Athens-Clarke County Acting Manager Niki Jones has announced his resignation, effective January 17, 2025. Jones will take on the role of Assistant City Manager for Raleigh, North Carolina, starting January 21, 2025.
Jones is no stranger to Raleigh; he previously served as the Assistant Director of the Housing and Neighborhoods Department from 2016 to 2020. Reflecting on his time in Athens-Clarke County, Jones stated, "Athens-Clarke County is a unique, fantastic community that my family and I will greatly miss. I am thankful for not only the opportunities presented to me here in different roles in the Manager’s Office but also to the incredible ACCGov staff that I’ve had the fortune to work with in these positions."
Jones joined Athens-Clarke County as Assistant Manager in 2021 and was promoted to Deputy Manager in 2024. He became Acting Manager in July 2024 following Blaine Williams' resignation.
Mayor Kelly Girtz praised Jones's contributions: "Niki Jones has been an exemplary Deputy Manager and Interim Manager for Athens-Clarke County. He possesses an eye for detail, an awareness of public- and private-sector trends, and a clear but supportive management style. I will miss him enormously, but I am glad he will remain in local government in a great community like Raleigh, and that he, his wife, and their daughter will be close to their extended family. Most of all, I am glad for his friendship and wise counsel which will continue."
Mayor Girtz plans to recommend a candidate at the January 7, 2025 Regular Session meeting to serve as Acting Manager after Jones departs. A national search for a permanent manager is expected to begin early next year.
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