Extract

Retired US Army pharmacist Jasper Watkins III started a new chapter in his life December 23, 2020, when he was sworn in as commissioner for Gwinnett County, GA, representing District 3 as a Democrat.

Watkins, a nuclear-trained pharmacist, served 25 years in the Army before retiring as a lieutenant colonel and settling in Grayson, GA.

After a lifetime of moving from place to place, he embraced the opportunity to engage with his new community. He joined local civics organizations and was active in the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

“I said to myself, . . . I need to be more involved into what goes on day to day. Because now this is my new life,” he said.

During his run for office, he worked with a small group of friends and focused on securing grassroots support. And he fell back on his perspective as a pharmacist to reframe local issues and connect with community members.

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