Submitted photo: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Valdosta wins HIG 2016 Torchbearer Award 

Tillman certified agribusiness, farm insurance specialist

VALDOSTA — Tillman Insurance Agency announced that Dan Tillman has been certified as an agribusiness and farm insurance specialist. 

The insurance certification recognizes specialized expertise in the fundamentals of agribusiness and farm-risk management and insurance, according to a press release.

Nationwide Insurance, the leading insurer of farms in the United States, supports the attainment of the designation as a stage in the professional development of an agency which targets the farming and agribusiness community. 

“The AFIS program helps an agency show our clients and prospects that they understand the farm customer’s most important, and specific insurance needs,” said Dirk Pollitt, Nationwide vice president of agribusiness sales. “Now Dan has further strengthened Tillman Insurance with the specialized knowledge necessary to provide superior risk management and insurance advice and service to our clients.”

The AFIS continuing education program is a specialized curriculum consisting of five courses focusing on the insurance and risk management needs of agribusiness and farms, according to the press release. 

“Only those who complete these courses and maintain their knowledge with an ongoing continuing education program are entitled to display the AFIS certification to attest to their knowledge of agricultural insurance.”

Tillman Insurance Agency, Inc., is a Valdosta-based independent insurance agency serving the region since 1912. For more information, visit www.tia-ins.com, or contact (229) 242-5377.

Griffin graduates lending school

VALDOSTA – Andy Griffin, Commercial Banking Company lender, graduated from the Community Bankers Association of Georgia Consumer Lending School, which is part of the community Bankers University, March 10.

The comprehensive school is the only consumer lending school in Georgia designed specifically for community banks, according to a press release. The intensive week-long curriculum focused on training for entry- to junior-level consumer lenders and covered all disciplines required of today’s community bank consumer lenders.

“This highly regarded school takes the student through the process of consumer lending and allows the student to develop and enhance the skills necessary to administer quality consumer loans,” said Rob Braswell, president and chief executive officer of the Community Bankers Association.

The faculty for the Community Bankers Association of Georgia Consumer Lending School consisted of qualified instructors with exceptional backgrounds in credit review, financial analysis, supervision of loan documentation, compliance, business development and a number of other related fields, according to the press release.

For more than 40 years, CBA has provided services to locally owned and operated community banks in Georgia. 

Representing 165 community banks and nearly 200 associate members, CBA serves Georgia’s community banks through political representation, educational training, networking events and group purchasing, according to the press release. 

For more information about the CBA, visit www.cbaofga.com.

Behavioral Health named Leading Business 

VALDOSTA – The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors honored Behavioral Health Services as Leading Business of the Week.

Behavioral Health Services of South Georgia is a supportive network of people helping people, according to a chamber press release. 

It provides an array of services to children, adults and families and has been the leading agency in providing mental health, substance abuse, intellectually and developmentally disabled services for more than 20 years, according to the chamber.

Chief Clinical Officer Roz Johnson said he is proud of how far the business has come and credits its success to both the staff and opportunities from the chamber. 

“I always say our staff is our best asset,” Johnson said. “It is fulfilling to come to work everyday knowing you made a difference for individuals in need while working with an incredible team of people.”

“In addition to their passionate staff, the Chamber has helped place an emphasis on networking and marketing for Behavioral Health Services,” according to the press release. “Since becoming a member, they have partnered with all of the local counties to create treatment courts. In the past five years, Behavioral Health Services has opened 12 new programs including a 30-bed in-patient facility. Financially, they have increased their overall operating budget by approximately $10 million and only plan to improve from here.”

Behavioral Health Services is located at 3120 N. Oak St. Ext., Suite C, and can be contacted by calling (229) 671-6141.

Holiday Inn wins Torchbearer 

ATLANTA – The Holiday Inn Express & Suites of Valdosta received the InterContinental Hotels Group 2016 Torchbearer Award, the company’s most prestigious award, according to a press release.

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites of Valdosta is one of 454 properties within the Americas chosen from the IHG system of more than 5,100 hotels for achieving the highest levels of excellence in all aspects of operation – from quality to customer satisfaction.

“It is my pleasure to award the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Valdosta, Georgia as one of the top-notch hotels in our industry,” said Elie Maalouf, chief executive officer – IHG, The Americas. “This hotel embodies the heart of our brand promise and continues to make IHG properties known and admired throughout the world, continuing our mission to deliver on great brands and Great Hotels Guests Love.”

The 2016 Torchbearer trophy, the company’s symbol of top excellence, will be on permanent display at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites owned and operated by Williams Investment Company.

“We are very proud of our team here at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites. It is quite an honor to win this award,” said Rick Williams of Williams Investment Company.

Williams Investment Company and Williams Hotel Group has roots in the lodging and restaurant industry in South Georgia dating back to the early 1960s, serving South Georgia and North Florida’s hospitality needs. The Valdosta Hotels include Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center, Comfort Suites, Comfort Inn & Suites, Days Inns, Super 8’s, Howard Johnson, and several independent operations. All of Williams’ operations are located along Interstate 75 in Valdosta, Adel and Tifton.

Herndon Company recognizes Woodruff  

VALODSTA – The Herndon Company recognized Wendy Woodruff for 13 years of dedicated service to the real estate industry and The Herndon Company, according to a press release. 

James Lee Herndon, broker/owner, presented the recognition of achievement at its awards/sales meeting at Friends Café.