This is the third year for the awards program, which is a public-private partnership between the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute and Georgia Trend magazine. Public service contributions of officials from across Georgia are recognized in five categories (state official, county elected, county appointed, city elected, city appointed). Winners were chosen from a pool of nominations submitted by citizens and officials from communities throughout the state.
Norman Fletcher, who recently retired from his position as chief justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia, was recognized in the state/local category for his lengthy career in the legal profession and, in particular, for his role in bringing about groundbreaking changes in the indigent defense system. Gerald Thompson, mayor of Fitzgerald; and John Bennett, city manager of Rome; were honored in the city elected and city appointed categories respectively for leading their cities to national prominence for very successful community and economic development accomplishments. Benjamin Hayward, chair of the Mitchell County Commission, has contributed significantly to improving county government throughout the state. In the category of county appointed official, Ecleamus Ricks, administrator of Macon-Bibb County Health Department, has helped redefine and expand his community's health image to encompass not only physical components but educational and psychosocial as well.
