Adam Pomeranz is the president and CEO of Annandale Village, an award-winning nonprofit in Gwinnett County that provides progressive life assistance to adults with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries so they can maximize their abilities while maintaining as much independence as possible. Annandale Village is the only nonprofit in the entire southeastern United States and one of only a few nationwide to offer men and women with developmental disabilities a full continuum of service and care. From a 55-acre campus in Suwanee, they offer on-site housing options with differing levels of care, skilled nursing services, day programs, life-enrichment programs, respite care and an independent-living program that supports individuals living in their own homes throughout metro Atlanta.
Pomeranz oversees the nonprofit’s strategic direction and daily operations as well as board development and major fundraising. He also advocates for adults with developmental disabilities on a state and national level and works with legislators to bring awareness and funding to this pressing need. “For children with disabilities, there are services, interest and lots of support; however, the support systems seem to go away as kids become adults,” he explains. “We need to remember that kids with developmental disabilities become adults with disabilities. As a society, we need to be prepared to serve these folks.”
Annandale Village opened its doors in 1969 and has grown tremendously. The team now serves more than 200 adults who live on the campus as well as others living off campus, and they recently completed a $6 million fundraising campaign to build a new program center. “We’re excited to break ground on the new center, which is where all our activities begin each day,” says Pomeranz. “Art class, work opportunities, the computer lab, gym, indoor pool, fitness center – everything happens or begins in the center.”
Pomeranz credits the Gwinnett Chamber and specifically the Chairman’s Club for being an important part of their growth. “As a nonprofit organization, we rely on quite a bit on support from the community, and it’s not simply financial support,” he says. “If we’re struggling with a specific issue, we can call the chamber and within 24 hours, they will have connected us with someone who can help. The support has allowed us to continue to grow and succeed.”
Through the Gwinnett Chamber, Pomeranz has connected with businesses for professional services, donors who want to support Annandale’s mission and even new board members who share his passion for helping adults with developmental disabilities. He also has had the opportunity to give back and share insights with other community leaders and business builders.
In 2022, Annandale Village won the Community Contributor Small Business Award, which Pomeranz says is incredibly meaningful to him and his team. “To be recognized by a chamber that is as big as ours and that is run as professionally as ours is a big deal. It validates that we’re making an impact in the community, running an efficient organization, and making good use of our resources. That means a lot,” he says.
After 19 years in the Gwinnett business community, Pomeranz has seen what it takes to build a successful nonprofit organization and for-profit business here. He appreciates the way the city and county governments work well together, making it more seamless for businesses to operate. And he values the collegial environment the Gwinnett Chamber has helped facilitate among leaders in government, business and nonprofits. “I’m a big fan of Gwinnett County. It’s a good place to build your business. We have a good community here, and it’s no accident that we all know each other,” he says. “You have a community you can call on and a chamber that offers incredible support.”