Issuu

Roger Green, MSFS®, CFP® | Andrew Green, CFP®, AIF® Laura Green, COO

On the Cover:

Getting to Know Neighborhood Renovations and Training Program

By Kristen Eleveld

Back in 2012, Sean Barnes realized he had a mission: to help and train individuals who were struggling to learn important skill sets—particularly those young people on the autism spectrum or with other developmental delays. Now, Sean and his team are still going strong, providing much-needed learning opportunities to local teenagers and young adults in the Gwinnett area.

“I realized there was a greater need for individuals who have a need for training,” said Sean, who has been in the construction industry for over twenty years. “Especially those who may have autism or other struggles who would benefit from a skills training program.”

With this goal in mind, Sean created a training program that focuses on safety and important skills—and also provides home repair and construction for members of the underserved Gwinnett community.

The program builds skills from the ground up. First, each group works on safety. It’s critical for them to understand how to safely use tools and to follow safety protocols on every job site, which is why Sean always teaches these skill sets first.

Once each group has mastered the first step, Sean teaches them to build something small. From there, the group works on a shed—not only because it allows them to utilize the new skills they have just learned, but also because it teaches them basics of home building. With a roof, floors, walls, window openings, and more, building a shed prepares each group for the task of building a house as they gain more skills and knowledge.

And while the apprentices work in groups, they are given a lot of individual attention and focus to develop their skills based on their specific needs.

“We base our training on each person’s IEP or learning style,” Sean explained.

“And we keep the number of trainees in each group low to give everyone the best setting for learning.”

But Sean and his team aren’t done even after the trainees have learned a lot. That is when the rest of the work begins.

Sean and the Neighborhood Renovation team are all about finding families who need home repair or construction and providing those services at a greatly reduced cost—or even for free, depending on the circumstances. And for Sean, that is when the real purpose of everything he is trying to accomplish comes together.

“It’s a great partnership—a family has a need, and a trainee wants to learn skills,” said Sean. “After we repair the home, the family is happy, and the apprentices get skill training at the same time.”

If this sounds like a cause you want to be a part of, you and your neighbors can help. While places like Grace New Hope Church have been a huge help by offering their space for Sean and his team to use, they can still benefit from additional supplies. They also need more grants to support the program, and a way to purchase supplies while those grant applications are in progress.

Just as important, Neighborhood Renovation is looking for a facility that can act as a classroom or workshop. This will allow them to not only continue teaching their trainees important skills, but also assist them in working toward achieving their GED or graduating high school, if that is one of their goals.

If you want to learn how you can help, or just find out more about this amazing program, Sean is ready and waiting to answer all of your questions!

More information at https://www.neighborhoodrenovations.org/, neighborhoodrenovation@yahoo.com

Our Town

Gwinnett/NE DeKalb Community & Family Magazine — An EndResultz Media Company

Our Town Gwinnett is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Gwinnett/NE DeKalb area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town Gwinnett reserves the right to edit and/ or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town Gwinnett is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers.

Publisher/Owner

Dr. Ryan T. Sauers Ryan@EndResultz.com

Creative

Bruce Carlton

Cover

Catherine L. Osornio Feature

Contributing

Cover

IN THIS ISSUE

5 On the Cover: Getting to Know Neighborhood Renovations and Training Program

7 From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks

7 Pet Perch: Please Don’t Say Sorry

8 Lanier Islands Resort: Multi-Million-Dollar Room Refresh at Legacy Lodge

9 Three Ways to Look and Feel Your Best This Summer 10 Summertime Tips: Have a Safe and Healthy Summer

11 Remediate…A Word for Your Day

11 Mow to the Right Height for a Stronger, Healthier Lawn

13 One Man’s Opinion: Lanier Here, Near & Far

13 Navigate...A Word for Your Day

15 Up Close with Gwinnett Chamber

From the Publisher: Ryan’s Remarks

By Dr. Ryan T. Sauers

@RyanTSauers @RyanTSauers

Welcome to the 2026 Summer/Early Fall edition of Our Town. It’s hard to believe we’re already in the heart of summer. It feels like just yesterday we were discussing New Year’s resolutions, and now we’re enjoying longer days, warmer weather, vacations, family gatherings, and all the opportunities this season offers.

