Leadership Lumpkin County Class of 2025

My name is Troy Armstrong, I am a lifelong resident of Dahlonega, GA. I'm passionate about family, fishing, and baseball. I'm currently working for the City of Dahlonega, Public Works Department as Supervisor for Cemeteries, Parks, and Streets. It’s an honor and privilege to serve my hometown community. 

After working professionally first as a food scientist and then a successful entrepreneur, I happily retired and entered the volunteer sector in my previous home town of Sarasota, FL. My wife, Ali, and I recently moved to Dahlonega to continue enjoying life and the benefits of a smaller community. I am also proud to be an UGA graduate (MS '85).

Hi, my name is Jeana Cavanaugh.  My husband Andrew, our four daughters, and I moved to Dahlonega in 2019.  We fell in love with Dahlonega after coming to my nephew's wedding here in town a little while before that.  I knew we had to move here, so we prayed about it, and it happened!  In the past couple years, we've gotten pretty involved in our church community, The Torch Dahlonega, and love it there. 
My husband Andrew is a disabled Marine Corps veteran, and I am a small business owner.  I own and operate Integrity Property Management & Cleaning Services LLC.  We mostly do short term rental properties (managing and/or cleaning), but also recently started with residential cleanings.  
I'm really looking forward to being a part of Leadership Lumpkin to get even more involved in our local community, and to learn all about Lumpkin County, what it has to offer, & making some new friends along the way!

My name is Sarah Christopher .I became a proud resident of Dahlonega in Feb 2024. Shortly after my arrival, I embraced the role of General Manager at the Holly Theatre, where I am committed to maintaining and enhancing the theatre's strong presence in the community. Before joining the Holly Theatre, I dedicated years to both my family and my career, supporting my husband, an Army veteran, as we raised our four children, two of whom are still attending school in Lumpkin County. Alongside my family commitments, I maintained a successful 20-year career as an event operations manager, working in renowned venues in cities like Seattle and New York City. With a deep appreciation for the arts and a strong connection to the community, I aim to continue the Holly Theatre's tradition of offering high-quality performances and programs that bring people together. My focus is on ensuring that the Holly remains a vibrant and essential part of Dahlonega’s cultural landscape.

As a native child of Dahlonega, I wanted nothing more than to escape the confines of my small-town & explore the world; so, I did. The experiences I gained not only helped me cultivate a better worldview, but it also helped me understand what I truly wanted out of life. I loved learning new things, constantly being challenged, & pursuing my dreams through my career; but it wasn't enough. I wanted to help people on a deeper, more meaningful level. I missed the fresh mountain air, kayaking down the river at a moment’s notice, & was in desperate need to touch some grass! Returning home & growing in my career at NOA has not only meet my need to help others, but it is also helping me build a new community for myself in one that I tried to leave long ago. It's still my personal ambition to wake up & do something great every single day, but I now know that sometimes even small towns can give way to big dreams.

Hi, I’m Chelsie Cook and I’ve been with Northeast Georgia Health System for the past 10 years as a Registered Nurse and Practice Manager of both Primary Care and Internal Medicine offices. I am honored for this opportunity to grow and learn through Leadership Lumpkin as I aim to continually refine my professional acumen and best serve our wonderful Lumpkin County community. When I’m not in the office, my family and I enjoy spending time outdoors hiking or in the water with our dog Murphy, who always leads us into the next adventure .

GAIL MARIE DETRAZ
My Agent Gail Marie, Chris McCall Realty, REALTOR®

I'm  a local Realtor who lives, works and plays right here in Dahlonega. I am excited to be a member of the Chamber and a new recruit in the Leadership Lumpkin class. I love learning more about our beloved Dahlonega and the surrounding areas. My greatest joy is working  with folks, helping them with their real estate needs. I have earned special designations which include Military Relocation Professional (MRP), Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and am working on Luxury homes designation.

