Thrive Y'all: Recent Episodes
Rocket IT
Released on a weekly basis, Thrive Y’all is hosted by Rocket IT Marketing Coordinator, Jessica Clayton. Throughout the series, Jessica showcases organizations in Gwinnett and North Fulton counties that have continued to make positive impacts that ensure our community thrives. In turn, she provides audiences with an inside look at local businesses with truly unique cultures and how innovative thinking has provided their teams with an opportunity to overcome adversities. To learn more about Rocket IT and its community spotlight podcast, we encourage you to visit www.rocketit.com.
Restoring community areas and local architecture requires a partner who listens as much as they plan. In this episode of Thrive Y'all, CPL Architect's Rich Edinger shares how his team creates high-impact and resilient solutions that activate beneficial change in metro-Atlanta communities.
With more vehicles on the road than ever before, technology has become a key component of motorists' safety. In this episode of Thrive Y'all, President of Applied Information, Bryan Mulligan, shares how his team has begun integrating transportation tech into metro-Atlanta communities.
When it comes to the manufacturing industry, a keen eye for details is necessary for long-term success. In this episode of Thrive Y'all, we hear how CAB Incorporated CEO, Terri Jondahl and her team have spent over 35 years relentlessly pursuing new concepts for quality improvement.
Known for its internationally diverse communities, Gwinnett County has drawn the attention of businesses from around the world. Now, in an effort to continue this economic development, Executive Director Joe Allen and the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District share new plans for infrastructure improvements.
Since 1985, the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia has worked to improve the world through the power of philanthropy. And now, with CEO Randy Redner and his team at the wheel, the organization is determined to address the charitable needs of individuals, families, and nonprofits across Metro Atlanta.
There's no denying that Metro Atlanta is a hub for innovation and the city of Alpharetta is no different. With startup incubator organizations like Tech Alpharetta leading the charge, CEO Karen Cashion and her team have promoted the growth of over 700 local tech companies and counting.
Since 2013, the Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce has served as a resource for leaders looking to partner and expand their businesses.
Now, as the organization looks to ensure the city remains an environment in which organizations of all kinds can thrive, President and CEO, Deborah Lanham shares how her team is propelling Alpharetta's economic development.
With a variety of career paths available after high school, students often struggle when making a firm decision in the next chapter of their lives.
In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT hears how Georgia First Generation Foundation President and Co-Founder, Charbel Aoun, matches students with mentors to provide them with the resources to succeed.
Balancing extracurriculars alongside school can be difficult. But what if a student's passion didn't have to take the back seat? In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT hears how Rivers Academy Principal, Jennifer Cantor has developed a school that accommodates demanding schedules of students without compromising academic excellence.
In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on Excel Leadership's Janelle King, to learn more about improving workplace behavior.
While the North Fulton Community Improvement District aspires to develop communities that are both vibrant and sustainable, scaling with the rapid growth that North Fulton’s economy brings can present many challenges. In this episode of Thrive Y’all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on the North Fulton CID‘s Program Coordinator, Alex Battle, to learn about the organization’s upcoming expansions.
Artistic performances highlight home-grown talent, teach life lessons, and offer an opportunity to strengthen the bond between community members.
In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on Aurora Theatre co-founders, Anthony Rodriguez and Ann-Carol Pence, to learn about the organization's upcoming expansion into the Lawrenceville Arts Center.
With nearly 10,000 individuals needing help from health care organizations, it's become important to reduce as many barriers to care as possible. In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on CEO, Dana Glass, to hear how Aspire Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Services is working to meet people where they are.
By utilizing social media, Aspire is able to reduce the stigma surrounding addictive diseases and mental illnesses while educating the population.
With almost 1 million residents, there are always improvements to the well-being and health of residents in diverse communities such as Gwinnett County. In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on Executive Director, Renee Byrd-Lewis, to hear how the Gwinnett Coalition is transforming its services to reach all members of the community.
Through philanthropic efforts, we attempt to make the community around us thrive better. In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT speaks with current Chair and founding member of the Gwinnett Giving Girls, Darcie Johnson, about the importance of giving back.
Through their philanthropic efforts, community leaders strive to improve upon the environments in which we live, work, and play. In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT speaks with current Chair and founding member of the Gwinnett Giving Girls, Darcie Johnson, about the importance of giving back.
In an economy as diverse as North Fulton's, organizations such as the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce help support businesses of all sizes. In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on GNFCC CEO & President, Kali Boatright, to hear about the multitude of services and events available to members.
Teachers work tirelessly to instruct students and face the responsibility of developing the next generation of leaders. In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on Gwinnett County Public Schools Teacher of the Year, Katie Blum, to hear about the importance of developing a space where students have a sense of belonging.
In a county as large as Gwinnett, it's sometimes difficult for citizens to get and feel involved in local government. In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman, Nicole Hendrickson, to learn all about her efforts to help this community thrive.
By creating community outreach programs, gathering citizen input, and putting people first, the Board effectively helps Gwinnett County become better than ever.
