In an effort to recognize Gwinnett’s small businesses and entrepreneurs as pivotal to America’s economic growth and stability, the Gwinnett Chamber and Presenting Sponsor The Atlanta Journal-Constitution hosted the 2013 Pinnacle Awards on April 26. The event, themed by growth, success and community engagement, named the Overall Small Business of the Year and honored dozens of successful small businesses and entrepreneurs for extraordinary achievement.

Bardi Heating and Air, Inc. Owner Alex Bardi received the 2013 Overall Gwinnett Small Business of the Year Award and was also the winner of Gwinnett’s Small Business of the Year for the 10 – 99 employee category. Additional Small Business of the Year Awards were presented to Walter Biscardi, Jr. with Biscardi Creative Media, LLC for the 1 – 9 employee category and Joe McCart with The McCart Group for the 100+ employee category. Twenty-two additional small businesses were awarded Pinnacle Awards and named among the prestigious “Pinnacle Top 25” for demonstrating unprecedented growth and contribution to the community.

“We are honored to celebrate and recognize Gwinnett’s top small business owners whose entrepreneurial achievements are a driving force behind our nation’s economic success,” said Philip R. Wolfe, Gwinnett Chamber Chairman. “These small businesses create significant job opportunity and are essential to sustaining economic growth and prosperity.”

In addition, Gwinnett’s top non-profit organizations, whose generous and inspiring efforts can be seen and felt throughout Gwinnett, were also recognized at the awards luncheon. The following organizations are the winners of the 2013 Pinnacle Non-Profit Awards: Covenant Counseling & Family Resource Center, Good Samaritan Health Center of Gwinnett, Inc., and Operation One Voice.  

Partnership Gwinnett and Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development joined with The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Jackson Electric Membership Corporation to announce the finalists and winner of the third annual small business plan competition – The Amazing Entrepreneur at the Pinnacle Awards. Palmetto Grant Consulting, a provider of grant consulting services, was named the Grand Prize recipient of the contest’s Established Business category.

The Pinnacle Small Business Award Winners

Bardi Mechanical/Bardi Heating & Air – Overall Small Business of the Year and Small Business of the Year (10 – 99 employee category)

Alex Bardi, owner of Bardi Heating & Air, could give numerous best practices that have allowed the family-owned business to become a recognized leader in commercial HVAC and a provider of award-winning home heating, cooling and plumbing services. But, Alex will be the first to tell you that this success would not have been possible without their company’s “moral compass” and mission to “always, always, always do the right thing.” This guiding principle has proven to be a successful one as Bradi doubled its revenues from 2011 and achieved 112 percent growth in 2012 in addition to being named a “Top Workplace” for three years running by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, receiving a five-star rating from their own customers on Kudzu.com along with earning Smart Business Magazine’s “World Class Customer Service Award.”

Biscardi Creative Media, LLC – Small Business Person of the Year (1 – 9 employees)

Biscardi Creative Media is a full-service script-to-screen creation company at the forefront of creative media production. Emmy-award winning broadcast programming, episodics, commercials, feature films and industrial productions are some of the projects their storytellers bring to the screen every day. Drawing on over 20 years of industry experience, Walter Biscardi Jr., pulls together a creative team that has amassed every major award and traveled to every country in pursuit of a single goal. The story.

The McCart Group – Small Business Person of the Year (100+ employee category)

The McCart Group is a Risk Management and Insurance agency that has been in continuous operation in the metro Atlanta area for over 40 years with 18 years in Gwinnett.  In 1971, Joe McCart founded the agency as a property and casualty insurance provider.  Since that time, The McCart Group has launched an employee benefits practice, a risk control practice along with several other specialized advisory services.  The McCart Group is in the top one percent of independent insurance agents nationwide.  The agency is also very involved in the community supporting over 15 community projects and charitable organizations.

Ace Truck Body and Trailer Repair

Performing engine repair, maintenance and painting for tractor trailers is good business these days for Al Karnitz and Ace Truck Body and Trailer Repair of Norcross. In business for more than a quarter of a century, three generations of family stand behind their service guarantee and the fair prices and quick turn-around time that come with it. With a proud list of customers ranging from Pepsi, Federal Express to Eagle Rock and Miller High Life, this full-service repair facility will surely span many more years and many more generations of family.

ASK Staffing, Inc.

ASK Staffing’s belief that innovation happens every day, and even more so in tough times, helped them through some of the worst years in the history of the staffing industry. Through their belief in innovations and past experiences, ASK Staffing made strategic plans to target government clients. With a handful of current state and local government clients, ASK Staffing assembled a team of experts allowing them to win nine additional state clients and several local government clients. This combined with efforts to position ASK staffing to assist with a few Fortune 500 companies has allowed for ongoing growth even in tough times.

Bella Fiore’ Salon, LLC
At Bella Fiore’ Salon, owners Marla Peoples and Jennifer Sewell work hard to set themselves apart from the competition by giving each of their guests an experience that will make them feel special and appreciated. From greeting each client by name, to offering new product promotions, to making follow-up calls to each new guest, Bella Fiore creates an experience that makes them stand out. This dedication has earned Bella Fiore’ a customer service rating of five stars and a 98.5 percent survey satisfaction score from their clients.

CablesAndKits

CablesAndKits is an online one-stop-shop specializing in pre-owned and new networking equipment and accessories. They sell top brand names, focusing on small- to medium-sized businesses, government entities, educational institutions and healthcare providers. With “Experts in Awesome” as their tagline, they strive to provide customers with a unique experience that is no less than awesome – going beyond the industry norm to provide a unique blend of exceptional customer service, timely delivery, product variety, and competitive prices.

Dexter’s Farm
Dexter’s Farm is a distributor of fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy and eggs. Based in Buford, Georgia they have been in business since 1983. Specializing in schools and restaurant chains, Dexter’s Farm services Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee. They are pleased to deliver to many school systems who participate in farm-to-school, which allows them to excel in their locally grown initiatives. In 2011, Dexter’s Farm became the Department of Defense fresh fruits and vegetable vendor for Georgia and they proudly supply to military troops.

Dynasty Jewelry and Loan, LTD

Dynasty Jewelry and Loan has been a trusted name in the pawn industry for over 25 years. They have built a reputation for great customer service, great quality and great deals. At Dynasty, they strive to be different. Being different is an attitude, a better way of doing business. They are different by exceeding customer expectations with their inviting atmosphere, friendly attitude of their personnel and in the care in handling their customers’ valuables. The difference is about the value they place highly in their employees and customers. The difference brings everyone back time and time again.

FarraTech, Inc.
While most of its competitors have closed their doors, FarraTech has experienced exponential growth and almost doubled revenues and employee size. As a manufacturer of toner for laser printers, FarraTech also sells and repairs printers, laptops and other hardware. In 2011, FarraTech bought two well-known Gwinnett companies that sold and serviced copiers allowing them to continue to grow their company and become more efficient. In addition, after developing programs specifically for its supply chain, FarraTech is able to go to market sooner, deliver faster, take excellent care of its customers, and compete with “big box retailers”.

Green Financial Resources, LLC
Roger Green, owner of Green Financial Resources, has been building his business one client at a time since 1987. During this time, Roger has serviced over 1,800 clients, as he has no minimum asset requirements and is willing to provide assistance to all who request it. With a focus on retirement planning, Green’s goal is to help as many people as possible through their retirement planning classes, the “Your Green” radio program, and complimentary consultations. In addition to helping people reach their retirement goals, Green is also a firm believer in sharing his company’s success by giving back to the community allowing him to touch people’s lives beyond just his financial scope.

Mobile Communications of Gwinnett, Inc.

Mobile Communications is the largest Motorola Solutions Premier Service Partner in the United States.  They design, sell and maintain wireless communication solutions to the public safety sector, school systems, hospitals, military bases, retail locations, hospitality venues and transportation organizations.  Their products and services include two-way radio systems, wireless connectivity, in-building cameras, vehicle outfitting for public safety departments, emergency call boxes, engineering and maintenance. They set themselves apart by offering a personal level of customer service.

Paradigm Security Services, Inc.
Paradigm Security Services’s mission statement, “Superior Security Services Through Superior Training” has led them to a profitable business of providing professionally trained security officers and patrol services. In addition to this, over 80 years in law enforcement, private security and administrative services are combined to create a company that is fully experienced in the field of security. Paradigm provides their professionals with the best of equipment and a supportive workplace while ensuring clients maintain a safe and secure environment.

Plumbing Distributors, Inc.

Established in 1973, PDI is the largest family-owned distributor of residential and commercial plumbing and lighting in Georgia. Dedicated to superior customer service, their knowledgeable and experienced associates are committed to meeting the project needs of customers with quality products for any budget.  The creativity in their showroom does a fantastic job creating vignettes allowing customers to envision their dream kitchen or bath. Combining plumbing fixtures and lighting fixtures, in a unique way, sets them apart from their competition.

Prime Care Technologies, Inc.

Prime Care Technologies is one of the nation’s leading providers of comprehensive cloud-based IT and data center services and solutions. With its managed IT services, data center solutions, and business intelligence tools, they help businesses reduce expenses, increase revenues, improve cash flow, and insure compliance. Their services include managed hosting; primeVIEW – Prime Care Technologies’ business intelligence and data mining digital dashboard reporting tool; hosted applicant tracking, time and attendance, HR, and payroll solutions; just to name a few. They listen to their customers and prospects discovering pain points and obstacles to success. From that information they look for ways to apply the strengths of cloud-based services to help customers. They are indeed where success and innovation connect.

Prime Technological Services, LLC

As an experienced contract electronics manufacturer, Prime specializes in printed circuit board assembly and top-level box build. For 24 years, they have been known as a quality leader in high-mix, high-complexity work for moderate-volume products and customers. Today, they are continually finding new ways to increase speed-to-market and drive down costs while maintaining a high level of flexibility and responsiveness.  Every aspect of the business- from investment, processes, systems, and training – has allowed them to deliver highly flexible service to their customers.

RD Direct

RD Direct partners with major telecom carriers as an independent network consultant and solutions partner to help businesses find ways to improve their bottom line and make communications work more effectively. RD Direct helps companies find ways to increase efficiencies through service price reductions and network analysis. They make sure their clients have the best prices and the best products that suit their needs. RD Direct assists businesses in all four corners of the country and has provided consulting services to over 10,000 customers and counting.  Their customers see immediate results and are positioned with the right technologies to support flexibility and future growth.

Red Clay Interactive

Red Clay Interactive is a leading Interactive Marketing Agency specializing in Interactive strategy & planning, social media, website design & development, search engine optimization, online advertising campaigns and application development. For more than 12 years, Red Clay has delivered industry changing online strategies for clients ranging from local privately held companies to global corporations. Red Clay continues to be recognized for excellence by multiple organizations including Georgia Trend and Inc. Magazines, UGA Alumni Association, Web Marketing Association, American Institute of Graphic Arts and the International Academy of Visual Arts.

Shared Kitchens, LLC

Shared Kitchens is Georgia’s first dually licensed “Food Business Incubator”. They provide a fully licensed facility for start-up and emerging entrepreneurs in the food industry. Their business is a home to a variety of catering and small food manufacturing companies. They also offer co-packing services for a variety of products. Shared Kitchens operates on a membership program with a variety of levels to meet the needs of its member companies. By choosing Shared Kitchens, their members are able to launch and grow their food related businesses without the obstacle of a large capital investment.

Signarama Buford

During a time when companies need branding and visibility more than ever before, Signarama Buford offers a vast array of products in commercial signage and promotional items to help increase awareness and sales for clients. Co-owned and operated by husband and wife team Gary and Nancy Rosenberg, Signarama Buford has taken a proactive stance to improve sales over the past couple of years through increased networking. This strategy has paid off as Signarama Buford is consistently one of the top performing Signaramas in the country.

Staging Directions, Inc.

Staging Directions, Inc. is a full service event staging company offering audio, lighting, and video equipment for corporate meetings and events as well as entertainment and concerts at area venues. They provide their services to venues across the country and around the world, from small hotel ballrooms for 200 people to large arenas for 30,000 attendees. Even in troubling times, Staging Directions has continued to move forward with the purchase of new state of the art equipment and engineers necessary to delight their clients with service above the rest.

The Davis Companies

With over 27 years in the staffing industry, The Davis Companies offers contract staffing, direct hire, payroll services, managed staffing, vendor management and contract-to-hire services. Focusing on administrative & clerical, finance & accounting, manufacturing & production, warehouse, professional and engineering & Information technology positions, Davis has set itself apart as a ground-breaking leader in developing workforce and staffing solutions. Because its teams are empowered to be creative problem solvers, they have brought that skill to solving their client’s problems. Davis has proven to be a creative, consultative business partner in how they work closely with clients.  Its “work hard, play hard” mentality has allowed them to maintain their business and grow through three recessions.

Visix, Inc.

Visix designs, develops and supports a suite of browser-based software applications that allows users to create, import and manage their organizational communications from anywhere and to deliver messages, media and alerts to virtually any endpoint. In 2012, Visix won the “Best of Show” award at the Infocomm trade show held in Las Vegas, NV. The company gifted the $10,000 award to the Hirsch Academy for children with learning differences. This community-oriented, award-winning company has grown by 377 percent since 2004 with no signs of stopping.

Waterman Resource Group, Inc.

Waterman Resource Group, Inc. (WRG) is a one-stop shop for all things HR. WRG specializes in providing HR management services to mid-sized and smaller enterprises that have little or no internal HR resources, helping them to “power up their people engines” for improved competitive performance and success. In addition to providing character-driven HR services for the business community, founder and owner of WRG, Melissa Waterman has been active in the community throughout her career. Most recently, Melissa was selected to provide complimentary training services to the Gwinnett Village initiative, aimed at improving the quality of life for citizens of the Village and CID area.

Wealth Horizon, Inc.

Wealth Horizon is a boutique investment advisory firm specializing in working with women going through any of life’s transitions including divorce, death of a spouse, second careers, entrepreneurship and retirement. Owner Jerri Hewatt takes great pride in educating her clients while walking them through these major transitions to realizing their new life adventures. Nothing though, could make her more proud than her most recent endeavor of establishing the annual “Celebrating Wonderful Women” event. The 2012 event, benefiting Wellspring Living and featuring Aimee Copeland, not only raised awareness surrounding the beneficiaries’ mission of confronting childhood sexual abuse, it also raised over $20,000 for the cause.

The Pinnacle Non-Profit Award Winners

Good Samaritan Health Center of Gwinnett

The Good Samaritan Health Center of Gwinnett is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to caring for the indigent and working poor who do not have health insurance. Their mission is to demonstrate the love of Christ by providing affordable healthcare to those who otherwise may not have access to healthcare services. Through their diligent staff of 13 and over 180 volunteers, the Center provided 5860 medical visits – nearly 900 more than projected – to 2687 unique individuals in 2012. Their projections for 2013 are that they will see as many as 7,000 patients in the coming year.

Operation One Voice

Operation One Voice is a non-profit designed by local firefighters, police officers and business leaders providing financial support and assistance to fallen and wounded Special Operations Forces (military troops) involved in the war against terrorists. Operation One Voice works directly with the families, United States Special Operations Command Care Coalition and subordinate commands. This unique organization is like no other because of the partnerships formed between public safety professionals and the community in an effort to support the troops. In addition to this, the support Operation One Voice lends to the top tier of military personnel – a group of warriors that is often overlooked due to the nature of their work – makes it a truly unique organization.

Covenant Counseling & Family Resource Center

Covenant Counseling & Family Resource Center is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote healing and wholeness in the community through pastoral counseling, psychotherapy, education and consultation. For 20 years the Center has provided services that enable individuals, couples, families, pastors, organizations and congregations to experience healing and wholeness in their individual and family living, their relationships and their organizational functioning. Most recently, in honor of Depression Awareness Month, Covenant Counseling & Family Resource Center held a spirit-lifting event – Shining a Light on Depression. The gathering was designed to raise awareness and funds to combat depression, the underlying cause of most client visits to Covenant.

Additional sponsors include Moore Stephens Tiller LLC, Delta Community Credit Union and Gwinnett Business Journal. For more information, visit www.pinnaclesmallbusinessawards.com or contact Melissa Britt at 678-957-4958 or melisa@gwinnettchamber.org.

Awards were given to the men and women who have performed heroic and extraordinary acts to protect and serve the citizens of Gwinnett. Hear their incredible stories on the Gwinnett Chamber’s Vimeo channel.

Receiving the program’s highest award for bravery and heroism, Gwinnett County Police Officer Joshua J. Smith was awarded the Gold Medal of Valor. Corporal Jason Ayers, Officer James Harkins, Officer Candler Horton, Sergeant Brad Ingalls, Officer Tom Novak, and Officer Todd Ramsey with the Gwinnett County Police Department received the Silver Medal of Valor and the Bronze Medal of Valor went to Lieutenant John Poe, Driver Engineer Lanny Britt, Firefighter Paul Thompson, Driver Engineer Eric Jensen, Firefighter Robert Atcheson, and Firefighter Alan Krieg with Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services.

The following public safety professionals were honored in the program’s subsequent award categories:

• The Medal of Merit, awarded to an outstanding public safety program for the community; was given to the Juvenile Firesetter Prevention Program of the Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services;
• Officer Neil Bullock with the Snellville Police Department received the Lifesaving Award, given to the public safety official/unit in recognition of acts taken in a life-threatening situation where an individual’s life is in jeopardy
• Gwinnett County Police Department’s Central Precinct Day Watch was named the Public Safety Unit of the Year, awarded to the unit that has performed its job with exceptional skill, expertise, innovation and results;
• Officer Sr. Richey with the Gwinnett County Police Department was named the Public Safety Person of the Year, awarded to the person who has performed their job with exceptional skill, expertise, innovation and results
• Communications Officer Andrea Goins was named the Communications Officer of the Year, presented to the individual who has performed his/her job with exceptional skill, expertise, innovation and results.

In addition to these awards, Bill Stevens, recently retired from the City of Duluth Police Department, was given the Public Safety Leadership Award. This award is designed to honor senior public safety professionals (Lieutenant – Chief) who have performed their job(s) with exceptional skill and expertise having shown innovation in leadership and team building.

“Mobile Communications of Gwinnett is a proud supporter of the Valor Awards because of the recognition this program gives to men and women who, without hesitation, put their lives on the line for us, our homes, and our businesses,” said Cathy Nichols, CEO, Mobile Communications of Gwinnett. “The Valor Awards gives the community the opportunity to thank our public safety professionals for their ultimate sacrifice allowing us to live the wonderful life that we have in Gwinnett County.”

The Gwinnett Chamber’s Valor Awards program is part of the Gwinnett Chamber series of award programs designed to recognize those who contribute to Gwinnett’s strong quality of life creating a solid environment for business growth. For more information on the Valor Awards, visit www.valorawards.com. For upcoming information on the Gwinnett Chamber’s next awards program, the Pinnacle Awards, visit pinnaclesmallbusinessawards.com.

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PROGRAM CONTACT
Rachel Jeffers |770-232-8816 |Rachel@gwinnettchamber.org

MEDIA CONTACTS
Delaine Gray |770.232.8808| Delaine@gwinnettchamber.org
Traci Strom | 678.584.2267| Traci@gwinnettchamber.org

“After an exhaustive national search, we are fortunate to have discovered an exceptional candidate right here in Gwinnett. We’ve seen Dan in action during his years of service to our community and we know him to be an outstanding local leader. We now know unequivocally that he is one the nation’s premier executives who possesses the business acumen and strategic visioning to successfully position this organization for future growth,” says Phil Wolfe, Chairman of the Gwinnett Chamber and President/CEO of Gwinnett Medical Center.
A transition steering committee comprised of thirteen Chamber Board members led the executive search with support from Korn/Ferry International, a global leader in the field. A qualified pool of national and local candidates with relevant professional experience was vetted over several months ultimately leading to the Chamber’s selection.

“I look forward to working with the members and staff of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce as we strengthen the partnerships that make Gwinnett a great community in which to live and work,” says Dr. Daniel Kaufman. “Gwinnett is unparalleled in its economic resources – from its business environment and diverse workforce to its enthusiastic community leaders and its prospects for further growth. I am excited about the opportunity to lead the Chamber in strategically supporting that growth for the benefit of the entire Gwinnett community.”

