ChamberLink - Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce

ChamberLink
A Publication of
JANUARY 2012
Meet The
2012 Executive Board!
Diplomats: Out & About
Grow Greater Dalton…Providing Results!
www.daltonchamber.org
Chairman’s Message
CALENDAR
Happy New
Year! In this first
edition of
ChamberLink for
the new year you
will see that there
are many exciting
events and activities in store for the
coming year!!
Dalton as the economic engine for this region.
Also, our first Wake Up…Whitfield of 2012, featuring Dean Sumichrast with the Terry College of
Business, who will be visiting to give us his
Economic Outlook. Please keep abreast of our
future programs and make reservations for
upcoming Chamber Events on our all new website at www.daltonchamber.org. Remember
these programs would not be possible without
our 2012 Chamber Sponsors.
We are preparing
for the 2012 legislative session of
the Georgia General Assembly, which starts
January 9th. Each January we welcome our legislative delegation as they join us for our “Good
Morning Dalton” breakfast. Our local legislators
help ensure that all of our members are informed
on the critical issues facing the Legislature. We
appreciate their service and dedication to our
Greater Dalton community.
Please be sure to read our special feature this
month introducing your Chamber’s Executive
Board. We hope you enjoy the opportunity to
learn more about the Board members, and we
hope to personally meet you at an upcoming networking opportunity.
Chamber Connections
Friday, January 13th
11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Outback Steakhouse
$15.00
Each participant has 45 seconds to do a
“commercial” about their business.
Member Mixer
Thursday, January 19th
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Dalton Depot
110 Depot Street
Free to attend
Morning Member Mixer
Tuesday, January 24th
8:00 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Salem Baptist Church
1448 Pleasant Grove Drive, N.E.
Free to attend
Wake Up...Whitfield Economic
Forecast featuring Dean Sumichrast
Tuesday, January 31st
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Dalton Golf & Country Club
333 Country Club Way
Tickets are $15.00
We will be very busy this month with a
Legislative Reception in Atlanta reminding the full
State Legislature of the significance of Greater
Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce
890 College Drive, Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 278-7373
www.daltonchamber.org
Mission
To serve as the unified voice of business, to
promote the economic prosperity of the
region and to build partnerships and
leadership that improve the quality of life
while delivering superior member services.
Vision
The Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce
will provide the leadership necessary to
leverage community resources and build
partnerships that are focused on positive
community growth.
Organizational Priority
Strengthen our ability to marshal the
resources necessary to achieve positive
community growth by focusing on three core
areas: economic development, leadership
development and community development.
2
Chamber Link
All my best wishes to you for a most prosperous
2012!
Joe Yarbrough, Chairman
Executive Board of Directors
Joe Yarbrough, Chairman..................Mohawk Industries
Bryan McAllister, Chairman-Elect.......Brown Industries
Penny Carpenter, Treasurer................Morehouse Group
Lynn Laughter, Past Chairman............Laughter & Jones Financial Management
Brian Anderson, President & CEO.......Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce
Don Adcock.....................................Adcock Financial Group
Carl Bouckaert.................................Beaulieu Group
Vann Brown.......................................ArrowStar, LLC
John Davis.......................................Peacock Alley
Kelly Fletcher....................................North Georgia Business Machines
David Jolly.......................................J&J Industries
Jim Kortum.......................................Windstream Communications
David Morgan.................................Shaw Industries, Inc.
Jeff Myers........................................Hamilton Healthcare System, Inc.
Pablo Perez, M.D.............................Saint Joseph Clinic, P.C.
Dan Rogers.....................................OMNOVA Solutions
Robert H. Smalley III..................................McCamy, Phillips, Tuggle & Fordham, L.L.P.
Andy Walker.........................................Alliance National Bank
Staff
Brian Anderson......................President & CEO
Michelle Bartenfeld.................Membership Account Executive
Andrew Carnes......................Economic Development Project Manager
Elyse Cochran………..............Senior Vice President of Economic Development
Beth Morrison……..................Vice President, Member Services
Summer Nix..........................Administrative Assistant
Judy Sawyer….............……....Vice President, Finance & Administration
Alex Stall...............................Economic Development Senior Project Manager
Phyllis Stephens……................Senior Vice President
Barbara Ward…….................Director of Workforce Development
www.daltonchamber.org
January 2012
Feature Story
2012 Executive Board
A Georgia native, Joe was born in Rome, and has resided in Dalton since 1972.
Joe and his wife of 27 years, Nanette, have five adult children and eight grandchildren.
An active member of Grove Level Baptist Church, Joe currently serves on the Long-range Planning Committee, the
Watchman Prayer Ministry, as an Adult Sunday School leader, and an usher.
He is a graduate of Auburn University (1970) with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and has since completed
numerous Leadership Development and skill improvement programs.
After six years in various positions with Coronet Industries, Joe joined Aladdin Mills in June, 1978 as Director of
Manufacturing. Aladdin Mills was merged into Mohawk Industries in February, 1994. In the first quarter of 1995, he
Joe W. Yarbrough was named Vice President Manufacturing and in March, 2004, Joe became Executive Vice President – Operations. He
currently serves as Senior Vice President, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering.
