Carly Farrell
AMERICUS — “Life’s good; it’s fun,” Mulkey McMichael said, smiling.
McMichael is Sumter County Schools’ public information director and energy education manager, and takes his job seriously.
“I write good news, and I think (the school system’s) perception is improving,” McMichael said. “I want people exposed to everything good that’s happening here, and there’s a lot. Things are good in our schools.”
McMichael has been at the job for eight years, but began as the art director for the Americus City School System. He worked there from 1972 to 1983; he received his bachelor of fine arts degree in 1972, from the University of Georgia.
“I loved those 10 years,” McMichael said.
During his time as director, McMichael taught photography, graphics, watercolor, yearbook and oil painting and many other classes at the high school. He taught Jeff Williams, who has gone on to have great success in the artistic world; one of Williams’ paintings is hanging in the Louvre in Paris. McMichael has a copy of his painting hanging in his office.
“He’s a wonderful kid, a wonderful guy,” McMichael said.
McMichael even helped implement a printing shop at the school during his time as director.
In 1983, he moved home to Buena Vista to help care for his ailing mother, and opened a store called, “In Season” where he sold antiques, greenery, landscaping items and more. He then got a job at Habitat for Humanity International, where he worked in its marketing department, but he missed working in the school system, so he applied for his current job, which he received.
“All my life, I’ve always had great customer service skills — I’ve just always had a knack for that,” McMulkey said.
McMichael’s job is demanding, but he still loves it, he said.
McMichael’s also received several awards for photography from the Georgia School Public Relations Association, as well.
“I just love searching for good things,” McMichael said. “It gets boring if they just appear on your desk.”
McMichael also was deeded his title of energy education manager about a year ago, and is proud that he’s saved the system more than $316,000 in electricity bills.
