White County Appoints Jessie Owensby as Director of Community and Economic Development

White County has announced the appointment of Jessie Owensby as its new Director of Community and Economic Development following a comprehensive and competitive selection process.

In her new role, Owensby will lead the county’s planning and zoning, building inspections, code enforcement, geographic information systems (GIS), and economic development efforts. She will collaborate closely with county officials, advisory boards, and community stakeholders to promote responsible growth, uphold development standards, and enhance economic opportunities throughout White County.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jessie to our leadership team,” said County Manager Derick Canupp. “She is widely respected across North Georgia as a leader in planning and zoning, and her experience, professionalism, and vision will be a tremendous asset to White County.”

Owensby brings more than ten years of experience in community and economic development across Northeast Georgia. Most recently, she served as Community Development Director for the City of Cornelia, where she spearheaded redevelopment initiatives that generated over $100 million in private downtown investment and significantly reduced commercial vacancy rates. Under her leadership, Cornelia earned multiple statewide awards for downtown development, planning, and community revitalization.

Owensby holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Georgia and is a Georgia Certified Economic Developer, Certified Zoning Inspector, and Certified Downtown Development Professional. She has also been recognized by Georgia Trend as both a “40 Under 40” honoree and one of Georgia’s “500 Most Influential Georgians.”

She will begin her new position with White County on March 2, 2026, succeeding John Sell, who has served as Director of Community and Economic Development since 2017. County officials expressed their sincere appreciation to Sell for his years of dedicated service and lasting contributions to White County’s growth and progress.