It makes cents April 2015

April 2015

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The Building of a Dream Brent Fielder, owner of Chick-fil-A Greystone in Birmingham, Alabama

Local Commitment Tommy Clark, Commercial Banker and Albany Chamber of Commerce Chair

It’s a Stretch Michelle Sutherland, Physical Therapist and Yoga Instructor

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What’s So Great About a Small Town?

The Sylvester Team

Small Communities in the Big City The small town feel of Atlanta neighborhoods

Check It Out Teaching your children the basics of finance

ILDING OF A THE BU

W

- Dream -

hen you think of an entrepreneur, the name Truett Cathy may come to mind. Founder of Chick-fil-A, the nation’s second largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain, Cathy (19212014) had a keen business sense as well as a strong work ethic. His business philosophy is based on religious principles and high moral standards; part of Chick-fil-A’s mission is to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with the company. He believed in molding the individuals he employed to help them become future leaders in society. “We must motivate ourselves to do our very best, and by

example lead others to do their best as well,” quoted Cathy.

Maintaining quality control to create the best customer experience possible was important to Cathy, which is one of the reasons Chick-fil-A is still privately held and familyowned. He believed that retaining the core values on which the restaurant was founded was crucial to maintaining the image he wanted to portray.

Also committed to the family-owned vision is Brent Fielder, owner of newly opened Chick-fil-A Greystone in Birmingham, Alabama. “I began my career with the chain when I was only 18 years old, spending a summer in high school at WinShape Camp, which is part of the WinShape Foundation,” Fielder says. The WinShape Foundation was created by Truett Cathy and his wife, Jeanette, in 1982.

The simple vision then, as it is today, was to strengthen families and equip leaders to live life on purpose and with purpose. Brent’s first year with Chick-fil-A was divided between WinShape camp in the summer and 9 months in a restaurant during the school year. It was at this point that he knew he wanted to be a Chick-fil-A franchise owner one day. “I saw how my managers really cared about people and used their business to make a difference in the community,” Fielder comments. He spent a total of 7 years at the WinShape Foundation, where he led the training initiatives for more than 500 students that he hired throughout the year. “During this time, I was able to travel to Brazil as well as lead summer camps. The Foundation hosts around 25,000 campers each year, focusing on leadership development. I’m very grateful for the impact the WinShape Foundation had in my life, but ultimately I knew I wanted to be involved in the business side of the Chick-fil-A enterprise,” remarks Fielder.

About a year and a half ago, he left the Foundation and was selected to lead the new restaurant in Birmingham. “My wife’s family is in Birmingham, and I went to Samford University there and loved the area. We both knew we wanted to return to the city if given the opportunity. I left something I loved for what I knew was right for me, and I love being in this role also,” states Fielder.

He is now able to put into practice what others have invested in him throughout his time at WinShape. As the owner/operator at Chick-fil-A Greystone, he has hired approximately 80 people for this location and strives to make it an incredible place for them to work. “I’m teaching life skills, leadership traits and helping develop my team so they may become more productive members of society. It’s a lot of hard work. But it’s not complicated work; my employees just have to be willing to learn. And I must be willing to adapt, grow, and develop in a changing business world,” Fielder comments.

“Chick-fil-A is a great business for anyone to become involved with. The corporation buys the land and constructs the building for a new restaurant. They select the owner, and split profits 50/50. Their model is that they want hard workers, you don’t have to be rich,” Fielder says. However, being selected to be a franchise owner can be a lengthy process. Between 60-70% of owners are internal candidates. “The company looks for an entrepreneurial spirit as well as someone who possesses a strong work ethic and leadership skills,” Fielder states.

And, it seems as though they will continue to need operators for the foreseeable future. Chick-fil-A is currently a $5.7 billion company, but is projected to be a $10 billion enterprise by 2020.

When asked what his next step is, Fielder says he wants to take time to enjoy the moment. “I’m not sure what the future holds; I’m open to going back to Brazil one day and leading other initiatives. But for now, my passions are my family and this new restaurant, which are receiving my full attention,” says Fielder.

Visit the brand new Chick-fil-A Greystone at 5375 Highway 280 in Birmingham today. Chances are, Brent will be hard at work right there beside his team!

LOCAL COMMITMENT

Tommy Clark, Commercial Banker and Albany Chamber of Commerce Chair

At HeritageBank, we encourage all of our team members to be actively involved in and committed to our communities. Serving as Chamber of Commerce Chairman is an excellent way to do just that. This year, Tommy Clark, Commercial Banker in Albany, is Chair of the Albany Chamber of Commerce. We talked to Tommy and a few past Albany Chairmen to find out what it means to be in that role and the various things they accomplished.

