Cobb Chamber of Commerce

Cobb Chamber, CCF award $27K in Operation Meal Plan grants

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Operation Meal Plan grants

Submitted information and photo:

On Thursday, November 19th, Cobb Community Foundation awarded $27,000 in grants, wrapping up the final phase of Operation Meal Plan. The initiative began in March of this year with the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and Cobb Community Foundation (“CCF”) partnering to provide food to those in need, help local restaurants keep their workers employed, and provide a vehicle for citizens to help each other.

“This project was just one great example of how Cobb’s business and non-profit communities have pulled together to get help to those who need it,” said Sharon Mason, president and CEO of the Cobb Chamber. “Our goal was to find a way to keep our restaurants afloat while providing a valuable resource to our non-profits who are serving people in need. Operation Meal Plan was a way to link these entities together.”

In its first couple of months, Operation Meal Plan received $89,000 in community contributions, funding 13,850 meals delivered by 22 different restaurants and caterers to 30 different non-profit organizations around Cobb, all of which serve meals as part of their mission.

At the end of May, Operation Meal Plan went on hiatus when Cobb’s board of commissioners allocated $1 million from its CARES Act dollars for the Cobb County Food Grant, providing an alternative source for funding of these meals for the non-profits. Remaining dollars, including a half of a $50,000 total contribution to CCF from Lockheed-Martin, would be held for distribution in the fall.

The grants, payable to six different organizations in increments of $3,000 to $6,000, will be used to purchase prepared meals from Cobb restaurants or catering businesses. “Ten months in to this pandemic, non-profit staff members and volunteers desperately need a break,” said Shari Martin, CCF’s president and CEO. “In many cases, they have been serving significantly more clients, and in all cases, they are doing so with far fewer people. Not only are these grants going to provide some financial relief, they are also going to provide some physical and emotional relief.”

  • Center for Children and Young Adults (CCYA) – $6,000
  • LiveSAFE Resources – $4,500
  • The Table on Delk – $3,500
  • Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health – $3,500
  • The Zone – $6,500
  • The Extension – $3,000

Interested in helping others navigate the challenges of the pandemic?  Let us help you!  Call us at 770-859-2366 or email CCFTeam@cobbfoundation.org.

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Cobb Chamber launches CobbHires.com job, internship portal

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Cobb Chamber of Commerce
Submitted information:

The Cobb Chamber is excited to announce a new offering for the county’s workforce: CobbHires.com, an online portal for job and internship seekers and local companies looking to hire top talent.

“At the Cobb Chamber, we know that our county is a magnet for talent. In order to expand our workforce offerings and create value for our business members and community, we are proud to announce the launch of CobbHires.com, the Cobb Chamber’s job board and internship board,” said Dana Johnson, COO of the Cobb Chamber and Executive Director of SelectCobb.

CobbHires.com makes it easy for businesses to post their open positions or internship opportunities to find the best candidates in Cobb County. This portal also gives job and internship seekers access to local opportunities to assist them in furthering or starting their careers.

As part of the launch of CobbHires.com, the Cobb Chamber is offering a discount code allowing employers to post free of charge. Enter the code COBBJOBS to post your jobs and internship positions for free through the end of September. After September, companies can post open positions at the following rates: 30-day posts for $15 Cobb Chamber member/$50 non-member; 60-day posts for $30 Cobb Chamber member/$100 non-member; and 90-day posts for $45 Cobb Chamber member/ $150 non-member. Employers can enhance their posts for an additional $50, which prioritizes the post to the top of the board, highlights the listing and publishes it within the Google Jobs Network.

For more information about CobbHires.com, the Cobb Chamber job and internship boards, contact Nate Futrell at nfutrell@cobbchamber.org.

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Cobb commissioners to consider $50M in small business grants

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Commissioner Bob Ott of East Cobb is proposing that $50 million of the $132.6 million in federal Coronavirus-related stimulus funding the county is getting be used to help small businesses get back on their feet.

He’s proposed a spending measure to be considered at Tuesday’s regular business meeting that would call for the creation of an independent body to select the businesses receiving the assistance and for the Cobb Chamber of Commerce to administer the grants, which are provided through the federal CARES Act.

(You can read the agenda item here).

Eligible businesses would have 100 or fewer employees and may not have received previous funding from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or Small Business Administration loans available through the CARES Act.

