Earl Smith, Kemp Family Endorse Patel for Cobb EMC Board

Kennesaw business owner RJ Patel announced Wednesday a number of endorsements by Cobb leaders for his bid for the Cobb EMC Board of Directors.

Patel, who currently serves Area 7 on the board and is seeking re-election this Saturday, announced endorsements from longtime Cobb businessman Earl Smith, Kennesaw Mayor , Kennesaw council member , Ray Rhoades and the Kemp family.

Patel, who owns in Kennesaw with his wife Asha, was appointed to the Cobb EMC Board of Directors in May of 2010 to fulfill the unexpired term of the late Dr. Frank Boone.

"Cobb EMC was founded in 1938 with about 500 meters," said Patel. "Today Cobb EMC is one of the top five EMCs in the country with approximately 196,000 meters, so it has grown tremendously."

"In my 18 months of being on the board, my goal has been to learn the lay of the land, what the EMC structure is about (and) put myself through the schooling process," said Patel.

"This has helped me to understand the gaps that exist at Cobb EMC, and one of the things that we have already implemented with the management is the strategic planning and the succession planning."

In a previous interview with the Marietta Daily Journal, Patel stated that he does support efforts at transparency, such as releasing quarterly earnings and opening board meetings to members.

Patel said his coaching experience, his business expertise and his community involvement have helped him develop good leadership skills.

Originally from London, Patel moved to the United States in 1978. He received his BBA in Management and BS in Marketing from . He is currently the president of the Swift Cantrell Park Foundation, and serves on the Kennesaw Business Association board of directors, having served as president in 2002 and 2008.

Patel is one of seven candidates for Area 7. Other contenders include Dr. Larry Baker, William Cominos, Paul Phillips, Charles Spann, Charles Malcolm Swanson and Karen Thornburgh.

Seats for Areas 1, 6 and 10 will also be decided this Saturday, Nov. 12, at Piedmont Church, located at 570 Piedmont Rd. in Marietta. Voting will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a candidate meeting at 10 a.m., although Cobb EMC members are not required to attend in order to vote.

If no candidate receives the required 50 percent plus one vote for any given area, a runoff will be held between the top two contenders on Dec. 3.

Elections for Areas 2, 3 and 9 will take place Feb. 18, while elections for Areas 4, 5 and 8 will take place May 12, according to the Cobb EMC website.