TOMMY CLARK, COMMERCIAL BANKER: CHAMBER CHAIR 2015 What’s your platform? “What’s your value without involvement?” within the chamber. As a community, we are working together with several entities to promote the “There’s only one Albany” theme that was created by the Economic Development Commission. I also serve on the EDC board.”

What do you hope to accomplish this year? “I hope to continue the momentum that Albany/Dougherty county has created with recent economic development news and build a better partnership with the Chamber and EDC working together. I want all of our partners to understand that we need to work together- city and county commission, education partners, EDC and the Chamber.”

What made you desire to be in this role? “I’ve always had this desire from my early days in high school and college. I served as Key Club President and Student Government body in high school, and then served on The Student Government Council at my college as well as leadership positions within my fraternity. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed; I’ve been through several Leadership development programs as well.”

JIMMY WILSON, LEE COUNTY MARKET PRESIDENT: CHAMBER CHAIR 2010 What was your platform? “My platform was Regionalism: as a region, we must not lose sight of the fact that our communities must continue to be the retail hub and economic engine of Southwest Georgia. We have so much to offer as a business community, and the natural resources to provide an excellent quality of life, too!”

What did you accomplish during your service? “Personally, I didn’t accomplish anything on my own, but as a Chamber Board we embraced and promoted the Mission of the Chamber: to promote and stimulate the economic wellbeing of our of membership through proactive and progressive programs, services and strategic alliances, while representing our member’s commercial, industrial and professional interest in major issues of economic and public policy.”

What made you desire to be in that role? “As business leaders, it is incumbent upon us all to be actively involved in our local Chamber and other volunteer organizations in order to make our community a better place to work and live.”

LEN DORMINEY, CEO: CHAMBER CHAIR 2004 What was your platform? “Multiple projects were underway during my term as Chairman. My role was to see that these were carried out, as well as try to encourage the community to become more involved. The transformation of the downtown area was a particularly exciting change.”

What did you accomplish during your service? “I was instrumental in helping to revitalize Downtown Albany. We brought Hilton Garden Hotel to the area; as well as Flint RiverQuarium and the IMAX Imagination Theater. Riverfront Park also opened during my term and CallTech Communications more than tripled in their number of employees. We also doubled the amount that the Imagine Albany Initiative would contribute to support economic development plans for the community.”

What made you desire to be in that role? “I remember the days when Dawson Road was 2 lanes and downtown was the shopping and entertainment center for our area. I wanted to help develop the community that I grew up in and pave the way for more expansion and growth.

Albany is the hub of Southwest Georgia; ultimately, I desired to make it a better place to call home for our residents.”

Stretch IT’S A

Meet a husband and wife team that not only excels at what they do, they truly enjoy it. Eric and Michelle Sutherland of Valdosta, GA are co-owners of Sutherland Physical Therapy and Sutherland Yoga Studio. Originally from Canada, the Sutherlands opened their physical therapy practice in South Georgia eight years ago and have become Valdosta’s leading outpatient physical therapy clinic, specializing in manual therapy, a hands-on approach to patient care.

While the duo began their venture into business ownership with the physical therapy clinic, Michelle has always had a passion for yoga. “I started practicing yoga at a local gym during high school and loved the way that yoga made me feel. You leave a class feeling stronger, more relaxed, more confident – more yourself. I was able to find a class when I moved away from home to attend university and have kept up with it through the years.” After moving to Valdosta, Michelle wanted to continue practicing yoga. “When we moved here, I found an instructor that I loved practicing with but then she moved. I found another fabulous instructor and then she moved.

Unable to find a class that fit my style and personality, I decided to get certified in 2008. Initially, I taught two free classes a week at our physical therapy practice and at the Valdosta Country Club,” says Michelle. While Michelle enjoyed teaching at different venues, she wanted an area that was her own. “A couple of years after I became certified, I bought a building for my pediatric practice and was only using half of it; it was then that I decided to open a studio,” Michelle states. And, being a physical therapist has a strong influence on her teaching. “I really know the body’s anatomy and how to align a pose to stay safe.” It is also beneficial for many of their physical therapy patients. According to Michelle, “Yoga is a great way to get stronger and more flexible. It’s perfect for those who are coming back from an injury or trying to prevent an injury from reoccurring, so we see some overlap in PT patients and yoga attendees.”

