DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has named Antwyn Brown as the new Deputy Chief Operating Officer (DCOO) for DeKalb County Government. Brown will work alongside Chief Operating Officer Zachary Williams to oversee the county’s operational departments and help maintain efficient, transparent, and customer-focused services.
“Antwyn Brown brings exceptional experience, analytical skill, and a deep commitment to public service,” said CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. “His leadership will strengthen our operational effectiveness and ensure that DeKalb County continues to meet the needs of residents with excellence and accountability.”
Brown has more than 20 years of experience in state and local government, education, and nonprofit organizations. His previous roles include serving as Chief of Staff and Policy Analyst for the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, Chief of Staff for the DeKalb County Board of Education, and Deputy Chief Operating Officer for the DeKalb County School District.
In recent years, DeKalb County schools have experienced a decrease in enrollment by 2.2% during the 2022-23 school year compared to the previous year. The district enrolled a total of 98,287 students in that period, with white students comprising 14% of the student body as the third most represented ethnic group (https://www.gadoe.org/).
Throughout his career, Brown has focused on aligning budget priorities with policy outcomes, managing capital improvement projects, evaluating performance, and implementing initiatives aimed at improving service delivery and equity across communities. He is recognized for his collaborative approach to leadership and his ability to build partnerships among agencies and stakeholders.
As DCOO, Brown will support daily management tasks across DeKalb’s operational departments while promoting transparency, responsiveness, and community impact.
“It is both a privilege and a homecoming to return to DeKalb County Government,” said Brown. “Having served this community in various capacities, I have seen firsthand the dedication of our employees and the resilience of our residents. I look forward to working with our leadership team to strengthen operations, improve service delivery, and continue building a government that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of the people we serve.”
“Antwyn’s return to DeKalb County Government represents a tremendous addition to our leadership team,” said Zachary Williams, Chief Operating Officer. “His operational experience, policy expertise, and deep understanding of this organization’s culture will help us continue to deliver high-quality services and build an even stronger foundation for DeKalb’s future.”
Brown is originally from Mississippi. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English-Journalism from Tougaloo College as well as a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration from Mississippi State University.
