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High Velocity Radio

Month: August 2012

Ronco Johnson with LR Johnson and Associates, Inc. and Joey Sommerville with Jay Vox, Inc.

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L. Ronco Johnson/LR Johnson and Associates, Inc.

L. Ronco Johnson, LUTCF is the President/CEO of LR Johnson and Associates, Inc., an independently owned insurance and financial service consulting firm located in Marietta, Georgia that specializes in using the tax advantages of life insurance products to assist in minimizing possible tax issues for affluent individuals, athletes, entertainers, and business owners.

Ronco is a Kennesaw State University Alumni (former NCAA Basketball collegiate athlete) and former Atlanta Jazz radio personality who has built a strong professional practice in the field of insurance and financial services.  For nearly fifteen years his firm has been dedicated to helping its clients build wealth and protect their hard-earned assets by introducing a variety of concepts and strategies to their clientele.

Ronco was most recently named in the upcoming September/October 2012 edition of NAIFA’s Advisor Today Magazine “Four Under Forty” Award winner, TOP 100 Magazine September 2012 edition, “Business Person of Week” by The American Chronicle and recognized amongst “Who’s Who of Professionals and Executives” for 2011-2012.

Joey Sommerville/Jay Vox, Inc.

Trumpeteer and producer Joey Sommerville has performed and recorded with artists from mega-rock group Phish to hip-hop producer, Jazze Pha. He was featured on The Cirque de Soleil’s Grammy-nominated album, “Alegria”, has 4 solo albums and appears on Hidden Beach Recordings “Unwrapped Volume 4”. Joey produced Rhonda Smith’s “RS2” featuring Prince, Sheila E. and Fred Hammond which was selected for “10 Best Albums of the Year” by Music Magazine (Japan). He is also the producer of violinist Ken Ford’s album, “Right Now”. In 2007, Joey started the Thursday night jazz series at Atlanta’s Sambuca Jazz Cafe, performing with the a host of musical guests including Wayman Tisdale, Alex Bugnon, Peabo Bryson, Ann Nesby, Ronnie Laws and more. His latest release entitled “The Get Down Club” is currently receiving rave reviews and international airplay. The album features guest performances from Najee, Jeff Lorber, Marion Meadows, Bob Baldwin and more. Joey is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including The 2009 American Society of Young Musicians All That Jazz Award.

Lanelle Henderson with Constant Contact, Susie Brown with NeuroScience Foundation, Dr. Marshall Nash with NeuroStudies.net, and Randy Gold with AGH

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Lanelle Henderson/Constant Contact

Lanelle Henderson, Regional Development Director at Constant Contact, is a marketing expert and passionate entrepreneur with more than 18 years of experience helping small businesses, non-profits and associations apply the power of relationship marketing to grow their organization. She has worked with hundreds of Georgia entrepreneurs – ranging from novice to seasoned marketers – on how to grow their customer or member base through sharp business practices and smart online marketing programs, including email marketing, event marketing and social media marketing. An active member of the Georgia business community, Lanelle is a popular speaker and trainer on marketing and business topics with a special interest in hospitality, community and education, and a focus on empowering women.

Susie W. Brown/NeuroScience Foundation

Susie W. Brown, the first Executive Director for NeuroScience Foundation, has over 25 years experience working with non-profit organizations. Susie obtained her Masters of Health Science from Wichita State University and began her 20 year career with United Way in 1985. Most recently , she held positions with the New York Urban League and the Center for Children’s Initiatives. Susie joined NeuroScience Foundation in June 2011.

Marshall L. Nash, MD/NeuroStudies.net

Marshall L. Nash, MD is a Certified Physician Investigator, CEO of NeuroStudies.net and Director of Stroke and Neuroscience Research at Gwinnett Medical Center. Dr. Nash is involved in some of the most promising and exciting research trials in Neurology.  Dr. Nash has been a Certified Physician Investigator (CPI) since 2002 and is one of only a few private practice neurologists worldwide who devote 100% of their clinical practice time to clinical research. He began private practice in 1993 and founded Dekalb Neurology Associates, LLC in 1999 where he devotes his time exclusively to clinical research. As an expert consultant for many academic and pharmaceutical research projects, Dr. Nash has participated in over 100 major research trials focused on discovering new treatments for neurological diseases and conditions including the original NINDS t-PA trials, an investigative thrombolytic which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of stroke. He has successfully been one of the leading enrollers in studies for stroke prevention, acute stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and neuropathy. NSFoundation was created September 2010 and received its 501(c)3 designation in June 2011.

Randy Gold/AGH

Randy Gold brings talent and experience to the firm’s real estate and construction practice in his role as Principal and Chief Operating Officer of AGH.  Randy has an extensive background representing commercial and multifamily real estate developers and investors through purchase/sale transactions, deal structuring, consulting and reporting.  With more than 14 years of experience representing pension funds, private investment groups, insurance companies and builders with portfolio assets ranging from $25 million to $5 billion, Randy’s clients rely on his practical expertise to help them meet their goals.

