AP Wealth Management, an independently owned and operated financial advisory firm based in Augusta, Georgia, announced that AP Wealth partner and Financial Advisor, Clayton Quamme, CFP®, was named as graduate in Leadership Columbia County Class of 2022. Additionally, AP Wealth participated in the Columbia County Summer Internship Program and was paired with a local student. Both programs are run by the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce. AP Wealth has shown continued leadership with the Chamber by participating in both the Columbia County Leadership and the Internship program that benefits local high school students.

LEADERSHIP COLUMBIA COUNTY CLASS OF 2022 ANNOUNCES GRADUATES

Quamme was named as a graduate of Leadership Columbia County Class of 2022 (LCC). The 10-month leadership development program, managed by the Chamber, is designed to expose business and area leaders to the opportunities and challenges facing the community as well as to promote and foster leadership development. The program educates and prepares leaders who are committed to shaping the future of the Columbia County community. The program features day-long sessions that cover various topics such as law enforcement, healthcare, education, and economic development.

“Leadership Columbia Class of 2022 was an outstanding experience. Our class learned a tremendous amount about local businesses and government. We also made lifelong connections along the way while doing an amazing service project to support local teenagers. The program is top notch. We are fortunate to have a strong Chamber that promotes business growth in our area,” said Quamme.

“It was an honor to have Clayton Quamme in Leadership Columbia County’s Class of 2022. Clayton was a stand-out among his class, one whom others looked up to as a servant leader,” stated Beth Frits, Leadership Programs Manager, with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce. “We are grateful for the support that AP Wealth Management continues to provide to our Chamber and its leadership program.”

For individuals interested in participating in Leadership Columbia County, applications for the Class of 2024 will be posted on the Chamber website March 2023.

SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Additionally, AP Wealth and the Columbia County Chamber teamed up through the Summer Internship Program. Through this program, the Columbia County Chamber Foundation helps prepare students to meet the needs of businesses in the local community by providing students a structured internship program. This year, students were paired with local businesses in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) for an 8-week commitment to work at least 20 hours per week and receive at least minimum wage in compensation.

“Businesses like AP Wealth are important for the continued growth of the Summer Internship Program, a program of the Columbia County Chamber Foundation,” said Russell Lahodny, President/CEO, Columbia County Chamber. “This summer, AP Wealth hosted an Evans High School student, Daniel Prsasad. It has been a win-win for both the business community and the students getting real world skills. We show off what businesses are here in our community, and we now have a better chance of retaining our students here in our community,” said Lahodny.

“Daniel has been a wonderful addition to our team. He asks probing questions which will help him to be very successful in life. He has a great head on his shoulders. We have enjoyed having Daniel around the office this summer,” said Quamme.

“The Chamber does a great job of sorting through the applications and matching the right students to the employers,” said Tom O’Gorman, MBA, Partner, Financial Advisor at AP Wealth Management. “We believe it’s important to support our local high school students by introducing them to a professional workplace and sharing with them the importance of running a firm with the utmost integrity and a strong work ethic. Those are values that the student can take with them no matter what vocation they choose.”

For students or businesses interested in participating next summer, applications will be posted on the Chamber website February 2023.