Dr. Kaufman brings not only a broad range of organizational, strategic planning and business development experience to the table, he has been a vocal champion of critical community initiatives and has a demonstrated record of building consensus among diverse communities. He is a decorated veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. In addition to a lengthy academic career at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Dr. Kaufman worked for the White House National Security Council and in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Dr. Kaufman received his Bachelor degree at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a Masters in Public Administration at Harvard University and his Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He and his wife Kathryn are both natives of Brunswick, Georgia. They have two children, two granddaughters and one grandson.

Transition Steering Committee Members
The members of the transition steering committee are: Sharon Bartels, Gwinnett Technical College, Co-Chair; Mike Levengood, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP, Co-Chair; Tom Andersen, Andersen, Tate & Carr, P.C.; Carla Carraway, Precision Planning, Inc.; Norwood Davis, 12Stone Church; Randy Hoffman, AGCO; Wayne Mason, Mason Family Management Company; Bill Russell, Russell Landscape Group; Raymer Sale, E2E Resources, Inc.; David Skidmore, NCR; John D. Stephens, John D. Stephens, Inc.; Richard Tucker, Arlington Capital, LLC and Philip R. Wolfe, Gwinnett Medical Center.

Gwinnett County (METRO ATLANTA) GA – February 15, 2013 – The Gwinnett Chamber – in alliance with Gwinnett County, Gwinnett County Public Schools and the Gwinnett Municipal Association – hosted its annual Day at the Capitol reception with key local and statewide elected officials. From the Governor’s Office to county commissioners, state representatives and senators, local municipal leaders and education board members, the event provided a stage to showcase the global connection and economic weight of metro Atlanta’s largest local community.

“This event showcased Gwinnett for the vibrant community that it is – a place that encourages business growth and provides an attractive place to live and play helping to make this state one of the best places to do business regionally, nationally and globally,” said Gov. Deal. “It also demonstrated a community that is eager to effectively communicate with local- and state-elected officials so that we can make informed decisions for Georgia’s future success.”

More than 300 Gwinnett business and community leaders attended Gwinnett Day at the Capitol, which is one of the Chamber’s premier public policy events. During the day-long event, Chamber members were given exclusive opportunities to connect with Georgia’s top policy makers and Gwinnett local leadership, communicating the importance of the success of our economy on the well-being of our community. This year’s theme – We ‘heart’ Gwinnett – spoke to the many unique and wonderful qualities of our community, as well as the date (February 13 – Valentine’s Day Eve). Events throughout the day included a luncheon, photo opportunities, and proclamations in both the Senate and House declaring Gwinnett Day, concluding with a reception at the Freight Room at the Georgia Depot across the street from the Capitol.

“The Gwinnett Chamber is dedicated to strengthening the community through the support of legislative issues that foster business growth and job creation,” said Jann Moore, Gwinnett Chamber Vice President of Public Policy, Leadership, & Education. “Gwinnett Day is the perfect opportunity to show our delegates that we are invested in forging partnerships to better serve our community, and how much we appreciate their hard work and commitment to set policies that help make our county and state globally competitive.”

From the gold dome in Atlanta to the Capitol in Washington D.C., the Gwinnett Chamber and community and business leaders are advocating for our county at the local, regional and national level. The Chamber’s 2013 State and Federal Jobs Agendas were created with one very specific goal in mind: the creation of high-wage jobs in the Gwinnett and greater metropolitan Atlanta community. The Gwinnett Chamber’s proactive legislative core values include: advancing a strong business ecosystem; ensuring a qualified workforce; monitoring impacts of state budget to business; and partnering with the Gwinnett delegation toward a unified strategic direction identified in Partnership Gwinnett.

The Gwinnett Chamber Public Policy Council, along with the Board of Directors, have identified and taken positions on the following issues that affect business at the state level: job creation and global competitiveness; education/workforce development; healthcare; infrastructure; taxes/regulations/mandates; and arts, tourism, and entertainment.

Visit www.GwinnettChamberPublicPolicy.com to view the 2013 State Jobs Agenda in its entirety and sign up to receive Public Policy’s bi-weekly legislative session newsletter. For up-to-the-minute information, follow @GwinnettProBiz on Twitter.

For information about the Gwinnett Chamber, its structure, programs or initiatives, visit the following websites:

www.gwinnettchamber.org
www.gwinnetteconomicdevelopment.com
www.partnershipgwinnett.com
www.gwinnettchamberpublicpolicy.com.

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“The dinner serves as a celebration of the people of Gwinnett who – by their service, volunteerism and commitment – allow our community to reach new heights and set goals to strive for in the future,” said Raymer Sale, 2012 Gwinnett Chamber Chairman and E2E Resources, Inc. President. “Through the efforts of the leaders being honored, the Gwinnett Chamber and the community it serves will continue to thrive and prosper.”

In addition to reviewing the Gwinnett Chamber’s 2012 accolades and the achievements of the Gwinnett community by incoming Chair Philip R. Wolfe, President and CEO, Gwinnett Medical Center, the evening celebrated the exceptional accomplishments of the following honorees:

Barbara Howard, Suzanna’s Kitchen, is the recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award, which honors individuals whose services have had the greatest impact on the overall quality of life for Gwinnett County in recent years.

Public Service Awards are given to individuals who, over the years, have gone above and beyond in their service to the community and its residents. This year’s honorees included: Judge Stephen Franzen, Gwinnett County Juvenile Courts; Mayor Nancy Harris, City of Duluth; Paige Havens; Joe McCart, The McCart Group; David McCleskey, Gwinnett County Public Schools; and Dr. Mary Kay Murphy, Gwinnett County Public School Board.

The R. Wayne Shackelford Legacy Award, honoring the memory and legacy of an individual who has made a difference in the history and progress of Gwinnett County, was awarded posthumously to Barbara King.

The Jackson Jinright Charitable Foundation and Partnership Against Domestic Violence received the D. Scott Hudgens Humanitarian Award given in honor of Scott Hudgens, a respected developer and philanthropist who unselfishly gave of his time and talents to ensure that many others, especially those with limited means, would benefit from his treasure.

In addition, Nancy McGill, Owner, Cartridge World – Lawrenceville, received the 2012 Ambassador of the Year Award for her outstanding commitment, dedication and service to the Gwinnett Chamber.

Marking a unique event in Gwinnett Chamber history, Belk and Micromeritics Instrument Corporation were honored for their 50-year commitment to the Chamber and the local business community. As Gwinnett Chamber members for 50 years, Belk and Micromeritics are the first members to have reached this milestone.

Special recognition was also given by the Chamber and local community leaders to retired Gwinnett Chamber President & CEO Jim Maran for his nine years of service and dedication to Gwinnett. In recognition of Maran’s economic development efforts and his vision to bring diverse foreign-based business enterprises and principals to the Chamber, Gwinnett Chamber 2012 Chair Raymer Sale presented the inaugural James J. Maran International Award to WIKA Instrument, LP. The annual award was developed to recognize an international company that has chosen to locate in Gwinnett, taking advantage of Gwinnett’s pro-business mindset, and become an active member of the Chamber and the local community.

Gwinnett County Public Schools CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks announced the Jim Maran Scholarship for STEM Studies for his unwavering support for the school district, public education, and instructional initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM. Partnering with the Gwinnett Chamber Board of Directors, the Gwinnett County Board of Education established the scholarship within the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund, Inc. The scholarship will be awarded annually beginning this year to a Gwinnett high school graduate who intends to pursue a career in a STEM field.

U.S. Congressman Rob Woodall also recognized Maran for his many efforts in growing and strengthening the Gwinnett and metro Atlanta business community.

“The significance of the Annual Dinner is grounded in the event’s recognition of Gwinnett’s most visionary leaders,” said Philip R. Wolfe, Gwinnett Medical Center President and CEO and Gwinnett Chamber 2013 Chairman. “The Annual Dinner showcases the cooperative work of our leaders throughout the region which, in turn, comes back to benefit Gwinnett County.”

For more information on the Annual Dinner, contact Alicia Krogh at 770-232-8809 or alicia@gwinnettchamber.org.

Chairman Nash Presented Vision for 2013 at January 16 Joint Meeting

The Gwinnett Chamber and the Council for Quality Growth co-hosted Gwinnett County Board of Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash and the Board of Commissioners for the annual State of the County Address Presented by Gas South, Lennar, and Rialto Capital Management on January 16 at 11:30 a.m. at Gwinnett Center. Attendees had the exclusive opportunity to hear the Chairman’s vision for the County in 2013.

“With a continued commitment to pursuing economic development and job creation efforts, Chairman Nash’s report gave a promising outlook for the business community,” said Philip R. Wolfe, Gwinnett Chamber Chairman and Gwinnett Medical Center President and CEO. “We were pleased to host Chairman Nash and the Board of Commissioners and we look forward to working together to keep Gwinnett moving forward.”

The January 16th annual State of the County Address offered Gwinnett business and community leaders the opportunity to hear from the leader of Gwinnett’s local government, Chairman Charlotte Nash. This special meeting gave an overview of the County’s efforts in economic development, revitalization, public safety and transportation. Attendees also learned how the County is working to improve the overall quality of life for Gwinnett citizens.

“We are poised and ready to begin a new chapter in Gwinnett County. We don’t have to wait, though, to see what happens next. We may not control the entire story, but we can certainly help shape it,” said Gwinnett County Board of Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash. “The District Commissioners and I are committed to ensuring that Gwinnett County government does its part to keep this community great. In addition to doing our part, we also need the help of every resident and business owner in Gwinnett as we move forward. I encourage the citizens of Gwinnett to stay informed, get involved, and to stay in touch.”

During her 27-year career with Gwinnett County, Charlotte Nash worked as a Grants Manager/Accountant, Budget Manager, Finance Director/Chief Financial Officer and County Administrator. She managed 24 annual budgets and implemented capital budgeting and long-term financial planning processes. Her leadership was instrumental in gaining the coveted triple AAA ratings from the three major bond rating agencies.

“Gwinnett County continues to be a leader in infrastructure development, quality of life and economic development. We look forward to working with Chairman Nash as she leads Gwinnett through a robust and prosperous 2013,” said Michael Paris, President and CEO, Council for Quality Growth.

For more information on the State of the County Address, visit www.gwinnettstateofthecounty.com.

“As a business that works intricately with companies in the healthcare industry to achieve HIPAA Regulatory Compliance, CompliancePoint is a proud supporter of Gwinnett and metro Atlanta’s thriving medical community,” said Jeff Brown, VP of Sales & Marketing, CompliancePoint, Inc. “The Gwinnett Chamber’s Healthcare Excellence Awards program offers a unique opportunity to thank the people and organizations of this vital industry.”

Through these awards, the Gwinnett Chamber saluted excellence, encouraged innovation, and offered examples of best practices for others to emulate. The program was designed to raise awareness in the community, enhance the quality of healthcare and, of course, recognize deserving individuals and organizations within the healthcare community.

Jim Maran, President &CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber, commented, “Healthcare is a vital component to our community’s long-term sustainability and growth. As citizens of Gwinnett, we can all take pride in and be thankful for our community’s solid reputation for quality healthcare that ensures our well-being and provides further opportunities to attract new business, create jobs and afford a strong and well-rounded place to live, work and raise a family.”

Winners and honorees at last night’s program included Stephen A. Schulte, LP, CP, FAAOP and Mariamne Schulte  with ProCare Prosthetics & Orthotics receiving the Advancements in Health Award; Maxwell High School of Technology for Corporate Achievement in Healthcare; Gwinnett Community Clinic for Healthcare Agency of the Year; Kim Ryan, MS, MBA, FACHE, CEO of Eastside Medical Center, for Healthcare Executive of the Year; Pam Kramer with Eastside Medical Center for Healthcare Professional of the Year; Anne Hysong, MSN, APRN, CCNS, Gwinnett Medical Center, for Nurse Practitioner of the Year; Barbara Howard, Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation, for Philanthropist of the Year; Hal Herd, MD, with Gwinnett Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine for Physician of the Year; and The Gwinnett Tech Foundation’s Legacy of Lives Campaign Cabinet Leadership Team for Volunteer of the Year.

“These individuals are exemplary in their fields and to honor them at this celebratory event is truly our privilege as a community,” added Maran. “This is our night to say thank you, to show gratitude and demonstrate the respect we have for our healthcare heroes and all they do to contribute to Gwinnett’s overall success. Congratulations to all our winners!”

The Gwinnett Chamber Healthcare Excellence Awards is one example of several quality recognition and awards programs it produces throughout the year to honor the individuals and initiatives making an impact in the community. The Chamber’s next awards program, the heralded Gwinnett Chamber Annual Dinner, is scheduled for February 1, 2013. Please make plans to attend this once-a-year event attracting over 1,000 leaders from the metro Atlanta community for a gala and celebration of leadership and collaboration at the Gwinnett Center. For more information, visit www.gwinnettannualdinner.com.

“The Gwinnett Chamber’s Transition Steering Committee went through a very thorough process to find the executive recruitment team that we feel can best represent us and ensure the fulfillment of our needs. We are excited to be working with Korn/Ferry and look forward to their leadership in this very important effort,” said Gwinnett Chamber Chairman, Raymer Sale.
With the hiring of Korn/Ferry International, the next step in the recruitment process is for the Committee and search firm to develop a job description and qualifications. The Gwinnett Chamber Transition Steering Committee is comprised of:

• Sharon Bartels, Gwinnett Technical College, Co-Chair
• Mike Levengood, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP, Co-Chair
• Tom Andersen, Andersen, Tate & Carr, P.C.
• Carla Carraway, Precision Planning, Inc.
• Norwood Davis, 12Stone Church
• Randy Hoffman, AGCO
• Wayne Mason, Mason Family Management Company
• Bill Russell, Russell Landscape Group
• Raymer Sale, E2E Resources, Inc.
• David Skidmore, NCR
• John D. Stephens, John D. Stephens, Inc.
• Richard Tucker, Arlington Capital, LLC
• Philip R. Wolfe, Gwinnett Medical Center

Interested candidates will be able to read the job description and submit materials directly to Korn/Ferry through this link. Immediate questions can be sent to Korn/Ferry Senior Partner, Lorraine Lavet at Lorraine.Lavet@kornferry.com.

For information about the Gwinnett Chamber, including its structure, programs or initiatives, visit the following websites:

www.gwinnettchamber.org
www.gwinnetteconomicdevelopment.com
www.partnershipgwinnett.com
www.gwinnettchamberpublicpolicy.com.

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MEDIA CONTACTS
Traci Strom | 678-584-2267 |Traci@gwinnettchamber.org
Delaine Gray |770.232.8808|Delaine@gwinnettchamber.org

About the Gwinnett Chamber
The Gwinnett Chamber serves as the voice for businesses, creating and growing quality job opportunities while enhancing the community’s vitality and quality of life. The Chamber offers the metro Atlanta business community a wealth of growth opportunity while collaborating with regional partners to drive economic and community development initiatives throughout Georgia. Through its fundamental objectives to create quality jobs and wealth, strengthen the community, and grow business, the Chamber serves more than 2,700 member companies in metro Atlanta while delivering solid programs and potential to connect businesses both regionally and globally.

(GWINNETT- METRO ATLANTA) November 16, 2012— Partnership Gwinnett and Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development held its annual Partnership Gwinnett Community and Economic Development Summit today at Gwinnett Technical College’s Busbee Center. Presented by T-Mobile, the event highlighted the initiative’s achievements over the past five quarters and was attended by more than 175 community and business leaders. Local and regional speakers presented on topics ranging from education to entrepreneurship, with the central theme of recruiting and retaining young professionals in Gwinnett County.

Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash, who delivered opening remarks, commented, “Gwinnett County has experienced yet another successful year, now celebrating 41 consecutive months with the lowest unemployment of the five core metro Atlanta counties. This is through the coordinated efforts of community individuals and businesses working together.”

Since July 2011, Partnership Gwinnett launched 116 new projects, conducted more than 130 existing industry visits, received the 2012 International Economic Development Council’s Gold Excellence Award for best Entrepreneurship program, and hosted inaugural programs including the Movers & Makers Awards, Redevelopment Bus Tour and Healthcare Summit.

“This annual Summit provides the perfect stage to showcase the commitment of Partnership Gwinnett and the community,” stated Philip R. Wolfe, CEO/President of Gwinnett Medical Center and 2012 Partnership Gwinnett Chairman. “These achievements represent the support and collaboration of Partnership Gwinnett’s many public and private partners, whose dedication is essential to the initiative’s continued success.”

The event also offered a platform for the release of two supporting publications: the Partnership Gwinnett Annual Report and the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Gwinnett Market Report. Both pieces highlight Gwinnett’s competitive edge in technology, entrepreneurship, education and global business, and spotlight the area’s quality of life offerings.

Summit sessions focused on growing trends and best practices in education, entrepreneurship and community development. Dr. Christopher Ray, Principal of the Gwinnett Online Campus, addressed participants from his virtual classroom during the education session that explored how education and business leaders are preparing students to be a part of the future workforce.

A panel of entrepreneurs and small business owners discussed innovations, trends and news in the evolution of entrepreneurship during the “Cultivating Entrepreneurs, Getting a ‘Jumpstart’ on the Future” session. Among the panelists was Sanjay Parekh, founder of Startup Riot, a networking event focused around startup pitches to an audience comprised of recent grads, technology investors and other startups.

The final session, “Community First, Job Second” focused on what Gwinnett communities are doing to address the fact that young professionals are increasingly choosing the place they want to live before the place they want to work.

Moderating this discussion was Joe Allen, Executive Director, Gwinnett Place CID. “It is vital for Gwinnett County to take action to ensure young professionals will still continue to live, work, and play in our community now and in the future. This includes putting in place policies and practices that attract, recruit and retain this demographic.”

The keynote address, “Our Community at a Crossroad—Where are Tomorrow’s Leaders Today?”, featured Brian Leary, the creative mind behind the redevelopment of the Atlantic Steel property, now known as Atlantic Station. The project, which has become a national model for smart growth, represents the creation of a complete live-work-play community. Leary discussed methods for cultivating the next generation of leaders in Gwinnett.

The much-anticipated event was possible thanks to generous sponsoring businesses and organizations, including presenting sponsor T-Mobile.

“T-Mobile is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the annual Partnership Gwinnett Summit for a fourth consecutive year,” stated Ann Brooks of T-Mobile Engineering, South Region. “Studies show that delivering broadband to a community can increase its per capita income by nearly four percent, as recently reported by FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. To keep up with the growing demand and new wireless innovations, T-Mobile is making significant investments throughout the country, including upgrades in Gwinnett. By modernizing our network, metro Atlanta communities now enjoy faster data speeds, enhanced quality and better coverage to remain competitive and connected.”

Additional sponsors and supporters included the Atlanta Business Chronicle, City of Sugar Hill, Gwinnett Business Journal, Gwinnett Technical College, Gwinnett Village CID, Jackson EMC and Palmetto Grant Consulting.

To learn more about the efforts of the award-winning Partnership Gwinnett initiative, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.

Logistics leader celebrates with ribbon cutting in metro Atlanta

(GWINNETT- METRO ATLANTA) November 1, 2012 – Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development and Georgia Department of Economic Development joined with FedEx Ground, a subsidiary of FedEx Corporation, at a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its newly built automated distribution center in Gwinnett County. The facility—located at 6265 Atlantic Boulevard, Norcross—represents a $43 million investment in the community.

“FedEx Ground’s growing presence in Georgia plays a significant role in the community of logistics service providers that make up our state’s high performing logistics infrastructure,” said Chris Cummiskey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “This new distribution center will leverage Georgia’s position as a global logistics hub to help FedEx Ground provide the high level of service its customers expect. Georgia is glad to play a part in FedEx Ground’s growth in the Southeast.”

The 216,000-square-foot distribution facility will provide business-to-business shipping services to the metro Atlanta area and features the most updated automated material-handling technology.

Gwinnett County Commissioner Chairman Charlotte Nash stated, “We celebrate FedEx Ground’s continued investment into the Gwinnett community and the significant contribution this announcement will have on the area’s existing logistics and supply chain industry.”

Gwinnett County boasts an extensive network of logistical and transportation options, allowing its businesses to remain connected nationally and globally. Supporting more than 320 logistics providers, employing over 6,770 Gwinnettians, and generating in excess of $1 billion in annual sales, Gwinnett is home to a thriving supply chain industry.

