Rep. Phil Gingrey stood before the Speaker of the House on April 9 to honor the Georgia Army National Guard’s accomplishment in the 2013 Army Communities of Excellence (ACOE) awards competition. Gingrey expressed his gratitude and admiration for the organization. “It is a source of pride to see Georgia’s own National Guard recognized for excellence. These servicemen and women have gone above and beyond the call of duty to earn this prestigious award,” said Gingrey in extended remarks to Congress.
The ACOE program evaluates competing installations in several categories to determine their total Army readiness. The Georgia National Guard was selected as winner of the Overall Best Army National Guard Community of Excellence. This award acknowledges the Georgia Army National Guard as having the most efficient and effective business practices as compared to their 53 state and territory peers.
Consisting of more than 11,100 Citizen-Soldiers training in more than 80 hometown armories and regional facilities across the state, Georgia’s Army Guard is the eighth largest in the nation and includes combat, combat support and combat service support units. The Georgia Army National Guard is organized into five major subordinate commands: the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of Macon; the 78th Homeland Response Force at Clay National Guard Center in Marietta; the 78th Aviation Troop Command, also at Clay; the 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade at Fort Gillem; and the 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Columbus at Fort Benning.
As winners, the Georgia National Guard’s earnings include $300,000 toward installation upgrades that will support soldiers and their families, retirees and civilian employees, improving the facilities and morale of all those serving.
For more on the Georgia National Guard, visit gadod.net.
Kaiser Permanente’s TownPark Comprehensive Medical Center Receives Echocardiography Accreditation by IAC
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., TownPark Comprehensive Medical Center, located in Kennesaw, has been granted a three-year term of accreditation in Echocardiography in the area of Adult Transthoracic by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).
Cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. Early detection of life threatening heart disorders and other diseases is possible through the use of Echocardiography procedures performed within hospitals, outpatient centers and physicians’ offices. While these tests are helpful, there are many facets that contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on Echocardiography testing. The skill of the Echocardiography sonographer performing the examination, the type of equipment used, the background and knowledge of the interpreting physician and quality assurance measures are each critical to quality patient testing.
Accreditation by the IAC means that Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, Inc, TownPark Comprehensive Medical Center has undergone a thorough review of its operational and technical components by a panel of experts. The IAC grants accreditation only to those facilities that are found to be providing quality patient care, in compliance with national standards through a comprehensive application process including detailed case study review.
IAC accreditation is a “seal of approval” that patients can rely on as an indication that the facility has been carefully critiqued on all aspects of its operations considered relevant by medical experts in the field of Echocardiography. When scheduled for an Echocardiography procedure, patients are encouraged to inquire as to the accreditation status of the facility where their examination will be performed and can learn more by visiting www.intersocietal.org/echo/main/patients.htm.
IAC accreditation is widely respected within the medical community, as illustrated by the support of the national medical societies related to Echocardiography, which include physicians and sonographers. Echocardiography accreditation is required in some states and regions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and by some private insurers. However, patients should remain vigilant in making sure that their Echocardiography procedures are performed within accredited facilities, because for many facilities accreditation remains a voluntary process.
For more information on
Next Monday, NASA will host a special, one-time only event where business owners, researchers, and community leaders will receive an exclusive look into how they can engage with NASA and utilize the International Space Station. The organization would like to invite you and your colleagues to attend this event.
The Space Station is a multinational orbiting laboratory and the largest spacecraft ever built. It is used as a test bed for multiple forms of research that impact both space exploration and human life on earth. Over 600 various research and technology development experiments have been conducted on board.
NASA considers potential studies across a number of sectors – including those in Biology/Biotechnology and Earth and Space Science – in addition to education activities for Science and Engineering, Human Research, Physical Sciences and Technology.
What:
Exploring NASA Business and Research Opportunities
When:
Monday, April 15
8:00AM – 10:00AM
Where:
Georgia Tech – Hodges Room
3rd Floor – Centergy Building
75 – 5th Street, NW
Atlanta, GA 30308
For more information, and to RSVP, please visit our event page: http://new.evite.com/l/MXDJJFXKTY
Local Hotel Owner Receives National Recognition
Priti Patel, Cobb Chamber member and owner of Super 8, Kennesaw, received the Outstanding Woman Hotelier of the Year Award from the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA).
The Outstanding Woman Hotelier of the Year Award recognizes the woman hotelier who has demonstrated strong leadership qualities, a commitment to lodging excellence, and who has made significant contributions to her industry and to her community.
Priti Patel was the first woman to be elected to AAHOA and has also completed their Certified Hotel Owner (CHO) program. She is also an Atlanta Ambassador and Women’s committee member.
“Our award winners symbolize the drive, determination and dedication that are the basis for AAHOA’s mission,” said AAHOA Chairman Mehul Patel. “These are not only men and women of business, they are men and women of character – and we salute them for their powerful contribution to our industry and to their communities.”
The AAHOA is the voice of owners in the hospitality industry. Founded in 1989, AAHOA is now one of the fastest-growing organizations in the industry, with more than 11,000 members owning more than 20,000 hotels that total $128 billion in property value. AAHOA is dedicated to promoting and protecting the interests of its members by inspiring excellence through programs and initiatives in advocacy, industry leadership, professional development, member benefits and community involvement.
Congratulations to Priti Patel for her outstanding accomplishment!
State Bank and Trust Company announced that Kelly Maxwell has been appointed Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking for the Cobb market based in Marietta. Maxwell most recently was a commercial officer with Bank of North Georgia.
“Kelly brings more than 20 years experience as a commercial banker and we are pleased to have her join our Marietta team,” said Cobb Market President Jeff Higginbotham. “She has successfully managed a broad portfolio of clients and developed solid relationships with hundreds of businesses in metro Atlanta.”
Maxwell will be based in State Bank’s Marietta office at 250 Church Street NE. Her banking career began with Trust Company Bank (now SunTrust) and includes credit and commercial positions with Wachovia, First National Bancorp (now Regions) and Bank of North Georgia. She is an active member of the Rotary Club of Marietta, Cobb Chamber and a Leadership Cobb alumnus. Maxwell graduated from Illinois State University and now lives in Acworth.
About State Bank Financial Corporation and State Bank and Trust Company
State Bank Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:STBZ) is the holding company for State Bank and Trust Company, one of Georgia’s best-capitalized banks, with approximately $2.68 billion in assets as of December 31, 2012. State Bank has locations in Metro Atlanta and Middle Georgia. State Bank Financial Corporation is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and State Bank and Trust Company is headquartered in Macon, Georgia. State Bank was named the best performing community bank in the United States for 2011 by SNL Financial LC for banks between $500 million and $5 billion in assets.
To read more news from State Bank, click here.
WaterSmart, a water conservation program supported by Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority and Cobb County Water System, is excited to announce its first annual “H2O in HD” video contest.
The waterSmart program was initiated by the CCMWA in 2000 to educate their service area residents of all ages about the importance of indoor and outdoor water conservation and to help encourage sustainable, year-round conservation, regardless of climate conditions. The CCMWA is in its eleventh year of providing the waterSmart program to the community.
For the video contest, high school students are invited to create a 30 to 60 second Public Service Announcement showcasing water conservation efforts. The winning entry will receive $1,000, with $500 to be awarded to the winning team and $500 to the team’s school.
“‘H2O in HD’ provides students with a platform to visually express their ideas on conserving our water supply,” says Kathy Nguyen, senior project manager at Cobb County Water System. “We look forward to see the creative ways that these students will choose to promote various water-saving activities.”
Each video entry will be scored by CCMWA, CCWS, a select panel of judges and online voters. All entries and required forms must be received by Wednesday, April 17, for consideration. Winners will be announced at a special May 14 event.
For additional contest information, please visit www.waterSmart.net or email waterSmart@duffey.com.
Don’t miss the Legal Impact of Health Care: How Will it Impact your Business? on Thursday, Mar. 21 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Cobb Chamber. Join Jodie Braner of Hays Companies of Georgia and David Cole of Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP for as they review the legal impact of health care reform and its impact on businesses.
Topics of this panel discussion will include:
- What coverage businesses are legally required to provide
- What fines may be associated with the bill
- Who falls under the coverage (contractors, salesmen, part-time
employees), etc.
Braner brings over 18 years of experience in insurance carrier and employee benefit brokerage to Hays Companies of Georgia, which was recently ranked as the 16th largest U.S. insurance broker in 2011 by Business Insurance. Cole is a Partner in the Labor & Employment Law section of Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP, and leads its cyber liability, e-discovery and health care law practice groups. He advises employers on compliance with their obligations under the new federal health care law and on their general workplace practices and policies.
The cost for Cobb Chamber members is $25 online and $30 at the door. General Admission is $50. This event is complimentary for members of Executive Club and Chairman’s Club.
For more information on this seminar and other Business University events, contact Amy Goggins at agoggins@cobbchamber.org or 770-859-2335.
