Chamber News - Carroll County Chamber of Commerce

Chamber News
The Award Winning Monthly E-Newsletter
of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce
February 2015
“Legacy of Leadership” year begins
celebrating Chamber’s 60th anniversary
See page 5 for story
CARROLL COUNTY CHAMBER
2015 Executive Committee
Chairman: Ben Butler
Carrollton Orthopaedic Clinic, P.C.
Chairman-Elect: Gary Hewitt
Southland Insurance Agency
“Growing business in
our community.”
Vice Chairman: Amy Brown
State Farm Insurance Agency/Amy Brown
Treasurer: Kenneth Blizzard
Carroll Chamber News
Regions Bank
Next Ad Deadline
Past Chairman: Kathy Yates
Georgia Power Company
2015 Board of Directors
Kristy Allison
Todd Anduze
Greg Camp
Cindy Clanton
Casey Coleman
Steve Daniel
Jill Duncan
Dr. Bill Estes
Theresa Fisher
Deadra Gamble
Lucy Gamble
Jay Gill
Paula Gillispie
Dr. Jason Harden
Mayor Lester Harmon
Galen Hobbs
Brian Jackson
John Jackson
Andy Johnson
Jan Lloyd
Chris Marlow
Jimmy Meigs
Kelly Meigs
Trent North
Will Ozier
Mayor Randy Simms
Brad Smith
Bill Stone
Michael Stone
Kinney Taylor
Community & Southern Bank
Small Business Development Center
Culpepper Construction Company
Carroll County School System
City of Carrollton
West Georgia Technical College
State Farm Insurance/Jill Duncan
University of West Georgia
Sugar Foods Corporation
CharterBank
City of Whitesburg
Carroll EMC
Oak Mountain Academy
Carroll County Animal Hospital
City of Temple
Community Representative
Cottage Landing Senior Living
Greer Jackson Tisinger, LLC
GreenCourt Legal Technologies, LLC
City of Bowdon
Southwire
City of Bowdon
Tanner Health System
Carroll County Commissioners
Ozier Products, Inc.
City of Mt. Zion
Sustainable Recycling Solutions
Systems & Methods, Inc.
Milestone Investment Mgmt, LLC
Edward Jones Investments/K. Taylor
February 20
Promote your business with a full color
promotion in the Chamber News:
Business card 3 1/2x2”- $20.00
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Full-page portrait 8x10” - $50.00
Submissions must be camera-ready
(300 dpi+ JPG, PDF or PNG). Email to
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For more information, please call
(678) 890-2377.
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The Carroll Chamber of Commerce Chamber News is
distributed online on the first business day of each month
to over 1,200 Chamber members and area leaders.
CARROLL COUNTY
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
200 Northside Drive, Carrollton, Georgia 30117
Phone: 770-832-2446 Fax: (770) 832-1300
carrollchamber@carroll-ga.org
www.carroll-ga.org
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Special Thanks to our 2015 Forward Carroll Sponsors
Platinum
Gold
Advantage Office Solutions
Bank of North Georgia
Brookdale Carrollton
Carroll County Sheriff’s Office
Gas South
Times Georgian
University of West Georgia
West Georgia Technical College
Silver
Carrollton Orthopaedic Clinic
Cottage Landing Senior Living
Milestone Investment Management, LLC
Bronze
Edward Jones Investments/Fred O’Neal
First Baptist Church, Carrollton
Garrett, Thomas & Fazio PC
Grant $$$$ For YOU/Sandra Morris
Pugmire Ford
Southern Sales & Marketing
Southland Insurance Agency
State Farm Insurance/Amy Brown
Tisinger Vance PC
Chamber News
February 2015
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Upcoming Events
Ambassador Committee Meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 4
8:30 am @ Chamber
WBA Coffee Break
Tuesday, Feb. 17
8-9 am @ Bella Coffee
GTPAC Seminar: SBA’s WomanOwned Small Business Program
Wednesday, Feb. 4
9 am—12 pm @ The Burson Center
Business Success Luncheon:
2015 Economic Outlook
Wednesday, Feb. 18
11:30 am—1 pm @ Burson Center
Board Meeting
Monday, Feb. 9
Agribusiness Committee Meeting
Thursday, Feb. 19
8:30 am @ Chamber
Workforce Education Task Force
Wednesday, Feb. 11
8:30 am @ Chamber
Business Development Committee
Thursday, Feb. 12
8:30 am @ Chamber
Membership Breakfast
Tuesday, Feb. 24
7:30 am @ The Burson Center
