horizons october 2012

Give your career a boost.

University Center | GA 400 300 Aquatic Circle, Suite 232, Cumming

Mike Cottrell School of Business MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

NorthGeorgia.edu/mba (470) 239-3030

Earn your MBA in Forsyth County. Register online for an Information Session on October 2 or October 18 at 7pm.

NEW

LOCATION!

HorizonsA publication of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce

October 2012

Our future looks brightook into our crystal ball. What do you see in your future?

We see positive economic growth, enhanced opportunities

and an evening of astounding elegance at the 2012 Annual Dinner and Celebration, presented by Russell Landscape Group Inc.

On Friday, Nov. 2, join the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce for a reading as we celebrate the success-es of our year and see how they shape our future. Delectable cuisine, smooth sounds, fabulous décor and the most important business leaders in our com-munity make this the event of the year.

This year’s black tie optional affair will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Forsyth Conference Center ballroom at 7745 Majors Road, Cumming, GA 30041. Tickets are $150 per person and can be purchased by calling 770-887-6461 or by visiting www.cummingforsythcham-ber.org. Special tuxedo packages are available at Tuxedo Warehouse. Contact them at 770-889-6889.

Partners in this event include Georgia Power, AT&T, Metcam Inc., Hansgrohe

Inc., Hayes James & Associates, JACOBS and Jeff Mason Advertising & Design Inc. With a program focused on an address from our chair-man and the presentation of the presti-gious Charles Welch award the eve-ning is open for your enjoyment. Don’t miss this elegant networking opportunity!

L

Prestige Members

Northside Hospital-Forsyth Premier Corporate Sponsor

Taubman

Forsyth County Government

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Anchor Home Mortgage

St. Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta

jTech Networks

The City of Cumming

Georgia Power

DeKalb Office

2 HORIZONS October 2012

Grounded in education, transparency

Member Spotlight

nchor Home Mortgage has become one of the few places in this lend-

ing environment where home-owners can learn everything they need to know all in one place!

With a strong focus on the broker model, Anchor helps its customers find exactly what is right for their mortgage needs. Unlike a direct lender, Anchor has the ability to research each borrower’s situation individual-ly.

With dozens of banks to choose from, they can match each homeowner to the guide-lines and programs that best fit their customer’s goals, whether they are looking for a HARP refinance, an FHA streamline or a stress free purchase experi-ence.

A strong emphasis on educa-tion along with a transparent business model, means the cus-tomers feel comfortable and in control throughout the entire lending process . Anchor believes full knowledge of how loans work and how rates are determined gives the homeown-ers the confidence to choose their program wisely. Always looking to be a resource and

establish long term relation-ships with members of the community, Anchor is extreme-ly active in the chamber as well as the Forsyth Leadership Council.

Another unique factor of the company is the leadership’s philosophy. They believe that creating a wonderful environ-ment for the customer starts with a wonderful environment for everyone. Employees call themselves the Anchor “team”

and they really mean it. The positive environment is fostered by a genuine concern for the success of others and the belief that when one team member succeeds, so does everyone.

This team spirit can be seen in both fun events, such as the company’s annual Chili Cook Off and sponsoring the Little League World Series, to much more profound statements of

support. Of the many charities and

organizations Anchor sponsors, Stick it to Cancer, The Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia and GiGi’s Playhouse, just to name a few, one could notice a pat-tern. “We are truly a family,” says Christian Stockhoff, founder and president of Anchor, “and it is our business to support those charities that mean the most to the members of our team. What better way to reach out to our community, than to fund the research that would directly benefit the chil-dren of the people we work with every day. When everyone in a company feels a quality of life for themselves and their families, they will thrive, and when that happens, our compa-ny will thrive as well.”

For more information please call 678-679-7000 or visit www.theanchorteam.com.

A

HORIZONS October 2012 3

orsyth County Schools would like to thank Lowe’s for donating 70 recycling

bins for every classroom/office at C h a t t a h o o c h e e E l e m e n t a r y School.

Since the 2008-09 school year, the self-contained special educa-tion class has provided a covered copy paper box to any teacher who was interested in recycling paper. With Lowe’s donation, e v e r y c l a s s r o o m a t Chattahoochee now has a five-gal lon plast ic bin to col lect paper.

Every Friday the students and teachers go to each room and collect paper and other items that can be recycled. They place the paper in large rolling cans t h a t w e r e d o n a t e d t o Chattahoochee last March. The single stream bin makes the pro-cess much easier for the students and enhances the experience of positively impacting the planet. Chattahoochee cannot express enough gratitude for Lowe’s and their commitment to making recycl ing efforts much more efficient.

