Macon Magazine

Whether volunteering on community boards, being at the center of progress, or staying busy supporting the arts and Macon's creators, what drives you to do what you do? I don't know that I have an explanation. It's a matter of looking around and seeing things that need to be done and doing them. I don't think it's an ego thing, but I guess I have a lot of confidence that there's nothing that can't be done. The Macon Film Festival is an example. I'd seen festivals in larger communities like Savannah and Atlanta and thought if they can do it, we can. I was thinking about it for a couple of years, but knew nothing about film festivals. Then, I ran into Tabitha Walker, who knew all about films and festivals. Then, Craig Coleman got involved who knew about the judging side of things. I knew something about organizing and raising money, so we started a film festival and it has grown like wildfire. There are many other examples. Weren't you there at the start of the annual Nutcracker presentations? That was Jean Weaver's brainchild. She wanted a very big, very professional production of "The Nutcracker" using kids from dance schools all over with a few professional dancers. I was doing props at Macon Little Theatre at the time and had been for quite a while. Jean was doing a lot of theater work and drafted me. I thought, 'Sure, I can build a big clock for it and some scenery and that'll be it.' But that wasn't it. No way. Jean's vision got bigger and bigger, and now Alice Sheridan is carrying it on. I've been involved and in charge of backstage operations ever since and there's been a lot more than building a clock. But I love what happens behind the scenes, with our volunteer backstage crews of 20 to 25, then another 20 working with the cast to dress and get them in the right places. Also, behind the scenes is a great board that's active and involved. I've never wanted to be on stage or had any desire to be an actor. I'd rather help make something happen and have others be in the spotlight and get credit. Why do it year after year? When you see what it means to kids and parents and audiences – when you can be part of letting those kids get out there and shine – it's all worth it. And I tell you, it's a hell of a lot of fun. What do you want people to know about your work? In business, I want people to know that when I do a job for a contractor or an owner, I want it to be the best quality and love it that they wind up being friends. I want to do an excellent job for them no matter what it is, from normal painting and restoration to unique, detailed specialty work like you might see in St. Joseph or The Grand. I enjoy meeting customers, doing the work, and making sure everyone is as happy as can be with the result. Of course, with when volunteering you're not getting paid but you need the same attitude. You do your part and the great thing is you wind up with more and more friends. My problem is, I have a hard time saying no. What gets you out of bed in the morning? My clock is set for 6:50 a.m. but 75 percent of the time I'm awake by 5 or 5:30 a.m. I look forward to mornings and enjoy them. If there aren't other distractions, it's a good opportunity to plan. I look forward to what's ahead. Why should people be involved in community organizations? Simple: this is where they live. This is where their family and friends are. Good things don't just happen without people working to make them happen. We all want good things for every single person in the city, but it takes tons and tons of people to make Macon a fantastic place to live. Still, when you step away from your work, what motivates you to not just kick back but instead be just as busy in the community? I think back to when I was a boy and my mom would always do Christmas parties at the old state hospital in Milledgeville. She'd not only do it for as many who were able to come to the big room, but she'd invite the staff. I think she thought if they knew they were appreciated, they'd do a better job for our people. She didn't have any organization behind her, she just did it. We'd go over, have the party, and it always felt good. Always. I guess that was the beginning for me, and when I realized if stuff comes up – do it. Why such an emphasis in the arts in your life? I love what it means to me and what it means to a community. I was an economics and math major, not an art major, but I love the arts. You give children art, let them do theatre and other things, and they automatically learn math and writing and all kinds of skills, and they have fun learning. I was fortunate that Emmett Barnes did a ton to get me an art education just by helping him as he collected art, furniture, and other items from all over the world. He ended up sending me all over to purchase items for him and I had to learn what I was doing. One reason he sent me was because I could negotiate a lower price than he could if he showed up. I got to meet these folks, learn their process, and watch them create work. That's the reason I got so into art and it helped my understanding when we do detailed ornamental work in restorations. I'm grateful to Emmett. What's the tie-in between an arts-rich community and economics? Back when [Visit Macon] was called the visitor and convention bureau and moved downtown, I was asked to chair a revitalization committee by Janice Marshall, who headed the bureau. That was when downtown was really dead. We examined any large city that turned its downtown around and it seemed things started happening when artists started moving into vacant buildings and creating stuff, stirring up energy. I convinced the owner of a building sitting empty on Mulberry Street to let artists use the top floors. There were no amenities at all. More and more artists started using it, and later I bought the building so we could keep what was happening there going. That was the start of life coming back downtown. What legacy do you hope to leave? I've never thought about it. Somebody's going to come along and do everything I've done, but do it better. I've gotten to do a lot, make a lot of friends, and I've had a damn good time and enjoyed the hell out of doing it. The best I can hope for is that people continue the work and that it's of the quality we've come to expect. I believe we can do anything, but I believe we have to go for the best. I have no retirement plans and hope I'm always helping Macon shine and that others keep at it, too. I love Macon and that's the bottom line. I want everything we do to be better than anywhere else and I'll keep doing my part. And I know this: the cart that pulls the biggest load has a team of horses, not one. JUNE/JULY 2023 | maconmagazine.com 97

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