The Cobb Chamber has named its 2021 Citizens of the Year. Citizen of the Year Awards are given to honor an individual whose impact through the years will be recognized and regarded with pride throughout the area as a role model. These outstanding citizens are chosen for their definable, exceptional deeds, with which he or she has made their community a better place to live. Awards are given to deserving individuals based on local area nominations.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2021 AWARD WINNERS!
ACWORTH CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Tia Amlett, Principal of Barber Middle School, is a servant leader who is both humble and kind. Amlett is in tune to the needs, struggles, and challenges that her staff and school families face, and she finds ways to keep those individuals uplifted. During the challenges of the past two years, Amlett has remained a strong and steadfast advocate for teachers, students, and parents. She continues to work tirelessly to ensure that the needs of all stakeholders are met.
Amlett makes the intentional effort to greet each student by name as they climb off the bus in the morning. She knows every student in her school and makes sure they know that they are important and cared for. It is nearly impossible to know the full impact of her service. She does it all to support and lead others, without desire for anything in return. While students, parents, and the community may not remember the specific details of their interactions with her, they will always remember how valued she made them feel.
Under Amlett’s leadership, Barber Middle School was named a Title 1 Reward School, a distinction that is earned by those schools that are ranked in the top 5 percent of Title 1 Schools in the state. In addition, during that time, Barber Middle School was also awarded STEM School Certification by the Cobb County School District. What others might view as a challenge, Amlett sees as an opportunity for success time and time again.
AUSTELL CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Malcolm Lewis, Pastor of Beacon of Light Ministries and Owner of Cenacle Coffee Shop and Bestway Financial Services, is an engaged and active member of the Austell community who shows his passion for the community through everything he does.
After moving Beacon of Light Ministries to the area in 2008 and purchasing two buildings to open Cenacle Coffee Shop and Bestway Financial Services in 2015, Lewis has been instrumental in the revitalization efforts of downtown Austell. During the start of the pandemic, when many in the community were left hungry due to the shelter in place mandate, Lewis opened the Cenacle’s doors and offered hot meals to anyone in need.
Passionate about education and entrepreneurism, Lewis is proposing to fund a Private Middle School in Austell. Lewis was an Austell Business Association Board Member 2016-2020 and has been a part of the Austell Community Collaborative since 2015. As a former Veteran, Lewis has helped celebrate and honor local Veterans each year at the annual Veterans Day event held in Veterans Park. Lewis has continuously contributed to the wellbeing of the Austell community through his servitude and giving spirit.
EAST COBB CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Bob Ott, Pilot for Delta Airlines and former East Cobb District 2 Commissioner, has been an active and engaged member of the East Cobb community for more than 10 years. A metro Atlanta native since 1991, Ott dove into politics after a residential zoning proposal near his home sparked opposition alongside his neighbors. From the East Cobb Civic Association to the Cobb Planning Commission, Ott strives to make the citizens of Cobb feel as though they are connected to their government.
During his term as Commissioner, Ott remained one of the most consistent elected officials. He was a friend to the business community and homeowners, and believed in the power of free enterprise and entrepreneurship. Ott was instrumental in helping to bring the Atlanta Braves to Cobb County, building new apartments and office buildings in the Cumberland area to draw in new talent and investment, helping secure land for the expansion of East Cobb Park, and championing redevelopment and community revitalization.
In the wake of the pandemic, Ott was vigilant in helping small businesses stay open, working alongside SelectCobb to propose that $50 million of the county’s federal CARES Act funding would be dedicated to developing grants for small business owners. His term started with catastrophic floods that devastated East and South Cobb County and ended with a pandemic that crippled the nation. Ott worked tirelessly through those terrible events during his term and has remained a faithful servant to his community. After stepping down from politics in late 2020, Ott has continued to stay active within East Cobb. He is an active member of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church and volunteer with Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts of America.
KENNESAW CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Jeff Drobney, City Manager of Kennesaw, is a man of action that finds ways to make everything work to benefit those involved. Under his leadership, Drobney has taken the City of Kennesaw to the next level in operations, staffing, technology and economic growth. He has built an all-star team of professionals and created a succession plan to ensure the city is able to maintain exceptional professional services and continued strong economic growth.
An active member of the International City/County Management Association, Drobney has completed and maintained certification of ICMA, the world’s leading association of professional city and county managers who serve local governments. Drobney has continued his professional learning by completing advanced leadership courses and graduating from the Leadership Cobb program. Over the course of 15 years, he has served as past president of the Kennesaw Business Association, executive director of the Southern Museum, agency director for Recreation and Culture, and past board member for Cobb Travel and Tourism.
Drobney has been described by others as Iron Man – literally and figuratively. He recently completed his sixth Iron Man competition and finished in the top half of an international field of competitors. Involved in several areas within the city, Drobney has dedicated much of his career to serve and help improve the quality of Kennesaw and the wellbeing of its citizens.
