Emanuel County District 3 Commissioner John Moore now holds a distinguished achievement in leadership and public service, having completed the requirements to become a certified county commissioner through Association County Commissioners of Georgia’s (ACCG) Lifelong Learning Academy (LLA).
Commissioner Moore completed the final two courses required for certification during the 2026 ACCG Annual Conference in Savannah, finishing Public Safety & Public Health on Wednesday, April 23, and Human Resources on Saturday, April 25.
His completion of the program marks the culmination of a yearlong commitment to professional development and public service following his election to the Emanuel County Board of Commissioners.
Through ACCG’s Lifelong Learning Academy, Commissioner Moore completed 66 total hours of rigorous coursework designed to strengthen county leadership and prepare commissioners for the complex responsibilities of local government. The program also includes mandated orientation training for newly-elected commissioners as required by Georgia O.C.G.A. § 36-20-1.
Throughout the program, Commissioner Moore studied a wide range of county government topics, including County Government 101, County Government Finance, County Government Law, Economic Development, Ethics, Human Resources, Leadership Institute, Property Appraisal & Taxation, and Public Safety & Public Health.
One course that particularly stood out to Commissioner Moore was County Government 101, which focused on helping officials understand the purpose of county government, how it functions, and how to positively influence its future. The course also covered key topics such as legal roles, commissioner powers, and effective interaction among county officials.
“Georgia law requires newly elected commissioners to complete what ACCG calls ‘new commissioner training.’ After that, commissioners can choose to continue through the remaining core classes, and I decided to do that,” Moore explained. “The way ACCG structures the program, County Government 101 is included in that initial training. It was actually the very first class I took. ACCG only offers it in December, so the timing depends on when you’re elected. I took office in January, which allowed me to complete the course beforehand, and I’m glad it worked out that way because it gave me a strong foundation right from the start. One thing that especially stood out was the mock commissioner meeting. It helped me understand how meetings operate, how commissioners work together, and how to effectively engage with citizens.”
All instruction for both mandatory orientation and core certification was provided by the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government (CVIOG), which partners with ACCG to provide county officials with practical, leadership-focused education tailored specifically to local government service.
“The Lifelong Learning Academy is critical to educating county officials about the challenges they may encounter in public service,” said ACCG Executive Director Dave Wills. “County leaders who prioritize furthering their education are better equipped to address those challenges and are assets to their communities. I commend Commissioner Moore for his dedication to serving Emanuel County through continued learning.”
The Lifelong Learning Academy curriculum was developed with direct input from county commissioners across Georgia to ensure coursework remains relevant to the real-world issues local leaders face in their communities.
With Commissioner Moore’s certification now complete, all five members of the Emanuel County Board of Commissioners have successfully earned county commissioner certification through ACCG’s Lifelong Learning Academy.
Following completion of core certification, commissioners may continue their professional development through specialty track programs that focus on specific areas of county government. Commissioner Moore plans to pursue the County Operations & Management specialty track, which emphasizes organizational leadership, operational efficiency, strategic planning, infrastructure management, and effective service delivery within county government.
As part of the track, Commissioner Moore is especially looking forward to taking Public Works and Transportation course, which is centered on the oversight of county infrastructure, including roads, budgeting, grant management, and coordination with agencies such as the Georgia Department of Transportation. The course also explores the legal and financial responsibilities involved in managing public works systems.
“Public works and transportation is an important area of county government. Roads are one of our biggest responsibilities, and I’m especially interested in learning more about budgeting, grants, and working with the Georgia Department of Transportation to better serve our citizens and communities,” Moore said.
He will be formally recognized for completing the certification program during a future ACCG-sanctioned event.
[Editor’s note: The Blade will publish a brief update at that time.]
All commissioners’ complete LLA training records are available on their respective biographies on the county website.
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.
