Columbia County Chamber of Commerce First Quarter 2020 Newsletter

CHAMBER COLUMBIA COUNTY · GA

2020 Quarterly Newsletter First Quarter Edition

Career & College Expo | Annual Banquet Winners | 2020 Board | Executive Luncheon

COLUMIA COUNTY CHAMBER GROVETOWN-HARLEM OFFICE The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce has expanded its efforts and opened a Grovetown-Harlem office in Grovetown. This new location strengthens the Chamber’s presence and offers a second location in the heart of our county’s growth. The Grovetown-Harlem office is located at 229 W. Robinson Avenue, Grovetown, GA adjacent to the SRP Federal Credit Union Branch Office.

A new chamber employee along with current staff will man the office. There will be rotating committee meetings hosted at this office, while also hosting dedicated new programs and initiatives for that area.

For example, 12@12 is a program where 12 members meet at lunch with the Chairman of the Board to discuss their needs and how the Chamber may help. This additional office space allows the Chamber to serve as an information center for new residents as well.

Tammy Shepherd, President/CEO, expressed enthusiasm about the new location, stating “The City of Grovetown, City of Harlem and surrounding areas continue to see tremendous growth.

Business follows rooftops, and as a business organization, we want to be in the center of that growth to service our current and future members.”

“This new Grovetown-Harlem Chamber office uniquely positions us to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of our rapidly growing community. The Cyber Command move is a once-in-a-century event for our community, and the Chamber stands ready to lead our region into the next decade,” Reagan Williams, Chairman of the Columbia County Chamber Board of Directors.

To celebrate the opening of this new office, the Columbia County Chamber held a ribbon cutting on Friday, February 21st.

The Grovetown- Harlem locations has four individual offices and one conference room.

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UPCOMING EVENTS Executive Luncheon Series Wednesday, March 18 11:30- 1:00 p.m.

Savannah Rapids Pavilion

Speaker: Chris Clark President/CEO Georgia Chamber of Commerce “Top 10 Global Trends Impacting Georgia” $30 Member | $40 Non-Member

Chamber After Hours Monday, March 30 4:30- 7:00 p.m.

Audi of Augusta (Formly Gerald Jones Audi) Ribbon Cutting will begin at 4:30 and follow with the Chamber After Hours

Sponsored by:

Networking For Leads Tuesday, May 5 11:30- 1:00 p.m.

Chamber Office

Post Legistlative Breakfast Wednesday, May 6 7:30- 9:00 a.m.

Savannah Rapids Pavilion Membership 101 Thursday, May 21 4:00- 5:00 p.m.

Chamber Office 1000 Business Boulevard Evans, GA

To register for any of these events, visit www.columbiacountychamber.com, under the events tab.

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CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE DIAMOND LEVEL

PLATINUM LEVEL

GOLD LEVEL

the claiborne AT W E S T L A K E

A PREMIER RETIREMENT COMMUNIT Y

SILVER LEVEL

BRONZE LEVEL Alfred Benesch & Company • Bio-Life Plasma Services • Bojangles • Brandon Wilde Lifecare Community • Camellia Walk • Carter Koenig Photography • Cintas • Classic Collision • Colony Bank • Convergent Outsourcing • Corsica Technologies • Cranston Enginering Group • Duckworth Development, LLC • F&M Bank • First Community Bank • FLSmidth-AFT Operations • Fulcher Hagler LLP • Harlem Family Dental • IntelliGenesis • JANUS Research Group, LLC • JH Cleveland Construction • Maner Builders Supply Co. • Marshall Pines Alzheimers Care • Metova • Mulherin Lumber • Murphy Auto Group • Papa John’s • Peach State Federal Credit Union • PlanDwell, Inc./ Stone & Story, LLC • Perfect Health • Premier Networx • Pruitt Health Hospice • Reeves Construction Company • Security Onion Solutions, LLC • Sitel • Sonic Drive-In • Southeastern Development • Southern Beverage • Sparkle Express Car Wash • SunTrust Bank • Total Comfort Solutions • US Battery

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! Hagler Group Web: hagler.group Georgia Cuts Web: georgiacuts.com Xytex Cryo International Web: xytex.com New South Construction Web: newsouthconstruction.com American Financial Network Web:afncorp.com/davidholdeman Small Venue Ticketing dba Dance Recital Ticketing Web: dancerecitalticketing.com Heartland Payments Systems Web: heartlandpaymentsystems.com

(January 2020 through March 2020)

Mobile Mentors, LLC Web: mobilementors.co

J. Brian King, Attorney at Law Web: BusinessAttorneyLaw.com

D & R Chiropractic at Harlem Web: dandrchiropractic.com

Tangles of Evans, LLC Web: Tanglesofevans.com

Making Ends Meet Bargain Center Web: julies-house.org

Market House Realty Web: markethouserealty.com

Enterprise Holdings Web: Enterprise.com

CSRA Photography Inc Web: csraphotography.com

Uniti Fiber Web: uniti.com

Jim Courson Realty- Pamela Lightsey Web: coursonrealty.com

Empowering Leaders Academy Web: empoweringleaders.academy

SOFTACT Solutions Web: softactsolutions.com Burn Boot Camp- Grovetown Web: burnbootcamp.com/grovetown-ga

