City of Athens

C. Seth Sumner began service as the City Manager of his hometown, Athens, on February 2nd, 2017. He previously served as Assistant City Manager of Savannah and began his career as the City Manager of Clifton, after graduating with his Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Tennessee in 2009. Mr. Sumner is a certified economic developer (TCEcD), certified municipal finance officer (CMFO), is an International City Management Association Credentialed Manager (ICMA-CM), and a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Senior Executive Institute (UVA-SEI).

Seth is an inspired, resourceful, modern public manager mindful of the people’s resources and capacities, employing a corporate-minded resolve to local government management. He enjoys learning, travelling, tinkering, seeking out great food, and outdoor sporting. Most importantly, he is the proud husband to Katie and father to twins Georgia and Carl Mason, who joins their first child, a rescued Black and Tan Coonhound named Tensy.

Seth sums up his work ethic with a Robert Morrison quote, “To do what ought to be done but what would not have been done unless I did it, I thought to be my duty.”