Hartman Simons Commercial Real Estate Blog

Four on Friday: Lori Kilberg to Be Part of Upcoming Women in the Arts Panel Luncheon

Kilberg

Hartman Simons’ Lori Kilberg will be part of an upcoming high-profile panel discussion that will examine the ways in which women are shaping Atlanta’s art and business communities. The 11th Annual Women in the Arts Panel Luncheon will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Georgian Terrace Hotel. The event will benefit the Synchronicity Theatre, which was created in 1997 to support female artists.

In today’s Four on Friday, we present four things you need to know about the luncheon.

• Who is participating? In addition to Kilberg, the panelists will include: Genevieve Bos, CEO of IdeaString and founder of PINK Magazine; Alpha Tyler, a film and commercial casting director; Lauri Stallings, a choreographer and one of Creative Loafing’s 20 People to Watch in 2012; and Kappy deButts, executive director of The Zeist Foundation.

Brenda Wood, evening-news anchor for 11Alive, will be the moderator.

• How much do tickets cost? $65 for individuals (those who work for non-profits can purchase tickets for $50 apiece). Click here for full ticket details.

• Who is being honored at the luncheon? Pearl Cleage, a novelist, playwright and poet; and Virginia Hepner, CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center.

• What is the theme of this year’s panel discussion? "Currency, Culture and Community: How Leading Women Are Changing Our City"

For more information, please visit the Synchronicity website.

Four on Friday: Rachelle Jones, Hartman Simons Office Administrator and winner of AALA Spirit Award

Wednesday was a very special day for us here at Hartman Simons. That’s when the Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators (AALA) announced at its annual luncheon in Buckhead that Rachelle Jones, our office administrator and AALA’s chair of community relations, had won the association’s individual Spirit Award and that Hartman Simons had won the Spirit Award for law firms.

Jones and our firm’s efforts to assist the students of Westlake High School prepare college applications were cited as reasons for the awards. In this Four on Friday, we discuss the award with Jones. Grant Rivera, brother of our associate Ryan Rivera, is the principal of the school.

We couldn’t be more proud of Rachelle and all of the attorneys here who have worked so hard to help Westlake High School. Congratulations, everyone!

Managing Partner Summey Orr, left, and Rachelle Jones with Hartman Simons' AALA Spirit Awards.

What was your reaction when it was announced that you were the recipient of the Spirit Award? 

Jones: Surprise. I knew everyone enjoyed and appreciated the work I put into the events, but I never expected to get an award for it. Being able to help the Westlake students has always seemed enough of an award for me.

I was also very pleased when they announced Hartman Simons was also getting the award because so many of our employees volunteered for the Westlake events. Without the volunteers, this partnership wouldn’t
have been as successful as it has.

What aspect of your work with AALA are you most proud?

Jones: I’m most proud of the difference we have made. Westlake’s principal, Grant Rivera said at the AALA luncheon that his school’s college applications were up 50 percent this year. He also said the school’s ACT scores had increased. It’s amazing what showing you have faith in the students can do for them! 

What's been the biggest benefit to you of your time in AALA?

Jones: There are so many benefits to being part of AALA - the community involvement, mentor programs, educational conferences and generous business partners (which have donated several book scholarships to Westlake students). I don’t know how to list just one!

It is really a great group of people to be associated with. AALA cares about the community and the success of its members and business partners, and it shows in everything that the organization does. 

When you're not at Hartman Simons or working with AALA, how do you like to spend your time?

Jones: I’m either at school – I’m pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Kennesaw State University – doing homework, reading or doing something in the outdoors. I love hiking, kayaking and biking. 

Further reading:

• Four on Friday: Photos from College Night at Westlake High School

• Four on Friday: Helping Westlake High School

Four on Friday: Four Organizations to Consider Giving to This Holiday Season

This Friday marks the official start of the holiday shopping season. And while the next few weeks are a great time to find the perfect gifts for your friends and family, they’re also a great opportunity to give back to your community.

Below are just of the four organizations that are near and dear to our hearts at Hartman Simons; we’ll highlight some others soon. As this holiday season unfolds, we hope you’ll consider contributing a donation or your labor to these organizations – or to any charitable organization that is special to you. Lending a helping hand to those in need is part of what the holidays are all about.

1) Camp Twin Lakes

Camp Twin Lakes is a non-profit that for 20 years has provided recreational, therapeutic and educational programs for children with serious illnesses and other challenges. The organization provides these programs at its state-of-the-art camps in Rutledge, Ga; Winder, Ga.; and other at locations throughout the state.

The organization provides an 80 percent subsidy for children who attend its camps.

