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Simply Buckhead Radio

Debra Johnston with Berkshire Hathaway Luxury Collection and Ted Jenkin with oXYGen Financial

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Debra Johnston / Berkshire Hathaway Luxury Collection. Residential Real Estate
Luxury Collection Specialist

After a successful career as a top corporate executive, Debra Johnston entered the real estate industry with 25 years of sales & marketing experience. It paid o. In 2011 she brokered the second largest sale in Atlanta, putting her in the top 5% of real estate agents in the city. Then in 2014, she represented the buyer in the second largest sale in Atlanta. A fixture on Atlanta Board of Realtors’ prestigious Multi-Million Dollar Sales Club, Debra’s $30M listing portfolio currently features Buckhead’s most distinguished properties.

With a love of modern architecture and a passion for design, real estate comes naturally to Debra Johnston. “I specialize in superb marketing to best represent each client’s property,” says the 22-year Buckhead resident. “Whether a listing is worth one or $25 million, I pay attention to every detail and come up with a bespoke campaign. I pull out all the stops — aerial photography, video, floor plans, e-mail marketing, wide internet exposure and timely one-on-one consultations.” The proof is in Debra’s extensive clientele of elite buyers and sellers and her working relationship with Hollywood and Atlanta’s film industry. Known for her lively “Residence of the Month” open houses, Debra’s creative marketing/buying plan, implemented by Berkshire Hathaway Luxury Collection’s international marketing team, guarantees top exposure for all consumers and real estate brokers.

So, if you’re in the market for a new home today or just making plans for tomorrow, get the best — Debra Johnston.

Achievements & Certifications

• Current portfolio valued over $30M
• Second-highest Residential Sale 2011 & 2014
• ABR Multi-Million Dollar Sales Club 2005, 2007-2014
• Top Agent Magazine: Top 25 Georgia Agent 2013-2014
• Exclusive Atlanta agent – Haute Living Magazine
• Exclusive Atlanta agent – ClienteleLuxury.com
• Exclusive Atlanta agent – Chic Metropolitan Magazine
• Berkshire Hathaway Luxury Collection Specialist
• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chairman’s Circle – Platinum Level
• Atlanta Board of REALTORS®
• National Association of REALTORS®

DebraAJohnston.com | Twitter |  LinkedIn

 

Ted Jenkin/ oXYGen Financial Inc.
Co-CEO and Founder

Ted has been a financial advisor for more than 22 years and a CFP® for over 17 years. In 2008, Ted founded oXYGen Financial to help change the financial services industry by creating a new company that focused on serving the X and Y Generation. oXYGen Financial now has more than 1,400 client households over 320 million AUM. Ted has been featured in over 30 magazines and newspapers including being a current featured columnist on the The Wall Street Journal, The Experts, CNN/Headline News, and The Huffington Post. He has been on the cover of Investment News and REP magazine, runs a top ranked financial blog www.yoursmartmoneymoves.com, and is a social media guru. He has six advanced designations from the College for Financial Planning (CFP®, CRPC®, CRPS®, AWMA®, AAMS®, CMFC®).
Ted lives in Milton, GA with his wife Genna and three kids.

oXYGenFinancial.net | Personal Finance Blog | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Zeb Stevenson with Watershed on Peachtree, Camille Kesler with Atlanta Symphony Associates

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Zeb Stevenson / Watershed on Peachtree
Executive Chef

Zeb Stevenson, a former Cornell art major, has risen through the ranks to make a culinary name for himself in Atlanta. Zeb thrived as a young sous chef at the renowned Dick & Harrys restaurant where he honed his technical skills of butchery, charcuterie, pastry and sauce work. He then advanced his career taking on the position of executive sous chef and opening Spice Market while training under Jean-Georges Vongerichtens, one of the worlds best and most famous chefs. Zebs next career move led him to The Livingston as chef de cuisine collaborating with chef Gary Mennie and he was quickly promoted to executive chef. During his tenure at The Livingston, he won Food Networks Chopped cooking competition show and opened Proof + Provision speakeasy, which became an immediate success. Zeb is USDA certified in canning which adds a unique creativity to his repertoire. He comes to Watershed after successfully completing a one-year project assisting Concentrics Restaurant Group in rebranding Parish restaurant. Zeb has evolved into a forward thinking chef and his commitment to local and sustainable ingredients allows him to be at his creative best.

