Jerome Tucker is currently or has in the past served on virtually every significant board of directors in the greater Valdosta-Lowndes County area. Part of the reason is due to the fact that he is a soft touch and can’t say no, but the main reason is his deep and abiding conviction that he can make a difference.

“Both of my parents worked and I stayed with my Grandmama. Almost daily, she would go around Clyattville to see who was sick and in need and she carried a bunch of us kids with her. Even now, I have people come up to me to tell me that if it weren’t for her giving them food, they’d have starved to death,” he said.

Those early memories created a spark in him that was ignited when he went through the Leadership Lowndes program in 1990.

“That spurred me into public service.”

He began by getting involved in various activities and programs, and worked his way into chairing the United Way campaign in 1996-97.

“I was the first chairman to raise $1 million.”

That same year, he attended Leadership Georgia, expanding his circle of friends statewide.

Since that time, he has served on the Regional Advisory Council serving 18 counties and is currently its chairman, was chairman of the first joint Conference Center and Tourism Authority board, served on the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce Board, is active on the 4-H Board, currently chairs the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority Board and played a pivotal role in the creation of the Southeast Agricultural Coalition and is credited with starting agri-tourism in South Georgia.

Retired from his position at Griffin LLC, Tucker is passionate about many things, but it’s agriculture that interests him the most. When asked if he feels agriculture is losing its economic impact on South Georgia, Tucker gets impatient, saying, “There’s not less of an impact-there’s less of an appreciation. Farmers are so much more efficient at what they do today.”

He’s all about trying to spur Americans into learning more about where their food is grown and encouraging them to buy home grown products. “Just like the oil embargo years ago–if we’re not careful, next time, it will be our food supply. The easiest way to defeat a country is if they have to import their food.”

Griffin still lives on a farm and says, “I’m happiest when I’m on my tractor, bulldozing and knocking things down.” No surprise, as it’s the same approach he takes to his community service.



— Kay Harris