A Gainesville man whose name is synonymous with Georgia’s poultry industry was honored Monday at the Rotary Club of Gainesville’s Game Changer luncheon.
Three former governors – Roy Barnes, Nathan Deal, and Sonny Perdue – and sitting Governor Brian Kemp heaped praise on Abit Massey, President-emeritus of the Georgia Poultry Federation.
Others who were scheduled to be on the program included University of Georgia President Jere Morehead; the man who succeeded Massey at the poultry federation, Mike Giles; Massey’s son, Lewis; former State Sen. Butch Miller; Wendy Kavanagh, Executive Director, Georgia Society of Association Executives; Gainesville businessman Philip Wilheit; Brandy Swanson, Rotary District 6910 Governor; and Ron Quinn, President, Rotary Club of Gainesville.
Giles and State Rep. Matt Dubnik were to serve as emcees.
According to the Rotary International website, the Game Changer award “celebrates the ingenuity, creativity, and compassionate drive of organizations and individuals committed to global humanitarianism.”
In addition to his long tenure with the poultry federation and unwavering support and promotion of the poultry industry in Georgia, Massey and his wife, Kayanne, have been lauded for their philanthropy. In addition, he is a longtime and active member and supporter of the Gainesville Rotary Club.