://www.georgiamanufacturingexpo.com for more information.

Gwinnett Tech hires executive director of institutional development

Governor Nathan Deal, center, presents a proclamation declaring June “Buy From Georgia Month.”

Georgia Manufacturing Expo draws 2,000 attendees DULUTH — The Georgia Manufacturing Expo, spotlighting the best of Georgia manufacturing people, products and plants, held their second annual event June13-14. The event highlighted products made in the state. About 75 vendors participated in the event held at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth. The two-day expo drew nearly 2,000 attendees, doubling the previous year attendance, Jason Moss, the

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Perry Roberts has been named executive director of institutional development at Gwinnett Technical College. Roberts is a seasoned veteran in higher education advancement with strong ties to the Gwinnett and North Fulton communities that GTC serves. “We are very excited to have ROBERTS Perry on board,” said Vice President of Economic Development David McCulloch. “The skills and knowledge he brings will advance our mission and vision, and his knowledge of our community will enable him to make an immediate impact toward our goals.” For the last four years, Roberts has led fundraising efforts as assistant vice president for development with the University of North Georgia. Prior to that, he was director of annual funding with Georgia Gwinnett College, working to establish the college’s initial development campaigns. Roberts’ experience in the nonprofit, charitable sector includes leadership positions with the Callaway

Gardens Foundation and with Easter Seals. For Gwinnett Tech, Roberts will direct efforts to advance support and funding for Gwinnett Tech’s programs and facilities, student scholarships and faculty and staff development, working closely with the Gwinnett Tech Foundation Board of Trustees. Gwinnett Tech offers more than 50 degree, diploma and certificate options that can be completed in two years or less. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.

Hussmann Corp. to add 50 new jobs to Gwinnett SUWANEE, Ga. — Through Georgia Quick Start program, Hussmann Corp., a company that manufactures, sells, installs and services display equipment and refrigeration systems in the retail food industry will add 50 jobs in Gwinnett County. The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce made the announcement June 30. The Missouri-based company hosted a Skilled Trades Career Fair at Gwinnett Technical College in Lawrenceville last month to fill positions for pipers, mechanical testers, electrical testers, welders and painters. “We are excited to be expanding our skilled workforce in Gwinnett. The additional positions will dramatically improve our production efficiencies, to better serve our clients,” Andre King, human resources manager for Hussmann, said in a press release. “We are continually increasing our refrigeration systems area operation and this investment is a first step toward our sustained growth.” Visit www.hussman.com for more information.

GWINNETT COUNTY

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • July 2014 • 21

Recession doesn’t slow expansions at Gwinnett Hospitals BY PAT FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Like much of the rest of the country, the Great Recession hit Gwinnett County hard. During its five-year stretch, unemployment climbed to 9.4 percent, property values plummeted and economic growth ground to a virtual halt. Yet, during that same period, the county’s three major healthcare providers poured hundreds of millions of dollars into upgrades and expanded services. Gwinnett Medical Center, the county’s largest healthcare provider, has channeled more than $75 million into its operation in the past five years alone. This is above and beyond the $92 million it spent for the addition of its 129-bed North Tower at its Lawrenceville campus, which opened in 2009. The Strickland Family Medicine Center is a 9,400-square-foot facility that features 10 exam rooms. It is also the primary outpatient training The Strickland Heart Center, which facility for the family medicine residency program. opened in 2010-11 at a cost of $33 million, provides six cardio cath labs, two of them dedicated to electro physiology studies, and two dedicated cardiovasculen said. “We want to continue serving “Our belief is that as we’re adding lar operating rooms. women for the next 20 years out of that services, we’re making sure we’re adding “It was a significant advance for us,” facility.” the right (ones) for the needs of the comsaid Mark Mullen, the hospital’s direcGwinnett Hospital has also moved munity,” said Eastside Chief Operating tor of planning. “Gwinnett has grown so headlong into sports medicine and orOfficer Callie Andrews. “We’re not going substantially, being the second largest thopedics, primarily out of its new Conto build something which it really doesn’t population in the state, that we’ve had cussion Institute in Duluth. The hospital need or that it has already a mile down to continue to expand, and that’s where has established a relationship with local the road.” you’re seeing a lot of this investment.” high schools and trainers to offer early Just before the recession hit, the Up until the opening of the heart cenintervention and treatment programs. hospital launched a project to expand the ter, internal studies showed that more And, just last month, Gwinnett Women’s Unit. In 2009, it added a 17than 500 Gwinnett residents were having Hospital opened the Strickland Fambed unit at a cost of $3 million aimed at to travel outside the county each year, ily Medical Center, a $1.4 million effort serving the aging population in the area to Emory or Piedmont or St. Joseph’s which added 40 jobs to the campus. The and to meet future demand in the areas hospitals in Atlanta, for open-heart sercenter has two residency programs in of orthopedics and joint replacement. vice, Mullen said. And, those trips didn’t place, each with five residents. The famThe following year, Eastside sank include family visitations and follow-up ily practice program is in place, and an $21.5 million to expand and upgrade its visits. internal medicine program is scheduled emergency room which had been serving Intervento begin next year, a growing numbers of patients since it tion radiology Mullen said. opened. Last year, the ER treated almost is a $3.5 million “It’s my under52,000 patients. The upgrades included, added service to standing that as we among other things, new cardiac and the hospital. This get up to the height diagnostic equipment, additional bays technology supof this, we will including a trauma bay and six “safe ports trauma care have 30 residents rooms.” by allowing staff in place at any The hospital also launched its Interto heal fractures given time, and ventional Cardiology Program in 2012. and other internal it’s a three-year This program added cath labs and brought damage without an residency,” he said. coronary angioplasty services to eastern operation. “We have set in Gwinnett County for the first time. “This is a sigplace the graduate “That was a big endeavor for us and nificant investment medical education one we’re incredibly proud of,” Andrews to us because it program to bring said. serves our in-pasome of these phyIn a partnership with Duke Realty, tients, our trauma sicians here, and a third medical office building, which patients, and the goal would be included a spine center, was added to the there’s a volume for them to contincampus in 2011. of out-patients as ue to practice here The hospital spent another $65 milwell,” Mullen said. once they’re done lion in 2012-13 for expansion of its North Callie Andrews, An additional with the residency Tower facility, adding 48 beds for critical $7 million has been Eastside Chief Operating Officer program.” care treatment, expanding and renovatinvested into the Over on the east ing the original nine operating rooms hospital’s Women’s side of the county, and adding a tenth. The laboratory was Pavilion for renoEastside Medical upgraded to provide faster and more vations, equipment upgrades and expanCenter in Snellville has been just as busy. efficient tests to care for ER patients, sion. Plans call for increased expansion. The hospital, which opened in 1980, has and the kitchen, used to provide meals to “We are the third busiest hospital in sunk $103 million into upgrades and patients and staff, was expanded. the state in terms of deliveries,” Mulexpanded services in the past six years. The focus this year has been the

“Our belief is that as we’re adding services, we’re making sure we’re adding the right (ones) for the needs of the community.”

