Geoff Lee/Road Atlanta
Road Atlanta is recognized as one the world’s best road courses. Their multi-purpose motor sports facility is situated on 750 park-like acres in the rolling hills of Northeast Georgia. Road Atlanta is located 35 miles north of Atlanta and just minutes away from Chateau Elan, a 4-Star resort offering guests comfort and amenities such as three championship golf courses and a European-style Spa.
The facility is utilized for a wide variety of events, including professional and amateur sports car and motorcycle races, racing and driving schools, corporate programs and testing for motorsports teams. Road Atlanta is host to major events such as Petit Le Mans, Drift Atlanta, and the The Mitty, and is home to the Skip Barber Racing School.
Susan Ryles/City of Stone Mountain Downtown Development Authority
Stone Mountain Village is a “Cool Little Town Next To A Big Granite Rock!”. They have been diligently working on the redevelopment of the downtown commercial district with initiatives such as creation of an Urban Redevelopment Plan and Opportunity Zone to attract more businesses downtown, restoration of their Historic Old Train Depot, an Arts Incubator Program and regular events to showcase their cool little town.
Susan Ryles is the Executive Director for the Stone Mountain Downtown Development Authority and Main Street, Inc.(501c3). In her role she has responsibility for the renaissance and revitalization efforts of Stone Mountain Village. This includes economic development, management of various events and property redevelopment.
Dr. Mark Newton/Gwinnett Technical College
Dr. Mark Newton is the President of Newton’s LAW and is the Director of the Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management Program at Gwinnett Technical College. During the past 26 years at Gwinnett Tech he has taught courses and seminars such as Career Education, Event Planning, Energizing Professional Development as well as many other hospitality-related courses.
Mark started his own company, Newton’s LAW in order to meet the demand for his speaking and consulting services. The company name is based on the philosophy that Learning leads to Achieving, resulting in Winning; thus the acronym LAW. Mark is a member of the National Speakers Association – Georgia Chapter and won the Speaker of the Year award in 2002.
Angela Nichols & Linda Murphy/The Hudgens Center for the Arts
The Hudgens Center for the Arts is a non-profit organization that has been focused on supporting the arts in Georgia since its establishment in 1981. The Hudgens presents fine art exhibits year round, and offers art classes for adults and children through its Fine Arts School. It supports local community-based arts organizations through its programs, exhibits and partnerships. The Hudgens’ mission is to bring art lovers, leaders and learners together through quality programs and exhibits. The Hudgens Center for the Arts is located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Bldg. 300, in Duluth, in the Gwinnett Center complex.
