gwinnett chamber members Archives

Jamie Hamilton with Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett, Deirdra Cox with Community Sustainability Enterprise and Scott Mawdesley with Corners Outreach

October 20, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Jamie Hamilton with Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett, Deirdra Cox with Community Sustainability Enterprise and Scott Mawdesley with Corners Outreach

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Scott Mawdesley, Jamie Hamilton and Deirdre Cox

Jamie Hamilton/Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett

For more than 30 years, Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett has been helping to improve the lives of those with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities through a PreK-12 school and young adult day program. With a focus on providing the highest quality education and therapeutic services, nurturing and challenging each student on their own level, instilling a positive self-image and love for learning, and supporting parents in their quest for the best life for their child, they are making a difference in the lives of families in Gwinnett and surrounding counties.

Deirdra Cox/Community Sustainability Enterprise

Community Sustainability Enterprise (CSE) is a community & economic development focused 501c3, serving Gwinnett County and the Southeast region of the United States. Their vision is economic mobility and self-efficacy in families and communities of color, that produces thriving families, sustainable communities, and generational wealth transfer.

Scott Mawdesley/Corners Outreach

Corners Outreach exists to equip underserved students of color and their families to lead full lives through educational and economic development. Their vision includes one community where every person thrives no matter their color, status or background.

Margarita Walwyn with Caribbean Flavors and Muhammed Sokhna with Black Star Resumes

April 28, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Margarita Walwyn with Caribbean Flavors and Muhammed Sokhna with Black Star Resumes

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Margarita Walwyn/Caribbean Flavors

Caribbean Flavors is all about the flavor. Their Caribbean roots and culture are embedded into their hearts and soul and it reflects in every dish they prepare, whether it’s Caribbean or Caribbean Fusion.

Muhammed Sokhna/Black Star Resumes

Black Star Resumes was created in January of 2020 to help professionals develop their personal brand for optimal career progression.

Muhammed Sokhna is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) from the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches (PARW/CC). He has written over 4.5K resumes to date and is currently contracted with the following organizations: Randstad RiseSmart (Monster Division) and Bridgemore Staffing.

Update on Georgia Legislative Session and Public Policy

April 5, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Update on Georgia Legislative Session and Public Policy

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Paul Oh/Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

Paul Oh serves as the Manager of Public Policy & Community Affairs for the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.

The mission of the Gwinnett Chamber is to strengthen existing businesses, facilitate the growth of quality job opportunities, and enrich the community’s quality of life. In addition, the Gwinnett Chamber is the forum for business, government, education, healthcare, arts/culture/entertainment, and philanthropic and public-service communities to come together to advance the region’s economy and enrich Gwinnett’s quality of life.

Dean Collins/Axis Companies

Dean Collins, the Founder & President of Axis Companies, serves as the Vice-Chair for Public Policy with the Gwinnett Chamber.

Axis Companies was founded in 2016 when Dean Collins recognized a significant need within the development industry. An innovator, Dean tapped into his more than 25 years of experience leading transportation and site development projects for large engineering consulting firms and formed Axis Companies to fill the need.

Simply put, Axis offers a unique blend of services in land development, design, project management and construction management services. This “Development Suite”, paired with significant industry experience, allows for these services to reside under one professional management team. Their Development Suite allows you the flexibility to choose either individual services to supplement in-house staff, or turnkey services to manage an entire project or program. Regardless of your selection, you will have confidence knowing that your project is being managed by industry experts.

2021 VALOR AWARDS/BEHIND THE BADGE: Gwinnett County Sheriff Keybo Taylor and Gwinnett County Police Chief Brett West

February 17, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

2021 VALOR AWARDS/BEHIND THE BADGE: Gwinnett County Sheriff Keybo Taylor and Gwinnett County Police Chief Brett West

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On this special episode of “The Voice of Business: Behind the Badge“, Gwinnett County Sheriff Keybo Taylor and Gwinnett County Police Chief Brett West are interviewed before the 2021 Valor Public Safety Awards at the Infinite Energy Forum.

Sheriff Keybo Taylor/Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff Keybo Taylor is responsible for law enforcement on a county level, ensuring that all local, state and federal laws are followed. Sheriff Taylor supervises a force of deputies and other employees of the sheriff office. He supervise the operations of the Gwinnett County jail and is the Chief Security Officer for the Gwinnett County Courts.

The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office collective goal is to strengthen the ties within Gwinnett’s communities, by re-establishing connections with the area’s youth and being visible during non-criminal justice matters in the county.

The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office is committed to providing the community with employees who are professional, efficient, and well trained with the latest equipment and technology. The Sheriff’s Office is home to 687 sworn deputies and 184 civilian employees. As the demands rise, the office will continue to strive to maintain the highest law enforcement standards possible.

