by Athens’ new county manager, set to be approved Tuesday, has been called out in two lawsuits for events pertaining to his previous job.
The finalist for county manager, Robert Cowell, is scheduled to be formally approved Tuesday, July 15, at a special session of the Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission. Cowell was selected from approximately 50 candidates by a committee of commissioners.
The position has been filled by several interim managers since the sudden resignation of Blaine Williams in July 2024.
Cowell has over 30 years of experience in leadership positions, including working as the city manager of Roanoke, Virginia, where he stepped down in June of 2024. This came after reports of personnel issues at City Hall emerged.
Two former city employees have recently named Cowell in lawsuits against the city of Roanoke, accusing him and other city officials of creating a hostile work environment. Both women are seeking $5 million in damages.
In the months before Cowell’s resignation, a member of his staff, Brent Robertson, was accused of verbally and physically threatening a budget analyst, according to the
Roanoke Rambler
. Multiple employees called on the Roanoke Mayor and City Council to remove Cowell and Robertson. Cowell demoted Robertson, who later retired and is still eligible to receive a future pension from the city’s retirement plan.
On his last day in the Roanoke office, Cowell said that he could not discuss his separation agreement with the city, but did say that they were able to come to a mutual agreement, “Rest easy in knowing that the organization is actually, as a whole, is actually a very sound, very solid and very positive environment.”
Cowell maintains that the accusations are not a reflection of the work environment in Roanoke.
