E-Newsletter

Chamber receives 5-Star Accreditation!

The Cobb Chamber is thrilled to announce its award of 5-Star Accreditation by the United States Chamber of Commerce. Out of 6,936 Chambers of Commerce in the United States, only 44 hold the prestigious title of 5-Star. The Cobb Chamber is the only 5-Star Chamber in the metro Atlanta area. Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement. In order to receive Accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, and technology. This extensive self-review can take three to six months to complete and is done every five years.
To learn more about the Cobb Chamber’s accreditation, click here or contact Katy Cleveland at 770-859-2336 or kcleveland@cobbchamber.org.

Do you know an ACE?

What’s an ACE? They are young professionals in their 20’s and 30’s who have strong educational backgrounds, a dedicated work ethic and who want a strategy for career development. On July 31, the Cobb Chamber will launch ACES (Achieving Chief Executive Success), a program designed to establish and cultivate young talent within the community while building Cobb’s next generation of business and community leaders. Targeted specifically to young professionals ACES will:

Provide learning opportunities that will develop critical business and leadership skills, enhance professional networks and relationships, and encourage community involvement.
Connect a savvy group of diverse emerging business leaders.
Represent the largest group of young professionals in the workforce – ever.
Meet the last Thursday of every month from 5:31 to 7:29 p.m. in different ‘hot spots’ around the county for career guidance, networking, food, drinks and more.

The opportunities are significant. If you are interested in being a charter member of this unique group, join us July 31 from 5:31 to 7:29 p.m. at Dave & Buster’s for Thursday Night Live: Improv Interviewing. Whether you are the interviewer or the interviewee, mastering this skill is critical for your success. It requires quick thinking and the ability to improve. Cost is $20 for food and drinks. Space is limited and a R.S.V.P. is required by July 29.
To learn more about this program or become a member, contact Alexis Taylor at 770-859-2320 or ataylor@cobbchamber.org.

Volunteers for the Annual Job Shadow

The Cobb Chamber of Commerce will be conducting a Job Shadow program in Cobb County and Marietta City middle schools on Sept. 11 and 17 and is looking for business participants who would like to host a class in their workplace for half a day. The Job Shadow program is designed to open the eyes and minds of middle school students to the career possibilities awaiting them while developing the critical link between the skills they are learning and the importance of this knowledge to career success. Participating companies must attend a brief orientation session, provide lunch for the students and chaperones and commit a minimum of 12 employees who would be able to host one or two students each.
For more information, click here to visit the Education department Web page, or contact Katie Wehunt at 770-859-2360 or kwehunt@cobbchamber.org.

CEO Roundtable

Applications are being accepted for participants in the Cobb Chamber’s CEO Roundtable Program. CEO Roundtable provides a venue for presidents and CEOs of local businesses to meet with a peer group in a professional atmosphere. The program provides leaders of noncompeting companies with a confidential board of advisors who can assist with business challenges by presenting solutions for discussion. Applications are due Aug. 20 for consideration in the 2008-2009 program. Through active participation, CEOs gain practical knowledge and counsel from business leaders who may have encountered similar experiences in their own businesses. Roundtables meet monthly throughout the year, however, meeting times, locations and formats are determined by the CEO participants. Applicants must be the decision-maker in their company to participate.
Click here to apply online, or contact Katy Cleveland at 770-859-2336 or kcleveland@cobbchamber.org for more information.

Honorary Commanders seeks new members!

The award-winning Honorary Commanders Association, a cooperative program of Dobbins Air Reserve Base (ARB), Naval Air Station (NAS) Atlanta, The Georgia National Guard and the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, is seeking nominations for its 2009 Class. The armed forces and the Cobb Chamber are looking for civilian community leaders who will be paired with military commanders assigned to Dobbins ARB, NAS Atlanta and The Georgia National Guard Headquarters. Civilians from a variety of professions will learn about local military activities as well as various aspects of the national defense system. The association includes units of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Air National Guard and Army Guard. The deadline for nominations is Aug. 11.
To nominate yourself or someone else, click here to fill out a form, or send the nominee’s name, employer, mailing address, business telephone number and home telephone number to: Honorary Commanders Association, Cobb Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 671868, Marietta, Ga., 30006; or fax it to 770-690-4019. Nominees will be sent a detailed application that will be due Sept 22.

Sponsorship Opportunities with Give Our Schools A Hand

The Cobb Chamber is proud to be celebrating 20 years of Give Our Schools a Hand (GOSH). The annual GOSH celebration honors over 130 Teachers of the Year from Cobb County, Marietta City, and post-secondary education systems. The purpose of GOSH is not only to show appreciation for teachers in the community, but also to encourage area businesses, parents, and civic groups to take an active role in enhancing the quality of education. Plans are underway for the 20th Anniversary celebration of GOSH being held Oct. 1 through Nov. 5, but the scope of the events is contingent upon the contributions of our business community. Sponsorship participation provides an opportunity to show support for those educating our future business leaders and employees. There are several levels of sponsorship available.
For more information on Give Our Schools a Hand or sponsorship opportunities, contact Katie Wehunt at 770-859-2360 or kwehunt@cobbchamber.org.

Grand Openings

   Delta Community Credit Union celebrated the grand opening of their new location on Dallas Highway. Those celebrating include (front row, l to r) Vice President of Branch Operations Jaye McMillan; Senior Vice President of Bank Operations Debbie Adan; President/CEO Rick Foley; Branch Manager Marietta/Dallas Highway Robin Simmons; Executive Vice President/COO Todd Marksberry; Cobb Chamber President and CEO Bill Cooper; Executive Vice President/CFO Jay Gratwick; (back row, l to r) Senior Vice President/eCommerce Carol Sundberg; Senior Vice President-Lending and Corporate Strategy Jason Osterhage; Senior Vice President-Marketing and Sales Matthew Shepherd. Click here to learn more about Delta Community Credit Union.

On June 5 The Village at TownPark held an event to celebrate the grand opening for their newest community addition in Kennesaw. Joining in the celebration are (l to r) Bryan Flint, partner of The Columns Group; Lanie Shipp, executive director Town Center Area CID; Andrew Taylor, president of Taylor & Mathis; Sam Olens, chairman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners and chairman of the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC); Curtis Hicks, partner of The Columns Group; Sam Kelly, chairman of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and Al Nash, partner of The Columns Group.
   Visit www.townparkliving.com to learn more about this unique community.

   CreekSide Bank held a ribbon cutting June 12 to celebrate the opening of their new building in Acworth. Many people came to celebrate, including (l to r) Josh Watson; Heather Wade; Brandy Higgins; Karen Burton; Commissioner Helen Goreham; Greg Smith; George Shropshire, chairman of CreekSide Bank; Eddy Mullinax; Larry Peterson, president and CEO of CreekSide Bank; Greg Bowen, director; Dave Morrissett, president of CreekSide Bank; Garland Pinholster, director; Doug Howard, senior vice president of CreekSide Bank; Mayor Tommy Allegood of the City of Acworth; Larry Nelson, director; Ryan Tucker, executive vice president; Dr. John Peacock, director; Orlando Wilson, director; Paul Wilson, executive vice president; Ken White, director; Paul Beckham, director; Bill Archer, director.
   Click here to learn more about CreekSide Bank.

   Special Circuits celebrated the grand opening of its new location in Norcross on June 17. Helping in the celebration are (l to r) Alexis Taylor of the Cobb Chamber; Ray Spain, owner of Special Circuits and Darrell Weaver of the Cobb Chamber. Visit www.specialcircuits.com to learn more.

   On June 26, The Court at Vinings Place held a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration. Those present included (front row, l to r) Lester Woodard, resident care director; Hyacinth Atchison, dietary service director; Pam Mize, community relations director; (back row, l to r) Ambur Gann, business office director; Nicole Rutherford, memory care director; Freda Myers; and April Johnson, executive director. Click here to learn more about The Court at Vinings Place.

New Member Spotlights

Lew Stafford – American Home Mortgage
Lew Stafford, a loan officer with American Home Mortgage, offers the best in mortgage loan rates and closing costs for home loans, whether it’s for purchase or refinance. He employs the Golden Rule to meet each customer’s specific needs with quality service combined with his 20+ years of experience to create a friendly and helpful relationship.
For more information, contact Lew Stafford at 404-543-1010.

The Cobb Chamber of Commerce represents Cobb County's diverse, dynamic business community. The Cobb Chamber is a member-supported business organization working to maintain a healthy economy by bringing business and industry to the area, helping established firms grow and building the community through outreach and service.