North Atlanta Business Post, December by Appen Media Group

December, 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Economy forecast: Optimistic GSU’s economic forecaster Rajeev Dhawan gives his opinion. PAGE 11

U.S. economy on rebound

Economists John Doggett tells how it’s being done. PAGE 12 Volume I, Issue 6 • Part of Appen Media Group • Cherokee • Cobb • Forsyth • Fulton • Gwinnett • Hall

More mixed-use?

Development proposed in Roswell. PAGE 14

City Hall makeover Sugar Hill revitalizes downtown. PAGE 18

Fair Trade Breakfast

PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Atlanta, GA Permit #3592

Thrive Farmers coffee sets up HQ in Roswell. PAGE 23

Small business loans at record high

Appen Media Group 319 North Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s General Business Loan Program saw $19.19 billion in loans dished out in 2014. Well’s Fargo was the leading SBA lender not only in Georgia but the country . See story, Pages 16 – 17.

Roswell Inc Parters Awarded Best of the Best by Appen Media Learn more on page 22

2 • December 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Happy Holidays Thank you for your support in making us Atlanta’s #1 real estate leader.

We look forward to serving you in 2015 and years to come. ®

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NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • December 2014 • 3

QUICK GLANCE:

Letter from the publisher: What a wonderful year 2014 has been for Appen Media and for the north Atlanta market as well. We have seen a steady increase in new business startups, new hiring, new ideas and new energy throughout the market. Avalon is up and running, and comparable or even larger mixed-use developments are now on the block in Roswell and South Forsyth. Business incubators, new tech initiatives and new infrastructure initiatives are rolling down the pike. The real estate market has taken major steps in rebounding on both the residential as well as the commercial sector; unemployment continues to decrease; and now we have the windfall of plunging oil prices, which will help almost everyone. In this issue, we write about entrepreneurship and about the dramatic increase in small business loans (SBA loans). Credit has been one of the major stumbling blocks in the recovery, and we’re pleased to report on very healthy lending activity, especially from those banks offering the SBA loans.

January is our economic forecast issue, followed by the Cobb Market Report in February, residential real estate focus in March and Cherokee Market Report in April. We have had tremendous support from regional businesses in our launch of the North Atlanta Business Post. In 2015, we anticipate we will see rapid growth of this publication as more and more chambers, economic development departments and cities use the Post as a source of critical regional business information as well as a core marketing vehicle for their jurisdictions. If you are budgeting for 2015, contact me at 770-442-3278, ext. 116. We’re great partners.

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4,446 2012

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News

2013

[6] High-finance deal helped Avalon get off ground

2014

4,501

[4] Deal names Riley to state post

4,398

[11] Forecaster paints pretty but sober picture of economy

Read more about Gwinnett’s diverse population, Page 21.

[12] • Economist provides roadmap for U.S. rebound •Cumming physician shares space with small businesses • Emory Eye Center opens clinic in Johns Creek [14] Mammoth mixed-use development proposed at corner of Roswell’s Holcomb Bridge, Ga. 400

Education

[7] Kids 4 Coding offers K-12 computer classes

New Businesses

[8] Edward Andrews opens new design center

Technology

[9] Alpharetta implements local rewards program

Movers & Shakers

[16-17] Small business loans grow as economy climbs out of recession [18] Sugar Hill puts old city hall to work [19] Tutoring firm finds a home away from home nearby

Gwinnett County

[21] Gwinnett stands out for its diverse population

Fulton County

[10] T he people on the move, new hires and promotions

[22] Congratulations Roswell Inc partners [23] Know who grows your coffee

Entrepreneurs

Cherokee County

[15] Tech startups get to fastpitch Coke

[24] Cherokee Realtors give back

Hall County

[26] Brenau wins candidacy for physical therapy doctorate

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[27] Feasibility study for Sharon Springs fully funded

Sound Advice

[28] Real estate and business management experts

Restaurants

[30] •Dreamland BBQ breaks ground in downtown Duluth •Fast casual dining in Roswell • Coffee Bianco brings coffee shop experience to neighborhood

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 • December 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Deal names Riley to state post 2015 North Fulton Partners In Education Expo where businesses and schools meet with the idea of developing mutually beneficial partnerships

Strong Business + Strong Schools Strong Community If your business wants to partner with a North Fulton school, this is the event for YOU! North Fulton schools will exhibit in an expo-styled, high-energy atmosphere and offer opportunities for partnerships to local businesses. There will be guest speakers, live interviews on a big screen and prizes awarded to businesses who commit on-site to a partnership with a school. The event kicks off at 8 a.m. with an introduction on the importance of these business and school partnerships, and the rules of engagement for businesses to partner with a school so the realationship is beneficial to both organizations.

Local radio host Rich Casanova from Business Radio X will conduct live interviews throughout the event

WHAT: 2015 North Fulton Partners in Education Expo WHEN: February 27, 2015 WHERE: DeKalb Office Showroom 1320 Ridgeland Parkway Alpharetta, GA 30004

FREE TO ATTEND

http://tinyurl.com/NFPartnersinEducationExpo

REGISTRATION QUESTIONS?

Contact Debbie Ryals – (678) 397-0556 or dryals@gnfcc.com

PARTNERSHIP QUESTIONS?

Contact Geoff Smith – (678) 779-5066 or gsmith@lendtheway.com

Resigns House seat to serve as revenue commissioner By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Gov. Nathan Deal announced Nov. 7 that state Rep. Lynne Riley, R-Johns Creek, will succeed Douglas MacGinnitie as Department of Revenue commissioner, efRiley fective Jan. 11, 2015. Riley has submitted her resignation from the General Assembly effective immediately. “It’s the collection arm of the state of Georgia, and I am just excited to be chosen for the position and Deal honored beyond belief that the governor would reach to me to serve in this role,” Riley said. It will be Riley’s charge to collect annually the state’s $20 billion in revenues and oversee a workforce of 1,300 employees Riley said she met with the governor last Wednesday, the day after Election Day, to discuss the job. “He asked to me meet with me shortly after he was assured he was returned to office. And I look forward to serving as an agency head assisting in his administration,” she said. Riley had been one of Deal’s close allies in the Legislature, and in making the appointment, Deal praised Riley for her business and political acumen. “Lynne brings three decades of accounting experience and expertise on tax policy from her time on the House Ways and Means Committee,” Deal said in his statement to appoint her. “I’ve seen Lynne’s effectiveness and know-how upclose while she served as my floor leader in the House, and I know the department will continue to run smoothly and provide great customer service to the taxpayers of Georgia under her leadership. “I appreciate her willingness to take on this new challenge,” Deal said. Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker said he is not a candidate to run for Riley’s seat, but said he supported her appointment as revenue commissioner. “I think I have said on more than one occasion that I believe the best job that I can do is as mayor of Johns Creek. I am very proud of Lynne [Riley]. We started working together all the way back in the [Johns Creek Community Association],” Bodker said. “She had the opportunity to move into the county commission seat with the death of Bob Fulton. Then she was able to move into the state spot when Mark [Burkhalter] resigned. I think this is a natural

Riley has served four terms in the General Assembly. In addition to serving as one of the governor’s floor leaders, she was a member of the Ways and Means Committee. progression for her. I think the governor and the state of Georgia will be very well served with her skills in this position.” Riley’s appointment is also a benefit to the cities and local governments of Georgia because of her wealth of local government experience as well, Bodker said. Riley served four terms representing District 50 in the state House of Representatives, and was returned to the seat in the November election. She said she did not know when a special election may be held to replace her in the House. However, she noted that when state Sen. Chip Rogers resigned shortly after his re-election to the District 21 seat in November 2012, Sen. Brandon Beach was elected to fill the seat in a special election the following December. Riley has served four terms in the General Assembly. In addition to serving as one of the governor’s floor leaders, she was a member of the Ways and Means Committee. She also served on the Natural Resources and Environment, Retirement and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Oversight committees. Riley also served as the chairwoman of the Fulton County legislative delegation and is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council’s Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force. Previously, Riley served six years on the Fulton County Commission. She has worked in accounting for more than three decades and is the principal of her own accounting firm. She and her husband, Mike, live in Johns Creek and have three adult children. Commissioner MacGinnitie will leave the job that paid him $158,000 in 2013 to return to his private-sector field. MacGinnitie was appointed in 2011 and was formerly chief counsel for the Georgia Pacific Corp., a corporate attorney at Alston & Bird LLP and co-founder and chief operating officer of the insurance brokerage firm of Beecher Carlson.

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • December 2014 • 5

NEWS

6 • December 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

High-finance deal helped Avalon get off ground By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA – The grand opening of Avalon, North American Properties’ $600 million mixed-use development in Alpharetta, marks a new era in economic development for Fulton County. While “live-work-play” templates have been proposed for areas throughout the region, few match the scope found in the 86-acre development off of Ga. 400. The project came about in large part through a financing arrangement with the Development Authority of Fulton County. The Authority issued $550 million in industrial revenue bonds, which provided North American Properties with the funding needed to build the project. “We are excited about this new project in the county and were delighted to play a role in bringing it to fruition,” said DAFC Chairman Bob Shaw. The Authority issues taxable and taxexempt bonds for qualified economic development projects across unincorporated Fulton County and its municipalities. The bonds, the interest on which may be taxable or tax-exempt from income taxes, facilitate financing for a company

or institution in order for it to buy land, build or expand facilities, upgrade equipment or otherwise make investments that enhance the tax base and create jobs within Fulton County, Shaw said. In the case of Avalon, DAFC provided the funding, then sold the debt to Avalon. Because the Authority holds the property, the arrangement grants Avalon a tax abatement over the next 10 years. “We issued the bonds, but it’s up to the borrower to pay it back,” said Al Nash, DAFC executive director. The tax abatement was one element of the deal that rankled Alpharetta city officials, who say the city estimates it will lose more than $3.5 million in anticipated property tax revenues over the 10year term. Under the agreement, Avalon will pay 50 percent of the property taxes the first year. The percentage increases 5 percent each year until the 10th year, when the full assessment kicks in. Members of the Alpharetta City Council said the financing deal was arranged without their knowledge. The city had long been searching for a buyer for the property, which had gone into foreclosure during the 2007-2008 real estate crash. While the property was in foreclo-

Jonathan Copsey/staff

Alpharetta’s Avalon received millions of dollars in tax incentives.

more revenue than what the property had been yielding. “I’m looking at the positive side,” Nash said. “I was at Avalon yesterday, and I was blown away by the number of people walking through the shops.” Nash said the bonds allowed North American Properties to complete Avalon in time for this year’s holiday season, which should generate additional sales tax revenues for all of Fulton County and its cities. In addition, the vacant property adjacent to the development will also climb in value, further adding to the property tax digest. “This project is a spark plug,” he said. “There is great interest in development all around the site.”

sure, the city received nothing in the way of tax revenue from it. However, once the bankruptcy was settled, Alpharetta’s annual revenue on the property ranged from a low of $38,000 to a high of $79,000. In their negotiations with the developer, the city had granted zoning abatements on impact fees. In return, North American Properties agreed to complete a stretch of Westside Parkway through its property. Nash, however, says that in part because of the deal, the city will benefit from hundreds of new jobs and additional sales tax. Even with the initial break on property taxes, he said, the city, county and school district will receive

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EDUCATION

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • December 2014 • 7

From left, Ann Marie Laramee and Denise Detamoore founded Kids 4 Coding to offer computer science education for children of all ages.