Lowe’s makes Chattahoochee greener school

C O M P U T E R & N E T W O R K S E R V I C E S

www.jtechnetworks.com • (770) 889-8181327 Dahlonega St. Ste. 304A, Cumming, GA 30040 • [email protected]

PC Repairs & Upgrades • Wireless Networks & SecurityHome Office Solutions • Disaster Recovery Solutions

FREE Pickup & Delivery • Corporate Servers & NetworksInternet Security & Firewalls • Virus & Pop-up Ad Removal

• Data Backup, Storage & Hosting

We’ve moved! Look for us in Lake Center Parkway across from movies 400. [email protected]

F

Partners in Education


Economic Development HCA

besity not only takes a toll on health, it also has an impact on a company’s bottom line. Each year

across the country, obesity costs employers billions of dollars in medical coverage. Obesity and weight problems have a signifi-cant effect on productivity and economic competitiveness. How well businesses are able to manage such issues will determine how productive, competitive and successful they are.

The Healthcare Association of Forsyth County invites you to attend this luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at the Forsyth Conference Center. Hear from leading experts on this issue and see what can be done to stop the second highest cause of preventable death in the United States. Our featured speakers have been working to educate people and busi-nesses on the effects obesity can have on a community. You will hear from dynamic speakers including Dr. Stephanie Walsh, Valerie Bowers and Edwin Foulke Jr.

Dr. Walsh is the medical director of well-ness with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She has more than a dozen years of experi-ence in promoting wellness and addressing obesity-related complications. Dr. Walsh leads her organization’s efforts in prevent-ing and treating childhood obesity by encouraging Georgia families to live health-ier lifestyles.

Bowers is director of food and nutrition services for the Forsyth County school sys-tem. She has worked more than 20 years in school nutrition and served as the program manager for food distribution at the Georgia Department of Education for six years.

In August, she was hired as director of food nutrition services to make sure all stu-dents in Forsyth County have a healthy

meal when they are at school. A partner at Fisher & Phillips LLP,

Foulke is co-chair of the firm’s workplace safety and catastrophe management practice group. Prior to joining Fisher & Phillips, Foulke was the assistant secretary of labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. He was named by President George W. Bush to head OSHA from April 2006 to November 2008.

For more information on this event or to register please contact the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber at 770-887-6461 or e-mail Jason Mock at [email protected]. You can register for this event online at www.cummingforsyth-chamber.org.

O

Session to tackle obesity’s ill effects

Russell selects Forsyth for its expansion

he Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Russell Landscape Group Inc. will move forward with a 27,000-square-foot expansion in Forsyth County.

Founded in 1987 by brothers William “Bill” Russell and Robert “Bob” Russell, the Russell Landscape Group Inc. has emerged as one of Atlanta’s premiere family-managed commer-cial landscape companies. Since 1990, the company has consis-tently been ranked among the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s top commercial landscape contractors.

The company’s newest facility will be located on Pendley Road in Cumming. The expansion is projected to generate approximately 60 new jobs while producing nearly $20,000 in new capital investment.

This project serves as the tenth economic development proj-ect that the chamber of commerce has participated in this year. Since January of 2012 the chamber of commerce’s economic development activities have generated about 379 new jobs and nearly $16.7 million in new capital investment.

T


Month in Review

Scenes from the 2012 golf tourney

Skies were sunny when doz-ens of participants turned out Sept. 24 for the cham-ber’s 25th annual golf tour-nament.


Month in Review

Business After Hours at Renasant Bank


classi� eds reach throughout the local market, plus some. Employment ads can be placed in multiple print and online products.Our newest o� ering “Top Ads” allows the placement of your employment ad on the homepage of forsythnews.com.

Looking For That “Top Employee”To Round Out Your Team?

Call Linda at 770.205.8946 to fi nd out how affordable and effective these

ads can be.


Presenting Sponsor: Platinum Sponsor: Blue Ribbon Sponsors: Sponsors:

October 4 - 14, 2012

Tuesday, October 9Confederate Railroad in concert 7:00 p.m. Kentucky Headhunters in concert 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 10Marvel’s Avengers

Interactive Show 5:00 & 7:30

Thursday, October 11The Charlie Daniel’s Band in concert 8:00 p.m

Saturday, October 13 American BullRiders Tour 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 14American BullRiders Tour 6:00 p.m.