“Norcross is proud to offer an advantageous location and city support for the success of FedEx Ground and the logistics industry,” stated Mayor Bucky Johnson of the City of Norcross. “The opening of this new facility speaks volumes to our community’s ability to support its companies and allow them to remain competitive in metro Atlanta and around the world.”

The ribbon cutting event demonstrated yet another win for Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development and its efforts to recruit supply chain management companies to the Gwinnett area and retain those with an existing presence. One of the County’s targeted industries, Supply Chain Management, is focused on the use of technology to manage and optimize the entire logistics process.

“With its strong workforce, excellent infrastructure and expansive network of companies in supply chain and material handling, Gwinnett County is a perfect location for this 21st century, highly-automated regional distribution center,” stated Troels Adrian, Project Manager for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management, Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett. “We are delighted that one of the leaders in the supply chain industry is continuing to create jobs and investment in our community, and we look forward to supporting FedEx Ground in their growth for many years to come.”

For more information on FedEx Ground, please visit www.fedex.com/us/fedex/shippingservices/package/ground.html.

For more information or to learn how to get involved in local economic development efforts, please visit www.gwinnetteconomicdevelopment.com.

Partnership Gwinnett joined with The Council for Quality Growth to host the Annual Redevelopment Forum at Red Clay Theatre in Duluth. Attended by more than 200 local government officials, private developers, business and community leaders, architects, attorneys and urban planners, the event featured interactive discussions about energizing redevelopment in Gwinnett, creating the infrastructure for future investment, and using redevelopment as a catalyst for attracting and recruiting young, educated professionals.

“Redevelopment offers the chance to refresh and revitalize areas in Gwinnett that need a boost,” stated Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash. “As leaders in Gwinnett, we know how important it is to have in place policies and practices to promote revitalization and support the future of our County.”

The Forum featured Keynote Speaker Charles Waldheim, Chair of Landscape Architecture, Harvard Graduate School of Design. Waldheim spoke about landscape urbanism—an idea that landscape, rather than architecture, is more capable of organizing a community and enhancing the urban experience.

Joe Allen, Executive Director, Gwinnett Place CID stated, “As Gwinnett’s focus evolves from Greenfield development to redevelopment, the revitalization of second and third generation properties becomes crucial to the economic vitality of the area. Our work as a community is to ensure real estate professionals, developers and architects are informed of our redevelopment sites and are promoting their potential use.”

The event represents one of Gwinnett’s many efforts to bring redevelopment and revitalization to areas of the County, which is a necessity for attracting and recruiting young professionals to live, work, and play in its communities. This future generation is seeking non-traditional forms of housing and communities—a change Gwinnett is learning to embrace and implement through educational Forums such as this one.

“As we work to encourage redevelopment in our communities, we must understand that the next generation has different expectations for their community,” stated Michael Paris, President and CEO, Council for Quality Growth. “Housing options, walkability and locally owned businesses are each crucial factors attracting this demographic and must be considered in Gwinnett’s redevelopment efforts.”

In addition to its Annual Redevelopment Forum and Redevelopment Bus Tour, Partnership Gwinnett focuses on this subject through a targeted committee.  The Partnership Gwinnett Redevelopment Task Force facilitates redevelopment by educating community members about top redevelopment tools and opportunities in the community.

“The success of this Forum speaks to the continual efforts of Partnership Gwinnett to cultivate redevelopment opportunities in our community,” stated Kellie Brownlow, Director of Economic Development, Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett. “We designed this event to help educate community leaders and encourage developers to take the actions necessary to support revitalization and ensure a stronger community.”

Gwinnett County (METRO ATLANTA) GA – September 19, 2012 – The Gwinnett Chamber and its Board of Directors congratulate Gwinnett County Public Schools’ (GCPS) Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology (GSMST) for receiving the S.T.E.M. Education Award from the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) and the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG-Ed). These awards were created to recognize and celebrate schools, extracurricular programs, public-private partnerships, science agencies and post-secondary education outreach programs for outstanding efforts and achievement in supporting and promoting science, technology, engineering, and math education in Georgia.

“In a long list of accolades, GCPS’ most recent award recognizing GSMST reaffirms the fact that Gwinnett has one of the strongest educational foundations in the nation,” said Jim Maran, Gwinnett Chamber President & CEO. “On behalf of the Gwinnett Chamber Board of Directors, I am pleased to congratulate GCPS and GSMST on this significant accomplishment.”

GSMST is a charter school designed to nurture the talents of high school students through a curriculum focused on S.T.E.M. All courses are taught at advanced/honors, Advanced Placement (AP), or college-level. GSMST also has a school-wide Partnership Program, requiring students to complete real-world research projects and internship assignments.
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Gwinnett County (METRO ATLANTA) GA - The Gwinnett Chamber and Presenting Sponsor Rocket IT hosted Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks for the annual State of the School District Address on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. at The 1818 Club. At the sold-out special General Membership Meeting, Superintendent Wilbanks discussed how GCPS is overcoming the challenges and raising the bar on student achievement.

“The success of Gwinnett’s schools has greatly contributed to Gwinnett’s global recognition as one of the best places to live and work in the nation,” said GCPS CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks. “Only by working together as a community can we continue to achieve such success and realize our vision of becoming a system of world-class schools where students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for today’s globally competitive marketplace.”

Superintendent Wilbanks is in his 17th year as head of the state’s largest school district, which in the current 2012-2013 school year, opened its doors to more than 164,600 students enrolled in 132 schools. Under the leadership of Mr. Wilbanks and the stewardship of the Gwinnett County Board of Education, GCPS is regarded as one of the most successful school districts in America. The schools, students, staff, and programs win acclaim year after year for their many accomplishments.

“GCPS is one of Gwinnett’s strongest assets, and the Gwinnett Chamber is committed to collaborating with our nationally recognized public school district in the education of Gwinnett’s future leaders,” said Jim Maran, Gwinnett Chamber President & CEO. “We enjoyed hearing from Superintendent Wilbanks and will continue to support Gwinnett’s world-class education system – a system that has helped to make our workforce the envy of economic development leaders across the nation and the world.”

GCPS is committed to preparing its students for success in college, careers, and life. It faces significant challenges in pursuing that mission, including severe budget constraints; a student population growing in size, diversity, and poverty; increasing pressures from state and federal mandates, and the need to continuously innovate and improve in the core business of teaching and learning. The district is creatively addressing those challenges, keeping the commitment to high student achievement steadfast as its schools educate and prepare Gwinnett’s future workforce.

In addition to Presenting Sponsor Rocket IT, event sponsors included Silver Sponsors Gwinnett Medical Center and Jackson Electric Membership Corporation and Media Sponsor Gwinnett Daily Post.

 For information about the Gwinnett Chamber, or its structure, programs or initiatives, visit the following websites:

www.gwinnettchamber.org
www.gwinnetteconomicdevelopment.com
www.partnershipgwinnett.com
www.gwinnettchamberpublicpolicy.com

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The Gwinnett Chamber is pleased to announce that our website is now available as a mobile app. It’s easy! Simply go to www.gwinnettchamber.org on your smart phone and you will be automatically re-directed to the mobile version of the website. Those who use iPhones will have to option to instantly add an icon to your homescreen. Other smartphone users can add a bookmark and then add the icon.

Our most popular web features are available: The Gwinnett Chamber online Business Directory, Calendar of Events, News, and our exciting new discount card program—Shop In Gwinnett.

Maran has served as President and CEO of the Chamber since 2003. Prior to assuming this role, he had a notable 30+ year career as a corporate officer with communications giant, Motorola. As a Motorola officer, Maran’s posts included Vice President of Strategic Relations, Chair – Motorola Georgia Council, Radio Product Group – Vice President of Latin America, Vice President of International Operations, and Vice President and General Manager of Land Mobile Systems – Asia Pacific. With these global assignments Maran led sales, government relations, program management/customer service, network infrastructure management, distribution, demand creation, and product development in domestic operations from the East Coast to the West Coast and Asia Pacific, China, India, Europe, South Africa and Latin America.

Under Maran’s leadership, the Gwinnett Chamber has maintained a primary focus on job creation and quality of life, diversity, and inner connectivity throughout Gwinnett and metro Atlanta. As a result, the Chamber is positioned as one of the very best in the country.

“I am proud of the accomplishments that have been realized at the Chamber and within our community during my nine-year tenure,” said Maran. “We maintain our footing at the forefront of advancements when it comes to community evolution. And today, our membership growth is strong as we continue to attract an excellent array of new board members from companies such as RockTenn, the Atlanta Falcons, Willis Mechanical, T.Y. Lin International, Infiniti of Gwinnett, and more.”

Under Maran’s leadership, the success of the Gwinnett Chamber is evident through job creation and enhanced quality of life, both of which are ignited by its award-winning, globally-recognized economic development initiative, Partnership Gwinnett. This initiative played a key role in recently attracting and expanding businesses such as NCR, Hyundai Construction Americas, Asbury Automotive, Suniva, RockTenn, Primerica, Mitsubishi, Ricoh, FedEx Ground, Kaiser Permanente and more.

“Jim and his team have built one of the most outstanding and influential Chambers not only in the southeast, but in the nation,” said Gwinnett Chamber Chairman, Raymer Sale. “He has effectively guided the organization through one of the toughest economic climates in recent decades, demonstrating extraordinary leadership abilities and dedication, and has positioned the Chamber on a solid financial foundation. His team exemplifies this same drive and commitment that has made the Chamber the success it is today and will continue its momentum locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.”

It has not yet been determined who will next fill the role of President and CEO, but Maran will work closely with the Chamber’s Board of Directors to ensure a seamless transition.

“You can’t just replace one of the county’s most dynamic and influential leaders,” said Chamber Chair-Elect and Partnership Gwinnett Chairman Phil Wolfe. “We can only seek a new leader who can build upon the work and accomplishments that Jim has initiated.”

Maran’s current affiliations include board representation for Quantum National Bank, Council for Quality Growth, Regional Business Coalition, Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and Georgia Gwinnett College. He also serves in an advisory board role for the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia and Metro Atlanta Chamber. During his Chamber tenure, additional public recognition includes Georgia Trend’s “100 Most Influential Georgians,” Gwinnett Magazine’s “People to Know,” recognition of Gwinnett Chamber as one of the top three chambers by American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), and recognition of Partnership Gwinnett’s receipt of the International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) Award of Excellence for a Multi-Year Economic Development Program for a Large Community.

(GWINNETT- METRO ATLANTA) September 10, 2012 – Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development joins with Galectin Therapeutics in celebrating the relocation of its corporate headquarters to Gwinnett County, metro Atlanta. Galectin Therapeutics, a leader in galectin science and drug development to treat fibrotic disease and cancer, will move its corporate offices next month from the Boston area to its new facility, located at 4960 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Suite 240, Norcross.

Galectin Therapeutics chose Gwinnett County based on its advantageous proximity to the University of Georgia’s Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, one of the world’s premier centers for carbohydrate research, and the robust research and clinical assets throughout metro Atlanta. The Norcross facility will now house Galectin Therapeutics’ executive, strategic and development functions, while its Boston location will continue selected lab-based product development.

“This reorganization is an important move for the Company that will strengthen our ability to deliver on the promise of our carbohydrate-based therapeutic agents and afford us greater opportunities to attract highly-skilled talent in the field of carbohydrates to our Company,” said Peter G. Traber, MD, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer, Galectin Therapeutics. “We will be able to expand on the work we are doing with the world-class researchers at the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, while maintaining the excellent work being done with our collaborators at SBH Sciences. In addition to enhancing our development activities, the move and re-organization will decrease our operations expenses which we will put back into our programs in liver fibrosis and cancer.”

“We welcome Galectin Therapeutics to Georgia’s thriving bioscience community, where it will find numerous opportunities to collaborate with our outstanding research institutions,” said Chris Cummiskey, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “The state has worked hard to cultivate an environment that will help bioscience companies grow, and Galectin Therapeutics’ decision to locate here is a significant testimonial to the strength of our assets.”

“Gwinnett County and metro Atlanta offer an array of resources and incentives that foster a pro-business atmosphere, educated workforce and excellent quality of life,” stated Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash. “We are fortunate that Galectin Therapeutics has chosen to relocate its business to Gwinnett and look forward to seeing them expand and enhance our bioscience community.”

The relocation of Galectin Therapeutics to Gwinnett County positions the company within the region’s Innovation Crescent, which is both a geographic area and coalition of more than a dozen counties and life science and economic development entities, all dedicated to supporting Georgia’s life science growth. The Innovation Crescent, anchored by Atlanta on one end and Athens-Clarke County on the other, encompasses the resources of top research organizations in the Southeast to further life science research. A member of this coalition, Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development works to promote and support the expansions and relocations of health science and service companies and it is considered a target sector industry for the Gwinnett community.

“Galectin Therapeutics’ relocation to Gwinnett County speaks volumes to the area’s biotechnology environment and advantageous location to research facilities,” stated Kellie Brownlow, Director of Economic Development for Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett. “This is yet another example of a growing company choosing to move to Gwinnett—a community which attracts, encourages, and supports its biotechnology industry.”

From educational seminars to one-on-one meetings at the Job Fair to a sold out General Membership Luncheon featuring Governor Nathan Deal, the 2012 Gwinnett Chamber Business Expo & Job Fair, Presented by Gwinnett Medical Center, showcased Gwinnett’s vibrant business community and demonstrated why Gwinnett is leading the way in economic growth and job creation. The Business Expo & Job Fair, held on August 23, 2012 at the Convention Center at Gwinnett Center, drew a crowd of nearly 5,000 attendees and featured a variety of attractions designed to keep businesses abreast of the newest products and services in the Gwinnett business market from more than 150 exhibitors.

“The Business Expo & Job Fair does a fantastic job of showcasing the internal collaboration of business, education, and government along with Gwinnett’s solid reputation for job creation and business growth,” said Jim Maran, president & CEO, Gwinnett Chamber. “The business activity shown at the Expo is second to none and a fine example of Gwinnett’s vibrant economy and its thriving business and economic climate.”

The Expo, like the Gwinnett Chamber, focuses on growing businesses throughout Gwinnett County and metro Atlanta. Programs such as the Expo help to create a pro-business environment for companies looking to grow and expand in Gwinnett resulting in more quality jobs and a better quality of life.

In addition to Presenting Sponsor Gwinnett Medical Center, event sponsors included Silent Auction Sponsor Delta Community Credit Union; Media Sponsor Gwinnett Daily Post; Platinum Sponsors AT&T Ad Solutions, Cadillac Jack, Direct Processor, LLC and Talk 920; Gold Sponsors Gwinnett Center, Gwinnett Convention & Visitors Bureau, Proof of the Pudding, Southern Refreshment Services; and Silver Sponsors Allgood Pest Solutions, Dad’s Famous Apparel, DeVry University, ExpandaBrand, Ncompass and Purchasing Alliance Solutions.

Visit www.gwinnettexpo.com for more details on the Gwinnett Chamber Business Expo & Job Fair.

(GWINNETT- METRO ATLANTA) August 24, 2012— Over 75 elected and appointed Gwinnett leaders assembled today for Partnership Gwinnett’s inaugural Redevelopment Bus Tour. The tour, which included stops in two of Gwinnett’s peer communities—West Village in Vinings, Market Village and Olde Town in Woodstock—enabled Gwinnett leaders to learn best practices for attracting and retaining young professionals through the use of redevelopment.

“It’s intriguing to see how other communities implement mixed-use developments,” said District 2 Commissioner Lynette Howard. “Tours like this one provide valuable knowledge to those of us who are charged with making land use decisions.”

After viewing mixed-use, retail, commercial, single-family and multi-family facilities and housing, Gwinnett officials spoke with peer leaders and developers who have already facilitated redevelopment in their communities through the implementation of zoning ordinances, regulations and incentives. Each community visited was selected based on the transferability of the projects to cities in Gwinnett County and all have successfully identified and executed the future of development—redevelopment.

“Gwinnett’s location, education system and workforce make it an attractive choice for redevelopers, however the initiatives and strategies must be in place to allow for it,” said Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson. “This bus tour allowed us to explore what other communities have done to promote redevelopment and to discuss these ideas with other Gwinnett leaders that were on the tour.”

Chuck Warbington, Executive Director of Gwinnett Village CID stated, “As properties outlive their initial purpose, redevelopment enables them to be reused to better serve our community’s current needs. With limited availability of undeveloped land to build the walk-able, urban communities demanded by young professionals, our focus must be to ensure redevelopment is utilized to attract both businesses and talent to Gwinnett.”

Since its inception in 2007, Partnership Gwinnett has been actively engaged in community development. Through the work of its Redevelopment Council and annual Redevelopment Forum, Partnership Gwinnett seeks to educate and spur action within Gwinnett leaders to redevelop areas of the community, and thus attract and retain the 18-34 year old population to the community. The public-private partnership launched its second strategy in January, with goals to continue comprehensive economic development in the community, facilitate the ongoing development of world class talent, and promote community and leadership development.

“Gwinnett’s peer communities offer the elements that the next generation of young professionals is looking for: a place to live, work, and play within a walk-able community, with a choice of multiple housing options,” stated Kellie Brownlow, Director of Economic Development, Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett. “As demand for these types of communities continues to increase, it is vital for Gwinnett leadership to explore policies and practices that foster redevelopment and help to attract and retain Gwinnett’s future workforce.”

Governor Nathan Deal addressed more than 400 Gwinnett Chamber members and guests at the General Membership Luncheon Presented by Rocket IT on August 23. The luncheon – which preceded the Gwinnett Chamber Business Expo and Job Fair Presented by Gwinnett Medical Center - was held in the Gwinnett Center Grand Ballroom from 11:15 a.m. – 1 p.m. At the General Membership Luncheon, Gov. Deal discussed his goal of positioning Georgia as the best place in the nation to do business.

“Communities such as Gwinnett that encourage business growth and provide an attractive place to live and play are what make this state one of the best places to do business, not just in the nation, but internationally as well,” said Gov. Deal. “Only by working together with the many vibrant communities across the state can we make Georgia the most globally competitive place to grow businesses. Gwinnett is a leader when it comes to preparing our future workforce for the jobs of tomorrow. Parents and community leaders have teamed up to achieve excellence in education, and the county boasts the highest-performing state-approved charter school in Georgia, Ivy Prep.”

Nathan Deal took the oath of office as Georgia’s 82nd governor on Jan. 10, 2011. In his first term, he has cut state taxes, eliminated state agencies, reduced the state government workforce, saved the HOPE Scholarship from the brink of bankruptcy, championed education innovations, cracked down on illegal immigration and implemented significant cost-saving reforms in our criminal justice system. The governor’s top goal is making Georgia the No. 1 place in the nation to do business, a goal he’s strived toward by creating the Competitiveness Initiative, reforming our tax code and recruiting businesses to relocate here.

“In order to grow job opportunities and create wealth in Gwinnett and the state of Georgia, it is essential that we work together at the local, regional and state levels,” said Jim Maran, president & CEO, Gwinnett Chamber. “The Gwinnett Chamber has a strong working relationship with Governor Deal and has greatly benefited from his support in our economic development efforts and his high level of engagement with the Gwinnett community. This luncheon with Governor Deal presented a wonderful opportunity to continue this collaboration in order to achieve our common goal of economic success.”

For more information on upcoming events at the Gwinnett Chamber visit www.gwinnettchamber.org/events.

The 5K/10K run, designed to encourage friendly competition among businesses, co-workers, family and friends, will directly benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Dream House for Medically Fragile Children, and Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation.
“Gwinnett residents are passionate about their sports and as the state’s leading sports medicine provider, so are we,” said Phil Wolfe, President & CEO, Gwinnett Medical Center. “As we maintain our commitment to transforming healthcare, we are looking forward to supporting our active community at the Gwinnett Chamber’s Button Down Dash.”

Business colleagues, family and friends are encouraged to visit www.buttondowndash.com and sign up to race together. Race materials for registered participants can be obtained at the Gwinnett Chamber on Friday, August 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Businesses in the area may also wish to consider a sponsorship as a great way to make a difference in the community. It is because of generous sponsorships the event can meet its goals of charitable assistance to three very important organizations and community engagement. Sponsoring businesses will have an opportunity to showcase their products or services following the race. To learn more about the race and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.buttondowndash.com.

