Aaron “Adot” Whitely is a dedicated father, visionary community advocate, accomplished entrepreneur, and a leader in small business development. He currently serves as the District 6 Commissioner on the Chatham County Board of Commissioners, where he works tirelessly to champion equitable development, expand access to opportunity, and uplift the voices of his constituents.

Mr. Whitely is the co-founder, alongside his wife, of The Madigan Firm—a business development consultancy that empowers startups to successfully organize, launch, and sustain their ventures. Together, they also established Chunks Learning Center in Savannah, Georgia—an innovative early childhood education institution committed to preparing young learners for academic rigor while uplifting families and inspiring excellence.

An Army combat veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom (2011–2012), Commissioner Whitely is a proud alumnus of Savannah State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications and a Master of Public Administration. His academic distinction earned him induction into Pi Alpha Alpha, the National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration.

Deeply rooted in civic and fraternal life, Commissioner Whitely is a member of several esteemed organizations, including:

• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

• Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Lodge 183

• Prince Hall Masonry, Mt. Moriah Lodge #15

• NAACP, Savannah Chapter

A passionate mentor, he has worked closely with 100 Black Men of Savannah and the Frank Callen Boys & Girls Club, serving as both a mentor and board member. He has also coached youth athletics—including basketball and track—with the Pitbulls Athletic Organization, which fosters competitive excellence among youth from diverse backgrounds. His commitment to education is reflected in the reading and tutoring programs he has launched to support the academic growth of young men across the region.

Commissioner Whitely’s leadership extends across several influential boards and initiatives, including:

• Chairman, Savannah Sports Council

• Chairman, Chatham County Recreation Authority

• Chairman, Democratic Party of Chatham County

• Board Member, Greater Savannah Black Chamber of Commerce

• Advisory Board Member, Leadership Savannah

• Active member, First Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church

A champion of civic engagement, he has led grassroots voter registration initiatives and worked to demystify the political process for everyday citizens. His pragmatic approach and commitment to dialogue have established him as a trusted bridge-builder in both political and community spheres.

Nationally, Commissioner Whitely represents Chatham County with distinction through key appointments, including:

• Vice Chairman, National Association of Counties (NACo) International Economic Development Task Force

• Vice Chairman, NACo Veterans & Military Affairs Committee

• Member, Black Veterans Empowerment Council Chairman’s Circle

• Graduate, Congressional Black Caucus Institute (2019)

With a deep-seated passion for service, education, and empowerment, Aaron Whitely continues to be a transformative force for his community—working to build a more inclusive, informed, and inspired future for Chatham County and beyond.