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Above, Hipolito Goico is sworn into the Gateway85 Board of Directors by Attorney John Vaughan of Rainey & Vaughan, LLC.

During the May board meeting, the CID held its annual Caucus of Electors on May 15, during which the board re-elected two dedicated board members and welcomed a new board member who filled a vacant seat.

Shiv Aggarwal, head of American Management Services, will continue another three-year term as Chairman. Aggarwal owns Global Mall, the vibrant cultural hub on Jimmy Carter Boulevard which attracts over 300,000 visitors annually. Michael Reams, a key player in Georgia's film industry as the director of studio operations at OFS, was also re-elected to a three-year term.

Hipolito Goico, co-founder and managing partner at Goico Bolet, P.C., was elected to fill the seat left open when long-time board member Lisa Reeves retired from the board in March. Goico has more than 25 years of experience in corporate and immigration law, and he co-founded the Hispanic Bar Association in Georgia. Additionally, he was a past chairman of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. A Cornell and Emory Law graduate, Goico is well-known for his commitment to community and professional organizations. We are excited to have his experience and expertise on the board. Welcome aboard, Hipolito!

Visit the CID website to learn more.

Pictured above: Tim Le - Owner/Broker, Maxim Realty International, Post 1 Secretary, Gateway85 CID; Hipolito Goico - Co-Founder/Managing Partner, Goico Bolet, P.C., Board Member, Gateway85 CID; Shiv Aggarwal - President, American Management Services, Owner, Global Mall, Post 6 Chairman, Gateway85 CID; Mike Reams -  Director of Studio Operations, OFS, Post 3, Gateway85 CID; Robert Michener - Director of Operations, Gateway85 CID; Elliot Williams - Senior Vice President, Link Logistics Real Estate, Post 5, Gateway85 CID; Emory Morsberger - Executive Director, Gateway85 CID; Phil Sadd - Peachtree Corners City Council, Board Member, Gateway85 CID; Andrew Hixson - Vice President, National Cooperative Bank, Councilmember, City of Norcross, Treasurer, Gateway85 CID.

At that same board meeting, the CID board and staff joined in recognizing Robert Michener, Gateway85’s Director of Operations, for 17 years of service! 

As the CID Director of Operations, Robert oversees infrastructure projects, landscape and security programs and daily operations, including financial logistics and report preparation. He also leads a pilot security camera program.

A Florida native, Robert earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Florida State University and was a close aide to Congressman Vern Buchanan before joining the CID in 2007. Robert's dedication and tireless efforts have been the cornerstone of Gateway85's operational success, shaping the landscape of the community and ensuring its continued growth and prosperity.

We are extremely grateful for Robert and his invaluable work at Gateway85. Here's to many more years of shared success and achievement!

We extend our congratulations to Max Hannum, a valued member of the Gateway85 board, on his recent promotion to Vice President of Administration at Eagle Rock Distributing Company!

Eagle Rock Distributing Company and Eagle Rock Studios have played crucial roles in Gwinnett County’s success. Eagle Rock Studios has become a significant force in the global film industry, greatly influencing Gwinnett County's entertainment industry and the creative economy. Their innovative approach to film production and distribution has not only attracted major productions to the area but has also provided opportunities for local talent and businesses to thrive. 

This promotion reflects Max’s consistent hard work and dedication, and we have no doubt he will excel in his new position!

Andrea Alabi, a Gwinnett County native and first-generation American, is a dedicated mother, community leader and seasoned attorney with nearly 15 years of legal experience, including 12 years as a prosecutor. She put herself through law school at Pennsylvania State University before starting her career as a defense attorney.

Transitioning to prosecution, Andrea excelled as an Assistant District Attorney in Gwinnett County, leading her to join Fulton County's prosecutorial team under DA Fani Willis. Andrea's impressive track record and commitment to justice continue to shine in her role as an Assistant District Attorney, handling over 1,000 cases and 75 jury trials, including child sexual abuse and domestic violence cases. Notably, she has an undefeated record in homicide cases, reflecting her exceptional skill and commitment to justice.

Her multifaceted role as a mother, attorney and community leader highlights her dedication to both her family and the broader community. We are proud to have hardworking trailblazers like Andrea in Gwinnett County!

We are thrilled to share that the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) has announced an allocation of $280,000 to fund a comprehensive study aimed at enhancing safety, beautification and transportation infrastructure along Jimmy Carter Boulevard in the Gateway85 district. The total budget for the study is $400,000 with an additional $120,000 contribution from Gwinnett County. Gwinnett County has played a significant role in this initiative, one that Gateway85 Executive Director, Emory Morsberger, said is "An incredible win-win partnership between Gateway85 and Gwinnett County." The collaborative efforts reflect a shared commitment to sustainable development and community well-being.

Carolyn Bourdeaux, the former U.S. Congresswoman who worked with Gwinnett County and the ARC on this grant said, “I deeply appreciate the regional partnership to invest in the Gateway85 Community. This LCI grant will help lay the foundation to foster sustainable growth and economic development in one of the most diverse but also high needs communities in the metro area.”

With 3,000 businesses and 47,000 employees in Gateway85 (comprising 16% of Gwinnett County's workforce), the CID aims to enhance its economic impact through revised zoning, increased density, mixed-use development and infrastructure improvements. The study's outcomes will guide future development and investments, improving overall quality of life for residents and workers in our incredible county!

Read more here.

