Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Archives - Page 4 of 10

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.

SIMON SAYS, LET’S TALK BUSINESS: Gil Madrid & Jonathan Shaw with Ermi, and Cally D’Angelo with the Gwinnett Chamber

March 18, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

SIMON SAYS, LET'S TALK BUSINESS: Gil Madrid & Jonathan Shaw with Ermi, and Cally D'Angelo with the Gwinnett Chamber

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Gil Madrid, Jonathan Shaw, Cally D’Angelo and Al Simon

Gil Madrid & Jonathan Shaw/Ermi LLC

Ermi is a medical services and technology company founded by Thomas Branch, MD in Atlanta, GA. For over 25 years, the Ermi Program has rescued over 150,000 patients that have struggled with their recovery and suffered from a severe range of motion issue. Range of motion issues will negatively impact 1 in 7 patients, and the struggle to regain range of motion postoperatively and its implications can be devastating. Getting back to work or simply back to the activities of daily living defines success for the patient. The Ermi Program is safer, faster, over 90% successful, and saves significant dollars versus alternative or no treatment at all.

Cally D’Angelo/Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

The Gwinnett Chamber serves as the voice for businesses, facilitating quality job growth opportunities while enhancing the community’s vitality and quality of life. The Chamber offers the metro Atlanta business community a wealth of growth opportunity by collaborating with regional partners to drive economic and community development initiatives throughout Georgia. Through its fundamental objectives to help create quality jobs and wealth, strengthen the community, and grow business, the Chamber serves more than 2,200 member companies in metro Atlanta while delivering innovative programs to connect businesses locally, regionally, and globally.

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.

Let’s Continue the Conversation: A Discussion on Race and Equality

December 2, 2020 by Mike

Gwinnett Business Radio

Let's Continue the Conversation: A Discussion on Race and Equality

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Moderator Jocelyn Dorsey leads a panel discussion featuring honest, positive, respectful, open-minded and productive dialogue about current events, inequality and racism, and how to work together to achieve a more harmonic community. The panel includes the newly-elected chairperson of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Nicole Love Hendrickson; Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Nick Masino; Waffle House executive Njeri Boss; and longtime law enforcement official John Pearson.

Nicole Love Hendrickson/Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners

Nicole Love Hendrickson is a mom, social worker, and community advocate. She is no stranger to the Gwinnett Community. She has dedicated nearly 15 years to serving the citizens of Gwinnett County in many different capacities and has led efforts to ensure that a diversity of voices were reflected in decision-making at all levels.

She co-led the strategic grassroots and community planning efforts during her 8-year tenure with the Gwinnett Coalition for Health & Human Services. She inspired civic involvement through the Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Institute which boasts more than 600 alumni who are ingrained in Gwinnett’s civic infrastructure. She pioneered strategies to enhance small business development through the Gwinnett Unity Group, serving on the front line to establish the county’s first homeless shelter – the Norcross Assessment Center on Jimmy Carter Blvd.

Nicole is a bridge builder and the “go to” person for all things Gwinnett. With a global community represented by more than 100 countries around the world, she has revolutionized the way in which Gwinnett County and other local governments interact with its residents. She led the charge to build a government that is equitable, inclusive and people-focused. She believes that this is an essential element to good governance.

As the newly-elected Chairman of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, she believes in the Gwinnett of the future – where government looks like and understands the needs of ALL its residents; a place where people flock to because of diversity and forward-thinking government; and a place where all residents can work and succeed without fear. Nicole believes that she can best represent the voice, values, and needs of the next generation. She is committed to working together to improve the lives of all Gwinnett residents and businesses to ensure a healthy community and a prosperous economy.

Nick Masino/Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

Nick Masino heads the Gwinnett Chamber, one of the largest suburban Chambers of Commerce in the nation, after serving as the Chief Economic Development Officer for the Gwinnett Chamber & Partnership Gwinnett for over a decade. Masino joined the Gwinnett Chamber in 2007 and has served in the key economic development leadership role for the past 12 years. He oversaw the business recruitment and retention efforts for Gwinnett, as well as the implementation of the Partnership
Gwinnett Strategy. To create this community-focused economic development (ED)
organization, Masino worked with public and private leadership to commission ED studies
in 2011 and 2016; and spearheaded the implementation efforts of the initial plan in 2007 –
which has since brought approximately 250 company expansions or relocations, more than
23,000 new jobs, and more than $1.7 billion in investment to Gwinnett.

