NEWS BRIEFS: Christmas Canteen returns to Aurora for 29th year

Aurora’s annual Christmas Canteen is always popular. Photo via Aurora Theatre.

One of Metro Atlanta’s favorite traditions, Christmas Canteen returns for a 29th year to Aurora Theatre at the Lawrenceville Arts Center to illuminate the holidays. Canteen is a stocking stuffed with a dazzling array of musical numbers, riotous bursts of comedy, a star-studded cast and the perfect sprinkle of nostalgia that delights every generation. This year, we added a new interactive twist that will “light up” your holiday season and have audiences “raving.”

The performances are November 29 – December 22 in the Clyde and Sandra Strickland Grand Stage. 

Another offering at the Aurora is its Festival of Trees, open from November 28 – December 23. Admission is free. Visit the Arts Center lobbies this holiday season for the Festival of Trees! 

Local businesses have decked our halls with beautifully decorated trees. Participating is easy!

  • Visit our campus for a performance or during our box office hours.

Take a stroll through our wonderland of trees, each one dressed up in its holiday best!

  • Bring unwrapped toys and non-perishable grocery goods to donate.
  • Place your donations under your favorite tree to vote for this year’s winner.

Your donations are greatly appreciated and will contribute to our toy drives with The Boys and Girls Club of Lawrenceville and BLACT ATL, as well as feed hundreds of families through the Lawrenceville Co-op ministry.

NOTABLE

GBC names Kraus as chief financial officer

Kraus

Georgia Banking Company (GBC) announces the appointment of Jeff Kraus as chief financial officer, effective early 2025. Kraus, who currently serves as the director of finance, will succeed Rob Cochran, who will retire in the first quarter of 2025.

Bartow Morgan, Jr., CEO of GBC, says of the appointment: “Rob Cochran has been a driving force behind many of our significant accomplishments over the past three years. His expertise and leadership will be deeply missed. However, I am confident that Jeff Kraus will continue to build on the solid foundation Rob has established. Jeff’s deep understanding of our strategic goals and vision will be instrumental in ensuring a seamless transition and driving our future success.” 

Kraus brings extensive experience to his new role. With a diverse background spanning over 25 years, he has held various positions, including chief financial officer and treasurer at other financial institutions. Additionally, Jeff has been a vital part of GBC’s finance team, overseeing key financial operations and contributing to strategic planning initiatives. His leadership has been pivotal in navigating complex financial landscapes and driving growth. Jeff’s commitment to excellence and his collaborative approach have earned him the respect and trust of his colleagues and industry peers. He earned his BS in Accounting from Liberty University.

Gwinnett Tech promotes Everson

Everson

Gwinnett Technical College has promoted Melvin Everson as the new vice president of community and government affairs. He was previously serving as vice president of economic development. This strategic transition underscores the college’s commitment to strengthening community relations and enhancing government partnerships. Everson will be responsible for community engagement, governmental relations and public affairs. Prior to joining the college, he served as the executive director of the governor’s office of workforce development and the Georgia Commission of Equal Opportunity. Everson also served as a Georgia state representative for House District 106, on the Snellville City Council, and has been in the United States Army. He holds a degree of bachelor of science in criminology from Albany State University.

NEMA of Duluth announces expansion with 20 new jobs  

From left are Jon Schwartz, Denetra Francis, Treena Moon, Mary McCart-Perez, Saul Sloman, Michelle Rutledge, Shay Hesson, Robyn Hollis, David Sanchez, Colleen Japuntich, Von Jones, Jennifer Staples, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson, Andrew Hickey from Partnership Gwinnett, Braden Karry, Ross Hardeman, Emily Wood, Oriana McCorkle, Mark Baines, Barbara Bowen Kayla Lerma and Medina Zdionica.

NEMA, a Gwinnett logistics and supply chain management company, celebrated the expansion of its facility on Thursday 7. At 152,000 square feet, this expansion nearly doubles the size of the previous building while creating 20 new jobs and a capital investment exceeding $6 million.  The firm is located at 2750 Breckinridge Boulevard in  Duluth, and has 65 employees.

Colleen Japuntich, president of NEMA, reflects on the expansion and celebration, emphasizing the strategic benefits of Gwinnett, stating: “Gwinnett’s proximity to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the ports of Savannah and Charleston makes it a compelling place for a global logistics servicer to expand and thrive. Along with our 3PL Foreign Trade Zone certification, we have a competitive advantage on duty savings, customs compliance, and accelerated goods movement.” 

Founded in the 1980s by Neal Baines’ passion for travel, NEMA swiftly gained a reputation for its reliability, adaptability, and unwavering focus on customer satisfaction. Over the years, NEMA expanded their services to include foreign trade zone warehousing, and  international shipping. These value-added services enable NEMA to orchestrate shipments to and from numerous countries, optimize operations, and save clients time and money.

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