News from your District 5 Commissioner

 678-513-5885 |  losemanson@forsythco.com

Commissioner Laura Semanson was re-elected to a second 4-year term in 2020 to represent District 5 on the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners through 2024. The 5 ^th District encompasses an eastern sweep of the county, including much of the Lake Lanier region. The 5 ^th District is home to over 50,000 residents and has a diverse mix of suburban, commercial, and even rural character areas. Ms. Semanson was appointed by the Board of Commissioners to serve as Secretary in 2017, Vice Chairperson in 2018, and Chairperson in both 2019 and 2020. She has served on a number of internal and external committees, including the County’s Water and Sewer, Finance, and Social Services committees, as well as the Lanier Joint Development Authority, Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, Atlanta Regional Transportation and Air Quality Committee, and Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District.

 Ms. Semanson is a graduate of the University of Florida. Go Gators! Her prior career experience focused on marketing and corporate communications management in the information technology sector. She is also a former small business owner. She brings her passion for clear and open communication to the role of commissioner, and strives to improve channels for citizen input in county government. A major focus for Ms. Semanson has been the creation of Forward Forsyth, the economic development partnership of the Chamber of Commerce, Forsyth County Government, the Development Authority of Forsyth County and the Forsyth County Education System to bring investment and jobs to the county. Other significant projects include the development of a design and branding standard for unincorporated Southeast Forsyth, and teaming with her District 1 colleague in the planning of the County’s future campus on Freedom Parkway.

  Since relocating to Forsyth County in 2001, Ms. Semanson has been active in the community, volunteering for various citizen organizations, coaching youth running and serving as an officer for her homeowners’ association. She and her husband David have three children – Ethan and Matthew, who attend college, and Natalie, a senior at Lambert High School. In her spare time, Ms. Semanson enjoys camping with her family in the north Georgia mountains, cheering for SEC football, and doting on the family’s French bulldogs, Gus and Millie.