Georgia Trend magazine has named Habersham County Commissioner Natalie Crawford to its list of 40 Under 40. The annual list recognizes forty outstanding leaders under the age of 40 who the magazine describes as the state’s “best and brightest.”
The Georgia Trend staff selected this year’s 40 Under 40 from nominations provided by readers throughout the state who know nominees best.
“In her day job, Natalie Crawford sells proprietary financial systems to clients with assets worth more than $1 billion. Her side hustle is serving as a two-term Habersham County commissioner,” the magazine article states.
Crawford is a native of Habersham County and a graduate of Piedmont College. She was compelled into public service around the time of the Great Recession as she watched industry leave the area, two community banks fail, and several small businesses shutter.
After getting her toes wet as chair of a local hospitality board, she took office as the District 4 commissioner in 2013. In that role, she commissioned the first corridor overlay study and helped form the county’s economic development council.
“I grew up a preacher’s kid,” Crawford says, “and I feel like I’m called to serve.”
Crawford, 39, calls it “humbling” to be recognized as one of Georgia’s ’40 Under 40.’ She spent the past eight years on the Habersham County Commission, and although she lost her recent reelection bid, she reflects fondly on her years of public service.
“We’ve accomplished so much over these eight years. I’ve worked with some wonderful people and watched them give so much of themselves to this county. The fellow Commissioners with whom I’ve served: Andrea Harper, Victor Anderson, Ed Nichols, Sonny James, Chad Henderson, Stacy Hall, Dustin Mealor, Tim Stamey, Jimmy Tench, each in their own right, have given of themselves to this community; and the wonderful staff who lay it on the line every day to make Habersham a truly great place to live, work, and play. The highlight for me is the honor and privilege of serving. The people of Habersham placed a tremendous amount of confidence and trust in me, and I will forever be grateful for this opportunity. I’m better for it, and I hope my time of service will be remembered for the great strides we made together to better and strengthen our home – economically, and I believe, in our grace and compassion for each other.”
2020 has been a challenging year, still, Crawford says, it’s brought “much joy and positive transitions,” as well.
One of the most significant transitions for Crawford and her family, no doubt, will happen when she leaves office. Being an elected official is practically in and of itself a full-time job, one that requires hours of challenging work performed under the often harsh spotlight of public scrutiny. When her term ends on December 31, Crawford will walk away from the job, but not her calling.
“Come January 1, nothing changes. As a family, we will continue to walk in our commitment and calling to serve. It is true I will no longer sit on the Commission, but the call on my life remains. The book of Ephesians chapter 4:1-3 reads, ‘I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ So we walk in it.”
Commissioner Crawford is featured in the October issue of Georgia Trend. This is the 24th year the magazine has released its annual 40 Under 40 list. In 2019, Cornelia Community Development Manager Jessie Owensby was among those recognized.
This article has been updated to include comments from Commissioner Crawford