Summer often gives us a chance to slow down just enough to appreciate what matters most. In a world that constantly pushes us to move faster, achieve more, and stay connected 24/7, there is real value in stepping back to appreciate the people, places, and experiences that enrich our lives.

One of the things I love most about this community is its people. Every day, I have the chance to speak with business owners, community leaders, educators, first responders, volunteers, and residents who genuinely care about making a difference. They may not always seek recognition, but their efforts make our community stronger, more vibrant, and a better place to live, work, and raise a family. That is what Our Town has always been about.

For years, these publications have served as a platform to celebrate local businesses, share community stories, and highlight the individuals who make this area special. As technology continues to change how we communicate, one thing remains constant: people still value relationships. They still want to support local businesses. They still want to know what is happening in their community. Most importantly, they still want to feel connected.

I am incredibly grateful to our advertisers, partners, readers, and supporters, who continue to make this publication possible. Your support means far more than helping produce a magazine. It strengthens the connections that bring our community together.

As you enjoy the summer months, I encourage you to spend time with family and friends, support local businesses whenever possible, and take advantage of the many opportunities our area offers. Attend a local event. Try a new restaurant. Introduce yourself to a neighbor. Sometimes the smallest actions have the biggest impact.

As I often say, success is rarely about a single big moment. It is about consistently showing up, building relationships, and making a positive difference over time. Communities grow the same way. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your lives and your community. We appreciate your support, your trust, and your readership. As always, thank you for joining me on the journey of my town, your town, OUR TOWN!

Pet Perch:

Please Don’t Say Sorry

By Dr. Jenny Reesman

We all stand around a gray faced frail body lying on the table. She is petting his head, gingerly, but with firm reassurance that she is still there. He is looking over her shoulder, red eyes trying not to cry. I move slowly, giving way for the emotions and time to process each step. Then I hear those words.

“I’m so sorry,” she mutters as tears fall on his muzzle. “I’m so, so sorry, sweet boy.” When I hear those words as we are saying goodbye to a cherished friend, I am often taken back. I find myself wondering, why are you sorry?

I have been in practice long enough now that I have known many of the people who walk through the door for a decade or longer. I have been in the room on the first visit with a new friend, or the last visit with an old friend. We talk about our kids, families, travels, and lives. I hear stories about how their pets are part of their family. I know how much these pets are loved. So, when I stand in a room with a person, a couple, or a family that have dearly loved this sweet friend, and I have been privileged to hear about so many of the stories over the years, I wonder why you are sorry? You have spent time throwing the ball, hiking in the woods, meandering through the neighborhood, and cuddling on the couch. You are letting go, even though it hurts, because you love them enough to let them go when it is time. You have

Continued on page 9

Seen in Gwinnett

Emil’s Photos of the Month

Lanier Islands Resort: Multi-Million-Dollar Room Refresh at Legacy Lodge

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

Marking the first of many exciting developments on its shores in 2026, Lanier Islands Resort recently announced that the multi-stage renovation of its flagship hotel—Legacy Lodge—Is nearly complete. With a culture of continuous improvement and a multi-million-dollar investment, the Georgia lakeside destination enlisted the aid of de Sola Designs and Performance Construction Services to elevate the look and feel of its guest rooms. Since launching its first phase in 2024 and tackling the project floor by floor, the resort has already benefited many corporate, wedding, and leisure guests through the hotel-wide refresh.

Since its debut in 2008, Legacy Lodge has received numerous accolades, including multiple Travelers’ Choice Awards from TripAdvisor. The resort also earned its first Readers’ Choice Award from ConventionSouth magazine, and was named a Best of Georgia Vacation Destination by the Georgia Business Journal in 2025.

