UGA announces 2011 Georgia Science and Engineering Fair winners

Six-hundred-fifty Georgia middle and high school students won more than 400 awards at the 63rd Georgia Science and Engineering Fair hosted by the University of Georgia recently at the Classic Center in Athens. Prizes ranged from savings bonds and educational trips to an engraved geologist’s pick.
The highest honor, the Jackson Electric Membership Corporation Pinnacle Award, went to Spencer Wilson of Moultrie for his project “Construction of a Feasible Einstein-Szilard Refrigerated System.”

Four top students were selected to advance to the 2011Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles May 8-13. They are Raja Selvakumar, Alpharetta; Charles Ramey, Newton; Elliott Chung, Duluth; and Uchenna Anunobi, Conyers. Yash Mehta, Roswell, will attend as the Merial Biological ISEF Trip Observer.

Twenty-four other students selected directly from the State Affiliated Regional Fairs also will attend. These Georgia students will compete against winners from more than 1,600 high school students from all 50 states and 60countries, regions and territoriesto display their independent research.

In addition to the grand awards, entrants in the GSEF competed for prizes honoring best achievements in specific scientific areas. There were more than 100 special award donors from government, professional and educational organizations, colleges, universities, corporations and individual sponsors.

In other major prizes, Andy Kim, Athens, and Spencer Wilson, Colquitt County, were selected to represent Georgia at the 2011 National Youth Science Camp June 30-July 24 in West Virginia.

The Junior Division Student Choice Awards were new this year. Winners were selected by their sixth through eighth-grade peers.

The awards included Students’ Choice, received by Kyanna Simone Simpson, Chapel Hill Middle School. The I Never Would Have Thought of That Award was received by Austin Hyder and Trevor Ruhl, Carver Road Middle School, for “Electromagnetism of Nonmagnetic Metals Prove Lenz’s Law.” The Grossest Project Award was received by Akira Stobaeus, St. Francis Xavier School, for his project “Effectiveness of Two Different Dewormers in a Goat Population.”

Exhibits in the fair included projects in 17 categories, including animal behavior, biochemistry, engineering, physics and astronomy. Participants earned the opportunity to compete in the state fair by winning first or second place in their category in one of the 21 affiliated regional fairs.

More than 200 volunteer judges from the University System of Georgia, other institutions, contributing organizations and industry judged the projects on scientific merit and process, engineering goals, and presentation. Joe Hughes of Georgia Institute of Technology served as judging chairperson, supervising three tiers of judges.

Donors who presented awards included Christopher Hovorka with the Applied Prosthetics and Orthotics Award, Kay Parks of Jackson EMC, and Antonio Figueras with the National Aeronautics and Space Awards.

UGA has coordinated the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair since 1948. It is made possible by the support of the Jackson Electric Membership Corporation, Merial Inc., the Georgia Center for Continuing Education, Georgia Institute of Technology and dozens of other Georgia corporations and businesses.

