Reynolds is proud to announce the recipients of its Second Quarter Employee Awards for 2015. Joe Sama, Property Owners Association landscape director, has been named Leader of the Quarter while both Ashley Jeffords, marketing communications assistant, and Jimmie Miller, locker room attendant at the Creek Club, have been named Employees of the Quarter.
Joe Sama is certainly a familiar face to Reynolds having joined the community in October of 2000. Since coming on board, Sama has been a pivotal part in overseeing all of the landscape needs within the Property Owners Association. Though he has been with the same company for 15 years, there is still never a dull moment in his weekly schedule.
“The company has done a great job maintaining a close knit family atmosphere between members, vendors, and employees,” says Sama. “I enjoy the uniqueness of each day and the opportunities my job provides.”
When not out in the field, Sama volunteers his time with several local charities and organizations. His volunteer efforts include Relay for Life, Wounded Warrior Project, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, The American Cancer Society, and he has donated several handmade wood bowls for charity fundraisers in the local area.
“Being able to help someone better themselves with just a little guidance is very gratifying,” says Sama. Outside of work and volunteer efforts, Sama spends his free time with his wife Sarah, their horses, black labs, and doing anything outdoors-specifically woodworking, fishing, hunting, and horseback riding.
Originally from Eatonton, GA, Ashley Jeffords attended Gatewood Schools prior to graduating from the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Journalism. She continued what started as a part-time gig in college into a full-time job with the Gymboree Corporation, managing multiple retail stores throughout the Atlanta area. After five years with the company, she began working for a pain management physician as a medical assistant for two years before moving to Lake Oconee. Jeffords began her career with Reynolds in July 2015 with the marketing department, coordinating several communication platforms and publications.
“I love being able to market such a beautiful community and entice prospects to come and experience the lifestyle Reynolds affords,” says Jeffords. “The marketing team is small, but mighty, and I have learned so much from my colleagues and enjoy coming to work every day because of them.”
Jeffords and her husband Tommy, a local real estate attorney with Blasingame, Burch, Garrard and Ashley, have one son, Colby, who is 9 months-old. Both Ashley and Tommy enjoy spending time with family as much as possible. They are also looking forward to kick-off to college football-especially UGA (Ashley’s alumni) and Clemson (Tommy’s alumni)-and hope to attend as many games as possible this season.
Jimmie Miller has been a familiar face around the clubhouses of Reynolds for almost 10 years. Since November 2005, Miller has worked at four of the six golf courses on property-Plantation, National, Great Waters, and in his current role at Creek Club. Miller ensures the locker room is well-maintained and assists members and guests when needed. Prior to Reynolds, Miller gained a wide range of experience through several positions that include mortgage loan officer for seven years, owner of a delicatessen in Long Island, NY and circulation supervisor for 25 years at Newsday, a newspaper in Long Island, NY.
“Reynolds has a family atmosphere,” says Miller. “I have the opportunity every day to solve members’ and guests’ problems, and seeing the expressions on their faces of being well-pleased is most rewarding.”
Miller is very active with the Youth Challenge Academy in Fort Gordon, GA, being a mentor to teenage boys and helping make an impact on problem teens. When not volunteering his time, Miller enjoys working around his home in Putnam County with his wife, Ann. They spend much of their free time with their five children, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
