Augusta Magazine 2023 Notable Men

NOTABLE MEN

They may hold a variety of jobs but each of the professional men featured in the following pages makes a positive impact on their clients’ lives every day.

PERRY BARINOWSKI

AIRSTAT

2278 Wortham Lane, Grovetown (877) 981-9819 airstat.net

My mission from the beginning was to provide first class private air transportation to our passengers. We want to be the best. My experience in corporate and fractional companies has taught me how to provide top-tier service.

My motto is taken from Bryan College where I attended my freshman year, “Christ Above All.” Just saying it doesn’t mean I’m perfect, but it keeps me focused on the real goals of doing the best job we can and being a servant to others. Wish I could say I was always on course, but just like in navigation, I have to be constantly correcting to stay on the centerline.

The most important thing we do is to care for our passengers and their needs.

Experience has taught me that doing what you say you will do trumps everything. Giving your word and sticking to it no matter what it costs is the most important thing. If you can’t be trusted to do such a simple thing then you cannot be trusted at all.

I am thankful to the Lord for blessing our business. I am thankful for parents who helped me get started. I am very thankful for my wife Sherry who has supported me all the way and for the excellent job she did raising two fine sons.

I love what I do because I enjoy flying immensely for the satisfaction and the challenges. My total flight time means I have spent over two whole years in the air. It never gets old and I enjoy using aviation to enhance the lives of others.

Our clients appreciate our reliability and our great people.

I lead by letting people do what they are good at without managing every detail of their job. I trust our people.

I wish more women would get together and go on “girls trips.” Men like to fly, to hunt, and play golf or whatever, but why should the boys have all the fun?

I am proud of the great people we have. They are motivated and customer-oriented. Their pride in their work shows.

GREG OLDHAM

MEYBOHM REAL ESTATE

7025 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans (706) 877-4000 gogregoldham.com

When I am not in the office or at work... which doesn’t occur very often… In the fall you can find me between the hedges with my family in Athens, Georgia watching my beloved Dawgs. In the warmer months, I enjoy swinging a golf club.

Most people are surprise when they learn that I never planned to work in real estate. After graduating from the University of Georgia, with a biology degree, I managed several medical offices. A family friend convinced me to use my negotiating skills acquired from medical management and put them to use in real estate. I received my real estate license in 2002 and have been selling ever since.

I stay involved in the community by serving on different boards and donating to various charities. Currently I am serving on the Lydia Project board. Various charities I find near and dear to my heart are The Boys and Girls Club and the LLS Man of the Year where I raised $228,756 in 2019. Also, since I have a child that attends Lakeside High School, I support them as well as many other schools throughout the CSRA.

The secret to good business is communication. Communication is essential in my business. Not only is it important to communicate with buyers and sellers to meet their needs, but also communication between lenders, attorneys, and everyone in between to get a deal to the closing table.

I am thankful for many people in my life. First and foremost, my family. My assistant, Taylor Zange who is my right arm. The excellent company, Meybohm, that I work for along with my fellow agents. Without all these people, I could not serve my clients to the best of my abilities.

TRAVIS PETREA

METRO COFFEEHOUSE (AND PUB) 1054 Broad St., Augusta (706) 722-6468

The secret to our success at Metro Coffeehouse and Pub is our people. Three of my best friends and I decided we wanted to create a place that offered gourmet coffees and a full bar. Our staff is the best in the business. We’re proud to have become a staple in downtown Augusta for 24 years strong!

I describe success as finding happiness spiritually, professionally, socially and being the best husband and father.

My motto: Be great. Whatever your role is in life, be a star in that role.

When I’m not at Metro Coffeehouse, I’m a sergeant with the Augusta Fire Department.

DANNY DURHAM

DURHAM BRAY LAW FIRM

2560 Trade Center Dr., Evans (706) 738-7111

durhambraylaw.com

I learned a long time ago that if you put your clients’ cases first and treat others as you would like to be treated, the rest just falls into place. Loving what you do for a living is one of the most rewarding and satisfying things in life and practicing law is learning something new and exciting each day.

My purpose: As a trial lawyer, I defend my clients’ rights and seek the best outcome in civil or criminal cases. I enjoy helping young lawyers look for practical solutions in solving perceived difficult problems in an honest and ethical manner. Learning should be a life long quest while always remembering that people never care how much you know until you show them how much you care.

EAST GEORGIA FENCE

1876 Champions Circle, Evans (706) 220-0854 eastgeorgiafence.com

The best business advice I ever received is to make each job personal and important to you.

The most important thing I do: Listen to and serve our customers with quality work in a timely manner.

