Greg Parker, Tommy Jones honored at inaugural Parker College of Business gala
The Parker College of Business hosted their Inaugural Gala recognizing Tommy Jones with the Distinguished Service Award and Greg Parker with the Outstanding Corporate Award at the DeSoto Savannah, March 5th.
First of all let me say that I am a Georgia Southern University graduate. I may have changed my major a few times because of a misplaced love of history and psychology but found my calling when Mass Communication professors like Chris Geyerman and Beverly Graham helped develop what would become my passion — putting a spotlight on the people of Savannah.
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My spotlight starts with the Parker College of Business Director of Development Robert Grant. When I say I adore him, I mean that I love everything this perennially positive dude says. Our conversation goes like this, “You know I still play harmonica in my little church band, recently bought a poor man’s Tesla and Elizabeth and I are getting married at Nick Mueller’s out in Effingham; um, do you shoot weddings?”
For this guy, I may change my “never again wedding photography” rule but for now I insist on a pic of Robert with Parker College of Business Dean Allen Amason before the next 280 people request a photo with the popular dean.
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Waiting for a pic is 1991 GSU Management Information Systems graduates Angelia Huggins and Fran McKinney. Sharing their last two college years and taking the same classes, the “two of four women in our program” explain what they do. “We are the liaison between the people that need data and the people that provide the data,” share the travel friends.
Thanking the technology queens for dumbing down their uber smart responses, I leave the ladies and approach GSU President Kyle Marrero and his wife Jane. Reluctant to interrupt their conversation with GSU Provost Carl Reiber and his wife Janet, I sneak over and ask for a photo.
Permission granted! After a quick click of the camera, I head over to hug one of Savannah’s favorite men, Dewey Dimsdale. The Adventure IT Business Development Director proudly states, “We are thrilled to expand our information technology internship programs for the GSU College of Engineering.” Knowing how amped Dewey was two years ago when this partnership was formed, I am super proud to hear that they have quadrupled their number of internships.
Next up is a massive group pic of presenting sponsor Synovus. It looks like everyone that has ever worked for this benevolent community sponsor wants a pic and I am more than happy to arrange this group photo.
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With fancy hors’ d'oeuvres floating by, more ladies in gorgeous gowns and dapper dressed men arrive like Hargray Fiber’s Phillip Scroggin and Savannah business superstar Don Waters. With his gorgeous wife Cindy, Don waves me over for a pic with Dean Amason before I get called over to snap a pic of PR queens Jennifer Abshire Davis and Allison Hersh with real estate mogul Lori Judge.
Wishing I could talk to the talented trio longer, I zoom over to snap pics of Leigh and Ryan Martin, meet CORE Credit Union Vice President of Operations Akeala Brown and her husband Jeffery followed by a group pic of Avery and Rebecca Phillips with Jacqueline Jedlicka and Samantha Mimbs.
Back at the entrance I pass by a long line of GS alumni, supporters and community partners and find none other than Jefferson County native, Bill Easterlin. Chatting with the Queensborough Bank president on his love of playing tennis and quail hunting, I ask who he is with tonight.
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Nodding towards the illustrious Louisville, Georgia, Jones family, he shares, “I am here supporting my childhood friend Tommy Jones. He is on my board of directors and his business acumen is stellar.” Glancing over, I see Tommy approaching Greg Parker so I make a beeline over to snap a pic of tonight’s honorees.
It’s showtime! Heading into the ballroom next door, I listen to Dean Amason welcome the crowd then later get a chance to talk with him about life growing up in Glynn County, wanting to be a pilot but having bad vision, his cool new Acura and being the drummer of The Dark Desert Highway Band. Yes ladies and gentlemen, your Dean is the drummer in an Eagles tribute band!
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With a final lap through I pause to snap a pic of my favorite female of the night, Debbie Hilton and think of how blessed I am to meet ladies as gracious as Debbie and spend time with refined southern gentlemen like Bill, management scholars like Allen and community changers like Tommy and Bill.
You never know where your path will lead you but getting the chance to document the game changers of Georgia Southern University is a special honor and I am totally expecting a call next year from my most fabulous friend Robert Grant!