Business Link Chairman's Column page 2 Annual Meeting & Gala Highlights pages 4 -5 Upcoming Events page 6 Ribbon Cuttings page 10 Member Announcements page 10 TSPLOST: Top 10 Reasons to Support page 11 New Leadership Classes Page 12 Small Business of the Month page 14 Hackers Holiday Highlights page 15 G r e a t e r H a l l C h a m b e r . c o m A Publication of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Save the Date JUNE 2012 Thursday, June 7 Business After Hours Tuesday, June 12 Small Business NetWeaving Friday, June 15 Business Before Hours Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce 2011-2012 Business Awards were presented at the 104th Annual Meeting & Gala on May 10 at the Chattahoochee Country Club. Small Business of the Year: Highland Mountain Beverage Family Business of the Year: J & J Foods W.G. Mealor Chairman's Award: Melissa Tymchuk, Northeast Georgia Health System Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award: Virgil Williams, Williams Group International; Lake Lanier Islands Resort Ambassador of the Year: Bill Kokaly, Cox Communications & Electronics Silver Shovel Award Recipients: Chad Bolton, Northeast Georgia Health System Andi Farmer, Milton Martin Honda Bill Kokaly, Cox Communications & Electronics Doug Langman, TRC Staffing Guerry Norwood, Regions Bank Emily Whitehead, Milton Martin Toyota Greg Ours, Poly Enterprises Richard Riley, Community Volunteer Rosanne Short, Brenau University Jessica Tullar, City of Gainesville Erin Williamson, The Longstreet Clinic Srikanth Yamala, Gainesville Hall MPO Transportation Awards & Recognition at the 104th Annual Meeting & Gala The Distinguished Citizen Award was presented to Virgil Williams pictured with family (L-R): Grandson Matthew Bowling, daughter Mendy Williams Bowling, wife Sara and Virgil Williams. (See pages 4-5 for more highlights.) Greater Hall Cham- ber Chairman Jay Jacobs (left), Jacobs Media Corporation, with Greater Hall Chamber President/ CEO Kit Dunlap and incoming Chairman, Randall Frost, Stewart, Mel- vin and Frost. Ran- dall officially takes office on July 1 and will serve a one year term as Chairman of the Greater Hall Chamber. The TSPLOST vote is July 31. Vote early starting July 9 at the Hall County Elections Office in the new Hall County Government Center, 2285 Browns Bridge Road at McEver Road in Gainesville. For a list of projects, maps and detailed TSPLOST information for the Georgia Mountains Region, visit online: ConnectGeorgiaMountains.org Transportation Referendum VOTE on JULY 31 Mundy Mill Celebrates ‘GRAND REOPENING’
Transcript
B u s i n e s s L i n kChairman's Columnpage 2
Annual Meeting & Gala Highlightspages 4 -5
Upcoming Eventspage 6
Ribbon Cuttingspage 10
Member Announcementspage 10
TSPLOST: Top 10 Reasons to Supportpage 11
New Leadership ClassesPage 12
Small Business of the Monthpage 14
Hackers Holiday Highlightspage 15
G r e a t e r H a l l C h a m b e r . c o m
A Publication of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce
Save the Date
J U N E2 0 1 2
Thursday, June 7Business After Hours
Tuesday, June 12Small Business NetWeaving
Friday, June 15Business Before Hours
Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce 2011-2012 Business Awards were presented at the 104th Annual Meeting & Gala on May 10 at the Chattahoochee Country Club.
Small Business of the Year: Highland Mountain BeverageFamily Business of the Year: J & J FoodsW.G. Mealor Chairman's Award: Melissa Tymchuk, Northeast Georgia Health SystemDistinguished Citizen of the Year Award: Virgil Williams, Williams Group International; Lake Lanier Islands ResortAmbassador of the Year: Bill Kokaly, Cox Communications & ElectronicsSilver Shovel Award Recipients:Chad Bolton, Northeast Georgia Health System Andi Farmer, Milton Martin Honda Bill Kokaly, Cox Communications & Electronics Doug Langman, TRC Staffing Guerry Norwood, Regions Bank Emily Whitehead, Milton Martin Toyota Greg Ours, Poly Enterprises Richard Riley, Community Volunteer Rosanne Short, Brenau University Jessica Tullar, City of Gainesville Erin Williamson, The Longstreet Clinic Srikanth Yamala, Gainesville Hall MPO Transportation
Awards & Recognition at the 104th Annual Meeting & Gala
The Distinguished Citizen Award was presented to Virgil Williams pictured with family (L-R): Grandson Matthew Bowling, daughter Mendy Williams Bowling, wife Sara and Virgil Williams. (See pages 4-5 for more highlights.)
Greater Hall Cham-ber Chairman Jay Jacobs (left), Jacobs Media Corporation, with Greater Hall Chamber President/CEO Kit Dunlap and incoming Chairman, Randall Frost, Stewart, Mel-vin and Frost. Ran-dall officially takes office on July 1 and will serve a one year term as Chairman of the Greater Hall Chamber.
The TSPLOST vote is July 31. Vote early starting July 9 at the Hall County Elections Office in the new Hall County Government Center, 2285 Browns Bridge Road at McEver Road in Gainesville. For a list of projects, maps and detailed TSPLOST information for the Georgia Mountains Region, visit online: ConnectGeorgiaMountains.org
Transportation ReferendumVOTE on JULY 31
Mundy Mill Celebrates ‘GRAND REOPENING’
0014 MainMain_BizLinkTeaser 1 5/25/12 10:13 AM
I have been honored to serve as Chairman of the Greater Hall Cham-ber this year. I take great pride in following the lead of my father and grandfather and am proud to have served as a third-generation chair-man of this outstanding organization.
