Mr. Jared Michael Brandman Related Seminars and Products

SVP, General Counsel & Secretary

National Vision Inc.

Mr. Antonio D'Lynn Robinson Related Seminars and Products

Carter's Inc

As Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer, Mr. Robinson oversees the Company’s legal function, serves as the secretary of the board of directors, and is the chief compliance officer. Mr. Robinson is also responsible for the Company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and diversity and inclusion strategy. In his role, Mr. Robinson has responsibility for all legal issues, government relations, and governance securities.

Mr. Robinson also partners with leaders throughout the Company to (1) ensure the development and implementation of environmentally responsible business practices and product offerings, (2) enhance the workplaces within the Company’s value chain, (3) ensure our products and marketing reflect and represent all consumers, and (4) support the communities in which the Company operates. Mr. Robinson also serves as the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer, overseeing the Company’s Ethics and Compliance Program, through which he addresses ethics and compliance issues in the Company’s domestic and international operations.

Before joining Carter’s in August 2010, Mr. Robinson was a Shareholder in the Atlanta office of Littler Mendelson, P.C. Mr. Robinson represented employers throughout the United States, in state and federal court, on various employment law claims, including discrimination and wage and hour claims. He also gained valuable employment law experience while working for Jackson Lewis LLP. Before moving to Atlanta, Mr. Robinson started his career at the New Orleans, Louisiana- based firm Jones Walker LLP.

Mr. Robinson routinely volunteers for charitable causes and currently serves on the boards of Metro Atlanta YMCA and WABE and the Emory University Board of Advisors.

Lori Geary Related Seminars and Products

Partner

Authenticity Partners

Emmy Award Winning Political Reporter, Lori Geary, is a Partner with Lexicon Strategies and President of Lori Geary Media, a NWBE™ certified firm. Geary is also a Partner at Authenticity Partners, a media buying firm. She has spent decades in the media industry covering local, state and national campaigns along with state government. Lori joined the reporting team of WSB-TV in 1997 while anchoring at CNN Headline News. She stays active in the broadcasting world as the Host and Executive Producer of WAGA’s “The Georgia Gang.” Her expertise is now in media training, media strategy, corporate communications, marketing and branding, crisis communications and video storytelling. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp appointed Lori as Co-Executive Director of the Statewide Marketing Campaign for the 2020 Census.

Ms. Geary was named “One of the Best State Political Reporters” by the Washington Post and “One of the Most Influential Georgians” by James Magazine. She has won several awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Georgia Associated Press. She is also proud of the two Emmys she received during her tenure at WSB-TV, along with a Telly for her investigative work in Haiti. Ms. Geary was also a 2018 Telly Award winner for a video production focusing on the life of African American Entrepreneur, Alonzo F. Herndon. Ms. Geary has received top honors from the League of Women Voters and Common Cause Georgia. She is also a 2006 graduate of Leadership Atlanta.

Ms. Geary majored in Broadcast Journalism at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Communications. She graduated magna cum laude in three years and started her first reporting job at WRDW-TV. She then moved to Raleigh, North Carolina where she covered politics for three years before her career brought her to Atlanta. Ms. Geary spent most of her tenure at WSB-TV as the political reporter which included international travel, covering stories in Dubai, China, Haiti and Cuba.

Ms. Geary served as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for Sunshine on a Ranney Day. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit provides dream home and room make-overs for children with special needs. With the help of Ms. Geary’s leadership, the charity raised $1 million annually. She also served on the Advisory Board of the Zell Miller Foundation, a 501(c)(3) focusing on developing young leaders committed to public service.

Tharon Johnson Related Seminars and Products

Founder & CEO

Paramount Consulting

Tharon Johnson is the founder and CEO of Paramount Consulting Group, a full service, bipartisan government affairs and communications firm based in Atlanta, serving clients in the corporate and political sectors. A nationally recognized political strategist and trusted community leader, Tharon appears each week on Fox 5 Atlanta’s longest-running public affairs program, “The Georgia Gang” and on 90.1 WABE-FM’s popular “Political Breakfast” podcast, ranked among the top 40 political podcasts nationally.

Tharon advises elected officials at the highest levels of government. Most recently he served as a senior advisor to the Biden-Harris campaign in the battleground state of Georgia. He has served at senior levels of federal, state, and local campaigns, including for President Barack Obama, Congressman John Lewis, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Congressman John Barrow and DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond.

He appears regularly as a key contributor on news shows, including CNN, MSNBC and Atlanta’s WSB-TV, providing timely insights and analysis of political developments at the national, state and local levels. He also is frequently quoted in Newsweek, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Political Insider blog, Politico, Roll Call, The Hill and other notable publications.

Tharon has received “40 Under 40” awards from both Georgia Trend Magazine and Atlanta
Business Chronicle and was named one of the “Top 25 Most Influential Georgians” by James Magazine. He was the youngest and first African American to receive the “Campaign Manager of the Year” distinction from the American Association of Political Consultants. In addition to his political honors, Tharon was also awarded the “Unsung Hero Award” by his alma mater Clark Atlanta University for outstanding contributions in Arts & Sciences. He is also on the board of advisors for Inclusivv.

With his astute grasp of not only politics, but economic and corporate climate, Tharon continues to lead his firm to success. Paramount has over a decade of experience providing effective results for clients, from raising the dollars needed to push campaigns over the top, to securing strategic contracts for clients, while keeping them engaged and connected with the community.

Paramount Consulting Group specializes in government affairs, lobbying, campaign strategy and communications. Leveraging deep relationships from across the aisle, the firm supports clients through a variety of complex needs, providing strategic guidance and solutions that drive results.

