2025-2026 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.
David A. Wood
Partner – B2B CFO
David has provided executive leadership and financial management services as a chief financial officer for over 35 years. After spending the first four years of his career in public accounting he transitioned into the private sector where he gained extensive experience in a wide range of financial related positions. His responsibilities have included financial management, strategic planning, financial analysis, acquisitions, cash management, tax planning and compliance. David has extensive experience with numerous privately held companies spanning several industries including real estate development and management, manufacturing, SaaS software development and health care.
David earned his Bachelor of Science degree in management from the AB Freeman School of Business, Tulane University in 1983 and moved to Atlanta following graduation.
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
American Management Services
(404)-262-3931
Larry Benator, was born and raised in Atlanta, GA and has a strong commitment to both his profession and the community. Larry brings years of business experience and knowledge encompassing commercial real estate, mortgage financing, and business marketing and sales to the Southwest Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.
His role as a Portfolio Manager with American Management Services highlights his leadership and expertise as his responsibilities include the leasing and management of 13 commercial retail developments across 3 states, comprising over 1.3 million square feet of retail space with over 175 businesses from the small business owner to Fortune 100 companies.
His passion for mentoring young people, particularly through initiatives like Junior Achievement, and the Gwinnett County Schools District Wide Business and Finance Advisory board, shows his dedication to guiding the next generation. His advice to young people about paying oneself first, when they start getting their first paychecks, is a practical and impactful way to help young people develop good financial habits early on.
Larry is a proud graduate of The University of Georgia ( GO DAWGS ! ) and his lighthearted rivalry with his wife, a Florida Gator fan, and his youngest daughter, a Florida State University graduate, adds a fun and personal element to his story. Larry also has an older daughter who works and lives in Laguna Beach, California and two bonus daughters ( he does not like the word step daughters ) who live in NYC. It’s clear that he’s not only a professional but also someone who values family and tradition.
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.
Scott Lee
City of Berkeley Lake
Frank Meyghani
United Consulting
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.
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.
Darcy Copeland
Smith+Howard Advisory, LLC
(404) 879‑3332
