Media Contact:
Karen Hatchett, Hatchett PR
770-433-1137, karen@hatchettpr.com
50 Of Georgia’s Brightest Become Young Gamechangers
New Project Kicks Off In Douglasville On January 21
Atlanta, GA (January 6, 2016) --- GeorgiaForward kicks off its third Young Gamechangers class with 50 of the
state’s most promising young leaders whose project will focus on Douglasville and Douglas County. They’ll
come together at the opening session in Douglasville at 10 am on Thursday, January 21 with a busy day of
activities including: a tour of the area, meetings and historical insights with leaders and stakeholders,
leadership training by the Fanning Institute at UGA and more. The goals of the project are to address the
area’s most persistent challenges; re-envision it as a vibrant, world-class community; and present big idea
recommendations.
“In fulfilling our mission to harness the brightest young minds in Georgia to make our state stronger, we are
optimistic about the future given the caliber of Young Gamechangers we have attracted,” states says Kris
Vaughn, Executive Director of GeorgiaForward. “The new class has careers that span urban planning and
architecture, business, economic development, education, non-profit, energy, government, arts and
culture, and finance. At the end of this rigorous 6 month project, I will be excited to hear their creative
ideas and forward-thinking solutions.”
Here’s an introduction to some members of the 2016 spring class of Young Gamechangers:
James Hammond is a communications professional with more than 10 years of experience in the
government sector. His expertise includes broadcasting, public relations, social media, and grassroots
community engagement. He currently serves at the Media Production Specialist for Atlanta Public Schools,
supporting the department of Communications by telling the story of the school district through
photography and video programs. His projects include producing videos for the State of the Schools and
State of the District, and coordinating a “Selma” movie screening.
“People always say we need change,” says Hammond. “It’s vital to get off the couch and get involved to
make a difference. I hope to make a great network of colleagues through this program and that our efforts
bring positive change. At the end of the day creating better communities, that’s what I want as my legacy.”
Nicole Hilton is originally from Austin, Texas but she and her husband moved to Douglasville three years
ago. She’s the founding Partner and Design Architect at Cole Hil. Her focus is on creating refined
architecture that makes a positive impact on the community it serves. Hilton’s projects have included: the
Pratt City Library, Brew Coffee and Tea Company (West Georgia Campus), and Lucchese Boot Company. An
alumnus of Louisiana State University, she is honored to be recognized as the first African American female
graduate of the LSU School of Architecture to become a licensed architect.
“I love the diversity of the Young Gamechangers,” states Hilton. “When you engage people of different
backgrounds, genders, ethnicity and experiences you get solutions that meet everyone’s needs. I will bring
my skills as a visionary and help connect the dots so that we have truly collaborative results.”
Will Stanford, AIA + LEED Green Associate is a Principal Architect with BTBB, Inc in Macon. Stanford has a
Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Mississippi State University and became a registered architect in
2011. Stanford appreciates the distinctive characteristics of communities, large and small, having grown up
in small town Mississippi and lived in Jackson, MS and Montgomery, AL prior to relocating to Macon in
2012. He was on the design team for the Macon Action Plan, focusing on revitalization through economic
and infrastructure development, as well as rehabilitation of downtown. Stanford serves as a Deacon and
Sunday school teacher at North Macon Presbyterian Church. He and his wife Mary Frances reside in Macon
with their 3 daughters: Anna Lyn, Gracie and Alie Parker.
“It’s vital to the success of our project that the community has buy-in,” states Stanford. “A good example of
that is Dublin, last year’s Young Gamechangers focus city. This past year I worked on the design team that
renovated an old bank building downtown which had been vacant since 1976. This could not have
happened without deep community involvement.”
Carrie Barnes serves as a Community Development Consultant with Georgia EMC. She provides economic
and community development assistance to communities on behalf of their 41 Electric Membership
Cooperatives. She is responsible for strategic planning sessions, leadership programs, and team building.
Barnes began her career with the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission then worked with the Georgia
Department of Community Affairs. A native of Tampa, Florida, Barnes attended Mercer University and
completed her Masters in City and Regional Planning with a focus on Economic Development at Georgia
Institute of Technology. Barnes lives in Cartersville with her husband.
“I think the one thing that can make or break a community is engaging and retaining their young
professionals,” states Barnes. “Young professionals, especially women, are not always invited to the table.
I’m a city planner by trade, and I’m always looking for ways to use my skills to give back.”
Cole Posey serves as Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Southern Regional Technical College, in
Moultrie. His work takes him throughout Moultrie, Thomasville and Tifton. Prior to joining SRTC Posey was
Executive Director of the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Macon. Mr. Posey holds a Bachelor of Business
Administration from Georgia College and State University and will complete his Master of Business
Administration with an emphasis in Strategic Leadership in 2016. He and his wife have a two year-old son.
Posey is an avid Georgia Bulldog fan and has attended every UGA home game for the last 19 years.
“The work that GeorgiaForward is doing is important because they focus on the big picture,” says Posey.
“Everything across the state is connected, and to be competitive it’s important to get everyone, including
the younger generation, involved. I’m looking forward to bringing my expertise in millennial engagement to
this project. My hope is to leave an imprint and make Georgia a better place.”
Sponsors for 2016 Spring Young Gamechangers program include: The Commerce Club Foundation,
Google, Douglas County, Douglas County Chamber, City of Douglasville, CITI TV, Fox Hall Resort and
Sporting Club, Douglas County Economic Development Authority, Georgia Power, LaQuinta Inn and Holiday
Inn Express.
GeorgiaForward is a non-profit, non-partisan organization working to improve the state of Georgia by
engaging business, political, academic and civil leaders to collaboratively shape a statewide policy agenda.
For more information about the Young Gamechangers program and a complete list of the 2016 spring
class, visit their web site: http://georgiaforward.org/young-gamechangers.
###
MEDIA: Here’s a link with photos and info to go with this story: http://bit.ly/1P04HVM. For more details on
media opportunities at the opening session, or to set interviews, please contact Karen Hatchett at
karen@hatchettpr.com or 770-433-1137.