Horizons October 2012

Horizons October 2012

A publication of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce

Prestige Members Northside Hospital-Forsyth Premier Corporate Sponsor

Forsyth County Government

jTech Networks

DeKalb Office

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

The City of Cumming

Georgia Power

Taubman

St. Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta

Anchor Home Mortgage

Our future looks bright L

ook into our crystal ball. What do you see in your future?

We see positive economic growth, enhanced opportunities and an evening of astounding elegance at the 2012 Annual Dinner and Celebration, presented by Russell Landscape Group Inc. On Friday, Nov. 2, join the CummingForsyth County Chamber of Commerce for a reading as we celebrate the successes of our year and see how they shape our future. Delectable cuisine, smooth sounds, fabulous décor and the most important business leaders in our community make this the event of the year.

This year’s black tie optional affair will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Forsyth Conference Center ballroom at 7745 Majors Road, Cumming, GA 30041.

Tickets are $150 per person and can be purchased by calling 770-887-6461 or by visiting www.cummingforsythchamber.org. Special tuxedo packages are available at Tuxedo Warehouse. Contact them at 770-889-6889.

Partners in this event include Georgia Power, AT&T, Metcam Inc., Hansgrohe

Inc., Hayes James & Associates, JACOBS and Jeff Mason Advertising & Design Inc. With a program focused on an address from our chairman and the presentation of the prestigious Charles Welch award the evening is open for your enjoyment.

Don’t miss this elegant networking opportunity!

Give your career a boost.

L

W NE ON! I AT OC

Earn your MBA in Forsyth County. Register online for an Information Session on October 2 or October 18 at 7pm.

University Center | GA 400 300 Aquatic Circle, Suite 232, Cumming

Mike Cottrell School of Business MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

NorthGeorgia.edu/mba (470) 239-3030

Member Spotlight

Grounded in education, transparency A

nchor Home Mortgage has become one of the few places in this lending environment where homeowners can learn everything they need to know all in one place!

With a strong focus on the broker model, Anchor helps its customers find exactly what is right for their mortgage needs.

Unlike a direct lender, Anchor has the ability to research each borrower’s situation individually.

With dozens of banks to choose from, they can match each homeowner to the guidelines and programs that best fit their customer’s goals, whether they are looking for a HARP refinance, an FHA streamline or a stress free purchase experience.

A strong emphasis on education along with a transparent business model, means the customers feel comfortable and in control throughout the entire lending process. Anchor believes full knowledge of how loans work and how rates are determined gives the homeowners the confidence to choose their program wisely. Always looking to be a resource and

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HORIZONS October 2012

establish long term relationships with members of the community, Anchor is extremely active in the chamber as well as the Forsyth Leadership Council.

Another unique factor of the company is the leadership’s philosophy. They believe that creating a wonderful environment for the customer starts with a wonderful environment for everyone. Employees call themselves the Anchor “team”

and they really mean it. The positive environment is fostered by a genuine concern for the success of others and the belief that when one team member succeeds, so does everyone.

This team spirit can be seen in both fun events, such as the company’s annual Chili Cook Off and sponsoring the Little League World Series, to much more profound statements of

support.

Of the many charities and organizations Anchor sponsors, Stick it to Cancer, The Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia and GiGi’s Playhouse, just to name a few, one could notice a pattern. “We are truly a family,” says Christian Stockhoff, founder and president of Anchor, “and it is our business to support those charities that mean the most to the members of our team. What better way to reach out to our community, than to fund the research that would directly benefit the children of the people we work with every day. When everyone in a company feels a quality of life for themselves and their families, they will thrive, and when that happens, our company will thrive as well.”

For more information please call 678-679-7000 or visit www.theanchorteam.com.

Partners in Education

Lowe’s makes Chattahoochee greener school F orsyth County Schools would like to thank Lowe’s for donating 70 recycling bins for every classroom/office at Chattahoochee Elementary School.

Since the 2008-09 school year, the self-contained special education class has provided a covered copy paper box to any teacher who was interested in recycling paper. With Lowe’s donation, every classroom at Chattahoochee now has a fivegallon plastic bin to collect paper.

