GBA news, Vol. 11 [i.e. 14], no. 1 (Spring 2001)

Spring Issue
GBA

NEWS

Volume 11, Number 1

Helen Scholes, Executive Director

By Heather Hedrick
GBA PLANTS TREE IN HONOR OF
ENVIRONMENTALIST

Barbara Mason, active Georgia environmentalist, will forever be memorialized on Capitol Hill. A dogwood tree, her favorite, stands strong on the north lawn of the State Capitol Building; an appropriate tribute in an fitting location for a woman who spent the greater part of her life working to beautify the State of Georgia.

The Georgia Building Authority (GBA) facilitated a tree dedication ceremony in honor of Mason, organized by the Keep

Martha Lee (right), daughter of Barbara Mason, joins KGB staff in honorary tree planting.

Georgia Beautiful Affiliates (KGB) on February 20, 2001.

Donald Evans, GBA Transportation Administrator, who

Despite the typical Atlanta winter weather of gray clouds and

oversees all landscaping of the Capitol grounds, said that his

drizzle, a cheerfully reflective crowd of more than thirty people staff chose a dogwood tree because it is a less dominant tree

gathered to remember Mason and witness the

"It was really a special day. Nancy

that would blend well with the other trees on the

planting of the dogwood in Negris and Donald Evans were so

Capitol grounds. Max

her honor.

helpful. We're singing GBA's praises." Lee, Barbara Mason's

-Ann McDaniel, KGB Legislative Committee Chair

son, explained to the

"Barbara deserves a

attendees of the ceremony

forest, but we're happy with this dogwood," commented one of that the dogwood was a good choice, because it was also his

Mason's many friends that attended the ceremony. "She was a

mother's favorite tree variety.

true friend of the environment," observed another.

According to Evans, the Building Authority goes into extensive planning to prepare for a dedication ceremony of this kind. "We get these types of requests pretty often, but it all depends on what type of tree the group requests, and how it would tie into the landscaping plans for the Capitol grounds," Evans explained. Once KGB requested the date, GBA employees picked the location, dug the hole for the tree's roots, painted three honorary gold shovels and purchased the tree. The Keep Georgia Beautiful Association reimbursed GBA for the cost of the tree. After the dedication ceremony was over, GBA employees Angelo Garcia, Samuel Fergeson, Eckard Hart and Willie Key, supervised by Trent Ozburn, ensured that the tree was safely planted and well tended.

Keep Georgia Beautiful affiliates crowd around tree, in honor of Barbara Mason.

(GBA Plants Tree, page 5)

By Heather Hedrick
BARNES SHARES SPOTLIGHT WITH GBA KIDS

On February 2, 2001, ten students from the Georgia Building Authority Capitol Hill Child Enrichment Center (CHCEC) got to share the spotlight with Georgia's very own Governor Roy Barnes.

At a press conference in his office, Governor Barnes announced plans to propose legislation that would help low to middle-income families who save ahead for their children's college education to get relief in the form of tax breaks, all with help from students from the four and five year-old class from CHCEC.

On top of the Governor's desk, the ten CHCEC students sat patiently, at first, clad in graduation caps and holding mini-diplomas. Most of them weren't fazed by the television cameras, flash photography and reporters that crawled around the Governor's office, shining lights in the students' faces, and asking them complex questions such as how to spell their names.

(Left to right) Courtnie McCarthy,

As the Governor's speech grew longer, detailing the contribution maximums and Saleemah Assad-Taylor and Aria

withdrawal penalties, the students' patience grew thinner. The mini-diplomas turned Albritton sit on the Governor's desk

into telescopes, and one-by-one the students started whispering and sliding off the

during his press conference.

Governor's desk. Even members of the media couldn't help but laugh as one

CHCEC student was pulled back up into his assigned seat by Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor.

Even members of the media couldn't help but laugh as one CHCEC student was

pulled back up into his assigned seat by

See SPOTLIGHT on page 5

Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor. By Heather Hedrick

GBA FOCUSES ON A BRIGHT FUTURE

(Top to Right) Barry Buttram, Bill Pardue, Lisa Payne, Lee McElhannon, John Erbele, Donna Major and Teresa Cleghorne.

