The Cobb Chamber’s Area Councils and the local business associations have selected their 2024 Citizens of the Year and Businesses/Members of the Year to honor those who have made our community a better place in which to live and work. Additional honors were bestowed upon locals for charity work and meritorious acts for the community. The awards were announced recently for the following communities:
Outstanding Citizens
Acworth Citizen of the Year: Corporal Tamara Severtson, Acworth Police Department. Throughout her years of service, Corporal Severtson has been responsible for numerous lifesaving actions, a testament to her quick thinking and dedication to public safety. She has earned the Acworth Police Department Officer of the Year award twice, and in 2018 was recognized with the Award of Merit by the Cobb Chamber. This year, Severtson received the Lifesaving Award after two incidents, one involving the successful administration of CPR and another in which she saved a choking victim using a rescue device that she had personally purchased. Her initiative led to the department purchasing these devices for all officers.
Austell Citizen of the Year: Quintasha Swanson. Swanson is the Founder and Executive Director of The Haven of Help, a non-profit with the mission to provide services and resources to assist individuals and families to become self-sufficient. Swanson is known as a pillar of the Austell community, serving as the Executive Assistant to the city’s Chief of Police and volunteering for several organizations. She has represented the city for Keep Cobb Beautiful for three years. For the past two years, she has been President of the South Cobb High School’s Parent Teacher Student Association. Swanson also is an active member of the Beacon of Light Christian Church in Austell.
The Haven of Help provides employment services, food, housing, utility, rent assistance, and agency referrals. Swanson has developed and implemented several initiatives to empower and encourage people in her community, including the annual Back-2-School Bash, Single Mother’s Luncheon, Father’s Day Cook-out, Black History Month Spelling Bees, and Project Warm Blanket. Swanson is a devoted mother of three children and has served as a spokesperson for United Way & Families First.
East Cobb Citizen of the Year: Butch Carter, owner of Honest-1 Auto Care, is the 2024 East Cobb Citizen of the Year. The Citizen of the Year Awards are given to honor an individual whose impact through the years will be recognized and regarded with pride throughout the area as a role model. Carter has displayed unwavering dedication to delivering excellent service and building a top-notch work environment for his team. He is the current president of the East Cobb Rotary Club, supervising the distribution of over $100,000 to local charities in the 2023-2024 Rotary year, and $30,000 to Lunches for Learning, a charity that provides food for needy children in Honduras. Carter leads the club’s volunteer efforts with East Cobb Park, road cleanup, clean water projects, and veteran organizations.
His volunteer endeavors include service at MUST Ministries, the McCleskey-East Cobb YMCA, and the East Cobb Business Association (ECBA). Some of his notable achievements with the ECBA has been supporting the East Cobb Public Safety Celebration and winning the ECBA Business Person of the Year award.
Kennesaw’s Citizens of the Year are Lewis and Andrew Bramlett, Community volunteers. Lewis and Andrew Bramlett are a father/son duo who have dedicated themselves to making a profound impact on Kennesaw by embodying a spirit of service, leadership, and generosity. The two have been pillars of support and volunteerism for Kennesaw for many years. As advocates for preserving local history, they have worked closely with city staff and officials, lending their expertise and insights to help preserve historic sites and local history. Lewis serves on the Kennesaw Cemetery Commission and Andrew serves on the Kennesaw Historic Preservation Commission and the Kennesaw Cemetery Foundation. Both are key forces behind helping to preserve the historic Kennesaw Cemetery by participating in annual maintenance events, cleaning gravestones, and organizing the annual “Life in the Cemetery” tours.
Mableton Citizen of the Year: Carolyn Turner. Turner’s dedication to her community can be seen in nearly every aspect of her life. As the founder of H.O.P.E. Family Resource Center, she embodies the spirit of “Helping Other People Everyday,” directly impacting the lives of hundreds of families through her commitment to service. From organizing school supply drives and community outreach events to supporting small businesses and providing critical resources to those in need, Turner’s contributions have left a lasting mark on Mableton.
In addition to her work with the H.O.P.E Family Resource Center, Turner is the treasurer and longtime board member of the Mableton Improvement Coalition, an appointed member of the Cobb Board of Tax Assessors, and the current chairperson and grant administrator for the FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program. She has played a significant role in many Mableton Improvement Coalition projects, including the Taste of Mableton, the community garden, Farmer’s Market events, and zoning decisions.
