Author: Admin

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) has entered into an agreement to sell its Vienna, Georgia poultry complex to House of Raeford Farms, the company announced today.

Tyson Foods’ decision to sell the complex is part of its continued efforts to optimize its plant network, and the company will continue to service customer orders from other production locations. House of Raeford Farms intends to continue poultry processing at the complex utilizing the existing workforce and grower network.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions including approval by U.S. regulators.

Technology, including AI, is the number one business investment area this year, however transformational AI use cases – beyond simple task automation – will require organizations to address the process and operational concerns surrounding their technology. These are key findings from a recent study commissioned by North Highland, the leading change and transformation consultancy.

To identify business leaders’ key priorities as well as how technology, people and processes are impacting their strategies and intended business outcomes, North Highland surveyed 500 leaders across 11 industries in the U.S. and the U.K.

Findings of the study, “The State of Connected Change 2024,” show that processes, people/skills, and culture are the top barriers AI adoption, while “workforce and organizational optimization” and “building internal capability” are top areas of concern. This insight underscores the importance of harnessing technology and AI through organizational practices, governance, and processes that best enable people to use it.

According to the research:

• Functional silos are preventing AI adoption and scale, reinforcing the importance of processes and ways of working in realizing the value of technology.

• When asked how generative AI is influencing workforce strategy, nearly one in three leaders report “introducing new upskilling and reskilling programs,” along with “increased reliance on technology partners.”

• “Internal technology capabilities” topped the list of investment priorities (43%), yet less than half of those spending big on technology are also investing in risk management, indicating there is an underemphasis on risk relative to the degree of technology investment.

• AI-enabled technology may be contributing to a spirit of optimism, with 97% of leaders predicting revenue maintenance or growth this year.

• Revenue confidence aside, over 80% of leaders say their organization has at least some AI-related fears.

“Our research shows that technology deployment is still happening in silos, often being ‘turned on’ rather than owned and adopted by a cross-functional team and embedded into the business culture,” said Alex Bombeck, CEO of North Highland. “With AI top of mind for leaders, overcoming these barriers and fostering ‘connected change’ must start with intentionality in how organizations manage their people, knowledge, and data, and North Highland is uniquely positioned to help clients navigate this shift.”

In Georgia, we prioritize the economic health and well-being of our residents above all else. An economy that’s thriving provides opportunities for every family in our state to live the American Dream and build a better life.

Central to that priority is developing a comprehensive workforce development strategy that provides educational and training opportunities for workers across our state to succeed in whatever industry best suits their skills, experiences and educational background.

Read More At: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Saw Mill Capital Partners, an affiliated private equity investment fund managed by Saw Mill Capital LLC, announces the launch of RAFTR Roofing + Exteriors, a top-rated roofing and outdoor exterior solutions provider that specializes in the insurance-claim sector. Headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, RAFTR Roofing + Exteriors works with property owners to lead them through the fragmented insurance claims process to ensure they provide higher-quality repairs and installations. 

“RAFTR Roofing + Exteriors brands go far beyond customer expectations to provide a reliable, accessible level of support when property owners need a sense of urgency and response. We are locally based on a national scale and are always available in the customer’s time of need. We offer industry-leading warranty and support throughout the customer journey, including helping secure coverage for damaged property and handling claims,” shares Gyner Ozgul, CEO of RAFTR Roofing + Exteriors. “We go beyond 5-star reviews, BBB A+ ratings and referrals to serve customers. Our commitment to constant improvement is at the core of our mission.”

Just as there are hundreds of pieces joined together in the rafters that support a roof, the name RAFTR Roofing + Exteriors reflects the many interconnected people, products and processes required for the company to deliver an exceptional customer experience.

In addition to adding value to customers’ homes, RAFTR Roofing + Exteriors is committed to adding value to the professional careers of its team members. The company is built on strong principles that set the organization’s culture. RAFTR Roofing + Exteriors believes employee satisfaction drives continuity. 

