Georgia County Government - October 2008 - (Page 63) Feature ACCG Adds to Field Staff Dave Wills W counties on site.” ebster County Chairman Dave Wills, who retires at the end of the year, will join the ACCG staff as a field representative beginning officially on Jan. 2, 2009. According to ACCG Executive Director Jerry Griffin, “The association leadership has recognized that while many of its activities require a presence in Atlanta working with state agencies and the legislature, or at its large meetings, there is a need in many of our counties for technical help within their counties.” Griffin continued, “Mike Stewart, who has served as Assistant Director for Administration, now spends most of his time visiting counties and assisting them with various issues. His efforts have clearly shown that there is a real need for additional experienced county leaders to be available to assist Dave Wills brings to the ACCG staff a unique set of skills that will be of value to all counties, but particularly to those small, rural counties that must constantly seek new ways to serve their citizens with a tax base that is largely property based. Commissioner Wills is a Peach County native who attended school in Fort Valley, where he developed a lifelong interest in agriculture. As an 18-year-old member of the Future Farmers of America, he became a professional farmer as a young adult. As a working farmer, he attended Georgia Southwestern State University and earned his bachelor’s of science degree in political science, and subsequently earned a master’s degree in public administration from Valdosta State University. Wills’ interest in local politics preceded his academic pursuits, however. In 1990, a multi-member county commission was formed in Webster County following an order from a federal court to settle a lawsuit alleging the disenfranchisement of minority voters under the county’s sole-commissioner form of government. Wills sought election to a district seat, winning and serving at two-year term. His bid to defeat the county chairman in 1992 was unsuccessful, but in January 1997 he won the post and continued as county Chairman until 2007, winning two successive races and leading the successful consolidation effort in his county. Dave also served four years on the ACCG Board of Managers. Dave has long recognized the value of regional cooperation and he had been a strong member and chairman of his Regional Development Center. As such, he represented his RDC in its consolidation with the adjoining RDC this year. Said ACCG Director Griffi n, “the change made this year to transform RDC’s to Regional Councils with additional service delivery powers should provide an avenue for many of our smaller rural counties to come together to bring added efficiencies to the provision of services to their citizens. Dave’s experience in leading a small county as well as his leadership of a regional organization gives him a unique skill set that can be shared with others around the state.” While no longer actively involved in agriculture, Wills maintains a strong interest in agriculture as well as an understanding of the agricultural economy. Wills and his wife, who have two grown children and one grandchild, live on the family farm. Dave and his family belong to Preston Baptist Church, where he serves in several capacities. In his spare time, Wills is an avid reader and outdoorsman. ■ OCTOBER 2008 www.accg.org 63 http://www.accg.org
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