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Q: Please tell me a little bit about
your involvement with the Gwinnett
Chamber…When and how did you start
becoming involved?
A: My earliest memory of involvement
dates back to 1993 when I participated in the
Gwinnett Chamber’s new Membership drive
for three or so years. All of the meetings
were held in the tiny chamber office—at
the time located just outside the main
entrance to Gwinnett Tech, along what is
now Sugarloaf Parkway. In those days the
campaign success was totally driven by the
number of new memberships generated.
There were no sponsorships or Chairman’s
Club memberships, as I recall. And just as an
interesting bit of trivia, I was the first runner
up for the most new memberships generated
in the 1994 campaign and the winner of the
1995 campaign. The prizes were a new set
of Lynx golf irons donated by Chateau Elan
in 1994 (which are still in my golf bag in the
garage), with the grand prize in 1995 being
a pair of roundtrip tickets from Atlanta to
Zurich Switzerland donated by Swiss Air.
So I was able to take my first trip “across the
pond” the following summer…it was a great
time!
Q: What events/programs/initiatives
have you been involved with at the
Chamber, and how have you benefited
from the involvement?
A: My primary Chamber involvement
over the past decade has been serving as a
Captain for the United Community Bank
team in all of the past 10 membership
campaigns, as well as serving as a Vice Chair
for the past three. United Community
Bank has generated well over $300,000 on
a cumulative basis, in new and recurring
memberships, sponsorships, advertising and
Chairman’s Club memberships benefiting
the Chamber, putting us in the top five
teams, year in year out. You will also see me
at most of the monthly general membership
luncheons, building new business
relationships, nurturing existing ones,
and taking advantage of seeing the many
interesting speakers and topics presented
in the meetings. I have also participated in
Partnership Gwinnett’s Manufacturing &
Logistics Council for the past several years.
Q: When did you join Chairman’s
Club and what benefits have you seen
from that level of membership?
A: United Community Bank has been
a member of the Chairman’s Club since
2000, so for the past 15 years. We are proud
to be one of the now many companies who
have stepped forward to demonstrate their
commitment to the long term success of
Gwinnett’s business environment, and the
Chamber’s mission in general. And two
primary benefits come to mind. First, our
membership offers the chance to be closely
involved with other businesses who share a
strong support and vision for the betterment
of our county and region. Secondly, it affords
an extra level of access and voice to key
individuals, companies and at times, state
and national figures who visit our county to
discuss issues affecting our region.
Q: What would you suggest new
Chairman's Club members do to
maximize their investment?
A: Get involved. To realize the best
return on investment, a new Chairman’s
Club member should get involved and
attend the various special events, receptions
and other functions exclusive to Chairman’s
Club membership. It helps foster closer
relationships with like-minded individuals,
offers small group access to key dignitaries
and other influential decision-makers
throughout the region, and affords a front
row seat and voice in learning about new
issues facing our business community over
time.
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THE EXECUTIVE – Q4 2015
PAGE 5
Dorsey Grist Knows Leadership is Not a Spectator Sport
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