Jones

Business Around Town

Wendy’s at Five  Points is renovating, according to recent building permits.

Mellow Mushroom is open for business now on Baytree Road. Look for the giant Hulk statue in front of the business and a comic book theme inside.

If you have a tip about a business opening, or closing or changing, or wonder what’s being built at a certain location, let us know by emailing vdt.business@gaflnews.com and we’ll do our best to share the information and provide answers.

Stephenson joins CJB Industries, Inc.

CJB Industries Inc. announces the addition of Keith Stephenson to its management team. He is plant manager for the CJB Cypress Street and Cypress Annex Plants. He joins CJB after 38 years in the chemical manufacturing business serving CRT (previously Arizona Chemical) in Valdosta.

A graduate of Valdosta State University in technical studies, Stephenson was more recently interim plant and production manager at CRT and rose through the ranks at Arizona Chemical holding positions as chemical process operator, QC tech, first line supervisor, training manager, EH&S manager, and QA manager.

As plant manager, he is responsible for the overall management of CJB Industries’ Cypress Street and Cypress Annex Plants.

Association elects Tim Jones as division chair

Tim Jones, president, Citizens Community Bank, Valdosta, was elected to the Board of Directors of the Community Bankers Association of Georgia (CBA) as Division Eight chair. Nominations for the 2014-2015 CBA board of directors were announced and approved at CBA’s 46th Annual Meeting & Trade Show, held Sept. 17-21, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Fla. His term began Oct. 1.

Board members are selected from 10 divisions across the state, ensuring all Georgia community banks are equally represented. Board members are elected to a one-year term which begins Oct. 1 each year. During the course of the year, directors will be involved in a number of items on behalf of the CBA membership, such as responding to proposed rules and regulations from the various regulatory agencies, reviewing numerous products and services which will benefit the community banking industry as well as consumers, and weighing in on proposed legislation.

Lane and  Pegg named 2014 Movers & Shakers

Spotlighted in a cover story in the magazine’s just released October 2014 edition, Chaparral and Robalo’s Jim Lane and Buck Pegg were named the Boating Industry Movers & Shakers of the Year for 2014. They were recognized for their innovation, leadership and highly effective partnership.

The prestigious award comes as Chaparral marks its 50th anniversary.

Lane and Pegg’s Movers & Shakers award was endorsed with tribute ads from Volvo, Yamaha, Mercury Marine, Bombardier Recreational Products, Xtreme Tower Products and the employees of Chaparral and Robalo Boats.

The article cited three key areas including innovative new products, investment in its worldwide dealer network and dedication to its highly skilled employees as the keys to Chaparral and Robalo’s continuing success.

Habitat appoints new directors

VALDOSTA — Habitat for Humanity announces four new members to its board of directors. The new members are Misty Dupree, mortgage loan originator at Bank of the Ozarks; Alexandra Arzayus, planning and zoning technician for the City of Valdosta; Douglas Swords, vice president and co-founder of Azalea Health; Alan Carter, founder and advocate for Brain Injury Services of Georgia.

DuPree, who was appointed in July, specializes in first-time home purchase and refinance lending.

Arzayus, who was appointed in July, has worked as the planning and zoning technician for the past seven years. She has also volunteered with Valdosta Toasts Toastmasters, the chamber, and the Humane Society.

Swords, who was appointed in August, provides financial planning and leadership to Azalea Health and also established the company’s back office Revenue Cycle Management service division. He specializes in management and scaling of RCM operations for medical providers and facilities of all sizes.

Carter, who was appointed in September, is the founder of Brain Injury Advocate Services of Georgia which is a non-profit that assists survivors and the families of those who have suffered brain and spinal cord injuries in Georgia. He has successfully advocated placing “Brain Injury” on the Georgia driver’s license and state ID cards. Also, he is the recipient of the President’s Student Service Award for Community Service from former President George W. Bush, the State Family Council Award and the Patient Treatment Award.