Forsyth County Chamber Hosts Leadership Lab Featuring Sheriff Ron Freeman

Sheriff Ron Freeman stepped out from behind his badge Thursday and into a room of Forsyth County business professionals, delivering what attendees called a session packed with "many words of wisdom" on leadership, resilience, and the long road to the county's top law enforcement post.

The Forsyth County Chamber hosted the Leadership Lab as part of its regular professional-development and civic engagement programming, a series built around practical training, networking, and leadership skill-building for local professionals. Leibel Law served as the presenting sponsor for the March 26 session.

Freeman has been in law enforcement for over 32 years, beginning his career right at the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office in 1987. He holds a Master of Public Administration and has attended executive training programs including the 197th session of the FBI National Academy and the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College. That career arc, from a deputy working in Cumming to the county's elected sheriff, gave the Leadership Lab session a distinctly local texture, with Freeman drawing on personal stories alongside practical advice on leading through adversity.

The chamber described the session as offering "a behind-the-badge look at what it takes to serve and lead," with Freeman sharing insights on leadership, resilience, and his journey to becoming sheriff. Attendees left "inspired and equipped with valuable takeaways they can apply in their own leadership paths," according to the chamber's recap of the event. Reactions on social media reflected the tone: Charles Emert, CPA of Warren Averett called it "a great one," while a representative from The Place noted "a great session with many words of wisdom."

Freeman has been with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office since December of 1987 and was elected to the position in 2016. He formerly served as deputy chief and later chief of detectives, as well as precinct commander, accumulating more than 31 years of total law enforcement experience. That institutional depth gives his leadership perspective a credibility that few chamber speakers can match: every lesson on accountability, resilience, or organizational culture comes anchored in the reality of running one of Georgia's larger sheriff's offices in one of the nation's fastest-growing counties.

The Forsyth County Chamber plans to hold additional Leadership Lab sessions, with future dates available through the chamber's registration portal for members and professionals interested in continuing the series.