I was born in Buford in 1959 to Maxine and Vernon Cash. I have three sisters and we grew up on Hill Street, directly across from Buford Elementary and High Schools. All four of us graduated from BHS and three of us married a BHS graduate. I married Teresa Thornton in August of 1980. Mother worked at BHS for almost 30 years and dad was the local telephone man, Southern Bell at the time, later becoming Bell South. While in high school, I was blessed to be the Class President Sophomore thru Senior years, play three sports of which we won a State Championship in baseball, was State Runner-up in football, and Final Four in basketball and was the Salutatorian of my graduating class in 1977. I attended Middle Georgia Junior College for two years where I earned an Associate of Business Administration degree and was a member of the 1979 Junior College Baseball National Champions. I earned my Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Appalachian State University where I also played on the baseball team at the Division 1 level. Teresa and I got married between my Junior and Senior year at Appalachian State. I lived my dream of playing baseball while she began her 41 year career as a Dental Hygienist. After graduation, we moved back to Buford, focused on our careers, coached rec baseball and both of us played travel softball. Six years later we began our family with the birth of our daughter in 1987 and our son in 1990. They both are BHS graduates and are married. Our daughter and son-in-law have two sons and our son and daughter-in-law have a daughter. So, we spend a lot of fun hours chasing after grandchildren. In addition, we are very active in church, First Baptist Buford, play lots of tennis, enjoy traveling together, and getting out onto Lake Lanier to fish a bit. I serve on the City of Buford Zoning Appeals Board, enjoy yard work, and woodworking craft projects.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I was blessed to marry my best friend, Teresa Luann Thornton, in 1980. We were both recognized as being the Outstanding Senior in our class, Teresa 1976 and me 1977, by being awarded The Atlanta Journal and Constitution Cup. We have two children, a daughter and a son, and we have three grandchildren, two boys and a girl. Our daughter is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and our son-in-law is an assistant baseball coach at University of North Georgia. Our son is an employment recruiter and our daughter-in-law is ironically a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. As mentioned earlier, both of our children graduated from BHS and were very active in the three A’s – Academics, Arts, and Athletics. Even though they have moved to other local towns with their spouses and children, there is still a bit of green and gold running in their veins.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I retired from 3M Company in 2016. While at 3M, I was involved in Customer Service, Logistics, Key Account Management, Systems Development, and eCommerce. The most rewarding aspect of my career were the relationships that I developed and the trust that I earned which ultimately led to the cooperation that was necessary to achieve success.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Rico’s, Lola’s, Italian Pie
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I am a lifer. I was born in Buford 63 years ago and have lived here ever since.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Joe Avery – deceased. He had a very rich history with the school system and community. He told great stories and always had an encouraging word for you.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Northern Italy. We have been Rome, Florence, Venice and the Amalfi Coast and really want to see the rest of this beautiful country.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Movie: Field of Dreams ; TV show: Mash and/or Big Bang Theory
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Put God first, be kind, and live with integrity.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Attend The Australian Tennis Open
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Willard Wrecker Service because it is an original from my childhood and is still in the same location. I get very nostalgic when I ride down Main Street because I can still remember the businesses that occupied those buildings when I was a child.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Craig Melvin of NBC. He seems like family and friends are very important to him. I could see us sharing a meal at Rico’s discussing family and sports.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Being an “old timer” or “lifer”, I love the pride that I see in people when they say that they are from Buford. I am proud of our elected officials for always demanding excellence. I like the fact that I am old enough to know and understand the history and foundation of where that pride originates.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I imagine that I will still be in Buford at the same address.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Recruited to play college football until college coaches timed me in the 40 yard dash. Evidently, not quite fast enough for the next level even though I was an All State Selection at Tight End and an All County Selection at Linebacker.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Alaska
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
July – love Summer Vacation. Christmas – birth of our Savior, family and friends. August 8 – Wedding Anniversary
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Sharing a rack of baby back ribs from Longhorn’s with my wife
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife and family. I don’t ever want to disappoint them.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
BBQ and fresh cut grass
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Faith, Family and Friends