Tharon Johnson | Paramount Consulting Group | tjohnson@paramountconsults.com | 404-392-3175

Brian Robinson Related Seminars and Products

Robinson Republic

Brian Robinson owns Robinson Republic, a communications consulting firm that specializes in public affairs messaging throughout the state of Georgia. His clients include corporations, issue advocacy groups, chambers of commerce, public officials and political campaigns. Robinson Republic assists clients with message development, issue advocacy, media training, media relations and crisis management. He is a weekly political commentator in metro Atlanta media’s leading outlets and national cable news channels. He’s cohost of WABE’s Political Breakfast and a regular on Fox 5’s Georgia Gang and Road to November, and he’s the go-to for insight on Georgia politics for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Politico and others. He writes a column on politics in each edition of Georgia Trend magazine.

Prior to opening his own business, Robinson worked as deputy chief of staff for communications for Gov. Nathan Deal. In this capacity, he managed the governor’s communications staff and served as a senior adviser to the governor. Robinson also ran the communications efforts for the Deal for Governor campaigns in 2010 and 2014.

Robinson came to the 2010 campaign via Capitol Hill, where he served seven years as a communications director in the Georgia delegation for Rep. Phil Gingrey and Rep. Lynn Westmoreland. He began his career as a journalist at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution after graduating magna cum laude from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, where in the fall semester of 2016 he was an adjunct professor teaching public affairs communications. He is also a member of the Grady College Board of Trust and a former member of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority Board of Governors.

Robinson has suffered a lifetime as a Georgia Bulldogs fan but is currently experiencing ongoing euphoria from the Dawgs’ back-to-back National Championships. He was named to the University of Georgia’s 2012 40 Under 40 class and is an alumnus of the 2015 Leadership Georgia class. He and his wife, Corinna, live in Brookhaven with their daughter, Quinn Paces, and their son, Asher, an English cream retriever. They are members of Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.

Mr. Reed Harris Turry Related Seminars and Products

RaceTrac, Inc.

Reed H. Turry is Corporate Counsel at RaceTrac, Inc., a family-owned convenience store chain headquarted in Atlanta operating nearly 800 locations across 12 southeastern states. As commercial counsel, Reed advises on commercial contracting matters across various sectors of the business including marketing, merchandising, IT, and operations. In addition, Reed manages the trademark portfolio for RaceTrac and its family of brands (RaceTrac, RaceWay, Energy Dispatch, Metroplex Energy, and Gulf Oil) and oversees the company's consumer privacy and artificial intelligence compliance programs.

Reed is a two-time graduate of the University of Georgia, graduating cum laude from the School of Law as well as receiving a BBA from the Terry College of Business with high honors distinction. In addition, Reed is recognized as a Certified Information Privacy Professional/US (CIPP/US) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Outside of work, Reed enjoys college football (especially the Georgia Bulldogs), exploring the Atlanta food scene and traveling.

Ms. Andrea Peters Related Seminars and Products

Interface Inc

Andrea Peters serves as Senior Counsel at Interface, Inc. (NASDAQ: TILE), a leader in commercial flooring. With 28 years in the legal field, Andrea has honed her expertise in supporting global operations across various sectors, including R&D, Sales, Procurement, Tax, and HR. She is also at the helm of Interface's global compliance program. Her in-house legal career includes pivotal roles at CAN Capital, The Weather Channel, General Electric, and GAMBRO Healthcare. 

Andrea earned her J.D. from The Vanderbilt University School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising from The Pennsylvania State University, where she distinguished herself as the College of Communications' Student Marshall (Valedictorian).

Based in Atlanta, Andrea is a mother, an adventurer with skydiving, bungee jumping and ziplining feats, and a culinary and travel enthusiast. Post-retirement, Andrea aspires to indulge in lifelong learning free from academic pressures and to immerse herself in diverse cultures through extended stays in cities around the world.

Andrea resides in Atlanta with her 12-year-old daughter.  She has gone skydiving twice, bungee jumping once, and ziplining once.  She enjoys cooking, wine and travel, and is passionate about leveraging generative AI to enhance efficiency and creativity both in work and in play.  When she retires, Andrea plans to go back to college to audit all of the hard but interesting classes without worrying about writing papers or taking exams, and to spend at least a few years exploring the world through extended stays in short-term rental properties around the globe.

Cecilia Ziniti Related Seminars and Products

CEO and Founder

General Counsel AI

Cecilia Ziniti is the founder and CEO of a legal AI company, GC AI, built based on her experience as a 3-time general counsel and AI expert. For two decades, Ms. Ziniti has driven product and company success across major tech shifts and turned early technologies into iconic products that millions of people use every day.

As a three-time executive team member for venture-backed tech companies including software unicorn Replit, Ms. Ziniti has led all aspects of operations for hypergrowth. She has architected and closed partnerships with blue-chip companies like Google and Amazon and quarterbacked $300M+
in venture capital rounds from top-tier investors like Andreessen Horowitz, Coatue, Index, and JP Morgan.

As the founding lawyer on Amazon Alexa and an early team member at Cruise, Ms. Ziniti understands tech adoption and how to earn public and regulator trust. Ms. Ziniti’s strategic insights make her sought-after by founders and have earned her global media appearances including on CNN and NPR.

Previously, Ms. Ziniti was an intellectual property litigator and technology transactions attorney and represented Apple at Morrison & Foerster, an Am Law 20 firm. Ms. Ziniti is an inventor on four US patents. She has invested in and advises dozens of breakout and unicorn companies, including Replit, Instrumental AI, and Seek AI. Her first tech job was as an online community moderator in London.

Mr. Christopher J. Willis Related Seminars and Products

Troutman Pepper Locke LLP

For more than 25 years, Chris has counseled clients in the consumer financial services industry in the areas of regulatory compliance, enforcement, examinations, and litigation.

