2023 IMPACT Award Recipients
Sarah Ellington Sullivan
In 2009, Sarah Ellington Sullivan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Kennesaw State University. Shortly thereafter, Sarah began her law enforcement career with the Cartersville Police Department as an Officer in the Patrol Division. She now serves as a Captain in the Administrative Services Division, managing the Evidence, Training, and Administrative Services departments. Terry Ellis, Deputy Chief of Administration, has said Sarah “has been able to ascend through the ranks in a short matter of time” because of “her hard work and diligence.”
Sarah has earned numerous accolades including Supervisor of the Quarter (4 times), Supervisor of the Year, and was honored with a Department Meritorious Award from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police. She is also the sole (and youngest ever) female command staff member of the Cartersville Police Department.
Sarah is also active in the Cartersville-Bartow County community. She is the coordinator for Coffee with a Cop as well as Faith and Blue. Sarah says both events “give the community an opportunity to sit down and get to know the officers on a more personal and relaxed level.” She volunteers her time with Shop with a Hero (a program supporting economically disadvantaged families and youth in Bartow County) and Mentor Canes (a mentorship program facilitated by Cartersville City Schools). And Sarah is a Class of 2023 graduate of the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber’s Leadership Bartow program.
The City of Euharlee’s Katie Gobbi said, Sarah “is leading the way for all women in previously male dominated fields. Sarah has served Bartow County in many ways, often behind the scenes. You may not have heard her name before. She is not one to ask for credit or the spotlight. She diligently does her job and excels. Her participation in the Shop with a Hero program, the Coffee with a Cop event, and Faith and Blue gatherings are all examples of how she outwardly contributes to Cartersville and Bartow County.”
Catherine Smith
Two thousand nine was a big year for Catherine Smith. She graduated from Kennesaw State University with a degree in Human Sciences and relocated to Bartow County. While employed as a Human Resources Clerk at Rite Aid, Catherine continued her education at KSU and went on to earn a Master of Public Administration degree in 2011.
After completing her master’s degree, Catherine made the move to Shaw Industries, beginning her tenure there as a Senior Human Resources Trainee. She rose through the ranks to become a Human Resources Manager at the plant level. Fast forward to today and Catherine has expanded her skill set and has become the Corporate Social Responsibility Communications & Program Manager.
In 2020, Catherine completed the Shaw Mid-Level Leadership Development Program and is a Class of 2023 graduate of the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber Leadership Bartow program.
Catherine has a servant’s heart and loves the Bartow County community. She and her family have been members of Cartersville First Baptist Church for the past decade. Catherine dedicates her time as Chair of the Personnel Team, she is a Sunday School Teacher, Marriage & More team member, and is a Preschool Ministry volunteer. Catherine is also a member of the Bartow County College & Career Academy Board of Directors and is a Read to Grow volunteer for the Bartow County school system.
Sarah Beth Clayton, Teacher at Cloverleaf Elementary, had this to say: “Catherine Smith’s genuine dedication, generosity, service, and compassion for Bartow County and its people makes her an outstanding leader.”
Greg Sparacio
Lieutenant Greg Sparacio joined the Cartersville Police Department in 2009. He is currently the Assistant Division Commander for Criminal Investigations. He also serves as a firearms instructor, one of two Cartersville Police Department Public Information Officers, is an Adjunct Professor at the North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy and has more than 2100 hours in peace officer and criminal justice standards training.
During his time with the CPD, Lieutenant Sparacio has been awarded Officer of the Month, Officer of the Quarter, Supervisor of the Quarter, and was named runner-up for Officer of the Year. He has also earned a Life-Saving Medal for his actions while on duty.
Lieutenant Sparacio recently graduated from Thomas University (Summa Cum Laude), earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, and he is a member of two academic honor societies: Alpha Phi Sigma and Alpha Sigma Lambda.
Lieutenant Sparacio is a Board of Directors member for Bartow Back the Blue, a non-profit organization providing support and encouragement to local law enforcement officers. He has also organized an annual golf tournament with proceeds providing support to local police officers and their families during times of need.
Youth Against Violence and Drugs and Shop with a Hero, a program supporting economically disadvantaged families and youth in Bartow County, are also very special to Lieutenant Sparacio. He believes these programs are helping Bartow County’s youth “build their confidence and self-esteem while providing life advice from other officers and guest speakers, many of whom were in their shoes before turning their lives around.”
Carrie Trotter
Carrie Trotter began her legal career as a temporary Receptionist for Tilley, Deems & Helton, LLC. She loved it so much she returned the next summer. It was then that Carrie began to dream of something bigger, so big in fact that she wanted to see her name on the building one day.
Carrie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Georgia and later completed the Juris Doctor program at Georgia State University’s College of Law.
In 2009, Carrie was promoted from Legal Assistant to Associate at the firm. In January of 2011, Carrie achieved her dream: she made Partner, and the law firm became known as Tilley Deems & Trotter, LLC.
One can simply glance over Carrie’s list of affiliations and see she is very passionate about being a servant leader. Carrie has served on several Boards of Directors including Advocates for Children, North Georgia Community Foundation, and BLESS Coalition. She has served as committee member and Chairwoman for the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber’s Youth Leadership Bartow program and has held multiple positions supporting the Young Lawyer’s Division of the State Bar of Georgia.
Carrie has also dedicated her time to the Association of Women Law Students, Sports and Entertainment Law Society, University of Georgia Hoop Girls, Alpha Chi Omega, and Relay for Life.
Zach Pritchard, Attorney and President of the Cartersville Bar Association, confirms “Carrie is an exceptional lawyer. However, that is not Carrier’s best attribute. Carrie is a wonderfully kind, compassionate, and genuine person. She has a wonderful reputation in our community and has deep roots here in Bartow County.”
Andrea Woodard
Andrea Woodard is passionate about the important role she plays as an Employment Specialist. She takes pride in making people feel empowered and confident in themselves. Andrea especially has a heart for students who are soon to enter the workforce and people who are looking for a second chance or who have been overlooked.
Since graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and working towards an associate degree in business management from Chattahoochee Technical College, Andrea has gone on to complete the Georgia Highlands College Front Line Leadership Certificate Program.
Andrea’s passion for working with young adults led to the creation of the NOTS Logistics Summer Flex program which provides students with valuable knowledge about supply chain and logistics management. As a result, NOTS has added more than 20 students to their local team. Andrea has also given her time to other student-based workforce development programs such as Project Search and the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber’s own Project Purpose.
In 2022, Andrea was awarded the peer-nominated NOTS Logistics Shining Star Award. And in 2023, she began her tenure as an Ambassador for the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber.
NOTS Logistics President and CEO, Andy Kirchner, expressed it best by saying, “Andrea Woodard is a true supporter of Bartow County and its residents, constantly and positively working towards the betterment of the region. Whether through her position with NOTS, her Chamber work, children’s school, church, or other organizations, she passionately advocates for any cause she chooses to support.”
