Northwest Georgia's Business Report

Georgia unemployment insurance initial claims down slightly

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

The April unemployment insurance claims report is out and it shows double-digit increases in Northwest Georgia with the exception of a 1.2 percent drop in Floyd county. Statewide, applications soared by nearly 53 percent year over year.

The largest increase was in Polk County where first-time applications jumped 44.5 percent to 597 people from 413 a year earlier. One Polk employer, Pierre Foods, announced closing plans earlier this year.

Bartow County saw a large month-over-month gain, with applications climbing from 496 in March to 740 in April,  a 49.2 percent increase. Compared to a year earlier, applications were up 10.1 percent.

Floyd's report hung in the mid-800s, starting at 847 in April 207 to 835 in March and 837 in April. Floyd has been rocked by layoffs at Wheeler's and Mohawk.

Allgood Pest Solutions buys Couey, Clock Tower, B&H pest control

(Media release) On April 29, Duluth-based Allgood Pest Solutions celebrated the opening of its newest branch with a ribbon cutting ceremony that took place at the new Rome office. The ceremony marked the completion of Allgood’s acquisition of three Rome pest control companies: Couey’s Pest Control, Clock Tower Pest Services and B&H Pest Control. With the exception of B&H Pest Control, the former owners will remain on board to help oversee operations.

“Before the acquisitions, we only had two locations, Dalton and Marietta, servicing the northwest areas. Now, with the addition of these three companies, we will be able to service Northwest Georgia from Dalton down to Cartersville and over to the Alabama line,” said Chuck Tindol, co-owner of Allgood.

Customers of the three pest control companies were notified by letter of the acquisition and will be brought together under the Allgood Pest Solutions name. Service representatives for the companies will largely remain the same with a few slight changes. Representatives will now make service visits in Allgood-branded trucks and uniforms, and schedule cards and statements will have Allgood’s logo and company information. Clients will still be able to use the three companies’ phone numbers, as all calls will be routed to the new Allgood branch.

The two former owners, Lewayne Couey and Thurman Morris, are now working together to help serve the Rome community. Morris, as branch manager, will manage the combined operations, with Couey assisting him until he retires at the end of the year. Couey’s son Brad will also remain in a management role.

Morris, who has been in pest control since 1967, started Clock Tower in 2001. “It was time for a change,” Morris said, speaking of the acquisition. “I think everyone will benefit greatly from Allgood’s expertise and reputation for high-quality service. I am pleased to have a company like Allgood in charge.”

Another longtime Rome resident, Couey began his career at B&H Pest Control in 1961. He opened Couey’s Pest Control in 1989 and operated the company until Allgood acquired it this past November.

“I want to retire the end of this year, which is the main reason for Allgood acquiring the company,” Couey said. “Allgood also has more benefits to offer my employees, and I want to make sure they are taken care of. My customers will still receive the same level of service from the same representatives. Everything will continue like it always has.”

Founded in 1974 in Dublin by Jimmy Allgood, Allgood Pest Solutions serviced middle Georgia homes and business for 17 years. In 1991, Jimmy opened an operation in Atlanta with his cousins: Bubba Tindol, Mike Tindol, Chuck Tindol and Perry Tindol. Since then, the company has expanded across Georgia and located its headquarters in Duluth> www.allgoodpestsolutions.com.

F&P earns Honda Service Supplier Award

Pictured left to right are F & P Plant Manager Alan Guyatt and employees of F & P Georgia Glen Cartee and William Fielder.

(Media release) F & P Georgia received the 2008 Honda Service Supplier Parts Award in recognition of their quality performance. The award is based on performance results from January 2007 through December 2007.  On behalf of American Honda, Richard Riechert, Quality Assurance Manager presented the award to F & P President Masao Toyoda and F & P Plant Manager Alan Guyatt and employees of F & P Georgia Glen Cartee and William Fielder. Areas in which the award is based include:

>Quality performance score index of zero.

