Wesley Walraven

Wes Walraven moved to Floyd County in 1970 at the age of 8 when his family relocated the area. His father Wesley C. Walraven was the founding Academic Dean of Georgia Highlands College.
Wes graduated Pepperell High School in 1980 and received a BBA in Finance from the University of Georgia in 1983 and a Master of Management Studies from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Chicago.

He returned to make Rome his primary residence in 2011 and has focused his philanthropic efforts to many worthwhile causes in the area including:
• Responsible the fundraising campaign for the Fairview School project and the restoration campaign for the Vann Cabin in Cave Spring.
• Founded the Walraven Family Scholarship at Georgia Highlands College. To date, the scholarship has provided full tuition to over 25 Pepperell High School graduates pursuing an Associate of Arts degree at GHC.
• Provided financial support to the Desoto Theatre, the Foundation Camp at Georgia Highlands College, Chieftains Museum, Rome Symphony Orchestra, Rome Area Heritage Foundation, Berry College’s McAllister Hall Animal Science Building, Oak Hill & The Martha Berry Museum, The Davies Shelters, Open Door Home, AIDS Resource Council of Rome, Darlington School, Rome Area Council for the Arts, Coosa River Basin Initiative and the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Georgia
• Currently serves on the Board of Trustees of The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
• Restored five houses in the Rome’s historic “Between the Rivers” district and two in historic Cave Spring
• Hosted charity events in support of numerous Rome and Floyd County organizations

Nominators: “Wes has provided support to many members of the local community as they faced financial hardship often arising as a result of medical or addiction related issues.”