Spin for Kids is an annual fall bicycling event that raises money for Camp Twin Lakes. The next Spin for Kids is scheduled for Oct. 19-20, 2013. However, it’s not too early to register, and you can do so by clicking here.

To donate to Camp Twin Lakes, click here.

2) Habitat for Humanity

Based in Americus, Ga., Habitat for Humanity uses volunteers to build affordable homes for low-income households across the globe. Since its founding in 1976, the organization has built more than 500,000 houses across the world and served approximately 2.5 million people.

Click here to donate to Habitat, and click here to learn more about volunteering for the organization.

 

3) Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation raises money to fund the development of drugs to treat the disease and research into a cure.

Click here to make a donation and here to read about the many ways you can volunteer for the foundation.

4) Any Soldier Inc.

The organization’s website enables you to send letters and care packages to U.S. troops deployed around the world. The website provides recommendations on what to send and instructions on where to send your gifts.

Four on Friday: Photos from College Night at Westlake High School

Approximately  30 volunteers - including Rachelle Jones, Deloris Person, Ryan Rivera and Evan Valentine of Hartman Simons - showed up at Westlake High School this past Wednesday evening to help 60 seniors prepare to apply for college.

Volunteers helped the students in a variety of ways, from reviewing essays for grammar and spelling errors to answering general career questions and helping the seniors polish their interviewing skills. A total of 70 applications were completed. Also, eight book scholarships, including one provided by Hartman Simons, were awarded at the conclusion of the evening.

College Night, as the evening was called, was organized by the Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators (AALA), for which Jones serves as the chair of community relations. Grant Rivera, brother of Ryan, is the principal of Westlake.

At Hartman Simons, we are big believers in giving back to the community and getting the chance to help these wonderful seniors was an immensely rewarding experience. Please enjoy the four event photos below:

(Above: Hartman Simons attorney Ryan Rivera helps Westlake High School seniors prepare their college applications.)

(Above: Westlake High School principal Grant Rivera and Rachelle Jones of Hartman Simons conclude College Night by announcing the winners of eight book scholarships.)

(Above: Volunteers helped Westlake seniors in a variety of ways, from polishing application essays to improving their interview skills.)

(Above: overall, approximately 60 Westlake seniors attended College Night.)

America SCORES Atlanta to Host an Evening of “Inspired Art”

Poetry and soccer may seem like an unusual combination, but not for America SCORES Atlanta, a free afterschool program addressing illiteracy and obesity on the southwest side of the city.

Inspired Art, an annual fundraiser for the organization, will be held on Thursday, Nov. 8, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Alston + Bird’s offices at 1180 West Peachtree Street. Twenty-five artists created and donated works of art inspired by poems written by students in the program. Those works of art will be on display and for sale by silent auction during the evening. The event also will include a “paddle raise” to raise additional money for America SCORES Atlanta. Several students from the program will be in attendance to read their poetry.

Last year, Inspired Art raised $12,000 for America SCORES Atlanta. The goal for this year’s event, the second annual, is to surpass that number.

America SCORES Atlanta is an affiliate of the America SCORES national organization. The program, now in its seventh year in Atlanta, operates at Young Middle School and Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy.  This year, the program is serving 125 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. Participants in America SCORES Atlanta attend the program two days a week from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The fundraiser will help the program expand to more schools and students served.

America SCORES Atlanta participants engage in physical activity by playing soccer, and develop reading and writing skills through poetry-writing workshops. The program also offers students a chance to become involved in their communities through service-learning projects.

Georgia currently ranks second in the nation in childhood obesity. America SCORES Atlanta participants exercise three times as much as their peers, and the SCORES soccer program has been shown to decrease obesity among program participants by 11 percent over the course of the school year.

Only 74 percent of Georgia eighth-graders have reading skills at or above a “basic” level, and only 28 percent have reading skills at or above a “proficient” level.  America SCORES Atlanta’s poetry component has been shown to improve students’ reading confidence and writing skills. In addition, America SCORES Atlanta youth have fewer school absences than their peers.

“America SCORES Atlanta provides students with a healthy and educational option for after-school time,” McCrodden said. “And our program is not only fun, but it’s free; we pay for everything from shin guards to buses for field trips to poetry notebooks.”

Summey Orr, Hartman Simons’ managing partner and an America SCORES Atlanta board member, helped organize the fundraiser.

“This event will be an opportunity to show others the impact America SCORES Atlanta is having in some of Atlanta’s economically disadvantaged neighborhoods,” Orr said. “We are looking forward to a great evening of art and community.”

Tickets are $40 each and will be available at the door, from any board member and on the web at http://americascoresatlantaartinspiredevent.eventbrite.com.