In addition, 60 percent of the grant money for each small business must go toward hiring or maintaining employees. The businesses cannot be publicly traded and must have a primary or branch location in Cobb County.

The amount of funding selected businesses would receive including the following:

  • 1 to 10 employees – up to $20,000;
  • 11 to 50 employees – up to $30,000;
  • 51 to 100 employees – up to $40,000.

(Here’s more about the criteria and a memorandum of understanding between the board and the Chamber.

The Chamber would receive $500,000 of stimulus funds to administer the grants, which would be selected evenly across the four commissioners districts by a committee chosen by commissioners and the Chamber.

Ott also has proposed spending $1.5 million in CARES Act money for eviction relief that would be administered through Star-C Communities, an Atlanta based non-profit that works to reduce transiency in affordable housing communities.

The organization would receive $120,000 to administer the assistance program. As drawn up in the proposal, low-income apartment dwellers facing evictions would receive a “scholarship” of up to 70 percent of their overdue payment total. The remaining 20 percent would be paid by the tenant and the landlord would be asked to pay the remaining 10 percent and waive the late fee.

(Details and criteria here.).

Those items will come up for consideration after a related measure asking commissioners to designate several categories for spending the federal stimulus funding.

They include the following:

  • Disaster Relief/County Preparedness
  • Economic Development/Business Loans
  • Emergency Food Program
  • Emergency Shelter Program
  • School Assistance Programs
  • Job Training
  • County Contingency

Commissioners could add and change the categories at a later time. Last week they approved the first amount of CARES Act funding, $1 million in reimbursements for non-profit agencies like MUST Ministries that have been providing emergency food aid to those in need.

This Tuesday’s meeting starts at a special time, 1:30 p.m., and this will be a virtual meeting streamed on the county’s YouTube and Facebook pages and Website as well as the Cobb TV23 public access cable channel on Comcast.

Public comment also is available and those who wish to take part by phone or computer must sign up at this link.

The full agenda can be found here.

The board’s agenda work session starts Tuesday at 9 a.m. and also will be streamed.

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Speed Pro Imaging of East Cobb honored by Cobb Chamber of Commerce

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Speed Pro Imaging

Submitted information and photo:

The Cobb Chamber of Commerce named SpeedPro Imaging Marietta a 2019 Top 25 Small Business of the Year at the Chamber’s First Monday Breakfast, held on May 6, 2019 for its remarkable innovation, sound approach to organizational challenges and positive impact on the community. Said Speed Pro Imaging president Littie Brown (third from left in photo above):

“We are so humbled to have been selected among the other great companies that make up the Cobb County Business community. We would like to salute our customers, employees and suppliers who make it possible for us to contribute to the Cobb County community.”

SpeedPro Imaging Marietta specializes in large format graphic printing. Their focus is to always provide each customer with exceptional service. For six years, owners Littie Brown and Karen Brown have been providing high quality graphics with a consultative approach, ensuring their customers are happy each time they leave the studio.

“We are so proud of all the small businesses that make up such an integral part of our community,” said Cobb Chamber President and CEO Sharon Mason. “The quality of the businesses, the work they’re doing in the community, the great jobs they’re bringing—it all goes toward making Cobb County a vibrant and successful place to live, work and play.”

To be considered for the Top 25 Small Businesses of Year, each hopeful submits an application to the Cobb Chamber. The applicants must prove an increase in sales or unit volume, provide examples of innovation, discuss adversity and challenges, and thoroughly detail their community involvement. Applications are analyzed and considered by a group of independent community business leaders and affiliates of the Small Business Administration.

The First Monday Breakfast was sponsored by LOUD Security Systems and S.A. White Oil Company.

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East Cobb small businesses included in Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s Top 25

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Out of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s Top 25 small businesses of the year that were announced this week, the following are based in East Cobb:Williamson Bros. BBQ, East Cobb small businesses

  • Artisan Custom Closets (600 Wylie Road)
  • Deluxe Athletics (80 Scott Drive)
  • InPrime Legal (1640 Powers Ferry Road)
  • SpeedPro Imaging (200 Cobb Pkwy North, Suite 130)
  • Three-13 Salon, Spa & Boutique (2663 Canton Road)
  • Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q (1425 Roswell Road)

Here’s more from the Chamber about what happens next:

An overall winner will be selected among the Top 25 and announced on May 6 at the Small Business of the Year Breakfast at the Cobb Galleria Centre. The top winner is determined by a thorough selection process including applications and site visits by a panel of outside judges. The breakfast will honor the Top 25 Small Businesses of the Year and the Small Business Hall of Fame inductees.

