CEO Thurmond Appoints New Chief Communications Officer

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announces the promotion of Andrew Cauthen to chief communications officer.

Cauthen, who will serve as the county chief communications officer, has been with the county since 2016, most recently serving as communications manager.

An award-winning journalist with extensive experience covering local and state government in South Carolina and Georgia, Cauthen has more than 20 years of journalism and communications experience. 

Prior to joining the county, Cauthen, who holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Clemson University, served as the managing editor of The Champion, DeKalb’s legal organ.

Sloan Turner, previously DeKalb’s senior public relations specialist, has been promoted to communications manager. Turner has been with the county since 2020 and brings more than 12 years’ experience in public and media relations, communications, and community outreach. She has served as a public information officer and community outreach specialist with the City of Atlanta.

Turner holds a Master of Business Administration from Clark Atlanta University and a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification from Georgia State University. 

Quinn Hudson will continue to serve the county as a senior communications consultant.