Masino’s economic development career began in February 2007, when he accepted his current role, but he was no stranger to the field. In December 2007, he ended his second term as mayor of the City of Suwanee having been one of the youngest mayors in Georgia’s history. During his tenure as mayor, the city of Suwanee embarked on a comprehensive economic and community development project highlighted by the construction of a 24,000 square foot City Hall and the popular 65-acre Suwanee Town Center, which led Suwanee to be named a CNN-Money magazine’s Top 10 Town in America. Prior to his position with the Gwinnett Chamber, Masino spent 12 years in the recruiting and staffing industry.

Njeri Boss/Waffle House

Njeri Boss is a graduate of the Dekalb County school system. She has a BA in Journalism from the University of Iowa and a Law Degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego, California. After her undergraduate work, Njeri worked as a reporter for several years before attending Law School. After Law School, she was a practicing attorney for about 12 years.

In 2016, Njeri joined Waffle House as a Manager Trainee and rose up in Operations to the District Manager Level before transitioning to the Corporate Office in August of 2019. There she initially joined the Training Department as a Special Projects Coordinator. In December of 2019, she was selected to become Waffle House’s next Director of Public Relations.

John Pearson/Law Enforcement

John Pearson Sr. has dedicated more than 35 years to the community as a Law Enforcement Executive. He served as Deputy Director of Police Services with the DeKalb County Police Department. At the time, it was the second largest police department in the State of Georgia. During his 25 years with DeKalb, he used his leadership skills in numerous positions, including SWAT Commander, Drug Unit Commander and Assistant Commander of Criminal Investigations Division. He also has served as the Assistant Police Chief for Hogansville, Georgia, Chief of Investigations and Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Chief Pearson is an Instructor for the Georgia Association of Police Chiefs, where he mentors and teaches a class for newly appointed Chiefs. John is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the US Department of Justice Drug Commander School, the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange between the State of Georgia and Israel (GILEE), and a Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Certified Instructor. He is a Dean’s List graduate of Atlanta Metropolitan State College.

Jocelyn Dorsey/Moderator

Jocelyn Dorsey retired from Channel 2 WSB-TV after 45 years of service. She had been the Director of Editorials & Public Affairs at Channel 2 since 1983. From 1973-83, Jocelyn was an anchor/ reporter/ producer and assignment editor for WSB-TV’s Channel 2 Action News. In fact, she was the first African-American anchor of a Channel 2 newscast as well as the first African American news anchor in the Atlanta market. Jocelyn was also Executive Producer and regular contributor to People 2 People, a weekly half-hour public affairs program broadcast on Channel 2.

Among her personal honors; Jocelyn was recognized on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives,
by several members of the Georgia Congressional Delegation for her induction into the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. She was recently inducted into the Atlanta Press Club Hall of
Fame. She has been awarded the City of Atlanta’s Highest honor, the Phoenix Award, and issued special
proclamations by The Atlanta City Council and the Fulton County & DeKalb County Board of
Commissioners both for her years of service as well as retirement.

Jocelyn has won numerous other awards for her work with WSB-TV, including seven Southeast Regional
EMMYS for Editorial Excellence from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. She was the first African-American inducted into the same organization’s Silver Circle, for more than 25 years in the field of journalism. She was also the first woman and first African-American to receive the Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB) Broadcaster’s Citizen of the Year Award, a lifetime-achievement award.

CLICK HERE for the video of this panel discussion.

Presented by

Gwinnett Chamber Fall Classic Golf Tournament

November 2, 2020 by Mike

The Gwinnett Chamber‘s Annual Fall Classic Golf Tournament was held on October 30, 2020 at Bear’s Best Atlanta in Suwanee. Business RadioX was on site to enjoy a fun day of golf and networking, and also to collect a few interviews from some of the corporate sponsors supporting the event.

Mike Fulton/Oconee State Bank

Rebekah Rudd/Garrard Construction Group

Colleen Frangos/Rocket IT

Albert Sorto & Tommy Easley/Atlanta Gladiators Hockey

About the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce:

Established in 1947 as a rural chamber of commerce serving farmers and banks, the Gwinnett Chamber grew and changed alongside Gwinnett County. Today, they serve more than 2,200 members throughout metro Atlanta by delivering programs that strengthen and connect businesses locally, regionally and globally.

At the Gwinnett Chamber, there is strength in numbers. Because they represent more than 2,200 companies, they can offer significant member discounts and present a unified voice in matters of public policy that affect the business community.

In addition, the Chamber provides opportunities for like-minded business people to connect with one another and expand their business network and increase the exposure of their business. They also offer opportunities to learn about issues and best practices related to running a successful business.