Tickets to the breakfast are $35 for members and are $60 for general admission. Visit www.cobbchamber.org/SBOY for more information and event registration.

The 2018 Small Business of the Year awards are presented by LOUD Security Systems and S.A. White Oil Company.

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Applications being accepted for Cobb Youth Leadership 2019-20 class

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Submitted information:

Cobb Youth Leadership (CYL), a development program sponsored by the Leadership Cobb Alumni Association and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta that focuses on developing leadership skills through interactive participation, is seeking applications for members of its 2019-2020 class.Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Cobb Youth Leadership

Created in 1989, the program provides students a unique opportunity to learn about their community as well as meet and interact with students from other high schools. Students attending public or private high schools or home-school students in Cobb County must complete and submit an application for CYL in the spring of their sophomore year. Applications are reviewed by the CYL Steering Committee and approximately 50 students are chosen for the class. Students participate in the program during their junior year of high school.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2019-2020 class. Students may complete the online form at www.cobbchamber.org. All applications must be submitted by Friday, April 19, 2019.

For more information about Cobb Youth Leadership, contact Katie Guice at (770) 859-2334 or kguice@cobbchamber.org.

 

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Health IT company BioIQ relocating headquarters to Windy Ridge Parkway

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Press release:

Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that BioIQ, a health IT company, will create 500 jobs and invest more than $5 million in Cobb County through the location of its new headquarters. New jobs will include positions in technology, sales and operations.BioIQ relocating headquarters

“BioIQ has significant reach across the nation and has proven itself to be a leader in health care innovation,” said Deal. “By locating its headquarters in Cobb County, BioIQ will join Georgia’s thriving technology innovation sector and enjoy the benefits of our deep talent pool. I am confident BioIQ will find quick and lasting success with the help of Georgia’s low-tax, top-ranked business climate. We are proud to welcome BioIQ to the No. 1 state for business and we look forward to the growth of this partnership in the years to come.”

BioIQ simplifies health testing and immunization programs for health plans, employers and government organizations, and empowers people to take action to improve their health. BioIQ’s platform provides a single-source solution to drive health plan quality, cost savings and value-based care initiatives. The platform configures and connects national laboratories, diagnostics companies, digital health solutions and other stakeholders through underlying engagement, analytics and interoperability technology.

“We selected Atlanta as BioIQ’s headquarters because of the city’s exceptional talent pool, forward-thinking business community, and convenient access to our growing client base,” said BioIQ CEO Justin Bellante. “Our Cobb County headquarters is a reflection of BioIQ’s investment in its employees and commitment to bringing together talent, technology and innovation to achieve our mission of positively impacting 100 million lives.”

BioIQ works with more than 35 leading health plans, including seven of the nation’s ten largest health plans. BioIQ enables individuals to conveniently access care at more than 16,000 locations, including leading retail pharmacies and lab testing centers across the county.

“Cobb County has proven to be a top site for corporate relocation and expansion,” said Sharon Mason, president and CEO of the Cobb Chamber. “We’re excited for BioIQ to expand their presence and relocate their global corporate headquarters in our community. BioIQ’s investment in our county represents a collaborative effort between our regional and statewide partners to establish a pipeline of skilled workers ready to meet the needs of today’s industry leaders.”

Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Project Manager Sunny Anderson represented the Global Commerce Division in partnership with the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Development Authority of Cobb County, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and Georgia EMC.

 

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Cobb State of the County address highlights Chamber breakfast

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Cobb State of the County Address, Mike Boyce

Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce will give the annual “State of the County” address Monday at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s Monday breakfast meeting.

The breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. at the Cobb Galleria Centre (info and tickets here), and Boyce’s comments can be seen in their entirety at this link later Monday.

The State of the County is an annual tradition for the chairman. Boyce, an East Cobb resident, begins his third year in office after commissioners voted narrowly last year to approve a property tax increase.

Boyce has defended this as a “restoration budget” to add services that had been reduced since the recession. Those include hiring more police officers and equipping them with body camera, Sunday library hours and hiring road work crews.

His East Cobb colleagues, Bob Ott and JoAnn Birrell, voted against that tax hike, and starting this month they will be joined by a new commissioner, Keli Gambrill of North Cobb, who also campaigned against the increase.

