| Board of Directors |
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The Board of Directors is responsible for the Chamber's corporate governance and ultimately accountable for its activities, strategy and performance. John BemontFastFrames of Abbotts Village
John retired from AT&T as Human Resources Director in 1998 at their corporate headquarters in Morristown N.J. after a career of over 30 years serving in operations, marketing, and human resources. A corporate relocation specialist, Mr. Bemont was a board member of the Employee Relocation Council, a worldwide trade association with over 12,000 members, from 1992 – 1997 and was elected and served as Chairman of the Board in 1997. In 1998 John was appointed Chairman of the Industry Advisory Council. He has been very active in community activities having served in leadership roles in the Boy Scouts, the United Way, and various chambers of commerce. He is an active member of Johns Creek United Methodist Church and enjoys golf, travel, and reading. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kelli BuchwaldNorthside Hospital
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Paul CreamerThe Coca-Cola Company
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ronald E. JonesWells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Mr. Jones completed a BS degree from Georgia Tech and an MS in Engineering from University of Texas in El Paso. His experience includes 17 years as a manager of national factory branches in Florida, Texas and Georgia. In 2004, he sold his share of a partnership in a company where he served as President. After being out of the workplace for one year, Mr. Jones decided to return to work in 2005 in a position with A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc., as a Financial Advisor. Mr. Jones has served on the Board of Deacons for North Metro First Baptist Church in Suwanee for the past four years. He has also served as the Membership Committee Chairman for the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce for the past year. Mr. Jones is also the Chairman of Leadership Johns Creek. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Paul Matt LockeMatt Locke & Associates
Mr. Locke’s diverse background includes: Property Manager/Controller for Crown Management for 9+ years, MCSE, Siemens Solutions Architect, Senior Network Engineer-Exchange, and Siemens Energy & Automation Employee of the year nominee. Mr. Locke, a North Fulton/Forsyth resident since 1977, is married with three wonderful children: Jan, Andrew and Lexi. In his spare time he is a shade tree pilot, brewer, and Web developer/SEO marketer, and scooter enthusiast. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Doug RussFirestorm
He enjoys opportunities to serve in multiple roles, having been active in his church for many years as well as on the board of his neighborhood civic association in Dunwoody, where he lived for 16 years prior to moving to the Johns Creek area in 2002. Doug has three children: Christopher, 30, Development Director of Charlotte-based Campus Crest, a national on-campus housing builder; Jennifer, a Georgia Southern junior and gifted singing artist; and Jordan, a freshman at Kennesaw State University majoring in information security. He also enjoys running, tri-sports, tennis and traveling the world.------------------------------------------------------------------------ Frederick E. Van Patten, JD, LUTCFAXA Advisors ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nathan WestWesttree Financial
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dr. Julie Galbreath-WolfEye 1st Vision & Laser, Johns Creek, GA
Dr. Wolf is a former team physician for the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL organization. She served as an adjunct faculty member for the Southern College of Optometry while practicing at the Baptist Eye Institute in Jacksonville, Florida. She served on an advisory board for the TLC Lasik Center while practicing in central Florida. She was a volunteer physician for Orlando’s Healthcare Center for the Homeless and organized a free glaucoma screening for the public in conjunction with the annual convention of the American Optometric Association in Orlando. Dr. Wolf is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Contact Lens and Cornea section of the American Optometric Association, the Georgia Optometric Association, and the Greater Atlanta Optometric Association. She is a former trustee to the board of the Central Florida Optometric Association. While attending the Florida State University, where she graduated with honors, Dr. Wolf was a varsity co-ed cheerleader and led the squad as captain for two of her four years on the squad. She has continued her interest in health and fitness and is an advocate of preventative health care. Dr. Wolf serves as the chairperson of the Health and Wellness Committee of the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce, and helped organize the First Annual Fall Wellness Festival in October 2007 for the community of Johns Creek. She was elected to the Board of Directors of the Chamber in 2007. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Clifford A. Davis CPA, MPADavis & Langford, Certified Public Accountants
His industry experience includes professional services, construction, financial services, retail, hospitality, software, and manufacturing. Functional experience includes accounting, auditing, tax compliance, turnaround/restructuring, due diligence and operational improvement. Cliff holds a CPA license in the state of Georgia. He is also a licensed Life, Accident & Health Agent. He earned his Master of Professional Accountancy degree from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega, Georgia. Cliff is a member of the Georgia Society of CPA's and the American Institute of Certiifed Public Accountants. Cliff is a native Atlantan and has lived in Johns Creek since 1988. He is active in Boys Scouts as a Life to Eagle Advisor with Troop 143 and has served as Treasurer of The Church of the Hills. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kent DaviesWorld Financial Group
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Paul DietrickDietrick, Evans, Scholz & Williams, LLC
Paul A. Dietrick, is a Johns Creek resident and Partner in the Buckhead-based law firm of Dietrick, Evans, Scholz & Williams, LLC. He is a 33-year member of the State Bar of Georgia, and maintains a second office in Johns Creek to serve his clients in North Fulton County. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he is a graduate of the University of Tennessee (B.S., 1973) and received his law degree from Emory University (J.D., 1976). He is a member of the Atlanta Bar Association (Section Member in Litigation and Domestic Relations); State Bar of Georgia (Section Member in Family Law and Insurance); the Association of Trial Lawyers of America; and the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. His practice areas include: Criminal Litigation Law; Civil Litigation Law; Personal Injury Law; Workers Compensation Law; and Divorce Law. His firm is peer-rated a 5.0 out of 5 as published in the Martindale-Hubbard lawyers directory. Paul is married to and has children.
