J U LY
2019
contents Chamber Chairman’s Column page 2 Meetings & Events page 4 Vision 2030 page 5 Member Announcements page 10 Small Business of the Month page 11 New Members page 13 Ribbon Cuttings page 14 Silver Shovel Award Winners page 16
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New Chamber Leadership Team Greater Hall Chamber 2019-20 Board Chairman Brian Rochester is principal and Executive Vice President of Rochester & Associates, Inc. Brian coordinates multiple teams within Brian Rochester the company Rochester & Associates including developChairman, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce ment consulting, planning and master infrastructure design. He is responsible for client development and coordination of highly visible projects of the firm, including infrastructure for large master planned communities and municipal projects, such as the new Lanier Technical College campus, State Route 365 Sewer expansion, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, Road Atlanta, Sterling on the Lake, and the new Kubota Manufacturing of America campus. Brian served for three consecutive years as Chairman of the Gainesville-Hall County Economic Development Council.
Chamber Chairman Elect Geoff Lee has been President and General Manager of Road Atlanta, now Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, since 2004. A California native, Geoff has been Geoff Lee involved in motor Michelin Roadway Road sports since racing Atlanta, Chair-Elect, Greater Hall Chamber formula cars after high school. He retired as a driver in 1984, and worked stints in advertising and marketing before joining the Skip Barber Racing School as Director of Western US Operations. He worked for Speedway Motorsports and joined Panoz Motor Sports Group in 2001. He moved to Georgia to take over as President & GM of the Panoz Racing School, which he led until its merger with Skip Barber Racing School. Recognized as one the world’s best road courses, he oversees the motor sports facility that is utilized for a wide variety of events including the Motul Petit Le Mans.
Small Business Seminar Wednesday, July 10
Network Over Coffee Wednesday, July 24
Network Over Coffee
Art is Everywhere! In 2015, the Public Art Committee cataloged 55 works of existing art in a variety of media. Since then, a total of some 200 pieces are now installed including free range art pieces and sculptures. See page 5 for more on public art.
featured member
Tuesday, July 9
Kit Dunlap, President & CEO of the Greater Hall Chamber since 1998, is recognized as a leader in the industry. Kit has spearheaded several successful multi-million dolKit Dunlap lar initiatives such President & CEO as HALLmark, the Greater Hall Chamber initiative funding top economic development, education and community programs as well as VISION 2030. Kit's leadership continues to guide the Chamber to solid ground with a member base of 2,400 and a staff of 13. A Brenau graduate and current trustee, Kit served on the Georgia Industry, Trade & Tourism Board for 10 years (chair for two years). She is a founding member of the Gainesville-Hall County Economic Development Council, serving as the first chair in 1992. Kit serves on the board of the Metro North Georgia Water Planning District and is a past chair .