Category Archives: News & Publications

Mauldin & Jenkins Announces Strategic Hire to Lead Transaction Advisory Services Practice

ALBANY, NOVEMBER 29- Mauldin & Jenkins, a Top 100 provider of assurance, tax and advisory services, proudly announces the appointment of Managing Director Tom Houlihan to lead the Firm’s Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) practice. With a career spanning over two decades, Tom brings a wealth of experience in corporate transactions, business combinations, strategic planning, financial reporting, dispute resolution and legal and regulatory proceedings.

Tom joins Mauldin & Jenkins after leading and providing support for clients on both the buy and sell side on over $3 billion of transactions across a broad range of industries. In addition to his advisory experience, Tom has provided expert testimony and litigation support encompassing a wide range of financial matters in federal & state courts as well as for FERC & state regulatory proceedings.

This strategic hire reflects Mauldin & Jenkins’ commitment to addressing the diverse needs of its clients and further positions the firm at both the forefront of industry excellence and client service.

“We are excited to announce a strategic addition to Mauldin & Jenkins as we welcome Tom Houlihan to lead our Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) practice,” shares Jeff Fucito, Partner and leader of the Firm’s Advisory Practice. “With over two decades of advisory experience, Tom brings a wealth of expertise that will undoubtedly elevate our TAS offerings. We are confident that Tom will play a vital role in furthering our commitment to meet our client needs.”

“Mauldin & Jenkins excels in offering clients comprehensive accounting services and advice,” expressed Tom in an interview. “The Firm’s collaborative approach, which consistently delivers outstanding results, presents a compelling opportunity. I am thrilled to become part of the team and contribute to the growth of the firm while leading the Transaction Advisory Services and Valuation practice,” he added.

Tom’s extensive background in successfully navigating complex transactions makes him an asset to prospective investors, capital providers, business owners, and executives who are seeking a strategic partner in their financial endeavors. For more information about our Transaction Advisory Services and how we can help, please visit our website.

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Mauldin & Jenkins is annually recognized as a Top 100 Certified Public Accounting firm by Accounting Today and Inside Public Accounting and provides assurance, tax and advisory services to clients. Founded in 1918, the Firm serves clients in a range of industries including governmental, banking, healthcare, construction, nonprofit, financial services, film & entertainment, private client services, and higher education. For additional information, please visit www.mjcpa.com.

For more information, contact: Katie Funderburk, 229-446-3631

Albany Area Chamber Foundation hosts THRIVE!

Albany – The Albany Area Chamber Foundation Thursday hosted its inaugural and highly

successful THRIVE program, a dynamic talent development initiative aimed at preparing

students for the professional world. THRIVE empowers students with a range of employability

skills crucial for success in the workplace. Through engaging sessions and interactive activities,

students gain insights into effective communication, networking and professional growth.

For the Thursday event, held at Albany Technical College, the Albany Area Chamber

Foundation partnered with the Dougherty County School System and local employers to present

skills training, business connections and local opportunities to students with disabilities who will

seek employment after graduation.

“The No. 1 growth inhibitor for our employers is talent – work force – and it’s a challenge faced

by employers across the country. In Albany, the business community is working closely with our

educational partners to design a modern, adaptive talent pipeline that is sustainable and relevant

to our marketplace,” said Barbara Rivera Holmes, president & CEO of the Albany Area

Chamber and the Albany Area Chamber Foundation. “Through programs such as THRIVE,

we’re in the schools working one-on-one with students on the key employability skills that the

workplace demands and connecting students to local employers. We want all members of our

community to have opportunities to thrive.”

The Chamber Foundation, the 501©3 affiliate of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, leads

the community’s comprehensive work force efforts via the Albany-Dougherty Talent Strategy

2.0, a public-private effort in which strategic partners, employers and educators participate.

Other Chamber Foundation talent development programs include PROPEL+, targeted at female

high school students, and implementation of the U.S. Chamber’s Talent Pipeline Management

framework. The Chamber Foundation’s efforts amplify the primary business organization’s

programs in the areas of talent and innovation and are a direct response to employer and

community needs.

“There’s significant demand for this programming – we hear it from the students, from the

educators and from the employers,” Holmes said. “We’re encouraged by feedback from the

students and our partners about the impact of our work force programs and look forward to

scaling this work to continue building our community’s talent infrastructure.”

Representatives from Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, the Albany Area YMCA and Albany

Technical College participated in Thursday’s program, sharing with students the diversity of

available jobs at their organizations, the skills required for those jobs and training pathways to

obtain those skills.

During THRIVE students practiced their public speaking skills through mock interviews with

volunteers from businesses who offered valuable feedback and guidance to the students. While

students were taking turns participating in the one-on-interviews, other students were practicing

networking with peers and adults as they answered ice-breaker prompts facilitated by community

volunteers.

The program also featured a unique segment highlighting appropriate professional attire where

business community members served as models, showcasing the “DOs” and “DON’Ts” of

dressing for success in the workplace.

