Every year Capital Analytics has the chance to interview 1000s of the nation’s top-level executives and leaders. Our SpotlightOn series is an exclusive opportunity for readers to receive these leaders’ thoughtful insights and perspectives that ultimately help to inform the editorial in our publications.
Tyler Evans, Franchise Owner, Venture X
2 min read December 2022 — Tyler Evans, franchise owner for hospitality-centered flex office and coworking provider Venture X, spoke with Invest: about the growth of the coworking model since the COVID-19 pandemic and plans for adapting to a broader future. He emphasized the benefits to employees, employers and the overall community through increased communication and networking. Read more
Gerard Hudspeth, Mayor, City of Denton
2 min read December 2022 — “If an environmentally friendly company is looking for the perfect place to relocate, the City of Denton is in a prime position to attract those companies,” said Gerard Hudspeth, the city’s mayor, in an interview with Invest:. Hudspeth added that Denton is the only city in the state of Texas that relies on 100% renewable energy. Read more
Scott Dunn, Commissioner, Fayette County
2 min read December 2022 — Invest: spoke with Fayette County Commissioner Scott Dunn about his take on industry growth, what makes the area special and what to expect from the county’s future. Dunn emphasized the importance of strengthening education, revitalizing old industries and advocating for rural populations. Read more
Tom O’Connor, Market President & Senior Director – Middle Market Banking, Synovus Bank
2 min read December 2022 — Synovus Bank provides an array of financial services, ranging from commercial and retail banking to mortgage services through over 200 branches. Invest: spoke with Tom O’Connor, senior director for Middle Market Banking, about the bank’s recent transition, the impact from the changes in market conditions, cybersecurity and initiatives with the community. Read more
Karen Heintz, Market Director, BairdRob Killen, Partner, Killen, Griffin & Farrimond – San Antonio
2 min read December 2022 — Baird is an employee-owned wealth management, capital markets, asset management and private equity firm headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with branches globally. Invest: spoke with Market Director Karen Heintz at their Minneapolis-St. Paul location to hear about the firm’s sponsorship of local organizations and events, the advantages of being in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region and the local culture and highly diverse work environment. Read more
George Fuller, Mayor, City of McKinney
2 min read December 2022 — Invest: was joined by George Fuller, mayor of the City of McKinney, to discuss how the county seat is developing with an eye on tech and creating a community that is affordable and attractive to a new generation. “As a municipality, we can’t dictate what happens in the private market, but we can incentivize it,” he said. Read more
William Henrich, President, UT Health San Antonio
2 min read December 2022 — UT Health San Antonio is one of the country’s leading health sciences universities. Invest: spoke with President William Henrich about its recent achievements, innovation and his near-term outlook. Read more
Julie Chen, Chancellor, University of Massachusetts Lowell
4 min read December 2022 — Julie Chen, the newly appointed chancellor of University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell), sat down for an interview with Invest: to talk about the university’s efforts to provide interdisciplinary programs, why businesses are more interested in working with younger people, and how the wider Boston region could benefit by adopting a hub-and-spoke model going forward with its development. Read more
Todd Clossin, President & CEO, WesBanco
2 min read December 2022 — The 152-year-old WesBanco is an award-winning veteran of the Pittsburgh area’s financial services industry. Invest: spoke with President & CEO Todd Clossin about the ways WesBanco supports its employees and the Pittsburgh community through uncertain times, his expectations for the coming years and the importance of financial literacy and wellness. Read more
Kevin Haney, President & CEO, Colliers Engineering & Design
2 min read December 2022 — Colliers Engineering & Design has doubled revenue during the last two years, said President & CEO Kevin Haney. By being in North Jersey and close to New York City, the outlook for the company also could not be better, he told Invest:. The two main challenges are the workforce shortage and the red tape at the government level to get things approved and moving forward. Read more
Marshall Wall, Managing Partner, Cranfill Sumner LLP
2 min read December 2022 — Cranfill Sumner LLP provides the Triangle with corporate and personal legal services. Invest: spoke to Managing Partner Marshall Wall about the regional legal market, the firm’s initiatives for finding and retaining qualified staff and his forecasts for the growth and development of the Triangle. Read more