The facility is modeled to encourage a patient centered medical approach to care, with an emphasis on: • Preventative care • Acquiring knowledge of the patient, the family and the community • Fewer referrals • Treatment from doctors • Quality • Safety South Campus, home to behavioral health services. The hospital has upgraded all four of its psychiatric units, including safety equipment. And just last month, Eastside launched its air ambulance service, partnering with Air Evac to provide a permanently stationed emergency transport service. Gwinnett Medical and Eastside are not the only facilities to have expanded operations in recent years. Kaiser Pemanente of Georgia, which offers health services through 30 medical centers in the state, recently underwent a $52 million expansion at its Gwinnett Comprehensive Medical Center on Steve Reynolds Boulevard in Duluth. The expansion included a 66,000-square-foot, three-story addition to the existing 84,000-square-foot GMC. It also funded a 24-space, two-story parking deck. Keri Hartsfield-Johnson, media specialist for Kaiser, said the expansion merely adds to the diverse list of services offered at the center, which includes, adult medicine, behavior health, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, general surgery, oncology, neurology, obstetrics, pediatrics and pain management, among others. Diagnostic imaging, X-ray, lab, pharmacy, nutrition and health education services are also available on-site.

MEDICAL

22 • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Northside Hospital surgeon first in Poland to implant new stent for complex aortic emergencies By KATHERINE WATSON news@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA — Earlier this year, Dr. Joseph Ricotta, a nationally and internationally recognized vascular surgeon at Atlanta’s Northside Hospital, traveled to Poland to perform the country’s first ever implant of a modified customized stent for two patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA). “Despite many advances in the evaluation and care of patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, formidable challenges remain,” said Ricotta. “Patients, who have these aneurysms and who have underlying serious medical conditions or present as an emergency, simply are not good candidates for the traditional open surgical approach.” Ricotta is the medical director of vascular services at Northside Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute and the chair of vascular surgery and endovascular therapy at Northside Vascular Surgery. He is the first surgeon in the United States to receive FDA approval to create and implant custom-modified endografts for high-risk patients with TAAA. He performed his first case, as part

Dr. Joseph Ricotta

of his MOSTEGRA (MOdified STEnt GRAft) clinical trial, at Northside Hospital-Forsyth in Cumming in 2013. Ricotta has gained vast knowledge and experience working at the nation’s leading vascular surgery institutes, such as Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, and Cleveland Clinic, and brings that expertise to Northside Hospital. Physicians from all over the world come to Northside to observe and learn from him. In October 2013, two vascular surgeons from Poland did just that. After returning home, they identified two

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patients who qualified for Ricotta’s procedure and then invited him to Poland to perform them himself. “When I visited Dr. Ricotta at Northside Hospital, I looked at operations of modified stent-grafts in patients with juxtarenal aneurysm as well as thoracoabdominal aneurysm. Dr. Ricotta agreed to come to Poland to share his skills and experience,” said Dr. Robert Proczka, department of surgery, Medical University of Warsaw. “Although the procedures were extremely complicated all of them were successful.” Approximately 15,000 people die each year from a ruptured aneurysm and 200,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, primarily affecting men and individuals age 65 years and older. Open surgery carries a high morbidity and mortality risk, including a 50 to 70 percent mortality rate for patients with a ruptured TAAA. A commercially manufactured customized fenestrated endograft can take as long as 6 to 12 weeks to create, making it unavailable for patients who require emergency surgery. According to Ricotta, it is not uncommon for a patient’s aneurysm to rupture while they wait

What is a stent A stent is a tiny tube placed into an artery, blood vessel, or other hollow structure to hold it open. for their device to be manufactured and then for surgery. His surgeon-modified endograft, which can take as little as 30 minutes to create, drastically reduces the waiting period for patients and enables him to treat aortic emergencies. Currently, there is no commercially available endovascular alternative for the treatment of a TAAA in the U.S. “In Europe as well as in Poland, there are fenestrated grafts on the market. Unfortunately, availability is difficult and the number of patients with juxtarenal/ pararenal aneurysm is all the time growing up. Especially in acute cases, the vascular surgeon/ interventionist has no possibility to get a fenestrated graft,” said Proczka. “Thanks to Dr Ricotta, his skills and experience, I would like to begin and develop the program of ‘Surgeon-modified stentgrafts’ in my practice and in Poland.” For more information visit www.nvsga.com or www.northside.com.

FULTON COUNTY

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • July 2014 • 23

GREATER ALPHARETTA TECHNOLOGY NETWORK:

Alpharetta makes pitch as technology capital With 900 area tech companies it’s time to get organized

GATN Board of Directors • Karen Cashion, Partner, Hipes & Belle Isle, LLC; President/ Founder of GATN • Mitch Copman, CEO, SEMS Technologies • Sarah Tourville, CEO, Media Frenzy Global and GATN Secretary • Luciano Chetan, CEO, Aristocrat Tech and Cambridge Healthcare • David Cooper, Taylor & English, GATN Treasurer • Angela Haneklau, VP and GM, Peak 10 • Carl Davis, Partner, Baker & Donelson • Douglas Macgill, COO, Manage Mobility • Susan O’Dwyer, Habif, Arogeti & Wynne • Rita Patel, Dean of Computer Science, Gwinnett Tech • Ruben Boling, Director, Center for the Future of North Georgia, University of North GA, Mike Cottrell School of Business • Indra Dattagupta, CEO, Xiverti • Gregory Burch, VP of Mobile, Business Development and ISV Partnerships, Ingenico • Sean Kiewat, CIO, Priority Payment Systems