In addition to his ongoing service to the city of Norcross, Johnson is a board member of the Atlanta Regional Commission, Chairman of the Gwinnett Tech Foundation, and on the executive board of the Gwinnett Municipal Association. He is also an active Chairman’s Club member of the Gwinnett Chamber.

“On behalf of the Gwinnett Chamber and its Board of Directors, it is my privilege to congratulate Bucky Johnson on being named Chairman of the Metro Atlanta Mayors Association,” said Jim Maran, President & CEO, Gwinnett Chamber. “He is an outstanding and committed individual and will make great strides as Chairman of MAMA, just as he does so often in our community.”

About MAMA: The Metro Atlanta Mayors Association (MAMA), created in 2003, is a cooperative alliance of the mayors of 65 cities in the 10-county metro Atlanta region. Their purpose is to foster communications among cities in the metro Atlanta region, support public policy decisions beneficial to them, coordinate activities among the cities that benefit the entire region, and communicate identified needs to federal, state and regional agencies and organizations and to the citizens of the region.

(GWINNETT METRO ATLANTA NEWS) – July 18 – With a strong history of creating a legacy of success in Gwinnett and metro Atlanta, Leadership Gwinnett is pleased to announce the 28^th class set to begin in August 2012 to drive positive change in the region. From the nearly 500 nominations received each year for the nine-month experience, Leadership Gwinnett alumni selected the final group of 40 based on work experience, accomplishments, community involvement, education and other information from their individual applications.  The program year is comprised of two overnight retreats, seven one-day symposia covering world class community, infrastructure, economics, education, health & human services, justice and regional relations, as well as monthly study groups and other activities.

“Choosing the class requires balancing the occupations, qualifications and commitment of the candidates to ensure a representation that reflects a cross-section of the county.  The caliber of these applicants makes selection more difficult.  Since the class size is limited to 40, many excellent candidates are not chosen on their first nomination.  For this reason, we strongly encourage candidates to apply again if not selected,” said Lisa Zaken, Executive Director, Leadership Gwinnett.

“Leadership Gwinnett has been a tremendous success for our county.  Since the program’s inception in 1985, over 850 alumni have taken their places in our community as decision makers and role models.  Leadership graduates can be found in every aspect of Gwinnett business, civic and cultural life,” said Dan King, General Chair, Leadership Gwinnett and retired partner, King & Spalding.

The 2012-2013 Leadership Gwinnett Class includes:

Mark Abrams, President, Aspen Information Systems

Brant Aden, CEO, Foresite Group, Inc.

Lisa Anders, Executive Director, Gwinnett Convention & Visitors Bureau

Susan Bacon, President, Palmetto Grant Consulting

Aaron Bovos, CFO & Deputy County Administrator, Gwinnett County

Amy Bray, Member/Partner, Andersen, Tate & Carr, P.C.

Kellie Brownlow, Director, Economic Development, Gwinnett Chamber

Sally Corbett, Executive Director, ArtWorks! Gwinnett

Jennifer Dunn, Teacher of the Year, Pharr Elementary/Gwinnett County Public Schools

Brian Edwards, Attorney/Partner, Webb, Tanner, Powell, Mertz & Wilson, LLP

Jennifer Fero, Assistant Principal, Grayson Technical/Gwinnett County Public Schools

Dan Foster, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Suwanee, & Enterprise Data Solutions Verizon Enterprise Solutions

Jorge Gomez, Executive Director of Administration & Policy, Gwinnett County Public Schools

Lynette Howard, District 2 Commissioner, Gwinnett County

Tim Hur, CEO, International Business Accelerator

Kimberly Hutcherson, MD, Director, Breast Imaging and Intervention, Gwinnett Breast Center-Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Medical Center

Nola Jackson, Partner, Cruser & Mitchell, LLP

Jay Kalke, Co-Founder/Vice President, Kaltech International

Kelly Kautz, Mayor, City of Snellville, Attorney/Owner, Law Office of Kelly D. Kautz, LLC

Ron Lee, Jr., Financial Advisor, Edward Jones

Eddie Long, CPA/Owner, Napoli & Long, PC, CPA’s

Julianna McConnell, President/CEO, The Preston Group

Lee Merritt, Owner, Merritt Properties

Zach Mills, DVM, Owner, Tiger Tails Animal Hospital

Julie Potts, Chief Asst. Solicitor, Gwinnett County

Andrew Pourchier, Partner, Rhodes, Young, Black & Duncan

Justin Price, Mortgage Loan Originator, Home Lending Source

Stacy Pruitt, General Manager, Dave & Buster’s

Bill Sloan, Sr. Business Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo Bank NA

Jay Smith, Jr., MD, Emergency Medicine Physician, Gwinnett Emergency Specialists, PC

Alana Sulka, Director of Epidemiology & Community Health, Gwinnett County Board of Health

Pat Sweeney, PhD, Executive Director, Leadership Institute, Georgia Gwinnett College

Chip Sweney, Executive Leadership Team, Perimeter Church

Alisa Toney, Alumni Relations & Development Officer, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Nancy Trujillo, COO, Annandale at Suwanee, Inc.

Radha Vettraino, Vice President, Bank of America

David Welden, Executive VP of Administration, Gwinnett Technical College

Michelle West, Managing Attorney, M. West Legal, LLC

Nadine White, Chief of Staff, Cisco

Tyler White, Asst. VP, Commercial Relationship Manager, United Community Bank

The success of Leadership Gwinnett depends largely on financial and other support from our community.  The generosity of our Sustaining Partners enhances the overall experience for our participants and ensures that a truly diverse network of leaders will be prepared to guide Gwinnett’s future. 

The 2012-13 Sustaining Partners include The Brand Banking Co., Brand Mortgage, Cisco Systems, Inc., Eastside Medical Center, Garrard Group, Inc., Georgia Gwinnett College, Gwinnett Medical Center, King & Spalding, The John Maxwell Co., McClellan, Allen & Associates, LLC and Primerica, as well as Accent South Media, Andersen, Tate & Carr, P.C., Rialto Capital/The WaterFront on Lake Oconee and Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes.

Leadership Gwinnett, The Leadership Gwinnett Foundation and the Gwinnett Chamber work cooperatively each year to develop a group of leaders that ultimately create a legacy of success by applying their talents to drive positive change for our community. For more information visit www.leadershipgwinnett.com.

Gwinnett County, Metro Atlanta, Ga. (July 11, 2012) – In an effort to further assist and inform voters as they prepare for the July 31 primary elections, the Gwinnett Chamber has posted survey results from candidates seeking elected offices that represent Gwinnett.

Designed to inform Chamber members about the candidates and their positions on issues important to job creators in their district, the survey was sent to all candidates – local, state, and federal – who are elected by the citizens of Gwinnett County.

“It is vitally important that voters can identify candidates who are committed to supporting economic development and job growth,” said Raymer Sale, 2012 Chairman of the Gwinnett Chamber and President/CEO of E2E Resources, Inc. “Commitment to strengthening our community and improving quality of life should be priority number one.” 

Candidates were asked to respond to questions about key business issues, including economic development, education, legal and regulatory reforms, and transportation. The Chamber sent the survey to all qualified candidates running for office. Reponses received have been published as submitted.

 “While the Chamber does not endorse candidates, we believe it is essential that local candidates understand key issues and priorities that impact our economy and business community,” said Jann Moore, Vice President of Public Policy, Leadership, and Education at the Gwinnett Chamber.

 To view and download the entire 2012 candidate survey results, please click here, or visit www.GwinnettChamberPublicPolicy.com.

Partnership Gwinnett and Community Celebrate Positive Business Growth Despite Challenging Economy

(GWINNETT- METRO ATLANTA) July 5, 2012— Partnership Gwinnett, the metro Atlanta economic and community development initiative, celebrated Gwinnett’s 37th consecutive month with the lowest unemployment rate of the five core metro Atlanta counties (Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics, Gwinnett’s preliminary unemployment rate for May 2012 was 7.7 percent. Gwinnett is also the only core metro Atlanta county to have had an unemployment rate at or below the national average consistently for the past 37 months. At the same time, Gwinnett’s labor force is expanding, the only of the five core counties to have a larger labor force in May 2012 than it did in 2007.

The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), another BLS program which reports on the employment and wages of establishments, recently released figures that offered more optimistic news for the private sector. According to the QCEW’s findings, Gwinnett experienced a 1.7 percent growth in the number of establishments in 2011, the first time the number has grown since 2009 and the highest it has been since 2007. QCEW figures also revealed that the number of employees in Gwinnett grew 2.3 percent in 2011, the first time the county has seen positive employment growth since 2006. The data shows positive signs for Gwinnett wages as well, with average weekly wages rising by 3.4 percent in 2011, the highest it has grown since 2006.

“These numbers offer proof that Gwinnett is a strong and vibrant county that continues to succeed even in challenging economic times,” stated Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash. “Gwinnett’s continued low unemployment rate, combined with positive business growth in 2011, speaks to the resiliency of this community and its continued efforts to strengthen the local economy and bring jobs to the area.”

This news supports the ongoing economic development efforts of Partnership Gwinnett, an initiative led by the Gwinnett Chamber and a host of public and private investors. The initiative targets the retention and expansion of existing Gwinnett businesses in addition to developing new business in key market segments. Now in its second five-year strategy implementation, the ultimate goal of Partnership Gwinnett is to promote economic wealth and diversification, support education and workforce excellence and improve the quality of life for the entire Gwinnett community.

“As these findings offer positive news for Gwinnett County, they are also a reflection of the goals of Partnership Gwinnett and its continued collaboration between key partners in the community,” said Phil Wolfe, Gwinnett Medical Center President/CEO and Partnership Gwinnett Chairman. “These reports celebrate Gwinnett’s solid reputation as a pro-business community and provide further opportunity to attract new businesses and jobs to the area.”

“These figures support not only our efforts, but the work and dedication of our public and private partners and their commitment to economic development,” said Nick Masino, Senior Vice President of Partnership Gwinnett and Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development. “As our community continues to grow, we are confident that Gwinnett will consistently experience more of these positive economic trends.”

“This new assembly operation is vital in creating increased flexibility, matching our market’s demands, and providing immediate availability of our products to our customers,” stated OLI North America President Gianni Varini. “By expanding our plant in Gwinnett, we are able to stand by our company motto of making our products available ‘When you need it, Where you need it.’”

OLI is responsible for engineering, manufacturing, and supplying high-performance electric and pneumatic industrial vibratory motors and flow aids for use in machines in the food, construction, foundry, and plastics handling processes. OLI belongs to the WAMGROUP, a global corporation headquartered in Italy and employer of 2,300 worldwide. This expansion represents the first phase of OLI’s vision to increase its workforce and efficiency of service, flexibility and delivery time over the next five years. The company plans to add both headcount and additional capabilities to its Gwinnett presence in coming phases.

“OLI’s calculated decision to expand its only North American facility in Gwinnett to better serve this large market area speaks to the county’s strong business environment,” said Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash. “We are pleased to celebrate the continued growth of this global company in our community.”

The expansion of OLI supports the ongoing economic development efforts of Partnership Gwinnett, a globally recognized, internationally award-winning initiative led by the Gwinnett Chamber and a host of public and private partners. The initiative targets the retention and expansion of existing Gwinnett businesses, while also seeking to develop new business in key industries. Now in its second five-year strategy implementation, Partnership Gwinnett’s ultimate goal is to promote jobs and wealth creation, support education and workforce excellence, and improve the quality of life for the Gwinnett community.

“This project is another great example of our strong partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Foreign Direct Investment Team, who brought OLI to metro Atlanta, and the Existing Industry Team, who have worked with us in the expansion phase. We are honored that this global company has chosen to remain and expand its operations in Gwinnett County,” said Troels Adrian, Advanced Manufacturing & Supply Chain Project Manager, Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development. “OLI is yet another expansion in our already strong material handling and food processing equipment industry, and we look forward to assisting them with their growth in the future.”

A global manufacturer, OLI is the largest company and boasts the widest, completely owned distribution network in the industry. Headquartered in Modena, Italy, the OLI Group operates 36 offices and warehouses worldwide and anticipates the opening of two more divisions by the end of 2012.

For more information on OLI, please visit olivibrator.com. To learn more about the local economic development efforts of Partnership Gwinnett, please visit partnershipgwinnett.com.

(GWINNETT- METRO ATLANTA) May 24, 2012—Partnership Gwinnett, the Gwinnett Chamber and local community and business leaders joined Cavanna Packaging USA, Inc. - a subsidiary of Cavanna Packaging Group, S.p.A. - to celebrate the grand opening of its North American headquarters operations in Gwinnett. The grand opening also highlighted Cavanna Packaging USA’s year-end employment projection totaling 12 initial jobs with that number expected to significantly grow as production increases. The opening of Cavanna Packaging USA, Inc. and its 21,000 square foot building – leased at 2150 Northmont Parkway, Suite A in Duluth – represents the company’s efforts to expand its customer base and market share in North America. It also represents Gwinnett’s growing reputation as a global business destination and a new, important addition to the County’s thriving packaging and material handling industry.

“As a company with a 52 year successful history of providing complete wrapping machines and systems, we are pleased to bring our services and products to North America,” said Riccardo Cavanna, CEO, Cavanna Packaging Group, S.p.A. “Upon recommendation from a fellow business owner to consider Duluth for Cavanna’s expansion, our own review has shown this insight to be correct. Gwinnett County has proven to be the perfect launching pad to grow and expand our customer base.”

Cavanna Packaging Group – with global headquarters in Prato Sesia, Italy – designs, produces and distributes automatic machines and turnkey systems for single pack and multipack wrapping of food, pharmaceutical, and non-food products. The family-owned business started in 1960 by Mario Cavanna made efforts to open a location in the U.S. in 2011 and ultimately chose Gwinnett because of its business-friendly environment, the proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and the area’s skilled workforce.

“After several months of evaluating many locations in other states, Duluth became the obvious choice for our company,” said Charles Haley, General Manager, Cavanna Packaging USA, Inc. “The close proximity of a major airport for both domestic and international flights – making for easy access for our customers and our parent company – along with a vast base for technical expertise for years to come are just a few of the reasons why Cavanna chose to locate its North American headquarters in Gwinnett. We couldn’t be more pleased with our decision to locate in Duluth and we look forward to working with our new partners in the community.”

Complementing Cavanna Packaging Group’s other facilities in Italy and Brazil, Cavanna Packaging USA provides manufacturing, engineering, sales and service support and parts inventory operations. The end result of their current operations at the Duluth facility leased by ProLogis is packaging systems and their ultimate goal of the U.S. operations is to support customers in all phases of the flow wrapping process in an effort to offer savings in time, space, engineering and energy.

“Cavanna is a unique company with a strong global connection; we are delighted to have this strategic industry expansion for Gwinnett,” said Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash. “We look forward to watching them grow and flourish in our community.”

The opening of Cavanna Packaging USA and the manufacturing industry as a whole supports the ongoing economic development efforts of Partnership Gwinnett. Led by the Gwinnett Chamber and a host of public and private investors, this initiative targets the retention and expansion of existing Gwinnett businesses in addition to developing new business in key market segments. The ultimate goal of the initiative, now in its second five-year strategy implementation phase, is to promote jobs and wealth creation, support education and workforce excellence and improve the quality of life for the entire Gwinnett community.

“Prologis offered a quality option that was able to be easily customized to meet the specific needs of Cavanna’s operations,” said Jeff Lucas, Senior Leasing Manager, Prologis. “Our company is excited to be partnering with Gwinnett in recruiting jobs to the community and we look forward to seeing Cavanna grow and expand in one of Prologis’ facilities.”

“The decision by Cavanna Packaging Group to locate their North American headquarters in Gwinnett speaks volumes to our reputation as a global leader for company locations as well as Gwinnett’s attractiveness for advanced manufacturers and the success of Partnership Gwinnett,” said Troels Adrian, Advanced Manufacturing & Supply Chain Project Manager, Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development. “In addition, Cavanna’s custom-made packaging solutions will be a rich asset to the already strong packaging and material handling industry in Gwinnett.”

For more information on Cavanna Packaging Group, please visit www.cavanna.com/cavannausa. And to learn about the local economic development efforts of Partnership Gwinnett, go to partnershipgwinnett.com.

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About Partnership Gwinnett
Partnership Gwinnett is Gwinnett’s economic and community development initiative. Led by the Gwinnett Chamber and a host of public and private partners, the initiative targets the retention and expansion of existing Gwinnett businesses in addition to the development of new business in five key market segments: Health Sciences & Services; Information Technology; Advanced Manufacturing/ Supply Chain Management; and Corporate Headquarters/Professional Services. The ultimate goal is to promote economic wealth & diversification, increase education and work force excellence, improve quality of life and heighten visibility through marketing and outreach programs for the entire Gwinnett community. For more information on Partnership Gwinnett, the internationally award-winning community and economic development initiative, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.

Project Manager
Advanced Manufacturing & Supply Chain, Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development
Troels Adrian | Troels@gwinnettchamber.org | 678-672-2567

Media Contacts
Lisa Sherman | Lisa@gwinnettchamber.org | 678.584.2267
Delaine Gray | Delaine@gwinnettchamber.org | 770.232.8808

(Gwinnett – Metro Atlanta News) May 24, 2012 – Joined by Partnership Gwinnett, the Gwinnett Chamber and a host of organizations and leaders, Encompass Supply Chain Solutions, Inc. – a market leader in supply chain management, parts distribution and repair services for a wide range of high-tech products and consumer electronics – recently celebrated the grand opening of one of the company’s divisional headquarters in Gwinnett County, Metro Atlanta, Georgia. The grand opening, which highlighted the creation of 60 jobs, featured a tour of the distribution center and the newly renovated high-tech product repair facility. Initial capital investment was estimated at a quarter of a million dollars, and the project represents another win for the nationally-recognized community and economic development initiative, Partnership Gwinnett.

“Gwinnett County has proven to be an ideal strategic location for our customers and our employees, and we look forward to continuing to grow our operations in the area,” said Robert Coolidge, Encompass President & CEO.

Patrick Joseph, executive vice president and general manager of the Encompass Service Solutions division, which relocated to Gwinnett County from Florida, said the resources and talent in the area are unmatched.

“As providers of highly technical repair services, we are in need of specialized skill sets, which we are able to draw upon from the Gwinnett County and surrounding labor pool,” said Joseph. “With access to this caliber of talent, we can more easily expand our services into new product categories.”

Existing operations at the ESS facility, located at 775 Tipton Industrial Drive in Lawrenceville, include repair services for a host of electronic products, such as entertainment systems, tablet and laptop computers, printers, GPS units and medical equipment. Distribution, inventory management, accounting, call center and IT jobs are also based out of the Gwinnett location.

“Congratulations to Encompass on its grand opening,” said Chris Cummiskey, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “We’re pleased the company is taking advantage of Georgia’s robust business climate to put down roots and become an integral part of the community.”

“Encompass’s decision to relocate their Service division to Gwinnett, leading to the creation of 60 new jobs in our community, is a testament to the vibrant business environment Gwinnett offers,” said Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash. “We are pleased to have them in our community.”

“Encompass’s relocation brings quality jobs in a targeted industry to our community,” said City of Lawrenceville Mayor Judy Johnson. “We are pleased they have chosen Lawrenceville as their choice location for doing business in Georgia. We look forward to a continued strong and vibrant partnership with them.”

Georgia Quick Start, through Gwinnett Technical College, has assisted Encompass in preparing new hires for work in the growing Gwinnett operations.

“We’re proud to be working with Encompass as their Quick Start training partner to support the expansion of their Gwinnett operations. Providing the education and training Encompass needs for these new employees is a vital part of our workforce development mission,” explained Sharon Bartels, President of Gwinnett Technical College. “Encompass has a well-earned reputation for excellence in customer service and supply chain management, and we look forward to contributing to their continued success.”

Encompass is continuing to diversify into vertical markets beyond consumer electronics and seeking to provide comprehensive end-to-end supply chain management services outside distribution. As they add new outsourcing clients, Encompass will scale their workforce accordingly.

“It has been exciting to work with Encompass through their relocation to the final grand opening, which represents new jobs and economic investment in the community,” said Troels Adrian, Manufacturing & Supply Chain Project Manager at Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development. “It is our goal through Partnership Gwinnett to help companies like Encompass grow and expand in Gwinnett.”

For more information on Encompass, please visit www.encompass.com. And to learn more about the local economic development efforts of Partnership Gwinnett, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.

