Atlanta, Georgia – Mayor Andre Dickens expressed heartfelt gratitude as he announced the upcoming departure of Chief of Staff Odie Donald, who will soon take on a new role as Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Richmond, Virginia. Donald has been working for the Dickens administration since January 2022. He will formally leave his job in Atlanta on July 7, 2025.
As part of his job, Donald was a key player in the Mayor’s Office, giving advice on important policy decisions and serving as a key link between City Hall and both the public and private sectors in Atlanta. Donald was in charge of a number of important departments, including External Affairs, Cultural Affairs, and Diversity and Inclusion. He had a key role in defining the administration’s most high-profile projects.
Mayor Dickens said that Donald had done a lot of wonderful things, like helping to stop the Buckhead cityhood movement in 2022, which was a heated campaign that may have broken up Atlanta’s city limits. Dickens additionally elaborated on how Donald helped start the Department of Labor and Employment assistance in 2023. This department’s goal is to raise pay standards and provide job assistance for frontline workers.
The city formed a Nightlife Division under Donald’s leadership. This division helped over 4,000 venues and made the city safer. He also oversaw the launch of the Southeast’s largest Summer Youth Employment Program, which is scheduled to give jobs to more than 6,000 young people this year.
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He also showed that he could get a lot of money to invest. Donald helped the city get $1.6 billion in federal and private investment, and he was a key player in getting an innovative sales tax scheme across Fulton County, which saved billions in income. Most importantly, he helped the city navigate through four balanced budgets, all of which were approved by the City Council and brought in record-high amounts of money.
Reflecting on his service, Donald shared, “One of my greatest honors has been the opportunity to serve my hometown with integrity and impact. In Atlanta, I’ve had an opportunity to work alongside dedicated public servants, community partners, and business leaders who all share my love for this City. I’m proud of what the Dickens’ administration has accomplished and grateful for the opportunity to serve and support the Mayor’s bold vision.”
Mayor Dickens also announced a number of new hires in the same announcement. He said these people will help the city move forward. These adjustments will take effect on July 1, 2025, during a historic year for Atlanta. The city just got its first AAA credit rating and enacted a $3 billion budget for FY 2026.
Among the key updates: Deputy Chief of Staff Theo Pace will move into the role of Deputy Chief Operating Officer, overseeing daily city operations. Theresa Austin-Gibbons, formerly interim commissioner, will now officially lead the Department of Labor and Employment Services. Calvin Blackburn, J.D., will step in as Commissioner of Human Resources, bringing decades of legal and organizational expertise. Lastly, Chandra Houston, J.D., will serve as the City’s Chief Procurement Officer, where she is expected to continue advancing procurement reforms focused on transparency and equity.
“Each of these individuals has already proven their ability to lead with integrity, efficiency, and a deep commitment to public service,” said Chief Operating Officer LaChandra Burks. “With this strengthened leadership team in place, we are well-positioned to build on our recent successes and continue delivering results for our residents.”