Kids 4 Coding offers K-12 computer classes Learning center stresses technology By SHANNON WEAVER shannon@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. — When educators Denise Detamoore and Ann Marie Laramee were researching local public school systems, they noticed something odd. For all of the demand they saw for computer science skills in the workforce, there was a deficiency of computer education in schools. “Technology is not being taught in the school system,” Detamoore said. “There’s not a consistency.” Unlike countries like the U.K., which this fall implemented technology classes at every grade level, computer science enrollment can be low in the U.S. When they are taught in high schools, computer courses are often offered as electives, although some states allow them to meet a math or science requirement for graduation. In Georgia, computer science may count as a science credit. Detamoore and Laramee founded Kids 4 Coding in January to help fill the gap between jobs in the technology industry and qualified graduates to fill them. According to Code.org, there are 20,371 open computing jobs but only 1,836 computer science majors in the state of Georgia. Kids 4 Coding classes range from keyboarding for kindergartners to app development for high school seniors. Detamoore and Laramee also offered free hour-long classes the week of Dec. 8 for the national Hour of Code event, which introduces students to computer science. One course that exposes young children to programming is Scratch, recommended for grades 2-8. The introductory programming language allows students to create animations, games and interactive elements.

“Even at 2 years of age, you see little kids on their parents’ iPhones, and we think they’re computer savvy, but really they’re just playing a game or on an app.” Denise Detamoore, Kids 4 Coding co-founder “There are really good skills that they’re learning at an early age,” Laramee said. “It’s getting them in a space where they’re really comfortable and this is all second nature.” Even if students don’t pursue the technology industry, Laramee said computer skills are applicable to a wider variety of fields. “No matter what career you’re in, you have to have some level of digital literacy,” she said. “It’s essential.” Detamoore, who used to be a public school teacher, said that the program is multidisciplinary. “Even at 2 years of age, you see little kids on their parents’ iPhones, and we think they’re computer savvy, but really they’re just playing a game or on an app,” Detamoore said. “With these types of classes, they are developing skills, whether it’s problem solving, mathematics, reading or engineering.” Kids 4 Coding, affiliated with Advantage Learning Cooperative, is located at 11050 Crabapple Road, building D in Roswell. Registration is open for classes beginning in January. For more information, visit www. kids4coding.com.

NEW BUSINESSES

8 • December 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Edward Andrews opens new design center By PAT FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Before launching its new, state-of-the-art design center, Edward Andrews Homes decided to redesign itself. More than 100 area Realtors, business leaders and public officials filed through the company’s new, two-story facility on Roswell Street in Alpharetta Nov. 19, enjoying live music, drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Most striking to many guests was the transformation of the building itself, an old brick-faced structure that for years served as office space for various local businesses and agencies. The company hired Atlanta architects Cooper Carry to convert the old building into a stately mansion where customers can enjoy a new process of home buying. With its venture partner, The Carlyle Group, Edward Andrews has invested $3 million converting the building into a palatial office the company expects will draw hundreds of visitors to the city each year. The building is the epicenter of a new program to refine the art of custom homebuilding, said Lauren Sample, marketing director for Edward Andrews. The new process is designed to eliminate the confusion in custom home-

Hatcher Hurd/Staff

Revamped spacious design center provides dramatic backdrop while personally designing one’s own home.

building for clients, she said. It has been tailored to give potential buyers the best choices available based on their tastes, lifestyles and budget. “It’s a major innovation for us in technology to take design to a new level,” said Debbie Naftel, director of design. “I couldn’t be more excited to be where I am.” The process begins with a site selection and floor plan. Before meeting with the design team, buyers complete two interactive exercises to determine their personal preferences and lifestyle. They are also asked to shop the Edward Andrews Resource Center to learn about design materials and product attributes.

The Resource Center is a hands-on display of different design materials, including flooring, cabinetry, countertops and fixtures. Before the buyer even enters Edward Andrews’ Design Center, he or she has already refined their choices and will be placed into one of 16 different archetypes. That way, both the buyer and designer know the general parameters of what the home should look like, inside and out, said licensed designer Lauren Anderson. “We have put a lot of thought into this,” Anderson said. “Before they even meet with me, they’ve met with an architectural specialist and a low-voltage

specialist.” The architectural specialist goes over the house plans with the buyer to make certain everything – fixtures, windows, electrical outlets – is where it should be, Anderson said. The low-voltage specialist is responsible for ensuring all electronics hook-ups are properly situated. These final conferences give buyers the opportunity to alter the floor plans, add windows or fixtures before structural work begins, eliminating costly change orders, Anderson said. “They’re able to do architectural alterations – move a laundry room farther down the hall, for example,” she said. “It customizes their house.” Buyers put their final touches on the project with the licensed designer, who uses the established profile to help them select cabinetry, flooring and fixtures from the Resource Center, which features a series of sliding panels replete with dozens of actual samples. “This way, there are no surprises, which is huge,” Anderson said. Visitors to the open house seemed impressed with the new process. “I think the virtual design is groundbreaking,” said Eve Jones, a realtor with Harry Norman. “I think it will change the way buyers are going to buy new construction.”

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TECHNOLOGY

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • December 2014 • 9

Alpharetta implements local rewards program Shopping program first of its kind in the nation By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The city of Alpharetta has implemented a rewards program for shoppers that visit shops and restaurants in the Alpharetta area. Dubbed the “Alpharetta Visitor Rewards Program,” it will utilize a smartphone app developed in Alpharetta along with Bluetooth-enabled iBeacons to log consumers’ visits to local retailers. The retailers will then give rewards in the form of coupons, chances to win free items and free products to users. The first of its kind in the nation, this program will utilize the Rately smartphone app developed by Digital Scientists, a digital business company based in Alpharetta. The iBeacons, which are Bluetooth-powered devices, will be able to track when a shopper enters a participating retailer or restaurant in Alpharetta, provided the shopper has downloaded the Rately app. This will earn the shopper credit for a “visit,” which will go toward their visit total. If a shopper earns enough visits, the companies reward the shopper with free or discounted

The Alpharetta restaurant app – Rately – is used to give discounts and deals at local businesses. products. There is no cost to either consumer or retailer in the program, as the Rately app is free of charge for consumers and the cost of the iBeacons is covered by the city of Alpharetta.

Alpharetta is the first city in the nation to sponsor the use of iBeacons in such a program. Elizabeth Pruett of Digital Scientists said the city of Alpharetta approached Digital Scientists to implement the technology needed for the rewards program. After three months of development, the program went live Nov. 20. Pruett said the program stressed the importance of visiting physical retailers instead of solely shopping online and is a way to connect “e-commerce and brick and mortar stores.” “We are really excited about the program,” she said. “It’s a way to promote local shopping and keep people shopping in Alpharetta.” Peter Tokar, the economic development director of Alpharetta, said, “The Alpharetta Visitor Rewards program gives retailers the technology tools they need to engage with local residents and make holiday shopping in Alpharetta more rewarding than ever.” Some of the retailers participating in the Alpharetta Visitor Rewards Program include Karen’s Fabrics, Mugs on Milton, Da Vinci’s Donuts, Endurance House, Hop Alley, Tin Roof Kitchen and Alpharetta Outfitters as well as retailers within Avalon and the North Point Mall retail district. The program will run through the holidays and continue indefinitely. The Rately app is available on iTunes and Google Play. To view the full list of participating retailers and their visit rewards, go to www.rately.com/alpharetta.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

10 • December 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Movers & Shakers The people turning heads in your backyard

Seated from left are Henry Bloch, Mary Kretsch and Tom Bloch with David Winter, standing.

H&R Block recognize two Alpharetta agents ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Mary Kretsch, an enrolled agent with H&R Block, and franchise owner David Winter are the local winners of the 2014 Henry W. Bloch Excellence in Client Service Awards. Associates in 25 offices nationwide were selected as exemplifying H&R Block co-founder Henry Bloch’s values. The winners visited the H&R Block world headquarters in Kansas City, met with co-founder Henry Bloch and his son Tom, both former CEOs of the company, and sat with Kip Knight, president of U.S. retail operations, during the awards banquet. “The best part was talking with Henry,” said Kretsch. “He had read all our stories. He’s just celebrated his 92nd birthday and still has an honorary office at the top of the headquarters just down Main Street from where he and his brother opened their first office in 1955.” Kretsch was honored for her work in finding a small retirement fund that had been lost in her client’s moves.

Weiss sworn-in as president of state chiropractic association ATLANTA — Charles Weiss, D.C., of Holcomb Bridge Chiropractic in Roswell, was sworn-in as president of the Georgia Chiropractic Association during the association’s 102nd annual Fall Conference and Trade Show in October. Weiss, who previously served on the GCA Board of Directors, said his goal is “to have Weiss the board look at everything we do and determine, ‘What is the purpose of our actions? Why are we doing what we are doing, and how do we improve it?’” Becoming president requires a three-year commitment; the first year as president-elect, the second as president and the third as past president. “We have a strong strategic plan in place, a streamlined board of directors and a renewed relationship with our chiropractic students,” Weiss said. “I want to continue to strengthen our brand, first and foremost by promoting chiropractic and also by protecting our right to practice and educating those who deliver, receive and legislate chiropractic care.”

Executive named finalist for CIO of Year honor ATLANTA – Thomas Musgrave, executive vice president and chief information officer for Americold, has been named a finalist for the CIO of the Year by the

Georgia CIO Leadership Association. The annual award honors chief information officers and those in equivalent positions who have demonstrated excellence in technology leadership at Georgia’s top organizations. Established in 1998, the award Musgrave is the premier technology executive recognition program of its kind in the state. Musgrave joined Americold in 2011 and has been instrumental in the integration of systems of Americold’s largest acquisition after the company purchased Versacold in 2010. Headquartered at 10 Glenlake Parkway, N.E., Americold is a global leader in temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics to the food industry.

Woodward hired by Edge Solutions ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Edge Solutions, a woman-owned Atlanta IT solutions provider, hired industry leader Stephen Woodward as the director of the company’s Media Solutions practice to provide bestin-class support for Edge Solutions’ media clients’ operations through design, implementation and manWoodward agement of storage, workflow, QC and delivery solutions. Woodward brings extensive industry experience after spending 15 years at Turner Broadcasting System in multiple leadership positions, the last of which was as senior director of technology and business process, global network operations and technology. His tenure at Turner was focused on increasing efficiencies for better performance through the use of technology. Woodward began his career as a software engineer and broadcast automation manager in England before relocating to the United States. Woodward is a graduate of University of Hertfordshire with degrees in electrical engineering and computing, and holds an MBA from Georgia State University. “We look forward to offering our clients continued efficiency improvements through architectural design, consultancy engagements with smart, selective partnerships and implementation of best-in-class products,” said Woodward. “It is not enough to have a working facility – we must help build and support efficient and seamless processes to allow creative stories that drive engagement to flow.” Edge Solutions delivers proactive technology solutions that provide a competitive advantage. The company’s team of industry experts is dedicated to providing the right IT solution with expertise in data storage, infrastructure, virtualization, data security, networking, cloud computing, professional services, asset and services contract management to organizations across the Southern United States. For more information about Edge Solutions, visit www.edgewit.com.

Allconnect names consultant as new chief executive officer SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. – Allconnect has named Sam Howe as its new CEO. Howe, a corporate consultant specializing in business transformation, enhancing consumer experience and product innovation, replaces Mark Miller, who headed Allconnect for 10 years. Miller will remain with the company during the transition.

Prior to his work as a consultant, Howe served as chief marketing officer at Time Warner Cable for six years. He has also held positions with Cox Communications and Turner Broadcasting. Howe said he intends to continue leading the company to make investments in technology, product development and people to maximize growth. Founded in 1998, Allconnect has offices in Atlanta; Houston, Texas; Lexington, Kentucky; and St. George, Utah.

Lanier Islands announces new director of sales BUFORD, Ga. – Michael DiLeone has been named director of sales for Lanier Islands. DiLeone brings more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing in the retail and hospitality industries, including stints with Salant Corporation, Campus Outfitters, Crowne Plaza Hotel North DiLeone Phoenix, Radisson Resort and Spa in Scottsdale and Daufuskie Island Resort in Hilton Head. DiLeone is no stranger to Atlanta, having lived here previously while working with Hinton+Grusich Hotels and Resorts as its director of Southeast national sales and founding his own company, Apex Hotel Group – a representation firm that was retained by more than 40 luxury hotels and resorts. “One common thread throughout my career is that I make it a point to take a creative and innovative approach to sales and marketing,” DiLeone said. “That’s why I enjoy working for independent properties and smaller companies. They are more apt to foster an environment that allows my sales team and me to go out with excitement and energy to produce sales and grow their bottom line.” DiLeone will report to Stephanie Orr, vice president of sales and marketing.

