Columbia County Chamber Q4 2019 Newsletter

DRIVING THE COMMUNITY

issue 4

WINTER 2019

FIVE STAR ACCREDITED INSIDE EXECUTIVE LUNCHEON | GOLF TOURNAMENT | HOLIDAY AFTER HOURS | ANNUAL BANQUET

U.S CHAMBER AWARDS COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER WITH 5-STAR ACCREDITATION

The United States Chamber of Commerce, at its board meeting in November, awarded the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce with 5-Star Accreditation for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community. The Chamber was presented the award by Moore Hallmark, South East Executive Director of the US Chamber of Commerceat the Executive Luncheon on November 13th.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

Local chambers are rated Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars. State chambers are recognized as either Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members.

In a press release sent by the US Chamber state,“It is critical that business leaders have a voice in the debates that will shape the business climate in their communities.” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, U.S. Chamber vice president of Federation Relations and Institute for Organization Management. “Accreditation recognizes a chamber’s work to foster a healthy business climate that enhances the quality of life for its members and its community.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement. In order to receive Accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, and technology. This extensive self-review can take 6-9 months to complete.

Accreditation Statistics, November 2019 Of the 7,000 chamber in the United States, 217 of these are Accredited. *These elite chambers represent the top 3% of all Chambers in the United States

“It’s an honor to be recognized as the top 1% of over 7,000 Chambers in the U.S., with only 128 Chambers earning 5-stars. In Georgia, only 14 Chambers are accredited, one accredited, three 4-star and eight 5-star,” said Tammy Shepherd, IOM, President/CEO, Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.

The national local and metro chamber Accreditation statistics are as follows:

Local chambers are rated Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars. State chambers are recognized as either Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members.

• • • •

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9 are Accredited 15 are 3-Star 59 are 4-Star 128 are 5-Star

MAGAZINE OF THE COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce hosted the final installment of its 2019 Executive Luncheon Series on November 13 at Savannah Rapids Pavilion.

Tammy Shepherd, President & CEO of the Columbia County Chamber, along with Matt Schlachter, Deputy County Manager of the Columbia County Board of Commisioners and Shelly Blackburn, Executive Director of the Columbia County Convention and Visitors Bureau spoke on “Future Economic Drivers.�

Mark your Calendars!

Tentative 2020 Executive Luncheon Dates March 18 June 10 August 19 November 18

Be on the look out for your invitation!

Small Business of the Year Award Nominations, Large Business of the Year Award Nominations, and Lifetime Achievement Award Nominations are also available at ColumbiaCountyChamber.com

cordially invites you to attend the

FIFTEENTH ANNUAL

BANQUET

Thursday, February 6, 2020 4:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception & Premier Business Showcase 6:30 p.m. Dinner Meeting & Awards Presentation Columbia County Exhibition Center, Grovetown Business Attire Chamber Members: $75 Corporate tables available

Enclosed reservation form must be returned by January 24, 2020 Presented by

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MAGAZINE OF THE COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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

S OU T H E A S T E R N DEVELOPMENT

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BROKERAGE

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C O N S U LT I N G

BRONZE LEVEL Alfred Benesch & Company • Bio-Life Plasma Services • Bojangles • Brandon Wilde Lifecare Community • Camelia Walk • Carter Koenig Photography • Cintas • Classic Collision • Convergent Outsourcing • Corsica Technologies • 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 Building 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 • Sherman & Hemstreet • Sonic Drive-In • Southern Beverage • Sparkle Express Car Wash • SunTrust Bank • Total Comfort Soluitons • US Battery • Yancey Rents • Zaxby’s

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MAGAZINE OF THE COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! (October 2019 through December 2019)

CrossLink Consulting Web: crosslinkconsulting.net

Georgia Army National Guard Web: goguard.com

7 Seas Medical Spa Web: 7seasmedspa.com

Communications Assurance Group LLC Web: commoassurance.com

The Fountain Experience Web: the-fountain-experience.business.site/

Augusta Merchant Services Web: augustamerchantservices.com

Winsay, Inc.

Puppers, LLC Web: puppersgrooming.com

College HUNKS Hauling Junk and Moving Web: collegehunkshaulingjunk.com/augusta

A Tad Creative Production Web: ATadCreativeProduction.com

Simons Formal Wear Web: simonsformalwear.com

Southern Willow Market Web: southernwillowmarket.com

Veterans Pressure Washing Web: veteranspw.com

The Better Choices Group, LLC Web: betterchoices.guru

Classic Collision- Grovetown Web: classiccollision.net

iCare4, Inc Web: icareforthevoiceless.org

Bretts Bistro Web: brettsbistro.com

Hunter Rhodes, LLC Web: hunterrhodes.com

Cotton & Chic The Farhouse Boutique

Property Partners Web: propertypartners.company

Panera Bread Company Grovetown Web: panerabread.com

Gateway Crossing Luxury Apartment Homes Web: thegatewaycrossing.com

Events Unlimited and Five Star Catering

Northwest Exterminating Web: callnorthwest.com

Tuff Shed Web: tuffshed.com

Source Code Escape Games Web: sourcecodeescape.com

Matthews Motors Web: matthewsmotors.co

Baron HR Web: baronhr.com

Couch Consulting Web: couchconsultingllc.com

Greatful Designs Landscaping

Eclipse Marine @ Clarks Hill Marina Web: clarkshillmarina.com

Meybohm Realtors- Delresa Rollerson Web: meybohm.com

Legalshield- Elvin Stacy Web: elvinj.wearelegalshield.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 Coordinator, 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

