Since its inception, the Atlanta CEO Council has been supported by limited exclusive partners, leaders in their industry who recognize the importance of cultivating exceptional business leaders and prioritize giving back to their community. Click each image below to get to know the people behind the logo.
At Alera Group, we harness the power of collaboration to bring you greater connectivity. Connectivity to specialists across our offices to bring you unique solutions. Connectivity with our network of resources to bring you the right products. Connectivity with data and insights to help you navigate increasing industry complexities. It’s how we help you manage risk, build your business, strengthen financial opportunities and reach the future you’ve always imagined.
Christopher Hayes became Managing Director, Southeast Region in 2023 and was named Managing Director, Northwest Region in 2024. Prior to taking on the Southeast, Chris spent two years in a similar role with Propel Insurance, an Alera Group Company. Before joining Propel, he spent 29 years in senior leadership roles at McGriff, a national insurance brokerage firm. Rooted in a strong relationship-driven belief system, he brings his extensive experience to further spur Alera Group’s growth and collaboration across the Southeast and Northwest Regions.
Chris is a graduate of the University of Georgia, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a double-major of finance and risk management/insurance.
It’s all about the people. Recruit quality people. Roll up your sleeves and work shoulder-to-shoulder with them. Win together. Develop teammates into new leaders.
Specialties: Underwriting; Agency Development; Marketing
Bennett Thrasher is the eighth-largest Atlanta-based full-service certified public accounting and consulting firm. What differentiates Bennett Thrasher from other accounting firms is the respect and regard we have for our clients and for each other. The firm creates significant value and a unique positive experience through collaboration- with and between clients, partners, associates and the community. Founded in 1980 by Rick Bennett and Ken Thrasher, today Bennett Thrasher boasts a dedicated, experienced team of 31 partners and more than 210 associates serving our clients in tax, financial reporting & assurance, valuation, litigation, client accounting services, international, personal financial services, state & local tax, dispute resolution & forensics, transfer pricing and wealth management.
Over 25 years of business experience having spent twelve years in public accounting with Arthur Andersen and six years as Chief Financial Officer of a publicly traded company prior to joining Bennett Thrasher in February 2007. Currently the service line leader for the Financial Reporting & Assurance practice at Bennett Thrasher.
Significant experience serving companies from the start-up/development stage through large multi-national public companies. Industry experience includes technology, manufacturing, distribution, real estate and service industries.
Specialties: Mergers & Acquisitions – diligence and accounting
Revenue recognition, SEC Consultation
Industries – technology, investment companies, real estate, service
Email: lsykes@btcpa.net
My practice at Bennett Thrasher focuses on middle market businesses and growing start-up technology companies in both the public and private sector.
My past experience in the Federal Lead Tax Services group at Deloitte allowed me the opportunity to serve large corporate taxpayers. I also gained an expertise serving high net worth individuals and closely held businesses while at the firm’s Private Client Advisory group.
Over the years, I have also worked in the private sector notably in the tax department of Genon Energy (formerly Mirant Corporation) where I was a member of the compliance team of the multinational corporation.
As a Tax Partner at Bennett Thrasher, I primarily consult with multistate and multinational operations. I provide tax planning, tax compliance and tax consulting services to my clients helping them to minimize their cash outflow on federal, state, local and foreign taxes.
My Mergers and Acquisitions experience includes assisting companies looking for a liquidity event to be positioned for the rigorous due diligence process involved in a sale transaction as well as performing buy-side due diligence procedures on potential targets. I also assist in determining optimal tax structure in M&A transactions.
Specialties: Mergers & Acquisitions, ASC 740 (formerly FAS109 & FIN48), Multistate Taxation
Email: zleder@btcpa.net
Founded in 2004, Carabiner Communications is an Atlanta-based agency specializing in marketing, PR and sales lead generation. We custom-build a nimble team of B2B experts to partner with clients for as much or as little as they need. We’re strategic, cost-effective, and very, very human. If you’re helping to steer a start-up, a fast-growth company or an organization headed in a new direction and need branding, marketing, public relations, content development, social media or lead-gen assistance to get to the next level, then let’s talk.
Peter Baron serves as a senior-level consultant, offering advice to clients on product positioning, lead generation and nurturing, and digital marketing. Through more than two decades of technology marketing and PR experience, Peter has the skills to recognize new trends and opportunities, helping companies plan strategies accordingly. His client experience spans telecommunications, networking, healthcare technology, mobile computing and myriad software solutions. Peter received a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and PR from the University of Utah.
Email: pbaron@carabinercomms.com
I offer more than 25 years of B2B technology marketing and public relations experience, having provided strategic counsel and other services to a range of startups as well as established companies. My expertise includes campaign strategy and execution in such key areas as technology product launches, thought leadership, brand awareness, and visibility programs for corporate executives. A focused problem-solver, I am adept at managing integrated marketing and PR teams and can offer a strategic roadmap for helping organizations meet their goals.
