To learn more about the Most Influential Asian Americans please visit the link below:

http://gasiantimes.com/metro-asian-news/gat-25-most-influential-asian-americans-in-georgia-2/

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Hometown: Fitzgerald, GA

Family:
Wife: Jane Gordon; Daughter: Cindy; Son-in-law: Kevin; Son: Chris Gordon; Daughter-in-law: Kristy; and Grandson: Nathan.

Favorite thing about your grandson:
Everything is Nana’s, not mine. Nana’s beach house, Nana’s car, going to Nana’s for dinner…

Education:
BBA with a concentration in Accounting, Georgia Southern University

Who do you cheer for on the weekend:
Auburn

What brought you to Atlanta:
I was looking for a job right out of college.

How did you first learn about Rainbow Village:
Through Dave Fry. I did some work for Pleasant Hill Presbyterian when they were doing their budgeting process. Then Frank Rinker told me about a great Board that he wanted me to serve on that he said needed some financial advice.

What is it about homelessness that strikes a chord with you:
Our church, Good Shepherd Presbyterian, sponsors a house where homeless families the church adopts can live for two years. It’s very similar to Rainbow Village. This is a rental house purchased 25 years ago as part of the property. These families don’t have access to after school or home care. We provide all their services including transportation, getting involved in the community and helping them set goals.

Fun: Traveling extensively, gardening (flowers) and landscape design. My favorite beach spot is Amelia Island and my favorite trip was a 15-day safari to Africa in 2010.

Tidbit to know:
We are about to move to downtown Norcross in the historic district. We added a room, and enclosed a porch and love looking out on the backyard.

What’s your favorite book:
A 1936 edition 4th grade reader called “If I were Going.” Since the first time I read it I have always wanted to travel. My other favorite book is called “Younger Next Year, A Guide to Living Like 50 until You’re 80 and Beyond.” A friend of mine gave it to me 15 years ago.

Who inspires you:
My Mom, Verna. She is 94, still active, and still has a youthful sense of life. She lives in Fitzgerald and she worked until she was 87 as a private duty nurse.

What are your words to live by:
In helping others you help yourself.

What excites you the most about the future of Rainbow Village:
That we now have a visual facility and it can expand not only locally but statewide. We have a lot of opportunities.

Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2012  at the 1818 Club from 6:30-9:30pm.

$50.00 per person.

You can purchase tickets online at www.gwinnettrotary.com

]]> http://rainbowvillage.org/2012/02/a-night-of-comedy-valentines-day/feed/ 0 http://rainbowvillage.org/2012/01/board-spotlight-marshall-barton/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=board-spotlight-marshall-barton http://rainbowvillage.org/2012/01/board-spotlight-marshall-barton/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:03:50 +0000 Rainbow Village http://rainbowvillage.org/2012/01/board-spotlight-marshall-barton/ Continue reading →]]>

Occupation: Senior Counsel, Merial Limited

Hometown: Born in Alexandria, VA but grew up in Knoxville, TN

Family: Husband, Thomas Barton – 5 Children – 2 Grandchildren

Education: Bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt and Law degree from William & Mary

Who does Marshall Barton cheer for on the weekends?
The UGA Bulldogs!

What brought you to Atlanta?
My first job brought me to Atlanta in 1994.

How did you learn about Rainbow Village?
I attend Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church, and a few years ago I was asked to help with some contractual negotiations with Rainbow Village when they were looking to provide some programs on our church property. Later, I was participating in Leadership Gwinnett and came to be friends with Nancy Harris. As she learned of my passion to help the homeless, she encouraged me to learn more about the great work of Rainbow Village and get more involved in their mission. It was a great fit for us all.

What is it about homelessness that strikes a chord in you to get involved?
Housing is such a basic necessity and it is easy to take it for granted. My work in the community has exposed me to the real economic disparities around us. The disparity between people’s lives has touched a chord in me. I have been given a lot in this world, and it is very important for me to be able to contribute in some way to narrowing the gap.

What do you do for fun?
I play with my grandchildren, Emma (6) and Chuck (2). I also love to read, travel and run.

Do you run for fun or do you run to win?
I don’t run to compete against anyone but myself. It’s the finishing that challenges me. I try to push myself to finish with a better time than the time before.

What’s your favorite movie?
“The Princess Bride”

Who inspires you?
Jesus Christ.

What are your words to live by?
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Luke 6:31)

What excites you most about the future of Rainbow Village?
The expansion. The new village will give us the opportunity to touch and impact so many more lives, especially the children. We’ll be able to help so many more lives move in a positive direction.

When: Thursday, January 26, 2012

Where: GWINNETT MARRIOTT, 1775 Pleasant Hill Rd, Duluth, Georgia

Heavy hors d’ouvres & Cash Bar

Time: 6:00 -7:00 Social Hour          7:00 – 10:00 Texas Hold’em and Bingo

Tickets: $40.00 per person

RSVP by January 14th to Michael Ballenger  at: mballenger@gwinnettcommunitybank.com