Silver Shovel Award Recipients

Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Chairman Dick Valentine recognized the efforts of outstanding volunteers at the May 15 Annual Meeting and Gala. Recipients of the Greater Hall Chamber’s Silver Shovel Award included:



• Chuck Clausen, Prudential Georgia Realty, chaired the Chamber Issues Committee and is a team player on the Infrastructure Committee. Chuck is a dedicated Chamber member who participates on many committees and takes the lead in preparing and doing his homework on issues. Chuck and his wife, Betsy, make a dynamic team in the real estate business.



• Connie Davis, Watkins Chiropractic Clinic – The Chamber is fortunate to have had Connie as a working member for many years. Most recently, Connie helped found the Member Relations Committee. Through Connie’s leadership, this committee has made thousands of calls to Chamber members encouraging them to participate in functions, offering assistance to their business and thanking them for their memberships.



• Dana Miller, a community volunteer, co-chaired the Hacker’s Holiday Golf Committee and is chairing it again this year. She continues her support to our community and to the Chamber and has been active on many committees. Dana knows how to organize and get people involved – the Chamber made more money last year than ever before on Hacker’s Holiday.



• Jimmy McCauley, City of Oakwood, was recognized for his efforts in economic development. He has served as the City Manager of Oakwood for some 25 years and been the “right-hand-man” of Mayor Lamar Scroggs and the City Council. Jimmy has been a part of making Oakwood a successful and forward acting city, implementing the 250 acre Oakwood Industrial Park with some 10 industrial tenants. Jimmy and Mayor Scroggs have worked tirelessly to bring the needed infrastructure (particularly sewer and water) to Oakwood and South Hall, and the beautification of Oakwood medians has been a favorite project of his. The most recent accomplishment of Oakwood and Jimmy’s is the new City Hall. Jimmy will retire this year, but the seeds he has planted will grow for many years.



• Alvin Peabody, The Times, was honored for his continuous assistance in business development. Alvin has diligently studied and reported on hundreds of businesses in Gainesville and Hall County. He has taken the time to learn about the workings of small and large business, as well as new and existing businesses. He has the respect of the business community because of his willingness to listen and learn about the businesses and the issues that effect business.



• Robbie Robinson, M & R Development, was recognized for his assistance in the new Chamber building. In the communications business for many years, he is now a successful, environmentally-friendly real estate developer. Robbie helped establish a first-class telecommunications system in the new Chamber building which was donated by Robbie and Steve McKibbon.



• Anita Scott, Northeast Georgia Medical Center, has chaired the QUEST (Quality Education Strategy Team) for several years and will join the Chamber’s Executive Committee as Vice Chairman of Education and Community Development this year. Through Anita’s leadership, the Chamber’s Apprentice Program and the Partners in Education program have grown to be even more successful – bringing education and business together to assure a quality workforce for the future.



• Mel Wages, Georgia Department of Labor, served as Job Fair chairman, assisted with the Business Expo and serves on the Ambassadors Committee. He is constantly behind the scenes making things happen and offering his support and guidance to our Chamber. Mel Wages is exactly the person you want on your team… someone who you know will get the job done.



• Kevin York, Charter Communications, assisted with the startup of the Lake Lanier Technology Alliance and now serves as the group’s vice chairman. The LLTA, with 100 members, has been operating for a year and is functioning as a separate organization. This organization will only grow stronger under Kevin’s leadership. He was a part of making the new Chamber building technology-focused, and his advice and support are appreciated by the Chamber, the Lake Lanier Technology Alliance and the community.