The Fulton County Board of Commissioners will choose the county’s manager from a pool of local applicants.

Commissioners Wednesday narrowed their search for a new manager to three candidates: Cobb County manager David Hankerson, former MARTA deputy general manager Dwight Ferrell and Fulton County finance director Patrick O’Connor.

Commission chairman John Eaves said he didn’t have a specific timeline for picking a new manager.

“It’s a good group for us to choose from,” Eaves said of the finalists.

The county has been without a permanent manager since Zachary Williams left the post in December to become chief operating officer in DeKalb County. Fulton County Attorney David Ware has been serving as interim county manager.

The manager runs the day-to-day operations of the county government serving about 978,000 residents.

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Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez