SUWANEE INFLUENCERS: Kellie Austin

She could be regarded as a political good-luck charm.

Current Gwinnett BOC Chairman Charlotte Nash and Suwanee Mayor Jimmy Burnette did one thing in common when campaigning for office: hire Kellie Austin.

Austin, a Suwanee resident, is ubiquitous when it comes to business and political scenes.

Know someone in the Suwanee area who's a newsmaker? Tell us in the comments below.

Her political involvement began in her home town of Toccoa.

"My youngest memories were of my family’s political involvement," she recalled to Suwanee Patch. "My dad instilled in me a deep sense of our individual obligation to determine the future of our communities. I decided to be a national delegate and was elected as the youngest national delegate for the Republican Convention in 1996.

"Through my teen years and first marriage I remained actively involved, holding every position in my local Republican party, recruiting and training local candidates, and managing campaigns. It became a natural transition to make this a career."

She moved to the Suwanee area five years ago, and began work with a political consulting firm. Clients included Lillian Webb of Norcross and Nancy Harris of Duluth.

Then came Skyline Strategy, Austin's own firm. "I began Skyline Strategy to pursue helping individuals to identify and reach their potential," Austin explained. "The majority of my effort has been with political clients, advising on strategic planning and political marketing. Although based in Gwinnett, most of my clients have not been in this area."

Somehow, she also manages to have an active social life and be a mother to five -- count 'em, five -- children.

"On this day, 11 years ago, Abigail Susan came into my life," read Austin's Facebook posting in June about her daughter. "Birth was at home, unassisted, kind of made it all about the two of us. She's such an amazing, smart, funny, beautiful person. Abby, I'm so happy you are in my life!"

Did anyone mention Facebook? To illustrate Austin's sphere of influence, her Facebook likes number over 2,000.

"Helping others to overcome their fears and make decisions out of a place of strength and grow into their potential is my favorite thing," Austin said.

Disclosure: Kellie Austin is a former contributor to Suwanee Patch.

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