Coweta County Government

Coweta County is excited to announce the following internal promotions! Nic Burgess was promoted to serve as the Assistant Director of the 911/EMA Department as the county prepares for Assistant Director Arlene Whisenhunt’s upcoming retirement after 35 years. Burgess joined Coweta County in January 2020 as an EMA Coordinator after serving in public safety. He helped the county navigate through the pandemic and the EF-4 March 2021 tornado. In this new capacity, Burgess will help manage both the emergency management and 911 operations. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security and a Master of Science degree in Emergency Management from Jacksonville State University. Burgess received a certification from the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency on April 5, 2019, and is recognized as a Georgia Certified Emergency Manager. Machelle Hill was promoted to serve as the Coweta Public Library System Director effective August 1, 2025, following current Director Jimmy Bass’ retirement. Bass will retire after 35 years of service in public library systems. Hill joined Coweta County in 2008 as a Library Branch Manager and was promoted to Assistant Director in January 2022. She is incredibly passionate about improving the quality of life for our residents through the library system. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of West Georgia, graduating magna cum laude, and a Master of Science in Information Studies with a concentration in Reference/User Services and Children/Young Adult Services from Florida State University. Jeff Rogers was selected to serve as the Warden of the Coweta County Prison & Corrections Division. This recommendation will go before the Georgia Board of Corrections for final approval next month. Rogers is a 20-year veteran of public safety, working the entirety of his career with the Coweta County State Court Probation Office. He began as a Probation Officer in 2005, working his way up the ranks. He became the Assistant Chief Probation Officer in 2013 and then the Chief Probation Officer in 2019. Rogers previously served as chair of the Employee Advisory Committee (EAC) and is a dedicated leader. He is an active member of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Valdosta State University. “We are incredibly fortunate to have over 1,200 dedicated public servants who are passionate about serving our community,” shares Administrator Michael Fouts. “We sincerely appreciate the dedication of our long-tenured employees and celebrate their well-deserved retirements. As we look to the future, we are excited to welcome the next generation of leaders in Nic, Machelle and Jeff.” Join us in congratulating these employees on their retirements and promotions!

In celebration of Women's History Month, we want to honor a remarkable woman from Newnan whose impact on the community was profound and inspiring: the late Norma Louise Chapman Haynes. Norma was a trailblazer in public safety, making her mark in the 1980s as Coweta County's first female bailiff. The historic role ignited her passion for public safety and allowed her to build meaningful relationships with local public safety agencies. Norma went on to create the annual Public Safety Luncheon and establish the Newnan Coweta Public Safety Foundation. Both initiatives are dedicated to supporting individuals facing tough times. Due to Norma's unwavering commitment and compassion to these causes, she earned the beloved title "Mother of Public Safety,” as she called them all "her children." Norma's influence and contributions extended well beyond public safety. She was involved on several boards, including the Coweta Community Foundation, the Coweta County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Newnan Country Club and the Newnan Public Library. A notable figure in the Sesquicentennial Celebration for the City of Newnan, Norma also held the position as the past president of the Newnan Country Club Ladies Golf Association. Her love for the arts shone through her acting talent, as she received the Best Actress Award for three consecutive years with the Newnan Playmakers. In addition to her numerous achievements and community involvement, Norma led the Newnan Coweta Bulldog Club for many years, planning memorable team stopovers in Newnan for the Auburn games. Her dedication to the club was honored when she was named the Ole' Faithful Dawg during a 2016 UGA game. In 2015, Norma published her book, "Home Is Where My Heart Is," which captured cherished memories from her life in Newnan, a city she adored and called home throughout her life. In recognition of her contributions to the community, she was named Coweta County Citizen of the Year in 2022 and was an honoree for the Legacy on How to Serve award from Leading Age of Georgia. Norma is survived by several family members, including her daughter, Elizabeth Haynes Homer, who is a Coweta County Sheriff’s Office retiree. As we reflect on the incredible legacy Norma leaves behind, we extend our deepest condolences to Norma Haynes' family, friends and loved ones after her recent passing. May her memory continue to inspire and bring comfort to all who knew her.

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In honor of Women’s History Month, we continue highlighting another pivotal figure in American history, known for being an advocate for gender equality in sports – Billie Jean King. ? King is a legendary American former professional tennis player. She became one of the most influential figures in tennis history. King won a total of 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 singles championships. ? She is perhaps best known for her 1973 victory in the "Battle of the Sexes" match against Bobby Riggs, a former male champion who claimed he could defeat any female player. King won decisively in straight sets (6-4, 6-3), which was a cultural milestone that challenged gender stereotypes and promoted women’s equality in sports. ? King also played a significant role in founding the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). She fought vigorously for equal prize money, leading to significant changes in major tournaments. Her efforts paid off when the U.S. Open became the first Grand Slam to offer equal prize money to men and women in 1973. King was an active supporter of Title IX, the landmark legislation passed in 1972 prohibiting sex-based discrimination in federally funded education, which significantly increased women’s participation in sports at all levels. Beyond her tennis achievements, King has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and health issues, particularly in advocating for HIV/AIDS awareness. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. King’s legacy extends far beyond the court, as she has inspired many through her activism and dedication to equality in sports and society. ? To this day, King still advocates for equality and social change. She founded the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative to promote gender equity and empower women in various fields, including sports and business. She remains a sought-after speaker and consultant, continuing to advocate for her causes and inspire new generations of athletes. ? “A champion is afraid of losing. Everyone else is afraid of winning.” – Billie Jean King