“A business is only as successful as its employees. We strive to be a positive workplace that goes above and beyond for its employees, utilizes their strengths, and values their contributions. We look forward to becoming the home of the industry’s most satisfied workplace,” shares Ozgul. 

Challenging Insurance Market

In 2023, the U.S. suffered about a third of the global economic losses as a result of natural disasters, but accounted for 70 percent of global losses covered by insurance. RAFTR Roofing + Exteriors supports the insurance industry during an unprecedented period of change. The company stands by insurers as they navigate an evolving market with historic claim numbers. 

“The homeowners that RAFTR Roofing + Exteriors brands serve receive an exceptional experience from start to finish. Our experts identify roofing issues and defects and provide industry-leading solutions. The insurance process can be complicated, and our specialists are exceptional in navigating and coordinating claims. We guide customers through the process with clear communication at every stage,” continues Ozgul.

For more information about RAFTR Roofing + Exteriors and its portfolio of brands, visit http://raftrxroofing.com/.

The 2024 Primerica International Convention, Atlanta’s largest corporate meeting with attendees from across the U.S. and Canada, returns to the city starting today through July 13. The event, hosted by Primerica, Inc. a leading provider of financial services and products, is estimated to draw as many as 40,000 members of its sales force with a projected economic impact of $46 million on the local economy.

“After forty-seven record-breaking years, Primerica continues to achieve new levels of success through the sheer number of families we serve, complemented by the unmatched opportunities that exist for our independent sales force,” said Glenn Williams, CEO of Primerica. “Our Convention will celebrate these accomplishments while challenging us to expand the number of middle-income households we help to achieve financial security.”

The four-day event, held at the Georgia World Congress Center and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, will use the Company’s strong performance to drive sales momentum through 2027, the 50-year anniversary of the Company’s 1977 founding. The size and magnitude of the Convention is significant. The four general sessions will have attendance nearing professional sporting events held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, alongside workshops and exhibits.

“As one of Atlanta’s largest conventions, Primerica brings tens of thousands of attendees and millions of dollars to our city,” said William Pate, president and CEO, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. “From hotels to restaurants and attractions, the economic impact of this convention is felt throughout the region.”

Primerica has grown its sales force to nearly 146K life insurance-licensed representatives, including over 25K representatives who are also securities licensed.

Growth of the sales force has also created momentum across the business. Year-to-date new recruits and new life insurance-licensed representatives are up 15% over the first half of 2023. At the close of the second quarter of 2024, the Company held $951 billion of term life insurance in force on behalf of its clients. As of June 30, 2024, term life face amount issued increased 3% year-to-date. The Company continues to deliver for families and has paid out an average of $1.8 billion in death claims per year over the last five years.

Driven by higher investment products sales and appreciation of client asset values, preliminary production results indicate client asset values reached $105 billion as of June 30, 2024, with investment product sales during the first half of 2024 reaching $5.8 billion, up approximately 25% year-to-date.

The Primerica International Convention will return to Atlanta in 2027, when the Company celebrates its 50^thanniversary.

Choosing the Right Real Estate Marketing Channels

Which Marketing and Lead Channels Should You Be Focusing On? 2025 and the return of home sales transactions might seem a long way off, but as I wrote in another post, all signals point to a big resurgence. In fact, 2025/2026 could well be record years for transaction dollar volumes as more pricey homes get…

Students in the inaugural Youth LEAD Georgia class, run by the University of Georgia, saw their state in a whole new light this summer.

The youth participated in a bus tour across south Georgia as part of Youth LEAD Georgia, a program housed at UGA’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development. This innovative program was made possible by a $1.5 million contribution from Chick-fil-A, Inc. and an additional charitable investment by The Same House.

Starting and ending in Macon, the June 4-7 tour also made stops in Savannah, Waycross, Tifton, Albany and Warner Robins.