Government Affairs Committee
Thursday, Feb. 26
8:30 am @ Chamber
Business of the Month
Thursday, Feb. 12
Your Chamber/Carroll Tomorrow Staff
Daniel Jackson ♦ President & CEO
daniel@carroll-ga.org
Donna Armstrong-Lackey ♦ Senior Vice President, Business Development
donna@carroll-ga.org
Suzy Montalto ♦ Director, Operations
suzy@carroll-ga.org
Suzy McCorkel ♦ Director, Programs & Events
suzymc@carroll-ga.org
Kenny Edwards ♦ Director, Workforce Development
kenny@carroll-ga.org
Lisa Ledbetter ♦ Director, Communications
communications@carroll-ga.org
Joan Finch ♦ Information Specialist & Drugs Don’t Work Coordinator
joan@carroll-ga.org
Kathy Walker Rupp ♦ Administrative Assistant, The Burson Center
burson@carroll-ga.org
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Annual Dinner features awards, new leadership, special anniversary
A highlight of the 60th Annual Dinner of the Carroll County Chamber was the awarding of Citizen of the
Year to Rev. Joe Neal, Horizon Award to Kelly Meigs, Entrepreneur of the Year to Aaron McWhorter, and
the Thomas S. Upchurch Workforce Education Award to Dr. Mark Albertus.
More than 300 Chamber members attended and enjoyed entertainment provided by local musician Karen
Vance, during reception sponsored by United Community Bank, and the after-dinner comedian Mike Goodwin. The annual dinner was sponsored by Carroll EMC, Carrollton Orthopaedic Clinic, Georgia Power,
Southwire, Tanner Health System, and UWG Richards College of Business.
Volunteer leadership of the Chamber also changed hands as outgoing Chairman Kathy Yates, manager of
Georgia Power/Carrollton, passed the gavel to 2015 Chair Ben Butler, CEO of Carrollton Orthopaedic Clinic
(cover photo).
Daniel Jackson, President and CEO of the Carroll County Chamber, expressed his appreciation to all the volunteers who helped make 2014 a banner year in Carroll County and looks forward to even more successes in
2015. “We ride on the shoulders of those who paved the way,” Jackson said. “It is our time to look in the
mirror and ask ourselves what we can do as individuals to continue this legacy of leadership.”
(Left Photo) The Horizon
Award for outstanding
volunteerism was presented to Kelly Meigs,
director of Marketing and
Public Relations for Tanner Health System.
(Right Photo) Citizen of
the Year recipient Rev.
Joe Neal retired from
Magna Lomasson and
from the pastorate of the
United Methodist
Church.
(Left Photo) Aaron
McWhorter, owner of
North Georgia Turf, was
named Entrepreneur of
the Year.
(Right Photo) Tom
Upchurch (l) congratulates Dr. Mark Albertus,
principal of Carrollton
High School, after he
was presented the
Thomas S. Upchurch
Workforce Education
Award.
Chamber News
February 2015
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Annual
Dinner
moments
First Legacy of Leadership Award honors the late Woodfin Cole
A series of awards will be presented throughout this
year to recognize outstanding leadership within the
community and the Chamber. It was fitting that the
first of these “Legacy of Leadership” awards was
presented at the annual dinner to honor the late
Woodfin Cole, first president of the Chamber.
He then purchased the company in 1957, which he
ran successfully for more than 30 years when he
sold it in 1989 to his sons Eddie and Woody Cole,
Larry Deese and Jim Russell.Cole oversaw the
renovation of the old Carrollton Clinic, built in
1897, which has housed the company since 1989.
Cole, who died in 1991 at the age of 72, indeed left a
legacy of leadership throughout Carroll County. His
business career began in 1946 when he started to
work for his uncle at Carroll Realty and Insurance
following a tour of duty in the Army.
He was the co-founder of Carrollton State Bank
which merged with CB&T in 1987. He was an
active member of the Carrollton Lions Club for
more than 50 years. Cole’s contributions to the
community included donating the baseball complex at Carrollton High School and the baseball
field at the University of West Georgia.
