20 UNDER 40: Jake Ayers

Published 10:45 am Wednesday, August 7, 2024

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Editor’s Note: This feature originally ran in the annual 20 Under 40 magazine which was a part of the LaGrange Daily News July 31 edition. If you would like to pick up a copy of the 20 Under 40 magazine, please visit our office at 115 Broad Suite 101.

Jake Ayers, 36, moved to Hogansville in 2016 and it has been a wild journey since then. From a career change to having children to being elected mayor of Hogansville, the last eight years have been a whirlwind for Ayers.

In fact, Ayers welcomed his first daughter the same year that he was elected mayor.

Ayers is a man of the people, having worked in full-time ministry before moving to Hogansville and now, he is a licensed realtor, with a focus on real estate investments/development.

“I love creating opportunities for people to own a home. I specifically love taking old dilapidated homes in our community and restoring them to their previous beauty,” Ayers said. “You get to be creative, restore beauty, and create an opportunity for someone all in one project.”

Prior to being mayor, he served on the executive board for the chamber of commerce, the Hogansville Downtown Development Authority, and now serves on the board of the Troup Strategy Center. He chairs the committee to pursue diverse housing, and he also serves on the joint development Authority with Hogansville and Meriwether County.

“Most of what I do in the community involves Hogansville,” Ayers said. “I also am a big supporter in the pioneer youth program which is located in Hogansville and serves as an outreach/afterschool center for kids in the community.” 

When is not working tirelessly to better the Hogansville and Troup County community, Ayers pours himself into his family, music and the outdoors.

“Most people do not know that I have a background in music and songwriting. I had aspirations to be a recording artist. I grew up singing in church, which led to a full-time position as a worship pastor. I don’t play a lot of music these days, but it’s definitely a part of who I am,” Ayers said. “I am also extremely passionate about the outdoors, including camping, hiking, hunting, anything that gets me outdoors, active and out in nature.”

Ayers, a native of Newnan, is cultured and well-traveled, having lived for three years in Sydney, Australia. 

Ayes has been married to Nicole for 10 years with whom he shares three children, Leon, Aiden and Maya.