Leadership and

Board

JON ALBERT
JON ALBERT

Founder and President, Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation

2018 CNN HERO; honored as the 2010 Humanitarian of the Year, in 2011 as the Avis National Spirit recipient at Yankee Stadium; US TRAVEL’s 2015 National Inspiration Award recipient, 2016 as the Tampa Bay Community HERO by the Lightning Foundation, 2017 Spirit of Humanity Award, presented by the DeBartolo Foundation, and was invited to present a TED TALK on Broadway in 2017 on the POWER OF WOW! Jon gives this presentation across the country.

Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation was inspired by Jill and Jon Albert’s real life story. Jon found himself, his wife, Jill, and their two young children Jake and Jamie facing Jill’s Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Jill and Jon realized early on in Jill’s fight, the disease was not just attacking her body, but it was affecting their entire family. Jill and Jon decided they needed to treat their family along with the cancer. The Alberts knew that for their kids, strong memories of special times together would be their greatest inheritance. From this notion, JAJF was born. Jill died a week before Thanksgiving 2006.

A native of Tampa, a graduate of Vanderbilt and the University of Florida where he achieved his master’s in business, Jon began his career with Frito-Lay. Jon moved to Atlanta in 1989 to establish and launch the GA operations for PageNet which grew into a wonderful success story. He then had the unique opportunity to serve as a Director for The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG—-a $1.8 billion start-up). After The Olympics, Jon became President of the Builder Division of Apex Supply which was bought by The Home Depot years later.

Jamie recently graduated from UVA and now lives in Madrid; Jake recently graduated from Yale, and now lives in Seoul. Jon is blessed to have remarried Karen who has inspired him personally to Hurry Up and Live!

Read Jon's Message

KERRY MCGAVIN

WOW! Experience Director, Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation

Kerry McGavin, WOW! Experience Director

Kerry McGavin joined the Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation as our WOW! Experience Director in 2016 after serving as a volunteer for the organization for more than two years. A graduate of Auburn University, Kerry puts her psychology degree to use everyday, working with all JAJF families, and establishing ongoing relationships with our Oncology Coalition Partners and WOW! Partners to create WOW’s for our families.

When she is not planning WOW! Experiences for our JAJF families, Kerry enjoys playing tennis, traveling and staying busy with her 3 sons’ busy sports schedules.

An Atlanta native, Kerry currently lives in Orlando, Florida with her husband and three sons.

LINDSEY KING

Operations Director, Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation

Lindsey King joined the Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation in 2008 to lead strategic development and fundraising. She has extensive experience working in various roles in the non-profit. After eight years serving as the Director of Development for JAJF, Lindsey is currently the Operations Director.

In her spare time, Lindsey enjoys traveling, being outdoors, reading and spending time with her three little ones.

An Atlanta native, Lindsey currently lives in Atlanta with her husband, daughter and two sons.

JENNIFER KANTER

WOW! Society Director, Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation

Jennifer Kanter joined the Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation as our WOW! Society Director in 2016. She comes to JAJF with an extensive background in sales and marketing roles with such well-known brands as Levi’s, Ray Ban and Donna Karan.

Jennifer has lived and worked in Boston, New York and Connecticut but most recently has returned to her hometown, Birmingham, Alabama to be near her extended family and friends.

When not working, Jennifer can be found in the painting studio or outside on beautiful hiking trails in the great outdoors.

BILL DAVIS
BILL DAVIS

President & CEO, ABC Fitness Solutions

Bill Davis joined ABC Fitness Solutions as its President in February 2019 and was then promoted to President & CEO, in July 2019. Prior to joining ABC, Bill was the Chief Financial Officer of Paycor, Inc., a payroll and human capital management solution (HCM) provider. Previously, he was CFO of Blackboard, Inc., a Washington D.C. based education technology company and the global leader in enterprise technology and innovative solutions for millions of students and learners around the world.

Earlier, Bill was the Chief Financial Officer at Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, a Chicago-based publicly traded healthcare IT company. Allscripts focused on providing solutions that advanced clinical, financial, and operational results throughout healthcare delivery systems.

Prior to joining Allscripts, Bill was Controller and then CFO of Lante Corporation, a Chicagobased technology consulting firm, where he helped lead the company’s IPO in February 2000 and subsequent sale in September 2002. From 1991 through 1999, Bill was a public accountant with PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Bill earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Cincinnati and his MBA from Northwestern University. He also is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Bill serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of Cincinnati Foundation, as well as on the Board of the Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation. Previously, he was a Board member and Audit Committee Chairman for Catamaran Corporation.

Bill and his wife, Kathy, reside in Cincinnati, Ohio and have 3 boys, Will, Zach and Alex

CLIFF MARKS
CLIFF MARKS

Clifford (“Cliff”) E. Marks, most recently served as President of National CineMedia (NCM). Previously, CLiff was President of Sales and Marketing, has been a leading advertising, marketing and sales professional for over 20 years. Marks leads NCM’s marketing, sales and advertising division based in New York City.

Through its FirstLook pre-feature program, Lobby Entertainment Network (LEN), NCM Interactive Network and other promotional products, NCM provides advertisers with bundled offerings of on-screen, lobby and online marketing products that offer multiple ways to interact with theater patrons. NCM operates the largest digital in-theater network in North America, the Digital Content Network (DCN)SM, which allows for the targeted distribution of advertising and content to specified auditoriums and lobby areas within its network of AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc., Regal Entertainment Group and other top network affiliate movie theaters nationwide.

Marks was the architect behind The 2wenty, a first-of-its-kind digitally delivered entertainment and advertising pre-feature program, debuting in 2003. In 2006, NCM launched the current edition of its in-theatre pre-feature program, FirstLook, showcasing content fromA&E Television Networks, NBC Universal, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Turner Broadcasting System, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and Warner Bros. along with national, regional and local advertising.

Prior to his current position, Marks served as president of sales and marketing with Regal Entertainment Group’s media subsidiary, Regal CineMedia Corporation. In March 2005, Regal Entertainment Group and AMC Entertainment, Inc. combined its individual sales and marketing organizations, Regal CineMedia and National Cinema Network, to form National CineMedia (NCM) LLC. In July 2005, Cinemark USA was the third leading movie exhibitor to take an ownership stake in National CineMedia LLC. National CineMedia, Inc. was listed on the NASDAQ Global Market as “NCMI” in February of 2007.

Before joining Regal CineMedia, Marks was a 14-year veteran of ESPN/ABC Sports, where as senior vice president he oversaw its $2.0 billion sales organization. Working with top national advertisers such as Anheuser Busch, Circuit City, MCI, Toyota, AT&T, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC, Marks was instrumental in developing vertically integrated advertising packages for clients across multiple platforms including ABC Sports programming, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNews, ESPN.com, ESPN magazine, ESPN radio and ESPNZone restaurants.

From 1986 through 1989, Marks was an executive at The Nashville Network. He began his career at prominent New York advertising agencies Young & Rubicam (1985-86) and BBDO (1983-85).

A cinema industry leader and advocate, Marks was named one of The Mediaweek 50 top executives in the advertising industry in 2009 and also served as president and chairman of the Cinema Advertising Council (CAC) during 2007.

DENNIS ADAMOVICH
DENNIS ADAMOVICH

Chief Development Officer, Times Square Live Media Enterprises 

Dennis Adamovich currently serves as the Chief Development Officer for Times Square Live Media Enterprises. Previously Dennis was the CEO for the College Football Hall of Fame. Dennis  is the former senior vice president of brand and digital activation/general manager of festivals for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). In his role, Dennis was responsible the digital teams for the three networks, as well as brand initiatives like TBS and Just For Laughs’ annual comedy festival in Chicago, the TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood, the TCM Classic Cruise and TNT’s Dramatic Difference project. He was also responsible for brand-related commerce initiatives, such as TCM’s extensive online store

Adamovich, previously served as senior vice president/general manager of TBS comedy festivals and came to the company after serving as senior vice president of marketing for Turner Broadcasting’s Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang. In that role, he was responsible for strategically planning and implementing efforts to build viewer preference and loyalty to the animated networks. He also expanded the reach of Cartoon Network and Turner’s other animation networks by combining traditional messaging and partnerships with the cutting-edge use of new media and viral campaigns.

