Rural Leader Magazine September 2014

Top 4 Forty Under 40

September 2014

What Employers Want: The Three Cs Change Careers in 5 Steps• Becoming A Better Executive 40 Under 40 Rising Stars in Rural America• Technology in Business RuralLeaderMagazine.com 1

Contents

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMagazine.com Marketing Treasure Marketing, LLC Photographer Tiesha Allen TieFotos Contributing Writer

Sara Lee Crumbs, Director, Quitman County Family Connection

6 RL Magazine's Forty Under 40 Top Four: Meet the top four Forty Under 40. These bright Rural Stars are doing phenomenal things in Rural America 16 What Employers Want: The Three Cs: Searching for work? Get the inside scoop on what employers are really looking for. Learn several tips to help you land the job you want.

17 Five Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor: Get financially fit for the future by asking the right questions.

18 Becoming A Better Executive: Hone your leadership skills and gain insight to place you ahead of the competition.

22 Protect Your Business From the Inside Out: Implement theses tips to improve your business security.

Will Be Featured in the December 2014 Issue Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, in English, or other languages, is prohibited without written consent.

Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief RuralLeaderMagazine@gmail.com

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23 Amajazz LLC For All Your Business Needs: Read this article if you are looking for an editor for your next project.

26 Eight Tips to Conducting Business Meetings: Practice these tips to improve meeting productivity 28 Heroes at Your Door: Peak inside the life of a fire fighter 30 RL Magazine 2014 Forty Under: Meet a few of Rural America's bright stars 52 Change Your Career in Five Steps: Follow these tips for a fresh career start.

54 Technology in Business: Learn the advantages of technology and how to make it work in your business genre.

56 Positional and Personal Power: Learn what the difference and how to use them effectively 58 Dress for Success: Learn how to put together the right look for the occasion.

60 Faith versus Vision: Learn the difference and how you can move forward.

In Every Issue

21 Under 20 Honors 48 Best Small Town Restaurant 63 Classifieds

Editor’s Note Dear Rural Leader Magazine, Great second issue! I can't wait to read the 40 under 40 issue in September.

—William B. Tallahassee, Florida Dear Rural Leader Magazine, You are one of the best! I appreciate the attention given to the great things happing in small town America. Keep up the great work!

—Ann F. Eufaula, AL Dear Reader, The year is fast winding down, and I am excited about the September issue! Inside, we introduce you to the inaugural Rural Leader Forty under 40 class! Special thanks to Tiesha Allen, our photographer, who shot the top four Forty under Forty cover and individual photos!

Also inside, we have a score of articles that provide practical tips to enhance one's career. It is our hope that you will be inspired and empowered to achieve your best.

I am also looking forward to the December 2014 issue that will feature Small Town America's 100 Most Influential People.

In the meantime, we dedicate this issue to the 3,000 Americans who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. May we never forget. God bless America.

Sincerely, Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Dear Rural Leader Magazine, Thanks for the article, The New Republican Healthcare Plan with a Twist. I thought it was well written and highlighted several key points.

—John B. Bardwell, KY Dear Rural Leader Magazine, I appreciated the article about Shavon Goodwin entitled Overcoming Great Odds. It was inspiring to read her story and to know that she still became successful. Best of luck to her in the future.

—Shelley L. Dayton, TN Dear Rural Leader Magazine, Thank you for a great publication about small towns in America. I am really grateful and excited that you are not afraid to reference the role that faith plays in the life of a Believer.

—Vanessa C. Bremond, TX

Dear Rural Leader Magazine, I loved the article about stress.

The key points given were of great value. The article helped me to remember the importance of taking care of self.

—Dean C. Gulfport, Florida Dear Rural Leader Magazine, Great concept! Shared with many friends and family. Keep up the great work!

—.Juan M. Lima, Brazil Dear Rural Leader Magazine I loved the article about Dr. Maurice Brooks, Sr. and the wonders of hypnotherapy!

—Allen J. Aileen, TX Dear Rural Leader Magazine, The under 20 section is awesome! Thanks for recognizing the gifts and talents of young people in small towns.

—Jenny D. Englewood, CO Dear Rural Leader Magazine, Enjoyed the article, Leadership, it's about the Donut. It reminded me of the importance of the various roles of leadership and how important it is to connect with followers.

—Carl T Richmond, VA Dear Rural Leader Magazine, I am looking forward to Small Town America's 100 Most Influential Issue.

—Will S. Douglas, GA RuralLeaderMagazine.com 33

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NEVER FORGET

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Anderson Construction Company congratulates Trent Brown & Kristie Shivers for recognition in Rural Leader 40 Under 40!

ANDERSON CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OF FORT GAINES General Contractors ▪ Design Builders ▪ Construc�on Management ▪ Opera�on & Maintenance 58 Crozier Lane, Fort Gaines, GA 39851 ▪ 229.768.2555 ▪ 229.768.2591 FAX ▪ www.accofg.comRuralLeaderMagazine.com 5

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UNDER

40 Forty

Twenty Fourteen Honors I am proud to present to you the inaugural Rural Leader 40 under 40 issue! Small towns are a driving force in America and ripe with gifted individuals who contribute much to the communities in which they live, work, and play. The rural leader is multi-faceted, ingenious, courageous, and inspiring. Several months ago, I had an epiphany about the number of awesome and talented young professionals who are rarely recognized for their efforts in small towns.

Consequently, I was inspired to create not only a publication, but a distinguished honor for young leaders in small rural communities. These brilliant individuals represent a range of professions--bankers, lawyers, ministers, educators, government officials, executives, and civic leaders to name a few.

The 2014 call for nominations began March 1st and culminated April 30th. A panel of judges had three difficult tasks: to identity forty candidates, to choose the top four, and to select the winner from among the top four. The winner was announced and all candidates were formerly recognized during an awards luncheon Friday, September 5th at First United Methodist Church in Americus, Georgia. Congratulations to all 2014 nominees!

Special thanks to Mrs. Tommie Thompson, Ms. Sara L. Crumbs, Mr. Michael Johnson, Dr. Eddie Watson, and Mrs Edwina Turner for their efforts to make the awards luncheon a dynamic success. Now, without further ado, I present to you Rural Leader Magazine’s 2014 Forty under Forty class! — Regards, Dr. Kuanita E. Murphy

Risings Stars in Rural America

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Top Four

Ben Andrews Age 28 Hometown: Americus, Georgia Profession: Community Developer

Ben Andrews is a young professional working as the Director of the Community Development Department in Americus Georgia. An Americus native, Ben moved home and began to work for the city after graduating from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2009, where he earned a B.S. in Business Management with certificates in Finance and Marketing.

While a student at Georgia Tech, Ben was involved with Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and served in a number of executive positions for his fraternity. Ben also was also a member of school wide "Greek Week" committee's. While an undergraduate, Ben worked as an intern for the Communications Department of the College of Computing at Georgia Tech, and the American Association of Advertising Agencies.

Before graduating, Ben studied abroad at the Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña in Barcelona, Spain.

Ben earned his Master's in Business Administration in 2011 from Georgia Southwestern State University.

While a student at Georgia Southwestern, Ben was a graduate student in the school's Students in Free Enterprise Program, now known as Enactus. Ben also was a member of the National Society of Leadership & Success. Ben is a 2011 graduate of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development, and holds certificates in Planning and Zoning, and in Development Authority Board Member Certification from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at University of Georgia, Historic Preservation Materials Use from River Valley Regional Commission, and several certificates from the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center.

At the age of 27, Ben was promoted to the position of Community Development Director, becoming the youngest senior staff member in the city's history.

As Community Development Director, Ben works closely with the city's Mayor, Council, and Chief

Administrative Officer on short and long term strategic planning for the city. He also oversees the city's Planning and Zoning Department, Historic Preservation Commission, Urban Redevelopment Agency, Cemetery Department, and Transit Department.

Ben also is in charge of writing and administering various grants for the city. In his first 9 months as department director, Ben's department received over one million dollars in grant funds for the City of Americus.

Outside of work Ben is very active in his community. He is a past president of the Board of Directors for the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate, New Horizons. He served in a number positions for the Americus Rotary Club and is currently the Chairman of the Membership and Service Projects committees.

Ben volunteered in several ways with the Boy Scouts of America, most recently organizing a local capital campaign for Sumter and Schley Counties. He has also been involved with the "Bridging Campus and Community" initiative, to help make Americus more of a college friendly community. At a state level, Ben has been involved with the organization GeorgiaForward, and was an inaugural member of the Young Gamechanger program, which annually brings together a select number of Georgia's brightest minds under the age of 40, to help solve pressing policy challenges for a selected Georgia community. Through his work with this organization, Ben presented on multiple panels, such as the GeorgiaForward Annual Forum, the Young Gamechangers initiative, the future of Rural Georgia. Ben also presented on a panel at the 2013 Georgia Municipal Association Annual Convention. His led the discussion on how to bridge generational differences and get millennials involved in a community.—

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Top Four

Tesharra Alexander Age: 37 Hometown: Cuthbert, Georgia Profession: Educator

Cuthbert native, Tesharra Alexander is an exemplary educator who has taught for fourteen years.

Teaching is her life-long passion and higher calling.

Tesharra is a graduate of Randolph-Clay Comprehensive High School. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Leadership both from Albany State University in Albany, Georgia. She earned a Specialist degree in Leadership from Argosy University and is a certified gifted and In-tech instructor.

She is a merchant of hope for students and parents.

Tesharra believes that to educate children is to build a sustainable community, for children are a valuable asset. She impacts approximately 125 students each year and does not take the task lightly. Her love for teaching is transcended in a variety of capacities.

She believes that voluntarism is an extension of the classroom. Therefore, she spends countless hours volunteering with various youth outreach programs and providing tutorial services for students in need.

Tesharra is the founder and director of a summer enrichment program at her church, New Birth Fellowship Church in Albany. The program provided a faith-based, safe, fun, engaging, and academically enriching environment for students. The program consisted of over one hundred students between the ages 6 to 17. Consequently, Tesharra joined the

church’s after-school tutorial program as a teacher.

She also volunteers at the House of Mercy in Columbus, which is a homeless shelter that provides living assistance and other items to those in need. Tesharra also volunteers with the local adult education program that consists of students between the ages 25 to 58. Later, Tesharra initiated an afterschool program called A.S.A.P. (Awesome Students Acquiring Progress). The program served students who needed additional support and tutoring.

Tesharra is currently an educator at East Columbus Magnet Academy in Columbus, Georgia. She has held the position for seven years and is extremely involved. Tesharra serves as not only an educator but head cheer coach, ELA department chair, and school leadership team member. She is also among the top 10 teachers in the Muscogee County school district.

Tesharra is the 2014 Leader Teacher for Curriculum Development. She is a recipient of a STEM T3 and Donors Choose Project awards. She also attended professional development training at Harvard University.

Tesharra lives in Columbus, Georgia with her husband Christopher and their two children: Darian and Christopher, Jr.—

Risings Stars in Rural America

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Winner

Trent Brown Age: 29 Hometown: Watkinsville, Georgia Profession: Business

Trent Brown is the Vice President of Operations at Anderson Construction in Fort Gaines, Georgia.

Anderson Construction, for the past five decades, created jobs, supported community projects, participated in local governance, served in leadership roles in the construction industry, and promoted regional economic development. From the Lodge at George T. Bagby State Park in Fort Gaines, to Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, to the Lake Point Resort in Eufaula, Alabama --Anderson Construction has designed, managed, and built hundreds of high profile projects across the region, including schools, health care facilities, cultural centers, manufacturing plants, military facilities, housing and urban development projects, municipal projects, banks, offices, and scientific laboratories.

As a leader, Trent’s vision for Anderson Construction is to continue to grow by expanding horizons to include the diversity of the work and methods to achieve it. He desires to continue to lead in the industry by staying on the forward edge of innovation and best practices. As a savvy leader, Trent is working to advance alternative energy sources, increase the number of sustainable economic opportunities, and revitalize existing, often historic, commercial structures across the southern region.

Trent’s primary responsibility as vice present of operations is to manage the Army Corps of Engineers Operations and Maintenance projects for the

region’s leading recreational sites that includes Lake Walter F. George, Carters Lake, Lake West Point, and Lake Seminole. His role is extremely important for tourism. Consistently, he ensures that thousands of park and campground visitors have a positive experience, support the local economy, and promote the region.

In addition to his role at VP of Operations for Anderson Construction, Trent serves as Project Manager for Commercial Construction Projects. He is also a Council member for the Young Leaders Program of the Georgia AGC where he spearheaded the Charitable Works Committee.

Trent received a number of accolades for exemplary leadership and service. In 2011, he received the Build Alabama Award for his service as Project Manager for the ACF Project Management Office for the Army Corp of Engineers, Eufaula, Alabama. He also received distinctive training, such as Dale Carnegie Leadership and the Associated General Contractors of America Leadership training.

In 2008, Trent graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Building Construction from Auburn University. While there, he was the recipient of the Keith Petitjean Department of Building Science Scholarship. He was a member of Lambda Chi Fraternity and served on Executive Leader Board.

Trent currently resides in Eufaula, Alabama.—

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Top Four

Antonio Shelley Age: 33 Hometown: Cuthbert, Georgia Profession: Educator/Business Owner

Antonio "Tony" Shelley is a native of Cuthbert. He currently resides in Warner Robins, Georgia with his wife, Kourtney Latimore Shelley, formerly of Americus and their son, Franklin. He is the son of Wiley Shelley of Columbus and Katherine and Craig Jordan of Cuthbert. Tony is a well-rounded, well-respected young man, who is highly regarded by his family, friends, employer, co-workers, and various affiliates.

