Former Commissioner and Chairman of Water Authority Sam Hart Retires After Distinguished Public Service Career
Sam Hart, Macon-Bibb County leader and public servant for decades, has announced his retirement from the political arena.
Most everyone in Bibb County either knows Hart personally or has been influenced by him in a positive way. He served as a Bibb County Commissioner for fifteen years, five as Chairman. During his tenure as District 1 Commissioner, Hart served as Vice Chair; Chair of the Finance Committee; Chair of Risk Management; and as a member of the Executive Committee for the Macon-Bibb County Road Program. Under his leadership at the Commission, Bibb County launched GCAPS (Georgia Civic Awareness Program for Students) to provide education to high school students about civics and how government works. He is the 2013 recipient of ACCG’s Emory Greene Leadership Award, the highest recognition a county commissioner can receive from his peers.
In 2015, Hart was sworn in as the Chairman of the Board of the Macon Water Authority, after winning the county-wide election. “I served on the MWA board for 16 years,” said Herbert Dennard, Founder and Publisher of the Georgia Informer newspaper for 35 years. “When Albert Billingslea didn’t seek re-election to the Bibb County Commission, Sam and I both ran for the seat. Sam won by only 17 votes in a very close race, so I supported him one thousand percent,” Dennard continued. “After that, we became close friends and have supported each other throughout the years. Though our paths never crossed again politically, I came to know him as someone who cares deeply about his community and works to make it better.” In 2018, Hart was elected to a second term as Chairman of the Board of the Macon Water Authority.
In 2002, the Georgia Center for Academic Excellence was established by Hart, where he continues to serve as the organization’s Executive Director. Under his leadership, the Center (over the years) has established such initiatives as Upward Bound; Upward Bound Math & Science; Educational Talent Search; and Upper Level Thinking. These programs identify and assist individuals who have the potential to succeed in college or technical school, but who may be disadvantaged by being first-generation college students (neither parent graduated from college); low-income; or by living in a community with educational needs. He is also the President of S & V Education Systems Tutorial Center which provides services to inspire confidence in all students, 2nd through 12th grade. The Center helps students succeed in math, writing, reading, and in GA assessments (CRCT, GHSGT, and EOCT), and SAT/ACT test preparation.
Hart has also served in a variety of other roles including as a former member of the Board of Directors of the Museum of Arts and Sciences; former member of the Board of Directors for Government Employee Benefits Corporation of Georgia; and former member of the Board of Advisors for the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank. He is currently Co-Chair of Emerging Leaders for TRIO Programs in eight southern states and is the recipient of one of only 10 National Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.
No doubt, Hart will continue in some sort of public service capacity; after all, it’s in his veins.