Every Friday the students and teachers go to each room and collect paper and other items that can be recycled. They place the paper in large rolling cans that were donated to Chattahoochee last March. The single stream bin makes the process much easier for the students and enhances the experience of positively impacting the planet.

Chattahoochee cannot express enough gratitude for Lowe’s and their commitment to making recycling efforts much more efficient.

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Economic Development

Russell selects Forsyth for its expansion T

he Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Russell Landscape Group Inc. will move forward with a 27,000-square-foot expansion in Forsyth County.

Founded in 1987 by brothers William “Bill” Russell and Robert “Bob” Russell, the Russell Landscape Group Inc. has emerged as one of Atlanta’s premiere family-managed commercial landscape companies. Since 1990, the company has consistently been ranked among the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s top commercial landscape contractors.

The company’s newest facility will be located on Pendley Road in Cumming. The expansion is projected to generate approximately 60 new jobs while producing nearly $20,000 in new capital investment.

This project serves as the tenth economic development project that the chamber of commerce has participated in this year.

Since January of 2012 the chamber of commerce’s economic development activities have generated about 379 new jobs and nearly $16.7 million in new capital investment.

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HORIZONS October 2012

HCA

Session to tackle obesity’s ill effects O

besity not only takes a toll on health, it also has an impact on a company’s bottom line. Each year across the country, obesity costs employers billions of dollars in medical coverage.

Obesity and weight problems have a significant effect on productivity and economic competitiveness. How well businesses are able to manage such issues will determine how productive, competitive and successful they are.

The Healthcare Association of Forsyth County invites you to attend this luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at the Forsyth Conference Center.

Hear from leading experts on this issue and see what can be done to stop the second highest cause of preventable death in the United States. Our featured speakers have been working to educate people and businesses on the effects obesity can have on a community. You will hear from dynamic speakers including Dr. Stephanie Walsh, Valerie Bowers and Edwin Foulke Jr. Dr. Walsh is the medical director of wellness with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

She has more than a dozen years of experience in promoting wellness and addressing obesity-related complications. Dr. Walsh leads her organization’s efforts in preventing and treating childhood obesity by encouraging Georgia families to live healthier lifestyles.

Bowers is director of food and nutrition services for the Forsyth County school system. She has worked more than 20 years in school nutrition and served as the program manager for food distribution at the Georgia Department of Education for six years.

In August, she was hired as director of food nutrition services to make sure all students in Forsyth County have a healthy

meal when they are at school.

A partner at Fisher & Phillips LLP, Foulke is co-chair of the firm’s workplace safety and catastrophe management practice group. Prior to joining Fisher & Phillips, Foulke was the assistant secretary of labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. He was named by President George W. Bush to head OSHA from April 2006 to November 2008.

For more information on this event or to register please contact the CummingForsyth County Chamber at 770-887-6461 or e-mail Jason Mock at jmock@cummingforsythchamber.org. You can register for this event online at www.cummingforsythchamber.org.

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Month in Review

Scenes from the 2012 golf tourney

Skies were sunny when dozens of participants turned out Sept. 24 for the chamber’s 25th annual golf tournament.

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HORIZONS October 2012

Month in Review

Business After Hours at Renasant Bank

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Looking For That “Top Employee” To Round Out Your Team? classifieds reach throughout the local market, plus some. Employment ads can be placed in multiple print and online products.

Our newest offering “Top Ads” allows the placement of your employment ad on the homepage of forsythnews.com.

Call Linda at 770.205.8946 to find out how affordable and effective these ads can be.

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HORIZONS October 2012

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October 4 - 14, 2012 Friday, October 5 Chris Cauley in concert 7:00 p.m.

Gloriana in concert 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 9 Confederate Railroad in concert 7:00 p.m.

Kentucky Headhunters in concert 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 11 The Charlie Daniel’s Band in concert 8:00 p.m

Saturday, October 13 American BullRiders Tour 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 14 American BullRiders Tour 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 10 Marvel’s Avengers Interactive Show 5:00 & 7:30 K in B M Xg

Platinum Sponsor:

Blue Ribbon Sponsors:

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Amazing Ground Acts!

Presenting Sponsor:

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Bria of tn Ruth M he C aster hainsa w

Sponsors:

Visit Us!