In his role as Chief Operating Officer of one of the leading accounting firms in the Southeast, Randy is responsible for helping to create the strategy and tactics to support AGH’s long term vision of developing expert team members who provide the foremost client communication and service.  Focused on business development, Randy helps the firm continue its history of significant growth in each of its practice areas.

Penny Morriss and Ellen Roberson with Watson Penland, Gary Kneller with CareMinders Home Care, Andy Macke with Comcast Cable Communications, and Bill Jones and Steve Bachman with CollectorDash

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Penny Morriss/Watson Penland

Penny Morriss, Co-Founder of Watson Penland, is the Owner of Concierge Services of Atlanta, a company she founded in 1997 that provides specialized services to Class A office buildings, private clubs, luxury condominiums, and private individuals. Penny began working for Prentiss Properties in 1988 as Atlanta’s first corporate concierge for One Atlantic Center in Midtown. From 1994 to 1997, Morriss worked for the Washington, DC-based Intercontinental Concierge Corporation as the General Manager of their Atlanta office. Penny spearheaded the founding of Watson Penland when she saw the need for an Atlanta company to cater to the city’s thriving cosmopolitan lifestyle and burgeoning film and television industry.

Ellen Roberson/Watson Penland

Ellen Watson Roberson,  Co-Founder of Watson Penland, founded Pace Travel of Atlanta in 1985 and over the span of twenty-five years has led a global travel agency catering to both corporate and leisure travelers as well as Atlanta’s entertainment industry including Lionsgate and Tyler Perry Studios. Pace Travel was consistently recognized for over a decade as one of Atlanta’s top twenty travel agencies and top female-owned firms. Ellen is a member of the International Airline Travel Agent Network. Ellen collaborated with Penny Morriss to form Watson Penland in an effort to merge their vast expertise in the travel and service industries. She now divides her time between the Atlanta and Los Angeles Watson Penland offices.

Gary Kneller/CareMinders Home Care

A few years ago Gary, in his mid-50s today, received some shocking news — he had stage three Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The diagnosis initially was overwhelming — he had a hard time handling the uncertainty of cancer. But, as Gary has done in his life many, many times personally and professionally, he saw opportunity where many would see doom. Gary witnessed firsthand how the level of care in a lot of facilities didn’t meet the needs of patients. It was a motivating factor for him to launch CareMinders Home Care. In fact, he designed CareMinders to deliver care at home at a quality level that goes beyond what he ever received at a healthcare facility — by a landslide. He’s actually said that CareMinders honors those like him that have survived the rigors of cancer treatment.

Now Gary is taking his mission beyond the Atlanta market – into all U.S. markets. He’s already led CareMinders into franchising, opening in 15 states. Gary’s personal experience has resulted in a home care concept that offers more medical and non-medical services than any other franchise out there — his personal experience is a big reason why. A serial entrepreneur in every sense, Gary had previously owned a television station, a financial planning business and has other endeavors under his belt as well. But, the launch of CareMinders just a few years ago served as a practice in patience, persistence and perseverance. His successful triumph over cancer has given Gary a new lease on life — personally he’s now getting married and he is pouring all the energy he can into CareMinders.

Andy Macke/Comcast Cable Communications

As Vice President of Government and Community Affairs for Comcast’s Big South Region, Andy Macke develops strategic relationships with government officials and community leaders to support Comcast’s business goals and strengthen the community. He is directly responsible for Comcast’s regulatory compliance, operations support and community investment in the 32 counties around the city of Atlanta. Andy is also responsible for overseeing Comcast’s community investment strategy including Comcast Cares Day and United Way, among others.

Andy currently serves on the executive committee of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce as Immediate Past Chairman. He also serves as a board member of the Cable Television Association of Georgia (CTAG) and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. In the past, Andy has been recognized by the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce with the “Chet Wells Award” for his outstanding leadership, and he was honored as the “Board Member of the Year” by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce for his work with the Education Committee.

Andy began his career in cable with AT&T Broadband and has worked for the Georgia Municipal Association as a Franchise Coordinator advising cities and counties on franchise related matters. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Georgia and a Master of Science degree in Telecommunications Policy from Georgia Tech.

Bill Jones/CollectorDash

Bill, Founder and CEO of CollectorDash, has a twenty-plus year track record of value creation. He has built two businesses from a very early stage through maturity. Bill was most recently President of Air2Web, Inc., a leading mobile marketing software-as-service business. With top enterprise and network operators as customers, Air2Web delivered over a billion text messages to consumers each year.

Prior to Air2Web, Bill was Director of Product Management for all of Nokia’s enterprise software. Bill was one of the top two executives leading Intellisync’s sale to Nokia. At Intellisync, he was the VP of Products running a varied portfolio of mobile software products sold to enterprise, carrier and consumer segments.

Prior to Synchrologic/Intellisync/Nokia, Bill ran global product management and user interface design for Lotus/IBM’s suite of desktop applications. He was a pioneer in Windows applications at Samna.

