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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 7, 2025
CONTACT:
Office of Communications
City Manager Joseph A. Melder Named to the Leadership Georgia Class of 2025
ATLANTA, Ga. – The Leadership Georgia Board of Trustees announced City Manager Joseph A. Melder has been named to the Leadership Georgia Class of 2025. Each year, the organization seeks out emerging leaders and selects sixty-three participants from a pool of several hundred applicants to participate in the yearlong leadership program.
The purpose of Leadership Georgia is to prepare strong and effective leaders for the future development of this state. Those who participate are emerging leaders from every nook and cranny of Georgia.
“As a proud graduate of the Leadership Georgia Class of 2006, I can personally attest to the transformative experience this program offers,” Mayor Van R. Johnson, II said. “Leadership Georgia provides participants with invaluable insights, diverse perspectives, and powerful connections across our great state, all of which will complement and enhance Jay’s important work in Savannah. His participation will not only broaden his leadership toolkit but also strengthen the bonds that tie our city to others across Georgia.
“I was honored to nominate and enthusiastically champion Jay’s application for this opportunity, and I am fully supportive of his participation,” Mayor Johnson continued. “I want to highlight that his involvement in Leadership Georgia will occasionally require him to travel out of town. I respectfully ask for your understanding and consideration of this commitment.”
Over the course of the program year, the class participants experience five hard-hitting programs that deal with crucial issues facing the towns, cities, suburbs, and rural communities of Georgia. Together, the class participants of Leadership Georgia seek mutual understanding of the challenges of the state and the solutions developed and implemented to drive change and success for all Georgians.
The 2025 Leadership Georgia Class will be led by President Camila Knowles of Atlanta. “Intentional – Informed – Inspired,” is the 2025 program theme.
To see the full 2025 class and learn more about Leadership Georgia, visit leadershipgeorgia.com
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About Leadership Georgia
Leadership Georgia is the country’s most prestigious statewide leadership organization. The organization was founded in 1971 and graduated its first class in 1972. Since then, more than 5,000 leaders – from elected officials to business owners to policy makers – have participated in the program. Leadership Georgia is a volunteer-run organization governed by its Board of Trustees and is an affiliate of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Learn more at leadershipgeorgia.com.