Burn Boot Camp- Grovetown Web: burnbootcamp.com/grovetown-ga

Club Pilates Web: clubpilates.com/evans French Market Grille West Web: frenchmarketwest.com Bechtel National Inc. Web: bechtel.com Burn Boot Camp- Evans Web: burnbootcamp.com/evans-ga Davidson Heritage Investments, LLC Jim Courson Realty Web: coursonrealty.com

MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES ADVERTISE WITH US: The Chamber is currently looking for sponsors for its E-News and quarterly newsletter publications. If you’re interested in promoting your company or business, contact Olivia Reich, Communications Manager at 706-651-0018. Act Now! SHARING IS CARING: Got an important announcement, or an upcoming event? Maybe you just want to toot your own horn a little bit?

Share Your Company News with us! Let us know what you’ve got going on and we’ll share it with our 1000+ business members. Learn more at columbiacountychamber.com/Share-your-Company-News 5

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15th Annual Banquet The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce hosted its 15th Annual Awards Banquet on Thursday, Feb. 6 at the Columbia County Exhibition Center. With an estimated attendance of over 550 local, state and federal business leaders, the event celebrated and saluted the Chamber’s accomplishments of 2019, with a look ahead to a prosperous 2020. Chamber President/CEO Tammy Shepherd, along with 2019 Board of Directors Chairman Ed Burr of University Health Care Systems, presented the awards for Ambassador of the Year and Volunteer of the Year, respectively, to Sherry Sanders of Blanchard & Calhoun Real Estate, and David Przedecki of Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Washington Road-Augusta.

A highlight of the evening was the ceremonial passing of the flag of leadership from outgoing Chairman Burr to 2020 Chairman Reagan Williams, Senior Vice President with Meybohm Real Esate.

Ed Burr (Right), 2019 Chairman, passing the flag to incoming 2020 Chairman, Reagan Williams (Left)

During the program, the Chamber presented several prestigious awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award. Given annually since 2005, the Lifetime Achievement Award seeks to honor one leader of our community for his or her professional and philanthropic achievements. This year’s award winner, Mr. Rick Crawford, with Security Federal Bank.

Additionally, the Chamber named Blanchard & Calhoun Real Estate Co., Blanchard & Calhoun Insurance Co. and Augusta Mortgage Co. as Large Business of the Year and MEGAH SoftWash was tabbed the Small Business of the Year. The Leadership Columbia County Alumni Award went to COL Bobby Christine, US Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

15th Annual Banquet 6

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Congratulations to our 2019 Award Winners!

2019 Volunteer of the Year Award Winner David Przedecki Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton- Augusta

2019 Ambassador of the Year Award Winner Sherry Sanders Blanchard & Calhoun Real Estate

2019 Leadership Columbia County Alumni Award Winner COL Bobby Christine US Attorney for the Southern District of GA

2019 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Mr. Rick Crawford Security Federal Bank

2019 Small Business of the Year Award MEGAH SoftWash

2019 Large Business of the Year Award Blanchard & Calhoun Real Estate, Blanchard & Calhoun Insurance and Augusta Mortgage

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Applications for the Class of 2021 are out NOW!

Participants must be rising sophomores or juniors in Columbia County public high schools, private schools or home schooled. The program runs on a school calendar, August to April, meeting once a month. Some of the class days include: Healthcare Day, Day at the Georgia Capitol, History Day and Team Building Day.

Deadline for applications is April 1st For more information about applying, contact Olivia Reich at olivia@columbiacountychamber.com

Applications are on our website at columbiacountychamber.com under the Programs tab

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INTRODUCING THE YOUNG WOMEN ON THE WAY CLASS OF 2020

Alyssa Summers, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Lena Jones, Gerald Jones Auto Group Jamie Scala, SME CPAs Jessica Waters, Elliott Davis, LLC Nicole Salazar, Looper Cabinet Company Lizzie Perbetsky, Anderson, Atkins & Company, CPAs, PC Rachel Lappe, ADP Natalie Hudson, ADP LaTeayrra Tyus-Jenkins, ADP Elizabeth Rush, ADP Meagan Rogers, ADP Elise Beazley, Bill Beazley Homes Molly Wright, Westminister Schools of Augusta Shannon Sombar, Xytex Cryo International

Jessica Reid, Therapy Trails Kerri Byrd, SRNS Fancy Peterson, Columbia County Community Connections Brandi Young, Keller Williams Realty- Augusta Partners Catherine Hardy, Augusta University Megan Riley, Spherion Staffing Services Mentors Michelle Piper, Chair, Queensborough National Bank & Trust Caroline Ashe, Ivey Homes Dr. Faye Hargrove, The Better Choices Group JoAnn Herbert, Herbert Homes Angi Brock, Cleveland Group CPAs