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | YELP

 

Camille Kesler / Atlanta Symphony Associates
President

Camille Kelser, president of the Atlanta Symphony Associates and chair of the Atlanta Symphony Decorators’ Show House & Gardens

decoratorsshowhouse.org | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | FACEBOOK

Lib Thompson with Sandy Springs Society, Andy Brent with GolfTEC

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Lib Thompson / Sandy Springs Society
President

Lib is a long-time resident of Sandy Springs and president of the Sandy Springs Society, the city’s leading philanthropic organization with 300-plus women who support programs that improve the quality of life for residents in Sandy Springs.

www.sandyspringssociety.org

Andy Brent / GolfTEC
City Manager (Atlanta)

Andy is a Mississippi State Professional Golf Management (PGM) Graduate and PGA Member who has given over 15,000 lessons since starting with GolfTEC in 2001.

www.golftec.com
www.golftec.com/golf-lessons/atlanta/buckhead

 

Drew French with Your Pie, John Plesnarski with Eighteen Eight Fine Men’s Salons, Dr. Tim Kelly with Buckhead Wellness Center, Trisha Cornett with Diptyque, Danielle Rollins

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John “Skip” Plesnarski/Eighteen Eight Fine Men’s Salons
Franchisee Owner Operator

John Plesnarski is President and Owner of Plezco, Inc. He has recently invested in Eighteen Eight, a franchise which provides Hair Styling and Grooming Services for Men. He owns the territory rights in Atlanta which he plans on developing over the next three years.

John retired from corporate America in 2012. He is an accomplished Senior Supply Chain Leader with a wide breadth of global experience at Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB). John began his career in Finance and moved to several business Operations leadership roles. He spent the majority of his career leading a Global Supply Chain organization which supported the Safety Business Unit in the contract manufacturing, importing and distribution of personal protective equipment.

As Director of Global Supply Chain, John was responsible for vendor management in Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand and China. He also led a shared services organization which included Logistics, Customer Service, Information Systems, Sourcing and Supply and worked closely with the Sales organization to support customer expectations. John was instrumental in the successful expansion of contract manufacturing footprints to support sales growth around the world.

John has been recognized for his expertise in organizational development, strategic planning, operations, and the ability to develop successful leaders. This unique combination of experience and skill set has enabled him to achieve success across the entire organization to meet business objectives in all key areas.

www.EighteenEight.com |  Twitter | Facebook

 

Drew French/Your Pie
Founder

Like every pizza lover, Drew French wants his own pie, his own way. Drews passion turned into an obsession while he and his wife were honeymooning in Ischia (pronounced: eesh – Key – ah), Italy. Thats where he received his first taste of authentic Italian brick-oven pizza. In 2008, Drew created Your Pie. It was the very first down-the-line, fast-casual pizza concept where customers select their own type of crust, sauce, cheese and toppings and watch the pizza bake in front of them. Today Your Pie is one of the fastest growing pizza concepts with 21 locations.

www.YourPie.com | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

 

Dr. Tim Kelly/Buckhead Wellness Center
Founder/Owner

Chiropractor in Buckhead for almost 30 years, specializing in Applied-Kinesiology, nutritional wellness, gentle non-force chiropractic.

www.DrTimKelly.net | LinkedIn | YouTube

 

Trisha Cornett/Diptyque
Boutique Manager

Boutique Manager of Diptyque at Buckhead Atlanta. I’ve worked for Diptyque for 3 years now, in the cosmetic/fragrance industry for over 10 years. Prior to Diptyque I ran the cosmetic/fragrance department at Nordstrom in Nashville, Tennessee. I opened the very first Diptyque counter inside of a Nordstrom department store. I’ve trained with Diptyque Paris in New York several times, working at the Bleeker Street, Nolita & Madison Avenue Boutiques. I’m Nationally fragranced certified with a stellar nose! Diptyque is very dear to me & something
I stand behind as a consumer.
www.diptyque.com

