Jeb Arp – HOC Award of Honor

Jeb Arp’s deep commitment to the Rome and Floyd County community is reflected in his decades of service as an educator, volunteer, and civic leader. Over the past 20 years, Jeb has supported initiatives that enhance and strengthen our area’s quality of life. His career in education has given him a unique opportunity to meaningfully engage with different pockets of Floyd County and evolve into community involvement that has only grown over time.

Originally from Dalton by way of Ellijay, Jeb came to Rome to attend Berry College, where he discovered his passion for teaching while earning both his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education degrees in early childhood education. Never one to sit still, he later earned his Doctorate of Education in Instructional Leadership from the University of Alabama; and then went on to obtain his Georgia real estate license. Jeb and his partner, Luke, share their c.1938 historic home in College Heights with their two fur babies — Henry (a pug) and Puttles (a pug mix). Jeb balances his work in education with a successful hobby-turned-second career at Toles, Temple & Wright Real Estate. In addition to traveling, his interests reflect a love of architecture, historic preservation, and community development — from restoring old homes to volunteering his time, and patronizing fun and flashy events that support our local arts and culture.

As his nominator stated: “With his signature wit and commitment to helping others, Jeb
embodies the very best of what it means to serve one’s community — and to have fun while doing it!”

• Rome Area Heritage Foundation: Board of Directors; Co-president & Secretary
• Rome International Film Festival: Board of Directors, Film and Entertainment Society founding member
• William S. Davies Shelters: past member of Board of Directors, Advisory Board – instrumental in acquiring the property that became the Ruth & Naomi House on North Broad Street
• Rome-Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth’s “Are You Smarter Than a 3rd Grader?” Competition: over $8,000 raised
• Bloom Closet: PorchFest Planning Committee
• Neighborly Love sweatshirt fundraiser: $2,000 raised for Garden Lakes Elementary School staff appreciation fund
• Rome First United Methodist Church: Youth Ministry and Youth mentor, Praise Band, Delegate to the North Georgia United Methodist conference
• Junior Service League of Rome Follies
• 2020 Georgia Board of Realtors Humanitarian Award
• 2016 Rome Life Magazine – Named a “20 Under 40”
• 2013 Graduate of Leadership Rome
• In-Home Event Host for various fundraisers, including Junior Service League Garden Tour Patron Party, AIDS Resource Council Chili Party, and others benefiting Rome Shakespeare Festival, Rome Area Heritage Foundation, Sexual Assault Center of Northwest Georgia, and William S. Davies Shelters

Sarah Huffman – HOC Award of Honor

A native of Rome, Sarah Huffman currently serves as the Assistant Director ofHuman Resources and Risk Management for the City of Rome. She is the daughter of former Heart of the Community recipient, Cheryl Huffman. Sarah is married to her wife, Erin, and together they have one daughter, Hollis. She is a graduate of Rome High School and Berry College, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She later completed a Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University and a Master of Public Administration from Jacksonville State University. She also holds multiple professional certifications, including SHRM–Certified Professional, Advanced Certified Human Resources Manager, and Associate in Risk Management – Public Entity.

Sarah demonstrates an exceptional commitment to her community through her consistent involvement in service oriented leadership. Beyond her board service, she volunteers her time and energy to numerous civic projects, bringing both her professional expertise in HR and risk management as well as her passion for people to every initiative. Her approach to service is hands-on, visionary, and deeply rooted in a belief that communities thrive when individuals step up to give their time and talent. Sarah’s leadership has had a lasting impact on multiple organizations and, by extension, countless individuals in Rome and Floyd County.

• Current President and Board Member, Habitat for Humanity – Coosa Valley
• Current Board Member, The Davies Shelter
• Current Board Member, GP Federal Credit Union
• Current coordinator for Leadership Rome, Rome Floyd Chamber of Commerce
• Young Professional of the Year (2022), Rome Floyd Chamber of Commerce
• Leadership Rome Alumni
• Recurring judge for GNTC GOAL Awards (2014 & 2020-present)
• 2024 “celebrity” participant in the Sexual Assault Center of NWGA Celebrity Dance Challenge
  Recurring participant in Junior Service League Follies
• Volunteer for various Rome City Schools programs (Amazing Shake, etc.)
• Volunteer reader for Read Across America Week
• Volunteer community judge for Darlington School Tech Competition
• Volunteer community judge for Rome City Schools Tech Competition
• Former mentor for Rome Middle School “Habitudes” program
• Supporter and donor of various other community organizations including, but not limited to, TRED, Rome Little Theater, Rome Pride, PFLAG Rome, and more.

Traci Tillery, HOC Award of Honor

Traci Tillery is a Nurse Practitioner with a 34-year career in nursing. She has worked at Floyd (Atrium) for twenty-seven years and during these years, realized the importance of foot care and foot maintenance in her professional career. She began the first nurse-driven foot care clinic in this area at Floyd Medical Center. She has collected data from
her clients about the ramifications of poor foot care and has presented her findings at national meetings. Traci serves on the Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Credentialing Board Advanced Practice Committee where, among other duties, she serves on the committee responsible for writing the exam questions for the national certifying exam.

Traci’s calling to serve others began with a thought: “What if we could take foot and wound care to those in need instead of waiting until it was so critical that they had to come to a hospital they could not afford?”  Her dream envisioned a mobile foot clinic that could meet people where they were. She knew if someone’s feet are unhealthy, the greater the likelihood that their overall health would also be poor. After much research and a lot of paperwork, Stars Align Outreach, a 501c3, non-profit was born. “The Toe Truck” became her Northwest Georgia Mobile Foot Clinic.

