O LChit Chat
NEW PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE WAYCROSS-WARE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
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onathan Lupo, an experienced state and local economic developer, has been named President & CEO of the Way-
cross-Ware County Development Authority (WWDA). “The authority was looking for a professional in the economic development field to take us to the next level of creating and retaining jobs in our community,” said James Willis, Chair of the authority and Area Manager for Georgia Power. “Jonathan brings a wealth of knowledge and contacts with him. He has worked in two different states, including Georgia, on the state economic development team as well as on the local level. He understands the needs of communities and has a grasp of rural areas as well.” Lupo most recently served as Director, Business Recruitment for the Douglas County Development Authority in Douglasville, Georgia. “To serve Waycross and Ware County as the economic development leader is
a tremendous opportunity for me and my family,” Lupo said. “I look forward to initiating meetings with local industries and businesses during my first few months on the ground. I want to learn more about their operations and how the authority can assist them.”
MANAV PATEL - RECIPIENT OF THE 2021 JULIAN & JAN HESTER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
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anav Patel, a senior at Ware County High School, was one of four students recently selected as a recipient of the Julian and Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship. The $1,000, state-wide scholarship is sponsored by the Community Bankers Association of Georgia (CBA) and is funded by CBA and its membership. Patel was also selected as the recipient of the $500 Waycross Bank & Trust Julian and Jan Hester Memorial Scholarship. Patel was recommended for consideration of the larger, state scholarship by Russell Bates, President & CEO, Waycross Bank & Trust. Mr. Patel will graduate from Ware County High School in May 2021 and is ranked first in his graduating class of 346 students. With an impressive academic resume, he demonstrated not only rigorous coursework but also his ability to balance school with extracurricular activities. Patel is the Chairman of the Waycross Bank & Trust Junior Board of Directors, a Section Leader in the Golden Gator Marching Band, a title he has held since August 2017, is the sitting Vice President of Future Business Leaders of America, BETA Club President, and is a Model UN Captain. Patel is looking forward to attending Georgia Institute of Technology in the fall. Source: Waycross Bank & Trust
SARAH GOVE - NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PIERCE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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he board of directors announced Sarah Gove as the new Executive Director of the Pierce County Chamber on May 4, 2021. Gove will succeed Angela Manders, executive director for seven years of the Pierce County Chamber, who resigned in April. Gove, the former news editor for The Blackshear Times, began her new role on May 18, 2021. “I’m excited to take on a new challenge
Trey Shields ( left) and Russell Bates (right) of WB&T with Manav Patel
and grateful to the Chamber board for giving me this opportunity,” Gove said. Manders provided a ringing endorsement stating, “This is an exciting time for the Chamber. The Board of Directors and I feel extremely confident in Sarah’s ability to honor our past successes while leading the Pierce County Chamber of Commerce into a new and promising future.” Manders was recently recognized with a new community award, the Unsung Hero Award, for her creative leadership of the Chamber during the last year. Source: The Blackshear Times
SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY
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