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – When Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle took office, one of his first goals was to make Alpharetta the Technology Capital of the Southeast. It may already be the case. With the establishment of the Greater Alpharetta Technology Network (GATN), the seeds have been sown to not only brand Alpharetta as a technology capital, but to build on the synergy of these companies to strengthen their own selfawareness and attract more tech businesses to the greater Alpharetta area. Karen Cashion is founder and president of GATN, a fully chartered 501(c) trade association. Cashion also happens to be a corporate and technology law partner at the Alpharetta law firm of Hipes & Belle Isle (the mayor’s law firm), so she has a kindred spirit in getting GATN off to a flying start. She is also former assistant general counsel for EarthLink, Inc. She says there are 600 tech companies within Alpharetta’s corporate limits and another 300 more in outlying areas of North Fulton and South Forsyth, yet hardly anyone knows that. “It’s staggering that until now they had no local association to serve them and to foster a community of collaboration and connection,” Cashion said. “GATN’s mission is to promote and engage our local tech community through thought leadership, educational and networking events.” Cashion launched GATN with a kickoff dinner May 8 featuring Atlanta Tech Village founder and serial tech entrepreneur David Cummings spoke about creating a community of innovation. More than 150 were in attendance. Belle Isle sees GATN as another tool in bringing the technology community together. He has already formed a Technology Commission to advise the city in growing the tech community within its borders. Gwinnett Tech is building a North Fulton campus in Alpharetta to furnish a trained workforce and the city is in negotiations with Avalon to bring a 4-star hotel/convention center that will host trade shows and showcase area tech companies. “The tech companies we have here already are all over the map in size and scope,” Belle Isle said. “Thirty-five percent of the Technology Association of Georgia’s membership is right here. But to lead in entrepreneurial start-ups, the technology community has to have a place to come together and connect – to feel like they are a part of something. But

HATCHER HURD\STAFF

Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle and GATN President Karen Cashion share a common goal: to foster sense of community and connection among the more than 900 technology companies in greater Alpharetta.

GATN Mission Statement The purpose of the Greater Alpharetta Tech Network (GATN) is to engage and strengthen the Greater Alpharetta technology community by serving the interests of technology companies and professionals in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell, Sandy Springs and South Forsyth County, through thought leadership, educational, and networking events. we have to recognize that Alpharetta is the economic engine of North Fulton.” “All of Atlanta has 300 technology companies. Austin, Texas, has 600

technology companies, and it is the state capital with a major airport and a university” Belle Isle said. “What we have is a fiber-optic community with a power grid

supported by Georgia Power.” Tech companies attract other tech companies and the talent to support them, Belle Isle said. “With a supporting cast such as GATN, Gwinnett Tech and perhaps a convention center, we will be getting the word out to the rest of the country,” he said. Recent technology addition FiServ is bringing 2,500 jobs to Windward Parkway and a 30,000-square-foot expansion and structured parking. And in the last 18 months 4,300 high-paying tech jobs have come to North Fulton, the mayor said. “We can expect more acquisitions like that which add to the tax base and the local economy,” he said. Once Alpharetta reaches critical mass, the GATN mission will be even more important, Cashion said. “We will still need to foster a sense of community,” she said. “We want to create opportunities for people to come together, interact together. And that means looking at the greater Alpharetta area. Technology doesn’t have borders.” That means GATN needs partnerships with organizations such as Alpharetta Chamber, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and North Fulton Progress Partners.

SOUND ADVICE

24 • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Implementing a customer satisfaction management system Dick Jones Founder & President Jones Simply Sales

Are you meeting your customer’s expectations? Are your customers satisfied? Do you have a plan and process in place to retain your existing customers? For most companies, current customers are their number one asset. Existing customers are the source of current revenue, future sales, and referrals to others. Statistics indicate that it is 6-7 times more expensive to attract a new customer than it is to sell an existing customer additional products and services. As such, retaining current customers should be a #1 priority for every business. Retaining customers begins by gain-

Telling your customers that they are important, and that you are implementing this process to ensure you are serving them well will provide a boost to customer satisfaction. ing a thorough understanding of their expectations and priorities. Oftentimes this is unknown, unclear, or internally defined by company personnel. In most cases, companies have not taken the time to actually ask their customers what they want. Deploying a Customer Satisfaction Management System in your business will ensure that you are developing and delivering your products and services based on what your customers want, not

what you think they want. And it takes all of the guesswork out of making sure you have satisfied customers who will buy more, recommend you to others, and continue to do more business with you. A simple three-step process will allow you to implement this. First, talk with your customers to understand their expectations. This can be done through interviews or focus groups. Next, have your customers prioritize

their expectations by ranking the ones that they value the most, while at the same time identifying the ones that do not matter all that much. And finally, use the ranked list and have them rate your performance. A simple survey can be used to do this. There are many on-line survey tools that can facilitate this process, and also provide some great analytics to pinpoint where you are not meeting customer expectations. An added benefit of having a Customer Satisfaction Management System is the system itself. Telling your customers that they are important, and that you are implementing this process to ensure you are serving them well will provide a boost to customer satisfaction. Happy customers buy more, are more loyal, and recommend you to others. It is definitely an asset to your business to have satisfied customers, and having a Customer Satisfaction Management System is a proven approach to accomplishing this.

Making sense of this market Robert Strader Local Realtor Keller Williams Realty

As 2013 came to an end and this year kicked off, the constant refrain I heard from buyers and other agents alike was “there’s no inventory.” It seemed, at that time, that no one could find what they were looking for. Inventory was very tight last year. The funny thing is, I’m still hearing that comment, but it’s not quite accurate. Inventory in metro Atlanta is up 24 percent vs last year and in the North Atlanta counties, it’s up 19 percent on average, (see chart top right). Other than Hall County, inventory is higher year-over-year for the other counties above and the number of homes sold is slightly down or slightly up with the exception of Forsyth County, when comparing May data year-over-year.

A changing market and changing perspectives So it seems to be a strange time right now for housing. The sudden surprise last year of low inventory led to swift buyer purchases, over concern of finding anything at all. This was happening both nationally and locally. The problem now isn’t lack of inventory, what we’re finding from our

buyers is lack of quality inventory. Buyers have changed their perspective from last year. Home values went on a steep rise and sellers have taken that as a signal to get as much as they can. Who can blame them. After the extended recession and brutal beating everyone took over the previous 5 years, recovery was just what the doctor ordered. But buyers aren’t biting and demand has softened. Even new home builders, who jumped on the rising prices bandwagon, are beginning to offer incentives. Our experience is a buyer will wait longer or broaden their search area to find the right home before they pursue a home at top dollar that can’t offer top condition or location. This is why we’re seeing lower sales numbers overall. In metro Atlanta the number of homes sold in May is down 8 percent from the same time last year, despite inventory being up 24 percent.

Are We Headed For Another Correction? The short answer is no. Despite rising prices we’re still off from our peaks in most areas by approximately 6 percent. Through the rest of this year inventory will continue to rise modestly, demand is likely to remain soft and prices will not rise at the rates they have over the past months, in fact we’re seeing that now. A sellers’ challenge is not simply one

Inventory in Metro-Atlanta County

Change in inventory Change in home sales

North Fulton

16%

-1%

Forsyth

25%

-15%

East Cobb

-1%

Gwinnett

53%

-3%

Cherokee

24%

Hall

-10%

of pricing, it is more about a sales strategy in their hyper-local market. Buyer demand isn’t dead, they will pay up if it’s what they want. Sellers need to understand what the buyers want. Next month we’ll look at the mid-year

numbers to get a broader view of our housing market. Bob Strader is a local realtor with The NORTH Group of Keller Williams Realty. You can email him questions at: info@thenorthgroup.com.

