White County Manager Billy Pittard will step down in January of next year.
A news release from White County spokesperson Bryce Barrett on Tuesday said Pittard has elected to resign to “focus on personal obligations at his family farm in Oglethorpe County.”
Pittard was named county manager in the fall of 2023, according to Barrett. Pittard’s last day on the job will be Jan. 10, 2025. Pittard’s annual salary is $154,000.
“(Pittard) had been commuting (from Oglethorpe),” Barrett told Now Habersham. “He’s got a farm down there, and I just think the obligations personally and professionally had become too much.”
White County’s Board of Commissioners has selected Derick Canupp, the current public works director and assistant county manager, as the sole finalist to succeed Pittard. Pittard will continue to serve as a “consultant” for three months to “ease the transition” for Canupp,” according to Barrett.
Barrett said Canupp’s pay will be decided before an official vote is taken by commissioners in November.
“I have very much enjoyed my time in White County and we have accomplished some great things during this time,” Pittard said following the announcement. “I really appreciate this Board and while I did not anticipate making this move this early, I feel like this will be a great opportunity for Derick, Shanda, and even myself.”
Canupp will be the third person to serve as White County manager in a two year period.
Shanda Murphy, the current county clerk and human resources director for White County, will be promoted to the role of assistant county manager.
Background
Canupp, a Clarkesville resident and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, joined White County as public works director in 2021 before he was appointed to the assistant county manager position in July 2023. He holds a bachelor’s of science in business administration with a focus on project management from Liberty University.
Murphy began in her career in White County in 2005 as human resources director before she was named county clerk in 2008. Murphy, a White County native, has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from North Georgia College. In 2024, she was named the County Clerk of the Year by the Georgia Association of County Clerks.
White County Commission Chairman Travis Turner expressed confidence in the decision to promote Canupp and Murphy Tuesday.
“Derick and Shanda bring a wealth of experience and a shared passion for public service that will carry White County forward,” Turner said. “Derick’s strong leadership and Shanda’s deep institutional knowledge make them the perfect team to lead our county. We’re fortunate to have such dedicated and capable leaders ready to step up.”
