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Thursday, May 7, 2015
May 2015 Newsletter
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
April 2015 Newsletter
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Sunday, December 7, 2014
December 2014 Newsletter
Featured Articles
2015 Sponsorship Opportunities
October Consultants Panel Luncheon Summary
November Annual Awards Luncheon Summary
2015 Sponsorship Opportunities
We introduced a new Champions Circle sponsorship level in 2014 to great success with inaugural sponsors, to whom we are extremely grateful: Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Power Company, Development Authority of Fulton County, and King & Spalding. For 2015, we are continuing the Champions Circle level with a goal of increasing it to five sponsors. We are also offering sponsorship opportunities for our monthly luncheons. Additionally, we have many sponsorship opportunities for the Spring Workshop at Callaway Gardens and the Annual Conference in Savannah. Click HERE to review the benefits of these sponsorship opportunities. If you have any leads, please contact Ricky McGee, Sponsorship Chair, at Ricky.Mcgee@GeorgiaEMC.com.
Click here for the complete list of 2015 Sponsorship Opportunities.
October Consultants Panel Luncheon
On October 20, we hosted the Site Selection Consultants Forum in Atlanta where our expert panelists discussed the site selection process, business incentives, and the site certification process to an audience of 275 people. Betty McIntosh of Cushman & Wakefield, Jeff Rossate of Deloitte and Charlie Gatlin of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) provided great commentary and Jonathan Sangster moderated this fine panel. Thank you to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for sponsoring this luncheon. Gretchen Corbin, Commissioner of DCA at the time, shared about the many great programs (and MONEY) available as well as new changes (little did she know) to provide better service to the economic development community. And thanks to Wylly Harrison of GDEcD for putting this program together. Click here for the October photo gallery.
November Annual Awards Luncheon
Governor Deal joined us for our annual Deal of the Year awards luncheon at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center. Deal of the Year winners were: the Development Authority of Bryan County for the Caesarstone project in the small community category; the Walker County Development Authority for the Audia International project in the mid-size community category; and the Development Authority of Douglas County for the Keurig Green Mountain project in the large community category.
Congratulations also to the Special Service Award winners. Francis Lott of Douglas-Coffee County was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award for his unyielding and relentless efforts and support of his community. Senator Saxby Chambliss was presented with the Zell Miller Award for Public Policy. Senator Chambliss has been a supporter of Georgians for many years and is leaving our state in good shape as he retires from public service.
Peggy Jolley was awarded the Rip Wiley Award for Professional Excellence. Peggy is the Regional Manager of Community and Economic Development for Georgia Power Company in Southeast Georgia.
In appreciation to our monthly speakers this year, GEDA made a $1,000 contribution to the “Read Across Georgia” campaign in honor of Georgia’s First Lady, Sandra Deal, and presented this check to her. Thank you to our sponsor, the Southeast Georgia Joint Development Authority (SEGAJDA). Members of the SEGJDA were on hand to introduce themselves and a promotional video of their region. Members include: Dr. Richard Thornton, Executive Director, Brantley County Development Authority; James Coughlin, Executive Director, Camden County Joint Development Authority; Dawn Malin, Executive Director, Folkston / Charlton County Development Authority; Mel Baxter, Interim Director, Brunswick and Glynn County Development Authority; Wally Orrel, Executive Director, McIntosh County Industrial Development Authority; and John Riddle, President & CEO, Wayne County Industrial Development Authority. Click here for the SEGAJDA website. Click here to see the November photo gallery.
In January, Page Siplon becomes CEO of TeamOne Logistics in Alpharetta. Gretchen Corbin Commissioner of DCA is moving to head the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), and the Governor has proposed changing its name to the Georgia Career College System. Also moving to TCSG are Niki Knox Vanderslice as the Executive Director, Business Development/External Affairs for QuickStart; Allison Tyrer, Executive Director of Communications; and Darlene Smith as Executive Assistant to Commissioner Corbin. Camila Knowles is the new Commissioner of DCA, coming to us from Sen. Chambliss’ office where she was Chief of Staff. Additionally, Brian Dill, formerly SVP of Global Commerce at Carroll Tomorrow, joins DCA as Chief Operating Officer.
Many changes have occurred at the GDEcD including: Ember Bishop as the new Deputy Commissioner of International Relations, who formerly served as First Lady Sandra Deal’s Chief of Staff; Scott McMurray adds the Division Director of Global Commerce positon to that of Director of the International Project Team ; Bill Dobbs moves from Project Director to Business Development; Charlie Moseley moves from Project Manager to be the new Executive Director of Henry County Development Authority; Lauren Salas Lambiase moves from Project Manager to the Georgia Power Company as Community Development Representative; and Jennifer Nelson joins the Carl Vinson Institute of Government as Economic Development Faculty. GDEcD said good-bye to Kathy Falls, former Deputy Commissioner of International Trade, after 30 years, who left to lead Louisiana’s economic development office; and Holly Holcombe left the Trade Division for First Performance.
Hans Gant, formerly with the Atlanta Metro Chamber recently joined Batson-Cook Construction Company. And Marisa (pronounced Mar-say) Simpson joined the Atlanta Gas Company.
If you are making news or know someone who is, please let us know. We would like to include changes in future newsletters.
January 27: January Legislative Luncheon at the Georgia Freight Depot. Thanks to our sponsor, Douglas Coffee County Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority! Click Here for their website.
February 16: Small Business Rock Star Awards at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center—Click here for details.
Click here for a complete list of 2015 events.
Andrea Daniel, Vice President for Economic Development, Athens Technical College
Shalin Jyotishi, Undergraduate Student, University of Georgia
Jean-Pierre Bourget, Graduate Student, Georgia Tech College of Architecture
Christopher Copenhaver, Director, Cushman & Wakefiedl of GA, Inc.