“This event will help these students have more confidence, flexibility and adaptability with

individuals that they don’t know in speaking with them and sharing information about

themselves,” said Gordina Porter, director of the Exceptional Students Program (ESP) at the

Dougherty County School System. “It was a great event.”

Promote Your Business for Small Business Saturday on Retro FM 102.1

15 second commercials run November 19-24 6a-10p and 6a-12p November 25 (7 days)

Commercial Script

Retro FM 102.1 is celebrating Small Business Saturday on November 25 by promoting great deals from small businesses like this (35-40 word special deal for your business on that day)

Your investment:  35 commercials (5 daily) $125

Please circle  70 commercials (10 daily) $225

Your choice  One hourly (102 total) $275

DEADLINE NOVEMBER 10

October 2023 Business After Hours hosted by the Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready to Mix It Up at the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce’s October Business After Hours! Join us for a thrilling evening sponsored by the Albany Convention and Visitor’s Bureau at the unsinkable Albany State University on October 10 at Eula Lovett Hall starting at 5:00 PM.
It’s HOMECOMING WEEK for the Rams so that makes this an event you absolutely won’t want to miss! Expect an electrifying atmosphere with the ASU March Rams Show Band setting the stage for an immaculate evening of networking and celebration. The vibes will be nothing short of extraordinary.
Don’t leave home without your business card! You’ll want them for a chance to win our $100 cash prize, graciously sponsored by The UPS Stores of Albany, and other prizes.
Business After Hours extends a warm welcome to all. Feel free to bring along a friend or colleague to share in the fun! After all, who says networking can’t be an absolute blast?
We can’t wait to see you there as we celebrate Albany State University’s homecoming and take business networking to the next level.
Please take a moment to register for this remarkable evening here:
https://bit.ly/BAHatASU2023

United Way of Southwest Georgia announced their Campaign Kick-Off! October er 24, 2023

United Way of Southwest Georgia is getting ready to kick off our 2023 Campaign. We are excited to invite you to join us on October 24th at our Campaign Kick-Off event! There will be a chance for you to get to know our partner agencies and learn about all the work they do through United Way along with fun games, activities, music, and delicious food. Attached is a save-the-date so mark your calendars and share it amongst your friends, family, and colleagues.
Keep an eye out for the formal invitation and registration link in the upcoming week! Thank you for all you do in our community!
ELEVATE
We Rise By Lifting Others

Applications open for 2023-2024 Albany Area Political Leadership Institute

Applications open for 2023-2024 Albany Area Political Leadership Institute

Albany Area Chamber program aims to build next-gen public leaders

Albany – Applications are now open for the 2023-2024 class of the Albany Area Political Leadership Institute, a nonpartisan political leadership program aimed at equipping participants for leadership on local boards and in elected office.

The focus of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce program is simple: To build local candidates.

“Through the Political Leadership Institute, the Albany Area Chamber aims to engage more people in public service, to prepare business-minded leaders who have an interest in exploring leadership opportunities on appointed boards or elected office, and to help them discover how their experience, skills and talent could address critical policy issues,” said Barbara Rivera Holmes, president & CEO of the Albany Area Chamber. “Ultimately, we are building the next generation of public leaders.”

The program, now in its second year, was developed by business leaders in Albany. Participants from the previous program are now serving on local boards and making an impact via their public service.

“This program educates and equips future community leaders on the unique demands of governmental leadership, helping potential candidates and board members become more attuned to community needs and prepared to meet those needs through strategic action,” said Bridges Sinyard, vice president of Adams Exterminators and chairman of the Albany Area Chamber’s Government Affairs Division.

The three-session program is suited for anyone interested in serving on appointed boards or in elected office. Participants will get a primer on government, opportunities for service, campaigning for office and what Albany needs from its appointed and elected officials. The program features exclusive networking opportunities for class members to build relationships with each other and with community leaders. A limited number of applicants will be competitively chosen by a selection committee. Participants represent a diverse range of business expertise, backgrounds and community involvement.

Class sessions will run from November 2023 to January 2024 and will cover topics including “Government 101,” “Issues of Importance” and “Appointed Boards and Elected Office.”

There is no commitment to run for office. The program cost is $150 to participants, which includes all three sessions, related materials and meals. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Friday, October 13. Participants may apply at bit.ly/PoliticalLeadership2023.

The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1910, is leading a multi-year strategic effort to advance economic opportunities and a thriving community. With a diverse business community in our corner, the Albany Area Chamber works diligently to serve area businesses, develop strategies that help our community prosper and design the path of Albany’s future. Learn more at www.albanyga.com. s

The Albany Area Chamber Foundation, founded in 1991, leads talent, economic, innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives that provide impact beyond the business community’s normal reach. The Albany Area Chamber Foundation is the 501(c)3 affiliate of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. Learn more at albanyga.com.