JA NORTHeasT GEORGIA
BUSINESS HALL OF FAME
This annual event in Gainesville highlights the careers and public service of some of the area’s most outstanding citizens. The honorees are selected based on their outstanding business accomplishments as well as their extensive support of our community.
At the 15th annual event we will celebrate the induction of Mark Sosebee, Darrell Rochester, and Brian Rochester, as they join the prestigious list of laureates who have enriched the Northeast Georgia community through their business leadership and exemplary civic and professional achievements.
Join us Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Wilbur and Dixie Ramsey Conference Center at Lanier Technical College for this time-honored event that includes a cocktail reception, live auction, and seated dinner, as well as a laureate dedication and induction ceremony.
Honorees
2025 Laureates
Brian Rochester
President
Rochester | DCCM
Darrell Rochester
Regional Executive - Southeast
Rochester | DCCM
Mark Sosebee
CEO
Gold Creek Foods
2025 Rising Star
Christina Jones
Partner & Wealth Manager
Windsor Wealth Planners
& Strategists
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Addison Leadership Group
Eskimo Cold Storage
Grogan Waste Services
The Norton Agency
Peach State Truck Brokers, Inc.
Shoreline Transfer Express, LLC
Wilheit Packaging
Bronze
Cindy & Gust Askounis
Brenau University
Caldwell Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Cook Law Group LLC
Georgia Power
Hulsey, Oliver & Mahar, LLP
Jackson EMC
King's Hawaiian
Newly Weds Foods
Primerica
Ranger Manufacturing
SouthState Bank
Sterling Seacrest Pritchard
Stewart, Melvin & Frost
Bob & Wanda Swoszowski
Truist
Turner, Wood & Smith
2024 Highlights
Laureates
Abit Massey
Moss & Lindsay Robertson
Philip Wilheit, Sr.
Jim Walters
Gus Whalen
John Jacobs, Jr.
Elton Maddox
Lessie Smithgall
Tommy Bagwell
Jan Cooley
Bob Swoszowski
Butch Miller
Lorry & Sherrie Schrage
Virgil Williams
Mike Cottrell
Carole Ann Daniel
Jack Frost
Don Carter
Ben Cheek
Nabil Muhanna
Randall Frost
Paul Maney
Jim Mathis
John Addison
Ed Schrader
Dallas Gay
Betty & Frank Norton, Sr.
John Ferguson
Tom Paris
Doug & Kay Ivestor
Wendell Starke
Mimi Collins
Nancy & Frank Norton, Jr.
Carol Burrell
Dr. Jeff Payne
*Listed by induction year