Robert Smith, Economic Development Director, City of Perry
Friday, November 7, 2014
November 2014 Newsletter
Featured Articles
Annual Conference Wrap-Up
Our Annual Conference was a great opportunity for learning and networking thanks to the more than 425 attendees and nearly 30 sponsors. GEDA’s 2014 Annual Conference theme “Gateway to Greatness” provided a memorable venue for GEDA members to congregate at the Hyatt Regency Savannah. We heard from outstanding and insightful speakers, such as Captain Alan Price of Falcon Leadership (Leadership in Times of Crisis); Dr. Roger Tutterow, Economist with Kennesaw State University (Where Are We Headed?); and Dr. Charles Bullock, Professor of Political Science at the University of Georgia (The 2014 Campaign Trail).
Other significant programs included panel discussions by the ever-appreciated Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Project Directors (Annie Baxter, Mary Ellen McClanahan, Jennifer Nelson, and Amanda Shailendra) moderated by Pat Topping of the Macon Economic Development Commission; Georgia’s Workforce Advantage (Jamie Jordan, Kristin Laarhoven, and Brett Lacy of GDEcD Workforce Division); and Reshoring Opportunities Ahead (Alan Barfoot of Georgia Tech, Gary Bruce of PartnerTechAtlanta, Ashley Googe of McPherson Manufacturing, and John Scott of Brunswick-Glynn Development Authority).
The final, final Farewell Tour of the GEDA All Star Band, with our own GEDA members (Annie Baxter, Charlie Gatlin, David Luckie, Scott McMurray, and Bob White) performing provided a fun evening finale. Additionally, many of our members enjoyed playing golf at The Westin Harbor Golf Resort. We are very appreciative to Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. for hosting a group of GEDA aeronautic aficionados for a tour of its headquarters facility.
Thanks to our Platinum Sponsor, the Southeast Georgia Joint Development Authority, for your support! Click here to see our sponsors. Thanks to Greg Wright, President of the Coweta County Development Authority and Second Vice President of GEDA, for his tireless work in putting together the conference. Also, thanks to his right-hand woman, Brenda Washington, for keeping Greg straight—before, during and after the conference.
Other special thanks go to Ricky McGee for his stellar performance in sponsorship development; Mary Ellen McClanahan of GDEcD and Mike Worley, retired from Georgia Power, for their good humor and wit while distributing the door prize money; Gina McKinney and Danetha Belk of GDEcD for their help with nametags, ribbons & registration; and our staff of Colleen Boudreaux and Karen Ewing for their constant assistance.
Additionally,GEDA held its Business Meeting during the Annual Conference. Misti Martin, Chair of the Nominating Committee, presented the committee’s recommendations, which were elected with a unanimous vote. Click here to read the full document.
Many thanks to Jim Finch, who served as interim president and helped us throughout the year, and Rebecca McGee and Colleen Beaudreaux, who helped us throughout the summer and annual conference. We remain very grateful for your assistance, energy, and patience during our transition period. Big welcome to Karen Ewing, who joins GEDA as Manager of Member Services.
- January Legislative Luncheon (Date and Time TBD)
- February 16 - Small Business Rock Star Awards at Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center
- March 16 - Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center
- April 20 - Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center
- May 20-22- GEDA's Spring Workshop at Callaway Gardens
- Click here for all calendar events.
Be sure to send us your new jobs, promotions, or retirements as well as any new business and expansion announcements from your companies and organizations. We want to share your good news!
New Members (April-September)
Carrie Barnes, Georgia EMC
Christy Bozeman, Cordele-Crisp County IDC
Michael Buhler, Stantec
Chris Carr, GDEcD
Regina Carter, City of East Point
Stacey Chapman, Pieper O’Brien Herr Architects
Frank Charles, III, Charles Family Properties LLC
James Coughlin, Camden County JDA
Jennifer Dees, Town of Braselton
Valerie Alana Duvall, Greene County
Debbie Etheridge, Manchester Development Authority
Tammy Finley, O’Neal, Inc.
Ralph Forbes, Thomas & Hutton Engineering Co.
William Gardner, Sr., Chesterfield.llc
Philip Gibson, Georgia Quick Start
M.A. Hall, Pulaski County
Serra Phillips Hall, Newton County Chamber of Commerce
Christopher Heard, Yates Construction
William Hearn, CBRE
Henry Hobbs, Georgia Institute of Technology
Meredith Hodges, GasSouth
Sharron Kelly, APD Solutions
Chanreaksmey Kim, GPTC
Maurice Lake, Student, ABAC
Kelly Lane, Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Brad Lofton, Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority
John David McLean, City of Hiram
Jade Morey, Houston County Development Authority
Storm Mull, Cobb Chamber of Commerce
Kerry Norton, GDEcD
Lisa Olens, Georgia Power
Ricardo Palacios, Georgia Power
Michelle Pfeffer, Economic Development Authority of Claxton & Evans County
Erin Phillips, Effingham County IAD
Crawford Powell, Impact Developmental Group
Ronald Roberts, HNTB
Johnna Robinson, Georgia Power
Erin Rodgers, Georgia Power
Holly Rollins, O’Brien & Gere
Beth Sessoms, City of Marietta
Crissy Staley, Berrien County Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority
Sabrena Straton, Development Authority of Douglas County
Sheila Thomas, Darton State College
Chapman Walsh, APD Solutions
Philip Weatherly, GasSouth
Joseph Weatherspoon, GVRA
Vernon D. Welch, Welch Contracting Alliance, LLC
Jody Whitt, AKTPeerless