This episode of Savannah Chamber Connect from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce features Chamber CEO Bert Brantley’s Hot Seat interview with Union Mission leader Mike Traynor on the organization’s housing and support services across southeast Georgia, the opening of a $5 million resource center repurposing a former Family Dollar with partners like Emmaus House, and ways the business community can help through donations, volunteers, and needed men’s clothing.

The episode recaps the 2026 legislative session with VP of Government Affairs Jared Downes, highlighting state investments including $42.8 million for Savannah State, operations funding for the Gateway Children & Adolescents Crisis Stabilization Unit, funding for Savannah Tech’s aviation expansion, a fourth state court judge, and the Georgia Early Literacy Act, plus vetoed tax credit items.

It spotlights the Chamber’s 50-member Ambassador Council and upcoming events including Business on the Move, Intern SAV networking, Tybee Coffee Chats, Expo sponsorships and workshops, and an Enrich Tuesday on avoiding burnout.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Learn more about the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce

Explore upcoming events

From Bert’s Hot Seat: Michael Traynor President/CEO Union Mission

Get the Latest Events: Samantha Wilkins, Small Business & Events Manager, Savannah Chamber of Commerce

Savannah Chamber's Ambassador Spotlight:

Matt Ambrosy - Ambassador Chair AVP, Commercial Relationship Manager at Fifth Third Bank

Mahogany Bowers - Ambassador Co - Chair Founder Blessings in A Book Bag

Tara Reese - Member Relations Manager

MEET OUR PRODUCTION TEAM

MEET OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR: STERLING SEACREST PRITCHARD

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FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Show Opening

01:18 Hot Seat Union Mission

02:16 Union Mission Impact

05:08 New Resource Center

09:12 Dignity And Clients

10:46 Raising Hope Gala

13:27 How To Support

17:44 Legislative Session Recap

18:06 Budget Wins And Bills

20:24 Vetoes And Tax Credits

22:28 Special Session Update

25:16 Ambassador Council Spotlight

25:48 What Ambassadors Do

27:51 First Connection Stories

28:20 Parking Lot Connection

30:10 Ambassador Meetings Outreach

32:10 Volunteer Days Recognition

34:58 Mahogany Ambassador Benefits

40:48 Mentorship Confidence Building

44:47 First Steps For Members

47:40 Summer Events Calendar

50:38 Expo Sponsorship Workshop

52:48 Enrich Tuesday Burnout

54:48 Sponsors Closing Message

This episode of Savannah Chamber Connect from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce features Dee Daniels interviewing Marley Davis of Southern Cross Hospitality, named 2026 Hospitality Business of the Year, discussing its restaurant portfolio, hospitality-first culture, international influences, and an upcoming Italian concept, Laveta, planned for end of June on Broughton Street.

In the Hot Seat, Savannah Bananas and Fans First Entertainment CFO Tim Naddy shares his accounting and theater background, mentoring focus, and how the Bananas’ national expansion still drives economic impact in Savannah while offering partnership opportunities with players and coaches.

Dee spotlights Jan and Todd Womble of Savannah Logistics Group, founded in 2017 with four trucks and now nearing 100, including Big Rig University to help drivers become owner-operators. Jennifer Davenport provides a community update on homelessness policy, PIT Count results showing major reductions in encampments and unsheltered homelessness since 2023, and the need for prevention dollars. Visit Savannah CEO Joe Marinelli reviews the 2025 tourism impact study, noting normalization after record post-pandemic years and efforts to develop new demand-generating events.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Learn more about the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce

Explore upcoming events

From Bert’s Hot Seat: Tim Naddy, Vice President of Finance - The Savannah Bananas

From the Winners Circle: Marley Davis, Marketing Coordinator Southern Cross Hospitality (Hospitality Business of the Year Award) ​

Get the Latest Events: Samantha Wilkins, Small Business & Events Manager, Savannah Chamber of Commerce

Superstar Member Spotlight: Todd Womble - CEO AND Jan Womble - CPO Savannah Logistics Group

