business magazine annual report issue

Ed Newsome2016 Chairman

of the Board

2015 Annual ReportAlbany Area Chamber of CommerceAlbany Convention & Visitors Bureau

Strive2Thrive

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Here is where aisle four becameaisle fourteen.

SERVING YOU LOCALLY AS

229.430.7000

Annual Report 2016 | BUSINESS4 www.AlbanyGa.com

BUSINESSAlbany Area Chamber of Commerce Magazine

Interim President and CEOEditor

Bàrbara Rivera Holmes

ChairEd Newsome

Chair-ElectJenny Savelle

Director of CommunicationsRachelle Bitterman

PrintingColson Printing

PhotographyTodd Stone

Rachelle Bitterman

Ad SalesMary Bickerstaff

Business (U.S.P.S. 886-680) is published bi-monthly by the Albany Area Chamber ofCommerce, 225 W. Broad Avenue, Albany,Georgia 31701. Subscription rate of $50 isincluded in membership investment. Periodicalspostage paid at Albany, Georgia.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:Business Magazine, 225 W. Broad Avenue,Albany, Georgia, 31701. For more informationabout this publication or advertising rates, call(229) 434-8700. This publication is produced bythe Albany Area Chamber of Commerce.Reproduction in whole or part of thispublication without expressed written consentof the publisher is prohibited. All claims,materials, and photos furnished or used are, tothe publisher’s knowledge, true and correct.Hence liability cannot be assumed by thepublisher for errors or by the publisher forerrors or omissions. Advertisements and editorialinformation published in this publication issubject to the unrestricted right to edit of, andby, our editor/publisher.

U.S. Postal Service Statement of Ownership,Management and Circulation

Date of Filing: 9/29/08

Business (U.S.P.S. 886-680) is published bi-monthly by the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, 225 W. Broad

Avenue, Albany Georgia 31707. Subscriptionrate of $50 is included in membership investment.

Periodicals postage paid at Albany, Georgia.

Owner/Publisher: Albany Chamber of Commerce225 W. Broad Avenue, Albany, Georgia 31701

#MADE IN ALBANY, GA

www.AlbanyGa.com | BUSINESS

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ABOUT THE COVEREd Newsome, owner of Albany AirConditioning & Heating, is the 2016 chair ofthe Albany Area Chamber Commerce boardof directors. Read his letter on page 6 andbio on page 10.

Design by Rachelle BittermanPhotography by Todd Stone

ANNUAL REPORT 20 16 VOLUME 1 5 NUMBER 1

5Annual Report 2016

08 1411Albany AreaChamber ofCommerce 2015 Annual

Report

2016 Annual Dinner

Mark Your Calendar

15 1816And the

Winners Are...Thank You, RenewingMembers

Star Business ofthe Week

20 2622Strive2Thrive

2015Annual Report

Business After Hours

Hilton Garden InnUniFirst

WFXL Fox 31

Ribbon Cuttings

2926Business

After HoursFarmersInsuranceKent Nance

Welcome New Members

30Albany

Convention &Visitors Bureau2015 Annual

Report

www. a l b a n yg a . c om

06Comments fromthe 2016 Chair of the Board

122016 Executive

Committee

2016 Board of Directors

32Message fromthe InterimPresident and CEO

10 About theChairman

I am honored to be the 2016 chairman of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Board ofDirectors. Albany has been good to me; serving as your chamber chair allows me theopportunity give back to Albany by enhancing the business climate of our community. I am excited to be able to work closely with the 2016 executive committee and board of

directors. This group of talented and dedicated professionals, along with our partners in theCity of Albany, Dougherty County and the Albany-Dougherty Economic DevelopmentCommission, will continue to enhance the efforts of those that have worked so hard to makeAlbany and Dougherty County the ideal business location. Committees have always been a vital part of our chamber. This year we will see a resurgence

of the Education Committee, which will place emphasis on a successful Commodore ConyersCollege and Career Academy, and on local and state education initiatives. The LegislativeAffairs Committee has already started working and will be making our area’s voice heard atboth the state and federal levels. Our Membership Committee and Small Business ResourceCommittee are working on initiatives to better support our membership.The new Ambassador program will enhance the chamber’s outreach into the community.

You will see more of these special volunteers, donning blue blazers and Ambassador namebadges, at all chamber functions and around the community. Please think about becoming anAmbassador; it’s an excellent way to grow your professional network businesses.

It’s not enough to say “thank you” Tommy Clark, the 2015 chair of the board, for his dedicated leadership to thisorganization. Tommy seamlessly led the chamber through a transition into the provisional leadership of Bárbara RiveraHolmes and the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission. Tommy accomplished this while meeting all of theresponsibilities that come with being chairman.I can’t leave out the staff of the Albany Area Chamber, which works tirelessly to ensure our business community has the

best resources available.I am looking forward to building a stronger relationship with our businesses this year. We have a great opportunity to

move Albany forward. I am asking for your involvement and input to make Albany a better place to live, work and educateour future leaders.Please join me at these upcoming chamber events: May 17 – Metro Power Business After Hours; May 25 – Military

Appreciation Rise N Shine; June 16 – Hall, Booth, Smith, PC and WALB-TV Business After Hours. For more details or toregister, visit albanyga.com and click “Calendars,” then “Chamber Calendar.”With your partnership, I am certain it will be a great year for our chamber and for our community.

