BUFORD — On Aug. 27, 1975, Phillip Beard was elected to the Buford City Commission. Fifty years later, he remains at the helm, a rarity in public service and a milestone that underscores his role as one of the most influential figures in Buford’s transformation from a textile town to a thriving suburban community.
By charter, the commission chair also helms the Buford Board of Education. Beard assumed that role in 1979 and has never stepped aside. The result has been unusually stable leadership and a governance model that closely links city hall and the school system — a pairing that has defined Buford’s success.
From mill town to modern suburb
When Beard took office, Buford’s population stood at just over 3,500. Downtown reflected its textile roots, and the schools were modest in scope.
By the 1980s and 1990s, suburban expansion from Atlanta began to reach North Gwinnett. Interstate 85 and Lake Lanier drew families north, subdivisions spread quickly and Buford’s population surpassed 10,000. Today, more than 17,000 residents call Buford home…