City of Dawson’s new manager has plans for continued growth, sees Dawson becoming ‘premiere suburb of metro Albany’

DAWSON – Cherysh Green-Caldwell’s worn many hats in her career: licensed clinical social worker, police officer, teacher, court administrator and executive director. 

From 2021 until 2023 she served as the city manager for her hometown, Ashburn, and one year as Turner County’s county manager. Now, she’s wearing a new hat as Dawson’s city manager, a position she took on in January. It’s a leadership position she said she’s aspired to have since she was young. 

“The ability to affect change drew me in,” Green-Caldwell said. “Through the hands-on opportunities that local government management offers, you can pretty much touch every facet of city services, city life to make the living experience better for your residents.”

Green-Caldwell has spent her entire life in south Georgia. She graduated from Albany State University, with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a masters’ degree in Public Administration and Social Work. She became a certified public manager through the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia.

She said the many jobs she’s held have allowed her to garner the skills needed to strategically prepare for a city manager’s position. 

“Participating in different sectors as an entry-level person … and then management has given me the experience where I can understand some of the plights of city staff members,” Green-Caldwell said. “I can put all that together with strategic planning and inform council members and elected officials what’s best for the city.”

As Green-Caldwell searched for a new job, she said Dawson sparked her interest with its development, historic buildings and welcoming citizens.

She said her first three months on the job have been challenging but fulfilling, with support from Dawson’s residents, city staff and elected officials. Green-Caldwell said the warm welcome she’s received surprised her, especially from residents. 

Along with her regular duties, she’s spent time with Dawson residents, introducing her to their experiences and the city’s history. She recently shared tea in the home of a resident who called her and invited her to talk about community boards and potential volunteer opportunities.

“Every city has its challenges — let’s be honest — but what makes the challenges workable and doable is the support of your staff and your elected body, and I have that unequivocally here,” Green-Caldwell said. 

For her, collaboration, especially with community stakeholders is key.

“Having that relationship where we can have open communications about the needs of the residents is key,” Green-Caldwell said. “I do not like to lead by imposing on individuals or the community. It does no good for me to make recommendations that don’t serve the residents.”

When the city manager envisions the future she said she wants for Dawson, she sees it as the “premiere suburb of metro Albany.”

“We will have one of the best school systems in the region … that we will have some of the best housing, employment opportunities, dynamic infrastructure and just stellar services so that people are clamoring to move to Dawson,” she said. 

After three months, Green-Caldwell has developed several priorities for the city. The first is strengthening infrastructure.

“We want to make sure that we have the best and safest roads, water systems, sewer systems, all of those things that may not be shiny and fancy and people don’t really think about but that are vastly important to any type of good living situation and any proposals for manufacturers and industry,” she said. 

The second is promoting collaboration, strengthening existing partnerships and cultivating new ones. She’s already begun working with the local community-strengthening group, Terrell County Community Heart & Soul, in launching an initiative that would better engage community members with the city manager’s office. 

Another key goal is compiling her perfect team of “Power Rangers.” This looks like having key staff members: a CFO (which the city spent a year without), code enforcement administrator, a dynamic city clerk, downtown development authority, law enforcement and public works. 

“Each one of these roles is a key component to the city moving forward,” Green-Caldwell said. “Each one of these team members has a specific expertise that I lean on when I make my decisions, so having the best people with the best experience … is what’s best for the city of Dawson.” 

This desired stability and city-level teamwork comes after years of instability within Dawson’s city manager position. In 2019, former city manager Owen “Barney” Parnacott was sentenced to probation for an aggravated sodomy charge, among other offenses. Then in spring 2024, former Dawson city manager Tracey Hester’s contract wasn’t renewed after an investigation found misconduct and violations of operational procedures.

Green-Caldwell said Dawson’s elected officials hired her because they want continuity and consistency. She said she takes on the position with a commitment to ethics, efficiency and empathy. 

“I like to let the community know that I will always be open and transparent with them, as well as the council, about everything that’s going on within the city, whether that’s good, bad or indifferent,” she said. “I know a lot of people aren’t necessarily used to compassion and love being integrated into leadership, but that’s the way that I lead, and that’s not just compassion and love for the staff members, it’s for the community as a whole.”

Green-Caldwell said she sees longevity in her role in Dawson, despite her short stints in previous leadership roles. She said she moved on from her role in Ashburn after she felt that she’d accomplished her job goals. While there, she helped the city navigate challenging utility billing issues. 

“I am eternally grateful for the opportunity that the city council gave me there,” she said. “I think we did some tremendous work that I hope is continuing since my departure, things that I’m very much proud of.”

The termination of her position as the Turner County Manager is less clear. In March 2024, The Wiregrass Farmer, a local news publication, reported that the Turner County Commission voted to buy out Green-Caldwell’s contract and pay her three months severance pay.

In October 2024, a lawsuit was filed regarding job discrimination against the Turner County Board of Commissioners with Green-Caldwell as the plaintiff. The case is still ongoing; so Green-Caldwell said she didn’t want to speak on the merits of the case. 

“All I can say is that these jobs are hard and not everyone is welcoming,” she said. 

However, she said her experience so far in Dawson has felt the opposite. 

“It’s been the best board I’ve worked for,” Green-Caldwell said. “We are all moving in the same directions. They listen to me. They make sure that I feel heard and validated in this position. They evaluate me solely on my productivity and my merits and nothing else.” 

On a board in her office, Green-Caldwell writes out scriptures that remind her to stay grounded and consistent. 

“I just make it a point to be in prayer about these positions and to ask for spiritual guidance to navigate any challenges that may present themselves,” she said. 

She said she wants to ensure Dawson continues in the trajectory that it’s already been moving in: solidifying stakeholder partnerships and welcoming new business, industry and residents. 

“I want to let everyone know that Dawson is the place to be,” she said. “I want to come up with a new slogan like, ‘Consider Dawson,’ because we’re awesome.”