The secret to good business is getting to know your customers and their needs. Letting the customer know that “we” appreciate the opportunity to do their fence work.

I’m thankful for my wife Jessica and my four wonderful sons.

We stay involved in our community as active members of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church. We are also supporters of Golden Harvest Food Bank, Augusta Rescue Mission, Child Enrichment, Pregnant Choices and Young Life.

My clients appreciate our quality workmanship and the care we take in doing the job.

GREG DERRY

JOESBURY INSURANCE

538 W. Hill St., Thomson (706) 595-4522

joesbury-ins.com

My clients appreciate: In a time where honesty and integrity seems to be strained, I’ve found that insisting to operate with integrity and honsety is precisely what my clients and most people genuinely desire.

My mission is for clients to benefit from my 25+ years of diverse experience in the industry. There is a place for zoom calls, webinars and electronic signatures, but face to face with a handshake will always be my preferred method of doing business.

I’m thankful for my wonderful hard-working wife, our kids, and their understanding of my long hours.

Most people are surprised when they learn that one of my ancestors, Johann Peter Strozier, grabbed his musket and joined Elijah Clark at the Battle of Kettle Creek just West of Washington, where they routed the British Loyalist militia.

DAN FINN

SOL HIMALAYAN SALT CAVE AND SPA

7013 Evans Towne Center Blvd., Suite 201, Evans (706) 364-7958

solcaveandspa.com

Our success in this business can be attributed to three main factors:

• Offering a truly unique experience that results in a high customer return rate. The “wow” factor of the salt cave cannot be overstated.

• Attention to detail. The littlest thing, combined with many other “little things,” makes the difference. We are not just selling a unique form of therapy, we are selling an experience.

• The people who work here. The magical environment of the salt cave piques the interest of customers and brings them in the door. Customer service, and the attitude with which it is delivered, keeps them coming back.

Our next step: We have big things happening this spring. Not only are we expanding our current location to offer new and better services, we are now franchising Sol Himalayan Salt Cave and Spa as well!

The secret to good business is simple: operate under the golden rule and do business ethically. At Blanchard & Calhoun, we strive to do right by both our clients as well as our agents and employees. We believe it is our history of treating people with respect, as well as conducting business with integrity, that has led us to this point where we are in our second century of serving Augusta’s real estate, insurance and mortgage needs.

I’m proud of the way the B&C Family comes together to give back to Augusta. This company wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for this amazing community; it is our duty to serve the area in return. Our team is incredible at coming up with creative ways to physically serve, raise money or collect supplies to benefit others.

Working together to do good results in team bonding, which inspires dreaming up more ways to serve together! It brings me joy to know that my company serves this community, which has always been home, in the business realm and also remembers its people and the causes that benefit them.

I’m thankful for the opportunity to work in a family business. People sometimes assume that mixing family and business is too difficult, but I’ve been blessed to be the fourth generation to work with the people that mean the most to me. We’re both a family and a company — at times it has changed or looked different, but we still carry the same values we did in 1919. I look forward to one day welcoming the fifth generation of our family to the business.

My mission: I bring my international experience to small towns like Aiken. Whether for real estate deals, polo facilities, or restaurant builds, I make business decisions based first on instincts. I take dilapidated buildings or downtown areas that are run down, and I revitalize them with a high-class European design, making them valuable holdings for the community. I am passionate about taking eyesores and turning them into assets, but for every decision I rely on solid instincts.

My motto: Sometimes it’s better to miss a good deal than go into a bad one. My other motto is to never give up.

The best business advice I ever received was watching my father and understanding the impact of choosing well for the future.

The most important thing I do is to manage million-dollar business decisions based on passion and personal interests. I am ultra-competitive, but I also recognize the finesse of practicing patience for the win.

Something only experience has taught me is the faith to go with my gut and apply that knowledge to my daily life. As a former European racecar driver and current polo player, I have always enjoyed the rush of adrenaline that life interests can bring, but I couple that intensity with self-control. Wisdom is realizing there is value in making mistakes because innovation and growth arrive from adapting or learning differently.

Success is being competitive and pursuing acquisitions, but it is also equally about hospitality and camaraderie. It is important to foster relationships off the field and away from the desk. Business is something a person does; hospitality and camaraderie are something a leader cultivates.

The secret to good business is a strong work ethic and making business decisions that improve the quality of life for the community. It could be a French bakery, an authentic Italian restaurant, or a polo field that brings a certain quality of life to a community that makes it unique and special.

GARDELLE LEWIS, JR.