Areas of Focus
- Consumer Financial Services
- Banking + Financial Services Regulation
- Regulatory Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
- Fair Lending
- Financial Services

Chris is the co-leader of the Consumer Financial Services Regulatory Practice Group at the firm. He advises financial services institutions facing state and federal government investigations and examinations, counseling them on compliance issues including UDAP/UDAAP, credit reporting, debt collection, and fair lending, and defending them in individual and class action lawsuits brought by consumers and enforcement actions brought by government agencies.

Chris also leverages insights from his litigation and enforcement experience to help clients design new products and processes, including machine learning marketing, fraud prevention and underwriting models, product structure, advertising, online application flows, underwriting, and collection and loss mitigation strategies.

Chris brings a highly practical focus to his legal advice, informed by balancing a deep understanding of the business of consumer finance and the practical priorities of federal and state regulatory agencies.
Chris speaks frequently at conferences across the U.S. on consumer financial services law and has been featured in numerous articles in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Washington Post, American Banker, National Law Journal, BNA Bloomberg, and Bank Safety and Soundness Advisor.

Mr. Christopher D. Lang Related Seminars and Products

United Parcel Service Inc

Chris Lang is UPS's Global Privacy Officer and Associate General Counsel, Privacy, Cyber & Security. He leads UPS’s privacy program and provides legal support for the company’s cyber and physical security teams as well as its artificial intelligence and enterprise data strategy groups. He and the company’s Chief Information Security Officer jointly lead UPS's Information Security & Privacy Governance Council. In addition, he is a member of UPS's Incident Response Team.  Before joining UPS, he practiced law at Alston & Bird in Atlanta and Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett in New York City.  Chris received a JD from George Washington Law School and a BS from the University of Massachusetts. 

Kimberly Phan Related Seminars and Products

Partner

Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP

Kim is a partner in Troutman Pepper’s Privacy + Cyber Practice and Consumer Financial Services Groups, where she counsels companies on compliance with federal and state privacy and data security statutes and regulations. Her work encompasses strategic planning and guidance for companies to incorporate privacy and data security considerations throughout product development, marketing, and implementation. She also assists companies with data breach prevention and response.  Kim also provides extensive e-commerce and mobile counseling, including mobile app development, conducting online behavioral advertising assessments, enhancing website privacy policies, and advising on social media interactions with consumers.  Kim also provides guidance to clients on regulatory compliance matters, including supervisory and enforcement interactions with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), other federal regulatory agencies, and state attorneys general. Kim has been recognized in Chambers FinTech Legal USA and The Legal 500 and is a member of the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers.

Ms. Rachel Epps Spears Related Seminars and Products

Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta

Rachel Epps Spears was hired as the Executive Director of Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta (www.pbpatl.org) in 2005 when the organization was founded. Prior to joining the Partnership, Rachel was an associate in the public finance department at King & Spalding in Atlanta, Georgia.

Rachel is a former Chair of the State Bar of Georgia Nonprofit Law Section and is a member of the Public Interest Executive Roundtable of the Atlanta Bar Association. She has been recognized as one of Georgia Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite and the Daily Report’s On the Rise attorneys. She has received the EPIC Inspiration Award: Unsung Devotion to Those Most in Need awarded by Emory University School of Law and the Rita A. Sheffey Public Interest Award presented by the Atlanta Bar Association.

An Atlanta native, Rachel graduated from Davidson College in 1993 with a degree in Political Science and received her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1997.

Mr. Joel Thomas May Related Seminars and Products

Jones Day

Joel May is co-chair of the Firm's corporate governance area and has more than 20 years of experience representing clients and their boards of directors in a broad range of financing and corporate transactions, as well as corporate governance, shareholder activism, proxy fights, and securities compliance matters. He has represented clients in domestic and international corporate financing transactions in the manufacturing, consumer products, chemical products, real estate, e-commerce, telecommunications, and information management industries, including public equity and debt offerings, initial public offerings (IPOs), special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), private investment in public equity (PIPE) transactions, Rule 144A high yield offerings, and reorganizations, restructurings, recapitalizations, and other M&A transactions.

Joel joined the Atlanta Office in 2012 after spending the first part of his career in Jones Day's Chicago Office. He currently serves as the administrative partner for Atlanta.

Joel has been recognized as a leading lawyer by The Legal 500 United States. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the State Bar of Georgia.

Joel serves on the board of directors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Make-A-Wish Georgia.

Mr. Justin Willis McKithen Related Seminars and Products

Jones Day

Justin McKithen practices in the areas of capital markets and general corporate law. His experience includes public offerings and private placements of debt and equity securities, initial public offerings, special purpose acquisition company "de-SPAC" transactions, tender offers, exchange offers, and other corporate transactions. He also regularly advises clients on SEC periodic reporting and disclosure requirements, stock exchange rules and regulations, and a broad range of corporate governance and shareholder engagement matters.

Justin has represented public and private companies in various industries, including consumer goods, food and beverage, automotive, consumer and personal finance, insurance, and the industrial and manufacturing sectors.

Justin has an active pro bono practice in the Atlanta community, including providing legal services to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. He also mentors law school students through the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity and the University of Georgia School of Law's Alumni & Professional Mentorship Program.

Amy Pandit Related Seminars and Products

Jones Day

Amy Pandit represents publicly traded corporations and counsels clients on corporate governance, executive compensation, and in federal securities laws, stock exchange, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and Dodd-Frank Act compliance matters. She recommends courses of action for companies navigating the increasingly complex regulatory environment, designs and develops executive compensation and other incentive programs for publicly traded companies, and advises on the legal implications and potential public implications of those programs as well as on shareholder engagement and proposal matters. Amy has been recognized by BTI as an "all-star" for superior client service and as an Acritas "Star Lawyer."

