Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) Manager Bob Cowell has appointed James Alexander to serve as the Central Services Department Director as of September 28, 2026.  

Alexander has served as interim director of the department since former director Andrew Saunders was appointed interim assistant manager in July 2024. Alexander had previously served as assistant department director for the nine months leading up to the interim appointment. 

"In his time overseeing Central Services’ operations, James has proven to be an excellent leader focused on providing high-quality services to the community and our other departments," said Cowell. "I am confident that he will continue to innovate and strengthen the varied operations of the department while also supporting his employees to thrive." 

Prior to his work with ACCGov, Alexander worked with Goodwill of North Georgia from 2015 until 2023 in various roles including a C3 navigator, regional manager, and regional workforce services manager.

"I am honored to accept the opportunity to serve as Director of Central Services," said Alexander. "My goal is not simply to maintain what we have built, but to continue building a department that is more proactive, more connected, and better prepared for what comes next. I want Central Services to be known as a department that communicates clearly, plans intentionally, takes care of its people, and delivers dependable service to the departments, employees, and residents we support." 

Alexander has a master's degree in psychology from the University of Phoenix, a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Kentucky, and certification in design thinking from Cornell University. He is a current board member of the YWCO and the local Minority Non-Profit Business Association and previously served on the board of Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. 

The Athens-Clarke County Central Services 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. 

For more information about the Athens-Clarke County Central Services Department, visit www.accgov.com/centralservices.