A Legacy of Leadership: Insights from Al Crace’s Half-Century in Local Government

January 14, 2025

Al Crace, left, receives GMA's Lifetime Service Award from Pete Pyrzenski, GMA Member Service Consultant.
Al Crace, left, receives GMA's Lifetime Service Award from Pete Pyrzenski, GMA Member Service Consultant.

Al Crace’s career in local government spans over 52 years, making him one of Georgia’s most experienced city and county managers. From his early days as a project engineer in Alma in 1971 to leadership roles in six cities and three counties, Crace has dedicated his life to building better communities across the state. Al retired at the end of 2024. GMA asked Al to look back on his career and reflect on the challenges, lessons, and insights gained throughout his decades of service and to share his vision for the future of local governance.

What inspired you to pursue a career in local government, and how has that motivation evolved over the years?

As an engineer, I always had a strong interest in building projects. After graduating in 1971 with no significant experience, I joined the Model Cities Program, forerunner to the CDBG grant programin Alma, Georgia, as a project engineer. My role involved overseeing projects such as the airport expansion, building the industrial park, constructing the first wastewater treatment plant, and expanding the water and sewer systems. In 1972, I was appointed as the City Manager of Alma.

Over time, I realized that the most exciting and rewarding challenge was being part of building a better community—one community at a time.

Looking back on 50+ years of service, what are the most valuable lessons you’ve learned?

Building a better community requires a clear vision and well-defined goals for the future. It involves creating a comprehensive plan for improving various services and maintaining a focused effort to implement community goals and projects. The process demands enthusiastic elected officials, active citizen involvement, a motivated staff, and—most importantly—patience and persistence.

What was one of the most challenging situations you faced as a city manager, and how did you and your team overcome it?

There are three situations that stand out as particularly significant challenges during my career.

1996 Olympic Rowing in Gainesville
In 1993, a group of community leaders discovered that the original rowing venue planned for Rockdale County was not feasible. Realizing that Lake Lanier offered an ideal location, we launched an intense marketing campaign to educate the Atlanta Olympic Committee and earn the support of U.S. and international rowing organizations. Our community leaders’ dedication paid off, as Gainesville successfully hosted the 1996 Olympic rowing competition. Today, the venue continues to thrive as a legacy, hosting annual rowing events.

1996 Olympic Soccer in Athens and Building a Unified Government Team
When I became the manager of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County in 1995, the community was preparing to host Olympic soccer and rhythmic gymnastics events. However, the city and county staffs were not unified and still divided like old city and county teams.

There were major pay disparities between the city and county along with lingering animosities from the pre-unification era. We tackled these challenges by implementing a unified pay table and focusing on fostering teamwork. By recognizing and rewarding employees for their efforts in hosting Olympic guests, we transformed into a unified team, proud to have hosted such an international event.

Establishing Sandy Springs as a New City
After a 30-year citizen-led campaign, the City of Sandy Springs was established by referendum in 2005 with 94% approval. I was brought on as project manager and assistant city manager to help build a full-service municipality for 75,000 citizens within 100 days. Guided by Mayor Eva Galambos, a newly elected city council, and a team of about 50 employees, we successfully launched a city that continues to deliver first-class services.

You’ve been in the business a long time and have worked for many elected officials. What advice do you have for city elected officials as they work to create strong, thriving communities?

City elected officials can best serve their constituents by keeping the following in mind:

  • Foster congenial relationships with your fellow elected officials and respect city staff.
  • Actively engage with residents and maintain open communication with them.
  • Understand the community’s comprehensive plan and its role in shaping the future. 
  • Encourage and support annual updates to municipal goals and the comprehensive plan.

And on the other side of the coin, what advice do you have for city staff as they implement the policies and direction set by the elected officials and residents?

City staff needs to be mindful of the following three things:

  • Maintain professionalism when interacting with elected officials and residents, especially while implementing or enforcing policies.
  • Offer honest and diplomatic advice.
  • Steer clear of community politics, particularly during election seasons.

How do you see the role of cities evolving in the coming decades, and what should local governments focus on to prepare for future challenges?

Cities have a unique ability to provide a personal touch by addressing real, daily issues and engaging directly with residents. This will become increasingly important as state and national organizations grow more remote. Local governments should focus on effective communication, fostering a sense of place through quality design and events, and creating communities that stand apart from surrounding areas. 

What will you miss most about working in local government, and what are you looking forward to in retirement?

I will deeply miss the friendships and professional networks I’ve built over the years, as well as celebrating small victories with staff and elected officials as we accomplish local goals. Most of all, I’ll miss the optimistic spirit of local government—because it’s always about the future.

In retirement, I’m looking forward to letting go of deadlines and enjoying a slower pace of life.

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