He serves as a role model not only in his family, but also for his students and friends. In Warner Robins, Tony volunteered with the Houston County Habitat for Humanity for the last five years. In addition to his personal service, he enlisted the aid of his students for Habitat, and together they completed drawings, electrical work, and wiring for several homes.

Tony is making an impact in several counties while touching the lives of the underprivileged, youth and adults from all walks of life. Since 2009, Tony volunteered as a basketball coach with the Second Baptist Church Victory Sports Upward program for youth in Warner Robins. He served as a Vacation Bible School teacher at Beulah Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia.

Tony's community service extends also to Americus, Georgia, where he also serves as youth leader at Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church monthly.

He also serves as a deacon at Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Cuthbert.

Tony is a graduate of South Georgia Technical College in Americus and Middle Georgia Technical College in Warner Robins where he earned diplomas

in Air Conditioning Technology, Industrial Maintenance, and Industrial Electrical Technology respectively. He earned an Associate of Applied Science degree from Albany Technical College in Albany, Georgia. He also studied at Troy State University in Troy, Alabama. He is the owner of Advantage Home Inspections specializing in home inspections and energy audits.

For the past eight years, Tony has been employed at Central GA Technical College as program chair and instructor in the Industrial Systems and Metrology program. He also serves as Central GA Consortium Chair. As chair, Tony leads technical college instructors in the industrial systems programs in the Central GA area. The primary goal of the consortium is to ensure that the curriculum remains cutting edge and that local area workforce needs are met. He must also ensure that the program consist of state-of-theart equipment and qualified program graduates.

Tony serves as program coordinator for the Georgia Power Instrumentation and Controls Academy at Central G Tech. He has served on numerous interview panels and was chosen to serve on the Southern Association of Schools (SACS) Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Team.

Tony was twice honored by his peers as a nominee for Instructor of the Year because of his skills, commitment, and leadership.—

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What Employers Want: The Three Cs Whether you are an employer looking to hire someone or the person looking to get hired, it's all about competency.

Only 11 percent of employers believe recent graduates have the skills needed to succeed within their work forces, according to a recent Lumina Foundation report. Two-thirds of employers say recent college graduates may have the skills and knowledge for entry-level positions but less than half believe recent graduates have what it takes for advancement to higher level jobs, according to a 2013 survey conducted for the Association of American Colleges and Universities.

So what are these essential competencies that candidates are missing? At the top of the list are the three "Cs": critical thinking, collaboration and communication. Hiring officers look for candidates with good problem-solving abilities, the ability to work in teams, and those who have good verbal and written communications skills. For the "traditional" college graduate in his or her early 20's, much of their focus in school was spent on mastering subject matter, not necessarily on cultivating the three "Cs". They may have a degree but not much in the way of experience.

On the other hand, working adults who are earning their degrees later in life have had ample opportunity to hone these skills and are lacking the credential - a diploma - to get hired or promoted.

A new approach to higher education taking hold on campuses and in board rooms is called competen16 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

cy-based education. Under this model, students can receive credit for knowledge and skills they already possess. A 2013 Gallup poll revealed that 87 percent of Americans believe students should be able to receive college credit for knowledge and skills obtained outside the classroom. Some schools, like Excelsior College, are well-established leaders in this practice.

Degree programs like these define what students must know, have well-defined learning outcomes and have a rigorous means of assessing whether students have achieved these outcomes.

How can job candidates, young or older, demonstrate both subject-matter mastery and competence?

To start, first evaluate and identify your unique combination of skills, values and personal traits. Research the job that you are seeking and the company that is doing the hiring. Think broadly and don't confine yourself to the same industry in which you may have experiences, either as an employee or a student who had an internship. List the knowledge you have gained and skills you have developed.

"After you know who you are and what you have to offer, explore and choose the educational and career options that suit you best," says Maribeth Gunner, director of career services at Excelsior College.

"The key to selling yourself is to show your ability to apply knowledge (competence), rather than simply possessing it (mastery)."BPT—

5 Vital Questions to Ask Your Financial Professional

When was the last time you met with a financial professional? Would you be more likely to keep those appointments if you knew some specific questions to ask? These meetings provide an important opportunity for you to ensure your strategy is still on track and ensure your family and finances are protected. You can get the most out of your meeting by asking the right questions.

Whether it's your first meeting or your 20th, Thrivent Financial suggests you consider asking these questions when meeting with a financial professional: 1. Is my coverage adequate?

Ensuring proper financial protection against death, disability or injury is one of the most important things you can do for your family.

Talk to your financial professional about cost concerns, protection options and how you can make sure that your family will be covered financially in the event of an untimely death or disability.

If you've experienced major life changes like the birth or adoption of a child, purchased a house or gotten married, chances are your protection will need updating.

2. What are some creative ways

we can refine my strategy to help maximize benefits?

A financial professional can help you organize your financial strategy in a way that factors in things like taxes and market volatility, and he or she will know what changes are on the horizon that could affect you. A financial professional can also help use primary products, like life insurance, in unique ways - like helping supplement a retirement income stream.

These are applications many don't know about but can offer different advantages to your financial strategy.

3. How are my financial strategies aligning with my values?

Having a financial strategy that allows you to align your finances with your values is another important topic to bring up. If you have charitable causes you want to support, or volunteer trips you want to take, make sure your financial professional knows about them. He or she can help you develop ways to bring your generosity to life.

4. Tell me about the strength and stability of your company or organization.

Insurance is only as strong as the

ability of your financial institution to pay out claims when you need to claim a contract. Make sure to investigate the strength and stability of any company you're working with to ensure it is financially sound enough to make good on its obligations.

5. What should I do differently in the next year?

This seems like an easy question, but you'd be amazed how few people ask it. Your financial professional is often in a unique position to help you stay ahead of the curve when it comes to your future strategy needs. Taking advantage of market volatility and ensuring your future protection needs are just two of the many variables to consider. Yearly meetings with a financial professional can help you hone your financial strategies for the upcoming year and help keep them as healthy as possible.

Your time is valuable, and your financial future is even more valuable to you and your family.

Make sure you're maximizing both and ensure you get the most out of meeting with your financial professional.—

RuralLeaderMagazine.com 17

Becoming A Better Executive Tom Selwick

O

ne of the important things in the workplace for upper management is the question of how one can be a better executive, and what they can do in order to improve their performance.

Everyone stands to improve with their abilities, but it is a process.

Becoming a better executive is a multi-part process that seeks to cultivate and hone different areas of the person's life and style in order to mold them into more effective leaders. In order to see improvement, a combination of experience and practical knowledge and learning are required.

At the heart of it, executives are directing other people in order to make sure that they are performing up to standard and that they

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are working together to achieve a certain goal set. Therefore, an understanding of people is something that is required.

Good leaders understand the value of their employees. Employees are a resource, but they are also people with lives and struggles and strengths and weaknesses.

Employees also are the critical gears of the machine, which makes them essential to completing any kind of operation. The issue is somewhat complicated by the fact that the people are variable and do not perform to machine standards, and that they need special treatment.

Therefore, executives have to learn how to effectively walk the line between encouraging results and expecting them, along with

knowing and understanding that they are people. It is a delicate balance that needs to be struck, because the people are resources that can perform and do great things.

A good leader is therefore someone who is able to work with others in order to get good results out of the experience. Encouraging employees and recognizing skill and innovation is something to be encouraged, because creative employees are able to come up with better things.

The executive also needs to know how to encourage result, by being authoritative and giving good direction. For many jobs, delegation and direction is a key part of the experience, and the executive needs to know how to do both in order to be effective in

nature.

The leader also is going to have to be able to effectively work to manage other resources. All parts of a company are important to the overall success of it, so that means that the person should be making sure that everything is functioning smoothly.

This means that along with people, the infrastructure and assets that a company has are maintained and taken care of. Keeping everything in good working order is one of the most effective ways to ensure greater success and productivity.

Another thing that an executive should be able to do is develop progression in the place that they work.

This can mean different things at different times, requiring adaptability and the ability to learn and implement changes.

The trends of the market are something that will need to be taken into consideration when being in charge, as knows the best way to implement policies that will mirror these trends and take full advantage of them. Innovation is also an asset which is important.

All of these factors make for a more effective workplace and a more efficient leadership. Above all else, being able to learn and adapt to the people and situations that are presented are necessary from the people in charge.

With good direction, it is possible to see an impressive set of results that will make the efforts well worth it. Good direction leads to innovation and greater overall satisfaction from those that are working for the company.

With such satisfaction, it is possible to cultivate quality and effectiveness from everyone involved, in order to make everything more effective in nature.

The most important thing is the ability to change for the better.

With time and experience, the director can more effectively implement positive change. With such

positive changes, the process can be one that helps out the company and establishes better overall results for it over time.

Becoming a better executive can be hard work, but it is well worth the effort. As a result of the work that is put into the process, people can become better manager and more effective leaders, allowing them to increase productivity and viability for their company.

About the Author Tom Selwick has been an executive training consultant for 10 years. He specializes in Organizational Development training and has made significant advances in the job candidate selection process. If you are looking for a new executive he recommends Executive Search Ottawa for your head hunting needs.

For more information, write to TomSelwick09@ gmail.com or visit online at JohnsonExecSearch. com.—

Readers’ Forum Tell us what you think about our publications, if you have a great idea for a story, or to just share. We may print your comments in Rural Leader Magazine. By sending us your comments, you’re giving permission to call you for an interview. Please be sure to include your name, address, email address, and phone number so we can reach you. Write to us at RuralLeaderMagazine@gmail.com— RuralLeaderMagazine.com 19

First State Bank of Randolph County Cuthbert-Shellman

Post Office Box 141 Cuthbert, Georgia 39840 229-732-3791 229-679-5344 20 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

Honoring Young Individuals for Exemplary Academic Achievement and Service to Community

Under 20

Nationally and Abroad

Rural Leader Magazine Under 20 Initiative was created to recognize outstanding youth in small rural communities nationally and abroad. In this edition, we've identified two who have demonstrated exemplary academic excellence and service to community. We need your help to identify other deserving youth for future editions. Visit RuralLeaderMagazine. com to nominate.

Tori Alexandria Brown Hometown: Montezuma, GA Age: 15 Tori is the daughter of Cynthia Martin and Tony Brown. She is a sophomore at Macon County High School.

She is a phenomenal student who is highly involved. Tori is an A/B Honor roll student. She also participates in the Upward Bound Program at Fort Valley.

Tori also cheers for her high school's varsity team and is a member of the tennis team.

Not only is she active in school, Tori is also participates in her community. She is an active member at her church, Harrison Chapel Baptist Church where she sings in the youth choir.

After she completes high school, Tori plans to attend Albany State University in Albany Georgia and major in Early Childhood Education.—

Barry David Kinservick Hometown: Ellaville, GA Age: 19 Barry is the son of Mark and Fran Kinservik. He is a graduate of Schley County High School.

During his high school tenure, Barry was an honor graduate and participated in Cross Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

He is also a participant of County Line Methodist Youth Group and a member of Ellaville Baptist Church.

Currently, Barry attends South Georgia Technical College, where he completed his first course in Automotive Technology. In the future, he plans to pursue a career in motorsports.—

Nominate A Candidate for Under 20

We're looking for exceptional and deserving youth under 20!

Nominate your candidate today for the next edition of Rural Leader Magazine. Now accepting applicants throughout the United States and abroad. Visit RuralLeaderMagazine.com for more information!— RuralLeaderMagazine.com 21

Addressing a New Era in Security: How to Protect Your Business from the Inside Out

D

uring the first 43 days of 2014, the Identity Theft Resource Center said 91 data breaches were reported by companies across the country, and the full list doesn't just show household names of big brand retailers - many of these companies were small businesses, family medical practices or local restaurants that never thought they'd be cybercrime victims.

For instance, the most high profile breach of 2013 Target - was actually set into motion when one of its much smaller regional contractors was hacked.

Undoubtedly, businesses of all sizes are potential targets for cyber criminals, but while the "big boys" often have the financial means to rebound relatively quickly, for small business owners, one attack can mean life or death for the future of their business. In fact, according to the National Small Business Asso-

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ciation, a single cyber-attack costs a small business an average of $8,000 to recover from (and this figure does not include the incalculable damage done to the company's reputation).

Historically, small business owners have focused their security prevention on their physical domains, but, with the lines between physical and digital security having blurred over the last decade, it's critical for small business owners to rethink their 21st century security strategies.

ADT offers these helpful tips for small business owners in order to more effectively protect themselves, their assets, and their loyal customers from the wide range of physical and digital threats: * Make sure your employees are informed.

Whether you're concerned about digital security or physical security, your employees are your first line of

defense. Your employees should be up to date on all company security measures and aware of the vulnerable digital and physical areas in your business.

Keeping them informed ensures they know how to protect your business and alert you should a problem arise. * Increase the strength of your passwords. Creating strong passwords may at first be inconvenient for you and your staff, but stronger passwords can greatly improve the security of your business. Using your name or the company's name or address will not deter a hacker for long, but complex passwords have a significantly greater chance of tripping up hackers.

A security system is a must for a business of any size, and an interactive solution like ADT Pulse can help mitigate threats with all-in-one security and automation capabilities that combine video surveillance with activity-triggered alerts. This allows you the freedom to monitor and control your business with a web-enabled device from any location.

