5 minute read
BUSINESS
Milestone marked by hosting the Second Annual Golf Classic to raise critical funding to support its mission.
Cobb Sheriff’s Foundation, Inc. (CSF), a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of life for Cobb County Sheriff’s Office personnel, underserved communities, and citizens of Cobb County, celebrated its one-year anniversary on April 1, 2022, by hosting the Second Annual Sheriff’s Golf Classic. More than 110 golfers participated in the fundraiser held at the Atlanta Country Club, and more than 50 business leaders and community supporters sponsored and volunteered during the event. S.A. White Oil Company, Inc., and Axon were presenting sponsors for this year’s Classic. “The Golf Classic turnout was incredible and I am in awe of the overwhelming support we received from business and community leaders,” said Robert G. Haley, founder and executive director of Cobb Sheriff’s Foundation. “The support from the community underscores the confidence that has been entrusted to our vision.”
The organization was formed in April 2021 by volunteers and community leaders as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation to support agency personnel and the citizens of Cobb County through community engagement and charitable collaboration. The Founding Board of Directors is comprised of business and community leaders, including the following: • (Chair) Brent C. Brown, Chairman & CEO, Chesley Brown International, Inc. • (Vice Chair) Frank Wigington, President, Frank Wigington Landscaping Company, Inc. • (Treasurer) J. Dan Oliver, Chairman & CEO, Vinings Bank • (Secretary) Ravi Puri, Chief Growth & Portfolio Officer, Americas Capgemini • Former Gov. Roy E. Barnes, Senior Partner, The Barnes Law Group, LLC. • Eddy Benoit, Jr., Chairman & CEO, The Benoit Group • Phyllis G. Collins, Attorney, Phyllis Law • George “Buddy” Darden, Former Member, U.S. House of Representatives • Steve Ewing, President & CEO, Wade Ford Dealership • Reverend Edwina Graham, Associate Pastor, Turner Chapel AME • Kim Gresh, Owner & President, S.A. White Oil Company, Inc. • Beverly McAfee (Retired) • Chesley McNeil, Meteorologist, WXIA 11 Alive • Colin Meaders, Principal, Meadco Contractor Services • Tod Miller, Owner & President, JRM Management Services, Inc. • Sharon Owens, Vice President & Senior Project Manager, Truist Bank • Amber Patterson, Judge, Cobb County
Cobb Sheriff’s Foundation Board Members with Sheriff Craig D. Owens Sr. Left to right: Ravi Puri (Americas Capgemini), Reverend Edwina Graham (Turner Chapel AME), Robert G. Haley (Founder and Executive Director), Sheriff Craig D. Owens Sr., Sharon Owens (Truist), Brent C. Brown (Chesley Brown International, Inc.), Mitch Rhoden (Futren Hospitality), Chesley McNeil (WXIA 11 Alive).
A Look at the Executive Committee of the Foundation’s Board
Juvenile Court • Mitch Rhoden, President & CEO, Futren Hospitality • Malcolm “Cooter” Swanson, (Retired) • Pam Younker, Community Development Officer, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Advisory Members
• Jay Cunningham, Owner/President, Superior Plumbing • Greg Morgan, Partner, Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC.
“It is an honor to serve alongside other dedicated business and philanthropic leaders,” shared Brent C. Brown, chairman and CEO, Chesley Brown International, Inc., and Cobb Sheriff’s Foundation Board Chair. “As a board, we are focused on collaborating with other community leaders to support the Cobb Sheriff’s Foundation’s initiatives and the Sheriff’s Office and citizens they serve.”
Since its inception, the Foundation has provided assistance to Cobb Sheriff’s Office personnel who have experienced a hardship through the Foundation’s Care and Compassion Fund and Fallen Personnel Fund. Also, Cobb citizens in need have gained help through the Citizens Fund and Community Engagement Fund.
“Cobb Sheriff’s Foundation may be just one-year old, however, it is already making a big impact in our community,” shared Haley. “Through generous donations, external grants and partnerships, we are well on our way to serving as an advocate for the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office and amplifying community engagement.”
Two examples of the Foundation’s impact include support that was provided through the Citizens Fund, where, in coordination with the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Unit and the Sheriff’s Office Community Engagement Unit, funding for an urgent hotel stay was granted to provide safe refuge for a mother and her child. In another situation, support was provided to a Cobb Sheriff’s Deputy through the Care and Compassion Fund to secure childcare for his young child after his wife passed after childbirth.
“We are gaining momentum; however, we have much more to accomplish,” said Haley. “Besides supporting Sheriff’s Office personnel and citizens through our funds, we are also developing plans that will make a positive impact on Cobb County youth, especially those who are at risk of incarceration and recidivism,” he continued.
Learn more at cobbsheriffsfoundation. org, or to make a donation to the Cobb Sheriff’s Foundation, visit Cobb Community Foundation.
Brent C. Brown (chair) is chairman & CEO of Chesley Brown International, Inc., a security management company. He is a Harvard Business School alumnus, a former law enforcement officer, and has 30-plus years in security management, security consulting, and corporate investigations.
Frank Wigington (vice chair) is president of Marietta-based Frank Wigington Landscaping Company, Inc. He is a graduate of Kennesaw State University, and is the former president of the Northeast Cobb Business Association. Wigington also has served on the Transportation Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) Committee for Cobb County.
J. Dan Oliver (treasurer) is chairman & CEO of Vinings Bank, a position he has held for the past 15 years. He is a graduate of both the University of West Georgia and Louisiana State University. Earlier this year, Vinings Bank was purchased by Georgia’s Own Credit Union.
Ravi Puri (secretary) is the chief growth & portfolio officer, Americas for Capgemini, a global leader in consulting, digital transformation, technology and engineering services. He has over 25 years of experience in enterprise software and IT operations with degrees from Clemson and Georgia Tech, and executive education training from Harvard Business School.
About Cobb Sheriff’s Foundation
Established in 2021, the Cobb Sheriff’s Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization founded by an independent group of dedicated community leaders and volunteers, is committed to improving the quality of life for agency personnel, underserved communities, and citizens of Cobb County. As an advocate of the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office and the members of the Cobb County community, the organization supports community engagement initiatives through education, health, social services, safety, and charitable causes. For more information visit cobbsheriffsfoundation.org. n