About America SCORES

America SCORES inspires urban youth to lead healthy lives, be engaged students, and have the confidence and
character to make a difference in the world.

The program partners with urban schools to provide a high quality, team-based program that integrates soccer, poetry and service-learning. Our innovative approach improves students’ health, academic achievement and
civic engagement.

Four on Friday: College Application Night at Westlake High School

At Hartman Simons, we are big believers in giving back to the community. We are especially excited about an upcoming chance to help the seniors of Westlake High School prepare to go to college.

College Application Night, organized by the Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators (AALA), will take place at the school from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7. The event has a special place in our hearts: Westlake’s principal is Grant Rivera, brother of our attorney Ryan Rivera, and our office administrator Rachelle Jones is the chair of community relations for AALA and was one of the main organizers of the evening.

To inform you about this fantastic evening and encourage your participation, we have posed four questions (and helpfully supplied the answers) below:

• What will volunteers be asked to do? Volunteers will help approximately 75 students complete their college applications. Volunteers are needed to review applications for grammar and spelling errors, answer general career questions from the students and provide help with interviewing skills.

AALA is hoping that a wide variety of professionals volunteer for the evening to provide the seniors with a range of perspectives on careers and advice on how to pursue those careers in college, Jones said.

• If I can’t volunteer that evening, can I still help out? Yes. The evening will feature the awarding of several scholarships – ranging in value from $250 to $1,000 – to help students offset the costs of college books. If you are interested in contributing a scholarship, please do so. This is a great way to help Westlake seniors.

• Whom do contact if I want to volunteer and/or contribute a scholarship? E-mail Rachelle Jones at rachelle.jones@hartmansimons.com or call her at (770) 951-6564.

• How do I get to Westlake? The high school is located at 2400 Union Road SW in west Atlanta. To get there, take I-85 to the Airport/Camp Creek Parkway exit (exit number 72). Go west on Camp Creek until you reach Campbellton Road (Highway 166). Turn left onto Campbellton and continue for one block. Then, turn left onto Union Road. Westlake is two blocks down on the left.

Four on Friday: CREW Atlanta Participates in Women Build Project for Habitat for Humanity

It may have been the weekend, but Hartman Simons partner Lori Kilberg was hard at work last Saturday, Sept. 8. Along with nine of her fellow members of CREW Atlanta, Kilberg spent the day participating in a Habitat for Humanity Women Build project to help construct a home in west Atlanta, near the intersection of Interstates 20 and 285.

The group from CREW Atlanta helped to shingle the roof, insulate the walls and ceiling, place the siding, and caulk the windows. The women participated in the third day of the seven-day construction effort. The house is being built entirely by women.

Participants from CREW included Martha Byrd of SunTrust Bank, Kathryn Van Duyne of Piedmont Law Group, Mary Jim Evans of MJ Evans Associates, Rayan Hart of Republic Commercial Title, Jennifer Jenkins of Jones Lang LaSalle, Kathy Kisla of Ever Clear Enterprises, Paula Linck of Arborguard, Dorian Noble Selleck of Health Care REIT Inc. and Lauren Whitlock of Jones Lang LaSalle.

Below are four photos from CREW Atlanta’s workday. Congratulations to Lori and her fellow CREW members for their efforts. We at Hartman Simons are very proud of them!

Above: CREW Atlanta members at the home-building site.

Above: CREW Atlanta members are hard at work painting the exterior of the Habitat house.

Above: Hartman Simons' Lori Kilberg caulks windows.

Above: CREW Atlanta's efforts moved the Habitat home ever closer to completion.

 

Check Out Our "2012 Crank It Up" Photo Album

We hope you got a chance to attend Tuesday night's "Crank It Up" party at the SweetWater Brewery. The event, which was sponsored by Hartman Simons, raised awareness of Spin for Kids, an October bicycling event that is a major fundraiser for Camp Twin Lakes.

But if you didn't attend (or even if you did), you can get a good feel for the evening by checking out our "2012 Crank It Up Party' photo album.

Below are two sample pics from the gallery:

Below: (from left) Peter Hartman, Renee Cobb, Jeannie Hartman, Summey Orr and Benno Rothschild enjoy the festivities at the 2012 Crank It Up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below: Hartman Simons partners Ken Clayman, left, and Jeremy Cohen were two of the many attorneys from the firm who showed their support of Spin for Kids by attending Crank It Up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to view the entire "2012 Crank It Up Party" photo album.

