Save the Date: FCFC Fundraiser at Serenberry Vineyards - Sunday, July 2.
Fannin County Family Connection, 501 Fannin Industrial Park, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513
FCFC Board Leadership
Front - Left to Right:
- Sherry Echelberger - Vice Chair
- Sherry Morris - Fannin County Family Connection Executive Director
- TC Dillard - Secretary
Back - Left to Right:
- Tom Niswander - Treasurer
- Gordon Riddoch - Assistant Secretary
- Jim Yacavone - Chair
FCFC Welcomes New 2023 Board Members
FCFC Welcomes New Board Members:
• Ryan Beadnel
• Bonnie Villeneuve
• with Sherry Morris, FCFC Executive Director
• Karen Walton
• Brian Higgins
• Not Pictured: A.D. Frazier & Mark Snoddy
James Yacavone is the chair of the Executive Board of Directors of Fannin County Family Connection. He was elected in 2022 and formerly served vice chair.
After graduating from the University of Florida School of Law in 1976, Jim joined the law firm of Fowler, White, Gillen, Boggs, Villareal & Banker, P.A. in Tampa, Florida, where he became a partner in 1980. In 2003 he joined and became a named partner in the law firm of Frazer, Hubbard, Brandt, Trask & Yacavone, LLC, in Dunedin, Florida. He practiced civil trial law specializing in insurance and governmental defense in state and federal court. He also served as a city attorney for several cities over the course of his career, most notably, the City of Tarpon Springs, Florida.
Jim retired in 2013 and moved with his wife, Meredith, from Clearwater, Florida, to Fannin County.
“When I retired and moved to the area, I wanted to stay active and involved,” said Jim. “I also felt a need to give back to my community. I was asked to join the board of Family Connection and discovered it was good organization dedicated to helping families and children.”
Jim has served on the board of directors of Fannin County Family Connection since 2014.
“As a retired trial attorney, I believe I bring an objective, analytical, common sense, solution-oriented, get-'er-done perspective to the board,” said Jim. “Let's figure out what the problem is, find a solution and execute it.”
Jim says that being on the board has taught him a lot.
“Being on the board has taught me how complex and multi-faceted the issue of poverty really is,” said Jim. "We wrestle with all the issues that face families and children and how we can find and implement effective solutions to those problems.”
“I think you have to have a thorough grasp and understanding of a problem in order to fashion a solution. I also think you have to be objective and analytical. I have become deeply involved in the food pantry side of the operation in order to acquire that understanding.”
Jim says that the Food Pantry has changed since he first began volunteering.
“When I started at Family Connection, there were times when the food pantry barely had food to give,” he said. “Thanks to the generous support of Feed Fannin and the Fannin County community, as well as Sherry Morris's leadership, that has changed dramatically.”
When asked about his favorite moment volunteering, Jim says it was moving into the new building, and he is proud of his role in getting it up and running.
Jim has two sons who live in Orlando, Florida. His interests are gardening, history, fishing, and woodworking. He is also active in Feed Fannin and the North Georgia Master Gardeners.
And here’s something you might not know about Jim. He loves playing the bass guitar and he would really like to play in a classic rock garage band!
“The amazing generosity of the community is what I love most about living here,” said Jim. “I just wasn't aware that so many good, caring people existed before I moved here.”
Are you looking for a place to serve the community as a volunteer? Jim hopes you will consider Fannin County Family Connection.
“If you have a talent, skill or ability and really want to help people, we can find a place for you,” he said.
And what if you are a neighbor in need?
“FCFC may not have a solution to your problem, but we can help to point you in the right direction.”
We are so grateful for Jim’s leadership at Fannin County Family Connection!