Senior Vice President,
Advanced Manufacturing These roles provided an opportunity to lead the integration of new technologies for the business and to be active in the
Engineering
assimilation of numerous mergers and acquisitions.
Mohawk Industries
Also an active community leader, Joe currently serves on the Boards of Directors of: RossWoods Adult Day Services and
is the Chairman of the Building Campaign Steering Committee; the Chairman of the Greater Dalton Chamber of
Commerce; the Northwest Georgia Healthcare Partnership; Georgia Northwestern Technical College; and the Carpet
America Recovery Effort (CARE). Additionally, Joe serves as Chairman of the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Strategic
Issues Leadership Council.
Favorite Quote from the Auburn Creed:
I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn.
Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.
I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that
country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God." -George Petrie (1945)
Bryan McAllister
Chairman-Elect
Brown Industries, Inc.
Robert Smalley
Bryan is a certified public accountant. He worked in public practice for twenty-five years, the last ten years as tax partner in the Dalton office of Decosimo CPAs. Since 2006, he has worked in private industry as Vice President of Finance
for Brown Industries, Inc. His professional responsibilities have included serving as President of the Northwest Georgia
chapter of the Georgia Society of CPAs, as well as serving on the state board of directors of that organization. Bryan’s
civic and charitable responsibilities have included stints on the board of directors/trustees of the Kiwanis Club of
Dalton, Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia, Whitfield Healthcare Foundation, Hamilton Healthcare System,
Dalton State College Foundation, Northwest Georgia Family Crisis Center and the Family Support Council. In addition
to serving on the current board of the Greater Dalton Chamber, Bryan has served over twenty years on the Chamber’s
Legislative Action Committee. Bryan is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Dalton and takes great joy in
performing with its Men’s Ensemble at various community events! He is a life-long resident of Whitfield County and currently lives in the Cohutta area.
Robert graduated from Davidson College as a Religion Major in 1989, then graduated with honors from UGA School
of Law in 1992. Since then, he has worked as an attorney with the McCamy Law Firm in Dalton. In addition to a
general civil law practice, Robert has served as Whitfield County Attorney since 2001. A past graduate of Leadership
Dalton-Whitfield in 1995, Robert currently devotes much time to the community as Chairman of the Whitfield
Healthcare Foundation and serves as a member of the Board of Bar Governors of the State Bar of Georgia. He is an
active member of the Chamber’s Legislative Action Committee. Robert and his wife Rachel live in Rocky Face with their
teenage children, Rob and Mary Charlotte.
Chairman-Elect Designate
McCamy, Phillips, Tuggle &
Fordham LLP
Penny Carpenter
Treasurer
Morehouse Group
January 2012
Penny has a degree in Business Administration with a major in accounting from the University of Georgia. She became
a principal in 1987. Her professional and civic responsibilities include being a member of the Georgia Society of
CPAs, Murray County Community Christmas, Corporate Board of the Gordon, Whitfield and Murray Counties Boys &
Girls Club, board member of Murray County Family Connections, board member of Whitfield-Murray Historical Society,
member of the 2002/2003 Leadership Dalton/Whitfield Class, President of the 2007-2008 Leadership
Dalton/Whitfield Class, and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She is a past president
of the American Business Women's Association, and she received the American Business Women's Association
“Woman of the Year” award in 1991 and the “Professional Development” award in 1994. She received the Northwest
Chapter of the Georgia Society of CPAs “Member of the Year” award for 1994-95. She and her husband Marc jointly
received the 2011 Whitfield-Murray Historical Society Preservation award. Penny and her husband, Marc, reside in
Crandall, Georgia.
www.daltonchamber.org
Chamber Link
3
Feature Story
R. Lynette Laughter
Past Chairman
Laughter & Jones Financial
Management
I graduated from the University of NC, Chapel Hill, with a BS degree in Industrial Relations in 1973. I have a Masters
in Business from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management with concentrations in finance and
accounting. In 1998 I started my own investment firm and now my son-in-law is in partnership with me at Laughter &
Jones Financial Management. I am involved in several non-profit organizations around town: Past-Chairman of the
Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce; Board member of Dalton State College Foundation and serve on the investment
committee; member of Dalton Rotary Club; and, Deacon and Staff Committee at First Baptist Church. I was involved
with the Dalton/Whitfield Habitat for Humanity for twenty-one years and served as Treasurer, President and VicePresident. Ben and I have been married 39 years. We have three grown children, all married and all graduated from
college, one with a Master's degree, one with a PhD and one working on a Master’s degree. (Yes, I am proud of
them!). We also have three wonderful grandchildren and one on the way.
