Benny H. Curl & William T. Daniel Jr. named 2025 JA Savannah Business Hall of Fame Laureates

Savannah, GA — Junior Achievement of Georgia (JA of Georgia) has named Benny H. Curl, Chairman Emeritus of Byrd Cookie Company, and William T. (Bill) Daniel Jr., Principal at Lassiter Investments, LLC and Retired Vice President and General Counsel of the Vaden Automotive Group, as their 2025 JA Savannah Business Hall of Fame Laureates.

Celebrating its silver anniversary, Junior Achievement of Georgia is proud to host the 25th annual gala and continue the tradition of honoring titans of the Savannah business community, presented with generous support from our Diamond Sponsor, Memorial Health. The black-tie event will take place on Friday, November 7, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Savannah.

Benny H. Curl, a Savannah native and U.S. Army veteran, built a distinguished career in accounting and business leadership after graduating from the University of Georgia in 1968. In 1988, he and his late wife Kay purchased Byrd Cookie Company, transforming it into a nationally recognized family business celebrated for its award-winning flavors and innovative packaging. Under his leadership, the company earned honors including the Georgia Family Business of the Year, while Benny himself was inducted into the Specialty Food Association’s Hall of Fame and received its Lifetime Achievement Award. Beyond Byrd, Benny held leadership roles with the Georgia Specialty & Wine Association, the International Specialty Food Association, and First Chatham Bank, where he served as Chairman of the Board. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Benny’s legacy is defined by his entrepreneurial spirit, community leadership, and commitment to family.

William T. Daniel, Jr., a forty-five-year Savannah resident, is the owner of Lassiter Investments, LLC, and retired in 2020 as Vice President and General Counsel of the Vaden Automotive Group, where he helped expand the family business into a regional automotive leader. Prior to joining Vaden, he practiced law in Savannah and served in the Carter Administration as Special Assistant to the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Daniel has held numerous leadership roles in healthcare, education, and philanthropy across Savannah, serving boards at Memorial Health University Medical Center, Savannah Christian Preparatory School, and the Georgia Methodist Foundation. He has also been active in civic initiatives, including the Savannah Chamber of Commerce and the Savannah Compact, and has been recognized locally for his leadership, including Savannah’s Rotarian of the Year. Married to Linda Vaden, Daniel is a devoted father and grandfather, and he and his family remain actively engaged at Isle of Hope United Methodist Church.

In addition to the formal induction of Curl and Daniel Jr., the evening will welcome guests to a cocktail hour, where attendees are welcome to bid at the infamous Whiskey Wall, and enjoy some light hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. The 25th JA Savannah Business Hall of Fame will start the program with a seated dinner, followed by a tribute to the ground-breaking programs JA of Georgia is bringing to the Savannah-Chatham County area, and concluding with a champagne toast to Savannah’s newest laureates.

“We are delighted to be welcoming Benny and Bill into our esteemed laureate society,” said Craig Tootle, Director of Development and Volunteer Partnerships for JA of Georgia in Savannah. “Both gentlemen’s contributions have never gone unnoticed within our community; however, we are fortunate to recognize them on such a special year- our 25th anniversary.”

Curl and Daniel Jr. will join the ranks of Savannah’s most distinguished leaders, alongside names such as Sam McCachern, Dale Critz Sr. and Jr., Paula Deen, and so many others. To learn more about the JA Savannah Business Hall of Fame, our laureates, or to purchase a ticket, please visit Georgia.ja.org/hall-of-fame-savannah. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of the event, please email Craig Tootle at ctootle@georgia.ja.org.

About Junior Achievement of Georgia

Junior Achievement (JA) of Georgia is a business- integrated education partner with expertise in experiential learning that successfully develops key mindsets and skills for students to lead meaningful and successful lives. JA’s high-impact programs drive long-term outcomes in areas of financial literacy, career readiness, and fostering the entrepreneurial spirit, and are delivered by corporate and community volunteers. JA of Georgia offers multiple programs, with a focus on middle and high school students, including JA BizTown, JA Finance Park, 3DE by Junior Achievement, and will soon be offering the JA Dream Accelerator. JA of Georgia has locations in Atlanta, Cumming, Dalton, Evans, Morrow, and Savannah. For more information, visit georgia.ja.org

JA of Georgia Announces 2025 JA Northwest Georgia Business Hall of Fame Laureates

Junior Achievement (JA) of Georgia is excited to announce the 2025 Laureates for the 19th Annual JA Northwest Georgia Business Hall of Fame. This year's distinguished honorees are Jim and Cathy Mathews, an outstanding couple whose contributions have significantly impacted the northwest Georgia business community and beyond.

