About the Gateways Foundation

Established in 1999 under the visionary leadership of John Francis Flournoy, Sr., the mission of the Gateways Foundation is to provide funding and support for community aesthetics, improvement projects, and the protection and preservation of such projects.

Current Projects

These projects are dedicated to the beautification and maintenance of Columbus’ most-used roadways.

State Road 219 — River Road Roundabout

State Road 219 — River Road Roundabout

I-185, Exit 4 at Buena Vista Road
Fort Moore Gateway

Fort Moore Gateway
J.R. Allen Parkway & Bradley Park Drive

J.R. Allen Parkway & Bradley Park Drive

Completed Projects

  • I-185 — Macon Road

  • I-185 — Smith Road

  • J.R. Allen Parkway — I-185

  • J.R. Allen Parkway — Manchester Expressway

  • J.R. Allen Parkway — River Road

  • J.R. Allen Parkway — Second Avenue

  • JR Allen Parkway — Veterans Parkway

  • Manchester Expressway — Miller Road

  • Sam Wellborn Parkway

Leadership

  • John F. Flournoy, Sr.

    FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN

  • About John F. Flournoy, Sr.

    John F. Flournoy, Sr. has spent much of his life dedicated to strengthening and serving communities.

    A Columbus, Georgia native, he earned a B.S. from the University of North Carolina in Business Administration in 1962 and served as a fighter pilot in the United States Marine Corps. He has been awarded twelve air medals and the Navy Distinguished Flying Cross among other recognitions for his participation in the Southeast Asia conflict.

    He is most well-known in the region for his community-building endeavors, as the CEO of Flournoy Construction Company, Flournoy Development Company, and Flournoy Properties. Over the last 50+ years, he has been at the forefront of commercial, industrial, and residential property development in the southeast.

    However, service has always been at the core of his values. Notable contributions include serving for 50+ years on the Board of Directors for the Chattahoochee Valley Boys and Girls Club, past Chairman of the Georgia Area Council of Boys Clubs of America, and past Campaign Chairman for the United Way of Columbus.

    The Gateways Foundation stands as one of Flournoy’s most far-reaching service projects for the area. Anyone using Columbus’ major roadways can enjoy the natural beautification of our high-traffic areas, giving our residents a landscape of which they can be proud.

  • Cameron P. Bean

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • Sam M. Wellborn, III

    VICE CHAIRMAN & EXECUTIVE ADVISOR

  • Cindi Freeman

    SECRETARY

  • Gardiner Garrard

    TREASURER

  • Steve Butler

    DIRECTOR

  • Tom Flournoy

    DIRECTOR

Wondering how you can help?

Gateways Foundation continues to conceptualize and implement new beautification projects throughout our community. We are also dedicated to maintaining completed projects as needs arise. You can be a part of the story by donating to the current landscaping projects or the upkeep of the original Gateways Foundation projects.