Brian received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Francis Marion University. He served four years as a
Military Intelligence Officer for the US Army. After 18 years as a sales and marketing executive in the beverage industry with Coca-Cola and Anheuser-Busch, he was selected to lead the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce as
President and CEO in 2008. Brian is the former Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for Whitfield County. His
professional and civic responsibilities include member of the Founders Group and Review and Approve Committee of
the 16-County Regional Growth Initiative, member of the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives,
member of the Georgia Economic Developers Association, board member of Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Board,
board member of the Northwest Georgia Regional Development Commission, member Corporate Board of the
Brian Anderson
Boys
and
Girls Clubs of NW Georgia, member of the Rotary Club of Dalton, graduate of Leadership Dalton-Whitfield
President & CEO
Greater Dalton Chamber (2002), graduate of Leadership Georgia (2006), graduate of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development
of Commerce
(2009), graduate of the Georgia Tech Economic Development Basic Course (2010). In 2011, he was recognized as
one of Georgia’s 100 Most Notable Georgians by Georgia Trend magazine. He was awarded the W. Lee Arrendale
Award for Vocational excellence by the Carpet City Rotary Club (2006). He was recognized as a “Certified County
Commissioner” by the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (2007). Brian and his wife, Heather, reside in
Dalton. They are the parents of Douglas, who is a sophomore at Georgia Southern University and Sarah Whitney who
is a senior at The Girls Preparatory School. They are active members of the Dalton First United Methodist Church.
Don Adcock
Don graduated from the University of Georgia with a Management Major in the Terry School of Business Administration
in 1967. After graduation, he was a Trade Examiner with the Coca-Cola Company based in Atlanta. In 1969, he
entered the insurance business with The Travelers Insurance Company in Atlanta. He began in the insurance business
with Franklin Life in 1971 in Dalton and led the nation in volume of life insurance sold in 1972 and 1992. He is a
past President of the Dalton Association of Life Underwriters and the Cherokee Area Estate Planning Council. He has
served on the Board of Directors and Executive Board of The Whitfield Healthcare Foundation, The Northwest Georgia
Healthcare Partnership Board of Directors, The Rotary Club of Dalton Board of Directors and currently serves on the of
the Hamilton Healthcare System’s Board. He is Founder and CEO of Adcock Financial Group, Inc. in Dalton. Don and
his wife Diane live in Dalton. They have three children who work in the business and also have five grandchildren.
Adcock Financial
Group
Carl Bouckaert
Beaulieu Group
4
Chamber Link
Carl Bouckaert co-founded Beaulieu of America in 1978. A native of Belgium, Mr. Bouckaert studied engineering at
Louvain University, and in 1977 began work at Beaulieu Group of Companies in Belgium. In 1978 he moved to the
United States, starting a small rug weaving operation in Dalton, Georgia. Under his leadership, that startup has grown
into the world’s third largest (and largest privately held) carpet manufacturer, with sales of well over $1,000,000,000.
An avid horseman, Mr. Bouckaert participates in, and promotes equestrian sports. He has attained world-class standing and competes internationally in the “Three-Day Eventing”, an equestrian triathlon competition which includes dressage, cross country jumping, and show jumping. He was a participant in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, competing for the Belgium Equestrian Team.
Mr. Bouckaert continues to live in North Georgia. He has four children – Stephanie, Nathalie, Nicolas and Stanley.
www.daltonchamber.org
January 2012
Feature Story
Vann Brown
ArrowStar, LLC
As President of ArrowStar, LLC, Vann Brown leads the company in developing advanced chemical technologies and
concepts that deliver tangible, environmentally responsible, market-focused solutions for the floor covering industry.
Vann has over 20 years experience in research management with multi-national, technology-based durable goods &
chemical companies. Prior to his present position, he served as Vice President of Innovation & Technology at Mohawk
Industries where he directed the company's research & development, environmental services, and sustainability efforts.
In addition, he formerly was the Global Carpet Business Manager for Shell Chemicals, moving PTT (Triexta) polymer
into a leading position for carpet applications, and he pioneered the product applications and business development
activities to commercialize bio-based Polylactic Acid (PLA) polymers at NatureWorks.
He currently serves on the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Northwestern Technical College, Piedmont
College Alumni Association, Northwest Georgia Healthcare Partnership, and The Roman Open Charities boards.
Vann is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Dalton-Whitfield and an alumnus of Piedmont College where he graduated
with a degree in Business Administration. He married his college sweetheart, Valerie Powell Brown, and has three children, Garrett, Tyler, and Kendall.
John graduated from North Whitfield High School in 1975 and signed up to join the Army. John served as a Military
Police Officer and, spent 3 years in Germany. Upon his return to Dalton he worked as a police officer. He received
his BS in Criminal Justice from Brennan College. John became an entrepreneur and founded Affordable Sales in
1986. He currently spends the majority of his time in Real Estate Investments.
John has served his community on several boards such as the Dalton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Dalton
Downtown Development Authority, Cherokee Estates Youth Home among others. John and wife Jackie live in Dalton
and have 2 children, Kate and Alexander.