CHEROKEE COUNTY

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • July 2014 • 25

Canton named top place to live in Georgia CANTON, Ga. — The Movoto Real Estate Blog released the results of an analysis they did to find the best places to live in Georgia. The No. 1 on the list was Canton. Canton ranked well in the analysis for its low unemployment rate of just 7.7 percent, a crime rate 49 percent lower than the rest of Georgia, and a sales tax of just 6 percent. The data-based list first compiled all of the places in the state with a population of 10,000 or more —that’s a total of 81 cities in Georgia. Then, the bloggers looked at each place according to the following criteria using data from the U.S. Census, FBI and business listings: total amenities; quality of life; total crimes; tax rates; unemployment; commute time; weather. The top 10 list is as follow: No. 1 Canton No. 2 Peachtree City No. 3 Athens No. 4. Alpharetta No. 5 Perry No. 6 Fayetteville No. 7 Duluth No. 8 Woodstock No. 9. Norcross No. 10 (tied) Kennesaw & Gainesville For the comprehensive list, visit www. bit.ly/1qyc9LB

Brown Park’s square in downtown Canton is one of the reasons this city scored high on quality of life.

DARYL CLARK

BRIEFS & SHORTS: Cherokee County Waleska landmark reopens decade later WALESKA, Ga. — After 13 years closed, Cline’s Store, in downtown Waleska, on Reinhardt College Parkway near the Fincher Road intersection, has reopened for business. The Waleska landmark reopened June 14, after closing shortly after Sept. 11, 2001 due to a bad economy. The Cline’s Store will be headed by new owner, Mike Cline, whose dad operated the store with his uncle, the Cherokee Tribune reports. “It’s just an old country store. When you walk in, it’s just like walking back in time,” Cline told the newspaper. “I’m hoping it’ll be sort of like it used to be, when people just came and sat around to shoot the breeze, like they used to.” The store will open from about 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Many of these families cope by altering eating habits, increasing the potential risks to the health and well-being of themselves and their children. Feeding America is the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization helping to combat these findings. “BJ’s Membership Clubs supports communities in need by not only donating grocery items, but also by assisting families in protecting their most vulnerable members: their babies,” said Jessie Newman, AVP of Community Affairs at BJ’s Membership Club. “By expanding the scope of our donations, we are continuing to help even more families build stronger communities — an effort we are honored and proud to support.” BJ’s Membership Club has donated more than 20 million pounds of food to Feeding America, and more than $19 million to 2,200 community organizations since 2005; and has supported BJ’s Adopt-a-School Program, which has served 2,575 elementary schools since 1996.

BJ’s donates 760,000 diapers to Woodstock families

Recycling competition pits Cherokee County mayors

WOODSTOCK, Ga. — BJ’s Membership Club has donated more than 760,000 diapers to Feeding America. The supplies will be distributed to Feeding America network food banks across the country to families who struggle to afford food and basic household items. The BJ’s Membership Club in Woodstock is donating more than 6,000 diapers to help those families in their community. A recent study found that the majority of Americans who are food insecure also struggle to buy basic necessities, including personal, home and baby care items that may not be covered by government assistance programs.

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. — For the third year, the mayors of Cherokee County are participating in an environmental challenge to see who can collect the most recycling. The Mayor’s Recycling Challenge is an event put together by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce that runs from June through the end of July. Katie Bishop, education and workforce specialist for the Cherokee Chamber, told the Cherokee LedgerNews that in addition to bragging rights, the cities that win will be recognized at the September Good Morning Cherokee Breakfast.

A winner for the most pounds recycled and a winner for the most recycling per capita will be recognized. Last year, Woodstock took first place for collecting the most recycling with 421,286 pounds. City of Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques told the Ledger that his city can do it again. “We not only have the population,” Henriques told the newspaper, “but we have residents that are really into it.”

Animal dermatologist opens clinic in Woodstock WOODSTOCK, Ga. — Animal Dermatology Clinic Marietta is opening a new satellite location in Cherokee County. Dr. Joel Griffies will begin seeing appointments twice a month at Cherokee Veterinary Emergency & Referral Center, 7800 Highway 92 in Woodstock. Griffies is a board certified veterinary dermatology specialist as recognized by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology and the senior veterinary dermatologist at Animal Dermatology Clinic in Marietta, Ga. Griffies and his colleague Sarah Bartlett, DVM, Dip. ACVD are the only board certified veterinary dermatologists practicing in Cobb and Cherokee counties. “Diagnosing and managing skin disease is like being a detective,” Griffies said. “Many skin diseases look the same, so it often takes a combination of looking closely at lesions present and listening carefully to what pet owners tell us about how the problem developed and where it started.” Visit www.animaldermatology.com or call 770-4222509 for more information.

RESTAURANTS

Sponsored by

26 • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com For more info visit roswellinc.org or call 678.823.4004

Power lunch in Roswell By Beckie Hawkins Communication & Vision Strategy for Roswell Inc. ROSWELL, Ga. – Business dinners, power lunches, meeting of the minds, or just quick coffee…. Sharing business thoughts, skills or dreams is often best received over a good meal or a fresh cup of coffee. Roswell has a place no matter what atmosphere you are seeking. Whether you choose to wine and dine your business companions at restaurants like Little Alley Steaks or Bistro VG, or grab a great mid-afternoon sweet treat at The Pie Hole or Sweet! Roswell, you are sure to impress and show your clients and contemporaries what you can bring to the table. Roswell offers numerous fine dining options, many who allow larger parties, as well as more relaxed and casual eateries to break up the work day. These are all places where you are sure to get those important things done. Cafes like Douceur de France and Plum Cafe are the perfect places to collaborate, connect and enjoy a fresh meal or an afternoon pick-me-up with colleagues.

Canton Street in downtown Roswell is a lively place to meet friends and colleagues. Need a quick chat and some brain food but don’t want to commit to a dining experience? Grab a quick bite at Roswell Provisions & Market or Land of

a Thousand Hills Coffee for your meeting any time of day! No matter what your needs, you will find the right plate to serve your business in Roswell.

BRIEFS & SHORTS: Retail ing,” said Jack Schwefel, chief executive officer of Sur la Table. For more information, visit www.surlatable.com.