You've heard the saying "One man's trash is another man's treasure," and that is certainly true when it comes to old hard drives. While your business may not have any use for these outdated systems, the information stored on the hard drive is valuable to would-be criminals. Before you throw out that old computer or copy machine, be sure to erase the hard drive.

Amajaz, LLC ranks number one in on-site business training and professional editing services.

Founder and CEO, Dr. Thomas Joseph started the company with an aim to provide affordable and world-class quality services.

The company’s core values consist of professionalism, mutual learning, and customization. The three-fold mission of Amajaz is to facilitate in the development of tomorrow’s global leaders, to develop leading-edge concepts for business practices, and to provide top-quality editorial services for documents used most often in academia and for publication, such as thesis and dissertations.

Testimonials “This method of training allowed me to engage in the coursework. The instant answer feedback provided positive responses in answering the questions, and a comprehensive understanding of the course materials” - S.B “This training course was a real eye opener. Your

While many small business owners may think cyber criminals aren't interested in businesses their size, the reality is small businesses require the same strategic physical and digital protection as major corporations, and following the above steps can help you to prevent the significant financial and reputational damage that comes with a security breach.

In order to learn more about how ADT can help protect your small business, visit ADT.com/business.—

training was the best we have ever had here at our company. Thank you for taking the time to provide such valid information to help enhance our employee performance and production. This is exactly what we needed” – K.C “Thank you very much for the quick turnaround time and the quality work you provided me. I received my edited document much faster than I expected.” M.T. For more information or to request services, call (318) 512-6364 or write to info@amajaz.com. Or visit Amajaz.com About the Owner Dr Thomas Joseph is skilled in facilitation, needs assessment, and strategic planning. He attained over ten years of management experience while working at JP Morgan Chase & Company, the world’s largest financial institution. Currently, he is also an adjunct professor at Colorado Technical University in the College of Business.

He earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Organization and Management with a specialization in Leadership from Capella University in 2012 and a Master of Science in Management (MSM) degree from Colorado Technical University in 2007.— RuralLeaderMagazine.com 23

Employee Engagement is the Secret for Small Businesses to Stay Productive and Make Money

O

ne of the biggest worries for a small business owner is training and investing in quality employees and then losing them to a larger company - potentially a competitor - that might be able to offer larger salaries or better benefits.

It might look like a no-win scenario for a small business to entice quality employees to stay, except for one factor - engagement.

When employees are engaged in the company business, they're less likely to jump ship, they'll be more productive and they'll make the company more money, according to a Hay Group Study.

"Why should anyone care if 24 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

they have engaged employees?" asks David Fagiano, chief operating officer for Dale Carnegie Training. "Engaged employees create superior results. A Gallup study shows that companies with more engaged employees outperform others by up to 202 percent.

That translates to a substantially better bottom line."

How can a small business owner encourage his employees to become more engaged in the company? Consider the following drivers of engagement: * A sense of value: Employees who feel valued tend to be fully engaged in a company's goals and help achieve big milestones.

Supervisors have the ability to

create this sense of value, which can lead to confidence, empowerment, enthusiasm and inspiration.

Review how your employees are supervised. Are they trusted to do their jobs without heavy review?

Do they ask for help only when needed? When requested, do they receive assistance? Finally, do employees feel their supervisors are being honest when presenting information or answering questions? According to the Dale Carnegie Training "How to Drive Employee Engagement in Small and Mid-sized Businesses" white paper, 67 percent of employees deem that having help or support when needed is important, compared to 46 percent who report

that compensation increases above the cost of living is important. Download the white paper at www. dalecarnegie.com/employee-engagement. * Continued training: Investing in employee training develops a bond between the employee and the business. Additional training shows the employee there's room to grow in the company, and that the business values his or her expertise. Plus, the company benefits by having employees learning the latest information in the industry. * Improved communication: There is a difference in opinion on how well employers communicate with employees. According to the white paper, employers think they do a better job of it than their workers report. Because of this discrepancy, employers need to make more effort in communicating business information. Consider holding a weekly progress report meeting or developing a newsletter. Involve employees in meetings discussing the future of the company,

and give everyone tasks to help achieve the goals that are decided upon. This allows employees to feel they're taking an ownership in the company, which will lead to them becoming more engaged.

Making an employee feel like he or she is important can take the professional relationship far. "Engagement means winning the hearts as well as the minds of employees," Fagiano says. "It's the difference between someone in your company saying, 'I understand where this company is going,' versus, 'I believe in where this company is going.' If you can generate belief at that level, you can drive spectacular results."

Download the white paper to learn more about how you as a small business owner can drive employee engagement at your business. It may help the company keep employees and bring in more revenue.

BPT—

RuralLeaderMagazine.com 25

8 Tips To Conducting Business Meetings Confidently

Regina Maniam

  How many times have you conducted a business meeting and found yourself not in control?

The unnecessary sidetracking discussions and sheer lack of interest on the part of the participants can really frustrate anyone. Would you like to have managed the meeting with greater 26 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

confidence and have better control?   Many a time you attend meetings and there are people there who just are not interested in what is going on. These people just distract the whole meeting. Unfortunately, sometimes people who are invited have very little reason to be at the

meeting. It also does not help if the person facilitating the business meeting is not well prepared and the meeting is run in a very informal and unstructured manner. Sometimes, it is not even clear what are the objectives of the meeting. Then, what is worst is when time is up and

no conclusion or decisions have been made.

A pure waste of time for everyone.

Here are 8 tips that you can use to conduct an effective meeting:   1. Have A Meeting Purpose First tip is to call for a meeting only if you have a clear reason for do-

ing so. It does not matter that you need to resolve a problem, share some information or just get the team together to share their experiences and learn from each other. Just state the purpose. Once you are clear on your purpose, then you need to let the others know as well.

Besides the purpose, of course, inform them of the date, time and venue. State how long the meeting will be and keep to the time. Clearly articulate the objectives of the meeting. This will help them come better prepared. Depending on the purpose, the venue might also be different. If it is just a get together with drinks and food, then the cafeteria might be fine. If you need a projector, whiteboard and such facilities, then choose the meeting room accordingly and have the right facilities available.

2. Supporting Materials Make sure that you are prepared with the supporting materials. If you need to present information, then have these prepared. It could be PowerPoint slides or printed documents. If you are using the projector, have it already set up before the session and tested.

Copies of printed documents should already have been made before the meeting. Better if you have emailed the soft copies to them, so that they could have read it before the meeting.

If you are presenting the information, then make sure that you have prepared the points and not just ramble on during the meeting. Use the white board or flip chart to note the main points so that you can get the audience to focus.

You may need some other people to present or provide information. Then inform them of what is required and the time allocated for them. Also clearly state the type of information you need and the questions that need answering. Getting others to participate also takes the pressure of you at least for part

of the meeting. It also enables participation by the others, which normally creates a more lively environment as opposed to you talking on and on. Even you will agree that it gets pretty boring when you have to listen to the same person for some time.

3. Attendees Present Have A Purpose There are times when parties remotely involved to the purpose of the meeting are invited "just in case" or just to keep them informed of the proceedings. Or it could be you need some information from a person but it is so little that for the person to attend the whole meeting is such a waste of time. It is ever so important that each person who attends has a specific purpose and role. If not, they can be disruptive to you conducting an effective meeting.

Meetings are often convened not only to discuss matters but also to gain agreement from a number of parties and keep everyone informed. Quite often, all of these parties are called for the same meeting as a convenience. Why? Because if you were at the meeting, then you are deemed to have agreed with the outcome. Does not matter that you were bored and sending sms messages during the meeting and did not hear most of what was going on.

It may be convenient for the person calling for the meeting but definitely a waste of time for the attendee. In such cases, it may be prudent to have the investigative meeting first. Collate and organize the information and then have a separate meeting to 8 Tips to Conducting A Meeting, continued from page Inform all interested parties. Agree that this will take a longer time, but the participants will appreciate your consideration of their time spent. Chances are that when you call for a meeting that they will turn up knowing that you do not waste people's time just Continued on page 53

RuralLeaderMagazine.com 27

Heroes at Your Door Sara Lee Crumbs Ask any five year old who their hero is and you will get a multitude of colorful names and characters. They get it...a hero is someone who saves the good guys from the evils of the world.

However, there are thousands of invisible heroes walking and living among us that we somehow miss.

Uniforms, not costumes, are their preferred choice for saving lives.

They are local firefighters. But you would be loathe to find one who will call him or herself a hero.

It takes a certain kind of man or woman to face the evils of fire and accidents. These special heroes don't see their job as “super human”, but simply a job that needs to be done.

Eufaula Fire Chief Greg Holmes has been leading his men/women since May of 2012. He has been at the department since 1990 with 28 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

24 years of service to the community. He is quick to commend the squad, but also tells of the behind the scene duties that most people never see. There are 43 fire fighters at the station spread out over four stations. There is one woman on the squad.

To become a firefighter, you complete an application at City Hall and take the test which is given usually every six months, according to Holmes. The test requires a 70 or above to pass.

The test has some fire related on it, but no in-depth fire questions.

The next step is a physical Candidates Physical Ability Test (CPAT) which assesses the physical endurance of each candidates. This involves a 70 pound vest on them on a stair master. This is followed by a seven minutes test requiring applicants to carry a hose, a

weighted dummy and more. This is followed by the interview to become a firefighter with Chief Holmes. If it goes well, a drug test and physical.

“If they are hired,” Holmes continued, “ we swear them in as a recruit. He will go on shift with the guys and start learning on the job training. He will learn the proper technique for answering the phone. He is sized up for his gear. This gets them prepared to begin Recruit School.”

Recruits are not allowed to enter a fire, however they can perform certain tasks under the watch of a shift supervisor. They do respond to all medical calls on the ambulances. The training is held in Eufaula for five weeks for firefighter and an additional nine and half weeks for EMT. “The first year is a critical and

“There are some things that money can't offer...The satisfaction that you get from helping others and their reaction later on down the road when they see you is heart touching," Holmes said. crucial year for a candidate,” Holmes says. “There is a lot of stuff going on and it is very busy. You're on probation during the first year.”

“They come in and check their trucks and equipment,” he says of the routines that begin the day of a firefighter. Holmes role is to handle any issues with equipment, trucks and ambulances that are part of the firehouse.

“I do the planning for the department,” he continued. “ We have to do a minimum of two hours of training a day. We have a training officer to handle that. The schedule is updated on a monthly basis although it is made out for the entire year.”

After the training, it's time for lunch and the squad usually have this together. Holmes emphasizes that the firefighters is a unit for the day and a family, so they spend that time together. This is followed by the Pre-Fire plans where they work with local businesses to identify the business space's floor plan with the layout of the building with the hazards and valuables are located within the building. The plan also has emergency contact information for each business. A picture is included in the Pre-Fire plan to help identify routes if/when a fire occurs.

“We create it,” Holmes says. “ It takes a while to create one. We first draw it out and then enter it into the computer program which creates the power lines, escape routes and all of that into it. Once a year, we meet with the manager for any updates.”

This is important because it helps the Insurance Service Organization ( ISO) that sets the insurance ratings for homeowners and businesses.

“We have a great system, everybody here works together and do what they are supposed to do,” Holmes adds.

The day continues with the department checking the pressures on hydrants at least twice a year.

It is nothing like what you see on television. There is no down time.

The day starts to wind down around 3:30. They get an hour for exercise that is required for them to maintain their fitness. After five, the team can watch television, plan dinner while taking calls because they are still on duty.

“The part on television when you see the guys sit down at the table and are about to eat when the tone goes off is very accurate,” Holmes says with a laugh.

A lot of time and heart goes into becoming a firefighter. So, the obvious question is 'why would anyone want to run into a burning building for someone they don't even know?'

“It's not the fact that we love fire,” Holmes begins.

“We are training to do our job. This career is like being in the military or being in law enforcement.

There is danger in everything. You're not doing it for the money. You do it because all it takes is just one time to help somebody.”

Holmes points out that the risks are worth it when you see that person or a family member of that person and they hug you and thank you for what you did for their family.

“There are some things that money can't offer,” he continues. “ The satisfaction that you get from helping others and their reaction later on down the road when they see you is heart touching.

He describes the adrenaline kick that takes over when they respond to a fire. They are in the zone and their training takes over. Holmes sums up why they do it.

“To ask why we do it and why we run into someone's home that we don't know and try to get them out is because if we don't, no one else will.”—

RuralLeaderMagazine.com 29

UNDER

40 Forty

Twenty Fourteen Honors TieFotos. As a freelance photographer, she specializes in digital production, enhancement, and editing. In 2013, she became a part-time instructor at Albany Technical College in Albany, Georgia. She teaches college students the basic components of computer and software applications.

Tiesha is currently pursuing a Specialist degree in Educational Leadership at Albany State University. In her spare time, she enjoys journalism, reading, singing, and acting. She is an active member of Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Cuthbert, Georgia.

Tiesha L. Allen, 35

Hometown: Cuthbert, Georgia Profession: Educator/Photographer Tiesha is a teacher at Carver Elementary School in Dawson, Georgia. She has taught for fourteen years. Her desire is to be an immense force in the education of today’s youth and to improve the lives of others through various educational methods. She graduated from Albany State University in 2001 Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and in 2005 with a Master’s in Education degree.