Pictured above: Gina Raimondo - U.S. Commerce Secretary; Carolyn Bourdeaux - Special Project Manager, Gateway85 CID; Raphael Warnock - U.S. Senator

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo recently visited OFS alongside Sen. Raphael Warnock and Gateway85 Special Project Manager, Carolyn Bourdeaux, to announce a Norcross job expansion aimed at widening broadband internet access across Georgia, particularly in rural areas lacking in broadband internet infrastructure.

OFS, headquartered in Gwinnett County, intends to hire 100 new employees over the next years to expand its manufacturing facility in Gateway85. Holly Hulse, CEO and President of OFS, attributes this expansion to Georgia's $1.3 billion allocation from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

In recent years, Georgia has prioritized rural internet connectivity through substantial investments, including Governor Brian Kemp's allocation of $640 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds towards broadband initiatives. The $1.3 billion in federal funding further supports these efforts, supporting Gwinnett County’s fundamental role in technology and manufacturing industries.

Gateway85 is proud to be the home of OFS – a leader in technology innovations since the 70’s - and we look forward to watching its impact stretch beyond Gwinnett County.

Read more here.

Mike Reams

If you're familiar with Gateway85, you likely know Gateway85 board member Mike Reams. In addition to his role with Gateway85, Mike serves as the Director of Studio Operations at OFS, a premier manufacturer known for its pioneering of fiber optics and cables as well as being a central hub for Georgia's thriving film industry.

As Director of Studio Operations, Mike facilitates major television and movie productions in Georgia by providing access to the OFS facility to house production offices, mill shops and stages. Collaborating with various on-site units, he serves as the primary contact from scouting to wrap, also offering prop and set decoration rentals to productions on or off-site.

Mike's commitment to the community and his deep insight into Georgia's film industry have been invaluable to the Gateway85 board. We are truly grateful for Mike's dedicated contributions to the CID!

View the rest of the Gateway85 board here.

OFS

Gateway85 district’s leads in the technology sector for several reasons, one of which is its association with OFS - a global leader in designing, manufacturing and providing optical fiber, optical fiber cable, connectivity, FTTX and specialty photonics solutions in addition to pioneering the implementation of hollow core optical fiber. OFS serves a wide range of industries, from medical to industrial, with applications spanning from fiber optic sensing to aerospace and defense fiber optics.

Furthermore, OFS contributes significantly to Georgia's thriving film industry, serving as a creative hub on its 160-acre movie studio campus. Over the past few years, this campus has hosted more than 40 productions, including notable films such as Black Panther, Godzilla, The Avengers, Bad Boys 3 and the Fast + Furious series.

Gateway85 takes pride in being a technology hotspot, thanks to innovative businesses like OFS! 

United Way

United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Gwinnett County team is on the move - relocating its main office this June to Corners Outreach, a longstanding partner that is aligned with its mission, strategies, families and communities served. According to Denise Townsend, “The Norcross community is one priority for United Way of Greater Atlanta, as their 2023 Child Well-Being Outlook: Insights for Impact Report identified some neighborhoods experiencing both low and declining child well-being.”

This new home for United Way will allow the two partners to increase collaboration, with hopes of developing and adapting community development strategies through collective impact-based initiatives. This is also an opportunity for the Gwinnett County team to learn from and about this predominately Latino community of families that Corners Outreach serves, informing the team’s perspective on equity and the role of race and place.

Learn more about the impact of United Way here.

Souhaila Perez-Fuentes, a Venezuelan immigrant, exemplifies resilience and determination in pursuit of a better life in the United States. After leaving Venezuela due to political and societal unrest, Souhaila settled in Gwinnett County, Georgia, where her extended family lived. Transitioning from various jobs to pursuing education, she ultimately found her calling at View Point Health, where she now serves as a Program Manager at MIXTURA, an after-school program addressing societal challenges.

Despite personal hardships, Souhaila remains committed to making meaningful contributions to her community and empowering others to thrive. Her story highlights the profound impact of immigrants within Gwinnett County's diverse landscape, embodying the spirit of opportunity that lies in the American Dream.

Read Souhaila’s story here.

Marc Melkerson, Renova employee of 25 years, was named the new CEO of the supply chain and after-market repair services company. Before his promotion, Melkerson held the position of chief operating officer.

Melkerson's new role marks another milestone following Renova’s recent expansion of its Norcross facility, which included the addition of 30 new jobs in engineering, customer service and sales to enhance support for repair and supply chain operations. Formerly Renova’s vice president of sales and marketing, Melkerson has now assumed the responsibility of leading Renova’s expansion initiatives in North America as chief executive officer.

Learn more here.

The 2024 Love Your City Conference from Boy With a Ball will take place from May 30 – June 1 to unite changemakers and champions from local organizations, missional churches and more. The conference will feature insightful sessions and lively workshops that will leave you feeling full-hearted. This is a great opportunity to join your local community in learning from historic leaders and special guests such as Andrew Peterson, Jerry White, President Emeritus of The Navigators and Missiologist Tylor Prieb.

Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Sister Act: A Divine Musical Comedy

May 23 – June 23

Aurora Theatre

Learn more and purchase tickets here.

 

Love Your City Conference 2024

May 30 – June 1, 8:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.

1795 Old Peachtree Rd NW

Learn more and purchase tickets here.

 

Exchange at The NETT

May 31, 9 – 10:30 a.m.

Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

Learn more and register here.

 

A Taste of Black Gwinnett

June 7, 6 – 9 p.m.

Norcross Cultural Arts Center

Learn more and purchase tickets here.

 

Gateway85 CID is 14-square mile district along the I-85 corridor about one mile north of I-285. This area contributes over $16 billion of Georgia’s and Gwinnett County’s economy.