Governor Perdue Announces New Education Agency Heads

Henson and Robinson Tapped to Lead Education Organizations

ATLANTA — Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) appointed Kelly C. Henson as the new executive secretary.

Governor Perdue also announced the appointment of Dr. Holly A. Robinson as the new Department of Early Care and Learning (Bright from the Start) commissioner. 

“I am pleased to welcome these two individuals to lead key education organizations,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.  “They each bring a wealth of experience that will benefit the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and the Department of Early Care and Learning.”

Governor Perdue also thanked Dr. F.D. Toth, the current executive secretary of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, and Marsha Moore, the current commissioner of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, for their service.   Dr. Toth is leaving to become interim president of Valdosta Technical College and Moore is leaving the department to explore other opportunities. 

“Both F.D. and Marsha’s service to these organizations and to the state is greatly appreciated,” said Governor Perdue.  “I wish them well as they pursue their next opportunities.”

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission was created by the Georgia General Assembly in July 1991, to assume full responsibility for the certification, preparation and conduct of certified, licensed or permitted personnel employed in the public schools of the state of Georgia. The commission is also responsible for the development and administration of teacher certification testing.

The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (Bright from the Start) is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia's children and their families. Bright from the Start oversees a wide range of programs focused primarily on children ages birth to school age and their families.

These appointments take effect December 1, 2007.

Brief biographies of Kelly Henson and Dr. Holly Robinson are below:

Kelly C. Henson, Rome- Since 2001, Henson has served as superintendent of Floyd County Schools.   Prior to that position, he served as the associate superintendent of Marietta City Schools.  Henson earned a bachelor’s degree from Furman University and a graduate degree from Georgia State University.  He has served as a member of the National Board of Directors for the American Association of School Administrators and as vice president of the Rome/Floyd Chamber of Commerce.  Henson is married and has one child.

Dr. Holly A. Robinson, Atlanta- Dr. Robinson has served as the senior vice president of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation since 2001.   Prior to that position, she was the vice president of learning for Convergent Media Systems.  Dr. Robinson earned a bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University and a graduate degree from Villanova University.  She currently chairs the Best Practices committee of the Governor's Education Finance Task Force and has directed the Charter School Resource Center for the Georgia Public Policy Foundation for the last four years.  Dr. Robinson is married and has one child.

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