Amy also works closely with companies' boards of directors and executive management teams, engaging them on critical legal and compliance matters and advising on corporate governance issues and disclosure matters most relevant to their business, shareholders, and other stakeholders.

Amy is a board member of The Three Rivers Chapter of the National Association for Corporate Directors and an advisory board member of the American Red Cross (Southwestern Pennsylvania chapter). She frequently writes and presents on SEC, executive compensation, corporate governance, and shareholder proposal topics.

Ms. Elizabeth Brannen Chandler Related Seminars and Products

Rollins Inc

Beth Chandler is a multi-faceted C-suite leader with deep and diverse experience with governance, mergers & acquisitions, and regulatory agencies.  She has served as general counsel in high growth acquisitive public companies.  She began her career as a transactional attorney and has closed complex cross border transactions and managed complex litigation and investigations.  

Currently, Chandler is the Chief Legal Officer for Rollins, Inc. (NYSE: ROL), a global pest control company with a market cap of $24 billion, 2023 revenues of $3.1B and 19,000 employees worldwide.  She sits on the executive leadership team, and leads the enterprise risk management, privacy, compliance, internal audit, legal and corporate governance efforts and supports corporate development with 25-30 acquisitions a year.   Rollins has experienced long term revenue growth over 7% and double digit in recent years. She is the Executive Sponsor for the Company’s ESG efforts and the Women’s Business Resource group at Orkin, the Company’s largest brand. 

Previously, Chandler served as general counsel for Asbury Automotive Group (NYSE: ABG) and Assistant General Counsel of Mirant (Formerly NYSE: MIR) when it went public and was spun off by Southern Company (NYSE: SO).  In those roles, she led significant M&A activity, public company compliance, financial restructuring and litigation management.  Her sector experience includes business and consumer services, health and safety, energy, international and government, giving her a unique perspective on the challenges that companies face in global environments.  For public companies, she has established compliance efforts, enterprise risk management programs and environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies. 

She was selected by Mayor Shirley Franklin to serve as City Attorney in 2005 where she advised on the development of the Atlanta Beltline and the renegotiation of the Delta contract with Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. She also managed litigation related to all aspects of the City, including public service segments, watershed and airport. She began her career at Troutman Sanders (now Troutman Pepper) where she was a partner on the Corporate Team. 

  Chandler currently serves on the Board of Crider Foods, a large Georgia based food processing company. She chaired the Board of Atlanta Beltline, Inc. from 2009-2012, and currently sits on the Board of the Atlanta Beltline Partnership, where she is Vice-Chair.  The Atlanta Beltline is one of the most successful urban redevelopment projects in the US building a series of trails, transit, and parks in the City of Atlanta. She is also on the Board of the Georgia Research Alliance, which supports Georgia’s University scientists in research and entrepreneurship opportunities and recently retired from the Board of Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation which has redeveloped the Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta into an award-winning revolutionary golf experience.  She is a member of the International Women’s Forum.
 
Ms. Chandler holds a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of Georgia and BBA in International Business, magna cum laude, also from UGA.  She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and is the proud parent of two adult sons. 

Mr. Norman Michael Brothers Jr. Related Seminars and Products

United Parcel Service Inc.

Norm is a seasoned C-Suite Executive at a Fortune 50 company with 25 years of experience advising public companies. He currently serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer for UPS, a transportation and logistics company with over $90B in revenue operating in 200+ countries and with 500,000 employees. He leads UPS’s global labor relations, audit and compliance, privacy, security, and legal functions along with advising the UPS Board of Directors on governance matters as corporate secretary. He also has previously managed the public affairs and information security teams at UPS.

Labor Relations 
At UPS, who has the largest unionized workforce in the world, Norm developed and executed the company’s strategy in its recent, successful national negotiations with the Teamsters that resulted in a win-win contract without business interruption. He also plays a key role in maintaining non-union status in the strategically important portions of UPS’s business, including Healthcare and Supply Chain Solutions, which are not unionized.

Audit, Compliance, and Security
Norm leads a combined internal audit and compliance team that has responsibility for overseeing global programs for anticorruption, antitrust, aviation security and physical security, to include all complex investigations. He directly supervises UPS’s chief audit executive and the auditing of UPS’s financial statements and control environment, with a concomitant understanding of all audit committee functions, internal controls over financial reporting, GAAP and financial statements, qualifying him as a financial expert for section 407 purposes.

Risk Management
Norm has aligned UPS’s security, legal, audit and compliance functions to pool data and use analytics to better identify trends to move upstream in global enterprise risk mitigation and prevention. He manages the company’s enterprise risk management process.  He also led UPS’s efforts to develop and implement global incident response plans, including cybersecurity incident response, remediation, and information security governance.

International 
At UPS, Norm worked in its international business for over 10 years, during which time UPS grew international operations both organically and through acquisition into a strategically important, high growth, high margin core part of the business.

Education, Prior Work History, Military and Board Service 
Norm received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and his law degree from the Emory University School of Law. He has attended executive education courses at the Yale School of Management and the Wharton School. Norm served on active duty as a Captain in the US Army, where he was a military prosecutor. He practiced as a litigator at the international law firm of King & Spalding. Norm serves on the Board of Directors of Reach for Excellence, the Board of Trustees of Marist School, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the Atlanta Police Foundation. He was the former Chair of the Emory University Board of Visitors and the Georgia Justice Project. 

Mr. Michael M. Raeber Related Seminars and Products

University of Georgia

Mike Raeber serves as General Counsel for the University of Georgia, having served since February 2014. As General Counsel, Raeber has overall supervision of the University’s legal matters. He also serves as General Counsel for the University of Georgia Athletic Association and is a member of the University Cabinet.