During her tenure at Carver Elementary, Tiesha was named Teacher of the Year 20072008 and Lead Teacher 2007-2009. In 2007, she started her own photography business,

Santee Archer, 39

Hometown: Cuthbert, Georgia Profession: Educator/Minister

Risings Stars in Rural America

Above and Beyond

30 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

Risings Stars in Rural America

Above and Beyond Santee is an educator who loves people and her community. She worked with special population people for 16 years. She is a United States Army veteran, who served four years active duty and four years in the inactive reserve. Santee became a widow at age 27 and continued to raise her daughter, Ariana, alone. She is also a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Santee has faced many trials in life, however she never gives up and continues to inspire those around her.

Santee holds an associates degree form Andrew College, a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southwestern State University, and a master’s degree from Troy University. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and is involved in several community projects, such as Habitat for Humanity and food distribution for the hungry and less fortunate at the Second Greater Harvest Food Bank. Santee co-founded L.E.G.S., which stands for Ladies Empowered by God's Spirit to minister to the needs of young Christian women. Santee volunteers her time helping adults learn how to read and to comprehend written material. She also writes articles for the local newspaper and teaches a community Bible Study.

Santee currently serves as Student Support Services Coordinator at Andrew College in Cuthbert.

She has served in this capacity since 2005. The program serves low income, first generation, and disabled students. In three years, she was promoted to program director and worked with over 700 students assisting and coaching them towards graduation and matriculation to four-year colleges and universities.

She also served as mentor to students of the Educational Talent Search program.

Santee is a graduate of Leadership Randolph and received several honors from the Honorable Congressman Sanford Bishop, the Fanning Institute, and the University of Georgia. She is an active board member of the Georgia Association of Special Programs Personnel (GASPP) and member of the Southern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOPP). —

Courtney Baldwin, 25

Hometown: Cuthbert, Georgia Profession: Educator Courtney Baldwin is a native of Cuthbert and the son of Sonya Baldwin. He is a 2007 graduate of Randolph-Clay Middle/High School. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Valdosta State University.

Courtney is a positive and goal-oriented individual who is a role model for youth and adults. He gives back to his community in a number of ways. He volunteers his time to various local sporting events and to P.L.U.T.O, which stands for Peer Leaders Undermining Today’s Obstacles. P.L.U.T.O. offers student support services, back to school supplies, and age-appropriate events to educate and to inform youth, in addition to scholarships. Courtney resides in Cuthbert where he is a teacher at Randolph County Elementary School.—

RuralLeaderMagazine.com 31

32 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

Risings Stars in Rural America

Above and Beyond

Matthew Beard, 35

Robin Belcher, 27

Hometown: Morgan, Georgia Profession: Chef Instructor

Hometown: Fort Gaines, Georgia Profession: Registered Nurse

Matthew understands the obstacles and barriers that come from living in a small town. He volunteers and mentors others from smaller towns with adjusting to college life at Albany Technical College, where he serves as the Culinary Arts Instructor. As a former restaurant owner, My Downtown Bistro (Albany, GA) and executive chef at the Tarrer Inn in (Colquitt, GA) and River Point Golf Club in (Albany, GA), Matthew teaches students real world experiences.

Matthew holds an AAS degree in Culinary Arts (2002) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Service Management (2003) both from Johnson Wales University, Charleston, South Carolina. He was selected twice for the Johnson and Wales University Roadrunner Program.

He also holds a number of distinguished accolades such as the Classical French Award, Best Table Side Dish Award in Advanced Dining Room Services, and the Apple Buddy Apple Gold. Matthew was also featured on Georgia Public Television (GPTV) for Swamp Gravy while employed at the Tarrer Inn in Colquit. His recipes were also featured in Southern Living Magazine. —

Robin is a registered nurse at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia. She graduated Salutatorian in 2005 from Randolph Clay High School. During her high school career, she was also named Miss Randolph-Clay.

She graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in 2009 with an associate’s degree in nursing. In 2012, she received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Georgia Southwestern. In addition to her academic success, Robin was named Registered Nurse of the Year at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in 2013.

Robin donates time and money to her community.

She volunteers numerous hours with Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital and during youth sporting events.

Robin also sponsors youth in pageants and donates monetarily to local churches. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree. In the future, she hopes to become a nurse practitioner and to pursue a doctoral degree.—

RuralLeaderMagazine.com 33

Divisha Bradley, 27

Hometown: Shellman, Georgia Profession: Customer Service Representative Divisha is a native of Shellman, Georgia. She graduated Valedictorian from Randolph-Clay High School in 2005 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 2009 from Albany State University at Albany, GA. She is an energetic and detail-oriented professional who has been employed for three years with Georgia Power Company as a customer service representative. Her motivation for success is driven by her three children: twin boys, Jy'Quan, 9 and Jaishun, 9 and a daughter, Jenise, 7.

She is a compassionate and devoted volunteer to the youth in her community. She has coached t-ball for three years with the county’s recreation department. In addition, Divisha is a founding member of the Stingerz, a cheering squad for girls ages 3-12 based in Randolph County, GA. She believes that children should have positive role models, therefore, she strives daily to encourage youth to excel not only in academics but also life.

Divisha is a member of Alpha Kappa Mu and Delta Mu Delta Honor Societies. She has also received a number of accolades, such as the 2014 Secretary Citizens of Georgia Power and Target Zero for three consecutive years. She is a 2011 Graduate of Leadership Randolph and the 2014 Chair of Georgia Power’s South Region Customer Value Team.

Divisha will receive a master’s in human resource management from Troy State University December 2014. —

34 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

Brian LeVar Brown, 34

Hometown: Tifton, Georgia Profession: Educator/Non-profit Management Brian LeVar Brown is a 1998 graduate of Tift County High School in Tifton, Georgia. He is extremely committed to giving back to his community in a positive capacity. Brian is currently employed with the Tift County 8th Street Middle School as a defensive coordinator. In this role, Brian provides exemplary leadership skills, while mentoring youth to develop successfully moral character and self-discipline. He also strives to provide an efficient training experience to students and to understand their specific needs. Under his leadership, the team achieved a record of 15-1 with two successful seasons.

In addition, Brian has several certifications that include CPR, First Aid, X-Ray Tech, and Fork Lifting.

He also has received a number of accolades throughout his career, such as Semi Pro National Championship, Elite 11 Recognition, and a variety of athletic awards in football, softball, and baseball.

In 2014, Brian initiated and became president of a Pop Warner squad in Tift County, the South Georgia Devils, Inc., which has been his life-long dream of 10 years. Pop Warner, established in 1929 and later named after Glenn “Pop” Warner, is the largest group in the world for youth involved in football and cheering with over 325,000 participants nationally. The South Georgia Devils’ program provides valuable experience for athletes ages 5-15 teaching them the extraordinary principles of sportsmanship, competitive integrity, fair play, good moral leadership, a positive Christian character, and self-image.

Brian firmly believes that the squad will have a positive impact in the lives of youth athletically and academically throughout Tift County. Currently, Brian is pursing a bachelor's degree in education at Ashford University.—

Risings Stars in Rural America

Above and Beyond

Mitchell Brock, 26

Hometown: San Diego, California Profession: Police Officer Mitchell is an exceptional individual with a passion for law enforcement who cares about his community and the people he serves. He was born in San Diego, California but move frequently as a military dependent.

He completed high school in 2005 and developed an interest in law enforcement. September 2010, Brock graduated from Penn Foster College with an Associate degree in Criminal Justice. He received several certificates and achievements throughout his career; however, he is most proud of graduating from the Police Academy in Georgia. Mitchell is currently pursing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. —

Erica Robinson-Chester, 34

Hometown: Baconton, Georgia Profession: Non-profit Management Erica Robinson-Chester is the Operations Manager at Dooly County Community Health Center (DCCHC), which is operated under Albany Area Primary Healthcare Inc. in Albany, GA. DCCHC serves the residents of Vienna, GA and surrounding areas. Erica oversees the facility by providing services for the entire family through Family Medicine and Internal Medicine. In addition to the primary services, DCCHC provides on-site Podiatry services on a monthly basis. DCCHC strives to meet the growing needs of their community.

In Erica’s short time in the Dooly County community, she has earned the respect of the residents.

Through her consistent and positive attitude, Erica’s impact can be felt for her mission is to ensure everyone in that community has access to affordable, quality health care. Erica joined the Dooly County Chamber of Commerce to be more involved in the community. She also organized several community in-services within Vienna and Albany, GA. Erica earned her Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy and also completed her Master's degree in Healthcare Administration. Most recently, she married Captain Corey Chester of the United States Army and has one daughter (Mya) and inherited a wonderful son (Cameron).— RuralLeaderMagazine.com 35

Carlisa L. Cooper, 28

Jamie Crozier, 36

Hometown: Cuthbert, Georgia Profession: Administrative Assistant

Hometown: Blakely, Georgia Profession: Banker/Business

Carlisa Letrell Cooper is the daughter of Carolyn Cooper and the late Carlton Cooper. Born and raised in Cuthbert, Georgia, she is the youngest of four children and enjoys small town life. She is a 2004 graduate from Randolph-Clay High School. Carlisa is employed at Albany Technical College as an Admissions Assistant for four years. As an admissions assistant, she helps individuals with enrolling into college.

In 2014, she received an associate degree in business administrative technology from Albany Technical College. Carlisa also holds a diploma in accounting (2006) and a diploma in business administrative technology (2010). She was also named Student Affairs Employee of the Month in August 2012 and January 2013.

Carlisa is very dedicated to her job, and she willingly assists wherever she is needed. She understands the value of her position in regards to retention and recruitment of Albany Technical College students. She is eager to learn new processes and procedures to improve her skills.

She stays abreast of community activities to increase Albany Technical College exposure. She often travels on the Albany Tech Career Cruiser, a mobile recruitment vehicle, to surrounding area libraries representing Admissions and Recruitment. She also participates in recruitment activities in surrounding counties, in addition to the main campus.

Carlisa plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Albany Technical College in the near future. She currently resides in Cuthbert with her five year old daughter, DeCariya Letrell Cooper.—

Jamey is the son of Don and the late Joy Crozier both of Blakely. He graduated from Early County High School in 1996. Jamey earned degrees in environmental geography and geology from Valdosta State University. Later, he received a Master’s in public administration from Albany State University in 2007. Jamey worked for Congressman Sanford Bishop for eight years as a Deputy Director and Ag Advisor. In this capacity, Jamey learned how to work effectively with Republicans and Democratic administrations at the local, state, and federal levels.

He also worked as chief executive officer and chief financial officer for Clay County Commission for a few years. He continues to employ his extensive experience working with the federal government to serve the citizens of the South Georgia area.

Jamey is not only a leader, but one who is humble and willing to help others. He is people-oriented and volunteers countless hours to youth and young adults. In August 2014, Jamey began work with the Bank of Early. Jamey currently resides in Blakely with his wife, Dr. Crystal J. Crozier and two children: Mac, 4 and Mason, 2.—

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Risings Stars in Rural America

Above and Beyond

people do not maximize their potential and miss opportunities to become entrepreneurs, leaders and work-ready in rural communities due to scare resources. Their untapped potential serves as a hindrance to enrolling in post-secondary institutions or entering the job market work ready. Thru Ladder to Success, Santina seeks to change this norm by providing youth with the skills and tools they need to become successful. —

Santina Fryer, 39

Hometown: Baxley, Georgia Profession: Business/Non-profit Management A native of rural southeast GA, Santina understands the drive, determination and perseverance it takes to be successful. Through many personal failures and obstacles, she contributes her success to her faith, education and a passion for helping others.

The daughter of a housekeeper and chronically ill father, Santina learned early the value of hard work and education.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and African American Studies (1997) and a Master of Public Health, both from Mercer University School of Medicine (2003), and a Master of Science in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University (2009).

Santina has over 17 years of experience working with families, youth and community based programs.

She is licensed eligible as a Licensed Professional Counselor with the Georgia Composite Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapist.

Santina is also the owner and CEO of Ladder to Success, LLC., a multi-faceted consultative and human services firm. Santina serves as a therapist and parenting educator to many families in southeast Georgia. She is committed to the families and children she serves. Santina realized that many young

Reverend David S. Hamm, Jr., 38

Hometown: Edison, Georgia Profession: Minister David Selvin Hamm, Jr., was born in Brooklyn, New York to Gladys Jackson and the late David Selvin Hamm, Sr. In 1985, he moved to Leary, Georgia and was raised by his grandparents the late Hattie Lee Jackson and the late Walter C. Jackson. David graduated from Calhoun County High School in 1994.

He answered the divine call on his life and became a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 2004.

In 2005, he became the pastor of one of the oldest African American churches in Cuthbert (Randolph County), Georgia, Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Later, David accepted pastorates at Sander’s Gift Missionary Baptist Church (2007-2014) in Sasser, Georgia and Perry Grove Missionary Baptist Church (2009) in Leslie, Georgia.

In addition to his full time ministerial duties, David graduated from Albany Technical College in with RuralLeaderMagazine.com 37

a diploma in carpentry and HVAC (2012) and an Associate degree in Theology from SWGA Theological Seminary (2013) in Sylvester, GA. He is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Randolph, and he is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management at Albany State University.

In his spare time, David takes pride in giving back to community. He volunteers a numerous hours as a youth baseball coach for the Cuthbert Bulldogs, which is composed of youth ages 9-10. David currently employed with West Georgia Consortium in Cuthbert, where he resides with his wife Altaya and five children: Davianna, Toyaunna, Altaya, Dajon, and Davion.—

Trimel Holloway, 32

Hometown: Desoto, Georgia Profession: Non-profit Management

Jenni Harris, 27

Hometown: Early County, Georgia Profession: Marketing Manager Jenni Harris is the fifth generation of the Harris family to tend cattle at White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, GA. After living on the farm her entire life, Jenni went to Valdosta State University and earned a degree in Business Marketing, graduating in 2009. She remained intimately involved in the family business throughout her studies.