The Chamber makes a difference, and that is no cliché. Your Chamber is strong. It is important and viable. The Greater Hall
Chamber of Commerce provides resources and authentic direction for our community, the region and Georgia. This is recognized by many leaders in the state, such as Chris Cummiskey, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development who when recently addressing the Chamber Board stated, "If we had 159 counties like Hall County, we wouldn’t have a Department of Economic Develop-ment," Cummiskey said. "You get it. You get what it takes between business and economic development and the civic community… you sell yourselves well."
I am proud to have been associated with this organization and will continue to be. The Chamber is more than worthy of your time, your attention, and your commit-ment. This year, my efforts focused on membership relations to Connect, Communicate, Promote and Prosper. Authentic leadership – lead by Kit Dunlap, an experienced staff of Vice Presidents, a knowledgeable Executive Board, the Board of Directors, committee chairs and all volunteers as-sisted in our staying on mission and remaining the region's voice for business.
In addition to signing up dozens of new Chamber members, we provided existing members numer-ous ways to stay connected and improve their bottom line. Workshops, seminars, networking events, health expos, job fairs, business trade shows... The Chamber remains dedicated to helping businesses prosper. From large industry expansions to small business development, there are so many programs offered to members. I hope you will get involved, stay involved, and if you're not already a Chamber member, join today and reap the benefits.
I thank you for the trust you placed in me to Chair the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce this year. Good luck to Randall Frost and the new team of leadership, and I look forward to a very bright future for the Chamber.
Marketing & CommunicationsKemie West, Business Link Editor/Consultant
Greater Hall Chamber Welcome CenterRobin Halstead, Manager
Silver Shovel Award Recipients (L-R): Greg Ours, Poly Enterprises; Chad Bolton, Northeast Georgia Health System; Jessica Tullar, City of Gainesville; Erin Williamson, The Longstreet Clinic; Rosanne Short, Brenau University; Bill Kokaly, Cox Communications & Electronics; Richard Riley, Community Volunteer; Srikanth Yamala, Gainesville Hall MPO Transportation. Not Pictured: Andi Farmer, Milton Martin Honda; Doug Langman, TRC Staffing; Guerry Norwood, Regions Bank; Emily Whitehead, Milton Martin Toyota.
Family of the Year Award Recipient, J&J Foods, is a group of three supermarkets, with locations in Gainesville and Dahlonega. In 1976, Johnnie Wiley and his brother-in-law, Junior Reece purchased the Warehouse Foods Store on Broad Street, near downtown Gainesville. They called their new company, J&J Foods. Like many businesses, J&J struggled at first and in less than six months, Junior sold his share of the company to Johnnie.
Johnnie’s emphasis then, just as it is now, was to offer genuine value to his customers. Johnnie expanded his fresh meat and produce varieties while also lowering prices. The changes worked. Sales increased and after the first year, the original 12 employees had grown to over 30. Through the 80’s and 90’s J&J Foods grew to become one of the highest sales-volume stores in Georgia. In 1991, Johnnie's son, Darrell, returned to the family grocery store after selling his own music and audio companies.
In 1994, J&J Foods survived the opening of two supercenters in Gainesville. While sales suffered with competition from the big box stores, by 1996, J&J had regained the business lost by continuing to offer the kind of service not available at its competitors. By 1999, Darrell was operating the company; he and Johnnie decided the time was right to expand. In early 2000, J&J added a second location in Dahlonega. In 2005, J&J opened its third store on Limestone Parkway in Gainesville.
J&J Foods continues to be a family operated business and a community-centered business, operating on Christian principles. In the early years, J&J’s donations were made primarily to schools and a variety of non-profit organizations. In recent years, the Wiley’s and J&J sought to be even better stewards of the blessings God has provided. Contributions were expanded to provide assistance to organizations serving the hungry and homeless in communities served by J&J. In addition, Johnnie’s appreciation for the mission of the YMCA led him to be the first to pledge financial support for construction of a new facility.
J&J Foods’ founder, Johnnie Wiley, passed away in January 2012. However, Johnnie’s legacy as an honorable businessman, a quiet contributor, and a selfless leader, is honored still today by his wife, Arrie Mae Wiley, by his family, and by J&J Foods associates. jandjfoods.com
Family Business of the YearJ&J Foods
Highland Mountain Beverage, a provider of spring water and their own blends of coffee, was founded in 1981 by Lane Jones and his wife of 34 years, Doris. Doris did the company’s receivables for the first 12 years, while holding down another full-time job.
Shane Taylor was Lane’s neighbor when he started the coffee service. He was around twelve or so at the time. When starting the bottled water business in 1989, Lane was ready to hire someone, and it turned out to be Shane. Shane has been a great employee, Lane’s right-hand man, and is now a partner in the business. He has also recently been accepted in the upcoming Leadership Hall class.
The company is committed to customer service as well as high quality products. They service Hall County, Northeast Georgia and Metro Atlanta, offering bottled spring water in both glass and plastic bottles in all sizes, office coffee service and cooler filtration. With 14 employees, they service 2,900 customers.
Lane Jones has been involved with the Chamber for many years in Small Business Programs, attending and offering his expertise. In the last couple of years, Lane and Highland Mountain Beverage employed the services of an Action Coach to better compete in this fast paced business environment, and will join the Chamber Board next year.
The company has also been involved in the March of Dimes "Walk for Babies" since 1984, and Shane is currently logistics chairman. Lane has worked with the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life for many years, and his latest role is Chairman of the Parking and Logistics committee. Highland MountainBeverage Service continues to donate water and coffee to the Chamber and a number of charities for walks, runs, and even chicken pie suppers! highlandmountainwater.com
Small Business of the YearHighland Mountain Beverage
J&J Foods and the Wiley Family, recipients of the Family Business of the Year Award (L-R): Nick Williams, Arrie Mae Wiley, Crevolyn and Darrell Wiley, and Emily Wiley Williams.
Lane and Doris Jones; Michelle and Shane Taylor of Highland Mountain Beverages, recipients of the Small Business of the Year Award.
Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce 2011-12 Chairman Jay Jacobs, Jacobs Media, with wife Anna and mother Martha Jacobs at the Greater Hall Chamber's 104th Annual Meeting. Jay's father, John Jacobs Jr., and grandfather also served as chairmen.
104th Annual Meeting & Gala
When a senior engineering student at Georgia Tech, Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award Recipient Virgil Williams developed a 40-home subdivision, a gas station and an apartment complex in his native Atlanta. He grew a com-pany into a multimillion dollar leader in industrial maintenance before he was 30. Today, the group is a 17-company conglomerate, Williams Group In-ternational, with over 5,000 employees. In 2005, he purchased lease rights to the hotels and businesses of Lake Lanier Islands Resort. Since the family's acquisition, the entire Lake Lanier Islands Resort has been completely repositioned and rebuilt. The Williams family has invested approximately $70 million in capital and infrastructure improvements. The Islands now employs 400 people with improve-
ments including: $12.5 million replacement of the Waste Water Treatment Plant; $15.6 million in road system/roundabouts, landscaping, lighting and signage; paved bike/walk path system; Islands Bridge; Refurbishing of the Emerald Point Hotel, now Legacy Lodge; Redesigning, lengthening and rebuilding the entire Legacy Golf Course; Addition of 6 new luxury Villas with 36 new rooms; Rebuilding and refurbishing Lake Houses; 5 wedding venues; new world-class spa; new major com-munity entertain complex with 5 restaurants, 2 floating pavilions, a teen after hours park and Lanier World; new “Community Investment District” from GA 985 to the Islands upgrading the road system, major landscape investments, new running trails. Virgil serves on the Boards of Young Harris College, the Carter Center, Savannah School of Art & Design, the Georgia Chamber, and the Gwinnett Chamber.
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The W.G. Mealor Award is named after the first chairman/president of the Chamber, W.G. Mealor, who served from 1908-1917. The award is given by the Chairman to a Chamber volunteer who has gone beyond the “call of duty.”
As Northeast Georgia Health System's Director of Marketing and Public Relations, W.G. Mealor Chairman's Award Recipient Melissa Tymchuk assists with communication between the healthcare system and local, regional, state and national media. She recently celebrated her 15-year anniversary at NGHS with the last 11 years serving as manager of Public Relations. As the Greater Hall Chamber’s Vice Chair of Marketing and Communications, Melissa has spent countless hours extending her expertise to benefit the Chamber. Projects developed under her leadership include the redesign of the Chamber and VISION 2030 websites. Melissa helped create a Membership Survey to poll Chamber members for input on how to better communicate to them. She is a member of the VISION 2030 Board of Directors, and, along with Bill Sanders of Jackson
EMC, chairs the new Senior Leadership Program, The Wisdom Project, that was launched last month. Melissa was also a vital part of the 5th Annual Chamber Chase 5K, served as Hospitality Chair of the Red Carpet Tour last year, and headed the successful Chamber Membership Campaign in 2010. Melissa is a graduate of Leadership Hall County and is a member of Leadership Georgia this year.
W.G. Mealor Chairman's AwardMelissa Tymchuk
Melissa Tymchuk, Northeast Georgia Health System, recipient of W.G. Mealor Chairman's Award.
Distinguished Citizens AwardVirgil Williams
Virgil Williams, Lake Lanier Islands Resort, recipient of the Distinguished Citizen Award.
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Family of the Year Award Recipient, J&J Foods, is a group of three supermarkets, with locations in Gainesville and Dahlonega. In 1976, Johnnie Wiley and his brother-in-law, Junior Reece purchased the Warehouse Foods Store on Broad Street, near downtown Gainesville. They called their new company, J&J Foods. Like many businesses, J&J struggled at first and in less than six months, Junior sold his share of the company to Johnnie.
Johnnie’s emphasis then, just as it is now, was to offer genuine value to his customers. Johnnie expanded his fresh meat and produce varieties while also lowering prices. The changes worked. Sales increased and after the first year, the original 12 employees had grown to over 30. Through the 80’s and 90’s J&J Foods grew to become one of the highest sales-volume stores in Georgia. In 1991, Johnnie's son, Darrell, returned to the family grocery store after selling his own music and audio companies.
In 1994, J&J Foods survived the opening of two supercenters in Gainesville. While sales suffered with competition from the big box stores, by 1996, J&J had regained the business lost by continuing to offer the kind of service not available at its competitors. By 1999, Darrell was operating the company; he and Johnnie decided the time was right to expand. In early 2000, J&J added a second location in Dahlonega. In 2005, J&J opened its third store on Limestone Parkway in Gainesville.
J&J Foods continues to be a family operated business and a community-centered business, operating on Christian principles. In the early years, J&J’s donations were made primarily to schools and a variety of non-profit organizations. In recent years, the Wiley’s and J&J sought to be even better stewards of the blessings God has provided. Contributions were expanded to provide assistance to organizations serving the hungry and homeless in communities served by J&J. In addition, Johnnie’s appreciation for the mission of the YMCA led him to be the first to pledge financial support for construction of a new facility.
J&J Foods’ founder, Johnnie Wiley, passed away in January 2012. However, Johnnie’s legacy as an honorable businessman, a quiet contributor, and a selfless leader, is honored still today by his wife, Arrie Mae Wiley, by his family, and by J&J Foods associates. jandjfoods.com
Family Business of the YearJ&J Foods
Highland Mountain Beverage, a provider of spring water and their own blends of coffee, was founded in 1981 by Lane Jones and his wife of 34 years, Doris. Doris did the company’s receivables for the first 12 years, while holding down another full-time job.
Shane Taylor was Lane’s neighbor when he started the coffee service. He was around twelve or so at the time. When starting the bottled water business in 1989, Lane was ready to hire someone, and it turned out to be Shane. Shane has been a great employee, Lane’s right-hand man, and is now a partner in the business. He has also recently been accepted in the upcoming Leadership Hall class.