Hartman Simons' Andy Litvak Discusses Crank It Up and Spin for Kids on "Better Mornings Atlanta"

Our own Andy Litvak appeared this morning on CBS Atlanta's "Better Mornings Atlanta" to discuss next Tuesday's Crank It Up party at the Sweetwater Brewery and this fall's Spin for Kids bicycling event to benefit Camp Twin Lakes. Eric Robbins, executive director of Camp Twin Lakes, appeared with Litvak to discuss the camp.

Crank It Up is designed to raise awareness of and interest in Spin for Kids, particularly among the corporate and commercial real estate sectors. Hartman Simons is a sponsor of Crank It Up, and Litvak is a member of the Spin for Kids Steering Committee.

For full details on the party, read this blog post on Crank It Up. To purchase tickets for the party, visit SpinforKids.org, or call Caitlin Still at (404) 231-9887 or email her at caitlin@camptwinlakes.org.

Here's the clip of Andy's interview:

CBS Atlanta 46

“Crank it Up” Party Ready to Generate Excitement and Support for 2012 Spin for Kids

Beer and bicycles. If that’s a duo that appeals to you, check out Crank It Up, a party on Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the SweetWater Brewery to generate excitement about the seventh annual Spin for Kids bicycling fundraiser for Camp Twin Lakes. Hartman Simons is sponsoring Crank It Up and is spearheading an effort to sign up corporate cycling teams, particularly those from the commercial real estate sector, for Spin for Kids, which will be held the weekend of Oct. 20-21.

For the past 20 years, Camp Twin Lakes, a nonprofit organization, has provided recreational, therapeutic and educational camp programs for children with serious illnesses, disabilities, and other life challenges. The organization provides an 80 percent subsidy for every child who attends its camps and works collaboratively with more than 50 nonprofit organizations to serve campers with a variety of diagnoses. Spin for Kids is an annual two-day event in Georgia that includes both a mountain-bike and a road-bike ride, a day camp for kids and a Family Fun Day celebration.

Crank It Up will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., August 7, at SweetWater Brewery and will feature SweetWater beer, live music from local band Webster and Williamson Brothers’ barbecue. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. Those who purchase $60 VIP tickets also will be treated to a Happy Hour from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. featuring beer, wine and liquor; private brewery tours; and one complimentary registration for Spin for Kids (a $35 value as of Aug. 1).

“’Crank It Up provides an ideal platform to boost awareness and fundraising for Camp Twin Lakes’ October event,” said Andy Litvak, a Hartman Simons partner and Spin for Kids Steering Committee member. “Hartman Simons is excited to sponsor this event and to have its own cycling team in this year’s Spin for Kids. This will be a great opportunity to encourage other companies to do the same. The corporate team program offers a great way to give back to the community, foster health and wellness initiatives at individual companies, and build a sense of camaraderie with colleagues.”

Corporate teams will get their logos on the Spin for Kids website, discounted individual registration fees for teams of 10 or more, and the opportunity to have a customized Spin for Kids t-shirt for their company.

“Spin for Kids provides a fantastic opportunity for riders to make a difference in the lives of thousands of children with serious illnesses, disabilities and other challenges,” said Eric M. Robbins, Executive Director for Camp Twin Lakes. “It is great to see companies and their employees getting involved in community outreach and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.”

To purchase tickets to Crank It Up or register an individual or team for Spin for Kids, visit http://www.spinforkids.org/ or call Caitlin Still at (404) 231-9887.

About Camp Twin Lakes

Camp Twin Lakes is a nonprofit organization that offers year-round recreational, therapeutic, and educational camp programs for children and young adults facing serious illnesses, disabilities, and other life challenges.  With its network of Camp Partners, Camp Twin Lakes provides life-changing experiences at its state-of-the-art, fully accessible camps in Rutledge, Ga., Winder, Ga., Warm Springs, Ga.; children’s hospitals; and other locations throughout the state. Camp Twin Lakes is accredited by the American Camp Association.  For more information, visit www.camptwinlakes.org.

Four on Friday: Andy Litvak on Spin for Kids and Cycling

Summer is here and that means firm partner Andy Litvak is busy training and preparing for Spin for Kids, the annual bicycle ride that serves as a fundraiser for Camp Twin Lakes, a non-profit that runs camps throughout Georgia for children with serious illnesses, disabilities and life challenges.

A longtime cycling enthusiast, Litvak serves on the Spin for Kids Steering Committee. Hartman Simons also is a sponsor of an August party at the Sweetwater Brewery that raises awareness of Spin for Kids.

We recently got a chance to speak with Andy about Spin for Kids, the Crank It Up Party and his overall love of cycling.

HS: The buildup to the October bicycling ride begins in August with the Crank It Up Party at the Sweetwater Brewery. Give us a quick preview of what's in store for party attendees and tell about us the purpose of the party. 

