The 2011 Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting was held last Thursday, May 19th at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center with record attendance at over 160 people attending.
U.S. Representative Dr. Paul Broun, Senator Jim Butterworth, Representative Michael Harden as well as the legislative aides from U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson’s office and U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss’ office attended the meeting.
The participants attended to hear Mr. Tom Bell, the Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and also to see the awards ceremony and the installation of the new Board of Directors.
The theme this past year was “Band of Businesses…..Lean, Mean, Fighting, Machines. Chamber President Wendi Bailey opened by announcing the Chamber is lean and strong with 400 members. She reviewed one success from each of the Chamber Divisions and recognized the people and projects including Currahee Graphics for the Online Marketing Program, Mainstreet Toccoa for the Camera Ready designation, Great Southern Publishers for completing the T-SC postcards, the Development Authority for the Toccoa-Stephens County Fireworks Over Toccoa Day at the Capitol, Matt Skilling and Entrepreneur and Small Business Week, Tammy Riddle and the Ambassadors Challenge and Membership Surveys. She thanked her City, County, and state agency providers for their support and asked the audience to renew their commitment to the Chamber and our Community.
Mr. Tom Bell provided the keynote address and his speech focused on his concerns regarding the national debt. Bell said he thinks the debt poses a tremendous threat to the future of the free enterprise system. “In a recent speech in Washington, my friend and Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, I think rightly characterized the debt crisis as follows,” said Bell. “Daniels said that it is something as threatening to us as our wartime enemies in the first or second world wars, or the war on terrorism.”
Bell called on the federal government to do a few things well, rather than many things poorly. He added that the federal government needs to live within its means and not spend what it does not have. As for what he sees as the solution, Bell said it all starts with public awareness. In that respect, he said he has reason for optimism. “About 60 percent of the American people say when asked, that debt is the number one problem facing the country,” Bell added. “That is good news. How we do fix things in this country? It all starts here.” He urged those in attendance to talk about the debt issue with others and tout the free enterprise system and the entrepreneurial spirit.
Each year the Chamber members submit nominations and votes for award recipients and the Chamber Awards Committee Chaired by Alan Burton coordinates the presentations. Jay Doss was the Master of Ceremony of the awards presentation. Eleven awards were given out to businesses and individuals for their service to our Chamber and Community:
MWL, Inc. Mark Wilkinson Lumber is Industry of the Year. Sonic is Retail Business of the Year. Sanders & Ranck is the Service and Professional Business of the Year. The Toccoa Record received the Tourism Promotion Business of the Year. John Taylor is Senior of the Year. Greg Roach is Volunteer of the Year. Deidra Nicole Dickson is Youth of the Year.
Non-Profit of the Year award went to the T-SC Humane Shelter. Entrepreneur of the Year was presented by North Georgia Technical College to Alisa Adams of Cabe Crest Catering. The Pruitt Foundation is the Partner-In-Education of the Year presented by Superintendent Sherrie Whiten. Chairman of the Chamber Executive Committee, Lee Hicks presented the Chairman’s award to Greg Roach of North Georgia Technical College. Commissioner Ron Seib presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. Bob Troup.
New this year, the Chamber announced Brian and Angie Finnegan of Finnegan’s Baked Goods as the winners of the 2010–2011 Business Plan Competition sponsored by the Chamber’s Economic Development Committee. Brian and Angie Finnegan’s passion is to make delicious baked goods that not only taste good but are also good for you. All baked goods are made from fresh milled organic grains and baked the same day. Finnegan’s uses only pure and simple ingredients and no additives or preservatives. As the winner of the competition, Finnegan’s Baked Goods will receive over $1,200.00 in cash, products, and services that will assist them in operating, marketing, and managing their business.
The Chamber of Commerce would also like to recognize and commend the other businesses and entrepreneurs involved in the Business Plan Competition: The Boys & Girls Club Fab 4 Store, DFV Designs, Infinite Possibilities Internet Broadcasting Network, Jaymarz Signs & Graf-X, Personal Assistance of Toccoa, Reynold’s Pool & Spa, and Walker IT Services.
Also new this year, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recognized the 10th District U.S. Congressman Paul Broun at the meeting with its “Spirit of Enterprise Award.”Moore Hallmark with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said the chamber looks at issues important to its members and judges members of Congress accordingly.
Outgoing Chairman Lee Hicks presented and installed the 2011-2012 Board of Directors. The Executive Committee includes Chair – Barry Roberts, Plant Manager of Global Partitions, Vice Chair – Lee Ellen Fields of J. Sam Johnson, C.P.A., P.C., Treasurer - Brian Akin, President and CEO of North Georgia Credit Union and Past Chair – Lee Hicks of Moore & Hicks, P.C.
There are 9 At-Large Board Members: Hayley Knight – SCH Wilkinson & Clary Care Centers, Steve Dougherty-President of North Georgia Technical College(NGTC), Karen Caudell of Pruitt Foundation, Andy Childs – Ebenezer Baptist Church, Michelle Lamping - First Citizens Bank, Eddie Powers - DOCO Regional Federal Credit Union, Tammy Riddle – Stephens Federal Bank, Shannon McFarlin – 1st Franklin Financial, Forest Connelly – County Extension Office.
Senior Sector: Steve Tilley, MC Stowe and Bill Standard. Retail Sector: Patti Joiner - Troup’s Photo and Hallmark, Mike Terrell – Fernside Package Store and Laura Ritcey – Quality Foods. Promotion & Tourism Sector: Angie Rammage – Toccoa Falls College, Bobby Davis - Stephens County Airport and Bill Wheeler – Georgia Baptist Conference Center. Manufacturing Sector: Bill Cochran - Standard Register, Jason Beckerdite - Caterpillar and Joe Moore – American Woodmark. Service & Professional Sector: Brian Lingle of 1st Franklin Financial, Jay Doss – Skelton Morris Associates, Matt Skilling – Sanders & Ranck.
The outgoing 2009-2010 Board of Directors were thanked for their service: Donna Gipson, David Miller, Anne Shurley, Kevin Hayes, April Shirley, Chuck Wright, Wayne Gardner and Tim Batson.
Incoming Chair Barry Roberts closed the program and introduced the new 2011-2012 Theme: Vision, Focus and Resolve….Charting a Course for Excellence. He told the audience he is convinced we are poised to do some great things over the next several years in Toccoa-Stephens County and said, “I firmly believe that this is our time to build on our successes and focus this community in the direction we want it to go. But to do this, we must all be headed in the same direction. To reach that ultimate destination of excellence, we must all be headed in the same direction.”
For more information on how your can become a member of the Chamber of Commerce and invest in your business and community please call 706-886-2132.
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