Jonathan Pitts is a man of faith and commitment, and he largely credits his parents with his convictions.
Pitts is the son of Alfred and Vivian Pitts, and he said both parents have helped shape his life. His father served on the Jones County Board of Education for 16 years, retiring from that position in 2024.
“He had a great influence on me,” Pitts said. “He was my first role model, coach, leader, all those rolled up in one.”
Pitts shared that his mother used a little ‘trickery’ on him as a youngster.
“She was another great influence. I speak a lot about God, and my mom was one of the leading factors of me going to church. I tell people about a joke coming up as a kid. My mom promised if I went to church on the first and third Sunday, I did not have to go on the second and fourth. As a kid, I didn’t understand church was at that time only held on the first and third Sunday. So I felt like that was a good deal.
“So from there, she brought me up in the church, going to Sunday school, different activities in the church. So that’s where I got a good solid foundation, and it’s actually just a Bible verse. ‘Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he’s old, he won’t depart from it.’
“That’s what she was doing with me — both my parents — but my mom kind of led the way. She was doing that when I was a little child, me not understanding the benefits I would have later.”
Those ‘benefits’ later include his wife of 25 years come March 31, Keisha, and children, Makinzee, 19, and Jackson, 11.
Pitts, now 50, landed his first job within a month after graduating in 1998 from Valdosta State University, where he obtained his degree in Health Fitness with a concentration in health promotion and wellness. He pursued that field at Work Horizons in Macon.
“I needed a job with benefits,” he said. “Work Horizons got my foot in the door, to get my first job.” The company was purchased twice, and the name changed, but nothing else, Pitts pointed out. “Not knowing I was going to be there a total of almost 28 years now, but I ran into some really good people that served as great mentors and great coaches for me and just never left.
“They invested in me, and you hear that saying, ‘the grass is always greener on the other side.’ But, somebody has to cut the grass right? So, they treated me well. I am a loyal guy,” he declared. “If people are willing to work together and going to be fair, then I am willing to hang in there. They’ve invested in me, and there’s been some positive returns over the years.”
The name of the company now is Piedmont Occupational Medicine, and Pitts serves as Director of Client Relations.
“I am a client liaison between all of the clients that utilize Piedmont Occupational Medicine for their occupational medicine services,” Pitts shared. “Along with Piedmont Occupational Medicine, I serve as a liaison for Piedmont Urgent Care. I am doing sales and marketing client relations for the clients that we represent throughout Middle Georgia.”
Pitts has always been active in various community efforts and organizations, including in years past the Central Georgia chapter of the American Red Cross, Central Georgia Joint Development Authority, Gray Station Better Hometown, Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce, and the community-based group, People Looking Ahead Now (PLAN).
When District 2 County Commissioner Chap Nelson opted not to run again in 2012, Pitts decided to become even more involved and put his name on the ballot.
“I saw it as an opportunity to have a greater impact in Gray and Jones County,” he explained. “So I threw my hat in the ring and, thank God, I was elected.”
Pitts served as a commissioner 2013-2020, and he discussed some of the board’s accomplishments during his two terms.
“We were able to complete the Highway 18 Recreation Center,” he began. “During that period, we came up with a policy to allow businesses to put names on different county buildings and facilities.” That policy led to Morris Bank purchasing the rights to the recreation center and Piedmont Animal Hospital helping fund a dog park at the Government Center.
“We put a track at the Government Center, a passive park for people to walk,” Pitts continued. “And, we did the first Telemedicine Veterans Room in the state at the Health Department. It was an opportunity for veterans that couldn’t get to Dublin. They could go to the health department and get on a monitor and actually see a doctor in Dublin and discuss some of the healthcare issues.”
The county commissioner did not let his additional duties take away from his commitment to community service. In addition to those he was already supporting, Pitts began working with another volunteer organization, JACOR.
Pitts said it was around 2012 that he became involved in the Jones Area Council on Relief, and he is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors. The non-profit 501(c)3 organization was formed in 2005 by Jones County resident Jeff Terry. JACOR’s website describes the Foundation as ‘An organization working to educate and bring awareness to financial literacy.’
“It was designed for churches to assist families with their needs,” Pitts explained. “It was started to help families in Jones County, but now, if opportunities arise in the Middle Georgia area, we want to help others.”
Pitts commented that JACOR actively works to empower youths and partners with other non-profit and civic groups to reach as many youngsters as possible. He cited one example.
“The JACOR foundation is currently working with an organization out of Macon, B Fresh Academy. B Fresh and JACOR are excited to partner in encouraging, empowering, and exposing our youth to make wise life choices.”
Pitts indicated that the two groups are focusing on five areas this year: personality assessment, financial literacy, etiquette, professional dress, and golf skills.
As to the focus on golf, Pitts said JACOR and B Fresh Academy are jointly promoting First Tee-Middle Georgia.
“That’s with us partnering with the First Tee organization to learn about character, sportsmanship, integrity, independence, and also some of the networking benefits of the game of golf. And it’s something that you can play for a lifetime.”
Pitts faced John Wood in his first and second County Commission re-election bids. He lost the second go-around, and his reasoning reflects his philosophy on life.
“I like to tell people that the truth is, it was God’s plan. I told people close to me that I couldn’t lose that race. I said, ‘Either God wanted me to continue to serve in that role, or He had other plans for me.’
And it’s just that He had other plans for me.
“The commission was great,” Pitts reflected, “but God always knows what’s best. So I don’t have any regrets from that experience. I also tell people it was a season. We have different seasons in life.
It was just a great season while I was there. We got a lot accomplished.”
And, move on Pitts has. He is clearly busy outside the workplace. In addition to his continuing efforts with JACOR, other positions he holds now include Chairman of Tri-County EMC Operation Roundup and a member of Board of Directors of Robins Financial Credit Union, Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, and Community Foundation of Central Georgia.
One entity in which Pitts is involved is a little less business-related and a lot more fun-oriented.
“In 2025, I was presented with the opportunity to become a partner with the Macon Bacon, collegiate summer league baseball, members of the Coastal Plain League,” he shared. “The team was founded in 2018. We’re going into our eighth season.
“I enjoy baseball, and this was a great opportunity to be a part of an organization that is loved by Middle Georgia families. It’s a fun league, with great baseball, and, as a bonus, you may see future major league baseball players in Macon.”
Pitts pondered his future and concluded he doesn’t have the answer.
“It’s all in God’s hands,” he declared. “Because if you were to ask me 20 years ago, would I see myself serving as a commissioner, I would probably tell you no.
Would you tell me I’d see myself working for one company for almost 28 years? I would say no. So, it just depends on what the good Lord has in store for me.”