After graduating, Jenni set out to learn the industry. She moved to Atlanta where she interned at Buckhead Beef, a SYSCO company. She put in time in every department, from shipping and receiving to the cut shop, and was later hired to work as a sales associate.

In June of 2010 Jenni returned home to Early County to work for White Oak Pastures full time. As the marketing manager, Jenni travels the East Coast promoting her family’s grassfed beef and lamb and pastured poultry to distributors, retailers, and restaurateurs.

38 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

Trimel is an exceptional visionary, for he constantly encourages others to be their best and to pursue every adventure with an attitude of optimism and excellence. He works to contribute to community through both his professional and personal giving.

Trimel serves in key leadership for the establishment of a Boys and Girls Club in Macon County, Georgia. In this capacity, he aided in strategy planning for the transfer of a 2.7 million dollar National Guard Armory building from the Department of Defense to a local municipality at no additional cost to the local taxpayers of Macon County. He also authored other organizational planning elements and local governance policies for the club, while writing successful grant applications and fundraising.

He also began a community-wide public health awareness campaign in Macon County, Georgia to enhance health and wellness education and awareness, which has become an annual Health Fair event.

The event successfully brings together local and regional health care providers as partners to service community. Trimel is a member of the Healthy Homes Advisory Group—Rural Georgia, representing health and housing stakeholders to establish priority policies. He is also an active member of Georgia Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Initiative.

Trimel graduated 2005 from Georgia Southwestern State University with a B.B.A. degree in marketing. He also holds a M.S. degree in Environmental Policy and Management from American Public University. He is currently pursuing an M.B.A. in Nonprofit Management from American Public University. Trimel is also a graduate of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development.—

He volunteers as a mentor in the National Guard Youth Challenge Program and the Georgia Youth ChalleNGe Academy. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and serves on various boards and committees such as the Americus-Sumter County Chamber of Commerce, West Central Georgia Community Action Council, Inc., Boys and Girls Club of Americus/Sumter County, Inc., Boys and Girls Club of Macon County.

Trimel is currently the director of Macon County Family Connection. He is married to Patrice and together they have four children. —

In order to be effective in this endeavor, Dr. Jackson strongly believes that he has to continuously stay on the forefront of industry issues and innovations, which is why he is a member of numerous healthcare related local, regional and national associations including the Georgia Pharmacy Associations and the National Community Pharmacists Association.

Dr. Jackson’s spare time includes reading historical materials, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated in which he continuously participates in numerous functions and events. —

Dr. Michael A. Jackson, 33

Kimberly Ingram-Johnson, 39

Dr. Michael A. Jackson was born and raised in Cuthbert, Georgia and is the son of Queen Jackson and the late Johnnie B. Jackson. He is a graduate of Randolph-Clay High School (1999), Fort Valley State University earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology (2004) and Union University earning a Doctorate of Pharmacy (2012). Dr. Jackson’s professional interests include Acute/Ambulatory care focusing on improvements in Hypertension, Diabetes and Cholesterol management.

Dr. Jackson has always nurtured an interest in the healthcare profession and a strong desire to work in an environment that would afford him direct contact with patients. Dr. Jackson is presently a Clinical Pharmacist with Kaiser Permanente in Jonesboro, GA. With his current position, Dr. Jackson works as a pharmacist specializing in the medication-related needs of the community population including those with Acute Illnesses (Hypertension, Diabetes and Cholesterol Management), ensuring that medications are the most appropriate, the most effective, and the safest possible.

Kimberly is the daughter of Joyce Harris, who grew up in Bluffton, Clay County, Georgia, She is a 1993 graduate of Randolph Clay High School in Cuthbert and also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education (1998) from Valdosta State University. Kimberly completed her advanced degrees at Troy State University with a Master of Science degree in Elementary Education (2000), an Education Specialist degree in Elementary Education (2003), and also an add-on certification in Educational Leadership (2004).

Kimberly in the public schools of Clay County for sixteen years. She loves teaching, mentoring youth, and volunteering wherever needed in the community. Her faith is a constant throughout her life. She is a faithful member of Saint Luke Missionary Baptist Church, Fort Gaines, where she sings in the adult choir and serves as the youth director. Currently, Kimberly is the principal at Clay County Elementary School in Fort Gaines, where she also resides with her husband of thirteen years, Samuel Johnson.—

Hometown: Cuthbert, Georgia Profession: Pharmacist

Hometown: Bluffton, Georgia Profession: Educator

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Rhonda and husband, Andre, currently reside in Cuthbert with their six children: Mercury, Victor, Jr., Victoria, Madison, Shacobia, and Avarious.—

Rhonda Jones-Johnson, 37 Hometown: Cuthbert, Georgia Profession: Registered Nurse

Rhonda is a dedicated Registered Nurse with a broad range of experience who loves her family and community. She is currently employed with Phoebe Home Care as a RN Health Care Nurse and at Southwest Georgia Regional Medical Center in Cuthbert as a Charge Nurse. Rhonda has worked in the medical field since 1996. She served as a Home Health Care Nurse to patients and their families in Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Early, Quitman, Randolph, and Terrell counties for several years.

Rhonda graduated from Sparks State Technical College in 1996 with an Associates degree in Practical Nursing. She received her Associate of Science in Psychology from Andrew College in 2005 and an Associate of Science in Nursing from Darton College in 2007. Rhonda is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Despite her busy schedule as wife, mother, and healthcare professional, she willingly shares here time and talents with others. Rhonda teaches Sunday school and works with youth at her church, Weaver Temple Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in Cuthbert. She also volunteers with Randolph County Head Start, Pataula Charter Academy, Food and Clothing Bank at Weaver Temple COGIC, Southwest Georgia Regional Medical Center, Englewood Health Systems, and the Columbus Wellness Center.

40 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

Malcolm King, 28

Hometown: Americus, Georgia Profession: Non-profit Management Malcolm is an advocate for families throughout rural southwest Georgia. He is also a professional writer and grant writer. Malcolm wrote and secured funding for several grants in his community including the 21st Century Afterschool Programs in Crisp and Dooly counties and the Empowerment Pathways Youthbuild Program. Empowerment Pathways Youthbuild is a job training and GED preparation program for youth ages 16-24. He is also a facilitator and representative of Stronger Economics Together (S.E.T.). SET is designed to empower entrepreneurs by providing specialized support, technical assistance, and access to financial resources.

Malcolm is extremely involved in his community.

He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and currently serves as a mentor to young men at the Georgia Southwestern State University campus.

He is a facilitator and coordinator of the Southwest Georgia Strong/Rural Commerce Outreach Initiative Committee. The SWGA Rural Commerce Outreach Initiative provides various resources to small business owners throughout the region and showcases

their accomplishment.

He is also a member of the Crisp County 21st Century Advisory Council. As a member, Malcolm helped to develop the afterschool program in an all-encompassing arena where both students and their family members can take place in education and strengthening families. Malcolm serves as a member of the Crisp Alliance for Literacy, which was developed to partner with local literacy programs and current projects. He is also the newest member of the Furlow Charter School Establishment Board in Sumter County. Malcolm is currently the program coordinator at Salt of the Earth Community Enrichment Program—

resides in Cuthbert with her husband, Walter and son, Elliz, who is a ninth grade student at Randolph Clay High School.—

Anna McIntyre, 23

Hometown: Ball Ground, Georgia Profession: 4-H Youth Development Agent

Elizabeth Jackson-Knighton, 39 Hometown: Athens, Georgia Profession: Counselor/Educator

Elizabeth is a 1993 graduate of Jackson County High School in Jefferson, Georgia. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education (1998) and a Masters in School Guidance Counseling both from Albany State University in Albany, Georgia. Throughout her fifteen year career, she taught health, physical education, and alternative education; in addition, she worked as counselor in elementary, middle, and high schools. Elizabeth also coached varsity basketball and volleyball.

Elizabeth is an extraordinary individual who mentors and supports others with passion and purpose.

In her spare time, she volunteers numerous hours mentoring youth at her church, Trinity Chapel Baptist Church in Morris, Georgia. She also volunteers with a youth mentor group called P.L.U.T.O, which stands for Peer Leaders Undermining Today’s Obstacles.

Elizabeth is currently employed as counselor with the Randolph County School System. She currently

Anna McIntyre is a native of Ball Ground, GA in Cherokee County. She is a 2012 graduate of the University of Georgia with a BSA in Agricultural Communication and a minor in Horticulture and an Interdisciplinary Certificate in Leadership and Service.

While at UGA in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Anna provided leadership for numerous organizations. She served as a student ambassador for CAES, a CAES senator for the Student Government Association, president of the Agricultural Communicators and Leaders of Tomorrow, advertising chair for the Great Southland Stampede Rodeo and vice president for Ag Hill Council. During her collegiate career, she was selected University of Georgia’s Amazing Student and worked for Senator Isakson as an Agricultural Fellow in Washington, D.C. Anna is currently employed as the 4-H Youth Development Agent at the Crisp County Extension.

In addition to providing programming to 540 youth in Crisp County, she raised under $5,000.00 for the county program in less than year. She is currently working on a program that targets at-risk youth in Cordele. Since her tenure with Crisp County 4-H, she has revitalized the forestry judging team and created numerous extra-curricular leadership development activities for Crisp youth.

Anna is a member of the Board of Directors for the Cordele-Crisp Chamber of Commerce, a memRuralLeaderMagazine.com 41

ber of the Crisp County Community Council, a grad- leaders that have inspired my educational path thus uate of the Leadership Crisp Class of 2014, an incom- far."— ing board member of the Cordele Kiwanis Club, a member of the Watermelon Days Festival Committee and serves as a volunteer coach for the CCHS Varsity Soccer Team.

On a regional and state level, Anna was honored under House Resolution NO. 69 for her achievements and contributions to the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. She recently received the Southwest District Tony Roberts Innovation Award for her annual fund campaign to raise $5,000.00 for the 4-H club. She serves on the Media Committee and the Professional Development Committee for the Georgia Association of 4-H Agents.

Anna also works with the UGA CAES Alumni Association as a member on the student recruitment advisory team.

She is currently pursuing her Master of Leadership Brian C. Mock, 35 (MAL) in Agricultural Leadership from the UniversiHometown: Cuthbert, Georgia ty of Georgia. — Profession: Human Resource Management Brian is an exceptional minister, husband, father, and leader. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing (2002) and a Master in Public Administration: Human Resource Management (2005) both from Albany State University in Albany, Georgia. In 2007, he received a certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University.

He is very active in his community. Brian is member of Henry County Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc. He also serves on the executive board of the Southeastern Province of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and the executive board of the Greater Victory Christian Center in East Point, Georgia.

Brian also serves as an Elder and is a member of the Dr. Tosha Middlebrooks, 37 Ministerial Alliance at Greater Victory Christian Center.

Hometown: Pelham, Georgia Profession: Educator Brian has an extensive background in human resources and sales. He has numerous honors for Dr. Tosha Middlebrooks is a people person. She exemplary leadership and service to community. is currently the principal of Toombs County High During his tenure at American Family Life AssurSchool in Lyons, Georgia. She is caring and devoted ance Company (AFLAC) as a Sales Associate, he was to her students and community. She stewards approximately 1,000 students. Before becoming prinranked #1 in the Albany District and was awarded Regional Rookie of the District and Most Outstandcipal, she served as assistant principal for five years.

She received her doctoral degree at 32. ing Sales Rep. He was awarded the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. National President’s Award of Appre Dr. Middlebrooks knows learning is a life-long ciation (2011), the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. process. Therefore, she utilizes the quote from Sarah Caldwell with great pride," Learn everything you can, National Advisor of the Year (2007 – 2009); and the anytime you can, from anyone you can- there will Georgia Department of Labor: Outstanding Cuscome a time when you will be grateful you did." With tomer Service Award in 2002. Most recently, Brian this being said, Dr. Middlebrooks states "I'm grateful was featured in Albany State University’s Spring 2014 for God's grace and mercy and thankful for all the Aspire Magazine’s “Rams to Watch for.” He is also a 42 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

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2013 graduate of Leadership Henry.

—He is currently employed with PruittHealth as a Community Relations Representative II in Norcross, Georgia, where he is among the top ten performers for the company. Brian currently resides in Stockbridge, Georgia with his wife Tamyah and daughters Riley and Ryan.—

for Kindergarten. In 2009, she became the Resource Teacher for grades Kindergarten through 2nd.

Courtney also served as chair for the Exceptional Education Teachers. She strongly believes that teaching is her gift, and she was named Teacher of the Year in 2013. She received honors from Georgia State Representative Gerald Greene and Congressional recognition from Congressman Sanford Bishop, Jr. Courtney is extremely active in her community.

She is a faithful member at Bethel Baptist Church in Springvale, Georgia, where she serves as Youth Director. She is also a member of Sigma Alpha Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in Tifton, Georgia. Courtney serves as the secretary and chair for the organization’s Emerging Young Leaders initiative and was named Soror of the Year in 2013.

