Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced Chief Operating Officer (COO) Joshua Williams will transition from the City of Atlanta government on December 1, 2020.

“I appreciate Joshua Williams and his service to the City of Atlanta as Chief Operating Officer and previously as Deputy COO,” said Mayor Bottoms. “He has been a valued member of my senior team and a key driver in our Administration’s accomplishments. I wish him continued success as he transitions to the next phase of his career.”

Joshua Williams was appointed Deputy COO by Mayor Bottoms in 2018. In March of 2019, Mayor Bottoms appointed Williams as COO to succeed Richard Cox after his departure as an “Executive on Loan” from COX Enterprises.

“Serving the City in this capacity has been an honor and I thank Mayor Bottoms for her leadership, faith and unwavering support,” said COO Williams. “Thank you to the more than 20 departments and teams I have had the pleasure of working alongside these past few years, as well as a special thank you to the Atlanta community for their support.”

During his tenure at the City of Atlanta, COO Williams oversaw and executed numerous reforms on behalf of the Bottoms Administration. Among the many achievements accomplished by COO Williams:

• Served as co-Chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Council on the Reopening of the City of Atlanta, designed to provide evidence-based short, mid, and long-range recommendations for the safe and data-driven reopening of the City. 

• Oversaw the development of the Administration’s $2 billion Annual Operating Budget.

• Maintained continuity of City operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Oversaw the efforts of the Mayor’s Use of Force Advisory Council, comprised of community members and partners to examine the City’s use of force policies and procedures. 

• Established the City’s first-ever Department of Transportation to improve safety and accessibility on city streets, consolidate services to meet the increasing demands of Atlanta’s growing population, and enhance connectivity between neighborhoods to provide more equitable transportation options for residents seeking greater access to jobs, schools, and other City services.

• Re-baselined and reprioritized the City’s $900 million Renew Atlanta / TSPLOST capital programs in response to a $400 million budget shortfall.

• Implemented Fix-It ATL, a vigorous and proactive operations campaign designed to improve the quality of life for Atlanta residents and visitors by accelerating the repair of potholes, the beautification of public spaces, and the identification of other infrastructure issues in need of attention.

• Successfully hosted Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta through the effective coordination of various City services, public safety, and community engagement initiatives.