Candidates set for November municipal elections in Habersham ...

Rick Coulon earned a bachelor's degree in business from Michigan State University and graduate degrees in finance and leadership from the University of Michigan and Northwestern University. He has lived in Clarkesville with his wife Ellen since 2020. They have four children and three grandchildren. 

Rick works as vice president of commercial operations for a drug development firm and operates his own consulting business. He has previously worked as a biotechnology executive at other companies and founded his own biopharmaceutical company affiliated with Emory University. 

Rick's bid for Clarkesville City Council is his entry into politics. 

As of September 3, 2025, Rick Coulon did not have a website or any information online.

Economy

Public Services

Rick Coulon brings business expertise, community values, and a vision for smart growth to Clarkesville City Council race

Believes in balancing growth with preserving local history, the river, and community culture.

- Believes in balancing growth with preserving local history, the river, and community culture.

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Plans to apply for federal and state grants to fund infrastructure and development, aiming to lessen taxpayer burden.

- Plans to apply for federal and state grants to fund infrastructure and development, aiming to lessen taxpayer burden.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Rick Coulon

Rick is a biotechnology executive and entrepreneur. He currently serves as Vice President of Commercial Operations for an Atlanta-based drug development firm. He also operates his own consulting business, advising companies on market strategy, physician advisory boards, business development, and leadership training. Earlier in his career, he managed and grew businesses exceeding $400 million in annual revenue for major corporations, including Novartis, GSK, Akorn, ConAgra, and Mallinckrodt. 

Rick's campaign for Clarkesville City Council Member, Post 4 is his first entry into politics.

Supports smart, sustainable growth, strong infrastructure, transparency in government, and support for local businesses and families.

Supports "smart, sustainable growth" and strong infrastructure.

Supports conservation efforts and has helped secure a conservation grant.

Rick Coulon holds a Bachelor of Arts in business from Michigan State University and has completed post-graduate studies in finance and leadership at the University of Michigan and Northwestern University. He and his wife, Ellen, have four children and three grandchildren. He is a former elder at John’s Creek Presbyterian Church.

Rick is a biotechnology executive and entrepreneur. He currently serves as Vice President of Commercial Operations for an Atlanta-based drug development firm. He also operates his own consulting business, advising companies on market strategy, physician advisory boards, business development, and leadership training. Earlier in his career, he managed and grew businesses exceeding $400 million in annual revenue for major corporations including Novartis, GSK, Akorn, ConAgra, and Mallinckrodt. He also founded a biopharmaceutical company that spun out of Emory University, successfully raising more than $4 million from investors and several million more in grants to fund research into dementia, Parkinson's disease, methamphetamine addiction, and battlefield concussions.

Plans to apply for grants to fund infrastructure and development activities to reduce the burden on taxpayers in Clarkesville.

Plans to apply for grants to fund infrastructure and development activities to reduce the burden on taxpayers.

Walter Ley

Buket Urgen

First look at Clarkesville's newly revamped square - Now Habersham

Leigh is currently a member of the Clarkesville City Council. She was first elected in 2021 and is serving her first term.

As of September 3, 2025, Leigh Johnston did not have a website or any information online.

Leigh Johnston

- City council members work together with the rest of city council to set and implement city policy. 
- City council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city 
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Most city council members in Georgia are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 