Much like a family plans for its financial well being and future growth, the Georgia Building Authority (GBA) management team is currently in the process of developing the 2001 Strategic Plan in which Executive Director Helen Scholes will outline her long-term vision for GBA's future.

Guided by Governor Roy Barnes and the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA), the Building Authority senior staff members are working together over the next several months to develop a comprehensive strategic plan that will include GBA's strategic goals and objectives, an organizational chart, business functions, future needs, workforce plan and agency technological initiatives.

In December GBA division directors and others accompanied Scholes to Smithgall Woods Conservation Center, located in the North Georgia Mountains, for a two-day strategic planning conference. Facilitated by Georgia Tech's Paul Chinowsky, strategic planning expert, the program kicked off GBA's efforts toward the development of the new plan.

While at the conference, the management team established GBA's mission, vision and

goals statements, and identified action objectives for GBA's future growth. Participants also

identified core competencies, or strengths of the Authority, through group discussions and

individual breakout sessions.

See BRIGHT FUTURE on page 4

GBA NEWS page 2

By Heather Hedrick
SPOTLIGHT ON GBA BOARD MEMBERS: RUSSELL HINTON & TOMMY IRVIN

Editor's Note: This GBA News issue is the first of a new series of spotlights on the Georgia Building Authority Board Members. Governor Roy Barnes, Lt. Governor Mark Taylor and Attorney Kent Alexander will be featured in the next issue.

RUSSELL HINTON
Russell Hinton was appointed to the esteemed position of State Auditor of Georgia by Gov. Roy Barnes in June of 1999. As the head of the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts, Hinton is ultimately responsible for the financial, performance and specialized audits of each of Georgia's state agencies, colleges, universities and local boards of education.

Prior to his appointment by the Governor, Hinton was

no newcomer to state finances. After he graduated with

honors from the University of Georgia in 1974, he began

work almost immediately with the State Auditor's office.

His 25-year tenure with the department allowed him

extensive training in accounting, auditing and statutory

issue research, audit preparation and internal quality

control reviews of financial audits. Before his

appointment to be the State Auditor, Hinton was serving

the department as the Director of the Professional

Practice Division, where he was largely responsible for

the state's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, and GBA Board member and

preparation for the Statewide Single Audit.

State Auditor of Georgia

Hinton is currently affiliated with many professional

Russell Hinton

associations including the American Institute of Certified

Public Accountants, the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Southeastern

Intergovernmental Audit Forum, the State of Georgia Fiscal Management Council and the

Association of Government Accountants, in which he served in several leadership

positions, and is currently serving on the National Executive Committee.

A valuable member of the Building Authority Board, Russell Hinton brings logic and reason to the table when facing the often-difficult issues that come before the five-member board. Gena Abraham, GBA Chief Engineer, worked with him extensively during the transition period from the old GBA administration to the new management under Helen Scholes. She says "Mr. Hinton provided outstanding support to GBA during this period. By loaning us a staff auditor, helping me review the audit for our #2 Peachtree building, and assisting GBA outline the appropriate expenditure guidelines for the future, Mr. Hinton has been an incredible asset to the Authority. He always keeps the State of Georgia's
interests at the forefront throughout the process."

TOMMY IRVIN

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin is the Dean of Georgia's Constitutional Officers. A seasoned political veteran and a loyal Democrat, Commissioner Irvin was first elected to public office in 1956 as a member of the Habersham County School Board. During that time, he also served as Chairman of his local school board, and President of the Georgia School Boards Association.