COMMENTS FROM THE2016 CHAIRMAN

Ed NewsomeAlbany Air Conditioning & Heating


www.AlbanyGa.com | BUSINESS 7Annual Report 2016


• Hosted the leadership and personnel of MarineCorps Logistics Base Albany and HeadquartersMarine Corps Logistics Command during the SaltySandbagger Golf Tournament, a friendly golfcompetition held twice a year between the base andthe business community

• Partnered with chamber members and PhoebePutney Memorial Hospital to provide welcome bagsand hundreds of locally-donated items to doctorsentering the Southwest Georgia Family MedicineResidency at Phoebe

• Kicked off National Small Business Week and theAlbany Area Chamber of Commerce Celebrate SmallBusiness festivities with a joint proclamation byAlbany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard and DoughertyCounty Commission Chairman Christopher S. Cohilas

• Celebrated 11 small business finalists at the annualSmall Business of the Year reception. AnnouncedComNet Technical Solutions (CTSI) as the 2015 SmallBusiness of the Year

• Supported the Albany Advocacy Resource Center,the chamber’s 2015 Non-Profit of the Year, through adonation from the proceeds of the Celebrate SmallBusiness Raffle

• The chamber’s Military Affairs Committee hosted the

annual Military Affairs Christmas social, arelationship-building event between base leadershipand the chamber

• Hosted a farewell reception for Major GeneralBroadmeadow and Col. Don Davis, who departedleadership positions at Headquarters Marine CorpsLogistics Command and Marine Corps Logistics BaseAlbany, respectively

• Celebrated exemplary students and their teachers atthe annual STAR Student Teacher luncheon

• Hosted more than 750 business and communityleaders at five Rise N Shine breakfasts, focusing onIndustry Awards, Military Appreciation, Partners inExcellence, Legislative Affairs and Strive 2 Thrive

• Facilitated business-to-business and business-to-consumer relationships through 10 Business AfterHours networking socials, with total attendance of1,500 people throughout the year

• Hosted 59 ribbon cuttings for member businessesand assisted with the groundbreaking of the city ofAlbany’s Fire Station No. 8. Chamber Ambassadorsparticipated in all events.

• Held 105th Annual Meeting, during which retiringboard members were recognized, as well as theLifetime Service Award recipient, the Ambassador of

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During 2015, the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce strengthened itsmessage as the unifying voice of business in the Albany Area and as akey partner in improving the economic prosperity of our community.The chamber serves as a connecting dot on issues, programs andinitiatives of importance to the Albany Area.

The chamber hosted, participated and partnered on numerous eventsand initiatives throughout the year as it carried out its mission tosupport member businesses and the community. Here, some notableaccomplishments of 2015.

2015 Annual Report


• Launched the “Think Local” initiative with 127•

participating businesses. “Think Local”encourages consumer awareness when makingpurchasing decisions and promotes theeconomic benefits of shopping local first.

• Welcomed more than 100 new members into•

the chamber family

• The Albany Area Chamber Foundation•

supported the Albany State UniversityMarching Band’s participation in the 127thannual Tournament of Roses Parade inCalifornia, bringing international exposure tothe university and to Albany.

•

the Year and the Non-Profit of the Year

• Provided business-related educational programmingthrough Lunch and Learn events

• Organized local leadership representation at the GeorgiaChamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner and Eggs & IssuesBreakfast with Ga. Gov. Nathan Deal

• Recognized and celebrated 44 members through the StarBusiness of the Week program

• Increased Facebook audience to more than 2,350 fans

• Promoted hundreds of member announcements throughthe Chamber Web site, www.albanyga.com, and featuredthe announcements in the biweekly e-newsletter.

• Continued to be an investing partner in the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, whichfacilitates job creation and business investment in Albany-Dougherty County

• Hosted Albany-Dougherty Day at the Georgia Capitol andparticipated in private meetings with key state leadership,including Ga. Gov. Nathan Deal

• Advocated on behalf of the community and Marine CorpsLogistics Base through the chamber-organized Washington,DC Fly-In, during which local leadership meets with theGeorgia Congressional delegation and Marine Corpsleadership at the Pentagon

• Hosted the “Think Local” Business Expo, drawing a crowdof more than 500 to 50 member businesses showcasingtheir products and services.

• Surveyed guests at the “Think Local” Business Expo to

gauge their thoughts on “thinking local” and offering inputon ways the chamber can continue to enhance the AlbanyArea business climate.

