Hillels of Georgia Presents:

A Virtual Salute to Michael Coles

THE IMPACT OF ONE TOUGH COOKIE

 

We are excited to celebrate with you!

This event has been rescheduled to October 29th.

After making the difficult decision to postpone Hillels of Georgia’s annual fundraiser, 

“Hillels of Georgia Presents: A Salute to Michael Coles: The Impact of One Tough Cookie,” 

we are thrilled to announce the new event date:

October 29, 2020.

The health and safety of our guests is paramount and while we may not be able to celebrate together in person,

we are excited to honor Michael Coles and celebrate Hillels of Georgia’s

many achievements over the past year in a unique, virtual format.

 

For updates, click here to subscribe to our  YouTube channel!

HONOREE:

Michael J. Coles

 

Cofounder of Great American Cookie Company and former CEO of Caribou Coffee, Michael J. Coles is a business expert, serial entrepreneur, education advocate, transformational leader, and well-known public speaker. From starting three businesses, setting transcontinental world cycling records, making two bids for U.S. Congress, and writing legislation for Georgia film tax credit that changed an industry, Coles’ story is one of true grit and perseverance. In his recently-released memoir, Time to Get Tough: How Cookies, Coffee, and a Crash Led to Success in Business and Life, Coles reflects on his notable life and shares a wealth of knowledge and tips that he has gathered over the years as a community and business leader. In the memoir, he recounts the failures and successes that led him from poverty and a near-fatal motorcycle accident to founding a $100-million company and becoming the namesake of the business school at Georgia’s third-largest university—despite never having attended college himself.

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After almost two decades in the clothing business, he co-founded Great American Cookies in Atlanta in 1977 and grew it into the largest cookie store franchise in the United States.

Coles story of personal perseverance is as impressive as his business acumen. Following a near-fatal motorcycle accident six weeks after founding the cookie company, he recovered through a self-designed rehabilitation program and went on to set world records in three coast-to-coast bicycle races.

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Coles’ commitment to community service led him to run for the House of Representatives against Newt Gingrich in 1996 and for the U.S. Senate against Paul Coverdell in 1998, the same year he sold Great American Cookies. For the next four years, he chaired the Georgia Film Commission and served on the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents, the Kennesaw State University Foundation board, and the Walker School board.

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In 2003 he took the helm at Caribou Coffee, where he more than doubled the size of the company, opened a commercial sales division and an international market, and took the company public on Nasdaq under the symbol CBOU in 2005. Today, Michael lives with his wife, Donna, in Jackson Hole and actively lectures about business, giving more than seventy-five talks a year at universities and corporate events nationwide.

AGENCY SPONSORS

Jewish Federation
of Greater Atlanta

The Marcus Foundation, Inc.

 

Diamond Sponsors
($25,000)

Sarah & Jim Kennedy
Andrea & Michael Leven
Billi & Bernie Marcus
Lindy & Norman Radow
The Zalik Foundation Fund

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Ruby Sponsors

($10,000)

Greenberg Traurig, LLP

The Halpern-Oppenheimer Family Foundation

Holder Construction

Steve Oppenheimer

The Selig Foundation

Linda & Steve Selig

Cathy & Steve Kuranoff

Joyce & Ramie Tritt Family Foundation

Joyce & Ramie Tritt

Arin & Lorne Tritt

Tova & Shawn Tritt

Erica & Jordan Tritt

Carly & David Siegel

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Sapphire Sponsors 

($5,000)

Kimberly & Joel Babbit

Vicki & Gerry Benjamin

Shirley Blaine

Lisa & Ron BrillCarr 

Riggs & Ingram CPA’s and AdvisorsLawrence “Doc” CohenAnn & Jay Davis

Heyman Family Foundation

Ellen & Michael Plasker

Cammie & John Rice-CWC Alliance

Cathy & Art Rollins

Linda & Mark Silberman

Betty & Alan Sunshine

Luci & Stan

Sunshine Family Foundation

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Gold Sponsors 

($2,500)

Atlanta Gladiators Foundation

Barnes Law Group, LLC

Bennet Thrasher

Amy & Mark Bubes

Cohen-Kogon Families

Ron Eichel Henrickson

Nauta Wealth Advisors

LEGENDARY EVENTS

Kennesaw State University Foundation

London-Rinzler Family

Marcy Louza & Michael Kenig

Barbara & Ed Mendel

Mimi’s Fund on behalf of the:
Grant, Grosswald and Sacks Families.

RefrigiWear

Judy & Allen Soden

Lynn & Larry Stevens

Village Orthodontics

Germaine & Bruce Weinstein

Wilensky & Co., PC.
–The Wilensky Family

Janet Lavine & Rick Williams

General Sponsors 

($1,000)

American Jewish Committee

Cherie & Gary Aviv

Belle Isle Animal Hospital

Nancy Apatov & Alan Beychok

Karen & David Birnbrey

Lois Blonder

Elaine & Jerry Blumenthal

Shirley & Perry Brickman

Alan & Sheryl Cohn

Gus Cueto and Dr. Katia Castillo

Dressler’s Jewish Funeral

CareIlene Engel

Elisa & Bobby

EzorJody & Michael Feldman

Claire & Robert Habif

Sylvia & Barry Hyman

Annette & Frank Joseph

Laurie & Michael Kogon

Jill & David Krischer

Sheri and Steve Labovitz

Susan & Jay Levitt

Helene & Dennis Liotta

Sherry & Harry

MaziarIlene & Jonathan Miller

Robyn & Doug Ross

Louise & Edwin Rothberg

Debbie & Phil Rubin

Robin & Doug Shore

Esther & Russ Shulkes

Stewart Mohr Designs

The Temple

Marcia and Stewart Weinhoff

Connie & Robert Zerden