Good news

Henry Slack speaks to students in the FasTrack New Venture program, which recently trained 20 local new business owners the finer points in owning and managing a business. Offered through the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center, the program is for businesses either about to start or less than 18 months old and covers the finer points of a business plan and building a business strategy. Other programs offered through the SBDC include instruction on planning and financing a business and QuickBooks. The Gainesville office is also planning a Women in Business Expo on May 6 focusing on communication. - photo by For The Times

Rob Fowler of Turner, Wood & Smith Insurance in Gainesville was recently honored by North Georgia College & State University with the 2010 Young Alumnus Award.

The award was given at the alumni association’s awards banquet. Fowler, who graduated from NGCSU in 1981 as a distinguished military student, served as president of the student government association and as commander of second battalion.

Following his graduation he was commissioned into the U.S. Army and served 10 years in the United States Army/Army Reserves in military intelligence.

His last military assignment was commander of the 212th Reserve transportation company in November 1990 in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. In addition to various professional designations in the insurance industry, Fowler holds a Masters in Management degree from Webster University.

He joined Turner Wood & Smith in 1996 and is now an owner and serves as executive vice president and chief operations officer.

Fowler and his wife Leslie have two sons and are active in the First United Methodist Church in Gainesville.