Email: dcogan@carabinercomms.com
Chief Outsiders, the nation’s leading Executives-as-a-Service firm, helps CEOs and their organizations identify the fractional marketing and sales executives they need to accelerate growth. The firm’s cohesive team of more than 125 fractional executives act as Strategic Operators™ to achieve results. They blend insight, strategy, and execution to deliver revenue engines that drive long-term profitable growth for businesses. Chief Outsiders’ fractional executives drive growth strategy and execution plans by offering instant access to talent with highly customized and flexible engagements. Having served on the executive teams of more than 1,550 client companies, each Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Sales Officer has led marketing or sales at a diverse set of large corporations, including many Fortune 500 firms. Inc. Magazine has recognized Chief Outsiders for nine consecutive years as one of the 5,000 fastest-growing privately held companies in the US.
As a Managing Partner at Chief Outsiders, I lead the South Region and help Private Equity Portfolio Operating Partners and CEOs build and execute growth plans to accelerate top-line revenue. With over 25 years of experience in marketing and sales leadership, I have a solid track record of delivering data-driven insights, customer-focused solutions, and strategic direction for growth and mid-sized companies ($10M – $250M+).
I match CEOs and Founders with one of our world-class, fractional growth executives who work as part of their leadership team and provide flexible and scalable support. My mission is to help companies achieve their full potential by leveraging the expertise and network of Chief Outsiders, which consists of over 120 battle-tested CMOs and CSOs with diverse backgrounds and industry experience. I am also a speaker and thought leader on overcoming internal and external economic challenges, revenue acceleration, and new business development.
I help SaaS and tech-driven businesses break through growth plateaus and build scalable, repeatable revenue engines. As a Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) and former founder, I specialize in aligning product, marketing, sales, and customer success to accelerate revenue and maximize retention.
Email: rmack@chiefoutsiders.com
Crowe Horwath is a public accounting, consulting, and technology firm with offices across the globe. Connecting deep industry and specialized knowledge with innovative technology, our dedicated professionals create value for our clients with integrity and objectivity. We accomplish this by listening to our clients – about their businesses, trends in their industries, and the challenges they face. We forge each relationship with the intention of delivering exceptional client service while upholding our core values and our industry’s strong professional standards. Crowe invests in tomorrow because we know smart decisions build lasting value for our clients, people, and profession.
Mr. Parker has over 25 years of public accounting experience in providing tax consulting services to a broad range of clients in the manufacturing, distribution, technology and other industries. Professional and Industry Experience Mr. Parker works in many areas of taxation including; merger and acquisitions, S-corporation taxation, C-corporation taxation, partnership taxation, multi-state taxation, and individual tax. He has extensive experience in the following activities:
Professional Affiliations
Education & Certifications
Email: Jim.Parker@crowe.com
We represent tenants — the people leasing or buying space — in commercial real estate. We are your advocate, helping you navigate every aspect of commercial office and industrial real estate. Our goal is to make the process easier: from selecting the ideal work environment, to managing complicated lease/purchase negotiations, to ensuring the deal is completed to your satisfaction. Above all, one difference with CTR is our intentional development of long-term, ongoing relationships with every client.
I am an advocate for tenants and buyers in the office and industrial real estate market. My business focus is on assisting companies with their corporate real estate needs, from lease negotiation (e.g., renewal, expansion, extension, etc.) to facility relocation. In every relationship, I strive to serve each person and organization well. From strategic planning to evaluating market conditions to negotiating strategy, I am a valuable resource for my clients in achieving the utmost value from their office/industrial space while ensuring they have an educated voice and perspective throughout the process.
Regardless of the real estate need, I have a desire to positively impact the lives of others either through business or other avenues.
Specialties: Strategic planning, lease negotiation, facility utilization, relocation scheduling
Email: JRichardson@ctrpartners.com
CTR Partners, Inc. is a specialized, commercial real estate consulting firm that focuses exclusively on representing the interests of the tenant, rather than the landlord. Our clients are local and national companies that are interested in leasing or purchasing office and office/warehouse space for their business. We have been providing real estate solutions while investing in relationships through God’s grace and love since 1993.
Email: RCoatsworth@ctrpartners.com
Dualboot is a business and software development company. We build great software, but we base our success on whether it helps your business grow. Clients include tech and non-tech founders as well as Fortune 500 companies, so we can start small or scale fast. Our capabilities include product innovation, strategy, design, front and backend development, fractional CTO, QA, and PMO. We are fluent in almost every modern open-source technology stack, including Salesforce.
I’m Kelly Anne O’Neill. First, I enjoy connecting great people more than anything – both personally and professionally. I also love helping entrepreneurs and serving the local community. I am currently mentoring for Techstars, Startup Showdown and serve as a board member with TER, Speedway Childrens’ Charities, Love Your Story, and as a partner with ATL CEO Council.
Over 20 years of experience managing digital products and serving as a catalyst for growth. Before founding Dualboot Partners and Bella Tunno, Todd was a founding member of Elogex (Sold to One Network Enterprises), Cloud Logistics (Sold to E2Open), and Castle Digital Partners.
Todd is a tech investor and is active in social change. He serves on the boards of Speedway Children’s Charity, American Football Without Barriers, SIM Charlotte, and Bounce Out the Stigma. Todd lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife Michelle and daughters Riley and Ella.
At Fifth Third Bank, we are always listening to new ideas so that we can strengthen our commitment to you and the communities we serve. Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. Fifth Third Bank is proud to be an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V
Whether leading teams or managing client relationships, I facilitate the banking products and services privately held companies and their owners need to execute their strategic plans.