The company is committed to customer service as well as high quality products. They service Hall County, Northeast Georgia and Metro Atlanta, offering bottled spring water in both glass and plastic bottles in all sizes, office coffee service and cooler filtration. With 14 employees, they service 2,900 customers.
Lane Jones has been involved with the Chamber for many years in Small Business Programs, attending and offering his expertise. In the last couple of years, Lane and Highland Mountain Beverage employed the services of an Action Coach to better compete in this fast paced business environment, and will join the Chamber Board next year.
The company has also been involved in the March of Dimes "Walk for Babies" since 1984, and Shane is currently logistics chairman. Lane has worked with the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life for many years, and his latest role is Chairman of the Parking and Logistics committee. Highland MountainBeverage Service continues to donate water and coffee to the Chamber and a number of charities for walks, runs, and even chicken pie suppers! highlandmountainwater.com
Small Business of the YearHighland Mountain Beverage
J&J Foods and the Wiley Family, recipients of the Family Business of the Year Award (L-R): Nick Williams, Arrie Mae Wiley, Crevolyn and Darrell Wiley, and Emily Wiley Williams.
Lane and Doris Jones; Michelle and Shane Taylor of Highland Mountain Beverages, recipients of the Small Business of the Year Award.
Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce 2011-12 Chairman Jay Jacobs, Jacobs Media, with wife Anna and mother Martha Jacobs at the Greater Hall Chamber's 104th Annual Meeting. Jay's father, John Jacobs Jr., and grandfather also served as chairmen.
Wednesday, June 6Healthcare Committee8:00 a.m. – Chamber
Wednesday, June 6Leads Group11:30 a.m. – Turnstile Deli
Thursday, June 7Business After Hours5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. – The Gardensat Wessell Drive in Gainesville
Friday, June 8Economic Development Council7:30 a.m. – Spout Springs Library in Flowery Branch
Tuesday, June 12Small Business NetWeaving7:45 a.m.-9:00 a.m. – Lanier Tech MDC at Featherbone Communiversity
Tuesday, June 12Existing Industry Roundtable8:00 a.m. – Hilton Garden Inn Gainesville
Wednesday, June 13Network Over Coffee8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. – Longstreet Cafe
Wednesday, June 13Human Resources11:45 a.m. – Luna's Restaurant in Downtown Gainesville
Thursday, June 14Leadership Hall County Intro Program8:00 a.m. – NEGA Health System
Friday, June 15Business Before Hours7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. – Lakeshore Mall in Gainesville - Food Court
Tuesday, June 19VISION 2030 Board of Directors11:30 a.m. – Chamber
Wednesday, June 20Issues Committee8:00 a.m. – Chamber
Wednesday, June 20Leads Group11:30 a.m. – Turnstile Deli
Thursday, June 21Chamber Executive Boards Retreat 2011-12 & 2012-13 Executive Boards8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. – Legacy Lodge at Lake Lanier Islands Resort
Wednesday, June 27Network Over Coffee8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. – Calliope Sweets in Flowery Branch
Thursday, June 28Chamber Board of Directors12:00 p.m. – Gainesville Civic Center
JULY/AUGUST 2012
Tuesday, August 14Small Business Success SeminarGovernment Procurement by Joe Beaulieu, Government Contract Counselor, Georgia Tech7:45 a.m.-9:00 a.m. – Lanier Tech MDC at Featherbone Communiversity
Get all event details and make reservations online at greaterhallchamber.com
Thursday, June 75:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. THE GARDENSWessell Road in Gainesville$5 Chamber Members • $15 Non-Members • Cash Pot Prize!
THE GARDENS is a 36-homesite community on Wessell Road between Dixon Drive and Piedmont Road in Gainesville. Set within a forest sanctuary, the in-town neighborhood recently underwent a multi-million dollar redevelopment by McKibbon-Robison. Don’t miss this Business After Hours and the unveiling of an exceptional array of new and upgraded amenities, including a swimming pool, pavilion and sidewalks. And of course, great food, drinks, networking and the exciting Cash Pot Prize! Details: 770-532-6206.
Business After Hours
Tuesday, June 127:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Lanier Tech's Manufacturing Development Center at Featherbone CommuniversityFree for Members • $15 Non-MembersSponsored by United Community Bank and Jacobs Media
NetWorking & NetWeavingNetworking has long been an effective means of making new professional contacts, often leading to new business. Now there's a new twist: NETWEAVING, come and learn how to utilize both techniques in your business. Jean McCullough, 770-532-6206. [email protected]
Small Business Success Seminar
Friday, June 157:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Lakeshore Mall - Food Court150 Pearl Nix Parkway in GainesvilleNo Charge • Free Breakfast
Join us for this special morning networking event and delicious complimentary breakfast at in the Food Court at Lakeshore Mall in Gainesville.