In a feature article in the Times-Georgian in 1989,
Cole was quoted as saying, “If I have a vision, it’s
to make Carrollton a better place to live. I feel like
you have to put something back from where
you’ve been richly rewarded and that’s what I’m
trying to do.”
2015 Chamber Chair Ben Butler (second from left) celebrated
with Cole family members (l-r) Eddie Cole, Wood and his wife
Kelly, and Woody Cole.
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Cole married Marion “Queenie” Cole in 1942 after they met on the campus of then West Georgia
College where they were both students. According to son Eddie Cole, his father was most proud
of his four children (Eddie, Woody, Connie and
Carol) and his eight grandchildren.
Chamber News
February 2015
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Carroll County Chamber officials and members
of the Business Development and Ambassador
Committees congratulate the staff of American
Document Securities in Carrollton for being
chosen as the Business of the Month. In operation since 2001, owner Renee Keener said the
business is a full service records management
center. Services include shredding, hard copy
storage, imaging, data vaulting, and sales of
electronic document management software.
A large crowd of community supporters attended the ribbon cutting conducted at the open house held by
Keep Carroll Beautiful to celebrate its new location at 605 Dixie Street in Carrollton. The facility was donated for use by the organization by Tanner Health System. Keep Carroll Beautiful was launched by the
Carroll County Chamber in 2005 as a nonprofit affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. It began as an economic
development initiative by the Environmental Project Committee of the Chamber.
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Elected officials respond to local concerns
Editor’s Note: During the November Legislative Breakfast, there was such a good response of questions
from the audience that the panel was unable to address all questions submitted. This is the third of a
series highlighting the responses received from Sen. Mike Dugan and Rep. Randy Nix. Other questions
will be highlighted in upcoming issues.
Share your thoughts on tax reform in Georgia and the U.S.
Sen. Dugan
We just passed an amendment to our Constitution capping the state income tax. That is a
good first step in looking at a total revision of our tax structure. We have pieced our tax code
together over decades and I feel the time has come to undertake a massive redo instead of
continued patch-working.
Rep. Nix
I have supported the tax reform measures we have passed in Georgia over the past several years
and will continue to support commonsense ideas to both streamline and simplify our tax codes.
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Affordable Care Act Resources and Information
The University of West Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
shared the following information with the Carroll County Chamber and it is
being forwarded to Chamber members for your reference. For more information,
visit www.georgiasbdc.org.
2015 Open Enrollment in the individual health insurance Marketplace runs until February 15,
2015. Consumers and self-employed individuals with no employees can sign up for coverage by
visitingHealthcare.gov.
Additionally, the federally-operated small employer "SHOP" Marketplaces (about 33 states) are
now open for online enrollment at Healthcare.gov. Unlike the individual Marketplace, there is no
defined open enrollment period for SHOP; SHOP enrollment is year-round.
Below are the latest Fact Sheets, webinars, and other tools and resources on ACA. Please don't
hesitate to reach out to Meredith Olafson at SBA HQ, Meredith.Olafson@sba.gov, if you have any
questions or need any additional information.
ACA 101 Webinars for Small Employers (English and Spanish)
SBA, the Department of Health and Human Services, and Small Business Majority present a live
weekly webinar series for small business owners and stakeholder groups on the basics of ACA and
how small business owners can enroll in SHOP. Other topics include insurance reforms, the small
business health care tax credit, and employer shared responsibility provisions. The "ACA 101" webinar takes place every Thursday at 2 PM ET. Below are the registration links for upcoming presentations.
·
Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 2:00 PM ET: Click to Register
·
Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 2:00 PM ET: Click to Register
Webinars are also presented in Spanish on a bi-weekly basis. Visit SBA.gov/healthcare for a full
list of dates and other information related to small employers and ACA.
Presentations and Other Training Materials
·
SBA's ACA 101 presentation
·
SHOP-specific Resources (Presentations, Brochures, Flyers, etc.): http://
marketplace.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/shop-resources.html
SHOP Hotline and Other Resources
·
SHOP Call Center: 1-800-706-7893 (TTY: 711), Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. ET
·
Small Business Health Care Tax Credit Calculator
·
SHOP Eligibility Calculator
Fact Sheets/Engagement Guide
·
HHS Fact Sheet on ACA: http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/factsheets/2014/10/
affordable-care-act-is-working.html
·
State-by-state ACA information: http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/bystate/
statebystate.html
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Get to know your Chamber board
Newsletters will profile one of your Chamber board members so you
can get to know them. Their enthusiasm for their service to the Chamber is
contagious – catch it today!
