2024-2025 Board of Directors
Bill Diehl
SWGC Chairman
(470) 375-6962
Bill obtained his Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude, from Georgia State University, College of Law. He began his legal career as Law Clerk to the Honorable John T. Laney III, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Georgia. It was during his time that Bill gained experience in and knowledge of the complex litigation issues. Bill now works for the law firm Thompson, O’Brien, Kemp & Nasuti, PC as an associate attorney. His practice primarily involves representation of financial institutions in litigation and compliance matters and representation of various stakeholders in local government and zoning disputes.
Carlos Alvarez
Heaven & Alvarez CPAs
(770) 849-0078
Carlos is a CPA with over 10 years of experience in tax and accounting. He is a graduate of Georgia State University and has worked in a variety of industries with companies ranging in size from small businesses to Fortune 1000 and multinational corporations.
Carlos is also active in the community; He is a Board Member and Treasurer of the Langford Close Homeowners Association, member of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and now board member of the Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.
Carlos is completely fluent in Spanish and offers a business tax and accounting course for Latino entrepreneurs at the Latino American Association. He additionally is a member of the Atlanta Track Club.
Karl Barham
Transworld Business Advisors
(770) 766-9855
Karl Barham is an experienced Business Executive, Coach, and Small Business Owner with expert knowledge to help business owner with valuations, business exit planning, and Business Sales transactions. Karl successfully launched and operated small and large businesses in industries ranging from manufacturing to healthcare to retail. Karl owns with his wife Ann, the local Transworld Business Advisors of Atlanta Peachtree, a global leader in business brokerage and Mergers & Acquisitions in the Metro Atlanta city of Peachtree Corners, GA where he lives with his wife, Ann and his two daughters.
Larry Benator
(404)-262-3931
Larry Benator, was born and raised in Atlanta, GA and brings years of business experience and knowledge including commercial real estate, mortgage financing, and business marketing and sales to the Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.
Larry is a corporate sales executive with BuckBlue, a local leader in the commercial print and large format printing industry since 1987 and located in North Atlanta. BuckBlue is Atlanta’s go-to source for businesses that want comprehensive print marketing services and quality they can trust by offering high quality marketing materials and top-notch print/design expertise. The team at BuckBlue likes to think outside of the box, working with marketing managers and directors to help them brand and grow their business while earning their customer’s trust through personal service and claiming no project is too large or too small.
Larry, is a firm believer in mentoring and working with students and is active in Junior Achievement as well as a member of the Gwinnett County Schools District Wide Business and Finance Advisory board.
He likes to tell people when they start getting their first paychecks, by paying themselves first, will reap more than they can imagine when they reach retirement.
He is a University of Georgia graduate ( GO DAWGS ) and knows what it is like to face conflict as his wife is a Florida Gator fan, and his youngest daughter attends Florida State University.
Weare Gratwick
Past SWGC Chairman
Tandem Bank
(404) 731-9220
Weare Gratwick has over 35 years of banking experience and has served as a community leader in Peachtree Corners for over 20 years.
Currently, Gratwick is the Gwinnett Market President for Tandem Bank in Peachtree Corners and serves as the Mayor Pro Tem on the City Council.
Before helping launch Tandem Bank in September 2019, Gratwick served as the Atlanta Market President for Colony Bank from 2016-2019, as a Principal Banker with Wells Fargo’s Gwinnett Business Banking Group from 2012 -2016 and Vice President of the Residential Real Estate Construction Division of SunTrust Bank from 2002-2011.
Gratwick began his banking career at SunTrust Bank in 1983, rising from trainee to branch manager to Vice President, Commercial/Retail Banking to Group Vice President, Residential Real Estate Construction Division during his tenure there. He served from 1985 to 2002 as a Relationship Manager for the bank’s Gwinnett Commercial Banking Commercial Division, working with local small-to-medium sized corporations.
From 2002 through 2011, he served as both a Relationship Manager and Team Leader in the Homebuilder Division of the bank’s Commercial Real Estate group. During this time, he led the bank’s annual fundraiser for Home Aid, a non-profit organization that builds transitional housing for the homeless.
He served as Civic Chair of the Peachtree Station Homeowners Association and as a representative of the United Peachtree Corners Civic Association from 2010 to 2012. Previous civic engagements also include serving as Treasurer of the Norcross High School Foundation for Excellence from 2011 through 2014 and Board member since 2009, President of Norcross Baseball from 2002 to 2004, Treasurer of the Norcross Soccer Academy from 2007 to 2010 and Chairman of the Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce for 2019 and 2020.
Gratwick is an active member of the Peachtree Corners Rotary Club. He is currently serving as the Chair of the Steering Committee for Leadership Gwinnett and is a graduate of the Class of 2015. He is a 2019 graduate of Atlanta Regional Committee’s Regional Leadership Program. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Neighborhood Cooperative Ministry.
A native of Buffalo, New York, Weare grew up in Decatur, Alabama. He holds a M.B.A. in Finance from Georgia State University, and a B.B.A in Accounting from Emory University.
