Young Gamechangers’ inaugural class focused on Americus/Sumter County in 2012 bringing 25 Young Professionals together to focus on attracting and retaining entrepreneurs and retirees, missed economic opportunities and Americus/Sumter County’s unique story to the world.

Ben Andrews

Location: Americus

Title: Community Development Coordinator

Employer: The City of Americus, GA

Justin R. Arnold

Location: Americus

Title: Assistant District Attorney

Employer: Southwestern Judicial Circuit

Emily Boness

Location: Athens

Title: Public Service Assistant

Employer: The Fanning Institute at UGA

Gregory Burbridge

Location: Atlanta

Title: Senior Program Specialist

Employer: Atlanta Regional Commission

James Carter

Title: Independent political researcher

Janet Cummings, Ph.D.

Location: Atlanta

Title: Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management

Employer: Emory University Rollins School of Public Health

Jefferson Irwin Davis

Location: Dublin

Title: Founder

Employer: Alterra Networks

Nicole de Vries

Location: Columbus

Title: Manager of Academic Data

Employer: Columbus State University

Chantee Earl, Ph.D.

Location: Atlanta

Title: Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Middle/Secondary Education and Instructional Technology

Employer: Georgia State University

Howard Franklin

Title: Political strategist

Employer: Georgia10x10.com

Denise Grabowski

Title: Founder

Employer: Symbioscity

Hill Hardman

Title: Director of Corporate Strategy and Development

Employer: RouteMatch Software, Inc.

Kris Hattaway

Location: Macon

Title: Director of Place

Employer: NewTown Macon

Georgia Wood Hodges

Location: Athens

Title: Assistant Research Scientist

Employer: University of Georgia

Bardin Hooks

Location: Americus

Title: Associate Attorney

Employer: Gatewood, Skipper & Rambo

Tyler Mann

Location: Atlanta

Title: Chief of Staff

Employer: State Senator Jason Carter

Carmie McDonald

Title: Program Manager

Employer: The Fox Theatre Institute (FTI)

Ashley Meggit

Title: Governmental relations associate position

Employer: Georgia Municipal Association (GMA)

Catherine Muller

Title: Architect and community designer

Mary Ann Portt

Location: Atlanta

Title: Business Integration Manager for the Southeast

Employer: Bank of America

Benjamin Reeves

Title: Associate Director

Employer: Cushman & Wakefield

Kyle Smith

Location: Lake Blackshear

Employer: Several businesses and is always open to the next big business idea

Heather Stanley

Location: Americus

Title: Managing Director

Employer: Historic Rylander Theatre in Americus, GA

Mandy Young

Location: Americus

Title: Community & Economic Development Director

Employer: City of Americus