>Products are delivered on time or better.

>Less than one percent in past due categories. 

>Zero Deliver Trouble Reports.

Heritage First announces trio of promotions:

>Baker: senior vice president/chief credit officer, Heritage First Bancshares

>Earnest to president of Heritage First Bank

>Knight to executive vice president, Heritage First Bank

(From a media release) A trio of promotions have been announced within the Heritage First family by William B. Hurley, chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer of Heritage First Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Rome-based Heritage First Bank.

Michael H. Baker, President of Heritage First Bank, has been named Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Heritage First Bancshares Inc., In his new capacity, Baker will oversee the overall credit function of the Rome-based bank as well as its affiliates in Alabama. Baker will also continue to serve on the Board of Directors of both banks. 

Prior to serving as President of Heritage First Bank, Baker served as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at the bank. He joined the institution in June, 2005 and has been in banking since 1982, previously affiliated with Regions Bank in Rome. Baker has also served with Home Federal Savings Bank in Rome as well as First Union National Bank of Georgia, Rome; and Calhoun First National Bank, Calhoun.

He is a 1980 graduate of Jacksonville State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Management. He also received his Masters of Business Administration from JSU and, in 1989, completed studies at the Graduate School of Banking of the South, conducted at Louisiana State University.

Baker is highly involved in a host of civic and economic development activities. He serves on the Board of Directors and currently serves as President of the William S. Davies Homeless Shelter.  He is a past president of the Kiwanis Club of Rome and a member of the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Rome Alumni Association and Rome First United Methodist Church.  He and his wife, Melanie, have three children and two grandchildren.

“Loan leadership is critical to all banks today, more so than at any time in our industry’s existence,” Hurley said. “Michael Baker is an exceptional lender who can best guide our lenders through his new position at the holding company level.  Having been involved in the lending arena his entire career; he brings a wealth of experience which will serve the company extremely well in the current economic climate and for many years to come.”

Ryan P. Earnest has been promoted to President of the Heritage First Bank.       Earnest, who joined Heritage First Bank in October, 2002, as Vice President and Mortgage Loan Officer and most recently served as Senior Vice President and Senior Lending Officer, positions he assumed in February, 2006. He is also a tenured member of the bank’s Board of Directors.

Prior to joining Heritage First Bank, he had invested nearly a decade in banking in the Rome and Floyd County markets with two other financial institutions.

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications from West Georgia College in Carrollton, Georgia, in 1990.  He has completed various mortgage industry-related courses at the Capstone Institute of Mortgage Finance in Atlanta.  Additionally, Earnest has completed Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Bank courses and seminars. He is a rising Senior in the Graduate School of Banking Program at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La.

Mr. Earnest is active in civic and youth endeavors.  He serves on the Seven Hills Rotary Club Board of Directors and is a past President of the Breakfast Exchange Club of Rome.  He currently serves as President of the Rome-Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth and is a 1998 graduate of Leadership Rome program sponsored by the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Earnest resides in Rome with his wife Susan and son Carson.

“I am pleased to announce that Ryan Earnest has assumed the Presidency of Heritage First Bank,” Hurley said. “As our organization continues to grow and prosper, we have been fortunate to develop quality leadership for the years ahead. Ryan is dedicated to Rome and Floyd County’s prosperity and is the perfect fit to serve as President. Our customers and community will be well-served in the years ahead by his presence at the bank.”

Vicki Knight to Executive Vice President, Heritage First Bank. In her new role, Ms. Knight will serve in Business Development and Retail Lending. She had formerly served as Senior Vice President overseeing Human Resources and Compliance for the company, positions she has held since February, 2005.

Knight has been in banking since 1973, almost entirely in the greater Rome area, and has worked in most capacities from Teller to Bookkeeping, Operations, Branch Administration, lending, Human Resources and Compliance, during her career. Prior to joining Heritage First Bank, she was affiliated with United Community Bank in Adairsville, where she served as Senior Vice President.

