High Five: Conversation with a City Manager
A Navy vet turned public manager reflects on strategic patience, staffing challenges, and the pressure to connect education, economy, and community.
Quick programming note: Next GGF Office Hours is Wednesday, April 16 at 11:00 AM (Central). We’ll be joined by Brian Ligon and Abby King from Mont Belvieu, Texas, to discuss the Love MBTX campaign, and Frances La Rue from Anna, Texas, who will share insights from her Blippi-style videos that drew big crowds to a family-friendly event. Open to all subscribers. Mark your calendar and bring your questions!
🔗 Zoom Link: Click here to register for the meeting.
Welcome back to High Five, our ongoing series that pulls back the curtain on the city (and county) managers shaping local government every day. In each edition, we ask five questions that get beyond the title and tap into the experiences, challenges, and lessons of public sector leaders who keep our communities running.
This time, we head to Middle Georgia to hear from Dr. Keith Moffett, County Manager of Macon-Bibb County. From Trident submarines to a $550 million public budget, Dr. Moffett’s journey is anything but ordinary. He brings a deep sense of service to his role: anchored in military discipline, enriched by economic development experience, and sustained by a commitment to education and mentorship.
First, here’s a little bit about the dynamic community he serves.
About Macon-Bibb County:
Macon-Bibb County is home to just over 157,000 residents and serves as a cultural and economic hub for the region. It’s a place where history runs deep, most notably at the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, which preserves more than 17,000 years of continuous human habitation. The area’s rich musical roots include legends like Otis Redding and Little Richard, and the historic Capricorn Sound Studios still draw fans of Southern rock and soul. Macon-Bibb also boasts serious economic momentum, earning recognition as a Top 10 Metro City by Site Selection Magazine, with over $1 billion in private investment in recent years. From scenic escapes like Amerson River Park to the shores of Lake Tobesofkee, it’s a community that blends heritage, growth, and Southern charm in equal measure.
Let’s jump into Dr. Moffett’s High Five.
Career Path
GGF: Describe the career path that led to you becoming a County Manager.
Dr. Keith Moffett: I started my career in the United States Navy, serving eight years aboard Trident submarines as an Electronic Technician. This experience built my discipline, problem-solving skills, and ability to work under pressure.
After my military service, I transitioned into community and economic development, working as a Regional Project Manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. In this role, I focused on supporting small businesses and fostering economic growth in Middle Georgia.
My career then led me to Macon-Bibb County, where I’ve held several leadership roles:
Director of the E-911 Operations Center, which was recognized as E-911 Center of the Year for Georgia (2015).
Interim Director of IT, overseeing critical infrastructure and internal operations.
Currently serving as the County Manager, where I manage an annual $168 million general fund budget and oversee 21 county departments with a total budget of $550 million.
I also dedicate time to education initiatives and community service, leading impactful programs through The 100 Black Men of Macon-Middle Georgia. My work in education includes scholarships, mentorship programs, and financial literacy initiatives for students.
Academically, I earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from Mercer University, and I am a Certified Public Manager through the Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
Looking Back
GGF: What’s something you wish you had known as a mid-level manager or supervisor that you know now?
Moffett: As a mid-level manager, I wish I had known the power of strategic patience. Early on, I was eager to implement changes and solve problems quickly. Now, I understand that timing, relationship-building, and consensus are just as important as execution. Learning when to push forward and when to let things evolve naturally has been invaluable.
Beyond the paywall
Dr. Moffett talks about the challenge of keeping top talent in local government, how workforce issues shape his day-to-day decisions, and the leadership programs that have helped him grow.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Good Government Files to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.