C u m m i n g F a i r g ro u n d s | c u m m i n g f a i r. n e t | 7 7 0 . 7 8 1 . 3 4 9 1 Full Page Tab (10x9.5).indd 1

9/12/12 11:53 AM

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Tourism

Fall is in the air, fair almost here E

ach year fall arrives in Cumming in the form of “Down Home Country Fun” at the Cumming County Fair & Festival.

T h i s y e a r, t h e 18th annual fair will be held Thursday, Oct. 4, through Sunday, Oct. 14, at the Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road in Cumming.

The 11-day fair has something for everyone in the family. Special new attractions will include the King BMX Stunt Show, featuring high-flying aerial stunts and Lisa Dufresne’s stunning h o r s e s h ow. R e t u r n i n g favo r i t e s a r e t h e N o r t h Georgia Petting Zoo and Pony Rides, Oscar the Robot and Brian Ruth, “Master of

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HORIZONS October 2012

the Chainsaw.”

The heart of the fair, the Drew Exposition Carnival Midway, featuring over 40 rides and numerous games, w i l l s p o t l i g h t t h e n ew X-Factory gondola glide ride.

Always a crowd pleaser is Heritage Village, a living history exhibit featuring working demonstrations of authentic farm machinery such as a cotton gin, corn mill, syrup mill, saw mill, grist mill, blacksmith shop, cider press and chicken house. Patrons can shop in the reproduction of a general store, which has been relocated next to Exhibit Hall, and visit other replicas of offices and businesses from a bygone era.

In an effort to preserve the heritage of Native Americans, the Cherokee Indian Village will once again be on display. This exhibit consists of a tavern, t wo l o g c a b i n h o m e s , a corn crib and smokehouse all for viewing, as well as presenting traditional performances and demonstra-

tions about Native American history. Family shows can be seen at various times daily.

Headlining the entertainment of the festival are several free concerts and special events included in the price of admission. Some of this year’s scheduled entertainers include: Chris Cauley at 7 p . m . F r i d a y, O c t . 5 ; Confederate Railroad at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9; and

The Charlie Daniels Band at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11.

Don’t miss the American Bull Riding Tour at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 13, with a repeat performance at 6 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 14. All events are held in the covered concert arena.

Admission to the fair is $7 for adults, $3 for students, and children under 4 years of age are admitted free. The fair is open 4-10 p.m.

Monday-Thursday; 4 p.m.midnight Friday; 10 a.m.midnight Saturday; and 1 2 : 3 0 - 9 p . m . S u n d a y.

Parking is available for $3.

The family friendly fair has something to offer everyone.

For more information go to www.cummingfair.net or call 770-781-3491.

Thank You The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all of our Sponsors for helping us host our 25th Annual Chamber Membership Golf Tournament, presented by Northside Hospital-Forsyth.

Chamber News

Guide/directory to be published The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce announces the much anticipated 2013 Cumming-Forsyth Community Resource Guide & Membership Directory, featuring the best of what the Cumming-Forsyth region has to offer and a range of information all newcomers and business leaders will find indispensable.

This stunning, four-color guide will be distributed to chamber members, county o ffi c e s , s c h o o l s , l i b r a r i e s , builder’s offices, utilities companies, newcomers, business leaders, banks, realtors and all advertisers. Our new chamber magazine editorial captivates the reader providing a colorful account of area attractions, cultural arts and valuable local information.

This unique and beautifully crafted publication will provide the reader with an informative and invaluable resource to newcomers and those moving to the Cumming-Forsyth region. From finding electricians and plumbers to discovering local economic information, newcomers and community leaders will find the

information they are looking for in this publication.

Area businesses are featured in editorial and through profesColmant s i o n a l l y designed highgloss advertisements that show off the best in our city and make it easy for the reader to find the resources they need.

The chamber has partnered w i t h 3 6 5 D e g r e e To t a l Marketing, a premier publisher of visitors guides, newcomers guides and regional magazines throughout the Southeast. For more than 25 years, 365 Degree Total Marketing has produced and distributed millions of these publications to heighten appreciation and increase enjoyment for communities like ours.

For more information about the 2013 Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce Community Resource Guide & Membership Directory, contact long-time chamber friends and member, George Colmant at 404426-2252.