A graduate of Shorter College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Ms. Knight was recipient of the 1994 Chamber of Commerce Woman of Excellence award. She is also a graduate of Leadership Rome X and is a recipient of the Wesley Johnson Award for Community Service. She has served as past chairman of the Coosa Valley Chapter Board of the American Red Cross, she chaired the Coosa Valley Consortium and has served on the Board of the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce and Communities in Schools. Additionally, she has served as a Trustee for United Way of Rome.

“Vicki Knight has been an exemplary leader at Heritage First Bank and I am pleased to announce her promotion to this executive management position,” Hurley said. “She has long worked to make an impact not only at Heritage First Bank but through her dedication to many civic and economic development endeavors. Our customers will continue to benefit from her efforts as she directs her attentions to Business Development and continues her work as a retail lender.”

Heritage First opens second office in Orange Beach/Gulf Shores market

(Media release) William B. Hurley, Chairman, CEO and President of Heritage First Bancshares, Inc., the holding company which owns Heritage First Bank, today announced that the bank’s newest location is now open in Gulf Shores, Ala. The opening marks the second location of the bank in Baldwin County, Ala., coming on the heels of last year’s opening in Orange Beach. The bank’s expansion initiatives in Baldwin County are being spearheaded by John W. Branam, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the holding company. “We are pleased to now be open in Gulf Shores,” Branam said. “The brand of banking to which we subscribe in Rome and Floyd County is the foundation of our growth and success in south Alabama.” Hurley said that even though the rapid growth and dynamics of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach “represented an outstanding opportunity for Heritage First Bank in the south Alabama market.”

Baer Bronze closes Rome site; consolidates with Utah operation: Baer Bronze is closing the Rome site at 21 Shorter Industrial Blvd. and will consolidate with the Springville, Utah, operation. Formerly Mark Hopkins Sculpture, Baer Bronze served as a foundry for one-of-a-kind and limited edition bronze sculptures using a wax method of casting. Employees made molds of sculptures, cast them in bronze, finished the metal and finally added patina to the bronzes, which ranged in size from bookshelf sculptures to life-size sculptures for athletic stadiums, museums and private collections. A handful of employees remain on site for another day while several have accepted transfers to Utah. A company representative in Utah this morning confirmed the consolidation; the local phone number has been suspended.

The state Department of Labor is assisting the idled employees.

One On One Bodyworks opens on Fifth Avenue: One on One Bodyworks Inc., billing itself as "Rome's premiere pilates studio, is open. Owner Elizabeth Brown says it offers a pilates studio, yoga. Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.; and Saturdays, 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. One on One offers private, duet and group equipment sessions scheduled at the clients' convenience and availability of the trainers or instructors.   Fees range from $12 per mat class to $55 for private pilates equipment training. Also featured: An introductory special ($200) combo class (four equipment and four matt classes. Details: 706-237-6748.

>Get Fit Active Week includes freebie at Be Fit! Women's Fitness Club: T he nonprofit International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association has set this year's Active America Week for May 12-17 and as part of the campaign, Be Fit! Women's Fitness Club in Armuchee is offering a free week (use of facilities, exercise classes, etc.) The club also is sponsoring an open house Friday and Saturday, May 16-17. Be Fit is in the Piggly Wiggly shopping center.

Chattooga again has state's highest jobless rate

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

Five-county area had 10,430 people out of work last month

>Chattooga County continues to lead the state with the highest jobless rate. In March, 1,777 Chattooga residents were without jobs, or 14.8 percent. That's higher than the February estimate of 14.4 percent (which also led the state). Some 10,200 people had jobs in the county, hit by layoffs at Mount Vernon Mills (250 jobs) earlier this year.

>The jobless rate rose in Bartow and Polk counties.

>It dropped slightly in Floyd and by a full percentage point in Gordon County.

>The state's jobless rate for March was 5.3 percent, the same as February.