Athens-Clarke County has announced Niki Jones as its Acting Manager beginning July 13, following Manager Blaine Williams' resignation, slated for July 12. Announced during a Special Called Session on Friday, by Mayor Kelly Girtz, Jones will step into the role, carrying the managerial responsibilities until a final candidate is selected through a nationwide recruitment process to permanently fill the position.

Named by Mayor Girtz with confidence, Jones has climbed the ranks within ACCGov, having joined as an Assistant Manager in May 2021 and subsequently being appointed Deputy Manager. His track record of over 20 years in various local government roles apparently has readied him for the step up. "Niki has proven himself to be an exceptional leader as an Assistant Manager and then Deputy Manager," said Girtz in a statement. "We are fortunate to have such capable staff members who are able to step in when needed, and I am fully confident that Niki will succeed in this important role."

Before his tenure at ACCGov, Jones' resume consists of experience as Planning Director for the Town of Wendell, North Carolina, and a five-year stint working with the City of Raleigh in the Office of Economic Development and the Housing and Neighborhoods Department. In Durham and Greenville, his expertise was lent to roles in planning, public works, and code enforcement. With a solid foundation in urban and regional planning and public administration, Jones is geared up to take on the complexities of his new role in Athens-Clarke County.

Embracing the appointment, Jones expressed his commitment to the community, "It’s an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to serve the residents of Athens-Clarke County in this capacity," Jones told the ACCGov website. "I look forward to continuing the great work ACCGov is doing for this community." His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning and a Master of Public Administration from East Carolina University. Additionally, Jones has gone through the University of North Carolina’s Public Executive Leadership Academy and is a Certified Planner by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), apart from being a product of the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute’s Certified Public Manager Program.