Brian Jackson is executive director of
What leadership skills do you see exhibited
Cottage Landing Senior Living. He is in his by members of the Chamber Board?
Vision! We are not moving forward blindly.
second year as an extremely active board
Strategic planning is constantly
member.
moving us forward.
What was your motivation for
In your opinion, what is the
serving as a member of the Board
of Directors for the Chamber?
single greatest advantage of
My experience as a participant in the
Chamber membership?
Leadership Academy fed my desire to
This is a community that has your
back! We want every member to
play a more active role in helping
grow and succeed.
Carroll County be one of the best
places to live.
Just for fun, when you were a kid, what did
How does your unique role in your business you want to be when you grew up?
NFL football player.
benefit your service to the Chamber?
I am in the caring business and in order for
me or anyone else to have a positive effect on
others, we must care.
Dill joins Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Brian Dill, former senior vice president of global
commerce for Carroll Tomorrow, recently became Chief
Operating Officer for the Georgia Department of
Community Affairs (DCA),
generate affordable housing solutions and promote
volunteerism. DCA also helps qualified low- and
moderate- income Georgians buy homes, rent housing,
and prevent foreclosure and homelessness.
DCA promotes and implements community and
economic development, local government assistance, and
safe and affordable housing. Using state and federal
resources, DCA helps communities spur private job
creation, implement planning, develop downtowns,
“It is with excitement that I look forward to this next
chapter in my career,” Dill said. “I count myself lucky
to have been a part of Carroll Tomorrow and, in some
small way, help this community to grow and succeed
with new job creation and capital investments.”
Dill joined Carroll Tomorrow in 2011, managing
business recruitment, expansion and retention activities
for Carroll County inclusive of seven municipalities
and four development authorities. His responsibilities
included new product and community development,
marketing and economic development outreach
inclusive of bond financing, tax credits and local and
state incentives. Dill also directed foreign investment
opportunities in global commerce and international
trade.
Chamber President Daniel Jackson (l) presents Brian Dill with a
parting gift at a recent reception held in his honor.
Daniel Jackson, president and CEO of Carroll
Tomorrow and the Carroll County Chamber of
Commerce, noted that saying goodbye and thank you
is with mixed emotions.
(Continued on page 23)
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Chamber News
February 2015
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Members in the news
Tim Martin, former vice president of
engineering and operations for Rappahannock
Electric Cooperative in Fredericksburg, VA, is
now leading the Carroll Electric Membership
Cooperative (Carroll EMC) as its president
and chief executive officer. Martin began his
career with Carroll EMC 27 years ago as a coop student during his academic years at Georgia
Tech and worked there for more than 11 years.
He is a licensed professional engineer, earned a
bachelor of engineering from Georgia Tech and
an MBA degree from the University of West
Georgia. Martin also completed the NRECA
Management Internship program through the
University of Nebraska.
CEO of Milestone Investment Management.
Dr. Kent Edwards, superintendent of
Carrollton City Schools, will serve on the
Education Reform Commission to study the
state’s education system, including its funding
formula. Edwards joins 33 others on the
commission appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal.
In other news for Carrollton City Schools, its
Board of Education was named a 2014
Distinguished School Board by the Georgia
School Boards Association. The recognition
program was designed to showcase best
practices in school governance and leadership.
Grant and scholarship opportunities have been
announced by Carroll EMC. Grant requests for
the Operation Round Up Impact Grants will be
accepted until March3. Applications are being
accepted for the Lerlie and Millard Copeland
Scholarship and for the Washington Youth Tour
thru March 1. More information and
applications for all three opportunities are
available at carrollemc.com.
Tanner Health System continues to receive
state and national accolades. The Leapfrog
Group, which publishes the Hospital Safety
Score, named Tanner among only 17 hospitals
in Georgia to earn an “A” rating for patient
safety. Georgia Trend, the state’s leading
magazine on business and economic
development, included all three of Tanner
Health System’s inpatient hospitals in its
annual list of best-performing hospitals in
Two members of the Carroll County legislative Georgia.
delegation were chosen to serve in leadership
positions during the 2015 General Assembly.
