New community development director hired

Roswell’s new community development director will come to the city after work- ing in Cobb County government for nearly 14 years.

Jason Gaines starts his new role with the north Fulton city Oct. 11, Roswell Communications Specialist Jonathan Copsey said Monday.

A city statement s aid Gaines will lead a staff of 38 people and manage a $3.5 million budget.

He will leave his position of Planning and Economic Development Division manager for Cobb County after six years in the job. In a previous seven-year stint, Gaines was the planning division manager for Cobb County. His work included oversee- ing the creation of the coun- ty’s comprehensive plan, economic partnerships and historic preservation, a Roswell statement said.

Gaines has also served as planning and development manager for the city of Clarkston, where he worked on revitalizing the housing market and the downtown area, the statement said.

Alice Wakefield, Roswell’s previous community development director, retired in January. The deputy director of the department, Lenore Bromberg has led community development for Roswell in the interim.

Gaines is the second notable recent hire for the city. Last Wednesday, City Council approved the hiring of Randy Knighton as the new city administrator.

Knighton is leaving his position as Stockbridge city manager. In Roswell, he will manage a $146 million budget and oversee more than 30 departments and 600 staff members.

His position was approved through a split vote with opposing council members saying they preferred the city select a city administrator after the November election. That would’ve given the city more time to conduct the search and allow for the possibility of a new mayor and three new council members to weigh in on the decision, the opposing council members said.

AJC FILE Jason Gaines will start as Roswell’s community development director Oct. 11, after working for Cobb County for nearly 14 years.