Smith named director of Our Neighbor Inc.
Steve Smith has been named executive director of Our Neighbor Inc., a nonprofit organization that assists young adults with physical challenges in experiencing more independence.

Smith, a Georgia native, grew up in the northwest corner of the state near Lookout Mountain. He received an accounting degree from Shorter College in Rome.

Through a charitable organization co-founded by Smith and his wife, Cheryl, they began work in Rome to establish foster homes and the Rome area Youth for Christ ministry.

Smith currently serves on the executive team at The Way Fellowship, a new church being formed in Oakwood.

The Smiths and their two daughters, Meagan and Mackenzie, live in Oakwood.

Holtzclaw certified as Jazzercise instructor
Brittany Holtzclaw has been certified as an instructor and is now teaching at the Jazzercise Fitness Center at 199 John Morrow Parkway. Her certification followed completion of an intense three-day workshop followed by an audition.

Holtzclaw was required to learn approximately 10 Jazzercise routines, pass a written exam on basic anatomy, exercise physiology and nutrition, learn Jazzercise business practices and become certified to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Jazzercise combines exercise with jazz dance-based choreography and popular music. There are 7,200 instructors teaching 32,000 classes weekly in 31 countries.

Robson named to governor's fellowship
Jessica Robson of Gainesville has been named as a fellow for the Governor's Office of Executive Appointments.

Robson is a graduate of the University of Georgia where she earned a degree in speech communication.
"The governor's internship program gives students and graduates the opportunity to serve the public while earning real world experience in a fast-paced state government office environment," Gov. Sonny Perdue said in a statement announcing Robson's appointment.

Her service began Dec. 18 and will continue through June 18.

Fockele Garden earns association honors
The Fockele Garden Co. was recently honored with a Judge's Choice Award at the Metro Atlanta Landscape and Turf Association's annual banquet.

The award was one of seven the company earned from MALTA, an organization for professionals involved in the landscape design, construction and maintenance industry.

Judge's Choice Awards are presented to Grand Award winners that the judges deem have a "wow" factor. The company was recognized for its maintenance work at the Hughs' residence in Gainesville.
The Fockele Garden Company won a Single-Family Grand Award for the Hughs' residence. The company also earned two Distinction Awards for maintenance in the Multi-Family/Commercial Maintenance category for Lanier Village Estates in Gainesville and UHS Pruitt Corporate Office in Norcross.

The Fockele Garden Company earned a Merit Award and two Distinction Awards for installation. It received a Merit Award in the Single-Family Residential category for the Johnston residence in Gainesville.
The company won Distinction Awards in the Multi-Family/Commercial division for Peach State Bank and the American Freedom Garden.