LOCAL LESSONS

Fun and easy reads! Interesting essays about Brunswick’s history and present day trivia.

Horseshoe Crabs

You see them washed up on a Glynn County island beach, and they’re not exactly pretty. Horseshoe crabs look like weirdly configured helmets. They range in color from brown or […]

How Pine Trees Rescued Brunswick

On January 5, 1938, Mayor Hunter Hopkins started the year’s first City of Brunswick General Commission meetings with a grim account of the city’s financial standing. Municipal employees were still […]

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PO Box 458
Brunswick, GA 31521

Al McKinnon

Collaboration is key, something Al McKinnon, President & CEO of South Coast Bank, knows and appreciates well. With more than 36 years of banking experience, serving on the board of Forward Brunswick is an opportunity to collaborate with other business leaders to create a vibrant, diverse, and cultural environment in downtown Brunswick. South Coast Bank is headquartered in the heart of downtown Brunswick and is committed to nurturing the growth and success of the area. McKinnon hopes the project helps bring residential housing to an energetic downtown area where businesses can grow and thrive, fostering an atmosphere that continues to make the Golden Isles a tourism destination and a place people want to live. In addition to serving on the board of Forward Brunswick, McKinnon is also on the Glynn County Airport Commission and is a member of the Brunswick Rotary Club, McKinnon and his wife Pam are members of Wesley United Methodist Church and have three adult children.

Dr. Jason W. Umfress serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management at the
College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick, GA. In this role, Jason is responsible for managing the Coastal
Georgia student experience outside the classroom, from recruitment through graduation. Admissions,
financial aid, residence life, counseling disability services, student life activities, student government organizations, student conduct, and student health & wellness programing all fall under his purview.

Dr. Umfress has served at both public and private institutions in Mississippi, Georgia, Texas, and South
Carolina. He has held positions in a variety of functional areas in higher education and holds a graduate
faculty appointment in the Early College of Education at The University of Georgia. Jason has also
served as a presenter, guest lecturer, and resident faculty member at local, state, regional, and national
conferences on enrollment management, new professional development, and student support / success. He earned a bachelor degree in mathematics, with honors, from Delta State University (MS), a Master of Education degree in College Student Affairs Administration from The University of Georgia
(GA), and a Ph.D. in higher education leadership from Clemson University (SC).

A fervent advocate for his students, Dr. Umfress has been recognized for his commitment to student success by receiving service awards and teaching excellence awards at five institutions. Additionally, as a result of his career achievements in diversity, equity, and inclusion areas, Jason was awarded the
inaugural President’s Award for Inclusive Excellence at Coastal Georgia.

A native of Hatley, Mississippi, Jason moved to the Golden Isles of Georgia in July 2014. Shortly after his arrival, he joined the Golden Isles Arts & Humanities Board of Directors, currently serving as President. Jason is a former board member of the United Way of Coastal Georgia, is a graduate of Leadership Glynn County, serves as chair of PorchFest Brunswick, and was named a Brunswick “Big Wig” by the Susan G. Komen of Coastal Georgia Foundation in 2018. He is a proud resident of Old Town in Brunswick where he shares his cir. 1900 home with his husband – Josh, dog – Luke, and cat – Jackson.

Keith was born and reared in Columbus, Ga. He attended Washington & Lee University and the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University, obtaining his J.D in 1982.

After law school, Keith moved to Atlanta, GA where he practiced law for almost 20 years. In 2000, Keith left the law practice to establish Purchasing Power, an online voluntary benefits company. In 2011, Keith led the sale of Purchasing Power and retired to Sea Island. Keith currently serves as a limited partner and adviser to two private equity funds and two venture capital funds, and serves as a Board member or Advisor to several Southeastern-based businesses.

While living in Atlanta, Keith was actively involved in Trinity Community Ministries and Global Health Action. Keith and his wife Louise were active members of Northside United Methodist Church, and Keith served on the Church Council.

Keith is married to the former Louise Aiken. Keith and Louise have been married for 39 years. They have four adult children and three grandchildren. He and Louise attend Christ Church, Frederica and they are active in the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, Friends of Coastal Georgia History and Friends of Fort Frederica. Keith is a member of Ocean Forest Golf Club and The Sea Island Club. His interests include fishing, boating, hunting and golf.

