The Claw

A Business Strategist and a domain expert in Corporate Business Development, Sales, Marketing, Small Business Formation and Entrepreneurship. With a record of achievement and demonstrated sustainable success of growing companies which generate multi-million-dollar revenues.

Mel has over 20 years of tactical experience in both revenue acceleration and corporate development of early stage and emerging growth companies. Executing business expertise to drive sales, increase profit margins, and deliver operational effectiveness through strategic planning.

Currently, Mel is the Regional Director of the SC State Region Small Business Development Centers. He is responsible for all business consulting activities in a seven county region dedicated to improve the economic conditions of small business enterprises by empowering them in accessing resources to enhance their market penetration opportunities as well as sources of capital for their operations and growth.

Previously, Mel was a Senior Advisor for AMPIRIX a “Go to Market” consultancy for the architectural, engineering and construction industry. He was also the Director of Business Development for Satellier, a multinational solution provider of building project documentation and digital design support services provided to the AEC industry.

In 2009, Mel founded Visually Intelligent Solutions, Inc., a technology start-up offering consulting, training and design support service for the AEC community. The company offered engineering software, facility management solutions, 3D design visualization services, computer-aided design, process workflow analysis and implementation.

Prior to this, Mel was the Director of Business Development for RAND IMAGINIT, the world’s largest integrator of engineering software, where he planned, directed and coordinated sales activities of 50 + offices located throughout North America, Asia and Australia.

Sajan George founded and leads Matchbook Learning, a unique national non-profit blended school turnaround management organization, the first of its kind that targets turning around our nation’s worst (bottom 5%) public schools with a model that blends the best of online and face-to-face instruction.

Matchbook Learning has launched three successful school turnarounds in Detroit, MI and has plans to expand nationally.

Prior to founding Matchbook Learning, CEO Sajan George was a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal (“A&M”) where he led the Firm’s Education Practice. In that role, he led a diverse group of talented turnaround professionals across the U.S. in running entire K-12 public school districts.

Terence Lester is a native of Atlanta, GA. He has a strong passion for family, God, and seeing the change through tangible acts of kindness. Lester is happily married to his friend, Cecilia Lester, and they enjoy parenting their two wonderful children, Zion Joy Lester, and Terence II. One of Terence’s greatest passions involves connecting creativity to the mission of God, and moving people to love people where they are.

Additionally, Terence holds four degrees, has spoken locally & nationally, and has written several books.

Instagram: @terencelester
Facebook: terence.lester.9
Twitter: imTerenceLester

Monica L. Ponder, MS, MSPH is a health and scientific communications professional residing in Atlanta, Georgia.

Monica has worked in health communications for nearly 10 years and also leads several community initiatives under the arm of her consulting company, MLP Communications. MLP Communications is an emerging leader of health communications in metro-Atlanta, with an impressive portfolio of events, successful partnerships and campaigns. Monica Ponder is a healthcare researcher and thought leader in reaching vulnerable and high-risk populations. As a health scientist, she designs and implements health initiatives that predictably translates into business success. Trained professionally as a chemist and epidemiologist, Monica specializes in translating scientific information into various communications products.   Monica has worked as a health communicator with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and, prior to joining CDC, she worked as a Public Health Liaison/Epidemiologist with the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness and lead clinician engagement for the health department. Trained in radio/television production, Monica also spent time developing health stories for WAGA/FOX-5, an Atlanta television news station. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Communication at Georgia State University. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, blogging, and hanging with her daughter, Lindsey.

Natasha Bowen is the Chief Visionary at Visionary People, a Business Management Consulting Firm specializing in helping companies get in position for success. Visionary People places companies and their owners on the paths of the least resistant.

Natasha is a Business & Marketing Strategist that enjoys working with companies and their owners who are ready to apply strategy and simplicity to growing their business. With over 15 yrs of experience with critical thinking, crisis management, process improvement and creative thinking she holds a Masters Degree in Business & Marketing. Natasha launched Visionary People in 2007 and since then has taken the company to pivotal heights.