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It Is Time to Rotate
According to the SRSCRO Bylaws, the Chair and Vice Chair of the organization shall rotate between the states of Georgia and South Carolina and both shall not be from the same state. They are elected by their SRSCRO peers from a caucus representing each state and serve a two-year term.
 | | Dr. Marc D. Miller |
Starting January 2012, we welcome and recognize Dr. Marc Miller, Dean of the Hull Business College at Augusta State University as the new SRSCRO Chair and as the Vice Chair, Dr. Susan Winsor, President, of Aiken Technical College. Long time SRSCRO Board member Rick Toole of Toole Engineers will rotate off the Executive Committee as the Immediate Past Chair but remains on the full Board. David Jameson moves into the Immediate Past Chair position on the Executive Committee.
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J. David Jameson |
We appreciate the past counsel and service provided by Rick Toole. David's guidance and leadership for the past two-years was acknowledged at our December 2011 Annual Meeting. We look forward to continued success and a promising future under the direction of Dr. Miller and Dr. Winsor. |
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Get to Know Nuclear
It's time to Get to Know Nuclear! The SRSCRO is sponsoring local recognition of the broadly observed National Nuclear Science Week celebration January 23-27, 2012. The National Museum for Nuclear Science and History, a Smithsonian affiliate, sponsors the observance annually to celebrate achievements made through nuclear science and to recognize the contributions of professionals who work in the nuclear industry. Each day during the week of January 23-27 provides opportunities to learn about the contributions, innovations and opportunities that can be found by exploring nuclear science.
Local observance of the week is being led by the SRSCRO and its Nuclear Workforce Initiative. A newspaper insert, local news articles and information posted on www.nwinitiative.org will highlight focus areas each day:
- Monday, January 23, Focus Area: National Nuclear Science Week
- Tuesday, January 24, Focus Area: Local Nuclear Presence
- Wednesday, January 25, Focus Area: Careers and Jobs
- Thursday, January 26, Focus Area: Understanding Savannah River Site
- Friday, January 27, Focus Area: Education Initiatives
 Over 900 posters have been distributed through the region's eight school districts, area colleges and businesses. The posters include fun facts about the nuclear industry and highlight educational opportunities in the region.
Local teachers and students can connect to a live webinar for grades 5 - 12 on January 25, 2012 from the Illinois Institute of Technology where national experts are gathering to talk nuclear. Topics at the event include electricity production, basics in nuclear science, nuclear medicine and an overview of the future of nuclear in the U.S.
As we observe National Nuclear Science Week, the expanding nuclear presence in our own region reminds us of the role nuclear technology has played in our energy past and the importance it is destined to play in the future. For more information about this exciting week visit www.nwinitiative.org. |
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Grant Award
The SRSCRO received a $10,357 grant award from The Community Foundation for the CSRA to advance one of the NWI� programs in 2012. At a December press conference for all grant award recipients, Mr. Lee Smith, President and CEO of The Community Foundation commented that the grants are available through the Foundation's Unrestricted Fund, which is primarily supported by the Masters Tournament. As stated on The Community Foundation website regarding the 2011 grant recipients, "Each of these agencies are meeting pressing and changing community needs and are improving the quality of life for the individuals they serve."
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Mindy Mets |
During the press conference NWI� Program Manager, Mindy Mets, described how the Community Foundation grant funds will be used through the Nuclear Academy to prepare low-income young adults for career pathways in the CSRA nuclear industry. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about careers and earn industry recognized credentials. The concept was first piloted during 2011 by Aiken Technical College.
As part of the SRSCRO's Nuclear Workforce Initiative collaboration, Aiken Technical College and Augusta Technical College are developing and implementing the 2012 Nuclear Academy programs beginning in May. The NWI� Academies operate in coordination with local Workforce Investment Board programs, and they are designed in accordance with the Get Into Energy Career Pathways program of the nationally recognized Center for Energy Workforce Development. |
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SRSCRO Spotlight | |
SRSCRO Board Member
Walter C. Sprouse, Jr.
CEcD, CCE, FM. HLM
Executive Director
Augusta Economic Development Authority
Walt Sprouse is the Executive Director of the Augusta Economic Development Authority. Walt is charged with the economic development strategy for Augusta, including the recruitment of targeted companies such as manufacturing, distribution, life sciences and customer service companies and corporate headquarters to Augusta-Richmond County.
Prior to coming to Augusta, Walt served as President of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation in North Carolina for fifteen years. During his 25-year career in economic development, Walt has recruited more than two billion dollars in new and expanding industrial investment, with more than 22,000 new jobs created. Under his leadership, his economic development organizations were twice named by Site Selection magazine as one of the "Top Ten Economic Development Organizations in the U. S." and his organizations were named to the country's "Top Twenty" list three times.
During his career, Walt has won 26 national and regional awards for economic development marketing. Walt is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and the Institute for Organization Management at the University of Georgia.
Walt recently completed six terms on the Board of Directors of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). He is a Past President of the North Carolina Economic Developers Association, a member of the Board of Directors of the SRSCRO, and the Episcopal Day School of Augusta.
In 2010, Walt was named by Georgia Trend Magazine to their highest honor as one of the "100 Most Influential Georgians". In 2006 and 2008, Georgia Trend named Walt to their list of "Notable Georgians". In 2011, the IEDC awarded Walt the "Honorary Life Membership Achievement" Award.
He and his wife, Cookie, have two sons, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren.
Walt has been a SRSCRO Board member since 2003. He is a member of the SRSCRO Energy Park, Regional Funding, and Yucca Mountain Task Forces. |
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