Foster Hayes was born and raised in McDonough, GA. Upon graduating high school, Foster moved to Brunswick, GA to pursue an education at the College of Coastal Georgia. Foster quickly became an active member of the student body and participated in clubs such as Coverge (campus ministry) and the Student Government Association where he would later be elected President of the student body. It also didn’t take long for Foster to begin a few different jobs including a role as Student Assistant at the college’s admissions office and a role as Junior Staff at Sea Island Company. Foster held both of these roles from 2015 – 2018.

Upon graduating from college with a Bachelors in Business Administration – Marketing, Foster started his career with the Boy Scouts of America, Coastal Georgia Council as a District Executive. In this role, Foster oversaw all aspects of scouting within a seven county region. After two years, Foster transitioned into a role as the Executive Director of the Golden Isles YMCA & McIntosh County YMCA.

During the Summer of 2021, Foster received his Georgia Real Estate license and began transitioning into a role as Realtor / Property Manager with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodnett Cooper Real Estate. In addition to his role with BHHS Hodnett Cooper, Foster also is an experienced contract Communications Manager. He has been contracting for Forward Brunswick since June 2022.

Foster is very active in the community serving on the board for SOAR (Social Opportunities & Active Recreation, Inc.) and the Golden Isles YMCA Foundation. Foster & his wife, Brittany, are active members at Community Church Brunswick.

Jenny Lee

Jenny Lee is a true native of Brunswick & The Golden Isles. A graduate of Glynn Academy, Jenny has experienced the allure for this special community. She graduated college at The University of Mississippi and moved to Crested Butte, Colorado to start her career in real estate. Jenny served as the primary listing agent and the president of the homeowner’s association for a large residential aviation development, known as Buckhorn Ranch.

Always knowing the end goal was to live near the ocean, Jenny returned home to raise her family.

Jenny’s positive energy and unwavering work ethic helped her achieve a successful career in medical and real estate sales for over 25 years. She’s been committed to serving her community by being actively involved in The Boys & Girls Club, Young Entrepreneurs Association and St. Simons Community Church.

Jenny’s passionate about maintaining a healthy lifestyle through dedicated Crossfit classes and running. She enjoys the beach, fishing and boating with friends and family. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Jenny’s daughter Taylor also graduated from The University of Mississippi and is a Realtor at one of the local agencies.

Jenny and her husband are currently raising their twin boys, Wynn and Whalen.

Terra Winslett

Terra Winslett, C.M is a second generation native of the Golden Isles and resides and owns a home in downtown Brunswick. Her appreciation of her native community and ability to raise her daughter and son in the beautiful Golden Isles has always inspired her to serve and give back when she can. What better way to contribute than to collaborate and work to help increase the quality of life of the city where she was born and raised.

Terra is the Airport Property and Marketing Manager for the Glynn County Airport Commission managing property for the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport and the St. Simons Island Airport. 20+ years of experience in office administration ranging from Airport, Real Estate, Marketing as well as Office Management.

Terra is a Georgia licensed Real Estate Broker, board member of the Georgia Airports Association and achieved her Certified Member (C.M.) designation from the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) in 2016.

Lance Sabbe

Lance Sabbe has been a resident of Historic Downtown Brunswick since 2008 after relocating from Southern Arizona. He and his wife are passionate about Brunswick and the wonderful community that exists here in the Golden Isles. Over the last several years he has had the opportunity to invest energy and time into multiple boards and activities including: Historic Brunswick Foundation, Former Chairman of SPLOST Oversight Committee, Glynn Avenue Design Guidelines Committee, ESPLOST PAC, Historic Brunswick Neighborhood Planning Assembly, Former Chairman of NewCity Brunswick, BATS Oversight Committee, and current Chairman of Brunswick Planning & Appeals Commission. We have a great community, but with the help of Forward Brunswick, we can build partnerships to improve the quality of life for everyone in our community.

Erin Granados

Shrimp and grits changed her life! Erin’s first visit to Brunswick was in 2018 where she stayed while attending the Shrimp & Grits Festival on Jekyll Island. She and her husband immediately fell in love with The Golden Isles, and they relocated from Smyrna, GA to Glynn County in 2020. Brunswick, in particular, drew her family to The Golden Isles because of it’s undeniable charm, rich history, and opportunity for economic vitality.

