Retirement follows 40 years of public service

Following nearly nine years of leadership in Forsyth County government, County Manager Doug Derrer has announced his upcoming retirement. His last day with the county will be April 2, 2017.

“Serving with the Board of Commissioners, the county staff and this community has been extremely rewarding and has resulted in many successes,” said Derrer. “The most difficult part of this decision will be leaving behind a well-trained, dedicated and professional staff – a team built for a strong and successful tomorrow.”

“Collaborating with the board and managing a variety of high-level projects are just a few highlights of my tenure with Forsyth County,” continued Derrer. “I will take these experiences with me as I explore other opportunities in the public and private sectors.”

Derrer first joined Forsyth County as deputy county manager in February 2008. He then served as interim county manager beginning in September 2008, and in March 2009 was named county manager. Prior to joining Forsyth County, Derrer had more than 31 years of local government experience including having served as the public works director and public safety director for Hall County, the warden at the Hall County Correctional Institution, the city manager for Flowery Branch and a police officer for Miami-Dade County in Florida. He holds Bachelor of Science degrees in public administration and criminal justice.

The county manager provides leadership for Forsyth County government by working with the Board of Commissioners and other management to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies; supervises the county’s administrative offices and senior management; oversees county programs and activities; interprets county goals and policies; and ensures county administration and senior management are making decisions consistent with the Board of Commissioners’ planning and policy initiatives.

Statements from several members of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners expressed their appreciation for Derrer’s service:

From District 1 Commissioner and Chairman R.J. (Pete) Amos:

“Serving as a commissioner for the past six years and as chairman for four of those, it has been my sincere pleasure to work with Doug. He has the highest of integrity and we simply could not ask for a better county manager. I have truly enjoyed working with him and we will certainly miss him when he retires.”

From District 2 Commissioner Brian R. Tam:

“I was on the Board of Commissioners in 2008 when Doug was first hired to serve as deputy county manager and in 2009 when we hired him to fill the role of county manager, and have enjoyed the opportunity to work with him since. He has brought an element of stability to the county government and will, without question, leave the county in considerably better shape than when he found it.”

From District 4 Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills:

“Doug guided our county through very difficult times during the lean years of the recession, and met the challenges we faced by working to cut the budget by more than $20 million. He led our

county through some of its best times as he oversaw the construction of the new courthouse, jail and parking facilities, and kept the project under budget and paid off after just three years of SPLOST VII collections. We appreciate Doug’s stellar leadership and all that he has done for our county, and we wish him well in all his future endeavors.” 

The process for filling the county manager position upon its vacancy has not yet been determined.