Jacobs takes GHCC helm

GAINESVILLE - Jay Jacobs became a third generation chairman of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) Thursday night. And, Rushton & Company was named Small Business of the Year by the chamber and Milton Martin Toyota was named Family Business of the Year.

The awards were presented and the changing of the guard held at the chamber's 103rd Annual Gala and Awards Dinner at the Chattahoochee Country Club.

The Community Service Award went to Riverside Military Academy, the W.G. Mealor Award (for outstanding community service) went to Lanier Technical College President Russell Vandiver, and the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award winner is Gov. Nathan Deal, a Hall County resident who took office in January.

The chairman's gavel was presented to Jacobs by outgoing chairman Darrell Snyder. Jacobs' grandfather, John W. Jacobs, Sr., served in the position in 1926. His father, John W. Jacobs, Jr., now 88, served two terms as chairman.