Gov. Deal Appoints DeKalb Commission Chair Lee May To Replace Ellis As CEO

As a temporary replacement, Deal has appointed Lee May as DeKalb CEO. May has been serving as chairman of the DeKalb County Commission.

In a statement, Gov. Deal said:

“I agree with the bipartisan panel of elected officials that the allegations against Burrell Ellis directly relate to and adversely affect his ability to carry out his duties as DeKalb CEO. I will therefore sign an executive order to suspend him from office until his term ends or until the case against him is adjudicated. The responsibility to suspend and replace elected officials is one that I do not relish, but one I will not shy away from. The laws of Georgia give the governor the authority to appoint an interim official, but with my appointment, I will respect the spirit of the local statute which calls for the commission chairman to succeed the CEO should the office come open. I gave this appointment thoughtful consideration and I was looking for a leader who had already won approval from DeKalb voters and knows how the county operates. The new CEO meets these criteria, and I thank him for his willingness to serve.”

A committee of Ellis’ peers unanimously recommended Deal suspend Ellis Monday.

As noted in Deal’s statement, the governor had the authority to suspend Ellis or allow him to remain in office.

Earlier this year, in a similar situation, Deal decided to replace most of DeKalb’s school board. In context, Deal said the Ellis decision was unique.

“The first one was unusual. To have two of the magnitude of this I think is certainly historic in those terms.”

Gov. Deal said May will hold the CEO position until Ellis’ court case is decided. According to state law, if the case isn’t decided by December, or the end of the next court term, Ellis will be reinstated.

District Attorney Robert James promised a speedy trial, saying he was aware he needed to “put up or shut up.”

Earlier in the day, Deal listed the traits he had been looking for in a replacement.  

“Obviously you would like someone if possible who has been tested by the voters but also someone who has the background and skills that would be necessary to run a large county like DeKalb County,” said Deal.