City of Perry welcomes Joseph Duffy as new Community Development Director 

PERRY — The City of Perry has appointed Joseph Duffy to be the new Community Development Director. 

Duffy, a native of Savannah, attended Ohio Wesleyan University to earn his undergraduate degree. While working in planning and development, he earned his Master of Business Administration at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

“I worked a number of different jobs in the Community Development industry [with] really doing more neighborhood planning level of work,” he said. “[I was] kind of working my way up to the position of Planning and Development Director of the City of Maple Heights, Ohio, which is a suburb of Cleveland home to around 25,000 people.”

After working for the City of Maple Heights, Duffy decided to move back to Georgia over a year ago, where he now works 30 minutes away from his hometown for the City of Hardeeville, South Carolina, as their Senior Planner. 

“I have a real passion for the work I’ve done with every level of community development work, from basic public communications, economic development, housing and a number of other planning activities,” he said. “I’m really excited about arriving in Perry and very interested in Middle Georgia as a region.” 

Duffy shared that he has worked in both historic neighborhood environments and rapidly growing cities, and the City of Perry is just that. 

“I think Perry is unique in that it has both the historic district and downtown area as well as the growth patterns outside of the downtown which I think makes a very unique work environment.” 

Duffy is most looking forward to introducing himself to the many City of Perry staff and the larger community. 

“I think I bring a balanced perspective to this type of work,” he said. “I hope to bring a collaborative spirit to Perry by working with the community members as well as our other partners across the community.” 

Duffy said the City of Perry is known for stability. His vision will be right there with Mayor Randall Walker’s and City Manager Lee Gilmour’s. 

“I think that continuing to implement the strategies that pre-date me, which involve the community extensively, is what I would like to succeed doing here,” he said. “It’s not necessarily any particular vision I, myself, seek to bring, but I would like to provide a stable environment for the city to grow under its own goals.” 

Duffy is also interested in hearing the feedback of the citizens on things happening in their city. 

“As a local government, any plans we would make as a government entity, we would really like to involve the community. I would certainly look to involve much of their feedback,” he said. 

Overall, Duffy is ready to take on the role of Community Development Director. He is thankful for the opportunity and said it is an exciting time to work in the City of Perry.