Spotlight On: February 2023

Spotlight On: February 2023

2023-03-10T10:21:33-05:00February 27th, 2023|Spotlight On|

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.

Ann Meade, Regional President, Webster Bank

In an interview with Invest:, Ann Meade, regional president for Webster Bank, discussed major milestones, the economic landscape in the Greater Boston region, strategies to mitigate current challenges, the implementation of technology and the outlook for the bank over the near future. Read more

 

 

 

Johno Harris, President, Lincoln Harris

Invest: spoke with Johno Harris, president of real estate owner and developer Lincoln Harris, to discuss the dynamics of Charlotte’s real estate market and how the firm has succeeded in pushing ahead with innovative office real estate Downtown. “Most think of us as developers but our core business is service,” he said.   Read more

 

 

 

John Wright, CEO & Managing Partner, Northwestern Mutual Goodwin, Wright 

In an interview with Invest:, John Wright, CEO and managing partner of financial planning firm Northwestern Mutual Goodwin, Wright, talked about the firm’s growth and success in the insurance and investment segments throughout last year. Wright’s top near-term goals include recruiting 30 new professionals and expanding the company’s footprint through strategic marketing efforts.  Read more

 

 

Avis Yates Rivers, President & CEO, Technology Concepts Group International 

The last two years have been a wake-up call for many companies about how their supply chain is structured. “While it’s not easy to just move a manufacturing plant halfway around the world, I think that there will be a concerted effort to do more onshore,” Avis Yates Rivers, president and CEO of Technology Concepts Group International, told Invest:. Read more

Mike Kenny, General Manager, ASM Global

Invest: was joined by Mike Kenny, general manager of ASM Global, to discuss the rebound Jacksonville is experiencing in sports and entertainment since the pandemic. New construction and renovation has been key for growing sports teams, he noted. “It’s a bit ironic, but even since the time of the Gladiators at the Coliseum, there has always been a need for event management and coordination,” he said.   Read more

Larry Williams, President & CEO, Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)

In an interview with Invest:, Larry Williams, president and CEO of the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), talked about some of TAG’s key milestones and initiatives over the last year and what the organization is doing to bolster STEM education, advance the tech sector and advocate for its members.  Read more

Richard Baumert, Principal, Millennium Partners Boston 

Richard Baumert, principal at Millennium Partners Boston, talked with Invest: about their $1.3 billion development opening in April 2023. The building is unique because of its massive contribution to sustainability. Baumert hopes others will follow their lead and make efforts toward global warming prevention. Read more

Jacob Frey, Mayor, City of Minneapolis

Mayor Jacob Frey of Minneapolis spoke with Invest: about the structural changes made in 2022 to position the city for a bright future, including but not limited to priorities in affordable housing, economic inclusion, sustainability, government efficiency and community safety. Read more

William Austin, President, Warren County Community College

Invest: caught up with William Austin, president of Warren County Community College, to discuss how the institution has bucked national enrollment declines with a passion for student success and a keen embrace of innovation and technology. “At the end of the day, if higher education is going to succeed, it has to be more practical and applicable in the real world,” he said. Read more

Mark Trowbridge, President & CEO, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce 

Invest: spoke with Mark Trowbridge, president and CEO for the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, about the return of tourism, the construction of the Loews Hotel in downtown Coral Gables and the strong business climate in Florida. “We have a strong business climate with low barriers to entry, and we refuse regulations that keep people from opening businesses. There are jobs and opportunities here, and this is the greatest intersection of those opportunities that we have ever had,” he stated.  Read more

Mark Kempic, President & COO, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania 

Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania is a natural gas distributor, providing gas for residential, commercial and industrial purposes across the state. Invest: spoke with Mark Kempic, president and chief operating officer of Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, about the current demand for the company’s services and products, how new technologies are shaping the industry and how innovation can help meet the challenges faced in the region. Read more

Nate Marty, CEO, Auld & White Constructors LLC

In an interview with Invest:, Nate Marty, CEO of Auld & White Constructors LLC, discussed the company’s success during the pandemic, its emphasis on team culture and retention and his outlook for the construction market in Northeast Florida.