 

Danielle Rollins
Author/Speaker

Author of bestseller, Soirée Entertaining with Style, (Rizzoli 2012), contributing editor for Veranda and writer for her own website, DanielleDRollins.com, Danielle Rollins has become one of the nations leading lifestyle experts. Designer, sought-out speaker, and mother of three, Rollins has been featured on national and local television, radio, print and websites.

www.DanielleDRollins.com |  Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

 

 

Dr Darria Long Gillespie with Sharecare, Marty P. Hill with Sweet Science Fitness Boxing Center, Ty Tippett with Shepherd Center Foundation

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Dr Darria Long Gillespie / Sharecare
a health engagement company.

Darria Long Gillespie, MD MBA is a national health expert, SVP of Clinical Strategy at Sharecare, and ER doctor at Emory. Dr Darria appears frequently on TV, on CNN, FoxNews, CNBC, NBC, and The Dr Oz Show. She blogs for droz.com, Sharecare.com, and Even Hotels, and is also the host of Sharecare Radio, a national iHeartRadio show also available on itunes. Shes also new mom to a baby girl, so in addition to all things health, she has a new passion helping children and moms to live their healthiest and most rewarding life.

sharecare.com | Twitter | Facebook

 

Marty P. Hill / Sweet Science Fitness Boxing Center

2009 I left corporate America as a executive search consultant to follow my passion for the sport of boxing and opened. Sweet Science Fitness Boxing Center. 5 years located in Sandy Springs we have recently relocated to the Chamblee, Doraville, Brookhaven area!

www.sweetsciencefitness.com | Twitter | Facebook

 

Ty Tippett / Shepherd Center Foundation (Healthcare)
Senior Director of Planned Gifts

Ty is in his twelfth year as the Senior Director of Planned Gifts for the Shepherd Center Foundation in Atlanta. He is also an attorney, and was engaged in the general civil practice of law for more than twenty years. Prior to coming to Shepherd Center, the nations largest spinal cord and brain injury hospital, he was a Vice President in the Personal Trust and Investment Management Department of SunTrust Bank in Atlanta. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Davidson College and a J.D. degree from the Emory University School of Law. Ty is the President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Buckhead, and is a Past-President of the Georgia Planned Giving Council. He is a member of the Atlanta Estate Planning Council, the Georgia and Atlanta Bar Associations, the Buckhead Business Association, and the Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, where he sings in the choir.

shepherd.org

Simply Buckhead celebrates Nique Week

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Simply Buckhead celebrates Nique Week with an in-depth interview with Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta Hawks owner Rutherford Seydel, Atlanta Hawks TV Announcer Bob Rathbun, and “Voice of the Hawks” Steve Holman.  Listen in for their great stories and highlights from Dominique’s career.

More on Rutherford Seydel

More on Dominique Wilkins

More on Steve Holman

More on Bob Rathbun

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Kevin Aoki with The Aoki Group, Dr. Ray Gutierrez with Modern Emergent Care, Tony Conway with Legendary Events

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Kevin Aoki / Doraku
CEO

Kevin Aoki, founder of The Aoki Group, is a veteran of the Japanese restaurant industry.

Kevins entry into the business was at the knee of Rocky Aoki, who founded the world-famous Benihana Restaurant chain. Initially with his fathers guidance, Kevin launched several successful Asian restaurant concepts. Kevin is now picking-up where his father has left off, finding new and exciting ways to delight diners with innovative variations on Asian and holistic cuisine. Doraku, Blue Tree and Aoki are a demonstration of his expertise and success.

Kevin is continually testing limits and exciting customers with innovative restaurant design and cuisine unmatched in quality. He travels to remote regions of Indonesia and China to source the supplies for each restaurant and is involved in every aspect of each restaurants development, from creation to operation.

