Tattnall Square Academy is proud to announce the selection of Gerald Brent Collins as the 2017 Joe Magnan Alumnus of the Year. Collins, a Tattnall Traveler, was a 1997 honor graduate of TSA who served on the Beta Club and received the Ruby Jo Argo Humanitarian Award as well as the 1996 Football Scholar Athlete Award. Today, Brent has built a flourishing career in the field of finance and real estate. He currently serves as Senior Vice President at State Bank & Trust Company.
Throughout his time as a Tattnall Trojan, Brent exhibited the characteristics that would later serve him well as a leader in the Middle Georgia community. After leaving TSA for Athens, Collins accidentally discovered a passion for real estate that would eventually help shape his future career. “I always enjoyed working with numbers and was interested in business, so I thought finance would be a good fit for me. I picked up a real estate class as an elective thinking one day I’d buy a house and the class would serve me well. I ended up enjoying the class so much that I took every real estate class offered by UGA and added it as a second major,” recalled Collins.
His passion is also what sets him apart in his field. Collins, who credits his talented teammates with his success, says he finds joy in working with his clients while hearing their plans and goals. “Each client and each deal is different, so with each one comes a new challenge. It’s truly fulfilling to find a solution that marries the goals of the bank and the client,” stated Collins.
Alongside his passion for career and family, Collins has developed a heart for service in our local community. Brent, who was a member of the Leadership Macon Class of 2015, finds joy coaching for Tattnall’s Youth Football League as well as Vine Ingle Little League where he serves as a board member. Collins also serves on the Board of Directors for Rebuilding Macon but says Vine Ingle holds a special place in his heart. “I played there for 10 years, and I have some wonderful memories of my time there. As a father, there is something special about watching your son play ball on the same field you did as a child. It’s incredibly rewarding to know you’re having a positive impact on a young person’s life. The lessons learned while being part of a team go well beyond baseball and will hopefully serve each player well in their personal and professional life,” remarked Collins.
Looking back on his time as a Trojan, Brent says some of his fondest memories were those spent with his best friends who are still in his life today. And while Collins says Tattnall prepared him to walk in to UGA without experiencing a learning curve, the lessons in character, ethics, and morals are what made a lasting impact on his life. “Students, faculty, and families are held to a high standard at TSA. It’s what attracted my parents to Tattnall, and it’s why my children attend today. The lessons learned in the classroom and on the field shaped who I am today. And for that, I am truly thankful,” described Collins.
Brent is married to Holly McMullen Collins and the couple has two children; Braxton (TSA Class of 2026) and Blair (TSA Class of 2031). Collins says he enjoys spending his down time watching his son play sports, keeping up with Georgia Bulldogs, and attending Tattnall sporting events.
Please help us in congratulating Gerald Brent Collins ‘97 on his selection as the Joe Magnan Alumnus of the Year. Brent will deliver the Alumni Address at Commencement for the Class of 2017 on May 22 at 7:00 p.m. at Ingleside Baptist Church.