John Davis
Peacock Alley
Kelly Fletcher
North Georgia Business
Machines
David Jolly
Kelly, born and raised in Dalton, owns and operates North Georgia Business Machines, located in downtown Dalton,
where he provides sales and service of office equipment to North Georgia businesses. He graduated with honors from
Furman University in 1990 where he earned a B.A. in Accounting. He is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in
Georgia and worked from 1990 to 1997 for Arthur Andersen in Atlanta, Georgia where he specialized in real estate
tax consulting. From 1994 to 1997 he further specialized in Initial Public Offerings where he helped develop the concept and implementation of tax deferred Initial Public Offerings for Real Estate Investment Trusts, called UPREITs. Kelly
moved back to his hometown in 1999 and founded North Georgia Business Machines. He has served as a board
member for the Downtown Dalton Development Authority since 2008 and has chaired that board since 2010. He and
his wife Haley live in Dalton.
After graduating from Dalton High School in 1984 and receiving a BS in Financial Management from Clemson
University in 1988, David served three years on active duty in the US Army. Upon his release from active military service, he returned to Dalton and began work at J&J Industries in September of 1991 in the Marketing Department. He
was named president in 2007 and CEO in 2010. David graduated from the Leadership Dalton/Whitfield course in
1993 and was president/chairman from 2001 through 2003. He graduated from Leadership Georgia in 2009 and
currently serves on the following local boards of directors: United Way of Northwest Georgia, Greater Dalton Chamber
of Commerce, The Carpet and Rug Institute, and Christian Heritage School. David and his wife, Karen, have 3 children and reside in Whitfield County.
J&J Industries
Jim Kortum
Jim Kortum is vice president of Windstream’s Georgia and Alabama operations. The Nebraska native holds a bachelor's degree in business administration. Jim transferred to Georgia prior to Windstream’s formation in 2006 through
the spinoff of Alltel’s wireline business and merger with VALOR Communications Group. Jim, a graduate of Leadership
Dalton, class of 2008, is currently on the boards of the Whitfield Healthcare Foundation and Junior Achievement of
North Georgia. Jim and his wife Laurie, have three children, Christopher, Claire, and Jacob. Windstream, headquartered in Little Rock, Ark., is a communications and technology solutions provider, specializing in complex data, highspeed Internet access, voice and transport services. Dalton Georgia serves as a regional hub for Windstream, with
over 400 employees in the Operations, Engineering, Sales, and Customer Services divisions.
Windstream
Communications
January 2012
www.daltonchamber.org
Chamber Link
5
Feature Story
David Morgan
Shaw Industries, Inc.
Jeff Myers
Hamilton Health Care
Systems, Inc.
David is the Vice President of Manufacturing for Shaw Industries Group, Inc. A graduate of Georgia Institute of
Technology with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, David started his career in Central Engineering assigned to the
carpet division. After 6 years in various engineering assignments, David moved to a role in production. Additional
assignments followed over the next 21 years with opportunities in yarn, backing, and carpet manufacturing as well as
Director of Operations Support and Vice President of Logistics. He has served various community organizations and
activities including Chairman of the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, board member and Chairman of Cross
Plains Community Partner, Inc., board member for Whitfield County’s Career Academy, volunteer for Junior
Achievement, and Trustee of Whitfield Healthcare Foundation. He was a member of the 2007-2008 Leadership
Dalton/Whitfield Class. David and his wife, Angie, live in Dalton and are active members of First Baptist Church
where David has served as deacon.
Jeff Myers is a results-oriented healthcare executive with more than 25 years of diverse experience in facilitating, managing, and leading health organizations successfully through rapidly changing environments. He currently serves as
President and CEO of Hamilton Health Care System, Inc., a comprehensive, nonprofit health care system that serves as
the parent corporation for ten affiliate organizations. The mission of Hamilton Health Care System, Inc. is to provide
leadership, partnerships and seamless resource coordination to meet health care needs that advance the quality and
dignity of life; and its vision is to be the region’s first choice for health care and to excel in clinical quality and patient
and community satisfaction. Jeff is a member of the Georgia Society of Managed Care, where he has served as
Legislative Chair, Vice Chairman and President of the organization. He also serves as Board Member and Legislative
Committee Member of the Dalton Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and Northwest Georgia
Healthcare Partnership. He and his family reside in Whitfield County.
Pablo Perez M.D. graduated from State University New York in the field of Internal Medicine American Board
Recertified, moved from New York to Dalton in 1999. Practice as medical director at St. Joseph Clinic and has active
admitting privileges at Hamilton Medical Center. He participates actively with the Volunteers medicine at Whitfield
health department and the Northwest Georgia Health Care partnership and other nonprofit organizations. Dr. Perez
participates annually in overseas medical missions to Haiti and Peru. He is married to Clarena and has two kids Kevin
and Christian both in elementary school.
Pablo Perez
St. Joseph Clinic
Dan has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He and his spouse, Diane, reside
in Varnell, GA, and have two children - Allyson, a freshman at GA Tech and Jake, a junior at Northwest Whitfield High
School. Dan is active in the community and in addition to the Chamber sits on the Executive Board of CRI and chairs
the Authority Board of the Northwest GA Trade and Convention Center. He was co-president of the Leadership
Dalton/Whitfield Class of 2005/2006 and co-chaired the Emerging Leaders Class of 2009.