Erin brings 15+ years of corporate experience to the nonprofit realm and was the inaugural Executive Director of Forward Brunswick in 2021 and 2022. Her professional experiences include IBM, Aaron’s, Home Depot, Kinetic, and various independent contractor opportunities. Locally, Erin is involved with multiple organizations that serve the community and is a member of the City of Brunswick’s Downtown Development Authority Advisory Board and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Advisory Board.

Ed Farley

Ed Farley has always used his sales, manufacturing and marketing skills to help nonprofits and community ventures. His private sector career and experience, spanning several years, has provided the perfect balance to help further Forward Brunswick goals.

Ed moved to Glynn County in 2014 after 12 years in Forest Products with a national company in Atlanta. Prior to Atlanta, Ed worked in Executive Marketing and Sales roles throughout the United States, and he continues to share his Marketing and Sales experience through consulting opportunities.

Ed started his venture in The Golden Isles as a member of the Citizens Revenue Committee of Glynn County. Shortly after, Ed joined BATS (Brunswick Area Transportation Study – Citizens Advisory Committee). He also proudly serves as a Board Member of the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Georgia and Commissioner of the Glynn County Airport Commission. This local experience has given insight into the potential for Brunswick and other Glynn County municipalities. His commissions on committees provided the impetus to join Forward Brunswick and become an integral part serving as a Board Member and leader of the Communications team.

Ed has always believed in giving back to the community and feels this responsibility is important for success. His communication and management skills have provided a foundation for Forward Brunswick as it grows into a strong and viable organization. His energy to advocate for Forward Brunswick and the City of Brunswick to provide economic vitality is unmatched.

Michele Seals

Acknowledging that “service is the rent we pay for being” is what brought Michele Jackson Seals back home. A third-generation Brunswick native, Michele has committed her time and talent to support and encourage the children and families of Brunswick and Glynn County. As an educator with more than 20 years of experience, she understands the important connection between a viable and supportive environment and a viable community. As an active member of the local service community, she also appreciates the vibrant potential Brunswick has.

Seeing Brunswick continue to flourish is important to Michele as she and her husband are raising their daughter to love and contribute to the city they continue to call home. She hopes to be an integral part of encouraging current and future residents to advocate and participate in the total development of Brunswick.

Brad Piazza

Brad Piazza is the founder and CEO of Port City Partners, a Real Estate Development firm which seeks to develop sustainable properties that inspire, revitalize and fit within the fabric of the Historic Downtown Brunswick community. Brad’s involvement with Forward Brunswick seeks to channel his deep expertise in commercial real estate development and marry it with his guiding passion for meaningful community development. Brad has been a leading voice in the revitalization, smart growth and success of Brunswick’s development. Port City Partners’ recent contributions include the renovation of the historic Leotis building and addition of “Port City Lofts”, an affordable-luxury waterfront project offering boutique residential living and commercial spaces in the heart of the city; “Port City Park”, the Golden Isles’ newest outdoor event venue, and “The Bijou,” a newly renovated commercial building in the historic Bijou Theater building. Through thoughtful projects and his active contribution to initiatives such as Forward Brunswick, Brad aims to increase quality of life for residents and visitors of the Golden Isles and to bring more people downtown to live, work and play.

Bernard McCloud

William Bernard McCloud is a Glynn County native and Brunswick High graduate. He loves his home town and wants to see improvement to the city of Brunswick. Bernard is an active community member and is committed to improving quality-of-life for Brunswick residents, visitors, and stakeholders. In addition to Forward Brunswick, Bernard’s passion for our community is apparent through his experience as a board member for Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation, Altama School Council, and The Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Georgia.

Bernard currently works for Sea Island Company and wife, Shelia, owns Victory’s Cleaning Service Inc. They have two adult sons and faithfully serve as members of Greater Works Ministries where he serves as a deacon. Bernard looks forward to contributing to the growth of Brunswick and enhancements to Glynn County.

Ben Slade

Ben Slade has a profound belief in the value of voluntary group action to ameliorate community and societal challenges. This is what Forward Brunswick is all about. Improving neighborhoods, encouraging new housing across the economic spectrum. Improving our parks and connecting them with trails which will afford young people, in particular, the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.

The famous management thinker of the 20th century, Peter Drucker, observed that voluntary group action is the hallmark of American society. It is collective action, not from the top, but from the level of society which is closest to the people. Forward Brunswick offers everyone the opportunity to make our community healthy and prosperous for all its citizens.