REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY - GREATER MACON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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2 018 - 2 019 | R E P O R T TO T H E C O M M U N I T Y MACON MATTERS GREATER MACON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN Jim Manley The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce participation, all consistently the top plays an integral role in the cultivation of a challenges facing our local employers dynamic and thriving business community. today. Forward looking, vibrant chambers While our record of economic and of commerce will serve as the conveners community development through the years and facilitators of business, government, is commendable, we must keep our eye on and education. Representing more than the future and evolve with the changing 1,000 businesses and 70,000 employees, cultural and economic landscape to remain your Chamber will continue to develop relevant. Your Chamber is on the move in collaborative partnerships, recognizing that 2019 with impressive new leadership, an key relationships are critical in sustaining experienced and talented staff, assertive job development, economic growth, and advocacy on a variety of business related our overall economic competitiveness. issues, and the delivery of improved Businesses have banded together for relationship building and promotional centuries for the common interest of platforms & events for our investors, among economic growth and prosperity and other things. The work to repurpose the supporting that effort today is what propels Macon Economic Development Commission and motivates your Chamber. Business to has also begun in earnest with a new business and household to household we strategic focus on work force development, have a shared future together in Middle which will seek better alignment of existing Georgia. I am honored to serve as Chair of partners and resources, the attraction the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce and retention of a skilled workforce, and for 2019 and am grateful to all our members the removal of barriers to workforce and investors for their continued support.
MESSAGE FROM
THE PRESIDENT
Yvonne Williams
For over 150 years, the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce has been an influential leader
in Macon-Bibb and the Southeast region. We will continue to enhance and expand economic
development opportunities through advocacy efforts on important legislative issues and
innovative policy. The Chamber will support the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park,
regional transportation projects and the runway extension of Middle Georgia Regional Airport.
We will strengthen our relationships with the 21st Century Partnership and the legislative
delegation to protect Robins Air Force Base and the Air Logistics Complex.
By initiating and supporting regional collaboration and partnerships, the Chamber will focus
on making Macon the Best Place for Business in Georgia. To create a continuous economic
competitiveness platform, we will partner with Macon-Bibb agencies to find innovative ways
to achieve prosperity for citizens in all economic sectors of arts, culture, housing, healthcare,
talent development, workforce, place making, tourism, recreation and infrastructure expansion.
We plan to build a base for continuous employment through strategies centered on work-based
learning. By charting career pathways that support military career awareness, internships,
apprenticeships and shadowing, we can efficiently connect talent with opportunity.
Investment in the Chamber provides an unparalleled opportunity to grow, brand and ignite
business. The Chamber’s sixth annual Total Resource Campaign will be executed with an
exciting assembly of volunteers participating from a cross-section of businesses. To meet the
ever-changing environment of community development and growth, the Chamber will lead a
united effort to accomplish what lies ahead. Macon matters, and together we can tell our story.
STRATEGIC PLAN
INVESTOR ENGAGEMENT REGIONALISM
Maintain the Chamber’s fiscal responsibility Initiate and support regional collaboration and
partnerships
Continue the focus on increasing diversity with our
Membership and Chamber leadership Support and advocate for T-SPLOST (Transportation
Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax)
Continue to improve and expand existing Chamber
events, services and recognition programs to retain Advance the implementation of the following
existing members and recruit new members transportation projects: Sardis Church Road Extension,
Middle Georgia Regional Airport Runway Extension,
Maintain two-way communication with our members
Export/Import Highway, High Speed Passenger Rail
and the community through enhanced social media,
mobile apps, online surveys and focus groups Continue to advocate for the Ocmulgee Mounds
National Historic Park
Aggressively promote our members’ successes and
services through our marketing efforts and Maintain effective relationships with the base command
social media structure and the Air Force Material Command
leadership team
Partner with CGTC to provide a direct link from the
Chamber to their online learning platform Work with the 21st Century Partnership and the
legislative delegation to protect and grow missions at
Implement quarterly meetings of small business
Robins Air Force Base and the Air Logistics Complex
owners and entrepreneurs to share best practices
and exchange information Join the 21st Century Partnership in the Annual
Washington DC Legislative Breakfast
Advocate at the local, state and national level on issues and
legislation important to our member’s business success
The Chamber advocates for 1000+
members representing 70,000 members.