Award	County	Student
Outstanding Sustainability Project Award	Baldwin	Kenneth Mcgill
Stockholm Junior Water Prize Regional Award - 1st Place Senior Div.	Baldwin	Kenneth Mcgill
Inspiring Excellence Award - Student	Baldwin	Geovic Jadol
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best in Category Award Senior Div.	Barrow	Brooke Oxley
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best in Category Award Senior Div.	Barrow	Charley Denmark
H. O. Lund Entomology Club Award 1st Place Senior	Bibb	Carolyn Krauss
American Association For Clinical Chemistry Se Region Award Junior Div.	Bibb	Kyrie Hugdahl
Ga. Academy of Aviation, Math, Engineering & Science Student of Promise, Junior Div.	Bibb	Kyrie Hugdahl
Regional Fair Director Honors Award Senior Div.	Brooks	Sunnie Dee Wynn
Merial Biotechnology Award 2nd Place Senior	Bulloch	Supriya Immaneni
National Association Of Biology Teachers Award Senior Div.	Bulloch	Supriya Immaneni
UGA Microbiology Department Award Junior Div.	Butts	Brianna Deraney
Ga. Microscopical Society Lucy B Mccrone Student Science Award Junior Div.	Camden	Irina Rochon
UGA Microbiology Department Award Senior Div.	Carroll	Jonathan Zot
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Chatham	Allen Charles Williams
National Aeronautics And Space Administration Award Junior Div.	Chatham	Allen Charles Williams
UGA Geology Department Award	Chatham	Grace Darling
American Meteorological Society Award	Chatham	Eric Lau
U.S. Air Force Achievement Award	Chatham	Eric Lau
U.S. Navy And U.S. Marine Corps Award - Senior Div.	Chatham	Eric Lau
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best in Category Award Senior Div.	Chatham	Eric Lau
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Grand Award Top Ten State Recognition	Chatham	Eric Lau
U.S. Metric Association Award	Chatham	Grant Shillington
American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics Award 2nd Place Junior	Cherokee	Cameron Buice
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Award Junior Div.	Cherokee	Cameron Buice
Georgia Veterinary Medical Auxiliary Award	Cherokee	Kate Haruch
National Association Of Biology Teachers Award Junior Div.	Cherokee	Kate Haruch
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best in Category Award Senior Div.	Cherokee	Yash Mehta
Merial Biological Isef Trip Observer Award	Cherokee	Yash Mehta
UGA Crop & Soil Sciences Department Agronomics Award Senior Div.	Cherokee	Mary Margaret Penniman
National Youth Science Camp Award	Clarke	Andrew Kim
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best in Category Award Senior Div.	Clarke	Andrew Kim
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Grand Award Top Ten State Recognition	Clarke	Andrew Kim
American Water Works Association Georgia Section Award 1st Place Junior	Clarke	Evan Newman Marco Newman
UGA Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources Award Junior Div.	Clarke	Evan Newman Marco Newman
UGA Biomedical Health And Sciences Institute Award Junior Div.	Clarke	Angelina Choi
U.S. Navy And U.S. Marine Corps Award - Junior Div.	Clarke	Serena Mon
Inspiring Excellence Award - Student	Clayton	Quang Phuc Kieu N.
UGA Mathematics Department Award Junior Div.	Clayton	Quang Phuc Kieu N.
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Clayton	Emmanuel Ojo-Osagie
National Aeronautics And Space Administration Award Senior Div.	Cobb	Samantha Daigle
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Cobb	Caroline Poston
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Cobb	Praveen Doluweera
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Cobb	Connor Barre
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Cobb	Charles Sexton
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Cobb	James Sexton
UGA Crop & Soil Sciences Department Agronomics Award Junior Div.	Cobb	James Sexton
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best in Category Award Junior Div.	Cobb	James Sexton
Georgia Engineering Foundation Award Senior Div.	Colquitt	Spencer Wilson
National Youth Science Camp Award	Colquitt	Spencer Wilson
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best in Category Award Senior Div.	Colquitt	Spencer Wilson
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Grand Award Top Ten State Recognition	Colquitt	Spencer Wilson
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair/Jackson Emc Pinnacle Award	Colquitt	Spencer Wilson
Stockholm Junior Water Prize Regional Award - 2nd Place Senior Div.	Colquitt	Stephen Bozeman
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Colquitt	Jacob Lynch
Inspiring Excellence Award - Student	Colquitt	Jacob Lynch
Inspiring Excellence Award - Student	Coweta	Charles Ramey
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Award Senior Div.	Coweta	Charles Ramey
U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Award - Senior Div.	Coweta	Charles Ramey
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Senior Div.	Coweta	Charles Ramey
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair/Jackson Emc Isef Trip	Coweta	Charles Ramey
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Grand Award Top Ten State Recognition	Coweta	Charles Ramey
Inspiring Excellence Award - Teacher	Coweta	Warren Bernard
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Senior Div.	DeKalb	Jessica Simon
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Senior Div.	DeKalb	Stephen Woolfitt
Broadcom Masters Nominee	DeKalb	Aomeng Cui
U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Award - Junior Div.	DeKalb	Kyanna Simone Simpson
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Junior Div.	DeKalb	Kyanna Simone Simpson
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Student Choice Award	DeKalb	Kyanna Simone Simpson
Georgia Biogeneius Challenge Award Alternate	DeKalb	Kathleen Dinapoli
Natural Resources Conservation Service Award of Excellence Senior Div.	DeKalb	Kathleen Dinapoli
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Senior Div.	DeKalb	Kathleen Dinapoli
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Junior Div.	DeKalb	Brian Song
Broadcom Masters Nominee	DeKalb	Conner Reinhardt
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Junior Div.	DeKalb	Conner Reinhardt
Advanced Academy of Georgia - Science/Creativity Award Junior Div.	DeKalb	Jonathan Yaeger
Broadcom Masters Nominee	DeKalb	Jonathan Yaeger
U.S. Navy And U.S. Marine Corps Award - Junior Div.	DeKalb	Jonathan Yaeger
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Junior Div.	DeKalb	Jonathan Yaeger
Broadcom Masters Nominee	DeKalb	Sang-Chan Kim
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Junior Div.	DeKalb	Sang-Chan Kim
Advanced Academy of Georgia - Science/Creativity Award Senior Div.	DeKalb	Joshua Traynelis
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Senior Div.	DeKalb	Joshua Traynelis
Association of Women Geoscientists Award	DeKalb	Mallory Larson
Broadcom Masters Nominee	DeKalb	William Moise
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Award Junior Div.	DeKalb	Alix Valcin Iii
UGA Artificial Intelligence Institute Award Junior Div.	Dougherty	Steven Feng
UGA Computer Science Department Award Junior Div.	Dougherty	Steven Feng
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Junior Div.	Dougherty	Steven Feng
Sapps Award For Excellence in Botany 1st Place Senior	Fayette	Omar Martinez-Uribe
UGA Physics & Astronomy Department Award Junior Div.	Fayette	Matthew Harmon
U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Award - Junior Div.	Fayette	Matthew Harmon
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Fayette	Nicholas Powell
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Junior Div.	Fayette	Jonathan Ciecka
Inspiring Excellence Award - Student	Fayette	Tommy Erbe Drew Halbert
Natural Resources Conservation Service Award of Excellence Junior Div.	Forsyth	Gabriel Shook
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Forsyth	Samantha Hudock
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Junior Div.	Forsyth	Samantha Hudock
Regional Fair Director Honors Award Junior Div.	Forsyth	Trent Wagner Zachary Williams
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Senior Div.	Fulton	Ananth Punyala
Georgia Microscopical Society Walter C Mccrone Student Science Award Senior Div.	Fulton	Keith Jones
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Award Senior Div.	Fulton	Jason Lathbury
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Award Senior Div.	Fulton	Zoe Schneider
Georgia Biogeneius Challenge Award	Fulton	Jessica Allison
Sapps Award For Excellence in Botany 2nd Place Senior	Fulton	Jessica Allison
