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B2B Podcasting

From Layoffs to Leadership: Erik Smith’s Faith Journey with Chick-fil-A

From time to time, ABD spots something we think is “must-see.” CSRA business owners, Robert Kelly from Augusta Staffing and Job Shop and Phillip Stanley from Brightworx Productions regularly host “Glory Stories” podcasts. Please be inspired by the humble beginnings of an owner/operator of a local Chick-fil-A restaurant, whose faith led the way to new heights.

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Glory Stories: Erik Smith, Chick-fil-A September 23, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Business Education: New opportunities available

The Hull College of Business is trying to make sure that students have a chance to take coursework and start to learn how to run a business. Its Dean, Mark Thompson explains more: “One of the things that Hull College has done and continues to look to do is to create dual degree options. We do this with our professional students, where we have medical school students, we have dental school students that are pursuing their MD and DMD while also pursuing an MBA. So that’s one of our sets

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Neil Gordon September 22, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Good Deeds: Supporting local nonprofits

The coffers of seven local nonprofit organizations are healthier following a contribution from a local financial institution. The funds are from Peach State Federal Credit Union (PSFCU) through a foundation it created several years ago. “The foundation accumulates money based on certain criteria,” Ed Presnell, Regional Business Executive for PSFCU, explained for ABD. “The foundation allows our volunteers, our advisory board members in each area, to choose charities that they want to donate to. We don’t choose them. So, each year we present checks.” Money is distributed to nonprofits across

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Dana Lynn McIntyre September 22, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Good Deeds: Rewarding future leader

2023 Spherion Franchisee of the Year Angela Swarts (in red) was happy to provide a difference to Aaron Hudson in the form of a $5,000 scholarship to help him at the Augusta Technical College and his transition to Augusta University. The Sandy Mazur Scholarship celebrates leadership, excellence, and the next generation of community leaders. “Sandy Mazur was the former President of Spherion Staffing LLC, my franchisor,” said Swarts, an Augusta franchisee since 1995.  “The owner community created the Sandy Mazur Leadership Scholarship in honor of her when she retired.  Every year, the

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Neil Gordon September 21, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Up close with Augusta’s First Ladies

The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s September Women in Business event turned the spotlight on three of the women whose husbands lead the community. Toni Seals-Johnson, wife of Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson, and Karen Keen, wife of Augusta University President Dr. Russell Keen, joined Charlene McCorn, married to Paine College President Dr. Lester McCorn, for a panel discussion on balancing their responsibilities with their personal lives. The women came from different fields in their own careers. Seals-Johnson was in tourism, then she started Augusta Office Solutions with her husband. Keen

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Dana Lynn McIntyre September 19, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

New option for watching the Masters

Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, has announced that Amazon Prime Video will debut as a domestic broadcaster of the Masters Tournament next April. Prime Video will complement the live Tournament coverage by CBS Sports and ESPN annually. “Working alongside Amazon in this capacity is an exciting opportunity for the Masters Tournament and its fans,” said Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National and the Masters Tournament. “We are proud of our longstanding partnerships with CBS Sports and ESPN, who have set the highest standard

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Staff Report September 19, 2025 No Comments
Consumer Stories

CSRA construction project set to hire 4,000 workers

The Savannah River Site (SRS) is opening new early construction work fronts to accelerate building the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF), including an agreement with the Augusta Building and Trades Council. The construction is an effort to re-establish the nation’s capability to produce plutonium pits in support of sustainable nuclear deterrence, according to the SRS. “It’s amazing to see the scale and urgency at which dirt is moving around the SRPPF worksite with the early site preparation scopes in progress,” said Jeff Griffin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Savannah

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Staff Report September 18, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Hungry college students get help

The Community Foundation for the CSRA (CFCSRA) and Golden Harvest Food Bank are continuing their partnership to attack food insecurity head-on on a local college campus. The Knights Corner Food Pantry opened in Aiken Technical College’s Student Activities building in the fall of 2024. That anniversary was celebrated during a recent open house. A study by the Government Accountability Office found that 3.8 million college students, that’s an estimated 23%, face food insecurity. Of that number, 2.2 million are classified as very low food security, meaning they often skip meals

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Dana Lynn McIntyre September 18, 2025 No Comments
B2B Stories

Planning and managing capacity for service company success

One of the enjoyable and interesting aspects of teaching college-level business courses is that you often encounter examples of the concepts you teach on a regular basis in everyday life.  I think one of the reasons students enjoy my classes is that I often bring my personal experiences to the classroom to demonstrate what we are learning.  In addition, as I relate my personal experiences, the students tend to recognize that they have had relevant experiences as well, which reinforces their learning.   This was particularly evident this past week as

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Dr. Rick Franza September 17, 2025 No Comments
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