The Times wants to know about new management hires and promotions, major awards and other newsworthy accomplishments involving local businesses. We’ll publish the information each Sunday on the Business page and gainesvilletimes.com. Send information, including photos and contact information, to news@gainesvilletimes.com; please put Newsmakers in the subject line. You also may use regular mail at Newsmakers, The Times, P.O. Box 838, Gainesville, GA 30503.
Turner chosen as new chief operating officer for Peach State Bank
Wayne M. Turner has joined Peach State Bank as chief operating officer.
Turner has 36 years of banking management and marketing experience. The Clermont, Fla., native is a graduate of Florida Southern College and the Graduate School of Business at the University of Wisconsin.
Turner lives in Alpharetta with his wife, Nancy. They have two daughters and four grandchildren.
Peach State is headquartered at 325 Washington St. in Gainesville, www.peachstatebank.com.
Hoffman earns top honor from Prudential Georgia
Brent Hoffman of the Gainesville office of Prudential Georgia Realty was cited as the No. 1 commercial real estate agent in the company for 2010.
Hoffman's production in commercial real estate property sales and leasing garnered him the top spot in production.
Prudential Georgia has 23 offices throughout the Atlanta and North Georgia area with more than 1,200 real estate professionals serving all areas between Peachtree City in South Atlanta to Demorest in North Georgia.
"Brent has won this award numerous times and it is great to see him excel in a difficult market. Brent's customer service attitude and negotiation skills are the keys to his success," according to Dan Forsman President of Prudential Georgia Realty.
Hoffman has been in the area for more than 21 years.
Longstreet's King rejoins Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition Fund board
Jullie G. King, director of human resources and community development at The Longstreet Clinic, has been re-elected to a two-year term on the board of directors for the Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition Fund.
As a member of the board, King will be involved in activities dedicated to furthering the mission to eradicate breast cancer, including the Georgia Legislative Breakfast & Lobby Day, National Breast Cancer Coalition Conference & Lobby Day and Pink Ribbons Luncheon.
King is a graduate of Brenau University in Gainesville and the College of William and Mary. She has more than 20 years of experience in human resources and marketing.
Green Industry cites Skaggs with award as top communicator
Billy Skaggs, former Hall County Extension Agent, recently was recognized as the Communicator of the Year by the Georgia Green Industry Association.
The award honors an individual who best served the horticulture industry in Georgia through the media.
Skaggs served as the County Extension Coordinator and Agriculture Agent with UGA Cooperative Extension in Hall County from 2002 to 2010. He previously served as County Extension Agent in Fulton and Haralson Counties.
Prior to coming to Extension, Skaggs worked in the wholesale and retail nursery industry.
Skaggs earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy and a masters degree in agricultural leadership from the University of Georgia.
He currently serves as chief operating officer of the state Department of Agriculture.
Skaggs lives in Gainesville with his wife, Betsy, and their two children.