The City Council holds public hearings every second and fourth Monday of the month. All meetings are held in City Hall and start with a work session at 6:30 p.m. and the regular meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.. See Agendas for meeting information or the city calendar for cancellation notices.
Mayor Barbara Bender
Term 2023-2027Barbara moved to Gwinnett County in 1971 and is a 22-year resident of the City of Snellville. She served the City of Snellville on the City Council for six years from 2005 - 2011 and was elected again November 2013.
Barbara is a CPA and owner of Barbara A. Bender, CPA, LLC in Lawrenceville. Previously, she was Vice President of Hamilton Financial, PC in Snellville for 25 years. Her work includes estate and trust taxation, business advisory services and individual income tax planning and preparation.
Barbara is very involved in the Snellville community and is currently the Secretary/Treasurer of the Snellville Community Foundation, Inc. which is the organization responsible for the Snellville Veterans Memorial. She is a member of the Snellville Tourism and Trade Association and is a frequent volunteer for its many events.
Barbara is the President of the Gwinnett Municipal Association (2018 - 2019) and has served on the executive board for 4 years.
Barbara is a graduate of Leadership Gwinnett, Class of 2011 (Best Class Ever).
Barbara has been married for 35 years to Greg Bender and has two grown children, Nick and Katie. She is a graduate of Georgia State University with a BBA in Accounting and Parkview High School.
Mayor Pro Tem Norman Carter
Norman A. Carter, Jr., an Army veteran, served nearly 30 years in law enforcement in Philadelphia, PA. After retirement, he moved to Gwinnett County, Ga in 1999. In 2001, he began a career with Crestline Hotels and Resorts as a Loss Prevention Officer. Within a short time, he moved through several management positions within the company.
In 2003, he moved into the Snellville community. In 2015, he retired from full-time employment and began to serve his community as an Election Poll Worker and Assistant Poll Manager. Also, during his retirement, he authored an autobiography about the challenges he faced during his police career. This led to his speaking at several universities, and appearances on two nationally televised programs.
After becoming active with the Snellville Senior Center in 2018, he was appointed to its advisory board. Subsequently, he served on the Snellville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and on the Snellville Board of Appeals. Norman continues to serve on the Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation Board.
Councilmember Kerry Hetherington
Post 2
Term 2023-2027
Kerry has been a resident of Snellville since 2000. In 2017 she was appointed to the Snellville Arts Commission and in 2020 began serving on the Planning Commission, becoming chair in 2022.
Kerry is a Patient Coordinator at Georgia Urology in Lawrenceville and Duluth after working for six years in the Northside Duluth Emergency Room.
Kerry’s involvement in the City of Snellville includes over ten years of volunteerism with Snellville Tourism and Trade including festivals, concerts and the Christmas Tree Lighting parade.
Councilmember Shaunt'e Jermaine Pitt
Post 3Shaunt'e Jermaine Pitt was born May 23, 1982 in Newport News, Va. Son of proud Army parents, he had the opportunity to explore and learn different cultures throughout the country and the world throughout his entire life. Following in his family footsteps, he joined the Army December 2001 and Honorably Retired February 2022 after 20 years of faithful and fulfilled service.
Shaunt'e is married to Retired Marine Corp Veteran Alicia J. Pitt, and shares five children ages 9-20 together. They became permanent Snellville residents and Comets in 2021. Shaunt'e said he fancies myself as an old school "Jack of All Trades" occupier which helps him with the decision making required for such the important position of councilmember.
Since his retirement, Shaunt'e has served on various community boards, local school volunteer programs and worked in various positions for Gwinnett County Public Schools, Snellville Parks and Recreation and currently full-time for GCPS.
His focus on council will be on community and youth. Success as a city will be depended upon the morals and values of those that build and live within the community, Shaunt'e said. He believes in being actively invested in how the community looks in the future and most importantly how Snellville can tap into our youth to sustain the level of pride that has made Snellville a great place to be. Shaunt'e believes in maximizing participation, logic, reasoning and empathy from the citizens of Snellville to keep council accountable.
Councilmember Richelle Brown
Post 4Richelle D. Brown is a dedicated public servant, entrepreneur and community advocate committed to strengthening Snellville and supporting its residents. She resides in Snellville’s newest residential development, The Tomlin, part of the award-winning Grove at Towne Center Entertainment District and proudly connects with the original residents of the community, embracing the values of neighborhood support, collaboration and civic engagement.
As the founder of Thrifty Brown Bag, LLC, Richelle brings extensive experience in entrepreneurship and small business. She holds a Master’s degree in business with a concentration in entrepreneurship and small business, combining academic knowledge with practical leadership and strategic insight into economic development, local business growth and equitable opportunity.
Her formal community service began in 2022 as an active volunteer with Experience Snellville, where she quickly became known for showing up, speaking up and putting in the work. She has since served on the Snellville Tourism and Trade Board of Directors, the Snellville Youth Council Advisory Board and as co-Chair of The Grove at Town Center Residents Association.
Richelle's passion is clear and unwavering: invest in Snellville’s youth and the entire city rises. She believes in building pipelines, not barriers, ensuring young people have access, visibility and opportunities that set them on strong trajectories.
A proud mother of Treasure, Treonna and Tyrell, and grandmother to Santana, Richelle’s family keeps her grounded, motivated and joyfully on her toes.
Whether advocating for small businesses, elevating voices or challenging the status quo with clarity and purpose, Richelle brings a powerful blend of business acumen, community commitment and unapologetic advocacy to the Snellville City Council - working every day toward a stronger, smarter and more connected Snellville.
Councilmember Catherine Hardrick
Post 5Originally from Detroit, Catherine “Cat” Hardrick has called Snellville home for more than 25 years. Her service began in the United States Army, followed by a 20-year career in the financial industry, where she held various roles before culminating her career as a Mutual Funds Trading Specialist with Fidelity Information Systems in 2018.
Cat later founded Journey Within LLC, a holistic wellness practice that helps individuals move from pain to purpose through mental wellness and personal healing. She taught English as a foreign language, helping learners build confidence and expand their opportunities and served on the Gwinnett County Police Department Citizens Advisory Board in 2024.
Cat continues her service on multiple nonprofit and community boards, offering her leadership to groups that support families, small businesses and local engagement; volunteers with her church, mentors in the GCPS Mentorship Program, and hosts an annual MLK Food Drive supporting families facing hardship. She co-hosts “Conversations with Karen and Cat,” a community-focused podcast that uplifts local stories, leaders and solutions.
Cat played a key role in championing Gwinnett County’s Women Veterans Day Proclamation, and her servant leadership earned recognition from the Georgia Women Legislative Caucus with the distinguished Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leader Award.
A graduate of Georgia State University, Gwinnett Technical College, the Gwinnett 101 Citizens Academy Cohort 16 and a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion, Cat’s leadership is anchored in faith, service, and the belief that strong communities are built when we lead with purpose, unite with compassion, and uphold integrity and mutual respect.
Cat is a proud mother of three South Gwinnett High School graduates, a grandmother of three, and a grandpup - MoJo.