{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"09. The Story of Jimbo Laboon :A Legacy Built on Service & Connection","description":"JImbo Laboon : Growing up on King Avenue in the 1950s meant freedom to explore forests where Athens Regional Medical Center now stands, spending countless hours at the YMCA on Broad and Lumpkin, and learning life lessons from community leaders like the legendary Cobern Kelley. For Jimbo Laboon, those formative years in Athens shaped not only his character but also his remarkable journey from a textile mill financial officer to bank president and one of Georgia's most respected community leaders. From watching his father and grandfather run their welding and blacksmithing business downtown to building lifelong friendships with future mayors and community pillars, Jimbo's story weaves together personal memories of a simpler Athens with insights into the businessdecisions and community commitments that helped shape our city's growth. What You Can Expect from This Episode This conversation reveals how deep Athens roots and strong mentorship created a leader who would serve on boards ranging from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia to the University of Georgia Foundation, while maintaining the values learned in childhood. Here are 5 key insights you'll gain from this episode: \u2022 Experience what Athens was like when forests surrounded       the city and children roamed freely through neighborhoods. \u2022 Learn how Cobern Kelley's YMCA leadership shaped           generations of Athens' future community leaders. \u2022 Discover the transition from textile manufacturing to       banking that defined much of Athens' economic evolution. \u2022 Understand how one person's commitment to community  service can impact dozens of local organizations. \u2022 Hear touching stories about family legacy, including a farm  that's been in the Laboon family since the 1830s. A Legacy Built on Service and Connection Jimbo's career trajectory from Johnson & Johnson to Wilkins Industries to Athens First Bank and Trust illustrates not just personal success, but the interconnected nature of Athens businesscommunity. His relationships with figures like Julius Bishop and John Wilkins demonstrate how mentorship and trust created opportunities that benefited our entire city. Whether you're curious about Athens' transition from textile manufacturing hub to the diverse economy we know today, or you want to understand what drove previous generations to give so generously of their time and talents, Jimbo's memories offer a window into an era whencommunity leadership was both an honor and a responsibility. His stories about international travel to 44 countries with his beloved wife Glenda, combined with his deep commitment to local institutions like the YMCA and Athens Academy, show how global perspective and hometown values can coexist beautifully. ","author_name":"Classic City Rewind with Lesley Platek","author_url":"https:\/\/sites.libsyn.com\/600495","html":"