Albany Herald

Pam McDonald-Garrett is the new co-owner of Brooks Furniture in Albany.

ALBANY — Pam McDonald-Garrett, a former banker and business executive, has become co-owner of Brooks Furniture in Albany.

McDonald-Garrett and Robert Brooks Jr. are the owners of the furniture store which anchors Brooks Plaza at Broad Avenue and Slappey Boulevard. The business was started by Bob Brooks, Robert’s father, who started the business more than four decades ago.

“I am honored to be joining the Brooks Furniture family,” said McDonald-Garrett. “The Brooks family has built a successful furniture business by concentrating on what matters most to customers — the very best customer service.

“We’ll continue to strive for customer loyalty through our exceptional values, and also with a focus on product and style as we introduce new furniture lines.”

McDonald-Garrett previously worked 15 years with SB&T, a Synovus affiliate, as a private banker and manager of sales. She also has worked as an educator and with the Georgia Department of Banking as a bank examiner.

Immediately before buying into Brooks Furniture, McDonald-Garrett was president of JLA Global, a multinational analytical and technical agricultural corporation in Albany.

She is a member of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, Albany Rotary Club and Junior league of Albany, of which she served as president in 2007. McDonald-Garrett also serves on the boards of Girl Talk and Lily Pad.

“We are delighted that Pam will be joining us in this role,” Brooks said. “Her proven executive leadership abilities combined with her strong financial background will be a valuable asset to our company.”

McDonald-Garrett earned an associates degree in journalism from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, bachelor’s degrees in English and accounting from Valdosta State University and a master’s in English from Georgia Southwestern State University.

Robert Brooks and McDonald-Garrett also announced that Brooks Furniture will undergo a total “revitalization” across their three-acre showroom in coming months. They also plan to add new product lines.