Love. (February 2022 Chair's Column)

When I read a monthly column, I often notice a familiar conceit, or theme. January columns are about the New Year, new beginnings. Fourth of July stuff gets brought up in, well, July. Thanksgiving themes abound in November. If you read my January column, you know I’ve already used this method, and I’m sure I’ll do it again.

With a February column, it’s an easy move to talk about Love (although Valentine’s Day is one of my least favorite holidays). And that’s what I’m going to do – talk about Love, but from a little different perspective.

About two weeks ago, a wonderful man in Bulloch County named Bruce Yawn passed away. For my fellow Georgia Southern Eagles out there, Bruce owned “Snooky’s Restaurant” in Statesboro. Students ate there. Politicians. Families. From his little office in the back, Bruce and a small group of citizens convinced his former coach Erk Russell to come here in the early ‘80’s, then Erk promptly made Snooky’s his headquarters. Everybody knew Bruce. His list of community activities is much too long to recite here. However, when he sold Snooky’s, one of the things he continued to do was serve on the Board of Directors for the Development Authority of Bulloch County.

For the past 10 years, Bruce was our Chair. He was kind; thoughtful; clever; wise, and a wiseass (which was my favorite part). Bruce loved his family and friends. It’s funny – everyone I’ve ever talked to about Bruce talked as if they were friends with him. Bruce loved everybody, and we all loved him. He also had the strongest faith of any man I’ve ever known, and he lived his life every day in ways that showed it.

Most importantly for this column and for GEDA, Bruce brought that love to his community. He and I talked almost every day about how to improve the lives of our citizens. When we talked with prospects about job creation, worked with our schools and higher ed partners on training opportunities, or deliberated about incentives, his first thought was always about how to help people do better. He never thought about how he would benefit – just about how he could help others.

I think all of us in economic development have people like Bruce in our communities. My hope is that we can find those people, engage them, and incorporate them into the work we do. I was fortunate to have my Bruce, and I’m thankful for the love he had for our community.

Have a great month, everyone. I hope to see you soon.

Benjy Thompson

GEDA 2022 Chair