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Gregory T. Davis/Metcalf Davis CPAs
Managing Director
Greg Davis is managing director of Metcalf Davis CPAs, a local CPA Firm located in Tower Place in Buckhead. Greg recently became president of Buckhead Business Association. Buckehead Business Association has been serving the Buckhead community in Atlanta since 1951. It currently has approximately 275 individual members representing almost 200 Companies in metro Atlanta.
Greg Davis is the 2015 President of the Buckhead Business Association. The BBA had been providing positive support for Buckhead businesses since 1951. Greg is here today to talk about the organizations upcoming signature luncheon featuring Coach Dan Quinn of the Atlanta Falcons.
www.Metcalf-Davis.com | LinkedIn
www.BuckheadBusiness.org | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook
Justin Anthony/10 Degrees South, Yebo, Biltong Bar
Owner
A self-described serial entrepreneur and founder of 10 Degrees South, Justin Anthony reached his calling in the hospitality industry through some of Atlantas most popular and exotic restaurant concepts. A recipient of Atlanta Business Chronicles prestigious 40 Under 40 award, Anthonys unlikely path toward the restaurant business proves his true talent and passion in creating culturally unique dining experiences.
Since opening 10 Degrees South in 1998 alongside his parents, Derek and Diane, Anthony has pursued various opportunities in the world of food and wine. In 2012, Anthony opened Atlantas Phipps Plaza staple, YEBO Restaurant & Bar, with a similar yet trendier, eclectic style of 10 Degrees South. His endeavors of YEBO, 10 Degrees South and the 2010 release of premier Napa Valley wine The King of Clubs, with developing partners Christopher King and winemaker Robert Mondavi, Jr., position him as not only an entrepreneur, but as the ultimate expert in South African food and wine in Atlanta as well as in the United States.
Anthony was born and raised in South Africa, attending the University of South Africa as well as earning a diploma from the London Business School prior to relocating to the United States at age 23. A natural-born soccer star, he hoped to pursue a soccer career after playing professionally across the globe, however was forced into early retirement with a knee injury, thus following a future in a different passion the restaurant business.
10 Degrees South | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Yebo | Facebook | Instagram
Biltong Bar | Facebook | Instagram
Mike Hill/The Cowboy Chef
Participant of Fox’s TV show MasterChef, season 3, Mike Hill has become more than a TV personality. Between his consulting business, trucking company and family, Mike also devotes time to learn new cooking techniques and to experiment with flavors from the South.
Twitter | Facebook
Guy Thomson/Pittypat’s Porch
Owner
For 23 years, Guy Thomson led Proof of the Pudding through a period of growth and development that has resulted in Proof’s current position as Atlanta’s premier “Upscale Food Service Management” company. As the managing partner, Thomson began his tenure when Proof was a small boutique caterer with just one exclusive contract, The Carter Presidential Center. When he sold his interest in the company in 2013 and turned over the reins to his main partner’s son, Proof had become a much more varied food service management company specializing in off premise catering; exclusive contracts in business, convention, sports, concert, and resort venues; an airport kiosk food concept; and a Gourmet to Go division that provides creative culinary products to go. Thomson now serves as a marketing consultant for Proof, and the company continues to be highly regarded in the Atlanta business and social community as it grows and prospers in this new era of leadership.
Thomson is also the owner of Atlanta’s oldest restaurant, Pittypat’s Porch, an authentic, southernthemed 300 seat restaurant located in the heart of downtown. Famous throughout the world, Pittypat’s Porch continues to serve its delicious southern cuisine in a comfortable, old fashioned/old south atmosphere, by many long term staffers renowned for their friendly and efficient service. He has recently overseen and completed a major face lift and renovation that includes an outdoor porch and southern mansion façade.
Prior to joining Proof of the Pudding, Thomson served as the senior vice president of the Georgia Hospitality and Travel Association (GHTA), the trade association representing Georgia’s food service, lodging and travel industries and related businesses. During his career with GHTA, he served in various capacities with responsibilities in membership sales and services, educational programming, and operation of the Southeastern Hospitality and Food Service Show and Atlanta International Wine Festival. Thomson moved to Atlanta in 1977 as general manager for Victoria Station Restaurants, a California based specialty restaurant chain.
Thomson has served as the Chairman of the Southeastern Chapter of the National Association of Exposition Managers (NAEM), and has earned the Certified Exposition Managers’ designation. He is a member of the Advisory Board and past Chairman of the Board of The Atlanta Community Food Bank’s ‘Atlantas’ Table,’ an organization that collects prepared but not served food from restaurants and other food service operation and distributes it to the agencies that feed the homeless and hungry of Atlanta. Thomson also serves on the boards of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Georgia State University School of Hospitality.
An active Member of the Ansley Golf Club for many years, Thomson has recently completed a term of service on the Club’s Board of Directors and had a significant leadership role in a major renovation of its food and beverage facilities. He and his wife Deb, a successful retail executive, are devoted members of the Holy Family Catholic Church where they live in the East Cobb section of Marietta. They have two grown children, Will and Kate, and spend as much time as they can at their beach home at Fripp Island, South Carolina.
Pittypat’s Porch | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Laurie Ford/ARF Financial
Atlanta Vice President
I am Laurie Ford, Vice President and Senior Loan Consultant for ARF Financial. I bring more than 15 years experience in small business finance and marketing to the position. I work with restaurants and retailers across the nation to customize financial solutions that meets their needs and budget. I am dedicated to servicing my clients and establishing long term relationships. I have a Master’s degree in Marketing from Walsh College in Troy, Michigan and I am an active member of the Georgia Restaurant Association. I can offer straightforward loan options that feature fixed terms and payments with no collateral required. Whether you are looking to expand to a new location, renovate, purchase equipment or simply stabilize your cash flow, I’m here to help you. Restaurant owners call us first because we are not a cash advance or factoring company. We have nothing to do with your credit card transactions. The loan you receive is tax deductible resulting in lower overall cost of funds. The payments you make are fixed and will not change during the term of the loan – as your revenue grows you keep more of it.
www.ARFfinancial.com | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook
Laurie Linkedin | Twitter
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Macaluso joined Atlanta-based FOCUS Brands in 2011 as chief marketing officer for Moes Southwest Grill, where he led the team to achieve 13 consecutive quarters of same store sales increases. In addition, he spearheaded the opening of 185 restaurants and entered seven new states and four new countries marking several significant achievements for the brand. In November 2014, he was named senior vice president of marketing for the Restaurant Group; he oversees the brand marketing and strategy processes for all brand-level marketing resources including culinary, public relations and creative services for McAlisters Deli, Moes Southwest Grill and Schlotzkys Bakery Café. Prior to his tenure at FOCUS Brands, he held executive positions at Sonic Drive-Ins, Taco Bell and Burger King. He has achieved numerous internal awards at FOCUS Brands and serves on the advisory board for the Franchise Consumer Marketing Conference.
Jim Squire, CFE, has been a long-standing and active participant in the International Franchise Association. He is currently executive vice president and chief development officer of Firestorm and a member of the IFA Educational Foundation Board of Trustees, IFAs Franchisor Forum, Franchise Congress and the Franchise Relations and Membership committees. Squire served as a member of the IFA board of directors from 1990 to 2001.
