JoAnne Taylor, Post 5
Elected 2017
As an experienced Executive Professional, Council Member Taylor serves our community in several capacities as her way of “giving back”. After a 32-year career with IBM, she retired from her position of Vice President in the Global Telecommunications Industry. She holds a BA in English Literature from Mercy College and is a Certified Sales Executive. Her extensive career included positions in executive and line management, applications development, systems programming, systems engineering and large system sales, which required many moves based on the assignments.
Residing in Dahlonega since 2004, Council Member Taylor is an Alumni of Leadership Lumpkin Class of 2009, and has previously served the community as a volunteer with the Lumpkin County Literacy Coalition, Secretary of the Joint Development Authority of Dawson, Lumpkin and White Counties, Vice Chair of the Development Authority of Lumpkin County, and as a Corporate Board member with Connect North Georgia. She is Past President of the Community Helping Place, currently serving as Secretary of the Community Helping Place Board, a volunteer mentor in the Lumpkin County School System and serving on the Dahlonega City Council since Nov 2017. She received Kids First recognition from Family Connection in 2018. She is also serves on the Advisory Board for Georgia Mountains WorkSource. All of her net earnings from her role on City Council are donated to local charities.
During the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) annual meeting on July 2, 2020, Council Member Taylor was elected first vice president for GMA District 2, putting her in line to succeed as president of the district. In this role, Taylor will serve as a liaison between GMA and municipal officials in GMA’s District 2. GMA is the only state organization that represents municipal governments in Georgia. Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and technical consulting services to its members. GMA currently represents 537 cities in Georgia.
She will also attend GMA-sponsored events, including the association’s annual convention; promote engagement in GMA activities and programs with other cities in the district; advocate for GMA’s legislative priorities; and share with GMA staff any needs and concerns of member cities in their district. As the District First Vice President, Taylor will also serve on GMA Board of Directors.
Along with her vested interest in our community she also enjoys time with family, reading, observing birds in their natural habitat, singing choral music, traveling, golf and baking bread.
Council Member Taylor is very appreciative of the opportunity to serve in a community that she loves!