Before joining Cartoon Network in July 2000, Adamovich worked for The Coca-Cola Company as managing director of Marketing Works, a division accountable for brand stewardship in North America. Through his leadership role, Adamovich oversaw the development of more than 300 annual programs within North America.

Prior to that, Adamovich was director of worldwide leisure marketing for Coca-Cola, managing global account teams responsible for Disney, Warner and Legoland theme-park accounts, as well as the cinema channel worldwide. Additional positions at Coca-Cola included group manager for sports activation, where he maximized local and national sports properties, and national account executive, managing the company’s relationships with various companies, including Six Flags and AMC Theatres.

Adamovich previously served as an account executive at McCann Erickson in Atlanta, where he was involved in all phases of production of local and regional broadcast commercials for agency client Coca-Cola. He launched his professional career at Fahlgren Martin Benito Advertising in Tampa, Fla., as a senior account executive, responsible for strategic planning and development for the Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and Florida Cadillac Dealers Marketing Associations.

Adamovich graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

DEREK SCHILLER
DEREK SCHILLER

President, Atlanta Braves

Derek Schiller is the President of the Atlanta Braves. Prior to his current role, Derek served as the executive vice president of sales and marketing, where he was responsible for the management for all baseball-related revenues such as ticket sales, corporate partnerships, broadcasting, licensing and merchandising, community relations and the overall marketing strategy for the franchise.

Schiller manages the Braves television relationships with FS South, SportSouth and Peachtree TV and the radio relationship with Clear Channel Radio that includes 150 affiliates across the Southeast, the largest affiliate network in all professional sports. Schiller also coordinates all aspects of the Braves marketing outreach with fans, including braves.com and all promotional and advertising campaigns.

Schiller earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Vanderbilt University. He is an executive board member of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Atlanta Sports Council, an alumnus of Leadership Atlanta and serves in a variety of roles for a number of metro Atlanta charities. He recently completed his first marathon and half-ironman triathlon. Schiller and his wife Kristin and their two children, Luke and Carson, reside in Duluth.

DONDRA RITZENTHALER
DONDRA RITZENTHALER

Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support & Service, UK & APAC, Celebrity Cruises

Dondra Ritzenthaler joined award-winning modern luxury cruise line Celebrity Cruises in September 2003, becoming the brand’s first Vice President of Sales. After three years of success and celebrated accomplishments, Ritzenthaler was promoted to her current role as Senior Vice President of Sales (SVP) for the brand, where she continues to thrive and win awards.

As SVP of Sales, Trade Support and Service, Ritzenthaler leads the sales organization in North America (NA), and leads trade support and service for NA, UK and Ireland, and Asia-Pacific region. In all, she is responsible for a global team of more than 600 dedicated, highly-skilled employees. In North America, Ritzenthaler oversees all marketing sales directors and managers, strategic marketing managers, inside sales representatives, national and corporate account managers in the field, and support staff at corporate headquarters in Miami. Plus, national accounts, trade support and service — which includes reservations, group sales and customer service, as well as the line’s consumer outreach division, onboard cruise sales and internal sales support.

Widely credited for raising awareness of the importance of travel partners, Ritzenthaler has led the creation of a number of programs designed to help travel agents build their business, including “The Celebrity Commitment.” And, under her leadership, Celebrity has been awarded “Best Premium Cruise Line,” by leading industry trade publication, Travel Weekly, for the last eight consecutive years and counting.

Ritzenthaler continues to lead innovative programs and policies. She spearheaded the ESPRESSO project, a powerful, one-of-a-kind reservation system designed to aid travel agents in the booking process. Ritzenthaler also launched the widely praised “ASAP” (Agent Support Action Program), an acclaimed no-rebating stance, a well-received group policy, and distinctive programs designed to better serve travel partners, including the “Celebrity Five Star Academy.” She also played a key role on the executive team that launched what is now Azamara Club Cruises.

Giving back is incredibly important to Ritzenthaler, who currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation, which helps families with loved ones who receive a terminal diagnosis make memories they will cherish for a lifetime through a Celebrity vacation. Ritzenthaler is also a key member of the Diversity Council at Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

A seasoned travel industry executive, Ritzenthaler joined Celebrity following nearly two decades in the business, primarily in sales and marketing management with American Airlines. Prior to joining the modern luxury brand, she was Regional Sales Director of passenger sales for the airline’s Midwest region.

Ritzenthaler, her husband Kevin, and their two children, Reece and Cole, currently reside in Coral Gables, Florida.

ERIC BLUMENTHAL
ERIC BLUMENTHAL

Senior Vice President, Customer Value and Growth, North America Operating Unit, Coca-Cola

Eric has been at Coca-Cola for 16 years and currently leads the Customer Value and Growth Organization for Coca-Cola’s Foodservice and On-Premise Division in North America. He and his team are focused on building marketing capabilities and developing resources which add value to our Key Partnerships.

Prior to this role Eric led Coca-Cola’s global relationship with Roark Capital and their restaurant Brands. Over his career he has worked across our North America Operating Division in various capacities including leading our partnership with Chick-fil-A and working with various other global Foodservice Customers including Wendy’s. Additionally, he has worked in Foodservice Supply Chain and Operations, Franchise and Commercial Leadership, Brand Management and Local Market Foodservice.

Eric represents Coca-Cola on the board of IFMA and sits on the Board of the Jack and Jill Late-Stage Cancer Foundation. He is also an active participant in NEXTUP and Women’s Foodservice Forum. He has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Washington College where he played basketball.

Away from Coke, he and his wife Brittany live in Kennesaw, GA with their two boys Camden (9), Bennett (7) and twin girls Anderson (3) and Evelyn (3). Eric is an active member in his community and church. He enjoys family time, traveling, running, and coaching his boys’ baseball & basketball teams.

GARY J PRAGER
GARY J PRAGER

Cygnus Advisers, LLC

Gary J. Prager has over thirty five years of senior executive experience in corporate finance and is recognized throughout the industry for his achievements in both building and guiding business units of major corporations.  For eighteen years he worked with CIT Group and served as Executive Vice President of the Corporate Finance Group where he managed various verticals and was Chief Sales Officer.  Most recently he was a Managing Director and key member of the investment management affiliate of Gordon Brothers Group, GB Credit Partners, which was successfully sold in October 2014.  Gary brings an extensive track record of experience in problem solving, workout, loan negotiation, restructuring and strategic development.

Gary currently serves on the Board of Accord Financial Corp.  TOR CA: ACD, a Canadian based commercial finance company serving both the United States and Canada through factoring, commercial finance and equipment financing.  He is a member of their Credit Committee.

Gary was born in Los Angeles and holds a BS in business administration from East Carolina University and an MBA in finance from the University of North Carolina. He has completed the Advanced Executive Program at the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University as well as post-graduate work at the University of Virginia, Darden School of Business in finance. Gary is also a graduate of the Center for Creative Leadership.

Gary is a member of the Turnaround Management Association, Commercial Finance Association, Association of Corporate Growth, American Bankruptcy Institute, Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors.

HAROLD ASTORQUIZA
HAROLD ASTORQUIZA

Senior Vice President, Morgan Stanley

Education and Licensing

  • University of South Florida-BA Accounting and Finance
  • Loyola University- New Orleans
  • Jesuit High School- Tampa
  • Licenses: Series 6,7,9,10,31,63,65

Business Experience

  • 2007 – Present: Morgan Stanley Senior Vice President
  • 2000 – 2007: UBS Financial Services Senior Vice President
  • 1990 – 2000: Smith Barney Vice President
  • 1986 – 1990: Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor

Associations

  • University of South Florida Athletic Board of Directors
  • Joseph Hospital Board of Directors
  • Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am Board of Directors
  • SunDome, Inc. Vice President
  • Academy of Holy Names Dads Club
  • Tampa Bay Sports Commission
  • Temple Terrace Country Club
  • Corpus Christi Catholic Church
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon
JACK S. COHEN
JACK S. COHEN

Managing Director, Private Wealth Management
Robert W. Baird & Co.

With 28 years of experience as a financial advisor, Jack specializes in assisting clients with comprehensive wealth management, including, retirement planning, estate planning and investment management. “I enjoy helping clients formulate a long-term financial plan reflecting their financial goals and risk tolerance. I then recommend a portfolio that is tailored to meet each client’s individual needs,” says Jack.

Jack’s passion and dedication to his clients and the profession have been recognized by the firm, the educational community and the industry. Jack graduated cum laude from East Carolina University. He holds the following professional designations and certifications: CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM, Certified Investment Management AnalystSM, Chartered Financial Consultant® and Certified Private Wealth Advisor™. For several years, he has served as an instructor at The University of Georgia and Oglethorpe University in the CFP® program and served on the program’s advisory board. Jack recently served as Chairman of Baird’s Branch Manager Advisory Council. His business approach echoes the cornerstone of the Baird culture: “My mission is identical to Baird’s – to be the best financial partner to my clients.”

He is a member of Baird’s Investment Council, The Financial Planning Association, Investment Management Consultants Association and The Atlanta Estate Planning Council.

In 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 Jack was honored by Atlanta Magazine being named a FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction Wealth Manager.

While financial planning and investment management are his passion, Jack also enjoys travel, sports and carpentry. He and his wife, Audrey, have lived in Atlanta for 28 years. They have two children, Jake and Rachel.

Investment Management Consultants Association is the owner of the certification marks “CIMA®” and “CPWA®”, the service makes “Certified Investment Management Analyst℠ and Certified Private Wealth Advisor Analyst℠, Investment Management Consultants Association℠, and IMCA.® Use signifies that the user has successfully completed IMCA’s initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for certification.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Consideration for inclusion in The FIVE STAR: Best in Client Satisfaction Wealth Manager Program includes an analysis of consumers’ responses to a client satisfaction survey. Only wealth managers with five years of experience in the financial services industry are considered. Additionally, the wealth managers who have made the list are required to certify that their license(s) has never been suspended or revoked by a regulating
authority (e.g. FINRA or other regulatory agency) and that they have not had more than three customer complaints filed against them with a regulating authority where at least one complaint resulted in a settlement
payment by them.

The inclusion of a wealth manager on the FIVE STAR Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Crescendo Business Services nor should it be inferred that the consumer responses used from the survey represent the experience of all clients. Past performance does not guarantee future success.

JOE TERZI
JOE TERZI

Joe Terzi began his hospitality career with ITT Sheraton Corporation in 1972. During his tenure with the company, he distinguished himself as General Manager for a diverse set of hotels from coast-to-coast.

Shortly after the acquisition of ITT Sheraton by Starwood in 1998, Terzi was promoted to Vice President of Operations with responsibility for all Starwood brands in California and Nevada. In 2002, he was promoted to Senior Vice President for Starwood Hotels & Resorts where he remained until his retirement in January, 2009.

In recognition of his performance and leadership, Terzi received numerous awards during his tenure in hotel management, including twice helming Sheraton Corporation’s Hotel of the Year at the Sheraton Seattle and Sheraton San Diego. In addition, he was honored with the ITT Ring of Quality, the highest award given for exceptional leadership.

Terzi was recruited to fill the role of President and CEO for the San Diego Tourism Authority in March 2009. Under his stewardship, the San Diego Tourism Authority has received numerous industry recognitions and the destination has been recognized by such notable organizations as National Geographic, Money Magazine, and Worth. The San Diego Tourism Authority is recognized as one of the best in the business and continues to set the standard for Destination Marketing Organizations.

Terzi was a founding member of the San Diego Tourism Marketing District and serves on the Board of Directors for the U.S. Travel Association, California Travel Association, Visit California and several other local organizations.

Joe Terzi and his wife, Ann Marie, have resided in Poway, CA for 28 years.

JOHN FEW
JOHN FEW

Mr. Few has over 30 years of industry experience and focuses on investment management, asset allocation and diversifications strategies.  Prior to joining Smith Barney, Mr. Few was an institutional equity trader at Raymond James and Associates advising and executing block trades for institutional clients including mutual funds, hedge funds, money managers and pension funds.  Prior to his position as a sales trader, Mr. Few was an equity OTC market maker responsible for committing the firm’s capital to provide liquidity for institutional and retail clients in the NASDAQ marketplace.  Mr. Few has also been a municipal bond trader in for Chemical Bank and was a research analyst in public finance at Merrill Lynch.  Mr. Few graduated from Jesuit High School in Tampa and Princeton University in 1984 with an A.B. in History.  Mr. Few graduated from the Kenan-Flagler School of Business at UNC-Chapel Hill in 1990 with an MBA in international business.  Mr. Few holds Series 7, 24, 63 and 66 registrations and is licensed by the Florida State Board of Insurance.

Mr. Few currently serves as an assistant coach for the 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2011 state champion Plant Panther football team and has coached high school football for the past 29 years.  In 2011 he was named the National Football Foundation’s Hillsborough County Assistant Coach of the Year.  His community involvement includes past service on the boards of the Florida Security Traders Association, St. John’s Episcopal Parish Day School, Tampa Bay Little League, Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club and Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.  Mr. Few is currently the President of the Princeton Club of Tampa Bay and a director of Train Up First Foundation, the Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation and the local chapter of the National Football Foundation.  Mr. Few is a certified PADI Divemaster, a licensed OUPV boat captain and is the music director for YMK Gasparilla’s Cut Throat Chorus.  Mr. Few is married with two adult sons.

JON ALBERT
JON ALBERT

Founder and President, Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation

2018 CNN HERO; honored as the 2010 Humanitarian of the Year, in 2011 as the Avis National Spirit recipient at Yankee Stadium; US TRAVEL’s 2015 National Inspiration Award recipient, 2016 as the Tampa Bay Community HERO by the Lightning Foundation, 2017 Spirit of Humanity Award, presented by the DeBartolo Foundation, and was invited to present a TED TALK on Broadway in 2017 on the POWER OF WOW! Jon gives this presentation across the country.

Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation was inspired by Jill and Jon Albert’s real life story. Jon found himself, his wife, Jill, and their two young children Jake and Jamie facing Jill’s Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Jill and Jon realized early on in Jill’s fight, the disease was not just attacking her body, but it was affecting their entire family. Jill and Jon decided they needed to treat their family along with the cancer. The Alberts knew that for their kids, strong memories of special times together would be their greatest inheritance. From this notion, JAJF was born. Jill died a week before Thanksgiving 2006.

A native of Tampa, a graduate of Vanderbilt and the University of Florida where he achieved his master’s in business, Jon began his career with Frito-Lay. Jon moved to Atlanta in 1989 to establish and launch the GA operations for PageNet which grew into a wonderful success story. He then had the unique opportunity to serve as a Director for The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG—-a $1.8 billion start-up). After The Olympics, Jon became President of the Builder Division of Apex Supply which was bought by The Home Depot years later.

Jamie recently graduated from UVA and now lives in Madrid; Jake recently graduated from Yale, and now lives in Seoul. Jon is blessed to have remarried Karen who has inspired him personally to Hurry Up and Live!

KATHLEEN CIARAMELLO
KATHLEEN CIARAMELLO

Kathleen retired as President of Coca-Cola’s Refreshments National FoodService and On-Premise division. She had responsibility for all global, national and regional customers operating within the Foodservice and On-Premise channels of business in the United States. Prior to this Kathleen was East Zone Vice President for the FoodService/On-Premise division with responsibility for the 22 east coast states. In this role, Kathleen led a cross functional team to deliver unique solutions that delight guests and grow beverage profits for our FoodService and On-Premise customers.

Kathleen is also one of 12 inaugural members of the Coca-Cola Women’s Leadership Council sponsored by CEO, Muhtar Kent. The Women’s Leadership Council is a sustainable advisory organization designed to help the Company meet the global leadership demands of a rapidly changing marketplace by increasing the focus on the development and movement of women into leadership roles.

In 1985, Kathleen joined The Coca-Cola Company’s North America FoodService unit, serving in various account management roles in New Jersey, Boston, St. Louis and Atlanta. She became director of Leisure Marketing in 1997, group director of Leisure and Strategic Alliances in 2000, and Vice President, Strategic Alliances in 2001. From October 2006 to May 2009 she was Group Vice President of Strategic Partnership Marketing. In that role, she was responsible for the sales and marketing of the Company’s strategic partnerships such as on-site, travel, cinemas, and theme parks.

