Following a long career of public service and leadership, Deputy City Manager Ken Turner announced his retirement this week. Turner began his tenure in Avondale Estates in 2008 as financial director, serving as interim city manager and most recently deputy city manager. His last day as deputy city manager of the City of Avondale Estates will be December 10, 2018.
The decision to retire was made, according to Turner, after careful consideration and thought. He is looking forward to spending more time with his family and friends in Cartersville, Ga. where he has commuted from daily while working in Avondale Estates.
“During my years with the City I have always felt that Avondale Estates was blessed with staff and elected officials who really cared about people and the City we live in,” said Turner. “I have had the privilege to meet so many citizens and employees who I now consider my friends. I will miss everyone and the daily interactions that have made my time here so wonderful.”
In terms of professional accomplishments, Turner is proud of the significant turnaround in the City’s financial status from where things stood in 2008 when he came on board. With the backing of the city manager, Turner led the City through a period of growth and is credited with many of the financial strategies that have helped the City reach solid footing.
A Chattanooga native, Turner graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where he also earned an MBA. He spent seven years in the military as an officer, and has lived in Fort Collins, Colo. Previously, Turner worked for an accounting firm auditing government entities and has worked directly for local governments ever since.
He moved to Cartersville about 15 years ago, along with his family that includes his wife, four children and four grandchildren. In addition, he serves on the finance committee of his church, Sam Jones United Methodist, and is chairman of the board of Cartersville’s Battered Women’s Shelter. From a personal standpoint, Turner says his four children’s faith and service are among his proudest accomplishments. “I am extremely proud of my four children who are all Christian people and are serving God in their own ways.”
City Manager Patrick Bryant said Turner’s influence and guidance will be missed. “Avondale Estates has benefitted enormously during the past decade from Ken’s outstanding leadership and financial expertise,” Bryant said. “I know I speak for the Board of Mayor and Commissioners and City staff in thanking him for his exemplary public service and in wishing him all the best as he moves to this next phase of his life as a retiree.”