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Rapson moves to chief of staff in Fulton

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Effective today, part-time Peachtree City Councilman Steve Rapson is the new full-time chief of staff for Fulton County Commission Chairwoman Karen Handel, considered by many a rising star in state Republican circles.

Rapson left his previous day job as budget director for Fulton County government, where he has overseen the metro county’s entire budget for the past five years.

In his new role Rapson will concentrate on working with Fulton County officials, state agencies and the legislature in addition to handling concerns from the county’s roughly 900,000 citizens.

Rapson said he was looking for a new challenge, and he feels this is a good career move for him to make. He cited Handel as a “prudent and direct leader in Fulton County.”

Rapson said the job would broaden his experience in government, but the experience he already has is one reason he was chosen for the job, Handel said in a press release issued Tuesday afternoon.

“Steve brings extensive public and private sector knowledge to the position,” Handel said. “His financial and accounting background is a real plus, but his real attributes lie in his ability to work with many different people, resolve conflict and find solutions. I am happy he has decided to join our team.”

Handel’s previous chief of staff was Joy Dieal; she resigned recently to become a full-time mother, officials said.

Rapson said his primary job will be helping Handel implement her policies and procedures and help the county commission “clarify the direction of Fulton County.”

Rapson is effectively taking a pay cut of about $1,000 for the new position, and he said he faces the same uncertainty that most other government employees face over their job security. Nonetheless, Rapson felt it was a risk worth taking.

“If she decides to move for higher office I could go with her or I could choose to stay here,” Rapson said, also noting that Handel’s name is well-regarded in Republican circles.

Rapson previously served in the financial departments of Peachtree City and the Fayette County Board of Education in addition to working for Wachovia Bank.