About Shelia

As a small business owner that employs dozens of Georgians, I know firsthand the importance and value of a strong workforce and its impact on our overall economy. Coupled with my experiences from working in corporate America, I have a deeper understanding and appreciation for tough, but thoughtful business decisions that must be made for the benefit of others. 

During my professional career, I have held a variety of public and private sector positions including serving as the Assistant Executive Director for the City of Atlanta’s Charter Review Commission; Communications Consultant to the City of Atlanta Bond Referendum; Director of the Atlanta Host Committee for the National Conference of Black Mayors Annual Convention; Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations for an international airport retailer; District Director for a United States Congressman; Director of Public Affairs for a County District Attorney’s Office; and Chief Communications Officer for a large Georgia county. 

Working in and around government on a local, state, and federal level taught me the importance of bringing stakeholders - our community and our government - together for our common good. 

I will use the talents I gained from my professional experiences to interface with community leaders, governments, and other stakeholders on issues that matter to  families and businesses as the next Public Service Commissioner 

for District 3. 

As Public Service Commissioner for District 3, my focus is clear:

 

• Ensure that Georgia taxpayers and ratepayers are represented fairly.
• Champion methods to help homeowners and businesses reduce their utility rates.
• Work with South Georgia farmers to keep their utility costs down.
• Explore and increase other energy sources including wind and solar energy. 
• Promote cleaner energy across the state.
• Protect our state from cyber-attacks to our utilities. 
• Enforce proper monitoring and disposal of coal ash. 
• Support transparency and an open and honest government.

When our community was under siege by a waste company, I founded Legacy Cares, a grass roots  organization comprised of my neighbors who came together to oppose it. We shed light on the oversaturation of waste transfer stations within a small radius of our community and lobbied elected and appointed officials on the local, state, and federal level to support our opposition which led to the rejection of the waste station proposal.

My civic roles include serving on the Transition Task Force for a former County Chairman and County D. A.; serving as a director of AMAC (Airport Minority Advisory Council), a national organization that advocates for women and minorities in the aviation industry; and serving as a representative on the United States Conference of Mayors Business Council. 

I am an active fundraiser for charitable causes in Atlanta. I am a co-chair for the annual Mayor’s Masked Ball, a fundraising gala that raises millions to benefit the United Negro College Fund. I am a board member of the Sadie Grice Funny Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to students to attend college. I am also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (MRAC).