About Niles R Ford
Dr. Niles R. Ford is an ordained minister, lifelong public servant, municipal government leader, educator, and author. With a distinguished career in public safety, local government leadership, and academia, he is dedicated to serving communities, mentoring future leaders, and inspiring others through his personal and professional journey.
Born with a congenital limb difference—missing his left foot and with an underdeveloped left lower leg—Dr. Ford has faced and overcome numerous challenges, including learning disabilities. Rather than allowing these obstacles to hinder him, he has used them as opportunities for growth and resilience. He firmly believes that trials and challenges are merely gateways to greater victories.
Coming from a five-generational legacy of New Orleans musicians, Dr. Ford began his professional career as a band teacher in Birmingham City Schools, Alabama. While teaching, he also worked as an emergency 911 call taker and dispatcher for the Bessemer Police and Fire Department. This experience ignited his passion for public service, leading him to become a firefighter and paramedic for the Bessemer Fire Department. His dedication and excellence earned him the prestigious “Employee of the Year” award from the Alabama Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities.
Dr. Ford’s commitment to service and leadership propelled him through the ranks of the Bessemer Fire Department. While serving there, he also established and directed the first Emergency Medical Services program at Lawson State Community College. His expertise led him to accept the position of Deputy Fire Chief for Fulton County, Georgia. It was during this time that he became an ordained minister, embracing his calling to positively impact lives through public service.
His leadership journey continued as he became the Fire Chief of Lincoln, Nebraska. He later served as City Manager in Chamblee, Georgia; Fire Chief of Baltimore, Maryland; and Assistant City Manager in Hogansville, Georgia. Currently, he serves as a Consultant for the Georgia Municipal Association, where he advises local governments on leadership, governance, and best practices in municipal management.
In addition to his government service, Dr. Ford is a passionate educator. He has served as an adjunct professor for Louisiana State University Online, Capella University’s PhD program, and the University of Nebraska Omaha’s Master of Public Administration program. He has also been a guest lecturer at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Dr. Ford holds an Associate of Science in Fire Science, a Bachelor of Science in Public Safety and Health Administration, a Master of Science in Management, and a PhD in Business. Committed to lifelong learning, he continuously seeks knowledge and opportunities to mentor others, ensuring he fulfills his responsibility to serve and uplift those around him.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Ford is a published author. His book, Leadership After God’s Own Heart: Learning from King David, published in February 2025, explores leadership lessons from King David’s triumphs and failures while integrating personal reflections from Dr. Ford’s own journey. He is also set to release a children’s book, Niles, You Can Do Anything, in mid-2025, designed to inspire and empower children—especially those who may feel different or marginalized—to embrace their potential.
Dr. Ford is married to his amazing wife, Carrie Ford, and they are proud parents of two accomplished adult daughters, Nilia and Carrigan.