Gov. Kemp Holds Swearing-In Ceremonies for 27 Appointees

Atlanta, GA – On Thursday July 25th, Governor Brian P. Kemp held swearing-in ceremonies at the State Capitol for twenty-seven (27) appointees to various authorities and boards.

"As Governor, I am committed to putting hardworking Georgians first in every aspect of state government, and these individuals - who represent rural, suburban, and urban communities across Georgia - stand with me in this effort. I am confident that they will serve their fellow Georgians well through public service," stated Governor Kemp.

Board of Commissioners of the Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund of Georgia

The Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund of Georgia provides a retirement benefit to probate judges.

Betty Cason recently retired as judge of the Carroll County Probate Court after serving in that role for twenty-two years. She lives in Carrollton with her husband, Don.

Garrison Baker was reappointed to the Board of Commissioners of the Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund of Georgia.

Judge Bruce Wright has been the probate judge for Walton County Probate Court since 2013. He and his wife, Patricia, live in Monroe, and they have two children.

Judge Chase Daughtrey was reappointed to the Board of Commissioners of the Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund of Georgia.

Judge Kelli Wolk has been judge of the Cobb County Probate Court since 2009. She earned her law degree from Georgia State University College of Law. She and her husband, Ron Day, live in Smyrna, and they have a daughter.

Lorri Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Georgia College & State University and master’s degree in Accounting and Financial Management from the Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry University. Smith’s hometown is Covington where she currently resides with her husband, Tim, and their two children. Smith previously served as Assistant Deputy Secretary of State in the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office. Smith is the Chief Operating Officer for the Office of the Governor.

Board of Commissioners of the Superior Court Clerks’ Retirement Fund of Georgia

The Superior Court Clerks' Retirement Fund of Georgia was created in 1952 by an act of the Georgia General Assembly. The Fund was created for the sole purpose of providing retirement benefits to Clerks of the Superior Courts of Georgia.

Kelly Farr is the Director for the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget. He earned his bachelor's degree in Finance and Economics from Augusta University in 1996. He, his wife, and children live in Forsyth County.

Board of Economic Development

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, aligning workforce education and training with in-demand jobs, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a destination for arts and location for film, music, and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.

Mitch Malcolm is the owner of Collegiate Construction in Watkinsville. He is a graduate of Oconee County High School and the University of Georgia. He is married to his wife, Susan, and has two children. They reside in Watkinsville.

Board of Governors of the George L. Smith II World Congress Center Authority

The Georgia World Congress Center Authority oversees the operation of the Georgia World Congress Center, Centennial Olympic Park, and related facilities.

Bill Jones was reappointed as a member of the Board of Governors of the George L. Smith II World Congress Center Authority.

Dexter Warrior serves as Chief Operating Officer and Principal at T. Dallas Smith & Company, where he focuses exclusively on expanding its tenant representation platform and provides trusted advisory services to existing clients. Throughout his career, Warrior has served in a variety management and investing roles with top-tier companies such as Equitable Real Estate, Lend Lease, and Morgan Stanley. He graduated from Georgia State University, earning a bachelor's degree in Management and master's degree in Real Estate. He has two children and resides in Atlanta with his wife, Karen.

Don Balfour was reappointed as a member of the Board of Governors of the George L. Smith II World Congress Center Authority.

Board of Human Services

The Board of Human Services sets policy for the Department of Human Services and approves the Department's goals and objectives. The nine-member board is appointed by the Governor. Each member serves a four-year term.

Jack Williams was reappointed to the Board of Human Services.

Lisa Hamilton is a small business owner who is active in her community and passionate about solving Georgia’s foster care problems. She is the owner of Bartow Fence Company and LL Home Leasing, Inc. Hamilton is a graduate of the University of Evansville, earning a bachelor's degree in Advertising/Marketing. She is currently a member of the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber of Commerce, Cartersville Service League, and Friends of Bartow County Library. She resides in Cartersville.

Scott Johnson was reappointed to the Board of Human Services.

Board of Public Health

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency in preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters from a health perspective.

Dr. James Curran was reappointed to the Board of Public Health.

Dr. Mitch Rodriguez was reappointed to the Board of Public Health.

The Department of Juvenile Justice Board

The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice is a multi-faceted agency serving the state's youthful offenders aged twenty-one and younger.

Sandra Heath Taylor was reappointed to the Board of Juvenile Justice.

Board of Trustees of the Georgia Firefighters Pension Fund and Board of Commissioners of the Magistrates Retirement Fund of Georgia

The mission of the Georgia Firefighters’ Pension Fund is to provide a supplemental pension benefit to Georgia’s firefighters and their beneficiaries through prudent stewardship of the assets held in trust.