VoiceNation CEO earns high marks for leadership BUFORD, Ga. – Jay Reeder, chief executive officer of VoiceNation, has been named one of “The 20 Highest Rated Telecom CEOs to Work for in 2014” by GetVoIP.com, an independent shoppers’ review guide. The publication compiled the list using employee feedback and CEO ratings from Glassdoor.com. Reeder Reeder, who came in at No. 15, received a CEO approval rating of 75 percent, earning high marks from his employees for his dedication to staff training and development. VoiceNation is an industry leader in live answering and virtual receptionist services. A large part of the company’s culture revolves around its employee volunteer program, which encourages staff to give back and get involved by helping others. Every staff member has an opportunity to volunteer monthly and work toward a cause they feel passionate about, on a local, national and global scale.

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NEWS

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • December 2014 • 11

Forecaster paints pretty but sober picture of economy 45,000 new Atlanta jobs already in '14 By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA – By his own admission, Rajeev Dhawan, the economic forecaster from Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business, is an optimist. In his latest forecast for the state Dhawan sees a growing economy on nearly all fronts for the state. Especially pleasing is the growth in construction jobs. The Atlanta area is equally poised for a modest degree of prosperity, said Dhawan. After adding 22,500 jobs in the first six months of 2014, Dhawan said the Atlanta economy gained more momentum adding an additional 22,500 jobs in the third quarter alone. However, wage growth still lags and is a concern for the region and the nation as a whole. Economic forecaster from Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business Rajeev Dhawan sees growth for the GeorThis lack of wage growth works gia economy in the coming year. against an expanding economy, he said. Items people need to live on, they will ties sector is expected to recoup all the buy. ATLANTA’S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FORECAST jobs lost during the recession this year, “They will go out to eat, but they are Numbers for 2014-16 are forecasted rates while financial activities employment is not about to go out and buy a $10,000 likely to remain slightly below pre-recescoat,” he said. “Income growth is needed 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 sion levels. Combined, the two sectors for that.” are expected to add 6,300 new jobs this The drop in the price of gasoline has 9.7 10.1 9.8 8.8 7.9 7.1 6.3 5.6 6.2 year. not given spending a shot in the arm Source: GSU Economic Forecasting Center Trade, transportation and utilities either. payrolls increased by 8,800 positions “A lot of people talking about the oil “And they don’t call your cellphone health of the economy,” he said. through September of 2014. By the end prices going down will give a boost to but your landline.” Dhawan said. While the overall unemployment rate of the year, employers spending,” he said. What happens, he said, is there in Georgia rose slightly in the third quarare expected to add “We haven’t seen that are eight panels. Every month for four ter, Dhawan attributed the numbers to a 11,400 trade-related in the data. It’s not months, people on the first panel will be flawed system of tracking vital economic jobs, another 6,000 there.” interviewed. Then, they are not quesstatistics. in 2015 and 7,000 in Nevertheless, metro tioned for another eight months before Georgia is doing better than the na2016. Dhawan said Atlanta has plenty to they are contacted again. tion. The nation’s job growth is at 1.8 to he expects an anbrag about. “What happens is that in the early part 1.9 percent over last year. Georgia is at nual growth rate of 2.3 After consistently of the sample, your unemployment rate 2.1 percent. percent, or 3,400 jobs, shedding jobs since the looks a little bit higher because every“I never, ever put weight on the unin transportation, with recession, construction body’s responding, and then they drop employment rate as a measure of looking similar growth next jobs turned the corner out, and it looks a little bit less,” he said. at the health of the economy,” Dhawan year. in 2013, gaining 7,300 The same survey is used for job said. Education and jobs. Another 5,300 creation. The Household Survey shows The unemployment rate nationally health care were two new jobs are expected Georgia lost 52,000 jobs in the past five is going down. The rate in Georgia has sectors lagging behind to be added this year, months. been on the rise since April, with a slight overall Atlanta area Dhawan said. “That’s a bona fide recession if you go downturn in September. figures, with fewer Professional and by that number,” Dhawan said. “But the He said states that have a higher than 100 jobs created business services were Non-Farm Survey says we have gained proportion of manufacturing have the this year. However, also improved. Since 43,400 jobs in that same time.” highest rise in this unemployment rate. payrolls in hospital2010, the sector has Dhawan says a more accurate meaSouth Carolina, Georgia and North Caroity gained 4,800 new gained an average sure of the economy is in tax collections. lina all showed slight jumps in unemjobs through Septemof 15,500 jobs each Georgia tax collections have increased ployment from April through September, ber. Dhawan said he year, and the pace Rajeev Dhawan, Economic every year since 2010. This year, they’re but Florida, with a low manufacturing expects education and is expected to gain forecaster from Georgia State up 5.2 percent over last year, and they’re economy, had a flat rate. health care to increase momentum. The GSU University’s Robinson College of anticipated to grow another 5 percent “Remember, your job numbers come their share of jobs Center estimates that Busines next year. from a different survey than the unemgains, adding close by the end of the year, “The only method that never gets ployment statistics,” he said. to 5,000 positions in employment in the inrevised is the tax collections at the state Job numbers come from a survey 2015. dustry will rise by an annual 3.5 percent, level,” Dhawan said. “And we have seen called the Non-Farm Payroll Survey, Dhawan spent much of his time resulting in 17,800 new positions. Firms that in good times, job growth is corbut unemployment figures come from dispelling myths about the economy that in the sector are expected to expand payrelated with the high-tax growth, and in another source called the Household flood the daily newscasts. rolls by 4.7 percent in 2016, translating bad times, it’s the reverse. You can’t be Survey, where people are asked over the “Do not, do not, do not look at the into another 20,700 jobs. having job losses with positive tax bills.” phone. unemployment rate as an indicator of the The information and financial activi-

“A lot of people talking about the oil prices going down will give a boost to spending. We haven’t seen that in the data. It’s not there.”

NEWS

12 • December 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Economist provides roadmap for U.S. rebound By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA, Ga. – Local commercial brokers got a pep talk from one of the nation’s leading economic minds this month, and they came away with ideas on how the global economy can affect their business. John Doggett, a senior lecturer in the Department of Management at the University of Texas, told a crowd of more than 100 business leaders in Atlanta that recent changes in the global economy puts the United States in a position to outpace all countries as a world economic power. Speaking at a Georgia Certified Commercial Investment Member meeting, Doggett said the end to the Cold War and this year’s collapse of the world oil market represent two “strategic inflection points” that can give the United States unprecedented opportunities to prosper. “A strategic inflection point is a fundamental change in the way business operates,” Doggett said. “It’s a ‘before and after.’” There is a problem among American businesses, he said, that conditions them to fear tinkering with success. However, he said businesses often miss the reality of a situation. “The Saudis have predicted oil will stabilize at about $60 a barrel,” he said. “That’s good news for us, bad for Iraq, Russia and Venezuela.” The news was not lost on local broker Josh Barnes, director of real estate operations at Orkin & Associates in Milton. He said the industry will continue to see labor cost challenges, but with the drop in oil prices, many construction-related ventures become more affordable. “The cost of diesel fuel is cheaper, and that means it’s going to be cheaper to move dirt and operate the big machinery,” he said. “That can help us in the real estate market as we start to develop.” Barnes said his company will be breaking ground shortly on a 156-acre acre Deerfield Township development in south Forsyth County, so he is hoping to see production and grading costs stable. Deerfield Township was approved as a master plan development last year. A single-family neighborhood component has already broken ground with sites being prepared and infrastructure established to begin building homes, he said. Atlanta is historically a high-vacancy metro area, and it still is today, according to Jeff Myers with CoStar Portfolio Strategy, one of the nation’s largest real estate research firms. Vacancy levels climbed to more than 25 percent in some areas during the recession. They have since fallen into the mid-teens as job growth recovers. Doggett also spoke about the perceived threat from the Chinese economy,

“The Saudis have predicted oil will stabilize at about $60 a barrel. That’s good news for us, bad for Iraq, Russia and Venezuela.” John Doggett, University of Texas which has shown signs of slowing recently. If the United States came to grips with the notion that it cannot continue to run deficits, it could rebound on the world stage, he said. “Seven percent of the money spent by our federal government goes to pay interest on the debt,” Doggett said. “The implications of that number on our future are significant.” And it’s not just the government that is overspending. Students in school now owe more than a trillion dollars in student loans, he said. Our biggest debtor is China. “What if the Chinese decide tomorrow the will not buy another dollar from the United States?” Doggett asked. “What would that do to our interest rate? It would skyrocket.” There are inroads to China, however, Doggett said. There are needs that American companies can meet in the most populated nation in the world. The country has massively overbuilt, and one-quarter of a billion people are being forced to relocate to occupy this new construction, he said. The country is also home to the world’s largest environmental movement, because the population is choking to death on pollution. Business and civic leaders from Sandy Springs are already mining one of the largest markets in China: health care for the aged. Sandy Springs has the largest concentration of health care facilities between Washington and Houston. The city has spread that message to China, where a one-child mandate and the massive move by young people to the cities have left millions of elderly struggling. The city is continuing conversations to export expertise and help build facilities to meet the growing need. James Comerford, managing director of Proscenium Capital and chairman of the Sandy Springs Economic Advisory Committee, said the city has a wealth of intellectual knowledge in an area of health care that is now one of the greater societal issues facing the Chinese.

Cumming physician shares space with small businesses By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. – In the spirit of the season, Dr. Jayasri Mallavarapu has opened up a portion of her new office in Cumming to local home-based businesses during the holidays. Mallavarapu, who has been practicing medicine for 20 years, opened her new office at 1614 Peachtree Parkway six months ago in the old Commonwealth Plaza. While the first space built was the new medical office, other spaces are being added one by one. During a conversation with one of her patients, Kim O’Day of Kim Maria Designs, a home-based jewelry business, the doctor came up with the idea of inviting other local businesses to set up shop in the empty space next door to the office for the month of December. There are now close to a dozen vendors at the Holiday Shop 141, exhibiting handcrafted items, art and clothing for sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 24. All vendors will donate 10 percent of their sales to the Ronald McDonald House in

“This is a great spot this holiday for local business women, crafters and artists born out of Dr. M’s generosity. It only makes sense that we pass it forward and help others this holiday season.” Kim O’Day, Kim Maria Designs Atlanta. “This is a great spot this holiday for local business women, crafters and artists born out of Dr. M’s generosity,” O’Day said. “It only makes sense that we pass it forward and help others this holiday season.”

Emory Eye Center opens clinic in Johns Creek JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Emory Eye Center has opened a new clinic in the Johns Creek/Cumming area. Comprehensive ophthalmologist Rabeea Janjua, MD, and optometrist Petra Jo, OD, will see patients at the Emory Johns Creek Physician’s Plaza, Suite 115, at 6335 Hospital Parkway, Johns Creek. Janjua joined the Emory Eye Center in November, relocating from Maryland. She provides educational efforts at Grady Memorial Hospital as well as her clinics at Emory Johns Creek. A graduate of George Washington University, Janjua received her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore and interned at the University of Maryland. She completed her ophthalmology residency there as well, serving as co-chief resident. Jo has served at Emory Eye Center for the past year within the vision and optical services section of comprehensive ophthalmology. She earned her doctor of optometry degree at Nova Southeastern University and completed her residency at the WJB Dorn VA Medical Center in South Carolina. She is a member of the American Academy of Optometry, South Carolina Optometric Physician Association, American Optometric Association and the Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society. Her areas of clinical interest are primary eye care, comprehensive eye care and ocular disease. For appointments, please call Emory Eye Center at 404-778-2020.