Will Newton
Business Development Manager
City of Norcross
(404) 697-3042
Will Newton is the Business Development Manager for the City of Norcross, a role I have been in since June 2023. My primary goal is to work with our existing industries in Norcross to foster growth, development, expansions and provide ongoing support. I moved to Gwinnett County/Norcross after spending the majority of my life in Middle Georgia/Macon are where I was born and raised. I am a proud alumnus of The University of Georgia where I was a Double Dawg, getting my undergrad in Economics and masters in Public Administration. Before moving to Norcross, I worked as a project manager for the City of Warner Robins in the Economic Development department. I have always had a passion for public service and that is why I enjoy spending my time with organizations focused on making a difference, such as Georgia Young Gamechangers or the UGA Mentorship program. Outside of work, I like to spend my time with friends and family, following UGA athletics, embarking on outdoor adventures, fishing, and playing tennis. If you spend a lot of time around Norcross, you will likely see me walking my 4-legged best friend, Padme the dalmatian, all over town.
Heather Fleming
MST
770.236.9051
Heather Fleming brings a wealth of experience and a passion for community engagement to her role as a Business Development Manager for MST. With a background in banking, Heather spent nearly a decade at SunTrust Bank (now Truist) specializing in providing tailored financial solutions to privately held companies as a commercial relationship manager. She built her reputation on investing time with her clients, understanding their unique needs, and helping them achieve their business objectives.
As the daughter of entrepreneurial parents, Heather has always had a keen interest in working with privately held companies. Her transition to MST in 2021 as a Business Development Manager was a natural progression, allowing her to continue her mission of building meaningful relationships and assisting businesses in navigating their accounting and financial challenges.
A graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Financial Management, Heather is deeply committed to contributing her time, talents, and resources to her community. She has served on the board of Valley Light Programs, Inc., as Secretary for two years before assuming the role of Director of Donor Engagement. Additionally, Heather dedicated six years to the board of Young Men's Service League Johns Creek (YMSL), serving as President for the last three years.
Heather's community involvement extends to her church, Peachtree Corners Baptist Church, where she is an active member and has taught Life Groups for high school girls for the past seven years. As a resident of Peachtree Corners since 2005, Heather is deeply invested in the success and prosperity of the community. Joining the SouthWest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is another opportunity for her to contribute to the growth and development of the area she proudly calls home.
In her personal time, Heather enjoys spending time with her family, including her adult son and teenage son and daughter. She can often be found attending Clemson sporting events, especially football in the fall, and cheering on the Wesleyan Wolves. If you can't find her in one of those places, she's likely at the local CrossFit PPG gym, pursuing her passion for fitness and wellness.
With her diverse background, dedication to community service, and passion for helping businesses thrive, Heather Fleming is excited to make a significant impact as a member of the SouthWest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Ryan Jones
Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries
(770)-263-0013
Ryan Jones currently serves as Director of Community Development for Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries. After spending 15 years in the banking industry providing support to Georgia companies of various sizes, Ryan decided to pursue his passion for serving others full time by helping families in crisis in Southwest Gwinnett County. In the community, Ryan serves as the Director of the Pantry @ HMUMC, a food pantry serving an average of 600 families every week. Ryan is the service chair for the Duluth Rotary Club, a mentor for Gwinnett County Schools, council member for the North GA Housing and Homeless Council of the Methodist Church and member of the Leadership Gwinnett Class of 2023. In his free time, Ryan enjoys coaching youth sports and chasing around his two young, active boys.
Frank Meyghani
United Consulting
470-997-5328
I am a Business Developer for United Consulting, an engineering firm that, for over 35 years, helped turn ambitious projects into reality. Before joining United Consulting, I worked at different levels of retail management and training, where I always tried to help my clients and team in any possible way. I am happy to call many of those colleagues my friend, and thanks to their support, I received many awards and recognitions for implementing new training methods, setting new sales records, and more. I spend my free time with my daughter and son, reading, enjoying music and photography, and now trying to enjoy life more after I heard this quote by Soren Kierkegaard, Life must be lived forward but can only be understood backward.
Jennifer Howard
City of Peachtree Corners
470-395-7028
Jennifer manages economic development activity at the City of Peachtree Corners. She is an innovative, community leader with a passion for creating strategies for sustainable, economic, and community growth. She started with the city in 2015, working as a contractor for Jacobs Engineering, and was subsequently hired by the city. During her time in Peachtree Corners, she researched and wrote the city’s first two economic development plans which have guided staff activity and helped attract large companies. She has coordinated volunteer committees and served as an assistant to the community development director for many years. Prior to coming to Peachtree Corners, she worked as a police officer in the special services unit of the Alpharetta Police Department, facilitating the Police and Citizens Together (PACT) program, the Citizens Public Safety Academy, and generally serving in a community outreach capacity. She also worked as a uniformed patrol officer for about five years and strongly values creating a safe community and excellent quality of life for citizens. Jennifer enjoys the great outdoors, hiking, fishing, and exploring. She also loves reading and antiquing. She holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in journalism and interpersonal and public communication.