She currently resides in Cuthbert, Georgia with her husband, Celestrous Lee Murphy and their two children, Caleb 10 and Caleigh 4.—

Courtney Murphy, 36

Hometown: Cuthbert, Georgia Profession: Educator Courtney is a teacher at Randolph County Elementary School in Cuthbert, Georgia. She is a 1996 graduate of Randolph Clay High School. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education (2001) and a Masters degree in Interrelated Special Education with a Reading Endorsement (2010) both from Albany State University in Albany, Georgia.

Courtney is a dedicated educator. Her teaching career began in 2001at Duval County Public School in at Lake Shore Middle in Jacksonville, Florida. While there, she worked three years with autistic children that reaffirmed her passion for teaching. Courtney also served as the Life Skills Lab instructor for students with disabilities. Ultimately, she became the Autism Site Coach for five sites on campus at Lake Shore Middle.

In 2007, Courtney and her family moved back to Georgia, and she continued her career at Randolph County Elementary School as an Inclusion Teacher

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Mobile in Spring, Texas.

Jerome and wife, April currently reside in Houston, Texas.—

Jerome Murphy, 35

Hometown: Cuthbert, Georgia Profession: Geoscientist Jerome is a native of Cuthbert, Georgia. He is a graduate of Randolph-Clay High School. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry (2001) from Fort Valley State University. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology (2002) and a Master of Science degree in Geology (2004) both from the University of Oklahoma.

Jerome began his career at ExxonMobil Exploration Company in 2004 as a Petroleum Geologist. His primary responsibility was to explore and to document stratigraphic and structural lithologic formations to locate gas and oil in the U.S. South Louisiana Freshwater Bayou and South Texas Destino Fields.

Later, he was promoted to Exploration Geologist in 2006. Jerome conducted drilling and mapping projects and assessed field and well data. He also provided three and two-dimensional interpretation results in probabilistic lead assessments.

In 2010, Jerome served as the Australia Exploration Geologist, Papau New Guinea/Liquified Natural Gas Team. In 2013, he served as the Technical Team Lead for the West Africa Operation Team. Jerome worked closely with a team of 6 geoscientists to monitor and to ensure quality of technical deliverables.

He also mentored other geoscientists in the areas of 3-D seismic interpretation, prospect assessment, deep water stratigraphy, and geophysics.

Jerome is extremely active professionally. He serves as the National Vice President of the National Association of Black Geoscientists. He is also a member of the American Associate of Petroleum Geologists, the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, and the University of Oklahoma Alumni Advisory Council. Jerome currently serves as a Geoscience Supervisor, North Caspian Sea PSA Team for Exxon44 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

Rachael Oliver, 38

Hometown: Ideal, Georgia Profession: Community Support Specialist Rachael Oliver currently works with the Georgia Family Connection Partnership providing technical assistance to counties in South Georgia who implement the Family Connection state grant. She provides diverse trainings in strategic planning, board development, budget/finance, implementation, work plans and much more. She obtained a BA in Psychology and later a M.B.A. from Georgia Southwestern State University.

She has 13 years experience working for various state and government agencies including the Georgia Department of Corrections and the Department of Technical and Adult Education. She is past president of the Macon County Kiwanis Club and serves as the chair for the WIA Youth Council for the River Valley Regional Commission. She is the Team Leader for the Grade Level Reading Initiative Cohort in 3 counties. She also serves on the State Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council with the Georgia Department of Education.—

Risings Stars in Rural America

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Julio Portillo, 33

Hometown: San Salvador, El Salvador Profession: Bicycle/Pedestrian Planner Julio is a native of El Salvador who came to Columbus as a college student. After obtaining his B.B.A in marketing and Masters of Public Administration, he came to work at the River Valley Regional Commission (RVRC) as the bicycle/pedestrian planner. In the years since he started at the RVRC, he established the Bicycle Planning Advisory Committees in Columbus and Americus. Under his leadership, these groups: Bicycle Columbus and Sumter Cycling; and together planned the first Bike to Work Day(s), Ride with the Mayor(s), Prison to Peanuts Ride, Mid-Town Bike Around, as well as the Tour de Farm event promoting local businesses such as Richland Rum, White Oak Pastures, Koinonia Farms, and Cafe Campesino.

Julio has been able to bring diverse groups together with the goal of increasing alternative transportation options in the region. The Columbus BPAC worked with the City of Columbus to apply to be designated as a Bicycle Friendly Community.

While not chosen the first year, Columbus received an honorable mention and continues to work to implement the ideals of a Bicycle Friendly Community with a large number of bicycle trails, events to promote cycling, and policies/procedures designed to promote and protect cyclists. This has resulted in

the adoption of the a Complete Streets ordinance by the Columbus City Council in March, 2014, making this the first community within the RVRC 16 county service region to have a Complete Streets Ordinance in place.

Safe Routes to School is another program in the community which has seen great success due to Julio's efforts. Safe Routes to School Plans have been completed for seventeen (17) schools. These plans create a safe walking environment for children. One area school has constructed grant-funded sidewalk and bicycle facilities as a result of one of several Safe Routes to School plans prepared by Julio and his staff.

As staff to the Columbus and Americus Bicycle Planning Advisory Committee, Julio coordinated events that bring people to Southwest Georgia, promote local businesses and products and encourage a healthier lifestyle through cycling. Julio also assisted existing events such as the Fair on the Square in Lumpkin to increase attendance and participation in the Bike Ride. Through his efforts, cycling has become not only alternative transportation but also economic development.

Julio won four different Regional Transportation Awards from the National Association of Development Organizations as well as three Georgia Planning Awards. He is also a distinguished graduate from the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership (2012), and the Georgia Academy for Economic Development (2007). Julio is currently studying for the American Institute of Certified Planners exam.—

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Reverend Jeremy G. Rich, 32 Hometown: Thomasville, Georgia Profession: Minister/Educator

Reverend Jeremy G. Rich is an exceptional individual. Many local residents in and around Thomasville, GA think of him as a gentle giant well-known for his genuine smile, relentless pursuit of excellence, willingness to assist anyone, and booming tenor voice.

He is a tireless advocate for the beloved community, especially those considered by society as the "least of these" - people who far too frequently slip through the cracks.

He is a proud alumnus of Florida A&M University where he majored in Political Science with a minor of Secondary Education. In March of 2007, Reverend Rich began teaching and acting as the Social Studies Department Chairman at the Bishop Hall Charter School in Thomasville, GA. He was elected “Teacher of the Year” by his peers for the 2008-2009 academic school year. While teaching at Bishop Hall Charter School, he sponsored several students trips including the Alabama Civil Rights Tour, the Cultural Excursion of the Nation’s Capital in Washington D.C., the Florida African-American Heritage Tour, and the Atlanta Heritage Tour.

Reverend Rich makes countless contributions of his time, talent, and treasure to community. He serves on several executive boards including: the Dependable Affordable Sustainable Housing (D.A.S.H) Board Chairman; Hands On Thomas County (H.O.T.C.) Board Member; Thomasville Landmarks Board Member; Thomasville Chapter of the FAMU Alumni Association Parliamentarian; Project Excel Board Member; 100 Black Men of South Georgia, Member; Thomasville Missionary Baptist Association’s Sunday School Congress and Baptist Training 46 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

Union Vice President and the Vice President and Program Coordinator of the Thomas County Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance.

He is also an active member of the 100 Black Men of Brooks-Grady-Thomas Counties, Inc., and the program coordinator of the annual Holy Week services sponsored by the Thomas County Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance.

In 2013, the Thomasville Alumni Chapter (Mu Beta Beta Chapter) of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. conferred upon Reverend Rich its Community Service Award.

Reverend Rich traveled to Kenya on a goodwill tour with various members of First Presbyterian Church of Thomasville for 3 weeks this past July.

He is also the 20th Pastor to serve in the long and distinguished history of First Missionary Baptist Church (FMBC), the second-oldest church in Thomasville that was established in 1853. Reverend Rich is also a facilitator of community outreach and a tireless advocate for all of God’s people.—

Marcella Rolle, 32

Hometown: Nashville, TN Profession: Non-profit Management Marcella Rolle is the Program Director of the Salt of the Earth Community Enrichment Program (SOTE) in Crisp and Dooly Counties. SOTE offers enrichment classes on topics such as Financial Literacy, Healthy Relationships, Communication and Goal Setting.

She was born in Miami, Florida and raised in Nashville, TN. She is a 2000 graduate of Cheatham County Central High School in Ashland City, TN. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities with

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concentrations in English and Philosophy from Tennessee State University in 2004.

Upon completing college, she immediately soughtParalegal Certification at the former Southeastern Career College, now Kaplan Career Institute. She became an ABA Certified Paralegal in 2004, and worked as a Paralegal in real estate law, family law, collections law, and tax law from 2005 until 2010.

She subsequently enrolled at the University of West Georgia and completed the master’s program in education and professional counseling in May 2012. She is a Georgia-certified school counselor and has completed a 700 hour internship as a counselor working with middle and high school students.

Marcella worked diligently to give back to community through her work. She worked tirelessly to expand the services available to families and children in southwest Georgia. Consequently, she collaborated with others to establish afterschool and summer programs in her community.

As a faith leader at A Servant Church, Marcella provides counseling and mentoring to empower young women. In addition, she also serves on several advisory boards that include the Crisp Alliance for Literacy and the 21st Century Afterschool Advisory Board.

In 2014, as a result of her dynamic leadership, Marcella developed the first college and career fair in Crisp and Dooly counties called Students Who Achieve Greatness (S.W.A.G.).

She also serves on the Crisp County Community Council, the Dooly County Community Enrichment Coalition, the Crisp Alliance for Literacy, the Crisp County 21st Century Advisory Council, and the Crisp Cares Faith-Based Initiative.—

Best Small Town Restaurant

We're looking for those fabulous restaurants in small towns that make your community home. Help us recognize these gems and give them the spotlight they deserve!

Call for nominations ongoing. Visit RuralLeaderMagazine.com. Select the nominate tab. Complete and submit the form. Questions? Write to ruralleadermagazine@gmail.com.

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Kristie Shivers, 35

Hometown: Shellman, Georgia Profession: Photographer Kristie Melton Shivers, a 35-year old resident of Fort Gaines, has two great loves in her life – family and photography. Her love for photography began in her hometown of Shellman at a young age with a pink Kodak 110mm camera with a Minnie Mouse sticker. After college, Kristie’s hobby faded away, but the passion for photography never vanished. Upon the birth of their first child, Kristie’s husband, Locke, gave her a 35mm camera as a gift, and the long-neglected pastime became a reality in her life again.

Now, Kristie, who is also a gifted artist and crafter, uses many forms of art as creative outlets to express feelings and to tell stories, but her favorite of all art forms remains photography. When she is not with her husband and two children, Austin and Kinley, or working as the Office Manager/ Accounting Assistant at Anderson Construction Company of Fort Gaines, she is taking pictures. She has recently been added to the staff of Rural Leader Magazine as an intern photographer and has also received several awards for her work.

Over the years, Kristie has taken thousands of pictures – candid family portraits, snapshots of rural life and local landscapes, visionary perspectives of nature’s unique beauty, and photographs of a bride and groom’s first kiss on their wedding day. Regardless

of the subject, each photograph captures a moment in time and tells a story, and Kristie’s artistry shines through.—

Jennifer L. Snelling, 30

with a concentration in Public Administration from Northcentral University.—

Jay Stalnaker, 28

Hometown: Morgan, Georgia Profession: Scholar

Hometown: Butler, Georgia Profession: Political Consultant

Jennifer is a native of Morgan, Georgia and a 2002 salutatorian/honors graduate from Calhoun County High School in Edison, GA. She received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with cum laude honors from Albany State University in 2006. Jennifer also holds a Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Human Resource Management from Troy University (2010) and a graduate certificate in Project Management from DeVry University (2011).

She frequently gives back to her community. Jennifer served as a volunteer of K.O.O.L.L., which stands for Keeping Obesity Out of Life's Loop (KOOLL), Albany State University and tutors children in math.

She is also a member of Delta Mu Delta and Eta Phi Chapter at Albany State University.

Jennifer is a member of Berachah Fellowship Church in Albany, GA, where she sings in the Levitical Priesthood Praise and Worship team and serves as secretary; a secretary for the Outreach Ministry; a volunteer in Children's Church; and an Ambassador. Prior to that, she was a member of Bethlehem Freewill Baptist Church in her hometown of Morgan, GA for 18 years, where she served as Sunday School Secretary and Church Musician. Jennifer also sang with the Martin Luther King Commemorative Mass Choir during Mt. Zion Baptist Church's MLK 2011 Memorial Program. County High School in Edison, GA. At present, she is in the process of completing her dissertation for a PhD in Business Administration

Jay is a Democratic political consultant and strategist from Butler, Georgia, the county seat of Taylor County, located midway between Macon and Columbus. After hearing a speech from then Lt. Governor Mark Taylor while attending a Family Connection conference in Augusta with his mom, Taylor County Family Connection Executive Director Nancy Peacock, Jay became interested in politics and government. A few years later, while in high school, Jay was assigned to research and predict the 2002 Georgia Gubernatorial race as part of a social studies project.

That project, and the influence of some of his other high school teachers, sparked Jay's desire to become active in politics.

Jay started out as a volunteer, placing signs and other campaign literature around Taylor County for Democrats up and down the ballot, from Presidential candidates to city council candidates. In 2005, as a Freshman at Columbus State University, Jay co-founded and served as the President of the Columbus State College Democrats. Later, Jay co-founded and served as the first Chairman of the Taylor County Young Democrats. He also served as the Interim Chairman of the Taylor County Democratic Committee.