INTRODUCING THE YOUNG MEN ON THE MOVE CLASS OF 2020

Benjamin Barmore, Barmore Hammond, LLC Hugh O’Brien, Reeves Construction Company Paul Hendrix, Keller Williams Realty-Augusta Partners Taylor Floyd, Dawnson, Taylor & Company Alex Pugh, CSRA Alliance for Fort Gordon Dalton Self, Jani-King of Augusta Drew Caudle, American Family Insurance Sean Bayer, University Healthcare System Andrew Boley, SRP Federal Credit Union

Matthew Smith, Augusta University Josh Maddox, SME CPAs Collin Beazley, Bill Beazley Homes Mentors David Przedecki, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Augusta Robbie King, Empowering Leaders Academy Michael Perry, Catalyst Executive Advising & Development Erik Smith, Chick-fil-A Grovetown Robert Kelly, Augusta Staffing 9

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INTRODUCING THE 2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Reagan Williams Ed Burr Chairman Immediate Past Meybohm Real Chair Estate University Health Care Systen

Caroline Ashe Ivey Homes

Adam Williams Chair Elect The Cleveland Group CPAs

Bill Bates Dorothy Brandon Savannha River Security Federal National Bank Laboratory

Jordan Pierce Treasurer First Community Bank

Kerry Bridges Georgia Power Company

Yvonne Meeks Secretary SRP Federal Credit Union

Pat Brown John Deere Commercial Products

Robert Kelly At-Large Augusta Staffing

Wendy Perry At-Large Catalyst Executive Advising & Development

Norman Fountain Adam Harris The Fountain Queensborough Experience Nationa Bank & Trust

Chamber Staff

Mark Herbert Herbert Homes, Inc.

Russell Keen Augusta University

Dee Dee Kurilla Kamo Manufacturing and Supplies

Elizabeth Lamb Doctors Hospital

Tammy Shepherd President/CEO

Tiffany Heitzman Vice President

Darrell Butler Membership Relations Manger

Don Lawrence D.C. Lawrence Real Estate, LLC

Rick Logsdail Nutritional Resources, Inc/ Healthwise

Beth McLeod Fulcher Hagler, LLC

Carey Miller Blanchard & Calhoun Real Estate

Olivia Reich Communications Manager

Beth Frits Ashley White Baronda Leogrande Leadership Programs Workforce Development Member Services Coordinator Manager Coordinator

Sarah Hare Bookkeeper

Joe Tate Singh Investment Group

Sabrina Griffin Programs & Events Director

Kelly Starkey Administrative Assistant

OFFICES 1000 Business Boulevard 229 W. Robinson Avenue Evans, GA 3080 Grovetown, GA 30813

Janeabeth Wells Columbia County Board of Commissioners

706-651-0018 phone 706-651-0023 fax ColumbiaCountyChamber.com

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WORKFORCE & EDUCATION FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

CHAIR: Phyllis Salazar, First Community Bank IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR: Beth Pence, AlphaGraphics VICE CHAIR: Norman Fountain, The Fountain Experience TREASURER: Matt Forshee, Georgia Power SECRETARY: Ralph Alee, Augusta University BOARD: Rob Clifton, SD Clifton Construction Vance Henry, Total Comfort Solutions Carrie Hodges, South State Bank Sean Petro, Columbia County Schools Tammy Shepherd, Columbia County Chamber Stephan Swafford, Right At Home

In accordance with its by-laws, the Columbia County Chamber Foundation is established and sustained for charitable and educational purposes, civic, community, and economic projects and other endeavors as may be approved from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Foundation has been created to develop, sponsor and provide educational programming, develop and foster a high level of civic concern, community development, and activity on the part of participants in any Foundation program(s).

2020 STUDENTS IN BUSINESS

The Columbia County Chamber Foundation hosted its annual Students in Business Day on Friday, January 24, sponsored by SRP Federal Credit Union.

The Students in Business program was created as part of the Chamber Foundation’s Workforce and Education initiative. The program sent over 90 students from Columbia County’s five public high schools into the work sector, based on their selection of six career pathways (Automotive/Welding/Electric; Business/ Marketing/Communications; Cyber; Healthcare; Law/Justice/Emergency Services and Manufacturing/Construction/STEM). Teens were able to witness first-hand the daily operations of businesses related to their field of study.

The students’ day began when they were bused from their school to Columbia County School District Office, where they were welcomed by Chamber President and CEO Tammy Shepherd. They visited as many as three businesses throughout the course of the day. Upon arriving back at the school, one designated student from each career pathway shared his or her discoveries from the tours.

Businesses that participated in this year’s SIB Day included : Textron, SD Clifton Construction, University Health Care, The Claiborne at Westlake, Classic Collision Grovetown, GIW Minerals, Georgia Power, SRP FCU, TaxSlayer, WJBF, Gold Cross, Sheriff’s Training Center, Rural Sourcing and IntelliGenesis.

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