Michelle also works full time at their Physical Therapy practice. “I’m a pediatric physical therapist, mom to two small children, and yoga instructor at lunch time, in the evenings and on the weekends, so my life gets kind of crazy!” Though life may be hectic at times, she is proud of the businesses they own and the clientele they’ve fostered.

Whether you practice yoga avidly or are curious to try a beginner’s class, Michelle feels sure that you will not be disappointed in what their studio has to offer. “We teach vinyasa flow, breathing, hot yoga, yoga for stress and several other classes. We have 8 instructors and each one has a different background and a different style of teaching. This makes it easy to find the type of class and type of instructor that you feel comfortable with. You just may fall in love with yoga like I have!” So whether you’re in need of physical therapy or have a desire to give yoga a try, visit the Sutherlands today to see what they have to offer.

BENEFITS OF

• Increased strength and flexibility • Improved respiration • Improved mood • Reduced anxiety • Stronger bones • More energy • Reduced migraines • Boosted immunity • Better sleep • Better body image

We asked our Sylvester Team:

So, what’s so special about a small town?

u o y t a h w s Tell u ut your love abounity. comm

Pictured left to right, front row: Anna Hancock, Customer Service Rep; Carmen Hamilton, Teller Back row: Althea Roddy, Head Teller; Sherry Curry, Branch Manager; Danzell Jones, Teller

SHERRY CURRY:

I like the hometown community feeling and the friendliness of everybody.

ALTHEA RODDY:

It has its advantages and disadvantages, but that small town feeling is good. Everybody knows everybody.

CARMEN HAMILTON:

The family feel of it – everyone knows each other and it’s a closeness that you don’t get in bigger cities. I love the simple ‘Hello’ and smiles from people I see in the community.

ANNA HANCOCK:

When living in a small town like Sylvester, you become familiar with everyone in the community. With the majority of the community knowing each other, when something good or bad happens we know that we can rely on each other to come together for the occasion and because of that there is no other small town I’d rather call my home!

DANZELL JONES:

It’s nice to get to know your customers and see them out and about in the community; at the grocery store, the ball fields and church. It makes you feel like you have friends around every corner.

Small Communities in the Big City What is it like to live in Metro Atlanta? That depends on the community you live in. Each community has its own unique character and appeal.

We talked with some HeritageBank Mortgage associates to see what makes their communities special.

Decatur

Decatur

Laura Sosa-Rocha, Mortgage Banker, chose to live in the City of Decatur because of its small town feel. She loves the convenience of having everything she needs within walking distance. Sosa-Rocha says, “You really can’t go wrong with Decatur!” Now that she has lived in Decatur for a year she says that she enjoys the great community feel and friendly neighbors.

Located just east of Atlanta in DeKalb County, Decatur is a city of 19,000 and the home to Agnes Scott College. Decatur offers over 200 shops, galleries, and performance venues.

Decatur is also featured on the cover of this month’s issue.

East Atlanta Village

Meredith Kenyon, Marketing Manager, loves living in East Atlanta Village because it is a young, active community and has a “funky vibe”.

She says there is a great local music scene, boutiques, cool soccer bars and everything from dive bars to nice upscale restaurants. Another benefit of living in East Atlanta Village, “It’s super convenient to I-20”, Kenyon says.

Just 3 miles east of downtown Atlanta, East Atlanta Village was named the third hottest neighborhood in the country by Redfin Corp’s Hottest Neighborhoods report.

Meredith Kenyon

Tammy Albright, a Mortgage Banker, was first attracted to Cumming because it offered a sense of community, lower taxes, a great school system, and was experiencing growth. She says that, “Because of the time of my life that I was in, I needed to find a stable place to raise my family from kindergarten through their senior year.”

Nearly 16 years later, she says Cumming has provided that for her family. She now enjoys the “pocket of community” that has grown up around her. A YMCA, grocery store and new high school provide a nucleus of convenience. Albright says, “It has been great to watch the diversity that has grown into the community over the last 16 years.”

Cumming is located in Forsyth County, Georgia.

Little Five Points

Josie Franklin

Cumming

Little Five Points is where Josie Franklin, Administrative Assistant at HeritageBank Mortgage, calls home. It was the activity in Little Five Points that first attracted her to it. “There is always stuff going on,” she says. She also enjoys the diversity the area reflects. Franklin has lived in Little Five Points for 4 years and still finds treasures she did not know were there. Her favorite part of living in Little Five Points is, “There are a bunch of mom and pop restaurants hidden around [Little Five Points].” She enjoys visiting them with friends and discovering the gems. Also great to explore are the parks and historic areas including Oakland Cemetery and Cabbage Town.