Details: Michelle Wiley, 770-532-6206. Email: [email protected]. Get the details on this and other events online: greaterhallchamber.com
Business Before Hours
shop lakesho rema l l . com
Tuesday, August 147:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Lanier Tech's MDC at Featherbone CommuniversityFree for Members • $15 Non-Members
Identify, Compete & Win Government ContractsPresented by Joe Beaulieu, Government Contracting Counselor with the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center. Joe has over 33 years of management and consulting experience with the federal government and 13 years of hands-on experience in federal acquisition and contracting. Details: Jean McCullough, 770-532-6206. [email protected]
Small Business Success SeminarThe TSPLOST vote is July 31, 2012.Vote early starting July 9th at the Hall County Elections Office in the new Hall County Government Center, 2285 Browns Bridge Road at McEver Road in Gainesville. For a complete list of projects, maps and detailed TSPLOST information for the Georgia Mountains Region, visit online:ConnectGeorgiaMountains.org
Fourth generation dairy farmer Scott Glover, wife Jennifer and daughter Elizajane cut ribbon at Mountain Fresh Cream-ery, "Where milk is so fresh that the cow doesn't even know it's gone!" The family opened the business in 2011 offering farm fresh, all natural, non-ho-mogenized dairy products. After being in the dairy business for the past 12 years, earning milk quality awards each year including the top honor of "Cream of the Crop" award from the Georgia Dept of Ag for the past 10 years, "Outstanding Young Dairy Leader" in 2009, and "Young Breeder of the Year" in 2010, the Glover's decided to start a processing plant for their milk in Cler-mont. Their products are all minimally processed and include whole milk, low fat milk, buttermilk, chocolate milk, heavy cream, and everyone's favorite fresh churned butter and ice cream. They also have fresh, all natural ground beef, fresh free range eggs, yogurt, local honey, jams, grits, coffee and jellies. 770-983-1MOO. 6615 Cleveland Highway in Clermont. mountainfreshcreamery.com
Mountain Fresh Creamery
• Gainesville Small Business Develop-ment Center's "Starting A Business Q&A" sessions are June 6, July 11, August 1, Sep-tember 12. Attend one of these free, 2 hour sessions (5-7 pm) at 999 Chestnut Street in Gainesville. Register by calling 770-531-5681 or online: georgiasbdc.org • The Greater Hall 2012 Industrial Directory includes profiles on 240+ manufacturers, processors and distributors located in Gainesville-Hall County. The new publication contains up to 18 facts about each industry featuring 39 international subsidiaries representing 15 countries. $15 for members; $30 non members. Includes tax. Additional shipping and handling charges. 770-532-6206. Online: greaterhallchamber.com• Over 400 children in Gainesville will be provided lunch daily over the sum-mer as part of Smart Lunch, Smart Kid, a program through Action Ministries. Children who receive free/reduced-price lunch during the school year will be given a sack lunch each weekday. To volunteer, call Rebecca Whicker, 678-283-2885.• Red Clay Interactive and United Com-munity Bank earned a Webby Award for the redesign of the bank's website, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet. redclayinteractive.com• Gainesville State College Alumni Asso-ciation's STARLIGHT – Rockin’ Through the Decades is Friday, June 8. Join the alumni, faculty, staff, students and families for the 2-band concert and fireworks at the Bailey Amphitheater. Gates open at 4:30 pm. $10 car and $20 for large vans/buses. Rain date is June 9. 678-717-3648. gsc.edu/alumni
• With the consolidation of Gainesville State College and North Georgia College & State University, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents’ approved the name “University of North Georgia" effective January 2013.• North Georgia Christian School will re-locate ahead of schedule. For 14 years, the 28 year-old school was located on Thomp-son Bridge Road. Chestnut Mountain Church offered its campus as a transitional facility in South Hall County while the school identifies a new, permanent home in the area. northgeorgiachristian.org• The Medical Association of Georgia Foundation announced that Frank Mc-Donald, MD, a neurologist at The Long-street Clinic, P.C., in Gainesville, was one of 10 physicians in the state to graduate from the Georgia Physicians Leadership Academy. longstreetclinic.com• Rehabilitation Industries of Northeast Georgia, a Gainesville-based non-profit that provides vocational services to indi-viduals with disabilities, has expanded and now services 19 counties in North Georgia. rehabindustries.org• For 115 years, Wallace Sheet Metal has serviced Greater Hall County and now has a state-of-the-art laser that will propel the organization into the next 100 years. The laser of the only of its kind in Georgia. wallacesheetmetal.com• Direct South, Inc., a 50-year-old food service and equipment dealer in Macon, announce the merger of Citisco Food Ser-vice Equipment, an 83-year food company in Gainesville. directsouth.com GOT NEWS?Email: [email protected]
Pastors Dewayne and Jan Payne cut ribbon at Pray Gainesville, a non-denominational alliance of churches, ministry organizations, business and community leaders who share a commitment to work together to encourage and support movements of evangelism and discipleship in every segment of Gainesville. Founded in 2007, the organization has no sectarian or political agenda, and no wish to duplicate or compete with any ministry or outreach program. Rather, to help others succeed by providing a city-wide prayer covering. Visit the Prayer Garden, 673 Bradford Street in Gainesville. 770-654-8823. praygainesville.org
Pray Gainesville
Steve Smith, MedLink CEO (left) and Sherrie Maxwell, Human Re-sources Di-rector (right) hold ribbon for Sammy Zaidi, MD, MedLink Gainesville physician; Myrtle Figueras, City of Gainesville Councilwoman and Deborah Mack, community volunteer and former Hall County Commissioner. MedLink Gainesville’s move to their new location enhances the center’s ability to provide primary medical care to Gainesville-Hall County citizens, businesses and their employees. Commercial insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid are filed and patients who qualify for fee discounts are seen on a sliding fee basis. Dr. Sammy Zaidi and Ms. Rhon-da Frazier, APRN, see patients of all ages. Minor procedures can be scheduled and performed on site. Appointments are preferred, and same-day appointments are made whenever possible. MedLink Gainesville offers an array of services, such as employee physicals and worker’s compensation care to support businesses in the area. 528 Broad Street, Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-287-0290. medlinkga.org
MedLink Gainesville Relocates
Kevin Ireland, Linda Liles, Amy Michael, Chandra Patton, Stacey Roebuck, Jackie Poole and Kelly Zavagnin cut ribbon at Advantage Staffing,. Ad-vantage's primary objective is clear-cut: To perfectly align the best people with appropriate positions around the globe. Daily, they talk to hiring manag-ers, HR directors, procurement managers and senior management to learn their needs, while bringing in candidates and associates with a variety of skills and backgrounds. This happens around the globe, at every Advantage office – in just about every industry – with a talent roster that includes finance and accounting professionals, engineers, scientists, light industrial workers, clerical associates, and warehouse and manufacturing contrac-tors. In addition, Advantage helps businesses with some of their most critical day-to-day tasks, providing assistance with workforce consulting, payroll, procurement, recruitment outsourcing and project management. Advantage Staffing, 975 Dawsonville Hwy, # 10, Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-534-6024. advantageresourcing.com
Advantage Staffing
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If you’ve driven anywhere around Gainesville-Hall County lately, you’ve seen enough campaign signs to know it’s election time again. And if you’ve been stuck in traffic while looking at those signs, then you have at least one very good reason to get out and vote this summer in support of TSPLOST. Though nearly lost among all the candi-date races, the TSPLOST referendum is one of the most important votes that we’ve faced in recent years. The vote to authorize a one-penny sales tax to fund much-needed highway projects in our community and region is critical to keep pace with a population projected to more than double by the year 2040. The shortfall in state transportation dollars – stretched by the recent recession and dwindling revenues from the tax on gasoline – adds even more urgency. Last year, after receiving input from citizens in our community, a roundtable of local and regional officials developed a list of necessary road expenditures that covers
virtually every corner of Hall County and the rest of the Georgia Mountains region. (For a complete list, visit www.ConnectGeorgiaMountains.org).