Dan Rogers
OMNOVA Solutions
Andy Walker is the CEO of Alliance National Bank a community bank in Dalton. He has been in the banking industry
for 38 years. Among his civic responsibilities he is the Chairman of the Board for the Dalton-Whitfield County Joint
Development Authority and serves on the board of the Dalton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Andy is married to the former Janet Turner from Dalton and they have one adult son who resides in Cumming, Georgia.
Andy Walker
Alliance National Bank
6
Chamber Link
www.daltonchamber.org
January 2012
Diplomats
Diplomats Caroling
Pictured L to R: Tyler Brown (Temporary
Resource Personnel), Lacey Bennett
(Servpro of N. Whitfield, Walker and
E. Catoosa County), Linden Stricker
(NW Georgia Financial
Solutions/Compound Profit), Michael
Green (Creswell Richardson), Brandon
Combs (State Farm, Brandon Combs),
Tony Burress (Cross Plains Community
Partner), Marlene Jones (Cross Plains
Community Partner) and Vanessa Cole
(Coffee News).
Diplomat Michael Green “plays” the saxophone during a
visit with the residents of Ridgewood Manor.
Diplomats even encountered Sheriff Scott Chitwood and
stopped to wish him a Merry Christmas.
Toys for Tots
Greater Dalton Chamber Diplomats Crawford
McDonald, Vice President of EMC Real Estate
Investments and commercial real estate agent, along
with Andrea Gravitt, Select Leasing and Management
came together to host a free Christmas lunch for anyone
who brought in a new and unwrapped toy to donate to
the U. S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots.
In just 3 short hours Crawford, Andrea and their guests
gathered over 135 toys! Later that day the toys were
brought to the Salvation Army, where local U. S. Marine
Soldiers gave out the toys to waiting needy families.
***The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots
Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during
October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in
the community.
January 2012
Pictured above are some Diplomats who made this day successful (L to R)
Lenora Johnson (J & J Carpet Mart), Shane Wilson (Edgepoint Web Design),
Andrea Gravitt (Select Leasing & Management), Crawford McDonald (ECM Real
Estate Investments), Lacey Bennett (Servpro of N. Whitfield, Catoosa & E.
Walker County) and Bob Sheth (Super 8 North).
www.daltonchamber.org
Chamber Link
7
Morning Mixer
Morning Mixer at Posche Salon
Justin Quillen (Al Johnson Volkswagen-Volvo, Inc.) and Stacey
Gibson, owner of Posche Salon get to know each other at the
event.
Chamber President Brian Anderson and Lenora Johnson
( J & J Carpet Mart) visit during the event.
Michelle Fountain (Alliant Health Plans), Connie Carter
(Dynamic Displays & Graphics), and Damon Walker
(Congressman Tom Graves office) enjoy the hospitality at
Posche Salon.
Robby Brown (Regions Bank), Summer Nix (Greater Dalton
Chamber) and James Kelley (h2b creative) get to know each
other at the Morning Mixer.
Next Morning Mixer:
Tuesday, January 24
Salem Baptist Church
1448 Pleasant Grove Drive, NE
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Free to attend!
8
Chamber Link
www.daltonchamber.org
January 2012
Wake Up...Whitfield
January 2012
www.daltonchamber.org
Chamber Link
9
Economic Development
Grow Greater Dalton…
Providing Results!
The Mission of the
Dalton - Whitfield County Joint
Development Authority is to
facilitate the long-term, positive
economic growth of the community by attracting/retaining jobs,
diverse investments and growing
the tax base.
The Development Authority represents a public-private partnership
funded by Whitfield County,
City of Dalton and Grow
Greater Dalton.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair: Andy Walker - Alliance
National Bank
Vice Chair: Bill Davies – BB&T
Secretary-Treasurer:
Kevin Harris – Arrowstar, L.L.C.
Dan Combs - State Farm
Insurance-Dan Combs
Bob Kinard - Kinard Realty, Inc.
Lamar Lyle - Lyle Industires
Frank Robertson – Robertson
and Company
Elyse Cochran, CCE
Several years ago, Grow Greater Dalton was in its beginning stages. This program, under Brian Anderson and John Neal’s leadership, was designed to infuse
private-sector funding combined with existing local government financial support.
The four components of the GGD program, simply stated, were: dramatically
accelerate job growth by creating new jobs through new business locations and
supporting existing industry expansions; create green-field sites (new and existing); create a vision of a new Greater Dalton and make the vision real through
the Archway Partnership; and marketing the community globally. Out of this, an
aggressive existing industry program has been born and much has been
achieved in each one of these initiatives. Under the leadership of JDA Chair
Andy Walker, new jobs have been created and retained, Archway is well underway, Carbondale Business Park located its’ anchor tenant, and Atlanta and site
location consultants across the nation and world know us.
In the past twelve months prospect activity has continued to increase, with the
JDA actively working 43 new projects. These projects consist of retail, existing
industry and new attraction. During the past year, the JDA was able to land 10
projects, resulting in over $84 million in new investments and 400 direct jobs!