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MAGAZINE OF THE COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

WORKFORCE & EDUCATION 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 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Foundation has been created to CHAIR: Beth Pence, AlphaGraphics develop, sponsor and provide educational programming, develop and foster a high IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR: Jordan Pierce, First Community Bank level of civic concern, community development, and activity on the part of particiVICE CHAIR: Phyllis Salazar, First Community Bank pants in any Foundation program(s).

FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

TREASURER: Stephan Swafford, Right at Home BOARD: Matt Forshee, Georgia Power Norman Foundation, University of Phoenix Vance Henry, Total Comfort Solutions Carrie Hodges, South State Bank Sean Petro, Columbia County Schools Tammy Shepherd, Columbia County Chamber

2019 PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY

The Chamber Foundation hosted its annual Principal For A Day event, sponsored by Atlanta Gas Light, on Thursday, November 19

An immersive learning experience for the business community, Principal For A Day pairs local business and community leaders with principals at participating Columbia County schools. Participants will spend the day shadowing the principal and gaining a deeper knowledge of the realities of public and private school leadership. This year, the Chamber Foundation will place an executive in each of Columbia County’s 32 public schools, two private schools and one charter school on November 19.

Principal For A Day, an initiative of the Columbia County Chamber Foundation, is designed to bridge the gap between local schools and employers. Goals of the initiative include: • To increase awareness and understanding among individuals in the private sector of the strengths and challenges of schools in Columbia County • To demonstrate the private sector’s commitment to ensuring a quality public education for all students • To form ongoing partnerships between individuals/businesses and Columbia County Schools

UPCOMING WORKFORCE & EDUCATION: JANUARY 24TH

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MAGAZINE OF THE COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Location: Columbia County Exhibition Center 212 Partnership Dr Grovetown, GA 30813

2020 Columbia County Career & College Expo MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND PARENTS

Attendance fromlast year was over 3,600 people!

Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 4:00 PM- 8:00 PM Expo for Students & Parents

Focused Career Sectors

Manufacturing / Transportation / Supply Chain / Logistics Electric / Welding / Construction / Fabrication / Carpentry Healthcare / Sports Med/ Vet Medicine Emergency Medical Response Film/ Graphics / Communications Criminal Justice / Law Enforcement / Military Computer / IT / Cyber Early Childhood Education

Breakout Sessions

Careers in Manufacturing Careers in Healthcare Careers in Nuclear / Energy Careers in Cyber / IT Careers in Automotive Dual Enrollment Financial Aid HOST

The event's purpose is to educate both students and parents on the vast career opportunities available. The initiative will align the educational, technical, and the trade sectors with the businesses showing parents and students the pathways to obtain a future quality career.

JOIN COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES AND OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES TO SHOWTHE PATHWAY TO A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE CAREER Free admission for students & parents Registration begins on Jan. 13, 2020 online at www.columbiacountychamber.com or at door.

For more information, contact the Columbia County Chamber office at 706-651-0018 or sabrina@columbiacountychamber.com

TITLE DONOR

PREMIER DONORS

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MAGAZINE OF THE COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

15 Annual

Presenting Sponsor

Corporate Sponsors

Premier Sponsors

TOURNAMENT

Putting Green Sponsor: Silver Palm Catering Company; Driving Range Sponsor: Petsch Respiratory Services; Beverage Cart Sponsor: Sherman and Hemstreet Real Estate Company; Hole Sponsors: Allegra Marketing, Print, Mail - Image 360, Cadence Bank, Classic Collision, Enoch Tarver Law Firm, Georgia Power, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Washington Road – Augusta, Spherion Staffing Services, Kendrick Paint and Body, Mellow Mushroom, Murphy Auto Group, Myers Family Dental, Premier Networx, Sherman and Hemstreet Real Estate Company, Sig Cox Heating and Air Conditioning, Sizemore, Inc., Southern Beverages – Springtime, Textron Specialized Vehicles, The Prather Company, Top Shelf Cigar & Tobacco Shoppe

