FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Contact: Robert Preston, Jr.,
912.260.4276
robert.preston@sgc.edu
Douglas National Bank starts SGC scholarship endowment
in memory of Gene Chambers
On Tuesday, March 2, DNB launched a scholarship in memory of
Gene Chambers, a member of the bank’s Board of Directors for the entire
10-year history of the financial institution, who recently passed away after
a battle with pancreatic cancer. The scholarship will be endowed over the
next few years through the SGC Foundation.
According to Stuart Smith, DNB president and CEO, when DNB began a decade
ago, Chambers was one of the first names considered for the Board of
Directors. “He was always enthusiastic and positive. He was the kind of
director you wanted to have. He lived his life through the prism of
knowledge. What better way to remember him than with this scholarship?” he
said.
Don Brooks, who is also a member of the DNB board, recalled his long
friendship with Chambers. Brooks and Chambers met soon after the Chambers
family moved to Douglas in 1964. They moved here because of Douglas Foods,
which became one of the most important employers in Coffee County. Douglas
Foods eventually sold to Flowers Industries, who in turn sold to Campbell’s.
“That industry grew into a wonderful employer, providing over 1,000 jobs.
There are still jobs in Coffee County because of Douglas Foods,” said
Brooks. From there, Chambers opened MarCraft. “He had an analytical mind and
loved the challenge of building a business. He loved people, helping people
and solving problems,” continued Brooks.
In addition to his work in the manufacturing sector, Chambers was an
accomplished pilot and served on the Airport Commission for over 30 years.
The Commission, which has advocated very hard on behalf of the airport since
its inception, has brought over 5,000 jobs to Coffee County through
improvements to the airport. “Gene had high ethics and an excellent business
sense. It is truly an honor to call Gene a friend, and I’m proud we can fund
this scholarship at SGC in his memory,” said Brooks.
Another long-time friend, Francis Lott, remembered Chambers as smart,
inquisitive and a quick learner. “He made a big mark in this community
through his leadership and business experience. He loved education, and this
scholarship is appropriate and well deserved,” he said.
Chambers, a native of Illinois, moved to Douglas in 1964 as co-founder and
vice president of Douglas Foods, a chicken processing plant which later
merged with Flowers Industries. In 1977, he founded MarCraft, a local
industry that manufactures and distributes marble products across the
country. He was also involved in the cattle industry, raising Barzona cattle
at his Crestmark Ranch. Chambers served on the Executive Committee of the
Georgia Cattleman’s Association and founded the South Georgia Cattleman’s
Association, of which he was the first president. Other accomplishments
include serving on the Douglas Airport Commission for over 30 years, Coastal
Plains Commission for National and Community Service, South Georgia College
Board of Trustees, Coffee Regional Medical Center Board of Directors,
Chairman and President of the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce, and
deacon and elder of First Presbyterian Church.
Chambers was married to the former Sylvia Hughes. Together, they have four
children: Buck Chambers (Janice), L.J. Chambers (Gina), Kim Voyles (Ed), and
Stephanie Childers (Jason). All four are graduates of South Georgia College.
“There are a lot of ways to honor Gene, but there is no better way than
through a scholarship. He often said that if you’re not learning, you’re
dying. He believed in education, and he believed if you invest in people,
you invest in learning,” said Matt Greer, former president and current
member of the SGC Foundation.
“We felt like it was time for Douglas National Bank to do this. There
couldn’t be a better way to honor Gene. He was our friend and we were very
close to him personally,” said Luke Morgan, SGC Foundation President and DNB
Executive Vice President.
“The Chambers family has made a huge difference in this community in ways
that many people don’t know. We are honored to have a scholarship bear his
name at SGC. On behalf of South Georgia College, I would like to thank
Douglas National Bank for its generosity in launching this endowment in
memory of Mr. Chambers. Many of our students would not be able to attend our
institution without scholarships provided by our community partners. Because
of Douglas National Bank, our students will have opportunities to receive an
education well into the future. We are thankful for DNB and all of our
organizations, businesses, and individuals who provide occasion for students
to attend South Georgia College,” said Dr. Virginia Carson, SGC President.
Due to strong leadership and a commitment to economic development, DNB grew
into the largest bank in Coffee County based on local assets in six short
years. With 32 employees, DNB offers commercial, consumer, and mortgage
loans; business and personal deposit accounts; and financial services
through Raymond James. DNB’s officers have 255 years of combined banking
experience.
If you are interested in supporting this scholarship or the SGC Foundation,
please contact Walda Kight, Director of Community and Foundation Relations
at (912) 260-4274.
Photo:
DNB President and CEO Stuart Smith presents SGC
President Dr. Virginia Carson with the first check for DNB’s scholarship in
memory of Gene Chambers. Pictured from left are Luke Morgan, DNB Executive
Vice President and SGC Foundation President; Buck Chambers, Dr. Virginia
Carson, Stuart Smith, Francis Lott, DNB Board of Directors; David Lott, DNB
Board of Directors; and Don Brooks, DNB Board of Directors.
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About South Georgia College
South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu)
was founded in 1906 and is a two-year institution in the University System
of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives
students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close
collaboration with faculty.
