Dennis McEntire shares his leadership story at NuLink Early Bird Forum

Thomas Watkins of PetSmart emceed yesterday's NuLink Early Bird Forum and introduced speaker Dennis McEntire of Newnan Utilities. He spoke briefly about McEntire’s personal contributions to the community and young professionals like himself, noting that McEntire was not only a great mentor but also one of those rare people who know how to get things done. The crowd roared when Watkins said McEntire was “like a hybrid between Chuck Norris and MacGyver.”

McEntire began his remarks by saying his life was changed forever when he and his wife, Sally—who was present for McEntire's talk—decided that Newnan was the place they wanted to raise their children, Elizabeth and Clay.

McEntire was working for Georgia Power when the family moved to Newnan in 1986 and knew that his career track would require several future relocations. When he was offered the top job at Newnan Utilities, he and Sally didn’t think twice.

“We thought Newnan was just like Mayberry,” he said. “We still do. Our children graduated from high school with the same friends they started kindergarten with. That’s wonderful.”

McEntire said his children—both present at his talk—started careers out of town after graduating from college and were happy and successful. But when they were ready to settle down and start families, both returned to Newnan.

“We’re glad Newnan had the opportunities for them to come back,” he said.

McEntire said that career opportunities for young professionals are not as abundant as they could be, but thanks to the impact of employers like Piedmont Healthcare and Cancer Treatment Centers of America, career possibilities are expanding. He said those opportunities are growing daily, thanks in large part to The Chamber’s aggressiveness in promoting Coweta as a beacon for growth and prosperity in the region.

The crowd at the NuLink Early Bird Forum is welcomed by Lana Mobley, NuLink's Vice President of Commercial Sales.

Chamber Chairman Danny Beck presents the award for first place in the Golf Classic Expo-on-the-Greens contest to Che Ziebarth of Batson-Cook Construction.