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VOLUME 23 NUMBER 21
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Missing Decatur grandmother’s body found, grandson charged with murder
Millicent Williams
Gregory Williams
Hope ran out for those searching for 78-year-old Millicent Williams of Decatur. The DeKalb County Medical Examiner positively identified the body located on Aug. 16 as Williams. She was found over a guardrail down an embankment on I-20 West, police spokesperson Shiera D. Campbell. Williams’ grandson, Gregory Anthony Williams, a 36-yearold army veteran with mental illness who had a long criminal record, was taken into custody and charged with theft by taking for being in possession of Mrs. Williams’ vehicle. Charges of kidnapping, murder and aggravated assault were added later. “He (Gregory Williams) was charged with murder because all of the circumstantial evidence points to him,” said Campbell. Williams was reported missing on Thursday, July 27, after a welfare check revealed what appeared to be a crime scene in her home on Brookgreen Point in Decatur, police said. The house was in disarray, there was blood at the scene, and her car was missing, investigators said. Gregory Williams was found in his grandmother’s car at a Kroger on Flat Shoals Road and was arrested. Search parties had used all-terrain vehicles and dogs to look for Williams in a local park and wooded areas but could not find her. Gregory Williams had lived with his grandmother for several years. Police records show officers were called six times to his grandmother’s home between July 2011 and September 2014. Mrs. Williams told police he had threatened to kill her and she was granted temporary protective orders to keep him away. Gregory Williams enlisted in the Army in 1999 and was a petroleum lab specialist at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, according to officials. He served until 2002, earning a national defense service medal, Army service ribbon, and parachutist badge.
AUGUST 19, 2017
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Rockdale County to pilot paper ballot voting system for Georgia
Rockdale County will test a paper ballot voting system being considered for Georgia when the city of Conyers holds its municipal elections in November. The Rockdale Board Cynthia Welch of Elections wants to replace its outdated voting machines, which are 15 years old, and move toward the new technology, which is being used in 17 jurisdictions across the nation, said Cynthia Welch, Supervisor of Rockdale County Board of Elections & Voter
Registration. The Rockdale Board of Elections approved the pilot at its Aug. 10 meeting and the city gave the nod on Aug. 16 to move forward with the project. Conyers voters will be using two different machines when they cast their vote—one to select their candidates of choice by touch screen, the other to tabulate the vote, Welch said. “Voters have been crying for a print ballot. Now, we will be testing it,” said Welch. “It’s much easier than the system we have now, even though you’re using two machines. Voters will have a chance
to review their paper ballot before feeding it into a tabulating machine. If a voter makes a mistake, he or she can turn in the spoiled paper ballot to a poll worker and start over with a new ballot.” Welch said she tested the ExpressVote system recently while attending the Voter Registrars Association of Georgia conference and she found it to be more user-friendly than the current system. “With the current system, you view two races at a time on the touch screen. With the new system, you’re viewing only one race at a time. After you are satisfied with your vote, SEE ROCKDALE ,page 6
Excitement builds as solar eclipse nears
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crowd of people showed up to an evening solar eclipse workshop held on Thursday, Aug. 17 at the Hairston Crossing Library in Stone Mountain. Program participants received a free pair of eclipse glasses provided by NASA. Dozens of people hoping to snag a pair of the special solar glasses were turned away due to overcapacity. A Fernbank Science Center expert led a discussion on solar eclipses and viewing safety while fielding questions from an eager audience on topics ranging from the best viewing places, pets, and safely photographing the historic occasion. Justine and Victor McFarlane, who have 14 grandchildren, said they are excited about witnessing the solar eclipse. “I might not be around to see the next one. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Victor McFarlane(pictured top left with his wife, Justine.) Authorities are anticipating heavy traffic due to people traveling to get as close to totality as possible and recommend watching the eclipse from home or getting an early start. For more on the story, go to page 4. Photos and story by Mackenzie N. Morgan.
