November 17, 2008
ALPHARETTA – Rare though it may seem, a financial institution held a ribbon cutting ceremony with promises of growth in Alpharetta. Northwestern Financial Network Goodwin, Wright-Alpharetta, officially opened its Preston Ridge Road offices.
"Yes, we are going to be growing," said Michael S. Kipniss, managing director of the office.
The staff had been in the offices since March 1, but wanted the time to get settled in properly before the official announcement.
"These are chilling times from an economic standpoint – your clients look to you" for financial answers, said Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga.
Alpharetta Mayor Arthur Letchas said Northwestern Mutual's founding 160 years ago made it just a bit older than his city, which is celebrating its Sesquicentennial, or 150th, anniversary.
"Thank you for locating in Alpharetta," he said. "We are a very blessed community."
"I grew up about two miles from this spot," Letchas said.
Commenting on the view – which clearly showed downtown Atlanta's tall office buildings and Stone Mountain from what most likely is the highest point in Alpharetta – the mayor recalled a fire tower nearby that he probably shouldn't have climbed as a boy with his friends.
"This was a vision Bill Gordon had before he retired," said John Wright, managing partner of the firm.
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