Author Maggie Redmon to sign books at Barnes & Noble Oglethorpe Mall
Appearance is in support of her debut memoir, Trials of a Dead Lawyer’s Wife: A TRUE STORY
Author Maggie Redmon will be at Barnes & Noble Oglethorpe Mall (7804 Abercorn Extension #72, Savannah, GA 31406) on Saturday, June 8, from 1-4 p.m. to sign her debut memoir, Trials of a Dead Lawyer’s Wife: A TRUE STORY.
In Trials of a Dead Lawyer’s Wife, Redmon embarks on a quest for truth and justice after her disbarred husband Scott changed his will mere hours before he died and bequeathed half a million dollars to his girlfriend. In living and telling this story, she brings to bear the knowledge and experience acquired in her 26-year career as a disability examiner and professional counselor, and her decade as a civil court mediator. The story is set in Georgia.
“This is a true, character-driven cold case story in the vein of ‘20/20,’ ‘Dateline,’ and ‘48 Hours,’” Redmon said. “It happened to me, and I wrote this book as a way to heal from this very traumatic period in my life. I want readers to know that regardless of whatever life throws at them, they should not give up on what’s right and true!”
Patrick Piciarelli, author of Hollywood Godfather, said “Trials of a Dead Lawyer’s Wife: A True Story reads like a good murder mystery novel, but it’s a true story of a woman on a mission to solve her husband’s mysterious death. Over the course of many years, and with a determined effort to uncover the truth, her story will hold you spellbound.”
Maggie (better known as Kathleen McGuire) is a four-time finalist for the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Nonfiction Prize. Her essays have appeared in Reed magazine, the Briar Cliff Review, Athens magazine, and the Sycamore Review, where she was a double finalist for the Wabash Prize for Nonfiction. A native Georgian, she now lives and writes on Tybee Island. Her second book will explore growing up in the shadow of her charismatic father’s severe bipolar disorder.
Savannah Convention Center announces key leadership appointments
Savannah Convention Center (SCC) is proud to announce the appointment of two distinguished industry professionals to key leadership positions, following an extensive industry search.
Al Rojas joins SCC as assistant general manager, bringing more than 25 years of comprehensive industry experience in finance, events, and facilities management to the role. Rojas previously served as general manager at the Jackson (MS) Convention Complex and the Oklahoma City Convention Center, as well as assistant general manager at Reunion Arena and assistant director at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, both in Dallas, Texas. In his role with SCC, Rojas will oversee the finance, administration, human resources, and information technology departments, while also focusing on municipal policy, process optimization, and project management to enhance the SCC’s overall operations.
Bringing over 20 years of industry experience to her role, Jacqueline “Jackie” Mitchell joins SCC as the assistant director of Event Services. Mitchell’s extensive hospitality and events industry background includes serving as director of events at Palm Beach County Convention Center and a variety of positions at respected organizations, including the Jackson Convention Complex, the Orlando Magic, Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports, and the Richmond Sports Backers. With a proven track record in event management, sales, and business development, Mitchell will play a pivotal role in optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Event Services department. Her appointment reflects the SCC’s commitment to delivering exceptional service and maximizing customer satisfaction.
Savannah Convention Center is currently undergoing an expansive transformation project that will effectively double its size. Upon completion, the $276 million expansion project will double the size of exhibit hall space available for events to 200,000 square feet, add a new 40,000-square-foot ballroom, 15 new meeting rooms, feature a 58-foot-wide hangar door, and include a new 900-space parking deck. This expansion underscores the commitment of Savannah Convention Center to provide unparalleled facilities and services for its guests, further enhancing its reputation as a premier destination for events of all sizes.
“We are excited to welcome Al and Jackie to our high-performance team,” shared Mark Smith, chairman of the Savannah Georgia Convention Center Authority. “Their leadership will be key in preparing the organization to handle the opportunities that come with expansion.”
“Al and Jackie joining the team underscores Savannah Convention Center’s commitment to prioritizing the customer experience, enhancing the Savannah Convention Center brand, and maximizing financial performance,” said Kelvin Moore, general manager of Savannah Convention Center. “We are building something special here in Savannah. Their wealth of experience and proven track record of success will undoubtedly strengthen our organization.”
Rojas and Mitchell officially assume their new roles at SCC on June 3 and June 10, respectively.
Convenience Store News honors Parker’s Kitchen Director of Real Estate Amanda Thompson on 2024 “Top Women in Convenience” list
Courtesy of Parker”s Kitchen
Parker’s Kitchen Director of Real Estate Amanda Thompson was recently named to the 2024 “Top Women in Convenience” list by Convenience Store News. She is part of an elite group of 107 female industry professionals who will be honored at the 2024 National Association of Convenience Stores show on Oct. 8 in Las Vegas.
Parker’s Kitchen – a nationally acclaimed convenience store company and food service leader that was recently honored as a USA TODAY Top Workplace for 2024 – is delighted to announce that Director of Real Estate Amanda Thompson has been named to the 2024 “Top Women in Convenience” list by industry-leading publication Convenience Store News.
Thompson is part of an elite group of 107 female industry professionals who will be prominently recognized in the August issue of Convenience Store News Magazine and celebrated at the 2024 National Association of Convenience Stores show on Oct. 8 in Las Vegas. She is one of 43 professionals honored in the Senior Level Leaders category, which recognizes experienced female executives who have made a positive impact on their companies.
Thompson is a member of the largest class of Top Women in Convenience, the first and only convenience store industry awards program that recognizes women marking outstanding contributions to their companies and the industry. Honorees are divided into four categories: Rising Stars, Mentors, Senior Level Leaders and Women of the Year.