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Congratulations

Chamber’s own honored by FCN I

n late August, Forsyth County News highlighted 12 business leaders under the age of 40. Recipients were honored based on their ability to create a positive business atmosphere and make significant contributions to our community. The chamber is thrilled to congratulate one of our very own staff members, Jason Mock.

Jason is our director of Small Business Services.

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HORIZONS October 2012

Membership Information Member News 24th annual Shore Sweep to clean up Lake Lanier

D

on’t miss your chance to help keep Lake Lanier beautiful Saturday, Sept. 29, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. At 12 locations in the Forsyth, Dawson, Hall and Gwinnett area, the Shore Sweep event will clean up the shoreline of Lake Lanier. Advanced

registration is not required but is helpful in scheduling shoreline coverage. See www.lakelanier.org or call 770-503-7757 for more information or to register. If you enjoy using Lake Lanier for recreation, consider joining to help keep Lake Lanier clean!

Georgia United Credit Union donates $2K to Lambert

G

eorgia United Credit Union is excited to announce that Lambert High School was this year’s first school to receive $2,000 in this season’s first “Kick for Schools” football promotion. All Forsyth County high schools have been invited to participate in this half-time field goal

eve n t t o w i n m o n ey f o r t h e i r respective booster clubs. Each school selects a kicker who is given four tries to kick a field goal from the 5, 10, and twice at the 20 yard line. Each distance has a corresponding monetary value, with the maximum payout per school being $2,000!

Metcam further diversifies

M

etcam, a fabricator of sheet metal components and assemblies for OEMs, announced in early September that it had signed a letter of intent with German firm REFUsol GmbH to fabricate aluminum enclosures and other parts, used in solar panel arrays.

Metcam was one of only two companies REFUsol GmbH requested to bid on the project because of the reputation for excellence Metcam has created globally. “This is a win for everyone — U.S. manufacturers, the environment, Metcam and REFUsol,” said Jerry Ward, vice president of operations. With a peak efficiency of over 98 percent, REFUsol inverters are among the most efficient in the market. The aluminum enclosures have an

intricate design that necessitates a complex fabrication process. To achieve the high quality standards of both firms, Metcam is installing new robotic machinery. “We are excited to be further diversifying our customer base with a new industry as well as a new European customer,” said Metcam President, Bruce Hagenau.

Flack’s Flooring Company moves into new location

F

lack’s Flooring opened their new retail showroom Sept.

18. The former Cherokee Music building (noted by the large Pink Panthers in front) will now house Flack’s large selection of carpet including quality plush, frieze, Berber, commercial, and hard-to-find pattern carpets. The new renovated building will allow customers to

view the large selection of Flack’s carpeting.

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Upcoming Events Sept. 28

International Roundtable — 9 a.m., Regus at Windward

HCA Summit — 11:30 a.m., Forsyth Conference Center

Oct. 2

Oct. 23

Oct. 2

Oct. 24

Oct. 9

Oct. 30

Women Who Mean Business — 7:30 a.m., Chamber Events Facility

Member Power Networking Lunch — Noon, Jim N’ Nicks

Member Power Networking Lunch — Noon, TBD

Oct. 16

Member Power Networking Lunch — Noon, Outback Steakhouse

Key to the events

Oct. 17

Member Power Networking Lunch — Noon, ‘Cue Barbecue

Real Estate Roundtable with Rob Woodall — 11 a.m., TBD

Member Power Networking Lunch — Noon, Rooster Cafe

Oct. 30

HCA Class — 5:30 p.m., DeKalb Office

• Please visit our Event’s Calendar at www.cummingforsythchamber.org to see a full list of events, more information and registration.

Member Power Networking Lunch — Meets every Tuesday at noon at a different location and includes casual networking for 20-35 other business professionals.

Business After Hours — Meets the second Tuesday of every month from 5-7 p.m. at a different host location every month. The purpose is networking and to experience new businesses in the community.

Women Who Mean Business — Meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30 a.m. This is a specialized networking group of over 50 female business professionals. Join them for breakfast.

