Politics & Government
Running for Grayson City Council: Laura Gavulic
The longtime Grayson resident is running for Post 4.
Loganville-Grayson Patch is running profile pieces on the different candidates running in the city council race in November.
For the city of Grayson, Post 2 and Post 4 are open on the council, and the mayor's seat also is open. Two residents have qualified as candidates for Post 4, while the other candidates for Post 2 and mayor are running unopposed. Laura Gavulic is running for Post 4 against candidate Linda Jenkins.
Name: Laura M. Gavulic
How long have you lived in Grayson? We have lived in the City of Grayson (proper) for 12 years. However, we have lived in the Grayson zip code of 30017 for over 18 years.
Educational background: B.S. Liberal Studies, University of Central Florida, Orlando, May 1992
Family: I have been married to David Gavulic for 20 years, and we have three children (Grayson, 15, attends Grayson High; Coleman, 12, attends Bay Creek Middle; Rick, 8, attends Grayson Elementary).
Military background: N/A
Occupation: Human Resources Professional
Have you ran for/served previously on the city council? If so, when? No. This is my first time.
What inspired you to run this term? I have an intrinsic desire to serve others. I have held several community leadership positions and currently volunteer my time serving on the Planning & Zoning Commission for the City of Grayson, as well as actively participating in local school initiatives. I want to make a difference, and hope to make an impact in our small community and the surrounding areas.
What are some of the notable projects you've helped or spearheaded in the past? My relevant experience includes over 12 years Human Resources experience, which include compliance and policy governance, organizational effectiveness, budgeting, supply chain management, leadership development and project management. I have partnered on key business initiatives that have fostered organizational development of business processes and drivers, whilst balancing the value of people.
I have held several community leadership positions including Co-Vice President with both Grayson Elementary School PTA and Bay Creek Middle School PTSA. I was Co-Chair for Health and Red Ribbon Week for over seven years, with the committee receiving Georgia PTA honors for best campaign several years ago.
What are some of the immediate things you want to work on if you win the council seat? How would you accomplish them? An initial step involves broadening my relationships within the community and with members on the City Council and other local municipalities. With the transition to a new mayor, it is important to help with change management and build trust, as well as ensure that a diversity of thought continues, to best meet the needs of the Grayson community. I would like to know how the community would like to be best served, and hear what is important to the citizens. I want to help promote community involvement, economic development, and elevate community awareness of the council’s top priorities.
What are some of your long-term goals for the city? How would you accomplish them? The City Council has been working on several community beautification initiatives, economic development campaigns, as well as defining city government and administration policies. With my experience, which includes policy governance and project management, I hope to contribute by ensuring diplomacy, consistency and promote teamwork.
What do you think is the greatest challenge facing Grayson, and how would you approach it? It is the same with most small communities, faced with the economic times of today, and that is community / economic development. We have to work with other surrounding municipalities (i.e. Snellville, Loganville) to partner on how to best approach economic development broadly and not work in silos. It would be unwise to not consider the geographic closeness and assume that the economic activity within those cities do not have an impact on the Grayson community. The cities must continue to communicate with one another, and share best practices for the overall success of our communities.
Do you want to add anything? I have a strong faith in community and family. I love the idea of a small community working together and building neighborhoods where families can live and hope for a better future. I love the City of Grayson so much, that I actually named my first born after it.
How long have you lived in Grayson? We have lived in the City of Grayson (proper) for 12 years. However, we have lived in the Grayson zip code of 30017 for over 18 years.
Educational background: B.S. Liberal Studies, University of Central Florida, Orlando, May 1992
Family: I have been married to David Gavulic for 20 years, and we have three children (Grayson, 15, attends Grayson High; Coleman, 12, attends Bay Creek Middle; Rick, 8, attends Grayson Elementary).
Military background: N/A
Occupation: Human Resources Professional
Have you ran for/served previously on the city council? If so, when? No. This is my first time.
What inspired you to run this term? I have an intrinsic desire to serve others. I have held several community leadership positions and currently volunteer my time serving on the Planning & Zoning Commission for the City of Grayson, as well as actively participating in local school initiatives. I want to make a difference, and hope to make an impact in our small community and the surrounding areas.
What are some of the notable projects you've helped or spearheaded in the past? My relevant experience includes over 12 years Human Resources experience, which include compliance and policy governance, organizational effectiveness, budgeting, supply chain management, leadership development and project management. I have partnered on key business initiatives that have fostered organizational development of business processes and drivers, whilst balancing the value of people.
I have held several community leadership positions including Co-Vice President with both Grayson Elementary School PTA and Bay Creek Middle School PTSA. I was Co-Chair for Health and Red Ribbon Week for over seven years, with the committee receiving Georgia PTA honors for best campaign several years ago.
What are some of the immediate things you want to work on if you win the council seat? How would you accomplish them? An initial step involves broadening my relationships within the community and with members on the City Council and other local municipalities. With the transition to a new mayor, it is important to help with change management and build trust, as well as ensure that a diversity of thought continues, to best meet the needs of the Grayson community. I would like to know how the community would like to be best served, and hear what is important to the citizens. I want to help promote community involvement, economic development, and elevate community awareness of the council’s top priorities.
What are some of your long-term goals for the city? How would you accomplish them? The City Council has been working on several community beautification initiatives, economic development campaigns, as well as defining city government and administration policies. With my experience, which includes policy governance and project management, I hope to contribute by ensuring diplomacy, consistency and promote teamwork.
What do you think is the greatest challenge facing Grayson, and how would you approach it? It is the same with most small communities, faced with the economic times of today, and that is community / economic development. We have to work with other surrounding municipalities (i.e. Snellville, Loganville) to partner on how to best approach economic development broadly and not work in silos. It would be unwise to not consider the geographic closeness and assume that the economic activity within those cities do not have an impact on the Grayson community. The cities must continue to communicate with one another, and share best practices for the overall success of our communities.
Do you want to add anything? I have a strong faith in community and family. I love the idea of a small community working together and building neighborhoods where families can live and hope for a better future. I love the City of Grayson so much, that I actually named my first born after it.
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