Little Five Points is located 2.5 miles east of downtown Atlanta and has been described as a melting-pot of cultures.

Tammy Albright

Little Five Points

Powder Springs

Scott Simmons

Scott Simmons, Post Closing Manager at HeritageBank Mortgage, has lived in Powder Springs for over 25 years. He was first drawn to Powder Springs before he was married. He says that, “My dad and I were looking for a place that would provide acreage and a more rural setting.” He loves living in Cobb County and says although Powder Springs is not as far “out there” as it used to be, it “still provides a small town environment and is not as busy and saturated as East Cobb.” Simmons enjoys the family atmosphere and convenience of having shopping, dining, and banking nearby.

He describes Powder Springs as a “suburban family community.”

Powder Springs is located in southwestern Cobb County, 22 miles west of downtown Atlanta.

Powder Springs

Johns Creek

Ansley Golf Club, Morningside

Joe Sheriff, Mortgage Banker, has lived in what is now the Johns Creek community since before the formation of the city of Johns Creek. His family moved from Alabama sixteen years ago and they were in search of a great home at an affordable price. Johns Creek provided that for them. He said he still feels Johns Creek provides a great opportunity to find a tremendous home value.

Many in Johns Creek would agree the schools are a major draw to the area. Sheriff’s son graduated from Johns Creek High School and he says his son thrived there. He enjoyed the opportunity to participate in a wealth of school activities and benefited from the diverse student body the school affords. Sheriff says one thing that really makes Johns Creek stand out among other communities is its great arts programs. Johns Creek has a symphony, theater, arts center, and a large Arts Fair. Other entertainment opportunities exist as well. Being a huge football fan, Sheriff says the number of high schools in the area means that during the season, there is always a great high school football game to attend on Friday evenings.

Johns Creek’s focus on attracting businesses and the growing amount of shopping and retail destinations have helped to create a community Sheriff says, “Is the best place to live and work.”

The city of Johns Creek lies along the banks of the Chattahoochee River in North Fulton County. Johns Creek, about 30 miles north of Atlanta, is the 10th largest city in Georgia.

Morningside

For Mark Milam, AVP Mortgage Banker, Morningside is the perfect location.

He wanted to live in town with convenient access to Piedmont Park, midtown and Decatur. He says Morningside Elementary is also one of the better public schools in the city so he knew he would have a good school for his children. Milam also wanted to be in a community where he could walk or bike to restaurants and bars. After living in Morningside for 4 years, he says, “Most everyone who moves [to Morningside], stays there. It’s very common to see folks renovating their homes to suit their needs verses moving to another area.” According to Milam, another benefit of living in Morningside is that with quick access to Virginia Highlands, the Beltline and East Atlanta, Morningside’s proximity keeps commute times down.

Morningside is located in Atlanta, just north of Virginia Highland and east of Ansley Park.

Mark Milam

Check it out One of the most striking statistics in schools today is the lack of understanding young people have with respect to finances. They truly don’t understand the basics of money management and it’s no wonder. With the onset of virtual money through services such as online banking with bill pay, PayPal and virtual wallets, a subject matter that was once as tangible as counting cash has become too abstract for young learners.

Twenty years ago, learning about credits and debits was as simple as helping Mom balance her check book.

Today, those same check books may seem obsolete, but chances are good you still have one lying around. So, why not take a moment and use this handy tool to teach your children how to write and record a check? By learning the basics now, your kids will be better prepared to take on their own finances as technology continues to evolve.

Start by teaching your child how to properly write a check:

You should already be using some form of a check register to keep track of debit transactions and any credits to your account. If you don’t have one, you could use a spreadsheet or simply write it on a piece of paper. All you need to illustrate the debit and credit concept are columns for Debits, Credits and Balance. Show your child how to subtract for purchases or payments and add for deposits made. By helping your child learn how to balance a checkbook, they will be better able to grasp financial concepts in a world of virtual money.

To combat financial illiteracy, the American Bankers Association has slated April as Teach Kids to Save month, in which banks across the country work with youth to teach financial literacy. Throughout the month, your HeritageBank community bankers will be in local schools teaching students how to write checks and balance a checkbook.