Meet Anna Hester! Anna is married to Ford Hester and they have two daughters: Lane and Millie. She is originally from Gainesville and recently became the executive director for Vision 2030 through the Chamber of Commerce.
We want to thank Anna for talking with us recently and telling us more about her life and love of Hall County.
Q: Tell me a little bit about your job and your family.
A: “I’m from Gainesville and then I went to Atlanta after college and was there for 10 years. My family and I just moved back about two years ago in March of 2021. My husband, Ford, is an Arborist in town and we have two daughters, Lane who’s two, and Millie, who is three months. When we moved back, I started working at the Chamber in Economic Development and then just recently transitioned over into the Vision 2030 Executive Director role. So, I get to work with all of our volunteer committees on improving the quality of life in Hall County.”
Q: Tell us about your job with Governor Deal.
A: “I worked for Governor Deal for four years in his office as the Director of Operations. I worked with our internal staff and with the budget. In his second term, I went over to be the Director of the OneGeorgia Authority, which is an economic development financing tool for the state. I learned so much during my time in Governor Deal’s Office.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “The longer I live here, the more I find different things that become my favorite. The lake is a given, we love going on the lake in the summer. And then I just love how much it’s changing. The downtown is amazing. We have so many great restaurants and I love the community that Gainesville and Hall County has. You see people you know everywhere, you go to the store and you see familiar faces. I also love the events that Gainesville hosts, like the parade on Green Street, the trolley, Mule Camp. You get that sense of community.”
Q: What are some of your favorite restaurants?
A: “One of my favorite restaurants is Recess, we love it. I love Sliced because it’s very family friendly and we love to take our kids there. Chattahoochee Grill is our neighborhood hotspot, we have loved having it there and you can probably see us there every single week, we’re regulars at that one. I love their tuna crispy rice, it’s so delicious.”
Q: What was the first movie you saw in the theater?
A: “The first one that I remember seeing in the theater was ‘The Lion King.’”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “I’ve never been to Greece and I would like to go to there. I love Greek food and the white buildings with the ocean are so beautiful from photos I’ve seen.”
Q: What is the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen?
A: “I love beaches, so I would say the Cayman Islands really are beautiful. There’s great snorkeling there with the reefs. But then on the opposite end of that, I did get to go to Switzerland when I was in college, when I was studying abroad. I went to Interlaken, and the glacial lakes with the Alps are very beautiful. So two different ends.”
Q: What are some of your favorite bands?
A: “I feel like my music taste is all over the place. My all-time favorite bands are the Beatles and the Talking Heads. But I honestly love Taylor Swift, I’m a big Swifty.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve ever met in Hall County?
A: “Abit Massey. When I was in Governor Deals office, we had a leadership program and selected a mentor and he actually was my mentor for a year. He knows literally everyone and just is so gracious and remembers everybody. He never forgets a face. Also, Governor Deal, who I adore and has been a role model in my life, too. So both of them.”
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
A: “I have been eating at the Inn-Between as long as I can remember so I’m gonna say that to me it is a staple throughout my life. But a former business, I honestly think about Pasquale’s because we used to go eat there before every football game when I was in high school. I think anything in that area is just reminiscent of being a Red Elephant.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years?
A: “Still here in Hall County, raising my family. Ideally with Vision 2030, we are continuing to develop our community into what we want it to be. So, I see myself living here for the long haul.”
Q: What’s your favorite month and favorite holiday?
A: “My favorite month is October. I love the weather, I love the chill in the air. But my favorite holiday is actually Easter because I also love the spring. I love what it stands for, New Beginnings. I love the meal that we have at Easter. My mom always has a big group of people, all of our family and friends, over for Easter. Also, the kids in their Easter clothes are so cute.”