Announced projects include XL Brands, Kohl’s, Puma Polymers, MFG Chemical
(expansion), Engineered Floors, Mohawk (expansion) and many others.
In addition, 13 previously unoccupied buildings have been taken off the market
and filled with an industry. The JDA website, www.locationdalton.com, received
over 5,000 visits in 2011 with visits coming from India, Russia, Brazil, Canada,
Germany and others in addition to the United States. The unemployment rate for
Whitfield County in November 2011 (latest data available) was 11.6%, a
decrease from 13.2% from November 2010. Economic progress is being made
locally, with much of the credit going to Grow Greater Dalton.
Stay tuned… GGD “today” is designed to be a four-year initiative to take our
economic development program to new heights. The JDA anticipates prospect
activity to continue at a high level for 2012 and we look for Grow Greater
Dalton to help with our continued success!
Chamber-Senior Vice President of
Economic Development
Grow Greater Dalton Score Card
Alex Stall
Economic Development
Senior Project Manager
Barbara Ward
Director of Workforce
Development
Andrew Carnes
Economic Development
Project Manager
10
Chamber Link
www.daltonchamber.org
January 2012
Economic Indicators
November Unemployment Rate
2010
14.4%
13.2%
10.4%
9.8%
Not seasonally adjusted
City of Dalton
Whitfield County
Georgia
United States
2011
12.6%
11.6%
9.9%
8.6%
November Building Permits
Residential
Number Issued
Permit Value
YTD Number Issued
YTD Permit Value
Commercial
Number Issued
Permit Value
YTD Number Issued
YTD Permit Value
2010
3
$610,000
50
$5,331,299
2010
0
$0
19
$7,796,396
2011
1
$115,000
22
$2,532,260
2011
1
$250,000
24
$28,743,161
Local Sales Tax Distribution
City of Dalton (LOST)
Whitfield County (LOST)
Nov 2010 Jan-Nov 2010 Nov 2011 Jan-Nov 2011
$195,785
$2,313,118
$208,213
$2,377,867
$1,091,620 $12,897,074 $1,160,918 $13,258,180
Would you like to see
your logo here?
Contact Beth Morrison
for more information on
becoming the Economic
Indicators Sponsor.
Retail Sales - National
Not seasonally adjusted; estimates
shown in millions of dollars
Oct 2010
Jan-Oct 2010
Oct 2011
Jan-Oct 2011
Total retail sales
Automobile dealers
Floor covering stores
General merchandise stores
Food services & drinking places
321,844
51,545
1,304
49,588
39,906
3,159,392
516,287
12,996
481,276
389,229
344,675
55,911
1,392
51,564
42,219
3,420,390
575,435
12,534
498,885
410,628
*Unemployment rates and local sales tax are the latest state-provided figures. Numbers for building
permits are obtained from county records. National retail sales figures provided by U.S. Census
Bureau.
January 2012
www.daltonchamber.org
Chamber Link
11
Good Morning Dalton/Summer Nix
Good Morning Dalton
Representative Roger Williams addresses the crowd at the
annual Legislative Preview breakfast.
Representative Tom Weldon and Senator Charlie Bethel prepare to speak at Good Morning Dalton.
Mitch Sanford (First Bank of Dalton) and Tom Minor IV
(Minor, Bell & Neal) catch up at the event.
Dalton City Councilman, George Sadosuk, Chamber
Chairman Joe Yarbrough and Dalton City Councilman,
Dick Lowrey are excited to be at the Chamber breakfast.
Summer Nix
Summer is a 2010 graduate of Dalton State College, where she received a
Bachelors of Business Administration with a concentration in Management.
Prior to the chamber, she worked in retail management. Summer resides in
Chatsworth with her 3 dogs.
12
Chamber Link
www.daltonchamber.org
January 2012
Ribbon Cuttings
W
e wish the following businesses much success
We
&%$-'+/.+ , (%%$0"!)$% , (%#).*!
Book Gallery
Paul & Joy Mann
1001 Market Street, Suite 26
(615) 210-6365
North Georgia Surgery & Comprehensive Breast Center
Rod Rodriguez
1504 N. Thornton Ave. Suite 101
(706) 275-9000
Renz Nest Catering
Greg Renz
(706) 463-1589
Walnut Square Mall Play Area
Brandy Whaley
816 Walnut Square Blvd.
(706) 226-5255
Giant Scissors Looking for Work
If you are a new business, new to the Chamber or have
moved to a new location....call us!
The Chamber will provide the giant scissors
and ribbon and will take a picture for
The Daily Citizen and ChamberLink.
AlliantPlans.com
January 2012
www.daltonchamber.org
Chamber Link
13
2012 Chamber Program Sponsors
2012 Chamber Program Sponsors
Green
Hospitality
Platinum
Gold
Brandon
Combs
Silver Sponsor
Aladdin Printing & Copying
Advanced Insurance Strategies
Fairway Outdoor Advertising
G & S Office Supply
Julian Peeples Funeral Home
Laughter & Jones Financial Management
14
Chamber Link
SANTEK Waste Services of Georgia
Minor, Bell & Neal
The Morehouse Group
Hampton Inn
Super 8
www.daltonchamber.org
January 2012
Diplomat of the Month
Diplomats of the Month
Heath and Bob earned the Diplomat of the Month award together by personally delivering over 200 Chamber Member Directories in our recent
Operation Thank You.
