Chief of Staff
Robert H. Kelly, J.D., MPA
In his role, as Chief of Staff in the Mighty6 District Office, Robert Kelly provides overall leadership of the team that supports the management, operations, communications, legislative affairs and outreach for Commissioner Khadijah and the District 6 Office. He also provides senior policy research and analysis used in the planning and implementation of public policy and legislation. Kelly began his career in county government in the Clerk to the Commission Office before joining the late Commissioner Emma Darnell's staff as an assistant to the commissioner. He holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree and a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Georgia, and earned his bachelor's degree at the University of West Georgia. Married to his law-school sweetheart, he is the father of two toddlers: a son and daughter.
Director of Operations
Pamela Lyons, MA, BS
Pamela Lyons is the Director of Operations in the Mighty6 District Office. In her role, she "keeps the trains running on time." Appointed by Commissioner Khadijah in January 2021, Lyons ensures the smooth functioning of the day-to-day operations of the Office and also serves as the chief of scheduling and management of the Commissioner’s calendar. In addition, she also provides operational support to the Commissioner and serves as a District 6 Office liaison to constituents. An educator by trade, Lyons' career reflects 20 years experience in instruction and student support. She taught in the Cobb County Schools system and at her alma mater, Benjamin Mays High in the Atlanta Public Schools system. She earned a Master of Arts Degree at Cambridge College in Augusta, Ga., and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Ga. Lyons is a proud grandmother and has two adult sons.
Assistant to the Commissioner
Anthony D. Benton, MPA, BA
Anthony Benton serves as Assistant to the Commissioner. In his role he provides operational support to the Commissioner and is the District 6 Office liaison to constituents and community stakeholders. He also provides senior policy research and analysis used in the planning and implementation of public policy and legislation. Benton has more than 20 years of management and policy experience both in government and in political campaigns. His experience includes tenure in the executive Office of the Mayor (City of Atlanta); municipal legislative branch (Atlanta City Council) and he was a top aide in the Fulton County Chairman’s Office. He holds a Master of Public Administration Degree from Atlanta University (now Clark-Atlanta University) and earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science at Morehouse College.
Executive Assistant to the Commissioner
Loretta L. Lewis, B.S.
Serving as the Mighty6 District’s “director of first impressions,” Loretta Lewis is the executive assistant to the commissioner. Appointed in January 2021 by Commissioner Khadijah, Lewis provides constituent services; office management; and handles special operations including advance, transportation and executive-protection services. Lewis retired from the U.S. Army after 13 years of service and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in early childhood education from USC Coastal Carolina College, (now Coastal Carolina University) in Conway, S.C. Previously, she spent time in the classroom as an elementary school teacher in Conway and also taught life skills to challenged adults through the DeKalb County Community Services Board.
Special Assistant to the Commissioner
Rick Blalock, B.A.
In his 18th year of service, Rick Blalock holds the distinction of being the "Dean of Staff" among the six commission-district offices of Fulton County Government. He was first appointed special assistant to the commissioner in 2003, by the late Commissioner Emma I. Darnell, and was renominated by Commissioner Khadijah in January 2021. In his role as special assistant, Blalock is a senior advisor providing strategic advice and counsel to the Commissioner in critical areas, including communications, public-policy development, legislation, political and intergovernmental affairs. Blalock is a two-time Emmy-winning journalist, who before joining the Board of Commissioners staff, was a television broadcast reporter who broke the news stories of the massive federal probe of public corruption in the Fulton County Chairman's Office and in the Mayor's Office at Atlanta City Hall. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in journalism (summa cum laude) at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, and is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.