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Award Senior Div.	Fulton	Anirudh Tadanki
Spie - International Soceity for Optical Engineering Award 3rd Place	Fulton	Anirudh Tadanki
Agricultural Research Service Award for Excellence in Ag Science Senior Div.	Fulton	Raja Selvakumar
Georgia Biogeneius Challenge Award	Fulton	Raja Selvakumar
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best in Category Award Senior Div.	Fulton	Raja Selvakumar
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair/Jackson Emc Isef Trip	Fulton	Raja Selvakumar
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Grand Award Top Ten State Recognition	Fulton	Raja Selvakumar
Spie - International Society For Optical Engineering Award 2nd Place	Fulton	Samuel Eppstein
American Meteorological Society Award	Fulton	Ja’sharee Bush
American Water Works Association Georgia Section Award 1st Place Senior	Fulton	Julia Abelsky
Broad River Watershed Association Award	Fulton	Julia Abelsky
UGA Eco-Reach Environmental Achievement Award Senior Div.	Fulton	Julia Abelsky
American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics Award 1st Place Senior	Fulton	Anthony Chen Siva Movva
Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Atlanta Chapter Award Senior Div.	Fulton	Anand Srinivasan
Prosthetics and Orthotics Wearable Technology Award	Fulton	Anand Srinivasan
UGA Artificial Intelligence Institute Award Senior Div.	Fulton	Anand Srinivasan
U.S. Air Force Achievement Award	Fulton	Anand Srinivasan
Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Atlanta Chapter Award Faculty Sponsored	Fulton	Megan Nettuno
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best in Category Award Junior Div.	Fulton	Nicole Izmaylov
American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics Award 2nd Place Senior	Fulton Gwinnett	Kirill Psarev Brandon Whitlatch
American Chemical Society Georgia Section Award 2nd Place Senior	Futon	Raja Selvakumar
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Glynn	Jason Michael Bennett Jr.
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair “Grossest Project” Award	Glynn	Akira Stobaeus
UGA Foundation Scholarship Award	Gordon	Hunter Pruitt
UGA Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources Award Senior Div.	Gordon	Hunter Pruitt
American Association for Clinical Chemistry Se Region Award Senior Div.	Gwinnett	Vivek Patel
UGA Cellular Biology Department Award Senior Div.	Gwinnett	Vivek Patel
U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Award - Senior Div.	Gwinnett	Vivek Patel
UGA Cellular Biology Department Award Junior Div.	Gwinnett	Andrew Ford
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Grand Award Top Ten State Recognition	Gwinnett	Elliott Chung
UGA Foundation Scholarship Award	Gwinnett	Shawn Albert
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best in Category Award Senior Div.	Gwinnett	Shawn Albert
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Gwinnett	Amanda Mayo
H. O. Lund Entomology Club Award 1st Place Junior	Gwinnett	Amanda Mayo
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Junior Div.	Gwinnett	Amanda Mayo
Ga. Academy of Aviation, Math, Engineering & Science Student of Promise Award Sr. Div.	Gwinnett	Sitan Chen
UGA Mathematics Department Award Senior Div.	Gwinnett	Sitan Chen
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Senior Div.	Gwinnett	Sitan Chen
American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics Award 1st Place Junior	Gwinnett	Marian Metzger
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Gwinnett	Marian Metzger
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Award Junior Div.	Gwinnett	Marian Metzger
American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics Award 3rd Place Senior	Gwinnett	Samuel Gauspohl;  Daniel Ting
U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Award - Senior Div.	Gwinnett	Samuel Gauspohl; Daniel Ting
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Gwinnett	Vikram Varadarajan
U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Award - Junior Div.	Gwinnett	Vikram Varadarajan
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Junior Div.	Gwinnett	Andrew Ford
Intel Excellence in Computer Science Award	Gwinnett	Elliott Chung
UGA Computer Science Department Award Senior Div.	Gwinnett	Elliott Chung
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best in Category Award Senior Div.	Gwinnett	Elliott Chung
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair/Jackson Emc Isef Trip	Gwinnett	Elliott Chung
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Grand Award Top Ten State Recognition	Gwinnett	Sitan Chen
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Junior Div.	Gwinnett	D. Ryan Bhowmik
Stockholm Junior Water Prize Regional Award - Junior Div.	Gwinnett	Emma Carlson
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Gwinnett	Evann Brantley
UGA Physics & Astronomy Department Award Senior Div.	Gwinnett Jackson Gwinnett	Guillermo Bautista; He Sun Kim; Sunyoung Wang
American Chemical Society Georgia Section Award 2nd Place Junior	Harris	Robert "Kyle" Newman
American Chemical Society Georgia Section Award 2nd Place Junior	Henry	Darius Cleary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Award Junior Div.	Houston	Jacob Elliott
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Houston	Kenny Higginbotham
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best in Category Award Junior Div.	Houston	Kenny Higginbotham
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Houston	Cullen Shope
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Houston	Justin Saetina
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Houston	Sabina Banit
Agricultural Research Service Award for Excellence in Ag Science Junior Div.	Houston	Shivani Dhir
Georgia Health Sciences University Award	Paulding	Jamie Bingham
Merial Biotechnology Award 1st Place Senior	Paulding	Jamie Bingham
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair/Jackson Emc Isef Trip Alternate	Paulding	Jamie Bingham
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Grand Award Top Ten State Recognition	Paulding	Jamie Bingham
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Pin Design Award	Rabun	Sarah Barr
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Rockdale	Alexis Mack
Spie - International Society For Optical Engineering Award 1st Place	Rockdale	Ana Sofia Tuttle
U.S. Air Force Achievement Award	Rockdale	Ana Sofia Tuttle
Outstanding Sustainability Project Award	Rockdale	Faustine Li
UGA Biomedical Health And Sciences Institute Award Senior Div.	Rockdale	Lauren Reagin
American Chemical Society Georgia Section Award 1st Place Senior	Rockdale	Uchenna Anunobi
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best in Category Award Senior Div.	Rockdale	Uchenna Anunobi
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair/Jackson Emc Isef Trip	Rockdale	Uchenna Anunobi
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Grand Award Top Ten State Recognition	Rockdale	Uchenna Anunobi
Georgia Biogeneius Challenge Award Alternate	Rockdale	Vander Harris
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best in Category Award Senior Div.	Rockdale	Vander Harris
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Grand Award Top Ten State Recognition	Rockdale	Vander Harris
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best In Category Award Junior Div.	Rockdale	Carlan Ivey
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Rockdale	Mai Nguyen
Georgia Engineering Foundation Award Junior Div.	Rockdale	Mai Nguyen
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best in Category Award Junior Div.	Rockdale	Mai Nguyen
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair “I Never Would Have Thought of That” Award	Spalding Pike	Austin Hyder; Trevor Michael Ruhl
Merial Biotechnology Award 2nd Place Junior	Thomas	Jacob Rieber
Iota Sigma Pi Promethium Chapter Award - Women in Chemistry Junior Div.	Walton	Christina To
American Chemical Society Georgia Section Award 1st Place Junior	Walton	Christina To
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Walton	Christina To
Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Best in Category Award Junior Div.	Walton	Christina To
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Walton	Claudia Gaither
Merial Biotechnology Award 1st Place Junior	Walton	Annie Miller
American Chemical Society Georgia Section Award 3rd Place Senior	Washington	Elizabeth Layton
Iota Sigma Pi Promethium Chapter Award - Women in Chemistry Junior Div.	Washington	Elizabeth Layton
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Washington	Meghan Toler
Broadcom Masters Nominee	Washington	Stariel Oberry

