I am a teacher and coach at Buford High School. I have been at Buford since 2001. Over those years, Buford has gone from a school of around 500 students to its current size of just under 2,000. I have taught all levels of World History and coached 5 sports over all these years Football, Baseball, Track, Tennis, and Flag Football. Currently, I am also the Director of Football Operations for our Football program and assist the athletic department with fundraising and team transportation. I have attended Gwinnett Church since it opened, and have attended North Point church since 1996.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My wife, Sheri is the Principal at North Gwinnett Middle School. All three of my children are Buford Graduates Hannah 2017, Emily 2019, and Grayson 2022. Hannah graduated from Samford, Emily from Erskine and Grayson is a Sophomore at Kennesaw St.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I have been in education for 28 years. Being able to be a part of a students life for a short amount of time and hopefully encourage them to believe in themselves and be something great has been as rewarding as any occupation I could have dreamed of.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I have been called a ‘foodie’ by many people, so the list could be long….I love Bare Bones for a special occasion, Tannery Row for wings, Moonies for BBQ, and Bravo/Cabos for Mexican.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have been at Buford since 2001, but have lived around Buford for my whole life. My mom’s family, the Youngbloods are from Sugar Hill, and have several aunts and cousins that are Buford graduates.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Mr. Phillip Beard; his vision all those years ago about keeping Buford an independent city/school system, and keeping a community feel to a growing area has to be respected. I think of all the stories he could tell and all that he’s seen makes him a very interesting and respected person.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I’ve traveled a little, and would like to go to Jerusalem, out west to the Grand Canyon, Redwood and Yosemite: pretty much any National Park
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
That’s tough because I have several; but I would say The Right Stuff. It’s inspiring to see what they did and the courage they showed in pretty tough situations. It is one of the reasons I fell in love with history.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
People don’t care how much you know, they just want to know you care.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Learning to fly/getting a pilots license.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
‘The Band’, Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Otis Redding
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Buford High School
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?
I would love to talk to someone who served in the White House…to hear about all that goes into diplomacy and responding to crisis. I think the lessons in leadership, teamwork and the cause and effect of every decision would be incredible to hear about. In the same way, to talk to any successful coach about how to lead others and have an impact on young people’s lives.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Buford takes pride in its traditions as well as being first-class in whatever it does. That has been very motivating to myself as I want to do my part in keeping that in tact and keeping it going.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Good question; hopefully still serving Buford in some way. I will be able to retire soon, but hope to be able to stay involved somehow.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Both sides of my family are Charter Members of Gwinnett county; ancestors that lived in Gwinnett county at its founding of 1818. My dad’s family historic home is still standing on Old Peachtree Road in front of Peachtree Ridge high school. My Mothers family is from Sugar Hill. My Great Grandfather worked in the Bona Allen shoe factory. His oldest son my great uncle was killed in France, two weeks after participating in the D-Day invasion. After his tragic death, the family was given life insurance money from the government that was used to buy the land along Buford Highway in front of Lanier High Schools football stadium. My moms family built all their houses on that property.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Yellowstone or Tuscany, Italy
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
November; crisp air, leaves, Football. Thanksgiving is great because of family, food and the excitement getting the Christmas tree up.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The view from my old classroom, now the middle school; overlooking the stadium, the sunrise everyday and even the rare snow day.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife and children, Coach Dexter Wood, and the examples of devotion and faith of Jesus Christ
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
My wife’s Sweet Potato casserole cooking on Thanksgiving morning, a hardwood fire in a cast iron stove
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
F.A.M.I.L.Y; Forget About Me I Love You , Unconditional Love, Joyful Acceptance.
