Surprisingly Free
stories for professionals, by professionals
Interviews
Dr. Mark Smith: President of Columbia International University
Born and raised near Galax, Virginia, Dr. Mark A. Smith has been a devote Christian for his whole life, passionate about spreading the words and message of Christ. Dr. Smith made the decision early in his college career at Hobe Sound College to answer the call of ministry in his profession. He received his Bachelor’s […]
James B. Pepper Rutland: Founder, President, & CEO of MMR Group
James B. Pepper Rutland, of Baton Rouge, is the founder, President, and CEO of MMR Group. MMR Group is a leader in the instrumentation and electrical construction industry. MMR Group has the largest privately-owned open shop electrical and instrumentation contractor in the U.S. Clients of MMR include the chemical, energy, petrochemical, industrial, and manufacturing sectors. […]
Dr. Sandra Dunn: President and CEO of Phoenix Molecular Designs
Location: Vancouver, Canada Dr. Sandra Dunn has dedicated over 20 years to breast cancer research and the biotech industry. She earned a degree in molecular biology from Hiram College, an institution she believes has a tremendous research program. A few years later, she pursued an MSc and Ph.D from North Carolina State University’s Department of […]
Issac Qureshi: Director of Client Services at Ogilvy & Haart
Few people embody leadership with quite the same fervor and Issac Qureshi has throughout his career. Living in Manchester, UK, he has built an impressive career for himself over the past two decades. Currently, Issac is working as Director of Client Services at Ogilvy & Haart. As a professional who is highly regarded for the […]
Merrette Moore: Founder of Tidewater Equity Partners
Merrette Moore is a Private Equity professional with over 20 years of experience in the industry. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of Tidewater Equity Partners and believes in making a positive impact within his company and community. Over the course of his career, Merrette Moore has accumulated a wide range of experience in […]
Destry Witt: President at RELiANCE Investing
From an early age, Destry Witt demonstrated the spirit and drive of a true entrepreneur. For more than 30 years, Destry has cultivated his skills as a leader, businessman, and financial adviser to achieve success and establish his prominence. The stock market has been an object of interest for quite some time, and when the […]
Yuri Vanetik: Entrepreneur, Business Strategist, and Philanthropist
Yuri Vanetik is an entrepreneur, business strategist, political coalition builder, and philanthropist in Orange County, California. He brings over 20 years of professional experience working in a variety of roles and industries, including law, finance, real estate development, politics, and philanthropy. His diverse background and impressive work ethic have allowed Vanetik to thrive in numerous […]
Kelly Hoggan: Principle of H4 Solutions
Kelly Hoggan brings over three decades of industry experience in aviation security, operations, and management to his role as Principle of H4 Solutions, the transportation consulting company he founded in 2016. H4 Solutions delivers unmatched experience and innovative industry insights to those who seek security solutions across the transportation sectors. Based in Washington D.C., Kelly […]
David Auer CPA On Attracting Clients To Your Accounting Firm
David Auer CPA knows that running a thriving CPA firm may seem like a difficult task. After all, you have to balance the needs of your clients, keep your staff happy, and stay profitable. On top of that, you need to continually attract new clients to your firm. If this is one of your most […]
Alex Podgurski: Serial Entrepreneur & Marketing Expert
Alex Podgurski is a serial entrepreneur and marketing expert who has spent many years enhancing his knowledge of digital marketing. For over 16 years, Alex has worked in direct response marketing, starting several successful companies. During this time, Alex has been dedicated to learning as much as he can and growing his businesses. He places […]
Jeffrey Tinsley: Founder And CEO Of MyLife
Jeffrey Tinsley is an entrepreneur with over two decades of experience as an internet businessman. He is the founder and CEO of MyLife, “the biggest social site you’ve never heard of,” where he seeks to improve the safety and trust for individuals online. Starting out in 1994, Jeffrey Tinsley’s career began in the typical incubator […]
Joseph Lorenzo Hall: Chief Technology Officer
Joseph Lorenzo Hall is the Chief Technology Officer for the Center for Democracy & Technology based out of the Washington D.C. area. He has served as a postdoctoral researcher at UC Berkely within their well-respected School of Information. Before that he got a Master of Information Management and Systems, a Master of Arts, and a […]
Muhammad Babangida: Business Executive
Muhammad Babangida is a seasoned business executive with over 20 years’ experience in the areas of leadership, organization, efficiency, education, security services, and banking. He is a forward-thinking professional who is passionate about identifying and creating new opportunities for development and growth. Muhammad Babangida also believes in the power of education, both for the present […]
Kewho Min: Licensed CPA
Kewho Min is an accounting executive with over eighteen years of experience. Throughout his career, he has established a reputation as a hardworking and highly motivated professional who seeks out others’ opinions and loves collaboration. The world of accounting ties in perfectly with his methodologies, so it’s no surprise that he was drawn to this […]