Acting Manager Niki Jones has named Andrew Saunders as Interim Assistant Manager for the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov). Saunders currently serves as the Central Services Director and will assume the Interim Assistant Manager position as of July 22, 2024. 

“Andrew has a tremendous amount of experience working in several different departments across ACCGov that provide both internal and external services,” said Jones. “This unique perspective makes him an excellent person to fill the Interim Assistant Manager position. I look forward to him joining the Manager’s Office during this transitional period as each of our departments continue to provide high quality services to the community.” 

Saunders served as Interim Central Services Director in 2019-2020 before being named as permanent Central Services Director in April 2020. The department consists of the Facilities Management Division, which maintains ACCGov-owned property; the Fleet Management Division, which manages most ACCGov vehicles; the Landscape Management Division, which maintains grounds and landscapes at ACCGov facilities and roadways; and Internal Support, which provides services for departments such as mailing, printing, parking, 800 MHz public safety communications, and telecommunications. The department also handles special event permitting, publication rack permitting, and downtown vending permits. 

Saunders served as Interim Housing and Community Development (HCD) Director during 2022-2023 before returning to his Central Services Director role in February 2023. He also previously served as the Sustainability Officer from 2017-2019 when the Sustainability Office launched as a division of the Manager’s Office and worked for 10 years in the Central Services Department as the Community Forestry Coordinator and as Environmental Coordinator. 

 “I’m honored to support ACCGov and our community in this new role,” says Saunders. “In my 17 years with ACCGov, I’ve been proud of our work to provide quality services, implement innovative programs, and create opportunities for others. I’ll continue to work diligently so our staff and departments can continue these efforts.”   

The open Assistant Manager position was formerly held by Josh Edwards, who resigned in March 2024 after being named County Manager for York County, SC. 

Jones, formerly the Deputy Manager, was named Acting Manager effective July 13, 2024, by the ACCGov Mayor and Commission after the resignation of former Manager Blaine Williams on June 5. A national search to fill the manager position is expected to take place later in 2024.  

Saunders will serve as Interim Assistant Manager until a permanent manager is named and conducts a search to fill the permanent Assistant Manager positions. James Alexander, the Central Services Assistant Director, will serve as the Interim Department Director during this period. 

The Manager’s Office is responsible for the implementation of all policies, programs, contracts, ordinances, and resolutions as approved and directed by the Mayor and Commission. The office performs the administrative functions of the government and oversees day-to-day operations of ACCGov. For more information, visit www.accgov.com/manager.