As a dedicated event planner with a newly established business, Events by H&A, I bring 19 years of experience in the hospitality industry. My journey began in Columbus, Georgia, where I grew up, and since 2011, I have called the metro Atlanta area home. My passion for working with people and contributing to the community has been a significant part of my life, starting with my involvement in philanthropy during high school.

I am thrilled to be a part of the Leadership Lumpkin class of 2025. Dahlonega holds a special place in my heart, a sentiment that has only grown stronger over the years. My future plans include building my home in the area. My family and I are also launching a business that will offer additional lodging for tourists, and an event space for both private, and community focused events in Dahlonega. I am excited to integrate into this wonderful community and contribute to its growth and success.

After traveling and living in many places, I have found my way home to Dahlonega, Georgia. As program director at Jeremiah's Place transitional housing program, I enjoy working with our residents as they discover a bright new future. What many folks don't know is that I also edit books. I've enjoyed working with several Lumpkin County authors, and I'm so proud of them. What a joy and privilege to play a small role in their creative process. (I've also authored my own books, but I am way more interested in my clients' books!) With two master's degrees, I've also enjoyed teaching in university settings, but most of my adventures nowadays are in the school of life! I've always had a heart for community and look forward to new ways to serve and grow. I live on a family's farm with my adorable Yorkie, who fusses at the chickens, horses, sheep, and donkey that share their farm with us. 

I’m Betty Florence, manager of the North Georgia Chamber Symphony.  After a teaching career with the Atlanta Public Schools, and a long career with the Coca-Cola Company, I relocated with my husband Virlyn, to Dahlonega in 2000.  I have degrees from Georgia State and Emory, including an MBA from Emory in 1984.  I helped found the Chamber Symphony in 2007 and love playing violin with them. The Chamber Symphony is headquartered in Dahlonega, and we play all over North Georgia.   I also manage the music library, sometimes create parts, occasionally arrange music and am secretary/treasurer.  This is the most fulfilling part of my life, and it wouldn’t have happened if we hadn’t moved to Dahlonega.  My husband died in 2016, but I continue to live in Dahlonega with my cat, Kittybaby.

The Army brought my wife and I (and two sons) to Dahlonega over two years ago and like many before us have decided to make it home  I have served in the Army over a decade and was previously stationed with the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, NC. Prior to the Army I owned a software company, a fashion apparel company, and worked in business consulting. Through Leadership Lumpkin I hope to continue to put roots down and see where we can continue to serve and grow in this amazing community. 

My husband and I moved to Dahlonega in April 2023 from South Forsyth where we raised four children that grew up in the Lambert High School district and where our lives were full of church, sports and YoungLife activities.  When they all left for college we knew it was time for a change and a move out of the chaos of Johns Creek.  We were blessed to find a small farm in Dahlonega where we have two dogs, four chickens and learning to be gardeners.  We have already met some of the kindest neighbors and look forward to learning more about our community and meeting other families.
I am an accountant and work at Striker Marketing with Graham & Sally Edwards, who I've know for many years so working here has made Dahlonega fell like home already.  Looking forward to being a part of the Dahlonega-Lumpkin community for a long time!!

I was born in Gainesville and moved to Dahlonega in 2016. I graduated with a BA in Studio Art and Ceramics from UNG and earned my RYT500 certificate from North Georgia Yoga Center. I'm a clinical massage therapist of 10 years. My passion is facilitating space for a thriving body and mind, and cultivating a joyous life. In my massage career, I am fascinated by the mind's integral relationship with the body and how our minds shape the life we lead, so I became a Board Certified Hypnotherapist and earned my Master Practitioner Certificate as a Transformational Healing Coach. I opened my office downtown, located in The Heart Studio where I also teach yoga and lead a monthly Women's Healing Circle. As a Codependency and Relationship Coach, I help women break toxic relationship cycles, reclaim their personal power, and become their own best partner, even if they're in a relationship.

