Matthew Holtkamp/Candidate for Gwinnett County Commissioner District 4
Having moved from an Iowa farm at the age of 19, Matthew Holtkamp arrived in Gwinnett County in 1985. Now 37 years later, with his family grown and his business thriving, he stands ready to work for residents to ensure the same amazing opportunities for those ready to do the same.
CASE IN POINT is presented by:
Kelly Kautz/Gwinnett County School Board Candidate
Kelly Kautz is a Gwinnett County native who is seeking to become the next member of the Gwinnett County School Board for District 4. She is a product of GCPS having graduated from Brookwood High School and now has a son who attends Gwin Oaks where Kelly serves as the Vice President of the PTA.
Kelly is a proven servant leader dedicated to doing what is best for the community. She is also a proven advocate for children. She is a licensed attorney in Georgia and has been practicing law in Gwinnett County for 20 years. As a former prosecutor, she made sure that children are safe in schools. Currently, as an attorney/Guardian ad Litem for Gwinnett County Juvenile Court, Kelly advocates for abused and neglected children. She is the voice for children in the courtroom, and now is asking you to allow her to be their voice in the classroom.
CASE IN POINT is presented by:
David Belle Isle/Candidate for Georgia Secretary of State
David Belle Isle grew up in Gainesville, GA where his family owned a business at the regional airport. David learned to fly before he learned to drive. By age 10, he became an entrepreneur, running a car wash for airport customers. David graduated from North Hall High School, and went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Georgia where he played in the Red Coat Band and became involved in debate. David met his wife Candice during college while working a summer job and they were married on David’s graduation day in 1997.
David attended Law School at Georgia State University where he earned his JD and MBA in 2000. After beginning his legal career in litigation and aviation law, he became involved in real estate law and closings, ultimately opening his own practice in Alpharetta, GA in 2005.
During this time, David became interested in the development of his new hometown of Alpharetta. He became passionate about connecting with citizens and representing their interests in seeing a full development of downtown Alpharetta, so he ran for City Council as an underdog and pulled off a win. Then, in 2012 David was elected Mayor where he helped to create a sense of place and connection across the city. He led the charge to re-imagine and rebuild a city center. Here, he established events, locations and an infrastructure that continues to bring citizens together and makes them proud to call Alpharetta home. As Mayor, David connected businesses and resources to promote the city’s strengths, ultimately developing Alpharetta into the “Technology City of the South.”
In addition to growing his own business, David has served as Chairman of the North Fulton Mayor’s Association and Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau Board. He also served as a board member of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the North Fulton Bar Association, Alpharetta Rotary Club, as well as the Alpharetta Business Association and the State Bar of Georgia.
Running for Secretary of State in 2018 expanded David’s desire to champion Georgia’s industries and work to defeat election fraud. He has built a reputation as a respected leader on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Department of Economic Development as well as serving the Georgia Republican Party as Sixth District Chairman.
CASE IN POINT is presented by:
Byron Gatewood/Gatewood for Congress
Byron Gatewood is a U.S. Army officer, small business owner, husband and father, and devoted Christian who worships at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in East Cobb.
He enlisted in the National Guard as a college student in the wake of the September 11th attacks and was deployed to Afghanistan during what would have been his junior year. Upon returning, he graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) and earned a commission on to active duty. He served as an intelligence officer abroad and partnered with the Israel Defense Forces and NATO allies in efforts to make the Middle East more secure for Americans and their allies.
After a decade on active duty, Byron attended Cornell University earning an MBA before settling in Georgia with his wife Ashley. He owns and operates two small businesses that employ over two dozen Georgians. Like many small business owners, Byron was hit hard by the COVID-19 lockdowns, but kept the lights on, and knows what Congress needs to do to get small businesses back on their feet to create good paying jobs for Peach State families.
As a conservative, Byron will work to oppose costly tax hikes and support a government that respects the rights of states, while defending interests abroad. He is a proven conservative who Georgians can trust to stand up for you and oppose Washington, D.C.’s assault on your values and encroachment into every aspect of your life.
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Shawn Still/Candidate for Georgia State Senate
Shawn Still is running as a candidate for State Senate District 48 in 2022. His district includes parts, or all of, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, South Forsyth, Sugar Hill, Buford, and Suwanee.
As the President of Olympic Pool Plastering & Shotcrete, Shawn Still owns one of the largest pool contractors in the Southeast, generating over $20 million in revenue per year and employing more than one hundred Georgians. As a conservative businessman, Shawn knows what it takes to meet a payroll and balance budgets.
