Josh Hawkins, who was appointed County Capital Project Manager by Athens-Clarke County Manager Blaine Williams, has a new job. Hawkins, who has worked as the county treasurer for Oglethorpe County, will begin work in Athens on May 26.
From the Athens Clark government website…
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government Manager Blaine Williams has named Josh Hawkins as the new capital project manager. He will assume office on May 26th.
“We are excited to welcome Josh to the ACCGov team as Capital Projects Manager,” said Williams. “His professional life experience and knowledge of local government make him well suited for this complex responsibility of coordinating capital projects programs and ultimately connecting our many departments. will benefit greatly from his forward-thinking and commitment to public service.”
Mr. Hawkins most recently spent more than 10 years in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, in positions including Finance Director, Technology Director, Planning Director, and County Administrator. In this role, he managed a $10 million general fund while overseeing capital projects such as roadway infrastructure, E-911 systems, public safety vehicles, land acquisition, technology systems, and facility improvements.
Hawkins organized four successful sales tax referendums in Oglethorpe County. He actively managed and executed the 2017 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax and his 2018 Transportation SPLOST programs to completion, as well as his 2022 SPLOST and his 2023 T- SPLOST is ongoing.
“I am grateful for this opportunity to serve Athens-Clarke County and its residents,” Hawkins said. “I look forward to joining an already talented and cohesive management team. Together, we will deliver capital projects with the highest level of accountability and deliver results that make our communities proud.” I will continue to do so.”
Hawkins is also an Army veteran. After he graduated from Point West in 2003, he served as an Army Aviation Officer and a Black Hawk helicopter pilot for his helicopter for seven years. During his service, he also held roles in aircraft maintenance, aviation missions, and global logistics. In addition to his Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy, Hawkins earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Georgia.
Generally, capital projects are projects that aim to construct new facilities, including buildings and infrastructure, or make significant long-term renewal improvements to existing facilities.
The ACCGov Capital Projects Administrator position was created in 2020 to oversee and coordinate the SPLOST 2020 project and other ACCGov Capital Projects. This position coordinates efforts, schedules, budgets, procurement, and resident engagement while improving communication between departments.
Jacobs, the contract project management firm, will continue to provide program management services for the SPLOST and TSPLOST projects under the supervision of the Capital Projects Administrator.
Hawkins will fill the position left vacant by the resignation of Robert Cheshire in May 2023.
“Steven Bailey, Director of Transportation and Public Works; Joseph D’Angelo, Chief Data Officer; and SPLOST, for taking on additional responsibilities to ensure the continued operation of our capital projects program during this interim period. I would like to thank our program manager, Keith Saunders, for delivering on time and to the high quality we expected.'' said Williams.
