CITIZENS OF THE YEAR

Cobb’s Citizens & Businesses of the Year

The Cobb Chamber’s Area Councils and the local business associations have selected their 2020 Citizens of the Year and Businesses/Members of the Year to honor those who have made our community a better place in which to live and work. The awards were announced late last year for the following communities:

Outstanding citizens

Acworth Citizen of the Year: Janet Paulsen, a speaker and advocate for domestic violence, is an engaged and active member of the Acworth Community who shows her passion for defending the defenseless in everything she does.

On the night of Nov. 5, 2015, Paulsen’s then-husband attempted to kill her by shooting her six times. The shooting left her in critical condition, with a spinal cord injury that paralyzed her right leg. After years of invasive surgeries and grueling physical therapy, she began working as a domestic violence advocate and public speaker. She fought to close a loophole in state law that allowed some domestic violence perpetrators to keep their firearms, a provision that could have prevented her attack. She has spoken at many engagements on domestic violence, including the liveSAFE Resources Domestic Violence Candlelight Vigil in 2017, and in 2020 was appointed by Governor Kemp to the Georgia Commission on Family Violence.

“Janet Paulsen’s survival story and her work to prevent domestic violence is truly inspiring,” says Sharon Mason, president and CEO of the Cobb Chamber. “She displays such bravery and commitment to ending domestic violence and she has made a lasting positive impact on her community.”

East Cobb Citizen of the Year: Mitch

Rhoden, president & CEO of Futren Hospitality, has been named East Cobb Citizen of the Year for his years of community service and stepping up to support his community during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, Rhoden spearheaded Operation Meal Plan, a small business and non-profit support initiative created to provide food to those in need, help local restaurants keep their workers employed, and provide a vehicle for citizens to help each other.

Supported through a community-backed fund, local restaurants received orders in increments of 25 meals, which they delivered to non-profit organizations around Cobb who serve meals as part of their missions. The restaurants were paid at unit cost from Operation Meal Plan. Through Operation Meal Plan, restaurants were able to keep their workers employed and Cobb’s local non-profits were able to provide food to those in need.

“Mitch Rhoden has been an outstanding leader for our community for more than 20 years,” said Mason. “In addition to leading a small business and chairing many key initiatives and organizations over the years, for 2020 in particular, Mitch has been a champion for helping our non-profits and small businesses stay afloat.”

Kennesaw Citizen of the Year: Cris Eaton-

Welsh, owner of Eaton Chiropractic, is a crucial fixture within the Kennesaw community. From sitting on the city council to founding the Swift Kids Running Club and the Kennesaw Grand Prix Race Series, Eaton-Welsh is passionate about promoting a healthy, happy and productive community. She was heavily involved in the fundraising efforts for Swift Cantrell Park, including championing its skate park, and served on the Cobb2020 Steering Committee to promote health in the county.

“Our community is lucky to have Cris Eaton-Welsh,” says Mason. “Cris is an outstanding community leader for Kennesaw. She has served on the city council, on many non-profit boards, and she works tirelessly to make Kennesaw a vibrant place to live, work and play.”

Marietta Citizen of the Year: Lisa Cross-

man, deputy director/director of public health with Cobb & Douglas Public Health, is the 2020 Marietta Citizen of the Year because of her tireless advocacy within the Cobb community. Crossman has personally served on the front lines, fighting COVID-19 from the very start. Through long hours and stressful circumstances, she has remained dedicated to keeping her community safe and healthy. At the beginning of the pandemic, she reached out to the nonprofit agencies in the area to answer questions and offer expert advice on how to meet the needs of those they serve. She set up a hotline, prioritized their team members

In front: Janet Paulsen, 2020 Acworth Citizen of the Year; Second Row (L-R): John Loud, 2020 Cobb Chamber Chairman; Sharon Mason, President and CEO of the Cobb Chamber; Janet’s two sons; District 1 Commissioner, Keli Gambrill; Tommy Allegood, Mayor of Acworth. Mitch Rhoden Left to right: John Loud, 2020 Cobb Chamber Chairman; District 1 Commissioner, Keli Gambrill; Cris EatonWelsh, Kennesaw Citizen of the Year; Sharon Mason, President and CEO of the Cobb Chamber; Derek Easterling, Mayor of Kennesaw.

for testing, and served as a resource to help them craft policies and procedures to continue safe and healthy operations. As testing became more challenging, she crafted a partnership with Metro Atlanta Ambulance to offer on-site testing at area non-profits for clients and staff.

Beyond her 2020 achievements, Crossman has been heavily involved in her community, including chairing and sitting on PTA groups, health committees and family planning organizations, among others. She has been heavily involved with Leadership Cobb, as well as pro-business organizations, heart health and child health councils, and the Cobb Chamber’s annual membership campaign.

West Cobb Citizen of the Year: Mary

Chatman, executive VP and president of Wellstar Health System’s Kennestone and Windy Hill Hospitals, has spearheaded the fight against COVID-19 throughout Cobb and Northwest Atlanta.