Strategic Priorities / Strategic Objectives at Partnerships / Operations – Excellence / Value Added / Solid Messaging
METHOD OF OPERATION FOCUS AREAS ACTIVITIES
Understand Investors and Members Community Engagement Preparation 2019
Redefining Mission Focus Member Sponsor Focus on Membership Areas
Foundation – Transition – Engagement Get Message Out
Transformation – Aspiration Recover Revenue Re-Build Support
Humble – Hungry- Smart – Operation Initiate Advocacy Launch Revised Mission
Strategic Plans Thru Partnerships Build Partnerships Develop Team
Bridges to Build Focus Retention Recover Revenue
Hub Organization – as Regional Partner Proactive Marketing Build Board Governance
Initiate Branding Build Resources to Scale
MACON NOW 3.0
1
STRATEGY
RETENTION &
2
STRATEGY
NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
3
STRATEGY
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
EXPANSION
Work with our community Challenge the business
Support existing programs that partners to pursue community to develop
address the needs of small and opportunities for incubators, internships and apprenticeships
minority enterprises. accelerators, and that expose high school and
innovation centers. college students to career
Strengthen our existing opportunities in target sectors.
business retention and Establish cluster
expansion program. councils for all our targeted Continue to participate and
industry segments. support the Business Education
Assist the development Partnership (BEP) of the
and growth of local Support the implementation One Macon plan.
supplier/vendor networks. of entrepreneurial curriculum
in primary, secondary and Develop a database of jobs
Conduct existing business and postsecondary education available in Macon-Bibb to
industry needs assessments; use to build a pipeline of future encourage talent recruitment
the information generated to entrepreneurs. and retention.
develop a support program.
The Greater Macon Chamber of
Commerce, representing nearly 1000
business members, is out-front
advocating on issues that are
important to American Pride Bank
and the whole community.
There is strength in numbers and
having a business-friendly
organization's support is extremely
important to our success.
John Hall
President/CEO
American Pride Bank
#maconmatters
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
MEDC will reach out to public/private/charter K-12 schools and local
colleges and universities to identify opportunities for business leaders
WORKFORCE
to serve as speakers, instructors and mentors within the school’s
entrepreneurial course offerings. We will strengthen partnerships with
SUMMIT 2018
Mercer Innovation Center, Spark Macon and others to cultivate a culture Uniting the business community
that embraces, nurtures and celebrates entrepreneurs. with economic development and
workforce professionals, this
TALENT RETENTION & RECRUITMENT conference provided information and
MEDC will continue to implement strategies and plans for the recruitment resources for businesses of all sizes.
and retention of talent. We will enhance our Young Professionals Network The agenda featured a variety of
by increasing membership and improving the types of programs offered, topics related to workforce including
while fostering professional development and engagement. the following: internship and
apprenticeship programs; solutions
WORKFORCE READINESS for an aging workforce; local college
and university course offerings that
MEDC will work with education partners to ensure the pipeline of talent
develop a job-ready workforce;
is ready to meet the needs of our growing business community. MEDC
available state incentives and talent
has taken the lead on matching business and industry with our career
identification assistance.
academy, colleges and universities to advance apprenticeship
and internship.
Uniting the local business community
with regional economic development
and workforce professionals, the
Workforce Summit provided
affordable access to critical
information and connections to
valuable resources for new and
existing businesses of all sizes.