DeKalb’s jail using new technology for inmate information The DeKalb County Jail has launched a new information management system to streamline the flow of information between the jail and the county’s courthouses, courtrooms, judges, and visitors. DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey L. Mann, who oversees the jail, said the new Tyler Technologies Odyssey solution is replacing the 16-year-old OJS (Online Judicial System) site. The $2.8 million OdysSheriff Jeffrey L. Mann sey customized site at https:// ody.dekalbcountyga.gov will give the public access to both the DeKalb courts case information and DeKalb Jail inmate information. Texas-based Tyler Technologies built the first phase of the site. “This new technology moves us light years ahead in jail database management,” said Mann. “The Odyssey solution represents an improvement in operating efficiencies and a much-needed enhancement to the services we provide to the citizens of our community.” Tyler’s Odyssey solution is being used in more than 900 counties across 24 states, covering more than 100 million
people. The project incorporates Odyssey Jail Manager™, which handles all aspects of inmate processing. Inmate information will flow seamlessly from the jail to the courts without duplicate data entry. Through Tyler’s dataXchange™ application, the jail will also have immediate access to records and real-time information sharing across jurisdictions with other agencies using Odyssey. Later this year, the project will implement SoftCode™ CivilServe, which allows for more efficiency in the processing of civil papers. The Odyssey solution is not new to DeKalb County. Debra DeBerry, DeKalb Clerk of Superior Court, implemented Odyssey Case Manager™ as its data solution in 2016. Since then, the public has been able to access court records on the internet using the DeKalb Online Judicial System (OJS), which referred users to the Odyssey portal for court information. DeBerry congratulated Sheriff Mann and said she is excited that the Sheriff’s Office is using Odyssey. “This new jail information management system fully integrates the criminal justice process in DeKalb County by unifying jail management data with court case management data from DeKalb County courts. Not only does this streamline the flow of information but it moves us even closer to a paperless environment,” Mann said.
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AUGUST 19, 2017 • PAGE 3
More held water bills in DeKalb going out in August
DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announced that an additional 3,500 held water bills are being released, bringing the total to 8,500 mailed to customers this week. Initially, Thurmond had announced 5,000 bills would be sent out the week of Aug. 14, but he said an Independent Verification Process has helped speed up the process. So far, 16,500 of the 37,000 water bills that were “held” in October 2016 will have been released since the Thurmond administration’s New Day Project was initiated in March 2017 to address DeKalb’s water billing crisis. DeKalb, which has 194,000 water customers, held the bills until it could verify how much customers actually owed. “We have made significant progress,” Thurmond said. “The development and utilization of an Independent Verification Process (IVP) has expedited our review of customer accounts, water CEO Michael Thurmond consumption and billing data.” With support from the DeKalb Board of Commissioners, the New Day Project was created to identify problems in the water billing process that led to inaccurate billing and meter readings, and a systemic failure of leadership, management and oversight. The ultimate goal of the New Day Project is to restore customer trust in DeKalb’s water billing system.
Rockdale is hiring deputies and firefighters
The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office and the Rockdale Fire Department are hiring. There are 37 vacancies in the sheriff’s office and 22 vacancies at the Rockdale Fire Department, Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. announced. Nesbitt is urging clergy in the community to spread the word from the pulpit on Sunday morning and during mid-week worship services that Rockdale needs to fill the positions. “We need deputies. And yes, we would love for as many of those deputies who meet the requirements to come from Rockdale County. I’m asking every local clergy member to make the announcement on Sunday morning and Tuesday and Wednesday at Bible Study,” Nesbitt said. “We need firefighters. A lot of our senior firemen are transitioning out and retiring.” Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. The Sheriff’s Office is hosting a job fair on Aug. 28, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the sheriff’s office, 911 Chambers Drive N.W. For more information, call 770-278-8105 or visit RockdaleSheriff.com.
Workshop set to help disadvantaged businesses compete for contracts Gwinnett County is hosting a workshop on its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Plan, a national program to help businesses owned by women, minorities and veterans compete for federally funded transportation projects. The workshop will cover the process of becoming a registered DBE as well as how to do business with Gwinnett County government. Information also will be provided on upcoming construction projects with the County Department of Transportation. The workshop will be held Aug. 30, 9 a.m. to noon, at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. For more information, contact Sylvia Goalen at sylvia.goalen@gwinnettcounty.com or 770-822-8980.