On a daily basis, she displays effective leadership, fiscal management, program development, quality improvement, and interdisciplinary collaboration — all crucial to Wellstar Health System’s organized fight against COVID-19.

“Mary Chatman is a deserving recipient of the West Cobb Citizen of the Year award,” said Mason. “She is serving on the front lines for Cobb, fighting COVID-19, and working with local leaders to help us through the pandemic challenges this year.”

Along with her work in healthcare, Chatman is deeply involved in Cobb County’s community life. She has volunteered with Girls Inc. and BUY Cobb, and serves on many local, state and national boards, including the Georgia Board of Nursing and the Georgia Hospital Association.

Business association awards

Acworth Business Association’s 2020

Business of the Year is the Acworth Police Department. The association said the Acworth PD navigated the un-chartered and sometimes choppy waters of this year with professionalism and steadiness. They continue to serve through a community-oriented philosophy, and not just a policy.

Acworth Business Association’s 2020 Per-

son of the Year is Becky Cross of the Northwest YMCA. The association said Cross has been a huge part of providing meals and other vital needs to 141,000 people.

East Cobb Business Association’s 2020 East

Cobb Business Person of the Year, is Jon Wittenberg, owner of Minuteman Press of Sandy Springs.

John Wittenberg; last year’s recipient, Butch Carter; and ECBA service award winner Jim Harris.

Cobb Chamber’s 2020 Small Business of the Year is Three-13 Salon, Spa & Bou-

tique of Marietta. Partners Lester Crowell Jr., Marian Crowell, and Joseph Tony Lacey have been operating this spa and salon for 46 years with a motto of “Be Your Best You.” They also host an annual “Angels of Life” event, which has raised awareness and $560,000 over the past nine years for The Georgia Transplant Foundation, an organization near and dear to managing partner Lester Crowell, whose own two heart transplants have given him new life and determination.

Three-13 Salon, Spa & Boutique

Kennesaw Business Association’s Business

of the Year is the Kennesaw Police Department for their unwavering community support during an unprecedented year.

Kennesaw Business Association’s Member

of the Year is JRM Management, which continues to support communities throughout Cobb County in new and innovative ways when its traditional business model of producing large, public events was put on hold.

Northeast Cobb Business Association’s

2020 Business Person of the Year is Andrew Graham, owner of Graham Heating and Plumbing. Graham’s impressive community record and quality of work are unsurpassed, the association says.

Michael Jensen (left), the 2020 and 2021 NCBA President, with Andrew Graham of Graham Heating and Plumbing, the NCBA Business Person of the Year.

West Cobb Business Association’s Member

of the Year is Kathy Winiarczyk. She is the business development officer at Credit Union of Georgia. Winiarczyk has been involved with WCBA for the past several Kathy Winiarczyk years and has volunteered in multiple roles on the leadership team. She will be stepping into the role of president for WCBA in 2021.

West Cobb Business Association’s Busi-

ness of the Year is ALL Print Marketing. ALL Print Marketing & Media Solutions is dedicated to delivering the highest quality products at the most affordable prices while providing an unsurpassed customer service experience. Their team has more than 40 years of experience in the industry and offers custom graphic design, dynamic print materials, banners and signage, as well as branding and marketing solutions. Members of WCBA since 2011, Samantha and Donnie Glass have served in many volunteer and leadership roles within the association. n

Editor’s note: Some local business associations were unable to celebrate and honor their members during 2020 due to the pandemic. We hope that this year, all of the organizations will have events and individuals to applaud.

Project 23Square

By Cory Sekine-Pettite

To characterize the City of Marietta as art-friendly would be an understatement. Residents and visitors alike are blessed with a plethora of performing arts centers, galleries, museums, public art displays, and annual arts celebrations. One outstanding example is Project 23Square, which was started by the Marietta Arts Council in 2018 to elevate the arts throughout all 23 square miles of the city. The Marietta Arts Council is a volunteer-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the artistic and cultural landscape of the City of Marietta through advocacy, education, and public art.

The impetus for Project 23Square began with the inaugural M2R TrailFest, which introduced a mural tour, sculpture garden, mile-long fence gallery, and numerous performances stretching along two miles of the downtown Marietta urban walking and biking trail known as the Mountain to River Trail. The Marietta Arts Council works with community leaders, the Marietta City Council, and representatives from each of the Wards of the City to identify appropriate areas for activation and installation. A dozen murals are currently on display, as well as two public art installations along the M2R Trail: The Bridge of Hope and The Bridge of Heroes. Additionally, the “Keys to the City” initiative features pianos painted by local artists.