Ron Shipman
MEDC Chairman
Georgia Power
#maconmatters
SALUTE TO BUSINESS AWARDS
At the annual Business and Industry Awards Luncheon, A
Salute to Business, hosted by the Greater Macon Chamber of
Commerce and the Macon Economic Development Commission,
awards were presented to the Startup of the Year, Small
Business of the Year, Business of the Year and Outstanding
Young Business Leader of the Year. More than 200 people
attended the event.
THE STARTUP OF THE THE BUSINESS OF THE OUTSTANDING YOUNG THE SMALL BUSINESS
YEAR AWARD THE YEAR AWARD BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Dani-Rae & Company Geotechnical & Shane Gottwals, Co-Founder M&R Marketing Group
Environmental and CEO of Gottwals Books
Working together at a Consultants, Inc. (GEC) M&R Marketing
local real estate office in Shane Gottwals was born and began in 2008 from
2014 Brittany Smith and Geotechnical & raised in Macon, attending an idea developed
Jordan Steinberg would Environmental Consultants, church at Central Fellowship by two friends. They
shop online, during their Inc. is an engineering Baptist Church and school at sensed a need in the
lunch break of course, consulting firm with offices Central Fellowship Christian Middle Georgia area
for jewelry and clothing. in Macon, Columbus, and Academy. He earned a B.A. for a full-service
Taken aback by the high LaGrange, Georgia. GEC in English from Mercer marketing agency that
prices on some items provides consulting in University, and spent a portion would create strong
they started to make three key areas including: of his college years at Oxford relationships with
their own jewelry and Geotechnical engineering, University in England. Shane’s businesses and offer
sell them online. They environmental engineering, extensive retail experience more consistency in
soon turned their hobby and construction quality helped Gottwals Books/Walls their marketing efforts.
into a business, moving control testing. The of Books® become one of the The big idea was to do
out of the basement firm began in 1991 as largest used bookstore chains what they love with the
and opening a store on Geosciences, Inc. In 1999, in the United States. Shane has people they enjoy doing
Ingleside Ave. a corporate restructuring been recognized in Georgia it with. M&R’s team of
occurred which resulted Trend as an Outstanding 14 works with clients
in the current name and Georgian under the age of 40 across the country.
creation of the Macon and by the Georgia Economic
corporate and Columbus Developers Association as a
branch offices. Rock Star.
ABOUT LEADERSHIP MACON
Leadership Macon is a signature program of the
Chamber that, each year, brings together a diverse
group of leaders from across the community.
Students learn more about Macon-Bibb County and
develop a project that will benefit the area. This
year’s class chose a project that reinforces what a
wonderful place Macon is to live, work and play.
2018 LEADERSHIP THE PROJECT MISSION:
To improve the overall safety and public health of Macon-
MACON CLASS PROJECT Bibb citizens by addressing blight in the community, with a
primary focus starting in Pleasant Hill.
The 2018 Leadership Macon Class decided to address the issue of
blight in Macon-Bibb by identifying at least 20 homes and/or lots to The Fight Blight Macon project consists of three parts:
demolish and clean up in the downtown connector community of
Pleasant Hill. Upon the cleanup of these properties, they were released Blight Removal and Prevention: 2018 Leadership
to Habitat for Humanity to build new homes for families. Macon is partnering with Macon Habitat for Humanity and
Rebuilding Macon to remove existing blight and to assist in
There are several technical and legal definitions of blight, and then there minor home repair in attempt to prevent future blight.
is the daily experience of blight. One trait that is common across all
definitions and experiences of blight is that it is caused by neglect. A small Neighborhood Cleanup: Leadership Macon will be
problem becomes bigger over time. Without intervention, sooner or working alongside residents of Pleasant Hill to clean up the
later, blight spreads and takes over a block, then the neighborhood, then neighborhood. This will also serve as part of the sweat equity
the district, and then the city. Blight is simply the physical result of dire class members are dedicating to this year’s project.
economic and social forces affecting our city over many decades.
