Dougherty County Commissioners Anthony Jones & Ed Newsome Recognized for Academic Achievement in Lifelong Learning Academy
ACCG awards education certificates to county officials
ATLANTA. Ga. – The Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG or Georgia’s County Association) recently awarded county officials with certificates for completing requirements in the ACCG Lifelong Learning Academy. Dougherty County District 1 Commissioner Ed Newsome was honored during the Association’s 2025 Annual Conference in Chatham County for completing the Leadership Development specialty track. Dougherty County District 6 Commissioner Anthony Jones was honored during the Association’s 2025 Annual Conference in Chatham County for completing the Public Safety specialty track.
“Participating in the Lifelong Learning Academy is a commitment – a commitment to professional growth and to building the strength and resilience needed to tackle the challenges facing one’s community,” said Executive Director Dave Wills. “I commend leaders like Commissioner Newsome / Commissioner Jones who have honored this commitment, emerging stronger, more capable, and better equipped to lead with confidence.”
The Lifelong Learning Academy is a product of the longstanding partnership between ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia (CVIOG). Created with input from county commissioners who identified courses based on the issues and decision-making challenges they often face, it is a unique adult education program that provides county officials with a tailor-made educational opportunity to assist them with governing at the local level. To ensure the course requirements and curriculum remain relevant and engaging, the ACCG Lifelong Learning Committee – which comprises county commissioners and staff from both ACCG and CVIOG – meet regularly to review the curriculum and adjust accordingly. The Lifelong Learning Academy has been successful in equipping county officials with the necessary skills to meet the current needs of their constituents thanks to the collaborative approach undertaken by ACCG and CVIOG.
“This recognition isn’t about me,” Commissioner Newsome said. “It’s about staying committed to serving the people of Dougherty County the best way I know how.”
“I’ve always believed in doing what’s right and staying prepared,” Commissioner Jones said. “This opportunity gave me the tools to better serve the people of Dougherty County, and I’m grateful for the chance to keep learning and growing.”
ACCG is Georgia’s county association and works on behalf of county officials and their communities by providing public policy and legislative advocacy, leadership development, civic and community engagement initiatives, insurance and retirement programs that specialize in local government needs and other cost-saving programs. Formed in 1914 when county officials came together to help fund the state’s first highway department, ACCG today serves as a catalyst for advancing Georgia’s counties. For more information, go to www.accg.org.
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