Steve Bachman/CollectorDash

Steve Bachman, Vice President of Strategy at CollectorDash, is a proven executive with more than 30 years of experience building and growing startup and fast growth software and tech companies while creating shareholder value. His experience spans software, cloud based solutions, financial technology, e-commerce, mobile solutions, and information security.

Bachman was Founder & CEO of Automated Design Systems (sold to McAfee), President of Marshal Software Americas (sold to NetIQ), Founder & Director of Glue Communications (sold to Xcelerate), and Advisor & VP of Sales to c360 (sold to CDC Software). Steve is currently a Founder & Director of UK-based Image Analyzer and Director of AuditMyBooks.

Bachman is also the past President and Director of the Southeast Software Association, Founder and past Director of the Technology Association of Georgia, and currently a Founder and Director of both the Wireless Technology Forum and the Executive Sales & Marketing Association.

The Georgia Society of CPAs and Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk’s Panel of Tax Experts Including: Carlye W. Buchanan, Marc Schwartz, Colin E. Blalock, and Denise W. Grove

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Today’s High Velocity Radio featured a panel of Tax Experts assembled by Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk and the Georgia Society of CPAs. Bonnie co-hosted the show today with regular host Stone Payton.

Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk is the president and founder of BBR Marketing, a firm that provides marketing strategy and services to professional services firms.

Check Out The GSCPA’s Upcoming Event Here:

Southeastern Accounting Show (8/29 & 8/30)

 

And Here’s A Little Background Info On Our Panel Members . . .

 

Carlye W. Buchanan/ Windham Brannon, PC

Carlye W. Buchanan is a principal with Windham Brannon’s tax division. Carlye specializes in complex multi-state service businesses, large not for profit organizations, and high net worth individual income tax planning and preparation. She performs and enjoys extensive projects on various accounting topics that require significant interpretation of tax law.

Carlye’s specializations include Large Not-for-Profit Organizations, Complex Multi-State Tax Services, and High Net Worth Individuals with Multi-State Returns.

 

Marc Schwartz/Schwartz International

Marc Schwartz is a partner with Schwartz International, a firm that takes pride in providing an alternative for companies and individuals looking for top-tier international tax consulting expertise with the flexibility, responsiveness and personal touch only a smaller firm can provide. Marc has lived and worked in the US and abroad in both governmental and private sector roles. His diversified experience has allowed him to bring a global perspective to the business. He holds a B.A. from Colgate University, a Master’s in International Affairs from Columbia University, and a law degree from Emory University. He is also a CPA.

 

Colin E. Blalock/Jones and Kolb, CPA

Colin E. Blalock, CPA, PFS, CFP, was admitted to the firm Jones and Kolb as a shareholder in 1986. Prior to joining Jones and Kolb, he was with the Internal Revenue Service in Atlanta and later became a partner with a regional CPA firm. Since 1971, Colin’s practice has been concentrated in the areas of nonprofit organizations, corporate and individual taxation, and representation in IRS tax controversies.

Colin received the Personal Financial Specialist designation from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Certified Financial Planner designation from the College for Financial Planning. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants (GSCPA), The Georgia Society of Association Executives, the Financial Planning Association and the Atlanta Alumni of Revenue Agents.

Colin is the Immediate Past Chair of the Georgia Society of CPAs. He is the past President and a Trustee of Georgia Federal Tax Conference. Colin is a member and past Chair of the Gulf Coast Tax Exempt/Governmental Entities IRS Advisory Council. He is a member and past chair of the Taxation Forum Conference task force, Nonprofit Conference and the Taxation Section of the GSCPA. Colin is a prolific speaker on tax topics and facilitates several discussion groups. In 2002, he received the “Distinguished Service Award” from the GSCPA Continuing Education Committee. Colin was selected the 2006-2007 “Executive-in-Residence” for the School of Accountancy of Georgia Southern University. Colin was recognized by Atlanta Business Chronicle in its selection of Who’s Who In Accounting 2011.

*** Colin talked about this site during the show — Fantastic Resource ! ***

TotalTaxInsights.org

Total Tax Insights is the first tax calculator to offer a comprehensive view of how taxes affect us. It’s brought to you by the American Institute of CPAs, a longtime advocate for sound tax policy, tax simplification and taxpayer education.

 

Denise W. Grove/CFO Support, Inc. – CEO & Founder/ Georgia Society of CPAs – State Treasurer and Board of Directors Member

Denise W. Grove, a CPA with over 30 years of experience, founded CFO Support, Inc. in 1998 to provide customized finance and accounting consulting services to organizations requiring in-house expertise on a part-time basis or with needs beyond their staff resources. Denise’s vast experience in public, private and start-up organizations assists owners and management in developing key performance measures to grow their companies and establishing cost-effective finance and accounting models to achieve overall entity improved financial performance. Her background is an outstanding combination of experience in large to small and public or privately held companies to offer broad based accounting and business advice.

Denise is active in her profession serving in national, state and local volunteer positions with the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the Georgia Society of CPAs (GSCPA). On a national level, Denise served for seven years on the editorial board for the Journal of Accountancy.