Douglas Chamber Names Top 10 Young Professionals of 2015

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The Douglas County Chamber announced its Top Ten Young Professionals of 2015:

• Jessica Ainsworth, Douglas County Schools, Age 34

As one of the assistant principals at Lithia Springs High School, Jessica has aided in the implementation of a federal School Improvement Grant (SIG) to turn around a struggling culture and climate. LSHS experienced the highest growth of all 48 Georgia SIG high schools and is now home to the STEM magnet academy. Recently, Jessica was named the “Georgia Assistant Principal of the Year” and is one of three finalists for “National Assistant Principal of the Year” for outstanding leadership. She takes great pride in giving back to the school system and community in which she grew-up, even recently co-founding an early literacy program. Her efforts also extend beyond Douglas County through the Georgia Association of Secondary Principals, National Drop-out Prevention, and many other organizations. She has a passion for supporting the school staff, celebrating student successes, and sharing the story of school transformation at LSHS.

• Chad Griffin, Douglas County Parks and Recreation, Age 35

As the Georgia Recreation Park Association’s District 5 Professional of the Year, Chad is constantly setting the standard for excellence in his industry. Since joining DCPR in 2010, Chad has successfully redesigned and revived programs such as the Fairy Princess Ball and Camporee to be some of the largest community events in Douglas County! He has taken his expertise and leadership capabilities and put them to use not only in his professional career but also by being the Chair for Relay for Life in Douglas County and a strong supporter for the American Cancer Society. Chad also continues to be involved in the Chamber through the Youth Leadership Douglas Program, Young Professionals Connection and is a Leadership Douglas Graduate. He thrives on creating positive experiences for families and children in the community and will do whatever it takes to make this happen!

• Rich Johnson, AT&T, Age 30

Rich serves as the regional director for AT&T, where he works closely with community leaders and policymakers to help meet the company’s objective of bringing the best new technology to consumers. He is also responsible for managing AT&T’s extensive philanthropic and community engagement efforts in South Metro Atlanta including the AT&T Aspire program focused on high school success and work force readiness and the AT&T It Can Wait campaign to end texting while driving. Prior to joining AT&T, Rich served as the senior director of government and public affairs for the Technology Association of Georgia. He is active in multiple chambers of commerce across the state and serves on the Douglas County Chamber Board, the Fayette County Chamber Board, the Crabapple Community Association Board, the City of Milton Design Review Board, the Communities in Schools of Atlanta Board, and he recently won the Atlanta Business Chronicle Top 30 under 30. Rich will graduate from Leadership Douglas this May.

• Amber McClintock, United Community Bank, Age 35

Since moving to Georgia in 2010, Amber has truly immersed herself into the community she now calls home. Amber is presently employed by United Community Bank (Douglasville, Georgia) and is very passionate about volunteering. She has served with several organizations such as Children’s Miracle Network, Bread of Life, United Way, Make a Wish Foundation, March of Dimes, Relay for Life, American Red Cross, The Pantry, American Diabetes Association and Special Olympics. She is currently a member of Kiwanis Club of Douglas County where she serves as Chair of Social Media/Website and the Membership Committee. She also participates with the Gift of Love Pancake Breakfast, Sweetwater Triathlon, Kids Christmas, and she serves as treasurer and coach for the South Paulding Cheer Club.

• Sara Ray, Douglas County Chamber, Age 34

Since joining the Chamber staff in 2010, Sara has embraced her position as the Director of Communications and Community Affairs by creating and implementing programs that cater to the almost 700 members that the Chamber serves. From leading the Youth Leadership Program and Young Professionals Connection to coordinating over 20 free professional development opportunities annually for members, she truly embodies their mission to promote and support businesses for the growth of the community. Sara also gives back to the community she has lived in for over 25 years by serving on the S.H.A.R.E. House Board, DCSS Diversity Committee, and the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance, where she was the 2010 Volunteer of the Year. Sara is a graduate of the Leadership Douglas Class of 2011 and this June, she will complete the Institute of Organizational Management –a four year professional development program focusing on nonprofit management of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and receive her IOM designation.

• Chelsea Sell, Douglas County Schools, Age 25

As the only Middle School STEM teacher in Douglas County, Chelsea teaches 6th, 7th and 8th grades at Turner Middle School. She creates a hands-on learning environment to involve her students in problem solving activities and challenges using the engineering process and principles of innovation. She serves as STEM club sponsor, softball coach, a county science fair judge, and the Bring Your Own Technology taskforce representative for her school. At Turner, Chelsea coordinates activities so students can experience real-world applications of STEM and dream about future careers in those fields. Students who leave Ms. Sell’s program are solid independent thinkers and better-equipped problem solvers with a computer skillset they can rely on throughout their educational career. She is the youngest recipient of the Top Ten Young Professionals Award since it began in 2010.

• Gil Shearouse, Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority, Age 36

Gil has served as the Executive Director of the Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority since July of 2014. Prior to accepting the position of Executive Director, Gil served as WSA’s Engineering Manager for seven years and has been employed in the water industry since 1998. He currently resides in Douglasville, Georgia with his wife and two daughters and is an active member of several communities, civic, and faith based organizations including FCA and the Douglas County Rotary Club. He is also Leadership Douglas Graduate.

• Lyric Sprinkle, Georgia Highlands College, Age 27

Lyric Sprinkle has worked for Georgia Highlands College for nearly five years. She is currently the Special Assistant to the Dean and the Student Life Coordinator, covering the Douglasville and Paulding campus locations. In 2013, she was awarded Employee of the Year for the entire institution. Lyric has served as the Entertainment and Activities Chair for Douglas County Relay for Life since 2012 and has served as a Youth Leadership Douglas Mentor. Last fall she was awarded the Roger B. Winston Outstanding Young Professional Award for her service and dedication to the Georgia College Personnel Association in her role as board secretary and annual conference co-chair. Lyric graduated from Georgia College & State University in 2010, and got her start in Douglas County by interning at the Douglas County Chamber and marketing for Chick-fil-A at Arbor Place Mall. She and her husband are expecting a baby Sprinkle at any time.

• Jerry Tillery, American Red Cross, Age 35

Jerry currently serves as CEO for the Southern, Alabama & Central Gulf Coast, and Puerto Rico Blood Services Regions and is responsible for all activities in these regions, including the collection of over 350,000 units of blood and platelet products and distribution of nearly 550,000 units of blood and platelet products to approximately 200 hospitals and health facilities within five states and one US territory. Jerry is involved in multiple non-profit organizations and currently serves as the Immediate Past President of the Georgia Association of Healthcare Executives. He is a 2013 graduate of Leadership Georgia Hospital Association and a 2010 graduate of LEAD Atlanta.

• Patrice Williams, City of Douglasville, Age 38

A recipient of Georgia Trend Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2008, Patrice has continued to leave an impression on a state wide level and currently in her position at the City of Douglasville. Since joining the City in 2013, Patrice has held multiple positions and continues to shine in every task that is presented to her. She has worked on multiple political campaigns, created and implemented multiple programs during her time with the Georgia Municipal Association, and has consistently provided support to downtown Douglasville businesses in any way that they need (even washing windows!).

(Photos: L-R – Sara Ray, Jerry Tillery, Jessica Ainsworth, Chad Griffin, Patrice Williams, Lyric Sprinkle, Amber McClintock, Gil Shearouse, Chelsea Sell, Marvin Enderle (award presenter), and Rich Johnson)