Four Rockdale students selected for manufacturing apprenticeship program Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) and Rockdale Career Academy (RCA) announced the launch of an innovative German-style apprenticeship program under the Georgia Consortium for Advanced Technical Training (GA CATT), beginning with four students at the local branches of two German manufacturing companies. The students will be learning while earning. The four sophomores - Stanley Odom of Salem High, Toby Lanier of Rockdale County High, Alex Spencer of Heritage High; and T.J. Hayes of Rockdale County High - signed letters of commitment to the three-year Industrial Mechanic Apprenticeship program during an Aug. 14 signing ceremony at the Georgia Capitol. Odom and Lanier will apprentice at Haver & Boeker under the mentorship of Executive Vice President Claudio Caobianco and Spencer and Hayes will apprentice at Bosch under the mentorship of General Manager Bruno Oberle. Apprentices are dual-enrolled students, splitting time between high school, technical college and a local manufacturing plant. By the end of the three years, students graduate with a high school diploma, progress toward an Associate’s degree, receive a U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship certificate, German-American Chamber of Commerce certification as an industrial mechanic and earn between $20,000 to $25,000 while learning. The program is effectively a $40,000 scholarship as the Georgia Piedmont Technical College degree program is fully paid by the state and the training costs for the apprenticeship is borne by the company. At the signing ceremony hosted by Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle’s office, the German American
Pictured L-R: Georgia Piedmont Technical College President Dr. Jabari Simama, Bosch General Manager Bruno Oberle, State Senator Tonya Anderson, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Heritage High sophomore Alex Spencer, Rockdale County High sophomore TJ Hayes, Salem High sophomore Stanley Odom, Rockdale County High sophomore Toby Lanier, Haver & Boecker Exec. Vice President Claudio Caobianco, Haver & Boecker Human Resources Generalist Thomi Breedlove, Conyers Rockdale Economic Development Council Exec. Director Marty Jones.
Chambers of Commerce, Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia College and Career Academies, Cagle thanked those involved in establishing and growing the apprenticeship program. “These partners continue to revolutionize the way our students are entering the workforce as skilled employees, driving the economy in their region. We are very proud of how it’s going to impact the entire state as well,” said Cagle. “I believe that when we connect to make sure education is aligned with what industry needs truly are, we will have better outcomes.” RCPS Superintendent Richard Autry praised the hard work and partnerships created by RCA in order to launch this program. “Individualized and industry-driven programs such as this provide our students options that give them the advantage after they graduate. I am proud of this collaboration between industry and education that sets our young people up for
success,” Autry said. The organizations involved in the program include RCA, Newton College & Career Academy (NCCA), Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Bosch, FiberVisions, General Mills, Haver & Boecker, Michelin Tread Technologies, Nisshinbo, Verescence, German American Chamber of Commerce, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle’s Office, Conyers Rockdale Economic Development Council, Newton County Chamber of Commerce, and Georgia Tech Manufacturing Extension Partnership. RCA and NCCA formed a regional group under GA CATT in order to launch the German-style apprenticeship program. For information on how to apply, contact Bennett McCumber at bmccumber@rockdale. k12.ga.us. More information about GA CATT is available at www.gacatt.com.
PAGE 4 •AUGUST 19, 2017 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
Solar Eclipse is coming Aug. 21 By Mackenzie N. Morgan On Monday, Aug. 21, people across the nation will have the chance to witness a once-in-a-lifetime event: The sun, moon and earth will align in a grand show, temporarily darkening the daytime sky, creating a total solar eclipse – something that hasn’t occurred in the continental U.S. for nearly 100 years. Residents in metro Atlanta are among the lucky ones. We can expect to see a 97 percent eclipse. The coast-to-coast eclipse will travel from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina and last about two minutes at its peak with the moon covering the sun. Observers outside the path of totality will still see a partial solar eclipse where the moon covers part of the sun’s disk. The eclipse begins at 1:05 p.m. and the max eclipse occurs over the Atlanta area at 2:36 p.m. and ends at 4:01 p.m. To see the path of totality, visit NASA’s website.
Solar Survival Guide
Protect your eyes
NEVER attempt to view an eclipse with the naked eye or improper equipment. Keeping your eyes protected when looking at the sun is very important. Not protecting your eyes during an eclipse can result in permanent eye damage and even blindness.