Morning Flight Winners

Afternoon Flight Winners

1st

1st

Alphonso Ashford, David Bullington, Mark Wilby, Will Caywood

Rob Bissell, Larry Moore, Bobby Walker, Jered Macky

2nd

2nd

Walter Massengale, Gerald Robinson, John DeFoor, Beasley Media Group

Skip Griffin, Don Powers, Tommy Powers, Branford Thompson

Robbie Moore, Brad Thomas, Les Vernon, Ash Smith

Cody Smith, Sean Ledford, Brent Smith, Jarod Holmes

3rd

3rd

Thank you volunteers for your time and commitment to the 15th Annual Golf Tournament: Amanda Clements Drake, C&C Automotive; Andrea Digges; Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Washington Road - Augusta; Andrew Tyson, Megah Pressure Washing; Angi Brock, The Cleveland Group, CPAs; Bea Sanders, Concerned Women, Inc.; Chelsey Davis, Holiday Inn Augusta West; David Przedecki, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Washington Road – Augusta; DeeDee Kurilla, Kamo Manufacturing and Supplies; Dorothy Brandon, Security Federal Bank; Elizabeth Cathey, Holiday Inn Augusta West Glenn Campbell, Proforma Premier Solutions; Jeremie Freck, The Claiborne at West Lake; Johnny Harmon, AT&T; Kate Gary, Jim Whitehead; Kim Grimes, Hope House Augusta; Larry Lynn, Allegra Marketing, Print, Mail - Image 360; Laura Brown, Madison Heights Memory Care Community; Megan Moye, Meybohm Real Estate; Samantha Stough, Costco Wholesale; Sandy Helling – Girls Scouts of Historic Georgia; Shelly Wilson, Warren Baptist Church; Yari Natal, Augusta GreenJackets Baseball; Yvonne Meeks, SRP Federal Credit Union

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MAGAZINE OF THE COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

UPCOMING EVENTS Second Thursday of Each Month January 9, February 13 4:00- 5:00 PM Chamber Office Thursday, February 6, 2020 Columbia County Exhibition Center 4:30 p.m. Premier Business Showcase 6:30 p.m. Dinner Meeting & Awards Presentations Monday, February 24 5:00- 7:00 PM TBD Wednesday, March 11 7:30- 9:00 AM Chamber Office Wednesday, March 18 11:30 AM- 1:00 PM Savannah Rapids

December 10, 2019 Miracle Nissan of Augusta

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MAGAZINE OF THE COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

THANK YOU TO OUR 2019 BOARD MEMBERS ROLLING OFF AT THE END OF 2019!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Pat Goodwin Blanchard & Calhoun Real Estate

Robert Amos Cartridge World

Samantha Stough Costco

Bob Kendra Kendra Financial/ New York Life

Joe Todd PlanDwell, Inc/ Stone & Story

Mike Oates WRDW-TV Ch. 12&26

Robbie Moore Blanchard & Calhoun Insurance

CHAIR: Ed Burr, University Healthcare Systems CHAIR-ELECT: Reagan Williams, Meybohm IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR: Robbie Moore, Blanchard and Calhoun Insurance TREASURER: Adam Williams, Cleveland Group CPAs SECRETARY: Beth McLeod, Fulcher Hagler, LLC AT-LARGE: Robert Amos, Cartridge World Elizabeth Lamb, Doctors Hospital BOARD: Bill Bates, Savannah River National Lab Dorothy Brandon, Security Federal Bank Kerry Bridges, Georgia Power Pat Brown, John Deere Adam Harris, Queensborough Pat Goodwin, Blanchard & Calhoun Mark Herbert, Herbert Homes, Inc. Russell Keen, Augusta University Robert Kelly, Augusta Staffing Bob Kenda, Kendra Financial/New York Life Rick Logsdail, Nutritional Resources, Inc. Yvonne Meeks, SRP Federal Credit Union Mike Oates, WRDW-TV Ch. 12&26 Wendy Perry, Catalyst Executive Jordan Pierce, First Community Bank Samantha Stough, Costco Joe Todd, PlanDwell, Inc/Stone & Story Janeabeth Wells, Board of Commissioners

CHAMBER STAFF

Tammy Shepherd President/CEO

Tiffany Heitzman Sabrina Griffin Vice President Programs & Events Manager

Darrell Butler Membership Relations Manger

Olivia Reich Communications Coordinator

Beth Frits Leadership Programs Coordinator

Sarah Hare Bookkeeper

Robbie King Membership Sales Representative

Kelly Starkey Administrative Assistant

OFFICE 1000 Business Boulevard Evans, GA 30809 706-651-0018 phone 706-651-0023 fax ColumbiaCountyChamber.com

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MAGAZINE OF THE COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Congratulations to our 2019 YMOM & YWOW graduating classes!

Anthony Almeter, Austin Matthews, Brandon Barton, Charles Barmore, Daniel Willingham, Darrell Butler, David Bash, Graham Sizemore, Hunter Polatty, Jake Shepherd, Justin Benson, Kevin LaDue, Logan Eason, Tripp Calloway, Ty Whitman

Amy Tapley, Andrea Stevenson, Briana Ashe, Briana Williams , Chloe Crosby, Divya Chelliah, Elizabeth Peavy, Jennifer Butler, Jennifer Dietzel, Jordan Gray, Kiara Walker, Maddy Elledge, Madison Hyde, McKenna Murray, Micheal Williamson, Myka Taylor, Olivia Reich, Shadavia Green, Taylor Haywood-Mapp, Tecie Sams

Georgia’s Community Bank since 1902 www.QNBTRUST.bank

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MAGAZINE OF THE COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE