The Greater Hall Chamber presented 2020-2021 Silver Shovel Awards at the Board of Directors Meeting on June 24. Silver Shovel Awards are given to Chamber volunteers who have worked hard for the Chamber and for business in Gainesville-Hall County.
Silver Shovel Award Recipients (Front, L-R) Jordan Hussey, J’s Place Recovery Center; Sheri Millwood, Oakwood City Council; Shelley Logan, Workforce Strategies Group; Dr. Patrick Fulbright, UGA Small Business Development Center. (Middle, L-R) Loren Funk, Longstreet Clinic; Patrick Larson, Georgia Mountains Regional Commission; Vaughan Smith, Chattahoochee Country Club; Nick Bruner, Rushton. (Back, L-R) Terry Spicer, King’s Hawaiian; Casey Ryals, Hall County Farm Bureau Insurance; Matt Waters, United Community Bank; Bill Hall, Murray Plastics; Andrew Davenport, A Good Look Home Inspection; Dr. David Westfall, Northeast Georgia Medical Center Graduate Medical Education; Not Pictured, Beth Downs, Northeast Georgia Health System.
NICK BRUNER – RUSHTON
Nick Bruner has served on the Chamber Board and has assisted the Chamber this year by providing valuable insight to help small businesses best utilize the resources offered by the Small Business Administration during the COVID-19 pandemic. His business and accounting advice has helped many of our member businesses navigate through the pandemic.
ANDREW DAVENPORT – A GOOD LOOK HOME INSPECTION
As a member of the Chamber’s Small Business Roundtable and a small business owner, Andrew Davenport’s input is invaluable in helping develop programs that meet the needs of our local small businesses. Andrew is a Leadership Hall County (LHC) graduate and has continued to help LHC by serving on the PAC TEAM. Andrew also mentors veteran entrepreneurs.
BETH DOWNS – NORTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM
Beth Downs has gone above and beyond for our community in helping facilitate community-wide COVID-19 and Vaccine updates. The Chamber has hosted some 14 webinars involving hundreds in our community – all coordinated by Beth Downs. Beth is also a member of the VISION 2030 Art Committee.
DR. PATRICK FULBRIGHT – UGA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Patrick Fulbright quickly became the expert on the PPP and EIDL Loans available to businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past year, he took the lead on several webinars to keep our local small businesses educated about these resources. Patrick is a member of the current Leadership Hall County Class.
LOREN FUNK – LONGSTREET CLINIC
Loren Funk has served as a primary point of contact for employers seeking onsite COVID-19 vaccination clinics for their employees during the pandemic. Always a source of good current information about COVID-19, Loren is truly a community resource. He is a graduate of Leadership Hall County and is a valuable resource for Longstreet Clinic, our Chamber and community.
BILL HALL – MURRAY PLASTICS
Bill Hall chaired the VISION 2030 Education Consortium leading the group to begin the successful 7th Grade Career Path Fairs. He not only helped organize and participate in the event, but also served as THE model for other businesses as they learned how to explain their products and operations to students. Bill is very involved with Workforce Development initiatives and Work-Based Learning, volunteering his time and talent to serve our youth.
JORDAN HUSSEY – J’S PLACE RECOVERY CENTER
Jordan Hussy has given valuable presentations to the Chamber’s HR Council, Healthcare Committee and others on the important services offered at J’s Place Recovery Center. She has shown the need for these services every day — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March 2020, J’s Place more than doubled its capacity to serve those struggling with substance abuse and mental health challenges.
PATRICK LARSON – GEORGIA MOUNTAINS REGIONAL COMMISSION
Patrick Larson is a valuable resource for this community and other North Georgia counties. He connects organizations and governments with grants and programs to assist in their work. Patrick serves on the Chamber’s Economic Development Council and helps with workforce development initiatives by identifying funding for projects like the Apprenticeship 101 program.
SHELLY LOGAN – WORKFORCE STRATEGIES GROUP
Former Chamber employee, Shelley “Workforce Development” Logan has taken her passion for this community’s future workforce to develop her own company. Shelley continues to give back and now serves as Chair of the VISION 2030 Education Consortium. With her knowledge and determination, all students will understand career opportunities available to them and the importance of developing a workforce development program.
SHERI MILLWOOD – OAKWOOD CITY COUNCIL
Sheri Millwood is an active leader on the Economic Development Council, providing insight on the growing City of Oakwood and South Hall area. Sheri is an active member of the South Hall Business Coalition and is a graduate of Leadership Hall County. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Hall Chamber and is a REALTOR and a true public servant.
CASEY RYALS – HALL COUNTY FARM BUREAU INSURANCE
Casey Ryals is a businessman, salesman, author, speaker, community servant. He serves on the Chamber Board and participated in the Chamber’s 2021 Membership Campaign as the top individual recruiter. He has presented to Youth Leadership Hall and will present the next Small Business Seminar on July 13. Casey’s book, “Last to Least” is something everyone needs to read.
VAUGHAN SMITH – CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTRY CLUB
Vaughan is the ultimate in customer service – always going above and beyond to make people feel good and comfortable. He has hosted and helped with Leadership Hall County and Youth Leadership Hall programs. Vaughan has given programs on etiquette, dress for success, and how to converse. The students in Youth Leadership Hall have enjoyed being at the Chattahoochee Country Club and learning from Vaughan.
TERRY SPICER – KING’S HAWAIIAN
Terry Spicer is a great partner in Workforce Development, always willing to volunteer his time to talk with students or companies about King’s Hawaiian. Terry builds relationships with students in Youth Leadership Hall and area high schools and takes an active role in their unique abilities. An active participant on the Chamber Board, Terry and King’s Hawaiian are so very generous with their sponsorships and resources.
MATT WATERS – UNITED COMMUNITY BANK
Matt is a graduate of Leadership Hall County and has been very active in Chamber activities and programs. He has participated in the Chamber Ambassador Program and was named the 2021 Ambassador of the Year. Matt volunteered as a Team Captain for the Chamber Annual Membership Campaign and led his team to the #1 spot in the campaign with 21 members.
DR. DAVID WESTFALL – NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER – GME PROGRAM
Dr. Dave Westfall has contributed his expertise, time and talents to the Chamber’s Healthcare efforts. Dave serves as the Chairman of the Chamber’s Healthcare Committee and has advised and participated in the Annual Healthy Hall Awards which recognizes community healthcare workers. Dr. Westfall’s passion for improving quality and access to healthcare in our community has been evident during his long career. His contributions continue today as he now advises the Residents for Northeast Georgia Health System’s Graduate Medical Education program.