R. Allen Haywood was elected Sparta Mayor in November 2019 after serving two years on City Council as Mayor Pro-Tem.

After graduating from Warren County High School in 1970, he attended the University of Florida. Finishing journalism school in 1975 he returned to Warrenton, joining Haywood Publications as news editor of The Warrenton Clipper weekly newspaper. In July 1984 he moved to Sparta and purchased The Ishmaelite weekly newspaper, serving as owner, editor & publisher until he sold the newspaper to Tribb Publications in July 2005. Haywood joined the golf operations staff at Reynolds Lake Oconee in 2007 as a golf course advisor/host. In June 2012 he filled the vacant position as Sparta-Hancock Development Authority executive director and continues to represent the county regionally and throughout the state.

Haywood serves the community on a number of regional boards & committees to include: a charter member of the OFTC Foundation Board; founding member of the Highway 15 Coalition (Traditions Highway Tourism); founding member of Pews & Pulpits Tour of Historic Rural Churches; board member Region 7 United Development Council and Augusta Regional Development Authority; board member CSRA Regional Commission; Hancock County Health Board member; Classic South Tourism board member; Family Connections/CIS board member; and a member of the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit’s Domestic Violence Task Force.

Allen and his wife, Susan, are faithful members of Pierce Memorial Methodist Church. He is a proud stepfather to Dawn W. Brake and Ellen W. Boyer (Bo), and a very proud step-grandfather to Hayden and Heath Brake and Wells Boyer.