GBA Board Member and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner, Tommy Irvin

Irvin served four terms in the Georgia General Assembly as a State House Representative from Habersham County and was a member of the Education and Appropriations Committees, Chairman of the Industrial Relations Committee and Chairman of the Governor's Conference on Education. However, his membership on the House Agriculture Committee led to
See BOARD MEMBERS on page 4

24 HONORED AT FAITHFUL AWARDS
BREAKFAST
by Heather Hedrick
Not too many people knew that Arthur Lee Cardell, Georgia Building Authority (GBA) Safety Officer, is an airplane pilot. Chief W.W. Holley, Cardell's Division Director, told a crowd of over 30 people at the quarterly Faithful Service Awards breakfast about Cardell's hidden talent.
Cardell was just one of 24 GBA employees honored on Wednesday, March 7 for their faithful service of 10, 15 or 20 years of work with the State of Georgia and the Building Authority. Each quarter, the GBA Human Resources Department sponsors this breakfast, to give recognition to faithful employees, and to allow supervisors and others the opportunity to tell funny and interesting stories about the employees being honored.
"And I've just been trying to find van drivers around here- I had no idea we had a pilot on board," exclaimed Helen Scholes, GBA Executive Director. Breakfast attendees also learned about a humorous mishap involving the water fountain at the Governor's Mansion, through the comments of Trent Ozburn, who was honored with 15 years of service to the state, and his supervisor Donald Evans.
Arthur Lee Cardell accepts an award for 15 years of service from Exec. Dir. Helen Scholes and Chief W.W. Holley.
In all seriousness, Scholes congratulated GBA employees on their longevity and dedication to their jobs. "I'm really proud of everything you've accomplished. Every one of you plays an important role at the GBA family, and each one is just as important as the other. We're one whole body here," she explained.
The following individuals were honored with awards for faithful service: Trent Ozburn, 15 years; George Hylton, 15 years; Tracey Boswell, 15 years; Arthur Lee Cardell, 15 years; Mirian Bell, 10 years; James Askew, 20 years; Betty Gilley, 15
See BREAKFAST on page 4

GBA NEWS page 3

GBA's Mission Statement
GBA will provide the highest level of professionalism in property management and related services to its customers.
GBA's Vision Statement
GBA will achieve its vision by providing reliable property management and related services for agencies, state employees, and others in an innovative and state-of-the-art environment that promotes and encourages opportunities for personal and professional growth.
GBA Goals Statement
, Provide safe and clean work place for all state
employees
, Maintain the state's buildings and property , Provide safe, secure, clean, friendly environment to
customers, employees and citizens of the State of Georgia and other states utilizing GBA services
, Perform in a manner that is competitive with private
sector property management
, Provide management and leadership skills to share in the
responsibility of advancing the state's objectives as mandated by the Governor
, Be respected by customers by providing them with
services that address their wants and needs
, Maintain a competitive staff with the technology,
experience and knowledge, to work with private contractors, customers and vendors in accomplishing our mission
, Respect customer service oriented employees who feel
free to communicate their thoughts and ideas without fear of ridicule or intimidation
, Be the best property management TEAM in the world
GBA's Action Objectives
, Have all policies and procedures in place , Establish training programs throughout the organization , Establish and maintain a comprehensive building
inventory

BRIGHT FUTURE (continued from page 2)

Under the facilitation of Chinowsky,

discussions at the Smithgall Woods

conference were extended to

encompass five areas of GBA

development. Participants discussed

GBA's plan to identify the following:

Knowledge Resources, the agency's

needs for technology and human

development; Education, the need to

continue professional education for

employees; Strategic Finance, the need

to retain a strong financial position

over the next five years; Market

Position, the need to develop customer Executive Director Helen Scholes

and market opportunities; and

in the kitchen with Smithgall

Competitive Position, the need to retain General Manager John Erbele

budget priorities by the Georgia legislature.

and staff.

"I feel very confidant about the outlook of the future for GBA with this team of planners," commented Scholes upon her return from the conference. "We worked hard up there at Smithgall, and I think a lot of what we did will be seen in the completion of this plan."

According to GTA, the State of Georgia is entering its seventh consecutive year of strategic planning. A legally mandated process in Georgia, strategic planning for many agencies has evolved into the agency's "way of doing business." Last year, agencies were additionally required to submit Information Technology (IT) strategic plans. The IT plan defines an agency's technology initiatives, and sets forth goals to remain technologically competitive with private entities in Georgia. In FY2000, the state again added a mandate for agencies to create a Workforce plan to focus on departmental staffing and workforce profiling.

