Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1184234
A U G U S T / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9 M A C O N M A G A Z I N E . C O M | 4 7 "OUR ABILITY TO BOTH BE FULL-TIME ATTORNEYS AND TO RAISE THESE TWO BOYS HAS BEEN MY GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT." -G. Boone Smith IV Now, people generally want to talk about what is going on in Macon, what is next in Macon or the different ways that they are participating in Macon. It really has been an exciting thing to see. WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE TO ENCOURAGE CONTINUED PROGRESS IN OUR CITY? There are many younger and different people who are trying to get involved in the political process, whether through increased activism or running for office. With that energy comes progress in the form of city government, as well as through the life blood of the community. That doesn't mean that people who have represented the community through many years of dedicated public service need to be replaced, but competition in politics seemingly requires governments to reflect the will of the community – or the officials don't remain in their positions for very long. Many of these new leaders may have been frustrated in some form of their civic life and are utilizing that frustration in hope of making change. In my opinion, that is very healthy for a government as well as for a community. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT MACON TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIVE HERE, WHAT DO YOU TELL THEM? I tell them that when I decided to return home to work with my father and his law firm Smith, Hawkins Hollingsworth & Reeves, LLP, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Since coming to the firm, I have had the opportunity to work with a range of people through estate planning, business and philanthropic needs. To provide those services in my hometown and to work with this group of great attorneys has been a privilege I have enjoyed, and hope to enjoy during the duration of my career. WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT? My family. I have a wonderful wife, Amanda, and two beautiful boys George, 4, and Bridges, 2. Our ability to both be full-time attorneys and to raise these two boys has been my greatest achievement. WHAT ARE THREE QUALITIES THAT GOT YOU WHERE YOU ARE TODAY? Patience, the ability to listen, and being generally friendly in all of my personal and business dealings are the three qualities that have helped me get where I am today.