City Architect Named Milton's New Community Development Director

MILTON, GA — The City of Milton's City Architect, Bob Buscemi, has been named as the city's full-time community development director.

Several other city staff members join Buscemi in ascending to new roles, giving them all more ways to distinguish themselves and make a difference in Milton.

A New York native who has worked for the State of Georgia, Palm Beach County, New York City, and himself as the head of his namesake architectural firm, Buscemi has spent the last nine years as Milton's city architect. In this role, he has worked closely with citizens, elected officials, fellow architects, and developers to devise high-quality, unobtrusive, distinctive structures that reflect Milton's rural character. Buscemi has also partnered with builders to make possible outdoor spaces, like the new lake park in downtown Crabapple, to give people more ways to enjoy Milton outside.

He has also been a team player. When the community development director position opened last fall, Buscemi stepped up as its interim director. He's made a major impact in the short time since – revamping processes, helping steer the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, and empowering city staff. His work these past few months, as well as his overall qualifications, spurred City Manager Steve Krokoff to remove the "interim" tag and name Buscemi as the department's official director.

"Bob Buscemi is widely known and admired around Milton for what he’s done to help create buildings and spaces that are distinctly Milton,” Krokoff said. “In this new role, he'll be able to make a positive impact in even more ways.”

Another person from the community development department switching roles is Susan Wilmath. Wilmath attended college and had her first post-graduate jobs in Illinois – including five years as secretary for a college administrator – before moving south to Georgia. She joined Milton's municipal government in 2012 as community development's records clerk, working with developers and citizens to obtain and process plats, construction documents, and more.

Wilmath will now be executive assistant to the city manager, mayor and council. In addition to supporting these officials, she will be the first point-of-contact for all those calling into the city’s main phone number at 678-242-2500.

Her role as community development's records clerk is being filled by Megan Waller. Another Illinois college graduate, Waller joined Milton last September as the city clerk office’s records clerk. She will now get a greater chance to grow – and better understand city government – by shifting to take on added responsibilities as the community development department’s new records clerk.

These last two moves happened because of another recent promotion, with Tammy Lowit rising on Feb. 1 from executive assistant to city clerk. Lowit expertly tackled all manner of tasks in her previous position, including taking on many city clerk office duties (like speaking at council meetings) after the pandemic began. When Sudie Gordon retired Feb. 1, Lowit officially assumed her position by becoming Milton’s next city clerk.

“Congratulations to Bob, Susan, Megan and Tammy on their new positions,” Krokoff said. “I’m proud and excited to see dedicated City staff members like them continue to grow, and I can’t wait to see the many more ways they’ll contribute going forward.”