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Kene IloenyosiNeatWorks, Inc.
Kene is a member of the CXO Forum, an active member of Toastmasters International, currently serving as the Lt. Governor Marketing for the state of Georgia. He is also a founding member of Leadership Johns Creek. Kene and his wife Lucy have been married for 5 years and both enjoy living in Johns Creek. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ John J. Kachmar, Jr.City of Johns Creek
As a full service county administrator in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Minnesota and South Carolina from 1986 to 2003, Kachmar was responsible for all municipal functions, including public safety, public works, community development, airports, school systems and 911 services. Kachmar began his career in local government management in his native Lehigh County, Pennsylvania in 1986 following a six-year stint on Capitol Hill as Chief of Staff for US Rep. Don Ritter. He then served as County Administrator for St. Louis County, Minnesota (1993-1996), St. Mary's County, Maryland (1996-1999) and Beaufort County, South Carolina (1999-2003). Prior to joining Johns Creek in 2007, Kachmar worked as a private consultant through his own firm to develop infrastructure financings for public/private partnerships. Kachmar served with the US Marines in Vietnam from 1966 through 1968 and was awarded 2 purple hearts, a Navy achievement medal with combat V and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. In total, he spent 15 years in the Marine, Army, and Navy Reserves. He holds a BA from Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA, and did further studies at the JFK School of Government, Pepperdine University and the National Institute of Corrections. Kachmar is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), the Georgia Municipal Managers Association and the Capitol Hill Former Administrative Assistants Association. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Danny PianCentury Security Bank
Since moved to Georgia from West Virginia, I have been active with community involvement. I’m an active member of the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Chinese American (NACA), and Taiwanese Golf Association. I have been serving as NACA board member since 2006 and have been elected as one of the vice presidents for the past two years. I have been actively represented NACA in numerous community functions and events such as, Hong Kong Dragoboat Festival, China Earthquake relief effort, High Museum of Arts’ “The First Emperor” volunteer, Atlanta Women’s Foundation Annual Luncheon. As the President for the Taiwanese Golf Association, I’ve expanded membership and organize monthly event. I have been actively represented NACA in numerous community functions and events such as, Hong Kong Dragoboat Festival, China Earthquake relief effort, High Museum of Arts’ “The First Emperor” volunteer, Atlanta Women’s Foundation Annual Luncheon. As the President for the Taiwanese Golf Association, I’ve expanded membership and organize monthly event. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
John Bemont currently serves as Board Chairman for the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife Renee’ have lived in the Johns Creek area for eleven years and are the owners of FastFrame, a picture framing shop in the Abbotts Village shopping center.
Kelli Buchwald is Community Relations Manager for Northside Hospital, where she promotes Northside’s community services, sponsorships and educational programs. Prior to joining Northside, Buchwald held high-profile corporate communications management positions at General Electric, BellSouth and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Buchwald is on the Boards of Directors of the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce, Johns Creek Rotary Club and the Johns Creek Business Association. She is 2008 President of the Johns Creek Business Association. Buchwald was named a “Rising Captain of Industry” from the Forsyth County News in 2005, and is a graduate of the Leadership Forsyth Class of 2006. Buchwald attended the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida, and holds a B.A. in Journalism with a specialty in Advertising and Public Relations. She resides in South Forsyth.
Mr. Ronald Jones has resided in Lawrenceville for the past 10 years, and worked in Roswell and Johns Creek for the past six. Married to his wife Kathy for 29, they have three grown children: Jason, a 27 year old UGA graduate working for NCR in Seattle; Kara, a 24 year old high honors graduate from Gardner Webb University currently working on her Masters in Family Counseling; and Gretchen, 18 year old high honor scholar at UGA.