Senator Mike Dugan, representing Georgia’s
Chamber Gift Check
30th District, was selected to serve as one of
Program to be
Governor Nathan Deal’s Senate floor leaders.
Representative Dustin Hightower, House
discontinued
District 28, was appointed House of
Representatives chief deputy whip for the Effective December 31, 2014, Chamber
majority Republican Party.
Gift Checks will no longer be issued.
The University of West Georgia received a gift
of $50,000 from Michael and Andrea Stone to
establish the Michael and Andrea Stone Visiting
Artist Series to bring artists from around the
world to UWG to share their art and talents with
students and the community through special
master classes and performances. Stone is the
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All existing gift checks will be honored
by participating vendors throughout
2015. Any gift checks not used during
2015 may be redeemed at the Chamber
office located at 200 Northside Drive,
Carrollton.
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Welcome New Members
Alfa Maintenance & Fabrication
Dana Bush
132 Burwell Rd.
Carrollton, GA 30117
Phone: 678-796-3670
Email: dlbush_amf@bellsouth.net
Category: Industrial Maintenance & Service
The Border Bar & Grill
Federico Gimenez
1210 Maple Street
Carrollton, GA 30117
Phone: (770) 214-2912
Email: thebordermexican@gmail.com
Website: http://www.theborderrestaurant.com
Category: Mexican Restaurant and catering
Samba Loca
Federico Gimenez
104 Adamson Square
Carrollton, GA 30117
Phone: (770) 214-1253
Email: sambaloca1@gmail.com
Website: http://www.sambalocarestaurant.com
Category: Brazilian Steakhouse
Greek Corner
Mary Alice Miller
1027 A Maple St.
Carrollton, GA 30117
Phone: 770-832-7333
Email: carrolltongreekcorner@gmail.com
Category: Restaurant
Wilson Graphic Designs
Trina Wilson
Carrollton, GA 30117
Phone: 770-634-6467
Email: trina@wilsongraphicdesigns.com
Website: www.wilsongraphicdesigns.com
Hickory Falls Apartment Homes
Debra Anderson
801 Hickory Level Rd.
Villa Rica, GA 30180
Phone: 770-459-2302
Email: debra.anderson@wilkinsonrea.com
Website: www.hickoryfallsapartments.com
Category: Apartment Community
Wildwood at Villa Rica Apartments
Sonya Edwards
540 S. Carroll Rd.
Villa Rica, GA 30180
Phone: 770-459-5511
Email: wildwood@wilkinsonrea.com
Website: www.wildwoodatvillarica.net
Category: Apartment Community
Locomex Downtown
Federico Gimenez
412 B Adamson Square
Carrollton, GA 30117
Phone: (770) 214-2099
Email: locomexdowntown@gmail.com
Website: http://www.locomexrestaurant.com
Category: Mexican Restaurant and catering
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Rivers Pools & Spas
Carlton Rivers
1561 Hwy. 27 S. Unit A-3
Carrollton, GA 30117
Phone: 770-262-8486
Email: info@riverspools.com
Website: www.riverspools.com
Category: Swimming Pool Sales and Service
February 2015
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New Chamber members learn the ropes
Chamber Chair Ben Butler (left photo) and staff members shared
information to approximately 30 new Chamber members attending the recent Chamber 101 orientation meeting.
Carroll Tomorrow’s Dill moves to state agency
(Continued from page 18)
“Brian joined the Carroll Tomorrow team at a
significant time,” Jackson said. “We had just
completed the Advantage Carroll campaign along
with a new strategic plan for Carroll County. The
goals were aggressive and ambitious, and we knew
it would take a special person to help us achieve
those goals.”
According to Jackson, Carroll Tomorrow has
surpassed virtually all of the five-year economic
development goals. Multiple projects have
transferred over to 2015 with a strong outlook for
additional opportunities for industry development.
“Brian came to us with strong credentials, a proven
track record, and extensive contacts, and he utilized
those resources along with our CT team and
community leadership to put together an
impressive run,” Jackson said.
Dill managed projects in 2013 that resulted in new
community capital investment of $265 million,
1,000 new jobs, and the filling of 1.1 million
square feet of open industrial space.
