Assistant City Manager - Patrice Ruffin Dowdell, AICP

The Assistant City Manager serves as the assistant chief administrative officer for the City of Brookhaven and is appointed by the City Manager. The Assistant City Manager is primarily responsible for day-to-day oversight of various city departments and promoting effective and efficient operations. Specifically, the Assistant City Manager is responsible for Community Development, Information Technology, and Public Works.

Patrice Ruffin Dowdell, AICP, was appointed as Brookhaven Assistant City Manager in August 2021. For over 15 years, Ms. Ruffin Dowdell has had the unique opportunity to work in local government as an urban planner, particularly with newly incorporated municipalities. She began her career as a planner with the cities of Riviera Beach, Fla., and Roswell, Ga., both of which gave her an excellent perspective and understanding of planning fundamentals.  Utilizing these skills, Ms. Ruffin Dowdell was able to quickly advance her career by securing senior level positions as a contractor with the City of Sandy Springs, Ga.

During her time with the City of Brookhaven, Ms. Ruffin Dowdell has also served in the Community Development Department as Deputy Director and then Director. Her strong educational and professional foundation in the field of urban planning, along with the geographical setting of the metro Atlanta region has placed her in a sphere of influence and opportunity to have a voice of advocacy for sound and equitable planning. In 2020, she was recognized by Engineering Georgia magazine as one of the Top 100 Influential Women in Georgia Engineering as a professional dedicated to sustained improvements to the state in the areas of planning, design, construction, governance, education, and public service.

Ms. Ruffin Dowdell has earned a juris doctor degree from Georgia State University College of Law as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees in urban and regional planning from Alabama A&M University. She is also active in several professional organizations, including the American Planning Association.

American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Code of Ethics:

Planners with the AICP credential are tasked with upholding the highest standards of practice, ethics, and professional conduct while navigating difficult ethical and moral dilemmas presented during project development. The AICP Ethical Principals in Planning assists advisors, advocates, and decision makers during the planning process.