Before coming to UGA, Raeber was a partner in the Business Litigation Group at King & Spalding in Atlanta, where he worked for almost twenty years. He served as lead counsel in cases involving real estate, insurance recovery, employment, accounting, and other business disputes. Before joining King & Spalding, he clerked for Judge Stanley F. Birch, Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Raeber is a 1993 cum laude graduate of the UGA School of Law, where he was published in the Georgia Law Review and served as Editor-in-Chief. He holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Sewanee: The University of the South, where he was a four-year letterman and all-conference basketball player. 

For almost 20 years, Raeber served on the Board of the Truancy Intervention Project Georgia, and from 2009-2014, Raeber served on the Board of Directors of KIPP Metro Atlanta, a non-profit charter school network.  In Athens, he served four years on the Board of Directors of Extra Special People, a non-profit serving children with disabilities, and he currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Athens Academy.

Mr. Sterling Ashley Spainhour Jr. Related Seminars and Products

Southern Company

Sterling Spainhour serves as executive vice president and chief legal officer for Atlanta-based Southern Company, one of America’s largest energy providers.

He previously served as senior vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer for Georgia Power. In that role he oversaw Georgia Power’s corporate services,
legal, compliance, sustainability, land and security functions. He is also past senior vice president and general counsel of Southern Company Services, where he led the legal organization of the shared services company that supports Southern Company’s operating company subsidiaries.

Prior to joining Southern Company, Spainhour was a partner of the law firm Jones Day where his practice focused on a wide range of transactional matters including mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance. He previously served as counsel for CNN where he was responsible for advising the cable news network’s internet divisions on a full range of legal matters.

He currently serves as a board member of Atlanta’s High Museum of Art, Gray Television, Emory Healthcare Network and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Arts & Sciences Foundation.

He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and Duke University School of Law and Fuqua School of Business.

Sou Ford Related Seminars and Products

SE Cyber Practice Leader

Lockton Companies

Sou Ford is the Cyber Practice Leader at Lockton Companies.  In her role, she leads a team of cyber insurance professional as well as consults with clients on their cyber insurance needs and assists in designing and placing coverage.

Sou has extensive experience in the healthcare, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, public entity and transportation industries.  

Kevin Etzler Related Seminars and Products

Cyber Claims Team Leader

Coalition, Inc.

Kevin is a claims and operations manager with Coalition Insurance. There, he has counseled hundreds of customers in preparing for and responding to data breaches, assisted internal/external stakeholders, and developed value-added cyber security services, including the creation of vendor panels.  Kevin frequently presents on ransomware trends and the changing privacy landscape.  For much of his career, he has spent time drafting coverage analysis and correspondence outlining insurance coverages and worked with product teams, marketing, and business development on go-to-market strategy.  Additionally, Kevin takes a proactive approach to hiring, managing, and leading teams, concentrating on superior customer service/cost-effective results. He focuses on timely reserving and active claims handling and round-tabled complex/high exposure matters to work through solutions for superior handling and cost-effective resolution.

Mr. Roy Edward Hadley Jr. Related Seminars and Products

Morris Manning & Martin LLP

For over three decades, Roy has been a trusted advisor to a diverse clientele, including high-growth businesses, governmental bodies, and family-held enterprises. His international practice focuses on navigating intricate corporate landscapes, especially in areas such as technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, life sciences, economic development, telecommunications, outsourcing, and intellectual property.

In an ever-changing digital landscape, Roy’s experience extends to governments, governmental entities, and companies, aiding them and their boards in addressing data security and privacy concerns effectively.
As independent cybersecurity counsel, Roy plays a pivotal role in educating governmental officials, business leaders, and corporate boards about legal and operational risks in cyberspace. His guidance enables them to safeguard their interests and the entities they represent, ensuring proactive measures and responsive strategies in the face of potential cyber threats.

Roy's rich professional background spans various executive roles, including vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary for a pubically-traded wireless communications firm, as well as vice president, general counsel, and chief privacy officer for an international travel services and technology corporation. He has also provided legal counsel within the telecommunications sector and held esteemed positions such as special counsel to the president of the American Bar Association and special assistant attorney general for the State of Georgia.

As a frequent speaker, lecturer and author, Roy has been featured on USAToday.com, FOXNews.com, Compliance Week, Healthcare Risk Management, Inside Counsel, Homeland Security Today, National Law Review, Sports Page Weekly, Law 360 and many other publications. He has also appeared on Georgia Public Broadcasting, TAG Radio, WXIA-TV (Tech Edge) and WUPA-TV (Focus Atlanta).

Mr. Mark Howard Weintraub Related Seminars and Products

Lockton Companies

Mark joined Lockton in 2012 and is a global legal and claim resource for management liability claims. Mark advises on executive lines of all kinds, including D&O, Cyber, GPL/E&O, EPL, Fiduciary, and Crime.

In the role, he is responsible for providing clients with strategic advice and claims
advocacy, including coverage interpretations, reservation of rights responses, and
coordination of resources available to clients through the entire life-cycle of claims.
Mark's battle-tested claims consulting has helped clients achieve excellent results in
complex claims, including multifaceted public D&O claims, Cyber ransomware attacks, and high-dollar Reps and Warranties claims. Mark's advocacy has led to hundreds of millions of dollars in recoveries. He also assists in negotiating and drafting policy language to maximize client coverage as well as advising clients on strategies to enhance their coverage. Mark regularly consults with clients on corporate governance practices and specializes in customizing corporate indemnity obligations with D&O insurance programs.

Mark is a frequent author and lecturer and regularly publishes Lockton whitepapers that identify and analyze important claim trends in the management liability space. He is a coveted speaker on insurance and claims issues and has appeared on panels all over the country, including at PLUS, RIMS and Advisen.

