Award Winner Stresses Importance of Chamber
  Harvey J. Coleman received the Chamber's first Small Business Leadership Award during a luncheon June 6.  The award was co-sponsored by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
  Over 400 guests attended the luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Ravinia held to honor the role small businesses have played in Atlanta's economic development and civic support.
  "It's a compliment to the Chamber that it recognizes small business contributions to the growth of Atlanta," said Coleman,  
Harvey J. Coleman, (r) is congratulated by Chamber Executive Vice President Gerald L. Bartels after being named the first recipient of the Small Business Leadership Award.
who co-founded Coleman Management Consultants, Inc., seven years ago following a successful career with IBM.  "A lot of people have worked hard to make a contribution in their environment and the Chamber has named me as one of the more significant contributors.  I intend to wear that very proudly because I represent a very fine group of people."
  Coleman was chosen from among seven finalists who represent each of the Chamber's Area Councils.  Coleman represented the north Area Council.  The other finalists who were also recognized at the luncheon were:
  • Richard L. Boger, chairman and chief executive officer of Boger & Reid, who represented the Uptown Area Council.
  • Rhonda M. Brown, chairman of the board of Brown Office Supply, who represented the Downtown Area Council.
  • Peter J. Chestnut, president of Chestnut Color, Inc., who represented the Northwest Area Council.
  • Dewey R. Henderson, president of Dewey Henderson's Atlanta Auctions, Inc.,  who represented the South Area Council.
  • Ernest D. Key, Jr., chief executive officer of Atlanta Belting Company, who also represented the Downtown Area Council.
  • Michael A. Loia, president of Neal/Loia Construction Co., who represented the Northeast Area Council.

  Coleman serves on the Chamber's Area Council's Coordinating Committee as vice chairman of membership.  Involvement in the Chamber, he notes, is crucial to each small business.
  "One of the greatest mistakes small business owners make is the failure to realize the importance of image and exposure on growth," said Coleman.  "The most important factor in a business is people.  If you can't be around the people who are the experts, you can't be an expert yourself. 

 And you can't meet the people who buy products."
  Coleman noted the Chamber's importance in economic development and work on regional issues, factors which he said affect small business survival.
  In addition to his leadership role with the Chamber, Coleman has been actively involved with the Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, the United Negro College Fund, the United Way, Leadership Atlanta and the American Lung Association.
  Coleman is a former IBM personnel manager and marketing manager.  His business assists organizations in fully utilizing their total human resources.  Management development workshops, personnel systems designs, cross cultural training and workshops for women and minorities offered by the company.