The second annual Gathering of Eagles this week at Valdosta Technical College brings several incredibly gifted business men and women to the symposium to speak on a variety of issues sure to be useful in just about any business, large or small.
Speakers include Jimmy Blanchard, an ex-Valdostan, who served as chairman of Synovus Financial Corporation; Tim Tassopoulos, senior vice president of operations for Chick-fil-A; and Georgia Thornton, also an ex-Valdostan, who is currently president and chief executive officer of Agriliance.
In addition, a series of local executives will also be speaking, including Ben Copeland of Patten Seed Company, motivational speaker Mark Webb of South Georgia Psychiatric Center, Jerome Riley of Riley Church Pews, and Deborah Clark of Letica Corporation.
Tips on succeeding in business, motivating yourself and your employees, being a successful entrepreneur, and making the most of your time will be among the inspirational messages you will take with you from this symposium.
Val Tech should be commended for its hard work each year putting this together, and the community should be commended for its tremendous support of this very worthwhile program.
What We Think
OUR OPINION: Support Val Tech’s Gathering of Eagles
- What We Think
-
-
Elections: Creating a two-party region?
Twenty years ago, most area elections were decided during the primaries. Then, almost every candidate qualified as a Democrat. While there may be plenty of challengers on the ballot, many seats were decided in July or a few weeks later during the primary run-off.
-
Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To South Georgians making fine impressions on television singing competitions. Phillip Phillips of Leesburg won “American Idol” this week. Meanwhile, Lowndes High School graduate Stacia Watkins participated in the new ABC show “Duets.” Well done!
-
Farewell to the vanishing ace
Donald S. “Bush” Bryan was not only a rare individual. He was part of a vanishing breed.
An Adel resident for the past 30 years, Bryan was a World War II flying ace. Not just an ace but a double ace. A pilot must down five enemy aircraft to become an ace; Bryan downed 13.3 enemy planes in Europe. The fractions represent planes downed with other pilots. -
A widespread mosquito alert
In announcing the discovery of a mosquito carrying the West Nile Virus strain, city and health officials did not include the specific location of the discovery.
-
Of Guantanamo Bay and a Founding Father
Some readers may wonder how a Valdosta High School graduate could bring himself as an attorney to represent a Guantanamo Bay prisoner charged in connection to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
-
Congratulations, VSU Softball!
This weekend, Valdosta State University Blazers Softball became the latest team to add to Valdosta’s TitleTown legacy.
-
School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
-
Qualifiers are next leaders
While the national media focuses attention on the presidential election, it should be remembered that we will also choose our local leaders this year.
-
Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To the 2011-12 arts season. Theatre Guild Valdosta’s rollicking comedy, “Caught in the Net,” officially brings to a close a magnificent schedule of shows ranging from theatre to opera to concerts to art exhibits and more from a variety of area venues. Theatre Guild will also open the 2012-13 season this summer with the musical “Into the Woods.” Until then, arts lovers can soon enjoy a new series of exhibits from the year-round Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and three musicals starting in two weeks from Peach State Summer Theatre.
-
Events that get things done
Finding something that repeatedly attracts the public is difficult enough, but finding an event that accomplishes that feat while also promoting your organization and helping others … well, in many places, that’s a rarity.
Not so for the Valdosta area. - More What We Think Headlines
-
Elections: Creating a two-party region?