New restaurants, retailers open at Collection

Sur la Table opens at North Point Mall ALPHARETTA, Ga. — There’s a new store in Alpharetta where customers can buy the latest cooking gadgets or join a cooking class. North Point Mall announced the addition of Sur la Table to its retail lineup last month. The Seattle-based retail destination for those with a passion for cooking and a love for food is now open and is located on the lower level in center court, 1000 North Point Circle, Suite 1082 in Alpharetta. The 5,800-square-foot store specializes in premium-quality goods for the kitchen. The North Point Mall location also features in-store cooking classes for shoppers conducted by the resident chef, visiting chefs or restaurateurs. Sur la Table operates one of the largest avocational cooking schools nationwide, with more than 120,000 students each year. The store will employ about 20 full-time and part-time employees and will include a culinary program. “We are thrilled to introduce Sur la Table to Alpharetta and to satisfy the needs of residents who share our passion for cook-

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Collection at Forsyth, an outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment center, announced the opening of several new restaurants and retailers. Located at 410 Peachtree Parkway in Cumming, Zo’s Kitchen opened June 19. The restaurant serves a fresh, Mediterranean take on comfort food. On June 21, Pure Barre, a rapidly growing fitness franchise that offers a unique workout experience, held a grand opening. Great American Cookies, which offers cookie cakes for any occasion, has also opened — adding to The Collection’s existing sweet treats retailers. Sip Wine & Tapas, which opened in May, is a unique wine and tasting restaurant serving more than 200 different wines. They also offer a tapas style menu. “We recently celebrated The Collection at Forsyth’s one year anniversary,” said Joe Turnbaugh, property manager, The Collection at Forsyth. “The addition of these new dining and merchant options is an exciting way to start year two.” The shopping center also offers Concerts at The Collection, a summer concert series every other Thursday. The concerts run through July 24. Each concert begins at 6 p.m. with a variety of children’s activities and live music from 7-9 p.m. The concert schedule can be found at http://www.collectionforsyth.com/events. For more information, visit www.collectionforsyth.com.

Roswell welcomes new businesses Opening a small business in any city is an investment in the community. Roswell, Ga., recognizes that small businesses are important to the economy and provide quality jobs. The City of Roswell offers great resources for entrepreneurs starting or expanding a small business. One unique resource for businesses is Roswell Inc. Roswell Inc. promotes economic development through a public private partnership with the city. Roswell Inc. works with business owners to grow and expedite success. Roswell Inc. and the City of Roswell realize that opening a business is a significant undertaking. Roswell Inc., in partnership with the City of Roswell, provides new businesses the tools they need to be successful. These tools include assistance with permitting and licensing, support for owners looking for a place for their company to open, educational workshops and connections to qualified employees, other professionals and business experts. This wide array of programs and initiatives support small business growth and help entrepreneurs maximize their investments. Regardless of the size or phase of business, Roswell Inc. supports entrepreneurs. Roswell Inc. is at the forefront of the City of Roswell’s effort to provide direct assistance to business owners on a variety of levels. Small businesses are at the core of Roswell’s economy in every industry — from culinary arts, to design, technology, medical and more. Roswell is a community where entrepreneurs looking to expand or open a business feel welcome, appreciated and are given the tools and assistance to succeed. Roswell is committed to encouraging the continuous growth of small businesses, ensuring their success and positioning them for future growth. Contact Roswell Inc. to learn more about how your small business makes a big impact in Roswell! For more information, visit www.roswellinc.org or email info@ roswellinc.org; call 678-823-4004. Visit them at 617 Atlanta Street, Suite 100, Roswell, Ga., 30075.

NETWORKING

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • July 2014 • 27

Ken Davis takes over as GNFCC chairman Renasant Georgia president used to leadership roles By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Ken Davis, Georgia President for Renasant Bank, has taken on the role of Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce’s chairman of the board. It is a role he slips into easily as it a role he has played many times before when called upon. Just Davis’ current resume shows he has served three years as chairman of the board for the Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau which oversees both tourism and economic development for that city. He has served on numerous boards where he lends his expertise, ideas and most importantly, his time. Now as chamber board chairman, he sees his first task as keeping ongoing chamber initiatives on track. “Some things we are doing, we want to continue doing such as education, workforce development, healthcare and technology,” Davis said. Education and workforce development are almost joined at the hip. There are already a number of colleges and technical schools offering classes in North Fulton such as DeVry University, Reinhardt University, Georgia State University’s campus on Ga. 400 and Emory University’s continuing education program. Then there is the $25 million foot-

print Gwinnett Technical is putting down on Milton Parkway in Alpharetta. “These are all great assets to help drive economic development here in North Fulton. If we can provide the trained workforce for the growing tech industry, the healthcare industry, the more it will benefit all businesses here,” Davis said. “There are a lot of energies and synergies at work here, and it is our job to help coordinate them to build our economy.” Another part of the chamber’s job is to get the word out about all the good things going on in this community. “We have a story to tell both locally and regionally, and now it needs to continue to the Southeast. And while we continue to make ourselves attractive to the relocation market, we must increase our efforts to retain existing businesses,” he said. “That may not make the big headlines, but when a business has the opportunity to look around but decides to stay, that is a huge economic win as well.” North Fulton Chairman Chamber Chairman Brandon Beach said he is ecstatic to have Davis take over the chairman’s gavel for 2014-15. “He has been on our board, he knows the job, he knows the community and he knows how to get things done,” Beach said. “More than that, he has lived in this community for 20 years. There are not

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce President Brandon Beach, left, chats with his new Board Chairman Ken Davis at a recent chamber after-hours get-together. many people we need to know that he can’t call up on the phone. “He is very involved in the community. With his contacts and visibility in the community, we as an organization are lucky to have him.” One area the North Fulton business community has to do better is branding the region the way other regions have. He points to Silicon Valley for technology in California and the Research Triangle in Raleigh-Durham area as examples. “That can gather synergy from existing businesses to bring similar or ancillary businesses to North Fulton. As you gain strength, you build on that

strength,” Davis said. “So it is a matter of developing a brand for all North Fulton. And there are a lot of success stories to tell – quality schools here, technical companies, corporate relocations, excellent parks and recreation – the list is endless.” There are challenges that must be met also. Transportation is a sore spot, but as Davis points out: “It’s a nice problem to have. It means people want to be here.” Long-term, North Fulton wants to recruit a 4-year college to bring its campus here, Davis said. Throw in MARTA expansion, too, he said.

‘Women and Wine’ gather in Alpharetta Female business owners meet for noshing, networking ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Good conversation, gourmet nibbles and a glass of wine are always a winning combination, especially when those gathered around the table share a common interest. On June 11, a group of local entrepreneurs gathered at Vino 100 in Alpharetta to meet like-minded souls. All were women, and all were small business owners, well versed in the triumphs and challenges of taking risks and following dreams. “Women and Wine” was the brainchild of Mary Mayer, owner of Cheeses & Mary in Crabapple, who wanted to facilitate a networking opportunity where female business owners could educate and inspire one another. For more information on Women and Wine, contact Mayer at cheesesandmary@gmail.com.