The purpose of the Magistrates Retirement Fund is to provide a retirement benefit to the Chief Magistrates throughout the State.

Cody Whitlock is the Deputy Chief Operating Officer with the Office of the Governor. Whitlock is a 2011 graduate of the University of Georgia where he obtained a bachelor's degree in Political Science. He lives in DeKalb County with his wife, Jackie.

Georgia Board of Examiners for the Certification of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Laboratory Analysts

The Georgia Board of Examiners for the Certification of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Laboratory Analysts was created to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by establishing minimum qualifications for persons who operate wastewater treatment plants, wastewater collection systems, water distribution systems, public water supply systems, or who conduct certain tests of water or wastewater samples with the operation of public water systems or wastewater treatment plants.

Gilbert Sherouse is Executive Director for the Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority. He earned a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2001. He and his wife, Kristi, live in Winston, and they have two children.

Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Dieticians

The Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Dietitians consists of seven members appointed by the Governor to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. The Board regulates the activities of persons engaged in dietetic practice.

Holly Thaw was reappointed to the Board of Examiners of Licensed Dieticians.

Georgia Board of Funeral Service

The Georgia State Board of Funeral Service administers funeral service laws for the purpose of better protection of life and health; preventing the spread of contagious, communicable, and infectious diseases; and regulating the practice of embalming and funeral directing.

W.T. Edmondson was reappointed to the State Board of Funeral Service.

Georgia State Board of Dispensing Opticians

The Georgia State Board of Dispensing Opticians is a six-member board appointed by the Governor to protect, promote, and preserve the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Georgia.

Gloria Jean Etheridge is a licensed dispensing optician with the Bremen Eye Clinic. She has over thirty years of optical experience in both retail and medical settings. She and her husband, Barry, have a son and live in Temple.

Georgia Student Finance Commission Board of Commissioners

The Georgia Student Finance Commission Board of Commissioners (GSFC) has grown to be the administrator of more than twenty state- and lottery-funded scholarships, grants, and service-cancelable loan programs that ensure Georgians have an opportunity to access education beyond high school. In addition, GSFC provides free financial aid consultation to K-12, post-secondary institutions, and community organizations across the state to help students and their families prepare to pay for college.

Dr. Sarah Hawthorne was reappointed to the Georgia Student Finance Commission Board of Commissioners.

Jekyll Island Authority Board of Directors

Jekyll Island State Park Authority was created to protect the island’s ecosystem while ensuring it remains an inviting destination for guests. It oversees the conservation, development, and management of Jekyll Island.

Dale Atkins is a native of Baxley and returned to his hometown to open a real estate office after graduating from the University of Georgia in 1973. Atkins continues to be active as a real estate broker and certified general appraiser as owner of The Atkins Agency. In addition, he served as Executive Director of the Development Authority of Appling County from 1993 until he retired in April 2019. Atkins is a member of many state and regional real estate and economic development organizations and an alumnus of Leadership Georgia. In the community, he is a member of Zoar Baptist Church, Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce, and the advisory board of Renasant Bank, among other activities. He is married to Cathy Cain Atkins with three sons and six grandchildren.

Glen Willard is a managing member of Olde South Candy Company and River Street Sweets: Savannah’s Candy Kitchen. Willard attended Georgia Southern University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Finance. Willard has two children and resides in Richmond Hill with his wife, Liane.

State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers

The fourteen-member Georgia State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers is composed of the Used Motor Vehicle Division and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Division. The Used Motor Vehicle Parts Division issues a used parts license for dealers, rebuilders, and salvage dealers. The Used Motor Vehicle Division issues a used motor vehicle dealers license for motor vehicle brokers; independent motor vehicle leasing agencies, which sell or offer to sell used motor vehicles; used motor vehicle auction companies; and pawnbrokers.

Matthew Morris lives in Carrollton with his wife, Amanda, and two children. Morris has been a licensed used motor vehicles dealer since 2009. He is President of Morris Auto Sales, Inc.

Stone Mountain Memorial Association

The Stone Mountain Memorial Association's mission is to sustain, enhance, and protect Stone Mountain Park and provide enriching historical, natural, cultural, and recreational experiences for all who visit.

Rey Martinez serves as the Mayor of the City of Loganville and was elected 2017 as the first Hispanic mayor for both Walton and Gwinnett Counties. Martinez retired from the United States Navy after serving three tours in the Middle East in support of Operation Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom. He has two sons who are both serving in the United States Army. Rey is married to the former Ana Maria Valdes, and they reside in Loganville.