The City of Roswell is pleased to welcome Don Stephens as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Stephens brings more than 30 years of executive leadership, organizational management, and strategic visioning experience to Roswell.
“We are excited to welcome Don and to witness how his exceptional leadership and experience will strengthen Roswell’s great team while helping us activate and achieve the City’s vision for the future,” said Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson. “Don has distinguished himself as a professional dedicated to servant-leadership, finding innovative solutions, ensuring financial accountability, and establishing meaningful relationships throughout his organizations and within the broader community.”
Reporting directly to the City Administrator, the COO serves as a trusted advisor to City leadership, overseeing internal and external commitments, ensuring priorities are strategically managed and results measured, and that service delivery meets and aligns with organizational performance standards. In this role, Stephens will work in concert with senior leadership to support organizational goals and objectives, Mayor and City Council strategic priorities, Citywide initiatives, special projects, operational efficiencies, fiscal affairs, and administrative operations.
Stephens’ career includes executive leadership roles in the aviation industry, shaping organizational vision and driving business development. His most recent aviation experience was with ABM where he served in a number of senior executive capacities, ultimately advancing to President of the Aviation division. During his tenure the business expanded from $350 million to $1 billion in annual revenue while building an end-to-end portfolio of airport services – one of the largest, most comprehensive networks in the US with international operations throughout Great Britain.
Prior to joining ABM, Stephens spent the entirety of his aviation career with Delta Air Lines and its regional affiliates & subsidiaries. As Senior Vice President Regional Airport Customer Services he led the transformation of Delta’s regional airport operations. He served as a founding member of Delta Connection, Inc., a subsidiary which established operating and commercial standards while expanding Delta’s regional aircraft portfolio to the world’s largest, most respected regional airline program.
“I’m genuinely grateful for the opportunity to join the talented and hardworking City officials and staff in serving the residents of Roswell. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have been a part of building and growing organizations with a priority towards service excellence,” said Stephens. “I’m excited to begin working with the team in delivering the City’s ambitious and transformational development plan while maintaining the unique qualities that make Roswell special.”
Stephens earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Thomas More University and has served on the board of several organizations and nonprofits.