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 #maconmatters
ABOUT 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 Carter
TOTAL 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 #maconmatters
BOARD 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/CEO
Greater 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 Clerk
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