She defeated Bob Weatherford, who cast the deciding vote for the tax increase and defended his vote after his election loss.

At a budget retreat last month, Boyce indicated he will not be seeking a millage increase for the fiscal year 2020 budget.

Boyce also will be speaking at the East Cobb Business Association breakfast on Jan. 15. Tickets and info can be found here.

 

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Cobb Community Development Director Dana Johnson takes Cobb Chamber of Commerce post

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Dana Johnson

The Cobb Chamber of Commerce has hired Dana Johnson, who heads up community development for Cobb County, to head its economic development efforts.

The Chamber made the announcement Wednesday afternoon that Johnson will become executive vice president of economic development and executive director of Select Cobb.

That office directs the chamber’s economic development strategy.

“Dana is the right person to lead Select Cobb for our next chapter of advancing a thriving economy for our community. He brings a great passion for Cobb and our state as well as extensive economic development experience in working with our many partners to attract, recruit and retain jobs,” Cobb Chamber president and CEO Sharon Mason said in a statement. “I look forward to his leadership that will take Select Cobb and our team to the next level.”

Johnson has been with Cobb community development since 2005 and was appointed director in 2015. The agency oversees planning and zoning, code enforcement and business licenses and inspections in addition to economic development.

He has developed a business concierge service to assist businesses to relocate or expand operations in Cobb.

“I am honored to join an organization with a strong record of achievement and I look forward to building on that momentum,” Johnson said in a Chamber release. “I see tremendous potential for Select Cobb’s efforts to attract and retain businesses to the county, to assist entrepreneurs and grow its international strategy. “

 

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McCleskey-East Cobb Family YMCA named recipient of Cobb Chamber health awards

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McCleskey-East Cobb Family YMCA
From L-R: Trey Sanders, 2018 Cobb Chamber Chairman; Becky Shipley, East Cobb YMCA, 2018 Health Hero Award Winner (organization); Misty Lathem, East Cobb YMCA, 2018 Health Hero Award Winner (individual); Dr. Ross Brakeville, 2018 Health & Wellness Committee Chair (Photo: Cobb Chamber)

Thanks to the Cobb Chamber of Commerce for the info and photo with some good news about the McCleskey-East Cobb Family YMCA:

The Cobb Chamber presented its 2018 Health Hero Awards to two recipients at its First Monday Breakfast at the Cobb Galleria Centre on Dec. 3. The awards, sponsored by MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service and the Cobb Community Foundation, recognized the outstanding accomplishments of one individual and one organization who have made significant impacts on the health of the Cobb County community.

The individual 2018 Health Hero Award was presented to Misty Lathem, Wellness Director for the YMCA of East Cobb. In addition to her role as wellness director, Lathem serves as the East Cobb Y hunger relief coordinator, organizes and manages the YMCA run club and oversees the Haunted Hustle 5K/10K, Little Nugget 1 Miler and Youth Fit 4 Life events.

Lathem further serves the Cobb community by managing Farm Fresh Markets for impoverished seniors, promoting active lifestyles through the Atlanta Y Kids Tri program and providing leadership as a board member of the Roswell Bike Club, Cobb 2020 and the Cobb Health and Wellness Committee. 

The organizational 2018 Health Hero Award was presented to the YMCA of East Cobb, which actively seeks gaps in the Cobb community and plays a critical role in the health and wellness of thousands of citizens. The Y tackles hunger through Farm Fresh Market food deliveries and the School’s Out Lunch program, and as America’s Swim Instructor, teaches thousands of children how to protect themselves in water.

Additionally, East Cobb YMCA addresses the needs of special community populations, having designed programs such as PD Gladiators, a program designed for people living with Parkinson’s Disease, and programs supporting cancer survivors and promoting diabetes prevention.

In 2018 alone, East Cobb YMCA partnered with Walton Communities to offer adult swimming lessons, with Brumby Elementary and MUST Ministries to create a food pantry, with Cobb and Douglas Public Health to prepare children for their first-ever triathlon and continued a partnership with East Valley Elementary School and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, offering Youth Fit 4 Life, an after-school fitness program designed to lower the BMI and increase the cardio health of children.

 

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East Cobb Biz Notes: Marietta Coffee Company has grand opening

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Marietta Coffee Company

A couple weeks back at the East Cobb Business Association Expo we met Robert Love, who’s the proprietor of a new locally-brewed shop called the Marietta Coffee Company, in the space that was Darwin’s Burgers and Blues on Roswell Road.