Highlights: Jennifer Davenport Vice President, Community Affairs & In-House Counsel - Head of Leadership Savannah, Savannah Chamber

Highlights: Joe Marinelli, President & CEO Visit Savannah

MEET OUR PRODUCTION TEAM

MEET OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR: STERLING SEACREST PRITCHARD

Follow for updates:

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Show Opening

01:01 Hospitality Award Spotlight

02:12 Restaurants Under The Brand

04:00 Global Flavors Local Heart

06:05 Team Culture And Growth

07:56 Favorite Dishes Fast Picks

09:15 Bananas CFO Hot Seat

12:22 Mentoring Through Finance

17:02 Savannah Impact Of Banana Ball

19:46 Partnering With Players

24:25 Podcast Plug And Wrap

25:20 Next Guest Tease Logistics

25:59 Starting With Four Trucks

26:40 Early Grind And Reflection

27:48 Culture Built On Faith

29:46 Scaling And Driver Opportunity

30:45 Big Rig University Explained

33:22 Mentoring And Team Development

34:12 Advice For Logistics Careers

37:03 Homeless Authority Origins

38:08 Interagency Council Role

39:11 PIT Count And Progress

40:56 What Drove The Improvements

42:19 Priorities Prevention And Housing

44:17 Tourism Impact Study Overview

45:43 2025 Takeaways And Trends

47:41 New Demand Generators

49:27 Joe Marinelli Quick Wrap

50:56 Sponsor Thanks And Closing

Welcome to Savannah Chamber Connect from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce!

This episode features multiple exciting Savannah segments like: Lance Wade of Savannah Harley-Davidson discusses receiving the Gulfstream Community Involvement Award, the dealership’s community-focused events, flood-relief supply drives, and an October breast cancer awareness poker run, emphasizing listening for local needs.

In the HOT SEAT - Jared Downs interviews Lt. Col. Derick Taylor, Hunter Army Airfield garrison commander, on the importance of relationships with the business community, Transition Assistance and quarterly career fairs, challenges for military families, and a new $62 million hangar; Taylor is transitioning to a Middle East deployment while his family stays in Savannah.

Host Dee Daniels sits down with Michael and Brian Roberson who share the Savannah Sauce Company origin story, growth to 250+ stores, key products, and Athlete Brand Co. for NIL. Visit Savannah leaders mark 50 years and tourism growth to 13 million visitors and a $4B economy, noting convention expansion and the Signia hotel.

Dr. Joe Buck reflects on Leadership Savannah’s history and June 1 applications, while Joe Marinelli, President & CEO Visit Savannah - and - Kellie Linder, VP Sales, Visit Savannah help celebrate 50 Years!

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Learn more about the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce

Explore upcoming events

From Bert’s Hot Seat: Lt. Col. Derick Taylor

From the Winners Circle: Lance Wade, Savannah Harley-Davidson (Gulfstream Community Involvement Award)

What’s Up: Samantha Wilkins, Small Business & Events Manager, Savannah Chamber of Commerce

Superstar Member Spotlight: Savannah Sauce Company

Highlights: Leadership Savannah and Dr. Joe Buck

MEET OUR PRODUCTION TEAM

MEET OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR: STERLING SEACREST PRITCHARD

Follow for updates:

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Winners Circle Intro

00:20 Lance Wade Surprise Win

00:48 Harley Roots and Riding

01:42 Community Giving Culture

02:22 Flood Relief Story

04:11 Advice for Businesses

05:55 Upcoming Charity Rides

07:13 Parting Thanks and Wrap

08:15 Hot Seat Introduction

08:43 Base and Business Ties

09:40 Transitioning Service Members

11:22 Military Family Challenges

12:46 Community Support and Projects

15:16 Savannah Reflections

17:20 Memorial Day Meaning

19:16 Superstar Spotlight Intro

20:16 Sauce Origin Story

23:20 Whole Foods Breakthrough