From the widening of heavily congested Spout Springs Road in South Hall to a new highway connecting Thompson Bridge Road and Sardis Road, TSPLOST provides something for everyone. But there’s a much bigger picture here than simply making it easier to drive around town – and at least 10 key reasons to vote Yes. Here’s my TSPLOST Top Ten List:
1. As an economic center for Northeast Georgia, Hall is a “recipient county,” which means we would actually receive more TSPLOST dollars than we spend – approxi-mately $1.45 for every $1.
2. Because we are one of the state’s fastest-growing counties, Hall County needs highway infrastructure to continue “driving” economic development and new jobs to our community.
3. Without TSPLOST, many of our most critical road improvement projects could be delayed by 20 years or more due to insufficient funding.
4. One-hundred percent of the TSPLOST revenues would remain within our 13-county Georgia Mountains area – with three-fourths going to regional projects and the remainder going to Hall and other individual counties and their municipalities for local improvements.
5. If TSPLOST were to fail here, we could fall behind economically to other regions of the state that vote to support it.
6. The spending of local TSPLOST revenues would be carefully monitored by a citizen oversight committee.
7. Healthcare has been an economic engine for Gainesville-Hall County, and TSPLOST revenues will allow us to increase regional access to our medical facilities, including the new South Hall hospital.
8. Greater transportation access is also vitally important to our children and schools.
9. An additional penny in sales tax is estimated to cost the average consumer a little over $100. That’s a small investment for such a large economic return.
10. Last but certainly not least, we simply need to free our roadways of stress and congestion – for safety reasons and everyone’s benefit.
The TSPLOST vote officially takes place July 31, but you have the chance, vote early starting July 9th at the Hall County Elections Office in the new Hall County Government Center, 2285 Browns Bridge Road at McEver Road.
My Top 10 Reasons to Vote "YES"
Kit DunlapPresident, Greater Hall Chamber; Co-Chair, Citizens for Better Transportation, Georgia Mountains Region 2
The Wisdom Project, one of the Greater Hall Chamber's VISION 2030 "15 Big Ideas," kicked off on May 22 in a joint conference held by the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and the Brenau University Center for Lifetime Study. The new Senior Leadership Program hopes to recruit and prepare retired and semi-retired individuals over the age of 50 to share their wisdom, experiences and talents. Melissa Tymchuk, Northeast Georgia Health System, and Bill Sanders, Jackson EMC, co-chair the Senior Leadership Program and noted that The Wisdom Project applications are available online at www.vision2030.org. The deadline to submit applications is June 29, with the first session on August 24. Sessions are held the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details, Meg Nivens, Executive Director of VISION 2030, 770-532-6206. vision2030.org
VISION 2030's Senior Leadership Committee (Front, L-R): Dana Miller, Greater Hall Chamber; Melissa Tymchuk, Northeast Georgia Health System; Kathy Amos, Brenau University; Meg Nivens, VISION 2030; Bill Sanders, Jackson EMC. (2nd Row): Buzz Gibbs; Sissy Lawson; Kit Dunlap, Greater Hall Chamber; Linda Barrow, Lanier Tech. (Back): Ann Nixon; Phillippa Moss, City of Gainesville, Charles White, Stan Appleton.
2013 Leadership Hall ClassFounded in 1983, Leadership Hall County (LHC) now has over 700 graduates. The LHC Class of 2013 Selection Committee included Chamber Vice Chair of Educa-tion Elisabeth Baldwin, BBT; Dr. Denise Funk, Animal Medical Care; Elizabeth Zamora, Jackson EMC; Neal Booth, Hamilton State Bank; Avery Niles, Hall County Correctional Institute; Chamber Vice Chair of Community Development Phillippa Lewis-Moss, City of Gainesville. The Leadership Hall County 2013 Class includes:
Kristi Barker - Georgia Power CompanyJeff Butler - Morton, Vardeman & CarlsonNairika Cornett - The Arts CouncilShanna Cronic - Northeast Georgia Diagnostic ClinicRyan Doss - BatesCarterJosh Everett - New Leaf Landscape ServicesLaura Fowler - Red Clay InteractiveTiffany Gillespie Turner Wood & SmithAlyson Graham - Stewart, Melvin & FrostJake Green - Regions BankElisabeth Kendrick - The Oaks-LimestoneElizabeth Lattta - Forrester & BrimJanet Lowery - ZF Wind PowerBrian Martin - Regions BankKara Matter - Greater Hall Chamber of CommerceJake Moran - The Simpson CompanySteve Morgan, MD - Northeast Georgia Physicians GroupSteve Napier - Action Ministries-GainesvilleKelly Norman - Hall County Parks & LeisureTate O’Rouke - Senator Johnny Isakson’s OfficePam Patterson - The Longstreet Clinic, PCAngela Payne - Northeast Georgia Health SystemCasey Ryals - Georgia Farm BureauLauren Samples - Tillman, Bailey, & Associates, LLPAlan Schuetze - Carroll Daniel Construction, CoAmber Sowers - Hall County Solicitor-Generals OfficeVanessa Sykes - Hulsey, Oliver & Mahar, LLPShane Taylor - Highland Mountain Water & Coffee Tonya Tucker - Rushton & CompanyStaci Tunkel - Center PointCarla Walker - Whelchel, Dunlap, Jarrard & Walker, LLPMichael Wheeler - Hall County Extension OfficeCharles White - Community VolunteerBrandon Young - OHL Transportation Services
For more on Leadership Hall County or other Greater Hall Chamber Education programs, contact Dana Miller, Vice President of Education, 770-532-6206. Email: [email protected].
