Outside of his family, no one knows Wayne Johnson better than Randy Griffin, who has been Wayne’s best friend for more than 50 years, and his business partner for more than 25 years. Johnson is working hard to unseat 32-year incumbent, career politician, Sanford Bishop in the November General Election.
Griffin has known Wayne since the 5th grade when the two were at Pearl Stephens Elementary School. Wayne and Randy also attended Lanier High School together as well as both graduating from Mercer University.
“In 1998, my church purchased nine acres to relocate the church,” said Griffin, who worked 35 years in the banking industry. “Then, circumstances changed, and the church did not need to relocate. For two years, there were no offers on the property. I called Wayne, who was working in Argentina at the time, and said I wanted to help the church and suggested Wayne, and I buy the property. Without hesitation he agreed.
“Then, a group of businessmen from Atlanta approached us to buy the property to build a senior living community. They got the permits needed to build but then could not get the financing. As part of the process, we had access to their market study that showed a serious need for more senior living communities. I talked to a friend who ran a senior community in Macon, and he told me he had a waiting list of 150 people.”
Griffin then presented to Johnson a plan to build a senior living community, and Johnson agreed. The two businessmen formed Double Eagle Associates in 2002 — which was named upon the fact that the two had received their Eagle Scout Awards the same day — and built the first of four senior living communities they would build over the next few years.
“We both received our Eagle Scout awards together when we were in high school, so the name felt right,” said Griffin.
Griffin and Johnson have proven to be excellent business partners, each having character traits that offset the other.
“Wayne is a very assertive person and aggressive with business focus,” said Griffin. “In our relationship, Wayne is the go, and I am the whoa.”
Griffin knows that Johnson will use his 40 years in business experience to make an immediate impact in Washington.
“Wayne is a very intelligent guy, and entrepreneur who thinks outside the box,” said Griffin. “When he sets his mind on getting something done, it gets done. He never takes no for an answer if he believes in a project. He is creative and, as an entrepreneur, he knows what it takes to start a business and knows what it takes to keep a business running successfully. Many people can start a business, but few know how to grow it and keep it running. Wayne thinks Big!”
“Sanford Bishop is a 40-year career politician. He has never started a business, owned a business or worked for a business. It is impossible for Bishop to understand what it takes to create a thriving business, much less a thriving national economy. Wayne has been inside the Federal government and knows how it works. Bishop has been in Washington for 32 years, and he still does not know how to make Washington work for the people of Middle and Southwest Georgia.
“One thing I know for sure is that Wayne will need no on the job training when he gets to Washington. He will be ready to go on day one, and he will be effective on day one. Wayne has been frustrated for years as he watched Bishop do little to take care of the people in Middle and Southwest Georgia, and he will focus intensely on helping the people who elect him.
“When people look at Wayne, they see a hard-charging businessman. But Wayne is also a very, very compassionate person. I have watched him give the shirt off his back to someone in need. I have seen it time and time again. He has a big heart and cares about every person he meets. Wayne will be a game-changer for the people of Middle and Southwest Georgia.”
“I encourage everyone to get to know Wayne. They will like him and come to trust him because they will learn that he always puts the interest of others first.”