Kelly Cathey, Co-Managing Director, Gensler – Nashville
3 min read December 2022 — Nashville’s urban landscape is undergoing a major facelift. Kelly Cathey, co-managing director of Gensler’s Nashville operations, shared her insights with Invest: as to how this ongoing change is setting the stage for innovation and sustainability to be weaved into the area’s identity. Read more
Rei Mesa, President & CEO, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty
2 min read December 2022 — Invest: spoke with Rei Mesa, president and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Realty, about the various dimensions of the homebuyer experience in Miami right now, reflecting an overall population influx that is unmatched in most cities across the country. “We pride ourselves on being ahead of the curve and delivering the tools and services for our sales professionals to serve our consumers,” he says. Read more
Greg McGarity, President & CEO, Gator Bowl Sports
2 min read December 2022 — President and CEO of Gator Bowl Sports Greg McGarity discussed all things community involvement in an interview with Invest:. Charitable efforts are at the forefront of operations and maintaining NCAA regulations amid an interesting chapter of college football is a top priority. “What we’ve done is focus on our charitable efforts, which has drawn a lot of interest from our corporate membership here in Jacksonville,” he said. Read more
Douglas Farrington, Boston Office Managing Partner, Marcum LLP
3 min read December 2022 — Invest: spoke with Douglas Farrington, managing office partner of Marcum LLP, to discuss the current professional services landscape from new IRS reporting requirements and M&A trends to a vibrant commitment to community engagement. “We operate on a series of core values and one of the most important is community,” he said. Read more
Jonathan Watkins, Regional President & CEO, Cancer Treatment Centers of America part of City of Hope
2 min read December 2022 — Jonathan Watkins, regional president and CEO of Cancer Treatment of America, Atlanta, spoke with Focus: about their acquisition by City of Hope, attracting and retaining healthcare workers to their organizations, and the plans they have to make their care more accessible. Watkins also talked about the outlook of the Atlanta healthcare sector in the upcoming years. Read more
Greg Larson, President & CEO, Drake Bank
3 min read December 2022 — The economic impact of a community bank is huge. In an interview with Invest:, Greg Larson, president & CEO of Drake Bank, is convinced that community banks play an integral role in growing local businesses and increasing financial literacy. “We think that money recycles in our community through Drake Bank eight to 12 times,” he said. Read more
Roberto Pupo, Chair – Latin America Practice Group, Holland & Knight
2 min read December 2022 — Holland & Knight is one of the largest law firms in Florida and the U.S., but it continues to strive for growth. “The last eight to ten years have been extraordinary for the firm and we plan to stay on the same trajectory going forward,” Roberto Pupo, chair of the firm’s Latin America practice group, told Invest:. He also discussed the firm’s differentiators in the Miami region and its most active practice areas. Read more
Abel Chávez, President, Our Lady of the Lake University
2 min read December 2022 — Abel Chávez, the president of Our Lady of the Lake University, a private, faith-based university in San Antonio, discussed communicating the value proposition of higher education to first-generation students, how the student experience has shifted in the past few years and what his priorities are going forward for the university in an interview with Invest:. Read more
Andrew Aronson, President & CEO, Health Care Association of New Jersey
3 min read December 2022 — The Health Care Association of New Jersey is a nonprofit trade association representing long-term care providers and advocating for people in need. Invest: spoke with President and CEO Andrew Aronson about the challenges the association has faced going through and coming out of the pandemic, how it is overcoming labor shortages and how it hopes to forge partnerships across the state’s educational system. Read more
Ashley Birtwell, Head of School, Sewickley Academy
3 min read December 2022 — Sewickley Academy is a private, independent, college preparatory Pre-K through Grade 12 school northwest of Pittsburgh that prepares exceptional children for extraordinary lives with a culture and programs that stand on four legacy values of character, educational vigor, community and diversity. Invest: spoke with Head of School Ashley Birtwell about the role of education in diversity, the unique challenges of current times and their outlook moving forward. Read more
Rob Hooper, CEO, Atlantic Logistics