New Youth Leadership Hall Class
Leadership Hall Class of 2011-2012 at their graduation at the Chattahoochee Country Club on May 11.
Brenau AcademyAbigail Umberger
Chestatee High SchoolFernanda ArcarazBlaine BrownAndrew BarnettCarolina GijonTaylor JarrardLauren McNittJoey Scheman
East Hall High SchoolKaitlin BuffingtonChase CooperMayra DerasLilly EcholsJD HollowayBrittney CampbellJhonny Lorenzo
Flowery Branch High SchoolImani AbrahamsenCaden BoullonJacob HansenMarissa IveyJoanne JacobMegan Kirk
Samantha MillerAlexandra Taggart
Gainesville High SchoolFeliciano DivinagraciaChase EnglandGinny HighsmithElizabeth LeneskiMaggie HoodAnh NguyenZoe Wulz
Johnson High SchoolMcKenna BarkleyCynthia CastanedaIsaac CooperMaitlan HenrySavannah LedfordMichelle RiveraKatie Turner
North Georgia Christian SchoolJeremiah Castleberry
North Hall High SchoolMatt BainJulie Anne EavensonMackenzie PottsVictoria RogersMcCoy SavageSarah Schofield Andrew SmithHenry Taylor
Riverside Military AcademyMichael SimsSkyler Toney
West Hall High SchoolLily CantuJenny GaultKelsi JonesJuan Ramirez Chetanya SharmaMax Wilson
• Publication is distributed to The Times daily circulation of 22,000 on the 1st Tuesday of the month.• Reach decision makers from the area businesses for current chamber membership in excess of 2700.• Featured member of the month gets 2 full pages or center spread.• Advertising pricing is available for 1,6 or 12 issues.
Publication Date: First Tuesday of every month for advertising contact
EXPO 1:00-6:00 pm • BUSINESS AFTER HOURS 4:00-6:00 pm
Sponsored by
Buy Local Business Expo 2012
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June 5, 2012 • An A
dvertising Supplement to The Tim
esCasey RyalsP.O. Box 908118 Gainesville, GA 30501(770) 536-3461- Individual Member
Church Nerds ProductionsStanley Swain4261 Goldmont Terrace Gainesville, GA 30507(678) 960-9457- Recording Studio/Audio Productionchurchnerds.com
Jeffrey R. Stowe1574 Riverside DriveGainesville, GA 30501(770) 532-3107- Individual Member
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney/Chaz Roberts3348 Cove Overlook DriveGainesville, GA 30501(678) 542-2975- Financial Services
Norton Agency Insurance / Lee Rogers434 Green StreetGainesville, GA 30501(770) 532-0022- Insurance Agentnortoninsurance.com
The Ryan Hendrix State Farm Agency7380 Spout Springs Road, Suite 110Flowery Branch, GA 30542(770) 967-7789- Insurance Agencyryanhendrixinsurance.com
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Welcome New Members
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Thank You Chamber SponsorsAT&T • Charter Business • Georgia Design & Graphics • Georgia Power
Highland Mountain Beverage • J Geyer Advertising • Jacobs Media
Lake Lanier Islands Resort • Milton Martin Honda
United Community Bank • WDUN AM-FM Radio
Cummiskey on Job Creation
Chamber Chairman Jay Jacobs (right), Jacobs Media, looks on as Chris Cummiskey, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, addresses the Greater Hall Chamber Board of Directors at their May meeting sponsored by Georgia Power. Commissioner Cummiskey spoke on Governor Deal's economic development and job creation initiatives and stressed the importance of the passage of the TSPLOST Referendum and it's impact on business recruitment and new jobs in Georgia.
ConnectGeorgiaMountains.org
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2013 Leadership Hall ClassFounded in 1983, Leadership Hall County (LHC) now has over 700 graduates. The LHC Class of 2013 Selection Committee included Chamber Vice Chair of Educa-tion Elisabeth Baldwin, BBT; Dr. Denise Funk, Animal Medical Care; Elizabeth Zamora, Jackson EMC; Neal Booth, Hamilton State Bank; Avery Niles, Hall County Correctional Institute; Chamber Vice Chair of Community Development Phillippa Lewis-Moss, City of Gainesville. The Leadership Hall County 2013 Class includes:
Kristi Barker - Georgia Power CompanyJeff Butler - Morton, Vardeman & CarlsonNairika Cornett - The Arts CouncilShanna Cronic - Northeast Georgia Diagnostic ClinicRyan Doss - BatesCarterJosh Everett - New Leaf Landscape ServicesLaura Fowler - Red Clay InteractiveTiffany Gillespie Turner Wood & SmithAlyson Graham - Stewart, Melvin & FrostJake Green - Regions BankElisabeth Kendrick - The Oaks-LimestoneElizabeth Lattta - Forrester & BrimJanet Lowery - ZF Wind PowerBrian Martin - Regions BankKara Matter - Greater Hall Chamber of CommerceJake Moran - The Simpson CompanySteve Morgan, MD - Northeast Georgia Physicians GroupSteve Napier - Action Ministries-GainesvilleKelly Norman - Hall County Parks & LeisureTate O’Rouke - Senator Johnny Isakson’s OfficePam Patterson - The Longstreet Clinic, PCAngela Payne - Northeast Georgia Health SystemCasey Ryals - Georgia Farm BureauLauren Samples - Tillman, Bailey, & Associates, LLPAlan Schuetze - Carroll Daniel Construction, CoAmber Sowers - Hall County Solicitor-Generals OfficeVanessa Sykes - Hulsey, Oliver & Mahar, LLPShane Taylor - Highland Mountain Water & Coffee Tonya Tucker - Rushton & CompanyStaci Tunkel - Center PointCarla Walker - Whelchel, Dunlap, Jarrard & Walker, LLPMichael Wheeler - Hall County Extension OfficeCharles White - Community VolunteerBrandon Young - OHL Transportation Services
For more on Leadership Hall County or other Greater Hall Chamber Education programs, contact Dana Miller, Vice President of Education, 770-532-6206. Email: [email protected].