• With input from allies and the Legislative AffairsCommittee, presented the 2016 Legislative Agenda, whichadvocates on behalf of issues, projects and initiatives ofimportance to the Albany Area. The chamber worked withstate elected officials to promote the agenda

• Recognized exemplary young professionals through the 40under 40 Luncheon, hosted in partnership with TheAlbany Herald

• Hosted the State of the Community Luncheon, a paneldiscussion with Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard,Dougherty County Commission Chairman Christopher S.Cohilas and Dougherty County School SystemSuperintendent David Mosely

• Hosted the Legislative Appreciation Luncheon to thankstate elected officials for their support of the Albany Areaand the chamber’s Legislative Agenda

• Assisted with the Albany Convention & Visitors Bureauwith the Red Carpet Tour

• Graduated the inaugural class of the chamber’s Institutefor Leadership Development and welcomed 17 participantsinto the 2015-2016 class

• Hosted two “Get Plugged Into the Chamber” events• Assisted the city of Albany with the planning andexecution of the opening of the Broad Avenue MemorialBridge, which was held in conjunction with the VeteransDay Celebration

New in 2015


Ed Newsome, 2016 chairman of the board, was born andraised in Albany. Ed went through the Dougherty CountySchool System graduating from Albany High School in1973. During his high school years he played football,tennis and was a competitive water skier. After graduatinghigh school, Ed attended Georgia Southern graduating in1977 with a bachelor of arts degree in businessadministration.

Ed came back to Albany in 1977 to work at Albany AirConditioning & Heating which his father founded in 1949.He acquired the family business in 1990.

Ed has two grown children, Clint and Crista, who wereborn and raised in Albany. Clint is the third generation inthe family business that now employees 65 people. Clinthas two children. Crista is married and lives inBirmingham, Alabama.

Ed was chairman of the board for the YMCA andDoublegate Country Club. He still serves on the YMCAboard. He also serves on the board of Conditioned AirAssociation of Georgia (CAAG).

Ed is married to Pam, a 35-year educator, who is nowretired from the Dougherty County School System.Together they have three grandchildren.

Albany Air Conditioning & Heating has been a memberof the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce since 1970.

Ed Newsome - 2016 Chairman of the Board


MARK YOURCALENDAR

May 17METRO POWER

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Hosted byMetro Power

May 25MILITARY APPRECIATION

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7:30 a.m. Coffee & Networking8 a.m. Breakfast & Program

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Place to be announced5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Hosted byHall, Booth, Smith, PC

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Ed NewsomeChairman

Albany Air Conditioning &Heating Company

Vicki Barnhill, Mazur & HockmanBritt Bazemore, KingsMark Private Financial AdvisorLaKisha Bryant Bruce, United Way of Southwest GeorgiaJessica Castle, Phoebe Putney Health SystemCol. James Carroll, MCLB AlbanyDr. Richard Carvajal, Darton State CollegeMGen. Craig Crenshaw, Marine CorpsLogistic CommandRichard Crowdis, Dougherty CountyAdministratorDr. Arthur Dunning, Albany State University

Debbie Finney, University of Georgia SmallBusiness Development CenterMary Beth Hobby, MADLab MarketingDorothy Hubbard, Mayor, City of AlbanyAdams Hutchins, Hutchins Clenney Rumsy HuckabyCathi Jones, Procter & Gamble Bob Karwowski, Coats & ClarkMichael Madden, Marine Corps LogisticsCommandDr. David Mosely, Superintendent of DCSSKent Nance, State Farm InsuranceSolomon Nixon, Farmers Insurance

Dr. Anthony Parker, Albany Technical CollegeMack Phillips, Mars Choclate North AmericaBishop Victor Powell, Rhema Word CathedralMatthew Reed, AlbanyCEOMatt Rushton, AB&T National BankGary Sanders, Albany Baptist Minister’s Conference

Jay Sharpe, U-Save It PharmacyShirley Sherrod, ResoraScott Tomlinson, Flint Community BankJennifer Vanston, Flint River Habitat for Humanity

Jenny SavelleChair-Elect

Bishop Clean Care

Chandu Kuntawala Vice Chair Education

Booz Allen Hamilton

Tommy ClarkPast ChairmanRenasant Bank

Bobby McKinneyVice Chair

Tourism Division

Tammy McCraryVice Chair

Small BusinessResource

ComNet Technical Solutions

Mike HarrisTreasurerMcDonald’s

Bridges SinyardVice Chair

Leadership DevelopmentAdams Exterminators

Jay SmithVice Chair

Economic DevelopmentGeorgia Power

Pamela JacksonVice Chair

Allies Division MCLB Albany

2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cynthia GeorgeVice Chair

Legislative AffairsDarton State College

2016 Executive CommitteeAlbany Area Chamber of Commerce

Calley Hughey-WalkerHughey & Neuman, Inc.

