April - Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce

GREATER ROME CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | ROME, GEORGIAApril 2010Vol. 34 33 | 34Chamber delegation with Congressman Phil GingreyWashington Trips Produce Results>> Members of the Chamber were represented $93,470,000 while the City of Rome and Cavein Washington, D.C. by 29 delegates at the Spring received a $7.2 million loan from the2010 Issues and Opportunities Conference. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.Throughout the trip, the group met with Stimulus funds for Cave Spring water systemCongressman Phil Gingrey, Senator Saxby improvements totaling $4.5 million haveChambliss, and Senator Johnny Isakson to been allocated as well. These are just a fewdiscuss the issues on the Chamber’s 2010 examples of ways that the annual Issues andCongressional Priorities (created by theOpportunities Conference produces resultsGovernmental Affairs Committee).for Rome and Floyd County. The team effortIssues featured in the Congressionalbetween the City of Rome, Floyd County andPriorities include water infrastructure, health the Chamber through this trip truly support andcare, aviation, transportation, education positively affect all members of the Chamber.and economic development. Specific issuesdiscussed included the proposed health care2010 DelegatesIrwin Bagwell, Floyd County Commission; Scott Bentleylegislation, funding for the 411 Connector (LR’98), Bentley Audio Visual; Bill Byington, Cox Byington,and the widening of Ga. 140. Delegates also PC; Janet Byington, Congressman Gingrey’s Office; Dr.expressed the need of federal assistance for Robert Darville, Shorter College; Tom Diehl, Harbin Clinic;a new water intake station on the Etowah Kevin Evans, Evans Construction Company; Sam Freeman(LR’95), Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce; CherylRiver. Chairman of the Governmental AffairsHuffman Freeman (LR’94), Berry College; Garry FricksCommittee Carlton Ulmer (LR’07), Redmond(LR’91), Floyd County Commission; Curtis Hart (LR’03),Regional Medical Center, stated, “We’reGeorgia Power; Albert Hodge Jr., Greater Rome Chamberconfident they’re listening to us and acting in of Commerce; Cheryl Riner Hodge, Artist; Anne Kaiser,our best interest on these issues.”Georgia Power; Mark Kaiser; Eddie Lumsden (LR’01),The Issues and Opportunities Conference Chairman, Floyd County Commission; Pete McDonald(LR’87), Georgia Northwestern Technical College; Dr. Craighas produced tangible results in past years.McDaniel (LR’87), Georgia Northwestern Technical College;Richard B. Russell Regional Airport hasDr. Harold Newman, Shorter College; Kevin Poe (LR’90),received approximately $1.4 million for capital Floyd County Manager; Randy Quick (LR’00), Rome Radioimprovement and over the past three years, Partners, LLC; Ansley Saville, Coosa Steel, Inc.; Keri Smith,the community has received $66,549,000 in Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce; Jack Summerbell,Darlington School; Martha Bryant Summerbell, TravelFederal monies to support construction of theLeaders; Dan Sweitzer (LR’94), Floyd Medical Center;West Rome Bypass and the Southwest Rome Carlton Ulmer (LR’07), Redmond Regional Medical Center;Bypass. Federal highway funds spent in the Lisa Ulmer; Buzz Wachsteter, Rome City Commission; Whitcommunity over the past three years total Whitaker, Berry College; and Brad White, SunTrust Bank.INSIDE-New Members/Renewals-Ribbon Cuttings-2010 Membership Campaign-Floyd County Top AP Scores-What’s That Project?-Rome City ECO Center-Friday Facts-STAR Students and Teachers-GOAL Award-Small Business Spotlight-Bentley Audio Visual, Inc.-Rome Chamber Marketplace-Upcoming EventsSenator Saxby Chambliss, Senator JohnnyIsakson, and Carlton Ulmer (LR’07), RedmondRegional Medical Center.Kevin Poe (LR’90), Floyd County Manager,Buzz Wachsteter, Rome City Commission,Congressman Phil Gingrey.WWW.ROMEGA.COMAPR 10 PINNACLE.indd 13/22/10 4:24:06 PM

