A Crisis is a Terrible Thing to Waste

Jan. 22 | Rome, GA. Any address on the state of the economic soul is bound to contain a mix of optimism and realism.  On the one hand, great business, infrastructure, and education developments in the area have indeed occurred over the last year and deserve attention and merit; however, the current economic climate creates an uncertainty about the future that makes many a positive statement of growth appear self-deluded or perhaps reason to go to a local sports game rather than a meeting on the state of local business.

And yet, business development took center stage at last night’s 98th gathering of the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce, and the night’s speakers slowly swelled in a call to the same vision: “a crisis is a terrible opportunity to waste.”

As is traditional, the night began with a slate of awards and recognitions of service. Notable among them were the Ambassador of the Year, Kay Chumbler of Greater Rome Bank, who “never met a microphone she didn’t like” and exuded the sort of bubbly, contagious enthusiasm that makes it obvious why she was chosen for the honor.

Small Business of the Year was R.L Jennings & Associates, whose time in Rome has meant a growth from two to 23 employees, multiple offices, over 2,500 clients across the globe, several previous Ambassador award winners, and a managing partner’s civic accomplishments and efforts that put many to shame. Upon accepting the award, Lee Jennings, encouraged all small businesses to “go for it” even in tough times saying that when he and his partners were “looking at the door, the Good Lord simply kicked us through.” Finalists in the award were Big Time Products, Midian Roofing, and Paula’s Silver & Gold.

After a full slate of recognition for participants in committees, boards, and chamber activities, Randy Quick prefaced his passing of the gavel with remarks highlighting the year’s accomplishments in business and capacity development. “This year has indeed been a year of growth for business and the community,” he urged, noting the $22.5 million in investments pledged by several local manufacturers, the 1-75/411 expansion project, airport enhancement, and enlarging of local education options in the form of Floyd College and Career Academy’s new School of Robotic & Engineering, Berry’s capital campaign to build two new dorms, Darlington’s new middle school, and funds allocated for the new Model High School. After many a heartfelt expression of gratitude for friends, colleagues, and family, he then passed the gavel of chairmanship of the Board of Directors to David Newby, General Manager of Profile Extrusion.

David Newby, an active Kiwanian, member of the Oak Hill Church of Christ, member of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association was introduced by Quick as “the right man at the right time.” His speech began modestly, but soon crescendoed into what will more than likely become the mantra of many a business leader or perhaps the Chamber itself: “a crisis is a terrible opportunity to waste.”

Newby became active in the Chamber’s GREIA after his company transitioned from being an asset of a large corporation with limitless resources to small, privately owned manufacturer. In this group, he found a network of like-situated business leaders who encouraged him to invest even in the uncertain time his company faced.  He did so, leading a multimillion dollar investment in new technologies that is now earning Profile Extrusion new and continued business. While recognizing the uncertainty and the challenge present in the current economic climate, he urged the room to consider that “it’s times like these where managers and community leaders matter most.”

His four hopes for the coming years are to add Georgia Highlands as a four-year limited mission college, the availability of an Associates Degree at Coosa Valley Technical College (now Georgia Northwestern Technical College), the building of an Angel Investor Network connecting investors with entrepreneurs, and acquiring more property and infrastructure to build the city’s capacity for development. Already underway is the release of a marketing plan aimed at attracting retirees and a series of small business seminars and workshops.

Later questions for Mr. Newby as well as Al Hodge, Chamber CEO, revealed that the Angel Investor Network is indeed becoming a reality with the chamber facilitating the organization of local investors and training in best practices from other successful networks.  This approach to investment is one aimed to encourage entrepreneurial and technological advances locally.
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