DIY: Pinhole viewer
Many people have opted to order eclipse viewing glasses, but there is another option for viewing the eclipse with supplies you may already have at home. A pinhole viewer allows you to project the image of the sun onto a screen, protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. View the step-by-step guide on the National Science Teachers Association’s website.
Viewing Alternative
Viewing outdoors isn’t your only option for seeing the eclipse. If you can’t make it outside to view the eclipse, tune in to www.nasa.gov/ eclipselive.
Solar Eclipse Preparation Workshops, Viewing Parties DeKalb County Public Libraries Come learn about the upcoming partial solar eclipse and how to view it safely. Each participant at the programs will receive a free pair of eclipse glasses, while supplies last. Glasses provided in partnership with STAR Library Education Network and NASA @ My Library: Northlake-Barbara Loar Library Saturday, Aug. 19, 2 – 3 p.m. or Monday, Aug. 21, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. 3772 LaVista Road, Tucker 404-679-4408 *Open to first 100 participants Decatur Library Monday, Aug. 21, 10 – 10:30 a.m. or 11-11:30 a.m. 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur 404-370-3070 *Open to first 100 participants. GWINNETT Parkwood Farms Children of all ages are invited to learn about solar eclipses and build their very own pinhole solar viewing box at Parkwood Farms Therapy Center, 2519 Parkwood Road, Snellville. Centerville Library View the solar eclipse at the Centerville library branch Aug. 21, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville. Participants will watch the eclipse at 2:30 and learn about the science behind a solar eclipse after the viewing. All ages are welcome.
Snellville Branch Eclipse viewing glasses will be provided while supplies last at the Snell ville library branch, 2740 Lenora Church Road on Aug. 21. Explore space with books, games, a craft, and view the partial solar eclipse at 2 pm. Ages 10 and under are welcome. Earn a Junior Ranger Eclipse Explorer badge Download the National Park Service’s free Junior Ranger Eclipse Ex plorer activity book at www.nps.gov to learn about the 2017 North American Total Solar Eclipse and how to protect your eyes from the Sun. Complete the activities and return to your local National Park to receive your Junior Ranger Eclipse badge. Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain 1 – 3 p.m. (800)-401-2407 Solar Eclipse Event $15 Adult or Child Advance purchases of the Historic Pass will include complimentary so lar eclipse glasses Valid for Aug. 21, Limited quantities of NASA-ap proved protective eye wear featuring the Stone Mountain Park Logo will be made available for purchase for $4.99 plus tax on the day of the event. www.stonemountainpark.com/Events/Solar-Eclipse-Event Panola Mountain State Park 2620 Highway 155 SW, Stockbridge, GA 30281 Eclipse Excursion, 1 – 4 p.m. (770) -389-7801 Register in advance. Solar eclipse glasses will be provided. http://explore.gastateparks.org/event/255493 Fernbank Science Center 99 Atwood Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 678-874-7102 See the solar eclipse through solar filtered telescopes for safe viewing and enjoy programs throughout the day and live streaming of the eclipse as it crosses the country: www.fernbank.edu Dunwoody Nature Center 5321 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody, GA 30338 Solar Eclipse Viewing 1 – 4 p.m (770)-394-3322, A solar eclipse party with peak eclipse at 2:35 p.m. will take place in the baseball fields. Special viewing glasses will be supplied while they last. Park at the Baseball Fields and bring a blanket or chairs. www.dunwoodynature.org Ponce City Market Skyline Park 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 770-999-1530 At 12:30 p.m., Skyline Park and HowStuffWorks will host an eclipse viewing party on the rooftop of Ponce City Market. The first 300 guests will get free viewing glasses, after that, glasses can be purchased for $2 while supplies last. There will be games, trivia and the bar and conces sions will be open. Regular admission rates for Skyline Park apply: $10 for adults and kids over 12, $7 for kids under 12 (kids under 3 are free). For details, visit the website. www.skylineparkatlanta.com.