Jay is a graduate of Leadership Taylor, Class of 2009. He is also a proud Freemason and a Brother of Fickling Lodge #129 F. & A.M., which helps support the Masonic Children's Home in Macon among other philanthropic endeavors. Jay was also a member of the Taylor County Chamber of Commerce and RuralLeaderMagazine.com 49

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served as the webmaster for the organization.

Jay served as a consultant on a number of local campaigns in Taylor County and frequently advises a number of candidates in the area and successfully managed two Mayoral campaigns in Butler. In 2012, Jay served as the campaign manager for then Taylor County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Patty Bentley, helping guide her to a victory in a hard fought Primary Run-off. Jay also served as the campaign manager for former Oglethorpe Mayor Gerald Beckum’s bid for Secretary of State in 2014.—

working towards a Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health at Troy University in Phenix City, AL. She expects to complete her studies in 2015.

At present, she is a certified addiction counselor and serves as the program manager at the Millennium Center in Cuthbert, which is a Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Facility for Women.—

Johnny B. Walker, Sr., 34

Hometown: Sumner, Georgia Profession: Police Officer

Carla Taylor, 39

Hometown: Cuthbert, Georgia Profession: Non-profit Management Carla graduated from Columbia County High School in Lake City, Fl. in 1993. She joined the U.S. Army during the same year. She remained an active duty service member until 2001. While in the military, Carla was stationed at Ft. Story in Virginia and Ft. Hood in Texas.

She is the proud mother of two children. She earned an Associates Degree in Psychology from Darton College and graduated with honors. Carla is also am a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Later, she earned a bachelor's degree from Georgia South Western State University and graduated with honors.

She is a member of Psi Chi. Currently, Carla is 50 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

Johnny was born in Albany, GA and grew up in a small town in Worth County, GA named Sumner, which is just outside of Sylvester. He attended Worth County Comprehensive High School where he graduated in May 1999. He began his law enforcement career in May of 2005 at Sylvester Police Department.

He desired a career in law enforcement because he wanted to make a difference in the community by helping people. Johnny began work at Terrell County Sheriff Office in July of 2006 as a Deputy Sheriff on road patrol. In August of 2008, he was assigned to the Terrell County School System as the School Resource Officer.

Johnny is married to Laurice, and together they have one daughter, Lauryn. He is an active member of Crawford Grove Baptist Church, St. Mark Masonic Lodge # 59, Prince Hall Affiliation, where he serves as Worshipful Master, and Beatrice Chapter # 30,

Order or the Eastern Star, where he serves as Worthy Patron.—

New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ. In her spare time, Pamela enjoys volunteering at her church, Ray of Hope Ministry and spending time with her family. She currently resides in Raleigh, NC with her husband Kerwin Whitney and two children, Haley Williams and Kerwin Whitney, Jr.

Pamela Denise Whitney, 38

Hometown: Bainbridge, Georgia Profession: Escalation Manager Pamela is an accomplished management professional with an extensive background in leadership and technology support services. Her exemplary leadership skills and experience establishes her as among the top in her field. Pamela began her career in 1998 at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, and Smith in New York, New York as an analyst for its corporate training program. Within a year, she advanced as a senior specialist for the company’s Somerset, New Jersey office, in its National Sales Web Site Development and Support Team division.

In 2000, Pamela began work at Credit Suisse in New York as a level one developer analyst for its Sales and Research IT Production Support division. Pamela’s high performance and leadership ability landed her a series of promotions within two years. She was promoted to relationship manager for the company’s LOCuS Implementation Team, then a AVP Manager, Fixed Income IT Repo Support Team respectively, and finally a AVP manager for its Derivatives IT Front Office Support Team. She later transferred to the company’s Morrisville, NC office until 2011. In 2011, Pamela joined Qlik, in Raleigh, NC as its Escalation Manager Americas. In this capacity, she serves as the single point of accountability for all escalations for the Americas.

Pamela is a 1994 graduate of Bainbridge High School. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematical Sciences (1998) from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, FL and a Master of Science degree in Information Systems (2004) from

Brandon Williams, 32

Hometown: Desoto, Georgia Profession: Educator Brandon is a successful educator who leads efforts to impact positively youth in Sumter, Crisp, Lee, and Dougherty counties. He initial began is career services youth in the Sumter County School System as a cafeteria worker. Later, he became a substitute teacher and bus driver. Thereafter, he became a Special Education teacher for Crisp County High School.

A few years later, he held the same position at at Dougherty Middle School and A.S. Clark Elementary School respectively. Brandon is a dedicated educator who became the assistant principal at A.S. Clark Elementary School.

Brandon is very passionate about his work. In his spare time, he facilitates a group with an aim to provide needed services to youth in Sumter, Lee, Crisp and Dougherty counties. He also teaches character education, cultural diversity, personal health and well-being.

Brandon is a member of the Georgia Association of Educators and the Georgia Middle School Principle's Association. He holds a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in behavior disorders both from Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia. Brandon also holds a master's degree in educational leadership from Georgia State College and University in Milledgeville.

Continued on page 57 RuralLeaderMagazine.com 51

How to Change Careers in

Five

Simple Steps A teacher transitioning to a job in the corporate world. A stay-athome mom rejoining the workforce. A baby boomer choosing a new career over retirement. There are countless individuals every day that carefully weigh the pros and cons of making a major career change. Are you one of them?

Driven by passion and the desire to have more satisfying work, eager individuals are taking the leap of faith and switching to an entirely new career this year.

If you're contemplating a career change, there are some important things to consider so you can plan and position yourself for success.

These five tips will help you gain confidence in your decision to transform your work.

1. Define your passion. What do you truly love to do? It could be cooking, working with children, gardening, number-crunching, etc. Start by defining what you're passionate about and realistically look at how that passion can be tapped so you can make money doing what you love. It's also wise to analyze the reasons why you want to make a career change. Long-term dissatisfaction with your work might be a good reason to consider a new career, but isolated issues that have taken place recently might not necessarily be the best reason to make such a big life change.

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2. Think outside the box.

You may already know what you love to do, but finding a way to make it a career might be a more complex task. Think creatively and don't be afraid to go outside the typical 9-to-5 job options.

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, starting a franchise can be a rewarding opportunity. For example, if you enjoy helping children learn and want to play a role in shaping the future of growing minds, consider being an owner/ operator of a Kumon Math and Reading Franchise. By building a career with the world's largest after-school math and reading academic enrichment program, you'll be a business owner who is also a driving force for social good by having a profound impact on the lives of children in your community. Visit kumonfranchise.com to learn more.

3. Make time to plan.

Changing careers is a huge step that can be challenging. It is not something that should be done impulsively, and you must give yourself time to plan. You'll want to be sure you are mentally and financially prepared for what's next. Setbacks are bound to occur along with the successes, and with thorough planning you'll position yourself for even more positive outcomes.

4. Be practical and research.

Changing careers is a journey, not a race. Being practical about decisions and making changes in stages can be helpful. Explore opportunities that are attractive to you and talk with others who work in that industry. They can provide the best insight into what the day-to-day responsibilities would be, including the pluses and drawbacks of the job. Remember to research the outlook for different industries and career paths as well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook is a great resource.

5. Build a support network.

Having supportive friends and family can be a key factor in successfully making a major career change. Make sure you have a network of supportive individuals who will be there for you through it all. Professional support can make a big difference, too. Franchise owners at Kumon join more than 2,000 individually owned and operated centers across North America, meaning they have the support of many other people who know the industry and what it takes to succeed. Additionally, having a mentor, no matter what career path you pursue, can provide you with expertise and counsel to help position you for a bright future. BPT—

Conducting Business Meetings continued from page 27 for your own convenience.

There are a couple of other ideas that work as well.

Get the person to join in the first part of the meeting, present their information and leave after taking questions. Or alternatively, have the person available to be called in only if required. This way, the other party is available during the meeting time but can be doing other work. Have seen this work well. What is more worthwhile is the fact that these people start appreciating the meetings that you conduct.

4. Document Outcomes/Agreements/Actions The value of meetings is in getting agreements, generating outcomes or in agreeing on actions and who will carry out the actions. Cannot stress enough on the importance of having this written down during the meeting. Preferably on a flip chart paper or whiteboard. For actions, note the completion dates and who is responsible. At the end of the meeting, summarize these items. This means your meeting discussion needs to close about ten minutes earlier to go through these and allow for any clarifications.

5. Agree On The Next Steps Once outcomes and actions are agreed upon, next important thing is to agree on the next steps. Plan and agree on when you will next meet if this applies.

If not, agree on how you can ensure that action items are closed off. So often, very well run meetings become ineffective because they fail in their follow up actions. So, do focus on this part of the meeting.

6. Follow Up Documentation Some people may send out meeting minutes. Some do not. At a minimum, you should document points agreed upon and action items and have these sent to all attendees. In case, points were misunderstood, the attendees have an opportunity to clarify. You will also find that people forget what was agreed upon, in which case, they have a document to refer to. This way, there should be no arguments in future about agreements made and action items.

7. Thank The Participants On concluding, thank the participants for their attendance and contribution to the meeting. The attendees have taken time off to attend your meeting and some of them would have spent time preparing for it. Taking a few minutes to show your appreciation will help in getting their support and cooperation for future meetings and especially for the immediate actions that may be required. Just remember that if your meeting is successful, these are the people who made it possible.

8. Reflect On How You Managed The Meeting After the meeting, take a short while to note what went well and what can be improved on. If your mentor also attended the meeting, you may want to ask for feedback on whether you ran the meeting confidently. Use the feedback to improve on the next meeting. If your review shows that you may need training, you can check out with your training department on appropriate training that you can attend. Or just buy or borrow a book on the topic. Of course, you can also find a lot of materials for free on the Internet.

Everyone can conduct meetings confidently if they plan and prepare for it. Make sure that the attendees are informed of the purpose and agenda for the meeting and other logistics details. Inform them early if they need to come prepared. Have the relevant facilities ready for the meeting. Document the outcomes and actions resulting from the meeting. Agree on the next steps so that you can follow through.

When you have conducted a business meeting confidently and people are appreciative of it, there is great feeling of satisfaction. Just follow the tips provided and watch the significant difference in how confidently you run your next meeting.

About the Author Regina Maniam has for many years managed people and projects where conducting effective meetings makes a significant difference in getting things done.

Check out this website for more helpful information. http://www.lifecoachingsecret.com

RuralLeaderMagazine.com 53

Technology in Business

Small businesses spend an average of $192,000 a year on technology, according to Spiceworks' State of SMB IT survey. While that figure is a drop in the bucket for most large corporations, for smaller businesses it represents a huge investment. Small-business owners continue to seek ways to get the most value for every dollar they spend on technology.

Savvy small-business owners (SBOs) know that doing more with less is key to their success. An aspect of this is strategically spending money on technology that can meet a multitude of requirements.

Many are choosing tablet technology that allows them to quickly and efficiently handle multiple tasks with a single powerful device.

Modern consumers expect speed, mobility and efficiency in all that they do, including their interactions with businesses. Enterprise-grade tablets, like the new MICROS mTablet E-Series powered by Intel, can help small businesses meet those expectations by packing potent computing power in a portable, cost-effective package.

Small businesses from bed and breakfasts to retail 54 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

stores, restaurants and delivery services are using tablets to efficiently manage a number of tasks, including: * Streamlining hiring and onboarding of new employees. Tablets like the MICROS mTablet E-Series allow SBOs to easily gather, process and analyze resumes and applications, transfer tax information for new hires from applications into accounting software, and automate key training aspects. Tablets can help small businesses, that don't always have a dedicated HR department, better manage human resources requirements. * Managing and ordering inventory. Running out of inventory can be disastrous for a small business. Tablets used for point-of-sale transactions can be synced to an inventory program, ensuring that inventory stays up to date as each item leaves stock.

For example, a florist might use this capability to track the number of arrangements sold in vases so he will know when it's time to order more. A restaurant might program the system to track sale of dishes with a certain ingredient in order to ensure they never run

out of supply. * Enhancing the mobility of employees who need to move around a storefront, hotel or restaurant to interact with customers. Maximizing staff efficiency is vital for a small business. For example, instead of taking an order on a paper pad and then entering it into an electronic system and a cash register, waiters can use a tablet to take an order and automatically send it to the kitchen, open a tab and track the order charges. At fast food establishments, workers with tablets can walk down a car line and speed up order taking. * Reducing time lost to technical challenges. Tablets provide SBOs with more manageable technology, versatility and cost efficiencies. Businesses can avoid spending on technology that is very costly, or so complex that it never gets used. * Improving customer experiences. Tablets can be used as an interface with customers to speed and streamline interactions. For example, a food truck or quick-service restaurant might use a tablet to allow guests to place their orders. The technology allows

small businesses - who may have limited staff - to provide customers with better, faster service. * Managing social engagement and loyalty programs. Customers who use a tablet to check in at a hotel can also use the device to share their experience on their favorite social networking site. Small businesses have always thrived on word-of-mouth recommendations, and social networking serves that function in the digital age. * Connecting and managing peripherals such as cash drawers, scanners, scales and customer-facing displays. * Creating, testing and launching marketing initiatives. * Managing sales, costs, inventory and staffing.

While many small-business owners report an improving economy and optimistic outlook, garnering the most value and usability from their technology will continue to be a smart, necessary investment.