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About Encompass Supply Chain Solutions, Inc.
Encompass is a market leader in forward and reverse supply chain management and high-tech repair services for a diverse and expanding range of consumer electronics, computer, major appliance and imaging products. Encompass, through its business units Encompass Parts Distribution and Encompass Service Solutions, provides end-to-end solutions for top OEMs, retailers, independent dealers and third-party administrators. Encompass manages all stages of the product lifecycle, including finished goods and replacement parts logistics, board repair and product refurbishment services, returns management, asset value recovery and eco-friendly disposal. For more information, please visit encompass.com.

About Partnership Gwinnett
Partnership Gwinnett is Gwinnett’s economic and community development initiative. Led by the Gwinnett Chamber and a host of public and private partners, the initiative targets the retention and expansion of existing Gwinnett businesses in addition to the development of new business in five key market segments: Health Sciences & Services; Information Technology; Advanced Manufacturing/ Supply Chain Management; and Corporate Headquarters/Professional Services. The ultimate goal is to promote economic wealth & diversification, increase education and work force excellence, improve quality of life and heighten visibility through marketing and outreach programs for the entire Gwinnett community. For more information on Partnership Gwinnett, the internationally award-winning community and economic development initiative, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.

Project Manager
Advanced Manufacturing & Supply Chain, Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development
Troels Adrian | Troels@gwinnettchamber.org | 678-672-2567

Media Contacts
Lisa Sherman | Lisa@gwinnettchamber.org | 678.584.2267
Delaine Gray | Delaine@gwinnettchamber.org | 770.232.8808

(GWINNETT- METRO ATLANTA) May 4, 2012—Partnership Gwinnett, the Gwinnett Chamber and a host of organizations and leaders joined 12Stone® Church for the groundbreaking of its new state-of-the-art John C. Maxwell Leadership Center on Friday, May 4. The 70,000 square-foot facility will serve as the Sugarloaf campus of 12Stone Church while also functioning as the headquarter location for John C. Maxwell’s training organization EQUIP®.

With more than a decade of personal mentoring by Maxwell, 12Stone’s Pastor Kevin Myers experienced the impact of Maxwell’s leadership expertise firsthand. “We approached John to enter this partnership with us to honor his contribution to the international leadership landscape and the value of his legacy,” said 12Stone Pastor Kevin Myers. “As for location, Gwinnett County has been our home for almost 25 years. We are honored to expand here knowing the high value Gwinnett places on leadership.”

Located at 2050 Sugarloaf Circle, Duluth, Georgia 30097, the soon-to-be-built facility will offer much needed space for 12Stone Church to develop the next generation of ministry leaders while enabling the aggressively growing organization to train future and present pastors and ministry leaders through partnerships with Wesley Seminary and Indiana Wesleyan University. It will also provide a location for John C. Maxwell to produce his digital leadership library for businesses and ministries. Currently, EQUIP® and The John Maxwell Company have trained more than five million leaders worldwide.

“This center will carry my passion for training leaders and will create an expanding and enduring legacy of leadership for generations to come,” shared John C. Maxwell.

Special guest – Delta Air Lines CEO, EQUIP® Board Member and 12Stone Church member, Ed Bastian – added, “The success of the next generation hinges on our ability to reproduce leaders with competence and character.”

U.S. Congressman Rob Woodall who also spoke at the ceremony commented, “Among my many favorite John Maxwell quotes is, ‘Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.’ Change defines our future. This new center will grow the leaders who will mold it.”

In addition to founding the Center, 12Stone Church has a large impact on the Gwinnett community, adding 66 employees over the past 10 years and currently employing over 105. In 2011 alone, 12Stone Church contracted with 120 vendors, contractors and professional service providers, the majority of which are Gwinnett-based businesses and individuals, for services totaling over $1.5 million. Presently ranking among the 30 largest churches in the United States, 12Stone Church was the fastest-growing church in Georgia in 2011.

Partnership Gwinnett, the community and economic development initiative led by the Gwinnett Chamber and a host of public and private partners, has been actively engaged in cultivating leadership development opportunities since its inception in 2007.

“Developing local leadership is important to Gwinnett in many ways, including economic development,” said Charlotte Nash, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman. “Fostering the next generation of leaders is critical for Gwinnett’s future growth and success, as well as a key to enhancing our community’s vitality. I am pleased to welcome the John C. Maxwell Leadership Center, which will serve as a rich resource for leadership development for years to come.”

“Leadership is a defining aspect of Gwinnett that sets our County apart from all others,” said Jim Maran, President & CEO, Gwinnett Chamber. “The John C. Maxwell Leadership Center along with the expansion of 12Stone within Gwinnett will add to the richness of Gwinnett’s world-class community. We are truly honored that this dynamic institution has chosen to call Gwinnett home.”

Later this evening, EQUIP® a non-profit, global leadership development organization founded by John C. Maxwell, will host an event at 12Stone with Maxwell and NFL Quarterback Tim Tebow in an effort to bring more awareness to the work of EQUIP® around the world. More information about that event can be found here.

For more information on The John C. Maxwell Leadership Center, visit maxwellcenter.com. And to learn about the local economic development efforts of Partnership Gwinnett, please visit partnershipgwinnett.com.

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About Partnership Gwinnett
Partnership Gwinnett is Gwinnett’s economic and community development initiative. Led by the Gwinnett Chamber and a host of public and private partners, the initiative targets the retention and expansion of existing Gwinnett businesses in addition to the development of new business in five key market segments: Health Sciences & Services; Advanced Communications; Information Technology; Advanced Manufacturing/ Supply Chain Management; and Corporate Headquarters/Professional Services. The ultimate goal is to promote economic wealth & diversification, increase education and work force excellence, improve quality of life and heighten visibility through marketing and outreach programs for the entire Gwinnett community. For more information on Partnership Gwinnett, the internationally award-winning community and economic development initiative, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.

GWINNETT METRO ATLANTA NEWS) – April 27 – In an effort to recognize Gwinnett’s small businesses and entrepreneurs as pivotal to America’s economic growth and stability, the Gwinnett Chamber and Presenting Sponsor The Atlanta Journal-Constitution hosted the 2012 Pinnacle Awards on April 27. The event, themed by growth, success and community engagement, named the Overall Small Business of the Year and honored dozens of successful small businesses and entrepreneurs for extraordinary achievement.

 ProCare Prosthetics and Orthotics Owner Stephen A. Schulte and Mariamne Schulte were awarded the 2012 Overall Gwinnett Small Business of the Year Award and were also the winner of Gwinnett’s Small Business of the Year for the 10 – 99 employee category. Additional Small Business of the Year Awards were presented to Scott Satory with Service First Roofing  for the 1 – 9 employee category and A.C. Myers III with The Myers Group for the 100+ employee category. Twenty-two additional small businesses were awarded Pinnacle Awards and named among the prestigious “Pinnacle Top 25” for demonstrating unprecedented growth and contribution to the community.

“These risk-takers, innovators, and givers are the ones who create jobs and provide much-needed services for our community, leading to a better quality of life for everyone,” said Gwinnett Chamber President & CEO Jim Maran. “These are the leaders who are laying the foundation for a bright future full of hopes, dreams and opportunities. For this, these small business owners and non-profits deserve to be recognized and celebrated.”

Also featured at the Pinnacle Awards was the prestigious Pacesetter Award recognizing companies that have raced past the competition – displaying innovation and determination. This year’s Pacesetter Award was given to Cynthia Kaye, President & CEO of Logical Choice Technologies, Inc.

In addition, Gwinnett’s top non-profit organizations, whose generous and inspiring efforts can be seen and felt throughout Gwinnett, were also recognized at the awards luncheon. The following organizations are the winners of the 2012 Pinnacle Non-Profit Awards: Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services, Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation, Jacqueline Casey Hudgens Center for the Arts, and Rainbow Village, Inc..

And finally, the winner of the 2nd Annual Amazing Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition was announced with this year’s award going to CubeVibe’s Aaron Aycock, Founder & CEO, and Shara Aycock, Head of Operations. This competition is an initiative by Partnership Gwinnett, Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development and The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to foster new business development in Gwinnett County. It offers Gwinnett entrepreneurs a chance to win cash and prizes to support their businesses, based upon the quality of their business plans.

The Pinnacle Small Business Award Winners
 ProCare Prosthetics and Orthotics- Overall Small Business of the Year and Small Business of the Year (10 – 99 employee category)
ProCare Prosthetics and Orthotics, a medical practice providing prosthetic devices for upper and lower extremities for amputees, goes above and beyond the call of duty for its patients. One of many examples of their care and compassion is the development of the C.A.R.E. Initiative. Under this program, referring physicians are informed that, whenever possible, ProCare would like to begin seeing patients before the scheduled amputation. This program has resulted in shorter hospital stays and faster rehabilitation saving considerable medical expenses. Through programs like C.A.R.E., ProCare has continued to increase its employee base and add jobs to the local economy.

 Service First Roofing- Small Business Person of the Year (1 – 9 employees)
As a family owned business created at the peak of the recent recession, Service First Roofing is a full service commercial roofing company that specializes in roof preventative maintenance, repair and new roof installations. What makes Service First different from its vast number of competitors is its high standard of service and business motto, “Treat others the way you want to be treated”. Adhering to this level of integrity means Service First delivers honest, cost effective resolutions to both its new and returning customers.

The Myers Group- Small Business Person of the Year (100+ employee category)
Founded by A. C. Myers over 18 years ago, The Myers Group was built on a commitment to serve the health care community and give a voice to the needs and experiences of patients and health plan members. From its beginnings as a start-up company conducting patient surveys, The Myers Group is now a full-service health care solutions organization and continues to experience rapid growth and success. Now a leader in health care survey research, its owner A. C. exhibits the traits crucial to expand a company in today’s market: the ability to adapt, embrace progress and constantly respond to the needs of his clients.

Aaron Plumbing, Inc Aaron Plumbing was founded over 27 years ago by Tim Adams, a third generation Master Plumber. Now, with his son, Aaron, a fourth generation Master Plumber, they manage a team of highly trained, licensed technicians who are committed to providing customer satisfaction and high quality service. With nearly 700 five-star reviews on Kudzu, two consecutive Super Service Awards and an A grade with the Better Business Bureau, Aaron Plumbing has earned the distinction as a clean and professional business.

American Painting & Renovations, Inc. Almost two decades have passed since Sid Theus began doing business as a small local paint contractor. Since those early days, hard work, a clear vision and planning has allowed American Painting & Renovations to grow into a nationally recognized renovation contractor. When most construction companies were closing their doors, American Painting & Renovations’ focus on quality workmanship, competitive pricing and customer service allowed the company to weather the economic storm.

Ameriprise Financial-Kevin O’Brien, CFP, ChFC As a Platinum Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial for over 13 years, Kevin O’Brien provides financial planning services—including risk management, wealth accumulation and distribution strategies—to individuals, executives and business owners. In an industry where advisors adhere to the philosophy of “clients are just a number”, O’Brien has created and implemented a client service model to better service customers at a higher, more personal level. To combat the uncertain market of the past few years, O’Brien has remained dedicated to serving his clients through tailored, personal attention, educational seminars and workshops and training for his employees.

Atlanta Housing Source at Solid Source Realty In what most people and news outlets portray as a “bad time for home sales,” Atlanta Housing Source at Solid Source Realty continues to excel and perform in the top of its industry with caring service that is second to none. Atlanta Housing Source is growing during a down market by employing agents with servant hearts, enabling them to respond to the many people who are underwater on their mortgages and find solutions for them so that they can move forward with their lives.

Bella Fiore’ Salon, LLC At Bella Fiore’ Salon, owners Marla Peoples and Jennifer Sewell work hard to set themselves apart from the competition by giving each of their guests an experience that will make them feel special and appreciated. From greeting each client by name, to offering new product promotions, to making follow-up calls to each new guest, Bella Fiore creates an experience that makes them stand out. This dedication has earned Bella Fiore’ Best of Gwinnett for three consecutive years for Best Hair Salon by Gwinnett Magazine.

Blue Landworks, LLC Founded in 2008, the worst real estate year in metro Atlanta’s history, Blue Landworks’ philosophy is to provide the highest quality solutions for today’s civil and site engineering and land survey challenges at a value that enhances the client’s project’s success. In addition to strategic partnerships, Blue Landworks continues to experience explosive growth and provide high competency, attention to detail, community involvement and an unmatched level of service to its customers.

Coles Barton, LLP In 2009, despite a difficult economic environment, Matthew Coles and Thomas Barton decided to open their own law firm, offering the same high-quality legal services clients expect from large Atlanta firms in a more cost efficient and client-driven setting. Specializing in business and insurance-related litigation, as well as arbitration and mediation, this aspiration has proved successful as Coles Barton continues to grow in revenue and employee size each year.

Deluxe Athletics, LLC Deluxe Athletics, a full service provider for synthetic turf applications in both commercial and residential markets, focuses on a client’s need for service, expertise and quality. Because Deluxe Athletics handles every phase of a project, clients benefit with one point of contact and a better value for their budget and schedule, without sacrificing on the product and end result. Having worked on more facilities in Metro Atlanta and built more fields in Gwinnett County than any other firm, Deluxe Athletics continues to grow and give back to the community.

East2West Media Group, Inc. As an HD video and media production company, East2West Media Group provides script to screen services for a variety of markets including television and cable networks, corporations and businesses, advertising and marketing agencies, and non-profits. While meeting the stringent budget requirements for which the current economic state calls, East2West continues to provide high production value, creativity and successful video content for clients. With a combined growth rate of 52 percent and increased client base of 56 percent over the past two years, East2West has provided work to over 18 different companies and contract workers.

Everdry Roofing, Inc. As a full service roofing and gutter contractor, Everdry Roofing serves both the commercial and residential markets. After adopting a business model for its gutter cleaning and repair division that was focused on saving customers approximately 50 percent compared to competitors’ prices, Everdry experienced growth in its customer base and employee size. With the expansion into an additional market in Charlotte, NC and the continuation of its Roof Relief Program, including its supplier and vendors, Everdry created 10 new jobs in 2011.

FarraTech
While most of its competitors have closed their doors, FarraTech has experienced exponential growth and almost doubled revenues and employee size. As a manufacturer of toner for laser printers, FarraTech also sells and repairs printers, laptops and other hardware. In 2011, FarraTech bought two well-known Gwinnett companies that sold and serviced copiers, and experienced an astounding 60.1 percent increase in sales. After developing programs specifically for its Supply Chain, FarraTech is able to go to market sooner, deliver faster, take excellent care of its customers, and compete with “Big Box Retailers”.

Gem Shopping Network, Inc. Now in its 15th year of nationwide availability, the Gem Shopping Network is a TV network that sells precious gemstones and jewelry live, 24 hours a day, year-round, as well as streams live over the Internet. Founded by Frank M. Circelli, GG, the Gem Shopping Network has avoided the financial turmoil of the past three years for high-end, luxury, discretionary goods and has actually thrived in 2011 with record sales and profit results.

Green Financial Resources, LLC Roger Green, owner of Green Financial Resources, has been building his business one client at a time since 1987. During this time, Roger has serviced over 1,800 clients, as he has no minimum asset requirements and is willing to provide assistance to all who request it. Being a part of one of the leading fields impacted by the recent economic downturn, Green Financial Resources’ overall business results remain strong. Roger projected last year that Green Financial would pace its highest level of income in its history, and it did. Roger is anticipating even stronger results in 2012 and continued growth in upcoming years.

Hire Dynamics, LLC Hire Dynamics is the largest skilled staffing and professional recruitment organization based in Gwinnett. Specializing in placing talent in manufacturing and supply chain facilities, contact centers and office environments, Hire Dynamics operates out of 10 offices (seven in Metro Atlanta), with an additional 20 on-site locations. As the recipient of various accolades and rankings, Hire Dynamics’ ability to provide Talent on Demand has increased the quality of placements at over 500 companies in the metro Atlanta area and given 10,000 people employment in 2011 alone.

I-Tech-Tech is comprised of two companies: I-Tech Staffing, which screens and places contract workers, and I-Tech E-Services. The latter provides electronic and electro-mechanical assembly and the diagnoses and repairs of PCBs, custom cables, wiring harnesses and more. Over the past year, I-Tech has re-focused its efforts to marketing and creating strategic alliances, generating more exposure and media recognition. Since its inception 15 years ago, I-Tech has been able to increase its revenue and workforce by more than 10 times to $12 million in 2011 and almost 300 employees.

McMahan’s Sartorial Clothing, Inc. McMahan’s Sartorial Clothing has over 100 competitors in the state of Georgia, but there are only four other tailors in the entire state that hand draw each pattern, hand cut fabric and hand sew each garment. Owner Travis Giles stands out from the rest by offering a truly custom made, hand sewn garment that is the best value in the industry. Because of this, for 10 years Travis has helped business professionals all over Gwinnett and metro Atlanta make a good first impression.

Paradigm Security Services, Inc. Paradigm Security Services mission statement, “Superior Security Services Through Superior Training” has led them to a profitable business of providing professionally trained security officers and patrol services. In 2011, Paradigm achieved one of its primary goals of offering higher levels of training to its clients by opening the doors of the George A. Abraham Memorial Security Training Academy. Despite competition from larger national security companies, Paradigm experienced a growth of almost 61 percent for the year and continues to provide superior service to its clients.

Perket Technologies, Inc. Offering a superior level of service and support, Perket Technologies develops network security solutions to small and medium businesses. From its inception six years ago, Perket has provided the best network security solutions available that can both answer the client’s present concerns and be slightly altered in the future to meet any new concerns. With its Managed Security Services offering, Perket is able to deploy the same solutions that Fortune 500 companies and government agencies have protecting their data networks.

Rocket IT
Matt Hyatt started Rocket IT – a full-service technology management and support company – when he was just 25 years old. Having just been laid off from another job, having no entrepreneurial experience, and no money in his pockets, Matt relied on his positive attitude to get his idea and company off the ground. This positive attitude has kept Matt’s business running for over 17 years and enabled him to become a mission critical technology partner with each client and embrace change to meet market conditions.

Signarama Buford During a time when companies need branding and visibility more than ever before, Signarama Buford offers a vast array of products in commercial signage and promotional items to help increase awareness and sales for clients. Co-owned and operated by husband and wife team Gary and Nancy Rosenberg, Signarama Buford has taken a proactive stance to improve sales over the past couple of years through increased networking. This strategy has paid off as Signarama Buford is consistently one of the top performing Signaramas in the country.

Willis Mechanical, IncWillis Mechanical is a Georgia Mechanical Contractor, specializing in the construction, retrofit, service and maintenance of HVAC systems both for commercial and industrial clients. After finishing their first job owners Grant and Leticia Willis immediately invested in specialty machines and training for their personnel recognizing this was the way to keep the business growing. Willis Mechanical has grown exponentially even with facing challenges in the industry.

Pacesetter Award
Logical Choice Technologies, Inc. Cynthia Kaye graduated from Florida State University with an Elementary Education Degree, but instead of going into the classroom, she went into the boardroom, building an award-winning company from zero to $97 million in 2010. Wanting to make a difference in the lives of as many children as possible, she founded Logical Choice Technologies and over the last two decades, has built that company into the educational technology powerhouse it is today. A consummate leader, Cynthia is an alumni of MIT’s three year Entrepreneurial Executive Leadership Program, and one of only 22 firms, out of 200 worldwide, chosen to become part of Gazelle 22; a networking organization whose members are selected as standing head and shoulders above the average senior teams.

The Pinnacle Non-Profit Award Winners

Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services Created 20 years ago, The Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services was established by Gwinnett residents and charged with finding resources and making systems of care more efficient. Not only has the Gwinnett Coalition achieved this, but it has raised millions of dollars for Gwinnett non-profits. Its methods of support for the community range from overseeing the Emergency Food and Shelter program, maintaining the Gwinnett Helpline and conducting the largest volunteer event in the Country called the Gwinnett Great Days of Service. Most recently, the Gwinnett Coalition was able to open the first cold weather family emergency shelter in Gwinnett County as it continues to improve and educate the community.

Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation Formed as an effort to support Gwinnett Medical Center’s mission of providing quality health services to the community, the Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation funds programs, services and capital expansion projects through charitable contributions. The GMC Foundation has made a significant impact on the Gwinnett community over the past 22 years, raising over $25 million to improve healthcare, and continues to involve all sectors of the community to fund and implement outstanding healthcare. This effort has helped to accelerate the recruitment of more families, doctors, nurses and healthcare providers to Gwinnett.