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Publix Closely Eyeing Students’ Recruiting Ideas

The ideas two Whitewater High students from Fayette County have for getting more Generation X and Y persons to apply for positions at Publix Supermarkets have captured the attention of the company’s top brass.

DECA students Yanna Banks and Lia Poulson are one of three teams, and the only one in Georgia, to make it through to the third and final round in the Publix Brand Champion Challenge, a competition open to DECA students that involves creating a fully integrated marketing program to attract 16-25 year-old applicants to the stores. DECA is a student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.

Publix is flying the students to its headquarters in Lakeland, Florida, all expenses paid, to make a formal presentation to top officials in March or April. The judges will pick first, second and third place teams, and award them cash and prizes totaling over $3,000 to more than $4,000.

The students began the competition by submitting a 10-minute video of their ideas based on a hypothetical budget of $250,000. Their video earned them one of 12 team semi-finalist spots along with an opportunity to submit a written plan of their employment branding program.

Having made the cut to round three, team Yanna and Lia are already winners, but they are ready to give their live presentation and nail first place in the competition.

“All three of these teams are special to be able to beat out the competition. Congratulations on their hard work and strong results. They should be proud of themselves,” says Patti Breckenridge, recruiting manager for Publix Supermarkets.

The Publix Brand Champion Challenge was open to students in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

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Georgia's Fayette County High Wind Ensemble Invited to Perform at Clinic

The Fayette County High Wind Ensemble has the honor of being the only out-of-state school invited to perform at the 34th Annual University of South Carolina Band Clinic in February.

The ensemble is one of three invited as guest performers; the other two are local bands from Columbia, South Carolina. Fayette County High’s wind ensemble will perform “Toccata Marziale” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, “Ballade” by Darren Jenkins, “Third Symphony, Mvt. 4 Finale” by James Barnes, “Strange Humors” by John Mackey, and “The Black Horse Troop” by John Philip Sousa edited by Fredrick Fennell.

The performance will take place at the Koger Center Concert Hall in Columbia, South Carolina on February 19 at 1:30 p.m.

Since its inception, the school’s wind ensemble has received numerous invitational performances, including the University of Georgia’s January High School Music Festival in 2010 and the Georgia Music Educators In-Service Conference in 2009.

Dr. Myra Rhoden is the director of the Fayette County High Wind Ensemble.

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Rees Named Georgia SAR Teacher of the Year

The Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution has selected a Fayette County middle school teacher as their Georgia Teacher of the Year for the second consecutive time.

Salli Rees, an eighth grade Georgia history teacher at J.C. Booth Middle School in Peachtree City, has been selected from a pool of exemplary middle and high school history teachers throughout the state, both public and private, as an example of whose instruction on the Revolutionary War demonstrates educational efforts in the classroom that exceed and excel above current and accepted curriculum requirements. She will receive her award at a special program on February 5.

As the state winner, Rees will represent Georgia at the national competition for the Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award. The national winner will receive an all expenses paid trip to one of four seminars. Each seminar provides a professional education opportunity to an educator who will bring back to the classroom a heightened level of creativity and enthusiasm about the American Revolutionary era.

Last year the Georgia Veterans of Foreign Wars named Rees the Georgia Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year for middle schools.

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Team Nutrena's Becky Holder Wins First Place in USEA American Eventing Championship

/PRNewswire/ -- Nutrena® brand horse feed congratulates Becky Holder and her horse, Courageous Comet, on winning the 2010 United States Equine Association (USEA) National Championship.

Holder and Courageous Comet finished the event with a score of 45.5 and also took home the title of Gold Cup Champion in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series. This is the second year the Nutrena® brand has sponsored Holder, and nutritionists worked closely with her to refine her feeding program.

"We are extremely proud of Becky and Courageous Comet," said Dan Limbaugh, Nutrena® brand consultant who works with Holder. "It was a tremendous event, and we're looking forward to continuing to work together to ensure Courageous Comet performs his best."

Fans can cheer on Holder at the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., Sept. 25-Oct. 10, as she and Courageous Comet have been named to the United States eventing squad. Throughout the Games, the Nutrena® brand will bring all the action to fans with daily updates on its blog, The Feed Room, at www.horsefeedblog.com.

