Mayor Kelly Girtz has announced that Robert (Bob) Cowell, Jr. is the finalist for the position of Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) Manager, following a nationwide recruitment process. The selection involved interviews, tours, and meetings held earlier this month.
According to the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government website, Cowell has over 30 years of experience in city and county management. He previously served as City Manager for Roanoke, Virginia, and has held other leadership roles in various municipalities. He holds a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics from St. Louis University.
The search for the new manager was conducted in partnership with Strategic Government Resources (SGR), and reviewed about 50 applications from candidates across 17 states and two countries. The process included written questionnaires, recorded interviews, and community engagement with four finalists.
Cowell is scheduled to begin work on July 28, pending formal approval by the Athens-Clarke County Commission during a Special Called Session on July 15.
