Habersham County has named Rob Moore as its new public information officer. The long-time local reporter and newspaper editor took over the job left vacant by the recent departure of Carolyn Gibson.
His first day on the job was January 18.
In his new position, Moore is the point of contact for Habersham County government, including the commission office, emergency services, and sheriff’s office.
“I am excited to be taking on this new role in my home county, where I have reported on news and happenings for 30 years,” Moore tells Now Habersham. “My goal is that through our local media outlets, social media, and the county’s website, the residents of Habersham County will receive accurate and timely updates on major incidents but also will learn more about the workings of county government officials, departments, offices, and agencies.”
Habersham County Manager Alicia Vaughan says Moore brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the public information area. She says he has served as a trusted partner to Habersham’s municipalities, local businesses, and other community stakeholders in his previous positions.
“We feel he will be a huge asset in helping the county meet its goals of being transparent, accessible, and communicating in a timely and consistent manner to our citizens,” says Vaughn.
Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell has known Moore since high school. He says he looks forward to working with him in his new role as PIO.
“I am excited to have Rob working for us. He brings a wealth of knowledge from his time in the media world and will help Habersham County keep our citizens abreast of the goings on not only on the government side but also the public safety side of our county,” says Terrell.
Career journalist
A native of Habersham County, Moore has reported the news in Habersham and surrounding counties in a career spanning 30 years, most recently wrapping up a decade with Jacobs Media’s WDUN Radio and AccessWDUN.com.
Moore formerly served as news director for radio stations WCHM in Clarkesville and WJRB and WJUL in Young Harris and worked for 14 years at Community Newspapers Inc., with The Northeast Georgian newspaper as a staff writer, news editor, and editor.
Throughout his news career, Moore covered government meetings at all levels, court proceedings, public safety and crime incidents, and community events.
Public service
Moore holds Public Information Officer certification from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Additionally, he formerly served for ten years as a lieutenant and the volunteer public information officer for Habersham Emergency Management Agency. He also worked at the public information desk in the GEMA State Operations Center during Hurricane Mitch.
Before drones and UAVs were part of most agencies’ toolkits, Moore performed aerial damage photography for GEMA after the Hurricane Opal Tornadoes, the deadly White/Hall Tornadoes, and other significant storms across North Georgia.
Working with the Georgia Municipal Association, he has assisted with classes teaching elected and appointed government officials about open government and dealing with media.
A former Volunteer of the Year for the City of Cornelia, he has remained active in the Habersham Volunteers in Police Service for about 20 years, holding the rank of lieutenant, and has served as a public safety chaplain. He previously served on the Big Red Apple Festival Committee in Cornelia for ten years, the Habersham Bank Homecoming Steering Committee, Habersham County Relay for Life Steering Committee, and, most recently, has served on the Mt. Airy Civic Association, the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair Committee, and the Baldwin Events Committee.
Moore is a member of Providence Baptist Church of Batesville.
He is a graduate of Habersham Central High School and of Piedmont College and Truett-McConnell College, now both universities.
