NEWS BRIEFS: Levett  becomes chairman of Gwinnett Chamber for 2024

The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce announces the addition of 36 new members to its 2024 Board of Directors through its recently held board orientation meeting. The session provided an overview of the organization’s mission, activities, and the significant responsibilities entrusted to the board throughout the upcoming year. The Gwinnett Chamber conducted its first full board meeting of the year on January 18 where board leaders celebrated the newly renovated office building on Sugarloaf Parkway.

Levett

New chairman of the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce for 2024 is Lanier Levett, vice presidenet of Gregory B. Levett and Sons Funeral Home. Levett says: “It is a great honor to serve as this year’s Chair of the Board of Directors and to welcome these new members to the Chamber’s leadership circle. We look forward to working and leading together as we champion business in our community.”

Nick Masino, president and CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber, emphasizes the board’s responsibility in selecting members who reflect the diverse composition of the local business community. “The Gwinnett Chamber champions business and we rely on our board to lead that mission, actively working to appoint members who represent the richly diverse make-up of our business community,” shared Masino. “We extend a warm welcome to these new members and anticipate a productive collaboration in 2024.”

The newly appointed members joining the Gwinnett Chamber Board of Directors for the 2024 fiscal year include:

Ron Baker

Mike Ballenger

Baker & Co. Law 

First American Bank & Trust

Charlene Benn High Road Logistics
Steven Boren Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
Stephen Brown Atlanta Gladiators
Laurie Cole  Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Colleen Craig Atlanta Vibe
Audra Cunningham  T. Dallas Smith & Company, LLC
Robert Dinker  Integrity Dental Services 
Richard Dobbs Capital Restoration, LLC
Kendall Ely Renasant Bank
Adam Frangos Regions Bank
Ken Halley True North Holdings 
Suzy Han Korean American Chamber
Jim Imholz Members Insurance Advisors, LLC
Ali Jamal Stablegold Hospitality LLC
Kevin Jones Gwinnett Young Professionals/Oconee State Bank
Victoria Jones Gwinnett Municipal Association 
Renae Keitt

Steven Knudsen

ARK Temporary Staffing

Gwinnett County Public Schools 

Maureen Kornowa Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter
Alonzo Llorens Paker Poe
Katrina Lucisano Silverton Mortgage
Andy Macke CERM
Erin McCormick Gwinnett Stripers Baseball Club
Eunicia Peret Excelis Capital Partners 
Donald Pollard Comcast Business
Israel Radder The Cigar Bar Gwinnett 
Michael Ramos  Raymond 
Matt Ritzer Georgia Swarm
Marcus Sonnier Snowie Atlanta
Albert Sorto RudHil Companies
Chrissy Thomas  About Face Skin Care 
David Yang  ACEC
Jinsong Yang McKinley Homes
Frank Zhou Chinese Business Association of Atlanta. 


Jackson EMC Foundation offers leadership workshops

The Jackson EMC Foundation is hosting a board leadership training series, consisting of four tailored workshops designed to train nonprofit leaders and board members.  

Each workshop will be held twice from February through May: Once in Gwinnett on the Jackson EMC campus in Lawrenceville at  825 Buford Drive, and once in downtown Athens at Synovus Bank. The workshops are held in partnership with the Athens Area Community Foundation. Each workshop is limited to 25 attendees.

Trainings are focused on bringing the best into the boardroom. Led by Victoria Prevatt, founder of Good Works, workshop participants benefit from Prevatt’s more than 20 years of experience working with nonprofit organizations – from small grassroots startups to legacy institutions with global impact. She works with leaders to elevate and enhance the experience and impact of nonprofit leaders, board members and investors. 

Attendees will learn best practices in board governance and hear from peers serving our community as board members. Registration is $15 per attendee and includes breakfast. All registration fees will be returned to the community through donations to nonprofits in our community.

County seeks poll workers at three upcoming sessions

The Gwinnett Voter Registrations and Elections Division is starting the year with several opportunities for residents to actively engage in the 2024 electoral process. 

Attend an upcoming poll official hiring event and play a crucial role assisting voters at the polls while earning up to $440 per election. The events are open to residents of diverse backgrounds, including those who speak two or more languages. During the event, attendees must complete an I-9 form and provide original identification documents for verification.

The meetings will be: 

  • On January 26  from 1:30 to 4:30 at the Norcross Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library, 5735 Buford Highway, Norcross;
  • On February 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bogan Park Community Recreation Center, 2723 North Bogan Road, Buford; and
  • On February 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Lilburn Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library, 4817 Church Street, Lilburn.

NOTABLE

County urges legislators caution on proposed new city

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Tuesday sent a resolution urging Gwinnett’s legislative delegation and the Georgia General Assembly to carefully consider the impact a proposed new city of Mulberry would have upon Gwinnett and its residents.

The resolution suggests that incorporation could negatively impact the ability of the proposed city, Gwinnett County and the 16 existing cities to provide services to all residents and businesses of the county.

Gwinnett County maintains that the 16 existing cities have extensively negotiated a strategy for the delivery of services that has resulted in an efficient and comprehensive service delivery model countywide. 

Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson says: “As Gwinnett County provides all services to the residents and businesses within the area proposed to be incorporated as the new city, the Board of Commissioners urges the members of the General Assembly to take the time to carefully study and thoughtfully deliberate on the creation of a seventeenth city in Gwinnett County.”

Snellville names Pepper as city manager

Matthew Pepper is the new city manager of Snellville. He replaces James “Butch” Sanders who retired after 12 years in the post. 

Pepper

Pepper says:  “During the last two years, I have learned the position from my predecessor Butch Sanders and am confident I can help Snellville prosper for years to come. I am eager to continue serving our community and helping make Snellville the best it can be.”

Mayor Barbara Bender says: “We are very pleased Matthew agreed to step into this role as city manager. We are confident he will excel in his new position.”

The City Manager is responsible for the daily operations of the city, working with the various city departments and department directors. He is responsible for producing the annual city budget for general operating needs and longer-term capital projects, planning and managing all major projects within the city and making sure the public is well informed and knowledgeable about all city initiatives and activities.

Pepper came to Snellville after having served as the manager for the City of Oxford in Newton County. He previously worked for the City of Alpharetta’s Economic Development Office. Pepper earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Georgia.

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