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • December 2014 • 13

NEWS

14 • December 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

The new mixed-use development proposed for the corner of Holcomb Bridge Road and Ga. 400 in Roswell aims to feature plenty of public open space and water features as well as 1,556 residential units and 1.7 million square feet of office space.

Mammoth mixed-use development proposed at corner of Roswell’s Holcomb Bridge, Ga. 400 By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – The newest mixed-use development to come to the Northside has its hopes set on Roswell. Called “Riverwalk Village,” the developers have situated it at Ga. 400 and Holcomb Bridge Road. Atlanta developers Duke Realty submitted their plans for the 104-acre development Nov. 4. They are calling the project an “ecologically driven” development, with nearly half of the land set aside for public space, which will include parks, trails and water features. “Riverwalk Village will be woven seamlessly into the fabric of this unique, historical city,” said Eyal Livnat, principal and president of Duke Homes and Duke Land Group. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the city of Roswell and to enhancing a natural setting that residents, workers and visitors can all enjoy.”

The property contains a lake with open channel streams that will meander through the development and provide stormwater control and management. Retailers, restaurants and boardwalks will surround the lake, which provides an added amenity for the public. The developers said they expect Riverwalk Village “will add to the growing vitality of Roswell, attract new businesses and jobs and generate millions of dollars in tax revenue for the city.” Blair Schlossberg, manager of Duke, said Roswell was missing key new developments. “Roswell is closer to town and I-285, which makes it an area where development will thrive,” Schlossberg said. “With the city changing zoning laws and looking for smart growth, we have full confidence this will be a successful development.” Roswell recently passed a Unified Development Code (UDC) that updated the city’s aging zoning laws.

While the property could have allowed for tall buildings, the development is instead expected to be low and spread out, making it more of a gateway feature for the city. “We are in tune with the history and ecology in places, and we want to combine to do something special,” Schlossberg said. Schlossberg said they hope to begin construction in 2015. Steve Acenbrak, Roswell’s transportation director, said the interchange of Ga. 400 and Holcomb Bridge Road will see significant improvements in the coming years. At the Nov. 10 City Council meeting, the city agreed to add another westbound turn lane to the Ga. 400 on ramp. In addition to this, the off ramp onto Holcomb Bridge Road will be improved and signalized. Construction on these improvements is expected soon, Acenbrak said. An early off ramp south of Holcomb

Riverwalk Village by the numbers • 1,556 residential units, including single-family attached, multifamily and active adult housing • 490,000 square feet of general commercial real estate including retail, restaurant, entertainment and grocery • 1.7 million square feet of office space • 200-room hotel • 200,000 square feet of civic and institutional space including the Swift School, a school for children with languagebased learning differences Bridge Road will also be created. All this will help mitigate any traffic from Riverwalk Village as well as typical traffic.

ENTREPRENEURS

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • December 2014 • 15

Pitch-perfect:

Tech startups get to fastpitch Coke GATN event hosts local companies By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Sometimes, the simple solution can be the most farreaching, and all it takes is a new way of looking at things to get a competitive edge in business. For a company like Coca-Cola, one of the largest in the world, even small changes can save them millions in operating costs or help their business grow. With this in mind, the Greater Alpharetta Tech Network (GATN) offered local North Fulton-based businesses a chance Dec. 10 to “fastpitch” new ideas in front of Coca-Cola executives and their own local peers. Coca-Cola has six research and development labs around the world. One is in Atlanta. Everything from new bottle designs to composition to agricultural improvements are on the table for a company with so many diverse products and locations. “You can take something that can be a small, incremental technology and apply it globally,” said Brock Kolls, of Coca-Cola.

An improvement that could allow the company to save 2 percent on its electricity usage would be worth millions. In Japan after the earthquake and tsunami, the company was asked by the government to limit electrical consumption of its vending machines. To comply, the company added new insulation to the machines and turned them off during the day. The machines chilled themselves at night, when electrical consumption was lightest and were able to keep cold throughout the day. This small fix saved the company both money and electricity. “It doesn’t have to be complicated,” Kolls said, “it just has to deliver a quality product to the consumer.” Six local companies were able to make their pitch in five minutes or less in front of Kolls and other innovative members of the GATN membership. David Ashley, of BuildingSPEAK, a Cumming-based company, showed off how his company can save money through energy efficiency. This can be done by allowing the buildings to “talk.” “People are spending their money on utility costs and flying blind,” Ashley said. “We want to give the buildings a voice.” This is done through software that tracks how much energy is being used in any given month and comparing it to

previous months or years. It then presents the results in an easy-to-read format via a dashboard or email or text alerts. Denise Detamore, of Kids 4 Coding in Roswell, said her company trains children as young as kindergarten how to program and code. Only 5-10 percent of the nation’s schools offer a computer science course, yet Detamore said the majority of high-paying jobs in the next 20 years will rely on such skills. Dynoforms sells itself as the “fastest and easiest platform to collect data.” CEO David Norris said his mobile-based platform is simple to use to deliver fieldbased information in real time. It can take pictures, create graphs, and read barcodes and signatures all to help facilitate the flow of information. Another company offered an app with gives AR views of machines on a factory floor, supplying detailed information about usage, or cost or issues. They are already used by Chrysler and Honda. R-Dex Software provides a way for engineers a cheaper way to view problems in both 2D and 3D without the need to be present in the field. All these local companies were able to give their “elevator pitch” to the group to encourage ideas and collabortations between them as well as simply brush up

“It doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to deliver a quality product to the consumer.” Brock Kolls, of Coca-Cola on their presentation skills,” said Karen Cashion, president of GATN. “It is critical to listen and pitch to have an opportunity to head the kind of reactions and what works in pitches,” said Cashion. She said there was a lack of opportunity for startups on the north side of Atlanta to give pitches to large companies. This prompted GATN to put on the fastpitch event. For more on GATN, visit them online at gatnconnect.org.

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16 • December 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Small business loans grow as e Outlook positive for increased commercial lending By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration’s General Business Loan Program hit another lending record this year, approving 52,044 loans totaling $19.19 billion. That spells good news for local economies where small businesses generate 80 percent of all new jobs. The national numbers represent an increase of 12 percent in the number of loans and a 7 percent rise in the dollar amount over 2013. Georgia followed the trend with strong numbers, although not quite as strong as in the prior year and in 2011 when loan activity exceeded $1 billion. “What I take away from this is that you do have lenders now who are willing to do deals conventionally,” said Terri Denison, Georgia SBA District director. “A few years ago during the height of the recession, if they did them at all, they would definitely do them with an SBA guarantee.”

Denison said she has seen some loosening up of conventional credit lines from banks to small businesses. “You are beginning to see lines of credit being extended in a more condenison servative manner (than was the case from 20052008),” she said. For the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, Georgia SBA-backed loans supported 1,360 loans at $970.1 million to small businesses in its two main loan prokaye grams. Through the 7(a) General Business Loan Program, 1,211 loans were approved for $862.4 million. There were 149 loans supporting $10.8 million approved under the 504 Certified Development Company Program, which helps finance owner-occupied commercial real estate and other long-life

Small business administration loans for FY 2014 CHEROKEE COUNTY Total loans: 37 Total value of loans: $22,939,000 Bank #Loans Total value Ameris Bank Branch Bank & Trust Community Bk of Pickens Co. Community & Southern Bank Cornerstone Bank Fidelity Bank Fifth Third Bank First Landmark Bank GA Resource Capital Golden Pacific Bnk Nat Assoc Hamilton State Bank JP Morgan Chase Bnk LGE Community CU Northside Bank Ridgestone Bank Small Bus. Access Partners Inc Suntrust Bank Synovus Ban Touchmark National Bank United Community Bank Wells Fargo Bank

1 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 1 4 3 1 1 1 6

$450,000 $714,000 $526,000 $95,000 $319,000 $1,640,500 $350,000 $354,000 $330,000 $25,000 $19,500 $350,000 $95,500 $1,196,200 $4,650,000 $1,951,000 $692,000 $5,000,000 $634,000 $265,700 $2,623,600

COBB COUNTY Total loans: 137 Total value of loans: $96,506,200 Bank #Loans Total value Affinity Bank Ameris Bank Bank of America BBCN Bank Capital Partners Cert. Devel Celtic Bank

1 4 3 2 2 6

$2,066,000 $3,339,000 $105,000 $433,000 $1,485,000 $1,040,000

assets. The “supported” amount for 504 loans includes the SBA-backed portion and the third-party loans made by commercial lenders as part of the funding package. The SBA guarantees certain commercial loans participating banks ask for on behalf of their clients. With Georgia’s strong service-oriented economy, medical practices and hospitality-related businesses such as restaurants are receiving many of the SBA loans, Denison said. “You might also have a management company that needs working capital, not necessarily physical real estate,” she said. With the agency’s new SBA Express program, banks can use the loan application to get a 50 percent guarantee. A feature of the program is that banks can use it to provide guarantees for lines of credit up to $350,000. A lot of banks are using this program for extending lines of credit, Denison said. Not every lending institution does SBA loans. Those that do apply to participate in the SBA program must have the ability to make, close, service and liquidate commercial loans. They must also be in

Commonwealth Business Bnk Community Reinv Small B Cornerstone Bank CSRA Local Devel Corp East West Bank Embassy Nat Bank Fidelity Bank Fifth Third Bank First Intercontinental Bank First State Bank Florida Bus Devel Corp Foothills Community Bank GA Resource Capital Georgia Banking Company Georgia Commerce Bank Hamilton State Bank Heritage Bank JP Morgan Chase Bank Keyworth Bank LGE Community CU Live Oak Banking Co Meadows Bank Metro City Bank Midtown Bank and Trust Morris Bank NOA Bank Northside Bank PNC Bank Private Bank of Buckhead Quantum National Bank Regions Bank Renasant Bank Signature Bank of Georgia Small Bus Access Partners State Bank and Trust Co Stearns Bank Natl Assoc Sun Trust Bank Synovus Bank The Bank of Perry Titan Bank Natl Assoc Touchmark Natl Bank Wells Fargo Bank

2 1 5 1 2 2 4 1 3 1 4 1 3 1 1 3 2 11 2 1 5 1 8 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 6 2 4 2 4 6 4 1 1 1 4

$2,150,000 $1,230,000 $2,112,800 $1,420,000 $896,000 $2,669,000 $1,718,000 $621,000 $1,450,000 $350,000 $2,057,000 $676,000 $3,370,000 $485,000 $750,000 $475,000 $827,000 $1,872,200 $656,000 $630,000 $7,361,000 $2,662,900 $7,942,000 $350,000 $1,287,000 $260,000 $471,000 $10,000 $683,100 $2,720,000 $1,855,000 $2,847,500 $529,000 $6,387,000 $1,307,000 $4,409,500 $3,580,000 $7,392,000 $3,100,000 $1,030,000 $995,000 $4,443,600

Well’s Fargo is Georgia’s and the country’s compliance with the state or federal entity that regulates them. The country’s leading SBA lender, Wells Fargo, also issues more SBA loans than any institution in Georgia. “There’s a common misconception that banks today are more willing to lend,” said Jay Lawrence, Southeast communications manager for Wells Fargo. “We never

FORSYTH COUNTY Total loans: 24 Total value of loans: $13,745,400 Bank #Loans Total value Branch Bank & Trust Celtic Bank Corp Central State Bank Commonwealth Bus Bank East West Bank Embassy National Bank Florida Bus Devel Corp JP Morgan Chase Bank Northside Bank Quantum National Bank Suntrust Bank State Bank and Trust Statewide CDC United Community Bank Wells Fargo Bank

1 3 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 1 2 1 2 1 3

$25,000 $335,000 $534,000 $3,800,000 $280,000 $1,155,000 $1,214,000 $950,000 $1,680,000 $1,520,000 $460,000 $176,000 $538,000 $150,000 $928,400

FULTON COUNTY Total loans: 270 Total value of loans: $182,455,800 Bank #Loans Total value Amerus Atlantic Capital Bank Bank of America BBCN Bank Branch Bank & Trust Capital Partners Cert Devel Capitalspring SBLC CBC National Bank Celtic Bank Corp Certusbank Natl Assoc Civis Bank Commonwealth Business Bank Community & Southern Bank Compass Bank Cornerstonebank

6 11 3 4 3 4 1 3 12 2 1 2 1 1 1

$7,452,600 $12,474,900 $215,000 $862,000 $170,000 $1,776,000 $580,000 $3,810,200 $1,921,800 $4,466,600 $488,500 $5,161,000 $900,000 $706,000 $546,800

ENTREPRENEURS

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • December 2014 • 17

economy climbs out of recession “The great thing about where we are today is that not only have we had companies that have had a couple of good years of performance, now when they come to request credit from us, they have that stability that we want as a lender.” JON KAYE, Wells Fargo SBA in Roswell

leading SBA lender. stopped lending. It’s just a matter that business is better.” Jon Kaye, regional sales manager at Wells Fargo SBA based in Roswell, said loan activity has shot up sharply and he expects more of the same next year. Potential borrowers and banks, he said, consider an array of economic factors in the loan process.

Embassy National Bank East West Bank Evolve Bank & Trust Fidelity Bank Fifth Third Bank First Financial Bank First Intercontinental Bank First Landmark Bank First Partners Bank First State Bank Florida Bus Devel Corp Foothills Community Bank Georgia Resource Capital Georgia Cert Devel Corp Georgia Commerce Bank Georgia Resource Capital Hamilton State Bank Hanmi Bank Heritage Bank Highland Commercial Bank JPMorgan Chase Bank Keyworth Bank Live Oak Banking Co Metro City Bank Midtown Bank & Trust Newtek Small Bus Finance Inc NOA Bank Pacific City Bank PNC Bank Private Bank of Buckhead Quantum National Bank Regions Bank Renasant Bank Resurgens Bank Signature Bank of Georgia Small Bus Access Partners State Bank & Trust Stearns Bank Natl Assoc Suntrust Bank Superior Financial Group Synovus Bank The Brand Banking Co

1 1 3 16 4 1 4 1 1 2 10 1 8 4 6 2 6 1 1 1 8 3 3 8 3 3 10 2 3 6 6 5 4 2 5 2 12 1 15 1 10 2

“I feel like all those things have come together with enough stability – interest rates have stayed very low compared to historical averages, coupled with the real estate market coming back gives people the confidence to make these decisions to grow their businesses,” Kaye said. Now that the country has had a couple of slow and steady positive years, companies have experienced a sense of stability that plants the seeds of business growth, he said. “The great thing about where we are today is that not only have we had companies that have had a couple of good years

$1,326,000 $525,000 $2,965,000 $13,919,900 $3,040,000 $102,000 $5,060,000 $452,000 $2,500,000 $274,000 $6,885,000 $1,415,100 $2,333,000 $5,062,000 $10,030,000 $1,454,000 $1,574,000 $430,000 $430,000 $100,000 $1,951,000 $1,000,000 $850,000 $6,723,800 $1,260,000 $2,070,300 $10,210,500 $620,000 $1,914,000 $1,316,000 $4,457,300 $9,442,600 $1,663,800 $2,441,700 $2,489,800 $2,572,000 $8,597,300 $280,000 $4,048,600 $15,000 $5,987,800 $1,775,000

Touchmark National Bank Truliant FCU Vinings Bank Wells Fargo Bank West Town Bank & Trust

of performance, now when they come to request credit from us, they have that stability that we want as a lender,” Kaye said. “We now have a lot of very qualified borrowers that are requesting us to lend money, and we’re extending credit for that reason.” Wells Fargo SBA deals primarily with real estate financing and business acquisition financing. It is one of the few lenders offering 25-year, fixed-rate financing, which Kaye said, explains why the bank has so many clients. Kaye said the bank often puts together a hybrid loan that includes a working capi-

1 1 1 24 1

$1,563,000 $25,000 $1,065,000 $6,357,700 $350,000

GWINNETT COUNTY Total loans: 149 Total value of loans: $107,001,202 Bank #Loans Total value Affinity Bank 1 Amer Bus Lending Inc 1 American Pride Bank 1 Aquesta Bank 1 Atlantic Coast Bank 1 Branch Bank & Trust 3 Celtic Bank Corp 10 Charterbank 1 Community Bank of Pickens Co 1 Commun Reinvestment Small B 1 East West Bank 1 Embassy National Bank 1 Fidelity Bank 10 Fifth Third Bank 3 First Intercontinental Bank 1 First State Bank 1 Florida Bus Devel Corp 3 Georgia Resource Capital 4 Georgia Banking Co 1 Georgia Commerce Bank 2 Golden Pacific Bank Natl Assoc 3 Hamilton State Bank 3 JP Morgan Chase Bank 3 Keyworth Bank 2 Live Oak Banking Co 1 Macon Bank 1 Merit Bank 1 Metro City Bank 13 Morris Bank 1 Newtek Small Bus Finance Co 7 NOA Bank 7

$227,500 $1,510,000 $2,650,000 $1,964,000 $347,000 $416,000 $1,180,000 $1,302,500 $2,436,000 $285,000 $2,565,000 $340,000 $3,133,600 $4,585,000 $281,500 $381,000 $1,524,000 $5,819,000 $1,339,000 $3,250,000 $75,000 $906,000 $138,400 $5,285,000 $635,000 $294,000 $1,250,000 $8,811,500 $1,138,000 $5,543,500 $2,695,000

tal component. “We oftentimes do tagalong lines of credit (as part of the SBA loan) where we do a real estate acquisition and also throw in a $25,000-$50,000 line of credit,” Kaye said. “Our typical lines are $50,000 or smaller as a general rule.” The outlook for increased commercial lending activity appears positive, according to a recent economic forecast from PNC Financial. The report says the South leads the nation in economic growth and predicts the Atlanta area will continue to gain jobs. PNC also participates in SBA lending, primarily for property and business acquisitions, said Asia Rambo, vice president and senior manager of external and corporate communication. The bank also extends credit lines to small businesses based on their past history and prospects for the future. “Small business owners in Atlanta are increasingly optimistic about sales and higher profits going into next year, according to our recent research,” said Willie Mayberry, PNC business banking market lead. “This healthier outlook in balance sheets will give small business owners greater access to capital for growth, as the economy here continues to improve.”

Pacific City Bank PNC Bank Quantum National Bank Regions Bank Renasant Bank Signature Bank of Georgia Small Bus Access Partners State Bank & Trust Suntrust Bank Superior Financial Group Synovus Bank The Brand Banking Co The Piedmont Bank Touchmark National Bank United Community Bank Wells Fargo Bank

3 3 5 2 3 1 1 6 9 1 4 2 1 1 2 15

$2,833,000 $910,000 $9,825,000 $3,488,000 $1,200,800 $320,300 $216,000 $6,117,000 $4,639,400 $25,000 $6,285,000 $2,211,400 $1,400,000 $373,500 $1,202,000 $6,033,900

HALL COUNTY Total loans: 25 Total value of loans: $20,754,300 Bank #Loans Total value Ameris Bank Atlantic Coast Bank BBCN Bank Celtic Bank Chattahoochee Bank of GA Civis Bank Fidelity Bank Foothills Community Bank GA Resource Capital Hamilton State Bank Live Oak Banking Co Metro City Bank Renasant Bank Small Bus Access Partners Spirit of Texas Bank, SSB Suntrust Bank Touchmark National Bank Wells Fargo Bank

1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 5 1 1 1 1

$1,837,000 $335,000 $225,500 $1,269,000 $1,050,000 $610,000 $276,800 $336,000 $319,000 $372,000 $59,000 $5,468,000 $2,295,000 $5,521,000 $50,000 $148,000 $578,000 $5,000

Source: U.S. Small Business Administration

18 • December 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

ENTREPRENEURS

Sugar Hill puts old city hall to work By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com SUGAR HILL, Ga. – Like several of its neighboring cities with revitalized downtowns, Sugar Hill recently found itself with a big problem. The city of 18,500 in north Gwinnett County had just opened its new, $15.5 million City Hall two years ago and didn’t know what to do with the old one. Trying to market an old city hall is not as easy as it might seem. “We really put an effort into repurposing it, but an old city hall is not very attractive to the commercial sector, so we really had a hard time marketing it to the right folks,” City Councilman Brandon Hembree said. What Hembree and other city leaders came up with was a concept they say could bring the city’s burgeoning home businesses out into public view and possibly launch them into commercial stardom. The City Council committed $65,000 to repurpose the two-story, brick building into modern office space, creating 10 offices, state-of-the-art Wi-Fi, an array of cubicles and a large conference space. Offices in the Suite Spot cost $7 per square foot to lease, and all of them

The Suite Spot, Sugar Hill’s old city hall building, has been converted into office space that is leased to small businesses.

were occupied within four months of the opening in late spring. So far, the cost for the conversion has totaled about $20,000, and most of that went to demolition of the front porch and cleaning and walling off offices on the second floor. The city still needs to

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dress up the co-working space on the first floor so it is attractive enough to draw memberships from individuals who don’t require a full-time office. Hembree said he got the idea for the Suite Spot from similar operations run by private firms, such as Roam in Alpharetta and Dunwoody. He said he even met with officials from NovaLogic in Lawrenceville, which has operated a business incubator facility in that city’s downtown area for 15 years. In April, Sugar Hill signed over operation of the old City Hall to the Downtown Development Authority for $1. City officials say further development of their downtown will include planned retail development, much like Suwanee and Smyrna did with their new downtowns. For its Epicenter Project, Sugar Hill hired a consultant to study which types of businesses were missing in the city and which may thrive if they opened. Plans call for three stories of retail across the street from the city’s new community theater. There are even plans in the works to lease out the old fire station next to the Suite Spot into business space, possibly a restaurant. “We have a lot of small businesses that are home-based and a tremendous

lack of commercial space in Sugar Hill,” Hembree said. “Our hope is that at some point, some of these small businesses in the Suite Spot can move into the more upscale commercial space we might be able to provide nearby.” Sugar Hill is 90 percent residential and 10 percent commercial, and 80 percent of the small businesses are home-based. Those are two stats that Communications, Events and Downtown Manager Scott Andrews would like to change. “Quite honestly, I think if we had four Suite Spots, we could fill them,” Andrews said. “We have a wait list right now.” The Suite Spot is open to all businesses, residents and non-residents. The list of tenants runs the gamut, from an attorney to a natural skin care consultant to a software developer. “It’s actually a really great idea,” said Mark Orcutt, who operates CF Foundry in one of the upstairs offices. He said assembling a diverse group of businesses in one place gives them a chance to share resources. He said he often speaks with a business competitor down the hall, and they both help each other. “We really don’t have anything like this in Sugar Hill,” Orcutt said.

ENTREPRENEURS

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • December 2014 • 19

A L P H A R E T TA C H A M B E R

Gala 2015

January 24

Gordon Fields works on a lesson with a student at his new office in the Suite Spot in Sugar Hill. Fields was the first tenant of the business venture operated by the Sugar Hill Downtown Development Authority.

