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OPEN graduates
OPEN-graduation-Freds-Pics
The spring class of 2011 of the OPEN program held their graduation ceremony on March 15 at Rockdale Medical Center

The OPEN program for entrepreneurs recently graudated another class of budding businessmen and women as part of the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce's mission to help and grow local businesses.

The guest speaker at the March 15 graduation ceremony was Pastor Eric Suddeth, a retired AT&T Telecom executive who now heads The Emmanuel Community Church in Conyers, which has a congregation of about 700.

This year's spring class includes:

Jonathan Johnson
Esther Akbar Williams
Monette Lowe
Sandra Sanford
Florence Lares
Rodrigues Scott
Pamela Washington
Maurice Coley
Godfred Amponsah
Sheila Miller
Diane Luckenbach
Anitra Griffin
Sequetta Ray Blackmon
Holly Moore
Toni Booth-Comer
Jewel Myles
Paula Smith
Samuel Kelly
Erica Rice
Roshon Thomas
Deborah McKnight
Joseph Forsythe
Deanna Williams
Tiffanei Williams
Beverly Duclose
Sharon Hay
Iris Flowers
Leslie Clark
Leslie Johnson
Sandy Greene
Richard Palmner

The instructors for this semester were:

Co-chairs Julian Harwell of Financial Designs & Solutions and Brian Howe of ThinkTank Coaching
and

Lisa Sims of The IT Mechanic
Scott Hartsell of imijit Technology Solutions
Susan Paul Smith of SPS Communications
Danny Lockhart of A Clean & Tidy Carpet Cleaner, Inc.
Fred Curling of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.
Mark King of Scott Foster State Farm Insurance
Wilson Mathews of Wilson F. Mathews Insurance Services
Anita Smith of Custom Engraving & Signs, Inc
Benny Atkins of National EMS
Joe Cunningham of Gold’s Gym
Mac Broughton of BCC Services
Doug Smith of SPS Communications
Cal Rueping, CPA of Rueping Associates P.C.
Ron Carley, CPA of Ron Carley The Accounting & Tax Service
Ammie Elliott of BB&T
Laura French of Talley, French & Kendall, P.C.

The OPEN program is a six-week long program that brings successful business men, women and owners to share their experiences and explain the advantages, challenges and pitfalls to be expected in business ownership. The next OPEN class will be offered in September 2011.

To find out more about O.P.E.N. contact the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce at (770) 483-7049.