Thomas C. Harrison Named 2016 Citizen of the Year

By: Lexi Hardman

At the Annual Winter Ball on January 16, the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce named Thomas C. Harrison the 2016 Citizen of the Year. Mr. Harrison, a native of Pickens County for 72 years, is filling the shoes of the Honorable Judge Weaver, 2015 Citizen of the Year. Just like the many Citizens of the Year before her, Judge Weaver carried out her duty with honor by making several public appearances and continuing to serve her community on a daily basis. Mr. Harrison was accompanied by his wife of 53 years, Gail Harrison, to the Winter Ball, and he was truly appreciative of receiving this honorable award.

Thomas C. Harrison the 2016 Citizen of the Year with his wife Gail Harrison

Upon graduating from high school, Thomas Harrison attended a few years at University of North Georgia and then transferred to the Southern Polytechnic State University, where he graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering. After spending a few years at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, he returned to Pickens County to be Chairman of the Electronics Department at Pickens Technical College. Enjoying the career of molding young minds, he returned to school at the University of Georgia to pursue a degree in Educational Leadership. Later in his career, he was selected as the President of Pickens Technical College. Under his leadership, the school enrollment increased dramatically and many local youths were able to gain valuable training as preparation for their future careers.

In addition to serving as President of Pickens Technical College, Mr. Harrison maintained various leadership roles within the community. As the second President of the Rotary Club of Jasper, he was instrumental in building the club’s reputation as a leader in service for the area. In 1998, the Hope House of North Georgia was founded through the local Rotary to give children a “safe place to stay”, which was in part due to his leadership. Mr. Harrison later became vice president of this organization and worked to remove 675 children from unsatisfactory or poor home environments. To this today, he conducts orientation for new Rotarians, and he emphasizes the rewards of service to the local area and throughout the world. His beliefs roll over into his role as a Paul Harris Fellow, which helps third world countries.

Mr. Harrison’s community service does not stop there. He was also a pioneer member of the Board of Directors for The Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center, which has given free medical and dental care to uninsured local citizens for thirteen plus years. In addition, he served as Chairman of the Board for two years and helped raise funds to plan the organization’s growth into a full service facility. Last but not least, Mr. Harrison currently serves on the Piedmont Mountainside Auxiliary and helps transport seniors and others in need from the parking lot to the hospital entrance.

Furthermore, Mr. Harrison is a long time member of Jasper United Methodist Church and has previously served as President of the Church Board of Trustees. In the early days of his church service, he even sold his parents’ home at a reduced cost to ensure the church had somewhere to house its Pastor. Thomas and Gail are proud parents to two daughters, Andrea Harrison Hulsey and Julie Harrison Walker. In his personal time, Thomas enjoys his hobby as an expert on old historic clocks and pocket watches, and recently, Thomas and Gail purchased a motor home and truly enjoy visiting different locations for rest and relaxation.  We are truly excited have such a person as Thomas Harrison to represent Pickens County as our Citizen of the Year!

Salon 84 named 2016 Small Business of the Year

By: Lexi Hardman

At the Annual Winter Ball on January 16, the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce named Salon 84 the 2016 Small Business of the Year. Amy Leake, owner, was accompanied to the Winter Ball by her husband, Chris Leake, and an entire table of her hard working staff. When announced as this year’s recipient, Amy was beyond honored to accept this prestigious award.

Salon 84 named 2016 Small Business of the Year

Amy purchased the house that was once owned by her grandparents and renovated it into a salon in 2014. With over twenty-one years of experience, she is proud to provide her hometown with all of their beauty needs. This Aveda salon houses an array of experienced stylists, including: Amy Leake, Melanie Eggley, Kelly Rumsey, Hannah Land, Lana Bruce, Christina Roland, Heather Cantrell, and Teresa Fountain.

Despite her busy schedule as a small business owner, Amy finds time to give back to her community. She currently serves as a member of the Chamber Board of Directors, Co-Chair of the Downtown Alliance Committee, Business Representative on Harmony Elementary Advisory Council, and Business Representative/Parent on Pickens County School System’s Sex Education Committee. In addition, her business has sponsored Business After Hours, the Snowball Golf Tournament, the Annual Auto Give Away, Marble Festival, the Black Friday Basket, Prevent Child Abuse Pickens, Pickens County Recreational Department, Bent Tree Tennis, Big Canoe Women’s Guild, Jasper Youth Sports Association, Boys and Girls Club of North Georgia, ACES Children’s Shelter, and Georgia Mountains Hospice, among many others.

Please join us in congratulating Amy Leake and all the staff of Salon 84 on being named the 2016 Small Business of the Year! We are proud to have them as a member of our Chamber and the Pickens County community.

Stephanie Ray Named 2016 Ambassador of the Year

By: Lexi Hardman

At the Annual Winter Ball on January 16, the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce named Stephanie Ray the 2016 Ambassador of the Year. The Chamber implemented this brand new award to honor all the hard work and dedication Chamber Ambassadors put into enhancing each Chamber member’s experience. Mrs. Ray was accompanied by her husband, Jack Owenby, to the Winter Ball, and she is honored to be the very first recipient of this award.

Stephanie Ray

A Chamber Ambassador since 2008, Stephanie served as President in 2013 and will serve again in 2016. In addition to serving as President, she works hard to ensure all new Ambassadors are comfortable with their new role. Simply by her calling them up and lending a listening ear, she quickly gets to know each Ambassador personally. As an Ambassador, Stephanie welcomes new members, delivers anniversary gifts, presents door prizes at the monthly Chamber Membership Breakfast, attends Ribbon Cuttings, and participates in countless other Chamber events.

On top of being an Ambassador, Stephanie also serves as Past President for Professional Women of Pickens County and as a member of the Georgia Marble Festival Committee. Yearly, Stephanie volunteers her time in the Marble Festival Sponsor Showcase.  She believes small business owners are the heart and soul of Pickens County and loves devoting her time to ensuring they walk away from the Sponsor Showcase happy year after year.

Her service in the community does not stop there though. Stephanie works as a board member with the Holiday Market and Expo, a local craft show and market that raises money to give away to local charities. In the last five years, her and the other women involved have grown this event from 30 vendors to 100 vendors. Additionally, she has spent countless hours helping various non-profits in directing their 5K road races.

Overall, Stephanie Ray prides herself on working to develop and grow fellow small businesses. As an employee for a small business the past 16 years and family of several small business owners right here in Jasper, she is the perfect woman to represent the Chamber as the 2016 Ambassador of the Year!

Photos courtesy of the Pickens Chamber of Commerce.