“The tour gave me a chance to bond with my classmates as friends and fellow young leaders,” said Tierney Walton of Valdosta. “Also, I learned a lot about Georgia and also learned more about possible career opportunities in our state through the tour.”

Along the four-day tour, the class visited the Port of Savannah, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, UGA Tifton campus, and Warner Robins Air Force Base to learn more about many of Georgia’s major industrial sectors. In addition, trips to UGA Marine Extension on Skidaway Island and the Okefenokee Swamp highlighted the state’s natural resources and a trip to Albany State University continued to offer the students a chance to visit other postsecondary education institutions.

Spending four days together traveling through south Georgia also allowed the students to continue building on the leadership skills they explored during their first two sessions earlier this year at UGA and in Cartersville.

Along with the leadership training, the 29 students—representing 28 Georgia counties—are participating in experiential learning activities, discussing current issues and challenges facing Georgia, and engaging with community and business leaders.

“By working with these students to develop the skills needed to lead others and address issues while also helping them better understand our state, we are equipping Georgia’s next generation of leaders,” said Lauren Healey, Fanning Institute interim associate director and public service faculty. “We appreciate Chick-fil-A and The Same House for investing in this important program and partnering with UGA.”

The inaugural class will meet twice more this year, gathering next in Columbus in September and then graduating in Atlanta in November. Meanwhile, nominations and applications for the 2025 program, which kicks off in January, are open now.

“The program has been a great experience so far,” said Owen Osborne of Newnan. “It has been interesting to not just learn about leadership in a classroom but to get out, meet people and learn how they have developed their leadership skills and used them in their communities.”

Adults can nominate any rising 10th and 11th grade student in Georgia for the program. Nominated students will then receive an invitation to apply. Nominations for the 2025 program will close Sept. 1, with nominated students having until Sept. 30 to complete their application. UGA will announce the 2025 class in mid-November.

To nominate a student for Youth LEAD Georgia or learn more, click here.

The Republican-controlled State Election Board voted Tuesday to move forward with a proposed rule that would give members of local election boards discretion in deciding whether to certify election results.

The rule would give counties the authority to conduct a “minimum level of oversight” of election results before they’re certified, Salleigh Grubbs, who chairs the Cobb County Republican Party, told the five-member board before the 3-1 vote.

“There is a crisis of confidence in our elections,” Grubbs said. “The oversight of elections in each county is critical to restoring trust.”

But opponents argued that election officials in Georgia do not have discretion to vote against certification.

“Though the petition claims this rule will clarify ambiguity about an election official’s duty to certify results, the Georgia Supreme Court has consistently interpreted that duty as a ministerial one rather than discretionary,” the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University and the voting rights organization United to Protect Democracy wrote jointly in comments submitted to the board before Tuesday’s meeting.

“Therefore, this language conflicts with longstanding Georgia case law and would sow disorder in the state’s election administration processes, which already have safeguards to ensure election results are accurate and reliable.”

Sara Tindall Ghazal, the lone Democrat on the board, said the proper time to address complaints of voter fraud is after an election has been certified.

“There are procedures for investigating after the fact,” she said. “Without certification, a candidate cannot contest an election.”

Board Chairman John Fervier proposed an alternative to the rule Grubbs presented that would have restricted the types of documents a local election board member could request to see before voting on certifying an election. Otherwise, he said, local boards could be inundated by limitless requests for documents that would unnecessarily drag out the process.

But board member Dr. Janice Johnston, who made the motion to approve Grubbs’ proposal, opposed putting restrictions on the number of documents a board member could request.

“Every election document should be available to every member of the board,” she said.

Three of the four Republican board members supported the rule, with Ghazal voting in opposition and Fervier abstaining.

The board is expected to conduct a final vote on the proposed rule next month.

Capitol Beat is a nonprofit news service operated by the Georgia Press Educational Foundation that provides coverage of state government to newspapers throughout Georgia. For more information visit capitol-beat.org.