After his retirement, David Hankerson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “I never hated to come to work for Cobb; I couldn’t wait. I was always here early, always here late.”

Those who worked with and for him know that is almost an understatement.

Hankerson came to work for Cobb in 1984 and was named County Manager in early 1993. He held that position for 24 years and shepherded county government as it moved from a mixed suburban/rural area to a rapidly growing metropolitan county.

David Hankerson died Thursday, January 25, 2024, after a long illness. He was 77.  

A Celebration of Life service in memory of David Hankerson will be held on Wednesday, February 7th at 11 am at Turner Chapel AME Church located at 492 North Marietta Parkway NE in Marietta, Georgia. The public is welcome to attend.

Current County Manager Dr. Jackie McMorris says Hankerson brought her to Cobb County in 2013.  

“But for Mr. Hankerson, I would not be where I am today,” Dr. McMorris said.  “I believe the core values he has instilled in Cobb still resonate to this day, which include integrity, honesty, work hard, show up, and be ready when you show up. He was a giant in Cobb, and his legacy will live on in all of us.”

Chairwoman Lisa Cupid said Hankerson provided needed guidance when she became a district commissioner.

"David was a giant in our county and unmatched in his leadership and service to commissioners, employees, and civic and business leaders," Chairwoman Cupid said.  "I could not have accomplished all I did as a District Commissioner without his support. My prayers go out to David’s family and the Cobb Community during this very difficult time."

"Today, we lost a gentle giant and exemplary leader of this county," said District 3 Commissioner JoAnn K. Birrell.  "David Hankerson will be remembered fondly for his management style, integrity, and leadership. He was a great mentor, husband, father, son, and friend. Thoughts and prayers are with his family. RIP Mr. H."

David Hankerson acquired a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from Fort Valley State College and a Juris Doctorate from the Woodrow Wilson College of Law. He served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1970 in the Signal Corps, headquartered in Seoul, Korea. Upon his return to Georgia, he was a District Conservationist for the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service.

He came to Cobb County Government in 1984 and served as manager of the Community Development Department. He was appointed Cobb County Manager on February 1, 1993. 

His last appearance before the Board of Commissioners came in September 2022 to celebrate the county’s 25th year of receiving a triple AAA rating. Hankerson said that had become a priority when he became county manager, and the county achieved that goal just a few years later.

“Triple AAA is about financing, but it's more than just financing,” Hankerson said. “It's about leadership, about community relations, and business relationships. We were very proud of that triple AAA rating.”

Hankerson was a Leadership Cobb Alumnus, a graduate of the Regional Leadership Institute, a member of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia General Government and Natural Resources and Environmental Policy Committees, a graduate of the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership Class, National Security Forum Alumni and a member of the Marietta Kiwanis Club. 

He served on numerous civic and professional boards. In 2006, Governor Perdue appointed him to the Environmental Advisory Council. In 2008, he became a member of the ICMA Client Advisory Forum, and in 2009, he was invited to serve on The Walker School Board of Directors and The Strand Board of Directors. 

He received numerous awards, including one of five distinguished Georgians to receive an Excellence in Public Service Award for 2004, and in 2005, the Blacks United for Youth/Cobb presented him with the Justice Robert Benham Award for outstanding leadership, service, and total commitment for the equality of all citizens. In 2008, the Senior Citizen Council of Cobb County presented Hankerson with the Community Leader of the Year award. In May 2009, he received the Delta Upsilon Boule Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity Founder’s Day Excellence in Government Award. 

In July 2009, the Board of Commissioners named the Safety Village Education Building in his honor. 2010 awards include the Marietta Daily Journal Citizen of the Year, 100 Black Men of North Metro Image Award, and the Cobb NAACP Hugh Grogan Political Action Award.