MABLETON CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Robin Meyer, Chairwoman Emeritus of the Mableton Improvement Coalition, is a crucial fixture within the Mableton community. A founding member of the Mableton Improvement Coalition since 2001, she has served in numerous leadership roles, including Chairwoman, President, Secretary, and head of Zoning Committee.
Meyer has worked tirelessly for over 20 years to serve and help in the redevelopment of the Mableton community. She has helped countless residents with issues ranging from homelessness, code enforcement, traffic, litter, and more. Additionally, Meyer has written several grant applications resulting in the historic preservation of local parks, as well as development of new parks, and continues to work with Cobb County Government and developers on zoning applications for the redevelopment of Mableton.
Meyer also helped found Mableton Community Garden, Mableton Farmer’s Market, and Mableton Community Fund. She has selflessly dedicated more than two decades of service to help improve the quality of Mableton and the wellbeing of its citizens.
MARIETTA CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Thomas Sherrer, Jr., Co-owner and Pharmacist in Charge of Poole’s Pharmacy, has been a crucial fixture within the Marietta community for more than three decades. Prior to the pandemic, he provided flu vaccines at each of the Marietta City Schools (MCS) campuses so that the staff would have convenient access to the vaccine. He is a trusted and respected member of the Marietta community, but it is during the pandemic that his compassion and dedication to Marietta and the school system became incredibly clear.
As soon as the COVID-19 vaccine first became available, Sherrer called his customers, worked with their schedules, counseled hesitancy and came up with a system so no vaccine would be wasted. Through Poole’s Pharmacy, Sherrer was ready and willing to ensure that all teachers and staff who were able and willing to get the vaccine were vaccinated as soon as feasible. Within days of educators being eligible, Sherrer and the Poole’s staff were working with MCS to plan and implement vaccine clinics located at Marietta High School. What began as an initial clinic for MCS staff would soon become an ongoing partnership of MCS vaccine events for staff, students and members of the Marietta community.
When children 12 and older were able to get the vaccine, he was right back at it – helping parents with the decision and getting back to the schools to help administer the dose. In a time where it is vital to keep our community safe and educated about their options, Sherrer has done everything he can to make sure his fellow citizens are informed and vaccinated. Sherrer has consistently worked to support and ensure the health and wellness of his community, tirelessly dedicating himself to making Marietta a safer place for all.
SMYRNA CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Louis Defense, Lieutenant for the City of Smyrna Police Department, is an active citizen whose true love for the City of Smyrna and Cobb County shines through his actions every day.
Defense began his law enforcement career in November of 2000 with the City of Smyrna Police Department, and today serves as the face of the Smyrna Police Department in his active role as the City’s Public Information Officer/Community Liaison. He has served time in uniform patrol and most notably as the supervisor of the Community Relations Unit with Smyrna Police.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Defense found an unmet need in our community. He realized that our most at-risk populations could not be in public and thus could not pick up their basic life necessities such as food and medication. Defense began delivering groceries and medication to Smyrna’s at-risk populations and, due to the program’s popularity, expanded his reach into areas of unincorporated Cobb that bordered Smyrna.
In the wake of tragic events across the country, Defense found himself again thinking outside of the box in finding ways to regain the public’s trust in law enforcement. Defense coordinated and instructed Smyrna Police Department’s inaugural Youth Police Academy where kids from our area attended a one-week “police academy” where they learned about law enforcement and how to succeed in life. Defense is a common face in our local schools and colleges where he enjoys spending time and mentoring our youth in both law enforcement and life skills. Additionally, Defense can be found in local civic organizations where he is often seen giving updates on crime and other city happenings. He truly is the go-to guy for many citizens of Smyrna.
Prior to entering law enforcement, Defense served our country in the United States Marines. During his time with Smyrna Police, he has touched every part of the community through his involvement in the local schools, neighborhoods, senior communities and local civic groups.
WEST COBB CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Christal McNair, small business owner with Studio Bungee, is an unsung hero to many organizations and people in West Cobb. She is the first to say yes to difficult tasks – whether it’s chairing a new committee with a non-profit, helping to navigate challenging waters during a pandemic, or just pushing hard to get the word out about a cause she believes in.
An active member of the Cobb Chamber, Cobb Executive Women, Marietta Business Association, West Cobb Business Association and Kiwanis of Marietta, McNair shows her passion for the community through her involvement in each organization and acts of service to help her neighbors. In the wake of the pandemic, McNair helped many small businesses translate PPP and manage their financial plans.
McNair is always the first to raise her hand, step in, and happily help to make our community a better place. Her servitude, hard work ethic, and giving spirit make her a valuable contributor to the neighborhoods and communities of West Cobb.
For more information on the Citizens of the Year Awards, contact Katie Guice at kguice@cobbchamber.org or 770-859-2334.
