CLARKESVILLE — When Rick and Ellen Coulon moved to Clarkesville in 2020, they weren’t just looking for a new home—they were looking for a community. They found it on the banks of the Soque River, in a town that reminded them of where they both grew up: a small, close-knit place where neighbors wave, kids ride their bikes to town, and people still take the time to say hello.
“It feels like we’ve come full circle,” Rick says. “Ellen and I both grew up in rural towns not much bigger than Clarkesville. My father served as a city council member and mayor, so I’ve seen firsthand how local leadership shapes the quality of life in a small town. Clarkesville reminds me of home—and that’s why I’m running for City Council.”
Coulon’s journey to Clarkesville has been marked by a lifetime of leadership, service, and professional accomplishment. He moved to Georgia in 1994, raising his four children in the North Atlanta Metro area before relocating north. He and Ellen now have three grandchildren, and he says the sense of safety and connection Clarkesville offers is something he wants to preserve for future generations.
“Growth is coming, whether we like it or not,” Coulon says. “The question is: how do we manage that growth in a way that protects what makes Clarkesville so special—our small-town character, our history, and our natural beauty? That’s the challenge I want to help lead our city through.”
A respected biotechnology executive and entrepreneur, Coulon has managed and grown 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 groundbreaking research into Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Methamphetamine addiction, and battlefield concussions. His work has involved collaborations with over ten universities and foundations such as the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Currently, Coulon serves as Vice President of Commercial Operations for an Atlanta-based drug development firm with an international client base. He also operates his own consulting business, advising companies on market strategy, physician advisory boards, business development, and leadership training.
“I’ve spent my entire career leading teams, managing budgets, and building partnerships across public and private sectors,” Coulon says. “That experience gives me a strong foundation for serving on City Council. It’s about bringing people together, listening carefully, and making data-driven decisions that benefit everyone.”
Coulon’s leadership credentials are backed by strong academic and executive training. He 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 is also a graduate of the Novartis Leading People for Results Program and Northwestern’s Pharmaceutical Marketing for Leadership in Healthcare program.
Beyond his professional achievements, Coulon has always found ways to give back. He has participated in numerous Habitat for Humanity builds, serves as a member of the Soque River Watershed Association (where he helped secure a recent conservation grant), and previously volunteered as a lobbyist at the Georgia State Assembly on behalf of Georgia Bio, and on the Grant award selection committee at Novartis. Ellen is equally active, serving as a CASA volunteer and a board member of the Family Resource Center.
Coulon’s faith has also been a cornerstone of his service. He is a former Elder at John’s Creek Presbyterian Church, where he led youth mission teams, volunteered at the Central Presbyterian homeless shelter, and helped raise more than $3.5 million for a major church expansion project.
He describes himself as a hands-on, energetic leader who values collaboration and careful analysis but isn’t afraid to act decisively when the situation calls for it. “I’m not someone who sits on the sidelines,” he says. “I believe in rolling up my sleeves and working with others to get things done. My best ideas often come from the people around me—including my wife,” he adds with a smile.
If elected, Coulon says his priorities for Clarkesville will focus on smart, sustainable growth, strong infrastructure, transparency in government, and support for local businesses and families. He intends to utilize his extensive obtaining grants from federal and stage agencies to apply for grants to fund infrastructure and development activity to reduce the burden on tax payers in Clarkesville.
“Clarkesville has an incredible opportunity right now,” he says. “We can grow responsibly while protecting our history, our river, and our way of life. I want to help Clarkesville continue to thrive—not just for today, but for the generations who will call it home tomorrow.”
Coulon’s personal interests reflect his love for the outdoors and active living. He has hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, Benton MacKaye Trail, Bartram Trail, and more than half of the Pacific Crest Trail. He also enjoys tennis, pickleball, skiing, fishing, biking, traveling, and walking the family dogs.
For Coulon, those interests represent more than hobbies—they reflect the kind of community he wants to help preserve. “Clarkesville is a place where people can slow down, enjoy nature, and truly connect with one another,” he says. “That’s worth protecting.”
Paid for by the Rick Coulon for Clarkesville City Council campaign • Clarkesville, GA 30523