Team One 
for the exciting dancing competition is Alan NeSmith, a regional publisher with Athens-based Community Newspapers Inc., lives in Cornelia with his wife, Heather, and their two young sons, William and Fenn. NeSmith is publisher of The Northeast Georgian. He oversees the operations of The Clayton Tribune, White County News, The Dahlonega Nugget, and the Dawson News and Advertiser, as well as Georgia Mountain Press. NeSmith, a graduate of The University of Georgia, got ink into his veins early, through the tips of his fingers. When he was 8, he became an inserter in the mailroom of his family’s twice-weekly, The Press-Sentinel in Jesup, Ga. He currently serves as Chairman of The Habersham Chamber of Commerce, and is a board member of The Rotary Club of Habersham County, The Georgia Press Association, The First Amendment Foundation and The Jekyll Island Foundation. NeSmith and his wife Heather were members of Leadership Georgia’s Class of 2010, and served as program chairs in 2011. He currently serves on the 2015 Board of Trustees for Leadership Georgia. They are members of the First Baptist Church of Cornelia. Away from work and civic duties, NeSmith enjoys time with his family, fishing and hunting.
Nesmith’s partner is Habersham’s own Carrie Elrod. She has a BFA in Dance from The Boston Conservatory. Elrod began her dance training at Dance-A-Lott in Cornelia, GA and has studied many mediums of dance throughout her career. While in Boston, she was a recurrent featured soloist, and performed professionally in New York City where she lived and worked for many years before returning to be with family in early 2011.
Carrie has been active within the community appearing on stage and/or choreographing for many Habersham Community Theatre productions such as The King and I, as well as, Theater Central’s Guys and Dolls and up-coming production of Footloose. She works with individuals of all ages and ability levels to prepare for events such as professional or college auditions, talent shows, and weddings. Additionally, she has been an instructor at Premiere Dance and Performing Arts Academy since August 2012 teaching a variety of classes including Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, the occasional Zumba Fitness dance party, and Theatrical Movement.
To cast your votes for Team Nesmith-Elrod, vote for team 1.
Team 2 is headed by Ivy Hall. Hall and her sister started Initials, Inc. an award-winning fashion & lifestyle company that blends style, function & personal service while offering social selling opportunities across the country. A graduate of the university of Georgia, Hall is a member of the Habersham Camber of Commerce, the Habersham Executive Women’s Group and is a committee member of the Fran Stapleton Afterschool Care. She and her husband, Scott, live in Habersham County. Her partner is Chad Johnson.
Chad Johnson has been employed with the Department of Public Safety – Georgia State Patrol since 1996. He currently holds the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC) and is the Post Commander of GSP Post 7 Toccoa which covers Rabun, Habersham and Stephens Counties. Chad was born and raised in Habersham County and is a Habersham Central High School Class of 1989 graduate. Chad attended Georgia Southern University and Gainesville State College – Associate of Arts in Business Administration. He currently lives in Mount Airy, GA and is an active member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Clarkesville. He is a Board Member of area Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and supports and participates with Operation 1 Voice, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to rising funds and awareness for the financial needs of children and families of wounded and fallen Special Operations Forces soldiers. In the previous three years, Chad had the honor to humbly participate with special operators from the United States Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines, as well as, with other law enforcement personnel and firemen, as they cycled from the Naval Amphibious Base in Little Creek, VA, Eglin Air Force Base in Valparaiso, FL and Marine Corp Special Operations Command at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to Georgia in honor of fallen and/or wounded Special Operations Forces soldiers.
Chad is the son of James Johnson and Maria Fennell of Clarkesville. He has two older brothers, Ricky and Tim Johnson. Chad has been married to his beautiful wife Celeste for 11 years and they have a wonderful 8 year old son Michael. In his free time, Chad enjoys cycling, golfing, skiing, spending time with his family and friends, and of course now dancing. Most importantly, Chad is a believer in Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior.
Locally this team is known as “Chivy.”
To cast your votes for Team Hall-Johnson, vote for team 2.
To vote and to reserve your tickets, visit https://www.gacircleofhope.org/
