Governor Perdue Announces Nominating Committee for Child Advocate

ATLANTA -- Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the formation of the Nominating Committee for Georgia's Child Advocate.  Georgia code requires the appointment of a nominating committee to recommend at least three candidates to serve as advocate.  The term of current advocate DeAlvah Simms expired October 2, 2006.

The committee will consist of Joy Hawkins, Abel Ortiz, and Rebecca Sullivan.

A copy of the Executive Order follows, as well as short biographies of each committee member.

Whereas:               O.C.G.A. § 15-11-172(b) provides that the Child Advocate shall serve terms of three years; and

Whereas:               The term of office for Child Advocate DeAlvah Simms expired, effective October 2, 2006; and

Whereas:              O.C.G.A. § 15-11-172(a) requires the appointment of a nominating committee to consider nominees for the position of the advocate and that such nominating committee recommend at least three candidates to serve as advocate. 

Now, Therefore, By Virtue of the Authority Vested In Me As Governor of the State of Georgia, It Is Hereby

Ordered:              That a nominating committee of Joy Hawkins, Abel Ortiz, and Rebecca Sullivan be formed to consider nominees for the position of advocate as required by O.C.G.A. § 15-11-172.  The nominating committee shall recommend for consideration at least three persons with knowledge of the child welfare system, the juvenile justice system, and the legal system that are qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of advocate as provided for in O.C.G.A. § 15-11-173.

                                    This 30th day of April, 2007.

Biographies

Joy Hawkins – Hawkins currently works as Vice-President for Regional Education for the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.  She previously served Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Governor Sonny Perdue.  Prior to that role she was a policy advisor to Governor Perdue handling general government matters including ethics, prisons, technology, and children's issues.   Before joining Governor Perdue's staff, she worked as a project coordinator for the Georgia Commission on Family Violence.  Hawkins began her public sector career in 1989 as a policy analyst in the Senate Research Office and later served as Director of Senate Research from 1990 to 1995. She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia.

Rebecca Sullivan – Sullivan most recently served as Governor Perdue's Executive Counsel.  She first joined the Governor's Office as a policy advisor for public safety and general government issues. She was appointed deputy executive counsel in November 2004. Prior to joining the Perdue administration, Sullivan was an associate with Elarbee, Thompson, Sapp & Wilson LLP, where she practiced labor and employment law, representing public and private employers nationwide. Sullivan is a member of the State Bar of Georgia.

Abel Ortiz – Ortiz currently works at the Annie E. Casey Foundation.  Prior to his work at the foundation, he served as health policy advisor for Governor Sonny Perdue.  Before his work in the Governor's office, Ortiz was general counsel and director of operations for a behavioral health organization in Utah and served on a commission to examine DFCS in Georgia.  In Utah, Ortiz also worked as a supervisor, regional director, and deputy director for Utah's DFCS.