| Senator Michael Rhett was first elected to the state Senate in 2014 to represent a portion of Cobb County. He is the first African American resident to be elected to the state Senate from Cobb County and has previously been named the Democratic Legislator of the Year by the Cobb County Democrats, as well as the Environment Georgia Environmental Legislator of the Year for Cobb County. Senator Rhett is a member of the Senate Committees on Finance, Judiciary, Rules, Reapportionment and Redistricting, and Regulated Industries and Utilities. Senator Rhett has an Associate Degree from the Community College of the United States Air Force in Administrative Management, a Bachelor's Degree in Communications and Afro-American Studies from the State University of New York, a Bachelor's Degree in Business Education from the University of Central Oklahoma, a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Oklahoma, a Specialist's Degree in Educational Leadership from Georgia State University and a Doctorate's Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Georgia. Senator Rhett is a retired Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force. He managed personnel, prepared young individuals for leadership and worked as a training instructor for the 700th Airlift Squadron. As part of his 25 plus years of enlisted service, he has received the United States Air Force Meritorious Service Medal. Senator Rhett was born in Harlem in New York City. He grew up in building 1315 of general Grant Public Housing on 125th street. He played little league baseball for the Cardinals and football for Riverside Church. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School and graduated from Bishop Dubois High School, where he lettered in Varsity Basketball. He also ran with Coty and the 1315 Turks. In his civilian life, Senator Rhett was a Vocational, Educational and Instructional Coordinator at Jefferson Place and City of Refuge. The organizations give homeless men and battered homeless women a second chance at life by creating a curriculum that emphasizes vocational and personal development. Combining classes about job seeking skills, basic computer skills and co-facilitated substance abuse recovery classes, students are able to find housing, jobs, and open a new bank account with Capitol City Bank. The organizations are located in the city of Atlanta's English Avenue "Bluff" Community. Each week volunteers went into the local metro jails, recruited ex-offenders and enrolled them as students in Senator Rhett's program. Currently, he works for the Cobb County School System teaching in the Adult Education Program. Senator Rhett teaches adult literacy, English as a second or other language (ESOL) and GED exam preparation classes. Senator Rhett is a retired educator. Senator Rhett was the Jr. Vice Commander of American Legion Post 296. He has served as a member on various community committees including the Cobb County NAACP, Cobb County SCLC, Austell Community Task Force, Powder Springs Economic Development Committee, Six Flags Drive Stakeholder Economic Community Development Committee and the Cobb County Commission of the Children & Youth. Senator Rhett is a trustee for Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia. |