Jefferey Helms/Georgia Youth Challenge Program
Through training, discipline, and mentoring, the Georgia National Guard Youth Challenge Program provides the education, leadership, character development, and life coping skills to Georgia’s youth so they may become successful members of society.
Traci Bledsoe/Peace Place
Peace Place is a domestic violence agency providing emergency safe shelter and supportive services to adults and children fleeing abusive homes in Jackson, Banks, and Barrow Counties.
Mike & Jennifer Dollander/Alumni Cookie Dough
Childhood fantasies become a reality at Alumni Cookie Dough, Athens’ first Cookie Dough Café! The first location opened in January 2019 in downtown Athens at 480 North Thomas Street. This Georgia-Bulldog-loving establishment is promised to satisfy all of your sweet dreams. That’s right, you can now enjoy delicious cookie dough by the scoop and no longer worry about the possibility of getting sick. All of the ingredients are of the highest quality and 100% safe to eat raw. However, if you are somehow not able to finish your serving of cookie dough, you can take it home and bake cookies! I mean, how perfect can this possibly get?
There are also options to make a sundae, or their unique “Dream Crème (cookie dough infused ice cream) with your favorite cookie dough and ice cream, cookie dough milkshakes, and of course melt-in-your-mouth cookie dough pretzel bites, and snickerdoodle bites.
Alumni Cookie Dough is the creation of Mike and Jennifer Dollander. Jennifer had always been a closet cookie dough eater, so the idea of actually being able to safely consume this creamy concoction in public is a dream come true! Mike and Jennifer are both graduates of The University of Georgia, so the idea of opening a business in the city they love so much is beyond exciting.
With the success of the Athens location, franchising was finalized a couple weeks before Covid. Since then, they have sold four locations. East Cobb, Milton, Acworth and Augusta. The wholesale division has exploded with over 100 accounts. Be on the lookout for Alumni Cookie Dough cafés opening up near you!
Life’s short… eat the dough!
Mark Valentine/Mark Valentine Financial Coaching
Mark Valentine is a Dave Ramsey Certified Master Financial Coach. Mark works with individuals and couples that find themselves experiencing stress and anxiety resulting from their financial situation, debt, and related troubles. The typical process is to (1) understand the situation, (2) help develop a plan, and (3) work the plan together. As a coach, Mark’s focus is on injecting hope and encouragement, providing motivation, knowledge, and accountability. Coaching sessions can take place in person or via zoom.
Charmaine Augustin/Ameris Bank
Ameris Bank was established in 1971 in order to bring peace of mind to their customers and communities. Today, they are a financial partner to businesses and consumers at over 200 locations across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic and nationwide through their digital banking and on-line lending options.
Andy Crawford/Piedmont Judicial Court
Andy Crawford is a career prosecutor who has litigated over a thousand cases in Barrow, Banks, and Jackson Counties. He has secured jury trial convictions for murder, special victims crimes, domestic violence, major thefts, and drug trafficking.
Andy is a graduate of Jackson County High School, the University of Georgia, and Mercer University. Upon graduating from law school, he returned to the area with his wife, Allison, who has worked in special education in the Jackson County School System for 13 years. They have three daughters who will attend Gum Springs Elementary School.
Andy has served on the staff of the Piedmont Drug and Mental Health Courts, chaired the Jackson County Child Fatality Review Board, was appointed Solicitor for Jefferson Municipal Court, coached mock trial at Jefferson High School, and spoken at numerous career days in the Barrow, Jackson, and Jefferson school systems. Recently, he was elected to serve as President of the Piedmont Bar Association for 2023.
David Butler/Lanier Technical College Adult Education Department
Lanier Technical College is a member of the Technical College System of Georgia. Lanier covers seven counties in the region: Jackson, Barrow, Banks, Hall, Forsyth, Dawson, and Lumpkin. Lanier’s adult education department is tops in the state in GED graduates and very near the top in other metrics as well, such as total ESL and GED enrollment and attainment of goals. Lanier’s adult education department is serious about it’s graduates entering the workforce directly or through training and education provided by the College. They provide career counseling and transition to college assistance.
Clay Meek/Meek Realty Group
Meek Realty Group agents are highly trained professionals who realize the necessity of keeping themselves informed of all the latest changes in the highly complex real estate field in Braselton and the surrounding areas. You will find a wealth of useful real estate information for home buyers and sellers at our website! Before you buy or sell a home, be sure to either contact us or view the current market information here within our website. Our web site is intended to supply you with the most recent real estate market information for Auburn, Winder, Hoschton, Gainesville, Buford, Dacula, Jefferson, Braselton and the surrounding areas. We feature a free, up to date and current real estate search that will allow you to search just like an agent. There are many places out there to search, the challenge is finding a place that offers current listings like our website. All the data is fed directly from the MLS. As current residents in Braselton, GA we are fully aware of the current market trends and what it takes to get a great deal on a listing or get top dollar for your current home. When it comes to getting the job done right, you can count on us. We have a lot of connections within the North Georgia area. Please don’t hesitate to call and ask us any questions you might have. This process is all about you and your needs. Real estate is a big investment, and we understand that. One thing you will get with us is a personal relationship. In the end, that goes a long way. For more information, please give us a ring or email today. We would love the opportunity to earn your business and partner with you in regards to your real estate needs.
Steve Wittry/Relationship Edge Consulting
Like most consulting organizations, Relationship Edge Consulting is focused on RESULTS. Results matter – in business and in life. The goal is to help people discover, simplify and navigate the pathway to achieving consistent, sustainable, quality results in every aspect of their lives. Email Steve at swittry.rec@gmail.com.
John Parham/Fish Window Cleaning
Founded in January 1978, Fish Window Cleaning has grown to be the world’s largest window cleaning company with more than 270 franchise territories in 45 states, yet they still maintain the traditional values they were founded on. They will always treat every customer like their only customer.
Serving Athens, Watkinsville, Bishop, North High Shoals, Good Hope, Monroe, Bethlehem, Winder, Statham, Bogart, Jefferson, Commerce.
Located at 150 Collins Industrial Blvd. Suite E, Athens GA 30601