I work with business owners in the commercial/middle-market segment, targeting companies between $20MM and $500MM in topline revenue. My clients typically borrow $5MM or more and rely heavily on our robust treasury platform for daily cash management needs. In addition, my team and I can help clients acquire real estate, finance working capital and capex, protect themselves from fraud, exit their business, acquire businesses, manage personal assets, mitigate interest rate risk, commodity, and foreign exchange risks, and streamline operations through industry-leading AR and AP optimization platforms.
At Fifth Third Bank, I am a Senior Relationship Manager for the Middle Market Banking segment, where I manage client relationships with privately held companies and their owners, generally $50M -$500M in topline revenue. I am a native Atlantan and have over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, delivering banking products and services that help clients execute their strategic plans and optimize their cash flow.
My core competencies include owner/user real estate construction and finance, equipment and working capital finance, business acquisition, credit analysis, global trade finance, and treasury services. I also have industry specialties in specialty contracting and GCs, manufacturing, and distribution. I enjoy coaching and developing teams, credit underwriting, collaborating across lines of business, and driving revenue growth and operational excellence.
Email: raymond.shrader@53.com
Specialties: Communications strategy, Media relations, Social media, Crisis management communications, Event Planning
Email: Jewanna.Gaither@53.com
With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, I am an accomplished banking executive and leader with a proven track record of driving revenue growth, operational excellence, and strategic innovation. I currently serve as the EVP, Regional President, and CEO of Fifth Third Bank in Georgia, where I oversee the consumer and commercial banking activities, private banking, as well as the community and civic engagement, of Fifth Third Bank.
I have extensive expertise in areas such as enterprise payments, treasury management, card services, and new business development, which I leveraged in my previous role as the Head of the Payments and Commerce Solutions division at Fifth Third Bank. There, I was responsible for defining and executing the payment and card strategies for the enterprise, and managing the profit and loss of the approximately $1 billion division. I am passionate about leading and developing high-performing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence, and delivering value to our customers, shareholders, and communities. My specialties include executive leadership, sales management, strategic planning, board and corporate governance, public speaking, and merger and acquisition integration.
Founders Legal (Bekiares Eliezer LLP) is a Corporate & Intellectual Property Law Firm based in Atlanta, Georgia USA, that focuses exclusively on complex matters in the areas of Intellectual Property, Corporate, Transactional, and Securities law.
We employ the services of highly skilled and experienced attorneys who are specialized in their unique areas of practice. Our team is dedicated to creating, utilizing, and continually iterating upon the latest software, technology, and processes to maximize efficiency and provide uncompromising value to its clients.
We are devoted to making the practice of law more efficient while improving the client experience and delivering uncompromising value. As a Founders Legal client, you will benefit from the Founders Legal Client Experience 2.0 — combining the newest technology and automation with a dedicated team of highly-skilled, practical, responsive, and results-oriented professionals to meet your legal needs. Our Practice Specialties include: Intellectual Property, Business Transactions, Securities, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Technology Law.
Yuri heads the Intellectual Property practice group at Founders Legal. A practice he co-founded at the Atlanta Tech Village – the nation’s fourth largest incubator. Yuri was one of the few attorneys invited by the USPTO to provide technical training and industry insight at the Patent Examiner Technical Training Program (PETTP), where he shared insight into technology company decision points and challenges within the US Patent System.
Leveraging over a decade of technology, business, and sales experience to provide your business with legal enablement.
Email: dpierce@founderslegal.com
Co-Founder of a community finance company (www.sparkmarket.com) serving Georgia companies and Georgia investors. Working with this century’s new investor class to help great small and emerging businesses access start-up and expansion capital from their community through a variety of crowdfunding mechanisms. SparkMarket is about neighbors working together to build better communities.
Partner and Corporate Services Department head at Founders Legal (www.founderslegal.com), a start-up Georgia law firm offering low cost and reliable legal representation to small and emerging enterprises. Founders Legal is a lean and dynamic firm specializing in corporate, capital raising and intellectual property representation.
Email: jeff@founderslegal.com
Since 1986, Insperity’s mission has been to help businesses succeed so communities prosper. Offering the most comprehensive suite of scalable HR solutions available in the marketplace, Insperity is defined by an unrivaled breadth and depth of services and level of care. Through an optimal blend of premium HR service and technology, Insperity delivers the administrative relief, reduced liabilities and better benefit solutions that businesses need for sustained growth. With 2020 revenues of $4.3 billion and more than 80 offices throughout the U.S., Insperity is currently making a difference in thousands of businesses and communities nationwide.
Exceptional account manager and business development professional with a proven track record in prioritizing and balancing multiple facets of account development. Consistent top performer who exceeds revenue targets through building relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Qualifications include growing existing accounts and renewing multi-year contracts. Intuitive business acumen and professional presence with the ability to establish collaborative partnerships with C-Level executives.
I work with small to mid sized businesses in the greater Atlanta area to help them improve efficiencies, reduce risk, and contain cost on all areas surrounding their people. I enjoy learning about entrepreneurs visions and goals, and being a resource in the community in whatever way I can be.
