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At no point in history has leadership and the
voice of the business community beenmore
essential to ensuring its competitive
edge.Through its public policy efforts,
the Gwinnet Chamber represents the
interests of the Gwinnett business
community at the local, state, and
federal levels, advocating issues of
importance to the community’s
economic vitality and quality
of life. It provides unique
opportunities for members to
hear, meet, and interact with
elected officials, as well as stay
abreast of current legislative issues
that affect their businesses.
Most recently, Dean Collins,
Vice President of T.Y. Lin
International Company, Randy
Dellinger, Gwinnett District
Manager at Jackson EMC, and
Herman Pennamon, Regional
Manager for Georgia Power,
accompanied me toWashington, D.C.
to advocate for issues critical to job
creation and economic development.
Members of the Chamber’s
Public Policy Council met with
eight members of the Georgia
Congressional delegation, including
representatives Tom Price, Paul
Broun, Hank Johnson, RobWoodall,
Austin Scott, Jack Kingston, Phil Gingrey,
and senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny
Isakson, as well as representatives
from the Environmental Protection
Agency. Topics ranged from the
importance of Gwinnett to
Georgia and the deepening
of the Savannah Port, to the
federal surface transportation
bill, Export-Import Bank
reauthorization, and
regulatory process reform.
During these one-on-
one conversations, it became
evident that this was not a
common practice of the business
community. In fact, Charlie
Harmon – chief of staff for
Senator Isakson and long-time
Hill denizen – stated that, as a
whole, the business community is
not as vocal as other groups.They
want – need – to hear more.
With that inmind, the
GwinnettChamber continues to
provide strategic public policy
events and opportunities to
support better communication
of the local and statewide
business communities and
their elected leaders. From the
Washington, D.C. Fly-In to one-time
events such as hosting the U.S. White House
Business Council meeting for theMetro
Atlanta with Secretary of Transportation,
Ray LaHood, businesses can speak one-on-
one with these leaders and identify specific
solutions to effectively grow the economy.
The Chamber also established a Public Policy
Council in 2011 to identify and prioritize
issues that affect business and develop a
communication strategy.
Gwinnett businesses are fortunate to
have elected leaders who want to hear from
them. Georgia House Speaker David Ralston,
along withmembers of the Gwinnett
delegation, recently challenged the Special
Committee on Small Business Development
and Job Creation to review and evaluate
Georgia’s regulatory environment.This effort,
called Red TapeWatch, will be carried out
through the 2012 legislative session.
In an effort to communicate specific
regulations that need to be re-considered by
elected leaders and government agencies,
the Gwinnett Chamber has posted a
Business Regulatory Reform Survey at www.
gwinnettchamberpublicpolicy.com. Please
visit the website and complete the survey.
The Chamber will submit the regulation to
the appropriate decision-makers, track the
process, and report the results. Magnify
your voice toWashington. Visit our website
today and get engaged.
Speak, Because They ARE Listening
Jann Moore, VP of Public Policy, Education, and Leadership – GwinnettChamber
determination of the citizens of Gwinnett
to make it a reality. FromGMC’s respected
Board and Foundation, Gwinnett County
Board of Commissioners, local state
representatives, GMC hospital staff to the
Gwinnett Chamber and ordinary citizens – I
trusted that our cohesive community would
get behind this effort and push this initiative
forward,” said Dr. Sandler.
Keeping Gwinnett in the forefront
of the medical community, Gwinnett
Medical Center celebrated the opening
of its new Strickland Heart Center. This
Center is named in honor of the passionate
philanthropists and longtime Gwinnett
residents, Clyde and Sandra Strickland. The
new 40,000 square-foot state-of-the-art
facility is led by highly experienced, leading
cardiac care professionals and features the
most technologically advanced equipment.
And when the doctor is in, Dr. Sandler
doesn’t miss the opportunity to give a bit of
health advice. “As the leaders of Gwinnett’s
business community, we need you to take
ownership of your health,” prescribed Dr.
Sandler. “Make sure you maintain a healthy
diet, exercise, abstain from smoking, limit
your alcohol intake and – most importantly –
visit our offices if you ever suspect a problem
with your heart.”
Because of Dr. Sandler’s actions in both
the doctor’s office and in society, countless
lives throughout our community will be
saved and have a better quality of life. Look
for this story of success to continue for many
years to come.
THE EXECUTIVE – WINTER 2012
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