This year, in FY2002, the Governor has requested that Georgia's government, which is made up of over 100 agencies, boards and authorities, consolidate the three elements of planning, including the strategic plan, IT plan and Workforce plan, into one master plan. GTA, the Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) and the Georgia Merit System (GMS) have combined forces to assist agencies with this endeavor. Strategic Plans are due for submission on June 30, 2001.

For more information on Strategic Planning, or to see a finished sample of GTA's Strategic Plan, go to the GTA website at http://www.gagta.com/.

BOARD MEMBERS (continued from page 3)
the position in the industry that would dominate his life for the next three decades. Irvin also served as Administrative Floor Leader to Governor Lester Maddox and later became the Governor's Executive Secretary.
In 1969 Irvin was appointed by Governor Maddox as agriculture commissioner to fill the unexpired term of Phil Campbell. Irvin is recognized as one of the state's most able leaders and has been overwhelmingly re-elected every four years by the voters of Georgia, garnering more votes than any candidate during the last statewide election. In addition to being one of the longest serving members of the Georgia Building Authority (GBA), Irvin chairs a subcommittee of the GBA Board that members fondly call the "Irvin Parking Committee." Donald Evans, GBA Transportation Administrator says, "The Commissioner is dedicated to doing what is right for the people of Georgia, whether it deals with parking or any other issue."
Committed to public service, Irvin also chairs the Georgia Development Authority and the Georgia Seed Development Commission. He is a member of the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission, the Georgia Agrirama Development Authority, the Georgia State Employee Benefits Plan Council and ex-officio member of eleven Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commissions. Additionally, Commissioner Irvin is the only Georgian to serve as the president of his professional organization, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). He is known throughout the United States for his proactive stance on international trade and has greatly influenced the promotion and establishment of the export of southern food and agricultural products.
The Commissioner and his wife of 53 years, Bernice, have five children and fourteen grandchildren. The Irvins live on a farm in Habersham County, where he serves as a deacon of the Antioch Baptist Church.
GBA NEWS page 4

BREAKFAST
(continued from page 3)
years; Ron Pittman, 20 years; John Carter, 20 years; Jimmy Glenn, 20 years; Albert Bynes, 15 years; Jimmy George, 15 years; Lena Reid, 10 years; Stan Phillips, 15 years; Ray Neely, 10 years; Linda Smith, 15 years; Ruth Maxwell, 15 years; Tim Walker, 15 years; Jim Hyde, 10 years; Dot Haller, 15 years; Randy Cofer, 15 years; Dwayne Robinson, 10 years; Harold Johnson, 10 years; and Vicki Kelly, 20 years.

SPOTLIGHT (continued from page 2)
When asked if he planned to attend college, one CHCEC student smiled shyly and answered, "Yep. When I get old I think I will."
House Bill 417, which is sponsored by Representatives Charlie Smith, Louise McBee and others, would allow Georgia families to participate in a program to establish a college savings account on behalf of college-bound children and beneficiaries.
Contributions to the savings account would grow tax-free until withdrawn, and upon withdrawal, earnings on the account would be exempt from income taxes, if used for educational purposes. Contributions to the savings account are also tax deductible from Georgia income taxes, up to certain limits.
CHCEC students participating in the press conference included: Alia Albritton, Saleemah Assad-Taylor, Anna Camp, Joyce Fowler, Colby Hansen, Hasai Hazuri, Brock Langley, Courtney McCarthy, Shawn Stutzman and Armani Lashley.

(Left to right) Kristopher Manson, Joyce Fowler, Anna Camp and Courtnie McCarthy wait patiently for the Governor's appearance.

