A Brief History of the Georgia Barbecue Association
The Georgia Barbecue Association was founded in 2007 by Loraine Khoury, William Khoury, Alex Khoury, and Michelle Brennan. The Hambone Jam in Ft. Valley, held in September of 2007, was the first GBA event. The GBA’s Board of Directors asked Mr. AK Saville to run that contest using rules, procedures and materials based on the Memphis Barbeque Network. The next contest was held in 2008 at the Macon Farmer’s Market. After that event, Danny Evans and John Anderson were brought in by the board to run the contests in Ft. Valley and Perry. Lonnie Smith was then elected the first president and Rick Godfrey the first vice-president of GBA in 2008. Other past presidents are Jeff Schramm (2009-2010), Raymond Poore (2010-2011), Harry Faircloth (2011-2013), and Danny Meadows (2013 – 2017).
Several years ago, the original Directors decided to restructure the board to reflect all the membership of the GBA. Three of the original Directors stepped aside, and new board members were appointed to represent the cook teams, the judges, and the contest organizers. The current board has five appointed members: Rick Godfrey (chairman of the board), Danny Evans (treasurer), Greg Hoyt (vice chairman), Danny Meadows, and Scott McDaniel. The board also chose to include two elected board members – the GBA President (Greg Sebastian) and Vice President (Mike Holland). These two officers serve on the board and are elected every two years by the GBA membership. In this way, the GBA Board can maintain continuity, is representative of the various interest groups within the Association (cook teams, judges, organizers), and allows for new people and ideas to be elected to the Board.
The organization has seen rapid growth over the last few years with approximately five hundred active members and twenty contests a year. During the 2018 season the GBA reached a milestone when it held two sanctioned contests on the same weekend. The reputation of the GBA also continues to improve as more contests, organizations, and teams actively seek to associate themselves with the GBA
Financially, the GBA is in its best position ever. In 2013, the organization had $250.00 in the bank and could not pay Team of the Year or even reimburse all reps for their out of pocket expenses. The GBA currently has more than $20,000.00 in the bank and not only pays all of its obligations, but also pays Team of the Year and hosts the annual banquet. The GBA is now in a position to buy and replace equipment when needed and is ready for any additional expenses as they arise. Financial reports are given at every board meeting and are available for any member who wishes to view them.
In 2018 the GBA officially launched the Georgia Barbecue Hall of Fame (GBHoF). The GBHoF is chartered with the Secretary of State, and the GBA Board of Directors have been appointed to be the first GBHoF Board of Directors. More details will emerge as we begin this exciting new chapter of Georgia Barbecue.
All GBA members are welcome to attend board meetings or bring any issue, problem, suggestion, or proposal to the board for consideration. The board has always addressed any issue properly brought before it and decisions are made in the best interests of the entire organization. .
The Georgia Barbecue Association is a thriving organization thanks to the efforts of all the cook teams, judges, organizers, reps, and board members. Thank you for your continued participation, contributions, and support. We all look forward to the GBA’s 10th anniversary and what the future brings!