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leadership initiatives to help cities of all sizes strengthen local economies and prepare future leaders.
More than three-quarters of Georgia’s cities have
fewer than 5,000 residents, but each one contributes
to the state’s economic strength. These cities have
been at the forefront of political attention the past few
years, with an increasing awareness of the depopulation of some areas of rural Georgia, as well as the
economic importance they collectively represent.
Asked about GMA’s role in helping them thrive,
Hanson points to the collaborative nature of his organization and the central role people play in creating a
successful community. There is no easy formula, and
it takes hard and tedious work to build this success.
“My vision is for every Georgia city to be strong,
connected, and focused on long-term success. GMA advocates for local decision making and access to resources, while supporting community initiatives that build
civic pride, resilience, and opportunity,” said Hanson.
Through efforts like the Mayors’ Reading Club, the
Georgia Initiative for Community Housing, and the
Georgia Economic Placemaking Collaborative, GMA
is helping cities invest in people as well as infrastructure. “It’s in our people where long-term success
begins,” said Hanson. “At GMA, we strive to build
stronger, more vibrant communities and a brighter
future for all Georgians.”
The Valdosta Experience
It is interesting to interview Hanson regarding his
many years of public service at the local level to now
being the CEO of a nonprofit with significant statewide impact. Hanson has a humble and important
view on what got him to where he is— something that
could be worth remembering for readers.
“As a young professional, I was appointed to the
position of City Manager in Valdosta, a metropolitan
city of 50,000, with 700 employees and a 100-million-dollar budget. It was a position I did not seek, nor
apply for, nor believe I could do,” said Hanson. “But a
mayor, City Council and a community saw potential in
me that I did not see in myself, and they gave me an
opportunity. I served in that position for over 22 years
until coming to Atlanta to lead the GMA where we
proudly serve all 536 cities in Georgia.”
“It was my experience in Valdosta,” he continued,
“that helped shape my management philosophy to be
intentional in identifying potential leaders, to nurture
them, to encourage them, to prepare them, to mentor
them and then to trust them to grow into present
and future leaders, just as someone did for me. My
experience also taught me that we don’t succeed
only because of what is inside us, but also by who is
around us.”
Baker Owens is a staff writer for James and James Magazine
Online.
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