Wes, who was born and raised in Toccoa, Georgia, has lived in Dahlonega since 2004. He is a decorated Marine Corps combat veteran and a 2006 graduate of North Georgia College and State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Wes spent the first decade of his professional career in/around Atlanta in the financial services and investment management industries. Wes is currently involved with a variety of entrepreneurial endeavors including real estate (as both a Realtor with Chestatee Real Estate and as the developer of a short-term rental development - Triple Creek Farms) and education/childcare services (Wes and his wife, Heather, own and operate Dahlonega’s largest childcare center - Dahlonega Country Day Academy). Wes is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing golf, and supporting his children in their many activities.

Dathan Harbert is the General Manager of Consolidated Gold Mines and has been with the company since 2006.  He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of North Georgia and is a Certified Professional Gemologist.  Dathan sits on the Board of Directors for The Gold Rush Days Festival and is blessed to serve a variety of philanthropic programs funded by the event.  He is a student mentor with Lumpkin County Family Connection. He is a 2021 graduate of Leadership Lumpkin County and served as Chair of the LLC class of 2023.  Dathan continues to be involved in LLC and LYL facilitating the communication class day.   In his spare time, Dathan enjoys collecting antiques, learning about local history, traveling and spending time with his wife, Kim. 
 

Chuck Jones retired as the Executive Vice President/ DFS Chief Operating Officer for Truist Bank. He is a 1981 graduate of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas and serves as a member of the board of Trustees for their foundation. He serves on the advisory board for the Smith-Hutson Banking board, and the College of Business Administration Advisory Council. He is a 2019 Distinguished Alumnus of Sam Houston State and a 2011 COBA Hall of Honor recipient. He received the 2021 Distinguished Service Award from the American Financial Services Association, 2018 DLC Chamber Volunteer of the year and is currently serving on the board of directors. He is a 2021 graduate of Leadership Lumpkin County and will serve as the 2024 Vice Chair of Leadership Lumpkin County and the 2025 Chairperson. He and his wife Debbie have sponsored over 275 college scholarships. They reside in Dahlonega with Atticus Finch the Lakeland Terrier. Their daughter Lauren and son in law Mike live near Atlanta.

This former high school social studies teacher and Gifted Coordinator, owns and operates The Dahlonega Square Hotel & Villas in the historic district of downtown Dahlonega.  DSH is a boutique hotel housing 6 king and 6 double queen rooms and one suite.  Four of the villas are located on Choice Avenue and the Historic Villa is located on South Park Street.  The lobby of DSH also hosts a wine tasting room serving Kaya Wines.

Catherine also sits on the board of the Lumpkin County High School College and Career Academy.  Previously on the board of Lumpkin County Literacy Coalition and Leadership Lumpkin County as the alumni chair (LLC Class of 2015).

Catherine and husband, Johnny, have lived and worked in Lumpkin County since 1996.  Mother to two daughters; Sarah Beth Wright (Durant) and Caroline Werkheiser (Andrew) and three grandsons ranging in age from 5 years to 2.5 years.  

Jessica "Bird" Brown is the Associate Director of University Events at the University of North Georgia and has worked at UNG since 2010. In this role, Bird provides leadership and expertise in the planning and execution of high-level institutional events sponsored by the president or other members of senior university leadership. 

Bird moved to Dahlonega in 2004 as a 17-year-old freshman college student. She earned both her bachelor's degree in health and physical education with a minor in leadership and her master's degree in physical education from UNG.

Bird also sits on the ConnectAbility Board of Directors, a local non-profit dedicated to creating communities where people of all abilities are valued, included, and empowered. She is also a 2017 graduate of Leadership Lumpkin County. Bird and her wife, Tyler, were married in Dahlonega in 2022.

Peterson Construction Company LLC is a Dahlonega based, veteran owned licensed and insured General Contractor.  With experience in both residential and commercial construction, we specialize in remodels, renovations, and additions.  We pride ourselves on quality work and great communication with our customers.  We love turning our customers' visions into reality.  Estimates are free, and we love meeting our Dahlonega neighbors!  

 
I am a history major in the Honors Program at the University of North Georgia. I derive my sense of purpose from working to address the needs of my community and beyond. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. and become a professor of contemporary American history. Outside of school, I am the Founder and Executive Director of Women Together Period, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works towards ending period poverty in north Georgia. I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and adopted rabbits, painting, and engaging in discussions over a cup of coffee.

My name is Tammy Soles, I am the Director of Clinical Care & Staff Development for Northeast Ga. Physicians Group. I have been with Northeast Ga. Health Systems for 21 years working both in the inpatient and ambulatory settings. I graduated UNG in 2007 with my Bachelor's degree in Nursing and earned a Master's degree in Nursing from Saint Xavier University in 2015 and certified as a Clinical Nurse Leader. I am a 4th generation "nugget" with deep roots in this community.  I've been married to my husband Jason for 20 years and we have 3 sons: Will, Caleb, and Bo. 

Born and raised in Decatur, Georgia and attended Gordon and Norcross High Schools. After graduating Norcross High School, attended and graduated North Georgia College in 1977 where I met my wife. Reported to Fort Knox, KY that year with a follow-on assignment as an Armor Officer in Germany. Upon return to the United States, attended and successfully completed the US Army Aviation Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama.  After many assignments in Aviation and Air Cavalry units in the contiguous United States and the Republic of Korea, retired and moved back to the Atlanta area and enjoyed a career in banking. Moved to Dahlonega in 2010. I have two successful daughters who reside in the Atlanta area with their families to include two grand-daughters and a grand-son. Currently own Real Property Management Stellar.