Member Economic Luncheon, December 2023

Join the Augusta Metro Chamber as we Celebrate 2023's Best in Business!

We will honor Augusta's Entrepreneur, presented by SouthState Bank, and award Corporation of the Year, and hear from a panel of past entrepreneur recipients.

Panel of Past Recipients

Jason Kennedy - Founding Partner, Loop Recruiting

Jason Kennedy, one of Loop’s founding partners, brings fifteen years of recruiting and HR experience to the company. He is adept at responding to the recruiting and consulting needs of every business, from start-ups to established corporations. His recruiting experience includes high-volume contract projects, professional direct hiring, and executive searches for c-level leaders. A Samford University graduate with an MBA from Augusta University, Jason earned multiple industry certifications and awards before founding Loop in 2015. Jason is actively involved in the Augusta Exchange Club and Trinity on the Hill Methodist Church.

Charlie Wall - Founding Partner, Loop Recruiting

Charlie Wall, one of Loop’s founding partners, began his career in technology, sales, and project management. Charlie’s work with software companies in Augusta and New York City led him to partner with Jason Kennedy to found Loop in 2015. Charlie’s nearly ten years of professional experience have proven indispensably useful to successful daily business operations at Loop. In addition to his leadership role in operations, Charlie is an essential contributor to Loop’s business development initiatives. Charlie earned a BA from Auburn University and holds an MBA from Augusta University. 

Dennis Trotter - Founding Partner, Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate

Dennis is a founding partner of Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate and has been in all aspects of commercial brokerage and development since 2002 covering the Southeastern states, while maintaining a focus on the Augusta, GA MSA. He has brokered and developed over 100 ground-up projects for nationally branded users, ranging from single tenant projects to large scale office, industrial, and retail developments. Dennis is a 2000 graduate of Furman University with a degree in Business Administration and is married to Kathi with three children. Dennis is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, Exchange Club of Augusta, and the Church of the Good Shepherd. Dennis has also served on the Board of Directors for Georgia Bank & Trust, is a Past President of the Exchange Club of Augusta, and is currently a Trustee at Episcopal Day School and member of the Executive Committee of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce.

Allan Soto - Founder and CEO, Vinea Capital

Allan grew up in South Florida and, after a brief interest in studying medicine, realized his calling as an entrepreneur. Have you heard the cup story? His faith and determination has grown what started as a single location group home for adults with developmental disabilities into an incubator for ventures in several business verticals.  

When he's not in the Office… you can find him serving on several local boards, traveling, chasing incredible food, and most importantly spending time with his son, Cristiano. 

Moderator: Randy Hatcher - CEO, MAU Workforce Solutions

Since graduating from the University of Georgia in 1978, Randy Hatcher has worked for MAU Workforce Solutions, a family-owned business founded by his father, William G. Hatcher Sr. When Randy joined the company, it had just seven full-time employees working at customer locations in Augusta, Georgia. Today, MAU’s reach extends internationally, and it is one of the largest independently owned staffing firms in North America.