Page 25 - Coweta NCG 2017

CLEATUS PHILLIPS

ewnan City Manager Cleatus Phillips would be respect and learn from other
a leader even without the title. Since he moved leaders in our community.
to Newnan 15 years ago, he has been a key in I wouldn’t be in this
N opening Prosperity’s Front Door for his peers, his position without
employees and for the community at large. With a goal to develop great staff and
a city that is sustainable and fosters a high quality of life for multiple allowing them to do
generations of family and business success, Cleatus Phillips is one their job.
of Coweta County’s bright young professionals blazing the trail to a Why do you think Cleatus Phillips
prosperous future. Coweta County has so
As City Manager of the City of Newnan, what are your many youthful leaders at this
daily tasks? I manage the day-to-day operations of the City point in time? We are a prospering
of Newnan, which include 265 employees from 18 departments with an community, which creates opportunities for
annual budget of $33.5 million. The City Manager is appointed by, and young professionals and executives.
reports to, the Mayor and City Council. In your opinion, what is the best
In your profession, do you encounter many peers resource or event the Newnan-Coweta Chamber
who are in your age group? Yes, the 35-45 age group in offers members at your professional level?
our profession is growing rapidly. This wasn’t the case 6-7 years ago I really admire the results of Leadership Coweta and how many
when I seldom had the chance to interact with younger professionals, young professionals it has impacted in our community.
but yet there was a great opportunity to learn from the veterans in What is your favorite thing about living in
our profession. Coweta County? It may sound simple, but I really
To what do you attribute your fast rise to the top of enjoy the ‘spirit of community’ found all throughout
your field? There are several factors, but primarily I try to our community.

DR . SC O T T ROSS

oweta County’s innovative and energized atmosphere “As the ACE coordinator I focus on
attracts talent from all over the state, from young administering leadership training
entrepreneurs looking to start a business in a thriving in an effort to empower the
C business climate to established professionals looking to student members to take leadership
further their careers by taking steps up the corporate ladder. Coweta responsibilities.”
County’s countless opportunities call to everyone including new Executive According to Dr. Ross, Coweta County is a Dr. Scott Ross
Director of Campus Operations for West Georgia Tech, Dr. Scott Ross. magnet for energetic, results-oriented and focused
Dr. Ross started with West Georgia Tech nearly a year ago and young leaders, and Dr. Ross works to instill even greater
has wasted no time developing his career and helping others in his values and skills in them through the ACE program just as
path to do the same. As the Executive Director of Campus Operations, his mentors did for him.
Dr. Ross works to establish and sustain positive partnerships in order “My mentors have taught me how to be an outstanding
to strengthen relationships with the community. He also provides leader and to prepare for where I am going. They have also
overall leadership for the Coweta Campus and oversees daily activities taught me to think positively and to understand that good
including managing the financial budget for campus operations and leadership is not about me, but about the people.”
serving as the leader to faculty, staff and students in accomplishing the Dr. Ross will not stay stagnant in his new role as he pursues an
mission and vision of the college. ambition to become vice president at the college level and one day
Dr. Ross also serves as the campus coordinator for the West Georgia president of a college. With his strong faith, hard work, vision and
Tech ACE (Answering the Call of Excellence) program, which focuses on drive urging him onwards, there is no doubt he will reach his
developing leaders. future goal soon.

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