By Valerie Baldowski
vbaldowski@henryherald.com

Hampton has a new city manager after a month-long search.

During a special called meeting Tuesday, the Hampton City Council unanimously voted to appoint Andy Pippin –– a 33-year-old loan officer with the Hampton branch of First National Bank of Griffin –– to the position.

Mayor R.W. Coley is the acting city manager until Pippin’s employment with the city officially starts. Pippin said he gave his notice of resignation to the bank, and his tentative starting date with the city is Jan. 25.

He said his first priority will be to meet his co-workers. “While I already know many of the employees of the city, an important priority for me will be to get to know them and learn more about their responsibilities in running the City of Hampton on a day-to-day basis,” he said. “Anyone who knows me will tell you I enjoy working with people, and a good working relationship with Hampton's employees will be an immediate and top priority for me.”

Pippin, who is the son of Henry County Chamber of Commerce President Kay Pippin, and a member of the chamber, himself, said his goals for his first 30 days in his new job, include: “Educating myself about the city's business matters ... its budget and financial reports, staff organizational structure, reading the minutes of past council meetings, meeting the city attorney, and others, who help make Hampton run smoothly on a day-to-day basis.

“I have a lot to learn, and I'm sure Hampton knows how to teach me,” he said. “I'm sure I will accomplish most of my education by talking with the mayor, city council members, employees and businessmen and women.”

Pippin, who is the president-elect of the Henry County Kiwanis Club, and a board member of the Hampton Downtown Development Authority, is also a member of Young Professionals of Henry County, as well as the South Metro Bulldawg Club.

He is a 2002 graduate of Clayton State University, with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. He said he has been with First National Bank of Griffin since mid-2005. Previously, he was a customer-service and-sales representative for Walker Concrete in Stockbridge

“I think we’re getting a good fit for our city manager,” said Mayor Coley. “I’m ready to have a city manager on board to assume those duties.”

Coley said the city’s search for a new manager extended across state lines. The position was advertised on the web sites for the City of Hampton and the Georgia Municipal Association. The mayor said he received 108 resumes, some from as far away as Florida, Alabama and Tennessee.

Pippin said he applied for the position because of the challenge it offers. “I am very happy in my current job, and care a great deal about my bank and its employees, but I was ready for new opportunities and personal growth,” he said. “I have served on Hampton's Downtown Development Authority for the last couple of years and have been involved in the city since going to work for the bank in Hampton.

“I know and respect the leaders of Hampton and its residents,” he added. “I thought it would be an honor to work for them.”

City officials chose Pippin because he is well-known in the community, said Coley.

“We felt like we’d like to go with somebody we know, and feel comfortable with, rather than bringing in an unknown,” he said. “I’ve got full confidence in his ability.”

Coley said Pippin’s new job is a new direction from his previous experience. “He has not been a city manager before, so it’s going to be a learning process for him. I’m sure Andy is the type of person to jump right in, and learn what the job consists of,” Coley said.

Pippin replaces former City Manager Jim Risher, who resigned in December for personal reasons.