Page 78 - Coffee County

farmers. Since New Jersey, the Garden State, is largely responsible for much of our nation’s food canning service, it is obvious that his family was involved in farming. As a child, he lived in a town comparable to the size of Douglas. It was a lifestyle he enjoyed and later appreciated as he began to raise his own family.

He was, as most boys, involved in various athletics. Some of which he participated included: wrestling, baseball, and distance running. Actually, much of the intriguing memorabilia found in his current offce refect those interests. Every baseball stadium ever visited is represented with an authentic baseball cap. They proudly add to the display of other unknown aspects of his life. You might say that he inhabits a (C)ompletely (E) mbellished (O)ffce that begs to tell of the personal, as well as professional, experiences of a man named George.

One wall of his offce serves as a sentimental museum that compliments the artistic ability of his mother. Throughout our conversation, she is gratefully acknowledged

Coffee Regional Medical Center is proud to call this man Chief. His humble spirit and hands on attitude sets the

tone for a remarkable facility.

CEO. Chief Executive Offcer. That is the title behind the name of the man who has often been accused of being born wearing a white shirt and tie. If you consider his previous business experiences and listen to his intelligent conversation, you would believe it is true. After all, he has an impressive resume, which indicates many years of qualifed service in business administration and accounting in the state of Connecticut. Those years led to opportunities in budgeting and options to move to bigger hospitals with more responsibility. He refers to those years as “learning the industry.” George Heck also attributes those opportunities to “life preparing you for the next step.” He is adamant that life is preparation for what you will do.

This (C)onsistently (E)nergetic (O)ccupant of the big chair in the boardroom goes back in time and tells me of his humble beginnings. I quickly realize that this man of prominence is not at all pretentious! He was born in Pennsylvania but spent most of his youth in New Jersey. His paternal family he calls city dwellers and his maternal family he calls