A competitor in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Holder is originally from Mendota Heights, Minn. She now lives in Chattahoochee Hills, Ga. where she feeds Courageous Comet and her other horses Nutrena® SafeChoice®, a controlled-starch formula, and Nutrena® Life Design® Compete for peak performance.

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Grady Hospital's Avon Breast Center Earns National Accreditation

/PRNewswire/ -- Grady's Avon Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center has been granted a full accreditation designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. According to the NAPBC, accreditation is granted only to those centers that have voluntarily committed to provide the highest level of breast care and undergo a rigorous evaluation and review of their performance. During the survey process, the center must demonstrate compliance with standards established by the NAPBC for treating women who are diagnosed with the full spectrum of breast disease. The standards include proficiency in the areas of: center leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education, and quality improvement. A breast center that achieves NAPBC accreditation has demonstrated a firm commitment to offer its patients every significant advantage in their battle against breast disease.

The Avon Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center is a key component of the Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence at Grady Health System. The Center is a multi-disciplinary breast care program, offering a full spectrum of clinical and support services, from screening and diagnosis to treatment and survivor care. The patient care team, comprised of Emory & Morehouse physicians and Grady personnel, include specialists in medical, radiation and surgical oncology, breast imaging, pathology, nursing, pharmacy, social work, mental health services, nutrition, community outreach and navigation, palliative care and other specialties. The Center has treated more than 1,000 newly diagnosed women since opening in 2003 and has increased its mammography services by more than 60 percent.

"The team at the Avon Breast Center works tirelessly to ensure our patients obtain the best possible care and services," said Sheryl Gabram, MD, director, Avon Comprehensive Breast Center at Grady and professor of surgery, Emory University School of Medicine. "It is because of their dedication and hard work the Center was awarded this recognition. The accreditation will benefit our patients, our community and our collaborative efforts in the future."

The American Cancer Society estimates that 5,370 women in Georgia were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. Receiving care at an NAPBC-accredited center ensures that a patient will have access to:

-- Comprehensive care, including a full range of state-of-the-art
services
-- A multidisciplinary team approach to coordinate the best treatment
options
-- Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options
-- Quality breast health care close to home.


"The Avon Breast Center at Grady provides cutting edge care and as a result has decreased breast cancer outcome disparities for women treated at Grady," Gabram added. "It is because of the extensive support from The Avon Foundation that we are able to accomplish this and make a significant difference in the lives of thousands of women."

About Grady Health System

Grady Health System is one of the largest public health systems in the United States. Grady consists of the 953-bed Grady Memorial Hospital, nine neighborhood health centers, Crestview Health & Rehabilitation Center - and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, which is operated as a Children's affiliate.

With its nationally acclaimed Emergency Care Center and Burn Unit, Grady Health System has the only level I trauma center in the region and serves as the ambulance provider for the city of Atlanta. The state's only Poison Center is housed at Grady, as well.

The Diabetes Detection & Control Center, Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, Primary Stroke Center and Avon Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center are also notable components of the health system. Moreover, Grady's Infectious Disease Program was named one of the top three HIV/AIDS outpatient clinics in the country.

Other exceptional medical services include Grady's Regional Perinatal Center and its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the Primary Care Center, a dedicated 60 Plus service line for older adults, Teen Services, the Rape Crisis Center and a 24-hour Advice Nurse Line.

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Brian D. Lamkin Named Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Atlanta Division

Director Robert S. Mueller, III has named Brian D. Lamkin special agent in charge (SAC) of the FBI’s Atlanta Division. Mr. Lamkin, a 23-year veteran of the FBI, most recently served as assistant director (AD) of the FBI's Training Division in Quantico, Virginia.

Mr. Lamkin entered on duty as a special agent with the FBI in February 1987. Upon completion of training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, he was assigned to investigate white collar crime in the Norfolk Division and was a member of the Norfolk Division’s SWAT team. In July 1990, he was transferred to the Dallas Division, where he was part of the Dallas Bank Fraud Task Force, which addressed the largest savings and loan failure crisis in U.S. history. During his tenure in Dallas, Mr. Lamkin refined his skills and expertise in white collar crime investigations.

Mr. Lamkin was promoted to supervisory special agent in the Financial Institution Fraud Unit at FBI Headquarters in May 1997, where he was a national program manager for bank fraud investigations. During his time there, he developed and instructed on financial crime matters, including the FBI's international course module on financial crime investigations used by the International Law Enforcement Academy in Bangkok, Thailand. In May 1999, Mr. Lamkin was transferred to the Baltimore Division, where he served as the coordinator for the White Collar Crime Program and supervised the White Collar Crime Squad in the Maryland Metropolitan Office in Calverton.

In September 2002, Mr. Lamkin was appointed assistant special agent in charge of the Louisville Division, where he was responsible for national security and criminal investigations as well as the day-to-day operations of the FBI in Kentucky. In December 2003, Mr. Lamkin was appointed to the ranks of the FBI’s Senior Executive Service as the chief of the Financial Crimes Section in the Criminal Investigative Division at FBI Headquarters. In that role, he was responsible for the White Collar Crime Program and provided senior leadership to the Financial Crimes Program, where he oversaw numerous high-profile cases involving corporate fraud, health care fraud, and international economic crime matters. He served as co-chair of the Department of Justice's (DOJ) National Bank Fraud Working Group and was a senior member of the DOJ Corporate Fraud Task Force and the DOJ/Health and Human Services Health Care Fraud Working Group.

