Swainsboro City Administrator and Clerk Al Lawson has recently announced his official plans for retirement, effective December 1, 2021. He addressed City Council and Mayor Charles Schwabe with his notice during the September 7 meeting of city council held at 6 p.m. via zoom.
Lawson was first appointed to his administrative roles for the City of Swainsboro by council in March 1998, following the resignation from his predecessor, Virgil Wells.
“I learned a lot from Mr. Wells who had served the city for many years,”said Lawson.
At the time of his appointment, Lawson was currently serving as a council person for the City of Swainsboro. Having his father serve as a mayor for the City of Swainsboro growing up, Lawson’s desire to follow in the footsteps of his father was considered to be an honor, especially at such a young age.
“When I was younger, to serve the public was considered to be an honorable position. I took the seat of Jack Davis, becoming a council member. One thing my father instilled in me was to be a servant, and that’s what I have always strived to do,” Lawson commented.
A 1975 graduate of Swainsboro High School, Lawson continued his education by obtaining a Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Electrical Engineering Technology from Georgia Southern College, graduating in June 1979. He then returned home and purchased his first business, Lighting Eng. of Georgia Inc., where he managed all aspects of the privately owned business from March 1981 until April 1996. In addition, he also served as an electrical instructor for Swainsboro Technical College and the Heart of Georgia Technical College in Dublin from March 1995 until March 1996. In April 1996, Lawson was hired as an area sales manager for Lowe Electric Company of Macon and remained a dedicated employee until taking on his administrative job for the City of Swainsboro in March 1998. In addition to his current capacity, Lawson also serves as the worship leader, directing music and choir at his home church, First Baptist Church of Swainsboro.
During Lawson’s 31 year combined tenure as an elected official, the City of Swainsboro has seen much growth and development.
“The thing I’m most proud of throughout my tenure with the city is assisting to obtain more than $25 million dollars in grant funding for city improvements. That’s money you don’t pay back,” Lawson stated.
Another achievement - the second on his list to be exact - is seeing improvements made. If downtown, one may notice there are no overhead light lines, updated lights and sidewalks, the antique mall, renovation work at The Bone Yard, city improvements at the Downtown Fountain and Pine Brook Cemetery– all of those plus other improvements were made possible by grant funding Lawson helped to obtain for the city.
Another accomplishment Lawson is proud of came approximately five years ago when speaking to Jim Karrh regarding donating property now known as The Karrh Center to the city for revitalization and entertainment. After talking with his brother, Bill Karrh, the two brothers made the donation under the condition that the theater be named after the family.
Lawson’s professional career has brought honorable recognition, including being named Who’s Who of Professionals, 2007 – 2008; membership on Swainsboro City Council, 1991 - 1998; and being named Rotarian of the Year twice - first in 2010 and later again in 2018.
Under Lawson leadership, the city of Swainsboro was named a City of Excellence by the Georgia Trend Magazine.
Taking his role in leadership seriously, Lawson has also furthered his education during his employment with the city to better serve the local community and its residents by attending University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government, where he graduated in January 1998 from the Municipal Training Institute for Elected Officials; October 2000 as a Certified Municipal Clerk; and later, again, in March 2003, in Regional Economic and Leadership Development.
His duties performed for the City of Swainsboro on a regular basis include formulating budgets, participating in public speaking and presentations on behalf of the city, grant writing and grant administration, federal and state interactions, DOT and EPD regulations compliance, personnel management, as well as his experience with city council.
Lawson, being a big supporter of community involvement, has always enjoyed participating in local groups and clubs and will continue to stay active during his retirement days. In addition to serving as worship leader and director of music for his local church, Lawson has been a Deacon, teacher, church council member, is active in the church’s Handbells group, and is a Sons of Jubal Ministry member. He also holds membership with the Swainsboro Rotary Club, having served as president in 2018, as well as director and Will Watt Fellow. Lawson is also a Life Loyal Sig Sigma Chi Fraternity member; a past member of the Emanuel Medical Foundation; and serves as secretary for the Pine Tree Festival Foundation, as well as the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Airport Authority. In addition, he is also a certified first-class firefighter; holds membership with the Georgia Municipal Association, serving in various committees since his acceptance in 1998 until present; as well as serving as director for the Board of Directors Georgia City/County Management Association since 2005 until present. Lawson is also an appointed member, by Georgia Governor Kemp, on the Board of Georgia Auctioneers Commission, and is the Adjutant for the sons of the American Legion. Previous activities of Lawson’s include service as a Board of Directors Member for the Georgia Southern Booster Club from 1986 until 1998 and his membership with the Swainsboro Jaycees - serving the capacities of President, secretary, treasure, and vice president through his membership in 1979 to 1997.
“The most satisfying part of this job is seeing just how much Swainsboro has progressed. I have absolutely enjoyed my tenure as city administrator. Swainsboro is a beautiful, wonderful place to live and I plan to stay an avid active member in the community,” he concluded.
Administrator Lawson is the son of former Swainsboro Mayor Al Lawson Sr. and Martha Jane Claxton Lawson. He is married to Dianne Mosley Lawson and has a family of three daughters, Samantha Jo Johnson, Elizabeth Lawson, and Raven Tschida; and one son, Logan Hall. He has five wonderful grandchildren, Braydon, Mercer, Kennedy, Palmer, and Dax.
