Over the past several months, community, education, and business leaders have embarked on a mission to pursue a College and Career Academy for Sumter County to enhance opportunities for our region’s students and future workforce. With this partnership, the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to kick-off its 2018 Membership Luncheon series on February 1 with presenting sponsors, Innovative Senior Solutions and One Sumter Economic Development Foundation, Inc. With the focus of the luncheon pertaining to establishing the Americus Area College & Career Academy and the impact it can have on the Sumter County community and surrounding region, Russ Moore, Seamless Educations Associates, Inc., will serve as the keynote speaker.
 
Moore is the Founder of Seamless Education Associates, Inc. He has served in the public and private sectors for 38 years. In the public sector, he has served Georgia in the Office of the Governor, at the Georgia Institute of Technology, in the former Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism, and as CEO of the state's first "college and career academy" (Central Educational Center in Newnan).
 
In the private sector, he has been Vice President of Marketing and Development for Education Networks of America (Nashville, Tennessee), a TV and media producer for national networks and Fortune 500 companies, and he has started and run several businesses. He has BA from Georgia State University and Master of Education from Arizona State University.
 
As the founder and CEO of Seamless Education Associates, Inc., Moore has helped form the community partnerships that have started - or are starting - 28 “college and career academies” throughout Georgia. One Sumter, Sumter County Schools, and South Georgia Technical College have contracted with Mr. Moore’s firm to help start a college and career academy serving the Sumter County region.
 
Along with Moore, Brandi Lunneborg, CEO of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center and Chairwoman of the Workforce Needs & Instruction Committee; will provide an overview of how the business community is working together on this partnership and the impact a College & Career Academy will have for the future of workforce development and education in Sumter County and surrounding areas.
 
The cost of the luncheon is $20 for members and $25 for non-members and will be held at the Rees Park Economic Development located at 409 Elm Avenue, Americus. The luncheon will begin with a Business Expo starting at 11:15 am with the program to follow at 12:00 pm.
 
To make your reservation, please contact the Sumter County Chamber at 229.924.2646 or go to www.sumtercountychamber.com. We now accept credit and debit card payments online, and checks/cash may be mailed to Post Office Box 724 Americus, GA 31709; or paid in-person at our offices on the second floor of the Rees Park Economic Development Center.