Forsyth County Manager To Retire

CUMMING, GA — After nearly nine years on the job, Forsyth County Manager Doug Derrer will be leaving the post early next year, he announced Thursday.

His last day with the county will be April 2.

"Serving with the Board of Commissioners, the county staff and this community has been extremely rewarding and has resulted in many successes," said Derrer in a news release. "The most difficult part of this decision will be leaving behind a well-trained, dedicated and professional staff – a team built for a strong and successful tomorrow."

Derrer said he will "explore other opportunities in the public and private sectors."

Derrer first joined Forsyth County as deputy county manager in February 2008. He then served as interim county manager beginning in September 2008, and in March 2009 was named county manager.

Prior to joining Forsyth County, Derrer had more than 31 years of local government experience including having served as the public works director and public safety director for Hall County, the warden at the Hall County Correctional Institution, the city manager for Flowery Branch and a police officer for Miami-Dade County in Florida.

He holds Bachelor of Science degrees in public administration and criminal justice.

The county manager works with the county commission and other management to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies while supervising the county's administrative offices and senior management.

"Serving as a commissioner for the past six years and as chairman for four of those, it has been my sincere pleasure to work with Doug," said Forsyth County Commission Chairman R.J. (Pete) Amos. "He has the highest of integrity and we simply could not ask for a better county manager. I have truly enjoyed working with him and we will certainly miss him when he retires."

The process for filling the county manager position upon its vacancy has not yet been determined, the county said in the news release.

Photo courtesy Forsyth County