Board of directors
| Freda Kalina – President | Buford Business Alliance Freda Kalina is a longtime Buford-area business and community leader and serves as President of the Buford Business Alliance (BBA). Under her leadership, the BBA has grown into a thriving organization of more than 150 members, focused on connecting local businesses, building meaningful relationships, and creating opportunities throughout the community. Freda believes that strong businesses help create strong communities. Through the BBA, she works to bring business owners and community leaders together through networking events, educational opportunities, community service projects, festivals, scholarships, and partnerships with local schools and organizations. A real estate professional with more than 40 years of experience, event producer, author, and passionate connector, Freda has built her career around one simple belief: business is about relationships, not just transactions. Her goal for the Buford Business Alliance is to continue creating a place where businesses are welcomed, supported, connected, and given opportunities to grow while making a positive difference in the Buford community. Buford Means Business — and at the BBA, community comes first. Contact: |
Ed Rodriguez – Vice President | Wealth Manager at Merit Financial Advisor I help people prepare for or navigate retirement. What I have learned over the years is that accumulating wealth is not the hard part. The bigger challenge is figuring out how to use that wealth efficiently during retirement. I help my clients with the two most pressing questions – “what does my financial future look like” and “am I going to run out of money.” Originally from New York, I relocated to Georgia in 1996 with my wife, Kristin, of 25 years. We are proud parents to two – Gabriel, an engineering major at the University of Tennessee, and Ava, a D1 soccer player at Temple University – and two beloved dogs, Murphy (a golden doodle) and Toby (a tree walker hound). I have served as HOA President, been a member of the executive board for Atlanta Fire United Youth Soccer Club, and mentored young adults through YearUp United. I am also actively involved with the Buford School District through sponsorships, fundraisers, and financial literacy workshops. An avid runner and scuba diver. Contact: |
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| Donna Dalton – Treasurer | Owner of Socially Southern Bookkeeping (Virtual Bookkeeping) I am Donna, a solo-Mama to a teenage son. I have had an entrepreneurial spirit since I was a teenager. I have always had a love and strength for numbers, so it’s not a big surprise that I’ve been in the bookkeeping field for over 10 years. Having my own business has been a long-time dream, but it wasn’t until 2022 that ideas and plans for this venture began to take shape. I am very excited to bring my passion into a partnership with other small business owners who are also thriving in their passion. Here are a few fun facts about me: Contact: |
Chrissy Pulliam – Interim Secretary | Agent/Owner – Chrissy Pulliam Agency (American Family Insurance) | Downtown Buford Hi, I’m Chrissy Pulliam! I’m the agent/owner of the Chrissy Pulliam Agency with American Family Insurance, located in downtown Buford on S. Hill Street. I’ve been helping families and businesses feel confident about their coverage since 2012, and I truly love getting to know people and helping them protect what matters most. My agency can help with auto, home, life, business, and “toys” (because weekends should be fun, too!). I’m here to make insurance simpler, more personal, and easy to understand—so you can make decisions with confidence, without the overwhelm. When I’m not at the office, I’m usually with my husband, Lee (we’ve been married 18 years), our two teenagers who attend Buford High School, and our dog, Rue. We love traveling, being outside, reading, gardening, surfing, and fitting in yoga when we can. I’d love to connect with other Buford Business Alliance members—whether you want to swap referrals, collaborate, plan a ribbon cutting, or just say hello! Contact: |
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| Kevin Morrison – Member at Large | Agent/Counselor at Weathers Insurance, Inc. Kevin Morrison, prior to being an insurance agent/counselor with Weathers Insurance for the past 38 years, handled claims for all insurance lines (workers comp, property, liability, crime, etc). Let him take a look at your insurance program to make sure it is providing you the maximum coverage for your money. Contact: |
Jeff Martin – Member at Large | Owner of Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning in Lawrenceville, Georgia Hi, my name is Jeff Martin. I am originally from Roanoke, Virginia and moved to Georgia from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2011. I am the owner of Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning serving Gwinnett, Hall, Forsyth, Barrow, and Jackson counties. We specialize in low-moisture carpet cleaning that dries in one hour and leaves no residue. We also provide hardwood, tile and grout, and upholstery cleaning. I started my business in 2013 after serving 16 years in the hotel industry as a regional manager and was director of operations in the restaurant industry prior to that. I have been honored to serve on the board of Buford Business Alliance since early 2021, which has been a period of significant growth. It is my experience that networking works. I also serve as vice president of Greater Gwinnett Referral Partners. I strongly believe that building relationships, supporting our community, and having strong trade and business partners to refer to our clients and friends is of great importance both personally and professionally. Contact: |
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| Steve Adams – Member at Large | Co-Founder of SquidPixels Steve Adams is a high-performance entrepreneur, award-winning sales leader, and co-founder of SquidPixels, a design-and-print powerhouse he runs alongside his wife and business partner, Alexandra. Together, they’ve grown the company from zero to seven figures, serving thousands of clients nationwide and building a thriving team culture rooted in creativity, systems, and service. Steve’s career has spanned from dominating sales as a national champion with Cutco Cutlery—where he broke records and earned a Rolex—to launching multiple six-figure print magazines as a franchisee and cold-call coach. Today, he leads SquidPixels with the same grit, vision, and heart that’s defined his journey from kitchen-table start-up to million-dollar enterprise. A proud husband, father of three, and dog dad to two Great Danes, Steve once traveled to 48 states in 48 weeks with his family in an RV. He’s passionate about masterminds, national parks, and helping others scale without burning out—and when he speaks, you’ll get sharp insights, real talk, and practical takeaways you can use today. Contact: |