BPT— RuralLeaderMagazine.com 55

Positional & Personal Power Mindy Hall, Ph.D

T

here are two kinds of leadership power in organizations: positional power and personal power. The people with positional power are the ones with titles: CEO, Vice President, Director, Manager, etc. Others in the organization may not have titles, but have the charisma, relationships, and influence that draw others to them and help them get things done: they've got personal power. When someone has both it's a wonderful blend, but too often the two exist independently. Understanding where you fall on each spectrum is crucial if you hope to proactively manage how others perceive you as a leader.

A good friend of mine, for example, is a Vice President at a

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pharmaceutical company. Making the leap to that level in the organization, however, took some adjustment. After one of her first meetings in the new role, she called me and said, "I think I blew it." As a director in her previous company, part of her style was to think out loud. At the time, it was something her peers welcomed; they could share ideas, build on one another's thoughts, and come up with something better than any of them would have on their own. As a VP, however, her comments landed very differently. In this role, people were looking to her for "the answer." She'd offer an idea and they'd align themselves around this new direction. When she offered different ideas on the same topic, others experienced her as indecisive. Her intent was

to throw a bunch of ideas at the wall and see what stuck, but others perceived her as not having a clear focus. One of the things she learned was that, while it's okay to have all those ideas, you have to be mindful of how they land on the audience; you have to be able to categorize and prioritize your ideas. Once she understood she could do that without constraining her thinking-that it was more about how she presented her many thoughts-she became quite good at it.   She was learning about her positional power: when her role changed, the behaviors expected of her changed, as well. She hadn't considered what her context-as the positional head of her department-meant for how she needed to "show up" to the organization.

As people rise the corporate ladder, these sorts of realizations are common.

In the same manner, I find many informal leaders don't realize the amount of sway they hold in their organizations. I'm working on a project now with a large cross-functional team. The positional leaders have been extraordinary in their attention to the project, empowering their team members, communicating consistently, and ensuring alignment among their stakeholders. Among their members, however, are two individuals who are choosing not to engage with the process. They are informal leaders, and are among the senior members on the team; others look to these two as a barometer for how fully they should engage with the process. They're going through the motions and the essential work is still getting done, but they're withholding their discretionary effort. As informal leaders can have a tremendous impact on the success of an initiative, it is well worth identifying them from the start and actively soliciting their participation. It's a shame that these two leaders are choosing to behave in this way because: * It impacts both the team's morale and its performance. While the sponsors have laid forth some strong inspirational goals, these individuals are causing people to question their sincerity. When issues like this arise, energy is diverted from critical project work. * It impacts their future within the organization.

Their superiors are watching to gauge readiness for the next levels of leadership, hoping they can find a way to use their tremendous personal power to advance the organization's business goals.

While these two individuals are behaving as if they are victims of the organization, the truth is that they are victims of their own mindsets and actions.

The lesson here is not only for informal leaders, but for positional leaders as well: that you have full control over your individual choices, and that how you choose has a strong relationship to both your success and the success of your organization.

About the Author Mindy Hall, Ph.D. is the President and CEO of Peak Development Consulting, LLC, creating custom organization and leadership development solutions for clients worldwide. For more articles on shaping cultures, cultivating leaders, developing teams, and building HR capacity, visit: http://www.peakdevelopment.com/articles.html

40 Under 40, Williams Continued from page 53 Currently, he is the principal at Crisp County Middle School and is pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership from NOVA Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.—

Career Colleges Play Key Role in Demand for Skilled Workers

Education is not a one-size-fits-all system. Much like each public university has its own unique culture, so does each type of higher education institution. In addition, the goals of each student are not the same.

Some students are fresh out of high school and looking forward to the social opportunities that a public university will give them, and they are not in a hurry to get their degree. Some are single parents, already working full-time jobs, who just want to go back to school and quickly get a degree and get a better job. For these latter students, a four-year university may not be the right fit for their needs. Instead, career colleges really can be the way to go.

Career colleges - What are the benefits? Many people are recognizing the importance of skills training in the workplace as it relates to their chances of a promotion and increase in pay, according to a recent article in Business News Daily. These people are turning to career colleges because they know they can quickly learn the skills they are lacking and start moving up the professional ladder through the programs offered.

According to Westwood College - Dupage Campus President Jeff Hill, career colleges "are focused on providing students with hands-on learning and quick degree completion which help develop a trained workforce for employers and can positively impact the economy. Without question, education is one of the biggest factors with regard to economic advancement in today's society and career-focused schools play a vital role as one - of many - education options for students."

If you're interested in a new career?

Continued on page 62 RuralLeaderMagazine.com 57

Tips for Building a Professional Wardrobe Whether you are a recent grad or someone re-entering a professional work environment, building a work wardrobe that strikes a balance between professionalism and personal style is key.

"Dress for the job you want, not the job you're being hired for," says Stephanie Thomas, fashion instructor at The Art Institute of California - Los Angeles, a campus of Argosy University. "Your job description, and that of the next 58 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

step up your career ladder, should be the driving force behind your apparel purchases," adds Stephanie Pierotti, fashion instructor at The Arts Institute of Las Vegas. To get you started, fashion experts from The Art Institutes system of schools offer tips to have you dressing for the corner office.

Suit up.

"I know it sounds boring, but a suit is an absolute must," says Thomas. "Look upon your suit

purchase as a long term investment," adds Pierotti. "This is not an area where you'll want to skimp. Seasonless fabrics, like lightweight wool, worsted wool and wool crepe are your best bets."

She recommends purchasing a suit in a classic color such as black, gray, tan or navy blue and saving the more trendy colors and patterns for your accessories.

Thomas says to also think about the colors in your current ward-

robe and look for a suit that can be interchangeable with pieces you already own. For women, a suit with both pants and a skirt will offer more variety. You should also feel comfortable in your suit. A good fit will make you look polished, professional and more confident. "The chances of you finding a suit that fits you perfectly off the rack is slim to none, so be sure to budget some funds for tailoring," says Thomas.

Wardrobe building blocks You will also need some staples that will serve as wardrobe building blocks that enable you to walk right into a new job. "Women should purchase two or three button-down shirts of a good fit and quality.

Men may want to purchase five, if button-downs are a staple in their field," says Pierotti. For women, a wrap dress is a great alternative to pants and a button down. Women can also incorporate knit shirts that will mix and match with their suit separates.

For men, a sports jacket in an all-weather fabric is a good investment. "Think less trend, more modern classic that will cut across many seasons," says Thomas. "Men and women need a great blazer and some type of sweater they can dress up or down." Both men and women can mix in sweaters and cardigans to go with their separates. Pierotti advises, "Look for versatile items that can take you from desk to dinner and from workdays to weekends. Also consider a dark or black jean for casual days at the office.

Shoes To put your best foot forward at a new job, make sure you also have professional footwear to go with

your new wardrobe. Pierotti recommends two pairs of practical shoes for day-to-day work life and one or two for more formal events, in neutral colors such as brown, gray and black. And for women, 4 inches should be the maximum height for a professional setting.

Accessories Don't forget about accessories, which can add personality to your outfits. "Men should have a couple of ties with a little bit of personality, meaning different patterns or maybe a bold color," says Thomas. For women, necklaces and bracelets can add a pop to an outfit, but less is more when considering jewelry.

Make sure you don't forget to use an appropriate purse or messenger bag and no matter where you live, you should have a professional trench in your wardrobe.

Tailoring and maintenance Once you've built your wardrobe, you'll want to keep it neat and polished. To make you clothing look custom made, find a good tailor who can make small tweaks to your garments. A garment steamer, a clothes shaver, stain remover sticks and fabric freshener sprays will help save on dry cleaning costs, by helping your garments looking and smelling fresh.

"Investing in core pieces lays a solid foundation for your new professional wardrobe," says Pierotti.

"You'll create a classic yet stylish work collection that makes you feel confident and professional."BPT—

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Faith vs. Vision Michael Skye

S

ome people operate from faith, some from vision.

Both are invaluable for tomorrow's leaders and creators. Learn the distinction between faith and vision, and how you can leverage each.

Before exploring the distinctions between these two concepts, consider that what is meant by any word is determined largely by the context in which it is used. So, rather than assuming you know what is meant here by faith and vision, look closely to understand the context in which we're using them.   One of the greatest sources of misunderstandings and disagreements is from making the mistake of assuming that because two people are using the same word, they are actually referring to the same thing. Sally can talk about love, for example, and be referring to an entirely different kind of love than the person who is listening to Sally. They think they are disagreeing about the same thing, when they are really referring to two different things.

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Faith can be a tricky concept to talk about, because, like love, it is used in so many different ways. The same goes for vision.

For the visionary in training - or anyone truly wanting and willing to be a force for positive change - grasping this distinction at a deep level can swing open the gates to new pastures of inner freedom and inner power.

The term faith is used very broadly. It is worth distinguishing faith from vision and faith from blind faith. Today, we'll focus on the former, while the latter will be discussed in a future session.

Reason - What you think.* Vision - What you see (More specifically, what your mind sees when you "look" to the future.)* Hope - The quality of focusing on the possibility of a desired future outcome that you lack confidence in due to reason and vision.

Trust - 1. The quality of having or placing confidence in a person or an outcome due to reason, vision or past experience. 2. The quality of choosing to have faith in a person.

Faith - The quality of placing confidence in a desired future outcome without regard for reason (what you think) or vision (what your mind "sees" when you "look" to the future).** Blind Faith - 1. The quality of having confidence in a desired future outcome while consciously rejecting reason and vision. 2. The quality of placing confidence in someone or something outside of one's self, while refusing to question or think for one's self (and placing zero confidence in one's own consciousness). *Reason is often held to be the set of natural functions of a human mind - it's thinking, in a very broad sense. Vision is one of these natural functions. **Human beings derive confidence naturally from reason and vision. To choose to have confidence in something without reason or vision to back you up is faith.

EXAMPLE: Craig was a visionary entrepreneur with such a grand vision that people around him typically deferred to him. He seemed to be able to see so clearly what many people could not. And, indeed, he did see what they could not.

To those who could not see what he saw, he appeared daring and bold, often venturing into new and seemingly dangerous territory without hesitation. Some people attributed it to faith, assuming he must have greater faith that they had. Those who joined him on projects usually followed his lead, and often without question. When frightened, they simply hoped things would work out and often admon-

ished each other to "have faith."

Craig couldn't understand why they couldn't see what he could see, even when he tried to show them.

Soon, he found himself telling people who couldn't see what he saw to just have faith in him.

His visionary projects grew in size, and without vision, many people working with him often lost sight of the vision. They'd experience setbacks and failure and start to lose confidence. This increased tensions between Craig and many of the people he counted on. Soon, he began asserting more of an authoritarian demeanor, using fear to motivate people when they lacked confidence in him.

Over the months and years, Craig learned to cut people off, at the first sign that they did not trust him. His story became one of him against the world.

He grew increasingly bitter, tired, frustrated and angry. As he formed more conclusions about people and the world, his vision grew less and less powerful.

He could not see himself working powerfully with teams of people or accomplishing anything great that required a team effort.

Once a great young visionary, Craig devolved into more and more of a hardened positionary. After many lonely years, Craig found religion, and did his best to surrender his position and just trust in God. He became a man of faith. Using this strategy, he once again became a man who people trusted, a leader people were inspired to follow.

KEY POINTS: 1 - Many people collapse vision with faith. When people see vision and thus feel confident, they often say they have faith. However, there is a distinction between having confidence in the face of the unknown with vision and choosing to have confidence in the face of the unknown without vision.

2 - Both vision and faith are powerful and useful.

Whereas many people without vision can only resort to faith when confronted with the unknown, a skilled visionary can intentionally manifest a powerful vision. The man in the example did not have this skill.

3 - Vision can be a force multiplier for anyone's faith. As a leader it is advantageous to be able to share your vision with others in a way that has them see it, so you need not rely on asking people to blindly trust you or have faith.

VISIONARY ADVANTAGE: A skilled visionary heads boldly into the unknown and can easily inspire others to join him. Such a person can, even after failing time after time, inspire others to keep going forward. His vision and theirs only grows stronger over time.

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VISIONARY DYNAMIC: The more you operate at the level of vision, the greater your faith becomes AND the less you need to rely on "having faith."

VISIONARY CHALLENGE: Look to areas of your life where you have come to think you just need more faith in yourselves, others, humanity, etc. Consider that if you had a powerful vision in these areas, it would only multiply your confidence and your faith. Then do the work it takes to build that vision. (You're not taught very powerful methods for doing this at home, at school, at church or even through most self-development programs.

Career Colleges, continued from page 57

Such methods are, however, taught inside Vision Force programs such as our boot camp).

About the Author Michael Skye, founder and CEO of VisionForce. com, works with a new breed of impassioned change agents around the world, who are giving their lives to stand for all of humanity. The Visionary Mind Shifts are available free at http://www.VisionForce.com/ course.—

Check out Westwood's degree programs.

Demand for skilled labor plays a huge role in the economy. It is not uncommon for employers to have available jobs, but not enough trained workers to fill them. Many employers discuss their plans to grow their companies and hire more people, but aren't sure where they will find workers with the skills they need, according to a recent article published by the Newark Advocate. It's not a problem just for businesses in Newark, New Jersey. Companies across the country face this issue. Many businesses looking to expand or move struggle to do so because it can be difficult to find a town or city with enough skilled workers to do the jobs.

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts those jobs that tend to require some form of higher education will grow faster than those you can get with just a high school diploma or less. The department also predicts a shortage of more than 35 million skilled workers over the next 30 years.—BPT 62 RuralLeaderMagazine.com

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