“Amanda is an accomplished professional who deserves this honor because of her tremendous impact on her fellow team members, our company and the c-store industry,” said Parker’s Kitchen founder and CEO Greg Parker. “Amanda is a people-first leader who brings out the best in everyone around her, which is truly something to be celebrated.”
As the Director of Real Estate for Parker’s Kitchen, Thompson is primarily responsible for the development and deployment of the company’s real estate growth strategy. She guides a high-performing team of real estate, development and entitlement managers through the acquisition, financial analysis and development process of new Parker’s Kitchen sites.
Throughout her tenure at Parker’s Kitchen, Thompson has helped close 48 new sites. She also maintains a robust pipeline of new stores at varying stages of development as part of the company’s strategic expansion of the Parker’s Kitchen brand throughout the Southeast.
Parker’s Kitchen has been recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work in South Carolina” by SC Biz News and was named the Convenience Store Chain of the Year by Convenience Store Decisions, which is the industry’s highest honor. The company has also been honored by Food and Wine as one of America’s Best Convenience Stores and was voted the #4 Best Gas Station for Food and the #6 Best Gas Station Brand in America by USA TODAY readers in 2023.
Known for its commitment to charitable giving, Parker’s Kitchen is one of the most generous companies in the convenience store industry and in the Southeast. Since 2011, the Parker’s Kitchen Fueling the Community charitable initiative has donated more than $2 million to public and private schools in Georgia and South Carolina.
Through the Parker’s Community Fund, Parker’s Kitchen provided critical funding for Union Mission to open the Parker House for Women in Savannah, Ga., the region’s first facility for unaccompanied homeless women, and made a $5 million donation to Roper/St. Francis Healthcare in Charleston, S.C. to expand access to healthcare for uninsured and underinsured residents. The company also made a record $5 million donation to name the Parker College of Business at Georgia Southern University and endowed the Parker’s Emergency and Trauma Center at Memorial Hospital in Savannah, Ga.
Since its founding in 1976, Parker’s Kitchen has grown to become a nationally acclaimed, award-winning company that raises the bar for what customers can expect from a convenience store. The Parker’s Rewards loyalty program, which includes more than 300,000 members, has saved customers more than $15 million to date. Parker’s Kitchen employs more than 1,360 professionals throughout Georgia and South Carolina, and completes nearly a million transactions weekly.
Wells Fargo celebrates new Abercorn Walk branch in Savannah
Wells Fargo recently hosted a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the opening of the new Abercorn Walk branch as it enhances and welcomes new and existing customers in Savannah. With the new location, Wells Fargo has a total of nine retail branches and 27 ATMs in the Savannah area.
Located across the street from Savannah Technical College, the new bank branch aligns with Wells Fargo’s strategy of creating a more neighborhood-focused branch network and modernizing its retail footprint for both customers and employees. The 3,200 square-foot branch has been designed and built to the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards and includes an assisted‑service ATM, a floorplan to create more space for conversation and consultation, and informative digital messaging displays.
During the event, Wells Fargo acknowledged and recognized local non-profit organizations, including Step Up Savannah, the Community Housing Services Agency (CHSA) and Junior Achievement of Savannah, who have recently received grants from Wells Fargo. As the Bank of Doing, Wells Fargo takes action to put people and communities first. From making financial education more accessible and housing more attainable, to empowering diverse small businesses and helping make communities more sustainable, doing makes communities stronger.
“We are excited to enhance our branch network in Savannah,” said Justin Hawkins, Regional Executive for Greater Georgia and South Carolina. “Across Wells Fargo, we take action to create meaningful progress for customers and communities. This new branch is part of Wells Fargo’s broader commitment to Savannah as the Bank of Doing.”
VyStar recognized as a 2024 Healthiest Companies Platinum Award Winner by First Coast Worksite Wellness Council
VyStar Credit Union has been recognized by the First Coast Worksite Wellness Council (FCWWC) as a 2024 Healthiest Companies Platinum Award Winner. The Healthiest Companies Award recognizes organizations that support employees’ health and wellbeing through best-in-class wellness programs. Award winners were recognized during the 16th Annual First Coast Worksite Wellness Conference held in Jacksonville, Florida on May 8. VyStar’s Benefits team has been a proud recipient of this prestigious award for the 5th consecutive year.
“VyStar is incredibly honored to be recognized as a Platinum Level Healthiest Company,” said VyStar Chief Human Resources Officer Kawanza Humphrey. “The award reflects our belief that the most valuable thing we have is our personal health and wellness. We know that happy and healthy employees are crucial to the important work we do every day – in serving our members, our communities, our families and each other, which is why we’ve put such a focus on further cultivating our wellness culture, providing tools to help our employees take care of themselves as a whole person – mind, body and soul.”
VyStar was recognized as a ‘Platinum Level’ company for offering the best-in-class wellness programs and creating a culture of health and well-being throughout the organization. VyStar’s leadership supports and invests in necessary resources to strategically design, implement and measure programs that show improvement in the health and well-being of its employees. Platinum award winners bolster total well-being by demonstrating robust programming and supporting multiple pillars of well-being that include physical, mental/emotion, social, career and financial.
Empowering VyStar employees to live out our shared values is one of many reasons the credit union was previously recognized for the fourth time as a “Best Place to Work” in 2023, by the Jacksonville Business Journal and as a “Company with Heart” in 2024, by Jacksonville Magazine.
To learn more about a career at VyStar, please visit vystarcu.org/careers.