Powder Springs Citizen of the Year, Elliott Hennington, is recognized for his long-standing dedication to community service and his impactful leadership across numerous local initiatives. Hennington has been a committed member of the Cobb County Parks and Recreation Board, where he served as chair from 2018 to 2023. Additionally, he serves as Lead Deacon at Destiny World Church in Austell and as Co-Chair of the South Cobb Opportunity Zone, a United Way-funded initiative supporting community growth and development.
Over the years, Hennington’s leadership roles have included Chairperson of the Powder Springs Community Task Force (2015-2024), and board member positions with both the Austell Community Task Force and Circles Cobb. Since 2016, he has also been an active member of the Powder Springs 4P program, contributing to various city improvement projects.
He is well-known for organizing the Annual Back-to-School Bash, an event providing backpacks and school supplies to local students. He also has coordinated the Giving Hope for Holidays event for nearly a decade, delivering toys to children in need. His dedication to education and youth support extends to Tapp Middle School, where he has spent more than a decade tutoring and mentoring students, as well as helping establish a nonprofit youth foundation that offers affordable summer camp options.
Smyrna’s Citizen of the Year, is Rose Diggs, CEO, Down 7 Up 8 Incorporated. Over the past 13 years, Diggs has dedicated herself to children in the foster care system. Through her leadership at Down 7 Up 8 Inc., a non-profit providing a range of programs designed for fostered, adopted, and underprivileged children, she has fostered more than 300 children and provided free virtual tutoring for more than 700 children across Georgia.
In addition, Diggs has provided school supplies and Christmas gifts for hundreds of children, offered training for foster and adoptive parents, and created a legacy of compassion and service. Her advocacy for the rights of foster and adoptive parents through the Adoptive and Foster Parent Association of Georgia has driven meaningful policy changes at both state and national levels.
Town Center Citizen of the Year is Dan Buyers, Partner at McWhirter Realty Partners. For more than 30 years, Buyers has worked throughout Cobb County to ensure that economic development and growth is strategic, thoughtful, and mutually beneficial to investors, individuals, and the county. He is credited for his involvement in the South Barrett Reliever and Skip Spann Connector, projects designed to decrease traffic congestion around Town Center during peak hours. Buyers helped to organize and implement the first ever CID bikeshare program in the state, providing 24/7 rental access to the community. He was also involved in the CID’s Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Study for Town Center to develop strategic direction for the area. Buyers serves on the Boards of the Cobb Chamber, the Council for Quality Growth, the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority, the Town Center Area Community Improvement District, the Atlanta Commercial Board of REALTORS, and the Wellstar Foundation.
West Cobb Citizen of the Year: Justin O’Dell, Partner at O’Dell, O’Neal, Hungerford, & Blanchard. Under O’Dell’s leadership, his law firm has supported multiple schools and charities around the county for more than 22 years. He is actively involved in Kiwanis and has served as president and on a dozen other committees throughout the years, including the Flag Committee — in which he and his children place American Flags around the community for various holidays during the year.
O’Dell and the firm also sponsor a free breakfast every July 4 for the community to come and preview the Marietta July 4th parade. He has raised money and donations for various other groups such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Cobb County Diaper Day, Reconnecting Families, and the Boy Scouts.
The Cobb Chamber’s Marietta Area Council awarded former Marietta Mayor Bill Dunaway with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award honors an individual whose significant contributions over a span of many years will positively impact their community for years to come. Through his involvement in various civic projects and initiatives, Dunaway has been instrumental in fostering positive change and bringing the community closer together. In addition to his public service, Dunaway has a rich history as an entrepreneur and community builder. Through his roles as the proprietor of The 1848 House Restaurant and President of Dunaway Drug Stores, he has demonstrated unwavering commitment to civic engagement and the improvement of the local economy.
The Cobb Chamber’s Cumberland Area Council named John Shern, longtime Chairman of the Board of the Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID), as its 2024 Cumberland Citizen of the Year. The award is given to honor an individual whose impact through the years will be recognized and regarded with pride throughout the area as a role model. These outstanding citizens are chosen for their definable, exceptional deeds, with which he or she has made their community a better place to live.
Shern, a pillar in Cobb County’s development, retired after an unparalleled tenure as the longest-serving board member of a CID in Georgia. Since 1988, the success of Cumberland has inspired the formation of nearly 30 CIDs statewide, significantly shaping Georgia’s landscape with strategic infrastructure and transportation enhancements.
