The following business persons were nominated for the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce's Jerry Barboe Small Business Person of the Year Award, which will be announced at the Chamber's Business After Hours event March 27, 5 p.m.- 6:30 p.m., Cameron Hall on 1035 Green St. This annual award recognizes an outstanding small business Chamber of Commerce member who has made a difference in the community.
Dotti Bala, Conyers; owner/CFO of Copy Central, Inc., 1264 Parker Rd.; 18 years in business, eight in Conyers, 12 employees; CASA volunteer, Leadership Rockdale Class of 2013 graduate, member of associations such as Conyers-Rockdale Council of the Arts board, ABWA, Conyers Rotary Club, Chamber Business Connections leads group; coached Rockdale girl's softball, youth soccer, Girl Scout leader, club scout den mother.
Thua Barlay, McDonough; Barlay Law Group, real estate and estate planning, 1805 Overlake Dr. SE; 5 years in business three employees; 2013 Chamber Chairman, started the Leadership Collaborative initiative for Rockdale Conyers agencies, government heads to come together for better growth and economic/community development; Leadership Rockdale graduate, Conyers Rotary Club member.
Richard Paul Bradford, Conyers; president of Asurety Construction Services, 211 Camden Industrial Pkwy; 11 years in business, 20 employees; built projects such as the Parker Road redevelopment, Always Event Center, renovation of Conyers Medical Centre on Old McDonough Hwy; teaches Sunday School at Smyrna Presbyterian, coaches youth softball.
Veronica E. Garrett, MD, Snellville; New Beginnings Comprehensive Women's Healthcare, 1415 Milstead Rd. Ste A; Nine years in business, 15 employees; Sotto Pelle - trained physician; RMC Department Chair OB/GYN 2007/2009, March of Dimes participants, contributes to Mercy Heart Clinic; hosts Rockdale County Public Schools student interns.
Scott Hartsell, Conyers; Imijit.net technology company; 16 years in business, 2 employees; donates marketing services/technical resources to non-profits and efforts such as Leadership Rockdale, Hands Across Rockdale, Chamber of Commerce, Salem High; chair of Chamber Communications committee, Walk of Heroes Veterans Memorial board member, teaches in Chamber's Entrepreneurial Academy.
Tony Liopiros, Covington; Olympic Tire Auto Care, 2360 Wall St.; 8 years in business, 6 employees; tries to hire employees that live locally and buy in Rockdale; holds food can drives, coat drives, volunteers at food pantry, donates to churches.
Paulette Simpson, Conyers; CFO of High Priority Plumbing, 1422 Business Center Dr. SW; 13 years in business, 32 employees; donated to Meals on Wheels, Haydel senior center, Crisis Pregnancy Center, Hands on Rockdale, United Way, Family Promise of NewRock interfaith homeless housing network.
This is the 26th year of the award, which is named for Citizens Office Supply owner Jerry Barboe, who died in 1987.