Tutoring firm finds a home away from home nearby By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com SUGAR HILL, Ga. – When Sugar Hill opened the Suite Spot last spring, Gordon Fields got in on the ground floor. Fields and his wife, Sewa, took the corner office on the first floor and relocated their three-year-old tutoring service from their home into the heart of the city. “Business is good,” he said. “We have gained a lot of exposure being here, and that is good for us. We’re expecting growth to be well above what it was in our home.” Fields was the Suite Spot’s first tenant and one of its biggest cheerleaders when the city was exploring ways to put its old city hall to use. He met with then-Mayor Gary Pirkle and other city leaders, attending nearly every meeting the issue was discussed. The effort paid off, he said. The couple’s idea for Grasp Learning tutoring service began years ago when they tutored children at churches in Suwanee during the summer. Both have about 10 years of teaching experience in public and private schools. “I had always been a bit of an entrepreneur, and going into the classroom was a different experience for me,” Fields said. The couple connected with some of the residents in Sugar Hill who had a need for their children. They started out working with a couple of families. “And then we thought, ‘Wow, this is a good opportunity for us to help families meet their individual educational goals,’” Fields said. “That’s what got us going.” Grasp Learning, Fields said, is the only service that provides one-on-one

“I had always been a bit of an entrepreneur, and going into the classroom was a different experience for me.” Gordon Fields, Suite Spot’s first tenant

tutoring from skilled teachers who are certified in education. He is proud of the service he provides, and he said the Suite Spot office enhances the experience by providing a warm, comfortable environment for children to learn. “Before, we were providing services in our home, and we also had some teachers who would go to families’ homes, but having this building itself has provided a hub for families to come to and a place for them to have consistency,” he said. The Fields have a 3-year-old daughter, and Gordon admits there have been some challenges. “It was much easier when we were in the home to connect with our daughter,” he said. “But we knew that moving here we are creating a future for our family.”

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For more information contact: Ciara Rubin ciara@alpharettachamber.com | (404) 277-4930

COBB COUNTY

20 • December 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

EDITORIAL CALENDAR 2014-15 Issue Date

Space Reservation Date

Materials Deadline

January 2015 – Growth and Development • Economic Forecast, Business leaders weigh in with their predictions of what the coming year will bring their business and industry • Bold predictions on issues affecting Jan. 12 business in the New Year • Companies that turned big declines into surprising turnarounds • New beginnings: New CEOs and their plans to grow their business

courtesy Atlanta Braves

Dec. 31

Jan. 5

New renderings of Braves mixed-use development emerge

February 2015 – Banking and finance • Business Post’s 2015 Cobb Market Report special focus • By the numbers: Top banks and financial institutions • Women in business: profile top female executives in North Atlanta and women’s issues in business • How to get financing for your business growth

Feb. 9

Jan. 29

Feb. 2

March 2015 – Real Estate (residential) • By the numbers: Top Brokers • Real estate planning: How great Realtors think and what makes them so successful • “Legislative Watch.” Keeps a focus on what lawmakers are March 9 doing during the Atlanta legislative session that may affect business, big and small • The home office – how selfemployed or remote workers set up their stations

Feb. 26

April 6

CUMBERLAND, Ga. – The Atlanta Braves released update renderings of their new ballpark and mixed-use community. The team also announced that Atlanta-based architectural design firm Wakefield Beasley & Associates will spearhead design of the mixed-used development. Some other notable projects from the firm include The Forum in Norcross, Town Center at Atlantic Station and

Avalon in Alpharetta. According to the team, the development will integrate with the surrounding commercial uses while carefully blending a variety of architectural styles with green space and several common areas. Parking will be located throughout the development in various areas and easily accessible for residents, shoppers, tenants and event visitors.

March 2

Regents approve Southern Polytechnic, Kennesaw State consolidation

April 2015 – Small Business • Business Post’s 2015 Cherokee Market Report special focus • Small business success stories • Tools every small business needs • Leading family businesses in the region and how they manage work and family • Getting your MBA: What you should know

According to officals, the Braves complex, currently rising next to Interstate 75 at the Perimeter, will span 60 contiguous acres of mixed-use space.

March 26

March 30

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MARIETTA, Ga. — The University System of Georgia Board of Regents voted on Nov. 12 to consolidate Southern Polytechnic State University and Kennesaw State University. This action will be implemented over the next year, with final board approval of the new institution coming in January, following the approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools at its December 2014 meeting. “This is a decision that will strengthen both institutions’ ability to serve students and to ensure we can direct resources appropriately into the academic mission,” said Board Chairman Dink NeSmith. “With this consolidation, all of our guiding principles have been addressed as we plan for how to best meet future needs in Georgia for public higher education. I’m excited about the future potential for the new Kennesaw State University.”

The decision was “the right move,” said University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby. “The new Kennesaw State University will be in a strong position to broaden its academic and research mission and expand its scope not just locally and statewide, but nationally. We are confident that the unique degree programs at Southern Polytechnic will be enhanced and strengthened.”

GWINNETT COUNTY

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • December 2014 • 21

Gwinnett stands out for its diverse population By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. – Gwinnett County is unusual by virtue of the fact that it has 15 diverse cities, but no dominant metropolitan area. Lawrenceville, the county seat, is the second most populous city with about 29,000 residents. It was overtaken two years ago, when Peachtree Corners, population 34,000, became the county’s newest city. Unincorporated Gwinnett accounts for close to 80 percent of the population. However, growth within the cities is increasing, particularly in terms of taxable property values. The cities of Auburn, Berkeley Lake, Buford, Duluth and Peachtree Corners are among the leaders. No less diverse is the county’s ethnic makeup. Of a total population of 860,000, fewer than half – 354,000 – are non-Hispanic white. Non-Hispanic blacks account for 23 percent, with Hispanics making up 20 percent of the total. The Asian community, one of the largest in the state, accounts for 11 percent of the

Gwinnett County Workforce 2008 4,709

2009 4,419

2010 4,580

2011 4,446

2012 4,450

2013 4,501

2014 4,398

Real estate comparison Median home values

Median price of homes sold

Annual increase in home value 2014

Gwinnett Cobb Fulton Forsyth Hall

Gwinnett 19.6% Cobb 12.5% Fulton 14.9% Forsyth 11.8% Hall 11.2%

$157,000 $177,900 $177,900 $237,700 $137,500

$163,600 $209,000 $245,000 $263,000 $145,000

Source: Gwinnett County

population. That diversity is also reflected in the county’s school system, the largest in the state and 13th largest in the country. Of the approximately 169,000 students enrolled in the Gwinnett School District, 31 percent are African American, 28 percent white, 27 percent Hispanic and 10 percent are Asian. Despite any challenges presented by such a diverse student population, the district has distinguished itself nationally, twice capturing the national Broad Prize for excellence in education in 2010

and in 2014. Enrollment in the district is expected to climb again next year. Property values took a major hit during the economic downturn and are only now beginning to show signs of recovery. However, the gains in home values posted over the past year are outpacing surrounding markets in Fulton, Cobb, Hall and Forsyth counties. Gwinnett County prides itself on its efficiency. Between 2008 and 2014, the county’s population increased 8.74 percent while the number of county employees de-

BRIEFS & SHORTS: Gwinnett County

creased 6.6 percent. During the same stretch, the number of employees per 1,000 citizens fell by 14.1 percent. In 2008, there were 5.96 employees per 1,000 residents. That ratio is now 5.12. The county is also proud of its water utility, which supplies water to some 750,000 residents. Gwinnett is one of only four government-operated utilities with access to Lake Lanier as a water source. As a result, county leaders, along with regional conservation agencies have initiated aggressive programs, such as rebates for replacing old toilets, to curtail water use. The efforts have paid off. Today, water consumption per capita stands at about 103 gallons per day, compared to about 150 gallons per day used in 2000. According to Jeffrey Dorfman, University of Georgia economist, sales tax collections should grow at a healthy rate in the years ahead. Currently, estimates show sales taxes will be up 3 percent in 2014, including title tax. Property taxes should also start to recover, Dorfman said, and local government revenue growth should be back to normal in 2014.

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Primerica Foundation establishes Gwinnett Tech scholarships

From left, Primerica Foundation President and Chairman Karen Fine Saltiel, Vice President and Vice-Chairman Anne Soutter, Secretary Margaret Halbert and Treasurer Bill Nemetz present a scholarship grant to Dr. D. Glen Cannon, president of Gwinnett Technical College.

Galectin Therapeutics releases Phase I clinical trial data NORCROSS, Ga. – Galectin Therapeutics, the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins to treat fibrosis and cancer, presented data recently from the company’s Phase I clinical trial of a new treatment for patients with advanced fibrosis. Dr. Stephen A. Harrison, chief of hepatology at Brooke Army Medical

Center in Fort Sam Houston and a clinical trial investigator, said the objective of the trial is to evaluate safety and pharmacokinetics of GR-MD-02, a complex carbohydrate drug. GR-MD-02 targets galectin-3, which has been linked to diseases that involve scarring of organs. “What we have seen so far in the Phase I trial is that GR-MD-02 is safe

and well tolerated at multiple doses,” Harrison said. Dr. Peter Traber, chief executive officer of Galectin Therapeutics, said the company is planning to initiate a Phase II clinical trial in the second quarter of 2015 based on the robust pre-clinical effects of the drug and the successful Phase I results.

GWINNETT/NORTH FULTON, Ga. – The Primerica Foundation, the charitable arm of the Duluth financial services company, has granted $50,000 to Gwinnett Technical College to establish two scholarship funds that will assist 40 low-to-moderate-income students for tuition, books and program supplies annually. Total grant funding from the foundation was $75,000 to establish these scholarships. The Barbara T. King Scholarship for Women honors the late Primerica executive known for her community leadership. It provides funding for female students enrolled in a Gwinnett Tech associate degree program within the health sciences division. Scholarships will be awarded at $1,250 on an annual basis per student. The Primerica Foundation Scholarship funds general scholarships for students enrolled in a certificate, diploma or degree program at Gwinnett Tech. Scholarships will be awarded at $1,250 on an annual basis per student. The scholarship funds will cover all program areas of the college.

22 • December 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

FULTON COUNTY

Congratulations Roswell Inc partners By JESSICA DIAMOND Communications coordinator, Roswell Inc ROSWELL, Ga. – Appen Media Group has declared the winners of the 2014 Best of North Fulton and South Forsyth awards, and Roswell Inc partners were well-represented. These businesses were nominated and voted on by the citizens of North Fulton and South Forsyth. The winners and the runners up that are Roswell Inc partners are as follows: Best Restaurants • Best Burger: Lucky’s Burger and Brew • Best Breakfast: J. Christopher’s • Best Patio: Pure Taqueria • Best Pizza: Mellow Mushroom, runner up • Best Steak: Little Alley Steak, runner up • Best Dessert: Foundation Social Eatery, runner up • Best Patio: Nine Street Kitchen, runner up Best Retail • Best Local Store, Best Consignment and Best Boutique: The Drake Closet • Best Jewelry Store: Brown & Co. Jewelers, runner up • Best Interior Design: Tuscany

A.J. McNaughton/Staff

Roswell’s Drake Closet won three awards in the Best of North Fulton and South Forsyth contest including best boutique, best local store and best consignment store.

Fine Furnishings, runner up • Best Antiques: City Antiques of Roswell, runner up Best Service • Best Caterer: Talk of the Town • Best Hair Salon: Salon De La Vie • Best New Car Sales: Honda Carland Roswell

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• Best Realtor: Keller Williams • Best Bank: Wells Fargo • Best Used Car Sales: Honda Carland Roswell, runner up • Best Auto Service Department: Carl Black GMC, runner up • Best Pre-School/Day Care: The Goddard School, runner up

• Best CPA: Robin McIntire CPA, runner up • Best Information Services: Appen Media Group, runner up Best Medical • Best Chiropractor: Care More Chiropractic and Wellness Center, runner up Best Activities and Recreation • Best Dance Lessons: Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance • Best Public Park: Roswell Area Park • Best Group/Corporate Activity: Andretti’s • Best Theatre: Aurora (Area 51), runner up • Best Kid Party: Sky Zone, runner up • Best Wedding Venue: Naylor Hall, runner up • Best Hotel/Lodging: Roswell DoubleTree, runner up These outstanding businesses received their awards at the Appen Best of the Best Gala, where guests enjoyed excellent food, drinks, dessert, live entertainment and dancing. Each business was publicly honored and recognized by Appen Media and the communities of North Fulton and South Forsyth for their exceptional services. Congratulations, partners!

