GBJ Staff

Tebow headlines Gwinnett leadership event

NFL quarterback Tim Tebow headlines May 4 leadership event with John C. Maxwell. Photo courtesy of Jockey International, Inc.

All eyes will be on Gwinnett, May 4, 2012, when Lawrenceville comes alive for a world-class leadership event. Aspiring leaders of all ages will gather to hear about leadership on and off the field by acclaimed author and motivational icon John C. Maxwell and his special guest, NFL quarterback Tim Tebow.

Seating is limited for this fund raising event brought to Gwinnett by The John Maxwell Company and facility host 12Stone Church. All proceeds benefit Equip (www.iequip.org), a non-profit organization founded by Maxwell in 1996 that specializes in the development of international Christian leaders. Monies raised will help Equip realize its goal to have John Maxwell training materials in all 210 nations by 2015.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
GBJ Staff

Special Focus: Small Business-Entrepreneur

What does it mean to be living your business dream?

Inspiration that pushes you, a deep yearning that conquers all your thoughts and time, a zinger idea brought to life by way of a natural flair or talent, a solid business plan that puts forth a product or service others need, want and desire – this blend of creativity and passion form the driving forces that motivate entrepreneurs.

As Georgia’s economic engine, small businesses make up the majority of employer firms in the state. The 2011 Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity shows that Georgia has had the largest increase in entrepreneurship of any state during the past decade. In Gwinnett, the pro-business climate, education resources and access to a skilled workforce combine to make the County a desirable location to launch your enterprise.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
GBJ Staff

Reap the rewards of award-winning opportunities

Jim Maran, Gwinnett Chamber president and CEO

by Jim Maran, Gwinnett Chamber president and CEO

It’s awards season at the Gwinnett Chamber and there’s no better time to be in the center of business and industry than now. From small businesses to large, service providing or industry-specific, companies and organizations are finding ways to not just meet expectations, but exceed them in industry, innovation, individual performance and corporate responsibility. And it is a tremendous privilege that your Gwinnett Chamber has opportunity to recognize and tell these success stories even as they unfold.

The Chamber’s award season kicked-off earlier this year with the Gwinnett Chamber Annual Dinner that honored individuals and businesses for their exemplary service and commitment to the community. It continued with Partnership Gwinnett’s recent Movers and Makers awards, highlighting the manufacturing and supply chain industries’ contribution to Gwinnett’s overall economic growth. Over 200 business and community leaders looked on as companies like WIKA, Spectral Response, Hire Dynamics, FarraTech, Rooms to Go–Suwanee and Mitsubishi Electric received accolades. Close on its heels, the Valor Awards recognized the top public safety officials in Gwinnett who have dedicated their lives each day to saving the lives of others.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
GBJ Staff

Apply for Gwinnett Senior Leadership

Gwinnett Senior Leadership (GSL) is accepting applications for its 2012-2013 class until July 1. The program is open to those 55 years and older who live or work in Gwinnett County.

“We want to arm seniors with information so they can make a difference in the county,” says Anna Shackelford, chair, GSL.

Gwinnett Senior Leadership is now entering its fourth year of partnership with Gwinnett Technical College. Both Gwinnett Tech and the Gwinnett Tech Foundation continue to assist and support Gwinnett seniors. Lorri Christopher (2007), director of institutional advancement for Gwinnett Tech, is the college coordinator for the Gwinnett Senior Leadership program.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
GBJ Staff

Snellville joins Partnership Gwinnett

In March, Snellville announced its investment in Partnership Gwinnett, the County’s community and economic development initiative.

“The City of Snellville is working hard to improve job opportunities for city residents, said Snellville Mayor Kelly Kautz, “by strengthening relationships with ‘key’ business organizations, such as Partnership Gwinnett, to better assist our citizens.”

Eric Van Otteren, economic development manager at the City of Snellville, added that the City is very proud to be an investor in this initiative and looks forward to driving Gwinnett’s continued growth and success through collaborative economic development efforts.

Council member Diane Krause highlighted the City’s engagement with Market Street Services “to create an action plan that leverages Partnership Gwinnett 2.0 for Snellville’s benefit and provides the city with measurable steps to improve Snellville’s business environment.”

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
GBJ Staff

HealthGrades ranks Gwinnett Medical among 100 Best Hospitals

Gwinnett Medical Center, with hospitals in Duluth and Lawrenceville, has been named by HealthGrades as one of America’s 100 Best, and one of only three hospital systems in the entire state of Georgia to earn this distinction.

“This recognition is the result of the daily focus that physicians, nurses and staff at Lawrenceville and Duluth place on exceptional patient care and high quality outcomes,” said Philip Wolfe, president and CEO of Gwinnett Medical Center (GMC). “It is the knowledge, skill and dedication of GMC’s teams who care for our patients, and create a caring culture combined with clinical excellence that is unique in our area.”

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
GBJ Staff

Gwinnett Chamber reveals Pinnacle winners

An air of excitement starts to filter throughout Gwinnett just prior to the first day of Spring each year in anticipation of learning who is on the Gwinnett Chamber Pinnacle Awards list.

In an effort to recognize Gwinnett’s small businesses and entrepreneurs as pivotal to America’s economic growth and stability, the Gwinnett Chamber is pleased to announce the top 25 Pinnacle Small Business Award Winners that will be honored and celebrated at the 2012 Pinnacle Awards luncheon, April 27, at the Atlanta Marriott-Gwinnett Place. From these 25 businesses, Gwinnett’s Overall Small Business of the Year will be selected and named at the event.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
GBJ Staff

Cultivating leaders for business

Special Focus:
Executive/Continuing Education

Several years ago, Gwinnett leaders asked Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) to explore offering its successful leadership degree program through the College’s Georgia campus in Suwanee.

In a six-month discovery exercise, Bill Clinton, M.A., director of PCOM’s Organizational Development and Leadership Program interviewed more than 30 Gwinnett business leaders. The Gwinnett Chamber facilitated this research to connect PCOM with people who could collaboratively assess areas of need. The outcome revealed that in Gwinnett, there was not a masters or graduate degree program for organization and leadership development to prepare aspiring leaders or hone the skills of those currently at the helm.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
GBJ Staff

A UGA education is closer than you think

Special Focus:
Executive/Continuing Education

The University of Georgia Gwinnett Campus offers working professionals, in the greater metro Atlanta area, opportunities to further their careers by earning advanced degrees or seeking certifications and training for professional development.

Students love attending classes closer to home and work while pursuing a UGA education. As well, being in class with professional peers adds value to students’ experiences and helps them build a network.

“This is the adult student’s dream place,” comments Dr. Ruth Bettandorff, UGA Gwinnett Campus director and assistant vice president for Academic Affairs. “We cater to the non-traditional students who cannot attend during the day.” Classes are held at night and on weekends.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
GBJ Staff

Adult students benefit from life-long learning

by Dr. Ruth Bettandorff

Have you ever considered how many individuals receive some kind of training and professional development each year? Whether company sponsored or self-funded, annual continuing education represents a multi-million dollar investment with hundreds of thousands of individuals reaping the rewards.

With a vast and multi-faceted scope, training spans upgrading current professional skills, retooling skills and knowledge for a new role and re-training to reach competency standards, to the pursuit of a first college degree or completing an advanced degree. Then again, the inspiration for training may come from a newly kindled interest or be the result of a career shift that requires different skills and knowledge. Time spent in training may be a few hours to several weeks or may require a several year commitment to pursue a degree program. Online, classroom, self-study, seminars – the opportunities and options boggle the mind.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •