Suzanne Holtkamp and Sammy Baker join the podcast for one of the most revealing conversations yet about Matthew Holtkamp, local politics, and the real story behind the last four years in Gwinnett.

Suzanne shares the journey from building Holtkamp Heating & Air alongside Matthew to serving the community through arts, nonprofits, church leadership, and local initiatives that helped shape Gwinnett’s growth. Sammy Baker talks about recruiting Matthew into politics in the first place, the challenges behind the scenes, and why he believed Matthew was the right person for the job.

Together, they set the record straight on the accomplishments, the criticism, the political drama, and the reason Matthew is running for another four years.

This episode goes beyond campaign talking points. It’s the personal story of how it all started, what was actually accomplished, and what comes next for Gwinnett County.

Topics include:

• The real origin story behind Matthew entering politics

• What was accomplished during the last four years

• Growth, infrastructure, and the future of Gwinnett

• The political tension and public criticism surrounding leadership today

• Why Suzanne and Sammy believe the work isn’t finished yet

Rare insight. Real history. Full context.

This is a “how it actually works” episode.

In a time when it’s easy to turn every local decision into a political argument, we wanted to slow it down and walk through the real process behind the scenes—how decisions actually get made in Gwinnett County.

Joined by District 4 Planning Commission appointees Buzz Brockway and Chris Franklin, along with Matthew Holtkamp, we break down the role of the Gwinnett County Planning Commission—what they do, how items are reviewed, and how recommendations move forward.

This isn’t about what people think is happening. It’s about what is happening.

We cover:

How Planning Commission appointments work

How zoning and development decisions are reviewed

And where citizens actually have a voice in the process

The reality is simple: every Planning Commissioner is responsible for every item that comes before them—regardless of where it is in the county. District appointees work together to divide and review items within their area, while the at-large commissioner focuses on issues that impact Gwinnett as a whole.

Most people don’t realize how accessible this process really is.

You can show up.

You can speak.

You can be involved.

This episode is about understanding the system—not reacting to it.

Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen to a brand new podcast brought to you by MatthewforGwinnett.com This is 4WRD with Matthew Holtkamp. Join us each month as we bring you conversations with the people that are moving Gwinnett Forward. Today on the show, we get to know more about Matthew himself. How he first came to Gwinnett. How he started a business here. Found love. Raised a family. And eventually became the last republican commissioner left in Gwinnett County! So... perk up! Grab a coffee... maybe a bagel. And listen to this episode of FORWARD.... with your host... Matthew Holtkamp!

Today we start just a little different, with a guest host, Nathaniel Thomas McGill, president of 13 Oaks Creative Studio located in Old Town Dacula, Georgia. In a county that’s changing fast,

leadership matters.

Vision matters.

Conviction matters.

And that’s exactly what this conversation is about.