Litvak: The corporate kick-off party concept was created last year, and the purpose is to serve as a get-the-word-out event for Spin for Kids. Now in its seventh year, Spin for Kids exclusively benefits Camp Twin Lakes and is the camp’s largest annual fundraising event. The kick-off event’s focus is aimed at cultivating more involvement and team entries from the Atlanta corporate community – and in large part, from the Atlanta commercial real estate industry. It really stems from a grassroots philosophy and is an effort to build a bigger platform for Spin for Kids through corporate teams.

Sweetwater Brewery, which is already a major contributor to Spin for Kids and Camp Twin Lakes, has graciously agreed to host the event. All of the Sweetwater brews will be flowing, and the evening will include brewery tours, a band, a special VIP component and an overall great atmosphere with like-minded folks who are genuinely interested in sponsoring and/or participating in Spin for Kids. We had about 250 attendees last year and this year’s goal is 420 (a familiar number to many, we know). 

HS: What initially drew you to the Spin for Kids event and how has your participation grown over the years?

Litvak: Kids, cycling and camp: three wonderful things in this world. It’s real simple. After riding in Spin for Kids in 2010 and meeting the core Camp and Spin for Kids committee members and teams, I knew I had to get more involved. It just clicked.

I feel honored to have the opportunity to contribute and rally Hartman Simons behind the event. Camp Twin Lakes is improving the lives of young children who face medical challenges. I would be hard pressed to think of a more noble cause.    

HS: How long have you been an avid cycler and what do you enjoy most about the sport? 

Litvak: I’ve been riding since I could walk. Cycling has it all: the exercise, seeing the world from your bike, and the peace of mind that comes with hitting the road — minus, the road-rage-afflicted Atlanta drivers! 

I tend to ride the back or country roads to try and avoid the cars. The best part of it all is now seeing my kids ride their bikes — and the smiles on their faces as they pedal.   

HS: What are some of your other hobbies?

Litvak: Hanging out with the family and traveling.

Four on Friday: Hartman Simons Lends Helping Hand to Atlanta Humane Society

With the commercial real estate sector showing increased activity, this promises to be a busy spring at Hartman Simons. Nevertheless, we’re still taking some time out of our hectic schedules to help our four-legged friends.

Throughout the month of April, we will be working to raise money and supplies for an organization near and dear to our hearts: the Atlanta Humane Society (AHS). Below are four components of this month-long effort.

• Sponsorship of the Upcoming AHS Pet Parade. Hartman Simons has contributed a $1,000 sponsorship of the parade, which will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, at Atlantic Station.

The route for the parade is just over a mile long and winds through Atlantic Station. Walkers are welcome to bring their dogs, as long as the animals are on a leash and are up to date on their vaccinations.

Events surrounding the parade, which will be held rain or shine, will include an adopt-a-thon and various pet contests.

• Participating in the Parade. Hartman Simons attorneys and staff will be walking in the parade and are encouraging their friends, family and clients to do so as well as a member of the firm’s team. Registration is $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the event.

Each team member will receive an online fundraising page where friends and family members can support their participation by making a donation. The event web site will track how much money Hartman Simons and the other teams raise for AHS. Donations can be made online (which includes a small processing fee) or by check.

For more registration information, visit the parade’s website. To view Hartman Simons’ overall fundraising page and those of its individual team members, click here.

• Donating Supplies. The firm also will be collecting items needed by AHS. Requested supplies include bleach, non-clumping cat litter, dog bowls, laundry detergent, pet shampoo, towels, paper towels, copy paper and housetraining pads. For AHS’ complete wish list, click here.

• Jeans Days. Throughout the month, Hartman Simons attorneys and staff can wear jeans to work on Wednesdays if they bring $5 or a supply on the AHS’ wish list. The money will support the $1,000 sponsorship, with the firm contributing the rest.

Four on Friday: Helping Westlake High School

On Monday, attorneys from Hartman Simons joined other members of Atlanta’s legal community to help juniors and seniors at Westlake High School prepare college and scholarship applications. The event was organized by the Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators (AALA) and gave volunteers a chance to work one-on-one with the students. The evening also included an informational session for parents on the transition from high school to college.

At Hartman Simons, we always find it rewarding to give back to our community, but this event has a special place in our hearts, as Westlake’s principal is Grant Rivera, brother of our attorney Ryan Rivera. Furthermore, Rachelle Jones, our office administrator, is the chair of community relations for AALA and was one of the main organizers of the evening.

To document this special evening, we present four numbers related to the event.

53 – The total number of volunteers who participated in the evening. The volunteers came from 17 law firms as well as business partners of AALA.