In August 2005, Mr. Lamkin was appointed SAC of the Columbia Division. As SAC, he led a number of high-profile investigations, including violent gang disruptions, public corruption cases, and national security incidents in South Carolina. In August 2007, he was named AD of the FBI's Training Division in Quantico, Virginia, where he was responsible for developing and delivering high-quality training programs to the entire FBI workforce. During his tenure, Mr. Lamkin oversaw the expansion of training facilities at the FBI Academy, the expansion of new agent and intelligence analyst training programs, and the introduction of cutting-edge technology into the FBI’s varied training programs. He also led the world-renowned National Academy, which provides executive development and leadership training to federal, state, local, and international police executives.

Mr. Lamkin is an active instructor and lecturer to law enforcement, non-government groups, and corporations. He has conducted domestic and international training on a variety of white collar crime topics, major case management, and intellectual property crimes, and is an FBI certified firearms and general police instructor. Mr. Lamkin has written articles for the ABA Banking Journal (1994) on advance loan fee schemes and Butterworth's Journal of International Banking and Financial Law (1995) on the criminal exploitation of emerging banking systems in Eastern European countries. In November 2004, he was featured in the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Journal for his leadership of the FBI's White Collar Crime Program. Mr. Lamkin is a current member of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation board and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Education and Training Committee.

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Georgia Archery Students Aim High at 4th Annual NASP State Tournament

While Woodlawn Elementary School (Chatsworth, Ga.) may have captured the highest overall score at the 4th Annual National Archery in the Schools Program State Tournament on Feb. 12 at the Perry Fairgrounds and Agricenter, all of those who participated showed exceptional skill.

The tournament, coordinated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division, is an annual event open to all state schools enrolled in the National Archery in the Schools Program.

Woodlawn’s score of 3,145 also won the elementary division and qualified them for an automatic berth to the NASP National Tournament scheduled for May 7-8 in Louisville, Ky. Nearly 6,000 student archers are expected to compete at the national level, making the competition the largest archery tournament in the world.

Morgan County Middle School (Madison) won the middle school division with a 2,852 score and Bishop Hall Charter School (Thomasville) won the high school division with a score of 2,981. Those three schools, along with nine others in the state, qualify to join schools from across the country to vie for scholarship money and prizes at the national tournament.

Dodge County Middle School’s Joshua Peterson won a $1,000 college scholarship by posting the highest overall individual male score with a 286 (out of 300). Woodlawn Elementary’s Morgan Ray won top individual female honors and a $1,000 scholarship with her score of 277.

Individual Division winners (male and female) include:

· Elementary School – Male: Jordan Priest (Woodlawn Elementary) won with a score of 271.
· Elementary School – Female: Morgan Ray (Woodlawn Elementary) won with a score of 277.
· Middle School – Male: Joshua Peterson (Dodge County Middle) won with a score of 286.
· Middle School – Female: Shelby Carter (Marion County Middle) won with a score of 251.
· High School – Male: Josh Broxton (Miller County High) won with a score of 280.
· High School – Female: Ariel Beheeler (Bishop Hall High) won with a score of 258.

Other schools which qualified for NASP Nationals based on their score were: Bay Creek Elementary (Loganville), Youth Elementary (Loganville), Lake Park Elementary (Albany), Lee County Elementary (Leesburg), Funston Elementary (Funston), Dodge County Middle (Eastman), East Laurens Middle School (East Dublin), Marion County Middle School (Buena Vista) and Miller County High School (Colquitt).

More than 450 archers throughout the state participated in the annual state tournament. Archers shot three rounds of five arrows each from 10 and 15 meters. Teams of 16-24 students from each school competed in three separate divisions: elementary (4th-6th grade), middle (7th-8th grade) and high (9th-12th grade).

For a complete list of winning archers and schools, visit www.georgiawildlife.com (select “Education” “Shooting Sports Programs” and “NASP”).

The 4th annual state tournament was sponsored by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division, the Georgia Wildlife Federation, Mathews, Inc. and Morrell Targets.

More on NASP

NASP is an in-school archery curriculum that meets all education department standards. Only schools that are certified in NASP through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources are qualified to compete in the State Tournament. Schools in nearly 70 counties in Georgia are NASP certified.

The program promotes instruction in international-style target archery to improve educational performance and participation in shooting sports. Research has shown that the program, administered through a minimum two-week course during the school year, improves class attendance and behavior. NASP universal fit bows make it possible for students of all sizes and genders to succeed in archery while raising self-esteem levels and improving hand-eye coordination during physical activity.

NASP is taught in 46 states as well as Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand. To date, more than five million students have participated in the program.

For more information on assisting schools bound for the NASP National Tournament with funding or NASP in Georgia, call Jennifer Pittman at (770) 918-6416 or e-mail jennifer.pittman@gadnr.org.

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Active Duty, Military Spouse Honored as Ashworth College Outstanding Graduate

/PRNewswire/ -- Ashworth College announced today that Ashworth alumnus Ervisa Ritt has been named Outstanding Graduate and presented with a certificate of recognition from the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The DETC annually recognizes graduates who have excelled as distance education students. Ritt is among 45 graduates from 37 accredited DETC member institutions to be recognized this year.

Ritt, who recently received her Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, has the distinction of being both active duty and a military spouse. She and her husband are currently stationed at Ft. Stewart Army Base in Georgia.

"Since earning my Associate Degree, I've gone on to enroll in Ashworth's Bachelor's Degree program," she said. "My education in criminal justice will benefit me when I finally transition to civilian life. My ultimate goal is to become a police officer and I will have Ashworth to thank for that."

Ritt indicated that the flexibility of Ashworth's courses have allowed her to continue her education online whether she's at home with her 3 1/2-year-old daughter, on base or stationed in the field.

"Ervisa is a great example of how online education can easily become part of everyday life and successfully balance family, career and studies," said Gary M. Keisling, Ashworth College Chairman and CEO. "She is clearly a role model and we're proud to have her as an Ashworth alumna."