Contact Info:
Megan.Eastin@insperity.com
678-624-2955
Insperity, a trusted advisor to America’s best businesses for more than 30 years, provides an array of human resources and business solutions designed to help improve business performance. Serving more than 100,000 businesses with over 2 million employees, Insperity’s mission is to help businesses succeed so communities prosper. We provide a wide range of business performance solutions, enabling business owners to be more systematic and strategic about the role people play in the success of a company. Whether you have ten employees or 5,000, Insperity’s business solutions are tailored to helping you run your business more efficiently.
We provide immense value by taking a unique approach to analyzing company financials from the bottom up. We provide in-depth insights on the entire lifecycle of the customer journey, from the initial touchpoints to the completion of a purchase.
Our team of professionals ranges from staff accountants all the way to Controllers and CFOs. We utilize our team of experts to find the best fit for your company’s needs. Whether your organization is a small start-up or a major corporation, NOW CFO is dedicated to delivering the results you are looking for.
April Diemer is an enterprise growth catalyst whose financial acumen illuminates the foundation of her clients’ business agility.
It’s imperative to integrate elite financial literacy between sales, marketing, operations, and leadership to achieve cross-departmental milestone achievements.
Her industry-agnostic expertise derived from scaling emerging ventures to global enterprises remain the bedrock of her operational process *Align. Architect. Accelerate*.
April’s macroeconomic foresight harmonized with relentless daily execution creates a growth-centric cultural symbiosis.
From idea through acquisition, April’s problem-solving prowess has manifested a renowned reputation of consistently maintaining the goal of the C-Suite: integrity of momentum.
Email: April.Diemer@nowcfo.com
At Humans Doing, we utilize our 50+ years of combined national technology-centric recruiting experience to pair great clients and candidates together. Our approach and experience ensure that both receive great value, growth, and appreciation for each other. We take pride in making sure both sides make great decisions that will have a lasting positive impact on their companies, careers, and families.
In addition to being a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of Measure Up: Mastering Your Career Search Like a Boss I’m also a three-time founder, entrepreneur, tech investor, board member and advisor to high growth companies. More importantly, I’m thankful to be a husband with a very patient wife & a new father who’s in over my head.
I’m passionate about helping people make great hiring and career decisions so they can have the most fulfilled, abundant, and meaningful lives possible. I’ve spent almost 30 years in the recruiting and coaching world consulting with and placing thousands of leaders, sales, and tech-savvy people into high-growth companies. I’ve founded, built, and sold a national tech staffing company and have helped countless leaders of high-growth companies grow their teams with the right people to have a positive impact on their products, culture, and, ultimately, their customers. My experience has molded me into a leading expert in recruiting, hiring, employee retention, and career growth best practices.
As a 20 year veteran in the discipline of Talent Acquisition, Recruiting, and Staffing Industries, I have found joy throughout my career in assisting individuals and organizations in achieving their highest potential. I have learned that the human experience is most meaningful when individual talent is self-actualized. Being a guide for others in their respective career search has come to be my “superpower”. Equally, partnering with organizations I believe in, while strategically guiding those organizations to obtain the most talented individuals in their respective business arena is my passion as well. I believe as a collective, collaboration and growth through human capital is our greatest asset.
Email: mmorgan@humansdoing.net
For over 20 years, I’ve been driven by a passion for building and growing businesses. I led client development efforts for DLA Piper across the Southeast, with a strong focus on tech/startup clients. Then, I owned and operated a successful start-up yacht charter business in the Virgin Islands. Following that, I was co-founder and CEO of Yachtly Inc., a specialized fintech platform for the yacht charter industry.
Now, I am focusing on the critical component of talent acquisition at a growth-stage tech recruiting company. My entrepreneurial background, combined with my deep understanding of business operations, allows me to effectively connect top talent with the innovative tech companies that are shaping the future.
It’s exciting to be back in Atlanta, supporting the community I’m passionate about, and helping companies build their dream teams.
Email: judy@humansdoing.net
We are a full-service technology integration and management firm specializing in digital transformation. Our areas of expertise cover security, public cloud, digital workspace, enterprise infrastructure, and business applications.
David joined ivision in early 2007, when it had $1.5m in annual revenue and has helped the company grow through healthy and sustainable expansion. David is responsible for ivision’s culture, strategy and execution. He is passionate about high-performing teams, as well as earning and continuing to develop “clients for life” where the term “client” refers to both internal and external relationships.
David holds a business degree from Penn State University. After college, he played professional basketball in France before returning to the U.S. to start his business career in 1996. David lives in Atlanta with his wife and two sons, and enjoys the outdoors, golf, swimming, biking and reading.
Email: ddegitz@ivision.com
Art possesses over 20 years of experience orchestrating business development strategies that embrace consultative sales and sustainable long term growth. He effectively partners with all levels within an organization to achieve strategic and tactical technical alignment across programs, initiatives, budgets, resources, and timelines. Art’s passion for building, motivating, and leading high-performing teams drive substantial revenue growth, and he is a true connector of people, solutions, and services.
Email: asauer@ivision.com
I come from a family of entrepreneurs and have always had a passion with working with industry leaders and C-level executives. I love making connections and connecting others so if I can ever connect you then I am happy to do so.
