Mableton Hires Community Development Director

The City of Mableton has announced Juliana Njoku will serve as the city’s first community development director.

Nominated by Mayor Michael Owens and unanimously approved by the Mableton City Council, Njoku will lead the city’s Planning and Zoning Department, Business License Department and Building Permit Operations.

As part of the city’s ongoing transition to full municipal operations, Mableton will assume responsibility for these services from the county.

According to Owens, Njoku’s salary is $145,000.

Njoku, who most recently served as director of planning and development for Rockdale County, has more than 25 years of experience as a public administrator, planner and social impact strategist, according to a news release.

In Rockdale, she led initiatives in land use, infrastructure, environmental planning and social services, the release said.

“Juliana’s expertise in community development and her dedication to building resilient, sustainable communities make her the perfect fit to lead Mableton’s Community Development Department,” Owens said in the release. “Her experience will be invaluable as we start planning and zoning operations, create our building permit processes and strengthen business licensing to support local economic growth.”

Njoku has consulted for housing authorities including Atlanta Housing and has served on boards such as the Rotary Board of Directors in Indianapolis and the Atlanta Jewish Committee’s Atlanta Black/Jewish Coalition, according to the mayor’s office.

She has also worked with United Nations Women and the United Nations Development Program in New York City.

The new director holds a professional certificate in corporate sustainability and innovation from Harvard Extension School and is a certified Six Sigma Greenbelt, a professional credential that covers the basics of project management.

According to the release, Njoku has received a mayoral award for her role in advancing large-scale city initiatives.

“I am honored to join the City of Mableton and collaborate with its dedicated community,” Njoku said. “Together, we’ll build a future that aligns with our community’s values and opens new opportunities for growth.”