Kathleen fights hunger as the Chair of the Advisory Board for the Atlanta Community Food Bank’s “Atlanta’s Table”, supports the Georgia Restaurant and Foodservice Industries as a member of the Georgia Restaurant Association Board of Directors, is engaged in building strong communities as a member of the YMCA Metro Atlanta Board of Directors and Treats Families; not the cancer as a member of the Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation (JAJF) Board of Directors. Kathleen was a 2008 Recipient of “25 WOW Women to Watch” Award (Bloomingdale’s and Uptown Scoop). Kathleen was inducted into the ShowEast Hall of Fame in October, 2011, a tribute given to a select group of individuals who have served the motion picture industry with great distinction. She was also awarded the 2011 GRACE Award, Industry Partner of the Year, for her exemplary contributions to Georgia?s prolific restaurant industry.

A native of Massachusetts, Kathleen has a bachelor?s degree in business administration from Boston College.

Kathleen and her husband, Paul, live in Atlanta with their two children.

MIKE ANTINORO
MIKE ANTINORO

Executive Vice President, IMG

Michael Antinoro is the Executive Vice President for Endeavor (formerly IMG). Prior to joining the team at IMG, Mike was EVP of Programming for Dick Clark Productions and served as Six Flags’ Executive Vice President of Entertainment and Marketing and overseeing all aspects of Six Flags marketing, advertising, promotions, entertainment, ticket strategy, group sales and communications. Antinoro has focused on enhancing the Six Flags entertainment experience while developing dynamic new marketing and communications programs to enhance the Six Flags brand, improve customer satisfaction and drive business to the 20 parks in the US, Mexico and Canada. Antinoro is responsible for introducing top entertainment brands such as MTV, Tony Hawk, The Wiggles and Thomas the Tank Engine into the parks and for overseeing the production of innovative and cutting edge communication campaigns. Since Antinoro has lead the marketing and entertainment forge, overall awareness and guest approval ratings have showed dramatic improvements from prior years and are at or above all-time highs. Antinoro is also responsible for overseeing the Coke and Warner Brothers relationships.

In 2008 Antinoro joined the board of directors of Dick Clark Productions. As a board member, Antinoro is actively involved in the creative development of all new projects and shows and innovatively works to merge the two organizations. Under Antinoro’s leadership, Six Flags has introduced live in-park shows such as Rewind, Backtrax and Best of Bloopers that creatively utilize the Dick Clark library to enhance the Six Flags guest experience.

Prior to joining Six Flags, Antinoro was instrumental in ESPN’s foray into non-traditional, sports entertainment programming. Antinoro served as the Executive Producer of ESPN Original Entertainment (EOE) from February 2001 through November 2005. During his tenure at EOE, Antinoro oversaw the development of 6 made for TV movies (A Season On The Brink, The Junction Boys, Hustle, 3, Four Minutes and Codebreakers), 2 ten-episode Dramatic Series (PLAYMAKERS and Tilt), Sports Talk Shows (Pardon The Interruption, Jim Rome Is Burning), Game Shows (2 Minute Drill, Stump The Schwab), Reality Shows (Dream Job, Beg, Borrow and Deal, I’d Do Anything), Award-Winning Documentary Series and The World Series Of Poker franchise. During his tenure EOE was nominated for over 100 awards including 30 Sports Emmys and also won the prestigious Peabody Award.

MIKE SHAPIRO
MIKE SHAPIRO

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Option Care Inc.

Mike Shapiro currently serves as the CFO for Option Care, Inc., the largest provider of alternate site infusion therapy in the United States.  In his current role, he is responsible for all financial aspects as well as M&A for the $1.5 billion organization.  Prior to Option Care, he served as the CFO of Catamaran Corporation, a publicly-traded pharmacy benefit management enterprise headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois until the company was acquired by United Health Group in 2015.

Mr. Shapiro previously held a variety of roles over a fifteen year career at Baxter International, a global medical device and biopharmaceutical manufacturer.  He progressed through multiple financial positions of increasing responsibility over fifteen years including Director, Investor Relations, Divisional CFO, VP of Corporate Planning and Analysis and VP, Assistant Treasurer.  Mr. Shapiro began his career as an audit professional with Deloitte & Touche.

His work in the community is reflected in the many non-profit positions he has held.  He serves on the board and is the chair of the finance committee of the board of Next Door Foundation, an inner-city early childhood education organization in Milwaukee. Previous positions include serving on the associate board of Make-A-Wish of Illinois and the board of Heartland Health Outreach (an affiliate of the Heartland Alliance), a foundation focused on providing health and human services to at-risk communities in Chicago.

Mr. Shapiro is a Certified Public Accountant.  He earned an MBA from University of Chicago Booth School of Business in Finance and Strategy and a BS in Accounting from Miami University (Ohio).  He resides in Lincolnshire, Illinois with his wife Molly and two children, Jacob and Audrey.

NIKKI DONOFRIO
NIKKI DONOFRIO

Senior Vice President Marketing, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

Nikki Donofrio currently serves as the Vice President of Marketing for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. Previously, Nikki was the Vice President of Marketing and Community Relations for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She leads the strategy and execution around marketing, community relations, events and entertainment. Prior to joining the Bucs, Nikki spent eight years as the Senior Vice President of Marketing at Great Wolf Resorts where she managed marketing strategy and execution for the nation’s largest chain of indoor waterpark resorts. Nikki’s expertise in strategic planning, brand extensions and partnership marketing played an important role in managing the expansion and growth of the company’s proprietary brands and amenities.

Nikki was also previously the Vice President of Marketing for Six Flags, Inc. overseeing the company’s marketing plans including advertising, promotions, creative, media and new product launches for 20 parks throughout North America. She was also the Director of Marketing for Six Flags Great Adventure, Wild Safari and Hurricane Harbor Water Park in Jackson, NJ and successfully launched the world’s tallest and fastest roller coaster during her tenure. Before Six Flags, she held a variety of marketing and sales positions at the Core States Center (now the Wells Fargo Center) in Philadelphia and Madison Square Garden in NYC.

Nikki earned both her Master’s Degree in Communication and Information Studies and her B.S. in Administration of Justice at from Rutgers University in New Jersey.

PETER FROATS
PETER FROATS

Peter, his wife Carolyn and three daughters Courtney, Megan and Hannah were beneficiaries of the Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation back in 2008. Sadly, Carolyn succumbed to her disease on November 21st, 2016 after eleven plus years of battling her very rare form of breast cancer. 

Peter and family, in honor of Carolyn, Jill and those who have suffered, who are suffering, and will suffer, have been busy raising awareness of the foundation, as well as philanthropically raising money.

Giving back has been the Froats Mantra since Carolyn’s passing. Peter Froats is most recently the President and founder of P&C Group LLC. a private investment company specializing in real estate, equities and derivatives. Prior to P&C Group LLC, Peter was The Director of North American Trade Operations at The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) from 2001-2015. Prior to this role, Mr. Froats was the Partner, Broker, Vice President, and Commodities Exchange Metal Futures & Options Trader at Paramount Silver Futures and Options (1992-2001). Mr. Froats received his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Wagner College.

SAM WEINER
SAM WEINER

Partner, Latham & Watkins, LLP

Sam Weiner is a tax partner in the Los Angeles office of Latham & Watkins LLP and is chair of the firm?s Transactional Tax Practice Group and co-chair of the Asian Tax Practice Group. His practice focuses on federal and state taxation of corporations and partnerships in a variety of US and international contexts and specifically involves advising clients on tax issues related to mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, financings, bankruptcy restructurings and financial products and services. Mr. Weiner represents investment banks and funds, public and private companies, individual investors and non-US corporations on a variety of matters. Mr. Weiner is a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of California and the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and has served as Chairman of the State Bar of California?s Corporate Tax Committee and Secretary/Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Bar Association?s Corporate Taxation Section. He has lectured on various tax aspects of mergers,acquisitions, dispositions and bankruptcy restructurings before numerous professional tax organizations, including the Tax Executives Institute, the University of Southern California Tax Institute (where he is a member of the Executive Committee), the New York University Institute on Federal Taxation, the Practicing Law Institute, the Chicago-Kent College of Law Federal Tax Institute and the UCLA Law Center for the Study of Mergers and Acquisitions. Mr. Weiner has also written articles on these topics for a variety of tax publications, including Major Tax Planning, the New York University Institute on Federal Taxation, the Practicing Law Institute and Turnarounds & Workouts. Chambers Global, Chambers USA and Legal 500 US legal guides have continually recognized Mr. Weiner as a leading tax attorney.