Police Chief Brett West/Gwinnett County Police Department

The Gwinnett County Police Department is an agency with a long history of excellence, integrity, and fairness. The GCPD enjoys a strong relationship with the diverse community it serves and continues to build that reputation by constantly engaging and interacting with the residents. Due to its reputation, high standards, and commitment to excellence, the GCPD only recruits and hires the best and most qualified applicants.

The Gwinnett County Police Department is the second largest police agency in Georgia with an authorized strength of 877 sworn officers, supported by 276 civilian employees. The department is CALEA accredited, originally attaining that designation in 1993. Gwinnett is located in the northeast part of metro Atlanta, serving a population of more than 800,000 residents with an area of 437 square miles.

The GCPD headquarters is located in Lawrenceville, GA with six precincts spread across the county. The department also has a $22 million state-of-the-art training facility that consists of a driving track, 25-yard and 100-yard indoor firing range, a shoot-house, and an academic building with 6 classrooms, library, weight room, defensive tactics room, and shooting and driving simulators. The 911 call center is located next to headquarters and is staffed with 124 communications officers.

Hilda Abbott with WePartner Realty, Jonathan Watkins with Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and Dr. Juli Clay with Brenau University

January 20, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Hilda Abbott with WePartner Realty, Jonathan Watkins with Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and Dr. Juli Clay with Brenau University

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Hilda Abbott/WePartner Realty

WePartner is a fully integrated real estate firm. They specialize in commercial properties and investments. Diversity is their most unique identifier, demonstrated throughout the individuals that work there and the fact that the company is owned and operated by minority women that have fought their way to the top while competing in a male-dominated industry.

Jonathan Watkins/Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Cancer Treatment Centers of America Atlanta is part of a national oncology network of hospitals and outpatient care centers offering an integrated approach that combines surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and advancements in precision medicine with supportive therapies to manage side effects and enhance quality of life during treatment and into survivorship. CTCA patient satisfaction scores consistently rank among the highest for all cancer care providers in the country.

Dr. Juli Clay/Brenau University

Brenau University is a private university with its main campus in Gainesville, GA. Founded in 1878, the university enrolls students from approximately 48 states and 17 foreign countries who seek degrees ranging from associate through doctoral degrees. Brenau University challenges students to live extraordinary lives of personal and professional fulfillment. As students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees or non-degree programs at Brenau campuses and online, each prepares for a lifetime of intellectual accomplishment and appreciation of artistic expression through a curriculum enriched by the liberal arts, scientific inquiry and global awareness.

SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS (1 of 3): Rocket IT, Arefin Law Office and Bexley & DeLoach

December 12, 2020 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS (1 of 3): Rocket IT, Arefin Law Office and Bexley & DeLoach

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Matt Hyatt/Rocket IT (Culture Creator Recipient)

Rocket IT is the outsourced IT department for all kinds of businesses, providing the strategy, security, and support needed to help organizations thrive. The organization virtually manages all its clients’ day-to-day technology requirements for a flat monthly fee, with no contracts to tie them down. With businesses becoming more dependent on technology every day, it’s almost impossible for companies to keep up with all the complexity. It’s more than one internal IT person can handle, and it requires more strategic insight than most IT support companies offer.

That’s where Rocket IT come in. Rocket IT’s unique three-pronged approach includes: 1) services built around the people instead of technology; 2) real strategic foresight, not just break/fix hindsight; and 3) a better way to ensure trust and accountability. Rocket IT gives small businesses the capability of a full IT department, with a 98% client satisfaction rate and a 25-year track record of helping people thrive.

Since 1995, Rocket IT has helped businesses meet their goals through the effective use of technology. Today, the organization actively supports a long list of growing companies in diverse industries including finance, healthcare and manufacturing.

Sharmin Arefin/Arefin Law Office (Minority-Owned/Woman-Owned Small Business Recipient)

The Arefin Law Office (ALO) is an Atlanta metropolitan-area based consumer financial services law firm, which specializes in employment litigation, business transactions, commercial
litigation, consumer credit litigation, contested foreclosures, sales practices and advertising of auto dealerships, regulatory compliance, regulatory enforcement and trials, evidentiary
hearings, and child welfare matters. At ALO, their clients’ best interests come first, and everything they do is guided by their values and professional ethics. Building on their client and non-client relationships, they strive to light the way for their clients.

Jennifer DeLoach/Bexley & DeLoach (Support System Award)

Bexley & DeLoach is a full-service boutique law firm located near downtown Lawrenceville, GA. They provide services in business, trademark, family, estate planning, probate, criminal and immigration law. Their signature is their personal, small-firm service coupled with big firm results.

SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS (2 of 3): Twin Kookies & Treats, Stablegold Hospitality and Tucker’s Catering

December 12, 2020 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS (2 of 3): Twin Kookies & Treats, Stablegold Hospitality and Tucker's Catering

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Rosalind Tucker, Ali Jamal and Pierina Anderson

Pierina Anderson/Twin Kookies & Treats (Launch Recipient)

Twin Kookies and Sweets is a home-based cottage food bakery. Pierina makes custom sugar and cinnamon cookies for all occasions. Made with love and with the freshest of ingredients.

