Governor Perdue Appoints Melissa Carter as Georgia Child Advocate

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today appointed Melissa D. Carter as Georgia’s Child Advocate.

“Melissa’s dedication to the state’s child advocacy programs and her passion for improving the health and well being of Georgia’s children make her the right selection for this position,” Governor Perdue said.

Carter has served as the Deputy Director of the Office of the Child Advocate for the Protection of Children since August 2007. She was awarded the 2009 Marshall Memorial Fellow, German Marshall Fund of the United States. She has also been a member of the Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court of Georgia Committee in Justice for Children since 2007.

In January, Governor Perdue appointed a Nominating Committee for Georgia’s Child Advocate consisting of Tommy Hills, Mary Eleanor Wickersham and Josh Belinfante. The vacancy was created by the resignation of Tom Rawlings, who will serve as the director of the International Justice Mission in Guatemala.

The text of the Governor’s Executive Order is below:

Whereas:                    On January 5, 2010, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 15-11-172, a nominating             committee composed of Tommy Hills, Mary Eleanor Wickersham,             and Josh Belinfante were appointed to consider nominees for the          position of Child Advocate; and

Whereas:                    The nominating committee accepted nominations for the position            of

Child Advocate until January 14, 2010, and conducted interviews          of

potential candidates; and

Whereas:                   On January 15, 2010, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 15-11-172, the             nominating committee submitted three names for         consideration.

                                     Now, therefore, pursuant to the authority vested in me                                                        as Governor of the State of Georgia, it is hereby

Ordered:                    That the Honorable Melissa D. Carter, is hereby appointed as Georgia’s Child Advocate for a term of office ending October 2, 2012, to succeed the Honorable Tom C. Rawlings, who resigned December 31, 2009.

                                     This 12^th day of February, 2010.

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