In Attendance:
Ethan Calhoun, President
Lisa Jackson, Past President
Toussaint Kirk, Vice-President
Norman Pope, Treasurer
Loretta Hylton
Jeanne Anne Marsh
Nayna Mistry, Secretary
Others in Attendance
Sharon Fenneran, UGA
Chrissy Marlowe, UGA
Cassandra Jones, Merriweather County
Glenn Layson, Dooly County
Unable to Attend:
Randy Mannino
Brandon Brown
1. Call To Order
President Calhoun called the Board meeting of GAZA to order at 4.17pm.
2. Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting
President Calhoun asked for a motion on the minutes of the previous board meeting held virtually on October 10, 2025. Jeanne Anne Marsh made a motion to approve the minutes. Her motion was seconded by Loretta Hylton, which then passed unanimously.
3. Financial/Treasurer’s Report
Norman Pope presented copies of a hand-written report and will get that typed up for the record. Norman Pope gave a summary of the Financial/Treasurer’s Report. The total expenditure is $35,115.39 and the current checking balance is $64,144.65. Membership dues are $900.00 in checks and $4,441,25 in direct deposits. The summer conference in Columbus was a great success and the excess revenue is $33,280.81. This brings the balance to $99,260.04. The new CD is $25,000.00 and the total assets are $109,880.57. Norman Pope was concerned about the asset figure and discussion followed. The expected costs in Savannah will be much higher and the funds will be needed to help pay for the next conference.
President Calhoun asked for a motion on the financial/treasurer’s report. Jeanne Anne Marsh made a motion to accept the financial/treasurer’s report as presented. The motion was seconded by Lisa Jackson which then passed unanimously.
President Calhoun asked for an amendment to the agenda to cover the Future Conference Locations prior to the Committee Discussion/Reports. Also to add the Letter of Agreement discussion with UGA.
4. Future Conference Locations 2026-2027
Chrissy Marlowe explained that the scope was the same and there was a small increase in the total amount to cover additional expenses and to have the contract signed and returned by February 16, 2026. If any member has any questions, please direct them to President Calhoun.
a. Summer 2026 Savannah, GA
The Summer Conference will be planned for August 26-28, 2026, in Savannah, GA.
b. Winter 2027 Athens, GA
The Winter Conference will be planned for February 10-12, 2027, in Athens, GA.
c. Summer 2027
Locations are being researched including The Great Wolf Lodge and Lake Lanier.
President Calhoun thanked Sharon Fenneran and Chrissy Marlowe for their hard work and they left the meeting to work on set up for the conference.
5. Committee Discussion/Reports
a. Scholarship Committee
Norman Pope confirmed that the deadline for applications is end of May 2026. Lisa Jackson introduced Cassandra who presented the idea of fund raising by selling raffle tickets. Discussion followed.
b. Legislative Committee
President Calhoun reported Randy Mannino was out of the country. Brandon Bowen and Adam Nelson will be presenting on legal topics at this conference. Discussion followed on third party inspections and building permit fees.
c. Communications Committee
President Calhoun cited that the certificates for membership were being emailed to new and renewing GAZA members which helps members track their status and thanked Teresa in his office for assisting. The future emails will also explain the benefits of membership. President Calhoun thanked Courtney Andrews, Assistant Director at Putnam County Planning and Development for her work as the photographer at the GAZA events. The photos are uploaded to the Facebook page. The email blasts to the whole membership are very popular and helpful. President Calhoun reminded the members that they can email him with any questions that they want any input on from the membership.
d. Sponsorship Committee
Lisa Jackson and Courtney Andrews are working on sponsors and from February will start email blasts. President Calhoun mentioned that the sponsorship flyer and the application form is on the GAZA website. President Calhoun thanked the Brick Industry for being a silver sponsor. Glenn Layson left the meeting at 5.48pm.
e. Membership/Nominating Committee
Norman Pope reported that we have 122 members with 3 more being added. This brings us up to 125 paid members. President Calhoun mentioned that the credit card option was a huge success making the process more convenient. He would look at getting the sponsorship payments to be made by credit card. If a member leaves an employer and the employer paid for the membership, then that belongs to the employer and can be transferred to another employee. Norman Pope said Clifford McGrady had retired but was staying active as a member until end of 2027.
There was one Board vacancy to fill. President Calhoun mentioned that his role as President will be expiring and he will become the Past President and Lisa Jackson would be available as a Board member.
f. Award Program Update
President Calhoun reported that no applications had been received as of date. He would send out email blasts to encourage applications. Jeanne Anne Marsh mentioned that we could entertain a “where are they now” for the past award recipients. Discussion followed on having a moving screen and President Calhoun can add that to the website.
6. 2026 Winter Conference Agenda
President Calhoun handed out the speaker introduction sheets to the members.
Circling back to the Membership/Nominating Committee for an item. President Calhoun mentioned that Toussaint Kirk will be stepping into the President role, as he will step into the Past President role and Lisa Jackson will step off Past President, which leaves a vacancy for Vice President. Discussion followed. Norman Pope nominated Jeanne Anne Marsh for the role of Vice President. The motion was seconded by Loretta Hylton which then passed unanimously.
7. Board Member Introduced Topics
President Calhoun mentioned the idea of a tour of one or more Data Centers which seems very popular.
9. Set Date and Time for Next BOD Meeting
The next board meeting will be virtual on April 23, 2026, at 11am. Invitations will be sent over.
10. Strategic Planning Session – Board Members Only
No planning session required.
11. Adjourn
With no other topics to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6.35pm.