Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) Manager Blaine Williams has named Roderick Wallace as the new Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department Director. His first day in the position will be February 13, 2023. 

"I’m excited for Roderick to join ACCGov’s management team as the new HCD department director," said Williams. "He has a wealth of experience related to housing development, planning, and neighborhood revitalization that will serve HCD’s mission and our partners extremely well. I look forward to introducing him to the Athens-Clarke community."

Wallace has served as the Director of Community Development and Neighborhood Revitalization for Atlanta Housing since 2018. In this role, he has provided leadership over a diverse portfolio of housing development projects, including new construction, reactivation of commercial corridors, acquisitions, and dispositions of real estate assets.  

"I am honored and humbled to have been selected to join the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government leadership team during this exciting and pivotal time for transformational community and housing development," said Wallace. "I look forward to integrating the full scope of my expertise to positively impact the operations at the Housing and Community Development Department and build mutually beneficial stakeholder partnerships that expand options for our community."

Prior to his time with Atlanta Housing, Wallace served as the Division Director and Assistant Director for the Policy, Planning, and Development Department for the City of East Orange, New Jersey over a two-year period. He also served as the Executive Director for Development and Director of Public/Private Partnerships for the DeKalb Enterprise Alliance in Decatur, GA. 

Wallace holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Southern Illinois University and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Technology Management through the University of Phoenix. 

He holds an Economic Development Certification, an APM Master of Project Management Certification, and an Emergency Preparedness Certification. 

Central Services Director Andrew Saunders has served as Interim HCD Director since April 2022 while a national search was conducted for a permanent director after the former director resigned for a position with the City of Atlanta. Saunders will return to his role as Central Services Department Director as of February 13, 2023.  

"We owe a debt of gratitude to Andrew for his excellent leadership in guiding this vital department during this time of transition," said Williams. 

HCD’s mission is to provide funding for the creation and rehabilitation of affordable housing, to foster and coordinate services for disadvantaged populations, and to promote economic mobility among residents of Athens-Clarke County. 

For more information on the Athens-Clarke County Housing and Community Development Department, visit www.accgov.com/hcd or call 706-613-3155.