January 29, 2010
Cherokee Tribuneby Barbara P. Jacoby
bjacoby@cherokeetribune.com
The Rev. Charles H. Davis was honored as the county’s 2010 First Citizen at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting.
The crowd of more than 300 at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Conference Center in Canton applauded the presentation with a standing ovation.
“I’m humbled and grateful for your recognition here today,” Davis said, as he clasped his hands in prayer and held back tears upon seeing his extended family approach the stage to congratulate him.
Marguerite Cline, former mayor of Waleska and superintendent of Cherokee County schools, presented the award.
“There are so many people who love you, Charles Davis, and want to do whatever we can to honor you, and that includes me,” she said.
Davis, 80, has served as a pastor for 33 years in Cherokee County including at the pulpit of the church he founded, Canton Community Church. He and his wife, Eva, also opened Little Ones Learning Center and Christian School, and for many years, he operated Davis Clothing Store.
He founded the chaplain program at what is now Northside Hospital-Cherokee, and filled the volunteer role for 30 years. Davis is known throughout the community for his service at the hospital and through local funeral homes and nursing homes as a “minister to everyone.”
Thursday’s meeting also marked the changing of the chamber guard, as 2009 board Chairman Nathan Brandon of Canton “passed the gavel” to incoming 2010 Chairman Mark Goddard of Canton.
In his first speech, Goddard, a 13-year employee of Cobb EMC, thanked Brandon, chamber volunteers and staff, his employer and his family for their support.
Brandon, administrator of Cameron Hall Assisted Living Facility, provided the “positive leadership and positive attitude” necessary to lead the chamber through an anxious year, Goddard said.
Goddard outlined his goals for the coming year, which include making the Going Green task force a full committee to encourage conservation; increasing awareness of the Resource Services from Valuable Professionals program, which offers free consulting to small business owners; expanding the Partners in Education program that matches businesses with schools they can assist; and working more closely with the Development Authority of Cherokee County to recruit new businesses.
He said chamber goals could not be accomplished without a “tremendous amount of volunteers” and then recognized the 2010 executive committee and new board members.
The committee is made up of himself, Brandon, Chairman-elect Ben Looper of Southeast Restoration Group; Vice Chairwoman of Community Relations Karen Lance of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers; Vice Chairman of Small Businesses and Economic Development William Anderson of Atlanta Gas Light; and Vice Chairman of Chamber Services Randy Gravley of WLJA 101.1 FM.
The new board members beginning three-year terms are: Renee Cavan of Wachovia Wells Fargo; Earl Darby of Darby Huey Funeral Home; Phil Eberly of WK Dickson & Co.; Tom Heard of the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority; Mike Owen of Lusk Construction; David Simmons of Chattahoochee Technical College; and John West of Express Impressions.
Brandon and his board reviewed the year’s accomplishments through a video presentation by ETC-3. Among the achievements noted for 2009 were recruiting 178 new members, conducting 73 ribbon-cuttings, selling more than $90,000 in Shop Cherokee gift certificates and both continuing and expanding chamber programs for members ranging from educational seminars to community outreach opportunities.
Brandon also thanked the Chairman’s Council of volunteers, who serve as liaisons between the chamber board, staff and members and the greater community.
The Chairman’s Council Volunteer of the Year award went to Janie Gulick of Gulick Designs. Brandon said she “best exemplified ongoing dedication,” and noted her attendance at dozens of ribbon-cuttings and strong participation in many other chamber events.