KATIE VANBRACKLE

In the front row, from left, are Briana Carson (Crave Pie Studio, Duluth), Beverly Norris (The Farmhouse, Duluth), Maritza Pichon (MChocolat, Alpharetta), Suzanne Taylor (Scoop OTP) and David Mott (Vino 100, event host).In back, from left, are Peggy Jones (Queen of Hearts Antiques and Interiors, Alpharetta), Ashley Towers (Eye Candy Art Studio, Duluth), Ashley Blencoe (Blencoe and Co. Photographic Arts, Milton), Stacey Anderson (Queen of Hearts Antiques and Interiors, Alpharetta), Melissa Dale (Hello Lovely, Milton), Mary Mayer (Cheeses & Mary, Milton), Michelle Knapp (Scoop OTP) and Regina Gulick (Milton Magazine, Milton). Unable to attend, but supplying treats for the evening was Gloria Amttei (Nothing Bundt Cakes, Alpharetta).

MOVERS & SHAKERS

28 • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Two BNG employees promoted to business banking officers ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Two Bank of North Georgia, a division of Synovus Bank, employees were promoted to business banking officer positions. ALBRITTON JACKSON Cory Jackson will support the Buckhead market and Jason Albritton will support the Cobb County market. Jackson, who has been with Bank of North Georgia for nine years, began his career as a teller at CB&T Bank of Middle Georgia, a division of Synovus Bank in Warner Robins, Georgia. For more information, visit www.bankofnorthgeorgia.com.

Steve Bailey joins Harry Norman Johns Creek JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Harry Norman, Realtors welcomed Steve Bailey as a realtor in its Johns Creek and Duluth offices. Bailey, a native BAILEY of Georgia, can be reached at 678687-9127 or by visiting www.stevebailey.harrynorman.com.

Brady voted Alpharetta Chamber chairman ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce has elected Fergal Brady as its 2015 chairman. Brady, who is on the Wells Fargo BRADY Business Banking team, brings extensive banking and leadership experience to the Alpharetta Chamber. In addition, Brady serves on the Board of Directors for Georgia Resource Capital, one of Georgia’s largest economic development companies. Visit www.alpharettachamber.com for more

Commerce Bank names Clark senior VP JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Georgia Commerce Bank has welcomed Randy Clark as senior vice president and market executive for the Johns Creek market. CLARK Clark is a 28-year finance professional with senior management experience in regional and community banks, including 24 years in metro Atlanta. Additionally, he previously founded or co-founded several businesses in his 10 years as an entrepreneur.

Emory Johns Creek appoints new board members JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Emory Johns Creek Hospital has appointed two new members to its Board of Trustees at the hospital. Susan Grissom, an attorney with

GRISSOM

Grissom Law LLC, who practices in the areas of corporate/business law, trusts and estate planning. In addition to being a founding member of Leadership Johns Creek, she serves on the board of directors for four other local nonprofits. Dr. William Bornstein, a chief quality and chief medical officer BORNSTEIN for Emory Healthcare. Bornstein is a board-certified internist and endocrinologist and continues to care for patients.

Berkshire welcomes Cornett to team NORTH FULTON, Ga. — Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Georgia Properties has welcomed Laura Cornett to their Dunwoody offices as a realtor. CORNETT Not only has Cornett acquired her real estate license in just over two months, she has also completed more than 200 hours of education, concentrating on the residential market, luxury homes as well as working with the growing baby boomer generation. Call 678-467-2286 or visit www.lauracornett. bhhsgeorgia.com for more information.

Harry Norman Forsyth adds four agents FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Harry Norman Realtors welcomed Dan Robinson, Jennifer Armstrong, Pam Sunderland and Barbara Cash as realtors to its Forsyth County office. Sunderland, an associate broker, has more than 30 years of real estate experience and specializes in land conservation, farm and ranch properties and historic preservation. Cash has more than 30 years of experience in the real estate industry. To contact these agents, call 770-497-2000 or visit www.HarryNormanForsyth.com.

State Bank names new regional president of mortgage lending ALPHARETTA, Ga. — State Bank and Trust Company announced that Jim Guthrie has been named regional president of mortgage lending. Guthrie will be responsible for growing State Bank’s residential real estate mortgage operations through recruitment of leading banking professionals and strategic GUTHRIE partnerships with the area’s leading homebuilders and real estate agencies. For more information, visit www.statebt.com.

Spectrum Neurosurgical Specialists welcomes Bart MacDonald ROSWELL, Ga. — Spectrum Neurosurgical Specialists announced the MACDONALD addition of Dr. Bart MacDonald, a board certified neurosurgeon to the practice. A native of Georgia and graduate of Georgia Tech, MacDonald attended medical school at the Medical College of Georgia. During his neurosurgical residency, MacDonald trained at Harvard’s Brigham & Women’s

Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Boston. For more, call 770-664-9600, or visit www.spectrumneuro.com.

Spa Sydell names chief medical officer ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Spa Sydell welcomed a new executive chief medical officer. Dr. Tara Margarella brings an accomplished medical background to the Sydell Luxe MARGARELLA team. With extensive training in the field of aesthetic and cosmetic surgery, Margarella has also been featured on the “Dr. Oz Show” and other national television programs. For more information, visit www.spasydell.com or call 404-255-7727.

Resurgens Orthopaedics welcomes Dr. Peak CUMMING, Ga. – Resurgens Orthopaedics has added surgeon Dr. E. Louis Peak to its practice. Peak joins Resurgens as one of PEAK the first fellowship-trained total joint surgeons north of the Atlanta Perimeter. He is a graduate of Emory University’s School of Medicine and his areas of expertise include adult reconstructive surgery of the hip, knee and shoulder; hip, knee and shoulder joint replacement; total joint revisions; and computer/robotic-assisted surgery. For more information, visit www.resurgens.com.

Pearce to lead Tencarva Machinery ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Edwin W. Pearce III has been elected president of Tencarva Machinery Company by its board of directors. Tencarva, a Greensboro, N.C.PEARCE based company, has an Alpharetta branch office of its GPM Division, located at 1370 Union Hill Industrial Court, Suite G, Alpharetta. Pearce began his career with Tencarva Machinery in 1992 and has served as secretary/treasurer since 2000.

Albertson financial advisor hires new retirement advisor ROSWELL, Ga. — Albertson Financial announced the addition of Norton Schlachter as their newest retirement advisor. He will be SCHLACHTER responsible for retirement planning sales and goal achievement for Albertson Financial. Schlachter has over 37 years of financial services experience and has held positions including personal producer, general agent and regional director. For more information, visit www.albertsonfinancial.com.

Submit your Movers & Shakers We want to hear about your new hire, promotion, board of director changes and recognitions, email a brief and headshot to business@appenmediagroup.com.

