GreyStone vice presidents lead Chambers to success for Douglas and Paulding Counties

In addition to providing some of the lowest-priced electricity on the market and 24/7 self-service, GreyStone Power helps make life better by giving back to the communities it serves. “Community service reflects our values and is how we give back to others,” one of the co-op’s eight guiding principles states.
GreyStone President/CEO Gary Miller says, “We support the community we serve because it’s the right thing to do.”
Numerous employees voluntarily serve in support of charitable and civic organizations. Kara Pearson, vice president of Financial Services, and James Wright, vice president of Corporate Services, currently chair the boards of the Douglas County Chamber and Paulding County Chamber, respectively.
Pearson is helping lead the Douglas Chamber to market Douglas County to the outside world while keeping it attractive to new and existing Chamber members. “We will continue to improve our programs to meet members’ needs,” she says. “We want to make sure we remain current with what our members need and continue bringing in new membership and new business to Douglas County.”
The 600-member chamber recently began an initiative with strategic partners, including city and county government, the Douglas County Water and Sewer and Douglas County Development authorities, and other local business owners to create a county brand. “We are very diligent about a combined focus and effort on working together,” said Pearson.
Wright’s goal as chairman of the Paulding Chamber is to leverage Paulding County’s assets to recruit employers that will offer jobs leading to careers in areas like healthcare or advanced manufacturing.
He speaks highly of the new Richland Creek Reservoir under construction and the positive influence it will have on enticing new business to locate in Paulding. He believes another “crown jewel,” WellStar Paulding, can be used to encourage more health-related employers to locate near the hospital. “We have a lot of good resources here and more coming,” he said.
Wright is especially encouraged about the newly approved Paulding County College and Career Academy, funded by a $3 million grant from the Technical College System of Georgia. “The Academy will enhance students’ work opportunities by developing their job skills to help meet the needs of future employers in Paulding County and the region,” he said.
GreyStone Power delivers electricity and other services to 116,000 members of the electric cooperative in eight counties west of Atlanta, including Paulding, Douglas, Fulton, Carroll, Bartow, Fayette, Cobb, and Coweta.

PHOTO 1: GreyStone Vice Presidents Kara Pearson and James Wright lead Chamber businesses to success through their roles as Chamber chairs for Douglas and Paulding counties.