Prior to joining Lockton in 2012, Mark practiced at a large global law firm for 11 years, where he gained extensive experience defending private equity firms and Fortune 1000 clients in breach of fiduciary duty actions, complex business tort and contract disputes, and products liability and securities claims in federal and state courts nationwide. Mark’s litigation experience allows him to provide real-world advice on the decisions clients face before, during, and after claims arise.

Kristie Nicodemus Related Seminars and Products

Senior Business Development Advisor

Mercer

Kristie is a seasoned professional with 23 years of experience in Health & Benefits consulting. 22 years with OneDigital and currently serving as a Principal with Mercer.

She specializes in delivering total rewards solutions that enhance both organizational health and employee well-being. 
 
With a strong background in aligning solutions with company goals and initiatives, Kristie has a proven track record of driving initiatives that enhance workplace culture, improve operational efficiency, and provide peace of mind to organizations and their employees. Her passion for supporting leaders and their teams enables her to make a significant impact in her field.
  
Kristie has been recognized as a top female advisor and top benefit advisor by NAIFA for 10 consecutive years. She achieved membership in the Pinnacle and President’s Club for 21 years.  

Peter Rutigliano Related Seminars and Products

Mercer

Professional Experience

Peter began external consulting in the early 1990s which grew to a position at Mercer in 2007 (through the acquisition of Sirota). Peter currently leads the Behavioral Health Practice at Mercer which supports organizations in managing and measuring the mental health needs of their employees. Client work involves mental health strategy, skill building and prevention, mental health measurement and treatment, substance abuse access and treatment, as well as recovery and return to work. His clients include many fortune 1000 companies around the world. In addition to client management and leading his team, Peter also manages and maintains the company employee listening benchmark database.

Before joining Mercer, Peter was an independent consultant for 15 years which also included a professorship at Ramapo College, Quinnipiac University and New York University. In his early years, Peter held positions at Johns Hopkins Medical Center, Hahnemann University Hospital, and Harvard Medical School/Brockton VA Medical Center as well as a number of other healthcare companies conducting therapy and clinical research.

Peter maintains an active research program with over 130 publications and scholarly presentations including a consistent representation at the SIOP annual conference. Peter’s major areas of focus is inclusion in the workspace with a particular concentration investigating the experiences of people with disabilities.

Professional Affiliations

• Metropolitan New York Association for Applied Psychology (former president)Society of Industrial / Organizational Psychology (committee member)
• Association for Psychological Science

Advisory

• Hofstra University Industrial-Organizational Psychology Graduate School
• Global Disability and Inclusion LLC

Education

• PhD, Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, Drexel University, Pennsylvania
• MA, Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, Drexel University, Pennsylvania
• BA, Psychology, Loyola University, Maryland

Ms. Kristie Brooks Purnell Related Seminars and Products

Carter's Inc

Mr. William Jonathan Martin II Related Seminars and Products

Constangy Brooks Smith & Prophete LLP

Jonathan Martin is an Equity Partner and Office Managing Partner (Macon, Georgia) with Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP, a national law firm that has focused exclusively on management-side on labor and employment law since 1946. With 250 attorneys in 15 states, the firm has been designated as a “Go To” Law Firm by both Corporate Counsel and Fortune magazines. The firm is also top-ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s - Best Lawyers/Best Law Firms. Jonathan was previously the national co-chair of Constangy’s Traditional Labor Practice Group.

Jonathan is a graduate of the Terry School of Business, University of Georgia, (B.B.A., Banking & Finance, cum laude), and a graduate of the Mercer University School of Law, (J.D., magna cum laude), where he served as the administrative editor of the Mercer Law Review.

Prior to private practice, Jonathan served as a military lawyer in the Air Force Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, where he also held an appointment as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. Jonathan currently serves in the Georgia Air National Guard, where he holds the rank of Colonel.

Jonathan focuses his practice on employment discrimination litigation for management, defending corporations in lawsuits arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as related state laws. Jonathan also represents management in traditional labor law issues under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and in wage & hour issues under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

The former chairman of the State Bar of Georgia’s Employers’ Duties & Problems Committee, and the former state-wide Chairman of the Georgia Department of Labor’s Georgia Employer Committee (a public-private partnership representing over 1,600 employers), Jonathan conducts extensive management training on labor and employment law subjects for corporations and government agencies throughout the United States. Jonathan has also served on the FMLA Subcommittee and the Labor Relations Committee of the United States Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. Jonathan has also testified as an expert before the Georgia Senate on labor relations issues affecting the State of Georgia. He is also General Counsel for the Georgia Mining Association.

For more than 20 years, Jonathan has been a contributing co-author to the Mercer Law Review publishing an annual article on Labor & Employment Law for the Annual Survey of Georgia Law. He is also Chapter Editor of ABA/BNA publication, THE DEVELOPING LABOR LAW (7th Edition & Supplements), and he co-authors an article on Labor & Employment Law for Mercer Law Review’s Eleventh Circuit Survey (GA, AL, FL).

In 2006, Jonathan was selected as a “Rising Star” by SuperLawyers®.

In 2007, Jonathan was named one of GEORGIA TREND Magazine’s “40-under-40,” which recognizes “Georgia’s Best and Brightest – rising stars in business, politics, the arts, nonprofits and education.”

In 2012, Jonathan was awarded the Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® rating, the highest-possible rating for an attorney for both ethical standards and legal ability.

In 2013, Jonathan was named a “2013 BTI Client Service All-Star.” Of 307 lawyers nominated nationally by in-house counsel, Jonathan was identified as one of 28 labor and employment attorneys who were “Client Service All-Stars,” an honor reserved for those that set themselves apart by keeping a close eye on changing trends in the regulatory and legal landscape.

