Robert “Bob” Cowell was named the new manager of Athens-Clarke County by the Mayor and Commission on Tuesday night.
Dexter Fisher, who represents District 5 on the Commission, was one of three commissioners who helped select Cowell from a field of 50 candidates. He said at the meeting that he is confident in the body’s choice.
“We need to hit the ground running, support him, and do the people’s work that we were elected to do,” Fisher said.
Commissioner Stephanie Johnson of District 6 was the only commissioner to vote against Cowell’s appointment. Commissioner Ovita Thornton, who represents District 9, abstained. Both said they objected to the lack of transparency in the process that selected him.
“We have other communities that are actually opening up this process to our residents. And that’s what I heard the most in my email responses, ‘Why couldn’t we meet him?’” Commissioner Johnson said.
Cowell was the city manager of Roanoke, Virginia, until 2024. Two former employees are engaged in ongoing lawsuits against him.
District 8 Commissioner Carol Myers, who also helped select Cowell, said she doesn’t think the ongoing litigation will pose a risk to the county or Cowell’s abilities in the new role. “I had people tell me how impressed they were about his honesty, his humility, and his confidence about it at the same time,” she said.
As manager, Cowell will be in charge of the day-to-day operations of the county government.
