Wilheit honored as top volunteer by Georgia developers association

Gainesville businessman Philip Wilheit has been named Volunteer of the Year by the Georgia Economic Developers Association.

Wilheit, owner of Wilheit Packaging in Gainesville, is chairman of the Gainesville and Hall County Development Authority. He was honored for his efforts over the past 30 years to bring new development to Hall County.

Among his efforts are recruitment of Kubota, the Atlanta Falcons, ZF Industries and Wind Power, American Yazaki Corp. and King’s Hawaiian Bakery; development of Centennial Industrial Park, Gainesville Industrial Park South and Gainesville Business Park; and his service on numerous state boards, including the GEDA, Department of Education, Board of Regents, and the Greater Hall and Georgia chambers of commerce.

Wilheit also is part chairman of the Hall County United Way , Gainesville Rotary and Gainesville Jaycees.

He earned his award at the recent GEDA conference in Savannah.

Medical Center, doctor earn honors from U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report has recognized Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville as one of the nation’s best hospitals for 2011-12.

The magazine also recognized J. Jeffrey Marshall as one of the nation’s top doctors. Marshall is an interventional cardiologist with Northeast Georgia Heart Center and medical director of the cardiac cath labs at the Medical Center.

“The recognition from U.S. News & World Report is evidence of the commitment Northeast Georgia Health System has made to bring high quality specialist to the region,” said health system CEO Carol Burrell. “Dr. Marshall is certainly helping to lead the way for us. The people of Northeast Georgia can trust that they do not need to drive to Atlanta to receive exceptional health care.”

The recognition was the latest for the medical center, which was chosen Georgia’s No. 1 heart hospital by HealthGrades, one of only five in the nation to rank No. 1 in all four categories rated.

Gainesville Belk’s Davis among six earning Award of Excellence honors

Elizabeth Davis, men’s department sales associate for Belk at Lakeshore Mall in Gainesville, was one of six named winners of the 2011 Belk Award of Excellence.

Each received a $500 cash prize and the Award of Excellence trophy at a luncheon Sept. 13 in Charlotte. In addition, each winner received an additional $500 to present to the charity of his or her choice.

“We salute these winners for their outstanding community achievements and spirit of giving,” said Tim Belk, chairman and CEO of Belk Inc.

The annual award is the highest honor given to Belk associates for outstanding community service and job performance. It is designed to acknowledge and promote the spirit of service that is a hallmark of Belk stores. 

The winners were selected by a panel of fellow associates from among 151 nominees.

Davis was honored for her community work. She works with her church and local law enforcement to provide a jail ministry to help recently released inmates.

Last year, she traveled to an orphanage in Haiti where she helped provide food, clothing, and medical supplies for some of the poorest and most desperate people in the world.

Gainesville small business center director Simmons chosen State Star

Ron Simmons, area director of the Gainesville office of the Georgia Small Business Development Center, has been selected as the 2011 State Star of the Georgia SBDC Network.

“I am delighted ... to recognize Ron Simmons for extraordinary contributions to the work of the Georgia SBDC Network and small business in Georgia,” said Allan Adams, state director.

“It is an honor to accept this award,” Simmons said, “and to have the opportunity every day to assist so many entrepreneurs achieve the dream of starting and succeeding in their own business.”

An awards reception honoring the State Stars nationwide was held Sept. 6 in San Diego, Calif. in conjunction with American Small Business Development Center’s 31st annual conference.