In a community as tight-knit as Gwinnett County, institutions such as Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) help provide local businesses with an eager workforce. In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on the Career Development and Advising Center's Director, Roslyn Brown, and Assistant Director, Sherrie Goodman, to hear how the office created innovative and virtualized services.
Health departments are a key element of every community's success, providing a multitude of resources to keep the public protected. So in this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale Health District Director, Dr. Audrey Arona to hear how her team is keeping the metro-Atlanta area prepared.
While many think of manufacturing as a laborious industry, it serves as the backbone for many supply chains. In this episode of Thrive Y’all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on Truck Hero‘s Chris Fann to hear how the company is enlightening the public on the importance of manufacturing.
Nonprofit organizations tend to be the backbone thriving communities and in this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on Annandale Village's Kayce Pearce to learn how the organization provides a full continuum of care for residents of Gwinnett County, North Fulton, and beyond.
You might be good at your profession, but does it truly spark joy in your life? In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on GiANT Worldwide Partner, Dan Frey, to hear about the importance of aligning leaders with their purpose to build impactful leaders.
Smaller cities are notorious for having a strong sense of community and there's no denying that the residents of Sugar Hill have formed such a collaborative district.
In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on the City of Sugar Hill's Taylor Anderson to hear how the city is focused on providing downtown development that reflects the needs, wants, and desires of the community.
Did you know your local library offers more than just a cozy spot to curl up with a good book? In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on the Gwinnett County Public Library's Jason DiFranco to hear how the organization is finding new ways to offer free services to Gwinnett residents.
Do you know your heating and air conditioning technician by name?
In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on HERO Heating and Air's Chief Operating Officer, Anna Smith, to hear how her company prides itself on name recognition and personal relationships.
With the release of new technologies, what happens to the old devices that get left behind?
In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on its own Patrick Richardt to learn how to properly dispose of unwanted electronics and not add to the world's growing e-waste.
When it comes to developing new government initiatives, have you ever wondered what the creative process looks like?
In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on the Gwinnett County Government's Community Programs Manager, Jessica Stewart, to learn how she's working to ensure all community members have a voice in county government.
It's not the infrastructure that makes a community, rather the people that serve within it.
In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on the Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation's Director of Development, Ginger Powell, to hear the true impact her team is making within the metro-Atlanta community.
Having consistent access to fresh, healthy food is a privilege many of us take for granted. In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on Executive Director of the North Gwinnett Co-Op, Kim Phillips, to hear how they help sustain their community.
The North Gwinnett Co-Op provides food assistance, medication assistance for seniors or home bound clients, utility assistance, tutoring, and so much more to help the community not just survive, but thrive.
Everyone dreams of being a leader, but do you have what it takes to fill those shoes?
In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on The John Maxwell Company's Senior Accountant, Josh Myers, to see how leaders are built through leadership trainings, conferences, and books to change the world around us.
Creating a business that is unlike its competition is difficult, but how about differentiating an entire city? In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines the spotlight on the City of Suwanee's Assistant City Manager, Denise Brinson, to see how public art is playing a vital role in Suwanee's culture.
In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT speaks with Russell Landscape Group's Owner and CEO, Teddy Russell to hear how the company's core values and its focus on having a heart of service have led to 34 years of creative landscaping solutions.
Finding a spot at the leadership table can be difficult for young and aspiring professionals. But as industries change and new leaders are called upon, Chase Meeder and her team at Gwinnett Young Professionals are providing young leaders with a platform to develop the skills.
In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT sits down with Veugeler Design Group President and Suwanee Magazine Editor-In-Chief, Angie Veugeler to hear how her teams have embraced change and found creative ways to engage with the individuals that call Suwannee, GA home.
Founded as a center to provide support to victims of sexual abuse, Mosaic Georgia works with survivors to offer specialized services for children, teens, and adults.
In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT sits down with Marina Peed to hear how her team at Mosaic Georgia is helping people put the pieces of their lives back together after traumatic experiences.
In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT sits down with Long Table Founder and President, Linnea Miller.
Through her organization, Linnea seeks to help organizations align team members, expand their capacity, enhance individual performance, and help them become more effective communicators at work and at home.
Did you know 52% of children in Gwinnett County aren’t ready for Kindergarten when the time comes?
In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT shines a spotlight on the Building Babies’ Brains to hear how John Upchurch and his team are ensuring that Gwinnett’s youngest residents are ready to thrive when kindergarten arrives.
From teachers to first responders, countless heroes in the Gwinnett County community continue to step up when needed most.
So, in this episode of Thrive Y'all, we’re shining the spotlight on Red, Blue & You, an event that’s sole purpose is to honor the feats of these individuals.
Ensuring Gwinnett County remains a destination for conventions, sporting events, travel, and the film industry is no small feat. But time and time again, Lisa Anders and her team at Explore Gwinnett find new ways to grow the area’s reputation for dining, events, and recreational opportunities.
When it comes to education, teaching students the value of patience, tolerance, and compassion can sometimes be overlooked. In this episode of Thrive Y'all, we shine a spotlight on the Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett's, Jamie Hamilton to hear what his team is doing to provide both educational and therapeutic programming in 2021.
For organizations that provide relief to families in emergency situations, downtime is never an option.
In this week’s Thrive Y'all Episode, we hear from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s, Annie Valenty as she shares how her team continues to help Metro Atlanta families prepare and overcome the challenges of the recent pandemic.
As 2020 comes to a close, Rocket IT would like to take a moment to thank our guests that allowed us to share their stories through Thrive Y'all. Now, Rocket IT is excited to announce that it will continue to shine a light on those individuals making huge impacts in their communities, industries, and the clients they serve.
With a mission to adapt, integrate, and thrive, the Latin American Association is working to create communities that promote opportunities for all its members.
In this episode, we hear what Director of Family Stabilization & Well-Being, Cynthia Roman and her team are doing to develop the LAA's social service component.
Gwinnett County is a diverse community with members who actively seek new pathways to remain connected. In this episode of Thrive Y'all, we explore how Larry Campbell and his team at Corners Outreach are accomplishing this goal of unification by taking a unique, multigenerational approach.
For nearly 64 years, Moore Stephens Tiller has provided local Georgia businesses with the accounting support needed to retain growth and overcome economic challenges.
And now, as many organizations continue to navigate the wake of the recent pandemic, Moore Stephens Tiller Director of Business Development, Daniel Sosebee and his team are once again stepping up to help local organizations effectively manage their resources.
While creating a hub for innovation is not for the faint of heart, a dedicated team of pioneers at The Water Tower are looking to accomplish just that with their progressive Gwinnett County campus.
With a mission fueled by imagination and informed by research, CEO, Melissa Meeker is helping both public and private industry leaders reenvision the future of water-saving technology.
Whether you’re launching a startup or expanding to a new market, navigating commercial real estate for your team’s new home can be a difficult task.
In this week’s Thrive Y'all, Rocket IT sits down with CTR Partner’s Head of Client Development, Jason Ferguson, as he elaborates on what it means to be an advocate for the entrepreneurs of a community.
While, in Gwinnett County, many schools have successfully adopted the idea of remote learning, innovation has taken off at the Gwinnett School of Math Science and Technology as Dr. Colette Grodzicki helps find new ways to create authentic experiences for the students she serves.
When you discover an organization that fully commits to the community it serves, it can sometimes feel like you’ve found a diamond in the rough.
And in this installment of Thrive Y'all, we’re shining a light on Garrard Group, a team of stewards that are helping non-profit organizations build offices that will support their missions for years to come.
As a thriving business in the information technology industry, Rocket IT continues to shed light on October’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month.
In this installment of Thrive Y'all, we have the privilege of talking with Julie Price, Marketing Director of the Atlanta Tech Park.
With October being Cybersecurity Awareness Month, what a better time than now to take a look at some of the new and peculiar threats that you may unknowingly come in contact with on a daily basis.
In this episode of Thrive Y'all, we sit down with two of Rocket IT’s in-house security experts, Eric Henderson and Patrick Richardt.
In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Executive Director, Greg Lang speaks on the passion and selflessness that goes into leading the Good Samaritan Health Center of Gwinnett.
For more than 15 years, Greg and his team have provided quality and affordable primary health care, dental services, and counseling to those in need and Rocket IT is excited to share their story.
Leadership Gwinnett's vision is to see a thriving community, sustained by a network of empowered leaders.
And on this episode of Thrive Y'all, we sit down with Program Manager, Brooke Waters to hear how her team’s new initiatives are educating, equipping, and engaging people at all levels of leadership development.
As an Independent Marketing and Community Relations Consultant in Gwinnett County, Paige Havens serves as a true Change Agent for non-profit organizations that are looking to be more intentional with the way they serve their community.
In this episode of Thrive Y'all, Paige helps us explore the creativity needed to launch new initiatives and the dedication required to rally people to support a valiant cause.
For some organizations, helping people thrive means improving a community's overall health and quality of life. And this week on Thrive Y'all, we have the pleasure of speaking to a leader whose efforts have helped individuals build healthy lives and families through her organization's comprehensive care.
As the CEO of View Point Health, Jennifer Hibbard and her team provide services to individuals who need treatment and support to cope with mental illness, substance abuse, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
In her role as the Senior Director of Membership Services & Small Business Initiatives, Cally D'Angelo has gone above and beyond to overcome the many challenges of 2020.
And in the third installment of Thrive Y'all, we have the pleasure of discussing some of the new offerings the Gwinnett Chamber has launched to help community members learn and connect.
Throughout 2020, Mike Fulton and his team at Oconee State Bank have worked closely with small business leaders to provide them with the funding needed to keep them afloat.
And in this episode of Thrive Y'all, we hone in on what it takes to be a true champion for you clients.
With the launch of Rocket IT’s new community-focused video series, Thrive Y'all, our team showcases Gwinnett County organizations that have continued to make positive impacts that ensure our community thrives.
In this inaugural episode, Rocket IT's Community Relationship Coordinator, Colleen Frangos has the pleasure of speaking to Holtkamp Heating & Air's President and Founder, Matthew Holtkamp.