walter reynolds
BY GRACE KEARNEY
As a fourth generation Central State Campus worker , Milledgeville native , business owner , Interim Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority , and city council member , Walter Reynolds , is a community changemaker .
From behind a desk , a camera or a power saw , Reynolds uses his passions and talents to promote growth and fruition in Milledgeville .
As a graduate of Baldwin County High School , Georgia Military College , and Georgia College & State University , his mission is to give back to his hometown .
“ I ’ ve never really been one to stop and enjoy a moment of success or reaching a new plateau because for me , it ’ s always been just keep going . This is not where you ’ re stopping , just keep going . I ’ m not stopping long enough to really appreciate this moment because I ’ ve got more work to do . I ’ m very pleased to be a small part of something great in this community ,” said Reynolds .
Reynolds operates Old Capitol Productions and Capital Ideas Consulting concurrently for the past 4 years . After 10 years in radio , Reynolds started Old Capitol Productions in 2012 and began full operation in 2017 . With services in social media management and content production , Old Capitol Productions has become an asset to showcasing the Milledgeville community . In 2018 , Reynolds created Capital Ideas Consulting , specializing in project management and management consulting . Reynolds has been assisting the redevelopment authority with general communications , media production and the Central State Campus Chapel Project .
As the Interim Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority , his job description just scratches the surface of his contributions . The Chapel Project required a big budget that the city simply did not have . Walter Reynolds uses his time to make these renovations , subtracting labor costs from the city . Doing physical renovations on the campus keeps his spark and passion alive for the campus ’ future .
His passion and roots run deep into the orchards of the Central State Campus . As a kid , he played in the orchards and went to Family days , Employee Appreciation days , etc .
“ My great grandfather was a cook . Both of my grandmother ’ s were nurses here . My great uncle was an official for the state hospital . My parents worked in the Department of Corrections here before all prisons here were shut down . We ’ re really closely tied to this campus . I know what this place used to look like , and how important it always has been to this community .”
As the state has neglected to thoroughly care for this property , Reynolds and the community wish to see it the way they remember it not too long ago , thriving and flourishing . “ What motivates me to get up every day is knowing that I ’ m doing everything I can to make a difference and bring revitalization to this campus and put this property back to work with our own people .”
When asked what keeps him in Milledgeville , Reynolds said : “ All the people that I love and care about are right here . All of the organizations that have been a part of making me who I am , are here . I feel it ’ s my duty and my obligation to give back to a community that has helped make me who I am .”
As a graduate of the first endorsed Fine Arts Program class at Baldwin High School , Reynolds builds theatre sets , helps with sound effects and lighting , and other miscellaneous tasks to give back to those who shaped him . Mark Weaver , Baldwin Highschool ’ s Tech and Fine Arts Coordinator , put large responsibilities on Reynolds as a freshman in highschool that today , empowers him to mentor his own interns the same way . This philosophy is also lived out through Reynolds ’ participation as an announcer for the local band program , which he used to participate as a student in . Clint Rayburn , Reynolds former band director for four years in highschool , projected ideals of excellence in performance and in community service . Rayburn had a substantial impact on the community , as well as Walter Reynolds .
“ From the beginning , Walter has been very encouraging in my early career in filmmaking . He has empowered me and given me real clients in Milledgeville to expand my portfolio ,” said Anna Rogers , Old Capitol Productions Intern .
32 Milledgeville Scene | 20 Under 40 2022