Hall of Fame

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 (JA) Celebrates the Return of the JA of Greater Augusta Business Hall of Fame Gala 

Augusta, GA - On October 17, 2024, JA of Georgia will honor two distinguished laureates and showcase the impact of Junior Achievement programs on the next generation of entrepreneurs. This year’s gala is presented by Georgia United Credit Union, Georgia’s Own, and Piedmont Augusta. 

The gala will be held at the Augusta Marriot Convention Center, bringing together influential business figures, community leaders, and supporters of Junior Achievement to celebrate the lifetime achievements of Dave Brendza, Division Vice President and General Manager for the ADP offices located in Augusta, GA and Louisville, KY and Stephanie Stuckey, Chair of Stuckey’s. As this year’s Laureates, Brendza and Stuckey will be inducted into the JA of Greater Augusta Business Hall of Fame. 

JA of Georgia's President and CEO, John Hancock, shared, "We are thrilled to recognize the incredible business endeavors of Dave and Stephanie during this year’s eagerly awaited return of the JA of Greater Augusta Business Hall of Fame. I am excited for the years ahead and the exceptional business leaders we will have the privilege to honor." 

Dave Brendza is the Division Vice President and General Manager for ADP's Augusta, GA, and Louisville, KY offices. Since joining in 2014, he has spearheaded initiatives like facility upgrades and wellness activities, significantly growing the Augusta facility and earning it recognition as one of Georgia Trend Magazine's Best Places to Work. In 2020, Dave took on the Louisville office, driving growth and community support, earning a Boom Award for Leadership in the Community. With 40 years at ADP, Dave has held various senior roles and holds a BA in Accounting and Management Information Systems from Robert Morris University.

Stephanie Stuckey serves as the Chair of Stuckey's, a renowned pecan snack and candy company located in Wrens, Georgia. A proud alumna of the University of Georgia, she holds both a BA and JD. Stephanie's diverse career includes roles as a trial lawyer, a state representative, and the Director of Sustainability for the City of Atlanta. She is also the author of “Unstuck: Reviving an American Icon.” In her leisure time, Stephanie loves embarking on road trips to discover quirky attractions like the world's largest ball of twine. 

Along with the induction of Brendza and Stuckey, the gala will recognize Rafy and Hannah Bassali as 2024 Rising Stars. Hannah and Rafy Bassali own The Swank Company, Escape Outdoors, and Posh Tots, operating eight storefronts and three e-commerce sites. Rafy also leads RB Capital Investments and serves on multiple local boards, while Hannah is active on the Salvation Army Advisory Board and the Augusta Training Shop Board. As parents of three, they are committed to supporting their community through various charitable activities. 

The JA of Greater Augusta Business Hall of Fame will feature a cocktail reception, silent auction, seated dinner, and JA program. Proceeds from the event will benefit JA of Georgia and its efforts to empower the next generation to build a better future for themselves and their community.  

To learn more about the event or sponsorship opportunities, or to purchase tickets, visit HERE.

 

About Junior Achievement of Georgia 

Junior Achievement (JA) of Georgia is a business-integrated education partner with expertise in experiential learning that successfully develops key mindsets and skills for students to lead meaningful and successful lives. JA’s high-impact programs drive long-term outcomes in areas of financial literacy, career readiness, and fostering the entrepreneurial spirit, and are they delivered by corporate and community volunteers. JA of Georgia offers multiple programs, with a focus on middle and high school students, including JA BizTown, JA Finance Park, and 3DE by Junior Achievement. JA of Georgia serves more than 110,000 students statewide in an average year. JA of Georgia has offices in Atlanta, Cumming, Dalton, Gainesville, Lawrenceville, and Savannah. For more information, visit georgia.ja.org