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State Sen. Tonya Anderson to honor local Vietnam War veterans given to them years ago, I am happy to play a small part in formally recognizing these veterans for everything they have done.” The State Certificate of Honor and lapel pin ceremony is an event that is being organized by Walk of Heroes Veterans War Memorial, Conyers First United Methodist Church and Anderson. The State Certificate of Honor program is a collaborative effort with the Department of Defense, Georgia Department of Veterans Service Sen. Tonya Anderson (D – Liand Governor Nathan Deal’s Ofthonia) will host a certificate and fice to recognize the ongoing 50th lapel pin ceremony to recognize Anniversary Commemoration of Vietnam War veterans from Rockthe Vietnam War. dale, Newton and surrounding Vietnam veterans who are counties for their service and dedinterested in participating in the ication to the United States. The ceremony may submit their appliceremony will be held on Sept. cation to participate in one of three 2, 2 p.m., at Conyers First United ways: Methodist Church, 921 N. Main You may mail your DD Form St., Conyers. 214 and NTA to the Georgia De“Our nation’s veterans deserve partment of Veterans Service (Certo be recognized for their service tificates) at 2 MLK Jr. Drive SE, to our country and the sacrifices Atlanta, GA 30334. they have made so that we may You also have the option to live a happy life,” said Anderson. email your NTA and DD Form 214 “Too many of our veterans, and to bzeringue@vs.state.ga.us or you especially our Vietnam veterans, may fax the NTA and DD Form are not recognized for their im214 to 404-656-7006. mense commitment to protecting The deadline to submit the inthe freedom we enjoy daily. While formation is Thursday, Aug. 31. this recognition should have been
AUGUST 19, 2017 • PAGE 5
Rep. Doreen Carter to host Women’s Equality Breakfast State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) will host House District 92 Women’s Equality Breakfast in celebration of National Women’s Equality Day on Saturday, August 26, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia. “We are celebrating the 97th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, the amendment that gave women the right to vote,” said Rep. Carter. “Throughout history, women, blacks and other marginalized groups have faced roadblocks in exercising the right to vote,” Carter said. “Women were only afforded access to the ballot box 97 years ago. Through the Suffrage Movement, many brave women helped pave the way for future generations of women. Growing up in my home, voting was sacred. My mother ensured that we understood the struggle and that we never ignored our obligation to participate in our country’s democracy by voting.” At the event, Rep. Carter will honor women who are actively involved in furthering voting rights including Helen Butler, Beatrice Williams, Rita Samuals, Rhonda Briggins Ridley, Elaine Davis Nickens, Meredith Lilly, Leona Perry, Teresa Hardy, Barbara Lester and Debbie Hilman. For more information, contact Beverly Barnes at 404-494-1777 or doreen.carter@house.ga.gov.
Councilwoman Diane Adoma to host Stonecrest District 5 Town Hall Councilwoman Diane Adoma, District 5, will host a Town Hall, “Let’s Talk Safety (21st Century Style) with Officer E. Jenkins, public education specialist at the DeKalb County Police East Precinct, who will be the guest speaker. The meeting will be held Aug. 22, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road. Adoma said increasing reports of crime in the area have been hot topics and she is bringing stakeholders together to share their ideas for improving public safety.
Allen Cook to perform at Decatur Library Join Allen Cook for a musical evening on Aug. 22, 7 to 8 p.m., at the downtown Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. The multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter has been compared to Al Jarreau, Sting and Bill Withers. Admission is free. Funding for the program is provided by the Friends of the Decatur Library.
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Connecting with seniors and children Conyers library to feature “storyteller” Congressman Hank Johnson
The Nancy Guinn Memorial Library, 864 Green St., Conyers, will present a “Special Storytime” with Congressman Hank Johnson. The leader of Georgia’s Fourth District, which includes portions of DeKalb, Rockdale and Gwinnett counties, will host the storytime on Thursday, Aug. 24, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., in the library’s lower level meeting room. Children of all ages are welcome to hear the Congressman read the original “Curious George” book.