Jacqueline Casey Hudgens Center for the Arts The Hudgens Center for the Arts is dedicated to bringing art lovers, leaders and learners together through quality programs and exhibits, positively impacting the quality of life and economic environment of Gwinnett County. “Dream Big” is a common theme at The Hudgens and is evident in its creation and launch of the 3L Project, a program designed to integrate math with art taught by artists in a middle school setting. While providing outstanding community arts initiatives and visual arts initiatives, The Hudgens is a non-profit that continues to prosper despite lower funding and staff.

Rainbow Village, Inc. For the previous 21 years, Rainbow Village has served as a center of hope for homeless families in need of a significant life change. By providing a stable home and a one to two year comprehensive program, Rainbow Village is not just a short term place for families to stay, but an intense program focused on formative guidance and education. Since families are required to give back to the community, Rainbow Village holds workdays with residents and other non-profits to accomplish landscaping, painting and cleaning projects. Through Rainbow Village, families are allowed sufficient time to recover and rebuild their lives for a more successful future.

Additional sponsors for the Pinnacle Awards include Platinum Sponsors BB&T, Brand Mortgage, Delta Community Credit Union and Moore Stephens Tiller, LLC and Gold Sponsors Andersen, Tate & Carr, PC, Gwinnett Business Journal, Community & Southern Bank, and Staples.

For more information visit www.pinnaclesmallbusinessawards.com or contact Melissa Britt at 678-957-4958 or melissa@gwinnettchamber.org 

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MEDIA CONTACTS
Lisa Sherman | 678.584.2267w / 678.334.1513c | lisa@gwinnettchamber.org  Delaine Gray | 770.232.8808 | delaine@gwinnettchamber.org

PROGRAM CONTACT
Melissa Britt |678.957.4958 |Melissa@gwinnettchamber.org

(Gwinnett/Metro Atlanta News) April 18, 2012- Partnership Gwinnett, the metro Atlanta economic and community development initiative, announced today that the County’s jobs and wages are on the rise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, wages in Gwinnett County rose by 8.0% year-over-year through September 2011, a percentage increase that ranks 24^th out of the nation’s 323 largest counties. In addition, the community experienced 2.4 percent job growth year-over-year, which led all large counties in the state of Georgia. Gwinnett continues to experience significant success in economic recovery as both the labor force and the number of residents employed each expands.

Monthly unemployment figures from the Georgia Department of Labor also revealed that Gwinnett has had the lowest unemployment rate among the 5 core metro Atlanta counties of Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb and Fulton for 35 consecutive months, from April 2009 through February 2012, according to preliminary numbers. Gwinnett’s unemployment rate dipped below 8 percent in November and December 2011. Prior to November 2011, Gwinnett had not had an unemployment rate lower than 8% since January 2009. Gwinnett’s preliminary unemployment rate for February 2012, the most recent month for which figures are available, is 8.0 percent.

These numbers support the ongoing economic development efforts of Partnership Gwinnett- led by the Gwinnett Chamber and a host of public and private investors, this initiative targets the retention and expansion of existing Gwinnett businesses in addition to developing new business in key market segments. The ultimate goal of the initiative, now it its second 5-year strategy implementation, is to promote economic wealth & diversification, support education and workforce excellence and improve the quality of life for the entire Gwinnett community.

“Working together over the past five years, the public and private sectors have implemented the Partnership Gwinnett community and economic development strategy. This good news about job and wage growth speaks to the success of our continued efforts to strengthen our local economy and bring jobs to the Gwinnett community.” said Gwinnett County Chairman Charlotte Nash.

“These trends not only reflect our successful efforts, but moreover, they demonstrate the dedication of public and private partners who have committed their financial resources, time and energy to community economic development,” said Nick Masino, Senior Vice-President of Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett at the Gwinnett Chamber. “The continued recovery and growth of the local economy will positively impact not only our community, but our region as a whole as a whole as we move forward in strategic implementation.”

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About Partnership Gwinnett

Partnership Gwinnett is Gwinnett’s economic and community development initiative. Led by the Gwinnett Chamber and a host of public and private partners, the initiative targets the retention and expansion of existing Gwinnett businesses in addition to the development of new business in five key market segments: Health Sciences & Services; Advanced Communications; Information Technology; Advanced Manufacturing/ Supply Chain Management; and Corporate Headquarters/Professional Services. The ultimate goals of the initiative are to promote economic wealth & diversification, increase education and work force excellence, improve quality of life and heighten visibility through marketing and outreach programs for the entire Gwinnett community.  For more information on Partnership Gwinnett, the internationally award-winning community and economic development initiative, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.

Economic Development Contact:
Nick Masino | SVP, Partnership Gwinnett & Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development
nick@gwinnettchamber.org | 770.232.8802

Media Contacts:
Adrienne Saputo | Adrienne@gwinnettchamber.org | 678.584.2261
Lisa Sherman | Lisa@gwinnettchamber.org | 678.584.2267

VIDEO NEWS RELEASE

Gwinnett County (METRO ATLANTA) GA – March 27 – Public safety professionals from across Gwinnett received much deserved praise at the Gwinnett Chamber Valor Awards presented by Mobile Communications of Gwinnett, Inc. and Motorola Solutions, Inc. on March 27. More than half-a-dozen individuals and groups were awarded for acts of bravery and service in the community. Kicking off the event, keynote speaker Louis Dekmar -Chief of Police for the City of LaGrange, Ga and Chair of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies – shared his insights on the extraordinary careers that put individual lives on the line every day for the greater good.

Awards were given to the men and women who have performed heroic and extraordinary acts to protect and serve the citizens of Gwinnett. Hear their incredible stories on the Gwinnett Chamber’s YouTube channel.

Receiving the program’s highest award for bravery and heroism, Sergeant Joseph McMenomy, Police Officer Phillip McMillan and Police Officer Rhonda Wood from the Gwinnett County Police Department was awarded the Gold Medal of Valor.  Police Officer Ronnie Bazan with Gwinnett County Police Department received the Silver Medal of Valor and the Bronze Medal went to Sergeant James West, Officer Jayson Duncan and Officer Reed Walters with Gwinnett County Police Department.

The following public safety professionals were honored in the program’s subsequent award categories:

• Officer Eugene Hollis with Gwinnett County Corrections received the Medal of Merit, awarded to an outstanding public safety program for the community;
• Officer Ryan Dunlap of Gwinnett County Police Department received the Lifesaving Award, given to the public safety official/unit in recognition of acts taken in a life-threatening situation where an individual’s life is in jeopardy
• Gwinnett County 911 Communications- Daywatch Shift was named the Public Safety Unit of the Year, awarded to the Unit that has performed its job with exceptional skill, expertise, innovation and results;
• Communications Officer II Olivia Brooke Kalinowski was named the Communications Officer of the Year, presented to the individual who has performed his/her job with exceptional skill, expertise, innovation and results.

In addition to these awards, David Dusik, recently retired from the Gwinnett County Fire Department, was given the new Public Safety Leadership Award. This award is designed to honor senior public safety professionals (Lieutenant – Chief) who have preformed their job(s) with exceptional skill and expertise having shown innovation in leadership and team building.

“The Gwinnett Chamber produces the Valor Awards as an opportunity for the business community to thank our public safety professionals for helping to keep our community safe,” said Jim Maran, President & CEO, Gwinnett Chamber. “Their heroic acts contribute to Gwinnett’s strong quality of life leading to a solid and growing business community.”

This year’s Valor Awards celebrated a record-breaking year having received the greatest number of award nominations in program history while filling over 250 seats through sponsors of public safety officials and their families.

The Gwinnett Chamber’s Valor Awards is part of the Gwinnett Chamber series of award programs designed to recognize those who contribute to Gwinnett’s strong quality of life creating a solid environment for business growth. For more information on the Valor Awards, visit www.valorawards.com.  For upcoming information on our next awards program, the Pinnacle Awards, visit pinnaclesmallbusinessawards.com.

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(Metro Atlanta/ Gwinnett County News) March 29, 2012- Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development was present yesterday when the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) honored the Top 40 Innovative Technology Companies in Georgia at their annual Georgia Technology Summit. Gwinnett, home to more than 28,000 high-tech jobs, was recognized as home to 5 of the companies honored. These annual awards are presented to Georgia technology companies based on degree of innovation, the scope and financial impact of their innovations and effect of such innovation in promoting Georgia’s technology industry throughout the U.S. and globally.

Gwinnett companies honored included:

• CompliancePoint, Inc.
• Concurrent Computer Corporation
• CubeVibe
• Data Oceans, LLC
• NCR

Consistently attracting and cultivating technology companies, Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development globally markets Gwinnett as the premier location in Metro Atlanta and the State of Georgia for growing and conducting business. By encouraging investment and trade into the county through relocation and expansion assistance, the organization works with local and regional partners to bring technology, health care, life science, advanced manufacturing, supply chain companies and corporate headquarters to the community. Leading Atlanta’s job creation for the past five years, and home to FORTUNE 500 and 1000 companies, Gwinnett County hosts a wide range of technology businesses- from industry giants, to international companies, as well as homegrown start-ups.

“We are always happy to see Gwinnett companies flourish and contribute to the ecosystem of technology and innovation in metro Atlanta,” said Nicole Wright, Project Manager-Technology at Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development. “When Gwinnett companies are recognized at premier events such as the TAG Summit, it is a testament to the business friendly and innovative culture in Gwinnett. This recognition also allows our team to take these success stories and share with the world why Gwinnett and Georgia is a great place to do business, especially for the technology industry. “

The Technology Association of Georgia is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 15,000 members and hosting over 200 events each year. TAG purpose of educating, promoting and influencing Georgia’s technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace is supported by over 30 societies statewide.

“We are proud to honor some of Gwinnett’s most innovative technology companies,” said Tino Mantella, President and CEO of TAG. “Gwinnett is a hotbed of technology businesses and talent and the companies located there and throughout the state will help Georgia take its rightful place as a top destination for technology.”

For more information about the Top 40 awards and the Georgia Technology Summit, visit http://www.tagonline.org/georgia-technology-summit.php. To get plugged in to the Technology Industry in Gwinnett, please visit http://gwinnetttechnologyforum.com/ or www.partnershipgwinnett.com.

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Project Manager:
Nicole Wright | Nicole@gwinnettchamber.org | 678-584-2259

Media Contacts:
Adrienne Saputo | Adrienne@gwinnettchamber.org | 678.584.2261
Lisa Sherman | Lisa@gwinnettchamber.org | 678-584-2267

(GWINNETT- Metro Atlanta NEWS) Friday, March 9, 2012- Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett joined Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash, and a host of other elected officials and honored guests to celebrate the relocation the Atlanta Retailers Association (ARA) headquarters to Lawrenceville. The move and expansion brings six existing employees and is currently looking to hire an additional four employees. ARA purchased the facility, located at 2055 North Brown Road, to house executive offices, training facilities, and conference rooms to provide ongoing retailer support and educational opportunities for successful businesses.

“ARA is very excited to call Gwinnett County our new home .We are extremely pleased by the warm welcome received from the county leaders and the Gwinnett Chamber. ARA is committed to its members to enhance their potential by sharing knowledge and best practices. Establishing footprint in Gwinnett will augment our access to quality information through Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. ARA envisions a very long and mutually beneficial partnership with the chamber.”

ARA Members employ more than 4,500 people in the State of Georgia. Generating an estimated $2.5 billion dollars in total revenue per year, the ARA collects $139 million dollars in sales tax annually for the State of Georgia.

“Gwinnett County is happy to welcome the Atlanta Retailers Association to our community,” said Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash. “Their mission to cultivate economic growth, educational opportunities and community engagement for their member businesses complements Gwinnett County’s vision for providing essential economic opportunities to all businesses.”

Since its inception in 1995, ARA has grown to over 1,000-member trade association, composed of retailers from throughout metro Atlanta. Organized under the laws of the state of Georgia, ARA is governed by an elected honorary board of directors that strives to manage a sound and sustainable support organization promoting collective economic, educational, and community growth.

“We are proud to welcome and support the efforts of the Atlanta Retailers Association and their mission to drive small business growth in Gwinnett and metro Atlanta,” said Jim Maran, CEO at Gwinnett Chamber.  “ARA’s support services, ongoing education and training, and overall commitment to strengthening local businesses will further drive economic development for small businesses in Gwinnett County and the State of Georgia.”

For more information on the Atlanta Retailers Association, please click here. For more information about the Gwinnett Chamber, please visit www.GwinnettChamber.com.

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About Partnership Gwinnett
Partnership Gwinnett is Gwinnett’s economic and community development initiative. Led by the Gwinnett Chamber and a host of public and private partners, the initiative targets the retention and expansion of existing Gwinnett businesses in addition to the development of new business in five key market segments: Health Sciences & Services; Advanced Communications; Information Technology; Advanced Manufacturing/ Supply Chain Management; and Corporate Headquarters/Professional Services. The ultimate goal is to promote economic wealth & diversification, increase education and work force excellence, improve quality of life and heighten visibility through marketing and outreach programs for the entire Gwinnett community.  For more information on Partnership Gwinnett, the internationally award-winning community and economic development initiative, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.

Chamber Membership Contact: 
Matthew Bemister | mbemister@gwinnettchamber.org | 678.584.2252

Media Contacts:
Adrienne Saputo | Adrienne@gwinnettchamber.org | 678.584.2261
Lisa Sherman | Lisa@gwinnettchamber.org | 678.584.2267

Gwinnett County (METRO ATLANTA) GA – February 27, 2012 – Surpassing its goal of $800,000 with a record-breaking $80,000 above the mark – the Gwinnett Chamber’s volunteer-led Membership and Sponsorship Campaign rightfully celebrated the successful completion of its sixth annual drive to foster leadership and business growth, in advancing our community into the 21st century. The Campaign kicked off in August 2011, running for six consecutive months to generate multiple new members and continued investment in proven business growth opportunities such as program and event sponsorships, advertising in Chamber publications and raising general awareness of the Gwinnett Chamber throughout the region.

Campaign Co-Chairs Raymer Sale of E2E Resources and Herman Pennamon, Jr. of Georgia Power led this year’s charge in conjunction with four vice chairs, 40+ corporate teams and well over 150 team members; Gwinnett Chamber Board of Directors and the Chamber staff supported these volunteers to sell memberships, sponsorships and general investment into the business community

The campaign titled “800” was themed on the Spartan-based movie “300” and encouraged participants to “Prepare for Glory” throughout the fall at Reward Sessions held every other week at various locations around the county, until the Victory Celebration in January 2012. These sessions celebrated successes and recognized top producers. After the final sword was drawn, volunteers who generated $11,500 or more celebrated their victory with a trip to Grand Cayman.

“We are so grateful to all of the volunteers who participated in the Campaign. Not only is this a fun program with rewarding results, the funds raised by the volunteers also make it possible to sustain programs for business development, community improvement and member services,” said Vince DeSilva, Senior Vice President of Membership Services, Gwinnett Chamber. “We are looking forward to another successful campaign and working with our members to help the Gwinnett Chamber become even stronger and more vital for business in the future.”

In addition to providing funds to sustain programs for business development, community improvement and member services, the campaign also provides volunteers an opportunity to grow professionally, expand business and community contacts, and support the Gwinnett Chamber’s position as the primary connection point for all aspects of community, from business and education to government, charities and associations.

Commenting on the 2011 Campaign, Raymer Sale said that the Campaign was a successful one because of the efforts of the volunteers. “I would like to thank all of the volunteers who worked hard to achieve our goal,” said Sale. “In addition, I would like to encourage members of the Chamber and the business community to begin gearing up for another prosperous campaign for 2012.”

Planning has already started for the 2012 campaign. With an unprecedented goal of $950,000 and 100 new members, the Gwinnett Chamber is dedicated to pushing the limits for success of businesses and partners in the community. For more information on how to join a team, help your community, earn cash incentives or a trip to next year’s tropical destination, please contact Donna McBee at 770-232-8810 or donna@gwinnettchamber.org.

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PROGRAM CONTACT
Vince DeSilva |678.474.1703|Vince@gwinnettchamber.org

MEDIA CONTACTS
Delaine Gray |770.232.8808|Delaine@gwinnettchamber.org
Lisa Sherman | 678.584.2267w / 678.334.1513c | Lisa@gwinnettchamber.org

Gwinnett County (METRO ATLANTA) GA – February 24, 2012 – The Gwinnett Chamber – in alliance with Gwinnett County, Gwinnett County Public Schools and the Gwinnett Municipal Association – hosted its Annual Day at the Capitol reception with key local and statewide elected officials. From the Governor’s Office to county commissioners, state representatives and senators local municipal leaders and education board members, the event, presented by AT&T, showcased the global connection and economic weight of Metro Atlanta’s largest local community.

“Gwinnett has seen rapid growth over the last decade and continues to play a strategic role in the future of Georgia’s business environment,” said Gwinnett State House Delegation Chairman Tom Rice. “That is why having a designated day, like this one, where businesses can meet with delegates and officials to voice their opinions on legislative matters is so important. It is a privilege to serve in the State House and represent such an organized community as what has been displayed here today.”

Gwinnett Day at the Capitol began with a photo-op on the South Wing steps of the Georgia Capitol with members of the Gwinnett delegation and various business leaders in the community, followed by official “Gwinnett Day at the Capitol” recognition in the House and Senate and various other meetings throughout the day.

“Gwinnett Day at the Capitol is especially important to our legislative delegation because it allows Chamber members to give their input on current bills that directly affects their businesses, their families, and our community. Communication is extremely important especially as we approach the most important, crucial 30 legislative crossover day,” said Senator Renee S. Unterman.

With nearly 23,000 private businesses and close to one-fifth of the Metro Atlanta’s population, Gwinnett is an economic powerhouse supporting issues relevant to business growth, job creation and community development for the State of Georgia. The theme of Gwinnett Day at the Capitol – Georgia’s Access to the World – brought a 1940’s World’s Fair appeal to an international message of connection, communication and opportunity. With over 600 international businesses working in Gwinnett and more than 126 languages spoken in its award-winning school system, Gwinnett County’s claim for being an economic powerhouse was evident through the 300-plus attendees to the reception.

Jann Moore, Vice President of Public Policy for the Gwinnett Chamber commented, “The Gwinnett Chamber’s number one priority is creating high-wage jobs and growing businesses. Gwinnett Day at the Capitol gives us the opportunity to advocate for key legislative issues affecting local businesses such as supporting the elimination of sales tax on energy used in manufacturing, regulatory reform, and the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Solvency Proposal.”

A list of Gwinnett’s top priorities for 2012 can be found online at www.gwinnettchamberpublicpolicy.com. The Chamber’s proactive legislative core values include advancing a strong business ecosystem, ensuring a qualified workforce, monitoring impacts of state budget to business, and working with Gwinnett delegation toward a unified strategic direction identified in Partnership Gwinnett.

Following Gwinnett Day at the Capitol, the Gwinnett Chamber will host United States Senator Johnny Isakson, for a special public policy luncheon on February 27 at The 1818 Club. After an introduction by U.S. Congressman Rob Woodall, Senator Isakson will discuss his proposed Mortgage Finance Act of 2011. This federal legislation – sponsored by Senator Isakson – eliminates Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and, over a 10 year period, transitions to a new regulatory framework for high quality mortgage securitization for both single family and multi-family mortgages. For details on how you can attend, visit www.gwinnettchamber.org and go to the “Calendar of Events”.

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PROGRAM CONTACT
Jann Moore |678.584.2555|Jann@gwinnettchamber.org

MEDIA CONTACTS
Delaine Gray |770.232.8808 | Delaine@gwinnettchamber.org
Lisa Sherman | 678.584.2267w / 678.334.1513c | lisa@gwinnettchamber.org

Gwinnett County (METRO ATLANTA) GA – February 24, 2012 – On the heels of its acclaimed Gwinnett Day at the Capitol, the Gwinnett Chamber will have the opportunity to hear from Presidential hopeful and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich on Super Tuesday, March 6, 2012. During breakfast – beginning at 7:45am at the 1818 Club - Speaker Gingrich will address Gwinnett Chamber members, Metro Atlanta businesses and the community at-large on his plans for leading the nation’s future and how it would impact local communities and businesses across America.