REAL ESTATE

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • July 2014 • 29

Energy-efficient houses find home in Roswell Weatherford Place near historic downtown By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – Roswell is home to many things, and now it is home to some of the only Platinum LEED-certified homes in the state. Weatherford Place, off Minhinette Drive close to historic Roswell, is a cluster of eight homes built by developer Cadmus Construction. Each home is constructed to the highest Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, which includes energy efficiency and minimal environmental impact. The benefits of a LEED house are plenty, said Matthew Anthony, with Southface, an Atlanta-based company that advises on sustainable practices for both commercial and residential projects.

“It’s a huge benefit,” Anthony said. “Using locally produced products helps the local economy. Energy efficiency and water conservation helps reduce the need on our national infrastructure for energy.” Each home is equipped with a 1,500-gallon water cistern for collecting and storing water for use around the home and property. The roads are made of a pervious material that allows rain water to seep into the cisterns as well, further reducing the need for water by up to 70 percent, said Denise Donahue, with Cadmus Construction. “Water is our most treasured, although not well respected, and foughtover resource, especially here in our tristate region, and along with energy, our biggest supply and demand challenge,” Donahue said. Solar energy and geothermal energy are also used to help lower, or in some cases eliminate utility fees. The homes of Weatherford Place also incorporated materials from the old homestead that once sat on the land,

The homes of Weatherford Place, in Roswell, are some of the first homes to be certified LEED Platinum in the state. They are built to keep energy and water consumption at a minimum. reducing the amount of materials needed in the construction, a key aspect of attaining the LEED Platinum status. “These homes show you can be LEED certified and still compete with conven-

tional home costs,” Anthony said. “This helps push the market.” For more on Weatherford Place, its homes and the LEED value, visit www. weatherfordplace.com.

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NEWS

30 • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Ga. named nation’s No. 1 place to do business ATLANTA - CNBC, a world-leading news source for business and financial information, has named Georgia the No. 1 place for business in the nation. Site Selection magazine named Georgia No. 1 for business last year. “As more people see Georgia’s successes, more businesses will consider expanding or relocating here,” said Gov. Nathan Deal. “I am confident that our state’s highly skilled workforce and seamlessly connected logistics infrastructure will enable these businesses to be successful and competitive.” The good news for Georgia also

placed the state in the national and global stage. “We’ve been crunching numbers for months, looking for a state whose business climate is solid as a rock,” said Scott Cohn, senior correspondent and lead investigative reporter at CNBC. “Georgia, the Peach State, the cream of the crop, with 1,659 out of 2,500 points, it’s a big jump from Georgia’s eighth place finish last year.” Georgia’s best category, its workforce, tops in the nation for the third year in a row. “Georgia ties for first in infrastructure with America’s busiest airport and one of

its busiest ports,” Cohn said. CNBC based its rankings on a proprietary survey methodology derived from a series of metrics engineered with the help of the National Association of Manufacturers and the Council on Competitiveness. States receive points based on their rankings in each metric. CNBC then separates those metrics into 10 broad categories and assign a point weighting to each category. The categories include: cost of doing business, economy, infrastructure and transportation, workforce, quality of life, technology and innovation, business

friendliness, education, cost of living and access to capital. Georgia has ranked among the top 10 states in CNBC’s business climate rankings over the last 10 years, and moves up from No. 8 last year. Chris Carr, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development siad being named America’s top state for business is another win for everyone involved in economic development in Georgia. “This new ranking reconfirms what Governor Deal has been touting,” Carr said. “Georgia is the No. 1 place in the nation to do business.”

BRIEFS & SHORTS: Georgia

Hitachi Automotive completes third production facility Monroe, Ga. — Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas has completed construction of a third production facility at their Monroe, Ga. operations. The new facility, along with new equipment for the new and existing facilities, represents an investment of an expected $80 million by the company. As a key part of its global business strategy, Hitachi Automotive Systems is moving to respond to growing demand in the important North American market by expanding production capacity in the Americas, including Mexico. The Monroe facility, east of Atlanta, is situated on 70 acres and currently has two production facilities with a combined manufacturing floor area of 230,000 squarefeet. The new third building will have a manufacturing floor area of 290,000 square feet. With more than twice its previous manufacturing floor area, the Monroe plant will continue to produce valve timing controls and propeller shafts at the existing facilities. Production at the new facility is expected to begin in 2016 and will include new products such as electric power steering systems, variable displacement pumps, and others. The expansion will add up to 250 new jobs by March 2017. The Monroe facility currently has over 350 employees.

Shaw invest $17 million, creates 70 jobs in Ringgold CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. — Shaw Industries Group, the world’s largest carpet manufacturer and a floorcovering provider, will expand its reclamation and recycling program to include a new Evergreen facility in Ring-

gold, creating at least 70 new jobs and investing more than $17 million into the facility. “Evergreen Ringgold expands our efforts to keep end-of-use carpet out of landfills,” said Paul Murray, Shaw vice president of sustainability and environmental affairs. “By expanding our recycling portfolio, we are illusMURRAY trating our continued commitment to converting something that historically may have been seen as waste into a resource that has a longer life in the economy.” Shaw employs approximately 15,000 associates in its operations throughout Georgia. Evergreen Ringgold will be operational in 2015 and will be located in what was previously Shaw Plant 37 — a rug distribution center. Visit www.shawfloors.com for more information.

Leading vehicle processor will create 30 jobs in Glynn County GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. — International Auto Processing will expand in St. Simons Island, creating 30 jobs and investing $3 million into the project. IAP will expand its current facility by 8,488 squarefeet, creating a new headquarters location for International Auto Logistics (IAL). Completion of the Class A offices are expected this fall. Robert Miller, president & CEO of IAP said the company was awarded a contract with the United States Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) to handle the logistics and storage of privately owned vehicles for military personnel in the United States, Asia and Europe. This project is the headquarters associated with the new business and has significantly utilized the Port of Brunswick.

Keurig to create 550 new jobs in Douglas County DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR) will open a manufacturing facility in Douglas County, creating about 550 new jobs and investing $337 million over the next five years. The new 585,000-square-foot Douglas County

manufacturing center will support the production of pods for the company’s new Keurig Cold platform, an in-home cold beverage system. In February, Keurig and Coca-Cola announced the companies had entered into a long-term, global strategic partnership to collaborate on the development and introduction of Coca-Cola’s global brand portfolio for use in the Keurig Cold beverage system. The system is currently under development with expected availability in fiscal year 2015. “Keurig Cold is an exciting new multi-brand platform for our company, and ensuring beverage pod production capacity and efficiency are key to its success,” said Brian Kelley, Keurig’s president and CEO . For more information on career opportunities visit www.KeurigGreenMountain.com email jobs@gmcr.com.