15 – The number of volunteers from Hartman Simons, including family members of employees, who were present. Attendees from the firm included Mark Florak, Diane Haeger, Jones, Will Lovell, Eitan Ovadia, DeLoris Person, Sharon Poland, Rivera and Benno Rothschild.

The firm and Subway donated food for the event.

75 – The number of Westlake students who received valuable help with their applications.

250 – The dollar amount of several scholarships awarded during the evening. Hartman Simons awarded a $250 scholarship to offset the cost of books, and Westlake gave away a couple of $250 scholarships for the same purpose, as well as six ACT and SAT preparation books. Also, Syracuse University pledged to provide two $250 scholarships to the first two Westlake seniors that are accepted to the school.

All in all, it was a very special evening. “I’m not sure who was more excited about this event – the students, the parents or the volunteers!” Jones said.

A Conversation with Solange Warner of the World Chamber of Commerce

Just more than four years ago, the Dunwoody, Ga.-based World Chamber of Commerce (WCC) didn’t exist. Tonight, it’s hosting an impressive and sold-out “International Hero Awards and Networking Event” at the Woodruff Arts Center, with Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young slated to appear. Hartman Simons partner Andy Litvak will be among the attendees.

We chatted with Solange Warner, founder of WCC, about the growing organization’s mission and tonight’s event. Here are a few highlights from that conversation:

HS: Tell us a little bit about the history of the World Chamber of Commerce (WCC). When did you found it, and for what purposes did you create it?

Warner: I founded the organization in 2008 to promote international trade in general as well as Atlanta’s and Georgia’s presence in international business. The organization also seeks to promote cultural and humanitarian issues on a global scale. For instance, in addition to helping members reach out to lucrative global business markets, we have promoted awareness of the human trafficking problem and undertaken efforts to provide assistance and relief to victims of the massive earthquakes that struck Haiti and Chile a couple of years ago.

WCC seeks to unify countries through common financial, cultural and humanitarian goals.

HS: What are the benefits of membership in WCC?

Warner: First of all, we help members establish new connections in international business. Members have many opportunities to meet with visiting dignitaries, members of the Consular Corps and international trade commissioners.

Our members also have access to mentor programs, networking and educational seminars. Over the years, our members have had opportunities to learn about topics ranging from what to expect from Georgia’s ports in the coming years to finding international opportunities in a tight economy to the problem of human trafficking. 

HS: Tonight, you are holding your annual membership meeting and awards event at the Woodruff Arts Center. What’s on tonight’s schedule?

We will hold elections for our new board of directors, its chairman and the new WCC president. Our candidates include three state senators, the mayor of Auburn, Ga., the consul general of the United Kingdom, the consul of Lithuania, and Charles Shapiro, a former U.S. ambassador to Venezuela. It’s an impressive group.

We will also be honoring various dignitaries for their efforts in international trade and relations, including Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, whom we will be presenting with the Special International Hero Award. Civil rights icon and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, who also served as an ambassador to the United Nations and is currently the honorary chairman of WCC’s Board of Directors, will present Reed with his award, and he will also present awards to Alvaro Uribe, former President of Colombia, and others.

The evening also will include silent auctions for first-class Delta tickets for international travel, as well as Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chastain Park Amphitheater tickets. The festivities will conclude with a concert by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall.

HS: You obviously devote a good portion of your time to WCC matters. Tell us about the other facets of your career.

Warner: I’m the CEO, president and founder of Ashton International, which provides in-depth international trade consulting services. The U.S. Department of Commerce recently recognized Ashton for its work in exports.

I have more than 20 years of experience in international markets and previously worked as a senior manager of multinational accounts for American Express for seven years. I have managed Fortune 500 multinational corporations.

I also host and produce the “Global Matters” television show on Comcast Channel 25. The show promotes WCC initiatives.

I was born in Chile and have traveled extensively in more than 50 countries, so I truly am passionate about international issues.

Four on Friday: Karen Davis

‘Tis the season for giving! During the month of November, Hartman Simons sponsored a 10-man combat army unit for the holidays.  According to Karen Davis, a legal administrative assistant who helped organize the effort, the 400 pounds of goods she packaged over the past few days are a testament to the generosity and outpouring of support from the Hartman Simons team. Everyone is just hoping the soldiers send a picture of themselves unwrapping the gifts.  Davis agreed to answer FOUR questions about the effort for this week’s Four on Friday!

HS: How did the firm get involved?

KD: The Bert Show on Atlanta’s Q100 recently had a letter writing campaign to the troops called “Bert’s Big Thank You,” so every soldier stationed or deployed outside the United States could receive a letter on Thanksgiving Day.  Participating in that letter-writing campaign was inspirational and gave me the idea to check with our management team to see if Hartman Simons could get involved by sponsoring a troop for the holidays. The rest is history and through http://www.anysoldier.com, we were able to find a troop that needed our help.

