July 2014 Features

  • Fussell Tire & Services Invest in Logistics/Distribution Support Facility

    July 31, 2014

    The Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority announced yesterday that Fussell Tire & Service will establish a new commercial logistics/distribution maintenance services/support facility in Westside Business Park. The project represents a $2 million investment, will retain 6 jobs and create 10 new jobs.

  • Stacy Bush on What's Happening With Your IRA

    July 30, 2014

    Given changes in tax laws that have occurred during the past few years, a retirement readiness review could be a good idea if you have an IRA, says Stacy Bush.

  • Valdosta Chamber’s MetroOne Young Professionals Share Secrets of Success

    July 29, 2014

    The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber’s MetroOne Young Professionals hosted a panel discussion on Tuesday at the Hilton Garden Inn to highlight successful business practices. MetroOne is co-chaired by Courtney and Thompson Gooding and consists of local young professionals between the ages of 21 and 40. Panelists included Angela Hobby, Jamie Baltrus, Malynda Dorsey, and Micha Hogan. The event opened up with speakers sharing tips to help others get involved and give back to the community. They emphasized the importance of being proactive in seeking out opportunities and taking advantage of each available opportunity.

  • Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber Celebrates 100 Years of Growing a Greater Community

    July 28, 2014

    The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber dedicated its 100th Centennial Tree to its first 100 Chairmen of the Chamber Board of Directors last Wednesday in a ceremony attended by some of the community’s most prominent professionals.

  • Myrna Ballard Selected as GACCE Executive of the Year Award Recipient

    July 25, 2014

    Myrna Ballard, President of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, was presented with GACCE’s top award last week – the GACCE Executive of the Year Honoring Kent Lawrence. The announcement was made Thursday, July 17 at the 2014 GACCE Executive Leadership Conference held at the Lake Lanier Islands Legacy Lodge.

  • Azalea Merger Shows Health IT Still Blooming in Georgia

    July 24, 2014

    Seven years ago, Baha Zeidan and two of his Valdosta colleagues entered a local competition for business plans, looking to build on their idea for a health care software startup. On Tuesday, seven years after the contest award, the company announced a merger with Alpharetta-based simplifyMD, another private health IT firm. The merged company will have 70 employees and will have offices in Valdosta, Alpharetta and Macon as well as in Gainesville, Fla. The merger underscores the importance of the health IT sector in Georgia, and its broad geographic reach within the state.

  • Azalea Health Announces Agreement to Merge with simplifyMD

    July 23, 2014

    Azalea Health, a provider of cloud-based healthcare solutions and services, announced today an agreement to merge with simplifyMD, a complete electronic health records provider. The merger positions the two privately held companies to become a leading provider of a fully integrated, cloud-based healthcare management and medical billing solution.

  • How to Improve Your Self Control – It’s the Key to Your Success

    July 21, 2014

    If you’re tired of reading self help books and seemingly never getting anywhere, you may be interested in a study that found a single factor — self-control — to be one of the primary keys to success.

  • Manage Your Future – Building your personal brand...

    July 18, 2014

    Have you ever wondered why certain people always appear to be in te right place at the right time? You know the ones I’m talking about; they always seem to get the next great opportunity; the promotion, the new job, the big order. In a world with so much noise and so many choices, how do we set ourselves apart and actually differentiate who we are? How do we become this sought-after person?

  • Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority Cuts Ribbon on New Office

    July 17, 2014

    Members of the Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority cut the ribbon at 103 Roosevelt Wednesday morning, welcoming a fresh name in a new space where prospects are surrounded by a vibrant Valdosta community.

  • Merrill Lynch Scorecard Shows Productivity Tied to Employees’ Financial Well-Being

    July 17, 2014

    Merrill Lynch recently released their 401(k) Wellness Scorecard for the second quarter, with results showing a positive increase in financial habits from plan participants. We spoke with James Wallace and Deborah Howard, Managing Directors – Wealth Management, Global Corporate & Institutional Advisory Services, to get their take on the results of the scorecard and why more companies need to become invested in the financial well-being of their employees.

  • GDOL to Participate in Valdosta's Operation Moody Transition

    July 15, 2014

    The Georgia Department of Labor’s (GDOL) Valdosta Career Center, along with other local organizations, will participate in a hiring event Wednesday, July 23, to help veterans find jobs and get information about educational and training opportunities and other benefits.

  • VSU President Announces Appointment of Dr. Kimberly Luse as Chief of Staff

    July 14, 2014

    Valdosta State University President William J. McKinney has named Dr. Kimberly A. Luse as his new chief of staff, effective July 21.

  • Dr. Ben Carson to Speak at Langdale College of Business Administration Event

    July 11, 2014

    Valdosta State University will hold "An Evening with Dr. Ben Carson" beginning at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, in Whitehead Auditorium. The renowned pediatric neurosurgeon, motivational speaker, New York Times bestselling author, and Fox News contributor is a highly sought national speaker.

  • 3 Classic Recipes in Case Your Brand Ever Gets Grilled

    July 10, 2014

    Yes, it’s true. The Paula Deen Network is launching in September. The celebrity cook, whose career was nearly burnt, is cooking up something new – and digital. Just in case your brand ever gets grilled, we look at three fast and easy tips inspired by the digital rebranding of Paula Deen.

  • Valdosta Industrial Authority Leads Regional Group on Tour of Georgia Ports

    July 08, 2014

    The Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority recently led a group on a tour of the Georgia Port Garden Center and Ocean Terminals in Savannah. The group listened to a presentation by Stacy Watson, General Manager, Economic & Industrial Development at the Georgia Ports Authority and then proceeded on the tour.

  • Curt Fowler: Do Customers Buy Because of Your Core Values?

    July 07, 2014

    As we've discussed in previous posts, customers buy brands and they pay more for brands that they want to be associated with. But, it's not just your logo and advertising that creates your brand.

  • Business Butterfly, Angela Roark Spreads Her Wings

    July 02, 2014

    Monarch Hair Solutions & Salon, LLC, Valdosta’s new cranial prostheses center, opened its doors Thursday, immediately following its ribbon cutting ceremony. Angela Roark, also the owner of Hair Spray Salon and Spa, is excited about her new business and looks forward to serving the Valdosta community.

  • City of Valdosta Hosts Small Business Resource Fair on August 5th

    July 01, 2014

    The City of Valdosta and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) have partnered to host a Small Business Resource Fair on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center.