From the Chairman
What's Happening at The Chamber? What activities take place at the Chamber of Commerce in a typical month? While no two months are the same, dozens of programs, seminars, meetings, special events and networking opportunities are offered throughout the year. Also, economic development recruitment and retention and education leadership programs are continuous efforts.
February 1, 2011 • Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce
Volume 17 Issue 2 mcKemie West, editor • email: kwest@ghcc.com GreaterHallChamber.com Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce
Darrell Snyder Georgia Power Company Chairman, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce
Monthly networking opportunities include the Leads Group which meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month during lunch; Network over Coffee group meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month in the morning, and Business After Hours is normally held the last Thursday of the month in the evening. Each of these events provides a great opportunity for employees of small and large businesses to meet each other and learn more about other businesses in the community. Another upcoming networking opportunity is the 32nd Hackers Holiday Golf Tournament at Lake Lanier Islands Resort on April 15.
The South Hall Business Coalition meets monthly and brings together our members in the South Hall community to discuss local government updates, transportation, education and a variety of other topics. The Annual GDOT Transportation Forum will be held on March 15 at Gainesville State College and provides valuable updates on current and upcoming transportation projects. Small Business Success Seminars are usually held on the 2nd or 3rd Tuesday of each month and cover a variety of topics from retirement planning to marketing. Don't miss the special South Hall Marketing Workshop on social media on February 23. We also have seasonal programs such as the upcoming Arbor Day Celebration which will be held on February 18. Leadership Hall County and Youth Leadership Hall County meet throughout most of the year and focus on providing a broad overview of our community to the participants in the programs. The Human Resource Council, Healthcare Committee, and Issues Committee meet on a monthly basis to discuss topics relevant to business and industry members. Please don’t forget to register for the upcoming 4th Annual Get Fit Stay Fit 5K Run-Walk Corporate Challenge on April 21 which helps to promote community wellness. Send a representative from your organization to the February 10 Team Captains Update for all the news on the race.
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Business Link
VISION 2030 is establishing a number of committees under the leadership of Chairman Kelly Miles to focus on items such as land use planning, education, healthcare and wellness, and other important community issues. We welcome Meg Nivens as the new VISION 2030 Executive Director (see page 11 for more information on Meg and VISION 2030). The Gainesville-Hall County Economic Development Council meets monthly to hear updates from local industries and to review and discuss topics that make the Greater Hall area a great place for business. Existing industry visits are also made each month by Chamber staff to better understand what issues are being faced by businesses in our community. The Chamber just held the 2nd Annual Industry Appreciation event to recognize several of the outstanding existing industries. With over 300 manufacturers, processors and distributors, we are very fortunate to have a diverse and active industrial community. Thanks to the efforts of our Marketing Committee you can visit our newly updated website at greaterhallchamber.com for a complete list of the dates and times of Chamber activities. The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce has an opportunity for every Chamber Member to play an active role. Get involved with your community and the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce today, and make a difference in the lives of others. If you have any questions or would like to become more involved in the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, please contact Robyn Lynch at 770-532-6206 or email: rlynch@ghcc.com. If you are not a Chamber member, we invite you to join and be a part of our business networking team! Call Michelle Wiley, Chamber Membership Coordinator, at 770-5326202, email: mwiley@ghcc.com, or join online at greaterhallchamber.com!
2010-2011 executive Committee Chairman Darrell snyder Georgia Power Company Chairman Elect Jay Jacobs Jacobs Media Corporation Treasurer Brian Daniel, Carroll Daniel Construction Company Vice Chair, Economic Development Russell Vandiver Lanier Technical College Vice Chair, Education Beth Baldwin Edward Jones Investments
Vice Chair, Government Affairs Chair, VISION 2030 lee Hemmer Kelly miles, Smith, Gilliam, The Simpson Company Williams & Miles, P.A. meg Nivens, Executive Director Vice Chair, Marketing and Co-Chairs, HALLmark Communications Paul Chambers, AT&T melissa Tymchuk Northeast Georgia Medical Cnt David lee, Jackson EMC mimi Collins, The Longstreet Clinic Vice Chair, Membership Senior Advisor Development Rob Fowler, Turner, Wood & Allen Nivens, Indigo Energy Smith Insurance Vice Chair, South Hall Council Immediate Past Chairman Geoff lee, Road Atlanta emily Bagwell, Whelchel, Dunlap, Jarrard & Walker Vice Chair, Community Development President & CEO Phillipa moss, Gainesville-Hall Kit Dunlap, Greater Hall Co. Community Service Center Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors 2010-2011 Brenda Bahel, The Starke Companies
Keith mcleod, NEGA Urological Associates
elisabeth Baldwin, BB&T Bank
mike miller, Mayor, City of Flowery Branch
Perry Barnett, Rushton & Company
Willie mitchell, Gainesville City Schools
Wade Beavers, Beavers/Rogers Law & Advisory
Dr. martha Nesbitt, Gainesville State College
Dr. James Benson, Riverside Military Academy
James Nix, Mayor, City of Clermont
William H. Beyer, NEGA Heart Center
Tom oliver, Chairman, Hall County Commission
Chad Bolton, NEGA Health System, Inc.
Bill orr, Mayor, Town of Braselton
Ruth Bruner, Mayor, City of Gainesville
larry Poole, Mayor, City of Gillsville
sam evans, City of Oakwood Councilman
Terry Roberts, Lake Lanier CVB
Andi Farmer, Milton Martin Honda
Will schofield, Hall County Schools
Kathy Fauscett, Keller Williams Realty
Dr. ed schrader, Brenau University
Jim Fitzgerald, Wrigley Manufacturing
David smith, Merial Select
Jimbo Floyd, Turner, Wood & Smith Insurance
Dennis stockton, The Times
Randall Frost, Stewart, Melvin & Frost LLP
Phil sutton, Kubota Manufacturing
Dr. John Kennedy, Lakeview Academy
milton Turner, Mayor, City of Lula
Jody lail, Chattahoochee Bank of Georgia
Darrell Wiley, J&J Foods
Kelly lee, Wells Fargo Advisors
Philip Wilheit, Wilheit Packaging Materials
Deborah mack, Community Volunteer
mike Williams, Lake Lanier Islands Resort
Associate Directors 2010-2011 Drew Addison, Industrial Properties Group
Conrad smith, NEGA Diagnostic Clinic LLC
Kellie Bowen, Full Bloom Nursery
Dr. Gale starich, Brenau University
Dede Gossage, Heritage Academy
Zack Thompson, Pro Touch Landscapes
melanie Fuller Hill, Regions Bank
Andrea Timpone, Elachee Nature Science Cnt
Hart Payne, Community Volunteer
Tracy Whitmire, Accusite Surgical Services
Kingsley Peeples, Bates Carter Company
staff Executive Kit Dunlap, President/CEO Joy sims, Executive Assistant Economic Development Tim evans, Vice President shelley Davis, Vice President Existing Industry Jean mcCullough, Project Manager Finance & Operations David umberson, Vice President Finance and Human Resources Education & Workforce Development Dana miller, Vice President Government Affairs & South Hall Council michelle Wiley, Membership Coordinator
Community Development Robin Halstead, Vice President VISION 2030 meg Nivens, Executive Director Membership Development Robyn lynch, Vice President michelle Wiley, Membership Coordinator Marketing & Communications Kemie West, Business Link Editor/Consultant Greater Hall Chamber Welcome Center Robin Halstead, Manager