About Shelia

Drawing from her extensive corporate and governmental background, Shelia brings a deep understanding of the complex and occasionally difficult decisions necessary for the collective welfare of our community. 

Throughout her professional, community, and civic endeavors, Shelia has undertaken a range of roles in both public and private domains, enriching the vitality of numerous organizations and communities. 

 Shelia's extensive experience spanning various levels of government—local, state, and federal—emphasizes the importance of bringing together stakeholders, encompassing both our community and government, to advance the common good. 

Some of her positions include serving as the Assistant Executive Director for the City of Atlanta's Charter Review Commission, acting as a Communications Consultant for the City of Atlanta Bond Referendum, and Executive Director for the Atlanta Host Committee for the National Conference of Black Mayors Annual Convention. 

Additionally, Shelia served as the Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations for an international airport retailer, worked as a District Director for a United States Congressman, held the position of Director of Public Affairs for a County District Attorney's Office, and served as the Chief Communications Officer for a large Georgia county. Shelia also served on the return to flight team for Lockheed Space Operations at Kennedy Space Center.

Shelia is dedicated to utilizing the skills and insights acquired from her professional background to guide Cobb County towards a more promising future. She is committed to fostering meaningful dialogue with her fellow Board members, community leaders, other governmental entities, and stakeholders, ensuring collaborative efforts towards shared goals and aspirations. 

 In her role as the next Chair of Cobb County, Shelia will champion quality of life issues that are essential to the well-being of both families and businesses. She will prioritize initiatives aimed at enhancing the overall prosperity and vitality of the community, ensuring that Cobb County remains a desirable place to live, work, and thrive. 

As Chair of Cobb County, Shelia is committed to the following principles:

 
Advocating for Homeowners' Rights:

Shelia is committed to actively championing homeowners' rights by diligently working with other members of the Board to explore avenues to reduce the mileage rate, thereby offering essential relief during challenging economic times. Through her efforts to establish a fair and equitable tax structure, Shelia aims to bolster support for residents and foster the overall economic well-being of our community. 

Unity in the Community:

As a unifying leader, Shelia will dismantle the silos that have arisen in Cobb and unite the divided government under a singular goal: prioritizing the county's well-being above all challenges. Emphasizing service to the people, Shelia will provide the needed leadership to transcend individual agendas that have been created at the county's expense. Shelia is dedicated to building bridges and eradicating division within the county. She will extend her hand across the table to collaborate with all parties, fostering unity among residents to achieve genuine progress in Cobb County.

Efficient Use of Taxpayer Dollars:

Shelia is dedicated to being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. This involves eliminating the county's unprecedented reliance on consultants and allowing the highly skilled staff of Cobb County to fulfill their roles effectively. By streamlining processes and optimizing internal resources, Shelia will ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently and effectively.

Protecting Dobbins Air Force Base:

Recognizing the significance of Dobbins Air Force Base as a vital economic engine in Cobb, Shelia will work with other members of the Board to establish measures to safeguard its interests. This includes implementing a ban on residential and commercial construction in "no-fly" zones around the base and ensuring the operational integrity and the well-being of our county's economic foundation.

Affordable/Workforce Housing:

Collaborating closely with the community and housing experts, Shelia is committed to looking for ways to bring affordable, scalable solutions to public safety workers, working families, and members of the Cobb workforce. By fostering partnerships and leveraging expert insights, Shelia will work diligently to address housing challenges, ensuring that the community has access to safe and affordable housing options. 

Transparency and Accountability: 

Shelia will prioritize transparency and ensure an open and honest government that is responsible and accountable to the citizens of Cobb, not just a select few. By fostering clear communication and openness, Shelia wants to rebuild trust between the county administration, county staff,  and the community we all serve. 

Cybersecurity and Community Focus:

Recognizing the severe ramifications of data breaches and disruptive cyberattacks, Shelia is dedicated to prioritizing the safeguarding of our County against cyber-attacks, guaranteeing the safety and security of our digital infrastructure. By redirecting the focus towards our county requirements instead of personal ambition, Shelia will spearhead initiatives to establish a secure environment. Shelia understands that implementing robust cybersecurity measures is not only crucial for protecting organizations but also for safeguarding the well-being of constituents. 

Through these commitments, and more. Shelia will lead Cobb County with integrity, inclusivity, and a focus on the well-being of all its residents. 

Together, we can build a stronger and more resilient community in Cobb.

 As a candidate deeply rooted in the fabric of the community, Shelia's candidacy represents a genuine opportunity for citizens to elect a leader who will prioritize their interests and work tirelessly to uplift and empower every member of the community. Her vision of service-driven leadership promises to propel Cobb forward towards greater unity.  

Over the course of three decades living in Cobb County, Shelia has devoted herself to actively participating in and contributing to the betterment of our community.  Her track record of service and community involvement speaks to her ability to lead with empathy and effectiveness, ensuring that all voices are heard and represented in decision-making processes. 

Through her long-standing involvement in the community, Shelia has consistently shown her commitment to enhancing the lives of Cobb residents. As a trusted advocate, she has demonstrated her ability to bring people together to address pressing issues and pursue positive change. 

Her deep understanding of the interconnectedness between business, government, and the community uniquely qualifies her to lead Cobb County as she fosters collaboration toward shared objectives.  

Shelia has worked on quality-of-life issues including housing, community zoning and development, and environmental issues. Notably, when faced with a significant threat posed by a waste company that was illegally bringing 50 tons of household waste into the community, Shelia took the lead in organizing and mobilizing her neighbors in opposition. She directed attention to the pressing issue of oversaturated waste transfer stations near their South Cobb community. Through persistent and dedicated efforts, they successfully lobbied elected and appointed officials at the local, state, and federal levels, ultimately resulting in the rejection of the proposed waste station.

Shelia's advocacy extends beyond environmental concerns to broader societal issues, including the challenges faced by renters and the restoration of rights for returning citizens. In addition to her community advocacy, Shelia has played pivotal roles in various civic capacities, such as chairing the Mableton government Inauguration and serving on the Transition Task Force for a former Cobb County Chair and for a former County D.A. 

Furthermore, Shelia's involvement as a board member of AMAC (Airport Minority Advisory Council) emphasizes her commitment to advocating for the rights of women and minorities in the aviation industry. 

Representing her community on the United States Conference of Mayors Business Council further underscores Shelia's understanding of the role business plays in government. 

In her role as the mother of a basketball player at Marietta High School, Shelia proudly took on the responsibilities of Booster Club President and dedicated herself to raising essential funds for the benefit of the players. Through various initiatives, Shelia worked to bring attention to the unique issues and needs of players, ensuring that they received the support and recognition they deserved as student-athletes. 

In the realm of charitable fundraising, Shelia is honored to serve as an Honorary Co-chair for the annual Mayor's Masked Ball—a significant event that raises millions to benefit the United Negro College Fund. Additionally, her position on the board of the Sadie Grice Funny Scholarship Foundation allows her to actively contribute to providing scholarships for students pursuing higher education. As a devoted member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Metro Atlanta Chapter, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (MRAC), Shelia is committed to making a positive impact through various community initiatives, with the overarching goal of improving the quality-of-life for all in our community.