“I look forward to sharing my vision for America’s future with those who have made Gwinnett County such an economic powerhouse,” said Gingrich. “Washington has a lot to learn from places like Gwinnett where it has been so welcoming to business and industry. As President, you will see my Administration do everything in its power to create jobs and once again get our nation’s economy back on track.”

Gingrich is one of four candidates in the Republican primary and comes from an extensive background in politics. In 1978, Gingrich was elected to Congress where he represented Georgia for twenty years, including four years as Speaker of the House. He has served on the Defense Policy Board under President George W. Bush and was appointed in 1999 to the United States Commission on National Security/21st Century, the Hart/Rudman Commission to examine our national security challenges as far out as 2025.

An essential component to business growth and a strategic focus for the Gwinnett Chamber, public policy and the future of government affairs – both locally and nationally – impacts the Gwinnett Chamber’s goal for creating jobs and wealth in the community to ensure a superior quality of life for all citizens to enjoy.

“The Gwinnett Chamber strives to provide its members and the Gwinnett community as a whole with educational and informative opportunities to support business growth,” said Jim Maran, President & CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber. “We are honored to have Speaker Gingrich address Gwinnett and Metro Atlanta and pleased to serve as a strategic connection point between national leadership and local community.”

Gingrich will kick-off his campaign in Georgia with a bus tour next week, leading up to Super Tuesday. Limited seating is available for the event. Register today at gwinnettchamber.org/events and reserve your seat for this once in a lifetime opportunity!

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Please note that the Gwinnett Chamber is a nonpartisan business organization and this opportunity is available to all current U.S. Presidential Candidates.

PROGRAM CONTACT
Jann Moore |678.584.2555|Jann@gwinnettchamber.org

MEDIA CONTACTS
Lisa Sherman | 678.584.2267w | 678.334.1513c | lisa@gwinnettchamber.org
Delaine Gray | 770.232.8808 | Delaine@gwinnettchamber.org

(Gwinnett Metro Atlanta News) (February 14, 2012)– The Gwinnett Chamber and the Council for Quality Growth will be hosting Gwinnett County Board of Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash and the Board of Commissioners for the annual State of the County Address Presented by Gas South on February 15 at 11:30 a.m. at the Gwinnett Center. Attendees will have the chance to hear the Chairman’s vision for the county in 2012.

“Gwinnett County is in an exciting time with a future that is promising and upbeat. The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners are working hard to create and maintain prosperity,” said Jim Maran, President and CEO, Gwinnett Chamber. “We are pleased to welcome and hear Chairman Nash speak at the State of the County Address.”

The February 15th annual State of the County Address will offer Gwinnett business and community leaders the opportunity to hear from the leader of Gwinnett’s local government, Chairman Charlotte Nash. This special meeting will report on the county’s strength and will give a picture of Gwinnett’s achievements and its promising outlook for the future.

“There are many reasons why Gwinnett County is so attractive. We excel at all the basics, plus this is one of the best places in the country to conduct business, to raise a family, to retire, and to just plain enjoy life. But we didn’t become a premier community by accident; what has put us over the top time and time again is vision, supported by good planning, hard work, community collaboration, flexibility and the willingness to take action,” said Gwinnett County Board of Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash.

During her 27-year career with Gwinnett County, Charlotte Nash worked as a Grants Manager/Accountant, Budget Manager, Finance Director/Chief Financial Officer and County Administrator. She managed 24 annual budgets and implemented capital budgeting and long-term financial planning processes. Her leadership was instrumental in gaining the coveted AAA ratings from the three major bond rating agencies.

“Gwinnett County continues to be a leader in infrastructure development, quality of life and economic development. I look forward to Chairman Nash’s outlook as she leads Gwinnett to a robust and prosperous 2012,” said Michael Paris, President and CEO, Council for Quality Growth.

For more information on the State of the County Address, visit www.gwinnettstateofthecounty.com.

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Click here to view the Annual Dinner Video News Release

Duluth, GA- The Gwinnett Chamber celebrated a record-breaking year Friday evening in front of a sold-out crowd of over 1,000 community leaders from across Gwinnett and metro Atlanta at the 64th Anuual Dinner Presented by Gwinnett Medical Center. The black-tie optional celebration was held at the Thomas P. Hughes Grand Ballroom at Gwinnett Center. Guests were welcomed and invited to take a stroll down the redpepper Red Carpet at the event that is staged to highlight Gwinnett’s success and honor those who have made a difference in the community.

In addition to reviewing the Gwinnett Chamber’s 2011 accolades and the achievements of the Gwinnett community by incoming Chair Raymer Sale, President of E2E Resources, the evening celebrated the exceptional accomplishments of the following honorees:

Clyde and Sandra Strickland are the Citizens of the Year, which honors individuals whose service has had the greatest impact on the overall quality of life for Gwinnett County in recent years.

Public Service Awards are given to individuals who over the years have gone above and beyond in their service to the community and its residents. This year’s honorees included: Mayor Bucky Johnson, City of Norcross; LC Johnson; Bartow Morgan, Jr., The Brand Banking Company; Sean Murphy, Canvas Systems; Cathy Petty Nichols, Mobile Communications of Gwinnett, Inc.; and Perry Tindol, Allgood Pest Solutions.

The R. Wayne Shackelford Legacy Award, honoring the memory and legacy of individuals who have made a difference in the history and progress of Gwinnett County, was awarded posthumously to the lives of J.D. Caswell, Caswell Realty Company and Reverend William C. Corley, Lawrenceville First Baptist Church.

Rainbow Village, Inc. received the D. Scott Hudgens Humanitarian Award given in honor of Scott Hudgens, a respected developer and philanthropist who unselfishly gave of his time and talents to ensure that many others, especially those with limited means, would benefit from his treasure.

“The Annual Dinner is a time to celebrate Gwinnett’s success and honor those who make a difference in our community,” said Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jim Maran. “It is through the leadership and collaboration of individuals and organizations like our award winners that Gwinnett can celebrate a thriving economy and superior quality of life.”

For more information on the Annual Dinner, contact Alicia Krogh at 770-232-8809 or alicia@gwinnettchamber.org.

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The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its County Employment and Wages data, revealing that Gwinnett saw a 2.3 percent increase in employment between June 2010 and June 2011. With a preliminary estimate of 300,799 jobs in the county in June 2011, this increase roughly equates to 7,000 net new jobs added. The percent change ranked 33^rd nationally among the 322 largest counties in the United States, just outside the top 10 percent. The increase was by far the largest among major Georgia counties, and outperformed major large counties of comparable size and location.

“Gwinnett is creating jobs, even in the wake of a nationwide employment crisis,” said Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash. “Partnership Gwinnett’s economic development efforts play an essential role in making that job creation a reality. We look ahead as a community to continued success in the future.”

This announcement comes on the heels of the Georgia Department of Labor’s preliminary numbers, released last week, showing that Gwinnett had the lowest unemployment rate in the five core metro Atlanta counties, which include Cobb, Clayton, Dekalb, and Fulton for the 30^th consecutive month.

Gwinnett continues to proactively seek out jobs and opportunities for wealth creation in the 805,000-person county,  Metro Atlanta’s largest local community, with Partnership Gwinnett, an  internationally award-winning community and economic development initiative.

Partnership Gwinnett has led these job creation efforts locally for the last five years, and this month, embarks on its second strategic plan implementation.   The initiative will bring more jobs to Metro Atlanta and Gwinnett over the next five years with the continued collaboration of local leaders, dedicated to sustain future growth through comprehensive economic development efforts, developing world-class talent, and nurturing community leadership.

“Gwinnett’s overwhelming successes have not happened by coincidence- they have been a direct result of the partnership of dedicated individuals from the public and private sectors- working in sync to generate results through the community implementation an effective economic development strategy,” said Raymer Sale, President, E2E Benefits Services, Inc. and Chairman of Partnership Gwinnett.  “This great news on the employment front will propel us to further success; with the second phase of our plan aimed at creating even more jobs and wealth in our county.”

The Partnership Gwinnett initiative has been led by the Gwinnett Chamber and over 160 public and private partners for the last five years. Continued collaboration at this level is critical to ensure that the community employs its educated workforce and maintains the superior quality of life for which it is so well known.

“These encouraging numbers are indicative of the success achieved through the Gwinnett Chamber’s community-led initiative, Partnership Gwinnett,” said Gwinnett Chamber President & CEO Jim Maran. “With the continued collaboration of leaders from Gwinnett’s public and private sectors and the recent launch of the second phase of Partnership Gwinnett, our community is well positioned to capitalize on our past success and continue to lead the lead the nation in job creation efforts.”

About Partnership Gwinnett
Partnership Gwinnett is Gwinnett’s economic and community development initiative. Led by the Gwinnett Chamber and a host of public and private partners, the initiative targets the retention and expansion of existing Gwinnett businesses in addition to the development of new business in five key market segments: Healthcare; Advanced Communications; Information Technology; Trade & Distribution; and Regional/Corporate Headquarters. The ultimate goal is to promote economic wealth & diversification, increase education and work force excellence, improve quality of life and heighten visibility through marketing and outreach programs for the entire Gwinnett community.  For more information on Partnership Gwinnett, the internationally award-winning community and economic development initiative, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.

Business Development Contact: 
Nick Masino | nick@gwinnettchamber.org | 770.232.8802

Media Contact:
Adrienne Saputo | Adrienne@gwinnettchamber.org | 678.584.2261

(GWINNETT- METRO ATLANTA) January 9, 2012- Partnership Gwinnett, the community and economic development initiative driving the community’s last five years of economic success, announces the launch of its inaugural Movers and Makers Awards, honoring local Manufacturing and Supply Chain companies. Nominations are open now until January 20, 2012 for companies that have been in business for three years in the County, and are involved in the manufacturing, processing or distributing of a tangible product.

Awards will be given in each of the following categories and will be selected from all qualified entries. Makers (Manufacturer) Awards include awards for companies Small (0-74 employees), Medium (75-149 employees), and Large (150+ employees). Movers (Supply Chain) Award Categories include Supply Chain Pioneer Award and Green Supply Chain Award. Nominations are also currently being accepted for the MVP Award- Most Valuable Provider Award. All rules and forms can be found at the website, http://www.moversandmakersawards.com.

“We believe that providing recognition and exposure for our amazing local businesses will further develop their competiveness and ultimately drive existing industry expansions and job creation,” said Troels Adrian, Business Development Manager, Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics at Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development. “Our community is one of the Southeastern hubs for the manufacturing and supply chain industries – businesses that utilize our excellent workforce and transportation infrastructure to compete in today’s truly global marketplace.”

Recipients will be announced at an awards ceremony on March 22, 2012 at The 1818 Club in Duluth. The event will recognize these innovative companies, and feature Jonas Prising as the keynote speaker. Prising is President of the Americas for ManpowerGroup, the global workforce solutions leader.

“ManpowerGroup applauds the innovative approach that Partnership Gwinnett has taken to elevate and grow the manufacturing and supply chain sectors in the region,” said Prising. “Communities thrive when job creation is robust, and the Movers & Makers program is all about recognizing the companies that are bringing jobs and attracting talent to Gwinnett County. By recognizing the value of these companies, as well as the talent behind their success, this program is contributing to the ongoing economic stability and future growth of the area.”

Judges presiding over the awards include: Rob Doyle, President, Amware Logistics; J. Michael Gerster, President, WIKA Instrument Corporation; Bill Ritsch, North Metro Atlanta Regional Manager, Georgia Tech Manufacturing Extension Partnership; and Page Siplon, Executive Director, Georgia Center of Innovation for Logistics.

“The inaugural Movers and Makers Awards are actively supporting the manufacturing and supply chain industries in Gwinnett and Metro Atlanta; I believe that such industry support promotes a healthy pro-business environment and enhances competiveness locally and regionally.” Michael Gerster, President of WIKA Instrument Corporation.

For more information on nominating companies, please contact Troels Adrian at troels@gwinnettchamber.org.

About Partnership Gwinnett
Partnership Gwinnett is Gwinnett’s economic and community development initiative. Led by the Gwinnett Chamber and a host of public and private partners, the initiative targets the retention and expansion of existing Gwinnett businesses in addition to the development of new business in five key market segments: Healthcare; Advanced Communications; Information Technology; Trade & Distribution; and Regional/Corporate Headquarters. The ultimate goal is to promote economic wealth & diversification, increase education and work force excellence, improve quality of life and heighten visibility through marketing and outreach programs for the entire Gwinnett community.  For more information on Partnership Gwinnett, the internationally award-winning community and economic development initiative, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.

Business Development Contact
Troels Adrian | Troels@gwinnettchamber.org | 678.672.2567

Media Contact
Adrienne Saputo | Adrienne@gwinnettchamber.org | 678.584.2261

Program Contact
Lindsay Myers | lmyers@gwinnnettchamber.org | 678.957.4944

Gwinnett County (METRO ATLANTA) GA – January 9 – The Gwinnett Chamber is pleased to announce the launch of its new, interactive website (www.gwinnettchamber.org) designed to better serve Chamber members and communicate the Chamber’s goals of building business, creating jobs and wealth and strengthening the community.

Prior to implementation, top Chamber sites around the nation were studied in order to build a more comprehensive and user-friendly website for easier access to important business and community information. Through this process, the Chamber developed a dynamic website that incorporates the Chamber’s strong social media presence while engaging new media technology to better inform and educate the community and members on the Chamber and all of its offerings.

“Communication in the business world is ever-changing due in no small part to the rapid advancement of marketing technology,” said Jim Maran, President & CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber. “The Gwinnett Chamber recognizes how crucial it is to stay ahead of these advancements and has developed a website to incorporate the latest in interactive online communication with a user-friendly platform for our members and business community.”

Giving members and the community enhanced connectivity, the multimedia website incorporates new media technology such as podcasts, a Twitter feed, photo galleries, videos, news feeds, blogs, and mobile capability. The website also provides members the advantage of a cutting edge marketing tool with numerous, enhanced advertising opportunities. Following the launch of the new site, the Gwinnett Chamber will also launch several new secondary websites including the Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development website and the Gwinnett Chamber Public Policy website. To view the Chamber’s newest communication tool, visit www.gwinnettchamber.org.

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About the Gwinnett Chamber
Named one of the top three metro chambers in the United States by ACCE, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce’s membership varies from FORTUNE 1,000 companies to innovative startups, and stretches across the Atlanta region, from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to UGA in Athens. Representing more than 7,200 contacts from over 2,300 member organizations, the Gwinnett Chamber is the Southeast’s 6th largest chamber and focuses on creating and growing quality job opportunities while enhancing the community’s quality of life.

Media Contact: Delaine Gray | Delaine@gwinnettchamber.org | 770.232.8808

Gwinnett County (METRO ATLANTA) GA – December 7  – Gwinnett Chamber’s inauguralHealthcare Excellence Awards honored more than 40 professionals and organizations for their contribution to the continued well-being of Gwinnett and Metro Atlanta citizens. Out of those nominated, 9 winners were announced, receiving long-deserved recognition for outstanding effort and commitment to the healthcare industry.

“Kaiser Permanente prides itself on supporting and promoting healthy living while working to ensure Gwinnett and Georgia’s citizens get the care they need to thrive,” said Kerry W. Kohnen, President – Kaiser Permanente of Georgia and gold sponsor of the Awards program. “The Gwinnett Chamber has done an excellent job of putting together a celebratory event for our healthcare heroes and we are proud to be such an important part of its success.”

Through these awards, the Gwinnett Chamber saluted excellence, encouraged innovation, offered examples of best practices for others to emulate. The program was designed to raise awareness in the community, enhance the quality of healthcare and, of course, recognize deserving individuals and organizations within the healthcare community.

Jim Maran, President of the Gwinnett Chamber, commented, “Healthcare is a vital component to our community’s long-term sustainability and growth. Celebrating Gwinnett’s solid reputation for quality healthcare enables the wellbeing of our citizens and provides further opportunity to attract new business, create jobs, and ultimately afford a strong and well-rounded quality of life in Gwinnett.”

Winners and honorees at last night’s program included Gwinnett Medical Center and Gwinnett Technical College receiving the Advancements in Health Awards for the Percutaneous Coronary Intervention program and New Life Sciences Center, respectively; View Point Healthfor Healthcare Agency of the Year; Philip R. Wolfe, President & CEO of Gwinnett Medical Center, for Healthcare Executive of the Year; Katie Smith of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) for Healthcare Professional of the Year; Cindy Snyder with Gwinnett Medical Center – Oncology for Nurse Practitioner of the Year; Clyde and Sandra Strickland for Healthcare Philanthropists of the Year; Dr. Hisa Yamaguchi, MD of Eastside Medical Center for Physician of the Year; Dr. William B. Williams, DMD of Suwanee Dental Care for Volunteer of the Year.

“These individuals are exemplary in their fields and to honor them this evening is truly our privilege as a community,” added Maran. “This is our night to say thank you, to show gratitude and demonstrate the respect we have for our healthcare heroes and all they do to contribute to Gwinnett’s overall success. Congratulations to all our winners!”

The Gwinnett Chamber Healthcare Excellence Awards is one example of several quality recognition awards programs it produces throughout the year to honor the individuals and initiatives making an impact in the community. The Chamber’s next awards program, the heralded Gwinnett Chamber Annual Dinner, is scheduled for February 3, 2012. Mark the calendar to attend this once-a-year event attracting over 1,000 leaders from the Metro Atlanta community for a gala and celebration of leadership and collaboration at the Gwinnett Center. For more information, visit www.gwinnettannualdinner.com.

(GWINNETT- METRO ATLANTA) December 7, 2011- Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development and Georgia Department of Economic Development joined Governor Nathan Deal to announce the relocation of Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas, Inc. (HCEA) headquarters to Norcross, Georgia in Gwinnett County. The project, which also includes a warehousing component -is expected to create 100 jobs over five years and represents a $10 million investment in the community. Hyundai also revealed plans to build a major manufacturing facility in Georgia. Construction would begin on that facility sometime in the next 3-4 years.

“Our decision to move to Gwinnett and to Georgia an easy one: we needed a facility that was strategically located not only for access to markets in the Southeastern United States, but to the rest of North America, and to South and Central America as well. Our new headquarters here in Gwinnett will be ideal as we grow our business for the future.” said John Lim, President of Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas, Inc.   The facility, located at 6100 Atlantic Boulevard, will serve as the company’s Americas headquarters and includes a 217,000 square foot facility, employee training center with classrooms and multiple conference rooms.

“With a rich array of strategic resources, Georgia and Gwinnett County are able to attract well-known international companies such as Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas, further broadening our presence in the global business community,” said Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. “HCEA is a leader in providing its customers with innovative, high-quality equipment that serves all facets of the construction industry. Its operations will undoubtedly continue to thrive in Georgia.”

Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash said, “Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas, Inc. has a global reputation for innovation and quality that precedes them. Our strong pro-business community is equipped to provide them with the support that will be necessary for their continued growth and success. We are pleased to welcome them, and honored that they selected us for this major relocation of their headquarters facilities.”

“HCEA chose to relocate their Americas headquarters from its previous facilities in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, largely because of the area’s resources, tax incentives, educated workforce, and overall business environment.” said Kirk Gillette, Vice President of HCEA.   “Norcross is honored to celebrate the relocation of Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas Headquarters to our community. Their choice to move to Gwinnett and Norcross is another example of the types of high-caliber of companies choosing to relocate their extensive operations here; to a community with an advanced infrastructure to allow for continued growth in the future. ” said Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson.

Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development continually works to cultivate the pro-business community for which Gwinnett County is so well known. The organization’s relocation and expansion efforts assist companies looking to move and grow in a strategically-located, amenity-rich environment.

“Hyundai Construction Equipment’s relocation of its Americas headquarters to Gwinnett adds tremendously to the growing number of HQ’s doing business and growing in Gwinnett County.” said Nick Masino, Vice President of Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett at the Gwinnett Chamber. “Gwinnett’s location, educated workforce, variety of resources and excellent quality of life are able to attract large international companies like HCEA with the connectivity that they need to the Southeast, the nation, and the world.”

Georgia Department of Economic Development statewide project manager Yoonie Kim assisted HCE with this project, in collaboration with Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development. HCE was represented in this transaction by Adam Richards with Resource Real Estate Partners. The seller was represented by Colliers International.

