Laureates for 32nd annual JA Atlanta Business Hall of Fame named

Dr. Mark P. Becker and Mr. Ernest Greer will join the prestigious group of individuals previously inducted into the JA Atlanta Business Hall of Fame

ATLANTA– Junior Achievement (JA) of Georgia and Atlanta Business Chronicle are pleased to announce that

Dr. Mark P. Becker, President, Georgia State University, and Mr. Ernest Greer, Co-President, Greenberg Traurig, will be inducted into the JA Atlanta Business Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 15, 2021. They will join the group of 97 influential Atlantans recognized for their significant contributions to Atlanta’s economic and civic vibrancy.

Celebrating its 32nd year, the JA Atlanta Business Hall of Fame, a black-tie gala to benefit JA of Georgia, is held to honor dynamic business and civic leaders who have shaped Atlanta into the robust city it is today.

 Since starting his tenure as Georgia State’s seventh president in January 2009, Dr. Becker has pursued an ambitious vision for the future of the university and has led it into an unparalleled period of growth and advancement. Under his leadership, the graduation rate has increased 22 percentage points and enrollment has grown to more than 50,000, making it the largest university in Georgia and one of the largest in the nation. The university has become widely recognized as the national leader in the introduction of innovative programs and initiatives to foster student success and has experienced tremendous growth in the areas of research, global engagement, athletics and the physical development of its Atlanta campus. Dr. Becker’s academic career in biostatistics and public health has included appointments at multiple universities across the U.S., with his transition into academic leadership beginning in 2001 at the University of Minnesota, and continuing at the University of South Carolina, where he was the provost. He serves on the boards of the American Council on Education, the Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education, Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation, the World Affairs Council of Atlanta, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Research Alliance, and the Atlanta Committee for Progress. He also serves on the executive committees of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Central Atlanta Progress, and the Coalition of Urban-Serving Universities.

 Ernest Greer serves as Co-President of Greenberg Traurig and plays a key role in the strategic direction of the firm and firmwide day-to-day operations. He is dedicated to continuing to shape the firm’s brand as a collaborative law firm providing high-quality legal work and excellent service to clients and the communities Greenberg Traurig serves. Greer uses his global position to reflect the firm’s commitment to dedicating time and talents through active involvement in communities in which they live and work. In doing so, Greer served as the Chairman of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce in 2014, where he was the first lawyer to serve in this capacity in the Chamber’s more than 100-year history. At present, he serves on the boards for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Atlanta History Center, Achieve Atlanta, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the Atlanta Police Foundation, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and Equal Justice Works. Greer also currently serves as the Director of Buckhead Coalition, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Atlanta, and the Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of Guardsman, Inc. Past board memberships include the Center for Civil & Human Rights, 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, and The Carter Center’s Board of Councilors, which he joined at former President Carter’s request.

 The JA Atlanta Business Hall of Fame will feature a cocktail reception, silent auction, seated dinner, and Laureate Induction Ceremony. The 2021 gala will be held at the InterContinental Hotel in Buckhead. 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 click here.

Colonial Group Invests as Lead Sponsor of New JA Discovery Center in Savannah

Colonial Group commits $2 million in funding for the development of the JA Colonial Group Discovery Center of Savannah

Savannah, GA – Junior Achievement of Georgia (JA) is proud to announce a contribution from Colonial Group of $2 million to the capital campaign of the JA Colonial Group Discovery Center of Savannah. As the lead sponsor, their commitment will fund the renovation and launch of the facility on the Armstrong campus.

“We are so thrilled to be receiving this support from our longtime partner Colonial Group,” said Camille Russo, Vice President, Marketing, JA of Georgia. “They have been an integral part of JA’s impact in Savannah for decades, and this facility will enable us to expand our reach into the region and give 150 students per day invaluable experiences for years to come.”  

Colonial Group was involved in bringing JA to Savannah nearly 30 years ago, and they are a huge supporter of financial education. They have been the title sponsor of the annual Savannah Business Hall of Fame since its inception 21 years ago.

“We are thrilled to offer our support and strengthen our partnership with JA. We realize how important it is to instill the values and principles that Junior Achievement offers to the youth of our community, and we are excited to see the impact that the JA Discovery Center will have in furthering that effort,” said Rob Demere, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Colonial Group.

The outfitting of the space has received approval by the University System of Georgia and the Board of Regents. The Colonial Group’s gift catalyzed the capital campaign for the facility, which will total approximately $3.8 million in financial support.

The facility will provide students continued exposure to their future possibilities through two innovative programs:

JA BizTown creates an unmatched experience where 6th grade students can interact within a simulated economy and take on the challenge of fueling a business. Here, students not only discover the intricacies of being a professional and member of the community, but also realize the abundance of opportunities available within their city.

JA Finance Park provides 7th grade students the rare opportunity to experience their personal financial futures first-hand. Guided by an assigned ‘life situation,’ students participate in an immersive simulation that enables them to develop skills to successfully navigate today’s complex economic environment and discover how decisions today can impact tomorrow.

Currently JA Discovery Centers serve more than 88,000 students a year across three locations - the JA Chick-fil-A Foundation Discovery Center in Altanta, the JA Discovery Center at Gwinnett and the Mike and Lynn Cottrell JA Discovery Center at North Georgia in Cumming. The fourth facility, in Dalton, is under construction and will open in 2021, bringing the total impact to more than a third of middle school students in Georgia.

Junior Achievement of Georgia and Invesco Partner to Prepare Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s Economy

ATLANTA, GA - Junior Achievement (JA) and Invesco announced today a partnership to provide a dynamic learning experience designed to enhance students’ financial literacy and build skills for personal and professional success. Invesco has an interactive storefront in JA BizTown, one of two simulations located within the JA Chick-fil-A Foundation Discovery Center in Atlanta.

JA BizTown provides students the opportunity to experience their futures firsthand. Sixth grade students interact within a simulated economy and take on the challenge of fueling a business. The students not only discover the intricacies of being a professional and member of the community, but also the abundance of opportunities available within their city.

The experience begins in the classroom with JA provided curriculum that culminates with a day at JA BizTown. The simulation creates an opportunity where students participate in an interactive economy and take on the role of employee and consumer. During the visit to JA BizTown, students receive job assignments and work in teams at their assigned business. By the end of the simulation each student completes a day’s work, develops a personal budget, and makes purchasing decisions.

“Thanks to partnerships like this one with Invesco, we are able to give students an authentic and relevant experience that leaves a lasting and measurable impact,” said John Hancock, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Georgia. “Together we are shaping the next generation into individuals who are equipped to lead our community and play an integral role in our economy.”

“Invesco is proud to be part of JA BizTown as it provides enormous opportunities and access for students to have real-world learning experiences that are applicable to a number of academic subjects,” said Kellie Schonberg, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility. “We are excited that students will learn about the asset management business and hopefully consider starting their career at Invesco.”

In partnership with the education and business communities, the JA Chick-fil-A Foundation Discovery Center in Atlanta, the JA Discovery Center at Gwinnett, and the Mike and Lynn Cottrell JA Discovery Center at North Georgia in Cumming give one-third of all Georgia middle school students access to the breadth of careers available to them, and the skills needed to be
successful in those careers.