Charles "Corkey" Welch

Background For those of you who don’t know me, I have lived in the Smyrna area for over 42 years. I am a native of El Dorado, Arkansas and graduated from El Dorado High School in 1977. After graduation I went on to attend the University of Arkansas until moving to Smyrna in 1981 to be closer to my future wife, Catherine Stevenson Welch. Catherine and I were married in 1982, and except for a brief time in the fall/winter of 1982 and 1983, have lived in the Smyrna area.

I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering and have worked as a Civil Engineering Consultant, to cities and counties across Georgia, for 42 years. During my time in this career I rose to become President of Stevenson & Palmer Engineering, Inc. before merging with Goodwyn, Mills, Cawood, LLC in 2016. Currently, I am the Senior Client Manager for the State of Georgia. The company has over 500 employees serving multiple disciplines including civil engineering, architecture, geotechnical engineering, landscape architecture, electrical engineering, environmental engineering and several other related services.

My Family Catherine is a happily retired preschool teacher with 26 years of experience at the Smyrna First United Methodist Kindergarten. She currently enjoys her retirement, volunteering with Community Bible Study (CBS) and helping care for two especially adorable and active grandchildren, who each attend school in Smyrna.

We have two children, Charles and Nikki. Both attended King Springs Elementary, Griffin Middle and graduated from Campbell High School. Charles is a graduate of Georgia Tech in 2009 with a degree in Industrial Engineering and Nikki, graduated from the University of Georgia in 2013 with a degree in Journalism.

Why I’m running for re-election I am running for re-election for your Ward 4 City councilman because I feel that my experience working with other cities and counties and my 12 years of experience as your representative gives me the insight that can benefit the City of Smyrna.

The city, in recent years, has experienced a great deal of prosperity. We have the highest financial rating achievable by a city of a county as well as a significant reserve in our coffers. This didn’t happen by accident. Previous City Councils and those representing the city worked tirelessly to make Smyrna what it is today. I have always felt that part of my responsibility was to maintain the balance established by others that served before me. That responsibility doesn’t come without challenges and controversy.

I’m not entering this campaign with a list of promises. I am always leery of campaign promises from candidates so I’m careful about what I promise. I will promise to be proactive in communicating with you as citizens of Smyrna and that I will always vote based on my understanding of the issue as presented and upon its merit to the betterment of the city of Smyrna.

Please vote for me, Charles “Corkey” Welch on November 7.


Memberships and Accomplishments

Member Consulting Engineering Council of Georgia
      Procurement Committee member 1999-2001
      Legislative Committee 2002

Member Georgia Water and Pollution Control Association
      Legal Affairs Committee 2002

Member American Water Works Association

Member Georgia Rural Water Association

Associate Member Georgia Municipal Association (Corporate)
      Annual Convention Attendee since 1992

Associate Member Association of County Commissioners (Corporate)
      Annual Convention Attendee since 2000 +/-

Member King Spring Baptist Church
      Ordained Deacon 1998
      Past Finance Committee Chairman
      Past Pastor selection committee
      Past Sunday School Director
      Past Renovation Committee Member