A year of coursework now comes with the certificate to prove it: Emanuel County District 3 Commissioner John Moore recently walked across a stage in Athens to formally mark his first major educational milestone as a county official.
He received his Certified County Commissioner certificate Wednesday, Oct. 7, during a luncheon at the Association County Commissioners of Georgia’s (ACCG) 2026 Legislative Leadership Conference at The Classic Center.
ACCG President and Colquitt County Commissioner Marc DeMott and University of Georgia (UGA) Carl Vinson Institute of Government (CVIOG) Public Service Associate Dr. Marci Campbell presented the recognition.
Moore was among more than 100 county officials recognized during the conference for completing requirements through ACCG’s Lifelong Learning Academy.
The presentation follows Commissioner Moore’s completion of the ACCG Lifelong Learning Academy’s 66-hour core curriculum earlier this year. He finished his final requirements during ACCG’s annual conference in Savannah in April, becoming the fifth and final member of the current Emanuel County Board of Commissioners to earn the certification.
ACCG and UGA’s CVIOG have collaborated for more than two decades to provide county officials with training and educational opportunities through the academy. Officials may complete courses tailored to specific areas of county government while continuing to build on the core knowledge required of local leaders.
“The Lifelong Learning Academy provides county officials with valuable knowledge of the fundamentals of county government while also keeping them current on emerging issues and trends,” ACCG Executive Director Dave Wills said. “By investing in their education, county leaders strengthen their ability to respond effectively to challenges and make a meaningful difference in their communities.”
Wills also commended Commissioner Moore for his continued education and efforts to better understand the community he serves.
Moore says the certificate is more a checkpoint between class periods than a graduation of sorts, or a single point in a governmental learning journey that is far from the final bell.
“I’m proud to have reached this point, but I know there’s still a lot more for me to learn,” Commissioner Moore said. “Every opportunity like this gives me a better understanding of county government and helps me become a better commissioner.”
The value of that continued education ultimately comes down to how well he can put it to work for Emanuel County, Commissioner Moore added.
“I want to keep building on what I’ve learned, especially in areas that deal with how a county operates day to day. The more I understand, the better prepared I am to make good decisions and serve the people who put me here.”
That opportunity for continued growth is built into the Lifelong Learning Academy itself. The program was developed with input from county commissioners who identified courses based on issues and decision-making challenges regularly encountered by county officials.
To keep those offerings relevant, the ACCG Lifelong Learning Committee, which includes county commissioners and staff from both ACCG and CVIOG, meets regularly to review the curriculum and make adjustments as county government needs evolve.
Commissioner Moore previously announced plans to pursue ACCG’s County Operations & Management specialty track. He has a particular interest in Public Works & Transportation and the day-to-day systems that keep county government operating effectively.
Specialty certification requires 48 credit hours, including at least 30 hours from primary courses within the chosen track.
ACCG has not yet published its 2027 Lifelong Learning Academy course calendar, but Moore plans to continue adding specialty coursework as winter and spring opportunities become available. His next major ACCG gathering is expected to take him back to Savannah, where the association’s 2027 annual conference is set for April 22-25.
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, visit www.accg.org.
John Moore serves as Emanuel County’s District 3 commissioner. A lifelong Emanuel County resident and 1979 graduate of Adrian High School, he was elected to the commission in 2024 following a 30-year career with the Georgia Department of Corrections’ Probation Division and years of service as a volunteer firefighter with Norristown Fire. As a commissioner, he serves on the Franklin Memorial Library Board, Emanuel County Health Department Board, and Emanuel County 4-H Foundation, while also serving on the board of Pineland Telephone Cooperative for District 6. He and his wife, Becky, have two daughters and three grandsons.
The Emanuel County Board of Commissioners governs Emanuel County, focusing on legislative and administrative responsibilities. Comprised of representatives from five districts, the board oversees policies and programs that impact local development, budgeting, and public services. Commissioners work collectively to ensure fiscal responsibility and address community needs, collaborating with other county departments and agencies. They are committed to supporting economic growth, public safety, and community well-being across Emanuel County.
For information about the commissioners and for the latest from the county government, visit 124 North Main Street in Swainsboro; call 478-237-3881; follow us on Facebook; or visit www.emanuelco-ga.gov.