“Although we are proud to provide our guests with a variety of accommodation offerings throughout the resort, Legacy Lodge remains our crown jewel,” said President Matthew Bowling of Lanier Islands Resort. “From weddings in our Grand Ballroom or Legacy Pointe outdoor venue to meetings in our expansive Conference Center, many of our guests value the convenience of having rooms near our event spaces. Just as we strive to elevate each dining and event experience, we also seek to create an atmosphere where our guests feel entirely comfortable and rested. Each newly updated room embodies a lighter, brighter, more elevated escape. We took an on-trend monochromatic approach—painting the walls and trim in a pure white that creates an open feel, with accent walls in select rooms to add depth. We incorporated new mattresses and bedding, added 65” flatscreens, installed blackout blinds, new desks and chairs, and so much more. Installing French doors onto our balconies was the crowning achievement. Each truly complements the stunning lake views from roughly 75% of our rooms. We want our guests to feel transported, and we believe this design accomplishes that aim beautifully.”

Continued on page 10

Three Ways to Look and Feel Your Best This Summer

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

The hottest days of the year can create several seasonal beauty challenges. Here’s a head-to-toe guide to looking and feeling your best in summer:

Hair: Dry heat and humidity can cause hair problems, such as drying and frizzing. Whether you’re hitting the beach or pool or just enjoying the warm weather, giving your hair the care it deserves to stay hydrated and frizz-free is essential.

When enjoying the sun, try protective hairstyles such as buns, braids, and ponytails. These will reduce frizz while preventing damage from wind and humidity. One bonus benefit of these dos is that getting your tresses off your neck will also help keep you nice and cool.

Remember that just like drinking water hydrates your body, using the right shampoo and conditioner can replenish and protect dehydrated strands. Your shampoo and conditioner should clean well, replenish, smooth, and condition to fight frizz and lock in the right balance of moisture. given them this wonderful life over all these years. I understand how it hurts, having let go of my own cherished pets over the years that have been a part of my family. I understand the pain; how hard it is to make the decision. I understand the questions: Is it the right time? Is it too soon? Did I wait too long? Knowing that allowing a cherished pet to cross the rainbow bridge, even when it hurts, is a final gift. This gift is given with tears, hugs, gentle pats, and often laughs at memories and stories of times gone by. It is a decision made with so much love and courage, so please don’t be sorry.

Dr. Jenny Reesman is owner of Brookwood Animal Hospital. More information at https://brookwoodanimal.com/

Summertime Tips: Have a Safe and Healthy Summer

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

Summer is a great time to try new activities and get outdoors, but medical experts say it also brings with it unique risks.

“Regardless of where you are in your fitness journey,” says Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., M.P.H., president of the American Medical Association (AMA), “the warm weather months offer opportunities to reevaluate your wellness goals for the remainder of the year. But as you and your family get active, it’s important to prepare. Understanding water safety and sun safety and recognizing the signs of heat-related conditions are all critical.”

To help you enjoy a safe and healthy summer, the AMA offers these tips:

1. Be smart about sunscreen. When shopping, look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30. Also, understand that no sunscreen is waterproof, and you’ll need to reapply it every couple of hours and after exposure to water or sweat.

2. Ensure your family is up to date on vaccines. Double-check everyone’s vaccine status before summer travel or camp season. If you have questions, consult your physician.

3. Prioritize water safety. Ensure everyone in your family achieves water competency skills. Teach children to ask permission before going near water, have them and inexperienced swimmers or boaters wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, and, at the beach, always swim in lifeguarded areas.

4. Reduce your intake of processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Eat less red meat and processed meats, and add more plant-based foods to your diet, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil, nuts, and seeds. Also, reduce your consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and drink more water instead. Drinking sugary beverages, even 100% fruit juices, is associated with a higher all-cause mortality risk, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.

5. Take advantage of warmer weather and find ways to be physically active. Exercise is essential for your physical and mental health. Adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week.

6. While exercise is important, it’s essential to be smart about it. If exercising outside, avoid the early afternoon (noon to 3 p.m.) when it’s hottest. Drink water before, during, and after physical activity, and wear light-colored, lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing. Look for signs of heat exhaustion, including cool, moist, pale skin, heavy sweating, headache, nausea, and dizziness. CDC’s Heat Risk Dashboard informs how best to protect yourself when temperatures impact your health.