Read more

Tracy Dodson, Assistant City Manager & Economic Development Director, City of Charlotte 

Charlotte is a major city and commercial hub in North Carolina and was ranked as one of the 14 best cities to live in the US. Invest: spoke with Tracy Dodson, assistant city manager and economic development director for the City of Charlotte, about the market changes, the uniqueness of Charlotte and the city’s outlook moving forward. Read more

Michael Lynd, CEO, Kairoi Residential 

Greater San Antonio has all the ingredients required for sustainable growth, as it continues betting on high-growth, catalytic industries to consolidate that growth. Michael Lynd, CEO of Kairoi Residential, spoke with Invest: and shared why he is bullish on the future of the region. Read more

Tarra Washington, CEO, Kindred Hospital San Antonio Medical Center 

Tarra Washington, CEO of Kindred Hospital San Antonio Medical Center, has extensive healthcare experience both in the US and in the UK, in particular, with specialty hospitals focusing on long-term acute care. In an interview with Invest:, she discussed the challenges with insurance coverage, creating a community for employees and the differences between the many markets she has worked in. Read more

Hector Ponte, Senior Vice President & South Florida Branch Banking Region Director, Wells Fargo 

Hector Ponte, senior vice president and South Florida branch banking region director of Wells Fargo, shared his insights with Invest: on the strength of Miami, and his employees in particular, throughout the pandemic. He gave his thoughts on opening a new branch in the midst of economic challenges, changes in customer preferences and building a culture where every employee is heard. Read more

Melvin Tennant, President & CEO, Meet Minneapolis

As the business traveler and convention segments were hard hit during the pandemic, Minneapolis implemented a plan B. “What we’ve done is to focus much more on leisure travel until whenever the business travel component returns to where it was before the pandemic,” said Melvin Tennant, president & CEO of Meet Minneapolis. In an interview with Invest:, he also discussed the organization’s DEI efforts and the key tourism opportunities moving forward. Read more

Nader Farhat, Office Managing Partner, PwC

In an interview with Invest:, Justice Gennari, president and CEO of Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber, talked about the booming technology and tourism industry in Tampa Bay, what makes Tampa Bay an ideal location for doing business and the need to further advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion practices across business and industries.  Read more

Dan McCaffery, CEO, McCaffery 

McCaffery, a privately-owned commercial real estate company, is best known in Pittsburgh for the adaptive reuse redevelopments of several historic Strip District buildings including The Terminal, The Cork Factory and 1600 Smallman. Invest: spoke with CEO Dan McCaffery about the company’s current challenges and opportunities, working with the city of Pittsburgh and his outlook and priorities for the near future. Read more

Ron Everett, Eastern United States Servicing & Global Bank Operations Leader, Synchrony 

Consumer financial services company Synchrony sees many growth opportunities despite the economic downturn amid increasing interest in wellness and new insurance products for pets. “I expect customers to continue to make sure that they have financing options available to take care of things that are associated with their health and wellness,” Ron Everett, the company’s Eastern United States servicing and global bank operations leader, told Invest:Read more

Sumbul Siddiqui, Mayor, City of Cambridge

City of Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui sat down for an interview with Invest: to talk about the city’s commitment to affordable housing, the construction of bike lanes and expansion of the Green Line to increase connectivity with Boston and Somerville, and lastly, the city’s greater focus on renewable energies and sustainable infrastructure. Read more

Mario Avery, Mayor, City of Fairburn

The city of Fairburn has leveraged its location near Atlanta to capitalize on many of the area’s cultural, social and economic benefits. Invest: spoke with Mayor Mario Avery about milestones from 2022, initiatives to attract families and businesses to Fairburn and the Park Master Plan initiative. Read more

John Harmon, Founder, President & CEO, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

Invest: was joined by John Harmon, Founder, President & CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, to discuss the challenges facing black businesses in the current economy and what can be done to enhance equitable opportunities for diverse populations. “We all have to be more intentional about leveraging diversity, equity, and inclusion as a competitive advantage,” he said. Read more

Karen Hatcher, CEO & Qualifying Broker/2022 President, Sovereign Realty & Management/Atlanta Realtors Association

Karen Hatcher, 2022 president of the Atlanta Realtors Association, and the CEO and head broker of Sovereign Realty & Management, spoke with Invest: about the profound impact the organization is making on providing equity and investment protection around housing in the Atlanta region, for both owners and realtors. “We’re politically active to make sure property rights are protected and housing opportunities are shared for all,” she said. Read more

Jose Luis, Chief Operating Officer, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont

Jose Luis, COO of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, sat down with Invest: to discuss the role of the organization in the wider Charlotte MSA community, how its services impact the area and plans going forward for further expansion, development and reimagination of retail sites.  Read more

Jen Swanson, Founder & Principal, Tuckpoint Advisory Group

In an interview with Invest:, Jen Swanson, founder and principal of Tuckpoint Advisory Group, discussed key milestones and differentiators for the firm, common mistakes that prevent companies from fully leveraging their technological investments and how to avoid them. Read more

Cynthia Johnson, Director, Pinellas County Economic Development

Cynthia Johnson, director of Pinellas County Economic Development, is coming off a year of great advancements. Through lower unemployment and creating business spaces, she is focused on tuning her work to the needs of the community. In an interview with Invest:, she said economic equity and an eye on business retention and expansion have helped bring the county to its current level of stability. Read more

Scott Baldinelli, Executive Vice President, Head of New England Commercial Banking, Santander Bank, N.A.

Scott Baldinelli, Executive Vice President, Head of New England Commercial Banking at Santander, spoke with Invest: about the market in Boston. The adoption of ESG initiatives is moving rapidly through the country and Boston is leading the way. Santander’s role in financing the Vineyard Wind 1 project, the largest offshore wind farm in the U.S., has been a local highlight. Read more

Matthew Love, President & CEO, Nicklaus Children’s Health System

In an interview with Invest:, Matthew Love, president and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Health System, talked about its new surgical tower, how to create a nourishing work environment and the benefits of healthcare providers engaging with patients and families in a collaborative manner as many people do their own online research now. Read more

Joe Fisher, President & CEO, Hallmark University

Joe Fisher, President & CEO of Hallmark University, spoke with Invest: about making higher education more accessible, the education sector’s responsibility to do better by its students and the importance of establishing connections with the industrial industry. Read more

Debbie Hart, President & CEO, BioNJ

In an interview with Invest:, Debbie Hart, president & CEO of life sciences association BioNJ, talked about the current state of the industry specifically within NJ and efforts to ensure entrepreneurs are able to innovate and collaborate for the benefit of the public. Hart explained that one of her main goals is to increase health equity in clinical trials and what the organization has been doing to accomplish that. Read more

Bruce Meyer, Executive Vice President and Western PA Market President, Highmark Health & Allegheny Health Network

In an interview with Invest:, Bruce Meyer, executive vice president and Western PA market president at Highmark Health & Allegheny Health Network, shared insights on the organization’s milestones, the growing trend towards outpatient services, the increasing demand for behavioral health services and the growth in consumer-based access. Meyer also highlighted the need to improve health literacy to prevent avoidable healthcare expenses. Read more

Christopher Walker, Partner in Charge – Jacksonville, Lippes Mathias LLP

Office Partner-in-Charge of Lippes Mathias LLP in Jacksonville, Christopher Walker, sat down with Invest: to discuss the shared strengths between the firm and the Northeast Florida market, how organic growth will define 2023 and the trends affecting Jacksonville’s professional services sector as a result of the pandemic. Read more

Ann Peña, Tax Office Managing Partner – San Antonio, BDO

BDO is a top-ranked national accounting and advisory firm that serves domestic and international clients across a broad range of industries and practices. Invest: talked to BDO’s San Antonio Tax Office Managing Partner Ann Peña about the firm’s commitment to meeting client needs, its service delivery priorities and the importance of keeping up with technology and innovation. Read more

Jerry Plush, Chairman and CEO, Amerant Bank

Amerant Bank is the largest community bank headquartered in Florida. Invest: spoke with CEO Jerry Plush about the bank’s achievements and opportunities in South Florida, supporting customers and team members given the current market dynamics and the priorities for Amerant in the near term. Read more

Neela Mollgaard, Executive Director, Launch Minnesota

In an interview with Invest:, Neela Mollgaard, the executive director of Launch Minnesota, spoke about the initiatives her organization is taking to tackle the challenges faced by startups in accessing capital and promoting awareness and accessibility for all entrepreneurs, regardless of their sector or location. Read more

Sean Sullivan, Executive Director, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council

In an interview with Invest: Sean Sullivan, executive director of Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, talked about the council’s Regional Resiliency Action Plan that will ensure Tampa Bay’s continued growth while preserving its beauty, how the region is addressing environmental issues through infrastructure development and how tourism continues to boom. Read more

 

 

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