Athens Reporter

During a Special Called Session on Friday, June 14, Mayor Kelly Girtz named Niki Jones Acting Manager for the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) beginning July 13. The appointment follows the resignation of Manager Blaine Williams, whose last day in the position is July 12. The Acting Manager will assume the duties of the Manager until a permanent Manager is named to fill the position after a national search.

Jones has served as an Assistant Manager since joining ACCGov in May 2021. He was recently appointed Deputy Manager and has over 20 years of experience with local governments.

“Niki has proven himself to be an exceptional leader as an Assistant Manager and then Deputy Manager,” said Girtz. ”We are fortunate to have such capable staff members who are able to step in when needed, and I am fully confident that Niki will succeed in this important role.”

Prior to his time with ACCGov, Jones served as the Planning Director for the Town of Wendell, North Carolina. He worked for five years with the City of Raleigh, North Carolina; first with the Office of Economic Development as the Senior Business Assistance Manager and later as the Assistant Director of the Housing and Neighborhoods Department. Additionally, Jones worked with the cities of Greenville and Durham in North Carolina in the areas of planning, public works, and code enforcement.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to serve the residents of Athens-Clarke County in this capacity,” said Jones. "I look forward to continuing the great work ACCGov is doing for this community.”

Jones holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning and a Master of Public Administration from East Carolina University. Jones also graduated from the University of North Carolina’s Public Executive Leadership Academy and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute’s Certified Public Manager Program. Jones is a Certified Planner by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).