7. If consuming alcohol, do so in moderation as defined by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans: up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age.

8. Know your blood pressure numbers. It is critical to understand your numbers better and take necessary steps to control high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. Doing so will reduce your risk of heart attack or

stroke.

9. Use the Air Quality Index to check your community’s outdoor air quality. Smoke from wildfires and degraded air quality can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Children, those pregnant, and those with certain chronic conditions must be especially careful.

“If you have questions or concerns about summer-related health issues, now is a great time to talk to your physician,” says Dr. Ehrenfeld. (StatePoint)

Lanier Islands Resort:

Continued from page 8

In addition to the 216-room Legacy Lodge, Lanier Islands Resort features luxury accommodations along the shoreline of Lake Lanier at Legacy Villas and the LakeHouses at Legacy. The Villas feature six individually keyed rooms with a variety of floor plans and a central common area—making them a terrific option for corporate guests, golf groups, large families, and bridal parties. The 1,200 sq. ft. LakeHouses accommodate up to eight guests and feature ample gathering space, a fireplace, a kitchen, and a deck with a gas grill. This pet-friendly option proves popular for family getaways and weekend retreats with friends. Additional lodgings are available through Lanier Islands Resort partner, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, at its Camp Margaritaville RV Resort.

Beyond the room refresh at Legacy Lodge, the Lanier Islands Resort events team is also hard at work enhancing its event calendar to include a series of new festivals, concerts, and experiences. One of the first of those thoughtfully curated experiences is The Lights Fest where biodegradables and fire-resistant lanterns fill the night sky.

More information at www.LanierIslands.com.

Three Ways to Look and Feel Your Best

Skin: Unfortunately, summer activities and fashion choices can be associated with many skincare woes. After swim sessions, take a quick shower to rinse off chlorine and prevent sensitivity and dryness. Whether you go for a run or play pickleball, don’t sit around in your workout clothes afterward. Showering after sweat sessions of all kinds can help keep your skin clear of blemishes.

You may also be shaving more frequently in summer. Prevent razor burn with exfoliation and by using after-care products that soothe skin. Finally, when it comes to your long-term beauty and wellness, it’s essential to protect your skin with a broad-spectrum SPF. Doing so is not only good for you, but it can also help prevent the appearance of aging.

Nails: If you’ll be wearing sandals regularly this summer, you’ll want to treat your feet to pedicures so they look their best. Start any at-home pedicure session by soaking your feet in a bath prepared with Epsom salt or essential oils. Dry your feet, and then gently use a pumice stone to remove dried skin and calluses. After clipping and shaping your nails, consider painting them with clear nail polish for a finished look, or go bold with a bright summer color.

With a few tweaks to your beauty regimen, you can wholly embrace the summer while looking and feeling your best. I hope everyone is having a great summer and that these tips prove helpful to you. (StatePoint)

Remediate…A Word for Your Day

By Jane Bishop

“Imagine you are cleaning out the garden of your mind. It’s been neglected for some time and bad thoughts have begun to pollute the soil. Weeds have sprouted and flowers are struggling to thrive. Now, take a moment to pluck the weeds—the bad thoughts, the negative thoughts, the polluting thoughts—from your mind and replace them with thoughts of nourishment. Affirmations, self-confident/ empowering words, whatever those words may be for you, go ahead and plant those seeds now. You can see that life begins to grow again.” -Bailey B.

This was how a recent team meeting began for one of my business clients. Each month, two team members choose a word as a focus for growth and development. This month, the word was remediate.

Bailey B. continued, “Remediation is not just fixing what’s wrong, broken, or polluted, but restoring what’s possible. It’s a word that’s not about blame but about possibility. It’s about taking action to address any gaps, repair damage that has been done, and create a stronger foundation for the future.”

