Board of Director Nominations

The Nominating Committee of the Greater Hall Chamber presents seven nominees for new Board of Directors: Dr. Jack Chapman, George Cleveland, Doug Higgins, Gus Lobo, Lana Nix, Anita Scott and Reed Skinner. The Nominating Committee, in accordance with the Bylaws (Article 5, Section 5), has nominated these individuals to serve as members of the Board of Directors of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2003 and ending June 30, 2006. The Nominating Committee includes Chamber Chairman Dick Valentine, Chairman-Elect Benny Bagwell and Past Chairmen Doug Carter, Brent Hoffman, Martha Simmons, and Steve Gilliam. Details, Kit Dunlap, 770-532-6206.

Jack Chapman – Gainesville Eye Care

A graduate of Forest Park High School, Jack Chapman obtained a B.S. degree with a major in Chemistry from the University of Georgia. He earned Doctor of Optometry from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, a Doctor of Medicine from the Medical College of Georgia and completed a residency in Ophthalmology at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia. Chapman has been in private practice of Ophthalmology in Gainesville since 1992 at Gainesville Eye Associates. He is a member and former president of the Hall County Medical Society, Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Medical Association of Georgia, a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Refractive and Cataract Surgeons, Georgia Society of Ophthalmology, and the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Organizing Committee of the Health Access Initiative. Jack and his wife, Leslie Ward Chapman, have one son, Jack III.

George Cleveland – Cingular Wireless

George Cleveland is Area Business Sales Manager for Cingular Wireless. His civic and community involvement includes serving as Sergeant-at-Arms of the Gainesville Rotary Club, Executive Board Member of Elachee Nature Center, Board member of the American Red Cross (NEGA Chapter), and member of the Brenau University President’s Advisory Board. Cleveland received his B.A. in Accounting (CPA) from Morehouse College. He is married to Antonette Cleveland.

Doug Higgins – Wachovia

A native of Marion, North Carolina, Doug Higgins graduated from the University of North Carolina-Asheville with a degree in Economics and Finance and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Young Executive Institute. He has been in the banking industry for 20 years, 17 years in Georgia. Higgins relocated to Gainesville in 2002. He is past president of the Walton County Chamber of Commerce in Monroe, Georgia and presently serves as a member of the Gainesville Rotary Club, board member of the Elachee Nature Science Center, member of the President’s Advisory Council of Brenau University, and board member of the North Georgia Council of Boy Scouts of America. Doug is married to Susan, and they have two children, Matt and Ashley.

Gus Lobo – Homestar Financial

Gustavo (Gus) Lobo was born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras and immigrated with his family to Miami, Florida in 1975 at the age of 17. He graduated from Miami Edison Senior High School in 1976 and attended Miami-Dade Community College. Currently, he is a mortgage consultant at Homestar Financial Corporation, a small mortgage company located in Gainesville. Gus assists individuals in acquiring their first mortgage or, in some cases, a better one. Gus is very involved in the community and serves as a member of the Hispanic Committee, the Hispanic Task Force of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and is a Hispanic Program Specialist for the Boy Scouts of America. He has seen Gainesville become a business trade center with a bilingual work force ready to face the new multi-facet world of e-business and is proud to have participated in this development. Gus resides with his wife, Cherry Lynn, and son, Fernando, in Flowery Branch.

Lana Nix – SunTrust

In July 2002, Lana Nix was named SunTrust’s President of the Gainesville Bank and Retail District Manager for the Atlanta Region. She began her banking career with Home Federal Bank in 1979 (purchased by SunTrust in 1993) and previously served as Cheif Financial Officer, Senior Vice President and EVP, Retail Line of Business Manager. Nix acquired a BBA in finance from North Georgia College and is a certified public accountant. Professional and community interests include: a member of the American Institute of CPA’s, the NEGA Chapter of the Georgia Society of CPA’s, President of the Gainesville Ballet and member of the North Georgia College Business Advisory Council. Lana and her husband, Charles, are members of First Baptist Church and have two daughters, Ashley and Rachel.

Anita Scott – Northeast Georgia Health Systems

With a Masters in Education from Brenau University and a nursing degree from Georgia Baptist, Anita Scott serves as Academic Liaison for Northeast Georgia Health System, Inc., Anita has been affiliated with the Northeast Georgia Medical Center since 1972 when she was employed as a Maternal Child Nurse. Her employment has also included nursing faculty member, healthcare educator, and Director of Education. She serves as chairman of the Chamber’s Quality Education Strategy Team (QuEST) Council, and on the boards of the Lanier Technical College Foundation, Georgia Hospital Association, Health Occupation Students of America and NEGA Junior Achievement. Anita is the author of several articles for trade publications and has earned several state association and local awards for her dedication and knowledge of the healthcare industry. She is married to Ebb Scott and has two adult sons.

Reed Skinner – Regions Bank

Reed Skinner is Vice President of Corporate Lending at Regions Bank. His community service includes past president and chairman of the board of the Gainesville Jaycees (eight years on board), United Way section chair, March of Dimes campaign board, a graduate of Leadership Hall County and Hearts of Gold campaign Board. Skinner is a 1992 graduate of the University of Georgia and is an active member of Gainesville First United Methodist Church. He and wife, Kim, have two daughters, Cassidy and Hannah.