My passion is driven by experience and desire to help businesses improve, architect and transform their IT infrastructure through our four key areas of expertise here at ivision.
My world perspective was informed and shaped when I went to study abroad and received my M.E.D as I learned to approach life with an open and curious mind and perspective. Every day this experience shapes my curiosity around every business I work with, and I approach every business with an inquisitive mind.
If you ever want to talk business over a game of tennis let me know. 🙂
Email: aaltman@ivision.com
Juvare provides Enterprise Resilience Solutions for organizations to connect to the critical resources, data and mutual assistance they need to bounce forward stronger following incidents and planned events. Juvare is in 25 countries, 50 U.S. states and some U.S. territories, serving 3,500 U.S. hospitals and 30,000 healthcare facilities, and more than 50 federal U.S. agencies, 600 emergency management agencies and 80 corporations. Juvare has supported over 500,000 emergency response incidents annually.
ROLES
* CEO, largest Emergency Management software firm in US
* CEO, largest pure play firm in Educational Assessments
* CEO, largest Geospatial Big Data and analytics firm in US, private equity held
* President, global business unit, public company in finance sector
* Board of Directors, multiple high growth companies
EXPERIENCE
Industries : Software, Technology enabled Services, Data and Analytics
Investment Thesis: Digital Transformation, SaaS Transformation
Value Creation : Carve Outs, M&A integration, Growth and Exits
Domain : Critical Workflows, Emergency Management, Education, Geospatial, Fraud, Supply Chain
Markets : Financial Services, Manufacturing, Federal and State and Local, K-12, Healthcare, select International
Ownerships: Public (3), VC owned/Startups (2), PE owned (3)
Founded in 1995, ECI is the market leader in end-to-end technology solutions for the financial industry. We enable 1000+ forward-thinking organizations around the world to reach new performance levels through innovative technology solutions that drive business transformation. ECI uniquely understands the high touch needs of organizations in the financial space and our experience servicing these global leaders gives ECI the edge as your trusted technology partner. With offices across the United States, Europe, and Asia, we provide localized, personalized service on a global scale. ECI employs more than 900 professionals around the world, and we have a proven track record of employing the best employees which is important when building out teams to support clients.
With over 15 years of experience as a chief executive officer and a board advisor, I am passionate about building innovative technology companies and bringing them to the top tier of highly competitive global markets. I have a proven track record of driving revenue growth, leading mergers and acquisitions, and navigating businesses through significant changes and rapid growth. I also have extensive expertise in cybersecurity, managed services, cloud solutions, and business continuity for various industries, especially financial services.
As the CEO of ECI, the dominant provider of managed services to the financial services industry, I am focused on leading the company into its next phase of growth by expanding its product offerings and strengthening its market position. ECI serves more than 1,000 customers worldwide, managing over $3 trillion in assets, with solutions for cloud readiness, workplace transformation, and cybersecurity. Prior to joining ECI, I co-founded and led Avertium, one of the largest cybersecurity providers in the mid to large enterprise market, serving over 1,200 clients across the United States. I also serve as a board advisor for ACC Consumer Finance, a revolutionary lending platform for the gig economy, and IoT Secure, a simple and affordable IoT security solution for organizations of all sizes. Additionally, I am an active investor in emerging technology ventures. I believe in a people-first approach to leadership, and I strive to inspire and empower my teams, clients, and partners to achieve excellence and innovation.
Established in 1953, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) is a professional services network and the eighth-largest accountancy firm in the United States. Our services include Wealth Advisory, Tax, Audit and Digital as well as Consulting and Outsourcing across the United States and throughout the globe. Our vast network of professionals and resources are seamlessly presented and delivered for our clients. We believe that by getting to know our clients well, we’ll be in a better position to help them. We start with conversations, ask questions that matter, and listen. Our clients find innovative advice that is clear and actionable, driven by industry-specialized teams. We turn challenges into opportunities.
Mathew is a member of CliftonLarsonAllen’s federal tax strategies (FTS) practice.
Mathew has 20+ years of public accounting experience, specifically in the credits and incentives arena covering a range of subjects, which include the Research and Development Tax Credit, Accounting Methods and Inventory, IRC Section 199 (Domestic Production Activities Deduction), the Tangible Property Regulations, and Meals and Entertainment Studies. Prior to joining CLA, he served as a tax professional at two other large public accounting firms, which included five years at one firm’s national tax office. Throughout his career, he has consulted with companies of all sizes, from closely-held businesses to large multinational corporations in different industries (technology, manufacturing, health care, retail, hospitality, real estate, and financial services) as it pertains to U.S. federal income tax matters on the subject areas noted above.
Purvi started her career in software development and then moved over to accounting after a few years. She worked for small firms for the first 11 years of her accounting career and then became part of CLA through an acquisition in January 2016. She has spent her accounting career providing tax and accounting solutions to privately held businesses and their owners. She serves clients primarily in the retail industry.
Email: Purvi.Shah@claconnect.com
Morris, Manning & Martin is a full-service law firm with national and international reach. We dedicate ourselves to the constant pursuit of our clients’ success. In order to provide our clients with optimal value, we combine market-leading legal services with a total understanding of their needs to maximize effectiveness, efficiency and opportunity.