HCEA operates under its parent company, South Korea-based Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. The company was formed in 1991 to focus on the needs of Hyundai’s construction equipment market. HCE offers 17 models of crawler excavators, 4 models of wheeled excavators, 6 models of mini excavators, 6 models of wheel loaders, 3 models of skid steer loaders, and 117 models of forklift trucks. HCE is dedicated to the construction equipment market and continues to invest heavily in Research & Development in this area. HCE currently operates a state-of-the-art production facility in Ulasan, Korea and expects this new location to make its markets in the Americas more accessible. For more information on HCE, please visit www.hceamericas.com.

About Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development globally markets Gwinnett as the premier location in Metro Atlanta and the State of Georgia for growing and conducting business. By encouraging investment and trade into the county through relocation and expansion assistance, the organization works with local and regional partners to bring technology, life science, advanced manufacturing, communications, and corporate headquarters to the community. Leading Atlanta’s job creation for the past five years, and home to FORTUNE 500 and 1000 companies, Gwinnett County hosts a wide range of businesses from industry giants, to international companies and homegrown start-ups. Success lives here- www.gwinnetteconomicdevelopment.org.

(GWINNETT- METRO ATLANTA) November 18, 2011- Analysts, inc., in partnership with Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development and the City of Suwanee, celebrates its expansion in Gwinnett.t The company, currently employing 22 highly-trained employees, will add 15-20 jobs. The company is currently preparing to expand to a new 12,000-square-foot facility that it purchased at 3385 Martin Farm Road in the City of Suwanee. “Analysts chose to stay in Gwinnett County for three primary reasons: It offers a very favorable business climate which, in spite of current economic woes, is very hard to find these days.

The City of Suwanee runs its operations like a business not as a traditional bureaucratic entity. This was very refreshing and appealing to us as we searched for a larger facility. Being approximately seven miles from our original laboratory in Norcross we are able to make the move while maintaining employment for our current workers. As we expand and add to our ranks the area offers a pool of qualified candidates from the local community. Doing business in Gwinnett County since 1984 we feel like family, and you don’t leave your family.” commented Michael Forgeron is the President of Analysts, Inc. Analysts, Inc. is an analytical testing organization and the leading provider of industrial diagnostic evaluations and maintenance solutions.

Using the most advanced lab and data processing equipment, Analysts, Inc. performs tests and gathers information about equipment condition, contamination and lubricants. The company’s testing results allow equipment owners to see and understand the physical properties of any lubricated component. “Manufacturing support companies like Analysts, Inc., are crucial to the further advancement of a variety of industries in Gwinnett and in Georgia,” said Gwinnett County Chairman Charlotte Nash. “Analysts provides a wide range of laboratory tests and customer services that assists equipment owners in understanding how to best maintain and care for their machinery, resulting in greater productivity and profitability.” The company’s announcement comes at a time when many companies in Gwinnett County are announcing their choice to expand their operations within the community.

This is the fourth existing-industry expansion announcement in the past three weeks for the county. “Analysts, Inc.’s choice to expand in Suwanee and stay in Gwinnett is great news for our community,” commented Dave Williams, Mayor of the City of Suwanee. “We support growing businesses at every stage in their development, and Suwanee is proud to be the new home of a company that is committed to cultivating their success here.” “This is an important project win for Gwinnett. The high-wage jobs that Analysts, Inc. brings to the community are a perfect fit for our quality educated workforce.” said Nicole Wright, Business Development Manager, Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development & Partnership Gwinnett. “This announcement is just another excellent example of a local industry expansion- a trend that is making a significant economic impact on our community.” Analysts, Inc. was represented by John Cobb of Grubb & Ellis in the purchase transaction for the company’s new location while Mark Elliott of Jones Lang LaSalle serves as the project lead to ensure that the company enters its new building on schedule, the last week of December 2011.

Analysts, Inc., which celebrated its 50th year of innovation in oil analysis in 2010, currently operates five regional laboratories in the U.S., in addition to labs in Tokyo, Japan and Monterrey, Mexico. Its services impact the production machinery, manufacturing equipment, power generation, marine, heavy construction, mining, trucking, transit and aircraft industries. For more information on Analysts, Inc., please visit www.analystsinc.com. For more information on Partnership Gwinnett, the internationally award-winning community and economic development initiative, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.

Gwinnett County (METRO ATLANTA) GA – On November 15 at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport – the world’s busiest – United States Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood met with 20 of Gwinnett and Metro Atlanta’s top business and agency executives at an exclusive White House Business Council meeting. Organizations in attendance ranged from small and medium businesses like E.R. Snell Contractors to global corporate leaders such as the Home Depot, Delta Airlines, the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), and more. Hosted by the Gwinnett Chamber, the meeting gave way to informal and candid discussion centered around the nation’s plans for transportation infrastructure while serving to garner much needed input from businesses and metropolitan leaders on transportation investment solutions that ultimately create jobs and bolster economic growth.

“Infrastructure investments have the ability to transform communities by creating jobs, boosting economic development, and connecting people with sustainable transportation solutions,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. “The Obama Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation are committed to working with our partners in the private sector to ensure our infrastructure networks evolve to meet the needs of America’s future generations.”

Mark Holified, Senior Vice President – Supply Chain, The Home Depot added, “As a corporate leader heavily invested in supply chain management, Home Depot views opportunities like this – to voice our needs, challenges and viewpoints openly to U.S. government leaders – as vital to our overall ability to successfully execute our most basic business goals — to perform and deliver excellence to our customers while supporting a viable and strong bottom line in which to operate year over year.”

LaHood shared his primary goals in implementing the nation’s priorities for transportation. These included safety across all modes, restoring economic health and creating jobs. He also shared the department’s dedication to sustainability – shaping the economy of the coming decades by building new transportation infrastructure, and assuring that transportation policies focus on people who use the system and their communities, something that the Gwinnett Chamber and metro Atlanta region have been advocating in the legislature for the past several years.

“When it comes to doing business and creating jobs, it’s all about the location,” said Jann Moore, Sr. Director of Public Policy and Education at the Gwinnett Chamber. “And the right location hinges on accessibility and multi-modal solutions. That’s the purpose of this meeting today – to get relevant input from key stakeholders on how transportation directly impacts our businesses’ ability to create jobs and grow the economy.”

Chuck Warbington, Executive Director of the largest community improvement district (CID) in the state of Georgia – the Gwinnett Village CID – added, “Sustainable transportation solutions are essential to long-term stability and growth of businesses and communities around the nation. This was a great meeting with relevant and timely opportunity to provide expert input as our nation and local communities prepare for the 2012 legislative session.”

Gwinnett’s leadership in Washington also connects infrastructure investment to the nation’s ability to create jobs, citing government’s responsibility to listen closely to its constituents as vital to this overall strategy.

“It is important that leaders in Washington continue to work to bring government closer to the people that it serves,” said U.S. Congressman Rob Woodall. “Today Secretary LaHood, as part of his White House Round Table series with business leaders across America, sat down with members of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce to have an intellectual discussion on the issues facing our nation in the realm of Transportation and Infrastructure. I appreciate Secretary LaHood’s enthusiasm for ensuring that Americans stay connected with their government. The best ideas are built from the ground up, and these kinds of conversations are what turn these ideas into real solutions that will benefit Americans.”

Secretary LaHood closed the meeting with a promise to bring the nation’s priorities to the Department and see them effectively implemented with a commitment to fairness across regional and party lines and between people who come to the issues with different perspectives.

John Addison, Chairman of Primerica Distribution and Co-Chief Executive Officer said, “This groundbreaking marks a new day for Primerica. The new building will allow us to provide enhanced service to our ‘one of a kind’ financial services distribution system. It will be in a great location for members of our sales force across North America when they come to visit Atlanta and their Home Office. Our new location is at the hub of the Gwinnett County business, sports and entertainment community, and the thoughtfully designed building will be a centerpiece for our company and our employees and a showcase for our more than 90,000 representatives across North America. We wish to thank Governor Nathan Deal for his support, as well as our partners at Duke Realty, Gwinnett County, Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development, and government officials for being so helpful and supportive of our move.”

Primerica (NYSE:PRI) is currently the fourth largest private employer in Gwinnett with approximately 1,800 employees. Since 1985, Primerica’s Headquarters have been located in Gwinnett County at 3100 and 3120 Breckinridge Blvd. The current campus includes leases on 10 separate buildings covering 385,217 square feet. The new facility will consolidate all of Primerica’s numerous facilities and operations into one three-story building with two connected wings that will streamline business operations and greatly enhance logistical efficiencies.

“Primerica is one of Georgia’s outstanding corporate citizens, and its commitment to Georgia is deeply gratifying. The company’s experience here over the last 34 years has helped it understand how our logistics infrastructure and our deep well of talent can keep it growing and successful into the future,” said Governor Nathan Deal.

“We are very happy that Primerica, one of the largest private employers in the county, has chosen to stay and expand within our community. Today, we are celebrating the impact that this company has made in our community for years. We are proud to have been able to assist them in making a move that will aid their continued success.” said Gwinnett County Chairman Charlotte Nash.

Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Rick Williams commented, “It’s a customized ‘build-to-suit’ plan that has been well-designed to maximize business efficiencies and enhance the many services we provide for both our sales force and our clients. After 25 years in our existing location, the current economic environment provides an opportune time for us to move into a significantly improved facility.”

“Duke Realty is excited to begin construction of Primerica’s new corporate headquarters and is committed to delivering a first-class facility,” said Chris Brown, Senior Vice President of Duke Realty’s Georgia Operations. “Having such a strong, well-known company select Legacy is a plus for Duke Realty and Gwinnett County. Now that construction is underway, we believe that the increased activity and emerging buildings will attract more businesses to the area.”

Business relocation and expansion efforts in this North Metro Atlanta community are cultivated and supported through Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development, led by Nick Masino, Vice-President of Economic Development, and Jim Maran, CEO and President of the Gwinnett Chamber.

“The Gwinnett Chamber congratulates Primerica on its remarkable success,” said Gwinnett Chamber President and CEO, Jim Maran. “Primerica’s commitment to the Gwinnett business community over the last several years exemplifies the value and essence of what it means to be a true corporate citizen. We are excited for them and look ahead to the growth and development they will realize through this strategic move.”

Supporting local business expansion efforts, such as those of Primerica, are the public and private partners of Partnership Gwinnett, the community economic development initiative. Partnership Gwinnett’s internationally award-winning efforts have recorded over 285 expansions and 12,500 jobs since its inception in 2007.

“Without the seamless, collective efforts of Primerica, Duke Realty, and Gwinnett County, this success would not be possible,” said Nick Masino, Vice President of Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett. “The investment by Duke Realty will contribute significantly to a more balanced tax base in Gwinnett while affording Primerica the space it needs to add headcount. I’d like to thank Partnership Gwinnett’s public and private investors and partners for their vision and leadership to support economic development efforts that produce solid results like these.”

Primerica, Inc. headquartered in Duluth, GA, is a leading distributor of financial products to middle-income families in North America. Primerica representatives assist clients in meeting their needs for term life insurance, mutual funds, loans and other financial products. In addition, Primerica provides an entrepreneurial full or part-time business opportunity for individuals seeking to earn income by distributing its financial products. Primerica insures approximately 4.3 million lives and more than 2 million clients maintain investment accounts with the company. For more information on Primerica, please visit www.primerica.com.

For more information on how to get involved in local economic development efforts, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.

Gwinnett County (METRO ATLANTA) GA – The Gwinnett Chamber is honored to host Georgia House Speaker David Ralston at its upcoming General Membership Meeting presented by Rocket IT on November 16, 2011. Ralston will preview the 2012 Legislative Session during the luncheon being held at the 1818 Club from 11:30am – 1:00pm.

“I believe that a healthy working relationship between government and the business community is an important part of our continued economic recovery,” said House Speaker David Ralston. “With the 2012 legislative session fast approaching, I look forward to discussing some of the key issues the General Assembly will face in January with this group of business leaders and exploring how we can continue to strengthen this important partnership.”

House Speaker David Ralston was born in Ellijay, Georgia where he graduated from Gilmer County High School. He went on to attend Young Harris College and North Georgia College and State University earning his bachelor’s degree.  He later received a law degree from the University Of Georgia School Of Law. In 1992, Ralston was elected to the Georgia State Senate and served until 1998 when he won the Republican nomination for Attorney General of Georgia. In 2002, Ralston was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives.  Today, he represents the 7th District which includes Fannin and Gilmer counties and a portion of Dawson County. As a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, Speaker Ralston chaired the House Judiciary Non-Civil committee, was vice-chair of the Judiciary committee, and also served on the Appropriations, Rules, Transportation, and Governmental Affairs committees.

On January 11, 2010, Ralston was elected the 73rd Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives. Aside from his legislative duties, he is an attorney in Blue Ridge. His civic duties include active participation with the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce, Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association, and the Blue Ridge Lions Club. He and his wife have two children.

“We are excited and honored to have Georgia House Speaker David Ralston as the keynote for our General Membership Meeting,” said Jann Moore, Sr. Director of Public Policy and Education for the Gwinnett Chamber. “Having a strong pulse on public policy and government issues are essential to the growth of a pro-business environment. This event with Speaker Ralston is a tremendous opportunity for our business and community leaders to interact with and hear from one of Georgia’s top legislative leaders on what to expect in the coming year.”

General Membership Meetings are held once a month providing an opportunity for Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce members as well as members of the community to stay abreast of important issues in Gwinnett and Metro Atlanta, network with other business professionals and have a chance to listen to renowned speakers from all types of industries.

The cost to attend is $45 for members and $55 for non-Chamber members. Advanced registration is required.  Walk-ins are welcome but will not be guaranteed a seat. Register online at www.gwinnettchamber.org/events.

Gwinnett County Chairman Charlotte Nash said, “Today, we welcome our sister community of Gangnam-Gu, South Korea, not only to our county, but to Georgia and to the United States. It is our pleasure to extend hospitality and the promise that we will continue to work with them in tandem to create more opportunities for local business relationships in the global market.”

Council members and local business leaders at the Global Business Connections luncheon welcomed the trade delegation. The luncheon also featured Craig Lesser, Managing Partner of the PendLeton Consulting Group and former Commissioner of Economic Development for the State of Georgia, discussing the potential local impact of the pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with South Korea.

The Gwinnett Global Business Council was formed by Partnership Gwinnett to help Gwinnett Economic Development increase foreign investment into the Metro-Atlanta area, as well as support the recruitment and expansion of internationally based companies. The Global Business Council currently supports over 500 international companies located in Gwinnett County.

“We are honored and excited to partner with Gangnam-gu, an economically strong, international community, and welcome the Mayor and delegates to Gwinnett County,” states Jay Eun, President of Golden Stella, Inc and member of the Global Business Council. “The development of this relationship promotes the efforts of Partnership Gwinnett to increase foreign direct investment and accelerate global business growth in the Gwinnett area.”

The former mayor and delegates for the Gangnam district of Seoul, South Korea, first visited Gwinnett County in January 2008. This successful visit led to the signing of a sister-community agreement between the Gwinnett County Commission and Chamber and the Gangnam-gu district at Gangnam government offices in June 2009.

Nick Masino, Vice President of Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett commented, “The goal of our efforts is simple: we want to increase foreign direct investment into Gwinnett County while seeking opportunities for our existing industries to expand. Developing relationships with our partners in Gangnam not only provides international business opportunities, but also leverages two thriving economies to support overall economic stability.”

The first of its kind for Gwinnett County, the union will enable Gwinnett businesses to expand their global industries and network. The partnership with Gangnam-Gu District, located in the Republic of South Korea, the 13th-largest economy in the world, will present Gwinnett County opportunities for increased economic growth. Gangnam-Gu is one of the 25 Gu’s (local government districts) which make up the city of Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the most affluent areas of Seoul and is located in the southeast of the city, with a population of approximately 563,000.

“Global business development, especially in Asian communities, is all about establishing and building relationships,” said Jim Maran, President and CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber. “Through Gwinnett’s sister-community agreement with Gangnam, we now have a direct connection out of which the Gwinnett Chamber can offer relevant business-to-business trade and investment opportunities as we have done here today. It’s a great partnership and we look forward to its continued growth in 2012.”

To learn more about the Gwinnett Global Business Council, future Global Business Mission trips how to get involved in local economic development efforts, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.

“This expansion of our thermal media operations enhances our capability to meet our customers’ increasing demands and expectations for high-quality products and affirms our commitment to investing for the future. We look for this facility to play a key role in meeting the needs of the North American market and expanding into new markets,” explains Jeff Briwick, president of Ricoh Electronics, Inc. “We are extremely grateful for the tremendous support provided by the city, county, and state agencies that have helped make this expansion possible,” adds Frantz Pierre, Vice President and Group Manager, Georgia Operations Group.

Ricoh Electronics, Inc. is one of over 272 domestic and overseas companies that comprise Ricoh Company, Ltd., a $21-billion global corporation and a leading supplier of advanced office automation equipment. Ricoh produces highly-advanced digital copiers, peripherals, printed circuit boards, SecureFax™ machines, thermal media, toner, parts, recycled toner cartridges, and customer-configured products at facilities in Orange County, California, and Lawrenceville, Georgia.

“Ricoh’s decision to expand here in Georgia makes a great statement about the company’s confidence in the strength of our business environment, logistics infrastructure and highly-skilled workforce among other competitive advantages,” said Gretchen Corbin, Deputy Commissioner of Global Commerce for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “This expansion clearly illustrates Ricoh’s commitment to Georgia, and I am glad to work with our partners in Gwinnett County to help create opportunities for Ricoh and the people of this community.”

“Ricoh Electronics has had a home in Gwinnett County for many years. We are excited that they have decided to expand their operations here locally, increasing their presence in our community and creating jobs for Gwinnett residents.” said Gwinnett County Chairman Charlotte Nash.

Ricoh Electronics utilized the services of Georgia Quick Start, a program that has proved to be among the state’s key assets for supporting new and expanding industries. Quick Start delivers workforce training in classrooms, mobile labs or directly on the plant floor, wherever it works best for a company.

“As the nation’s oldest and most successful state job training program, Georgia Quick Start has been proud to support the continuing success of Ricoh Electronics by providing customized workforce training for numerous past expansion projects,” said Jackie Rohosky, Technical College System of Georgia assistant commissioner of economic development programs, and head of Quick Start. “This new facility marks another milestone in Ricoh’s growth, and we are proud to be partners with the company in their growth and the job creation that they are bringing to Gwinnett and the State of Georgia.”

Local dignitaries and elected officials will be on hand to celebrate the announcement and groundbreaking of Ricoh Electronics.

“As part of the Chamber’s ongoing mission to create jobs, strengthen the community and grow business, it is a privilege to see these objectives being realized with Ricoh Electronics’ expansion in our community,” said Jim Maran, President and CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber. “It’s with the collaboration of regional and local partners that we can celebrate such tremendous success. Thank you to all of our Partnership Gwinnett investors for your continued support of benchmark standards in Gwinnett’s economic development efforts; and congratulations to Ricoh on this historic achievement.”

Supporting local business expansion efforts, such as Ricoh Electronics, are the public and private partners of Partnership Gwinnett, the community economic development initiative. Partnership Gwinnett’s internationally award-winning efforts have facilitated over 285 expansions and 12,500 jobs since its inception in 2007.

“Ricoh Electronics’ choice to remain and expand their facilities in Gwinnett County is a testament to the pro-business environment and strong support system we have in Gwinnett,” commented Nick Masino, Vice President of Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett. “The manufacturing expansion and the jobs created with that investment contribute significantly to the continued growth that Gwinnett County has seen, despite the current economic climate. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Charles Stallworth with Georgia Power Economic Development for his tremendous assistance in this project.”

For more information on how to get involved in local economic development efforts, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.

About Partnership Gwinnett

Partnership Gwinnett is Gwinnett’s economic and community development initiative. Led by the Gwinnett Chamber and a host of public and private partners, the initiative targets the retention and expansion of existing Gwinnett businesses in addition to the development of new business in five key market segments: Healthcare; Advanced Communications; Information Technology; Trade & Distribution; and Regional/Corporate Headquarters. The ultimate goal is to promote economic wealth & diversification, increase education and work force excellence, improve quality of life and heighten visibility through marketing and outreach programs for the entire Gwinnett community. For more information on Partnership Gwinnett, the internationally award-winning community and economic development initiative, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.