Ken BolerMembership

The Albany Herald

Jeff WrightDraffin & Tucker CPAs

www.AlbanyGa.comwww.AlbanyGa.com14414 Annual Report 2016 | BUSINESS www.AlbanyGa.com

annual meeting2016

There’s Only One AlbanyBusiness and community leaders packed the conference center

at the Hilton Garden Inn to celebrate the Albany Area Chamberof Commerce’s 106th annual dinner. Bàrbara Rivera Holmes, interim president and CEO, opened the

business portion of the dinner by sharing how servant leadershipand collaboration between public and private entities have beenthe driving force behind the many successes the community hashad this past year.Tommy Clark, 2015 chair of the board of the Albany Area

Chamber of Commerce, thanked the business community for itssupport during his term and then turned the gavel over to EdNewsome, 2016 chair of the Albany Area Chamber board. Ed, who was born and raised in Albany and owns Albany Air

Conditioning and Heating, thanked the chamber for making itpossible to give back to his community.As Ed’s first order of business, he announced the three major

awards, starting with Ambassador of the Year that went to PeggyHaire. He then announced that Mission Change would be takinghome the award for Nonprofit of the Year. Leland Burkart was therecipient of the Lifetime Service Award, the chamber’s mostprestigious award. Matt Reed with the Albany CEO introduced the speaker for the

evening, Sam A. Williams, a 17-year chamber veteran and theauthor of “The CEO as Urban Statesman.” Williams focused onhow business leaders need to take an active role in thecommunity in order to affect change.

thank you to our sponsorsPresenting Albany Air Conditioning & Heating | Renasant BankGold Albany Technical College | MillerCoors | PhoebeSilver Ameris Bank | Georgia Power | Procter & GambleVital Smiles GeorgiaBronze Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission Albany Convention & Visitors Bureau | Draffin & Tucker LLP

Annual Report 2016 15www.AlbanyGa.com | BUSINESS 15

and the winners are...

Peggy Haire works for MarineCorps Logistics Command and wasselected as the 2015 Ambassador ofthe Year because of her tirelessvolunteer service to the Albany AreaChamber. Peggy supported theAlbany Area Chamber by working atmajor events, attending the most StarBusiness of the Week presentations,Business After Hours and RibbonCuttings. Her smiling face andenthusiasum made an impression onall those who were around her. Ambassadors function as an

extension of the chamber staff. Peggyhas been there throughout the year,showing up at events, greeting newmembers, working with staff andrepresenting the chamber throughoutthe community.

Mission Change executivedirector and co-founder La DonnaUrick accepted the 2015 Nonprofit ofthe Year award. Mission Change, a grass-roots,

volunteer-driven organization, raisesawareness and takes action on issuesoften overlooked. It serves thehomeless community, senior citizens,under-served youth, special needsindividuals and others.The heart of Mission Change is its

monthly missions. Whether it'sperforming much neededmaintenance on a shelter for womenand children escaping abuse, packingboxes for the local Food Bank, orsimply spending a Saturday with at-risk, inner-city kids, every monthfeatures an opportunity to affectpositive change in the area.

Leland Burkart served hiscountry and continues to serve hiscommunity. Leland served as acommissioned 2nd lieutenant in thearmy from 1957-1964. He waspresident of the Albany Rotary Club,chairman of the Albany AreaChamber of Commerce and stillchairs the Military Affairs Committee.He has served the American Legion,the Reserve Officers Association, theAmerican Red Cross, and the Albany-Dougherty Economic DevelopmentCommission. He is a member of theSouthwest Georgia Alliance forProgress, and is one of the first togreet new military leadership into ourcommunity.He’s a man whose character, work

ethic and generosity cannot bequestioned.

nonprofit of the year finalists

Ambassador of the Year Nonprofit of the Year Life Time Service

SOWEGA Council onAging was named firstrunner up. The Council onAging’s mission is tocoordinate a system ofservices that promote thewell-being and independenceof older and disabledGeorgians, helping themachieve healthy and self-sufficient lives. They serveseniors age 60 and older in14 counties of SouthwestGeorgia.

Albany Area YMCA wasnamed second runner up.The YMCA is a Christian-based community serviceorganization that providesvital youth, family andcommunity wellnessprograms, and bringstogether people of all ages,races, and backgrounds. Theyrespond to unique issuesinfluencing the localcommunity and providesupport services.


UNIFIRST CORPORATION1021 Ware St. | 229.435.5151

www.unifirst.com

Contact: Josh Lovett

VISION SOURCE ALBANY EYE CARE2809 Old Dawson Rd. | 229.888.3937

www.albanyeye.com

Contact: Taylor Prchal

HUGHEY & NEUMAN, INC.532 North Westover Blvd. | 229.436.0212

www.albanyhousehunting.com

Contact: Katie Hughey Gatewood& Callie Hughey Walker

Thank you to our additional sponsors ...

