News

JLA Appoints McDonald-Garrett as President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE               Contact:  Pam McDonald-Garrett

November 22, 2011                                                                  229-405-6753

JLA Appoints New President

McDonald-Garrett assumes new role

Albany, GA Pam McDonald-Garrett has been appointed as the President of JLA.  Since joining JLA, Pam has served as the Chief Financial Officer.  In this role, she was responsible for finance, operations, client relations, human resources, and information technology.  Prior to joining JLA, she was employed with SB&T Bank of Albany, a Synovus affiliate, for 15 years as a private banker and sales manager.  Before joining SB&T, Pam was a bank examiner with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance and an educator.  She holds degrees from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Valdosta State University, and Georgia Southwestern University.

Jim Leek will resume the role of Chairman of the Board.  These organizational changes will assure JLA’s continued growth in service and support for the analytical and technical food services industry.

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JLA/IEH Press Release, January 21, 2011

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                     CONTACT:  Media Relations

JANUARY 21, 2011                                                                                                                     334.790.3859

                                                                                                                                   marketing@jlaglobal.com

JLA USA ANNOUNCES MERGER WITH IEH, INC.

Technical Food Services Company Joins Forces to Broaden Resources

(Albany, GA) – Jim Leek, President of JLA USA, announced the company’s merger with the Institute for Environmental Health, Inc., (IEH) on Thursday, January 20, 2011.  IEH, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, is owned by Mansour Samadpour, PhD.  Both companies offer technical services for food safety with JLA USA historically focusing in semi-perishable foods (peanuts and tree nuts) while IEH has primarily served the perishable food industries (meats, fresh vegetables).

Jim Leek and Mansour Samadpour will serve as Co-Presidents.  Leek will be President and CEO of JLA as well as Advisory Board Chairman for IEH/JLA; Samadpour will continue as President and CEO of IEH and Chief Technical Officer for IEH/JLA.

 “This is a good step for the future of JLA and for IEH.  We look forward to continuing to serve others in this new, stronger organization,” said Jim Leek.

About JLA

JLA was established in 1990 as a technical services organization providing strategic quality assurance systems in the food and beverage industry.  US locations include operations in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas.

Leadership Georgia Visits JLA Blakely

Blakely, GA – On Friday, September 24, Leadership Georgia stopped in Blakely, Georgia for a tour of Birdsong Peanut and the JLA Blakely Laboratory. Over 200 people attended a luncheon held at the Birdsong Warehouse and were able to enjoy peanuts in a variety of ways. After the luncheon, tours were conducted of the Birdsong Shelling Plant and Buying Point, along with a tour of the JLA Laboratory. The entire JLA Blakely team explained the analytical process and the importance of food safety. From the safety systems involving the receiving department to the final filing of the paperwork, JLA associates explained the “Getting It Right Before It Ships ®” philosophy. The attendees asked many questions and obtained a better understanding of what is involved in the food safety process.

JLA Introduces Dr. Michele Promo

JLA welcomes Dr. Michele Promo to the JLA family. Michele specializes in chemistry research and development with extensive experience in synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry. Prior to joining JLA, Michele was a Principal Scientist/Medicinal Chemist for PFIZER, INC. in St. Louis, Missouri where she designed and synthesized drugs for the inflammation portfolio.

Michele received her Ph.D in Organic Chemistry from the University of Minnesota and her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

When asked about joining the JLA team, Dr. Promo says, “I am excited to be part of the JLA family and I look forward to being a scientific resource for the chemistry lab.”

JLA Introduces Pam McDonald-Garrett

Pam McDonald-Garrett has joined the JLA team. Mrs. McDonald-Garrett brings 15 years as a private banker and sales manager to JLA. She was previously employed at SB&T Bank of Albany, a Synovus affiliate. Her prior experience also includes an educator and bank examiner with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance.

She holds an Associates degree in journalism from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Bachelor degrees in English and accounting from Valdosta State University, and a Master’s degree in English from Georgia Southwestern.

“Over the years, I have watched JLA grow from a southwest Georgia start-up to a global company, and through the tremendous growth, JLA has remained solid on the foundation on which it was originally built. The principles and values live and breathe each and every day at this company. As their former banker, I really thought I knew what it meant, but now as an employee, I can tell you that it is even more extraordinary than I could have ever imagined,” said Ms. McDonald-Garrett.

Pam is an active member of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, Albany Rotary Club, and Junior League of Albany. She serves on the board of Flint Riverquarium, Girl Talk, and Lily Pad.

JLA China Holds Team Building Exercise

JLA China recently held a team building exercise, which included climbing Laoshan Mountain in Qingdao. JLA China continues to focus on client relations and customer service by holding these educational and leadership activities for the staff.

JLA nominates one of the winners of Southwest Georgia’s 40 under 40

(Donalsonville, Ga.)- The Albany Herald announced today that Marcus Carter has been chosen as one of Southwest Georgia’s 40 Under Forty honorees for 2010. This prestigious award recognizes business people under the age of 40, who are leaders in their professions and communities.

As Vice President of Sales for LMC, Carter promotes the company’s separating and cleaning equipment within the agricultural industry. In this role, he has helped grow the company’s manufacturing business, allowing it to offer more jobs to the local community.

“No matter how difficult the economy is or how many challenges and changes may come, we must push forward with creative thinking,” he says. “We have employees and a community depending on us to make smart business decisions and to provide jobs for our small southwest Georgia community.”

Carter’s investment in his community also reaches beyond his professional life. He serves as song leader and church treasurer at the Donalsonville Church of Christ and works with the youth program there. He is also a volunteer with the agricultural ministry of Healing Hands International, which teaches people in malnourished countries around the world how to grow and harvest their own crops.

A graduate of Lipscomb University, Carter holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He is a member of the American Seed Trade Association, the Donalsonville Lions Club and a graduate of Leadership Donalsonville. He has also served on the Decatur-Seminole County Regional Library Board and the committee to renovate the Donalsonville Country Club.

To read Carter’s biography and see a complete list of 2010 honorees go to www.albanyherald.net/special.

About LMC

With over 70 years experience in designing and manufacturing processing equipment for the food industry, Lewis M. Carter Manufacturing, Inc. possess a unique, keen insight into today’s food and recyclable industry. With beginnings in the peanut industry, LMC has expanded over the years to include treenuts, beans, and seed and grain industries. As a leader in producing World Class Machinery, LMC offers solutions tailored to not only your specific industry, but also to your specific company.