Tift County Vice Chairman Donnie Hester Recognized for Academic Achievement in Lifelong Learning Academy

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Matthew Crumley,

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Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG or Georgia’s County Association)
Pictured from left to right: Dave Wills, ACCG Executive Director; Clinton Johnson, ACCG President & Dougherty County Commissioner; Donnie Hester, Tift County Vice Chairman; Tracy Arner, UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government Interim Associate Director of Governmental Training, Education, and Development; and Dr. Marci Campbell, UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government Public Service Associate

Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG or Georgia’s County Association)
Pictured from left to right: Dave Wills, ACCG Executive Director; Clinton Johnson, ACCG President & Dougherty County Commissioner; Donnie Hester, Tift County Vice Chairman; Tracy Arner, UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government Interim Associate Director of Governmental Training, Education, and Development; and Dr. Marci Campbell, UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government Public Service Associate

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ATLANTA, Ga. (October 21, 2025) – The Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG or Georgia’s County Association) awarded county officials with certificates for completing requirements in the ACCG Lifelong Learning Academy. Recipients were presented with their achievement certificates during the Association’s 2025 Legislative Leadership Conference at the Jekyll Island Convention Center in Glynn County. Vice Chairman Hester 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 (CVIOG) have collaborated for more than two decades to provide county officials with supplemental training and educational tools in the Lifelong Learning Academy. With abundant courses from which they may choose, every county official has a tailor-made learning experience that allows them to excel in specific areas of expertise.

“The Lifelong Learning Academy is critical to educating county officials about the foundational aspects of county government, as well as emerging trends,” said ACCG Executive Director Dave Wills. “County leaders who prioritize furthering their education are better equipped to address challenges and are assets to their communities. I commend Vice Chairman Hester for their unwavering dedication to understanding their community.”

The Lifelong Learning Academy was created with input from county commissioners who identified courses based on the issues and decision-making challenges regularly faced by county officials. 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 and adjust accordingly. Through this collaborative approach, the Lifelong Learning Academy has been successful in equipping county officials with the necessary skills to meet the needs of their constituents.

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.

Tift County Vice Chairman Donnie Hester Recognized for Academic Achievement in Lifelong Learning Academy

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