Community Toolkit: As a sustainability effort, this
The 2018 Leadership Macon Class believes that every neighborhood online resource will be created and made available for
has a future and it shouldn’t include blight. Fortunately, Macon is neighborhoods to utilize to help tackle blight in their own
known for its soul… for its grit and resiliency against all odds. communities.
2018 LEADERSHIP
MACON CLASS
Tanya Allen
Alison Bender
Mark Benfield
Cherise Cartwright
Whitney Chance
Nancy Cleveland
Sheryl Cody
Erika Conleay
Paige Davis
Eric Eade
Ken Fincher
Christina Fiveash
Brant Freeman
Kevin Frounfelker
Amanda Hall
Jake Hall
Teneal Hiley
Demetrius Hill
Rachel Hollar
Willon Hunter
Andy Jones
Billy Jordan
Christy Kovac
Lisa Lemon
Paul Little
Zach Lopater
Sheldon Mattox
Lauren Mauldin
Brends Mays
Being part of Leadership Macon Anthony McCorvey
completely changed the way I viewed Anthony McEver
my community and encouraged me to David Moore
be a change agent. I have served on Amanda Morris
numerous boards and volunteered Lindsey Mote
with more community organizers than Yashica Murphy
I can count... many of them also Rachel Norris
graduates of this vital program. Suzanne Palmer
Mackee Paulk
Steve Ramsey
Edgar Ray
Rebecca Richard
Scott Mitchell Lisa Seneker
Business Owner Kathy Sianis
Travis Jean Emporium Sherita Sims-Jones
#maconmatters Walker Stewart
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORK Macon’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) is an initiative of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce established to connect and empower the area’s young professionals to create individual, business and community success. YPN is designed to bring together young talent for networking opportunities. They engage with the community in meaningful ways, learning why Macon is a wonderful place to live, work and play. All young professionals, including non-Chamber members, are welcome to join and attend any YPN event.
YOUNG
ENTREPRENEURS
ACADEMY
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy
(YEA!) is a groundbreaking and cutting-
edge program that takes students in
middle and high school, ages 11 to 18,
through the process of starting and
launching a real business or social
movement over the course of an
academic year. Throughout the class,
students develop business ideas, write
business plans, pitch their plans to
a panel of investors for real funding,
then launch and run their own real,
fully-formed companies. Complete
with dynamic guest speakers from the
local business community and exciting
behind-the-scenes field trips to local
companies, the fun, project-based YEA!
approach empowers students to take
charge of their futures in a profound way.
The YEA! Macon Class of 2018 consisted
of 25 students representing public,
private and home schooled students.
The 2017-2018 class produced a National
Finalist, Katie Davis of Same Stars
Canvas. She is an innovative winner and
is already changing the world.
I appreciate the opportunities that
the Young Entrepreneurs Academy
provided for me. I met wonderful
people in the local community and
competed in a national arena. The
YEA program pushed my boundaries
and helped me strengthen my skills in
areas of uncertainty and weakness.
Katie Davis
Same Stars Canvas
YEA National
Finalist
#maconmattersABOUT THE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
The Ambassador Program consists of enthusiastic volunteers from
the Chamber membership who donate their time to help the Chamber
connect with its members and raise community awareness of Chamber
activities and benefits. In doing so, the Ambassadors grow professionally
and personally by building business relationships within the community.
The program is ideal if you have a desire to:
Become more active in the local business community
Raise awareness of your business or organization
Give back to the community
AMBASSADOR
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Alexis Figley- Vice Chair
Bridgitte Wormely
Conswala Bell The Greater Macon Chamber of
Corlis Weathers Commerce is important to my
Holly Beard business because it offers access to
Jarred Kelly like-minded business professionals
Keith Davis who are determined to make Macon a
Latrenda Leaks better place to live and work. We
Laura West benefit from the Chamber's
Leslie Hurdle networking activities, interaction with
NeCortney Holloway our state legislators, and the
Noelle Brooks continuous effort to develop a
Patty Burns strong workforce.