Her teammate, Reese W., continued with application. “Remediate in an educational context means to provide targeted, extra instruction to help students improve deficient skills. We want to remove and keep toxicity out of the workplace because we work with children and they see everything we do. We want to make sure we are always modeling a safe, nurturing, toxic-free environment for all of the children and their families that walk in our doors.” What makes remediate such a meaningful word is that it reaches far beyond one workplace or one profession. To remediate is to notice what is not working, name it, and choose to respond with intention rather than blame. It is a mindset of renewal. It asks: What needs attention? What needs healing? What can be restored so that something healthier can grow in its place?

For a team, remediate may mean repairing communication, addressing tension, rebuilding trust, or improving the habits and systems that shape the culture. For an individual, it may mean letting go of limiting thoughts, strength-

ening weak areas, seeking support, or taking one brave step toward growth. In either case, the invitation is the same: do not settle for what is broken when it can be made better.

Remediate reminds us that progress begins when we are willing to face what needs attention and take part in making it right.

Remediate feels like such a meaningful word since it does not ask us to be perfect; it asks us to be willing. Willing to reflect. Willing to repair. Willing to grow. And when people or teams embrace that posture, they make room for change, resilience, and hope.

More information at https://www.janebishoplive.com/

Mow to the Right Height for a Stronger, Healthier Lawn

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

How short to mow is a commonly debated topic, and getting it right is not only tricky but critical to a healthy lawn.

“The goal is to find the right height for the turf type,” says Exmark marketing manager Lenny Mangnall. “Mowing too low can over-expose your lawn to the sun, weakening the roots and creating the potential for a weed infestation. Mowing too high can lead to excess moisture buildup, creating a welcoming environment for pests and disease. On the other hand, grass mowed to the right height can most effectively use vital sunlight, rain, and nutrients to produce deeper, denser, stronger, and healthier blades.”

A video Exmark made to demystify lawn care explains that to strike the right balance, you should follow the golden rule of mowing: never cut off more than one-third of the blade at a time, even if your lawn is overgrown. While you may think you’re saving time, overzealous mowing does your lawn a disservice. Gradually lowering your blades to the desired height helps maintain a strong root system and a lush yard canopy.

Another consideration is grass type, with warm-season grasses and cool-season grasses falling into two mowing height ranges.

For warm-season grasses, like Zoysia and Bermuda, set your mower deck to its lowest setting, between 1 and 2 inches. These grasses thrive in scorching summer sun and can handle a lower height. If you have cool-season grass, like Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass, cut it a little higher, between 2.5 and 4 inches. These grasses are built for freezing winters and need some height as protection from the elements.

Continued on page 12

Mow

the

Right Height Continued from page 11

It’s also important to remember that over the course of a year, the mowing height within the recommended range for your grass type will change. Once springtime rolls around, lower your deck height by half an inch from your normal summer height. This encourages new growth.

During summer, mow at the higher end of your grass’s recommended range. Taller grass shades the soil, helping it retain the moisture needed to stay healthy and cool. In the fall, continue your normal summer routine, especially if you have warm-season grass. If you have a cool-season lawn, you might need to increase your mowing frequency, as it’s this grass type’s prime growing season.

For the last mowing session of the year, drop your mowing height by half an inch again. That brings you into winter, the perfect season for you and your lawn to rest. With most grass going dormant in winter, mowing isn’t typically necessary. So, take that time to do other activities and tasks you enjoy in the yard. In warmer climates, you can continue to mow, but cut back on the frequency to keep your lawn healthier.

Lawn care may seem complex, but with the right knowledge, you can cultivate a lush, thriving lawn this summer and beyond. (StatePoint)

One Man’s Opinion: Lanier Here, Near & Far

By Bill Crane

As an elementary school student, I stood staring with my siblings from the dock across the wa of a quiet cove on the Murrayville northern tip of Lake Sidney Lanier. My grandfather, William C. “Bud” Crane, was a man of many hobbies, in terests, and projects. He didn’t finish all of the proj ects, but you had to admire the ambition.