Ali Jamal/Stablegold Hospitality (Emerging Entrepreneur Recipient)

Stablegold Hospitality is a real estate investment company that specializes in affordable accommodations for low-income and no income individuals and families. CEO Ali Jamal wanted to do something out-of-the-box for the hotel industry, and so he took a page from Wal-Mart, placing focus on volume vs. room rates. This ingenuity has developed a unique business model that allows the company to serve a demographic most businesses shy away from and, in doing so, performs a service for the local community by saving and re-purposing buildings that might otherwise remain vacant. What started in 2011 as one rundown and shutdown hotel is now a thriving business, with approximately 1500 Metro Atlanta rental units – which includes ten independently operated extended stay hotels in addition to single family residential housing. SGH employs more than 100 people in Georgia.

Chef Rosalind Tucker/Tucker’s Catering (Pivot Pro Recipient)

Tucker’s Catering is a family-owned catering business in Norcross, GA. Chef Roz started the company in 2007 with her husband, James Tucker, and they quickly established a reputation as one of the region’s finest catering companies. Tucker’s Catering was recently named Norcross’s best caterer. Today, the Tuckers and their team provide top-notch catering services to clients throughout Atlanta and the surrounding areas.

SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS (3 of 3): Level Seven Facilities Services, Slow Pour Brewing Company and Because One Matters

December 12, 2020 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS (3 of 3): Level Seven Facilities Services, Slow Pour Brewing Company and Because One Matters

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Steven Tomlinson, Andrea Barclay and John Reynolds

Steven Tomlinson/Level Seven Facilities Services (Small Business Award: 25+ Employees)

Level Seven Facilities Services is a commercial and industrial cleaning company founded on the belief that integrity, a rewarding workplace culture, and consistent, exceptional service are the keys to long-term success.

John Reynolds/Slow Pour Brewing Company (Small Business Award: 6-24 Employees)

Slow Pour Brewing Company, which opened its doors in September of 2017, began as a conversation and a what-if between Marty and his brother-in-law John, and they haven’t looked back since. A gift exchange that resulted in a home-brew kit was the beginning of this adventure. While dreaming about leaving the corporate world behind, John began perfecting his recipes, and Marty began scouting for the perfect location, itching to start a brewery. The plans became real when they closed on an old garment factory just off the square in downtown Lawrenceville, Ga. John jumped in full-time learning all he could about commercial brewing, and Marty turned his attention to buildout and prep. They quickly began forming an invaluable team of partners, consultants and talented industry-savvy staff to help create, not only the first brewery in Gwinnett County, but one of the best around.

From the beautifully inviting tasting room and beer garden beckoning friends to sit and chat, to the family friendly atmosphere, Slow Pour Brewing is where people want to be. They come to enjoy delicious, innovative and original brews, laugh and play games, and make the most of every moment because that’s what counts. At Slow Pour, they believe the moment matters.

Andrea Barclay/Because One Matters (Community Contributor Recipient)

The nation’s more than 437,000 children in foster care bounce from place to place with no sense of stability or belonging. People donate toys and other items during the holidays, but most of the children’s physical and emotional needs are unmet the rest of the year. That void needs to be filled so these children can feel loved and supported all year long.

The mission of Because One Matters (a 501(c)3 nonprofit) is to positively impact the lives of children in Georgia’s foster care system by creating lasting memories, sharing love, and empowering them to flourish into adulthood by providing comfort and easing the transition into foster care; celebrating children to show them they are not forgotten while in foster care; helping to provide young adult’s graceful transition into independent living; and providing ongoing support to those in college.

MOXIE AWARD WINNERS: Melanie Conner with Rainbow Village and Claire Gordon with BB&T now Truist

September 21, 2020 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

MOXIE AWARD WINNERS: Melanie Conner with Rainbow Village and Claire Gordon with BB&T now Truist

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Melanie Conner, Claire Gordon and Lina Teitelbaum

This special episode of “The Voice of Business” features two of the 2020 Gwinnett Chamber Moxie Award winners. The show is hosted by Lina Teitelbaum, the Programs & Events Manager with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.

Melanie Conner/Rainbow Village

The mission of Rainbow Village is to transform the lives of homeless families with children by providing a stable community and services that instill initiative, self-development, and accountability for future generations. Rainbow Village has realized for over 29 years that it is this holistic approach to serving all family members in a safe community that allows their residents to truly break generational cycles of poverty, homelessness, and domestic violence. As their mission is fulfilled, they work towards their vision to be a national model of an educational and holistic approach to breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty, and domestic violence.

Claire Gordon/BB&T now Truist

Truist Financial Corporation is an American bank holding company headquartered in Charlotte, NC. At Truist, the purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities. Every day, the pursuit of better drives them to empower clients with more choice, teammates with more fulfillment, and communities with more hope. They boldly believe in the power of what everyone can achieve together.