Writer: Staff Reports
Published January 28, 2021
Patch.com
The City of Suwanee is both happy and sad to announce the retirement of two beloved 20+ year employees, whose contributions have been integral to the success of our community.
After 23 years of service to the city and a total of 47 years in law enforcement, Suwanee Police Chief Mike Jones has announced his retirement. During his tenure, the Suwanee Police Department has more than doubled in size. The department became accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies in 2010 – one of just 56 in Georgia – and in 2016, the department was named the Phyllis Goodwin Agency of the Year by the Georgia Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates. Chief Jones was also named Outstanding Chief of the Year by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police in 2018.
Chief Jones has been a leader throughout the state, serving as president and vice president of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police and on the Reinhardt College Police and Gwinnett Technical College advisory boards. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and Georgia Command College, and Chief Jones has taught at all levels of law enforcement, sharing his extensive experience and knowledge with his fellow officers.
"I can't say enough about Chief Jones and his outstanding tenure with the city. He transformed the Suwanee Police Department into the high quality Department that it is," said Suwanee City Manager Marty Allen. "In 23 years of working together, I have witnessed a dedicated professional that earnestly works to serve and better his community with humility."
Additionally, City Clerk Elvira Rogers, has also announced her retirement. Rogers has been with the City of Suwanee for 22 years, originally hired as part-time to support the planning, inspections, and public works departments. She completed the Management Development Program at the University of Georgia in 2001, and became a Certified Municipal Clerk in 2009, obtaining her Master Clerk Certification in 2016. Prior to the city, Rogers worked for Gwinnett County government for 12 years.
Rogers is a pastor within the United Methodist Church, and plans to "devote more time to her calling" in her retirement.
"Life's journey has had many twists and turns but God has been with me along the way and I'm thankful to have served this great community," said Rogers.
"Elvira was the first person I hired when I came to the city. We've been through a lot together," commented Allen. "Her contributions will always be valued and remembered; Elvira's commitment and dedication these past 22 years are worthy of admiration."
With every change comes new opportunities for others: Deputy Chief Cass Mooney was sworn in as Suwanee's new police chief, effective February 1, and administrative coordinator Robyn O'Donnell is the new City Clerk.
Chief Mooney has spent 23 of his 26 years in law enforcement at the City of Suwanee. He holds a degree in criminal justice from the University of North Georgia, as well as a Master of Public Administration with concentration in Justice Administration from Columbus State University. Chief Mooney is a member of the FBI National Academy, Georgia Law Enforcement Command College, and completed the Certified Public Manager program at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia.
O'Donnell completed the Georgia Clerks Education Certificate Program in 2020, receiving the designation of official Georgia Certified Clerk. She began working on her accreditation in 2017, completing 105 hours of instruction in public administration courses. O'Donnell has been with the city since 2013, and has worked in municipal government since 2006.
