Page 36 - Laker Connection Fall 2016

The Honorable Ronnie Chance:
Ronnie Chance has been a leader in the boardroom and at the Georgia sta- tehouse for more than 25 years. Chance is a senior advisor and consultant at The Hudson Group, LLC, a government rela- tions consulting form with clients ranging from The Home Depot to Zoo Atlanta.
The Atlanta native founded his own public relations firm two decades ago, Chance Public Relations, offering servi- ces to Fortune 100 companies as well as elected officials including Georgia U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole.
Chance entered into politics in 2004, when he was elected to the Georgia State Senate to represent four counties in the South Atlanta area. He served as the Chairman of the Senate economic development and finance committees while in office. He was selected to assu- me one of the most important positions in the General Assembly, Senate Majori- ty Leader, which he held from 2012 until he retired from the Senate in 2014.
Chance has been acknowledged for his leadership by being named Legislator of the Year by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the 2009 “Champion of Economic Development” by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
“Leadership is helping others realize and accomplish their goals. It is about provi- ding guidance and support during adver- sity which allows others to make their own decisions and achieve their own suc- cess,” Chance says. “As Thomas Carlyle stated, ‘No pressure, no diamonds.’”
Lisa Smith:
As the region manager for Georgia Power’s Metro South Region, Lisa J. Smith leads operations and sales to serve more than 250,000 customers on the southern side of Atlanta. Her roots in the energy sector began back in 1993, when she worked for Mississippi Power under Southern Company.
She eventually moved to Georgia Power in 1997 and led regional ope- rations, distribution and sales in the Waynesboro and Newnan communi- ties. Smith last served as an assistant to the senior vice president of the Me- tro Atlanta Region for Georgia Power, handling sales, operations, customer service and external affairs for 1.2 mi- llion customers.
Smith is also a leader in the local com- munity serving as a board member for the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Com- merce and Fayette Education Foun- dation, and as vice president of the boards of both the Central Educational Center and Communities In Schools.
“Clayton State University is a great school for students because of the strong leadership and the progressi- ve approach to learning. Clayton State University does an excellent job of be- ing engaged in the community,” Smi- th says. “The curriculum is relevant to what is needed for developing our wor- kforce today.”
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TrusteeProfiles
Bonnie Wilson:
Atlanta native Bonnie Wilson is the Vice President of Sutherlands Foodservi- ce, Inc. and has been associated with the company since she was 12-years- old. She has served on many different boards dedicated to promoting educa- tion, business and conservation in the Atlanta community.
Wilson has been a member of the Fo- rest Park Business Coalition, Henry County Cattlemen’s Association and Board of Directors for Christian City, Inc., in addition to being a mentor for Clayton County Public Schools.
Wilson also served as board chairman of the Clayton County Chamber of Com- merce, where she served on the Women in Business Council and helped with the creation of the mentoring program.
Wilson and many of her close relatives are alumni of the former Clayton Junior College. She graduated decades ago and continues to support Clayton State University today.
“Clayton State offers so many oppor- tunities for people to broaden their vi- sion and realize their potential,” Wilson says. “The influence it has on our com- munity, and the lives of so many cannot be matched. It’s continued growth and strength are vital to the area and the entire State of Georgia.”