COVER STORY
Georgia's Power Women
By Jerry Grillo
Meet six women you should know – a general, a CEO, a storyteller, a lawyer, a journalist and a college president. They’re making history, making plans, making a difference.
ABOUT THE COVER: Daemon Baizan photographed Brig. Gen. Maria Britt, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard, at Dobbins Air Reserve Basein Marietta for Georgia Trend.
FEATURES
The Arts Connection
By Ben Young
Gena Abraham, a 39-year-old civil engineer with a PhD, is the first woman to head the Department of Transportation, traditionally a boys’ club. She and her staff face a statewide transportation infrastructure crisis, a massive backlogged roads program and a deep funding deficit.
An Ounce Of Prevention
By Mary Anne Dunkin
More and more Georgia companies are investing in wellness, focusing on employee fitness, weight control, smoking cessation and disease prevention. Their efforts are paying handsome dividends.
2008 Georgia Excellence Awards
By Ed lightsey and Patty Rasmussen
This year’s top county honors go to Augusta/Richmond, Colquitt, DeKalb, Habersham, Lumpkin, Putnam and Wilkinson counties; Randolph, Clay, Quitman, Stewart and Calhoun share an award for a joint project.
Heat And Light
By Jerry Grillo
Georgia’s business incubators offer startup companies cheap rent, access to investors and consultants and an environment of innovation. They’re boosting survival rates for new ventures in technology, agriculture and entertainment.
Starting From Scratch
By Matt Hennie
Georgia Gwinnett College, the state’s first new four-year public college in a century, sees itself as the prototype for higher education for the 21st century, serving an increasingly populous county. With no tenured faculty and a nontraditional academic structure, the school is gearing up for rapid growth.
OUR STATE
Macon/Bibb County: Changes Afoot
A new mayor ushers in a new era
Plus,
Macon/Bibb County At-A-Glance
By Randy Southerland
Carroll County: Seeking Balance
Industry vs. Agriculture
Plus,
Carroll County At-A-Glance
By Karen Kennedy
Statesboro/Bulloch County
Focusing on higher education, tourism and industry
Plus,
Statesboro/Bulloch County At-A-Glance
By Ed Lightsey
DEPARTMENTS
Organizations: American Camellia Society
By Shannon Wilder
The GreenRoom
By Ben Young
Political RoundUp
By Tom Crawford
Neely Young: Not Our Way Of Life
We only have to look at our struggles in Iraq and the governments in Venezuela and Zimbabwe to see that many parts of the world do not embrace Western principles of freedom.
Business Casual: Talking The Political Talk
By Susan Percy
Manuel’s Tavern in Atlanta has been around more than 50 years and is justly proud of its tradition of camaraderie and conversation. It was founded by the late Manuel Maloof, longtime commissioner and CEO of DeKalb County.
Trend Radar
By Ed Lightsey
State Of The Economy: Retail Slowing Down
By Jeffrey Humphreys
High prices for gasoline, home heating oil, natural gas and electricity will reduce low- and middle-income households’ retail spending ability. Discretionary goods and aspirational luxury goods will be hit the hardest by the energy shock.
Profile: Conservative With A Cause
By Patty Rasmussen
Matt Towery used his bully pulpit to undo effects of legislation he helped to pass
Legends: A "Hitters" Success
By Gene Asher
Bill Stanfill was a winner for UGA and the Miami Dolphins
Art Of The Meal: Nan: The Sweet Life
By Krista Reese
The dishes are as beautifully arranged as the dining room, and the barbecued lamb chops are standouts.
Politics:
By Tom Crawford
