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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.

Forrest Johnson can be found on more boards, committees, and organizations than perhaps anyone else in LaGrange. 

Born and raised in LaGrange, Johnson is the son of longtime Troup County historian, Clark Johnson. 

“I want to establish myself as a leader in our community. I want to look for new ways to serve and better LaGrange,” Johnson said. 

He is on the board of the Lafayette Society for Performing Arts and was recently appointed to the LaGrange Housing Authority Board. Loals may recognize Johnson from the Mask Mardi Gras parade or International Street Food Festival where he has served as emcee. 

Perhaps Johnson’s most visible role was as a candidate for the District 1 LaGrange City Council seat this year. While the seat went to Darby Pippin, Johnson said he was glad he ran. 

He continued, “I enjoyed meeting and talking with a variety of people around town to get to know more about what is important in our city. Even though the result didn’t turn out for me, I received a lot of encouragement, and I am proud of the campaign I ran.”

He is equally passionate about his career as a  relationship banker for Bank of America.

“I assist people with one of the most important aspects of their daily life, their finances. It means a lot that people trust me and my company to assist and empower them to improve their financial lives,” Johnson said. 

He views it as another way to serve and be an ambassador for his hometown.

“I [get] to meet people from different countries. Since I started, I have met people from over 85 countries spread across all six inhabited continents right here in LaGrange,” Johnson stated. 

“I really enjoy working with our growing immigrant population. First, they usually want accounts so they can get direct deposits…Now some of them who have been here for a couple of years are working on buying houses,” he explained. “It is a privilege to watch the American Dream blossom right here in LaGrange.”

He hopes to continue to progress in the industry, moving into the investment side, and eventually managerial positions.

Last month Johnson completed his Master’s in Business Administration from the College of William and Mary. 

His family is equally ingrained in the community, with his wife, Shannon, serving as the director of the Troup County Historical Society and Troup County Archives. Both of his kids are at LaGrange Academy.