ZANDER MASON

Born at St. Mary’s Hospital and raised in Athens, Zander Mason has called Clarke County home his entire life...

His family’s roots run deep here. His father serves as pastor at Classic City Church, his mother is retired, and his extended family continues to live nearby. In November 2024, Zander married his wife, Avery Riescher, and together they made their home in District 5.

For Zander, Athens is not just where he grew up – it is the community where he and Avery have chosen to build their future.

After graduating from Athens Academy, Zander attended the University of Georgia, earning a degree in Accounting in 2018. Throughout college, he worked multiple jobs, from tutoring athletes to working in restaurants to interning in finance and research, gaining firsthand experience with the value of hard work and perseverance. He began his career as an auditor, reviewing billion-dollar budgets for major companies like Delta Airlines.

Although the work was rigorous, Zander realized he wanted to focus his career on helping people, not just analyzing numbers.

That decision led him to become a financial advisor with Raymond James, where he now helps families reduce stress, plan for retirement, and build generational wealth. He believes the same principles of financial stewardship that help families thrive should also guide local government.

Community service has always been central to Zander’s life. He currently serves on the boards of Bigger Vision Athens, Athens Jaycees, Palm House Recovery, and the Athens Academy Alumni Board. He has coached youth football and basketball, taught Bible study at Classic City Church, and volunteered with organizations like Our Daily Bread, Toys for Tots, and Books for Keeps. A graduate of the 2023 LEAD Athens program, he is also an active member of the Rotary Club and a past Chamber Ambassador Chair.

Friends once joked that Zander was the “Mayor of Athens” for his habit of bringing people together, but that lighthearted nickname became a true calling.

Today, Zander is running for the Athens-Clarke County Commission because he believes Athens can and must do better.

He is committed to safe neighborhoods, dependable infrastructure, effective solutions for homelessness, and an economy that supports both businesses and families. His vision is simple: a safe, thriving, and well-maintained community where every resident has the opportunity to reach their full potential.