SHELLY GLENN
SHELLY GLENN

Chief Growth & Relationship Officer, AON

Shelly serves as AON’s Chief Growth & Relationship Officer and is responsible for overseeing referral base management, physician recruitment, patient advocacy and practice engagement as well as driving network growth.

Prior to joining AON, Shelly was the Chief Development & Community Partnership Officer at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), where she played a key role in bringing the organization to the forefront of community oncology. She oversaw critical growth initiatives as well as efforts to strengthen patient advocacy and community partnerships. Prior to joining FCS in 2012, she was Vice President of Marketing & Sales for Vantage Oncology, a radiation oncology organization based in Atlanta, Ga. While at Vantage, she was responsible for developing and implementing strategies to increase patient volume as well as the profile of the company. Shelly was formerly the Chief Administrative Officer for Park ‘N Fly and previously held positions with increasing sales and marketing responsibilities at The Care Group, Roche Professional Service Centers and Sandoz Nutrition.

Shelly received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Lehigh University, as well as a Global Leadership designation from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. Dedicated to increasing cancer awareness and education, in addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation, Shelly is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s National Executive Chair of Light the Night as well as American Cancer Society’s CEOs Against Cancer board member.

She was the 2013 Co-Chair of the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Sarasota/Manatee, named the 2014 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year, the 2016 Chair of the Suncoast Chapter Leadership Team of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man and Woman of the Year and the 2020 Light the Night Event Chair in Tampa, Fla. Additionally, Shelly actively participates on the Advisory Board of the Millennium Alliance, Women of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (founding member) and was a 2018 Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Businesswoman of the Year Finalist.

STEPHEN CLARK
STEPHEN CLARK

Major General, United States Air Force (Retired)

Stephen Clark recently retired from the Air Force after 32 years of service. In addition to the JAJF board he serves on the board of Education Services of America (ESA), dba EdSouth/Services, a non-profit financial holding company focused on expanding educational opportunities and financial literacy. Stephen also owns his own consulting company focusing on corporate leadership, crisis leadership, public speaking and national security.

Prior to his retirement, he was the Director of Programs for the United States Air Force overseeing the development, justification, and consolidation of the Air Forces five-year financial plan totaling over $750B in resources and manpower. Previously, Stephen served as the Director of Plans, Programs, Requirements, and Manpower for the United States Special Operations Command where he oversaw the development and consolidation of the Special Operations five year plan integrating the plans of USSOCOM’s five component commands. He also served as the Deputy Commanding General of the Joint Special Operations Command. Stephen has commanded at the Squadron, Group and Wing level. During his command of the 27th Special Operations Wing he was responsible for over 4000 Airmen and Civilians and their families, $15B worth of infrastructure and aircraft, a multi-year construction program worth $1.5B, the operations of a military base, airfield, training range, and the execution of over 5000 combat hours. He has deployed in support of operations in Bosnia, Somalia, Haiti, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Clark earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Tennessee, Masters in Public Administration from Troy State, Masters in National Security from the Naval War College, and was a Defense Fellow at Harvard’s Weatherhead Center for International Relations. Stephen is a command pilot with over 3300 hours primarily in the AC-130H/U gunship. In addition to JAJF Stephen is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors and the Great Falls Rotary Club. He is an avid cyclist, skier, and enjoys fly fishing. Stephen and his wife Cynthia have two grown daughters Shelby and Sydney and reside in Herndon Virginia.

 

STEVE KASTEN
STEVE KASTEN

Executive Director - Marketing & Alliances, Neudesic 

Previously, Steve served as the worldwide marketing director for Media & Entertainment at Accenture. He is responsible for planning and executing marketing programs that support the strategic objectives of clients worldwide in broadcasting, entertainment, publishing and portals. He helps Media & Entertainment companies adapt to the realities of the digital evolution and capitalize on new opportunities to improve business performance.

Steve also leads Accenture’s firmwide thought leadership around Convergence and supports bringing to market related products and services through the Communications and High Tech operating group, the largest of Accenture’s five industry groups.

Steve started his career with Accenture in 1998 with the Products group, leading marketing for Food and Consumer Packaged Goods. He then joined the Communications division to establish marketing for the wireless group and supported rapid growth in that sector.
Before joining Accenture, Steve led the global branding efforts for MCI, under the business to business sector – network MCI. Prior to that, Steve led advertising and corporate communications for the Georgia Power Company/Southern Company.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications and a MBA in Marketing. He is married and lives with his wife and three children in Atlanta, Georgia.

BRAD MACAFEE
BRAD MACAFEE

Founder & CEO, Mission + Cause Talent

Brad MacAfee brings a wealth of public relations experience-on both the agency and corporate sides. Previously Brad served as the Chief Executive Officer of North America for Porter Novelli. He has spent his entire career working with companies selling products and services to the small and medium-sized business (SMB) audience. He has developed strategic marketing and public relations programs for companies such as Sage Software, Level 3 Communications, Aflac, Capital One, BellSouth (now part of AT&T), Navision Software (now part of Microsoft) and Quark. Prior to joining Porter Novelli, Brad held director of public relations and business development positions at Peachtree Software (a division of Sage Software). At Peachtree, Brad established the company’s first successful business development program—forging dozens of strategic partnerships valued at millions of dollars. He managed all aspects of the affiliate program, from lead generation to ongoing partnership management, and managed large corporate partners including Microsoft and IBM.

Brad earned a B.S. in telecommunications from Indiana University.

HALA MODDELMOG

President and CEO, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

Prior to becoming CEO of Woodruff, Hala served as President and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce since 2014. Previously, she was President of Arby’s Restaurant Group.

Hala Moddelmog currently serves as President and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining the MACC, Hala served as President of Arby’s Restaurant Group. Before joining Arby’s, Moddelmog spent the last 15 years of her career in president and CEO roles. She is known as a multi­dimensional leader with areas of strength in strategic planning, marketing, brand and product development, and assembling and managing high performance teams. Her ability to form strategic alliances and public-private partnerships in industry and nonprofit is a powerful complement to her business acumen. Moddelmog was the first woman to lead an international restaurant company when in 1995 she was named President of Church’s Chicken, the world’s third largest chicken brand with 1500+ restaurants in 15 countries and nearly $1B in system sales. In 2006, she was chosen as President and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest grassroots network working to eradicate breast cancer through education, awareness, public policy, and science throughout the globe. Since its inception, Komen has contributed over $1.5B in the fight against breast cancer and has outreach in 50 countries.
Moddelmog currently serves as a director on the boards of two public companies— AMN Healthcare (NYSE:AHS) and Amerigroup Corporation (NYSE:AGP) — and is CEO of Catalytic Ventures, LLC, a company she founded to provide strategic and operational consulting in the areas of foodservice, franchising, healthcare, and nonprofit with special emphasis in international multi-unit/multi-channel organizations.
Highlights of her career at Komen include the establishment of a world-renowned Scientific Advisory Board with a record-setting annual grant of $100m to scientific research and the establishment of the Susan G. Komen Advocacy Alliance, a 501c4 designed to advocate for breast cancer patients at the federal and state level. Moddelmog also strengthened the operational and financial stewardship of the organization, and as a result, Komen received its first ever 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator. During Moddelmog’s tenure, Komen’s awareness and the number of corporate sponsors grew significantly (from 123 sponsors in 2006 to 296 in 2009), as did Komen’s reach around the globe. She developed the Komen Global Promise Fund and led mission delegations to Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

While she was President of Church’s, the company experienced record sales and profit growth with eight years of consecutive comparable sales increases, which out-paced the foodservice industry growth rate. Moddelmog also led a logo change and complete reimaging of brand. She was recognized for her strong relationships with franchisees, her marketing savvy, and successful new product development. Moddelmog’s strategic direction for Church’s translated to new heights of restaurant operating profit. She led the brand both under private equity ownership and as a public company under AFC Enterprises (NASDAQ:AFCE), and she was instrumental in the divestiture of Church’s back to private equity ownership.

