What a difference a season makes.

While others may have celebrated New Years with a drink or two,

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) CEO and Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) board member Brandon Beach toasted to the more than 1,600 new jobs he just helped bring to North Fulton in the next quarter of the year alone.

Beach, who lost a hotly contested state senate run-off election last summer to John Albers (R-D56), ironically has won the short-term jobs war for North Fulton.

He had a banner month in landing the much-needed new jobs to North Fulton in the teeth of the state's languishing unemployment.

Interestingly enough, Beach positioned himself as the "Jobs Man" during his narrowly failed state senate bid, pledging to bring new jobs to the district. Just five months later -- although not elected -- he's delivered big time on that promise.

HP COMETH

Beach expressed delight on the news that Hewlett-Packard would be expanding its data center and office operations in Alpharetta, eventually generating up to 1,000 jobs. "We are thrilled HP recognizes the potential for growth in our area," said Beach. "Our high-tech workforce and broadband infrastructure have become increasingly attractive to information technology companies like HP."

As the world’s largest technology company, HP currently employs more than 850 at its 60-acre campus on Windward Parkway. Operations there consist of consulting services that help businesses improve processes around supply-chain management, human resources and finance.

Beach says high profile expansions like HP's turn into a powerful recruitment tool to lure additional businesses to the area. "High Tech companies prefer to cluster together, " said Beach. "This is only the beginning in how many new jobs we can create in North Fulton this year." Beach added that HP’s decision would send a signal to other companies that Alpharetta has the talent and infrastructure to support their growth.

VESTA VESTED IN NORTH FULTON

On the heels of HP, another company, electronic payments giant Vesta, announced plans to open its newest call center in North Fulton, which will result in creating an immediate new 500 jobs.

Vesta processes hundreds of millions of secure payments for goods and services through a variety of channels, including the Internet, mobile phones, retail point of sale, and industry-leading mobile commerce applications. AT&T Mobility, one of Vesta’s largest customers, is one of North Fulton’s major employers.

Vesta makes its move into Brookside 800, taking Coyote Logistics’ current 36,000 square foot space at 4400 Alexander in Alpharetta. Coyote will be moving into new space at 960 Northpoint Parkway around the second week of January.

"We are thrilled with their decision to expand into North Fulton,” Beach said in welcoming the Portland, Oregon-based Corporation to Alpharetta. “This move will bring hundreds of new jobs to our area."

Beach says Vesta is wasting no time and is already busy hiring the first dozen employees. The company confirmed that twelve employees would start by January 15. By the end of March, the company says they'll be hiring about 20 employees a week. The payment systems giant expects to have 300 employees hired by the end of the first quarter. 

Vesta CFO Sanjay Khare indicated the company’s move into North Fulton had the potential to bring more sales and account executives into the area. “We certainly intend to expand the facility here," said Khare.

Beach said the GNFCC worked with Georgia Power, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Development Authority of Fulton County, the Georgia Department of Labor, Deloitte Consulting and Colliers International on the project.

"We've been working to bring Vesta to North Fulton since spring,” said Tedra Cheatham, Vice President and COO of GNFCC. "They will be a great asset to our business community and I hope the rate of their growth is absolutely contagious."

THREE'S A CHARM: THYSSEN-KRUPP

Rounding out the Beach-North Fulton jobs bonanza is German based firm ThyssenKrupp, a global integrated materials and Technology Company that announced it will locate its North American IT Shared Services operations in Alpharetta. In so doing, the company says it plans to invest $30 million in the location and create at least 110 new jobs. The North Fulton location will serve as the company’s wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, providing IT services to all of its North American operations. ThyssenKrupp’s new Alpharetta location will be known as ThyssenKrupp IT Services North America. The company already has operations in Georgia, including ThyssenKrupp Elevator USA, which is also headquartered in North Fulton.

"ThyssenKrupp’s expanded presence in Georgia is a firm showing of the company’s commitment to our state, and a great testament to our progressive business climate and other assets that make these opportunities possible,” said former Ga. Gov. Sonny Perdue. "This is certainly an exciting announcement to start the New Year for ThyssenKrupp and the people of Georgia."

Perdue relinquished the gubernatorial reigns of power to Nathan Deal (R) on Monday.

"North Fulton continues to be an attractive destination for international investment," said Beach, who was flanked by Perdue during the announcement.

"ThyssenKrupp’s decision to expand their presence in Alpharetta is exciting news for our community and for Georgia,” added Alpharetta Mayor Arthur Letchas. "This is clear testimony to the positive business environment that Alpharetta offers and to Georgia’s strength as a location for technology industries."

Most politicians don’t come through on promises when they win.

Beach is delivering even in defeat.

Imagine what he'd produced had he won.