Sponsored by

The Star Business of the Week initiative is an exciting "random draw" p

Star Business of t

Thank you forproviding donutsto our Star Businesses


FLEMING & RILES INSURANCE1115 W. 3rd Ave. | 229. 436.2408

www.flemingins.com

Contact: Clint Ivy

U SAVE IT PHARMACY - NORTHWEST2424 Meredyth Dr. 229.435.2328

Contact: Jay Sharpe

FINNICUM MOTOR COMPANY1372 US Hwy 19 | 229.446.9960www.finnicummotorcompany.com

Contact: Darrel Finnicum

GERDAU1425 Industry Ave. | 229.439.2211

www.gerdauameristeel.com

Contact: Jeffrey Clack

rogram for our 1000+ regional member businesses in good standing.

the Week


A. West Enterprise .......................2009AB&T National Bank ....................1998AddTran Logistics,Inc. ..................2002Advent Business Interiors ............2008Advertising with Lisa, LLC............1996Agri-Business

Technologies, Inc.......................1991Albany Area Arts Council ..............2011Albany Area Hand Therapy ..........2006Albany Area

Primary Health Care, Inc. ..........2002Albany Audiology & Hearing Aid Center, LLC.........2007

Albany Bodyworks........................2013Albany-Dougherty Economic

Development Commissison ......2008Albany Elevator Service, Inc. .......1993Albany Herald

Publishing Company .................1975Albany Nut & Bolt

Company, Inc. ...........................1986Albany Pet Partners .....................2009Albany Police Department............1997Albany Springs Apartments..........1995Albany State University National

Alumni Association ....................2007Albany Vascular Health

& Wellness ................................2008Alltech Service Company.............2008American Legion, Post 30 ............1997American Red Cross-

Flint River Chapter ....................1995Ashley's Business Solutions.........1996Austin's Firegrill & Oyster Bar .......2014

Barber Petroleum Equipment Company .................2010

Best, Lou Ann, DMD.....................1996Blacks in Government (BIG).........1995Booz Allen Hamilton.....................2007Bridges of Southlake, The............2008Burkart, Leland.............................1986

Carter's Grill & Restaurant............2015Central Monitoring

Services, Inc..............................1993Chem Nut, Inc. .............................2008Colony Bank.................................1997Consolidated Pipe

and Supply Company, Inc..........2014Cookie Shoppe, The.....................1986Country Inn & Suites ....................2013

Cousins Catering, Inc. ..................2005Coveris .........................................1990Crawford & Sons Oil Co., Inc........2000Culbreath, John W., Dr. ................2001

D&D Wood Preserving, Inc...........1993Dance Company, The...................2008Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Albany(GA) AlumnaeChapter ....1998Destiny Fitness .............................2012

Dukes, Edwards & Dukes Inc. ......1989

Econo-Lodge Inn & Suites ...........1994EGA Productions ..........................2015ELECTRICAL ASSOCIATES

of Albany, Inc. ............................1996

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott ..2009Fairway Outdoor Advertising ........1975Farmers Home Furniture ..............2009First United Methodist Church......1993Fowler, Michael.............................2011

GA Federal-State Inspection Services, Inc..............................1994

Georgia Wing Fest........................2013Good Life Vapor Lab ...................v2014Goodlife Vapor ..............................2013Goodwill Industries.......................1985

H & R Block ..................................2011Hall, Booth, Smith, PC .................1989Hanger Prosthetics

and Orthotics.............................1993

Hour Glass, The ...........................1988

Ivey's Outdoor & Farm Supply......1996

J&B Irrigation................................2010J. Leek Associates, Inc..................2011Jim Hinton Oil Company...............1981Jimmy Cooper ..............................2013John Ross Jewelers .....................1997

Kelly Services ...............................2010KIA of Albany, Inc..........................2011Liberty Tax Service .......................2013

Lion-Vallen Industries ...................2010LMC-Ag, LLC ...............................2003

M & G Metal Contractors..............2008Magnolia Mattress ........................2014Marilyn Nobles,

Freelance Creative Service .......2005Mathews Funeral Home ...............1993Mazur and Hockman, Inc. ............1993McDonald's Restaurants ..............2013Merry Acres Inn.............................2011Mission Change............................2013Mitchell Electric

Membership Corporation...........1982Moe's Southwest Grill ..................2003

Nail 1st by M & E, LLC .................2014

Ortho Sport PT.............................2004

Parker Music.................................2013Parlor Hair Fashions

& Boutique, The.........................1989Place on the Pointe ......................2013Plantation Services, Inc................1992Prescription Shoppe, The .............1993

R.R. Street & Company Inc. .........2014Ralph Jackson

Hearing Aid Service ..................2007RE/MAX - Sylvia Phillips ..............2009Renasant Bank.............................1976RHC, Inc.......................................2007Robert F. McKinney ......................1993Royal Collection, The ...................1988

Sasco Chemical Group, Inc..........1975Sellers Tile Distrubutors, Inc.........2001

THANK YOU RENEWING MEMBERSNovember/December 2015

WE DOCOMPOUNDING

229-434-1414 • 610 N. Slappey Blvd.


