Dalton Leaders Welcome Leadership Georgia To Town

Friday, September 17th, 2022

More than 60 of Georgia's brightest young leaders were given the red carpet treatment on Thursday night at Dalton City Hall. The members of the Leadership Georgia Class of 2022 were welcomed to town with a parade from Burr Park to City Hall, led by the Dalton High Catamount drum line and cheerleaders. After being welcomed to City Hall by members of the Boys and Girls Club, the participants were welcomed by the mayor and other city leaders.

Caption: Dalton cheerleaders, kids from the Boys and Girls Club, and the participants of the Leadership Georgia class pose with city leaders in the City Council chamber

Leadership Georgia is a statewide leadership development program that began in 1972. Participants in the program visit five different communities in the state on five different weekends during the months of January, March, May, September, and November. The program last visited Dalton in 2008, and the City is proud to have the program return to our community once again. 

The participants in the program were welcomed Thursday night by Mayor David Pennington, an alumnus of the Leadership Georgia program's 1990 class. Mayor Pennington noted that he has served in the office during two difficult periods: the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. 

"We have a great industry here that has powered us through all of that every time, and that's the carpet and flooring industry," Mayor Pennington said. "I can tell you today that the carpet and flooring industry here is the strongest that it's ever been." 

Pennington went on to explain that the carpet and flooring industry now manufactures all the components needed for production locally instead of buying materials from suppliers. That has led to lower production costs for the industry. 

Caption: Mayor Pennington speaks to the Leadership Georgia class about the community's present and future

Jim Bethel, retired CEO of J&J Industries, played the role of history professor, giving a presentation on the history and growth of Dalton from a pioneering town along the railroad line to becoming the Carpet Capital of the World. Bethel explained how the community first became a tourist destination in the 1800s and then later a manufacturing center, first of bedspreads and then during World War II of tents and tarps for the war effort. After the war, that manufacturing muscle turned to carpets. 

Dalton Utilities CEO Tom Bundros also spoke to the class, explaining the utility's vital role in Dalton's growth. 

The members of the Leadership Georgia class will remain in town through Saturday afternoon, touring and learning more about the community. 

Below: Jim Bethel and Tom Bundros spoke to the Leadership Georgia class