ROCKDALE ,from page 1
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you print it, review it and put it in a tabulating machine,” Welch said. Candace Broce, press secretary for Secretary of State Brian Kemp, said the pilot would only be conducted in Rockdale for the municipal elections. There is no additional cost to taxpayers, she said, to use the machines. “The state worked out an arrangement with the vendor, Electronic Systems and Software (ES&S), to provide the machines at no cost for the pilot,” Broce said. ES&S is the world’s largest elections-only company and has provided election equipment, software
Johnson promised Rockdale library staff members that he would participate in one of the library’s reading programs after they came to Washington, D.C. to thank him for his support of libraries.
C
ongressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) visited the Olivia Haydel Senior Center on Aug. 16 in Conyers. After his visit, he helped deliver meals to seniors in the community through the Meals on Wheels program. and services that are used by U.S. municipalities and counties for more than 30 years. Welch is hoping for a smooth transition so that state legislators will consider approving the system statewide. Welch projects the city’s turnout for the November election will be about 800--10 percent of its estimated 8,000 registered voters. The seat for mayor is open and the long-time incumbent Randy Mills has announced he does not plan to run, along with two council seats. For more on the story, visit ocgnews.com
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AUGUST 19, 2017 • PAGE 7
MARTA’S Rhonda Briggins to be honored by National Coalition of 100 Black Women
Be Someone appoints board chairman
This year’s Unsung Heroine Award Gala will take place on Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Atlanta Marriot Gateway Hotel. The awards banquet begins at 7 p.m. Recently, Georgia House Speaker David Ralston named Rhonda Briggins to the House Commission on Transit Governance and Funding. “We are delighted to recognize several outstanding women during our ‘21 Years of Rhonda Briggins Excellence: Saluting Women of The National Coalition of Greatness in this 21st Century’ 100 Black Women, Inc. Metevent,” said Lila Vaughn, the ropolitan Atlanta Chapter has event’s co-chair. “Ms. Brignamed Rhonda Briggins as the gins has a tremendous track 2017 Catalyst Award recipirecord of influencing change in ent. Briggins serves as senior communities across the Atlandirector of external affairs for ta metro area and serving as a MARTA. catalyst for positive change.” Each year, during the UnBriggins, a DeKalb County sung Heroine Award Gala, the resident, manages MARTA’s Catalyst Award is presented to government affairs and commuan individual who brings about nity relations activities regarda positive change within the ing matters on federal, state community. and local levels. Additionally, “I’m very humbled and Briggins serves as the President thankful to be a recipient of for both the Georgia Transit Assuch a distinguished award from sociation and the Conference of The National Coalition of 100 Minority Transportation OffiBlack Women Inc., Metropolitan cials (COMTO). Atlanta Chapter,” Briggins said.
International, Highgate Hotels, Westmont Hospitality and Best Western International. During his hospitality career, Di Rico was responsible for operations, sales and marketing, food and beverage, education and training, revenue management and quality assurance for as many as 5,000 hotels in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. Be Someone was founded in 2001 by Orrin Hudson, whose Tony Di Rico methods were inspired by the game Be Someone, a nonprofit orof chess. “The mission of Be Someganization in Stone Mountain that one is to build character, hope and promotes self-esteem, responsibility inspiration so that kids can set and and analytical thinking among chil- achieve lifetime goals, realize their dren in underserved communities, full potential and be someone,” he has named business consultant and said. former hospitality industry executive Hudson’s approach, which he Tony Di Rico of Chapel Hill, North calls “Making Every Move Count,” Carolina, as its board chairman. equates success in life with success Di Rico is founder and chief ex- in chess, both requiring concentraecutive officer of Chapel Hill-based tion, self-esteem, problem-solving Profit Hunters International, a busi- skills and discipline. “Be Someone ness consultancy that provides talent teaches kids the practical skills and management programs and compre- techniques to overcome obstacles hensive assessment tools to help its in life, illustrated through the best clients recruit, hire, train, develop and most intellectual visual aid: the and retain staff. Profit Hunters also chessboard,” he said. provides training in the use of be“This is less about chess and havior assessment and other human more about building character,”Hudresource tools. son said. Love, honesty, respect, Prior to founding Profit Hunters, responsibility and patience are five Di Rico served the hospitality indus- character traits that are essential to try for more than 35 years in sesuccess.” nior-level positions at Richfield Hotel For more information about Be Management Inc., Choice Hotels Someone, visit www.BeSomeone.org
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