Brookhaven conducts Oath of Office for new Mayor John Park and three new and returning Councilmembers

Brookhaven, GA, Jan. 05, 2024 – The City of Brookhaven begins the new year with the swearing in ceremony for Mayor-elect John Park, District 1 Councilmember-elect Michael Diaz, District 2 Councilmember Jennifer Owens and District 3 Councilmember Madeleine Simons on Jan. 8, at 4:30 p.m. at Brookhaven City Hall, 4362 Peachtree Road in Brookhaven.

After nearly ten years as a District 2 Councilmember, Mayor-elect Park will take the oath of office as the new mayor of Brookhaven, making history as the state's first Asian-American Pacific Islander elected to office.

Born in South Korea, Mayor-elect Park along with his family immigrated to the United States at the age of 6. Mayor-elect Park grew up mostly in Decatur, Ga.

Since moving to Brookhaven, Mayor-elect Park has formed an amateur soccer club (Nuesoft FC in the ADASL), fostered dogs for animal rescue organizations, and is a technical consultant for surveillance of nationally notifiable diseases with the CDC and state departments of health. 

Mayor-elect Park can be reached at John.Park@BrookhavenGA.gov 

Councilmember-elect Michael Diaz has been a dedicated member of the Brookhaven community since settling in Lynwood Park in 2009. In addition to participating in Brookhaven Yes, he served on the City's Planning Commission for almost 7 years, developing a deep understanding of the City's needs and development goals. His involvement in conservation is notable, working with organizations dedicated to preserving local water bodies and serving on the Peachtree Creek Greenway Board of Directors.

In his new role as a Council Representative, Michael is committed to enhancing the quality of life in Brookhaven. His vision is to promote fiscal soundness, sustainable development, and encourage active community participation. He aims to address crucial issues such as transparency, infrastructure improvement, and city planning, striving for a collaborative approach with residents and fellow council members. His goal is to create a Brookhaven that is not only prosperous but also inclusive and responsive to the needs of all its residents.

Professionally, Michael is a Civil Engineer specializing in Water and Wastewater.

Michael's journey began in Colombia, where he and his family left in the early '90s due to civil unrest. They immigrated to the United States, settling in Athens, Georgia. He is a proud 'Double Dawg' from the University of Georgia, holding a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering and a Masters of Science in Biological Engineering. Michael, his wife of 23 years, and their 21-year-old daughter share a strong bond with their Latinx heritage and the United States. The Diaz family actively participates in various charitable activities and enjoys outdoor pursuits, demonstrating their deep connection to their community and the environment. Michael brings this rich background of experience, commitment, and values to his role in Brookhaven's city council. 

Councilmember-elect Diaz can be reached at Michael.Diaz@BrookhavenGA.gov

Jennifer Owens was appointed to serve as the City of Brookhaven’s District 2 Councilmember following the resignation of District 2 Councilmember John Park on Aug 22, 2023. Owens served on the Council for the remainder of the calendar year and was chosen by voters in a Special Election to fulfill the remainder of the term which ends Dec. 2025.

Owens has been a long-time leader in Georgia’s non-profit sector with a specific focus on systems-change, policy and organizational development. Owens is the President and CEO of HealthMPowers, a large non-profit serving Georgia children and youth that promotes healthy habits.

Owens has over two decades of experience in policy research and advocacy, community organizing, communications, fundraising, organizational development and leadership. Other prior roles include Senior Vice President for a state policy think tank, policy and advancement for Georgia Organics, former Executive Director of The League of Women Voters of Georgia and a pioneering staff member at The Clean Air Campaign, where she launched a first-in-the-nation Better Air Schools program. In each of these roles, Owens leveraged strong relationships, evaluation, communications and strategic competencies to grow and evolve each organization’s impact.

Owens has been honored as one of the youngest recipients to be awarded the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “40 Under 40,” and has received The Georgia Conservancy’s Longleaf Award for Excellence in Environmental Advocacy.

Owens lives in Brookhaven with her two daughters. She is a proud graduate of the University of Georgia and is an avid college football fan, novice urban farmer and untrained cook. She is active in her community, having served as a coach for the local Odyssey of the Mind team to engage youth in creative problem-solving, a volunteer with a community task force serving the Buford Highway corridor, and has held appointed positions on the City of Brookhaven’s Affordable Housing Task Force, Charter Review Commissions, including the chair of the 2022 Charter Commission, and the Zoning Rewrite Committee. Prior board service includes We Love BuHi, Georgia Women for a Change, Faith in Public Life and Girls Opportunities for Adventure and Leadership (GOAL).

Councilmember Owens can be reached at Jennifer.Owens@BrookhavenGA.gov

Councilmember Madeleine Simmons was elected in Nov. 2019 to represent District 3 for a four-year term and was unopposed for reelection in Nov. 2023. Over the past four years as Councilwoman, she was proud to champion many of Brookhaven’s important initiatives such as gaining ownership and beginning improvements to Brookhaven Park, building Langford Park, leading on issues such as mental health crisis intervention funding for the Brookhaven Police Department, the formation of the Social Justice, Race & Equity commission, co-sponsoring Brookhaven’s Non-Discrimination ordinance and being an active, engaged Councilmember for her constituents through community events and her Mondays with Madeleine town halls. 

Councilwoman Simmons believes Brookhaven’s neighbors are the City’s greatest strength. She is passionate about her service and representation of the constituents in District 3 because Brookhaven residents have built a beautiful community and a wonderful quality of life.

In addition to her dedication to the City, Councilwoman Simmons is an equity partner in the law firm of Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys. She is proud to represent individuals who have been injured due to the negligence of others. She believes the most important thing a lawyer can do is fight injustice. She is currently President of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association and is a board member of Georgia’s Civil Justice Political Action Committee.

Councilwoman Simmons graduated with a Journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma. While in college, she was a news anchor for the University of Oklahoma’s daily newscast and an intern for the Oklahoma State Senate. She received her Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University.

Councilwoman Simmons served as a City of Brookhaven Planning Commissioner from January 2017 until July 2019.

Councilwoman Simmons has lived in Brookhaven for over 15 years with her husband and two dogs, proudly welcoming their son in 2018 and daughter in 2020.

Councilmember Simmons can be reached at Madeleine.Simmons@BrookhavenGA.gov