Lori Mullee
Servpro Industries
(404)-640-7831
I am the Business Development & Marketing Director for Servpro of Norcross and Servpro of Duluth. As a First Priority Responder my goal is to ensure safety for disaster recovery of a commercial loss.
My passion is helping people during a crisis. Our mitigation team is specialized in water extraction and clean up while our reconstruction division completes the rebuild to look like the disaster never happened.
My specialty is completing an Emergency Readiness Plan application that is uploaded directly to an owner’s phone with a click of a button alerting our staff immediately saving money and time for any commercial building loss. Therefore, the tennant can resume living conditions as well as the business opening as soon as possible.
I am happy to offer a Service Master Agreement as this helps speed the process so work can begin quicker. Signatures and pre-approval can save money and time and in some cases an entire building.
Relationship building and helping others when a disaster strikes is a priority. I am proud to say with our experienced staff and robust equipment SERVPRO is faster to any disaster and we can remediate “like it never happened.”
Please contact me directly at 404-640-7831. I am just a phone call away from an assessment.
Scott Lee
City of Berkeley Lake
Patty Thumann
PBJ Media Holdings
(678) 778-8516
Patty Thumann is the Managing Partner at PBJ Media Holdings, LLC, a minority woman owned small business boutique consulting firm offering an independent sounding board, business development and partnership growth to bring key stake holders together to drive positive results and grow business. Specializing in the energy management, sustainability & facility management industry, with an interest healthcare, security, technology, and emergency response. In addition, she assists with training, tradeshows and publishing technical papers in professional journals as well as book publishing on an international level. She has been in this industry for close to 30 years.
Patty serves on the Board of Directors and is the Response Director for MRC GEM, a Medical Reserve Corps, 501(c)(3) all-volunteer nonprofit organization that supports emergency managers and the largest health department in Georgia. She has served as Lead on the Covid-19 Respond since March 2020.
Patty was born in Cuba and came to the U.S. when she was seven years old. She has lived in Gwinnett County since the age of nine and resides with her husband and teenage son. She plays tennis year-round, scuba dives, enjoys water sports and snow skiing.
Madison Chucci
Explore Gwinnett
(770) 362-4314
Madison Chucci currently serves as the Community Development Manager for Explore Gwinnett, Tourism and Film office. She joined the team in 2023 and is responsible for elevating Gwinnett’s film and arts presence through events and grant programs, community involvement and safety initiatives, and event management. In addition, she has more than ten years of event management experience and has worked with multiple Gwinnett cities to plan award-winning events for thousands of attendees. Many of the city events that she has produced have won awards through the Southeast Festivals and Events Association. Madison is also an active member of the Gwinnett Young Professionals program.
She was born and raised in Loganville, Georgia and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Kennesaw State University. Madison is passionate about empowering communities to thrive through innovative strategies and inclusive initiatives. She is always seeking ways to foster collaboration, inspire positive change, and is fueled by a drive to make a lasting impact.
When not working, Madison loves to attend festivals and events, explore new restaurants, and spend time outdoors with a good book and her four-legged sidekick, Roxy.
Tawny Waltz
Northside Hospital Duluth
(678) 312-6970
Tawny is the Director of Operations for Northside Hospital Duluth, a 122-bed acute care hospital with more than 1,000 employees. In this role, Tawny works with her clinical leader counterparts to ensure that Northside Hospital Duluth is ready to provide exceptional healthcare service to the Gwinnett community and beyond.
Tawny originally joined the Northside Hospital Gwinnett and Duluth team in 2019. She previously served as the Manager of Operations & Emergency Management and spent more than a year leading the hospital’s ever-evolving COVID response. Tawny is also a proud graduate of the Leadership Gwinnett Class of 2022!
Born and raised in Macon and a graduate of the University of Georgia’s prestigious Master of Public Administration program, Tawny is a Georgia girl through and through. When she’s not working, Tawny most enjoys reading a new novel, volunteering with her local animal rescue group, or planning her next travel adventure.
Darcy Copeland
Smith+Howard Advisory, LLC
(404) 879‑3332
Darcy has had diverse career experiences, starting as a CPA in audit with EY, specializing in financial institutions. She holds an undergraduate degree in accounting, mathematics, and education. For many years, she worked in private accounting for banks, private equity, construction, professional service firms, nonprofits, litigation support and forensic accounting, entrepreneurial advice, and food service companies. She has also worked as a high school math teacher and sports coach. Currently, Darcy is with Smith+Howard, where she contributes to firm growth, business and community development, and recruiting. S+H is a financial services firm that offers accounting advisory, audit, cybersecurity assessments, tax, and wealth management services. Darcy has been living in Peachtree Corners with her husband David for over 20 years, and she is proud of her three children. She enjoys giving back to her community by connecting with people to help them become more successful and contributing to the development and growth of her community.