Class of 2014

2014 Georgia Hall of Fame

David Renz
Career Achievement
David Renz began his college career at the University of Georgia, and finished at Georgia Tech, with a scholarship from the Textile Engineering Foundation. After a tragic hunting accident in his early adult life, David was left confined to a wheel chair, with an uncertain future. Not looking for excuses or anything less than the best for himself and his young family, he was determined to live a normal life.   He opened his own business and, after a number of successful years under his belt, began to look for significance beyond himself. Over the years, David has been involved in numerous non-profit organizations, serving youth in the North Georgia Area. 

As a Board member since 2001, David has been an integral part of the development of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Gordon, Murray and Whitfield Counties. In 2007, he single-handedly raised $725,000 toward the purchase and renovations of the Carl Rollins Unit. David has played a key role in many agencies in  North Georgia. A few of these roles include Campaign Chair for the United Way of Northwest Georgia; is founder and former Chairman of Dalton-Whitfield  Disability Awareness Council, Area Chairperson for Ducks Unlimited; past President of the Creative Arts Guild; was appointed Chairman by Governor Roy  Barnes, in 1999, and reappointed by Governor Sonny Perdue in 2004, to lead the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission; and currently serves on the  Board of Directors for the Dalton Whitfield Joint Development Authority.  

David is a true inspiration to all. He demonstrates true leadership and has a big heart for kids. He proves to youth that, although he is physically challenged, he is still a person with the ability to make a difference. In 2009, David received the Boys & Girls Clubs National Presidents Award. David visits the Clubs, meets with Club members, and shares his positive attitude with them. His leadership, dedication, and commitment to help today's youth are key factors in the success of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Gordon, Murray and Whitfield Counties.

David and Mary Julian have been married for 33 years. They have a daughter, Lexie Oliver, a son-in-law, Mitch and a grandson, Renz Hudson Oliver. He is an ordained elder of Christ Church Presbyterian and currently serves as the financial chairman.
William Rogers, Jr.
Career Achievement
William H. “Bill” Rogers, Jr. is President and Chief Operating Officer of SunTrust Banks, Inc. In this role, he has responsibility for SunTrust’s Geographic Banking, Consumer Banking, Diversified Commercial Banking, Commercial Real Estate Banking, Corporate & Investment Banking, Wealth and Investment  Management and Enterprise Information Services. Bill earned an MBA from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from  the University of North Carolina.

In 1997, Bill served as the Board Chair and agreed to do so again, in 2011. In 2003, he chaired the organization’s capital campaign, overwhelmingly building the confidence of the community and raising $26 million dollars ($4 million over goal). In 2012, he was responsible for acquisition of the new  administrative headquarters of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta within the Boys & Girls Clubs of America building, in Midtown Atlanta. 

Currently, Bill is serving as the new Trustee Chair, is a lifetime supporter of the Boys & Girls Club movement and continues to help the Club make  connections and share their vision.

Bill Rogers has pledged a lifetime total of $696,519, in addition to decades of volunteer service. He has built a strong Board team, with his extensive  community connections, tenacity and determination. As a result, over 250,000 boys and girls have walked through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s  Doors to Possibilities, into a safe, positive and engaging environment. 

Bill’s impact, along with his wife Ashley, began 20 years ago when they became involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. They gravitated towards a mission that was dedicated to making sure all youth were given a chance to succeed, particularly those who faced significant challenges, simply  because they were poor. It is impossible to measure the impact that their involvement has had but, without a doubt, thy have already established a legacy  of changing and saving lives. 
David Waller, Sr.
Career Achievement
David S. Waller, Sr. was born the third of six children to Annie Ruth and James Ray Waller on June 9, 1933, in Washington County, Georgia. He graduated from Valdosta High School, in 1951, and went on to graduate from the Alexander Hamilton Business Institute. Mr. Waller began working for Voigt Sheet Metal, where he learned the trade and convinced them to go into the heating and air business. While working for Voigt, he managed to save $10,000, which was not a small feat in the 1950’s and 60’s. He managed to convince C&S Bank to loan him another $10,000 and with a total of $20,000 in capital, he launched his own business-Waller Heating and Air. He paid the loan off in just six months and never looked back. He joined the Board of Directors for C&S Bank, where he served for many years.

Mr. Waller began serving as a Board member of the Boys & Girls Club, in 1974. He has always been an active supporter of the Club, through his financial contributions and service. He has donated equipment; labor and installation at the Club’s facilities and office; and provides gratis service on the equipment annually. His leadership in the mid-1990s led to the re-emergence of the Toombs Street Unit, as a vital force in the community’s youth development mission. Recently, he was instrumental in assisting with the capital/endowment campaign to raise funds to build a new facility for the downtown location. He continues to give unselfishly of his time and resources.

Mr. Waller is an ordained and active Deacon at the First Baptist Church of Valdosta. He has served in many community roles, including Director of Valdosta Girls Club, before it merged with Boys Club. He is a Life Member of the Valdosta Elks Lodge; past Secretary of the local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; served on the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, where he was elected to three six-year terms; served 22 years on the Board of Education at-large post and much more.

In 1993, Mr. Waller received the Volunteer Business Man of the Year for the State of Georgia, from then-Governor Zell Miller; was awarded the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Silver Medallion and National Medallion awards; and was the Valdosta Rotary Club Man of the Year, in 1996. The David S. Waller  Educational Center at the BGC of Toombs Street was named in his honor on June 5, 1997 (now known as the Donald F. Reames Center) and on January 29, 2011, the newly built facility on North Street was named the Davis S. Waller, Sr. Educational Center. 

Mr. Waller has been married to the former Sharon Tyson for 61 years and the couple has three children-Deborah Waller Taylor, Cindy Waller Slaughter and David Waller, Jr. The couple has five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. 
Thad Watters
Career Achievement
Thad Watters is a native of Rome, Georgia. He graduated from Darlington School, before attending Georgia Tech, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Textile Management.  In 1990, Thad started Syntec Industries, Inc., along with his brothers, where he served as Vice President of Sales.

Thad has been a Board member for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Georgia for 28 years and has received numerous awards, including the BGCA “From the Heart Award” for more than 25 years of service to the organization. In 2007 he received the National Medallion Award and in 2012, he received the Georgia Area Council’s Board Member of the Year Award. During his many years of service, he has served as the Board President and Vice President, and on numerous committees. He is currently a member of the Executive and Resource Development Committees.

One specific achievement, which has impacted the entire community for more than 20 years, has been Thad’s membership on the Unified Football and Cheerleading (UFC) Committee. The committee was established, in 1992, to administer and oversee the UFC program-a partnership between the Boys & Girls Clubs and the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Department. This football and cheerleading program is one of the largest sports programs in the County,  serving over 1,000 youth participants every year. His most recent accomplishment was leading a local effort to eliminate $250,000 of the Northwest Georgia organization’s debt, resulting from the addition of a Club and Teen Center, on the distressed Southside of Rome. As a result, the organization has doubled in size and service area over the past few years, while maintaining fiscal viability.

Clubs all across the state have also benefited from Thad’s leadership, as Chairman of the Georgia Area Council, from 2005 to 2007 and Chairman of the Georgia Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, from 2009 to present.

Thad Watters has impacted the lives of Georgia’s children, not only with this service to Boys & Girls Clubs, but also through his long-time service to the Cancer Navigators and the Boys Scouts of America.  

Thad is married to Leigh Armour Watters and has two grown children-Mary Kate and West.
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