May 6 Chamber Newsletter

Job Posting

The Oconee Chamber of Commerce is hiring for a Director of Communications & Operations. All applications must be submitted to the Chamber by no later than 12:00 noon on Friday, May 10th. Please click the link below for the job description and submission requirements.

Click Here for Job Description

Monday, May 6, 2019

Welcome to the Chamber!

The Falls Restaurant

Allison Clower

8851 Macon Hwy. Ste. 501

Athens, GA 30606

(706) 308-0768

allison@fallsrestaurantathens.com

www.fallsrestaurantathens.com

WoodmenLife

Joseph DeLoach

(706) 816-0254

jbdeloach@woodmen.org

www.woodmenlife.org/reps/JosephDeloach

Upcoming Events

*RSVP events are in red

Happy National Small Business Week (May 5-11)!

May 8: Women in Business Luncheon at Peddler's Wagon

1430 Capital Avenue #105, Watkinsville, GA 30677 (11:30 a.m.) SOLD OUT

May 9: Ribbon Cutting for Lice Ladies Athens

1582 Mars Hill Rd. Suite C, Watkinsville, GA 30677 (11:30 a.m.)

May 10: Educational Session hosted by French Law Group at the Chamber

"Aging Gracefully: Protecting Our Loved Ones Through the Aging Process"

Oconee Chamber, 55 Nancy Drive, Watkinsville, GA 30677 (12:00 noon) RSVP HERE

*This is a free event and lunch will be provided*

May 16: 8:00 Coffee at Magnolia Estates of Oconee

1641 Virgil Langford Rd. Watkinsville, GA 30677 RSVP HERE

May 17: Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening at Hearing & Balance Clinic, Athens

1580 Mars Hill Rd., Suite B, Watkinsville, GA 30677 (11:30 a.m.)

Partner Spotlight

Global Escapes' CEO Tiffany Hines Receives State Award

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Georgia District Office has hand-selected Tiffany Hines, owner of Global Escapes in Athens, GA, for the Women in Business Champion Award, one of eight coveted 2019 Small Business Week Awards. Hines was the only recipient from the Athens Area. She was honored at a ceremony on May 2nd in Atlanta.

“These awards aren’t just about recognizing business success; they also are focused on recognizing the efforts of small business advocates that support and empower entrepreneurs,” said Terry Denison, the director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Georgia District office.

Hines was nominated for the award by Laura Katz, area director for the Small Business Development Center at the University of Georgia.

“Tiffany has stood out to me because she invests time and energy into her team members in order to help them achieve ever-elevating goals,” Katz said. “In Tiffany’s mind, there is always more to learn, more to achieve, and more to do in order to help others.”

“I am humbled to be named the 2019 Women in Business Champion for Georgia,” said Hines. “I have been an advocate for women in the work force my entire life, and my mission within my own company is to enable women to have it all…a thriving career, a family, and time for self-care.”

Hines’ mother, Ella Grondahl, started Global Escapes in 1988 when Hines was a student at the University of Georgia. Since taking the helm in 2008, Hines has not only transformed the way Global Escapes does business, but she has also helped the travel industry redefine its place in an ever-changing world.

Hines is an active member of the Travel Agency Management Solutions (TAMS) group and is a past member of the Signature Travel Network’s marketing and training committees. She recently took home Travel Weekly ’s Magellan Award, as well as the Kaizen Award from her TAMS group.

Outside of the office, you can find her at a business function, most likely with the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, which she serves as a board member. She also is involved with the Junior League of Athens, The Oconee County Chamber of Commerce, and the American Heart Association.

On top of all the energy she funnels into her business, her focus remains on working with her husband Chris to raise their two daughters to also be strong, independent leaders. She has made it a point to show them the world and to lead by example so that they, too, will one day be exceptional leaders.

Support Oconee Chamber President, Courtney Bernardi! extraspecialpeople.com/bigjump

Chamber Profiles

Cristi Donahue

Senior Vice-President and

Director of Retail Banking,

Oconee State Bank

Number of Years You Have Been Involved in the Chamber

I graduated from Leadership Oconee in 2002, which-kick started my involvement in the Chamber.

One goal that you have for our community or Chamber

One goal I aspire to help the Chamber achieve is to continually enhance our ability to be a resource for new and prospective businesses in our community to aid in their ongoing success.

Why are you involved in the Oconee Chamber?

I am passionate about Oconee County being a great place to live, work, and play and want to do my part to support the businesses, government, school system, and other organizations within our community who contribute tremendously to making that happen. Oconee State Bank proudly supports the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce in many ways and I feel it an honor to represent the Bank as part of the Chamber team.

Share a quote that motivates or inspires you

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Marshall Hooks

Vice-President of Operations,

Oconee Chamber of Commerce

Number of Years You Have Been Involved in the Chamber

I have worked with Chambers for the past 7 years and have been with the Oconee Chamber since January of 2018.

What is some advice you would give to a new Chamber partner looking to get involved?

My advice would be to make the Chamber your friend and take advantage of all of the opportunities and benefits it provides. I would also emphasize the importance of showing up to events, networking, and never turning down opportunities to introduce yourself and your business/organization.

In order for people to do business with you they have to trust you, but before that they have to like you and before that they have to know who you are. Building relationships can open so many doors and provide so many opportunities you may not have known existed.

Share a quote that motivates or inspires you

“Do What You Can With All You Have, Wherever You Are.”

– Theodore Roosevelt