Through collaboration with local non-profit Fork, Spoon, and Plate, you will find “The Toe Truck” every Thursday evening (along with other community services) in the parking lot behind West Rome Baptist Church, serving the homeless and other members of our community in need. Traci’s passion and charisma inspire others, including her co-workers, to join her after a full day of work to care for feet and wounds that are in tremendous need of attention.  Traci and her team have built relationships with their clients, serving them with dignity and respect, as they provide the much needed medical attention that their clients cannot afford.

One of Traci’s nominators quoted John 13:14-15 as Traci’s mission in action: “Now that I your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

Traci Tillery has raised a family, has had an outstanding professional career, and could choose to relax at this stage of her life.  Instead, she continues making a difference in the lives of those whom others often choose to look past.  Traci is “all in” when it comes to living out her passion to care for others with her servant’s heart.  Our community is better because of Traci’s dedication to those in need.

• Spends personal time and funds helping those who can’t help themselves
• Formed 501c3 “Stars Align Outreach” – purchasing a truck for outreach of a mobile foot clinic
• Weekly drives “The Toe Truck” to homeless areas providing comprehensive foot and wound care to include physical exam, procedures (nail debridement, callus paring, ingrown nail removal, etc.), and education
• Collaboration with Fork, Spoon, Plate to do weekly community outreach

Gail Veal – HOC Award of Honor

For decades, the Rome and Floyd County community has been blessed by an unwavering force of compassion and dedication: Gail Stevenson Veal. Gail is more than a passionate community advocate; she is the embodiment of selfless service – a genuine angel among us – whose lifework has been entirely devoted to bettering the world around her.

A proud Rome native, Gail’s foundation in service began with her education, culminating in a Bachelor’s degree from Shorter College following her graduation from Model High School. Gail’s formal work career spanned over thirty years, consistently focusing on nurturing the next generation. She dedicated her talents as a special education teacher within the Floyd County School system before joining Rome City Schools. There, her profound commitment shone through as she collaborated with Communities in Schools and served as both the Pre-K Coordinator and a dedicated Site Coordinator until her retirement in 2002. Gail is the daughter of the late Bobby Stevenson and Barbara Washington and is the mother to Kelly and Holly.   While her professional life was impactful, it is Gail’s extraordinary and unselfish volunteerism that has woven her into the very fabric of our community. Her presence is felt across every demographic and need. Whether she is offering vital weekend childcare so a mother can work, or taking on key leadership roles on numerous boards, Gail approaches every commitment with the same quiet determination and generosity of spirit.

Her dedication has not only filled needs but has empowered, unified, and enriched countless lives. The following is a testament to her far-reaching influence:

• Community & Advocacy: Senior Promotion Council Board Member, A Voice For Votes Member, United Way Member
• Civic Engagement & Culture:  One Community United Decorator, MLK Jr. Annual Community Breakfast Member and Decorator, African American Connection For the Arts: Assistant to Director
• Youth & Education:  Anna K. Davie Elementary School Mentor, Miss Rome/Northwest Georgia Board of Directors, Coosa Valley Fair Queen Competition: Candidate Assistance
• Direct Service: Toys For Tots: Assembler and Donator
• Leadership &; Support:  Rome/Floyd NAACP Veterans and Education Committee

Gail’s tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed, and she has been the distinguished recipient of several significant recognitions:

• Rome City Schools Support Employee of the Year – 2004 and 2023 (A rare, repeated honor decades apart, demonstrating sustained excellence)
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Most Valuable Soror – 2016 and 2018
• Unsung SHEro nomination by the Queens Ministry

Ghee Wilson – HOC Award of Honor

Special Agent Ghee Wilson’s record of service reflects a lifelong commitment to the safety, wellbeing, and enrichment of the Rome and Floyd County community. His dedication extends well beyond his professional role with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, to an extraordinary range of civic, nonprofit, and community-building activities.

For over two decades, Ghee has given his time and leadership to organizations that directly impact vulnerable populations. Ghee’s contributions also extend into visible, hands-on community engagement. His volunteerism highlights both his willingness to step outside of his comfort zone and his belief in the power of community-based fundraising. Through this wide array of leadership, volunteerism, and recognition, Special Agent Ghee Wilson has consistently demonstrated that service is not simply part of his profession—it is central to who he is. His personal warmth, coupled with his tireless community involvement, reflects a genuine passion for service that defines both his personal and professional life.

Ghee is married to Lindsay, and they have one daughter, Sawyer.

• Board Member of the Northwest Georgia Sexual Assault Center for 8 years -President for 3
• Vice-President of the Coosa Valley Fraternal Order of Police for 3 years, President for 7, member for over 20 years; Coordinated the Shop with a  Cop program for 10 years, has been involved with Shop With A Cop for more than 20 years.
• Board Member Community Criminal Justice Foundation
• 2016 Rome Celebrity Dance Challenge Participant
• 2025 Rome/Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth “Are You Smarter Than a 3rd Grader” Participant (Teachers Pet Award Winner)
• Floyd Against Drugs Murder Mystery Dinner 2021-present (won fundraising award three years)
• Grand Marshall Walk A Mile in Her Shoes 2022; Benefit for the Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter
• 2023 Recipient of the Outstanding Citizen Award from Lindale VFW
• Two-time recipient of the Joe Adams Community Service Award from the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office
• 2021 GBI Deputy Directors Award for Investigative Excellence
• Community Judge for the Floyd County Technology Competition
• Coordinated Shop with a Cop in Floyd County for 10 years
• Active member of Rome GA Cares
• 2017 SPLOST Citizens Advisory Committee Member
• 2018 Prom King for the Night to Remember Adult Prom – Alzheimer’s Association
  benefit
• Read Across America volunteer at several local schools
• Assisted in Raising money for Local family to get a home at Christmas
• Former Board Member Salvation Army
• Former Floyd County Planning Commissioner