She serves/has served on multiple boards: public, private, advisory, and nonprofit; and she is a frequent speaker at conferences, universities, corporations, and associations and on TV and radio on topics including her business areas of focus as well as women’s business advancement and public board service. She has had the privilege of working with the National Cancer Institute and many other cancer organizations. She has testified before the Senate HELP (Health, Education, Labor, Pensions) Committee and the Senate Women’s Caucus, and she is the recipient of numerous awards and recognition including an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Georgia Southern University.

Moddelmog earned a Masters in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Georgia and a BA in English from Georgia Southern University. She has also attended Executive Education programs at Harvard and Kellogg and has her National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) certification. She resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband, Steve Moddelmog. They have two adult children.

JED SELKOWITZ
JED SELKOWITZ

SVP and Chief Marketing Officer, AmeriCares

As SVP and Chief Marketing Officer of AmeriCares, Jed is charged with providing both strategic leadership and hands-on tactical execution of the organization’s brand management, marketing and communications efforts. Jed has nearly 20 years of senior marketing and strategy experience, including work with some of the world’s most recognizable brands.

Prior to joining AmeriCares, Jed served as a Vice President at iHeartMedia, a mass media company that specializes in radio broadcasting and producing live events where he oversaw iHeartMedia’s strategic brand partnerships with companies like American Express, AT&T, Coca-Cola, and Johnson & Johnson. Prior to iHeartMedia, Jed spent 10 years at The Coca-Cola Company, starting in brand management before ultimately overseeing Coca-Cola’s entertainment marketing department, including management of key industry relationships and partnerships with properties like American Idol, the Academy Awards, American Music Awards and celebrity relationships with Ryan Seacrest and Heidi Klum, amongst others.

Jed earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Delaware and a M.B.A in marketing from Emory University. He lives in New York City.

JOE RIZZO

Corporate Engineering Director, United Parcel Service

In his twenty- six years with the world’s largest transportation company, Joe has held a number of senior management positions with United Parcel Service in the areas of Product Development, Process Re-Engineering, Information Technology, Acquisition Integration, Supply Chain Management Consulting and Operations. Joe holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Florida in Management Information Systems. In 1999, Joe and his wife Sharon moved from Orlando, Florida through a corporate relocation. In 2003 they started a family, and their pride and joy keeps them both busy with volunteering at school functions, Cub Scouts, coaching baseball, playing basketball, waterskiing and most recently, golfing as a family.

Joe met Jon Albert a few years ago when they were having their cars serviced at a local dealership in Atlanta. After short personal introductions in the back of a courtesy vehicle, a friendship was formed and a strong desire to help support the Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation was incubated. Jon’s desire, passion and motivation to build the foundation resonated deeply with Joe who lost his mother to cancer when he was seventeen and attending his first semester in college. From the first phone call received from his mom in the college dorm, until her last days on Earth, Joe wishes he somehow would have thought of or had the financial means to create his family’s own “WOW” experience so that he could relive those special memories and share with his family.

Now he is part of the Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer team as an Advisor and plans to raise awareness and financial support for this very efficient nonprofit foundation.

JOHN HUIE
JOHN HUIE

Agent, Creative Artist Agency

John Huie is a Music Agent at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), and a founder of CAA Music’s Nashville office, where he represents many of the world’s leading musicians, including Faith Hill, Sugarland, Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum, Kelsea Ballerini, Michael W. Smith, and Amy Grant, among others. 

Huie began his career at CAA in 1992, joining Ron Baird in opening the first satellite office for CAA.  Since that time, the CAA Nashville office has grown to become the dominant industry force. He has helped guide the growth of the agency’s Music City operations from two employees to more than 84 specializing in booking, tour marketing, and brand partnerships.

In 1978, Huie began his career in Macon, Georgia, at The Paragon Agency, where he booked tours for acts like The Charlie Daniels Band and The Allman Brothers.  After a year, he moved to New York City and opened Frontier Booking International (F.B.I.) with Ian Copeland. While at F.B.I., Huie was instrumental in breaking artists such as The Police, The GoGo’s and Joan Jett.  In 1984, Huie left F.B.I. and created his own agency, H-1, where he led the Contemporary Christian music industry in crossing over artists such as Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith into mainstream appeal.  In 1987, H-1 was purchased by International Creative Management (ICM) and Huie moved to Los Angeles where he ran ICM’s Contemporary Music division for five years.

In 1999, Huie won a Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album for THE APOSTLE soundtrack for which he served as a producer.  He has been honored numerous times throughout his career, including being named Pollstar’s Third Coast Agent of the Year eight times.  In 2015, he was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

Huie serves on the Country Music Association Board of Directors and CMA Foundation Board, whose focus is music education.  He is President of the Southern Chapter of the T.J. Martell Foundation for Cancer Research.  He serves on the boards of The Onsite Foundation and the Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation. In addition, he is an Advisory Board member of Lipscomb University’s College of Entertainment & The Arts and Porter’s Call, a counseling service for artists.

MARC SONENSHINE, MD

Associate, Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates

Marc completes his clinical fellowship in the Department of Digestive Diseases at Emory University in June 2012; he will then become an associate with Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates and their Physician Business Development Director for their Center for Advanced GI Therapeutics and Southeastern Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders. Prior, he became board certified in Internal Medicine after finishing his residency training as a member of the Osler Medical Service at Johns Hopkins University. In July 2012, he also graduates with his Master of Business Administration from the Terry College at the University of Georgia. Marc received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia after obtaining his Bachelor of Science in microbiology studies at the University of Georgia. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and Phi Beta Kappa Academic Honor Society. Marc was a member of the 2010-2011 LEAD Atlanta for Young Professionals class, and he currently is a member of the inaugural (2011-2012) Emerging Leaders Project of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.

Marc is married to his high school sweetheart, Alana, and they raise their two sons, Devin and Reese, in their hometown of Atlanta.

MARIN GOODMAN

Senior Vice President, USI Insurance Services

Senior Vice President, USI Insurance Services

Marin Goodman is a Senior Vice President for USI Insurance Services and is responsible for setting the strategy, leveraging carrier relationships, and negotiating property and casualty deals for upper middle market and fortune 1000 clients. In addition, Marin is involved with driving new business growth, focusing on real estate, retail and food and beverage companies. Prior to joining USI, Marin worked for Wells Fargo Insurance. In 2004, Marin graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia. She currently volunteers for Atlanta’s JF&CS PAL program and enjoys playing tennis in her free time.

MICHELLE MURPHY

Bio Coming

PHILIP MEKELBURG

CEO, Managing Member, Equity Estates

Philip’s business acumen is honed from over 20 years of experience in business development, marketing, management and operations. After graduating Cornell University, he worked as a corporate trainer and management consultant for ten years. Philip’s accomplishments include starting a fast growing, new to market retail concept which he built up and sold after four years. The industry respected his novel approach and elected him president of their international association. Afterwards, Philip was hired as Director of Operations for a financial service firm where his work in channel sales garnered him praise, knowledge and experience in marketing specialty finance products. Philip had been a close friend and business confidant to Adam for 10 years and immediately saw value in creating an investment portfolio that allows owners to invest in vacation homes they can use and enjoy. He co-founded Equity Estates and enjoys building a real estate portfolio that is a smart investment and also provides memorable experiences.

RICH MCKAY

President, Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons President & CEO, Rich McKay, a notable fixture in the National Football League for more than 30 years as one of the League’s most influential executives, begins his 15th season with the Atlanta Falcons. His tenure with the Falcons has included 7 trips to the playoffs, 2 NFC Championships and an appearance to Super Bowl LI. The son of late legendary University of Southern California head football coach John McKay, Rich has held the title of NFL General Manager or team president for 25 consecutive seasons (Tampa Bay and Atlanta).

After serving the first eight years as President of the Falcons, McKay was promoted to President and CEO of the club by Owner and Chairman Arthur M. Blank on September 1, 2011.