The Mathews have been instrumental in shaping Starr Mathews Insurance Agency into the trusted institution it is today. The agency was founded in 1920 in Calhoun, Georgia with a commitment to integrity, honesty, and hard work by Jim’s grandfather. Under the leadership of both Jim and Cathy, Starr Mathews solidified its reputation as a leader in the region. Over the years, the agency has grown to meet the evolving insurance needs of its customers, always guided by the family’s core values. Today, Starr Mathews represents over thirty financially stable insurance companies and markets around northwest Georgia and Tennessee to become the largest independently owned insurance agency north of Atlanta.

Throughout their successful careers, the Mathews have diligently given back to the community by investing their time, resources, and leadership to support the communities they serve. Their contributions have taken many forms, from supporting local educational initiatives and sponsoring youth sports programs to partnering with charitable organizations to address pressing community needs. Beyond these endeavors, Jim and Cathy remain strongly connected to their church and family, serving as role models of faith and dedication. Through their business and personal endeavors, the Mathews have demonstrated unwavering commitment to their family, church, and the northwest Georgia community, leaving a legacy of generosity and leadership.

The JA Northwest Georgia Business Hall of Fame honors exceptional business leaders who have demonstrated excellence in their industries and a deep commitment to the community. The event will take place on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the Dalton Convention Center. The evening will include a cocktail reception, a seated dinner, and a formal induction ceremony of the honorees. In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of this year’s laureates, the evening will also recognize Amanda Brown as this year’s Rising Star. The Rising Star Award highlights the next generation of excellence within the community.

Amanda Brown is the Executive Director of the Creative Arts Guild in Dalton, Georgia, the state’s oldest multidisciplinary community arts organization. With advanced degrees in Theatre Arts, Arts Administration, and Arts in Medicine, Amanda brings a wealth of experience as an arts educator, director, and choreographer to her role. Since 2014, she has strategically guided the Guild to launch high-quality arts offerings that enhance community engagement and improve quality of life.

This annual event supports Junior Achievement of Georgia’s mission to prepare young people for success through financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness programs. Proceeds from the event help ensure that JA can continue to reach students across Georgia with its impactful programs.

For more information about the event, sponsorship opportunities, or to learn more about the 2025 Laureates, please visit our website: georgia.ja.org/dalton-hall-of-fame.

JA of Georgia Announces 2025 JA Northeast Georgia Business Hall of Fame Laureates

Gainesville, GA — Junior Achievement of Georgia is excited to announce the 2025 Laureates for the JA Northeast Georgia Business Hall of Fame. This year's distinguished honorees are Darrell and Brian Rochester, and Mark Sosebee, three outstanding leaders whose contributions have significantly impacted the Greater Gainesville business community.

Darrell and Brian Rochester lead Rochester | DCCM, a top civil engineering and land surveying firm renowned for impactful infrastructure projects across the Southeast. Darrell, as Coordinator of Strategy and Operations, oversees client development and manages projects for federal, state, and municipal clients, along with over 50 universities. His commitment to quality has earned him notable roles, including Chairman of ACEC Georgia and recognition in Georgia Trend Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40. Brian, as President and COO, directs daily operations and has been instrumental in developing key regional projects. Active in the community, he serves on boards such as the Gainesville Hall Development Authority and multiple non-profits. Together, Darrell and Brian drive Rochester | DCCM’s mission to strengthen and serve Southeastern communities.

Mark Sosebee is the Founder and CEO of Gold Creek Foods, a leading poultry processing company based in Gainesville, Georgia, employing around 4,000 people across 12 plants in two states. Since founding the company in 2000, he has guided its growth with a focus on trust, collaboration, and empowering his team to dream big. Before Gold Creek Foods, Mark served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at King's Delight and holds degrees in political science and business administration from the University of North Georgia. Married for 30 years to his wife Shonda, with two sons involved in the family business, Mark is also passionate about philanthropy, music, boating, and racket sports.

The JA Northeast Georgia Business Hall of Fame, now in its 15th year, honors exceptional business leaders who have demonstrated excellence in their industries and a deep commitment to the community. The event will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Ramsey Conference Center at Lanier Technical College. The evening will include a cocktail reception, a live auction, and formal induction ceremony of the honorees' lasting impact on the economy and future leaders. In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of this year’s laureates, the evening will also recognize Christina Jones, 2025’s Rising Star. The Rising Star award highlighs the next generation of excellence within the community.

Christina is a partner and wealth manager with Windsor Wealth Planners & Strategists and a Certified Financial Planner™ professional since 2008. A Gainesville resident since 1991, she graduated cum laude from Piedmont College with a degree in Business Administration. Christina is deeply involved in the community, serving in leadership roles with the Rotary Club of Gainesville, North Georgia Community Foundation, and the Arts Council. Her passion for service and financial expertise has helped families and organizations thrive.

This annual event supports Junior Achievement of Georgia’s mission to prepare young people for success through financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness programs. Proceeds from the event help ensure that JA can continue to reach students across Georgia with its impactful programs.

For more information about the event, sponsorship opportunities, or to learn more about the 2025 Laureates, please visit our website: georgia.ja.org/gainesville-hall-of-fame