Friday, October 5 Chris Cauley in concert 7:00 p.m. Gloriana in concert 8:30 p.m.

Dow

n Home Country Fun!

Visit Us!

OSCAR THE

ROBOT

Brian Ruth Master

of the Chainsaw

North G eo rgi a Petting

Zoo

Kachunga

King

BM

X

Amazing Ground Acts!

Cumming Fa irgrounds | cummingfa ir.net | 770.781.3491Full Page Tab (10x9.5).indd 1 9/12/12 11:53 AM

ach year fall a r r i v e s i n Cumming in

the form of “Down H o m e C o u n t r y F u n ” a t t h e Cumming County Fair & Festival.

This year, the 18th annual fair will be held Thursday, Oct. 4, through Sunday, Oct. 1 4 , a t t h e C u m m i n g Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road in Cumming.

The 11-day fair has some-thing for everyone in the family. Special new attrac-tions will include the King BMX Stunt Show, featuring high-flying aerial stunts and Lisa Dufresne’s stunning horse show. Returning favor i tes are the Nor th Georgia Petting Zoo and Pony Rides, Oscar the Robot and Brian Ruth, “Master of

the Chainsaw.” The heart of the fair, the

Drew Exposition Carnival Midway, featuring over 40 rides and numerous games, w i l l spo t l igh t t he new X-Factory gondola glide ride.

Always a crowd pleaser is Heritage Village, a living history exhibit featuring working demonstrations of authentic farm machinery such as a cotton gin, corn mill, syrup mill, saw mill, grist mill, blacksmith shop, cider press and chicken house. Patrons can shop in the reproduction of a general store, which has been relo-cated next to Exhibit Hall, and visit other replicas of offices and businesses from a bygone era.

In an effort to preserve t h e h e r i t a g e o f N a t ive Americans, the Cherokee Indian Village will once again be on display. This exhibit consists of a tavern, two log cabin homes, a corn crib and smokehouse all for viewing, as well as presenting traditional per-formances and demonstra-

t i o n s a b o u t N a t i v e American history. Family shows can be seen at vari-ous times daily.

Headlining the entertain-ment of the festival are sever-al free concerts and special events included in the price of admission. Some of this year’s scheduled entertainers include: Chris Cauley at 7 p . m . F r i d a y, O c t . 5 ; Confederate Railroad at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9; and

The Charlie Daniels Band at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11. Don’t miss the American Bull Riding Tour at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, with a repeat performance at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14. All events are held in the covered con-cert arena.

Admission to the fair is $7 for adults, $3 for students, and children under 4 years of age are admitted free. The fa i r i s open 4-10 p .m.

Monday-Thursday; 4 p.m.-midnight Friday; 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday; and 1 2 : 3 0 - 9 p . m . S u n d a y. Parking is available for $3. The family friendly fair has something to offer everyone.

For more information go to www.cummingfair.net or call 770-781-3491.


Fall is in the air, fair almost here

Tourism

E


Guide/directory to be published

Thank You Chamber News

The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce announc-es the much anticipated 2013 Cumming-Forsyth Community Resource Guide & Membership Directory, featuring the best of what the Cumming-Forsyth region has to offer and a range of information all newcomers and business leaders will find indis-pensable.

This stunning, four-color guide will be distributed to chamber members , county offices , schools , l ibrar ies , builder’s offices, utilities com-panies, newcomers, business leaders, banks, realtors and all advertisers. Our new chamber magazine editorial captivates the reader providing a colorful account of area attractions, cul-tural arts and valuable local information.

This unique and beautifully crafted publication will provide the reader with an informative and invaluable resource to new-comers and those moving to the Cumming-Forsyth region. From finding electricians and plumbers to discovering local economic information, newcomers and community leaders will find the

information they are looking for in this publica-tion.

Area business-es are featured in ed i t o r i a l and through profes-s i o n a l l y designed high-

gloss advertisements that show off the best in our city and make it easy for the reader to find the resources they need.

The chamber has partnered w i t h 3 6 5 D e g r e e To t a l Marketing, a premier publisher of visitors guides, newcomers guides and regional magazines throughout the Southeast. For more than 25 years, 365 Degree Total Marketing has produced and distributed millions of these publications to heighten appreci-ation and increase enjoyment for communities like ours.

For more information about the 2013 Cumming-Forsyth County C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e Community Resource Guide & Membership Directory, contact long-time chamber friends and member, George Colmant at 404-426-2252.

