City of Thomasville City Manager Alan Carson has announced three promotions within the City’s organizational structure. Sheryl Sealy has been promoted to Executive Director of Marketing and Customer Services, April Norton has been promoted to Director of Economic and Community Development, and Melissa Donaldson has been promoted to Director of Customer Services. The appointments became effective on April 1, 2020.
“I am very pleased to announce these well-deserved promotions. We are so fortunate as a City to have such qualified and committed individuals who dedicate their careers to serving our community. Combined, this trio has over fifty years of experience within our City structure,” Carson said. “I have full confidence that they will provide us continued leadership and experience for the present with an eye towards the future in these vital areas of our organization.”
Sealy has more than 22 years of experience with the City of Thomasville. In her most recent role, she served as the Managing Director of Marketing & Communications. In this capacity, she was responsible for the City’s marketing, communications, and customer care functions while providing oversight for the Main Street, tourism and special events departments. She also has direct responsibility and oversight of programming, product development, and marketing for CNSNext. Sealy is a graduate of Thomas University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She has also earned a Master of Science degree from Nova Southeastern University. Her professional experience includes more than thirty years in areas such as human resources, tourism, marketing, public relations, resource development, communications and customer service.
Norton previously served as Director of Main Street and Business Development for the City of Thomasville. In 2010, she joined the City of Thomasville as a Marketing Associate and accepted a position in 2015 as Director of Thomasville’s Main Street Program and Downtown Development Authority. Under Norton’s leadership, Downtown Thomasville has seen a net growth of over fifty new businesses, providing nearly 300 new jobs, as well as over $34 million dollars in public and private investment. In addition to directing the Main Street program, Norton is responsible for the City’s tourism efforts, community-wide events, and for small business development. Norton currently serves on the Georgia Downtown Association Board of Directors, representing Region 10. She is a graduate of Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Speech Communication.
Donaldson has been with the City for more than 17 years, in various Information Technology roles, most recently as Applications Product Manager. Throughout her career with the City, Donaldson has gained valuable knowledge related to utility billing and has built a wealth of understanding for the City’s business rules as they relate to customer service policies and procedures. She has been instrumental in the development and implementation of many technology products over the years, including products related to customer-facing tools such as the City of Thomasville mobile application and Utilities Online portals. Donaldson also worked extensively in the launch and implementation of new offerings from CNSNext. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Valdosta State University.
“Sheryl, April and Melissa not only understand our structure and our culture, they are focused on service to customers and the community,” said Carson. “I look forward to working with them and hope you’ll join me in congratulating them as they move forward in these new roles.”
For more information about the City of Thomasville, call 229-227-7001 or visit Thomasville.org.
Pictured above L – R: Sheryl Sealy, April Norton, Melissa Donaldson