2 min read December 2022 — Rob Hooper is the CEO of Atlantic Logistics, a Jacksonville-based 3PL company. In an interview with Invest:, Hooper discussed how the logistics industry is evolving to meet consumer demand and finding ways to streamline the process for a smoother supply chain down the road. Read more
Marilyn Wiley, Dean, University of North Texas – G. Brint Ryan College of Business
2 min read December 2022 — Invest: spoke with Marilyn Wiley, dean of the G. Brint Ryan College of Business at the University of North Texas, and discussed how the school leverages strong corporate partnerships and academic development to prepare students fully for an evolving business world. “To be in a thriving metroplex is the best thing you can hope for from an education standpoint,” she said. Read more
Tari Hughes, President & CEO, Center for Nonprofit Management
2 min read December 2022 — The future could be difficult for the nonprofit sector because of the current economic outlook but in an interview with Invest:, Tari Hughes, president and CEO of the Center for Nonprofit Management, said there is also a good opportunity to gain efficiencies in the sector. Read more
Ken Fulk, Mayor, City of Allen
2 min read December 2022 — In an interview with Invest:, Ken Fulk, mayor of the City of Allen, discussed the city’s key ongoing projects, what differentiates Allen from other cities in the region and the kind of businesses the city is looking to attract, saying “we want people who understand that their success is our success and vice versa.” Read more
Barb Lau, Executive Director, Association of Women Contractors
2 min read November 2022 — Rick Kidder, Co-CEO of One SouthCoast Chamber, spoke with Invest: about development within New Bedford and Fall River as both are set to become a major part of the offshore wind industry, the construction of a rail connection with Boston and the challenges faced due to high energy costs and demand for a quality workforce. Read more
Kandi Deitemeyer, President, Central Piedmont Community College
2 min read December 2022 — President Kandi Deitemeyer of Central Piedmont Community College sat down with Invest: to discuss the institution’s 2022 achievements and the community impacts that followed. Between partnership announcements, campus expansions and demographic shifts, she sees a bright future ahead for the wider Charlotte community if collaboration remains a priority. Read more
Ron Keating, President & Chief Executive Officer, Evoqua Water Technologies
3 min read December 2022 — In an interview with Invest:, Ron Keating, President & Chief Executive Officer of Evoqua Water Technologies, discussed water-related challenges in the region and the opportunities that exist in the waste-to-energy field. Additionally, Keating shared the regulations the company is keeping an eye on and the opportunities he sees in that regard. Read more
Dee Patel, Managing Director, The Hermitage Hotel
2 min read December 2022 — In an interview with Invest:, Dee Patel, managing director of The Hermitage Hotel, discussed the hotel’s recent completion of its hotel-wide renovation and the current landscape of travel as international travel picks up. “Nashville is an amazing city, recognized for its culture, music, and genuine Southern hospitality. It’s an incredible time to visit Nashville, with this period of growth. Nashville continues to prosper and is taking its place on the world stage in many regards,” said Patel. Read more
David Ellis, County Manager, Wake County
2 min read December 2022 — David Ellis, county manager of Wake County, spoke with Invest: and shared his thoughts on the future of the county and its current challenges. He discussed transportation, job development and his hopes for the area. “I believe the future is bright, but I also believe we have work to do,” he said. Read more
Gene Waddy, CEO, Alpha Business Solutions
3 min read December 2022 — The Greater Jersey region is in active growth mode and can realize its full potential if it rises to the occasion and solves its most pressing challenges, said Gene Waddy, CEO of Alpha Business Solutions. In an interview with Invest:, Waddy paints a picture of what it is like doing business in the area with a lasting positive impact being top of mind. Read more
Eloisa Klementich, President & CEO, Invest Atlanta
2 min read December 2022 — Invest: spoke with Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, the city’s development authority, and discussed its focus on creating affordable housing in Atlanta through down-payment assistance programs. She also talked about the wide assortment of DEI programs that help family businesses and mom-and-pop businesses improve or even buy their business location. Read more
Vanessa Beasley, President, Trinity University
