James January-February 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 42
he Atlanta History Center
was the venue on the
evening of November
13th for James Magazine’s 20th anniversary
celebration. Over 100
attendees— ranging from various Georgia elected officials, James advertisers
and lobbyists to prominent business,
political, judicial and cultural leaders—
were welcomed by James Founder &
Chairman Matt Towery and CEO &
Publisher Phil Kent.
The event’s main sponsor was the
Hall Booth Smith law firm. Its chairman John Hall read a letter from Gov.
Brian Kemp praising the magazine for
being an important voice in Georgia’s
political, business and cultural world.
“For two decades,” the governor wrote,
“the periodical has been a go-to source
for information on a variety of topics
affecting our state. It is risen in prominence in both business and political
spheres, and I’m sure will continue
to promote aspects of what make all
Georgians proud.”
Kayla Green, the communications
director for state House of Representatives Speaker Jon Burns, presented
Towery and Kent a House proclamation hailing the 20th anniversary of
the publication and state Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta, also presented them a state Senate proclamation
and declared that James is “must
reading” for anyone in Georgia politics
and business.
Co-sponsors of the celebration
were Lexicon Strategies, the Georgia
Hospital Association and B.I.G. Entertainment, and the James event partners were the Atlanta History Center
and the Atlanta-based Proof of the
Pudding company.
“James has come a long way
from building on what Matt Towery
accomplished during his first 10
years as CEO and publisher. When
he named me to succeed him in that
role 10 years ago, we grew the team,
expanded circulation, boosted advertising and provided even more relevant information and analysis,” Kent
said. “We look forward to continuing
our mission to bring our readers a lot
more information before it’s news.”
James Founder & Chairman and pollster Matt Towery,
with CEO & Publisher Phil Kent, welcomed
attendees to the magazine’s 20th anniversary event.
John Hall, chairman of the Hall Booth Smith law firm
and the event’s main sponsor, reads a letter from
Gov. Brian Kemp congratulating James.
Caylee Noggle, CEO and president of the Georgia
Hospital Association (and an event co-sponsor),
reacting to something funny.
Pollster Robert Cahaly and former U.S. Sen.
Kelly Loeffler (chosen by President Donald Trump
to head the U.S. Small Business Administration)
discuss 2024 election results.
Columbia County DA Bobby Christine makes a point
to lobbyist Chuck Clay of Freeman Mathis (left)
Lexicon Strategies’ Billy Linville (center) and
State Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta.
Lobbyists Misty Holcomb (Holcomb Public Affairs)
and Tucker Green (Tucker Green & Associates)
representing the B.I.G. Entertainment Network,
a co-sponsor of the anniversary event.
