ACCG, Georgia’s County Association, recently awarded county officials with certificates for completing requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy. Commissioner Ed Newsome, District 1 for Dougherty County, was honored for successfully completing the Citizen Engagement specialty track requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy.

ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia have collabo- rated for more than two decades to provide county officials with supplemental training and edu- cational tools in the Lifelong Learning Academy. With abundant courses to choose from, every county official has a tailor-made learning experience that allows them to excel in specific areas of expertise.

“County officials are faced with many challenges and ever-evolving circumstances under which they must govern Georgia’s local communities,” said Dave Wills, ACCG’s Executive Director.

“The Lifelong Learning Academy was created to help them navigate those challenges. I com- mend county leaders, such as Commissioner Newsome, who take full advantage of educational opportunities to further their knowledge on how to better serve their communities.”

Commissioner Ed Newsome has been serving as Commissioner in District 1 of Dougherty County since January of 2021. A native of Albany, Georgia, he is a 1973 graduate of Albany High School and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business from Georgia Southern University. As the owner of Albany Air Conditioning and Heating started by his father in 1949, he serves as the CEO of the company.

The Lifelong Learning Academy was created with input from county commissioners who identi- fied courses based on the issues and decision-making challenges regularly faced by county offi- cials. To ensure the course requirements and curriculum remain relevant and engaging, the ACCG Lifelong Learning Committee – comprised of county commissioners and staff from both ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia – meet regu- larly to review and adjust accordingly. Through this collaborative approach, the Lifelong Learn- ing Academy has been successful in equipping county officials with the necessary skills to meet the needs of their constituents.