Governor Deal announces leadership changes

Governor Nathan Deal recently announced several leadership changes through nominations and appointments.  ACCG congratulates these individuals and looks forward to working with them on county government issues. 

 

Chris Carr - Attorney General

Chris Carr was appointed by Governor Deal in 2013 to as Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), the state agency charged with helping to create jobs and generate investment in Georgia. During his tenure, GDEcD helped facilitate 1,055 projects across the state that represent $14.1 billion in investment and created more than 83,000 jobs.  In 2015, GDEcD was recognized as the top economic development agency in the country. Carr has also served on the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), the body charged with reviewing and recommending judicial appointments, since January 2011. To date, the JNC has filled more than 100 judicial vacancies statewide.   Prior to joining GDEcD, Carr was the chief of staff for Sen. Johnny Isakson. Carr began his career with Georgia-Pacific, moving on to practice law with Alston & Bird LLP and then serving as vice president and general counsel for the Georgia Public Policy Foundation. Carr graduated from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business and Lumpkin School of Law. Carr and his wife, Joan, have one daughter and one stepdaughter. They live in Dunwoody.

Homer Bryson – Director, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency

Homer Bryson has served as the commissioner of the Department of Corrections for the past 20 months. Prior to this role, he was the deputy commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for four years. Bryson previously served as a colonel in the DNR law enforcement division, working his way up from conservation ranger. He is currently a member of the Georgia State Indemnification Commission and a trustee of the Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund. Bryson is a past president of the Peace Officers’ Association of Georgia. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State College and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University. Bryson and his wife, Lisa, have three children and reside in Flowery Branch.

Gregory C. Dozier – Commissioner, Department of Corrections

Greg Dozier joined the Georgia Department of Corrections as the assistant commissioner, chief of staff in October 2012. He is a member of the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council and the sentencing committee for the Criminal Justice Reform Council. Dozier began his career in state government in 1995 as analyst for the Legislative Budget Office. He was the director of accounting for the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, a policy coordinator in the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, the division director of the General Government and Public Safety Division and commissioner of the Georgia Department of Driver Services. Dozier earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and his MBA from Georgia State University. He and his wife, Stephanie, have two children and reside in Covington.

Pat Wilson – Commissioner, Department of Economic Development

Pat Wilson joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) as Deputy Commissioner for Global Commerce in 2010 and has served as GDEcD’s chief operating officer since January 2011. As COO, Wilson manages the daily operations of the agency, handles budgetary and personnel issues for all department divisions and serves as Executive Director of the Georgia Allies. He was previously the director of government affairs under Gov. Sonny Perdue and the director of federal affairs for the state, opening the Washington, D.C. office in 2005. Wilson also worked for the late U.S. Senator Paul D. Coverdell and Greenberg Traurig. He earned an undergraduate degree in political science with a focus on international relations from the University of Georgia. Wilson and his wife, Melissa, have two children and reside in Sandy Springs.