Shern’s service and dedication to the Cumberland CID, leaves a legacy that will positively impact the region for generations. Under his leadership, the Cumberland CID has delivered landmark projects, including the $300-million Cumberland Blvd. Loop Road, which connects the area’s major assets, and the Kennedy Interchange, an $81-million project enhancing mobility to I-75/I-285.
The Cobb Chamber and the Cobb Community Foundation (CCF) also honored Mark and Rhonda Jacobson with CCF’s 2024 James L. Rhoden Jr. Visionary Philanthropist Award, presented by Kim Gresh, CEO & President of S.A. White Oil. Gresh shared these heartfelt words about the Jacobsons:
“Everyone in this room knows them and has been touched by them, be it through their business, their community involvement, or their charitable giving, which comes directly from their hearts. They are two of the most generous people I know, and there is no one more deserving of this award.”
The Jacobson’s unwavering dedication to supporting causes like SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center, Wellstar Foundation, LiveSafe Resources, Shepherd’s Men, and countless others is inspiring. Their leadership, generosity, and passion uplift our community in immeasurable ways.
The Cobb Community Foundation and Cobb Collaborative also honored excellence in human services during their annual awards dinner last December. The CCF presented its Jack Vaughan, Jr. Human Services Award to Cobb Moms Helping Moms volunteer and administrator, Jody Vane with the volunteer award and Tyler Driver, Executive Director at The Extension, with the professional award. This award was established in 1994, honoring the legacy of Jack Vaughan, Jr., a state representative and founding member of Cobb Collaborative dedicated to serving the less fortunate.
Additionally, CCF’s William E. “Bill” Hanson Collaboration Award was presented to Gayle Battersby of McClesky East Cobb YMCA. Introduced in 2008 by the Collaborative, this award honors Bill Hanson’s legacy of fostering collaboration among nonprofit organizations to address community challenges.
Finally, the Howard Koepka Collaborative Spirit Award was presented to Courtney Schreer and Steven Egan of Acts 6 Ministry of Stonebridge Church. Acts 6 helps homeless and low-income individuals obtain essential documents like IDs and birth certificates.
Business Association Awards
Acworth Business Association’s (ABA) 2024 Person of the Year is Lori Tanner of Landmark Legacy Homes. Tanner has served on the ABA board for the past three years and says she is truly blessed by her community having built numerous friendships that she cherishes. Surely, more big things are headed her way.
Acworth Business Association’s Business of the Year is Fairway Insurance with Stuart Sailers. Fairway has been in business in Acworth for 10 years, helping clients will their insurance needs. The company has been named a Bulldog 100 business, meaning it is one of the state’s fastest growing businesses operated by University of Georgia alumni.
Acworth Business Association’s The Legacy Award went to Henry and Claudia Chandler, owners of Henry’s Louisiana Grill. Henry’s is one of Acworth’s most beloved restaurants — and an essential part of the community. The ABA wishes them well as they embark on new adventures during retirement.
Kennesaw Business Association’s (KBA) Business of the Year is 22one Realty Co. Owner- Teena Regan is a life-long resident of Cobb County. She is involved in many community charitable and business organizations including the KBA, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Partners in Education, Special Needs Partners, Homes for Vets, Wounded Warriors, SafePath, and Project Peace for Teens. On top of that, her business reputation is stellar with more awards and honors than she may care to admit. Regan is certainly a local business owner on the rise!
Kennesaw Business Association’s Member of the Year is Stormi Kenney, Owner of Kennesaw Driving School. Kenney’s business has been operating for 30 years in downtown Kennesaw. It provides driver’s training to residents in Cobb, Bartow, Paulding, and Cherokee Counties. Kenney is an active KBA member and provides a vital public safety service with her driving school.
The Marietta Business Association gives out awards for member and business of the year to recognize the contribution and dedication of that member or business to the association. In addition, the MBA honors members with two other annual awards, the President’s Choice Award and the Above and Beyond Award.
The MBA recognized the following members and businesses:
- MBA Business of the Year: Liz by Design Photography (Liz Williams)
- MBA Member of the Year: Marietta Handyman (David Clarke)
- MBA Above & Beyond Award: Logomotion LLC (Patti Willig)
- MBA President’s Choice Award: High Caliber Realty (Brent Rittersdorf) and Biltmore Insurance Services (Michelle Garland).
The West Cobb Business Association’s (WCBA) Member of the Year is Jennifer Carnahan with Aflac, and the WCBA Business of the Year is After Five Floors (Brady Reason). Carnahan is the current WCBA Education Director and has been a benefits counselor for more than 15 years.
