Sterling Named Secretary Of State's Chief Operating Officer

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — Georgia Secretary of State-elect Brad Raffensperger has tapped former Sandy Springs City Council member Gabriel Sterling to serve as chief operating officer for the agency.

The COO is the overall director of budgetary, human resources and administrative operations within the office of Secretary of State. Sterling is president of SSH, Inc., a business and political consulting firm. He served on the Sandy Springs City Council from 2006 to 2018 where he was an advocate for neighborhoods and small businesses.

“I have worked with Mr. Sterling on several projects, and have found him to be knowledgeable and insightful to the intersection between the political and business communities,” said Raffensperger. “He has shown a creativity and management acumen that will be helpful in ensuring that the staff at SOS are properly equipped to perform their duties.”

Raffensperger, who appointed Sterling to his transition team, went on to say the former councilman's political and business successes will help all residents of the Peach State, and that he's excited to work with him and his entire team.

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"I have worked with Mr. Sterling in several projects and have found him to be a talented professional," added Jordan Fuchs, who Raffensperger also named deputy secretary of state. "I look forward to working with him."

Sterling was actively involved in wooing Mercedes-Benz USA to move its headquarters to Sandy Springs. He currently serves as the vice chairman of the Sandy Springs Development Authority, and serves on the boards of directors of Sandy Springs Conservancy and Heritage Sandy Springs. He is the treasurer of the Phoenix Patriot Foundation, a charity serving post-9/11 veterans. He was recently appointed to the Beltline Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee.

“I am excited for the opportunity to serve the people of Georgia,” Sterling said. “I am humbled that Secretary of State-elect Raffensperger asked me to serve and look forward to hitting the ground running to help achieve Raffensperger’s vision for the Office of Secretary of State.”

Raffensperger will be sworn in Jan. 14, 2019, and Sterling will assume his duties as COO on that date.

Image via Gabriel Sterling