The sole finalist to be Athens-Clarke County’s next manager has extensive experience in college-town government, but also left his previous employer under questionable circumstances.
Robert “Bob” Cowell most recently served as city manager in Roanoke, VA, which is a similar size as Athens at 100,000 people within the city limits and a metro area population of 300,000. Previously, he was assistant city manager and interim manager in Amarillo, TX, executive director of planning and development services in College Station, TX (home of Texas A&M) and planning director in Monroe County, IN (home of Indiana University).
“Bob Cowell has spent lengthy and successful tenures in a number of large and complex cities, including several hosting major public universities,” Mayor Kelly Girtz said in a news release. “His thoughtful approach to staff support and community development will be an enormous asset to the unified government and to residents of Athens-Clarke County.”
Cowell resigned by mutual agreement with the Roanoke City Council in May 2024 after a complaint alleged that an assistant city manager created a “toxic” work environment, specifically by berating a female subordinate who asked for a raise. Instead of firing the deputy, Cowell demoted him and allowed him to retire.
He defended his record in an interview with a local television station shortly afterward—citing public safety initiatives, progress on infrastructure and Roanoke’s handling of the pandemic—although he told WDBJ that he couldn’t comment on the circumstances behind his departure. “Yes indeed, there was an issue with a particular incident,” he said. “The incident was dealt with in the way that I thought best, but rest easy in knowing that the organization actually as a whole is a very sound and a very solid and positive environment.”
Girtz told Flagpole he was aware of the allegations and had looked into them along with search firm Strategic Government Resources. “In 2025, that’s just a feature of serving in local government. Unfortunately, it’s a really common thing in the industry,” he said. “I feel satisfied that we have a good person and a skilled manager.”
Cowell took the Roanoke job in 2017 after being passed over for permanent city manager in Amarillo, despite civic leaders there crediting him with catalyzing downtown development projects. The Amarillo Globe-News reported that he had a reputation for bringing people together and listening to all sides.
Cowell has a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics with a specialization in administration from St. Louis University and a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Tennessee. He is certified as a planner and a city manager, and is a member of the Congress for the New Urbanism, a group of architects and urban planners that promotes walkable, mixed-use communities.
The recruitment process drew 50 candidates, which a committee of commissioners whittled down to four. (Under state law, names of government job candidates do not have to be released to the public unless there are three finalists or fewer.) Cowell emerged as the sole finalist following meetings with the mayor and commission and other stakeholders earlier this month.
“I want to thank the mayor and commission for their support,” Cowell said in ACC’s announcement. “Athens-Clarke County is an exceptional place. I very much look forward to working with the mayor, the commission, ACCGov staff and community members to ensure Athens-Clarke County remains a vibrant community for all who call it home.”
Assuming the commission ratifies Girtz’s recommendation at a called meeting July 15—which should be a formality—Cowell is expected to start work July 28.
That’s more than a year after former manager Blaine Williams announced his resignation in June 2024. Deputy Manager Niki Jones filled in for six months, then left for a job in his native North Carolina. Girtz then brought former planning director Brad Griffin out of retirement to serve as acting manager, but before a permanent manager was found, he hit a legal limit on the number of hours in a year a retired employee can work. ACC Attorney Judd Drake is currently serving in the manager’s role running the government’s day-to-day operations.
This post has been updated to include more information about Cowell’s tenure in Roanoke.
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