“I am extremely proud of what we accomplished
during my almost 4-year tenure,” Dill said. “Our
team approach to economic development paid
tremendous dividends for all of Carroll County and
I am appreciative and thankful to the leadership
that supported our efforts.”
Loy Howard, president and CEO of Tanner Health
System and chairman of Carroll Tomorrow, praised
Dill as an asset to Carroll Tomorrow and the
community.
“We appreciate the positive contribution he has made
in our success in recruiting businesses and industry to
the region,” Howard said. “We feel in his new role he
can continue to be an asset and an advocate for
Carroll County and west Georgia. We wish him great
success in his new position.”
Dill attributes the economic development of the
county to effective community leadership.
“Our community leadership should be commended
for always taking into account the big picture and the
wellbeing of the future of this community,” Dill said.
“Effective leadership is and continues to be the
hallmark of not only our community, but of both
Carroll Tomorrow and the Carroll County Chamber
of Commerce. The staff and leadership of both of
these organizations are second to none.”
Dill’s transition to DCA is in conjunction with the
appointment of new DCA Commissioner Camila
Knowles, former chief of staff for U.S. Senator
Saxby Chambliss.
Dill and his family, wife Carmen and son Mason, will
continue to live in Carrollton.
Chamber News
February 2015
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February 2015 www.carroll-ga.org
Carroll County selected for GeorgiaLEADS pilot
program for leadership development
Fanning Institute facilitators (l-r) Rich McCline, Lori Tiller,
Brendan Leahy and Lauren Healey prepare to address more
than 40 community participants at the GeorgiaLEADS kick-off
meeting held at the Carroll County Chamber.
The Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the J. W.
Fanning Institute for Leadership Development have
partnered to create GeorgiaLEADS, an initiative to
ensure a continuum of leadership development opportunities at the youth, adult and regional levels throughout the state. The initial GeorgiaLEADS pilot program
will involve 10 communities and two regions. Following a comprehensive needs assessment, programs will
be developed and implemented to meet this county’s
needs for leadership development opportunities for
youth, college students, young professionals, emerging
leaders, retirees and established leaders looking to
create broader community impact. Donna ArmstrongLackey, senior vice president for business development
for the Chamber and Carroll Tomorrow, will serve as
the local program coordinator. She noted that while
Carroll County has several well-developed leadership
programs, this initiative will build on those programs
and take them to the next level.
www.keepcarrollbeautiful.org
Volunteer TODAY!
678-321-4816
An abused or neglected
child needs your strength.
Become a
Court Appointed
Special Advocate!
P.O. Box 310
Carrollton, GA 30112
770-838-1964
www.carrollcasa.com
Volunteer Today!
(678)890-2357 lift@carroll-ga.org
Chamber News
February 2015
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Thank You Renewing Members
Advantage Office Solutions
Allen M. Trapp Jr.
Ashley Oaks Apartments
Atlanta Gas Light
Barnes Moving & Storage Co., Inc.
BB&T Insurance Services, Inc
Carl E. Brack
Buffalo Rock Pepsi
Carroll County Farm Bureau
Carroll EMC
Carrollton Area CVB
Carrollton City Schools
Carrollton Eye Clinic
Carrollton Housing Authority
Carrollton OB/GYN
Cheer's Fine Wine and Spirits
Club Fitness
Communication Services Integrated
Community Action For Improvement
Craig Wire Products, LLC
Dog River Grading
E & C Chemicals, Inc.
Eagle South Properties
Econo Inn of Carrollton
Edward Jones Investments/
Brightman
ExP+ Group, Inc
First Baptist Church
First United Methodist Church
Flowers Baking Company of Villa Rica, LLC
GA Power Northwest Federal Credit Union
Gentiva Hospice
Jim Gill
H. D. Tyson Sr.
Hannah Electric Company, Inc.
Heard County Concrete, Inc.
Henson, James R.
Hobbs, W. Galen
IHOP
Indulge Salon & Day Spa
Intertex World Resources
J & R Construction & Development, Inc.
J. Hoyt Thomas Funeral Home, Inc.
J. Smith Lanier Company
Kingdom Dominion Church
L H Hauling, Inc.
Lovvorn Construction, Inc.