Sizemore Plumbing Company, Inc. ...........................2004

Skyline Equipment Co. Inc. ..........2007Sleep Inn ......................................2001South Georgia Bail Bonding .........2013Southern Industrial Electronics ....2008Stewart Short

Insurance Services, Inc.............1995SWGA Nephrology Clinic .............1994

Talecris Plasma Resources..........2008The Youth Becoming Healthy

Project (YBH) ............................2005Todd Stone Photography..............1996Troy University ..............................2001

U SAVE IT Pharmacy - Northwest..................................2002

U.S. Army Recruiting ....................2012UniFirst Corporation......................2011Usry Consulting............................2009

Villager Cleaners..........................1997

WALB-TV .....................................1975WelForce Administrators, LLC......2009Westmoreland, Patterson,

Moseley and Hinson, LLP ........2009Woodmen of the World .................2013

YMCA, Albany ..............................1979

Here’s how to cut 40%off the bill for yourcollege tuition and fees.

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Darton wants to see you graduate. For information, call 229-317-6740 or go to darton.edu.

Classes at Darton are far smallerthan a large university. The averageclass size at Darton is just 25.

Experienced faculty membersteach every class. Not inexperiencedgraduate teaching assistants commonlyfound at many large universities.

Darton provides the full collegeexperience of a four-year residentialcollege campus.

And the tuition cost at Darton ismore than 40% lower than at a stateuniversity, a huge savings that canmean far less debt after graduation.

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Date: October, 2015

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Thriving through com Strive2Thrive is engaging the commun

Strive2Thrive (S2T) introduced “Walk & Talk” wellnesswalks as a part of its health and wellness initiative.These walks are an opportunity for the community andS2T participants to walk, talk, network and exercise atthe same time. A healthy lifestyle is essential tomaintaining the overall well-being of the family.

“Art in the Garden”was a greatexperience for S2Tyouth. They paintedmasterpieces withlocal artist FemiAnderson ofRenaissance ArtCafé’. In addition topainting, the youth

sampled fresh zucchini and yellow squash while theirparents worked in the S2T community garden.

Parenting classes provide families with new stratagiesfor communication, interaction and discipline. Mrs.Rochelle Bush, a retired Dougherty County SchoolSystem administrator, instructs the eight-weekparenting class during Strive2Thrive weekly meetings.Fourteen participants completed the class in 2015.

Since 2010, Strive2Thrive has served over 300, men,women and children through its Phase I and Phase IIprograms. S2T has impacted the local workforce byan overall increase in participant employment of56.5% over the life of the program. S2T currentlyserves 33 families (89 individuals). The 2015 statistics include:

• 70% Gainfully employed

• 71% Job retention after 6 months of employment

• 98% Reside in safe and affordable housing

• 78% Own reliable transportation

• 91% High School Diploma or GED

• 45% Enrolled in monitored monthly savings plans


mmunity involvement nity to help build a bridge out of poverty.

Lance Hinds, with Regions Bank, proudly presents aFinancial Literacy certificate to Tiffany Webb. Tiffany isone of Strive2Thrive’s 10 participants that completedthe class in 2015. Lance along with other Regions Bankofficers facilitate the eight-week class to help S2Tparticipants move toward financial independence.

Organizations such as Albany Technical College’sNational Technical Honor Society volunteer to servemeals at S2T weekly meetings. S2T partners with faithbased orginizations, sororities, fraternities, civic andeducational organizations to provide youth facilitatorsand volunteers. On Thursday evenings from Septemberto May S2T serves a community meal and hoststraining for families. Porterfield United MethodistChurch serves as the facility host for the S2T weeklymeetings. Over 1,300 volunteer hours were committedto the program in 2015.

Procter & Gamble Young Managers working in the communitygarden during the United Way Day of Caring. S2T is a proudUnited Way supported agency.

Artesian City Sertoma Club generously donatedfunds for the development of the Strive2ThriveSouthside Community Garden. The garden helps toalleviate a food dessert in a local southsideneighborhood and strengthens community pride.

Annual Report 2016 | BUSINESS22

DIVA'S CLOSETContact: Troychelle Gaines

317 W. Broad Ave.(229) 439-8010

MIYO'S RESTAURANT &GLOBAL CUISINEContact: Michael Daniels

2820 Meredyth Dr. | (229) 496-1630

Ribbon Cuttings

IMSOLUTIONS, LLCContact: Martin Langaigne

1517 Moultrie Rd. | 703-221-2685 ext 107www.imsolutionsllc.com

LIBERTY TAX SERVICEContact: Eric Elder2401 A Dawson Rd.(229) 496-1684www.libertytax.com

If your business has moved or expanded and you would like to have a Ribbon Cutting orGroundbreaking contact Mary Bickerstaff at 317.7183 or [email protected].

in elevator salesand service forover 45 years!

