Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) Planning Director Brad Griffin has announced his retirement as of June 7, 2024. 

ACCGov Manager Blaine Williams has named Assistant Director Bruce Lonnee as interim director while a national search takes place to fill the position on a permanent basis. 

Griffin has served for 24 years as the Planning Department Director. A native of Warner Robins, Georgia, he interned in the Planning Department while attending the University of Georgia for graduate school. After initially returning to Warner Robins to work for a landscape design installation company after graduation, Griffin joined the Planning Department in 1992. 

"Brad will be sorely missed by staff, elected officials, and the community for his role in the growth and planning of this community since the 1990s," said Williams. "With his knowledge of the code and consistent pragmatism, Brad has guided others to help implement the community values of the code to influence the look and feel of this community for generations to come. He has truly left Athens-Clarke County in better condition than when he first started here."

Planning staff calculated that, during his tenure, Griffin was a direct part of managing of over 15,000 development permits and involved in positive community growth that increased the tax base by 250% and the population by 40,000 new residents. In his role, he has worked with 58 Planning Commission members, 106 Planning staff members, 41 Commissioners, and six Mayors. 

The Planning Department’s mission is to effectively manage community change in both the short and the long term with regard to land use, transportation, historic preservation, urban design and overall development in order to achieve a positive environment that is productive and beneficial to all residents of Athens-Clarke County. For more information, visit www.accgov.com/planning.