No matter the organization, project or task, Will Fowlkes has always seemed to bubble up from volunteer to leader in short order. Hard work and a “just get it done” attitude  are the cornerstones of his philosophy.

Will was the first of three born to a tool-and-dye maker and a radiology lab assistant in the small town of West Memphis, Arkansas – just across the mighty Mississippi River from Memphis, Tennessee. For the first six years of his life in the upper delta region of Arkansas, the lower middle class family of five was chasing the American Dream with his father’s promotion to machinist manager and also with the purchase of their first home when a simple lifting accident disabled Will’s father, leaving him with two ruptured discs and intense back pain until he passed away in early 2006. With his father’s career over, Will’s mother worked two jobs (as an elementary school cafeteria worker during the day and as a concessioner at night) just to put food on the table and to pay the mortgage. Will grew up helping to look after his family while his mother worked day and night. During those years, Will often visited close family members in Hazard, Kentucky, where a vast majority in that region worked in the coal mines of eastern Kentucky. Will experienced first-hand the trials and tribulations of growing up less fortuate than others.

Developing Leadership…

Will graduated in the top ten percent of his high school class and served as his class vice-president. He also attended Arkansas Boy’s State, was nominated for Arkansas Governor’s School, and attended the University of Arkansas on an academic scholarship in computer science, mathematics and political science. Will held an office in almost every high school club / organization that he was ever involved with. He met then Governor Bill Clinton between his sophomore and junior year of high school while attending Arkansas Boy’s State – the time at which Will developed a deep interest in politics. While at Arkansas, Will was an officer in the Resident’s Interhall Congress and served as a regional executive officer for the Southwest Association of College and University Residence Halls (SWACURH). Will was provided several more opportunities to meet with Governor Bill Clinton while in college and upon returning back to West Memphis when he became very active in the community serving several positions with the West Memphis Junior Chamber of Commerce (Management Development Vice-President, President and Chairman of the Board), the John Gammon Scholarship Foundation (Secretary and Executive Board member), the Northside Redevelopment Organization (board member), and Holy Cross Church (vestry member), to name a few. Nominated one of the Ten Outstanding Young Arkansans in 1992 along with Governor Bill Clinton, Will served with the Arkansas Jaycees in various capacities. But his interest in politics never subsided, working on President Bill Clinton’s 1992 and 1996 presidential campaigns and Vice-President Al Gore’s presidential bid in 2000.

Mentoring Tomorrow’s Leaders…

Will Fowlkes has always enjoyed working with youth of all ages, and has a long list of notable accomplishments in areas where he has made a very positive impact in their lives.

Will has coached several youth sports activities, including recreational and competitive football (Blackwell Bears), recreational (Upward, Optimist Club) and competitive (AAU and YBOA) basketball, and competition air rifle (US Jaycees / Daisy Shooting Education Program). Will has also served as Webmaster, Secretary and Vice-President to the Blackwell Bears Athletic Association. Sports has always been an easy oultet by which Will can mentor youth and better pepare them for the challenges of tomorrow.

Will has mentored youth in the arts, directing as many as 75 at one time in such successful performances as “Oliver” and “Wizard of Oz”. Will understands that theatre provides a mechanism and an outlet for youth to express themselves in a bold, positive way.

Will has led groups of tomorrow’s leaders through the scouts. Being an assistant Webelos Den Leader leader in the Cub Scouts and now an Assistant Scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts, Will has been trained in numerous areas including Scoutmaster, Back Country Outdoor Leader Training, BALOO, Wilderness First Aid, and Youth Protection. He has planned numerous camping and hiking opportunities for the scouts in Pack 75 at Transfiguration Catholic Church and believes that scouting provides today’s youth a rich educational experience both physically and mentally that prepares them for what lies ahead. He has encouraged and worked with Webelos Super Achievers – those that finish ALL Weblos requiements – and Arrows of Light recipients. All twelve of the Webelos he recently worked with has hiked aproximatley 72 miles individually in 2010 alone.

Now…

Now, residing in Kennesaw, Georgia, with his wife, Melissa, and their two children, Hillari and Zac, Will is an active member of Transfiguration Catholic Church. His career by day is a Project Management Office Deputy Director and Sr. Project Manager and is in the process of completing his PMP (Project Management Professional) and ITIL certifications. Will became involved with his daughter’s interest in the performing arts, and was a community and professional stage actor and director in the metro Atlanta area for six years, performing in over twenty-five theatrical productions – over half as a lead actor. He serves on the Board of Directors as Executive Vice-President of the Blackwell Bears Athletic Association, serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 75, judges theatrical productions with the Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre (MAT) Awards and is heavily engaged in local, state and national politics with the Democratic Party.

Will has been elected by the Cobb County Democratic Party to chair events and appear publically for the committee, serve as District Captain for House District 35, serve as county party Treasurer and to serve on the State Committee for the Democratic Party of Georgia (DPG) where he served on several committees. He recieved the Democrat of the Year Award in 2008 and was later elected that year as Chairman of the Cobb County Democratic Party. Will was elected as a pledged delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention and the 2010 Georgia State Democatic Convention. He has also served as a Congressional Director for the Georgia Association of Democratic County Chairs (GADCC).

Will is currently a candidate for Vice-Chair of Congressional Districts and County Liaison for the Democratic Party of Georgia (DPG).