Walker and Dickerson join Whelchel, Dunlap, Jarrard & Walker
Carla Jones Walker and David Hugh Dickerson have joined the Gainesville law firm of Whelchel, Dunlap, Jarrard & Walker.

Walker, a Gainesville native, earned degrees in art history and political science from the University of Georgia in 2005 and her juris doctorate from Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol, R.I. in 2008.

While in law school, Walker served as president of the Student Bar Association, worked as a research assistant and was a member of the moot court board. She concentrates her practice in general business and has recently completed the requirements for mediation certification.

Dickerson, a native of Toccoa, earned his juris doctor degree from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in Macon in 2008. He earned a degree in business management from Clemson University in 2004, graduating cum laude. While at Clemson, David served as president of the Student Senate and was inducted into the Blue Key National Honor Society. His practice will focus on litigation.

The Fockele Garden Co. names St. John as account manager
The Fockele Garden Co. has named Wick St. John as an account manager.
St. John manages the nursery, purchases plants for the installation projects and is a residential maintenance account manager.

He has an extensive background in landscaping and in managing a greenhouse. He operated his own landscaping business in Atlanta for 17 years and owned a greenhouse in Gillsville for five years.

A graduate of the University of Georgia with a forest resources degree, St. John and his wife, Angela, have two children, Sarah, 10, and Ben, 8.

Based in Gainesville, The Fockele Garden Co. primarily serves clients in the North Georgia and metro Atlanta area.

Looper named as tax associate at Rushton & Co. accounting firm
Deena Looper has joined the staff of Rushton & Co., a Gainesville accounting firm. Her responsibilities include monthly write-ups and tax preparation for clients.

The Cleveland, Ohio, native holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Indiana Wesleyan University. She has 10 years experience in individual income tax preparation and most recently served as a tax planning specialist.

She and her husband, Michael, have four children.

Rushton & Co. provides accounting services including auditing, tax planning and return preparation, management consulting, payroll services and business valuation.

Lewis elected as vice president by regional development association
The executive director of the Georgia Mountains Regional Development Center, Danny Lewis, has been elected to a two-year term as vice president of the Georgia Association of Regional Development Centers.

Lewis, who was named to his position in 2005, has served as secretary of the association.

"It is my pleasure to continue serving our state board in this capacity," Lewis said.

Alan Mazza, executive director of the Heart of Georgia/Altamaha Regional Development Center in Eastman was elected president of the association.