New Youth Leadership Hall Class
Leadership Hall Class of 2011-2012 at their graduation at the Chattahoochee Country Club on May 11.
Brenau AcademyAbigail Umberger
Chestatee High SchoolFernanda ArcarazBlaine BrownAndrew BarnettCarolina GijonTaylor JarrardLauren McNittJoey Scheman
East Hall High SchoolKaitlin BuffingtonChase CooperMayra DerasLilly EcholsJD HollowayBrittney CampbellJhonny Lorenzo
Flowery Branch High SchoolImani AbrahamsenCaden BoullonJacob HansenMarissa IveyJoanne JacobMegan Kirk
Samantha MillerAlexandra Taggart
Gainesville High SchoolFeliciano DivinagraciaChase EnglandGinny HighsmithElizabeth LeneskiMaggie HoodAnh NguyenZoe Wulz
Johnson High SchoolMcKenna BarkleyCynthia CastanedaIsaac CooperMaitlan HenrySavannah LedfordMichelle RiveraKatie Turner
Clockwise, from bottom left: Will Hicks, Vice President Investments & Co-Branch Manager, Stifel Nicolaus; Chamber Small Business Development Chairman Doug Langman,TRC Staffing; Jim Baker and Andy Gaddis, Cotton States Insurance; Kristie Griffin, Bates Carter; Angela Cannon, The Times; Don't miss Small Business NetWeaving on Tuesday, June 12 at Lanier Tech's
Manufacturing Development Center at Featherbone Communiversity in Gainesville. Details, Jean McCullough, 770-532-6206. Email: [email protected]. Make your reservations for this and other events online: greaterhallchamber.com
Small Business Success Seminar
Georgia MedPort Ambulance Service is a privately owned company established in 2008 by Jeremy Lord and Zach Nix. With over two decades of experience in the healthcare field, Jeremy and Zach have a passion for helping others and are dedicated to providing the highest quality medical care to the patients they serve. Jeremy, an Athens-natvie, obtained his Emergency Medical Technician Degree, then joined the Gainesville Fire Department. Zach, a Gainesville-native, went to Gainesville High and by his junior year was working at Gainesville FD as part of the apprenticeship program. Both are trained EMT's as well as fire fighters. Jeremy and Zach saw a need and decided to help patients from local nursing facilities get to and from their doctor appointments. The company was founded, and it wasn’t long that many facilities wanted more than just a wheelchair service from the MedPort team. After 12 months, Georgia MedPort changed gears and added Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Hall County area. The company has grown to house seven BLS Ambulances and three NET vans. They have a 17,000 square foot office on Chestnut Street, and Georgia MedPort prides itself on hiring locally and boosting the economy. They are still a small company, but make a big impact in the lives of their 50 employees and hundreds of patients. Georgia MedPort offers competitive pay with full benefits and retirement. The MedPort team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so whether it is a trip to a family reunion, dialysis, or the emergency room, they will satisfy all of your transporting needs. georgiamedport.com
Small Business of the MonthGeorgia MedPort LLC
Chamber Chairman Jay Jacobs with Jeremy Lord (left) and Zach Nix of Georgia MedPort, Small Business of the Month Recipients.
Permits Issued - Hall County
Housing Area Permits Apr Apr Mar Total 2012County 2012 2011 2012 2011 YTDBarrow 6 2 4 25 16 Dawson 1 4 4 34 9
Hall County retail sales figures are estimated from the 1% sales tax collected for Hall. For example, $11 million in tax revenue represents retail sales of approximately $100 million.
Hall County
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Outstanding golfers at the Greater Hall Chamber's Annual Hackers Holiday Golf Tournament on April 27 at Legacy on Lanier at Lake Lanier Islands Resort includ-ed: 1st Place, the Whitehead Die Casting Team with R.K. Whitehead, Lee Rogers, Troy Cain and Harry Barker. 2nd Place, the LaFarge Aggregates Team. 3rd Place, the Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority Team with Bill Donahue, Charles Burton, Jim Stormont and George Key. Closest to the Pin Winner was Kevin Ireland. Men’s Longest Drive Winner was Jimmy Lloyd, play-ing on the Georgia MedPort Team. Women’s Longest Drive Winner was Kingsley Peeples of Bates Carter, and Carl Rogers was winner of the Golf Ball Drop Raffle! 35 teams and 138 golfers participated in the 33rd Annual Hackers Holiday!
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33rd Annual Hackers Holiday
Hackers Holiday Golf Co-Chairs Jimbo Floyd (far left), Turner, Wood and Smith, and Brian Daniel, Carroll Daniel Construction (far right), with (L-R): Mike Weaver, Weaver Law Firm; Chamber Chairman Jay Jacobs, Jacobs Media; Jim Moore, BB&T Insurance; and Jay's son John Jacobs, student.
The Hackers Holiday Golf Tournament 1st Place Team was the Whitehead Die Casting Team (L-R): Troy Gain, R.K. Whitehead, Lee Rogers and Harry Barker.
Thank You Hackers Holiday Sponsors!Title Sponsor
Mike Williams, Lake Lanier Islands Resort, prepares to drop ball from his helicopter for the Golf Ball Raffle.