Paul “Matt Locke” is an owner and operator of an Allstate office in Johns Creek since 2005. Mr. Locke, amongst many things, is an avid volunteer serving on multiple committees. He is a Johns Creek Kiwanis Club Charter Member, Project Leader, Home Repairs Ministry volunteer, Construction lead and a volunteer to Central/South America Orphanages, Schools and communities, as well as an active member and volunteer at Perimeter Church. Mr. Locke also has taken leadership of the Johns Creek Chamber Networking meetings since 2006.
Doug serves as the President of the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce. His vision for the Chamber is to see the combined efforts of its members facilitate consistent and robust growth for the benefit of the entire business community of Johns Creek, which in turn will flow over into support for the civic, spiritual, arts and other valuable parts of this special community. Doug has been practicing as a CPA in Georgia for over 30 years. He is a Principal with Firestorm (
Mr. Van Patten is a Financial and Retirement Planning Specialist with AXA Advisors, LLC, since 1983, with a focus in providing financial services to business owners and individuals, specific to qualified plans and financial planning. During his prestigious career, Mr. Van Patten has been inducted into the Hall of Fame member in 1994 as a Hallmark I Award recipient in 2000, and as a Sterling Group Member.
Nathan West is Principal and Owner of Westtree Financial, a full service accounting and finance firm providing services to clients in the development and construction industries. Westtree provides clients with financial expertise pertaining to global development of commercial/industrial realty, asset management and traditional CFO responsibilities. He also serves as the CFO and Treasurer of Airis International Holdings, the leader in development of airport air cargo facilities around the world, his responsibilities include all accounting, finance, and asset management for a multitude of air cargo facilities totaling over 2 million square feet. Further, he is the Owner and Developer of Ivy Falls, an office and retail development located on Medlock Bridge Road in the heart of Johns Creek’s main business boulevard. Nathan holds a BS in Accounting from St. Andrews Presbyterian College and an MS in Finance from Kennesaw State University. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce, as the Founding Treasurer of the Wilson Creek Elementary School Foundation, as a Deacon of Johns Creek Baptist Church, and on the Board and Alumni Council of St. Andrews Presbyterian College. He has been married to Linda for nearly 20 years and they have twin daughters that are 7 and a son who is 3.
Dr. Julie Wolf began her career as an optometric physician in 1995, and has practiced for over twelve years in multidisciplinary private practice settings. Her specialty is treating ocular disease, such as glaucoma and diabetic eye disease, and she offers comprehensive eye care for all ages including infants. She joined Eye 1st Vision & Laser in 2006 after relocating to Johns Creek, Georgia.
Cliff is a shareholder in Davis & Langford, Certified Public Accountants. He started his career as a staff accountant for a local CPA while he was in graduate school. After graduation he joined KPMG where he served served clients in their Private Business Advisory Services, Mergers & Acquisitions Group and traditional audit clients. Since KPMG, Cliff has served as CFO and COO for a variety of businesses in the technology and financial services arena including H&R Block, Inc. and Taxwise Corporation.
Kent Davies, World Financial Group VP of Sales & Professional Development, President of The WFG Foundation. WFG's Worldwide Headquarters is located in Johns Creek. As VP of Professional Development heads up WFG's Training and WFG University. As VP of Sales works with large financial services sales force in both the USA and Canada. As President of The WFG Foundation, heads up fund raising efforts, operations and grant distribution helping serve those in need across the world. He is also a licensed Life, Accident & Health Agent and Securities Registered Rep, including Supervisory. Kent and wife Susan have been married 31 years and met while both attended college at BYU. They have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. Kent also is a community volunteer in many projects, including a program that helps find employment for those in need and directly facilitating an emergency preparedness program involving 200 families through his church. Past positions held include Division Manager for GNC/DCI with responsibility for 1800 franchises and 30 company units and VP of Operations for over 100 restaurants. For recreation Kent enjoys SCUBA diving, travel and spending time with family.
Kene Iloenyosi moved to the City of Johns Creek in March of 2005, just before it became a city. Born in Nigeria, Kene earned a BSC in Botany from the University of Lagos. He moved to Atlanta in 2001, started his first business, Forest & Green Moving, in 2003, and joined his wife in 2004 to build NeatWorks into the web strategy company it has become today, helping numerous small to midsize companies effectively harness the power of their websites to develop leads and generate revenue.
John Kachmar brings 21 years of experience in administration for full-service county governments around the U.S. to his position as the City Manager of Johns Creek.
I serve as Assistant Vice President of Business Development for Century Security Bank at its main office in Duluth, Georgia. My primary duty at the bank is to acquire new and maintain existing business client relationship through financial service evaluation. My enthusiastic and self-starting personality has helped me to maintain a high level of performance through the fast-pace and competitive banking industry.