Still received his bachelor’s degree from The University of Alabama where he swam and played rugby. He has lived in Johns Creek since before its inception and is the father of three children.
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Amanda Pearch is the dynamic Principal and CEO of Forsyth Business RadioX (launching in January of 2022). She has fervently served Gwinnett County for 5 years, 3 of which were alongside Mike Sammond at Gwinnett Business RadioX. Recognized by her peers for being an innovator and disruptor, Amanda was a Gwinnett Young Professionals “Top 35 Under 35” Award recipient in 2021. Amanda hosts the popular trailblazing series “Celebrating Powerhouse Women” on Business RadioX. This series salutes and recognizes women leaders making an impact!
With a passion for service, Amanda is an active participant in the community. She serves on the Gwinnett Young Professionals, Emeritus Board and is a Hudgens Center for Art and Learning Board collaborative. Prior to her work with Business RadioX, Amanda gained extensive knowledge of the Atlanta market through sales and marketing in golf and hotel acquisitions.
Steve Cooper/Forsyth Business RadioX
Steve Cooper is the Principal and CFO of Forsyth Business RadioX. Additionally, Steve is the President of Cooper & Company General Contractors. With over 30 years of construction experience, he holds both a General Contractor and Utility Foreman License. A graduate of Southern Polytechnic College, Steve holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Science/Construction Management. Steve serves on the Board of Directors for the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce and is the 2024 Board Chair. A Community Advocate, Steve is a Rotarian and serves on the Board for B’More Learning, a non-profit organization, one of this many philanthropic efforts. A Forsyth County native and community proponent, Steve and his family call Cumming, GA home.
Together, Amanda and Steve have partnered to “Give a VOICE” to businesses in the Forsyth County area and beyond!
Amanda Pearch/Forsyth Business RadioX
Amanda Pearch is the dynamic Principal and CEO of Forsyth Business RadioX (launching in January of 2022). She has fervently served Gwinnett County for 5 years, 3 of which were alongside Mike Sammond at Gwinnett Business RadioX. Recognized by her peers for being an innovator and disruptor, Amanda was a Gwinnett Young Professionals “Top 35 Under 35” Award recipient in 2021. Amanda hosts the popular trailblazing series “Celebrating Powerhouse Women” on Business RadioX. This series salutes and recognizes women leaders making an impact!
With a passion for service, Amanda is an active participant in the community. She serves on the Gwinnett Young Professionals, Emeritus Board and is a Hudgens Center for Art and Learning Board collaborative. Prior to her work with Business RadioX, Amanda gained extensive knowledge of the Atlanta market through sales and marketing in golf and hotel acquisitions.
Steve Cooper/Forsyth Business RadioX
Steve Cooper is the Principal and CFO of Forsyth Business RadioX. Additionally, Steve is the President of Cooper & Company General Contractors. With over 30 years of construction experience, he holds both a General Contractor and Utility Foreman License. A graduate of Southern Polytechnic College, Steve holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Science/Construction Management. Steve serves on the Board of Directors for the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce and is the 2024 Board Chair. A Community Advocate, Steve is a Rotarian and serves on the Board for B’More Learning, a non-profit organization, one of this many philanthropic efforts. A Forsyth County native and community proponent, Steve and his family call Cumming, GA home.
Together, Amanda and Steve have partnered to “Give a VOICE” to businesses in the Forsyth County area and beyond!
CASE IN POINT is presented by:
Senator Bruce Thompson/Candidate for Georgia Labor Commissioner
Senator Bruce Thompson is chairman of the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee, and a candidate for Georgia Labor Commissioner. A serial entrepreneur, Bruce has started dozens of successful companies, and now seeks to use his business and leadership skills to fix a broken Georgia Department of Labor.
CASE IN POINT is presented by:
Butch Miller/Butch Miller for Georgia
Butch Miller is a member of the Georgia State Senate from the 49th District, serving since 2010. He is a member of the Republican Party. In May, he announced his candidacy for the 2022 Georgia lieutenant gubernatorial election.
Raised in Northeast Georgia, Butch Miller is a proven conservative who is not afraid to stand up for Georgia values. As a Christian, husband, father, and small business owner, Butch knows the importance of economic opportunity and liberty for all. And just as important, Butch knows how to get it done. In the Georgia Senate, Butch has always fought for conservative values. When others shied away from the criticism of commonsense election reform, Butch stepped up and got it done. Butch ushered in the largest tax cut in state history, helped save the HOPE scholarship, protected life at conception, passed one of America’s strongest immigration laws, and stood up for Georgia’s brave law enforcement officers. When the going gets tough, Butch is there to fight. As Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor, he will always do the same.
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