MEYBOHM REAL ESTATE

3519 Wheeler Rd., Augusta (706) 833-3375 | glewis@meybohm.com

meybohm.com

My mission: I aim to serve local buyers and sellers with complete honesty and professionalism. I achieve the highest and best prices for my sellers and find my buyers the best home at a fair price in their desired location.

My motto: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I treat everyone with the respect they deserve regardless of their socio-economic status.

Best business advice I ever received: When I obtained my real estate license in 1983, one of my instructors coached me to remember that “you can’t judge a book by its cover,” which means not assessing anyone based on looks, the clothes they wear or by what kind of vehicle they drive. Over the past 40 years, I have never forgotten that wisdom!

The most important thing I do: For 40 years, I have provided exceptional advice to thousands of people while assisting them during the buying or selling process. In many cases, my consultations helped clients to save money and make better business decisions.

My purpose: My goal is to provide proper guidance to clients as they navigate the details of their largest investment. As an experienced real estate professional, I support clients with sound advice and ethical business practices.

Success is doing my best and always looking out for the interests of my buyers and sellers during the transaction of their home. I guide clients with recommendations on every aspect of a sale. My desire is for everyone leaving a closing to be happy and satisfied with the results.

The secret to good business is being fair and professionally handling deals. I strive to treat all my clients with thoughtfulness and one-on-one attention.

I am proud of my excellent record spanning the past 40 years. I have won numerous sales awards and was voted 8 times by Columbia County Magazine readers as the Best Real Estate Agent in Augusta and surrounding areas. I also have received hundreds of 5-star reviews from buyers and sellers over many years.

RAYMOND “BLINKIE” WEBBER

MTAG SPORTS AND FITNESS COMPLEX

4304 Sudan Rd., Augusta (706) 691-2127

mtagfitness.com

My Mission: My life’s mission is to change and impact as many lives as possible and to develop the next generation into tomorrow’s leaders. As Ghandi says, “be the change you want to see in the world ...”.

I love what I do because it’s life-changing even on a small scale. To see someone who was prescribed 15 different medications make the decision to get in shape and reduced their medications to one or two, possibly saving their life. The look on young athlete’s face when they learn a drill; when they apply our teaching and it works; when our athletes receive scholarship offers to not only continue to play sports, but to further their education; and watching athletes young and old hit milestones, personal records and goals. Lastly, when clients come and tell you because of your help their level of success became possible and you were the thing that kept them motivated.

NICKOLAS PROKOSA

WEDGES AND WOODS

3731 Wrightsboro Rd., Augusta (706) 854-0360

wedgesandwoods.com

My mission: To make golf accessible to all.

I’m thankful for the game of golf. I have been involved with the game most of my life. I started at Wedges and Woods when I was 15 under Alex and Slick McNeil and continued their legacy as owner of the company in 2007.

My/our next step is to grow and expand Wedges and Woods to its fullest potential.

We stay involved in our community by hosting golf clinics for veterans and adaptive golf for the disabled.

MICHAEL SIEWERT

SIGNATURE INTERIORS

3505 Professional Circle, Augusta (706) 447-1503

michaelsiewert.com

My purpose is to empower people to make smart design decisions on their own and to make a person aware when someone in the profession is necessary for a project.

Our clients choose us because the store is bursting at the seams with unique home furnishings not found elsewhere in Augusta. I love to refer to my inventory of furniture, rugs, chandeliers, lamps, art, home decor and fabulous gifts as “my pantry,” or a place where I can pull items from my curated collection and include them in projects for my clients.

My clients appreciate that I offer unique eye candy for the discriminating client.

When I’m not in the office/at work, I love to support our community. I am very active with the Augusta Symphony, Ronald McDonald House and a variety of other fundraisers.

Most people are surprised when they learn that I am well-known for my custom sewing projects such as window treatments, bedding and pillows.

RAMIRO GALVAN

3830 Washington Rd., #25, Martinez (762) 994-0483

My misson: My life mission is to leave a lasting legacy for my family through everything I do and inspire others to do the same

My motto: “In order to succeed, you’ll need to fail a few times.”

My purpose: As a self-made entrepreneur who built our businesses from scratch and with a few failures, I have a clear mission in life, which is to make a positive impact on the world through my business ventures.

I’m thankful for: I have my parents to thank because I learned the true meaning of hard work and perseverance from them.

I love what I do because I am constantly seeking new opportunities and ways to improve my businesses. I’m a risk taker.

Most people are surprised when they learn that I am driven by a passion for my work and a desire to create something meaningful. Not only am I motivated by financial gain, but also by the satisfaction that comes from building something that has a positive impact in our community.

TAQUERIA EL REY