For the second time in a year, Brantley County commissioners are advertising for a new candidate to fill the position of county manager following the recent resignation of Brian Singleton.
Two weeks ago, Singleton told the county board he intended to resign and his last day of work would be on Friday, January 13.
Commissioners noted Singleton had served Brantley County well in the short time he has been there. They say they are grateful for his service and extend their best wishes for his future endeavors.
Singleton’s decision had nothing to do with the job, he said, rather it was a personal choice so that he could return to his native South Carolina and be near his parents who are “up in age.”
“This job has been such a blessing to me,” said Singleton. “I have certainly enjoyed the challenges. I hated to submit my resignation, but I feel like it’s time for me to relocate and be near my parents.”
Singleton has been busy tying up loose ends, wrapping up matters that needed his attention and getting ready for the next move.
Brantley Chairman Skipper Harris was surprised by the announcement, but is taking it in stride.
“He didn’t give me any specific reason,” said Harris. “It really surprised me.”
Commissioner Brian Hendrix said he was out of town on a family trip when Singleton made his announcement and it left him stunned.
“I was absolutely shocked,” Hendrix said. “I was away and called home to see how everything was going when Skipper told me he had turned in his resignation. I was totally shocked!”
Hendrix said he believes the county job was “just not what he was expecting. I understand he is going to seek other activities.”
Singleton was hired by Brantley County in July 2022. He followed interim county manager Chuck Scragg, who has since accepted the position of Pierce County Manager.
Singleton said he has enjoyed the job in Brantley as he tackled the challenges of government work and has high hopes a competent replacement can be found very soon.
“To those who have been faithful to stay on course, your diligence and hard work will be rewarded,” said Singleton. “I know the sacrifices that have been made for this county. I wish you all well in the future.”
Singleton is a native of South Carolina, and a graduate of Clemson University where he earned a masters degree in human resource development. He served as executive director of Action Pact in Waycross from June 2017 until June 2022. His position there was serving about 400 workers who took care of the most vulnerable people in the communities of 29 counties in Southeast Georgia to ultimately accomplish the goal of improving the lives of those less fortunate and make the communities stronger.
Previously to that, beginning in November 2013, Singleton served the same agency where he secured close to $2 million in unrestricted operating reserves in less than four years.
Singleton was able to establish and maintain relationships with Federal, State and local government representatives while garnering financial support from several counties and cities through presentations to local commissions.
While at Action Pact, he also served as human resources director from May 2009 to November 2013, and was named interim fiscal director in March 2010.
From 1997 to 1999, Singleton served as human resources manager for Ohio Gear/Richmond Gear.
