At a meeting held on July 16, the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners heard from county employees participating in the 2024 Management Development Program from the UGA Carl Vinson Institute for Government.
This program, which began its second cohort in February 2024, brings together roughly 19 employees from a cross section of county departments for a year-long series of classes and service projects.
Dal Cannady, the Communications Director for the Board and a member of this year's cohort, highlighted the ongoing success of the program. Part of the course involves a group service project, and this year, the participants chose to repair and refurbish the stairs, ramp, and porch at The Teal House, as well as build planter boxes for Open Hearts Community Mission.
The employees secured all materials for these projects themselves without using any county funds.
This program aims to develop future leaders and enhance the county's capacity for effective governance. The participants meet 20 times from February to October, discussing and selecting feasible service projects that have a meaningful impact on the community.
The inaugural class in 2022 set a high standard with projects such as exterior work at Safe Haven and constructing a basketball court and outdoor slab for a residential area.
This year's cohort continued the tradition of impactful service. Their dedication was evident as they identified local nonprofits with pressing needs and determined how best to contribute their time and skills. The gratitude expressed by the leaders of The Teal House and Open Hearts Community Mission reinforced the significance of their efforts.
At the meeting, the county employees involved in the program presented their projects to the Board of Commissioners. They shared their experiences and the impact of their work on both the agencies they assisted and their own professional development.
Cannady emphasized the program's broader benefits, noting how it helps to cultivate the next generation of county leaders and enhances the community's overall well-being. He said the cohort was thankful to have representatives from The Teal House and Open Hearts join them for the presentation to the Commissioners.
"It meant so much to us that they would take the time to be there," Cannady said.
Reflecting on the success of previous projects, this year's cohort approached their service projects with the same enthusiasm. The day before the presentation, they showcased their plans and progress to county administrators, who were impressed enough, and believed it pertinent enough, to bring the projects in front of the commissioners the very next day.
The selection process for the program is rigorous, with employees either applying or being nominated. This ensures a diverse mix of participants from various county departments, including administration, public works, and public safety, highlighting its importance for leadership development and succession planning within the county.
As Cannady aptly summarized, "In county government, at a local level, it’s about people – your cousins' neighbors and your neighbors' cousins. This program helps our staff learn how to better serve, and the projects remind us that we are serving our neighbors. That's why we do this."
The members of MDP Cohort II (2024) include:
- Amanda Anderson
- Howley Terrero
- Myah Freeman
- Venus Mincey-White
- Stephen Mixon
- Jana Shaw
- Tammie Smith
- Brian Hendrix
- Ryan Jones
- Kristie King
- Jason Gammon
- Joe Carter
- Darryl Hopkins
- Justin Franklin
- Dal Cannady
- Allen Ryles
- Troy Cothren
- Donna Johnson
The next class is set to begin in February 2026, continuing the tradition of service and leadership development that has already made a lasting impact on Bulloch County.
