Following a national search and assessment center process, the City of Savannah has hired two chiefs to solidify top leadership roles within the executive staff.

Saesha Carlile has been selected as Chief Operating Officer for the Management Services Service Center and Joseph Shearouse has been selected as Chief of Information and Public Affairs. Both selected hires are effective immediately.

“These hires have secured crucial leadership positions within our executive team that will be vital to carrying out the goals of our newly adopted strategic plan,” City Manager Jay Melder said. “Saesha and Joe bring an incredible amount of knowledge and experience to our leadership table that will be invaluable in the coming years.”

Carlile joins Team Savannah with nearly 20 years of work for state, municipal, and federal organizations. Most recently, Carlile served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs at the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) where she oversaw the development and execution of a $148 billion annual budget. She also served as Administrative Officer for District of Columbia (D.C.).
Before joining USDOT, Carlile served as Deputy Budget Director for the Mayor of the District of Columbia, managing a $15.5 billion annual budget for over 100 agencies. She began her federal career at the U.S. Department of the Treasury in 2009, as a budget analyst and concluded as Director for the Office of Financial Management following multiple promotions.

During her time at USDOT, Carlile won a Results for American Gold Award and an AGA Certificate of Excellent in Accountability Reporting for her budgetary work.

Carlile will oversee the City’s Management Services including Financial Services, Management and Budget, Human Resources, Real Estate Services, Capital Projects Management, Risk Management, and Performance and Accountability.

Carlile received a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from the University of Illinois, graduating with summa cum laude honors. She also holds a Master of Public Policy with a concentration in Management and Economics from Rutgers University.

Joe Shearouse served as the acting Chief for 10 months before being named to the role permanently. Shearouse has 12 years of dedicated service to the City, most recently as the Director of Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs, leading the City’s efforts on major policy and legislative initiatives.

As a member of the City’s Executive Leadership team for the last three years, Shearouse has spearheaded several major policy initiatives including the Hotel Motel Tax legislation, Local Option Sales Tax Negotiations, implementation of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and the expansion of regional partnerships and cooperation.

Shearouse will oversee five departments under Information and Public Affairs: Innovation Technology Services, Recorder’s Court, Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs, Municipal Archives, Organizational Development and the Office of Public Communications.

Shearouse is a graduate of the University of Georgia where he earned undergraduate degrees in history and political science, as well as a Master of Public Administration.