FULTON COUNTY

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • December 2014 • 23

Farmer-direct:

Know who grows your coffee By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – The “farm-to-table” idea has taken off in recent years, with consumers wanting to know where their food actually comes from – is it from an organic garden? Is it Fair Trade? Consumers can now add to that list their morning cup of coffee. The coffee of Thrive Farmers coffee comes from farmers in Central America and helps those workers more than most coffee companies – it pays them a fair price. The Georgia-based company has its North American offices in Roswell. The company’s policy is to treat its farmers as partners, not as just a source in the supply chain. This allows the farmers get paid a share of each bag of coffee they produce. They call it “farmer-direct.” Each bag has the face of the actual farmers or their families on it. “You know who grows the coffee,” said Bart Newman, vice president of national accounts for Thrive Farmers. It all began with Ken Landers, a retired Georgia lawyer who was living off his investments. He had bought a coffee farm in Costa Rica as a way to stay busy. When the economy collapsed in 2008, Landers was forced to suddenly make his farm profitable. First Landers wanted to know how a cup of coffee costs $3 or $4 a cup, but farmers only get pennies for their efforts. He was told by other farmers, “This is just how coffee is.” That was unacceptable to Landers

“The world of coffee is stacked against the producers. To force change, there needs to be an outside, disruptive force. We are that disruptive force.” Bart Newman, Vice president, Thrive Farmers coffee

and he decided to change it. He met entrepreneur Michael Jones, who had founded several successful medical companies and wanted to do something more spiritually rewarding as well. Jones’ father-in-law happened to be a Jamaican coffee farmer. The two decided to start a company where the farmers were not just suppliers but partners in the company. Together, they found other farmers and eventually, Thrive Farmers was formed. Each farmer was a partner in the business, selling directly to the buyers – coffee shops and stores – and getting as much as 10 times more for their crop than through the traditional, commodities-market prices. “The world of coffee is stacked against the producers,” Newman said. “To force change, there needs to be an outside, disruptive force. We are that disruptive force.” The company, barely three years old,

JONATHAN COPSEY/Staff

Thrive Farmers coffee worker Amanda Lindley does a sample roast of some coffee at the company headquarters in Roswell.

has made great strides quickly. They were accepted to sell their coffee in Earth Fare supermarkets early on. Now, the coffee found in each cup of Chick-fil-A coffee across the nation is from Thrive. The farmers’ collective has grown to more than 1,000 farmers. “Consumers want to be connected to the source,” said Christine Macrenaris, with Thrive Farmers. “Coffee farmers care about their coffee, and we are fanatical about creating the best cup of coffee in the world.” The ladies of Mugs on Milton, the cof-

BRIEFS & SHORTS: Fulton County TECHNOLOGY:

Agilysys forms partnership with software company ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Agilysys, a leading provider of information technology and hospitality software and services, has signed a partnership agreement with Halifaxbased B4Checkin to link technology that will allow exchange of crucial information in real time. The agreement allows Agilysys to use B4Checkin’s cloud-based hospitality software for its Visual One PMS customers. “Our partnership with B4Checkin enables us to provide our customers with a market-leading booking engine that boosts revenue and enhances guest satisfaction,” said Jim Dennedy, president and chief executive officer of Agilysys.

Ebix hosts fourth annual Exchange Expo in Vegas

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. – Ebix Inc., an international supplier of on-demand software and e-commerce services

to the insurance, financial and health care industries, recently completed its fourth annual Ebix Exchange Expo in Las Vegas. This year’s event was the largest-ever gathering of clients, chiefly technology leaders representing the nation’s top insurance carriers, distributors, producers and financial professionals. The conference, held over four days, involved breakout sessions including hands-on training workshops, success clinics, case studies involving analysts and key clients, roundtable discussions between clients and presentations by Ebix.

fee shop on Milton Avenue in downtown Alpharetta, pour only coffee from Thrive. “The customers appreciate the quality of Thrive Farmers coffee and feel better once they hear the story,” said Jennifer Newton, co-owner of Mugs on Milton. “Because [Thrive Farmers] knows the whole chain, we can say where the coffee comes from. “When a company’s mission is to make other people’s lives better, you can’t go wrong,” she said. For more on Thrive Farmers and their coffee, visit them online at www. thrivefarmers.com.

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An affiliate of Mueller Co. of Sandy Springs, Echologics is a leading developer and provider of smart water technologies, including acoustic-based technologies for leak detection, pipe condition assessment and water loss management, which allow water utilities to manage their assets. Under the contract, Echologics will use the ePULSE technology to assess 65 miles of water distribution mains and approximately 10 miles of water transmission mains.

DEBUTS:

Maryland-based utility company contracts with Sandy Springs firm

Health food company launches new line of vegetable products

ATLANTA – Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, a water utility based in Laurel, Maryland, has awarded Echologics a contract to assess the condition of its buried water assets. The utility will deploy Echologics’ ePULSE technology, a proprietary and patented acoustic pipe condition assessment service. The contract is for one year with options for renewal.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Eat Well Embrace Life has launched two vegetable hummus combinations – Zesty Sriracha Carrot with sunflower seed and apricot topping and Beet hummus with pickled beet topping. In conjunction, the company has announced a broader distribution of its line of hummus products into Albertsons’ in the Northwest, FreshDirect and Publix, marking continued growth since its inception in 2011.

CHEROKEE COUNTY

24 • December 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Capt. G.A. Eisenbrandt with a check presented by Linda Lee Martin, president of Cherokee Association of Realtors.

Cherokee Realtors give back CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. —With nearly 100 members in attendance, the Cherokee Association of Realtors presented checks to

two local community programs at their final membership meeting of 2014. A donation of $1,000.00 was given to Cherokee County’s

Shop With a Cop program which provides necessities to underprivileged children across the county. A second donation for

BRIEFS & SHORTS: Cherokee County Blue Water Global Group reduces outstanding shares CANTON, Ga. – Blue Water Global Group Inc. has announced it has received and cancelled 150 million shares of its outstanding common stock held by Taurus Financial Partners LLC, an affiliated shareholder controlled by the company’s president and CEO. In exchange for the cancellation, Blue Water issued Taurus 150,000 shares of a newly created series of restricted preferred stock. These preferred shares may not be converted into common stock, sold or transferred for a minimum of two years from the date of issue. “This share reduction transaction should open the door for additional financing on much improved terms than offered in the past and help limit future dilution to the existing capital structure – something that benefits all existing shareholders,” said J. Scott Sitra, Blue Water president and CEO. “Blue Water has always been a long-term project in my mind and this transaction only

$1,700.00 was given to Habitat for Humanity, which the Cherokee Association of Realtors has supported for several years.

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further demonstrates my commitment to building Blue Water into something special.” Blue Water Global Group is a publicly held developer of casual dining restaurant properties and premium distilled spirits.

Highway, Suite 400 in Canton.

Bryanna Rusher joins the Jan Rooney State Farm agency

WOODSTOCK, Ga. – Inalfa Roof Systems, one of the world’s biggest providers of vehicle roof systems, held its official grand opening recently at its southwest Cherokee facility in Cherokee 75 Corporate Park. State and local leaders, as well as members of Inalfa’s international management team, were on hand. Jan Tulkens, group vice president and CEO, compared the event to the 1996 Olympic Games, saying the success of Inalfa was the result of team efforts from across the globe. Since opening its 165,000-square-foot regional headquarters in 2013, Inalfa has expanded operations by another 45,000 square feet. Based in the Netherlands, Inalfa is one of the largest employers in Cherokee County, with more than 300 employees.

CANTON, Ga. — Bryanna Rusher joined the Jan Rooney State Farm Agency this week as an Associate Agent. Bryanna brings over 15 years of experience including American Family Insurance, Nationwide Insurance, Progressive Insurance and Strategic Outsourcing Incorporated, where she was the Chief Operations Officer. “I am very excited to be working with Jan and a great company like State Farm. State Farm is the premier insurer in Georgia,” Rusher said. “I know my clients will have a great experience,” The Jan Rooney Agency is located at 7768 Cumming

Inalfa Roof Systems holds grand opening

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • December 2014 • 25

HALL COUNTY

26 • December 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Tracy Wright, the assistant director of clinical education in Brenau’s Physical Therapy Department, leads a group of first-year occupational therapy students in a set of assessments and adjustments for patients in wheelchairs.

Brenau wins candidacy for physical therapy doctorate GAINESVILLE, Ga. — The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education has granted candidacy for accreditation to the new Brenau University doctoral degree program that is recruiting candidates for the class that begins in May 2015. Candidacy allows the program to move toward full accreditation, which may be granted after the first candidates

complete their studies and receive doctoral degrees in May 2018. The pre-accreditation approval represents a significant step in the evolution of the physical therapy program at Brenau, said Dr. Kathye Light, who is chair of the Brenau physical therapy department. “This means that we are open for business,” Light said. “It means that we can seat one new cohort per year,

pending full accreditation, and we have already received many applications for the first cohort.” The CAPTE, the sole U.S. accreditation organization for college and university physical therapy professional education programs, authorized Brenau in the late spring of 2014 to begin soliciting applications for program candidates. The recent action, however, enables

BRIEFS & SHORTS: Hall County

the university to admit qualified candidates into the program and to start teaching them. The Brenau PT program already has been approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the regional accreditation agency for all colleges and universities in the Southeastern United States, Latin America and the Caribbean.

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Vascular & Vein Specialists earns Vein Center accreditation

Gilmer Airport awaits clearance for larger-capacity aircraft

Longstreet Clinic welcomes 2 new pediatricians to staff

GAINESVILLE, Ga. —The Longstreet Clinic announced that its Vascular & Vein Specialists practice in Gainesville is now the only Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC)-accredited Vein Center in the state of Georgia. This recognition for superficial venous treatment and management by the IAC follows a thorough review of the practice’s operational and technical components by a panel of experts. The IAC grants three-year accreditation only to those facilities that are found to be providing quality patient care in compliance with national standards through a comprehensive application process including a detailed review of selected patient procedures. “We are proud that care has been recognized by the IAC, making Vascular & Vein Specialists the only fully accredited vein center in Georgia and only one of 11 centers in the United States,” said Dan Procter, M.D., FACS, vascular surgeon.

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – County officials are awaiting a go-ahead from the Federal Aviation Administration that will allow aircraft with higher maximum weight loads to use Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport. Hall County and the city of Gainesville split the costs for a $25,000 study recently that determined the airport could support aircraft to 100,000 pounds dual-wheel, about four times the capacity currently allowed. Planes at 100,000 pounds can carry up to 18 passengers. Local business leaders say the upgrade will increase the county’s exposure to large businesses and could generate more commerce. The Georgia Department of Transportation has already reviewed and approved the data. The FAA must publish the new limit in its airport directory before flights under the new capacity can be allowed.

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – The Center for Pediatrics at the Longstreet Clinic has added two doctors to its staff. Katherine S. Herzog and Bristol Y. Savage joined the center in October. Herzog is a graduate of Mercer University and earned her medical degree at the Medical College of Georgia. She completed pediatric residency training at Palmetto Health Richland/USC School of Medicine in Columbia, South Carolina. Before joining TLC, Herzog practiced at Bayside Pediatrics in Tampa, Florida. She is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a fellow with the American Academy of Pediatrics. Savage earned her medical degree at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and completed pediatrics residency training at the Emory University in Atlanta. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. As a pediatric inpatient specialist, she provides specialized medical care to children who are admitted to the hospital.

FORSYTH COUNTY

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • December 2014 • 27

New forsyth City?

