Tuesday, June 11, 2024–10:12 a.m.

-John Bailey, Rome News-Tribune-

This story is possible because of a news-sharing agreement with the Rome News-Tribune. More information can be found at northwestgeorgianews.com

The Northwest Georgia Housing Authority met Monday and extended an offer to Ripley Housing Authority CEO Justin Jones to replace the retiring executive director, Sandra Hudson.

Ripley is in Tennessee, about an hour north of Memphis.

The board met for a little over an hour in closed session to discuss the hire and voted unanimously to offer the job to Jones. The amount of research he put in during the hiring process impressed the board, Board Chair Lee Hight said.

“He actually came to town early before we met with him and rode through Rome and rode through a lot of our properties,” Hight said after the meeting Monday. “He knew a lot about our properties, a lot about Rome and a lot about our authority, and it was impressive that he made that effort.”

Authority attorney Stewart Duggan began finalizing the offer paperwork on Monday. Jones has not yet accepted the offer, but if he does, his expected start date is July 15.

Jones has been the executive director of the Ripley Housing Authority since 2018, with a listed salary of $118,000 alongside full benefits and a $10,000 vehicle allowance. Prior to that, he held the deputy director position for three years.

Describing himself as a results-driven affordable housing professional, Jones outlined his background in accounting and business management and said he was originally hired to manage the authority’s internal accounting operations.

Once promoted to the position as CEO, Jones implemented the authority’s first 5-year strategic plan for the organization that serves over 500 residents.

Jones was one of two finalists for the position, the other was Cleman Johnson, deputy director of the housing authority in Bessemer, Alabama.

Hudson said she will work from home and remain as a consultant to assist the incoming director for three months after he begins the post.

The authority owns a number of properties in Rome, Cave Spring and Rockmart in Polk County, and it manages properties in other areas, including Camilla and Canton. It also operates programs providing residents with internet connectivity and assistance with family self-sufficiency, graduation, child care and education.