Our Firm and lawyers possess a keen understanding of our clients’ businesses and the sectors in which they operate. Legal solutions are delivered by industry-focused, diverse, involved lawyers who are dedicated to their clients’ success, whether in a transaction, in court or in the everyday course of business.
David M. Calhoun is a partner in the firm’s Corporate Securities, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Financial Technologies practices. Mr. Calhoun practices in the areas of corporate finance, securities, and mergers and acquisitions. He has significant experience in public and private securities and corporate finance, including representation of issuers, underwriters, and investors. Representative transactions include debt and equity offerings (public and private), going private transactions, venture capital financings, IPOs, secondary offerings of common and preferred securities, PIPEs (private investments in public equity), and tender offers. Mr. Calhoun has been active in mergers and acquisitions for public and private companies, including acting as counsel in transactions ranging in size from less than $100,000 to over $1 billion. Representative M&A transactions include representation of both buyers and sellers in mergers, asset sales, stock sales, international and cross-border transactions, and leveraged buy-outs. He has represented companies in numerous industries, including technology, financial technology, green tech, logistics/freight forwarding, medical devices, business process outsourcing, manufacturing, and financial institutions. Mr. Calhoun’s practice also includes general corporate counseling, corporate governance, audit and special committee representation, and securities law compliance matters.
Email: dmc@mmmlaw.com
Puzzle Recruitment is a recruiting and nearshore staffing company based in Atlanta, GA. We take an integrative approach to streamline the hiring process connecting bold companies and bright people to working together.
Whether you’re searching for a new job or filling a position, Puzzle Recruitment can help. Our recruiting expertise spans a broad range of fields, including Sales & Marketing, IT, Customer Service, and more.
Puzzle Recruitment is a recruiting and nearshore staffing company based in Atlanta, GA. We take an integrative approach to streamline the hiring process connecting bold companies and bright people to working together.
Whether you’re searching for a new job or filling a position, Puzzle Recruitment can help. Our recruiting expertise spans a broad range of fields, including Sales & Marketing, IT, Customer Service, and more.
You make the hire; we make it simple. Let’s connect!
carlos@puzzle.tech
Renasant Corporation, a 118-year-old financial services institution, is the parent of Renasant Bank. Renasant has assets of approximately $16.9 billion and operates 196 banking, mortgage, financial services and insurance offices throughout Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Zennie W Lynch Jr. serves as the Atlanta Market President for Renasant Bank. Under his leadership, the bank will focus on serving the needs of small to medium sized businesses (and their principals) throughout the region. Renasant Bank is one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with approximately $14.8 billion in assets and more than 200 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.
Email: zennie.lynch@renasant.com
I am a Commercial Banker with nearly 25 years of experience in Financial Services & Commercial Banking. I provide a relationship based focus in positioning relevant banking solutions and structure creative financing and treasury/cash management packages for companies in the Southeast with sales ranging from $3MM to $1.5B. I serve my clients as a dedicated professional who acts as an ambassador between the business owner and the bank, positioning strategic ideas and solutions in line with my client’s short term and long-term goals and objectives. I believe in making banking easy for my clients and allow them to focus on running their business and not worrying about their bank. As your your banker, I make myself easily accessible, responsive and have your best interests in mind. I believe that it is important to be proactive in sharing ideas and recommendations to enable business owners to flourish in success. My value added approach not only allows me to leverage my network within the realm of banking but to provide solutions for business owners outside the scope of the bank.
Industry experience includes service, healthcare, wholesale, distribution, manufacturing, construction, aerospace, mitigation banking, institutional, trucking/logistics, beverage, landscaping, firearms, correspondent banking and commercial real estate (income-producing and owner occupied).
Email: scott.freese@renasant.com
SGR is a full service, International law firm that advises regional, national, and global businesses on a wide range of legal matters. The firm’s 270 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 45 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, real estate, construction, employment law, and employee benefits and executive compensation. Founded in 1893, SGR has offices in Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Chicago, Jacksonville, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Southampton, and Washington, D.C.
Gregory J. Kirsch is a Partner and the Head of the Intellectual Property Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP.
Mr. Kirsch serves as patent counsel to clients ranging from large multinational corporations to small start-ups, as well as universities. His practice encompasses the entire range of patent law, including patent procurement, strategic patent portfolio development, patent opinions (infringement, validity and patentability), post grant proceedings, licensing, as well as patent litigation. He has served as a patent expert in a patent litigation matter, and has participated in patent opposition hearings at the European Patent Office. He has prepared and obtained many hundreds of patents during his career for a diverse clientele, for inventions spanning the full range of technologies, including software, business methods, computer technology, electronics, communications technology, analog and digital circuitry, medical technology, mechanics, electromechanics, plus many others. In addition to his US patent practice, Mr. Kirsch has extensive experience overseeing and pursuing on behalf of his clients patent protection in patent offices throughout the world, utilizing patent treaties (Paris Convention and the Patent Cooperation Treaty), in coordination with foreign patent counsel.
In addition to his full-time legal practice, Mr. Kirsch has served as an Adjunct Professor of patent law at Emory University School of Law since 1997, and as an Adjunct Professor of intellectual property law at Washington University School of Law (St. Louis) since 2011. He is a frequent speaker at national and regional conferences on various intellectual property topics, and has contributed chapters on patent law to two books.
