Junior Achievement of Georgia-Coastal Region is pleased to announce the names of the laureates for the 15th annual Savannah Business Hall of Fame being held on Monday, November 10, at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center. This year’s honorees are Dr. Joseph A. Buck and Eugene Cartledge. 

Junior Achievement (JA), along with Colonial Group, will host this year’s Savannah Business Hall of Fame where inductees will be honored for their business accomplishments as well as their extensive contributions to the community.   

A leader in education for our community with his commitment to the educational needs of students, Dr. Joe Buck has been the Savannah-Chatham County School Board President since 2006. As an administrator for almost 40 years at Armstrong State University, he built valuable relationships between the university and the community before retiring in 2006 as vice president of student affairs. He also assisted in the execution of two key leadership programs, Leadership Savannah and Leadership Georgia, which help professionals gain leadership skills and a greater understanding of their community.

Mr. Eugene Cartledge, a national business leader and advocate for young children, decided to make his home in Savannah after spending much of his career in Virginia and New York. As former president of Union Camp, the largest paper manufacturer in the United States, Cartledge is credited with leading the company through its largest expansion ever and supporting the development of The Landings. He also serves or has served as the director on the boards of many notable companies including Delta Airlines and Sunoco, hosts multiple charitable events at his home and has served on the Endowment Board of Bethesda Academy for the past six years. 

According to Johnathon Barrett, vice president of JA of Georgia, this event provides a representation of what it takes to be successful to students. 

“These inductees demonstrate to our children that the giving of one’s self is a large part of being successful,” he said. “In the words of Calvin Coolidge, ‘No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.’ I think our inductees are great testaments to that philosophy, giving back to the Savannah community and leaving a positive impression on the lives of young people.”

The Savannah Business Hall of Fame is Savannah’s premier black tie business event. The gala will be held at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center on Monday, November 10, beginning at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception, featuring an upscale silent auction. A three-course dinner and the awards ceremony will follow, featuring video montages produced by WTOC. The evening will culminate with a champagne toast to the inductees who will be honored. More than 500 guests are slated to attend the event.

Sponsorship and tickets are available for the Savannah Business Hall of Fame. Please contact Johnathon Barrett at 912-790-7822 or [email protected] for more information.