Helen F. Willis
President
Helen "Frankie" Willis, is credited for leading much of the resurrection of The Village at Indian Springs, although she prefers to think of herself as the "Chief Village Idiot"! With a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration from Appalachian State University and a Master's of International Management in Finance, she spent the first six years of her career in banking. In 1990, she joined her current business partner who each purchased a 50 percent interest in Trucks, Inc., a truckload carrier operation headquartered in Jackson, Ga. Today the Company has more than 400 workers in five terminals in Georgia and Florida, and includes more than 300 trucks and 1,200 trailers. The company primarily hauls freight in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and South Carolina.
But Willis is not just focused on her trucking business, as The Village at Indian Springs and her charitable activities keep her extra busy. She is a founding member of the Friends of Indian Springs State Park, a group working to improve the facilities, events and visitation of the oldest state park in the Nation. She serves as President of the Butts County Historical Society, which rooted her interest in The Village. She served as Restoration Director of the last phase of a $1 million government-funded restoration project of the County's 1823 Indian Spring Hotel which is now a Museum and Historic Site. Following the project's completion, she began the private development campaign to save and restore 20 surrounding historic buildings at the encouragement of leaders from Georgia's Department of Economic Development, Tourism Division, Fay Trip and Bruce Green. In just 3 years, the previously blight-filled area became known as The Village at Indian Springs, a restored historic district including shops, galleries, gardens, bike and hiking trails, campsites and luxury rental cottages. She, along with the other Society members, spear-headed the marketing campaign to join the other venues - Indian Springs State Park, Dauset Trails, and Indian Springs Holiness Campground - to become a true "week-end destination".
As an outlet for her hospitality interests, she hosts weddings, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, reunions, birthday parties, and any other special request on the numerous venue sites in The Village at Indian Springs.
Willis enjoys traveling and has visited 98 countries and spends her free time on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Contact: frankie@trucksinc.net
Heather R. Hutchins
Accounting Director
Heather R. Hutchins, a native of Jackson, Georgia is the backbone of The Village. When all else fails, everyone calls Heather. Heather is a 1998 graduate of Jackson High School and Clayton State University with a Bachelors in Accounting, and is currently sitting for the Certified Public Accounting Certification. Paying attention to detail, Heather strives daily to ensure The Village accounting and procedural functions are on the planned strategic path. Not only does she handle all government relations, she does the ever so important function of Human Resources and payroll! Heather always brings a big helpful smile, which is only surpassed by her work ethic and knowledge. Heather is truely a wonderful asset to The Village.
Contact: heatherh@trucksinc.net
Matthew Stafford
Marketing Director
Matthew Stafford, a native of Muskegon, Michigan has called Georgia home for over 9 years with an extensive background in Hospitality. A graduate of Southern Career Institute in Paralegal Studies, Matthew accepted an internship at the Midwest's most luxurious resort, Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City, Michigan. With 15 years experience ranging from Hilton, Holiday Inn, Choice, and AmeriHost Inn hotels, Matthew is always ready to welcome tourists to The Village. Matthew is deeply involved in the development of long-term plans for The Village, and was instrumental in the initial design and execution of its Marketing Plan including each store's lay-out, inventory acquisition, displays, pricing and overall marketing outlets. Mathew is quick to help with any client's needs and continues to be involved in the direction of each shop as well as the overall strategic plan.
Catch him if you can, he is always on the run.
Contact: mattriver7@yahoo.com
Emory "Junior" Waits, Jr.
Emory "Junior" Waits, Jr. is a native of Flovilla, Georgia for over 55 years and is an active volunteer with the Flovilla Fire Department. Emory graduated in 1974 from Jackson High School. Retired from the Georgia Department of Human Resources with over 34 years experience in database administration. Emory has a beautiful wife of 32 years, Cindy. Together they have two wonderful sons - one in the Air Force for 4 years and the other a 3rd year Mercer Medical University student. Emory & Cindy invested in a new truck and fifth wheel travel trailer and plan on traveling when not assisting at The Village.
Contact: ewaitsjr@aol.com
Jamie Maddox
Sales Associate
Jamie Maddox, a native of Jackson, Georgia is the newest addition to The Village. A graduate of Jackson High School in 2000, Jamie always exudes that brilliant smiling face to assist. A former Marine, Jamie brings knowledge, enthusiasm and excitement to The Village. Always willing to lend a hand to any job, Jamie is often visited by his caring family, including a handsome little son sometimes being carried on the shoulders of his admiring grandparents! Thankfully for The Village, Jamie now calls Indian Springs his second home.
Contact: jamie_maddox@ymail.com
Trevor Hutchins
Facilities Maintenance and Landscape Director
Trevor Hutchins, a native of Jackson, GA is the go-to-guy for all the maintenance and landscaping needs for over 20 buildings and their grounds. From sun-up to sun-down, Trevor is busy keeping The Village at its finest. With over 40 acres of grass and gardens to maintain, it's easy to understand why you always see him on the go. Families and children enjoy the wonderful array of annual flower beds he changes twice a year and the amazing perennials which attract hundreds of butterflies in The Village. Trevor's job duties seem to expand daily as anything unusual seems to strick up his name as one that can probably solve your problem.
Thank you Trevor and his wonderful assistant, Salvadore Lopez, for keeping The Village so green!