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HORIZONS October 2012

Horizons 2012 Officers

Board of Directors

David Seago, Chair

Jerry Bowman

Tim Hopkins

John Kieffer, Past-Chair

Cris Burgum

Lynn Jackson

The Avenue-Forsyth

Northside Hospital-Forsyth

Conservation Resource Solutions

Drew Walker

Shawn LaFave

Royce Owens

Georgia Power - retired

Cumming Station LLC

Russ Wheeler, First Chair-Elect Hansgrohe

Linda Cole, Second Chair-Elect,

Cardinal Logistics Management

Keller Williams Community Partners

Alliance National Bank

North Georgia Promotions

Chuck Button

Scott Jordan

Tracy Moon

Scott Kuhn

Todd Moran

Bert Durand

Rep. Mike Dudgeon

Fran Forehand

Hon. Phil Smith

Sen. Jack Murphy

Alex Girrbach

Mimms Enterprises

Lipscomb, Johnson, Sleister, Dailey, & Smith LLP

Bruce Hagenau

Jim Boff

Stan Vangilder

Bobby Thomas

Sen. Steve Gooch

Laura Stewart

Rep. Amos Amerson

Jason Mock

Metcam

Kevin Garmon

Walmart

Bank of North Georgia

Dekalb Office

Ann-Margaret Johnston, Secretary/Treasurer

John Deruki

Cindy Mills

Tim Perry

Billy Wells

Bruce Longmore Lenny’s Sub Shop

North Georgia College & State University

Randall Toussaint

Doug Derrer

Mike Caspar

Rick O’Brien

James McCoy

Mary Transue

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Johnston & Associates, Inc.

Rep. Mark Hamilton

Mary Helen McGruder

BB&T

Bryan Properties

Chamber Staff

Dr. Buster Evans

Fisher & Phillips LLP

Jacobs Engineering Group

Deruki Construction

Ex-Officio

John Rasper

Citizen’s Bank

Bob Russell

Russell Landscape

Terry Smith

A.C. Smith Poultry Co.

Wells Fargo

United Community Bank

Ethan Underwood

Chairman, Forsyth County Board of Commissioners

Superintendent, Forsyth County Schools

Gainesville State College

Georgia Power

Georgia Power Dept. of Economic Development

Sawnee Mountain Foundation

Forsyth County Manager

State Court Judge

Chair, Forsyth County Development Authority

Paul Chambers

H. Ford Gravitt

John Hall

Bill Cupp

Blake House

Dr. Joanne Tolleson

Tom Cleveland

Jon McDaniel

AT&T

AGL Resources

Chair, Forsyth County Board of Education

Mayor, City of Cumming

Sawnee EMC

Forsyth County News

President & CEO

Vice President of Economic Development

Director of Operations

Director of Communications & Events

Director of Small Business Services

Anna Brostrom

Director of Tourism Development

Lanier Technical College

Jimmy Lane, Jeremiah Dickerson Sales Executives

Forsyth County Public Library

Maggie Schmitz, Sherri Klug Administrative Assistants

Your Solution is here Business Managing Your Message

This full day seminar covers all of the basic principles and techniques for communicating successfully through writing and in presentation.

Forsyth Campus Thur Oct. 18 9am - 4pm $149 Ed Nichols

Managing Priorities

If you are a busy manager, this class can help you prioritize your schedule and more successfully manage your time.

Forsyth Campus Thur Oct. 25 9am - 1pm $115 Jackie Martin

10% Discount On these Fall Classes!

Call to Register by Oct. 15. Use code HORIZONS 706-864-1918

Industry Electrical Recertification Workshop Dahlonega Campus Sat. Oct. 6

8:30am - 12:30pm

$79

Plumbing Recertification Workshop Forsyth Campus Sat Oct. 13

8:30am - 12:30pm

$79

ServSafe ® Certification Training

for Food Service Workers Forsyth Campus 2 Sat, Oct. 20 & 27 9am - 12pm Recertification Exam Only: Sat, Oct. 27 11am

$150 $80

Log on Now to Learn More and Register:

www.northgeorgia.edu/ce

HORIZONS October 2012

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We’re honored to serve you It’s an honor to be recognized as the nation’s leading hospital for maternity and newborn care. Look a little closer and you’ll discover that Northside performs more surgeries and diagnoses and treats more breast and gynecologic cancer than any other hospital in Georgia. While people chooseNorthside for our expertise, they also know us for our exceptional compassionate care.

Visit us online at www.northside.com

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HORIZONS October 2012