Lyle Tax Services
March of Dimes
Martin & Hightower Funeral Home
McBrayer Company Inc., The
Dr. Faye McIntyre
McNaughton - McKay Electric
Milestone Investment Management, LLC
Municipal Hydro Services
Oak Grove Montessori School
Oaks of Carrollton-Assisted Living
Office Ink Plus
Re-Entry Coalition, Inc.
Regions Bank- Carrollton
Relyco Security Resources
Sit N Sleep, Inc.
Southern Home & Ranch Center Ace Hardware
Southern Property Restoration
State Farm Insurance/ Amy Brown
Sunset Hills Country Club
Super 8 Carrollton
Superior International Industries
The Wright Farm at Roopville
The Times-Georgian
Travis Hill Trucking, Inc.
Turner Pharmacy
Uncorked on Main
University of West Georgia
Waffle House
Walker -Cadillac-Buick-GMC, Inc
Wallace Builders Supply
Waters, Paula
Wentz Financial Group
West GA Gastroenterology Assoc., P.C.
West Georgia Internal Medicine, P.C.
West Georgia Printing
West Georgia Roofing II, Inc.
West Georgia Technical College
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February 2015
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Workforce Education News
Exceptional Carroll County student
selected as National College Match
Scholarship recipient
Central High School senior John Jones has been selected
as a 2014 National College Match Scholarship Recipient
and has been accepted by Vanderbilt University with a
guaranteed full, four-year scholarship.
QuestBridge, a national non-profit based in Palo Alto,
California, successfully links high-achieving, low-income
students with admission and full scholarships to
QuestBridge partner colleges such as Yale, Amherst and
Northwestern. Jones is one of 34 students selected from
Georgia this year.
With a resume to rival many college graduates, Jones
intends to major in Chemical Engineering with a specialty
in nanotechnology. His dream is to help people through
his use of nanotechnology in the medical field.
and as a result, John has been able to work as an
intern within the University of West Georgia’s
Department of Geosciences and also attend the West
Georgia Youth Entrepreneur Academy (YEA) at The
Burson Center.”
The Burson Center is a multi-use business incubator
focused on the development of information technology,
nanotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and business
service companies. As a youth entrepreneur-in-residence,
Jones founded a start-up business, Quanta Industries,
which is centered on the application of materials science
and chemistry to create new innovative technologies.
“When I started YEA, I had a business partner but he had
to pull out of the project and I had a decision to make,”
Jones said. “That decision to stick with it alone helped
shape who I am. I had to take the initiative to go forward
by myself and that was a breakthrough for me.”
“I want to seek and destroy cancer cells through
nanotechnology,” Jones said. “I don’t care about making
money. I just want to help people to the glory of God.
God has blessed me through all of this.”
“All of this” is a combination of his hard work and taking
advantage of numerous educational opportunities Carroll
County has to offer. As a student in the Carroll County
Schools’ College and Career Academy (CCA), Jones
excelled in his engineering pathway. For three years, he
contributed to the VEX Robotics Team which took third
place in their first year of state completion and won the
Design Award in 2013. He served as a camp counselor
for the CCA summer STEM camp, teaching robotics
programming and coordinating the competition.
“Allowing students to explore and expand their career
interests and talents is the core of our daily business at
CCA,” said Cindy Clanton, Carroll County Schools
CTAE Director. "Over the past three years, I have seen
John develop into an exceptional young man. John has
been an outstanding student in our Engineering pathway
and we are very excited about his future opportunities at
Vanderbilt University.”
Daniel Jackson, President/CEO of the Carroll County
Chamber and Carroll Tomorrow, serves as chairman of
the board of directors for the CCA.
“Economic workforce development is a priority of the
CCA,” Jackson said. “Strong business partnerships exist,
Daniel Jackson, Cindy Clanton and Donna ArmstrongLackey congratulate John Jones for his scholarship offer.
Advanced Engineering Alliance offers
specialty internships
Eleventh and twelfth graders in Carroll County
Schools may earn internships in the engineering
departments of local businesses thanks to the
Advanced Engineering Alliance.
Christi Runyan, coordinator of work-based learning
for the county school district, noted the AEA is endorsed by both Georgia Tech and the Carroll County
Chamber, and is an example of their commitment to
grow the west Georgia workforce.
Students can intern in electrical, mechanical, chemical, industrial or computer engineering. Both the business and the students benefit from the program which
is part of the STEM (science, technology, engineering
and math) initiative.
Chamber News
February 2015
29