In 2020, Jonathan was named in 27th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©, which lists the top 5% of attorneys in private practice in the United States. In 2021, Jonathan was named again in the 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©, as well one of GEORGIA TREND Magazine’s “2021 Legal Elite.” Jonathan was selected in the 2022 and 2023 The Best Lawyers in America© as well.

Mr. Kevin Michael Young Related Seminars and Products

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Kevin defends and advises businesses on a wide array of workplace issues. He is particularly well-versed in federal and state wage and hour laws (e.g., overtime, exempt classification, independent contractor classification, meal and rest breaks, predictive scheduling). Kevin also partners with his clients to tackle day-to-day needs and sensitivities, from negotiating and enforcing employment agreements, to revising handbooks and policies, to identifying and executing training opportunities.

Kevin’s aptitude in counseling employers derives from his front-line litigation experience. He has spent nearly fifteen years defending employers facing single-plaintiff, collective action, and class action lawsuits, as well as government investigations. From “bet the company” litigation to complex matters involving legal issues of first impression, Kevin and the attorneys with whom he partners have secured denials of class certification, won dismissals and summary judgments, and secured trial court and appellate victories for employers on groundbreaking arguments. Kevin has also successfully mediated cases of all sizes, from single-claimant matters to nationwide class cases.

Drawing upon his litigation experience, Kevin helps businesses peek around the corner to proactively identify and mitigate risk. From designing plans to assess compliance with laws most likely to spawn litigation to crafting policies, trainings, and communications to attack legal risk, Kevin partners with his clients at every step. Kevin also leans on his litigation experience in advising businesses of all sizes and growth stages on day-to day employment issues that command real-time answers and practical solutions.

Kevin is known for his collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to solving problems. He is well-networked across the firm and routinely leverages the assistance of colleagues across offices and practice groups to provide the best possible solutions for his clients. This includes not only other lawyers across the platform, but also Seyfarth’s deep bench of skilled, non-attorney professionals, such as project managers, labor economists, and software engineers.

Kevin took a unique path to employment law, first earning his undergraduate degree in accounting, spending three summers interning for a “Big Four” tax firm, and devoting the earliest chapter of his legal career to tax law. These experiences molded Kevin into an attorney who is as comfortable developing a detailed exposure analysis as he is training a roomful of supervisors on best employment practices and common pitfalls. A tech nerd at heart, Kevin also leverages technology to enhance the delivery of legal service.

Kevin and his wife, Lindsay, are the proud parents of two sometimes behaved young boys and a 10-year-old puppy. When he's not working or spending time with his family, Kevin can be found on the ice hockey rink or Peloton, or coaching his oldest son’s tee ball team. Kevin’s ice hockey team, the Crustaceans, won its rec league championship in 2016 (and has failed to make the playoffs each season since).

Mr. Benjamin Warren Pope Related Seminars and Products

King & Spalding LLP

Warren Pope defends companies and their directors and officers against a broad range of shareholder claims and advises on related investigatory and regulatory matters. Warren is a partner in the firm's Securities and Shareholder Litigation practice, which has been recognized by Law360 as a Securities Group of the Year and by U.S. News & World Report as a National Tier 1 practice. Legal 500 has recognized Warren as a "leading lawyer" and a "standout" in securities litigation defense.

Warren represents clients in class actions and shareholder derivative litigation involving federal and state securities laws, directors' and officers' fiduciary duties, and other corporate governance and transactional litigation matters. He also represents corporations, directors, and officers in internal and government investigations and related litigation.

Warren has been recognized as a recommended M&A and Securities litigator by Legal 500 and Chambers (Band 1), and named as a Georgia Super Lawyer.

Credentials

EDUCATION

A.B., University of Georgia, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

J.D., University of Georgia, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif

CLERKSHIPS

Law Clerk, Hon. R. Lanier Anderson III, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Recognition

"He’s an excellent litigator with clear, strong depth of knowledge in securities. He’s always available and responsive."  (Chambers, Band 1)

Leading Lawyer in Securities Litigation Defense (Legal 500)

Mr. Walter West Davis, Judge Related Seminars and Products

Jones Day

Ms. Rachel Gleason George Related Seminars and Products

The Aaron's Company, Inc.

RACHEL GLEASON GEORGE is executive vice president, general counsel, corporate secretary, chief compliance officer, and chief corporate affairs officer at The Aaron’s Company, a leading, technology-enabled, omnichannel provider of lease-to-own and retail purchase solutions of appliances, electronics, furniture and other home goods across its brands: Aaron's, BrandsMart U.S.A., BrandsMart Leasing and Woodhaven. Rachel’s areas of responsibility include all aspects of legal, compliance, corporate governance, corporate strategy, enterprise risk, safety, physical security, government relations and corporate affairs to all business segments. When she joined the company in November 2020, Rachel brought with her more than 17 years of experience in the financial services industry, most recently from Navient, a leading provider of education loan management and business processing solutions to education, healthcare, and government clients at the federal, state, and local levels. While at Navient, Rachel served as senior vice president and deputy general counsel. Previously, she was a partner in the Banking Group at Chapman and Cutler LLP. Rachel attended Covenant College and Emory University School of Law. 