Robert has operated the Thrive Wellness Center, a chiropractic clinic, a few doors down, and he told us he’s always wanted to have a coffee shop. His landlord at the clinic also scooped up the old Darwin’s property and so he says he decided to take the plunge.

Marietta Coffee opened a few weeks ago, and over the weekend had a grand opening celebration over the weekend, starting on Friday.

You can find updates on the shop’s Facebook page. There will be coffee and bakery specials, along with live music and other events. Until then, the hours are 10-6, and after the grand opening, they’ll be open from 7 a.m. until midnight seven days a week.

Robert told me that the emphasis at the shop is local, from the locally roasted gourmet coffee to the entertainment to the neighborhood vibe he’s aiming to create.

On Wednesday, the shop will hold the latest Cobb Coffee With a Cop session from 6-8 p.m. Citizens can discuss their crime and public safety concerns with officers from Precinct 4 in an informal setting.

Marietta Coffee Company is located at 1598 Roswell Road. Phone: 678-765-8885.

ECBA Gala Event

The East Cobb Business Association is postponing its usual monthly luncheon on the third Tuesday to this coming Tuesday, Oct. 23, for its annual awards gala. The guest speaker is Cobb County Manager Rob Hosack, and the luncheon also will serve as a 25th anniversary tribute to EAST COBBER magazine.

The event is from 11-1 at Olde Towne Athletic Club (4950 Olde Towne Parkway), and tickets are $20-$30. Advance registration must be completed by 5 p.m. Monday.

Other business group news

  • The Cobb Chamber of Commerce recently issued its annual public safety awards at its monthly luncheon, and Marietta Police Officer Jayson Duncan was named public safety employee of the year. In March, he provided medical assistance to a stabbing victim after responding to calls about a fight on Powers Ferry Road. Duncan applied a hemostatic gauze to the wound and stayed with the victim until EMS crews arrived.

Do you have business news to share? We’ll post your openings and non-sales events here, including charitable activities. E-mail us at editor@eastcobbnews.com.

If you want to promote your business (including sales and specials other than grand openings), email us at advertising@eastcobbnews.com and we’ll be glad to send you a media kit.

 

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Dodgen teacher Fred Veeder honored by Cobb Chamber of Commerce

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Dodgen teacher Fred Veeder

On Thursday it was the Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s turn to pay tribute to Dodgen teacher Fred Veeder, the Cobb County School District’s 2018 teacher of the year.

We posted earlier about how he got the news in a big surprise right before the school year about being the district’s middle school teacher of the year, and then the overall recipient.

With that latter designation comes a special “Give Our Students A Hand” event sponsored by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce on the Marietta Square, along with honorees from Marietta City Schools. Due to the rainy weather, they weren’t able to make the presentation outdoors, as is the custom, but repaired indoors instead to the Strand Theatre.

Here’s more about Veeder from Nan Kiel of CCSD, who also passed along the photo above, as he’s flanked by Cobb Chamber CEO Sharon Mason and Cobb schools superintendent Chris Ragsdale.

Veeder also was joined by his principal, Loralee Hill, and previous Dodgen associates also gave testimonials to his dedication as a 7th grade math teacher. Explained Veeder:

“On the first day of school, I always promise my kids two things: I promise them that I will never yell at them and I promise them to do my best every day, and, ‘I’m expecting your best every day.’” 

There’s another related event coming up on Oct. 23, a Cobb Teacher of the Year pep rally at Roswell Street Baptist Church. Every school’s teacher of the year will be honored, and Veeder and other finalists will get to pick a car from the Ed Voyles dealerships that they’ll get to drive free for a year.

 

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Cobb Young Professionals holding charity golf tournament at Indian Hills

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The registration deadline for next Monday’s event is this coming Wednesday at noon. From the Cobb Chamber of Commerce:Cobb Chamber of Commerce

Join the future leaders of Cobb County for an afternoon on the golf course! Cobb Young Professionals will host its annual charity golf tournament on Monday, May 21 at Indian Hills Country Club, presented by The Waters Team, Affinity Home Lending. The charity tournament will begin with 8 a.m. morning registration, a putting contest and a shotgun start. A 2:30 p.m. reception will follow with prizes. Individual players without a foursome team will be given an opportunity to be paired after registration. Proceeds from the tournament will go to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

The cost is $70 per golfer and $280 per foursome, which includes a round of golf, breakfast, one reception drink ticket, boxed lunch and a donation to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Additionally, participants are encouraged to bring cash for mulligans, extra drinks, raffle tickets and other opportunities to donate to the charity of the winner’s choice. Deadline for registration is Wednesday, May 16 at noon.

