WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Less than a month into his new role, Warner Robins City Administrator James Drinkard is already setting the stage for significant organizational transformation, promising to bring entrepreneurial spirit and technological innovation to local government.
Drinkard, who previously spent 24 years working in Alpharetta's municipal government, says he was brought on to help the city move from reactive to proactive governance.
"Local government needs to be entrepreneurial," he said. "We need to be innovative. We need to embrace emerging technologies."
One of his primary focuses is technology, particularly artificial intelligence. Drinkard believes Warner Robins is behind the curve in leveraging modern technological tools.
"What advantages can AI provide to us?" he asked. "Right now, they've kind of looked at it as 'We've heard of AI, we'll probably need to look at that sometime.' We need to embrace it."
The city administrator is also committed to reimagining communication between local government and residents. He says he emphasizes the importance of engaging the public, not just informing them.
"Our job is not to communicate to the public, but to communicate with the public," Drinkard said. "We need to engage them in decision-making and understand their vision for the community."
A key project on Drinkard's radar is the Commercial Circle downtown development. The city currently owns approximately 72% of properties in the immediate area, positioning it to create a comprehensive urban experience.
Drinkard says he believes creating a true community space goes beyond simply constructing buildings.
"People don't come to collections of buildings," he said. "People want an experience."
His approach to leadership includes a comprehensive listening and learning phase. In his first 30 days, Drinkard has been meeting with departments, talking to employees, and identifying opportunities for process improvements.
A strategic planning retreat is scheduled for January, where Drinkard plans to present initial recommendations to the mayor and city council. These recommendations will likely focus on organizational structure, process flow, and technological integration.
Drinkard sees Warner Robins as a city with immense potential.
"We are one of Georgia's largest cities," he said. "We need to put that on the map - figuratively and literally - and show what the heart of Georgia really looks like."
The city administrator is particularly interested in tapping into the ideas of line employees, believing that the best innovations often come from those closest to day-to-day operations.
With Robins Air Force Base serving as the largest single industrial site in Georgia and providing 29% of the city's jobs, Drinkard understands the critical importance of strategic planning and infrastructure development.
The city's leadership appears supportive of Drinkard's approach. A strategic planning retreat in January will provide the first comprehensive look at his proposed changes and vision for Warner Robins' future.