McGarity’s Business Products announces merger with Wehunt Upholstery

Scott McGarity, of McGarity’s Business Products in Gainesville, has announced the company’s merger with Wehunt Upholstery.

McGarity’s is an office furniture and office supply dealer that has worked on a contract basis with Wehunt for more than 30 years.

“My father, John McGarity, met Ronnie when he first opened McGarity’s in 1979 and we’ve always had a great relationship with him,” McGarity said. “Our merger is a perfect fit, as we are both in the furniture business. Office refurbishment is but one of our services, and Ronnie will help round this out with his skill and excellent reputation. We are excited to add residential furniture upholstery to our resume as well.”

“As independent businessmen, we have always shared the same philosophy of providing a quality product and excellent customer service so we both feel really good about the matchup,” Wehunt said.

Colby Merchant, a 2010 The University of Georgia graduate, has joined McGarity’s team and will be working in the upholstery division.

Wehunt Upholstery was founded in 1947 by Ronnie Wehunt’s father, Howard J. Wehunt, a World War II veteran who participated in the D-Day invasion at Normandy. After the war and upon his return to Gainesville, he attended trade school on the GI Bill and took classes in auto body repair and upholstery. He became the instructor at the school and later founded his own upholstery business.

Son Ronnie learned the trade from his father but had different plans for a career. He attended the University of Georgia, graduating in 1969 with a degree in journalism. In 1973, he decided he did want to join the family business and has been providing commercial and residential upholstery services in North Georgia since then.

McGarity’s is located at 870 Grove St., Gainesville; phone, 770-536-9852; website, camimcgarity@mcgaritys.com.

Chip Frierson and Julie Nicholson join National Bank of Georgia in Gainesville

The National Bank of Georgia has added Hall County natives Chip Frierson and Julie Nicholson to its Gainesville staff.

They bring nearly four decades of combined experience in the Hall County market serving in leadership positions within the financial sector and with community organizations.

Frierson, a graduate of North Georgia College, has been named city executive of private and personal lines of business. He will primarily head NBG’s consumer banking initiative, but also expand NBG’s market share in commercial and business banking. He has nearly 30 years of banking expertise.

Nicholson, a graduate of the University of West Georgia, has been named vice president of private banking. Her primary responsibilities will be direct commercial and business relationship banking including professional groups and high net-worth individuals. She will also take responsibility for treasury management services and Internet product delivery systems.

She has more than a decade of experience in commercial lending, credit underwriting and customer service management.

“Chip and Julie add significant, complimentary strength to the successful team already in place here and are tremendous hires for us,” NBG Regional President Billy Glosson said. “The employment of these two highly regarded professionals makes a clear statement about NBG’s commitment to the local market. Their deep local community ties along with proven knowledge and skill as bankers will allow NBG to provide an even higher level of service to our customers for many years to come.”

NBG operates offices in Athens and Gainesville with assets of approximately $315 million. For more, visit www.tnbg.net.

Leadership Georgia tabs three from Hall

Three business professionals from Hall County have been named to top positions with Leadership Georgia, a training program for young business, civic and community leaders.

Alex Wayne, a partner at Wayne Trading Co. and Radial Property Group of Flowery Branch, has been chosen president of the group’s 2013 board of trustees.

Carroll Brian Daniel, president of Carrol Daniel Construction Co. in Gainesville, and Kristen McKeen Daniel have been named as program chairs for 2013 by Leadership Georgia.

For more, visit www.leadershipgeorgia.com.