The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all of our Sponsors for helping us host our 25th Annual Chamber Membership Golf Tournament, pre-sented by Northside Hospital-Forsyth.

Colmant


Congratulations

n late August, Forsyth County News highlighted 12 business leaders under the age of 40. Recipients were honored based on their ability to create a positive business atmosphere and make

significant contributions to our community. The chamber is thrilled to congratulate one of our very own staff members, Jason Mock. Jason is our director of Small Business Services.

Chamber’s own honored by FCNI


Membership Information

Member News

on’t miss your chance to help keep Lake Lanier beautiful Saturday, Sept. 29, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. At 12 loca-

tions in the Forsyth, Dawson, Hall and Gwinnet t area , the Shore Sweep event will clean up the shoreline of Lake Lanier. Advanced

registration is not required but is helpful in scheduling shoreline coverage. See www.lakelanier.org or call 770-503-7757 for more information or to register. If you enjoy using Lake Lanier for recre-ation, consider joining to help keep Lake Lanier clean!

eorgia United Credit Union is excited to announce that Lambert High School was this year’s first school to

receive $2,000 in this season’s first “Kick for Schools” football promo-tion. All Forsyth County high schools have been invited to partic-ipate in this half-time field goal

event to win money for their respective booster clubs. Each school selects a kicker who is given four tries to kick a field goal from the 5, 10, and twice at the 20 yard line. Each distance has a corre-sponding monetary value, with the maximum payout per school being $2,000!

etcam, a fabricator of sheet meta l components and as sembl ie s fo r OEMs,

announced in early September that it had signed a letter of intent with German firm REFUsol GmbH to fab-ricate aluminum enclosures and other parts, used in solar panel arrays. Metcam was one of only two compa-nies REFUsol GmbH requested to bid on the project because of the reputa-tion for excellence Metcam has creat-ed globally. “This is a win for every-one — U.S. manufacturers, the envi-ronment, Metcam and REFUsol,” said Jerry Ward, vice president of opera-tions. With a peak efficiency of over 98 percent, REFUsol inverters are among the most efficient in the mar-ket. The aluminum enclosures have an

intricate design that necessitates a complex fabrication process. To achieve the high quality standards of both firms, Metcam is installing new robotic machinery. “We are excited to be further diversifying our customer base with a new industry as well as a new European customer,” said Metcam President, Bruce Hagenau.

lack’s Flooring opened their new retail showroom Sept. 18. The former Cherokee

Music building (noted by the large Pink Panthers in front) will now house Flack’s large selection of car-pet including quality plush, frieze, Berber, commercial, and hard-to-find pattern carpets. The new renovated building will allow customers to

view the large selection of Flack’s carpeting.

24th annual Shore Sweep to clean up Lake Lanier

Georgia United Credit Union donates $2K to Lambert

Metcam further diversifies

Flack’s Flooring Company moves into new location

D

G

M

F


What are you waiting for? To sign up and for additional information, call Sawnee EMC today!770-887-2363 or [email protected]

“...Coweta-Fayette is my #1 choice for Natural Gas in Georgia”

Upcoming EventsSept. 28International Roundtable — 9 a.m., Regus at Windward

Oct. 2Women Who Mean Business — 7:30 a.m., Chamber Events Facility

Oct. 2Member Power Networking Lunch — Noon, Jim N’ Nicks

Oct. 9Member Power Networking Lunch — Noon, TBD

Oct. 16Member Power Networking Lunch — Noon, Outback Steakhouse

Oct. 17HCA Summit — 11:30 a.m., Forsyth Conference Center

Oct. 23Member Power Networking Lunch — Noon, ‘Cue Barbecue

Oct. 24Real Estate Roundtable with Rob Woodall — 11 a.m., TBD

Oct. 30Member Power Networking Lunch — Noon, Rooster Cafe

Oct. 30HCA Class — 5:30 p.m., DeKalb Office

• Please visit our Event’s Calendar at www.cummingforsythchamber.org to see a full list of events, more information and registration.

Key to the eventsMember Power Networking Lunch — Meets every Tuesday at noon at a different location and includes casual net-working for 20-35 other business professionals.Business After Hours — Meets the second Tuesday of every month from 5-7 p.m. at a different host loca-tion every month. The pur-pose is networking and to experience new businesses in the community.Women Who Mean Business — Meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30 a.m. This is a special-ized networking group of over 50 female business professionals. Join them for breakfast.


