District 2 – Ricky Thompson

Reflecting on this decision, Ricky says,

“I just wanted to help. I’ve always had a knack for identifying needs, setting goals, and making things happen, and I’ve always loved helping people. Being a county commissioner felt like a way to tie all those things together.”

Ricky first appeared on a county commission ballot in March 2023, just two months after his longtime friend and 25-year District 2 commissioner, Keith Thompson, passed away. (Though they shared a last name, the two were not related.) A special election was held to fill Keith's unexpired term. That election went to a runoff in April, which Ricky won.

Since taking office, Ricky has become a certified county commissioner through the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG). He finished the last of the 66 required course hours in June 2024. He says of all his county commissioner duties, he most enjoys making sure our police, fire, EMS, and other public safety personnel have what they need to be successful by negotiating service delivery strategies.

One of the biggest lessons Ricky has learned since taking office is how the tax process works. He admits,

“Before I became a commissioner, I just thought I knew how our taxes are utilized. There’s so much more to the process that you don’t realize from the outside looking in. Fortunately, ACCG and the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government do a really good job of educating us commissioners on it.”

Throughout 2024, Ricky has been actively serving in appointed roles on both the Hospital Authority and the Airport Authority, positions he will continue to hold for the remainder of the year. These appointments were made by the commission chairman.

In addition to these roles, Ricky volunteered to serve on the inaugural Public Facilities Authority, joining two of his fellow commissioners. His appointment received unanimous support, and he will continue to serve on this board for as long as he remains a commissioner.

A proud Emanuel County native, Ricky treasures the “hometown feel” of the area, saying,

“Everybody knows everybody. I’ve never considered living anywhere else.”

That strong sense of pride drives his commitment as a commissioner to preserve the county’s visual appeal. For Ricky, maintaining the beauty of home is key to keeping it a place where people are proud to live, work, play, and even visit.

He was born to Dorothy Thompson and the late Hubert Thompson of Nunez and spent most of his life there before moving to District 2 in Swainsboro when he married his wife, Diana, in 2001. Together, they have two sons. He is a proud member of Swainsboro High School's Class of 1987 as well as an active member of Nunez Baptist Church, where he serves as a deacon.

Ricky is a proven entrepreneur. He started Thompson Tools (a Snap-On franchise) in 2005 after a 14-year career with Coca-Cola. In 2005, he transitioned from a 14-year career with Coca-Cola and started Thompson Tools, a Snap-On franchise. More recently, however, he and Diana purchased Retirement Inn and Church Street Manor in 2018. Both businesses are still in operation today.

Fun Fact: Ricky's favorite way to unwind is to hop on his Harley and hit the road.