GNRHD conducting COVID-19 drive thru testing at the Infinite Energy Center PHOTO CREDIT GRNHD
Meet The Leaders Dr. C. Douglas Johnson, professor of leadership and management at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC), and the Center for Teaching Excellence Faculty Affiliate for Experiential Learning. Betsey and Paul Allen, founders and managing partners of Hope Springs Distillery, a small boutique distillery in Old Town Lilburn. Dr. Kelli McCain, principal in the Gwinnett County Public School system at Partee Elementary School in Snellville. Andy Darnell, Marketing Director at Howard Brothers Outdoor Power and Hardware Store in Duluth. Bruce Kennedy, owner of the Universal Joint restaurant in Lawrenceville. Nick Masino, President & CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett, one of the largest suburban Chambers of Commerce in the nation, located in Duluth. John Davis, Public Works Superintendent for the City of Norcross. Charlotte Nash, chairman of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners and is empowered by local ordinance to issue executive orders during emergencies and disasters. Dr. Audrey Arona, CEO and District Health Director for Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments (GNRHD).
Locals 50+ Leading the Charge Against COVID-19 Pandemic in Gwinnett
How is this Covid-19 pandemic affecting the way your organization operates? “COVID-19 has made public health part of everyday conversation in our community and we’re participating in the conversation!”
“We went from a full service restaurant and bar to a grocery store/market overnight. Early into the pandemic, I was in the grocery - Dr. Audrey Arona store with my wife thinking I was touching everything too much and I noticed the store “We recognize that companies join was out of staples like ground beef, cheese the Chamber primarily for networking and toilet paper. I figured with our supply opportunities, so within days, we pivoted our chain, people would not have to subject online offerings from simply educational to themselves to that experience” include virtual networking opportunities. In - Bruce Kennedy our first week of quarantine, we held multiple virtual networking meetings daily.” We modified the stores with panels for the - Nick Masino cashiers, touchless keypads and installed 6 feet apart line spacing. We limited the “Gwinnett County has continued to provide number of parties entering the store and essential services without missing a step. hand sanitizer in necessary locations across This resulted from good emergency planning the store.” done in advance and quick action by our - Andy Darnell County Administrator, Glenn Stephens. He recognized the potential serious nature “The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly affected of the threat early on and organized an the way we do business in the local school internal task force that worked across and within the district. Everything from departmental boundaries to drive the shift of the way we provide instruction to how we the organization’ operations to meet the new provide meals for our students has changed challenges.” dramatically. We have to rely more on the - Chairman Charlotte Nash parents to make sure that students are logged on and ready for learning each day. “The Covid-19 pandemic has forced the Additionally, we have had to find resources City to make significant interventions in and be creative in order to make learning fun, its operation to ensure the safety of our engaging and hands on when appropriate.” employees, residents and contractors. The - Dr. Kelli McCain City continues to operate on the front line fulfilling its commitment to maintain its “While change has been ongoing and part infrastructure.” of our vocabulary, online or digital learning - John Davis was almost taboo as we pride ourselves on offering a private school education at a public school cost where students were afforded small classrooms and face-to-face interactions directly with their professors. COVID-19 has turned that model on its head as what once was rarely discussed or offered in a hybrid format on a limited basis has become our reality.” Betsey Allen filling hand sanitizer at Hope Springs Distillery PHOTO CREDIT GWINNETT DAILY POST
-Dr. C. Douglas Johnson
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