Navigate…A Word for Your Day

By Jane Bishop

Life is often called a journey, but do we consider the skills needed to navigate it? Navigation involves planning and directing to find a way through a complex system or situation. We need tools, i.e. life skills, to navigate daily life with clarity, confidence, and direction.

In this instance, Grampa Bud was baiting the hook of my first fishing line to dip into the lake and into the mouths of waiting bream. He told us of the Chestatee and Chattahoochee Rivers meeting to form what man had made into Lake Sidney Lanier (with an assist from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). Bud was finishing a lake cabin and dock of his own design and construction on a secluded cove at the northern end of Lake Lanier.

We can use navigators’ skills in life to guide life decisions. These skills can provide insights to move forward, adjust when needed, and stay aligned with a bigger picture. Consider these parallels for navigation skills to inspire your personal journey:

1. Reading a Map = Self-Awareness

Navigators use maps and compasses. In life, our map is our inner sense of values, vision, and purpose, i.e. our CORE. Self-awareness is key to understanding where we are, what matters most, and what direction feels true. This internal compass is required to avoid drifting through life so that we live with intention and direction.

2. Plotting a Course = Goal Setting

Our “other” usual family vacation spot in those days was Jekyll Island, which my grandparents, Mary and Bud Crane, also introduced us to. To reach Jekyll, you crossed the Sidney Lanier Bridge along U.S. Highway 17, connecting Brunswick, Georgia to the mainland, and then took a causeway to Jekyll Island. I was told, then and now, that it is the longest bridge span in Georgia. Who was this fellow named Sidney Lanier?

Decades later, the start of my own career would land me in Macon, Georgia, with a well-known CBS affiliate, WMAZ-TV 13, and Eyewitness News. And there again, the birth home and a museum named for the famed musician, author, and poet, Sidney Lanier. Lanier had been educated nearby in Milledgeville, then the location of Oglethorpe University. He served during the Civil War as a Confederate private in the Confederate Signal Corps and in the tidewater region of Virginia. The ship on which he served was captured in 1864, and Lanier served as a prisoner of war at Point Lookout in Maryland. He contracted tuberculosis in the POW camp and suffered greatly from TB for the rest of his life.

After a time in Alabama near Montgomery, Lanier became a lawyer and returned home to Macon. Though well regarded, Lanier long struggled to support his wife and three children. Failed careers as a flutist and musician were supplanted by poetry he would write for magazines and periodicals of the day. Among his greatest works are “The Marshes of Glynn” and “The Song of the Chattahoochee.” Though he lived only 39 years, Lanier left us quite a legacy.

Self-taught in reading and playing music, Lanier aspired to perform concerts on his flute. Though in demand and touring the nation, the flute was not the fiddle, and it was then also not quite a living. His poetry and other writings, which we would now view as a “side hustle,” were at times written with lyrics and music in mind, yet still primarily to pay the bills. Several of his poems were later set to music by others.

From “The Marshes of Glynn” And the sea and the marsh are one.

How still the plains of the waters be!

The tide is in his ecstacy.

The tide is at his highest height And it is night.

In more recent times, due to Lanier’s brief stint in the Confederacy, there was talk, primarily emanating from Washington, D.C., of renaming the great lake, that bridge, schools, and other honors paid to the poet and wordsmith. Lanier was not a general, nor an elected official. He was but a lowly private, called to duty and fighting on behalf of his family, for his homeland. Thankfully, that prattle did not last long. The U.S. Army Corps finally announced in the spring of 2023 that it was pausing plans to rename Lake Lanier and Buford Dam, both named for former Confederates. Buford was a Confederate colonel and later president of the railroad, which led to the creation of the town of Buford.

I live in an area named Scottdale, named for another Confederate colonel, George Washington Scott, who led one of the Confederacy’s final victories in battle—saving Tallahassee, Florida, from fall and capture—just one week prior to the Treaties of Appomattox.

I am grateful—as my own grandsons approach the age of their first fishing pole, or when we walk on the beaches of Georgia’s Golden Isles—that I can still look forward to telling them of a man who lived less than forty years, yet has Georgia’s largest lake, longest bridge, and much else named in his honor, despite rising from the humblest of circumstances.

Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com

A skilled navigator charts a course. Likewise, setting clear goals gives life structure. Goal setting connects today’s actions to tomorrow’s outcomes.

3. Adjusting to Weather = Adaptability

Storms and detours are inevitable. Navigation—and life—require flexibility. When things don’t go as planned, resilience helps you stay grounded. Rather than resisting change, choose to adapt and adjust while keeping your purpose in sight.

4. Using Landmarks = Seeking Guidance

Navigators rely on landmarks, lighthouses, and signals. Who are your life landmarks? Mentors, feedback, and supportive communities are examples. When the path is unclear, wise counsel can help you reorient.

5. Making Mid-Course Changes = Problem Solving

Even with the best plans, conditions shift. Navigation teaches us that it’s not failure to change direction—it’s wisdom. Learning to reassess and make thoughtful decisions is a key life skill that turns setbacks into steppingstones.

Continued on page 15

Owner, Nate McMichael

Up Close with Gwinnett Chamber

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

The Gwinnett Chamber has been nationally certified by Great Place to Work® for the first time in the organization’s history. The recognition is based on employee feedback from the Great Place to Work Trust Index® Survey, which measures team culture and employee experience. The survey found that 91% of Gwinnett Chamber employees say the organization is a great place to work, compared with 65% in the average U.S. workplace.

“This recognition reflects the culture our team has intentionally built, grounded in trust and a shared commitment to serving the Gwinnett business community,” said Nick Masino, President and CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett.

“Our staff works every day to champion business in the region. When we invest in our people and empower them to lead, that culture translates directly into stronger service and greater impact for the companies and communities we represent.”

Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors proven to drive market-leading revenue, employee retention, and innovation.

“Great Place to Work Certification™ is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent, intentional dedication to the overall employee experience,” said Sarah Lewis-Kulin, Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place to Work®. “Certification is the only official recognition earned directly from real-time employee feedback about a company’s workplace culture. Earning this recognition demonstrates that the Gwinnett Chamber stands out as one of the top organizations to work for, providing a strong workplace environment for its employees.”

The certification reflects the Chamber’s commitment to cultivating a strong workplace culture and delivering measurable results for the Gwinnett business community. Over the past year, the organization expanded employee

benefits and professional development opportunities and advanced membership services, programs, and initiatives to support economic growth across the region. The Chamber’s advocacy team led a business-focused campaign supporting the renewal of the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (E-SPLOST). At the same time, Partnership Gwinnett, the Chamber’s economic development arm, facilitated approximately $396 million in private capital investment across target industries. The Gwinnett Chamber Foundation also expanded programs to help small businesses obtain certifications and compete for larger procurement opportunities.

“As someone who has worked closely with the Gwinnett Chamber for years, this recognition reinforces what many of us experience firsthand,” said Kim Hartsock, Partner-in-Charge of Warren Averett’s Atlanta office and 2026 Chair of the Gwinnett Chamber Board of Directors. “The Chamber’s team consistently demonstrates professionalism and a deep commitment to the business community. This certification affirms the strength of the organization and why so many leaders across the region continue to invest their time and resources in its work.”

The Great Place to Work Certification™ is the latest in a series of accolades for the Gwinnett Chamber. The organization earned Five-Star Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber in 2022, was named Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in 2023, opened its newly renovated headquarters in 2024, and received its five-year certification from the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in 2025.

Earning the Great Place to Work Certification™ in 2026 further strengthens the organization’s national and global reputation and reinforces its commitment to organizational excellence.

More information at https://gwinnettchamber.org.

Navigate...A Word for Your Day

Continued from page 13

Navigating life isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about being willing to move, to adjust, and to trust the process. The more you practice these navigation-style life skills, the more equipped you’ll be to steer your life with purpose.

So, stop, pause, and think. Check your inner compass. Adjust your route if needed and move forward—not perfectly, but intentionally. That’s what it means to effectively navigate life.

More information at www.janebishoplive.com.