McKay’s long-term involvement in the NFL includes many notable achievements. He is the only executive to have led two successful stadium negotiations (Atlanta and Tampa Bay), he was General Manager and chief football architect for a Super Bowl championship team in Tampa Bay (XXXVII), he has served as an active participant within the NFL’s committee system to help advance the game and the NFL’s business and was substantially involved in the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations which led to the current multi-year agreement signed in 2011 with the NFL and the NFL Players Association.

Additionally, McKay has been a member of the NFL’s Competition Committee for the past 23 years. He was named Co-Chairman of the Committee in 1998 and on March 1, 2011, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell named McKay Chairman of the committee which is comprised of NFL head coaches and League executives who study the game and recommend rules changes and modifications to ensure player safety while promoting competitiveness.

McKay grew up in Los Angeles and Tampa, graduating from Tampa’s Jesuit High School. An avid long-distance runner, he has participated in and finished two New York City marathons and one recent Atlanta marathon.   

McKay and his wife, Terrin, have two sons; Hunter, a 2012 Samford University graduate now employed in the Sports Information Office at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia, and John, a 2015University of Southern California graduate who is now a Pro Scout with the Los Angeles Rams.

RICKY KALMON
Ricky Kalmon

Ricky Kalmon is a mindset expert, motivational speaker, celebrity hypnotist, and author who delivers high-energy, mindset motivational keynote programs and corporate entertainment. He is the author of the book, Leverage Your Mindset, Overcome Limiting Beliefs and Amplify Your Life. Kalmon is the creator of the growth mindset and meditation app titled: RICKY KALMON

Kalmon's impressive portfolio includes working with top-tier corporations, sales teams, leaders, executives, and sports teams. His philosophy and techniques empower individuals to turn their intentions into successful accomplishments. Kalmon’s programs have a transformative impact that can change how you work, live, and think. He reveals how our mindset is a powerful tool that can help individuals reduce stress, overcome challenges, adapt to change, and ignite potential with a Growth Mindset.

As an international speaker, motivator, and mindset expert, Ricky Kalmon is a Visionary Architect in Professional and Personal Growth who takes individuals and organizations to the next level of success.

ROBERT (BOB) MEIER

Retired, President, Northern Trust - Georgia

Bob Meier retired as President of the Atlanta, Northern Trust Bank, FSB office. Formerly, Bob was a Vice President at Northern Trust Bank of Florida. He was responsible for Trust New Business in the Bonita Springs office.

Prior to joining Northern Trust in 1997, Bob was associated with NationsBank from 1991 to 1997, most recently as a Vice President.

He received a B.S. degree in Economics from Wake Forest University.

Bob is a Board Member of the United Way of Lee County and is a former President of the Lee County YMCA. He served in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves from 1981 to 1997.

SARAH ARMSTRONG
SARAH ARMSTRONG

Vice President, Global Marketing Operations - Google 

Currently the Vice President of Global Marketing Operations at Google, Sarah Madden Armstrong is focused on building a global operational capabilities of the Google Marketing team to deliver world-class marketing. Previously, Sarah served as a Partner at McKinsey & Co. where she led McKinsey’s Agency & Partner Management Service Line.  As an advisor to Marketing & Marketing Procurement leaders around the world, Sarah helped clients navigate the ever-changing, complex marketing agency ecosystem.  She is focused on helping marketers build capabilities to implement a disciplined approach to Agency Management across functions (Media, Creative, Digital, Design, Promotions & Experiential, and Brand PR).

Before joining McKinsey & Co., Sarah worked at The Coca-Cola Company in Global Marketing for twenty years, where she led Worldwide Agency Operations across 200 countries.  In addition, Sarah was involved in leading The Coca-Cola Company’s approach to Worldwide Media Management and Worldwide Integrated Marketing Communications. Sarah started her career at Leo Burnett (Chicago) in Media.

In 2009, Sarah was recognized as one of Advertising Age’s “Women to Watch” as well as being highlighted in Advertising Age’s Book of Tens as one of the “Top Ten Who Made Their Mark in 2009”.

Sarah attended Georgetown University as a scholarship athlete from 1989-1993.  She received a Bachelor of Science from the School of Business Administration, with a major in Marketing.  She was a four-year starter on the Georgetown University Volleyball Team. 

While much of Sarah’s time is spent working and traveling for her global role, she is also on the Board of Advisors for Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation, she serves at Trinity Table Soup Kitchen, and conducts interviews for Georgetown Alumni Admissions Program. 

Sarah recently published a book, The Mom’s Guide to a Good Divorce, which is meant to be a practical guide to help those women who have decided to get a divorce to understand all of the details they need to think through…always keeping in focus what is best for their children.

Sarah lives in Atlanta with her fifteen-year old daughter, Grace, and enjoys the juggling act of being a working mom.

THEODORE (TED) BLUM

JAJF Outside Counsel, Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Theodore Blum serves as chair of the Atlanta Corporate and Securities Practice. He leads and advises a team with the strategic business, legal and market experience needed to manage and close complex transactions, as well as to provide counsel on day-to-day operations. Ted concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate and business law, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and corporate finance. He has significant experience representing buyers and sellers in the structuring and negotiation of complex, multi-million dollar mergers, acquisitions and divestitures of public and privately-held companies. These transactions include leveraged buyouts, tax-free reorganizations, stock redemptions, and acquisitions of financially troubled or insolvent companies.

Ted also works closely with growth companies raising equity or debt capital in private placements and other transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the federal and state securities laws. These transactions include the structuring and negotiation of rights, privileges, and preferences of common stock, preferred stock, convertible debt, warrants and other equity or debt arrangements (including preemptive rights, anti-dilution protections, liquidation and dividend preferences, registration rights, rights of first refusal, co-sale rights, puts, calls, voting rights and board representation, capital calls and other rights). Ted represents companies in structuring and negotiating joint-venture, partnership and other strategic arrangements, licensing and development agreements, distribution and supply agreements, shareholder agreements, option and warrant agreements, employment and consulting agreements, and non-competition, nondisclosure and proprietary rights agreements.

UMANG GUPTA

Bio Coming

WENDY CLARK

Global CEO at Dentsu International.

Previously, CEO & President of North America, DDB Worldwide Communications Group. Prior, Wendy served as Chief of North American marketing at The Coca-Cola Company until January 2016. She previously served as Senior Vice President of Advertising and Marketer of AT&T, Inc. She has been Chairman and Director of American Advertising Federation, Inc since June 7, 2013. She has been a Director of The Advertising Council, Inc. since April 17, 2015.   Her efforts were recognized in November 2007, upon her induction into the American Advertising Federation’s Advertising Hall of Achievement. In addition, AdAge magazine cited her as “one of the most important women in marketing” in its “Women to Watch” 2007 issue and named her Executive of the year in 2017.  In 2009 and 2010, FORTUNE featured her in its “40 Under 40” issue, ranking as the Highest Woman in 2010 (#15). She was also named one of four “Women to Watch” by FORTUNE. Ms. Clark has a Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing from Florida State University.

WILLIAM PATE
WILLIAM PATE

President and CEO, Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau

As president and CEO of Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB), William Pate is charged with maintaining tourism as one of the city’s top economic drivers. The industry brought nearly 53 million visitors to metro Atlanta in 2017, generating $15 billion in visitor spending and sustaining approximately 290,000 jobs.

Prior to joining ACVB, Pate served as president of Career Sports & Entertainment, a national sports marketing and representation firm. He is the former chief marketing officer of BellSouth, one of the world’s largest communications companies. Prior to joining BellSouth, Pate supervised domestic and international advertising and communications at MCI during the telecom ad wars of the 1990s.

Georgia Trend magazine named Pate to its list of 2018 Notable Georgians. Atlanta Business Chronicle honored him multiple times as one of Atlanta’s 50 most admired CEOs. The Atlanta Chapter of American Marketing Association selected him as corporate marketer of the year, and Atlanta Business Chronicle has named him to its 100 most influential Atlantans list every year since 2009. Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International recognized Pate as one of the top 25 most extraordinary minds in sales and marketing. In 2017, he received the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association award of appreciation for his commitment to diversity and inclusion within the travel industry.

