The GNFCC 2021 Women INfluencing Business Award Winners: Linda Coyle, LGE Community Credit Union, Amy Bell, Goodwyn Mills & Cawood, and Holly Ranney, Sunshine on a Ranney Day (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 69)
This episode of the GNFCC 400 Insider celebrates three recipients of the GNFCC 2021 Women INfluencing Business Awards. Linda Coyle of LGE Community Credit Union is the 2021 Business Woman of Excellence Award Winner. Linda was joined by Amy Bell with Goodwyn Mills & Cawood, who was the Rising Star Award Winner, and Holly Ranney, Sunshine on a Ranney Day, who was awarded the Nonprofit Woman of Excellence Award. They each shared with host Kali Boatright a bit about their journey, how they encourage other women, lessons they’ve learned along the way, and much more. Congratulations to these Women INfluencing Business award winners! The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.
2021 Business Woman of Excellence Award Winner
Linda Coyle, Business Development Officer, LGE Community Credit Union
After beginning her career in teaching, Linda decided to leave teaching and get into the business world. She met an LGE employee at a networking event and that led to her position in Business Development at LGE Community Credit Union.
In 1951, seven Lockheed Georgia employees dreamed of a better way to bank and LGE Community Credit Union was born.
Today they serve communities in Northwest Georgia as a not-for-profit financial institution. Unlike a bank, whose profits go to its shareholders, its profits go to its members in the form of better rates and lower fees. They are guided by a strong commitment to providing a better financial future for their members.
They are a not-for-profit, member-owned financial institution with a strong commitment to the local community. LGE is governed by a volunteer board of directors who are also members of the credit union.
2021 Rising Star Award Winner
Amy Bell, Vice Present, Georgia Architecture, Goodwyn Mills & Cawood
Over the years, architect Amy Bell has contributed numerous award-winning designs to GMC’s education design portfolio, in addition to managing complex commercial and municipal projects throughout the Southeast. Her leadership in Alabama led her to transfer to Atlanta, where she now leads our Georgia architecture team. Most importantly, Amy has developed a reputation for delivering the highest quality service and design leadership to her clients by maintaining involvement in every phase of their project to fully achieve their vision.
She plays a key role in the architectural division, however, her influence spans throughout the company through leadership of several firm-wide initiatives, committees and community outreach programs. While at Auburn University, Amy was selected to participate in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture’s Rural Studio-an off-campus design-build program that provides architecture students a hands-on educational experience while assisting an underserved population in West Alabama’s Black Belt region-and to study under program co-founder Samuel Mockbee.
It was during this time, while restoring an old, burned-out schoolhouse, that she developed a strong passion for educational design that has greatly influenced her professional design philosophy.
Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) is one of the largest architecture and engineering firms in the Southeast, with offices located throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. Whether designing schools, parks, hospitals and other commercial developments or providing clean water, safe streets and restoring resilient environments, GMC takes great pride in serving our communities through the transformative work we do.
Every project is guided by the foundational concept that communities are built by people, not companies, and we strive to serve our communities with quality, integrity, creativity and care. One of the Southeast’s most comprehensive multi-disciplined firms, GMC is equipped to provide all the services associated with architecture, interior design, civil engineering, environmental services, landscape architecture, planning, transportation engineering, geotechnical engineering, electrical engineering, surveying and disaster recovery.
2021 Nonprofit Woman of Excellence Award
Holly Ranney, President and Co-Founder, Sunshine on a Ranney Day
In 2012, inspired by a church sermon, Peter and Holly Ranney found their calling to use their God-given talents and resources to help others. Sunshine on a Ranney Day was created with the idea that every child should have their own unique space. Sunshine on a Ranney Day’s first makeover was completed for 11-year-old Mathew, who wanted to spend his last days in his military-themed bunker bedroom. Mathew’s makeover and passing showed how impactful a makeover could be on a child’s life. This experience helped shape Sunshine on a Ranney Day into what it is today.
Continuing to use their networks and resources, in 2020 the Sunny & Ranney Home Furnishings & Decor store opened in Roswell, GA. Sunny & Ranney carries donated excess stock, samples, and discontinued furniture and decor from wholesalers, retailers, designers, and market showrooms. All of the profits from the sales go toward funding Sunshine on a Ranney Day’s mission and our plan to expand to further areas.
Sunshine on a Ranney Day is a nonprofit organization that reimagines and builds custom rooms for children with special needs. Through partnerships and donors, we provide no-cost wheelchair-accessible bathrooms, dream bedrooms, and in-home therapy rooms.
About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider
The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) and is hosted by Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC. The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, member-driven organization comprised of over 1400 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. Their service area includes Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell and Sandy Springs. GNFCC is the leading voice on economic development, business growth and quality of life issues in North Fulton County.
The GNFCC promotes the interests of our members by assuming a leadership role in making North Fulton an excellent place to work, live, play and stay. They provide one voice for all local businesses to influence decision-makers, recommend legislation, and protect the valuable resources that make North Fulton a popular place to live.
For more information on GNFCC and its North Fulton County service area, follow this link or call (770) 993-8806. For more information on other GNFCC events such as this North Fulton Mayors Appreciation Lunch, follow this link.
For the complete show archive of GNFCC 400 Insider, go to GNFCC400Insider.com. The GNFCC 400 Insider is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.
