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Mazda’s All-New CX-9: Meticulously Crafted for Drivers

On Wednesday, July 27, members of the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association had the pleasure of experiencing the All-New Mazda CX-9 at Babette’s Café.

Mazda North American Operations’ Manager of Public Affairs, Tamara Mlynarczyk, introduced the group to Tetsu Nakazawa, the vehicle line manager for the CX-9.  He explained the following:

Mazda’s KODO: “Soul of Motion” design philosophy gives the CX-9 a look of composure and prestige—even at a standstill. A muscular stance, elongated hood and tapered roofline express an athletic elegance. The overall effect is one of purity, simplicity and beauty—an extraordinary achievement in a three-row SUV.

Mazda believes every detail makes driving better. They used premium materials to craft the Signature Trim of the all-new CX-9. From Nappa leather, to sculpted aluminum, to the same genuine Rosewood used in some of the world’s finest musical instruments, this vehicle produces a multi-sensory driving experience of sophistication and indulgence.

To elevate your driving experience, Mazda subdued unwelcome sounds, diminished the noise of engine vibrations and added 53 pounds of sound-deadening material. Sound-insulating glass, narrowed gaps, and more seal insulation further reduce wind noise. All this makes the CX-9 remarkably quiet, ensuring your time behind the wheel is less distracting and more relaxing.

A focus on pure driving enjoyment sets the CX-9 apart in its class. Every aspect of this three-row SUV, from its body construction and engine technology to its chassis and transmission, is engineered with SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY to maximize driving dynamics while achieving outstanding highway MPG.

 

Mazda North American Operations’ Tetsu Nakazawa, the vehicle line manager for the CX-9 with Manager of Public Affairs, Tamara Mlynarczyk at Babette's Cafe.

Mazda North American Operations’ Tetsu Nakazawa, the vehicle line manager for the CX-9 with Manager of Public Affairs, Tamara Mlynarczyk at Babette’s Cafe.

 

The All-New Mazda CX-9.

The All-New Mazda CX-9.

 

The All-New Mazda CX-9.

The rear of the All-New Mazda CX-9.

 

The All-New Mazda CX-9.

The grill and lights of All-New Mazda CX-9.

 

The interior of All-New Mazda CX-9.

The interior of All-New Mazda CX-9.

IMPA Con 2016

Pomerance & Associates attended IMPA Con 2016 in New York on 7/19.  Below are highlights of the event:

The future of Facebook.

The future of Facebook.

@chaddrumminger live convo at IMPA Con 2016.

@chaddrumminger live convo at IMPA Con 2016.

Millions of Auto industry tweets!

Millions of Auto industry tweets!

IMPA Con Schedule.

IMPA Con Schedule.

IMPA Con Schedule.

IMPA Con Schedule.

Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce Luncheon with Chick-fil-A’s Dan Cathy

As CEO of one of the nation’s largest family owned businesses, Chick-fil-A’s Dan Cathy represents the next generation of leadership for the Atlanta-based fast-food chicken restaurant chain founded by his father, S. Truett Cathy. Eager to incorporate his own skills and talents into the business, Dan has taken an unconventional, yet personally and professionally rewarding approach to Chick-fil-A leadership.

Dan was named Chairman, President and CEO, by his father in 2013. Since 2001, Dan has served as the president and chief operating officer of the 1,900-plus unit chain, but he also has personally challenged himself with upholding Chick-fil-A’s efforts to provide genuine, heartfelt hospitality, and ensuring that customers chain wide have an exceptional dining experience when visiting a Chick-fil-A restaurant. In his quest to provide customers with “second-mile” service (exceeding even the highest expectations of a typical fast-food restaurant), Dan has defined a special role for himself – humbly saying, “I work in customer service.”

Rather than leading from his corporate office in Atlanta, Dan chooses to spend the majority of his time traveling to the chain’s growing family of restaurants and interacting with Chick-fil-A’s committed team of restaurant Operators and team members. His actions stem from a belief that working in the field provides a clearer understanding of the ever evolving wants and needs of Chick-fil-A customers, and leading from the front line also enables him to personally convey his servant spirit to the chain’s 70,000-plus employees.

In yet another example of how he keeps in tune with customers and employees, Dan attended numerous restaurant openings last year, spending the night in restaurant parking lots along with hundreds of customers who were vying for a chance to win free Chick-fil-A food for a year as part of a special customer-focused promotion the chain conducts in conjunction with new restaurant openings. Reflecting on these experiences, Dan notes, “I’m having the most fun I have ever had at Chick-fil-A.”

Several major marketplace awards have affirmed the commitment and performance of Chick-fil-A Operators and team members. Chick-fil-A was recognized in 2015 with the “Consumer’s Choice Award” for pleasant and friendly service by Technomic’s survey of 85,000 consumers and leader of the fast food industry in Temkin’s 2015 Customer Experience Survey. In the 2014 Glassdoor Employee’s Choice Awards, Chick-fil-A ranked among the top 50 Best Places to Work in the nation. Forbes also ranked Chick-fil-A as the 4th most inspiring company in the country following a survey of more than 2,000 consumers evaluating 25 companies.

Dan’s career at Chick-fil-A began at age 9 as he sang songs for customers and did radio commercials for the chain’s original “Dwarf House” restaurant in Hapeville, Ga.

And in his “spare” time, Dan earned his Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license and has completed numerous marathons in Atlanta, Orlando, Los Angeles, Boston and New York. Additionally, Dan is a passionate trumpet player, gardener and an avid motorcyclist.

A native of Jonesboro, Ga., Dan has been married to the former Rhonda Palmer (whom he met while in the 1st grade at age 6) for more than 40 years. He has two sons, Andrew, Vice President of People at Chick-fil-A and Ross, Owner/Operator of the Midland, Ga., Chick-fil-A restaurant, as well as two grandchildren.

Chick-fil-A lemonade and tea are the perfect way to great guests on a hot Georgia day.

Chick-fil-A lemonade and tea are the perfect way to great guests on a hot Georgia day.

A podium is not his style ... Dan Cathy loves being in the mix of things.

A podium is not his style … Dan Cathy loves mingling as he speaks.

Cathy's sage advice on success, "Think differently, take risks, have faith, think cool, share ownership and make a total commitment."

Cathy’s sage advice on success, “Think differently, take risks, have faith, think cool, share ownership and make a total commitment.”

The Possible Woman® 2016 Leadership Conference

Earlier this month I attended a leadership conference for female executives.  The Possible Woman® 2016 Leadership Conference was held in Atlanta on Tuesday, May 10 at the Georgia World Congress Center.   Keynote Speakers were Hala Moddelmog and Celeste Jonson.

Hala Moddelmog has successfully served in president and CEO roles for more than 20 years. She became the first female president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) in January 2014 following a long and successful career in the corporate and non-profit sectors.

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Hala Moddelmog shared her story and the importance of taking risks.

Celeste Jonson is a Transformation Coach & Strategist at Celeste Jonson International. She is an expert at energizing and inspiring people, particularly leaders, to fully utilize their greatest potential to facilitate transformation in themselves and others. The goal is optimal and intentional living and leading.

The conference featured the Women of Power and Vision Panel. The panel was moderated by Malenka Warner, Managing Director and Owner of Atlanta Daybook. Participants included Patricia M. Falotico, CEO of the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership; Stacy Kilcoyne, Vice President, Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer at the Southern Company; and Lee Pressley, Vice President of Sales at IBM Cloud for the Southeast Region; and Tracy L. Garner, Vice President at AT&T Service Delivery and Assurance, SE Mountain Shores.

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Women of Power and Vision Panel

A portion of the profits from the conference benefits the Possible Woman Foundation International, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that provides scholarships, education, mentoring opportunities to the women leaders of tomorrow pursuing non-traditional occupations.

The message throughout the conference was to not only set goals – which I do – but to take risks and live your dream.  I found it to be most inspiring …

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The sponsors.

Israel Independence Day at the 13th Annual Jack Hirsch Memorial Breakfast

On May 12, I had the privilege of celebrating Israel Independence Day at the 13th Annual Jack Hirsch Memorial Breakfast held at The Temple on Peachtree St.  Being a supporter of Israel and those of the Jewish faith, this opportunity was an honor for me.  It was also a new experience, as I am Roman Catholic.

For those who may not know, the Jewish National Fund (JNF) is a non-profit organization founded in 1901 by Theodor Herzl, a Viennese journalist, who witnessed virulent anti-Semitism at the Dreyfus trial. He knew it was time to take action, and was determined that before the Fifth Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland came to an end, a national fund would be established to purchase land for a Jewish State in Ottoman-controlled Palestine.

Over the past 113 years, JNF has evolved into a global environmental leader by planting more than 250 million trees, building over 240 reservoirs and dams, developing over 250,000 acres of land, creating more than 2,000 parks, providing the infrastructure for over 1,000 communities, and connecting thousands of children and young adults to Israel and their heritage

The keynote speaker at the 13th Annual Jack Hirsch Memorial Breakfast was Lieutenant Colonel Tiran Attia, the Director of Special in Uniform, a JNF partner and innovative program which integrates young men and women with disabilities into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Highlights below:

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13th Annual Jack Hirch Memorial Breakfast at The Temple.

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The attendees were welcomed by Scott & Shelley Kaplan, Co-chairs.

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Beth Gluck, Southeast Regional Director of JNF Atlanta

Lt. Col. (Res) Tiran Attia

Ending Prayer

Prayer for the State of Israel: Howard Wexler, Co-President JNF Atlanta, Alan S. Wolk, Co-President JNF Atlanta, Shelley and Scott Kaplan.