“Looking out for My Family and Yours”

JaNice Van Ness is a civic leader who loves to serve her community and looks forward to advocating for residents and business owners as the Chairman of Rockdale County. She has been a business owner herself for over 32 years and is very involved with the Chamber of Commerce, Rockdale Rotary Club, and Rockdale Emergency Relief among many other activities. Her experience in the private sector has been as the Founder of Peachtree Academy and Peachtree Prep Early Childhood Centers, which now has four campuses in Rockdale and Newton Counties. Her thriving business and passion for education have helped her expand the school and achieve SACS accredited Private School campuses in Conyers and Covington, GA. As a visionary business owner, she serves as the Chief Financial Officer and has managed budgets, strategic planning, and human resources, and she understands the business-friendly environment that is needed to create jobs and help businesses grow and flourish.

JaNice earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science / International Relations with a double minor in business from Auburn University and her Associates of Arts and Sciences degree from Oxford College of Emory University. She put her degree to work and followed her dream of moving to Washington, DC where she was selected to intern for Senator Alan Dixon (D) of Illinois. Afterwards, she was hired to work with Senator Howell Heflin (D) and focused on key issues focused on Taxes, Banking, and
Foreign Affairs.

JaNice is a fourth-generation native of Rockdale County and is the daughter of Steve and Carolyn Frey. She has been married for over 27 years to Ken Van Ness and they are the proud parents of three children: Lawson, Samantha, and Emerson Elise. They have been active members of Rockdale Baptist Church since 2005.

JaNice has been involved with several community activities and programs in the past, including Hands Across Atlanta Host Committee, Phoenix Pass Advisory Board, and the Rockdale and Metro Atlanta United Way. JaNice was awarded the distinguished 2004 Jerry Barboe Small Business Award from the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce as well as the Cleveland Stroud Heritage Award. She is also a graduate of the Regional Leadership Institute, Leadership Rockdale, Leadership Newton, and Leadership Fayette. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Atlanta Regional Commissions Leadership Institute and has participated in the Georgia Academy for Economic Development. She completed her training certification through the Association County Commissioners of Georgia programs held annually between 2006 and 2014.

JaNice is available to speak at community functions and/or with citizens by calling her directly at 770-356-7301 or by email at JaNice@JaNiceVanNess.com.