Bryan County recently welcomed a new community development director, Audra Miller, and a new human resources director, Riley Johnson.

Miller earned her bachelor's degree in political science from Baylor University, her master's degree in environmental sciences from Louisiana State University, and her Juris Doctor from the College of William and Mary. Prior to accepting this position, Miller worked for York County, South Carolina, as a planning director and growth management coordinator for three and a half years. In this position, she managed a staff of 40 employees and supervised and managed the implementation of impact fees, a comprehensive plan update, code revisions, permitting, and compliance with York County’s MS4 permit. According to Census data, York County is the fourth-fastest-growing county in South Carolina, behind Lancaster, Horry and Beaufort counties.

During her professional career, Miller has worked for county governments and private consulting firms in Florida, Georgia, Nevada, and South Carolina. She has collaborated on diverse projects, including conducting transportation studies for tribes, updating county ordinances, obtaining permits for mining projects on federal lands, and updating a solid waste management plan. In addition to being a member of the American Planning Association, Miller is also a member of the Florida Bar Association.

“We are fortunate to have someone so experienced and qualified join the county's staff," Bryan County Administrator Ben Taylor said. “This position is extremely important to county operations, and Chairman Infinger and the commission have full confidence in Ms. Miller. Her training and experience in York County – which has experienced tremendous growth as a Southeastern community, just like we are now – have equipped her to lead Community Development Department, which oversees planning and zoning. into the future. We congratulate her on this well-deserved appointment."

Johnson is a Georgia native who earned a golf scholarship to Mercer University, where he graduated with a bachelor of business administration degree in marketing and management. After completing his education, he worked as a membership director and marketing assistant for Honours Golf, Inc. (at the King & Bear and Slammer & Squire golf courses) in St. Augustine, Florida.

In 2005, Johnson returned to Georgia to work for The Landings Club in Savannah, where he stayed for 13 years, first working in the membership department as the member relations manager. Three years into his tenure at The Landings Club, a career shift took him into the human resources field. Johnson transitioned from the club’s human resources manager to assistant director of human resources, a role that allowed him to focus on enhancing employee benefits and restructuring the safety program, thus helping the club go for more than two years without a lost-time injury.

Johnson is a member of the local and national Society for Human Resource Management organizations. He served on the Savannah SHRM chapter board for two years. Johnson enjoys spending time with his wife, Sammi Jo, and their three children, Mercer, Kennedy and Palmer, as well as playing golf. He is also an active member of his church, where he helps with the children’s programs.

“I am pleased that Riley Johnson has joined our team of top-notch department leaders here in Bryan County,” Taylor said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, and his diverse background will undoubtedly come in handy as he serves the county employees and residents.”