Mr. Kirsch serves on the Board and on the Executive Committee of the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce-Southeast, and is a past Chair of the State Bar of Georgia’s Intellectual Property Law Section. He’s also been active in the Intellectual Property Section of the American Bar Association, and is a past Chair of that section’s Patent Policy Committee.
Mr. Kirsch received his B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Iowa in 1987. He received his J.D. from Washington University School of Law in 1990, where he was Notes & Comments Editor of the Washington University Law Quarterly. Mr. Kirsch is admitted to practice in Washington, D.C., Georgia, Virginia and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Email: gkirsch@sgrlaw.com
Brett Lockwood is a Partner in the Corporate Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP and chairs the Firm’s Technology Law Practice Group.
Mr. Lockwood devotes a substantial portion of his practice to serving as principal outside counsel with his clients, advising on corporate, cybersecurity and technology issues as well as significant business transactions. His practice areas include mergers and acquisitions, cybersecurity and data privacy, technology transactions, licensing, strategic alliances and corporate finance matters.
He has published extensively on business and legal topics in many publications and has spoken widely about technology legal matters. Mr. Lockwood is AV Rated (top rating) from Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized as a Georgia Super Lawyer.
His current professional affiliations include serving as Co-Chair of the Atlanta Chapter of the Licensing Executives Society and as a member of the ACG’s Capital Connection Planning Committee, the International Association of Privacy Professionals, and the Technology Association of Georgia. He has previously served as a Board member and officer of the Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals, the Executive Committee of the State Bar of Georgia’s Technology Law Section (former Chair), the Business & Technology Alliance, the Atlanta Electronic Commerce Forum, the Georgia Technology Forum, Literacy Volunteers of America (Metro Atlanta), and as the Editor-in-Chief of the Georgia Bar Journal.
Mr. Lockwood received his B.A. degree, cum laude, from the University of North Florida, performed graduate studies at Columbia University’s School of International Affairs and received his J.D. degree, with distinction, from Emory University School of Law. During law school he served as Executive Managing Editor of the Emory Law Journal and received the Laughlin Award for excellence in legal research and writing.
Email: BLOCKWOOD@sgrlaw.com
MONTAG has been a family-run wealth management business for 40 years, serving individuals, families, and institutions in Atlanta and across the country.
We know that every client and institution we serve has their own unique story and mission, one that deserves more than a conversation with an anonymous voice, conducted over a customer service line. For individuals and families, we take the time to get to know you — to learn how you have built your net worth and understand your investment philosophy and priorities. Above all, we listen to your financial goals, dreams, and fears. For institutions, we start with a clear understanding of the balance sheet obligations and income statement. This information is a key part of the research and analysis necessary to develop customized investment objectives, including risk tolerance and other investment criteria. From there, we structure institutional portfolios, like endowments, accordingly, taking into account risk and return dynamics as well as the fiduciary obligations of board and staff members.
One of the main differences in working with MONTAG is that our clients have direct access to their Portfolio Managers, allowing them to build lifelong relationships with professionals who have years of front-line investing experience. We don’t rely on selling models or off-the-shelf investment products. We don’t try to fit our clients into a box. Together, we craft a personalized investment strategy in an effort to protect your assets and grow your wealth over generations. When your goals or life circumstances change along the way, your Portfolio Manager is only a phone call away to ensure your strategy evolves with your circumstances.
Visit our website at www.montagwealthmanagement.com or contact our Client Services team today by calling 404.522.5774 / emailing info@montagwealth.com to get in touch.
As Chief Executive Officer of MONTAG, I have overall managerial responsibility of the firm and day to day I oversee business development, marketing, compliance and operations. After completing an MBA at Emory, I joined my father, mother, and brother (now President and CIO) at MONTAG in 1996, and took over the reins as CEO in 2009. I am eager to continue growing this company, now in its 40th year, working directly with both clients and prospects, and developing the staff that is, ultimately, MONTAG’s greatest asset.
Email: nedmontag@montagwealth.com
Vice President of Sales
Larry has principal responsibility for developing the number and quality of relationships to help grow the firm’s client base. His focus is on finding new business opportunities through spending time with current clients, acknowledged prospects, and qualified intermediaries.
Prior to joining MONTAG in 2016, Larry spent five years as Principal and Co-Founder of a local RIA firm, which has since merged with another firm in Texas. In the years before starting his firm, Larry spent 27 years with Davis, Mendel and Regenstein, Inc. — a broker-dealer for Ned Davis Research, Inc. At NDR, Larry served more than 120 institutional firms while becoming a Managing Director. His strong client relationships led him to become one of the top sales representatives in the firm. Coincidentally, Larry was the client representative who covered MONTAG for many years.
Larry is a native of Atlanta, with family roots here dating to 1890. He has two sons and a daughter, all residing and building careers in the Atlanta area. Outside of the office, Larry enjoys being with family, golfing, cooking, and spending time at the lake.
Email: LarryMendel@montagwealth.com
The Atlanta CEO Council has been an important part of the Atlanta business community fabric for almost 2 decades. It remains our great honor to partner with the Council as it uniquely serves the needs of top executives in some of the region’s best companies & non-profits. There’s not another organization quite like it in our rapidly growing city and region.