Ashworth College and DETC also recognized Didiayer Snyder, two-time Ashworth College graduate and currently a team designer on the Emmy Award-winning Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Snyder was among a select few graduates who have achieved a degree of celebrity within their career field and continue to make positive contributions to the community.

"The most gratifying aspect of our work is reading about the success of the graduates of our accredited colleges," said Michael P. Lambert, DETC Executive Director.

"Our success is best viewed through the lens of what has happened to our graduates -- how they put their knowledge and skills to work to make a better life...how they achieve their goals."

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Georgia Governor Issues Commendation Recognizing InVasc Founder and Board Member, Dr. Bobby V. Khan

(BUSINESS WIRE)--InVasc Therapeutics, Inc. yesterday announced that in a ceremony held at the Georgia State Capital, Governor Sonny Perdue, presented a Commendation to Dr. Bobby V. Khan, a cardiologist, founder and member of the Board of Directors of InVasc. The Commendation states: “WHEREAS: Dr. Khan is a great asset for our state and has worked tirelessly in his duties as a physician, researcher and educator. The citizens of Georgia are thankful for his ongoing contributions to the health and betterment of our state; now THEREFORE: I, Sonny Perdue, Governor of the state of Georgia, do hereby commend Bobby V. Khan.”

William Johnston, Ph.D., the chief executive officer of InVasc stated: “Dr. Khan, a Fulbright Scholar, who also chairs our Clinical Advisory Board, has and continues to make significant contributions for his patients, medical research and the business community and is an acknowledged leader in the field of cardiometabolic medicine. As a Company, we join with the Governor in this recognition and acknowledge Dr. Khan’s ongoing leadership within InVasc and the medical community.”

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AFBF honors Irvin with distinguished service award

The American Farm Bureau Federation honored Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin with its Distinguished Service Award in its closing session January 11 in Seattle, Wash.

Recipients are nominated by their home state Farm Bureaus in an extensive application documenting accomplishments and contributions to American agriculture on international, national, state and local levels. Former recipients include former Senators Sam Nunn and Bob Dole and Senator Mitch McConnell and other national agriculture leaders.

“It is an honor to have been nominated by the president of my state’s Farm Bureau and to be accepted into the distinguished company of those chosen before me,” Irvin said.

The nomination application detailed many of the commissioner’s efforts to improve Georgia agriculture which led to changes on the regional and national levels and impacted world opinion of U.S. agriculture. Irvin initiated an agriculture international trade division in the Georgia Department of Agriculture, an effort that has put Georgia products on menus throughout the world. In addition to the expansion of markets for Georgia’s agricultural products, Irvin’s aggressive programs to eradicate and control animal diseases and plant pests helped to stabilize the economic climate and establish a quality benchmark for the state’s products.

Irvin has given more than 54 years in public service, more than 41 as the state’s agriculture commissioner. He plans to retire at the end of this term at the beginning of 2011.

The Georgia Farm Bureau paid tribute to Irvin at its December annual meeting with a video about his career and life highlighting many of his agricultural accomplishments.

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Shaw Floors Achieves Guinness World Records(R) Honor for Largest Pie Fight

/PRNewswire/ -- Shaw Floors, the world's largest carpet manufacturer and a leading flooring provider, successfully achieved the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS designation for the world's Largest Pie Fight during the company's Dallas market event on Jan. 7. The history-making spectacle involved 434 participants as well as 1,200 cherry, chocolate and apple pies. The company held the pie fight on its premium Anso nylon carpet as a way to demonstrate Anso nylon's superior ability to repel stains and to be easily cleaned. Following the world-record event, Shaw cleaned approximately 3,000 pounds of pie from the carpet and displayed the previously pie-covered results in the lobby of the Embassy Suites in Grapevine, Texas, the site of the event.

"We can't wait to tell consumers that Anso nylon survived the world's Largest Pie Fight," said Shaw President Randy Merritt. "Although we weren't surprised at all by the positive performance of Anso nylon, we're thrilled that the pie fight will help consumers fully appreciate the stain-repelling power of the carpet. Consumers will understand that if a carpet can hold up to 1,200 pies, it will stand up to everyday life."

Shaw's GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS achievement shattered the previous Largest Pie Fight record of 269 participants, which was set by the television show "LIVE! With Regis and Kelly" on Sept. 17, 2009. GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Adjudications Manager Danny Girton Jr. was on site to verify the Largest Pie Fight designation and presented Shaw with a certificate recognizing the achievement. Video footage of Shaw's pie fight festivities, certificate presentation, post-event carpet cleaning and the surviving, spotless carpet can be viewed at www.shawfloors.com/anso/piefight.

Shaw's world record accomplishment complements the company's new Anso nylon marketing campaign, "Anso? Hope so.", which focuses on the cleanability and durability of the carpet brand. Shaw will celebrate the Largest Pie Fight achievement throughout 2010, and the company is producing a variety of pie fight-related point-of-sale materials including posters, banners, product medallions and an in-store video, which will be available later this month, enabling thousands of Shaw retailers to commemorate the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS honor.

"The 'Anso? Hope so.' campaign is all about the confidence consumers should have in the stain-resistance properties of Anso nylon carpet, and the world's Largest Pie Fight illustrated this same confidence, only on a larger scale," said Shaw's Director of Anso Nylon Mike Leary. "The pie fight is a great survival story for Anso nylon, and it makes a compelling case to both consumers and retail sales associates for why Anso nylon is the premier carpet fiber on the market."

In connection with the pie fight event, Shaw is making a monetary donation to a local affiliate of Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic-relief hunger charity. The company's donation will provide up to 70,000 meals for hungry Americans.