D. Heath Patterson
Bob Sheth
I am honored to be selected Diplomat of the Month. As a
Dalton native, I am thrilled to be back in the community that
I love, and that has been so good to me and my family in
the past.
Hi, my name is Bhavesh (Bob) Sheth. I am the general
manager of the Super 8 Hotel. I am honored to win the
Diplomat of the Month award. The Diplomat program has
helped to excel my networking with many businesses. I
feel that the Chamber has been a great asset for bringing
business to my hotel. I have also made many friends
through the Chamber.
I believe it is important to be an active member of the
Chamber as we continue to become part of the solution to
our current economic trials. In addition to volunteering for
the Chamber, I am a community varsity football coach at
Christian Heritage and an active member of the Kiwanis
Club.
I am an agent for Advanced Insurance Strategies, an independent full service insurance agency located on 200 West
Crawford Street in downtown Dalton. AIS provides all types
of property and casualty insurance as well as life and health
insurance for both businesses and individuals.
I am looking forward to continuing my service as a
Diplomat for the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce.
Super 8 offers guests a comfortable, affordable stay. We
also have a meeting/party room available for rent. For
additional information about the Super 8, please call me at
706-226-9579.
If I can be of assistance, now or in the future, please feel
free to contact me at 706-847-3338. Thank you for supporting the Chamber.
Chamber Connections at
Next Chamber Connections
Friday, January 13th, Outback Steakhouse
955 Market Street 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. • $15.00 members $65 non-members
January 2012
www.daltonchamber.org
Chamber Link
15
Member Mixer
Member Mixer at Cox’s Spirits
Connie Carter (Dynamic Displays & Graphics) and Karen
Ankrum (Edward Jones, Ashlee Godfrey) meet new friends at
the Member Mixer.
Lacey Bennett (Servpro of N. Whitfield, Catoosa & E. Walker
Counties), Andrea Gravitt (Select Leasing & Management)
and Linden Stricker (NW Georgia Financial Solutions/
Compound Profit) have a fun time at the event.
Terry Shropshire (Aces Moving Company), Crawford
McDonald (ECM Real Estate Investing) and Tyler Brown
(Temporary Resource Personnel) enjoy the event at Cox’s
Spirits.
Owners, Pratibha and Pramod Naik (Cox’s Spirits) David
Cook (Starr-Mathews) and April Avant (Parkridge Medical
Center) get to know each other at the Member Mixer.
Next Member Mixer:
Dalton Depot
Thursday, January 19
110 Depot Street
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Free to attend!
16
Chamber Link
www.daltonchamber.org
January 2012
Go Green
Energy Savings by using
Window Film to reduce Heat
build-up in your home
2012 Chamber
“Green” Sponsor
If you have ever sat in front of a window that was just too hot or walked into a room that felt like a
sauna, then you have experienced the "greenhouse effect". Untreated glass acts like a magnifying glass
to draw in the suns infrared rays, creating well above average temperatures. When this occurs in your
home, this heat build-up can cause frequently used rooms to become uninhabitable during daytime
hours. It is also typical that as one room heats up, the other becomes colder, forcing your HVAC system
to struggle to keep up. Whether you are in a southern climate where the suns heat runs year round or in
the north where you feel it mostly in the spring and summer, window film can reject up to 79% of the
incoming solar energy.
By rejecting this energy, your rooms become much more comfortable and livable year round. You will
notice within minutes of installation that your home has become cooler, more comfortable and temperature balanced between floors.
Typically, if you put at least a 50 Rated Film (Rejects up to 50% of Solar Energy) on the South, East And
West Sides of your home, you can get a payback on Energy savings in 3-5 years!
Most home owners choose a 35 Rated Film that will reject up to 65% of Solar Energy.
Now those in northwest Georgia and surrounding areas have another option to installing window film
themselves. Window Genie services Whitfield County, Catoosa County, Walker County, and Dade
County as well as surrounding areas.
For more information about Window
Genie and Ben Hankins, call
706-866-6676 or email him at
bhankins@windowgenie.com
Ben Hankins
Window Genie of North Georgia
bhankins@windowgenie.com
706-866-6676
515 AIRPORT RD STE 102
CHATTANOOGA TN 37421-3525
www.windowgenie.com/locations/northwest-georgia
Is your company Green? If so, share your story with us and the business community.
Email your story to Beth Morrison: morrison@daltonchamber.org and you may be featured in an upcoming issue of ChamberLink.
January 2012
www.daltonchamber.org
Chamber Link
17
Spotlight on Business
Starr-Mathews Agency, Inc.
Starr-Mathews
Agency, Inc. is a locally
owned independent
insurance agency that
has served Northwest
Georgia since 1920.