Keith has been manufacturing and installing products in Quick Service Restaurants since 1992. He started out helping his uncle every summer and school break. In 1996 he went to work full time for his uncle and in 2001 he and his wife Emily, purchased the business from his uncle. They started installing decor items mainly in McDonald's restaurants and continued to grow allowing them to hire crews to install for them. They moved to Georgia in 2017 and changed the company name to Catapult and continued to buy the products they were installing from a third-party vendor until 2022, then purchased a building in Dahlonega and started making the products themselves. In 2023 they formed a partnership with Ayrsonics USA to manufacture custom acoustic products in the southeast region and now offer a turnkey solution for those products from design to print and fabrication to install.

I am Quinox Lewis, 24 years old, and I moved to Dahlonega in June 2023. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working and living in this wonderful community. With a Bachelor's degree in Marketing, I've been immersed in the marketing industry for the last two years, particularly in hospitality. This has allowed me to meet amazing people and learn about Lumpkin County, further deepening my love for this area. I am passionate about marketing, business, and hospitality, and I’m excited to continue growing in this industry that brings me so much joy!

In 2003, my wife Carol and I, along with our then one-year-old son Harrison, embarked on a new adventure, relocating from tech hub of Palo Alto, California, to the charming landscapes of Georgia. For the past two decades, Braselton has been our home, but in 2023, we embraced a new chapter by moving to the picturesque town of Dahlonega. Harrison is now a Senior Cyber Security major at UNG. Carol and I have taken an exciting leap into the jewelry industry by purchasing Studio Jewelers and its historic building on the square. We are fully immersed in learning the intricacies of this sparkling new venture. We are also proud owners of the Stevi B's Pizza Franchise. I am member of the Dahlonega Sunrise Rotary. Before our move to Georgia, Carol and I were deeply rooted in the high-tech industry.

I moved to Dahlonega when I was five in 1973. I am a graduate of UGA with a Criminal Justice degree. I enjoy working in Dahlonega and helping kids in any way I can. 

I have lived in Dahlonega for 8 years but my family has been here since the 1820s.  I am a RN in the Emergency Department at NGHS Lumpkin.  I am a mother of 4 and a grandmother.  My husband and I enjoy gardening and traveling. 

As a Georgia native, my family and I spent many of our vacations and day trips in the north Georgia mountains. Upon my retirement from public education my dream was to live in the mountains. I purchased my home in Dahlonega in 2021 and have since tried to become a part of the community. I’m currently a board member of the Dahlonega Woman’s Club and enjoy the volunteer and other opportunities that being a part of the club offers. Now I look forward to learning even more about my new hometown!

My wife, Maureen, (Mo) and I arrived in Dahlonega from Sautee in the spring of 2023.
We completed a carriage house and prepared for the construction of our house.
I am a retired commercial real estate developer. After many years in Boston my long relationship with Home Depot provided the impetus to relocate to GA.
We moved in 1999 to Marietta.
Upon our move to Dahlonega we have been continually amazed at the vibrancy and acceptance in this community.
We have dove into community and church work.
I am tremendously excited about this next phase of our life. Making new friends and building new relationships is what we thrive on.
Bring on Leadership Lumpkin!
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Kim Smith is a REALTOR® with Living Down South. Kim was born and raised just outside of Athens. Upon graduation from college, Kim worked for a Top 10 Atlanta CPA firm and as a Financial Controller for a successful golf course developer. A desire to have a career with a more personal and direct impact on clients led Kim to earn her real estate license in 2016. Combining her deep knowledge in the real estate industry with flawless service delivery, competence, and relentless desire for positive results makes Kim the perfect choice for anyone seeking the services of a seasoned real estate professional. Kim is frequently heard by her friends, family and colleagues saying, “Things have a way of working out exactly as they were meant to.”  When not selling real estate, Kim has a passion for serving the community. 