GBA Plants Tree (continued from page 5)
February 20, 2001 was also the day designated for the Keep Georgia Beautiful legislative breakfast. The group set up a display table with informational materials for legislators and visitors in the Capitol rotunda. "It was really a special day," said Ann McDaniel, KGB Legislative Committee Chair. "Nancy Negris and Donald Evans were so helpful. We're singing GBA's praises."
Barbara Mason, who unexpectedly passed away on December 29, 2000, was a statewide leader in the field of environmental advocacy. In 1978, with the help of Governor George Busbee, she began the first Georgia Clean and Beautiful program, which was re-named Keep Georgia Beautiful in 1998. She served as the first director of this program until 1989 when she left Georgia to accept a position as the director of a similar program in Florida.
Mason eventually returned to Georgia, and directed the Fulton Clean and Beautiful program, retiring in 1997. She continued to serve environmental efforts in Georgia after her retirement as the Chairman of the Keep Sandy Springs/North Fulton Beautiful Board of Directors, a member of the Georgia Recycling Coalition and as State Coordinator for America Recycles Day.
"Barbara taught us and supported us," exlained McDaniel. "She's a large part of the reason that we're all out there doing the work that we do now."

In the late 1990s the KGB program established the "Barbara Mason Award," annually presented to Executive Directors of local KGB programs who represent similar characteristics as Mason. Lynn Cobb, KGB Manager explained, "We are very fortunate that we were able to honor her in 1998 with the establishment of this award and recognize her at that time for all she had given to Georgia and its citizens."
Cobb knew Mason well. "Barbara spent her entire life encouraging people to keep Georgia beautiful. Her enthusiasm for her professional and volunteer life supporting the Keep America Beautiful system was equaled only by her devotion to her family. She was a kind and gentle mentor to the directors, boards and staff of KAB affiliates in Georgia and across the country and was never too busy to lend a hand or give sage advice," she said.
Barbara Mason's daughter, Martha Lee, and son, Max Lee, were both present at the tree planting ceremony in February.
Georgia was the first state in the nation to tackle the issues of litter prevention and environmental awareness on a statewide level with the creation of KGB. With 63 local affiliates, the Georgia KGB program currently exceeds all other states in the nation in local participation. KGB focuses on three core issues, including litter prevention, waste minimization and beautification.

GBA NEWS page 5

"You've Got Mail!"

Publication Information

GBA NEWS is a publication of the Georgia Building Authority.

Helen Scholes, Executive Director

Editor:

Heather L. Hedrick Public Information Officer Phone: 404-463-0334

Address:

1 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Phone: 404-656-3253 Fax: 404-657-0337

Heather.Hedrick@gw.gba.state.ga.us

GBA Board Members
Governor Roy Barnes Chairman
Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor Vice-Chairman
Commissioner Tommy Irvin
State Auditor Russell Hinton
Attorney Kent Alexander

By Heather Hedrick
SAFETY BELT USAGE HIGH IN PETE HACKNEY LOT
Evening Drivers Wear Safety Belts More
According to the Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), an average of 83.25 percent of state employees using two Georgia Building Authority (GBA) parking facilities are currently using safety belts.
GOHS recently released results from four surveys conducted in November of 2000, in which surveyors stationed themselves at the entrances and exits of GBA's 90 Central and Pete Hackney parking facilities. Surveyors counted 100 cars during each morning and evening study.
Only drivers were counted and very few cars were found to include passengers. According to Felecia Church, GOHS spokeswoman, most of the drivers were considered to be state employees, although some drivers from evening surveys could have been non-state employees. GOHS attests that the possibility of nonstate employees in the survey are statistically insignificant, due to similar results found in morning and evening surveys.
Statistics show that drivers from the Pete Hackney parking facility, averaging 84 percent usage, had a slightly larger percentage of safety belt usage than the 90 Central parking lot, which registered 82.5 percent of drivers wearing safety belts. The study further showed that in the cases of both facilities, drivers exiting the lot in the evening had a slightly larger tendency to wear safety belts than drivers entering the lot in the mornings.
According to GOHS, the results of this study of safety belt usage in GBA operated parking facilities were significantly above the statewide average of safety belt usage, which is currently at 77 percent. However, the results from this survey still remain below the presidential goal of 85 percent safety belt usage, which was set for the year 2000.
GBA NEWS page 6