Augusta Mayor-elect Garnett Johnson announced a second hire Tuesday, Dec. 13. Brennan Meagher from Augusta Locally Grown will serve as his communications and community liaison.
Meagher “has a passion for serving the community,” Johnson said in a statement. “I look forward to working with her to communicate my vision and help residents of Augusta-Richmond County understand that we are one community and one city.”
Earlier Tuesday, Johnson announced he selected Jasmine Sims to serve as his chief of staff. Sims is an Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce associate vice president.
“We are going to move forward positively for the greater good of Augusta,” Johnson said.
MORE: Mayor-elect Johnson names chief of staff
As program director for Augusta Locally Grown, Meagher was responsible for day-to-day operations for the network of sustainable food providers and farmers markets now housed at the HUB for Community Innovation. She oversaw the organization’s four primary program areas: food pharmacy, food for health, education and business services and assisted with development of all initiatives, the statement said.
Prior to Augusta Locally Grown, Meagher served as communications and community impact director for the American Heart Association. There she helped start the Laney Walker Farmers Market. Prior to that, as a senior communications and media coordinator at Augusta University, she was part of a team that created an award-winning documentary about the university’s first Olympian and traveled to Rio to cover the 2016 games. Meagher has an MPA from Augusta University and is credited with doubling enrollment in the program, the statement said.
“I’m a fourth generation Augustan and truly love this city,” Meagher said. “I look forward to sharing its story and serving the community alongside the mayor, the Augusta-Richmond County Commissioners, and their teams.”
Meagher brings the number of mayor’s office staff reporting directly to him to two. Johnson was elected in a June runoff to replace two-term Mayor Hardie Davis, who is subject to Augusta’s two-term limit.
Johnson will be given the oath of office Dec. 20 and takes office Jan. 1.
Susan McCord is a staff writer with The Augusta Press. Reach her at susan@theaugustapress.com
