Troy Brumbalow |
| Life-long Forsyth county resident Troy Brumbalow has always been a builder. He graduated from the first class of South Forsyth High School, building the identity of that then-brand new high school. He went into business building homes and businesses in the Forsyth county area. In 2017, he became the first new mayor of Cumming since 1970. He now relishes the task of building Cumming into a more vibrant, more diverse community in which to work, play, and live. What was your high school career like? I remember it fondly. I was really involved in sports, clubs, and student government. It was exciting to be in the first graduating class of the school. As the first class, we were able to help create the identity and traditions that continue today. Looking back, I have no regrets. |  Troy Brumbalow '90 Mayor of Cumming |
Breaking ground on the Cumming city center Your professional life kept you in the area. What did you do after high school?
I studied business at the University of North Georgia - back then it was known as Gainesville State College. At 21 was working on building custom homes, and I've also owned a few businesses in Cumming. Then a couple of years ago, I decided to run for mayor. Trying to win against an opponent who's been in office for 51 years, it's a pretty Herculean task. But I spent two years campaigning, and talking to people about building a new Cumming City Center. Instead of a downtown of just city offices, it would be a place for people to work, eat, and socialize. And people really responded.
I ran for mayor because Cumming has always been my home, and I felt that I could make a difference.
Tell us about the benefits and challenges to governing a city in which you grew up.
The county has grown five fold since I graduated. People continue to move here for many reasons. Our great schools, healthcare, parks, and proximity to Lake Lanier are just some of the reasons. I embrace the fact that so many people continue to call this home. We will continue to meet the needs and challenges that come with growth. I would rather deal with the challenges of growth as opposed to those that come from a shrinking population.
I want everyone to take pride in our great city. As the community grows, it has become more diverse, and thus harder for people to connect to the community. My hope is that our new city center will be the place for people to congregate, connect, and interact with their neighbors - to bring back that small town feel that we once had.
I studied business at the University of North Georgia - back then it was known as Gainesville State College. At 21 was working on building custom homes, and I've also owned a few businesses in Cumming. Then a couple of years ago, I decided to run for mayor. Trying to win against an opponent who's been in office for 51 years, it's a pretty Herculean task. But I spent two years campaigning, and talking to people about building a new Cumming City Center. Instead of a downtown of just city offices, it would be a place for people to work, eat, and socialize. And people really responded.
I ran for mayor because Cumming has always been my home, and I felt that I could make a difference.
Tell us about the benefits and challenges to governing a city in which you grew up.
The county has grown five fold since I graduated. People continue to move here for many reasons. Our great schools, healthcare, parks, and proximity to Lake Lanier are just some of the reasons. I embrace the fact that so many people continue to call this home. We will continue to meet the needs and challenges that come with growth. I would rather deal with the challenges of growth as opposed to those that come from a shrinking population.
I want everyone to take pride in our great city. As the community grows, it has become more diverse, and thus harder for people to connect to the community. My hope is that our new city center will be the place for people to congregate, connect, and interact with their neighbors - to bring back that small town feel that we once had.
Frankencuda, the customized 1971 Plymouth Barracuda
You're also pretty well-known for building something else - rebuilding classic cars.
The first car I ever fell in love with was a Richard Petty blue, 1973 Plymouth Barracuda. I've always loved classic cars. Something about riding around driving classic cars, it’s a cool feeling. Classic cars, they’re cool no matter how old you are. You take teenagers today, and I was no different, you look back at cars built before you were born, but they’re cool. The lines of the cars, they’re really almost legendary.
A lot of the stuff I’ve done is custom, one-off, like Frankencuda, my 1971 Plymouth Barracuda. It's called a resto-mod, where you take an original looking car, but then you update all the running gear and brakes and all that and make it perform much better. I've never had any formal training as a mechanic, working on cars is something that I learned from my dad out of necessity.
That car was used in Fast 5 of the Fast and the Furious movie franchise - it's in two of the trailers, but as for the movie, don't blink or you'll miss it.
What life lessons did you take away from high school, and what advice would you want to give this generation of students?
I learned my work ethic from Coach Bishop. He was my weight training coach from 7th grade until I graduated. He was the kind of teacher and mentor that you would do anything for. The work ethic that he instilled in me has been with me ever since. Another lesson came from Assistant Principal Reynolds. He said, "work smarter, not harder."
Those two things added together are powerful: hard work done in the smartest way possible is a recipe for success. While you're in school, work hard, be involved, and enjoy this special time of your life.
The first car I ever fell in love with was a Richard Petty blue, 1973 Plymouth Barracuda. I've always loved classic cars. Something about riding around driving classic cars, it’s a cool feeling. Classic cars, they’re cool no matter how old you are. You take teenagers today, and I was no different, you look back at cars built before you were born, but they’re cool. The lines of the cars, they’re really almost legendary.
A lot of the stuff I’ve done is custom, one-off, like Frankencuda, my 1971 Plymouth Barracuda. It's called a resto-mod, where you take an original looking car, but then you update all the running gear and brakes and all that and make it perform much better. I've never had any formal training as a mechanic, working on cars is something that I learned from my dad out of necessity.
That car was used in Fast 5 of the Fast and the Furious movie franchise - it's in two of the trailers, but as for the movie, don't blink or you'll miss it.
What life lessons did you take away from high school, and what advice would you want to give this generation of students?
I learned my work ethic from Coach Bishop. He was my weight training coach from 7th grade until I graduated. He was the kind of teacher and mentor that you would do anything for. The work ethic that he instilled in me has been with me ever since. Another lesson came from Assistant Principal Reynolds. He said, "work smarter, not harder."
Those two things added together are powerful: hard work done in the smartest way possible is a recipe for success. While you're in school, work hard, be involved, and enjoy this special time of your life.
Troy Brumbalow graduated in 1990 as the valedictorian of the very first graduating class. He was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, competed in football, soccer, track and wrestling, and - perhaps forecasting a life in politics - was president of the Y Club, Beta Club, French Club, and the senior class. He was also listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students for all four years of high school.
For more information about the development of the new Cumming City Center, visit the City of Cumming website or follow the Cumming City Hall on Facebook.
For more information about the development of the new Cumming City Center, visit the City of Cumming website or follow the Cumming City Hall on Facebook.
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