Pate is very active in the Atlanta community, serving on the board for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Central Atlanta Progress, The Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation, Children’s Museum of Atlanta, East Lake Foundation and Woodruff Arts Center. He is also on the Board of Councilors of The Carter Center and the industry advisory board for Georgia State University’s Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration.

Pate’s involvement in Atlanta’s sports industry includes serving on the boards of Atlanta Sports Council, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame. He is also vice president of the Atlanta Host Committee, which managed the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship and will manage Super Bowl LIII in 2019 and 2020 NCAA Men’s Final Four.

He is also a leader in the nation’s hospitality industry, serving on the board of directors of U.S. Travel Association and is the 2018-2019 chair of Destinations International

A native of Atlanta, Pate grew up in Decatur and attended Georgia State University where he received his undergraduate degree in journalism and his graduate degree in communications.

ALLYSON OCEAN, MD
ALLYSON OCEAN, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Dr. Ocean is a medical oncologist and attending physician in gastrointestinal oncology, Solid Tumor Division, at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center; Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University; and medical oncologist at The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health.

Board certified in internal medicine, hematology, and medical oncology, Dr. Ocean’s primary interest is in the biology and treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies, such as colorectal, pancreatic, stomach, biliary, and liver cancers. She also specializes in head and neck cancers and neuroendocrine tumors. Dr. Ocean’s clinical research focuses on the use of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies, oncolytic viral therapies, and novel targeted agents. In her clinical practice, Dr. Ocean believes in the provision not only of state-of-the art treatment for her patients and their families, but also in a comprehensive, compassionate, multidisciplinary approach to their care and support.

Dr. Ocean graduated cum laude from Tufts University. She also graduated with honors from the Tufts University School of Medicine and completed residency in internal medicine at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Dr. Ocean was chief fellow during her fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Dr. Ocean is the author of numerous peer-reviewed articles and abstracts and is an active member of several professional societies, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and American Association for Cancer Research.

CYNTHIA (CINDY) TINKER, CMSW

Social Worker, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Cindy Tinker’s professional background has been wide and varied. It gives her great satisfaction to be a useful link and team player in helping people get what they need and finding resources that work for them. Ms. Tinker has her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Middle Tennessee State University, and a two-year Associate’s degree in Interpreting for the Hearing Impaired from Chattanooga State Technical Community College. She spent one year on a Rotary International Scholarship at James Cook University in Townsville, Queensland, Australia studying social work as a Foundation Scholar.

HOWARD (SKIP) A. BURRIS, III, MD
HOWARD (SKIP) A. BURRIS, III, MD

President of clinical operations and Chief Medical Officer for Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare

Dr. Howard Burris is President of clinical operations and chief medical officer for Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare. He is an associate of Tennessee Oncology, PLLC, where he practices medical oncology. “Skip” has been elected to serve as the President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for the term beginning in June 2019. “It is a tremendous honor to be elected ASCO President by my peers and I am grateful for their trust and support,” said Dr. Burris. “ASCO is a vital organization not only for physicians, but also for patients and all of those entities working in the fight against cancer. I am hopeful that my unique background will allow me to serve as a bridge between the many stakeholders participating in this important cause of advancing therapies and reducing the burden of cancer in the world.”

An active ASCO member since 1991, Dr. Burris completed his undergraduate education at the United States Military Academy at West Point, his medical degree at the University of South Alabama, and his internal medicine residency and oncology fellowship at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

JOANNA WEISS
JOANNA WEISS

Vice President, Revenue Cycle Management

Joanna represents Moffitt Cancer Center on our Board. Joanna is the Vice President of Finance at Moffitt. In this role, she is responsible for more than 600 team members in six departments including: Health Information Management, Patient Financial Services, and Revenue Integrity. Weiss joined Moffitt in 2006 as internal audit director, developing the department while managing and coordinating Moffitt’s financial statement audit. She brings more than 17 years of auditing experience to the position.

Previously, Weiss worked as an internal control manager for PSCU Financial Services and as an auditor with Ernst & Young, LLP, (now EY) both in Florida. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Auburn University. She is a certified public accountant.

JUDY GARBER, MD

Director of the Cancer Risk and Prevention Program, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Judy E. Garber, M.D., MPH, is Director of the Cancer Risk and Prevention Program at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She is attending physician at Dana-Farber’s Breast Oncology Center, an associate physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and an associate professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Garber’s research is focused on genetic susceptibility to breast, ovarian and other cancers, and the development of novel medical strategies to prevent cancer.

JULIE MEANS-POWELL, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Dr. Means-Powell is a medical oncologist who recently joined the faculty of the Division of Hematology/Oncology. During her fellowship training at Vanderbilt, Dr. Means-Powell’s research included studying chemotherapy drug resistance in acute non-lymphocytic leukemia. She has received two honors for academic excellence and is a graduate of the Master of Clinical Investigation Program.

KATE CARLSON WRAMMERT

Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University

RUTH O’REGAN, MD

Professor of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University

Dr. Ruth O’Regan is Professor of Hematology & Medical Oncology and Director of the Translational Breast Cancer Research Program at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. She is a Georgia Cancer Coalition (GCC) Distinguished Cancer Scholar and holds the Glenn Family Chair in breast cancer research.

Prior to her work at Winship, she served as assistant professor of medicine at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago, where she worked with leading authority Dr. V. Craig Jordan, studying the mechanisms of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) resistance, work she has continued at Winship. She has also been involved in clinical research at the World Cancer Institute, and was the principal investigator of Georgia CORE’s (Center for Oncology Research and Education) first trials. She is widely published in peer reviewed scientific journals, and speaks nationally on breast cancer, including the use of hormonal and targeted therapies.

STEVEN FRANK, MD
STEVEN FRANK, MD

Director of Advanced Technologies, Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Dr. Frank is an endowed tenured professor of Radiation Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Medical Director of MD Anderson’s Proton Therapy Center, and leader of both the Proton Therapy Program for head and neck cancer and the Prostate Brachytherapy Program. Dr. Frank also serves the Division as Director of Advanced Technologies in Radiation Oncology; he is amongst the first, if not the first, to use Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) to treat head and neck tumors. Dr. Frank is the Principal Investigator of an NIH/NCI-sponsored Phase II/III randomized trial in oropharyngeal cancer that compares outcomes after chemoradiation given by IMRT versus IMPT. His other major clinical research accomplishment includes the successful accrual of 300 patients in a Phase II protocol for prostate cancer. Dr. Frank’s expertise in MRI radiotherapy has led to the development and FDA approval of a novel positive-contrast implantable marker for use in MRI-guided prostate brachytherapy. As founder of the company, C4 Imaging, Dr. Frank has developed the MRI marker technology at MD Anderson, currently holds 31 national and international patents and has continued MRI-Assisted Radiosurgery (MARS) at MD Anderson for the treatment of prostate cancer. He has funding from the NIH, the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the Texas Ignition Fund, Hitachi and MD Anderson, and he has also raised three rounds of private equity financing to advance C4 technology. Dr. Frank’s expertise in prostate brachytherapy is reflected by his service as past President and Chairman of the Board of the American Brachytherapy Society. Dr. Frank’s expertise in head and neck cancer has been acknowledged by his chairing the American Board of Radiology’s Oral Examinations Program for head and neck cancer.

VANDANA G. ABRAMSON, M.D.

Associate Professor of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology), Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Dr. Abramson is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology. After receiving her B.A. in English and Molecular & Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, she went to medical school at the University of Chicago. Dr. Abramson completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA and Hematology/Oncology training at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Abramson serves as the Principal Investigator on several breast cancer clinical trials at Vanderbilt. She is an active member in the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

VICKI KEEDY, MD

Professor of Medicine - Hematology/Oncology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Dr. Keedy is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology. After receiving her B.S. in Microbiology at Indiana University, she went to medical school at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Keedy completed her Internal Medicine Residency and Hematology/Oncology training at VanderbiltUniversity Medical Center. She is a graduate of the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation Program at Vanderbilt.

Dr. Keedy is a member of the Phase I Clinical Trial team at Vanderbilt, and serves as the Principal Investigator on several sarcoma, GIST, and lung cancer clinical trials. She is an active member in the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and serves on the Career Development and Health Services Committees.

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