Junior Achievement of Georgia Announces 2024 JA Savannah Business Hall of Fame Laureates

Savannah, GA — Junior Achievement of Georgia is excited to announce the 2024 Laureates for the JA Savannah Business Hall of Fame. This year's distinguished honorees are Jeff Kole and Diana Morrison, two outstanding leaders whose contributions have significantly impacted the Savannah business community.

The JA Savannah Business Hall of Fame, now in its 24th year, honors exceptional business leaders who have demonstrated excellence in their industries and a deep commitment to the community. The event will take place on Friday, November 8, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Savannah. The evening will include a cockail reception, Wall of Whiskey auction, formal induction ceremony of the honorees' lasting impact on Savannah’s economy and future leaders.

WTOC sat with our very own, Craig Tootle, to receive the inside scoop on this exciting announcement and the legacy of our 2024 Laureates. Watch the full story and exclusive interviews HERE.

This annual event supports Junior Achievement of Georgia’s mission to prepare young people for success through financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness programs. Proceeds from the event help ensure that JA can continue to reach students across Georgia with its impactful programs.

We are grateful for the generous support of our Diamond Sponsor, Memorial Health. For more information about the event, sponsorship opportunities, or to learn more about the 2024 Laureates, please visit our website.

Junior Achievement of Georgia to Induct Smith and Tassopoulos

Atlanta, GA – Junior Achievement (JA) of Georgia is proud to announce the 2025 JA Atlanta Business Hall of Fame Laureates, T. Dallas Smith and Tim Tassopoulos. February 22, 2025, marks the 35th annual induction ceremony, during which Smith and Tassopoulos will become the 104th and 105th distinguished individuals to be inducted into this prestigious laureate society. 

JA of Georgia President and CEO, John Hancock, shared, “We are delighted to recognize and induct two extraordinary members of the Atlanta business community.” Hancock continued by stating, “Dallas Smith and Tim Tassopoulos exemplify the best of Atlanta business success and community engagement. The transformative impact on their respective industries has set new standards and inspired countless people. We are honored to celebrate their incredible achievements and contributions.” 

T. Dallas Smith is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of T. Dallas Smith & Company, a leading firm specializing in tenant representation in commercial real estate. With over 40 years of experience, he began his career in 1982 and broke barriers as the first African American broker at Cushman & Wakefield of Georgia. He has led significant projects across the nation, encompassing over eight million square feet of space and five thousand acres of land acquisitions, totaling over $16 billion in aggregate value. Smith is celebrated for his innovative leadership and commitment to diversity, earning numerous accolades such as the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Most Admired CEO and Georgia State University’s Distinguished Alumni Award. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Georgia State University and actively contributes to various boards, including the Georgia Research Alliance and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. 

Tim Tassopoulos began his career at Chick-fil-A in 1977 as a high school student and hourly team member. Over the next several decades, he held various roles within the company, becoming President and Chief Operating Officer in 2016. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in transitioning Chick-fil-A from a mall-only concept to free-standing locations, contributing to its growth into the third-largest restaurant chain in the U.S. by sales and the top chain in customer satisfaction for nine consecutive years. Tim's strategic vision and leadership not only propelled Chick-fil-A to unprecedented heights but also left a lasting legacy of innovation and customer-focused excellence. Tassopoulos retired in December 2023 after 46 years of service. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Oglethorpe University and an MBA from Georgetown University. He is deeply involved in youth and education-focused organizations and serves on several academic and charitable boards, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta and the Tull Charitable Foundation. 

The 35th annual JA Atlanta Business Hall of Fame is presented by Chick-fil-a and Delta Air Lines. The gala will take place on February 22, 2025, at Flourish in Buckhead. In addition to the induction ceremony, the evening will include a silent auction, the JA famous “Wall of Wine,” a cocktail hour, and more. 

For information regarding sponsorship opportunities or ticket sales, please visit our website at georgia.ja.org/atlanta-hall-of-fame. 

Junior Achievement and Staples Launch National Partnership Focused on Work and Career Readiness for America’s Youth

Two-Year Collaboration Will Support Work and Career Readiness Initiatives Across the Country, as well as National Student Events and Programming for Teens Through Young Adults

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Junior Achievement USA (JA) and Staples announced the creation of a new two-year partnership that will deliver work and career readiness learning experiences to JA students ranging from Middle School to Young Adults. This partnership will encompass local program support and volunteer engagement in eight communities served by JA, along with support for two national student events, aligning with Staples' philanthropic and community engagement priorities. The national partnership will also include collaboration on programming and curriculum for teenagers and young adults graduating out of the JA program and preparing to take their first career steps.

At the local level, investments will be made in eight selected local communities where both JA and Staples have a strong presence. This will include the engagement of Staples employees as volunteers and mentors for JA youth in communities Staples serves.

The eight communities are:

· Boston, MA

· Orlando, FL

· Chicago, IL

· Dallas, TX

· Des Moines, IA

· Atlanta, GA

· Philadelphia, PA

· Denver, CO

According to research by the Social Science Research Council, more than 4 million young Americans are “disconnected youth”, those between the ages of 16 and 24 who are not working or in school. One key objective of the JA and Staples national partnership is to help engage teenagers and young adults and help them better understand the connection between what they learn in school and future job and career opportunities.

“Junior Achievement has had a great collaboration with Staples on a community level for many years,” said Tim Greinert, President of Junior Achievement USA. “This national partnership will open the doors of opportunity for so many more teens and young adults due to Staples’ commitment to work and career readiness education. We greatly appreciate their support to inspire and prepare the next generation in the communities both of our organizations serve.”

“As experts in the world of work and as a company of caring people, Staples is proud to continue our legacy of community involvement through our partnership with Junior Achievement USA,” said John Lederer, CEO, Staples, Inc. “JA students have very bright futures ahead as entrepreneurs, leaders and business experts, and we’re pleased to play a role in building the experts of tomorrow.”

About Staples

Staples serves millions of customers, from businesses of all sizes to entrepreneurs, remote workers, parents, teachers, and students. Headquartered near Boston, Massachusetts, Staples operates through eCommerce, direct business-to-business sales, and approximately 1,000 retail stores across the United States. Explore more at a local Staples US Retail Store, online at Staples.com or in the Staples App.