50 S G M A G A Z I N E | W I N T E R 2 0 1 7 - 2 0 1 8 Shaping the Future of Georgia’s Cities Larry Hanson Reflects on His Years in Valdosta as He Transitions to New Role After four decades of working for the City of Valdosta, including 22 years as city manager, Larry Hanson has moved from promoting the interest of one city to serving hundreds of communities across Georgia. Hanson officially began as executive director for the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) on Dec. 11, 2017. Established in 1933, the GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, professional training, employee benefits packages, and technical consulting services to more than 500 municipalities. His career with the City of Valdosta began in 1975 when he was hired by Dave Christian to work part time for parks and recreation. “I had just graduated from Valdosta High School the week before,” said Hanson, who is also a graduate of Valdosta State University. “I was basically doing manual labor. I raked ball fields, laid sod, and took care of whatever needed to be done.” Hanson’s first full-time job came in 1979 when he began working as a supervisor for the adult softball program. He then moved through the ranks, holding various administrative positions, including athletic director and assistant director of parks and recreation. In 1990, he became director of parks and recreation and community affairs. “People wonder how I have stayed at one place for 40 years,” said Hanson, who received the 2010 Georgia City/County Management Association Pillar of Professional Management Award. “But I have had a series of different jobs, and for the first 20 years I moved to a new position every three to four years.” Hanson, who does not back down from a challenge, said he would ask Christian to give him a trial period when a new job became available. “It was a tactical move on my part,” Hanson said. “I would offer to take the job without a pay increase for six months. I told Dave that if I couldn’t handle PHOTO: PAT GALLAGHER