Executive Director, Dragonfly Trails Network Why is bicycle infrastructure—from both a commuting and recreational standpoint—important to economic development?“Take the Riverwalk for example, designed to be a really beautiful service road for our Combined Sewer Overflow [CSO] system. Cities started building trails for recreational purposes and then noticed people were using them to get to work...
Plant Manager, Goldens’ Foundry & Machine Co. After Golden’s filed for bankruptcy back in 2009, what changed as far as your business model to foster the type of success the company has today? “Not really anything changed as far as our business model. To go back a little further, in 2001 we made a massive investment in the Columbus plant. We put in a brand-new molding operation...
Director, Chattahoochee Valley Libraries Why the decision to become a ‘fines free’ public-library system?“Nationally, a lot of other library systems have done that. Not everybody has been paying as much attention to it as much as we could have in this profession—I’ve been doing this for 30-something years. Fines are not a deterrent for people to bring materials back. When you realize there’s no...
Director of Communications, National Civil War Naval MuseumFounder of Fountain City Slam Poet / Writer / Actor In your role as Director of Communications for the National Civil War Naval Museum, what’s it like when you have to deliver a message like the Water Witch has to come down? “Well, it was particularly interesting with the Water Witch. We knew internally it was not a safe structure...
* President, Columbus Jaycees* Preacher, Warm Springs Road Church of Christ* Owner, Lee Snow Design & Marketing What happened to the annual Jaycees’ Haunted House? It was such a big Halloween tradition here for such a long time. “It was part of the old chapter, which disbanded in 2015. I was not here during that time, but from what I understand, it became so expensive because of the...
You moved down here from your native North Carolina for this position in August. What are your impressions of Columbus so far? “I love it. It reminds me a lot of my hometown of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Similar size. Similar demographics. It’s hot and humid and I prefer a tropical climate. My family is very happy to be here. My son [Jackson] is in first grade at Clubview. My wife [Stephanie]...
Founder / Executive Director, WILD (Women’s Initiative for Learning and Discovery)Programs Director, Chattahoochee River Conservancy What inspired your love for the outdoors?“My parents. I grew up in California, near South Lake Tahoe, on the edge of the El Dorado National Forest. We grew up camping, backpacking—I lived in the woods. We built forts, and picked flowers. So I had had a passion...
Local minister and nonprofit executive tackles the tough problem of recidivism to teaching the tools of personal finance among those convicted across the Chattahoochee Valley. “Caught Up: Criminal Justice in the Chattahoochee Valley” Vol. 6 Electric City Life Editor Frank Etheridge interview with Dr. Nathaniel Dunlap. 9.18.2019 Dr. Nathaniel Dunlap of the PRF InstituteCheck in with us...
Local YMCA child-care director stepped up this year to serve as the Board/Chairman of the combined Aron Cohn Regional / Muscogee Youth Detention facilities in northeast Columbus housing local kids caught up in the juvenile justice system. “Criminal Justice in the Chattahoochee Valley” series Vol. 5 Jed Tuiolosega (aka Coach T) Sept. 2019 ECL Editor Frank Etheridge interview with Jed...
How did you end up in Columbus, Georgia? “Ran out of gas. [laughs] No, I came here in 1992; Peter Lambert was the general manager of the [Chattahoochee] River Club, and he brought me here. I had worked with him in Palm Beach, Florida. I was back in Copenhagen when he called me and asked me if I wanted to work at the River Club. That’s how I ended up in Columbus. I was about trying to...