Kevin is a graduate of New York University and sits on numerous boards and mentoring groups.

www.dorakusushi.com | Facebook | Instagram

 

Tony Conway / Legendary Events
Founder & CEO

Tony Conway formed Legendary Events in 1997, after 20 years in the hotel industry with Stouffer, Marriott and Ritz-Carlton. The organization has since grown into an award-winning full-service Special Events Company including catering, floral, and design.  In 2013 he launched The Estate, Atlanta’s newest luxury event space, located at 3109 Piedmont Road in the heart of Buckhead.

In its 18 years of business Legendary Events has made contributions in excess of $10 million dollars to non-profit organizations and Tony has served on the boards of The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Alliance Theatre, Leadership Atlanta, Murphy-Harpst Childrens Center, The Atlanta Community Food Bank, Senior Citizens Services, Central Atlanta Progress, UNICEF and many others.

Tony also awarded The Special Event – Lifetime Achievement Award for his indelible imprint on the industry, and hes been honored with a coveted 11Alive Community Service Award. In addition to his service to the local community Conway served as an Honoree Patron Chair for The Ronald McDonald House Gala and Chair for the American Cancer Societys Cattle Barons Ball, and UNICEFs Designs of Hope.

Recently crowned King of The Starfish Ball for 2015 which benefits the NSORO Foundation, Tony continues to donate his time to worthy causes and share his extensive knowledge of entertaining throughout the country and around the world.

www.legendaryevents.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook – Legendary Events | Facebook – 3109 Piedmont Estate | LinkedIn

Dr. Ray Gutierrez / Modern Emergent Care
Atlanta’s Concierge ER

Garth Peters with Buckhead Coalition, Kelly Green with Bank of North GA/Buckhead Business Assn, Chris Godfrey with Hire Dynamics

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Garth Peters / Buckhead Coalition
Execitive VP

Garth Peters is Executive VP for the Buckhead Coalition having joined the Coalition in 2006. Prior to the Coalition he was Senior Executive Officer NA for the Bermuda Ministry of Tourism. Garth is also a retired Capt. and Assistant Adjutant with the Bermuda Regiment, having also served as Aide-D-Camp to the Governor of Bermuda. His career has encompassed a variety of professional and civic interest including memberships or appointments to numerous business and civic boards in Bermuda, New York, and locally, and was founding president of the Memorial Park Civic Association. He was elected to two years as Vice Chair NPU-C, and three years as business rep with NPU-B. He represents the Coalition on a variety of boards, committees, and civic organizations. He was recently re-elected to serve another 2 yr term as President of the MPCA and is a founding member of the Atlanta Memorial Park Conservancy. Garth was the Buckhead Business Associations 2013 Bullish on Buckhead Award recipient.

www.buckheadis.com

 

Kelly Green / Bank of North GA/Buckhead Business Assn

Relationship manager in the Professional and Executive division of Private Wealth at the Bank of North GA, a division of Synovus Bank. Volunteered for the Taste of Buckhead event in 2014 and have been newly appointed to the Board in 2015.

 

Chris Godfrey / Hire Dynamics
Account Manager

Chris Godfrey is from Powder Springs, GA and a proud graduate from The University of Georgia with his BBA in Management and Certificates in New Media and Entrepreneurship.
Godfrey has always enjoyed volunteering and being involved in making a better community so while in college he interned with the Red Cross in Athens, was an ambassador for his college, and president of his fraternity. After college he took a role with Beta Upsilon Chi Nationals, a national Christian fraternity headquartered in Dallas, TX. He spearheaded new fundraising campaigns that resulted in new donor gifts annually and developed college students by investing in them to grow as community leaders.
He moved back to Atlanta a little over a year ago, and he has become very involved in the business community here in Atlanta. He continues his journey at the Atlantas Best Places to Work, Hire Dynamics, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. He strives to excel in his work, spiritual and personal life by being involved in the community and make a difference with those lives he comes across by being a positive influence through his actions and character.