Sale of electronic cigarettes illegal to minors ATLANTA - It is now against the law in Georgia to sell or distribute any electronic cigarette to a person who is under the age of 18 years old. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) urged caution about the use and exposure of children to electronic nicotine delivery systems, including electronic cigarettes and other emissions producing products. Officials say the Georgia Poison Center received 45 calls about issues with e-cigarettes between Jan. 1 and June 14, 2014, compared with five calls in all of 2011. Electronic cigarettes and similar electronic nicotine delivery devices have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as tobacco cessation devices.

Richard Phillips appointed dean at GSU’s business school ATLANTA - Richard D. Phillips was named dean of the Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business. Phillips, who served as associate dean of academic initiatives and innovation since 2012, succeeds H. Fenwick Huss, who resigned after 10 years as dean of the college.

PHILLIPS

TECHNOLOGY

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • July 2014 • 31

CorMatrix seeks FDA OK for life-saving technology By Pat Fox pat@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – A Roswell biotech company is pursuing FDA approval for a new technology to help treat a dangerous heart condition that affects millions of Americans. CorMatrix recently completed enrollment and treatment of the first five patients in the world’s first study evaluating a device to improve heart function in patients at risk or suffering from heart failure. The company’s patented technology is a “bioscaffold” from animal tissue that is scrubbed clean of all cells, effectively eliminating any autoimmune rejection. The de-cellularized material, called an extracellular matrix, is then implanted to grow within the human body using the patient’s own stem cells. CorMatrix has implanted 100,000 patients with cardiovascular implants. The material has been used in more than 2 million people for a variety of treatments. The latest treatment study is being conducted at the Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Interior in Warsaw, Poland.

“The new products we’re studying focus on the applications the company was founded on to help address the largest medical issue in this country,” said CorMatrix Executive Vice President Andrew Green. “The products we have on the market right now are needed for patients, but they were put on the market to prove the concept of regeneration and to raise revenues to provide capital to develop these other products.” Green said revenues were flat last year, but he contributed much of that to changes in the country’s healthcare system. The company has a number of developmental programs going on right now. One product seeks to replace heart valves in patients with limited options. “The great thing about the CorMatrix ECM valves is that they become your own tissue,” Green said. “If they were implanted in an infant, that child wouldn’t have to have multiple surgeries they typically would have over the first few years of their life as they now would with a bioprosthetic or a man-made valve. The CorMatrix ECM valves will grow with them.” Another product, currently under FDA review, combines two pieces of the matrix material to form a pocket.

Doctors then place a defibrillator or pacemaker into the pocket before implanting it into the patient. “The pocket is replaced by tissue that grows around the device, which is the patient’s own tissue, and protects the device migrating or eroding through their skin,” Green said. Yet another product in the pipeline calls for perfecting a liquid form of the extracellular matrix. The material could then be injected into the wall of the human heart to promote healing. Green said he sees a growing need for CorMatrix ECM technology. “Another application where the CorMatrix ECM technology could be used is to repair vessels. There’s a lack of materials out there to repair patients’ blood vessels,” Green said. “They get blocked, and they have to open it up if they have to do surgery.” More than five million patients in the United States suffer from heart failure or congestive heart failure. That number is expected to double in 10 years. Globally, more than one million cases are diagnosed each year. In 2012, about $31 billion was spent on heart failure in the United States.

Abundance in medical practices fuels sales By CAROLYN RIDDER ASPENSON news@appenmediagroup.com GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Often considered the technology hub of the southeast, metro Atlanta has also become a popular spot for healthcare service and technology companies to grow. From medical equipment to wound healing and imaging, medical companies are taking up shop and putting down roots in cities like Gainesville, Alpharetta, Marietta and Cumming. “We’ve chosen this area because of its accessibility to other cities and the amount of baby boomers living here,” said Scott Morrison of BrightStar Care, a home care and medical staffing company located in Forsyth County. “Our company works with the elderly, as well as people with disabilities and children with care needs, and this area is where our clients live.” Hall County is home to the nationally renowned Northeast Georgia Health Care System, a driving force for businesses of all kinds to locate to the area, Morrison said. “Large hospital systems and density of physicians of course play an important factor is the medical service industry,” Morrison said. “For companies like mine, they create jobs, and because people want to live near where they work, ultimately my services become beneficial to the residents.” Jimmy Kallum, president of East Coast Medical Systems, a medical supply and service company located in Alpharetta, said the medical provider community in metro Atlanta is so large that companies like his can’t afford not to be nearby. “With our centralized location, we’re able to meet the needs of a large group of

The state has about 200 physicians per 100,000 residents and about 80 percent of those are in metro Atlanta.

medical providers,” Kallum said. The state has about 200 physicians per 100,000 residents and about 80 percent of those are in metro Atlanta. With 30 hospitals in Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, Forsyth and Hall counties, medical service and provider companies don’t need to go far to fetch new business. Sherri Dumford, owner of Three Bridges Consulting, a medical billing company, started her business 15 years ago in Alpharetta. “The market was prime with physicians in need of expert advice regarding billing and other office issues,” Dumford said. Dumford said she has competition in the area, but because of the wealth of medical professionals, there is plenty of opportunity for new business. The labor pool is excellent, Dumford said, in part because of the amount of medical professionals in the area. Kallum said he chose this area because the cost to do business was less than places like Dekalb County. “The taxes certainly are lower,” he said. “Building costs, whether a company rents or owns, are less expensive, too.”

Emory opens heart rhythm clinics to treat growing problem ATLANTA – Emory Healthcare launched new screening centers across the Atlanta area to help diagnosis abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmias. An arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart that occurs when the body’s electrical impulses, which direct and regulate heartbeats, do not function properly and cause the heart to beat slowly (bradyarrhythmias), rapidly (tachyarrhythmias) or in an uncoordinated manner. The new Emory clinics offer screening and, if needed, state-of-the-art care by some of the country’s leading arrhythmia experts, called electrophysiologists. Locations are already operating in Villa Rica, Conyers and Johns Creek and a fourth one will open later this summer in Decatur. “Emory has one of the most wideranging and innovative treatment

programs for heart rhythm disorders in the United States,” said electrophysiologist Dr. Angel Leon, professor of medicine and the chief of cardiology at Emory University Hospital Midtown. “Anyone who is experiencing palpitations, heart racing or other rhythm symptoms can visit one of our new screening locations to determine if their condition is serious and requires treatment by a specialist,” said Leon. According to the American Heart Association, atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common chronic cardiac dysrhythmia and affects nearly 2.3 million people in the United States. The prevalence of arrhythmias is age-related and is expected to rise substantially as the baby boomer population continues to age. Visit www.emoryhealthcare.org/ arrhythmia to learn more.

32 • July 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com