Macon-Bibb County Commissioner Achieves Certification in Intergovernmental Relations

On Thursday, October 24, District 2 Commissioner Paul W. Bronson became the first Macon-Bibb County Commissioner to earn specialty track certification in Intergovernmental Relations from the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG). This certification was awarded through the ACCG Lifelong Learning Academy.

“Going through this course helped me gain a clearer view that county commissioners don’t and shouldn’t operate in a vacuum,” said Commissioner Bronson. “It reinforced the basics of building a team and the importance of relationships. Some of the classes that come to mind that really opened my eyes are conflict resolution, regional cooperation, and federal and state relations that helped me remove bias and advanced my skills in much-needed areas of my profession.”

The ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia have collaborated for over two decades to provide county officials with supplemental training and educational tools through the Lifelong Learning Academy. With a wide range of courses available, county officials can tailor their learning experience to excel in specific areas of expertise.

“The Lifelong Learning Academy is critical to educating county officials about the challenges they may encounter in public service,” said Dave Wills, ACCG Executive Director. “County leaders who prioritize furthering their education are better equipped to address those challenges and are assets to their communities. I commend Bronson for his unwavering dedication to understanding his community.”

The Lifelong Learning Academy was developed with input from county commissioners who identified relevant courses based on the issues and decision-making challenges frequently faced by county officials. The ACCG Lifelong Learning Committee, comprising county commissioners and staff from both ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute, regularly reviews and updates the course requirements and curriculum to ensure they remain relevant and engaging.

“As a strong advocate for continued education in both personal and professional aspects, I see this as an example to keep pushing forward,” said Commissioner Bronson. “Representing a district with amazing students doing awesome things, I want to be that living example for our young leaders coming out of Bruce Elementary, Northeast High, Central High, Wesleyan College, or anyone advancing their education…never stop learning, never stop growing!”