Our Team

Al Hodge, Founder & CEO

As founder of Hodge Consulting Services, LLC, Al Hodge brings more than 40 years of economic and community development experience to clients. Globally recognized for his achievements in the industry, Al’s vision, leadership, and deep knowledge of public policy have developed communities that thrive. His insights into business and the countless factors required for lasting success ensure that his clients are adapted for a global marketplace.

Al is chair of the Japan America Society of Georgia and serves on the board of directors for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and the board of Georgia Northwestern Technical College. He is also an active member of the Society of International Business Fellows.

During his 41 years of Chamber work in Charleston, South Carolina, and in Rome and Augusta, Georgia, Al has served in local, state and national capacities. He was one of a group of 12 specialty external advisers to the U.S. Department of Energy and on the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association Board. Al has also served as chair of both the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and the Georgia Economic Developers Association.

Al has taught economic development, leadership and democracy with the U.S. Army War College; with the University of Georgia Center for Democratic Governance in both Beijing and Xining, China; in San Francisco, California; with the Kettering Foundation of Dayton, Ohio, and in cities across the Southern United States. He has also spoken at economic development engagements in England and Germany.

Understanding that a strong community requires quality opportunities for education and a trained and developed workforce, Al has also lent his talents to this field. In addition to mentoring countless students and young professionals, Al was vice chair of the Georgia Board of Education where he served as a member for more than eight years. He was chair of the Liaison Committee for the Georgia Joint Education Boards consisting of the University System of Georgia, Technical College System of Georgia, Georgia Board of Education (K-12) and the four allied education agencies. He was also an officer and board member of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators Foundation.

A graduate of the University of Georgia and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management, Al has also completed a other state, regional and national economic and leadership development programs, including Leadership Georgia. His accomplishments have earned him numerous professional awards and highlighted his business and public policy expertise.

Al lives in Rome, Georgia, and is married to artist and Hodge Consulting Services, LLC partner Cheryl Riner Hodge. They have one daughter, a son-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Al’s ability to cultivate a driven team and build lasting communities has been proven time and again. The results Al delivers are indeed “Good stuff that!”

Cheryl Riner Hodge, Vice President & Business Manager

Cheryl Riner Hodge brings a diverse background of business and community experience to Hodge Consulting Services. She touches the community in her own unique way wherever she has made a home.

The daughter of a U.S. Air Force veteran, Cheryl has lived around the world, from Japan and England, to Seattle, Washington, and Long Island, New York, to Georgia. She brings a global perspective to her local endeavors.

A professional juried visual artist, Cheryl owns and operates a successful business in Rome, Georgia. As the co-owner of an art gallery in Augusta, Georgia, her efforts helped rejuvenate the downtown arts scene and “Artists Row” during her residence in the city. At the local arts council in Rome, Cheryl coordinated events, aided in fundraising efforts and curated art shows in the organization’s downtown event space. Her talents have also served the Rome Symphony Orchestra and the Rome Area Council for the Arts as a board member for the organizations, while also spearheading event committees to raise funds and expand membership.

Cheryl is a published illustrator. Her first book for a children’s series, “The Adventures of Natty Cat and Libby,” was endorsed by then-Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal for its focus on morals and how to work hard to achieve your dreams. Cheryl worked closely with the author and publisher on development, publishing, and marketing efforts, and a second book is in development.

Publications featuring Cheryl and her work include Voyage-ATL, Northwest Georgia Living Magazine, the Rome News-Tribune and others. Cheryl’s artwork can be seen in private collections and corporate national and international collections, as well as in Congressional offices. Her life-sized dolphin statue was selected for a Georgia Aquarium public art project, and her dolphin’s permanent home is at Georgia Pacific’s headquarters in downtown Atlanta.

Cheryl has served on membership campaigns for her local chamber of commerce and as a community ambassador for the organization. She has also been a mentor to students in the community. She enjoys volunteering her time with community arts organizations and her church. Spending free time with her daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren is also a favorite activity!

Additional Experts: Customized

Al will tap his extensive network of professionals and will assemble the best possible expertise to address your needs.