www.BuckheadBusiness.org | www.HireDynamics.com | Twitter

Jon Vandegrift with Shake Shack, Reina Bermudez with Spa Sydell, Lee Killian with Jambanz, Steph Dietz with Cyc Fitness

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Jon Vandegrift/Shake Shack
Senior Director of Operations

Jon Vandegrift is a graduate of Cornell University’s Hospitality school, and has been working in various roles with the Union Square Hospitality Group and Shake Shack organization for 12
years. He has seen Shake Shack grow from one location in Madison Square Park to the 60+ locations worldwide today.
www.ShakeShack.com | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

 

Reina Bermudez/Spa Sydell
CEO
www.SpaSydell.com


Lee Killian/Jambanz
Founder

Lee Killian, Owner and founder of Jambanz™, comes from an accomplished career in Radio advertising and is no stranger to hard work, dedication, accomplishment and growing a brand.

After 24 years in radio Killian, who always dreamed of being an Entrepreneur, decided to step away from the radio world after finding a need for his music loving young daughter. He wanted her to be able to listen to her favorite music while still playing with friends, all without the wires, without headphones. He quickly realized there was no Bluetooth on the market for a kids lifestyle. His marketing background (and fatherly love) kicked into overdrive where he has since built a team of partners and experts in design, manufacturing and production. Killian now looks forward to growing Jambanz™ as the worlds first Bluetooth slap-band wearable speaker company.

www.JamBanz.com | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram


Steph Dietz/Cyc Fitness
Assistant Studio Director & Lead Cycologist

Steph lives and breathes health and fitness, whether she’s out for a run around campus, studying Anatomy and Physiology, or whipping up a nutritious snack. Her motivating personality and energetic style will have you hooked from your first pedal stroke at Cyc! Steph welcomes all fitness levels and guarantees to take you on a challenging and fun ride choreographed to a dynamic playlist.

www.CycFitness.com|  Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

 

John Meadow and David Abes with LDV Hospitality, Robert Lowe with Mandarin Oriental, Sarah Kathryn Smith with One on One Matchmaking

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John Meadow/LDV Hospitality
Founder

John is the founder of LDV Hospitality, which includes Corso Coffee, now open in Buckhead Atlanta, plus two additional restaurants opening  this Spring. Focused on concept business development, John drives the creative process for the company, envisioning restaurants and bringing them to life.

www.LDVHospitality.com |  Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

 

David Abes/LDV Hospitality
Regional Director of Operations

Regional Director of operations for LDV Hospitality in Atlanta.  Corso, American Cut and an Italian restaurant. Previous director of operations for 14 years for here to serve restaurants.

www.LDVHospitality.com |  Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter (David)

 

Robert Lowe/Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta
General Manager

Robert Lowe is General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta. He is responsible for the executive management and operations for the 127-room hotel situated in the prestigious Buckhead
neighborhood, which opened on May 1, 2012.

Mr. Lowe is a veteran hotelier with over 25 years of hospitality industry experience including 13 years with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. He joined Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco in
1999 as Director of Sales and Marketing and later moved into Operations as Resident Manager in 2005. In 2007, he moved to Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC in the capacity of Resident
Manager. Since 2010, Robert has held the position of Hotel Manager at Mandarin Oriental, New York. Prior to joining Mandarin Oriental, Mr. Lowe held various management positions with
Hyatt Hotels.

A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Mr. Lowe is bilingual in English and Spanish. He studied Hotel and Restaurant Management in the U.K. and holds a Bachelors Degree from Slough
Polytechnic in Berks, England.

www.MandarinOriental.com | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

 

Sarah Kathryn Smith/One on One Matchmaking
Founder

Sarah Kathryn Smith, a 16 year veteran of the dating industry, is one of the most respected names in matchmaking. Sarah Kathryn has been profiled as an authority on relationships and
singles issues by The Wall Street Journal, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, Cosmopolitan, Men’s Health, and many others. And, her expertise has led to more than 200 marriages and serious
relationships. A stickler for excellence member service, Sarah Kathryn is personally involved with every One on One Matchmaking client.

www.1on1Matchmaking.com | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube