December 2014 Features

  • Leadership Lowndes Class of 2014 Graduates

    December 18, 2014

    Lowndes Leadership held a graduation ceremony for the Class of 2014 on Nov. 20 at the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts.

  • CJB Industries Receives National Performance Improvement Honor

    December 17, 2014

    CJB Industries is pleased to announce it has been recognized for exemplary efforts in improving its environmental, health, safety and security by the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates'.

  • SGMC Named Best Hospital for Patient Experience

    December 16, 2014

    South Georgia Medical Center earned recognition from the Women's Choice Award as one of America's Best Hospitals for Outstanding Patient Experience. The award identifies the best hospitals based on data from patient satisfaction surveys that is weighted by what a group of 200,000 women surveyed by Women's Choice Award say they want from a hospital.

  • Tis the Season for Strategic Giving

    December 15, 2014

    With the holidays just around the corner many are focused on giving back, especially in Atlanta, the fourth most charitable large metro in the United States. Forty-three percent of wealthy donors said that they make more charitable contributions during the holiday season compared to the rest of the year, according to the recent Bank of America Study on High Net Worth Philanthropy.

  • 7 Ways to Make “Write a Business Plan Month” Work for You

    December 12, 2014

    December is National Write a Business Plan Month! Every business owner needs a plan — whether you’re in startup mode, seeking financing or preparing for another year at the helm of a growing business.

  • HeritageBank to Merge with Mississippi-Based Renasant Corporation

    December 11, 2014

    Renasant Corporation and Heritage Financial Group, Inc. jointly announced today the signing of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Renasant Corporation will acquire, in an all-stock merger, Heritage Financial Group, Inc., a bank holding company headquartered in Albany, Georgia, and the parent of HeritageBank of the South, aGeorgia savings bank.

  • Valdosta Named “Smart Energy Municipality of the Year”

    December 09, 2014

    The City of Valdosta was named “Smart Energy Municipality of the Year” by the Technology Association of Georgia on Dec. 4, at an awards banquet held at the Georgia Tech Wardlaw Building in Atlanta, Ga. The event recognized successful individuals, businesses and municipalities who have shown dynamic leadership over the past year in Georgia’s large and growing Smart Energy sector.

  • Regions Bank Georgia President: Going Beyond the Brick and Mortar Branch

    December 08, 2014

    Now that the U.S. has traversed the recession and planted its feet on the banks of a new economic era, the banking industry is strengthening. Leaders within the banking industry are mobilizing to reinvigorate commercial enterprises that make the economy hum. Bill Linginfelter, Area President of Regions Bank for Georgia and South Carolina, says, “We try to take a lot of the financial management tasks off their plates so they can spend more time developing their business or making more products or innovating.”

  • Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber Announces 2015 Board

    December 05, 2014

    “Board of Directors” typically brings to mind a room full of business men and women in suits speaking in monotone about the affairs of their organization, but the Chamber Board of Directors doesn’t fit any such stereotype. The 2015 group is made up of active professionals who take pride in serving on a working Board as well as a governing Board.

  • Mediacom Business Launches Real Customer Story Series

    December 03, 2014

    We recently chatted with Kristi Salmon, Mediacom Business’ Marketing Director, to find out what the telecommunications service provider is planning for 2015, especially concerning the hot topic of Google Fiber.

  • Make Time for Time Basics at a Book-Signing Reception this Saturday

    December 02, 2014

    In his new book Time Basics, Dr. Jim Muncy, Professor of Marketing in the Harley Langdale College of Business at Valdosta State University, offers 24 principles to help people get the most out of each 24-hour day. Muncy has taught a time management class based on these principles for several years to business students. Many of them encouraged him to write this book.

  • BCBS Georgia President Morgan Kendrick: Blue Cross Blue Shield Starts New Healthcare Discussion

    December 01, 2014

    As the Affordable Care Act (ACA) continues to unfold, insurance providers and businesses, particularly small to medium sized businesses, continue to adjust. Making decisions that best serve both the bottom line and employees requires knowledge and flexibility. Morgan Kendrick, President, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa), acknowledges that the ACA is a response to health care costs that had risen to an untenable level.