| Jerry Maynard’s father, J.W., was Barrow County’s first major developer. He built the county’s first shopping center, Holly Hill Mall. He also developed North Winder, which is still Barrow County’s largest subdivision. From that, you might logically assume that Jerry was born into the career path he followed, but it didn’t happen that way at all. Jerry wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life when he graduated from Winder- Barrow High School in 1971. He had little interest in continuing his education or working for his father, so he settled on attending the Divers Training Academy, graduating in 1972.
While the diving school was fun and adventurous, it probably wasn’t the smartest move for a young man who wanted to live in Barrow County -- hundreds of miles from the ocean. So in 1973 Jerry went to work at Winder Transportation as a welder helping to build rapid transit cars. After three years there, he got a job with Vandiver Construction Company in Athens. Then, in the late ‘70s, several things combined to put him on the path to becoming a successful residential and commercial developer. His father died, he married Kathy Wood of Comer, and in 1979 became a licensed real estate agent. He then worked for two local firms, Stringer Insurance & Real Estate and McCully Realty -- to gain experience.
As with most couples starting out in life, Jerry and Kathy faced some lean years. They lived in a modest home in Winder, and Kathy worked as a beautician. Finally, in 1982, Jerry completed the Georgia Institute of Real Estates Brokerage course, became a broker and opened Maynard Realty. Wayne Bartlett became a partner in the firm in 1996.
Since then Jerry has continued to gain experience and education in the field. He completed Realtors Institute Courses I, II and III (GRI courses), and the National Association of Realtors Commercial Investment Course CT1O1. He became a licensed appraiser and completed Appraisal Institute Standards of Professional Practice A and B; Appraisal Institute Applied Residential Property Valuation; Appraisal Institute Principles of Income Property Appraising; Appraisal Institute Subdivision Analysis; International Association of Assessing Officers 207 Industrial Property Appraisal; Department of Revenues Courses I and V; Department of Revenues Edicts and Trends; and Department of Revenues Caveat.
Jerry’s related experience includes two terms as a director of the Barrow County Chamber and chairman of that board in 2000. He has also served on the Barrow County Industrial Authority and Winder Barrow joint Development Authority. Jerry has also served on the Barrow County Board of Tax Assessors a total of 10 years. Community service includes ten years on the Board of Directors of the Winder Barrow Brad Akins YMCA (chairman, 2003-2004); the Board of Friends of Fort Yargo; and the Tree House. Jerry, Kathy and their daughter Lacy continue to live in Barrow County. |