“The arts are such a crucial part of the fabric of Marietta. We are fortunate to have a rich and diverse offering of visual arts, performing arts, and cultural arts in our city,” said Marietta Arts Council President Bonnie Buckner Reavis. “The Marietta Arts Council works diligently to engage the public with installations and immersive experiences that showcase the city’s assets and its people. We are thrilled to hear that so many visitors are drawn to Marietta because of the work we have been involved with. With only a few years under our belt, we are excited about what our continued efforts will bring to the Marietta art scene.”

The M2R Fence Gallery

The M2R Fence Gallery is a curated installation, which debuted trackside in downtown Marietta last May. Currently on view in Aviation Park in Town Center until Mar. 14, 2021, the exhibition then will travel to Smyrna where it will be on display until April 19.

The 2020 M2R Fence Gallery features more than 100 works of fine art and photography from over 50 artists, ranging from student artists to working artists. Images of the artwork have been printed on 30” x 40” weather-safe panels, thanks to the gallery’s production partner, MaxVision. Among the fine art and

photography on display is the M2R TrailFest, a colleca special exhibition from tion of outdoor sculptures photographer Justin Hadley is installed throughout city called “6 Feet From Friends: parks and common areas. A series of portraits taken The sculptures remain availduring the time of isola- able for public viewing for tion.” Capturing images of 60 days. Several local artists conversations from six feet have been part of previous away in a way that depicts sculpture tours and “Free how the human eye sees Art Scavenger Hunts” dura scene, Hadley says this M2R Fence Gallery ing M2R TrailFest. Bronze, project is about connecting wood, and steel sculptures — and reconnecting — and have been displayed in Atherhelping each other understand what we colored Lucite panels are affixed to the ton Square and outside local churches. are going through at once, together, and structure in a stunning display, utilizing And in 2019, Atlanta-based artist Catlanta alone. It is about getting to know people the colors associated with our first respond- designed and created 20 pieces of free art better and setting the precedent for how ers and healthcare heroes: red (fire), blue that he placed along the trail so that festiwe can remain better friends when we are (police), and purple (healthcare workers). val attendees could take home their own allowed to gather together again. Bridge of Hope — This pedestrian bridge memento from the day. Perhaps you were

Among the paintings on display are crosses the North 120 Loop at The Brumby lucky enough to find one! works by Anne Dosso, Bill Needs, Cristina Lofts. Multiple jewel-colored Lucite panels As you can see, there’s a great deal of Montesinos, Helen Hamerton, Judy Cooper, here also offer a glimmering spectacle. arts and culture to be found in and around Ronnie Offen, and more. Student submis- As light passes through the panels, those Marietta, and much of it can be seen outsions are on view as well. traversing the bridge will experience a doors where we are relatively safe and stained glass effect. Suspended overhead, socially distanced (as long as we are masked, Murals white doves made of recycled plastic evoke of course). So get out there this spring. If you have spent any time at all in down- a sense of hope, and have been dedicated Explore Marietta. Walk the Mountain to town Marietta, then you’ve likely seen some to the Marietta High School Graduating River Trail. Get some exercise and breath of the murals painted on many of the Class of 2020. some fresh air. It’s a safe bet that we all need area’s historic buildings. While some of Sculpture Tour — Each May, as part of more of this in our lives. n the murals are hard to miss — the colorful “Marietta” painting alongside the railroad tracks and trail at Thaicoon Restaurant — others are worth finding, such as the “May- Art Poles at Swift-Cantrell Park Retta” mural outside Two Birds Taphouse or Garden Art Poles honoring essential workers on the COVID-19 front lines the “Pétanque in the Twilight” at Douceur de France café and bakery. Currently, there are 12 murals scattered throughout downtown Marietta as part of Project 23Square. You can explore the area have been “planted” in Kennesaw’s Swift-Cantrell Park. The Kennesaw Art & Culture Commission (KACC) partnered with Kennesaw Parks & Recreation, and local artists to create five, colorful and eye-catching garden art poles. Each art pole is uniquely painted on a 4’ to 8’ yourself to see if you can spot them all, or tall 4”x4” wood post designed to thank essential workers and celebrate how you can visit the Marietta Arts Council’s the community has come together during the COVID-19 pandemic. website (mariettaartscouncil.com) to see “Art keeps us connected and strengthens our community. It is so the murals and pinpoint their locations. On important, especially in times of crisis,” said the site, you also can learn about each of the Madelyn Orochena, KACC chair and project artists who painted these beautiful works lead. “We are grateful for the strong and read about the inspiration behind each partnership with the City of Kennesaw and, mural. For example, did you know that especially, Kennesaw Parks & Recreation, Craig Stanley, the artist behind the “Mari- for their support and commitment to bring etta” wall at Thaicoon, has designed sets this project together.” and backgrounds for several TV programs The poles are prototypes for a larger and films? planned KACC initiative in partnership with the City of Kennesaw and Kennesaw Parks Other installations & Recreation Department for additional garden art poles to be planted Bridge of Heroes — This pedestrian bridge around the city. crosses the South 120 Loop near the intersection at Powder Springs Street. Multi-