John Heard was elected to the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners in November 2010. John has a long history in public service and as a community volunteer:

Former three-term Georgia State Representative -Special Appropriations Committee, Past Chairman -Energy Independence Committee, Past Chairman Forest Hills Homeowners Association, Past President Lake Lanier Association, Board of Directors Lawrenceville Downtown Development Authority, Board of Directors (1993 to present) Kiwanis Club Rotary International

John grew up on a farm in Lathemtown, Georgia, on the Forsyth-Cherokee County line. He attended Young Harris College and Southern Technical Institute where he received a degree in architectural engineering. He has been a resident of Lawrenceville for over 30 years and is currently a practicing architect who owns his own firm and specializes in designing safe schools, safe hotels, and award-winning offices. John has been married to his wife, Debbie, a Brenau University graduate, for 30 years. They have two daughters: Jill, an attorney, and Leigh, a student at Greater Atlanta Christian School.