The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) Mayor and Commission approved Mayor Kelly Girtz’s recommendation to appoint Judd Drake as the new Interim Manager at their Regular Session voting meeting on June 3, 2025.

Drake has served as ACCGov’s Attorney since July 2019. Prior to joining ACCGov, he worked for Macon-Bibb County as County Attorney and served as Interim County Manager during Macon-Bibb County’s search for a permanent manager.

He replaced Interim Manager Brad Griffin as of 8:00 AM on June 4, 2025. Griffin was named Interim Manager in January 2025 and was limited as to the length of time he could serve in the position as an ACCGov retiree from the Planning Department.

Drake will serve in the Interim Manager role until a permanent manager is named and will then resume his Attorney position. ACCGov Deputy Chief Attorney John Hawkins will serve as Interim Attorney during this time. A national search process began in early 2025 for a permanent manager who will be recommended to the Mayor and Commission for approval by Mayor Girtz.