Young Professionals of RomeStan Foxworthy of Foxworthy Studios, Inc.talks with David Lembeck, Rome Braves, andTanya Jett, Communities in Schools, at YoungProfessionals of Rome. The event was hosted atOld Havana Cigar Company and co-sponsored by333 on Broad. The program featured professionalphotographer Stan Foxworthy.Business After HoursRebecca Cuthbertson, Skin Cancer and CosmeticDermatology Center, and Joan Crumley, Brownand Brown Insurance of Georgia, Inc., chat overfood at February’s Business After Hours. Theevent was hosted by Coosa Country Club.Employment Law UpdateRenewalsJANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 28Alliant Health Plans, Inc.Aramark - Berry CollegeAshton StaffingBelk, Inc.Branson Machinery, LLCCaldwell Printing Co.Comfort SuitesCoosa Steel Corp.Coosa Valley Home Health an Amedisys CompanyDomino’s PizzaEnforcement Technologies InternationalEtowah Insurance Group, Inc.Georgia PowerGeorgia Power Plant HammondHardy Realty & DevelopmentHelbing Builders, Inc.Heritage Automotive GroupHorizon Bay - Retirement LivingIn-Touch Computer ServicesKnight’s JewelersMcRae, Stegall, Peek, Harman,Smith & Manning, LLPMuller, Richard L., Jr., DDS, PCOTR Wheel EngineeringProfessional Screening & Information (PSI)Ledbetter Properties, Inc.Ranger Consulting, Inc.Rocky Mountain Hydroelectric PlantRom-Com, Inc.Rome Industrial Cleaning Service, LLCRome News-TribuneRudert Senior Advisory & Consulting Services, LLCSamples Investments, LLC dba Murphy Business &Financial Corp - GASanta Fe Cattle Co.Schroeder’s New Deli - DowntownDr. Harlan StarrSunTrust Bank, Northwest GeorgiaToles, Temple & WrightTravel LeadersUncle John’s Bar-B-QWachovia CorporationWaste IndustriesWKNG - King Country AM 1060World Hi Fi’s Home StoreNew MembersDomestic Violence Task ForceMr. Rex Hussman(706) 232-34081513 Dean StreetRome, GA 30161ORGANIZATIONEdible ArrangementsMr. Ketki Patel(706) 235-0711315 Riverside Pkwy.Suite 150Rome, GA 30161www.ediblearrangements.comGIFT BASKETSThe GarageMs. Nancy Knight(706) 291-28181321 Martha Berry Blvd.Rome, GA 30165www.thegaragerome.comAUTOMOBILE REPAIRS & SERVICEJohnny’s New York Style PizzaMr. Robert Blumberg(706) 232-6555233 Broad StreetRome, GA 30161RESTAURANTSmarter ClinixMs. Leigh Counts(706) 291-299918 Riverbend DriveRome, GA 30161www.smarterclinix.comHEALTH CARERIBBON CUTTINGSThe Comp ForceThe Children’s PlacePinnacle (USPS 395-030)Published monthly, except January, by theGreater Rome Chamber of Commerce,1 Riverside Parkway, Rome, GA 30161.Periodical Postage Paid - Rome, GA 30161.Subscription rate $20.00 per year in U.S.A.POSTMASTER: Send address changes toPINNACLE, 1 Riverside Parkway,Rome, Georgia 30161.The Comp Force celebrated its grand openingwith a ribbon cutting. The business is locatedin Suite 303 at 519 Broad Street. Learn moreabout them at www.thecompforce.com.A new addition in Mount Berry Square Mall,The Children’s Place held a ribbon cutting tocelebrate its opening. Learn more about thestore at www.childrensplace.com.WWW.ROMEGA.COMAPR 10 PINNACLE.indd 23/22/10 4:24:22 PM

smallBusinessSpotlightBentley Audio Visual Services, Inc>>Scott Bentley (LR’98) realized his life passion while taking an independent electronicsclass in high school. He was the only student to advance to the second level of the classwhich began the foundation for his long-time career in the field. After the needed education,experience and hard work, he opened Bentley Audio Visual Services, Inc., a company thatspecializes in a large variety of electronic needs.Bentley’s first job with the Northwest Georgia Cooperative Education Services Agency(CESA) gave him basic knowledge to excel in his college courses. He attended Floyd College(now Georgia Highlands College), and acquired even more knowledge at Georgia StateUniversity. “When I finished school, I came back to the area and ran into my old boss withCESA. He asked me to come back and work for him again.” By the early 1980’s Bentley begansub-contracting and was running his own independent company just a few years later.Technology is constantly evolving and Bentley understands the importance of staying onthe cutting edge with the services his company provides. Bentley Audio Visual Services, Inc.works with school systems, governments, churches and businesses to provide quality audio/visual equipment, laminators, cable