Shawn Hall
Sundra Woodford
Tammy Hentze Starr Purdue
Tim Bragg Former GMC Board Chair
Ryan Emory- Chairman Hutchings Funeral Home
Angel Allen #maconmatters
Candice Edwards
Pam Adams
Cristen CarterTOTAL RESOURCE CAMPAIGN
2018 TRC CAMPAIGN
UNMASK THE POSSIBILITIES
The fifth annual Total Resource Campaign was held from April through
June 2018, with David Danzie of Cadence Bank as the Campaign Chair.
During the seven-week campaign, 50 chamber volunteers helped generate
over $350,000 in sponsorships of Chamber programs, events and electronic
media for 2018-19. The funds raised help offset the cost of programs and
events hosted by the Chamber each year.
During the 2018 Total Resource
Campaign, 50 enthusiastic
chamber volunteers helped generate
over $350,000 in sponsorships of
Chamber programs, events and
electronic media. The investments
support engagement opportunities for
our members and help offset expenses
associated with presenting vital
programs and events.
David Danzie
2018 TRC Chairman
Cadence Bank
#maconmattersBOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Ivan Allen, Central Georgia
2019 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Technical College
Dr. Chris Blake, Middle Georgia
State University
Steven Brewer, CPA
Rob Brooks, 21st Century Partnership
Alyson Cozart, Coliseum Health System
Colonel Lyle Drew, Robins Air Force Base
JIM MANLEY JULIA MAGDA PATRICK GOFF
Tom Driver, Geotechnical & Environmental SYNOVUS BANK MAGDA LAW JONES CORK, LLP
Consultants, Inc. CHAIRMAN 2019 CHAIR ELECT 2020 GENERAL COUNSEL
Robby Fountain, Macon-Bibb
Industrial Authority
Travis Griffith, Southern Pine Plantations
Ivey Hall, Habitat for Humanity
Sam Hart, Macon Water Authority
Robbo Hatcher, H2 Capital Inc.
Anthony Holloman, Fort Valley
State University BRUCE LEICHT SUSANNAH MADDUX RON SHIPMAN
CADENCE BANK MACON MAGAZINE GEORGIA POWER
Dr. Curtis Jones, Bibb County Schools TREASURER VICE CHAIR OF MEMBER VICE CHAIR OF ECONOMIC
ENGAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT/PAST
George Jones, LE Schwartz CHAIR
Bill Lindsey, OrthoGeorgia
Sissy Macfie, Regions Bank
Melanie Marshall, Renasant Bank
Laura Mathis, Middle GA Regional Commission
Matthew Michael, M&R Marketing Group
Lester Miller, Lester Miller, Attorney at Law
Scott Mitchell, Travis Jean Emporium
ALLEN LONDON ANDREW ECK ALLEN FREEMAN
Stacy Moore, Cherry Blossom Festival MERCER UNIVERSITY GEORGIA ARTISAN ALL CARE HOME
VICE CHAIR OF FURNISHINGS VICE HEALTH, LLC VICE CHAIR
Hughes Pinson, Renasant Bank EDUCATION & CHAIR OF SMALL & OF REGIONAL
WORKFORCE EXISTING BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT
Starr Purdue, Hutchings Funeral Home PARTNERSHIPS
Amy Rauls, John Wesley Villas
Mayor Robert Reichert, Macon-Bibb County
Bruce Riggins, Ciceros Moving & Storage
Josh Rogers, NewTown Macon
Tony Rojas, Macon Water Authority
Amy Rowley, Gannett Automotive
Dr. Ninfa Saunders, Navicent Health
MIGUEL GARCIA JONATHAN PITTS JAMES FREEMAN
Scott Seigel, BB&T GREENE MACHINE MACON OCCUPATIONAL ATTORNEY VICE CHAIR
VICE CHAIR OF MILITARY MEDICINE VICE CHAIR OF LEADERSHIP MACON
Chris Sheridan, Sheridan Construction AFFAIRS OF VIABILITY & AND YOUNG P
EXCELLENCE ROFESSIONALS
Shawn Stafford, Stafford Builders NETWORK (YPN)
Jeff Thompson, Constangy, Brooks, Smith
& Prophete, LLP
AL ERTEL
Bill Underwood, Mercer University
SECURE HEALTH
Gary Wheat, Visit Macon VICE CHAIR OF HEALTH
AND WELLNESS
Carol Williams, Mercer University
Yvonne Williams, Chamber President/CEOGreater Macon
Chamber of Commerce
Chairman’s Club Members
Cornerstone Level
Gold Level
Si l v er L ev el
13 WMAZ - TV Macon Occupational Medicine, LLC
Advanced Health & Rehab - Mauldin & Jenkins, CPAs, LLC
Twiggs County McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks
All Care Home Health, LLC & Co., LLC
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. NewTown Macon
Atlanta Gas Light Company North Macon Plaza, LLC
Cadence Bank Northwestern Benefit Corp
Capital City Bank OrthoGeorgia
Fickling & Company, Inc. Primary Pediatrics, P.C.
GasSouth Pro Construction of GA, LLC
GEICO Progressive Communications, Inc.
Hargray Fiber Robins Financial Credit Union
James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP SunTrust Bank Mid GA
Jones Cork, LLP Synovus Bank
Just Tap’d Waites & Foshee Insurance Group
L. E. Schwartz & Son, Inc. YKK USA
Bron z e Lev el
AARP Georgia Georgia Artisan Furnishings
Advanced Disposal Services Georgia Farm Bureau
Agape Medical Transport Geotechnical & Environmental
Ambassador Personnel, Inc. Consultants, Inc.
As One EMS Infinity Network Solutions, Inc.
ASP Franchising, Inc. Internal Medicine Associates, P.C.
Blue Bird Corporation Macon Beverage Company
Bolingreen Health & Rehab McDonald’s
Canvas The World Concierge McIntyre Fencing Company, Inc.
Clifton, Lipford, Hardison & Parker, LLC Merrill Lynch
Commercial Furnishings Metro Diner
Community Foundation of Middle Georgia Heart
Central Georgia Ocmulgee Brewpub
Cor Studio: Pilates, Yoga, Dance, Barre Pellicano Construction
Cox Communications S & S Cafeteria
Driven Technologies, LLC Samet Consulting
Dunwody/Beeland Architects, Inc. SCANA Energy
ESG Operations, Inc. Shell - Hartley Bridge Road
Fincher’s Barbecue and Catering, Inc. Stafford Builders and Consultants, Inc.
Freudenberg Performance U.S. Postal Service Macon
Materials Macon Your Corner Drug Store
General Steel Co. /Triple S. Steel of Ga.ABOUT THE GREATER MACON
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Established in 1861, the Greater Macon Chamber of
Commerce is the area’s largest business services
organization and primary advocate for the Macon-Bibb
business community. The Chamber supports the growth
and development of business by offering networking and
marketing opportunities, providing valuable benefits to
its members, advocating for legislative issues that will
promote a healthy business climate, and participating in
the economic development efforts for Macon-Bibb. For
more information, visit www.maconchamber.com.
CHAMBER STAFF
Yvonne Williams Tim Hughes
President/CEO Membership Manager
Jennifer Bronner O’Claudia Johnson
Vice President, Finance Administrative Assistant and
Information Specialist
Audrey Connely
Vice President, Administration Renita Patterson
Special Events Manager
Jennifer Baggarly
Director, Talent and Tamalyn Teems
Workforce Engagement, Marketing & Communications
MEDC Director
Lynn Farmer LaShonda White
Director, Leadership Macon Accounting ClerkYou can also read