2 min read December 2022 — The business model for high-quality higher education will only become more complex going forward, Vanessa Beasley, president of Trinity University, told Invest:. The best responses to keep education affordable will be targeted philanthropy and partnerships with businesses outside of academia. Beasley also discussed the current education landscape and people’s expectations of higher education. Read more
Camilo Lopez, Co-CEO & Managing Partner, Black Salmon
2 min read December 2022 — Invest: spoke with Camilo Lopez, Co-CEO and managing partner of Black Salmon, and discussed the evolving real estate market in Miami as more businesses and job hunters seek out the city as a destination. “At the end of the day, the real game is to have a healthy balance between supply and demand,” he said. Read more
Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, Director & CEO, Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
2 min read December 2022 — People who have relocated to Jacksonville during the pandemic are making the Cummer Museum a destination of choice. “It’s an exciting time to be part of the cultural sector in Jacksonville,” Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, the museum’s director, told Invest:. Read more
Michael Russell, CEO, H.J. Russell & Company
2 min read December 2022 — Invest: was joined by Michael Russell, CEO of H.J. Russell, to discuss the variety of innovative real estate projects happening in Atlanta, from new workforce housing to remediation projects that are transforming formerly neglected areas. “We have a strong backlog in construction and program management, so having the people to make sure we’re executing at a high level is the number one priority,” he said. Read more
Mark Popovich, Senior Managing Director and Pittsburgh Office Co-Head, JLL Capital Markets
3 min read December 2022 — In an interview with Invest:, Mark Popovich, senior managing director and Pittsburgh office co-head of JLL Capital Markets, talked about the strategies the company is implementing in the current economic landscape when there is still a great deal of uncertainty around issues like interest rates and a recession on the horizon. Popovich also provided insight into how a variety of markets are doing coming out of the pandemic, including office, retail, hotel and industrial. Read more
Greg Vasil, President & CEO, Greater Boston Real Estate Board
3 min read December 2022 — Founded in 1889, Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GBREB) is the oldest real estate trade association in America, representing over 10,000 real estate professionals today. Invest: spoke with Greg Vasil, president & CEO, about the association’s highlights over the past year, how interest rate hikes are affecting business and the challenges the real estate sector is facing. Read more
3 min read December 2022 — In an interview with Invest:, Tim Carl, CEO of national interdisciplinary design firm HGA, discussed the effect that great design has on those who experience the built environment and the growing intersection across industries. “As designers of this environment, we must help our cities evolve to meet the current challenges many big cities are facing. There is an incredible opportunity to help our cities grow sustainably and bring people back,” Carl said. Read more
Chris Draughon, Director of Financial Planning, First Coast Wealth Advisors
2 min read December 2022 — Invest: sat down with Chris Draughon, director of financial planning at First Coast Wealth Advisors, to discuss how they prepare for market downturns in their investment strategy, and his perspective on the technological advances of cryptocurrency concerning the current market landscape. Read more
Teresa Broyles-Aplin, President & CEO, Nashville Electric Service
2 min read December 2022 — Teresa Broyles-Aplin is the president and CEO of Nashville Electric Service (NES), and her focus is on enhancing the customer experience while preparing for continued regional growth. She sat down with Invest: to discuss this and more. “Nashville continues to grow, and it’s attracting a younger demographic, which is one of the reasons we want to ensure we expand our technological capabilities and renewable, sustainable power options,” she said. Read more
Peter Dontas, Executive Vice President, Wells Fargo
3 min read December 2022 — Peter Dontas, executive vice president of Wells Fargo, talked to Invest: about why New Jersey is an amazing location to do business, Wells Fargo’s involvement in community work and how the banking industry is transforming due to technological advancements. Read more
Randy Isenhower, Chairman – Board of Commissioners, Catawba County
2 min read December 2022 — In an interview with Invest:, Randy Isenhower, chairman of Catawba County, discussed the importance of collaboration in attracting economic development opportunities, plans in place for future growth and more. “In the next several years, we will continue to identify new opportunities while continuing to take advantage of and maintain our existing opportunities,” he said. Read more
