ROME, GA, November 07, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- John L. Pillsbury has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Pillsbury has led a distinguished career of service and leadership throughout both his professional and civic life. Since his retirement in 2000, he has dedicated his time as a volunteer with a focus on community engagement and supporting local initiatives. In this capacity, he worked extensively with young people for 15 years as a community coach at Pepperell High School. He assisted a teacher by volunteering in the school, helping students prepare for adulthood and fostering positive educational environments. His outstanding contributions during this time saw him recognized by the Floyd County Board of Education.

During the years 1966-1968, Mr. Pillsbury worked at Agway as assistant manager of a farm supply center learning more about working with customers. From 1968 to 2000, Mr. Pillsbury served as a sales engineer and later a marketing manager at Georgia Power Company. In this role, he and his team coordinated preparatory work before the installation of equipment for commercial and industrial customers in the field, collaborating closely with architects, engineers and contractors to ensure project success. During his tenure, he also became a co-owner of a patent for demand control for heating and air conditioning equipment in 1979, reflecting his longstanding commitment to innovation within the industry.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Pillsbury gained valuable experience as a night desk clerk during college, at the Redwood Motel, where he developed interpersonal skills by interacting with guests from all walks of life. He was a camp counselor for an Easter Seals Camp one summer & later from 1968 to 1988, volunteered with the Easter Seal Organization in programs that supported individuals with disabilities. During this time, he served as vice president of the State Board of Directors from 1980 to 1984 as well as president from 1984 to 1986. His long dedication to service at Easter Seals was formally recognized by the State Board of Easter Seals.

Mr. Pillsbury's significant civic involvement extends to his membership with the Kiwanis Club of Rome, where he has demonstrated leadership in community service initiatives since 1992 and was on the board of directors from 2004 to 2009 and from 2012 to 2025. Additionally, he has served on the board of directors for the Rome Free Clinic since its start in 2003 and served on the Rome Redevelopment Agency since 2007, furthering efforts to improve urban development in his community. In earlier years he was active in the Rome Jaycees and Rome Toastmasters. Later he volunteered with the Rome Chamber of Commerce, Rome Downtown Development Authority, and the NW Chapter of the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers. While his children were in school, he and his wife were active in leading Parent Teacher Organizations. His commitment to faith-based service — which he began early in life as a youth fellowship member from 1956 to 1960 — is equally evident through his participation on the finance committee at his church.

In honor of his service, he received the Heart of the Community Award from the Heart of the Community Foundation in 2010. He was named Volunteer of the Year through the Business Partnership in Education Program in 2012. Among his achievements, Mr. Pillsbury co-chaired the construction of a memorial for East Rome High School in 2021— a monument located prominently in a shopping center — which stands as a testament to his dedication to preserving local history and fostering community pride. The memorial was suggested by his wife, Becky.

Mr. Pillsbury's academic background includes a Master of Business Administration from Berry College, earned in 1974, and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Vermont, completed in 1964. He worked in 1965 at Clemson University as a graduate research assistant, and published research, "Plastic Protectors on Tomato Plants". Growing up on his family's dairy farm — where he began working at the tender age of 10 — instilled in him a strong work ethic and resourcefulness that have guided his approach to challenges throughout his life.

Reflecting on his storied journey, Mr. Pillsbury attributes much of his success to the support of his wife, Becky, and his family as well as his upbringing on the farm, 4-H and youth fellowship. A strong advocate for civic responsibility, he encourages active participation in government through informed voting and local engagement and maintains that collective action within groups can achieve a far greater impact than individual efforts. He has used his farming background and made suggestions to young people, "plant lots of seeds and nourish them so they will continue to grow".

Outside of his extensive community service, Mr. Pillsbury has enjoyed swimming, boating, water skiing, visiting family, reading, watching tv, and traveling to experience different places and cultures. Happily married to Becky for 52 years, and a proud father of two sons and one daughter, he cherishes time spent with his family and looks forward to sharing his experiences with his seven grandchildren and twin great-granddaughters while continuing to lead an active and fulfilling life.

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