THOMASVILLE- County Manager Mike Stephenson has announced the appointment of Julian (Jay) Knight as Public Works Director. Knight was hired by Thomas County on March 31, 2014, as a Project Foremen. Knight was promoted to Superintendent on January 1, 2017, and then to Construction Superintendent on January 1, 2019. Knight succeeds Tony Bodiford whose retirement was effective December 31, 2024. Knight was previously employed with Nicholson Landscaping from 2003 to 2007 and then with Green Backhoe, Inc. from 2007, until employment with Thomas County. Knight is a graduate of Cairo High School and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

The Public Works Director is the manager of the Public Works Department, the Solid Waste Department, as well as, the Ranges at Oakfield, the County’s premier sports shooting center.

“The maintenance of a safe road network, integrated with the state system, requires a high degree of planning and coordination; Jay Knight has all the knowledge, skills, and ability necessary to make it happen,” said County Manager Mike Stephenson.

“Jay was also project manager for the construction of the Ranges of Oakfield. All you need to know, to understand Jay’s capabilities, is to take a look at that facility. We expect to have continuous quality improvement with Jay’s leadership,” Stephenson added.

For more information please contact the County Commissioners’ Office at 225-4100.