I grew up in Dalton, GA on our family farm. In 1980 I made the decision to attend LaGrange College. I met my wife Denise Roberts Wilson during the first quarter of our freshman year and started dating during our second quarter. Denise’s father is a Methodist Minister and she had moved around South GA and I did not want to return to Dalton and the carpet industry. We both started jobs in LaGrange and got married 2 years later and are celebrating 37 years in October 2023. We have both been involved in multiple volunteer organizations in LaGrange and Troup County. I am active in the Boy Scouts of America and served multiple roles locally. For the last 11 years I have facilitated a church service on the banks of the Chattahoochee River at BSA Camp Lumpkin in conjunction with the BSA Chattahoochee County and The First United Methodist Church, “Church on the Hooch” attracted 632 visitors this past summer over 9 weeks.
I am in year 9 of working with the Lagrange Troup County Homeless Coalition.
About Mike Wilson
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Our oldest son Robert is married to Jessica and they have blessed us with 2 grandchildren: Collins, Age 3 and Davis, age 15 months. They live in Augusta. Robert works with Augusta University Medical and Jessica works with Columbia County Government. Brian is our youngest and after living and working in Atlanta pre-COVID, made the decision to move back to LaGrange. Brian works remotely in purchasing with Meyer Electric. You can seen him walking along the flower streets with his dog Indy.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
For 27 years I worked in the for-profit world as a salesman of printing and large format graphics. In 2011 the company I worked for brought in a coach to help us understand our co-workers better. The coach asked me why I did not work in the Not for Profit world since I did a lot of volunteer work. This encounter led me on a quest to explore the next chapter. After counseling with Dave Miller of New Ventures on opportunities, he said “New Ventures cannot afford to hire you but we cannot afford to not try something different.” I was very blessed to have the opportunity with NVI and in 2019 Mr. Miller retired and the Board saw fit to name me as his replacement as President and CEO. This offers me the opportunity daily to truly make a difference in someone’s life, whether it is a person with a disability or other barriers to employment .
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Dreams remain dreams until you take action!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I plan on retiring in a little over 6 years. However, I don’t think I can ever not do something. I love woodworking and repairing furniture. I would like to ride around LaGrange on Sunday evenings and pick up the broken chair or table that someone has put to the curb, bring it home, repair it and take it back to the owner
Mike Wilson & Our Community
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
The Beacon for the friend green beans and crawfish etouffee, Pokeys for the burger and Gus’s for breakfast
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
43 years
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Hands down it would be Henderson Traylor
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I miss Parmer Brothers grocery. I stopped there almost every night on the way home.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Over the past 8 years I have volunteered with the Lagrange Troup County Homeless Coalition. I have had the opportunity to counsel other communities in starting a Warming Shelter for the Homeless and I am always amazed a what a giving community Lagrange and Troup County is in comparison with others. Every time the freezers need filling or socks, blankets, underwear etc. are needed, the citizens show up and show out.
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?
Former Vice President Mike Pence. I think he has a real heart for the American people and it would be interesting to get his take on multiple issues. We would probably eat outside at The Beacon.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
The Outlaw Josey Wales.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I like to cook, but don’t tell my wife.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The giving spirit of our community.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
I look at the faces of my grandchildren and want to be the best I can be for them.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family Faith Giving
