Lula Forest Ranger Anderson earns governor's honors
Philip Anderson, a ranger with the Georgia Forestry Commission's Banks-Hall unit in Lula, received the Governor's Commendation for Excellence in Customer Service in a ceremony held May 28.
The event recognizes state employees who go above and beyond their basic responsibilities to provide extraordinary service to Georgia's citizens. Anderson was cited for his willingness to perform his normal responsibilities as well as a dedication to improving radio communications for the Forestry Commission.
Propes joins Bates, Carter & Co.
Zach Propes has joined the staff of Bates, Carter & Co. as a staff accountant in the commercial audit department.
Propes graduated in May 2009 with a BBA in accounting from North Georgia College & State University. He worked as an intern at BCC during the 2008 tax season. He will pursue a master's in business administration beginning in January. He plans to pursue a CPA certification upon completion of the masters program.
Wells Fargo's Lee certified as financial planner
Kelly Mathis Lee, a financial advisor with the local office of Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC has been certified by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.
To become a certified financial planner, Lee met the experience and ethical requirements of the board, including completing financial planning coursework and passing the CFP Certification Examination. The exam covers financial planning process, risk management, investments, tax planning and management, retirement and employee benefits and estate planning.
The CFP Board currently authorizes more than 58,000 individuals to use these marks in the United States.
Lee, a Gainesville resident, has been with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC since 2004. She and her husband have one child.
Wells Fargo's brokerage businesses have nearly 16,000 full-service financial advisors and 6,000 licensed financial specialists.
Fockele Garden Company's general manager named to GGIA board
The Fockele Garden Company General Manager Todd Brown has been named to the Georgia Green Industry Association Board of Directors.
Brown, who has been with The Fockele Garden Company for four years, serves on the Landscape Division of the board. The GGIA works to promote horticulture in the state of Georgia.
Brown, who has nearly 25 years of experience in the landscaping industry, is a certified landscape professional. The distinction from the Professional Landcare Network has been awarded to fewer than 1 percent of all landscape professionals in the nation.
Brown is a certified arborist from the International Society of Arboriculture, and a certified nurseryman and plant specialist (GGIA).
Brown, who attended Georgia State University, holds a commercial pesticide application license in Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina.
Based in Gainesville, The Fockele Garden Company primarily serves clients in the North Georgia and metro Atlanta area. Contact: 770-532-7117, www.fockelegardencompany.com .
Nix completing internship at Rushton & Co.
Josh Nix of Gainesville is completing a three-month internship program at the Rushton & Company accounting firm.
His internship involves assistance with monthly client write-ups, tax preparation, general data entry and special projects.
A senior at North Georgia College & State University, Nix, 27, is scheduled to graduate in August with a business administration degree in accounting. He previously worked for an area bank for six years.
Nix and his wife, Amanda, live in Gainesville with their 1-year-old son.
Founded in 1981, Rushton & Company, LLC, provides businesses throughout North Georgia with a wide variety of accounting services. Contact: 770-287-7800, www.rushtonandcompany.com.
Mealor to head Gainesville market for Wachovia
J.D. Mealor has been named Gainesville Market President for Wachovia Bank, providing leadership to the business banking teams in the area.
Mealor will lead the teams responsible for managing all business and commercial relationships in the Georgia cities of Dahlonega, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Jefferson and Oakwood.
"J.D.'s experience in community and business banking make him the ideal choice for this role," said Paul Menk, Wachovia's business banking division manager for greater Georgia.
Mealor joined Wachovia as a licensed small business financial specialist in 2004 and has served the Gainesville market as a community banker since 2006. Prior to joining Wachovia, Mealor was a series 7 licensed financial advisor at Merrill Lynch.
Mealor is on the board of directors for Junior Achievement and the Gainesville Care Center and is also a deacon at Blackshear Place Baptist Church. He is also a graduate of Wachovia's Community Bank Leadership Development Program and Leadership Hall County.
A Hall County native, he graduated from Johnson High School. He received his bachelor's degree in mass communications from the University of West Georgia.
Mealor lives in south Hall County with his wife, Amy, and three children.