Meet Jerry and Brett Bowen! They are the owners of Boretec Fabricators in Pendergrass. Boretec Fabricators is a mobile, heavy equipment welding and mechanic company. Almost four years ago, the Bowen family were having a graduation party for Kristen (the youngest Bowen child), Brett handed Jerry an envelope and when Jerry opened the envelope, there was $1,500 and a note that said, “You have always believed in us. It’s time to believe in yourself. Buy the welder.”
Jerry had worked at a John Deere dealership as a mechanic but had always wanted to own his own business. Jerry had many reasons to be hesitant about going out on his own, but all of them went away when Brett saved his money and gave it to his dad to buy their first welder. There was no way he could say “no.” Three and a half years later, Jerry and Brett haven’t looked back, and their family business is going strong.
We want to thank Jerry and Brett for telling us a little about themselves and what makes them feel our community the best place to live.
Question: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Answer: “Jerry has been married for 26 years to his wife, Dee, and they have three children: Matt (his wife is Lindsey, and they have a child named M.J.), Brett (part owner of the business), and Kristen. Jerry moved to Jackson County when he was 6 years old and has lived here since. Brett has lived in Jackson County his entire life.”
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Jerry: “I like working with Brett and family. This is the most valuable part of my job.”
Brett: “I feel like I’m learning something new from my dad every day. My dad has been coaching me my whole life, and he’s still coaching me.”
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Jerry: “Braselton Brewery, Beef O’ Brady’s, and Talmo Grill.”
Brett: “Talmo Grill and El Centinela.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Jerry: “Janice Mangum, the Sheriff of Jackson County.”
Brett: “Brian Vance, former JCCHS Baseball Coach.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Jerry: “Alaska to see the Northern Lights.”
Brett: “Montana to go hunting and fishing.”
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Jerry: “‘The Longest Yard.'”
Brett: “‘Step Brothers.'”
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Jerry: “Treat people the way you would like to be treated. This is a lost art.”
Brett: “Get after it every day. Wake up with a purpose.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Jerry and Brett: “Elk Hunting.”
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Jerry: “Tyler Childers.”
Brett: “Steel Drivers.”
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Jerry: “Katherine’s Kitchen and Mitchell Hardware.”
Brett: “Wayne Poultry.”
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Jerry: “Hank Williams, Jr. He would like to hear the story of Hank Jr.’s life from him.”
Brett: “Mike Trout. He seems to be a down to earth baseball player, and we would go to a steakhouse.”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Jerry: “As big as we are, people still know each other. It’s harder now, which comes with growing pains.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years?
Jerry: The business growing and having more time with family.
Brett: “Having a few more trucks in the road with their business.”
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Jerry: “I had a chance to play college football at Gardner-Webb University.”
Brett: “I love cooking.”
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Jerry: “Aruba.”
Brett: “Our hunting land in Kentucky.”
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Jerry: “October; Christmas; 4th of July.”
Brett: “November; Thanksgiving; 4th of July.”
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Jerry: “My marriage.”
Brett: “The Georgia Bulldawgs.”
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Jerry and Brett: “Jerry Bowen, Sr. (Jerry’s father and Brett’s grandfather).”
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Jerry: “Gardenias and the salt air.”
Brett: “Seafood boil and racing fuel (races and monster trucks).”
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Jerry: “Busy; Comforting; Loving.”
Brett: “Good food; loving; no matter where you are, you can always come home.”
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