Peter Baron, Founder and Principal, Carabiner Communications
ATL CTO gathers the best and brightest product development tech leaders. Then, we bring them together to network and collaborate. We’re all about learning from each other. Plain and simple. We bring great people together to exchange innovative ideas. We’re united by our passion for building technology, right here in Atlanta.
I like to build. Software. Infrastructure that runs software. Teams that build software and run infrastructure. Organizations that deliver value through technical achievement. I like to build.
For over 20 years I have worked with engineering teams large and small, at companies large and small. Together we optimized MPLS networks with hundreds of nodes in real time, we automated the planning of $65M/yr of IP and voice capacity, we delivered self-service insurance claims to 40M mobile phone users, and we migrated petabytes of data and over 150M users to Google Cloud Platform.
I’m interested in truly agile approaches to getting things done and in continuously improving my product, my team, and my craft.
Jay Sandhaus is a technology executive with twenty years experience growing companies, building teams and delivering great software. He is hands-on and loves to code as well as manage and set technology direction.
Jay leads the technology organization at PriorAuthNow, an innovative health care technology company. Previously he was Sr. Vice President of Technology at Mobilewalla, a consumer intelligence company that specializes in data science and artificial intelligence, and CTO of PlayOn Sports and the NFHS Network. Before PlayOn, he was Senior Director of Content Management and Social Media at Turner, where he built the publishing platform for Turner’s digital properties, including CNN.com, NBA.com, and NCAA.com. Jay wrote software for the Foreign Exchange desk at Goldman Sachs and led development of Emmy-award winning projects for the PGA Tour and NASCAR.com at Sportvision. He serves his community as the treasurer of the Freedom Park Conservancy and organized the Friends of Freedom Bridge. Jay received a MS in Computer Science from Columbia University.
Specialties: AWS, Video, Leadership, Building teams, Planning, Strategic vision, Product Development
Venture Atlanta is the region’s largest venture conference gathering together more than 1,200 entrepreneurs, investors, leaders, and students for a high-caliber, 2-day conference.
We began 14 years ago with one mission – to connect companies to capital. Today, this mission has expanded beyond monetary capital to connect startups with the resources, network, clients, partnerships, and talent they need to grow. Venture Atlanta has played an important role in the tech ecosystem of the Southeast and is proud to be a part of so many success stories in the community.
Our network of 575 alumni companies have collectively achieved have led to $4.7B in funding raised and $14B in successful exits.
It takes a village to make an event as exceptional as Venture Atlanta a reality. Our incredible team of leaders and visionaries work throughout the year to recruit the best companies, investors and sponsors to bring the event to life.
Sales, Marketing and Business Development senior leader and executive with over 30 years of experience. I have what it takes to help a company, conference or organization grow and thrive! Extensive fundraising skills.
At SouthStar Funding, I was responsible for all marketing and communications during my 9 1/ 2 year tenure. SouthStar Funding grew to be one of the most reputable, respected and trusted wholesale mortgage lenders in the country. SouthStar received many accolades including A+ Employer, Fastest Growing Privately Held Company and was on Inc. 500’s list of fasting growing privately held companies.
I am currently the CEO for Venture Atlanta. Venture Atlanta is the premier investor showcase in the Southeast. The conference brings the most innovative technology companies together with top-tier investors from around the country. It is an opportunity for anyone who works with emerging technology companies or investors to network, interact and make great connections.
Stone Soup Tech is a US-Romanian company specializing in innovative and complex software projects that integrate Artificial Intelligence, big data, web or desktop solutions and native or hybrid mobile applications. Product market fit is the key for a product to achieve its purpose and be successful. As a result, we have extended our team to offer product and brand strategy, UI&UX design, and digital marketing. We understand the client’s business, and we work together with them to achieve their objectives!
Brad Constantinescu has been doing project based software development & management for the past 16 years, with a track record in AI & Data Mining applications.
He is the current President and CTO of Stone Soup Technologies, a US software development and media agency. Stone Soup Tech is based in the Atlanta area and London, with a decent sized development team based in Romania.
He is also the CTO of JustNow Inc, an AI powered food waste start-up, as well as Interim CTO for HealthWitz, an AI powered health start-up.
After going through the Springboard business accelerator in 2012 (currently TechStars London), Brad wanted to help other start-ups on their journy so he became a TechStars mentor.
In the past he was the CTO of 2MinuteValet, a parking management start-up, as well as the CEO of Housepedia, a real estate technology start-up based on AI. He’s been involved in developing Mobile & Online education with the School of Values NGO (www.scoaladevalori.ro), both as a project manager & lead developer for the www.growedu.ro platform student & trainee tracking application.
He has a Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence from the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Bucharest.
With the AI Olympics AI-MAS team (www.aiolympics.ro/2011/about/the-team/) he’s been a lead developer and architect for an AI game platform & SDK development: a platform made for AI’s to battle in a popular turn based strategy game, including multi-threaded test servers and SDKs for AI development
He was CEO of a Romanian internet company at the age of 22 – Omnitech Net.
Specialties: Software architecture & development, Project & business management, Artificial Intelligence
Brad has a passion for challenge and innovation and works towards transforming the world into a better and smarter place by use of technology.