HS: What type of materials did you collect?

KD: In addition to many donated items the employees themselves purchased using the soldiers’ “Wish List” as a guide, an estimated $1,000 in cash donations was collected from employees and the firm itself, with which we were able to purchase and send LED cap lights (flashlights that clip to helmets), weapon cleaning kits, fleece blankets, ankle socks, energy drinks, playing cards and magazines, to name a few.

HS: Any stories from the campaign that stand out?

KD: The troop made a special request for Guppie Multi-Tools. Each tool can function as a utility knife, screwdriver, pliers and much more. Unfortunately, they are quite pricey, but Hartman Simons managing partner Summey Orr believed it was a must have for the troops. He purchased a Guppie for all 10 soldiers. He really is my hero.

HS: Most creative gift sent?

KD: Christine Davy, our managing partner’s legal administrative assistant, had the fabulous ideas of sending pillows to the troops.  She sewed and I helped fill a desert camouflage pillow for every soldier.  It was a fun and thoughtful idea. 

 

Four on Friday: Join Hartman Simons and Support America SCORES Atlanta

Poetry and soccer may seem like an unusual combination, but not for America SCORES Atlanta, an afterschool program addressing illiteracy and obesity. Hartman Simons managing partner and America SCORES Atlanta board member Summey Orr is one of several board members who helped organized a fundraiser for the organization themed “Inspired Art.”

The event will be held Nov. 17 at Alston + Bird’s offices at 1180 West Peachtree from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Twenty-two local artists created and donated pieces of art inspired by poems written by students in the program.  Those pieces of art will be on display and for sale by silent auction during the evening. Several students from the program will be in attendance to read their poetry.  There also will be a live auction for a lunch with Congressman John Lewis as part of the fundraiser.

For this week’s Four on Friday we are showcasing four paintings that will be auctioned off next Thursday. Tickets are $35 each and will be available at the door or from any board member. Don’t miss out on this great event!

 

 

“What I am” by Becky Fried

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Summertime” by Jennifer Josephs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Seeing Red” by Cat Tesla

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Tornado” by Ann Rhodes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to Program Director Laura McCrodden, America SCORES Atlanta is important for students’ heath and grades.

“America SCORES Atlanta shows students someone outside their family cares,” said McCrodden. "Our programming provides students with faith, fun and education. We want to expose students to things they have never seen before.”

America SCORES Atlanta is an affiliate of the national organization, America SCORES. The program, now in its sixth year, is based at Woodson Elementary in west Atlanta and currently serves 75 third, fourth and fifth-graders. Participants in America SCORES Atlanta attend the after-school program five days a week from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  To learn more about America SCORES Atlanta visit http://www.americascores.org/affiliates/atlanta

 

Four on Friday: Spin for Kids!

With Oct. 23 just around the corner, Hartman Simons is getting pumped for Spin for Kids. Now in its sixth year, Spin for Kids is Camp Twin Lakes’ annual bike ride fundraiser that helps send children with serious illnesses, disabilities and life challenges to camp. This year Hartman Simons is sponsoring our own corporate cycling team and we look forward to pedaling toward a good cause.

Four things you need to know about this year’s event:

1. It’s not too late to get involved! We are working to sign up as many commercial real estate and corporate teams as possible. Join teams like Halperns’, NAI Brannen Goddard and Sweetwater Brewery. Click here to sign up as an individual or as a team!

2. Hartman Simons has 13 riders on our corporate team including attorneys Andy Litvak and Benno Rothschild. Our team also includes Blake Snyder, senior vice president at State Bank & Trust and valued Hartman Simons client. A special thanks to the following sponsors that made this year’s team possible: North American Properties, Atlantic Town Center, State Bank & Trust and Trilogy Group. To see the complete team roster or donate to the Hartman Simons team click here! Help us reach our fundraising goal of $7,500.

3. To date, 700 riders have registered and over $111,000 has been raised for Camp Twin Lakes.  

4.  Whether you are a recreational cyclist or planning to ride in this year’s Tour de France, the weekend offers something for you. On Saturday, Oct. 22, Spin for Kids hosts the Mountain Bike Ride. Participants can choose from 8-, 12- or 20-mile rides through Fort Yargo State Park. The road ride, held the following day, features 5-, 27-, 47-, 62- and 100-mile options. Following the Sunday ride, all Spin for Kids riders, along with their friends and family, are invited to a post-ride celebration featuring food, music, and fun camp activities at the beautiful facilities at Camp Twin Lakes-Rutledge.

