Brookwood Commencement speaker will be Mayor Jay Flowers ‘76

THOMASVILLE -- It was announced on Friday, April 7, that Brookwood School’s 2022 commencement speaker will be Jay Flowers. Flowers is a Thomasville native and 1976 graduate of Brookwood who currently serves as the Mayor of Thomasville. 

Flowers is well-known to Brookwood, in general, and to this class, specifically. Through his public service, dedication to the First Presbyterian Church of Thomasville, and Boy Scouts, Flowers has interacted with most members of this class and knows many very well. He has even chaperoned a mission trip to Mexico with a few of the seniors.

Flowers’ journey with Brookwood  began on the opening day of the school in 1970 as a student. His parents, Margaret “Bobbie” and Langdon S. Flowers, Sr., were founding members of the school.

Flowers was an engaged student at Brookwood. He was the first student to receive the Creativity in Mathematics Award. He was active in athletics and student life.

After Brookwood, Flowers attended Furman University, where he earned a degree in economics in 1980. His career took on many forms as he worked in industries such as investments, startups, mail order, and retail. For the last 22 years, he has led Core Rewards as President and CEO, which creates business-to-business incentive programs.

His career brought him to various cities across the Southeast, but he ultimately returned to Thomasville. “I always wanted to be in Thomasville. I’ve always loved Thomasville. It’s such a great place to live and raise a family. There’s so much value in the community.”

Flowers is currently serving a two-year term as Mayor of Thomasville. He looks forward to the impact he can have on the community. “It’s our job at the city to provide an environment for everybody to thrive. Many good decisions have been made in the past, but there’s much more to be done.” In addition to Flowers, Rick Singletary ‘78 and Max Beverly ‘88 are Brookwood graduates who have served as the Mayor.

Kim and Jay Flowers are parents of three Brookwood graduates — Davis ‘10, Chase ‘14, and Hampton ’16. 

“I have been involved with Brookwood since its beginning. My parents were among the founders and I graduated from Brookwood. Now, two more generations of the Flowers family have graduated from this great school. I have participated in many ways but I have never been more excited and honored than to be invited to speak at this year‘s graduation. Thank you,” stated Flowers in a recent conversation.