Log on Now to Learn More and Register:www.northgeorgia.edu/ce

Managing Your MessageThis full day seminar covers all of the basic principles and techniques for communicating successfully through writing and in presentation. Forsyth Campus Thur Oct. 18 9am - 4pm $149 Ed Nichols

Managing PrioritiesIf you are a busy manager, this class can help you prioritize your schedule and more successfully manage your time. Forsyth Campus Thur Oct. 25 9am - 1pm $115 Jackie Martin

Your Solution is hereIndustryBusiness

Electrical Recertification WorkshopDahlonega CampusSat. Oct. 6 8:30am - 12:30pm $79

Plumbing Recertification Workshop Forsyth Campus Sat Oct. 13 8:30am - 12:30pm $79

ServSafe ® Certification Training for Food Service WorkersForsyth Campus 2 Sat, Oct. 20 & 27 9am - 12pm $150Recertification Exam Only: Sat, Oct. 27 11am $80

10% Discount On these Fall Classes! Call to Register by Oct. 15. Use code HORIZONS

706-864-1918

James McCoyPresident & CEO

Randall ToussaintVice President of Economic Development

Alex GirrbachDirector of Operations

Laura StewartDirector of Communications & Events

Jason MockDirector of Small Business Services

Anna BrostromDirector of Tourism Development

Jimmy Lane, Jeremiah DickersonSales Executives

Maggie Schmitz, Sherri KlugAdministrative Assistants

2012 Officers Board of Directors

Jerry BowmanCardinal Logistics Management

Cris BurgumThe Avenue-Forsyth

Drew WalkerAlliance National Bank

Chuck ButtonJacobs Engineering Group

Mike CasparWalmart

John DerukiDeruki Construction

Rick O’Brien

Bruce LongmoreLenny’s Sub Shop

Tim HopkinsKeller Williams Community Partners

Lynn JacksonNorthside Hospital-Forsyth

Shawn LaFaveNorth Georgia Promotions

Scott JordanBB&T

Kevin GarmonBank of North Georgia

Cindy MillsBryan Properties

Billy WellsNorth Georgia College & State University

Tracy MoonFisher & Phillips LLP

Todd MoranConservation Resource Solutions

Royce OwensMimms Enterprises

Bruce HagenauMetcam

John RasperDekalb Office

Tim PerryCitizen’s Bank

Bob RussellRussell Landscape

Terry SmithA.C. Smith Poultry Co.

Scott KuhnWells Fargo

Bert DurandUnited Community Bank

Ethan UnderwoodLipscomb, Johnson, Sleister, Dailey, & Smith LLP

Jim BoffChairman, Forsyth CountyBoard of Commissioners

Paul ChambersAT&T

Bill CuppAGL Resources

Tom ClevelandChair, Forsyth County Board of Education

Dr. Buster EvansSuperintendent,Forsyth County Schools

Mary TransueGainesville State College

Fran ForehandGeorgia Power

Stan VangilderGeorgia Power Dept. of Economic Development

H. Ford GravittMayor, City of Cumming

Blake HouseSawnee EMC

Jon McDanielForsyth County Public Library

Mary Helen McGruderSawnee Mountain Foundation

Doug DerrerForsyth County Manager

Hon. Phil SmithState Court Judge

Bobby ThomasChair, Forsyth County Development Authority

John HallForsyth County News

Dr. Joanne TollesonLanier Technical College

Rep. Mark Hamilton

Rep. Mike Dudgeon

Sen. Jack Murphy

Sen. Steve Gooch

Rep. Amos Amerson

David Seago, ChairGeorgia Power - retired

John Kieffer, Past-ChairCumming Station LLC

Russ Wheeler, First Chair-ElectHansgrohe

Linda Cole, Second Chair-Elect,Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Ann-Margaret Johnston, Secretary/TreasurerJohnston & Associates, Inc.

Ex-Officio Chamber Staff

Horizons


We’re honored to serve youIt’s an honor to be recognized as the nation’s leading hospital for maternity and newborn care. Look a little closer and you’ll discover

that Northside performs more surgeries and diagnoses and treats more breast and gynecologic cancer than any other hospital in

Georgia. While people chooseNorthside for our expertise, they also know us for our exceptional compassionate care.

Visit us online at www.northside.com

horizons october 2012

Documents

forsyth leadership council

transparent business

important business leaders

university center ga

strong emphasis

strong focus

broker model

tuxedo warehouse