Growth in Northwest
Georgia
As the agency’s reputation grew in North
Georgia, the Agency
expanded its operations
throughout the area by
establishing agencies in
Dalton, Rome,
Cartersville, and
Ringgold . It's intention...to become the largest independently-held agency between Marietta, GA and
Chattanooga, TN.
An Independent Agency
As an independent agency Starr-Mathews represents
over fifty financially sound insurance companies and spe-
cialty markets. Through
our core values and
these company partnerships we act as advocates for our customers
in the insurance market
for their various insurance needs. We offer
insurance knowledge,
competitive pricing, and
.
a commitment to meet
Serving Since 1920
the needs and objectives of our customers.
Quality Employees
The success of our agency is directly related to the
quality of service given by our highly trained employees.
Starr-Mathews currently employs more than forty producers
and service representatives across its five locations, providing clients with risk management and compliance services,
property and casualty insurance, health and benefits, and
retirement strategies.
STARR ·
·MATHEWS
AGENCY, INC
Our Recent Addition
In October of 2010, Starr-Mathews acquired David
Cook, a native Daltonian, to help grow its presence in the
Whitfield County area. After high-school graduation David
went on to the University of Georgia to obtain his degree.
Soon there after he was employed with CNA Insurance in
Birmingham, AL. Almost a decade later David was ready to
come home, establish his career, and become involved with
a town and community he loves. Working out of our office
in the Landmark Building (the old Hotel Dalton) in downtown, David specializes in Home, Auto, and Business
Insurance.
18
Chamber Link
www.daltonchamber.org
January 2012
New Members & Updates
Wilkins Research Services
Becky Haney
1730 Gunbarrel Rd.
Chattanooga, TN 37421
423-894-9478
NEW MEMBERS
CJ Jewelry LLC
Heenaben Soni
3896 Cleveland Hwy.
Dalton, GA 30721
706-694-3463
Jewelry Sales & Repair
Shopping & Specialty Retail
MEMBER UPDATES
Kaleen Rugs, Inc.
Monty Rathi
1031 Bonny Oaks Drive.
Dalton, Ga 30721
706-279-1122
Rugs
Floorcovering & Related Industry
Book Gallery
Paul Mann
1001 Market St. Suite 26
Dalton, Ga 30720
615-210-6365
Books
Gifts
• HD Supply has changed their name to APEX
Supply. They have a new website APEXsupply.com
• Sikes Paper Company welcomes new salesman
Gary Brock.
Our apologies the address for Billy Willis Photography
was incorrect in the last issue the correct address is:
304 Springdale Road Suite 2
Do you have changes at your company?
E-mail Summer Nix at nix@daltonchamber.org
to have them featured in the next ChamberLink.
PS Nails
David Huyn
785 Shugart Rd. Unit 6
Dalton, Ga 30720
706-226-0025
Manicures/Pedicures
Nail Salon
Artificial Nails
January 2012
www.daltonchamber.org
Chamber Link
19
PRST. STD.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Dalton, GA
Permit #502
Measure of Success:
Having a commercial banker who is a partner and a friend
Discover how successful your company can be when you have a personal
relationship with a commercial banker you can count on and trust, day in
and day out.
> Commercial Lending
> Business Internet Banking
> Business Online Library
> Commercial Deposit Products
and Services
Return Service Requested
Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce
890 College Drive
Dalton, GA 30720
Cohutta Banking Company commercial bankers work with you to help
achieve your company’s financial goals. We offer the sophisticated
products you need, including enhanced Business Internet Banking and
our Business Online Library, paired with commercial banking expertise
and local decision making to build powerful business banking solutions
that are ready to work for you.
> Treasury Services
> Payment Services
> 0.(2).*%&.*# "2)'$-2!
> 3/,#&422 +2.21(!
> Corporate Investments*
cohuttabank.com | 706-695-9431
?EFBK*@GKF@ <6)",=@* CF" *K6B4=K* C6K )+K6K" @76),%7 H&F)B,* HK=,649K*! EF=J! GKG>K6 0E5I#DHE1:J
Not FDIC insured. No bank guarantee. May lose value. H&F)B,* HK=,649K*! EF=J 4* C *,>*4"4C6& )/ H&F)B,*
04FCF=4C- :)6<J CF" CF C3-4C@K )/ H&F)B,* ;CF2J
:)7,LC ;CF24F% :)G<CF& 4* C "4B4*4)F )/ H&F)B,* ;CF2J H&F)B,* ;CF2! 8KG>K6 0$E:! 4* =7C6@K6K" 4F @7K
*@C@K )/ .K)6%4C CF" )<K6C@K* ,F"K6 G,-9<-K @6C"K FCGK* C=6)** @7K H),@7KC*@J $4B4*4)F* )/ H&F)B,*
;CF2 C6K F)@ *K<C6C@K-& 0$E:(4F*,6K" >CF2*J A7K 0$E: =)BK6C%K K'@KF"K" @) "K<)*4@ =,*@)GK6* 4* @7C@
)/ )FK 4F*,6K" >CF2J