TV systems, security systems, sounds systems and accesscontrols. They also work with a large variety of low voltage electronics and will custom designand install a variety of systems.His business has been successful for many years and Bentley believes that offering awide range of services along with future forecasting has kept him profitable. “I try to looksix months to a year ahead,” he explains. “We work with many school systems and they areseasonal, so we have to manage everything to account for the pace of business throughouteach year.” Bentley also contributes much of his success to the people that surround him.“David Dellis, Vice President of the company, and Faye Barnett, Secretary and Treasurer, are acrucial part of the Bentley AV services operation.”Facing various challenges each day is what Bentley loves most about his profession. “It’sbeen different every day for 30 years,” he comments. “I’m not the kind of person that enjoysdoing the same procedure over and over again, it’s too boring for me.” He understands thatmost people do not desire such a heavy workload, but he admits that he “thrives and getsmore done” with the challenge. His personal statement on responsibility is “if you do whatyou have to do and do it when you’re supposed to do it, there will come a day when you cando what you want to do, when you want to do it.”Despite his busy work schedule, Bentley is a strong advocate for community involvement.He has served on the board for the Georgia Highlands Foundation for 12 years and iscurrently the chairman. “The school, then Floyd College, was the stepping stone that gaveme the skills I needed during a difficult time in my life,” he explains. “I have a passion for nontraditionalstudents who just need a little help to make it.” Bentley also works with the RomeInternational Film Festival and the Coosa Valley Tennis Association. He is currently workingto help the envisioned Tennis Center of Georgia at Berry College become reality. Bentley’spersonal interests include staying fit, playing tennis and international travel. “I’ve only begunmy bucket list of places I want to visit,” he states.Along with community involvement, Bentley is also an active Chamber member. He shares,“The Chamber provides valuable networking opportunities, leadership development andsupport for small business owners and entrepreneurs.” Bentley is also a founding member ofthe Chamber-supported Northwest Georgia Regional Angel Investors Network (NWGRAIN).This emerging group of investors will support local entrepreneurs as they work to developinnovative ideas.To learn more about Bentley Audio Visual Services, Inc., visit www.romega.com.Lookingfor a newway to gaincustomers?www.romechambermarketplace.com>>Are you looking for a new way topromote your business? Sign on towww.romechambermarketplace.com!This virtual marketplace is open toanyone seeking a product or service.Once a request has been made, onlyChamber member businesses can placea bid to gain the business!So, how does Rome ChamberMarketplace work? Companies insearch of products or services canpost requests for bids on the site. Thebuyer chooses from a list of vendorcategories to automatically alertChamber members in that category thata request has been made. Buyers shouldprovide detailed information about theirrequest, including contact information,objective, detailed description,questions for vendors, vendor category,project start date and deadline.Chamber members that have signedup as “providers” with Marketplace canchoose categories in which they wish tobid. Any request for service that meetsthe search criteria of a company is sentvia e-mail to that company as soon as itis posted. Chamber members can log-onto the free service at any time to viewall requests and submit bids.Members and non-members can postprojects or requests to the Marketplacesite, but only Greater Rome Chamberof Commerce Chamber members canparticipate as vendors and bid on jobs.Sign up today at:www.romechambermarketplace.com!WWW.ROMEGA.COMAPR 10 PINNACLE.indd 33/22/10 4:24:29 PM

STAR Students & Teachers AnnouncedSchool STAR Student STAR TeacherArmuchee High Lauren Michelle Collins Leigh BurnhamCoosa High Stanley Luke Weeks William DaughtryDarlington Andrew John White Beth WilsonModel High Sarah Kay Lively Kelly DooleyPepperell High Keith Colton Jeris Tina RushRome High Kerem Michael Trolander Andy Blackburn>> Local students and teachers were recentlyrecognized with the Student Teacher AchievementRecognition Award. STAR Students are selected onthe basis of their highest SAT scores and their gradesduring the first semester of their senior year. STARTeachers are chosen by the student winners becausethey have a key role in the student’s academicsuccess.The school system STAR winners were announcedat the Exchange Club luncheon. The Rome CitySchools’ STAR student system winner was a tiebetween Rome High School’s Kerem MichaelTrolander and Darlington School’s Andrew JohnWhite. The Floyd County Schools’ system winner wasCoosa High School’s Stanley Luke Weeks.Seven Hills Rotary sponsored the Region STARBanquet where Leah Humphrey from Carrollton HighSchool was named the district winner for the region.Thanks to The Exchange Club of Rome and SevenHills Rotary for recognition of the award recipients.GOAL Award>> Georgia Northwestern TechnicalCollege student Scarlett Queen realizedthat she wanted to help others afterher son was born with a tiny hole in hisheart. Through breathing treatmentsand exceptional care, the baby’s hearthealed and he is now a healthy sevenyear-old.Queen was inspired to returnto school as an adult to earn a degreein respiratory therapy.Queen received GNTC’s GeorgiaOccupational Award of Leadership(GOAL) for her academic and leadershipsuccess. Queen has maintained a 4.0grade point average and looks forwardto working in a Rome-area medicalfacility upon her graduation in 2012.GOAL is a statewide program ofthe Technical System of Georgia thathonors excellence in academics andleadership among Georgia’s technicalcollege students. Queen will representGNTC at a regional competition andthen possibly at the state level.What’s That project?ECO Museum River Education Center>> The old pump station at Ridge Ferry was following Leadership in Energy andPark on the Oostanaula River is in the final Environmental Design (LEED) standards.stages of transformation into Rome’s new When complete, the facility will leaveECO Museum River Education Center. The many of the old walls exposed, just as theyproject cost $834,825 and is being funded were when the renovation started just oneby 2006 SPLOST revenues. It will serve as year ago. Along with extensive steel beamthe new location for the city’s Environmental reinforcement, new wood floors and a newOffices and Keep Rome-Floyd Beautiful, one addition structure, the facility will be a trueof the oldest programs in the Keep America asset to the community.Beautiful System. The facility will also be used The grand opening for the new facility isfor environmental education and be available scheduled for Earth Day, April 22.to rent for special events.Learn more about the project byThe 120-year-old structure presented browsing the Chamber’s Business Directoryunique challenges as the renovation at www.romega.com.WWW.ROMEGA.COMAPR 10 PINNACLE.indd 43/22/10 4:24:50 PM

2010MembershipCampaign>>The Vice-Chair of Membership andChair-Elect for the Chamber Board ofDirectors, Greg Sumner (LR’00), ProfessionalScreening & Information, is pleased toannounce that the 2nd Annual ChamberChampions: Join the Team MembershipCampaign will occur throughout the monthof May. This year’s goal is $25,000 in newChamber memberships. The campaign willkick off with Draft Day on Thursday, April29th and will conclude with the VictoryCelebration on Thursday, May 27th.Now more than ever, business owners inRome and Floyd County need extra resourcesand support. Chamber membership providesnumerous opportunities for businessesto thrive. The Chamber works to promoteprosperity in our community for and throughbusiness membership.Join theTeam!The annual Membership Campaign is anexcellent opportunity for current membersto share their experience of supporting theChamber and invite others to join. We inviteyou to “Join the Team” and be a part of thisexciting event!There are many ways to be involvedwith the campaign. Chamber members mayparticipate on a team that works to recruitnew members throughout the campaign.Members may also donate gifts and prizesthat will be awarded to the top producersof the campaign. Those that would liketo donate will be considered campaignsponsors and featured on Chamber publicitythroughout the campaign.For more information about involvementoptions, please contact Alison Smith at706.291.7663 or asmith@romega.com.Leadership Rome & High School Leadership RomeSammy Rich (LR’04), Assistant City Manager,speaks with Leadership Rome XXVI participantsduring their Government Session. Thegroup enjoyed lunch with City and CountyCommissioners, visited The Forum and learnedabout the Chamber’s Government Division.Students participating in High School LeadershipRome visit the top of Rome’s historic clocktowerduring their Quality of Life Session. The groupalso visited Rome’s new ECO Center and enjoyeddinner at Three Rivers Club while learning aboutthe Rome Braves at State Mutual Stadium.A+Three Floyd CountySchools Recognizedfor Top AP Scores>>According to the College Board’s APReport to the Nation, Georgia has the12th highest percent of seniors scoringa 3 or higher on Advanced Placement(AP) Exams. Floyd County’s Armuchee,Coosa and Model High Schools wereamong the top 125 scoring schools inthe state.The report measured the progressof the class of 2009. “I am proud thatmore Georgia students than ever arechallenging themselves with demandingcourse work and are successfullymastering the material,” said StateSuperintendent of Schools Kathy Cox.“We recognize that one of the bestways to close the achievement gap isto challenge all students with rigorouswork and high expectations.”AP classes offer rigorous college-levellearning options to students in highschool. Students who receive a 3, 4 or 5on AP exams may receive college credit.The AP Report to the Nation found thatamong Georgia’s public high schoolseniors in 2009:•17.8% scored a 3 or higher on at leastone AP exam during high school, whichis higher than the national average of15.9%.•Georgia is tied for 2nd in the nationwhen comparing the five-year increaseof public school seniors scoring a 3 orhigher on at least one AP exam (5.4%growth compared to 3.2% for thenation.)•Georgia ranks 3rd in the nation forits one-year increase of public schoolseniors scoring a 3 or higher on at leastone AP exam (1.5% growth compared to0.7% for the nation).When it comes to public schoolstudents enrolling in AP courses andtaking the exams, Georgia is also anational leader.To learn more about Rome and FloydCounty’s outstanding public schoolsystems please visit the MembershipDirectory at www.romega.com.WWW.ROMEGA.COMAPR 10 PINNACLE.indd 53/22/10 4:25:01 PM

PERIODICALSPOSTAGEP A I DROME, GA301611 Riverside ParkwayRome, Georgia 30161706.291.7663WWW.ROMEGA.COMUPCOMING EVENTSTuesday, April 6•Young Professionals of Rome-Darlington SchoolWednesday, April 7•Transportation CommitteeThursday, April 8•Leadership Rome-Quality of Life SessionFriday, April 9•Education CommitteeTuesday, April 13•Small Business Action Council•HS Leadership Rome GraduationThursday, April 15•SpeedNetworking•Business After Hours-Watters & Associates LandscapeFriday, April 16•Economic Development CommitteeWednesday, April 21•Governmental Affairs Committee•Customer Service SeminarFriday, April 23•Information Technology RoundtableThursday, April 29•Membership Drive Kick-OffYoung ProfessionalsTuesday, April 6WWW.ROMEGA.COMBusiness After HoursThursday, April 15of RomeDon’t miss the opportunity to network with community business leaders!Frank Barron, retired, Coca-Cola CompanyAngie McWhorter, IS Director, Harbin Clinic, LLCWillis Potts, University System of Georgia Board of RegentsDavid Newby, General Manager, Profile Extrusion CompanyBrenda Waltz, CEO, Redmond Regional Medical CenterDarlington School’s Yancey Suite1014 Cave Spring Road, SWRome, Ga 30161$105:30pm - 7:00pmwww.romega.comLocation:Watters & Associates Landscape134 Silver AvenueRome, Ga 30161www.watterslandscape.com5:30pm - 7:00pmRegister at www.romega.com!APR 10 PINNACLE.indd 63/22/10 4:25:03 PM