Georgia Bankers Association Endorses Valuation Management Group
The Georgia Bankers Association (GBA), through its subsidiary, GBA Services Inc., announces the endorsement of Valuation Management Group (VMG), as its preferred vendor of appraisal management services.
Founded in 2006 by President and CEO Vicky Thompson, Valuation Management Group (VMG) is a Georgia-based nationwide commercial and residential appraisal management company that serves Community Banks, Mortgage Bankers and Investors.
VMG handles the entire appraisal process including approving the appraisers, managing the appraiser panel, handling the bid process for complex residential properties and commercial assignments, ordering environmental risk assessments, engaging the appraisers and performing a quality appraisal review.
“High-quality outside appraisal management services are a priority for many banks,” said Robert D. Heath, president and CEO of First American Bank and Trust Company in Athens and chairman of the board of GBA Services, Inc. “Valuation Management Group has one of the industry’s most experienced staffs. Its reviewers have an average of 17 years of actual appraisal experience, and the company is known for providing outstanding customer service. We’re excited to welcome Valuation Management Group to the lineup of Strategic Partners that support our state’s banks.”
“We are excited to be selected as a strategic partner with GBA,” said Vicky Thompson, president and CEO, Valuation Management Group. “Our goal is to assist Georgia Banks with appraiser independence compliance and robust reviews.”
Opportunities to Increase Small Business in Georgia
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has recently awarded the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s International Trade Team a grant to increase the number of small businesses in the state that are exporting, as well as the value of the state’s exports. The grant provides both new export services and reduced fees for some existing export services for qualified small and medium sized businesses. Small businesses in Georgia interested in growing their exports can now apply online for export services. By registering at http://trade.georgia.org for the state’s trade services, Georgia companies can also receive advance notice of international trade missions and trade shows.
Additionally, for companies interested in participating international trade opportunities, view the SBA International Trade 2012 initiatives.
Dear Chamber Members,
This month’s First Monday Breakfast marked the beginning of a new era for the Cobb Chamber as we unveiled our new brand and corporate identity. The enhancement of the Chamber’s already strong image will visually promote our overall brand and image through a more strategic approach to communicating with our key audiences and valued members.
The new brand and identity is based on solid research from our members and creatively positions the Cobb Chamber as a leading chamber in the Southeast, differentiates us from other organizations and resembles the image and brands of companies we’re trying to attract.
Our new corporate identity incorporates a graphic “mark” inspired by comments from members and community leaders as well as our new vision. It visually illustrates how the Cobb Chamber often serves as a convener for bringing the community and its leaders together to create jobs and strengthen the economy and quality of life so businesses and the community can achieve more. The three linked squares represent Economic and Community Development, Advocacy and Member Services.
The Chamber’s new tagline, Achieve More, is a nod to the rich tradition and legacy of the Chamber and communicates our focus on helping individuals, companies and organizations Achieve More in business and the community. This is our promise to our members – whether you’re a top company executive, middle management, small company executive, or consultant. A thriving entrepreneur, an average citizen, elected official or school leader. The community-at-large, a newcomer, a site location consultant or a relocating company. You will achieve more by doing business in Cobb County and belonging to the Cobb Chamber.
Thank you for your continued support of the Cobb Chamber. We look forward to serving you in 2012.
Sincerely,
David Connell
President & CEO
See BLAST! at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
BLAST!
January 19 – 22
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
BLAST!, winner of the 2001 Tony Award for “Best Special Theatrical Event” and the 2001 Emmy Award for “Best Choreography,” is comprised of 35 brass, percussion and visual performers brought together in a unique explosion of music and theatre. Born on athletic fields across the nation, BLAST! is a novel art form evolved from the showmanship of outdoor pageantry. According to Bruce McCabe of the Boston Globe: “Blast! is an exuberant 15-number show that doesn’t falter while bridging the categories of classical, blues, jazz, rock n roll, and techno-pop music. Blast! stands, blows, pounds, marches, and whirls with panache. It sent a full house into repeated bursts of cheering and applause.”
United Chiropractic Center Gives Back to the Community
United Chiropractic Center in Marietta had a grand opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting on Tuesday Jan. 17. The center is led by Dr. Steve Landry, DC, PT, whose business has been growing rapidly since the office officially opened a month ago. Dr. Landry, originally from Quebec, Canada, earned a doctorate in chiropractic from Marietta’s Life University. His wife, Amber, is also working on a chiropractic degree. Dr. Landry said his company’s mission is to provide hope to a community that needs optimum health through the vehicle of principled chiropractic care and partner with need-based organizations to help the community. Already United Chiropractic Center is partnering with The Cobb Street Ministry, which provides support to women and children in need.
Business U 2012: Best Practices of Volunteer Management
The Business University proudly presented by SCANA Energy kicks off 2012 with Best Practices of Volunteer Management, Conversational Spanish for Business Professionals and a Business Basics Seminar Series that will get your company ready to win procurement contracts, collect client debts and even choose the right succession plan. The seminars are appropriate for all professional levels, although the succession planning seminar is geared towards small business owners. Group rates are available for companies with 3 or more employees attending. Prepare your company with the Business Basics Seminar Series and Conversational Spanish for Business Professionals.
On February 8, the Georgia Center for Nonprofits presents an informative workshop on the best practices of volunteer management for nonprofits and for-profit companies. Whether you already have an established volunteer force or are in the planning stages, understanding how to attract, educate, mobilize and sustain a strong volunteer force is essential for company success.
In the workshop you will learn:
- Key competencies needed for volunteer management
- The rights and responsibilities of volunteers
- Making volunteers your best advocates
The cost to Chamber members is $15 if you sign up online by Tuesday, Feb. 7 at noon. Learn more.
Sedgefield Interior Landscapes Celebrating 60 Earth-Friendly Years
This year Sedgefield Interior Landscapes, Inc. is celebrating 60 years of customer satisfaction in interior landscaping. Sedgefield continually provides top of the line tropical foliage design and interiorscapes for clients in Atlanta, Georgia, Charlotte and Greensboro, North Carolina.
You can visit Sedgefield at Facebook or visit their website at www.sedgefieldinc.com. Sedgefield Landscapes also has a great selection of rentals and holiday decor for your office or lobby.
Small Business of the Year: Nominations are due January 18
For more than a decade the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution have shown support of Cobb County’s small businesses through the Small Business of the Year Awards. It is without a doubt that small business plays an important role in the Cobb community and the economy. With great pride, we showcase the Top 25 small businesses in Cobb County in the month of June and for the first time will induct 30 companies into the Small Business of the Year Hall of Fame. Both the Top 25 small businesses and the Hall of Fame are the crème of the crop in our county.
Nominations are accepted annually, giving the community a chance to recognize businesses that have gone above and beyond. Nominated companies are then asked to complete an application based on the Small Business Administration standards, including company growth, community involvement, employee benefits, diversity and more. An independent panel of judges composed of business and community leaders reviews the applications and selects the Top 25 small businesses. Then one of the Top 25 is selected by the panel of judges to be the Small Business of the Year winner.
As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Small Business of the Year awards, we will not only recognize the Top 25 small businesses and the Small Business of the Year winner, but also bestow a prestigious Hall of Fame designation upon 30 past Small Business of the Year winners and Cobb County’s Georgia Small Business of the Year winners. To be deemed a Hall of Fame inductee, a company must have exhibited the highest qualities of a top small business.
We hope that you will join us in celebrating small business in Cobb County by nominating a Cobb County small business for the Small Business of the Year awards. Nominations are due January 18. Please click here to submit a nomination.
A special thank you to our sponsors, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Wells Fargo, Georgia Power Company and Kaiser Permanente.
Day Three Media Receives 2011 Best of Kennesaw Award
Day Three Media has been selected for the 2011 Best of Kennesaw Award in the Advertising category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).
The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.
U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.
The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.
Cobb Chamber Seeks Health Hero Award Nominees
The Cobb Chamber of Commerce seeks to recognize qualified individuals and agencies who, through outstanding and dedicated service, have made a significant positive impact on the health of our community.
Sponsored by Cobb & Douglas Public Health, the Health Hero Award gives recognition to outstanding, significant and innovative activities and accomplishments by an individual or organization in Cobb.
Nominees for the Health Hero Award should provide health and wellness services and/or support health issues and must currently be located in Cobb County. Additionally, nominees must be members of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.
Click here for a nomination form.
Nomination forms must be submitted by Dec. 30 at 5 p.m. to Sharon Mason, vice president of membership at the Cobb Chamber, at smason@cobbchamber.org. For questions on the Health Hero Awards, contact Lisa Crossman, Cobb Chamber health and wellness committee chairwoman, at lcrossman@dhr.state.ga.us.
As one of the largest chambers in the Southeastern United States representing more than 2,500 firms, 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.
