Governor Perdue Announces Executive Appointments

Governor Perdue Announces Executive Appointments

ATLANTA - Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the following executive appointments:

Health Strategies Council

Grace G. Newsome, 56, Dawsonville, GA, Member Representing Nurse Practitioners – Newsome is a professor of nursing and coordinator of the family nurse practitioner program at North Georgia College and State University. She is also a family nurse practitioner in Atlanta and Dahlonega. Newsome is a member of the Georgia Nurses Association and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She is the immediate past president of the Georgia Association for Nursing Education. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern University, a master’s degree in nursing from the Medical College of Georgia, a master’s degree in education from the University of Georgia and a family nurse practitioner’s degree from Georgia Southern University. Newsome and her husband, Billy, have three grown children and eight grandchildren.

Chris R. Bryson, 35, Dunwoody, GA, Member Representing Nursing Homes – Bryson is currently the chief operating officer for UHS-Pruitt Corporation, which focuses on providing health care solutions such as assisted living, home health, and hospice. He has served as vice president of pharmacy services and senior vice president of health services during his ten years with the corporation. He earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Georgia. Bryson and his wife, Bonnie, have two children.

Lynn B. Mullis, D.D.S., 47, Cochran, GA, Member Representing Primary Care Dentists – Mullis serves as a primary care dentist at his private practice, M&C Dental Center, LCC. He is a past president of the Bleckley Chamber of Commerce, the Cochran Rotary Club, the American Cancer Society of Bleckley County and the American Heart Association of Bleckley County. Mullis is a member of the Georgia Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Dental Association. He earned an associate’s degree from Oxford College and a bachelor’s degree and doctorate of dentistry from Emory University. Mullis and his wife, Cindy, have two grown children.

Kirkland A. McGhee, 48, Atlanta, GA, Member Representing the Health Care Needs of Low-Income Persons – McGhee is a private practice attorney in Atlanta, specializing in health care, insurance, and business regulation. He serves as the executive director of the Georgia Association of Health Plans, a member of the board of directors of Georgia Partnership for Caring Foundation Inc. and as a member of the governmental affairs council for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. McGhee is a former assistant vice president of legislative affairs for BlueCross and BlueShield of Georgia and a former assistant attorney general for the state of Georgia. He received a bachelor’s degree and law degree from Georgia State University. McGhee has two grown children.

Elizabeth P. Brock, 67, Atlanta, GA, Member Representing the Health Care Needs of Small Business Personnel (REAPPOINTMENT) – Brock is the CEO of Pallets Inc. She has served as director of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, past director of Volunteer America and past president of the Georgia Industry Association. She also serves on the Lake Lanier Islands Authority. She earned an undergraduate degree from East Tennessee State University. Brock has one child.

Tamara “Tammy” L. King, 54, Snellville, GA, Member Representing a Population with Special Health Care Access Problems – King currently serves as director of outpatient services at the Shepherd Center, as well as the director of the Marcus Community Bridge Program. She is a member of the Atlanta Regional Commission on Aging, the Academy of Certified Case Managers and the community advisory board for the Institute on Human Development and Disability. She received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in nursing from Georgia State University. King and her husband, John, have one grown daughter.

Venus Ginés, 55, Marietta, GA, Member Representing a Population with Special Health Care Access Problems – Ginés is the CEO and founder of Dia de la Mujer Latina, Inc, an organization focused on providing Hispanic women cancer education and screenings. She serves on the Latino Commission for a New Georgia, the executive board of directors of the Intercultural Cancer Council, the board of trustees of the Georgia Cancer Coalition and the board of visitors for Grady and Wellstar Health System. Ginés is an adjunct professor at Kennesaw State University and an adjunct instructor at Morehouse School of Medicine. She earned a bachelor’s degree from California State University and a master’s degree from Georgia State University. Ginés has one grown son.

Georgia County Leadership Academy

Richard “Rick” M. Austin, Jr., Ph.D., 39, Demorest, GA, Member – Austin is an associate professor of biology at Piedmont College, as well as president and CEO of Plethodon Research, LCC, a pharmaceutical discovery research corporation. Austin received the 2004-2005 Piedmont College Vulcan Teaching Award, which recognizes the most outstanding teacher. Austin serves as a Habersham County Commissioner. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Piedmont College, a master’s degree from Auburn University and a doctorate from the University of Mississippi. Austin and his wife, Jennifer, have two children.

Jan B. Tankersley, 58, Brooklet, GA, Member – Tankersley is a member of the Bulloch County Commission. She serves as publicity chairman for the Brooklet Community Development Association, a member of the Governor’s Task Force for Local Transportation Strategies and a member of the Kiwanis Club. Tankersley serves on the board of managers of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia and as a member of the Department of Community Affairs Regional Advisory Council for Region 12. She attended Georgia Southern University. Tankersley and her husband, Hughie, have two grown children and two grandchildren.

# # #