Episodes

https://youtu.be/AvbdxLHh5ug 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. From food distribution, citizenship classes, technology donations for children, and everything in between, the Gwinnett County Public Library is a vital resourc...

https://youtu.be/pCnqFAvB1Zw 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. Part of their success can be acclaimed to their emphasis on making sure each customer knows them on a first name basis so that each person feels taken care of. In this episode, you’ll hear ...

https://youtu.be/4ttBhqG9EvA 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. In addition to protecting your environment, understanding the proper steps to dispose of electronic waste ensures that the private information stored on your devices doesn’t end up in ...

https://youtu.be/orOQRqsUcvM 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. Leadership and networking programs offered by Gwinnett County Government help produce empowered and engaged resid...

https://youtu.be/-r04TSrgBGo 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. Through a recent merger with Northside Hospital, Ginger and her team at Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation are working to ensure all citizens within G...

https://youtu.be/0b2hAjAz4-c 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 North Gwinnett Co-Op‘s Executive Director, 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....

https://youtu.be/P7VhwKlFV8s 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 to change the world around us. The John Maxwell Company uses leadership trainings, conferences, and books as necessary resources to develop leadership skills. Simultaneously, leadership is built within the company by serving the ...

https://youtu.be/D_Uj9of1AfA 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. For more than 20 years, Denise has used art as a tool for promoting economic development and enhancing the culture of Suwanee. In turn, the individuals that call...

https://youtu.be/amcCEyVueVg While the pursuit of knowledge may be a long and winding road, leaders in Gwinnett County have time and time found innovative ways to better serve their team and their communities. In this episode of Thrive Y’all, Rocket IT speaks with Russell Landscape Group’s Owner and CEO, Teddy Russell. Through this conversation, Teddy explains the company’s core values, its focus on having a heart of service, and how both of those led to 34 years of creative landscaping soluti...

https://youtu.be/GSSgMHQfyrI Many times, finding a spot at the leadership table can be difficult for young and aspiring professionals. But as industries change, new leaders are often called upon to provide a different view on innovation and growth. In this episode of Thrive Y’all, Rocket IT sits down with Gwinnett Young Professionals’ Leadership and Development Manager, Chase Meeder. In her role, Chase and her team at GYP provide Gwinnett County’s youngest professionals with a platform to deve...

https://youtu.be/UdE5Rs1fE8w Connecting with community members is one of the most rewarding experiences any business leader can achieve. But what happens when an organization that relies on community outreach is faced with a global pandemic that forces entire cities to shelter in place? In this episode of Thrive Y’all, Rocket IT sits down with Veugeler Design Group President and Suwanee Magazine Editor-In-Chief, Angie Veugeler. Over the last year, Angie and her team have embraced change, findi...

https://youtu.be/-c9RgPGmb9s 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, you’ll hear more about: Resource for those who experienced sexual assault Sexual as...

https://youtu.be/MvI97JslCC4 While building high performing teams is no simple task, motivating those teams to engage with their community can be an even more daunting feat. 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. In this e...

https://youtu.be/hSIHwtB-dLQ 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. By providing parents with the access early childhood teaching tools, Building Babies’ Brains actively seeks to ensure every parent is their ch...

https://youtu.be/hkumdliYnyI While 2020 proved to be a challenging year for many individuals across the Metro Atlanta area, there’s no denying that it would have been much worse without the extreme effort put forth by frontline workers. From teachers to first responders, countless heroes in the Gwinnett County community stepped 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 in...

https://youtu.be/L4dSIvb8Ils 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. In this episode of Thrive Y’all, Lisa provides viewers with a glimpse into the tourism and hospitality industry; highlighting what Explore Gwinnett achieved when overcoming t...

https://youtu.be/PISf4FDT4M4 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. In his role as Director of Community and Donor Relations, Jamie Hamilton seeks new ways to ensure SNS remains attainable for those stude...

https://youtu.be/4FNVZZVARgc 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 CHOA’s Community Development and External Affairs Officer, Annie continuously surveys the Metro Atlanta area, seeking out new ways to ...

https://youtu.be/9eGuNCxXXIY 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. That said, our team wants to hear from you! Do you know a leader that continues to do great work in the Metro Atlanta area? Submit a nomination ...

https://youtu.be/CsO2PK-HZrw With a mission to adapt, integrate, and thrive, the Latin American Association is working to create communities that promote opportunities for all its members. Having joined LAA in 2010, Cynthia Roman serves as the organization’s Managing Director of Family Stabilization and Well-Being. From her efforts, the LAA has developed a social service component; offering Latin American residents with multiple programs to address housing, health, and hunger. Throughout this...

https://youtu.be/BQDjKCz3XmU 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 one organization is accomplishing this goal of unification by taking a unique, multigenerational approach. Executive Director, Larry Campbell and his team at Corners Outreach have spent the last nine years investing in poverty-stricken areas of Gwinnett County, offering residents accessible tutoring and a means to i...

https://youtu.be/PxZ9AROIhdA 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. Throughout this episode, you’ll hear more...

https://youtu.be/zlNiQDl7Um8 While creating a hub for innovation is not for the faint of heart, a dedicated team of pioneers at The Water Tower are accomplishing 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. In this episode of Thrive Y’all, we sit down with Melissa to get an inside look at what her t...

https://youtu.be/c1cuBRNlXVA 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 Partners’ Head of Client Development, Jason Ferguson, as he elaborates on what it means to be an advocate for the entrepreneurs of a community. In his role at CTR Partners, Jason serves as a “connector”, using his position to listen for client needs, create mea...