1432 US Highway 19 South229-436-7131 | Fax 229-436-1188

www.albanyelevator.com ATLANTA HOUND INC.Contact: Timothy White

1216 Dawson Rd. | (229) 496-1652www.atlantahound.com

FLINT RIVER HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, INC.Contact: Jennifer Vanston

717 Pine Ave. | (229) 446-8199www.flintriverhabitat.org

Albany Welcome Center112 N. Front St.229.317.4760

BIKE RENTALSAVAILABLE

Discover Albanyon a bicycle

www.visitalbanyga.com WALMART NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET

Contact: Jason Folsom2586 N. Slappey Blvd. | (229) 405-7032

www.walmart.com

THE VILLAS AT BROADWAYContact: City of Albany - The Department ofCommunity & Economic Development

243 Bonnyview Ave.


BUSINESS AFTER HOURSHilton Garden Inn

UniFirst and WFXL Fox 31

The first Business After Hours (BAH) for 2016 set thetone for the rest of the year. More than 100 members andguests enjoyed great networking, food and even someline dancing. The hosts for the BAH were the Hilton Garden Inn,

UniFirst and Fox 31 WFXL. The Hilton Garden Inn, wherethe event took place, is a full service hotel withcomplimentary WiFi and on-site dining, plus a 13,000 sq.ft. conference center. UniFirst is one of North America'slargest workwear and textile service companies, providingmanaged uniform, protective clothing, and customcorporate image apparel programs. They also have a handin keeping businesses clean, safe, and healthy throughtheir Facility Service Programs. Fox 31 WFXL is SouthwestGeorgia’s local Fox affiliate featuring the only localprimetime newscast.Milan Dubravcic, with Atlantic Palet Exchange, was the

winner of the chamber’s $100 drawing.


Academics - 1stEDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS RESOURCES230 South Jackson Street Suite 241Albany, GA 31701Contact: Michelle Trice(229) [email protected]

Brooks Real Estate Management Co.REAL ESTATE/SALES & RENTALP. O. Box 601 Albany, GA 31702Contact: Bob Brooks(229) 883-3503Fax: (229) [email protected]

Iris L. BryantINDIVIDUALAlbany, GA 31721 (912) [email protected]

CinnabonBAKERY/RESTAURANTSAlbany Mall, 2601 Dawson RoadAlbany, GA 31707Contact: Frank Ross(229) 434-8212Fax: (229) [email protected]

DOCO Driving School, IncDRIVING SCHOOL2535-C Lafayette Plaza Dr. Albany, Ga 31707Contact: Debra Storm (229) 273-8010Fax: (229)[email protected]

DJ Chris KaplanMUSIC/ENTERTAINMENTAlbany, GA 31701Contact: Chris Kaplan(229) [email protected]

Dr. David Wren Chiropractic and Sports InjuryCHIROPRACTORS, MASSAGE THERAPY1290 US Hwy 19S Leesburg, Georgia 31763Contact: David Wren(229) 883-0042Toll Free: 573-275-3298Fax: (229) [email protected]

Johnson Electronic Systems Inc.ELECTRICAL-SALES/SERVICE/SUPPLIES2126 Hwy 41 S. Albany, GA 31721Contact: Carol Brazzeal(229) 273-8010Fax: (229) [email protected]

Joseph P. Vanden BoschINDIVIDUALAlbany, GA 31707(229) 438-2436(229) [email protected]

Milk and Hunee Success EducationEDUCATION1211 Netherland Lane Albany, Georgia 31705

Contact: Victoria Brackins 229-894-2069www.milkandhunee.comvictoriagbrackins@milkandhunee.com

Park Inn & Suites by RadissonHOTELS/MOTELS2729 Pointe North Blvd. Albany, GA 31721Contact: Jaye Lomax (229) [email protected]

Reverend Carol PylesINDIVIDUALAlbany, Ga 31707(229) [email protected]

Sunchase ApartmentsAPARTMENTS1308 Hobson StreetAlbany, GA 31705Contact: Bryan Brinson (229) 446-9755Fax: (404) [email protected]

Social GracesEVENT PLANNINGAlbany, GA 31721Contact: Kate Grubb (229) [email protected]

The Georgia FirebirdsRECREATION, ENTERTAINMENT110 W. Mercer Avenue Albany, GA 31701Contact: Terence Fowler (678) 599-2522

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERSVISIT WWW.ALBANYGA.COM AND VIEW THE WEB PAGES FOR ALL CHAMBER MEMBERS.

December/January


NEW MEMBERS continued

[email protected]

The L.E.G.A.C.Y. Management Inc.SOCIAL SERVICES1512 Gillionville RD suite 5E Albany, GA 31721Contact: Cindreka Marshall (229) 405-1730Fax: (229) 405-1851

[email protected]

Top Level Consulting, LLCCONSULTANTS230 S. Jackson Street, Suite 154 Albany, GA 31721Contact: Robert Lewis(229) 573-7295Fax: (229) 573-7275www.toplevelconsultingllc.com

[email protected]

WebstaurantStoreRESTAURANT SUPPLIESEQUIPMENT/FURNITURE1520 Mitchell Ave Albany, GA 31705Contact: Tyler Newhook(717) [email protected]

PRINCE OF ALBANYPRINCE OF ALBANY

2701 Ledo Road, Albany229-432-6271PrinceAutoAlbany.com

< < < << << < << <

START SAVING ON OFFICE PRODUCTS TODAYThe Albany Area Chamber has partnered with Staples toprovide our members with discounts on office supplies.

Go to www.albanyga.com and clickon programs to start saving today!


Rest easy. It’s Wingate.