Businesses can take advantage of the unique marketing opportunity through a hole sponsorship. Sponsorship participation provides an opportunity to show support to Cobb Young Professionals and the Cobb Chamber, as well as help the organization give more to the winning charity. This year’s sponsors include The Waters Team, Affinity Home Lending as Presenting Sponsor; Croy Engineering and Enterprise Holdings as the Platinum Sponsors and O’Dell & O’Neal as the Silver Sponsor. For a full list of 2018 sponsors and event information, visit cobbchamber.org.

For more information about Cobb Young Professionals or to become a hole sponsor at the tournament, contact Rebecca Chadwick at 770-859-2368 or rchadwick@cobbchamber.org.

 

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Leadership Cobb seeking nominations for 2018-19 class

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Press release:

Leadership Cobb, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s premier leadership development program, is seeking nominations for members of the 2018-2019 class.Cobb Chamber of Commerce

Class members will be selected from business, industry, education, government and other professions, as well as from volunteer, civic and religious organizations. Leadership Cobb develops leadership skills and promotes professional and personal growth through experiential learning opportunities.

Class members are introduced to a variety of viewpoints, illustrating the array of economic, political, educational and social factors at work in Cobb County. Leadership Cobb program days combine lectures and dialogue with speakers, as well as class member interaction with leaders representing all facets of the Cobb community.
           

Nominees should be able to assume increased community responsibilities, as the program demands significant time and effort for 10 consecutive months.

Attendance is mandatory for all regularly scheduled events, which usually are held one day per month, plus two three-day retreats in the fall and spring and periodic evening sessions. The program begins fall 2018 and runs through spring 2019.

The program, which is in its 35th year, provides a learning environment that enhances personal and professional growth to benefit the community and the region.

The deadline for nominations is Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. Fill out a nomination form online at www.cobbchamber.org or email the nominee’s name, title, employer, mailing address, email address and business or mobile telephone number to Michele Howard at mhoward@cobbchamber.org. 

Tripp Boyer of Wells Fargo Advisors and Christina Martin of Kaiser Permanente will be co-chairs for the 2018-2019 program year. The Yearlong Presenting Sponsor is Kennesaw State University Coles College of Business Executive MBA Programs.

For more information on the Leadership Cobb nomination and selection process, please contact Michele Howard atmhoward@cobbchamber.org.

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Cobb Chamber of Commerce names Sharon Mason new president and CEO

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Sharon Mason, Cobb Chamber of Commerce

Sharon Mason, Cobb Chamber of Commerce

Sharon Mason of East Cobb has been named president and chief executive officer of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, where she has worked for the past decade, most recently as chief operating officer.

Mason was the unanimous choice of the chamber’s board of directors to succeed another East Cobb resident, David Connell, who is retiring at the end of the year after seven years in the job.

Mason will assume her new duties on Jan. 1, 2018. The Cobb Chamber of Commerce has more than 2,500 members and organizations.

“Sharon Mason is the right person for the job,” Gary Bottoms, chair of the Cobb Chamber Board of Directors, said in a statement. “She inherits a strong chamber and engaged business community. Over the years, she has worked closely with David Connell to create a national reputation for Cobb County and deliver creative solutions to recruit and retain businesses. We are grateful for David’s leadership and his contribution to the growth of our county, and we are excited to embrace Sharon Mason’s vision for the future.”

Among her duties has been helping raise more than $3 million for Cobb’s Competitive Edge, a chamber initiative for job creation that began in 2012. According to the chamber, more than 22,000 new jobs and $2.5 billion in private investment are attributable to the program.

“I am excited and honored to accept the role of President and CEO of the Cobb Chamber,” Mason said in a statement. “I know as a business community we can achieve great things by working together to advance a vibrant economy. It is important that we continue to offer programs and services that are beneficial to our members, while also addressing the education, workforce and business climate needs of our community.”

In addition to her professional endeavors, Mason has been heavily involved in community activities. She is a past president of the Friends for the East Cobb Park and has been on the board of MUST Ministries, as well as a former director of the Marietta Rotary Foundation.

