Within the past 10 years, Union City has seen tremendous growth by 40%, thanks to the leadership and passion of its two visionary leaders. City Manager Sonja Fillingame and Assistant City Manager Tarsha Calloway are shaping the future of Union City with their shared devotion to enhancing its resident experience.
Sonja and Tarsha's careers began at the state level, where they honed their passion for public service and commitment to their community. Starting as an intern in the Georgia governor's office, Sonja supported crime victims and learned the true meaning of citizen support, while Tarsha, with her educational background in accounting, worked as an internal auditor for the state of Michigan. Their paths converged in Sandy Springs, where they experienced the power of local government’s direct impact on their community. Since 2013, they have served as the City Manager and Assistant City Manager, leading with unwavering passion and dedication to serving Union City residents.
The overarching goal that Sonja and Tarsha both emphasize is the master strategic plan to "Reclaim, Renew, and Reimagine Union City." Through this plan, they aim to elevate the lives of Union City residents by creating more access to resources, recreational centers, parks, and opportunities to ensure residents can thrive in their own community. Sonja and Tarsha believe in directly engaging with Union City residents to best prioritize and address community needs. They lead with a citizen-first mindset, ensuring everyone in their community feels included and supported.
Both leaders had so much to share when asked about their favorite projects. Sonja proudly detailed the transformation of an abandoned high school into a community center called The Gathering Place and the acquisition of vacant athletic fields that were repurposed into a community garden and a new skate park for the city. Tarsha has been incredibly proud of this summer’s literacy program, which integrates with the city summer camp and the LIT (Leadership in Training) program for teens encouraging entrepreneurship, ending with a Shark Tank–style pitch presentation.
Motivated by a desire to make a difference in uplifting the lives of others through service, Sonja and Tarsha aim to inspire the next generation of public leaders. They strive to cultivate a safer and more engaged community, hoping residents can feel proud to be a part of Union City. With dedicated and passionate leaders Sonja and Tarsha, the future of Union City is in the most capable hands.