Feasibility study for Sharon Springs fully funded BY KATHLEEN STURGEON Kathleen@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — The Sharon Springs Alliance announced it is ready to take the next step in its efforts to create a second city in Forsyth County at a Nov. 18 town hall meeting, hosted by Sen.-elect Michael Williams, R-Cumming. The big news was revealed by Sharon Springs Alliance Treasurer Steve Benefield, who announced that a city feasibility study is now 100 percent funded and will be conducted by the Carl Vinson Institute at the University of Georgia. The funding is made up completely of private donations, Benefield said. “The results are anticipated in early March 2015,” said Benefield. “We will continue to raise awareness on what cityhood could do for our city.” Williams hosted the town hall meeting at West Forsyth High School, 4155 Drew Road. It was the third and final in a series of town hall forums that Williams has held since his election earlier this month. The first topic of discussion was the need and impact of a second city in Forsyth County. Many residents came out to speak about the idea of adding a new city, specifically Sharon Springs. Benefield started off the meeting with his announcement. Sharon Springs city supporters followed, saying a new city is needed to maintain the quality of life in Forsyth. Stephanie Raymond, who spoke in favor of Sharon Springs, said that raising taxes will have to happen for a positive

KATHLEEN STURGEON/Staff

Sen.-elect Michael Williams, R-Cumming, hosted his third and final town hall forum Nov. 18 at West Forsyth High School.

result. “I fear that the past and the present are not indicative of our future if we don’t take care of what we have,” said Raymond. “We could do better for our future. There’s no way growth is sustainable without raising taxes. Our actions indicate that we may not see the value in our community because we could ask for more.” Low taxes are a reason why many people have moved to Forsyth, and raising taxes is a reason why many were not in favor of adding Sharon Springs. Paul Flood spoke against cityhood, saying he lives and works on Lake Lanier. “What will be best for the county in the long run?” said Flood. “I know a lot of people who moved up here because it’s a rural county. We need an organized total group and we need an organized group of county commissioners. I’m for having one organization that looks after the economic and best interests, both

“It’s not up to me to make decisions all on my own. I want to hear what the people I represent have to say...” Michael Williams, Sen.-elect

cultural and environmental, of the total county.” The second topic of the night was the idea of consolidating the city of Cumming into Forsyth County. Jim Warner spoke in favor of the citycounty consolidation. “I frankly think we’re going in the wrong direction,” said Warner. “You need to build on the good government that you got, and there’s a ton of good government going on. A lot of things need to be fixed, but a lot is going on that is being fixed. Adding a layer of government doesn’t make sense. We need to go with what works, and what we got works.” The third topic of the night was the makeup of the county commission, including whether commissioners should be elected by district or county-wide.

BRIEFS & SHORTS: Forsyth County MEDICAL SERVICES:

South Forsyth Animal Hospital moves to new location CUMMING, Ga. – Dr. Lisa T. Hillier and Dr. Cheryl A. O’Neal have opened their new animal hospital facility at 2200 Old Alpharetta Road in Cumming. South Forsyth Animal Hospital, founded by the two veterinarians more than seven years ago, will offer medical and surgical care for cats and dogs in a new 6,000-square-foot, stand-alone facility. The doctors made the decision to build their own

facility and move from their previous location in a nearby shopping center to provide expanded services in a larger, more comfortable building. The hospital will feature feline and canine wings, with cat and dog waiting areas and exam rooms on different sides of the facility to help make visits more convenient. The hospital also has separate cat and dog housing/ recovery areas. In addition, the new building houses additional dental stations and larger surgery and ultrasound suites. A “comfort room” will be available to provide a more relaxed atmosphere for procedures such as laser therapy and chemotherapy. Bathing and grooming services, a full pharmacy and a comprehensive inventory of premium prescription food and treats will continue to be offered. Together, Hillier and O’Neal, have over 46 years of experience practicing small animal medicine and surgery in the Atlanta area.

Authors win professional award for book on media relations ATLANTA – The book, “Megaphones Be With You: How

Throughout the night, audience members were asked to vote on a series of questions, including “What changes do you support on the county commission, if any?” Every person who voted said that all commissioners should be elected countywide. Kristen Stevens, from www.forsythhoa.org, gave a presentation about the boundaries of Forsyth County and why there needs to be a change in the way it elects the Board of Commissioners. Jim Compton spoke about changing the model. “So much of your money, time and the roads you travel cross district lines,” said Compton. “Therefore, the voting line should be county level; it’s the proper representation at the right level.” At the end of the night, residents questioned what happens next. “I’m going to make it public information,” said Williams. “We’re going to pull together a synopsis of what we heard tonight and get that out to the people via Facebook or email and any way we know how, just to let people know that we heard them.” A lot of people in the audience questioned whether they were at the mercy of the commissioners for future decisions. Williams said that’s why town hall meetings are important. “We need to hear what our constituents have to say,” said Williams. “It’s not up to me to make decisions all on my own. I want to hear what the people I represent have to say, and this is one of the best ways to do it.”

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Your Organization Can Play the Media Relations Game – And Win,” has won a prestigious Phoenix Award from the Georgia chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, Fitzgerald van herik the second largest in the nation. Written to give businesspeople the data they need to determine if media relations will help their firm, the book is a matter-of-fact look behind the scenes at the intricacies of promoting a business through publicity in general and media relations in particular. “This award attests to the value of the book’s insights – insights used throughout the industry every day,” said co-author Debbie Graham Fitzgerald, owner of Fitzgerald PR Inc., in Cumming. “Media relations isn’t rocket science, but it isn’t intuitive, either,” said co-author Ed Van Herik, owner of Van Herik Communications in Kennesaw. “We wanted to give readers a sense of the dynamics behind media relations, and this award tells us we have been successful.”

28 • December 2014 • NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

SOUND ADVICE

Small office is Taking the high road big business Brian Patton

brianpattonccim.com

“If you can’t beat ’em, eat ’em.” That’s Chad Davis’s motto. Chad is the general manager of Johns Creek Regus. Regus is a global company with $2 billion in yearly gross sales and 2,000 offices worldwide. Regus offers flexible, non-traditional and virtual office space for rent. The “eat ’em” part refers to Regus’s growth over the last two years. Just in the Atlanta market, Regus has almost doubled in size from 27 locations to 42. Part of their growth spurt has been from eating up competitors, Office Suites Plus and Corporate Office Centers. Their success is evidenced by an 80 percent occupancy in the Atlanta market. Chad’s response to the question of why they are growing so fast is simple. Low start-up costs, short-term leases and easy staffing has pushed entrepreneurs from corporate settings to the shared office space market. The main advantage, low start-up costs, are priced in several ways at Regus. An entrepreneur can start as low as $499 per month for a physical office, or $199 per month for virtual space. Of course, larger companies can even take a full suite or floor, as well. Regus’s success hinges on the entrepreneur and the belief that the “American entrepreneur” is alive and well. Companies like Regus provide a regional and global platform for the start-up business, a way to give that “big company” impression at less costs. Like many entrepreneurs, a lot of my meetings take place at Starbucks. But Chad detests that notion. He says for $19 per month, you can use the lounge area of any of their 42 Atlanta locations, and get free coffee and Wi-Fi. And for $29 per month, you can have unlimited access to all 750 Regus lounges in the U.S. If you’re looking for a little twist on the Regus model, then you can try Roam. Roam is an innovative, alternative shared workspace. Peyton Day, Roam’s CEO, is heading up the opening of two new locations, both of which open in early 2015. One is in Cobb Galleria, and the other is a Buckhead location, in Tower Place. Roam’s Alpharetta location was its pilot spot that opened several years back. The Dunwoody location opened in March 2013.

For $19 per month, you can use the lounge area of any of their 42 Atlanta locations, and get free coffee and Wi-Fi. While Roam still delivers on the dedicated office space, most of its offerings are shared space. You can rent by the hour or day, no strings attached, unhindered and unbothered. The start of the Roam concept began when five IBM’ers were sent home to work from the house. Soon, like most entrepreneurs eventually discover, the dogs barking and all the distractions of home put them on the search for a new model. Peyton, in responding to the growth in this marketplace, delivers a similar answer. “People want flexibility and don’t want to be stuck with a long lease with personal guarantees,” Peyton said. He says that Roam’s coffee bar and collaborative workspace is what makes it a unique concept. Roam’s plan is to grow its Atlanta footprint and then take the concept to the Southeast. Its calling card is 50 MB up and down Internet. Membership in one Roam location also gets you into all the others. Never tried Roam before? Peyton says come in for a free day pass just to try it out. And, their community tables at each location are open to the general public for free. Just come in and enjoy the atmosphere. It appears, as small business continues to be the main generator of economic growth and job creation, shared office space will be an alternative office model that will become more and more mainstream. Brian Patton, CCIM is an author and trusted advisor on commercial real estate investments and development. He can be reached at 770-634-4848 or via his website: www.BrianPattonCommercial.com.

Dick Jones Founder & President Jones Simply Sales

Are you putting your integrity first in running your small business? Do you keep your promises to your customers and employees? Does your behavior and attitude change when you encounter issues or problems? As a small business owner, you are almost guaranteed to encounter challenges on a daily basis, and taking the high road in resolving them is the best approach. When you take the high road, it means that you are “doing the right thing” even though it may not be a popular choice or in your best interest. In most cases, taking the high road

takes more time, as you need to base your discussions and decisions on facts, not fiction. Decision-making in a small business is often done without knowledge of the whole situation, and could lead to negative consequences. If you maintain a mindset of taking the high road, you will not rush to a judgment or make a decision hastily. You will do your homework, collaborate with others and base your comments and decision after you have evaluated all the information you need. By taking the high road, you will reap the benefits of establishing trust and credibility with everyone you work with. Your customers, suppliers and even your employees will be much more comfortable interacting with you. Taking the high road may not be the easiest way to go because it is not popular or easy, but staying the course on the high road will reap you better benefits than not.

Three important steps to consider when launching your business By Raja Sengupta news@appenmediagroup.com (NAPSI)—If you are starting a business, it's important to remember that actions you take now can have significant consequences in the future. While this can apply to many aspects of the startup process, the three main steps you need to address include deciding the best structure for your company, choosing and reserving your company name and selecting a registered agent in the state(s) where you're planning to conduct business. Protect your assets by choosing the business organization that's right for you Choosing a statutory business organization instead of operating your business in your own name presents several benefits. There are many business organization options available. However, the two most commonly used are the Limited Liability Company (LLC) and the corporation. Using a corporation or LLC establishes immediate legitimacy and credibility for your new venture. Vendors, partners and customers often prefer conducting business with a statutory business organization. In addition, it allows for asset protection. As an owner, you're able to distinguish, separate and protect your personal assets from business debts and liabilities.

Reserve your business name While choosing a business name can be exciting, you also need to make sure that your company's legal name complies with state laws. One of those laws requires the legal name to be available in the state. That means the name is not already on the Secretary of State's records as belonging to another company. If your desired business name is available, you should reserve it with the state before filing any paperwork to form your corporation or LLC. Even if your legal name is not on record with the state, that doesn't mean it isn't currently being used by another entity in commerce as a trademark. Therefore, you should consider performing a trademark search on any name you choose, to ensure that it does not infringe upon someone's trademark rights. Designate A Registered Agent A registered agent is a business or individual that receives legal papers, such as a summons and complaint, and certain official state documents, including tax forms and annual corporate and LLC reports on behalf of a business. Raja Sengupta is the Executive Vice President and General Manager for CT Small Business, which provides compliance solutions to small- and mid-sized corporations and entrepreneurs, as well as the advisers who serve them. CT is a Wolters Kluwer Company.

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com • December 2014 • 29

CONNECT TO YOUR COMMUNITY January is our Growth & Development focus, so don’t miss out. We will cover: • By the numbers: Chambers New tech saves limbs • What’s the next move: How to keep the economy growing • What makes a good leader • Getting the most of your current customers July, 2014

NorthAtlantaBusinessPost.com

Tech capital

Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle makes case. PAGE 20

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

Sprouts Farmers Market opens in Snellville. PAGE 18

Dr. Greg Robertson of Emory Johns Creek uses a tiny laser camera to detect clogs in arteries which leads to lose 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

Deadline to advertise January 2 Reserve space today. Call 770-442-3278 or email advertising@appenmediagroup.com

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