I’m from Chicago, after 50 years I moved to Napa, California thinking I’d eventually retire there but fell in love with Dahlonega while on a visit here. My wife, Lisa, and I live with an English bulldog, a Cavapoo, a cat and we have a view of Blue Ridge! My last position was developing commercial property in California where I began my woodworking career and was licensed as a drone pilot. I am now the owner of Appalachian Mountain Woodworks and SkyView Georgia. When I’m not flying drones or taking pictures commercially, I am in my shop making my heirloom-quality line of Western Red Cedar Adirondack furniture which is my real true passion. I am a business management graduate of Bradley University. I love learning and continue to take courses at UNG when time permits. Lisa and I attend St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church where I currently serve on the vestry.

I'm an entomologist and owner of Grace Valley Pest Control in Dahlonega. I have been in the community since 2022. I graduated from the University of Florida in 2010, and I have over 14 years experience in the pest control industry. I have held many roles since graduating. I started out as a Field Supervisor for McCall Service in the North Florida area focusing on lawn care. Then I was the Technical and Training Director for Clegg's Pest Control spanning North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina. From there, I was the Technical Director for Plunkett's Pest Control spanning the Midwest. Most recently, I was a Market Technical Director for Rentokil North America for the Midwest and Canada. My roles focused on training, insect identification, regulatory compliance, quality control, and leading other technical experts in pest control. I have been married for over 20 years to my wife, Amber Taylor (graduate of the 2024 LLC class), and have three children.

Phil is a leader, author, teacher, and personal pastoral coach who specializes in personal growth, leadership development, and the balance of mind, will, and emotions for optimized personal impact and peacefulness. Drawing on a lifelong career in local church ministry that has transitioned over the last decade into more personal connections, Phil relishes seeing stories of redemption, success, and community impact.
Phil's experience as a volunteer includes community service in disaster management for non-profit organizations, an elected director of the Islamorada (Florida) Chamber of Commerce, Graduate and Board of Directors for Leadership Monroe County (The Florida Keys), and President of Upper Keys Ministerial Association, and international mission consultant at Novo.org.

My wife and I moved to Georgia in 2018, and to Dahlonega in 2021. We absolutely love this town (and state), and we are both active in the community.  I serve as a CASA with Enotah-CASA, and am on the Boards of the Dahlonega Sunrise Rotary Club (Secretary) and the Holly Theater (Volunteer Coordinator). I spent my career in regulatory affairs in various sectors including government, cosmetics, drugs, home care, cleaners, pesticides and paints and coatings. I served as President of the Arkansas Water Pollution Control Association and on the Board of Directors of the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois.  I retired from corporate America in 2018 as Product Stewardship Director at Rust-Oleum Coorporation. I currently consult for a consortium of 11 major consumer products companies.  I enjoy playing violin (55 years), theatre, baseball, history and I collect antique clocks.  We have two beautiful dogs that we adopted from TLC in 2018.

I am a 10 year resident of Dahlonega. My husband and I moved here from San Diego CA after he found Dahlonega on a top 10 list of places to retire. I was known as The HOA Queen for almost 30 years of my work life until I retired last April. I now spend my time fiddling in the vegetable and blueberry garden, assisting the Sheriff’s Volunteer Organization as past President (and as the Easter Bunny for the annual Easter event), the Dahlonega Woman’s Club as 2nd VP and as Assistant Events Coordinator for Chestatee Artists. I enjoy volunteering at Bear on the Square, 6 Gap bike races and Old Fashioned Christmas.  I am looking forward to learning and growing through Leadership Lumpkin. 

I moved to north Georgia and began working with the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office in June of 2017.  Prior to that I worked for the Henry County Sheriff's Office for 12 years.  In my time in law enforcement, I have worked in several capacities but the majority of my career has been as a School Resource Officer.  I have served as a School Resource Officer for 11 years between the two agencies and continue to do so.  I am currently the Sergeant over the SRO unit for Lumpkin County.