For more information about Shaw's GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Largest Pie Fight achievement or to view Shaw's pie fight video, visit www.shawfloors.com/anso/piefight.

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Georgia State professor to chair Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau

Professor Ken Bernhardt of Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business was named chairman of the board of directors for the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) for 2010.

Bernhardt, the Taylor E. Little Jr. professor of marketing and special assistant to the dean for corporate and community relations in the Robinson College, has served on the ACVB board of directors since 1991. He is a past chair of ACVB’s marketing, strategic planning, and research committees and has been heavily involved in the organization’s cultural tourism initiative. In 2000, Bernhardt received the ACVB President’s Award for outstanding service to the marketing of Atlanta.

“Ken’s experience in marketing research and measurement will optimize ACVB’s marketing programs in an environment where every dollar counts,” said William Pate, ACVB president and chief executive officer. “Under his leadership, we will continue to position Atlanta as a top destination for business and leisure travel.”

Former chair of Robinson’s department of marketing, Bernhardt has served as chairman of the board of the American Marketing Association, president of the Association for Consumer Research and chairman of the board of trustees of the American Marketing Association Foundation. He is a former chair of the U.S. Census Bureau Marketing Advisory Committee.

In addition to his ACVB duties, Bernhardt also serves on the boards of area organizations including Leadership Atlanta, Junior Achievement of Georgia, Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta, Alliance Theatre, and the Metro Atlanta Arts & Culture Coalition.

The chairman of the ACVB is selected by the board of directors following nominations by the organization’s executive committee. Established in 1913, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, nonprofit organization created to favorably impact the Atlanta economy through conventions and tourism.

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Oglethorpe Power General Counsel Named to Nuclear Legal Committee

/PRNewswire/ -- Charles W. "Chuck" Whitney, senior vice president and general counsel for Oglethorpe Power Corporation, has been appointed to the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Lawyers Committee. The Nuclear Energy Institute is the policy organization of the nuclear energy and technologies industry and works to promote the beneficial uses of nuclear energy and technologies in the United States and around the world. The Lawyers Committee develops policy recommendations on various legal issues arising from the construction and operation of nuclear power plants.

Thomas A. Smith, president & CEO of Oglethorpe Power, said Whitney's appointment to the NEI group will be very beneficial to the corporation as licensing and construction proceed on two new units of the Alvin W. Vogtle Nuclear Plant near Waynesboro. Oglethorpe Power has a 30 percent interest in the new units as well as the two units of the plant that are already operational.

"While we have been a member of NEI for many years and enjoy an excellent relationship with them, Chuck's participation on this committee will provide us with a direct opportunity to be involved in nuclear energy policy-making at the national level while staying abreast of the latest developments within the industry," Smith said.

Whitney joined Oglethorpe Power in August 2009 from Duane Morris LLP, where he had served as a managing partner of the Atlanta office since 2000 and as head of that firm's Nuclear Energy Practice Group. Prior to joining Duane Morris, Whitney served in a variety of senior executive positions for Southern Company subsidiaries, including an assignment as president & CEO of Southern's European international energy subsidiary. Additionally, he has had major responsibilities for nuclear and fossil plant construction and operations both as a lawyer and a senior manager.

He graduated with high honors with B.S. and B.A. degrees from Wright State University, received a J.D. degree from Case Western Reserve University and completed the Harvard Business School advanced management program.

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Zoo Atlanta’s President and CEO Takes Position in Washington D.C.

Zoo Atlanta’s President and CEO Dennis Kelly has been named Director of Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C., effective February 15, 2010. After a nationwide search Dennis Kelly will leave Zoo Atlanta to oversee operations for a 163-acre facility in Rock Creek Park and a 3,200-acre Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia.

"This is a bittersweet announcement for me," said Mickey Brown, Chairman of Zoo Atlanta’s Board of Directors. "It’s been an honor to work with Dennis, his talent, business acumen and foresight has helped Zoo Atlanta become a world class zoo."

Since his tenure at Zoo Atlanta, Dennis Kelly has spearheaded groundbreaking projects such as the 25- year master plan, renegotiation of a new giant panda agreement (the details of the new agreement will be released in the upcoming weeks pending the close of the Give So They Stay campaign and final approvals in China), state of the art capital improvement projects, as well as the creation of a fiscally sound zoological institution. He raised more than $40 million in both public and private funds for Zoo Atlanta during his six-year tenure.

As president of Zoo Atlanta for the past six years, Kelly enhanced the institution’s scientific and animal welfare programs and visitor experience and rebuilt its marketing, government relations and fundraising capabilities. Kelly also provided the environment and resources for important scientific and conservation work by the Zoo’s staff, including collaboration with National Zoo scientists on giant panda breeding and conservation. Under his leadership, Zoo Atlanta strengthened its education programs and assisted in developing education departments in dozens of zoos in China.

"I am excited about Dennis’ new position with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo," said Brad Benton, incoming Chairman of Zoo Atlanta’s Board of Directors. "This is a testament to the talent and expertise of one of the nation’s top zoos. He has left an indelible mark not only on Zoo Atlanta but also the City of Atlanta."

Zoo Atlanta’s master plan will continue as planned. The talented members of the senior leadership team will oversee the day to day operations of the organization while the Board of Directors implements a nationwide search.

Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University. After serving in the military, Kelly held positions with Procter & Gamble and Touche Ross & Co. He worked at The Coca-Cola Co. in Atlanta from 1982 to 1999, serving in various positions. In 1997, Kelly was appointed chief marketing officer for Coca-Cola Europe, overseeing marketing efforts for flagship and local brands in those markets. In 1999, Kelly joined Green Mountain Energy Co. as president and soon after was named CEO. During his tenure, the company’s annual sales grew from $60,000 to $250 million.

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