2735 Dawson Road, Albany • 229.883.9800Reservations 800.228.1000 • Fax 229.883-9855

www.wingatehotels.com

Continental Breakfast Bar • Free Wireless andWired Internet Access • Pool • Fitness Center

• Whirlpool • Micro-Frig In Every Room • Meeting and Banquet Facilities

• Business Center

Afternoon receptions Mon-Wed.

ELECTRIC

AL CONTRACTORS

• COMMERCIAL• RESIDENTIAL

705 Canal Streetwww.awestenterprise.com

(229) 888-8347

BUSINESS AFTER HOURSFarmers Insurance

Solomon Nixon Agency

Farmers Insurance – Solomon NixonAgency hosted the December BusinessAfter Hours. Everyone enjoyed avariety of chili and cornbread on thegrounds of the Coach House. SolomonNixon also asked attendees to donategently used suits to support “Suits forSoldiers.” Farmers® is dedicated tobeing the right choice for autoinsurance, home (homeowners andrenters), life insurance, businessinsurance, umbrella policies, boat,recreational vehicle insurance, andmuch more. Suzanne McKinney, withthe Albany-Dougherty EconomicDevelopment Commission, was thelucky winner of the $100 drawing.

2015 CVB

ANNUAL

REPORT

Albany Marathon & Half Marathon – March 71575 Registered; 1270 Finished; 23% Qualified for BostonAlbany ranked number one.

Hosted a Paula Deen Hometown tour for a Family ReunionMotorcoach April 18-19

The CVB delivered Munchkins to our partners/stakeholdersfor National Travel and Tourism Week May 4-10, 2015,thanking our partners for a great job boosting tourism inAlbany and promoting jobs and economic impact to the Cityand County officials.

The CVB hosted theSoutheast Regional RaceSeries May 16-17, 2015.Albany’s Unchained BikeRace represented Georgia;we had over 500registrations for the fullweekend.

Hosted the Travel Media Market Place State of Georgia FAMtour, we had 12 writers. The focus was culinary. We treatedthem to a progressive themed dinner complete with frog legs,quail, duck and alligator tails.

Music Voyager RedCarpet event July 16th,State Tourism officialswere in attendanceDeputy CommissionerKevin Langston, StateProject Managers ChrisCannon and AmandaPeacock. Performancesby Bo Henry and theFreedom Singers.

Albany CVB’s Gold Benchmark ofExcellence accreditation was renewedfor another 3 years by the GeorgiaConvention and Visitors Bureau andColumbus State Leadership Institute.

Albany Marathon press conference August 21st for the$25,000 check presentation to the Willson Hospice Houseand the unvailing of the new SNICKERS® branding starting2016. This year will make the 10th Anniversary of theMarathon.

Albany CVB attended Georgia’s Governor’s TourismConference, Sept 1-3, where Rashelle Beasley was awardedthe Larry Allen Tourism Leadership award for herleadership in the Tourism industry

Albany CVB painted the town Blue and Gold decoratingthe streets with garland, bows, and banners for ASUHomecoming. Also, participated with ASU, City, County,and Chamber in the SGA Homecoming pep rally and kickoff with the band and cheerleaders in attendance MondayOct. 12.

Hosted business after hours at ASU stadium with a tailgatetheme to kick-off homecoming week Tuesday Oct. 13.

CVB wins Convention South Reader’s Choice award twoyears in a row, and three times since 2001.

29Annual Report 2016 www.AlbanyGa.com | BUSINESS 31

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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEOThere’s always excitement and hope that comes with a new year. At the Albany Area

Chamber of Commerce, we feel both as we look at our initiatives and programs for the monthsahead.

This past year was a pivotal one for Albany; the community turned the corner on numerousissues of importance to business growth, chief among them a willingness and eagerness tounify. Public-private collaboration was a key component of the momentum of 2015, andthroughout 2016 our community will continue to see strategic partnerships developed as wework to strengthen the business climate and the community at large.

Members of the Albany Area Chamber will continue to see this organization evolve as itidentifies how to better meet the needs of businesses in the Albany Area, and as it extends itsreach to partner and collaborate with other organizations and resources.

A strong, engaged and active business community is critical for the success of the AlbanyArea. Business must lead, and it must lend its voice to issues of importance. The Albany AreaChamber is proud to bring businesses together and to provide the platform for harnessing thepower of the business community for the betterment of the area.

Bàrbara Rivera HolmesInterim

President and CEO

6969Years69Years6SERVING THE

ALBANY AREAFOR OVER69 YEARS

229.436.8811www.cbwaldenandkirkland.com


DEERFIELD-WINDSOR SCHOOLDEERFIELDWINDSOR.COM ALBANY, GEORGIA (229) 883-3731 • (229) 435-1301

547 N. Westover Blvd.229.888.5055 • www.locosgrill.com

AUDIT | ACCOUNTING | TAX SERVICES

229-446-3600 | mjcpa.com 2303 Dawson Road | Albany, Georgia 31707

Our focus will always be on you and your needs. We will dig

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We prepare you and your business to take advantage

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