?? Coweta County just wrapped up another successful Citizen Summit! ?? During this two-day event, more than 40 citizens participated in this exclusive opportunity to connect with our staff and learn more about County operations. Thank you to all the citizens who joined us, our staff who shared their time and knowledge, and the Coweta County School System for providing transportation. We truly appreciate it! Interested in participating in the next Citizen Summit? Keep an eye out for more details.

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Get to know Jessica Rogers, serving Coweta County for more than 3 years. Jessica is a Programs Coordinator for the Parks & Recreation (P&R) Department. Her responsibilities include planning and organizing the youth Junior Rippers Mountain Bike, Cheer and Tumble programs and all the P&R summer camps. In addition to her primary duties, Jessica oversees P&R marketing and manages their Facebook and Instagram social media pages. "I am also involved in organizing the annual Christmas at Madras event hosted by Parks & Recreation," says Jessica. "I handle everything from scheduling to decorating to ensure the event is festive and enjoyable for everyone." The P&R Department remains busy throughout the year, offering numerous youth athletic programs, arts and crafts workshops, special events, summer camps, fitness classes and more. In 2024, Jessica managed 39 summer camps, which she considers one of the proudest moments in her career. "This was my first time overseeing all the summer camps by myself," admits Jessica. "I'm incredibly proud of this achievement and excited to explore new camp ideas or expand existing ones to enhance what we offer to the community." One key factor Jessica believes is vital to her success is her proactive approach to planning. "I start my planning process in January," explains Jessica. "This process involves reaching out to various instructors, scheduling them throughout the year, reserving gym space for the camps and ensuring all necessary supplies are in place." Jessica says one of the most rewarding aspects of her job is witnessing the joy on the faces of children who participate in her programs. "It truly warms my heart to see a child enjoying themselves while learning a new skill," reflects Jessica. "Those moments remind me that I'm making a positive impact, providing engaging and enriching recreational experiences that keep families coming back." Join us in thanking Jessica for her hard work, passion and dedication. We also want to thank the entire Parks & Recreation Department for their commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Coweta residents!

March is Women’s History Month. It’s a time to honor and celebrate women’s extraordinary contributions to history, culture and society in the United States. To mark this occasion, we want to spotlight several notable women figures. One of these figures is Sara Blakely who is an influential American entrepreneur best recognized as the founder of Spanx, a successful shapewear and apparel company. The idea for Spanx came in 1998 when she cut the feet off her pantyhose to create a smoother silhouette under her clothes. This led her to develop a product specifically for women seeking comfort and support. Blakely invested $5,000 in personal savings to create her first prototype and sought manufacturers to bring her idea to life. In 2000, she launched Spanx, focusing on creating high-quality shapewear that would boost women's confidence. Unlike traditional marketing approaches, Blakely relied on word-of-mouth and grassroots campaigns. Her big break came when Spanx was featured on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in 2000, significantly increasing brand visibility and sales. By 2012, Spanx was valued at more than $1 billion, making Blakely one of the youngest self-made female billionaires, according to Forbes. Before starting Spanx, Blakely worked several jobs, including selling fax machines door-to-door, which taught her valuable sales skills. In addition to her business achievements, Blakely is known for her philanthropic efforts. She founded the Sara Blakely Foundation, which focuses on empowering women through education and entrepreneurship. She is also a prominent speaker and advocate for women's rights and empowerment. She also participates in initiatives like the "Spanx by Sara Blakely" program, which provides women with grants to jumpstart their businesses. Blakely has received numerous awards and accolades, including being named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People and being featured in Forbes lists, furthering her influence in the business world. In 2021, she was awarded the CNN Heroes award for her philanthropic efforts. “I did not have the most experience in the industry or the most money, but I cared the most.” – Sara Blakely

Imagine walking into your workplace and feeling like you're embarking on a rewarding career and not just clocking in. Picture yourself as part of a team that feels more like family, where your contributions are vital to a mission greater than yourself. That's the experience you will find at Coweta County Government. From paving the roads we travel on, helping furry friends find their forever homes, ensuring every vote counts, renewing tags to keeping our community safe, our dedicated team handles each task with unwavering passion and commitment. These actions reflect our core values: service, collaboration, accountability and innovation. With this in mind, we are committed to creating an environment that nurtures your talents and encourages you to reach your full potential. If you are looking for a workplace where you can enhance your skills and make a positive impact, check out our new Recruitment video here: https://lnkd.in/eS3Q29jg and join our team!