 

Beer + Bicycles + Good Cause = Crank it Up!

Members of Atlanta’s commercial real estate community packed into Sweetwater Brewery on Tuesday night for a happy hour to generate excitement about the sixth annual Spin For Kids bicycling fundraiser for Camp Twin Lakes. Camp Twin Lakes is a non-profit dedicated to providing children with serious illnesses and other challenges with recreational, therapeutic and educational programs.

Hartman Simons sponsored the “Crank it Up” happy hour and our attorneys are excited to have a corporate cycling team for this year's Spin for Kids. Spin for Kids is an annual two-day event Oct. 22-23 that includes both a mountain bike and road bike ride, day camp for kids and a Family Fun Day celebration on Sunday.

Participants enjoyed a brewery tour, commemorative glass and a beer tasting. Guests were also the first to sample this year’s Crank Tank Ry’d Ale, Sweetwater’s special brew created in honor of Camp Twin Lakes’ Spin for Kids.

Check out the video below to hear from some of the attendees about their passion for beer, bicycles and Spin for Kids!

 

Harman Simons and Bank of North Georgia partner together to “Spread the Love”

By Sharon Poland, director of business development at Hartman Simons

Bank of North Georgia collected enough peanut butter and jelly to make 63,978 sandwiches for children living in metro Atlanta — and built plenty of goodwill along the way. In this unique annual food drive, affectionately called “Spread the Love”, the bank coordinates with its 41 branches in 16 metro Atlanta counties, as well as local schools. This year, the bank was able to give four tons of peanut butter and jelly to 31 local food pantries.

Earlier this year I read about the bank’s annual food drive, and since Bank of North Georgia is a Hartman Simons partner (the bank is a client of Hartman Simons, and Hartman Simons is also a client of the bank), I called communications manager Lauren Muzzy to see how we could get involved. We ultimately held a Jeans Day, raising $295, which the bank used to buy a grocery cart full of peanut butter and jelly.

We are just one piece in a complex PB&J endeavor that includes the bank’s branches, school partners, the media, food pantries and many generous people. I recently sat down with Lauren to ask for best practices. Hopefully, if your company is considering launching or expanding a program to help the community, her tips will be useful:

• Make it meaningful. Do your homework first to identify a community need that can be addressed successfully while enhancing your image as a community-focused company. “The challenging economy over the past few years has caused more and more families to reach out to local food pantries for assistance and we felt compelled to take action. Our team has a genuine soft-spot for kids and we want to be sure they have the nutritious food they need to get through the day energized and excited to learn. As a result, we chose to focus our efforts on a staple lunchtime classic – peanut butter and jelly.”

• Make it memorable and fun. To make the theme stick (pun intended), the bank’s team created fun metrics, such as the sandwich count, and launched the food drive on National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day (April 2). Internally, they held a contest in which employees could guess the number of jars that would eventually be collected and the total weight in pounds. “Everyone loves PB&J,” Lauren said. “This is a simple, fun concept that also helps tens of thousands of children get the nutrition they need.”

• Keep it local, which helps generate media attention. It would have been easier to donate everything to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, but it was more meaningful to engage with food pantries in every community where Bank of North Georgia operates. “This local approach also helps us generate media attention, as all the community newspapers want to keep their news as local as possible, ” Lauren said.

• Get buy-in from the top down. If the bank’s leaders did not believe in the value, it would not work. “It’s critical to have everyone in the organization engaged and committed to seeing us succeed with this community relations initiative,” she said.

• Add new elements each year to keep it fresh and keep it growing. Bank of North Georgia started the drive four years ago. In 2010, the first school participated and in 2011, a total of 17 schools joined in. “With the assistance of the schools and our business partner Hartman Simons, we were able to collect 42 percent more peanut butter and jelly this year and we have also brought fresh energy to the drive,” said Lauren.

Bank of North Georgia has received a great deal of positive attention for the drive, which is good for the bank’s image as the bank currently serves as one of the five top banking institutions in metro Atlanta.  “We love all of the press we receive, but our ultimate goal is to inspire other companies to follow suit and coordinate their own food drives. It takes the work of many to feed those most in need in our local communities. If every company would step up to host a drive for one or two weeks each year, the food pantries would be better equipped to meet the growing need for food in our area,” Lauren explained. 

Left: The students at Mt. Bethel Elementary School in Marietta collected the second highest number of PB&J jars at 550. 

 

 

 

 

 

Left: The students at East Coweta High School (Followers of Christ Club) contributed 161 of the 1,010 jars contributed to the Coweta Community Food Pantry in Newnan, Georgia. This food pantry received the second largest number of jars during our campaign.