Bright Future Ahead: Meet the New Leaders in the Robins Region

This next generation is working to make Middle Georgia an even better place to live.

By Teree Caruthers on July 13, 2023

Nathan Lambrecht

Strong leadership is critical to the success of any community – never more so than in the Robins Region of Georgia. The next generation of Robins Region leaders are passionate about making a difference and are working to create positive change by improving the quality of life for residents, creating jobs and attracting new businesses to the area.

The History Maker

Take LaRhonda Patrick for example. As Warner Robins’ first Black and female mayor, she says her election symbolizes the city’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“Warner Robins is known as the international city. I think my election symbolizes that diversity and how the city creates opportunities for everyone. I feel a tremendous sense of pride being the first,” says Patrick, who was elected in 2021.

Patrick began her political career as an undergraduate at Georgia State University. She interned at the state capital and says her experience there and then later at the General Assembly sparked an interest in public service.

“I got to see all pieces of the legislative process – the good, the bad and the ugly. I didn’t so much like the ugly,” she says, “so I decided that I wanted to be a part of the change, the solution to the issues.”

One of her first goals is a revitalized downtown.

“We’re going to define our footprint – what makes Warner Robins unique and what is going to pull people into our city not just to live, but to visit as well,” she says. “That will start with redeveloping our historical downtown. We want to create a space for entertainment, a green space for families and a shopping district where people can get a different type of shopping experience.”

David Collins Media

The Community Servant

One thing that makes the region unique is the presence of Robins Air Force Base, and Dan Perdue, the new chairman of the Houston County Board of Commissioners, says one of his priorities will be to build on the relationship between the base and the community.

“Partly because of Robins Air Force Base, we have a long line of community and civic-servant-minded folks here. We have a spirit of togetherness that I think doesn’t exist in a lot of places. As we look toward the future, we’re going to continue to support Robins Air Force Base and look for opportunities to partner with them and assist where they need our help so we can continue to attract great missions to Warner Robins and Houston County,” Perdue says.

Perdue took the helm as chairman after 50 years of the same leadership. “I didn’t have a goal to become chairman,” Perdue says, “but I believe in having a servant and leadership mentality. Yes, I’m the chair of the County Commission, but my most important role is servant – serving the people of Houston County. I hope to lead the county in a way that is fiscally responsible, that supports Robins Air Force Base and that supports other economic development activities that make the region a great place to live and work.”

The Innovator

LaKeitha Weston Gordon, the new executive director and principal of the Central Georgia Technical College Academy, is also doing her part to aid in the region’s economic development efforts.

The Academy allows students between the ages of 16 and 21 to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and college credits. The school serves students who learn better in a nontraditional setting.

“We serve students in 11 counties – students who have just kind of lost their way. The traditional high school setting was not working for them, but they have a great work ethic, and they know what they want to do,” she says

“This program gives those students an opportunity to not only obtain their high school diploma but also a college certificate at no cost to them. That’s a win-win for our entire community. That’s why I’m excited as a leader and as the principal of the CGTC Academy when I see our students walk across that stage. I know they’re getting something that they would not have gotten had this program not been here.”