Mr. Thurbert E. Baker Related Seminars and Products

Dentons US LLP

Ms. Stefanie Helen Jackman Related Seminars and Products

Troutman Pepper Locke LLP

Stefanie Jackman is a partner in Troutman Pepper’s Consumer Financial Services Group, Regulatory, Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement (RISE) Group, and is located in the firm’s Atlanta office. Stefanie is a recognized thought leader in all things relating to servicing and collecting consumer financial products. She brings her experience and knowledge to bear when assisting financial services clients in navigating state and federal government investigations and examinations, navigating complex compliance issues arising under federal and state law, and defending them in individual and class action lawsuits. Stefanie’s clients are represented in almost all sectors of the financial services industry, including banks and nonbank lenders and servicers, student loans, debt collectors and buyers, third-party service providers, healthcare and medical revenue cycle service providers, credit and prepaid card companies, direct and indirect auto lenders, and fintechs. She regularly advises her clients on issues arising under an array of federal and state consumer financial laws (UDAP/UDAAP statutes, the FDCPA, FCRA, TCPA, EFTA, SCRA, and TILA). Much or her thought leadership and analysis of relevant legal issues can be found on her Firm’s practice blog, the Consumer Financial Services Law Monitor.

Mr. Samuel S. Olens Related Seminars and Products

Dentons US LLP

Samuel S. Olens is a partner in Dentons' Public Policy practice and is a member of the firm's State Attorneys General group, based in the Atlanta office. His practice focuses on state attorneys general and local government affairs matters.

Sam was twice elected attorney general of Georgia, in 2010 and 2014. In that role he worked to strengthen the penalties for and protect the victims of sex trafficking, guided a comprehensive revision of Georgia's sunshine laws and led the effort to stem the epidemic of prescription drug abuse. Olens also served as vice president of the National Association of Attorneys General in 2016, having previously served as chair of the 13-state Southern Region both in 2013 and 2015.

Prior to being elected attorney general, Olens was chairman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, serving from August 2002 through March 2010. He previously served as a county commissioner from 1999 through June 2002.
Sam was chair of the Atlanta Regional Commission board as well as a member of the Board of the Department of Community Affairs. Sam has a history of taking a regional approach to problem solving. During his time at the Atlanta Regional Commission, Sam Olens was awarded the Tom Bradley Leadership Award by the National Association of Regional Councils. The award recognizes leadership excellence an elected or appointed official has made in advocating regional concepts, approaches, and programs at any level of government.

Sam also served as Vice-Chair of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, a 16-county planning entity dedicated to developing comprehensive regional and watershed-specific plans for the district and as a board member of the National Association of Counties Transportation Steering Committee.

Sam is a registered mediator/arbitrator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. He has been admitted to practice law in Georgia and the District of Columbia.

Ms. Kathryn Scully Related Seminars and Products

Gypsum Management & Supply Inc

Experienced attorney with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, securities work, public company governance, board & committee support, contract negotiations, enterprise risk management, environmental, social, & governance, real estate, employee matters, and intellectual property work. 

Mr. Haywood Scott Lowry Jr. Related Seminars and Products

University of Georgia

Scott Lowry joined the University of Georgia School of Law in February 2022 as part of its Business Law and Ethics Program clinical faculty.

Lowry has 15 years of experience as a transactional attorney in the areas of corporate, tax and real estate law. After law school, Lowry worked in the Atlanta office of Morris, Manning & Martin for three years as an associate attorney in the areas of tax, real estate capital markets and corporate law. Most recently, he was a partner at the law firm Fortson, Bentley & Griffin in Athens, where he represented clients on a wide variety of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, franchising, exempt securities offerings and commercial contract review.  For many clients, Lowry also served in the outside general counsel role, providing general legal and business advice.

Active in the start-up community in Athens, he has led classes on legal issues on behalf of the UGA Small Business Development Center and presented on corporate law matters in conjunction with the university’s Innovation Gateway, the College of Pharmacy’s Entrepreneurship Rotation and the FABricate Entrepreneurial Initiative.

Lowry earned his bachelor’s degree cum laude from the University of Virginia and his law degree magna cum laude from UGA, where he served on the editorial board of the Georgia Law Review and was inducted into the Order of the Coif.

Mr. Rajesh Shah Related Seminars and Products

Raj Shah is the Global Head of Public Sector & Healthcare Compliance at McKinsey & Company. He is responsible for developing and executing the strategic vision for McKinsey's Global Ethics and Compliance Program, leading efforts to identify and mitigate compliance risk and further embed the company's values. Raj leads a large and growing global team of compliance professionals who guide McKinsey's 10,000 colleagues who interact with public sector and healthcare clients to lead with integrity.  

Prior to joining McKinsey, Raj was Managing Counsel of Advice at MagMutual Insurance Company and had responsibility for leading risk management education and corporate compliance training to MagMutual's 30,000 physician policyholders focusing on regulatory compliance, cybersecurity compliance, employment law and fiduciary liability matters. Prior to MagMutual, Raj was in private practice for nearly a decade where he counseled U.S. healthcare providers on a wide range of regulatory and compliance matters.He served as chair of the YLD State Bar of Georgia Ethics & Professionalism Committee and on the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism. 

Raj is a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) and holds specialty certifications in Healthcare Compliance (CHC), Healthcare Privacy Compliance (CHPC), Healthcare Research Compliance (CHRC), and Information Privacy Professional (CIPP). He has published over 100 articles on healthcare compliance and regularly presents at conferences on best practices in healthcare compliance. He has been recognized as a "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers magazine, a "Legal Elite" by Georgia Trend magazine, as well as Daily Report's "On the Rise."

He is a graduate of LEAD Atlanta, Leadership Georgia, Atlanta Regional Commission Regional Leadership Institute and serves on the Board of the Piedmont Park Conservancy.

Raj is a proud "triple dawg" and obtained his undergraduate, masters, and law degree from the University of Georgia.

Ms. Bing Wang Related Seminars and Products

Aura

Bing is a Senior Counsel at Aura, a Boston-based digital security company. She manages the company's IP docket, handles commercial contracts, and advises on employment issues. 

Previously, Bing was an Assistant General Counsel at Georgia Tech, where she advised the university on both legal and compliance matters.