A graduate of Samford University, Mason previously worked for the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and the American Cancer Society. She and her husband and daughter attend North Point Community Church in Alpharetta.

 

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Cobb public safety personnel honored by Chamber of Commerce

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Josh Taylor, Steve Hammond, Cobb public safety personnel
Josh Taylor of Cobb EMS and Steve Hammond of the Cobb Police Department. Photo submitted by Cobb Chamber of Commerce.

Several Cobb public safety personnel were recognized Monday by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce at its annual Public Safety Appreciation breakfast.

Public safety staffers from Cobb EMS, sheriff’s and police, in addition to those from various city public safety agencies, were honored.

Two winners of the chamber’s Award of Merit are Josh Taylor of the Cobb Emergency and Medical Services Department and Steve Hammond of the Cobb Police Department. This award goes to recipients who, through their “acts of courage, demonstrat[e] genuine care and concern for the citizens of the community and go above and beyond the call of duty, often resulting in a life being saved. Taylor and Hammond formed a Tactical First Aid Department in 2012 to improve medical care for wounded individuals at crime and accident scenes. Here’s the Chamber’s description of how this program has evolved:

“The Tactical First Aid Program provided the department with the training and equipment needed to treat extremity wounds, penetrating chest trauma and airway obstructions. In 2013, Capt. Taylor began conducting training sessions to prepare the department for usage. Today, the program is fully operational and all Cobb County Police Officers receive this lifesaving training, are receiving CPR and basic medical training and are using these radical practices to save lives daily.

“Since the program’s inception, there has been a 74 percent survival rate when officers utilize the training and equipment provided by Capt. Taylor and Det. Hammond. Today, 23 citizens are alive because of the foresight, dedication and teamwork of Capt. Taylor and Det. Hammond to develop such a lifesaving, essential program.”

Mark Blesener of Cobb EMS was given the Medal of Valor, which goes to an individual for an act of bravery in a life-threatening situation. Here’s the story behind that:

Mark Blesener, Cobb EMS
Mark Blesener, Cobb EMS. Photo submitted by Cobb Chamber of Commerce.

“For the past 10 years of his life, firefighter Mark Blesener has committed himself to serving the Cobb community and keeping it safe. All 10 of those years have been served with the Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services. Blesener is known for his professionalism and fearlessness. On September 18, 2016 Blesener responded to an emergency response call of a hypothermic woman on the Chattooga River in Rabun County. When Blesener, along with others from the unit, arrived at the scene by helicopter, he was lowered to the rock where the affected woman was, assisted her into the rescue basket and quickly wrapped her in warm layers. Once safely in the helicopter, the woman was given medical attention.

“Blesener is commended for his bravery and bold response to this dangerous and daring rescue. Because of his quick thinking and fearlessness, that woman’s life was saved that day and she has made a full recovery.”

As part of Public Safety Appreciation Month in Cobb County, the East Cobb Business Association is holding a dinner for Cobb Police Precinct 4 staff this month. Fundraising is continuing, and if you’re interested in helping out, here’s a previous East Cobb News post explaining their efforts.

ECBA president named to 2017-18 Leadership Cobb class

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Littie Brown, the current president of the East Cobb Business Association, has been selected for the 2017-18 Leadership Cobb class of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.

Brown is the president of SpeedPro Imaging of Marietta. Another ECBA member, Jonathan Page of InPrime Legal on Powers Ferry Road, also was selected for Leadership Cobb, which is a leadership development program conducted with the Kennesaw State University Coles School of Business.

Here’s more about the program from the Chamber announcement:

Leading by example allows Leadership Cobb participants to directly impact the Cobb community. Fifty diverse and qualified individuals are selected annually to participate in this leadership development program. Leadership Cobb enhances personal and professional growth while participants gain awareness of current issues, community resources and the social, political and economic needs of the community.

Leadership Cobb develops leadership skills and knowledge through its programs and retreats. Participants are introduced to a variety of viewpoints that illustrate the array of economic, political, educational and social factors at work in Cobb County. Sessions combine lectures and dialogue among speakers as well as audience interaction with leaders in all facets of the community.

Topics covered include:

Armed Forces Mentoring
Arts & Recreation Politics
Economic Development Public Safety
Education Regionalism
Health Social Services
Leadership Training