Xcel Strategies had an amazingly successful South Georgia Summit on Thursday, October 23 celebrating the accomplishments of Xcel students and mentors across the region and sharing the strides Xcel Strategies is making towards the future.

In addition, The Honorable Cosby Johnson, Mayor of the City of Brunswick, Georgia and Vice President for Government Affairs for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, was keynote speaker.

Xcel Strategies, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping young adults, ages 15-25, with life, job and trade skills needed to thrive in both life and work. Xcel trains students in high-demand skilled trades such as plumbing, electrical , HVAC, welding, carpentry, construction, automotive, manufacturing, and more. Xcel pairs these skilled trainings with leadership development and workforce readiness training. 

The 2025 Xcel South Georgia summit included networking opportunities, a panel discussion on industries in the trades, exciting announcements regarding new partnerships and initiatives for the coming year, and honored outstanding individuals with five prestigious awards:

2025 Student of the Year

• Caleb Barnes, Chatham County, GA - Bethesda Academy Junior

• MacKenzie Ralph, Bryan County, GA - Richmond Hill High School Senior

• Logan Leach, Bryan County, GA - Richmond Hill High School Senior

• Nash Montgomery, Effingham County, GA - Effingham County High School Senior

• Dan Norfleet, Bulloch County, GA - Transitions Learning Center Senior

2025 Mentor of the Year Award

• Matthew Ambrosy, Fifth Third Bank, Mentor at Summer Skills Camps mentoring financial skills

• Joshua Craven, Savannah Electrical Training Alliance, Mentor at Summer Skills Camps mentoring electrical skills

• Conlin Muller, Ables, Iannone, Moore & Associates, Mentor in Eagle Nation Territory mentoring financial skills

• Larry Bukoweic, Countryside Baptist Church, Mentor at Effingham County Schools mentoring life skills, job skills & trade skills

2025 Champion of Community 

• Robert Warren, Terreva Renewables, 2012 Xcel Student, Xcel Expansion in North Georgia.

In addition to celebrating these achievements, proceeds from the event will support Xcel’s mission of equipping students with the skills and training needed to succeed in the workforce.

Xcel announced exciting goals for 2026 and the plans for growing the program. Xcel is hoping to expand into three new counties, Liberty, Richmond & Cobb, with hopes of mentoring 200+ more students and increasing graduating students into trade careers by 30%. 

Xcel plans to expand on its teaching model to take trades training to the next level. This included growing its Vocational Lab by adding Diesel Fuel Certifications, Apprenticeships and Technical Schools. Xcel also hopes to make Trade Certifications attainable in 2026.

“We are so thankful for the amazing turnout and support at the Xcel South Georgia Summit,” said Jay Thompson, Founder and CEO. “Getting to celebrate our amazing students and the mentors who make this all possible was incredible. We can’t wait to keep pushing forward for the future of Xcel!”

For more information on Xcel Strategies, visit xceltoday.com.