Cherokee County Names New Deputy County Manager

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Community Development Agency Director Geoff Morton has been named Deputy County Manager.

Morton will continue his duties at Community Development Agency director while also fulfilling the deputy county manager role.

“I appreciate the vote of confidence from both the Board of Commissioners and Mr. Cooper and for providing me this new opportunity,” Morton said. “I look forward to continuing to be a part of Cherokee County’s success.”

As deputy county manager, Morton will serve as a key advisor to the county manager and assist at the corporate level in the execution of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners’ strategic plan. Additionally, the deputy county manager provides guidance and assistance to the senior leadership team in the execution of department and division business plans and programs. As deputy county manager, Morton will continue to oversee engineering, public works, stormwater management, building inspections, the Development Services Center, planning and zoning, and the roadway capital improvement program.

“Geoff has been integral in the success of Cherokee County over the years,” said County Manager Jerry Cooper. “Since coming to the county in 2001, Geoff has earned trust and respect across the county, within the county government, and with city and county leaders across the state of Georgia.”

He also will serve as the municipal liaison to address city and county relations and as the spokesperson for the Board of Commissioners as it relates to Service Delivery Strategy. He also will serve as the county liaison with regional agencies including the Georgia Department of Transportation, Atlanta Regional Commission (Transportation and Stormwater), Georgia Environmental Protection Department (Stormwater) and FEMA (flood control).

“This recognition formalizes a role that Geoff has unofficially served for some time, as the most senior county staff member besides the county manager, and as the principal back-up for the county manager as needed," Commission Chairman Harry Johnston said.

Morton came to the county in 2001 from the city of Woodstock where he previously served as city engineer and public works director. His first role with the county was Capital Projects/Roadway SPLOST Manager before being promoted to County Engineer in 2003. During a 2011 staff reorganization, Morton became the Public Works Agency Director/County Engineer and managed operations of the County’s Engineering Department, Stormwater Department, Roadway SPLOST Program, CATS Transportation Program, Roads and Bridges Department, Fleet Services Division, Property Maintenance Division and Recycling Program.

In 2018, Morton’s title changed to Community Development Agency Director where he manages the operations of the Engineering Department, Stormwater Department, Roadway SPLOST Program, Public Works Department (formerly Roads & Bridges), Planning and Zoning Department, Building and Development Services Department and the Development Services Center.

Morton graduated from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania in 1986. After college, he worked in the private sector as a consulting engineer in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the states of Georgia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.