GAINESVILLE — The North Georgia Community Foundation has named Gainesville businessman Don Grimsley as chair of its Board of Trustees and appointed eight new members to the board.
The foundation announced the additions in a news release, welcoming Brook Davidson, Ashley Davis, Cindy Green, Lynn Jackson, Jay Parrish, Teresa Rivero, Lauren Samples and Kevin Tanner as new trustees.
Michelle R. Prater, president and CEO of the North Georgia Community Foundation, said the new leadership will help guide the organization’s continued work across the region.
“We are honored to welcome these outstanding leaders to the NGCF Board of Trustees,” Prater said. “Their experience and commitment to service will help guide our work as we continue strengthening communities across North Georgia.”
Grimsley, a Gainesville business owner and longtime community leader, has served on the foundation’s board since 2022. He began his career with Bank of America and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey before moving to Gainesville. He currently owns and operates four Dairy Queen restaurants and works as a commercial real estate broker with Candler Real Estate.
In addition to his work with the foundation, Grimsley has served in numerous community leadership roles, including with the University of Georgia Alumni Association Executive Board, Family Promise of Hall County, Lakeview Academy, the Northeast Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the Medical Center Foundation Golf Committee. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for Leadership Georgia.
The eight new trustees bring experience from business, health care, education, law enforcement and philanthropy.
Davidson is managing partner at the Gainesville law firm Stewart, Melvin & Frost and serves on the Brenau University Conflict Resolution and Legal Studies Advisory Board and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier board. Davis is chief operating officer of Lawson Air Conditioning & Plumbing and is active with the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County and the Greater Hall Chamber’s Vision2030 initiative.
Green is a retired DuPont executive and co-owner of Cotton Calf Kitchen in Braselton. Jackson is chief executive officer of Northside Hospital Forsyth and has led the hospital’s expansion since 1999.
Parrish serves as Gainesville’s police chief and began his career with the department as a patrol officer in 2000. Rivero is a senior program officer with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation focused on improving math achievement in public schools.
Samples is a certified public accountant and partner at Tillman, Bailey, Samples & Associates, while Tanner serves as commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and previously represented House District 9 in the Georgia House of Representatives.
The North Georgia Community Foundation manages more than $186 million in charitable assets and partners with individuals, families and nonprofits to support philanthropic efforts across the region.
For more than four decades, the foundation has worked to support community initiatives through charitable giving, partnerships and long-term stewardship of philanthropic funds.
