Governing Board and Overview Committee

Brian P. Kemp
Governor

Brian Kemp is a husband, father, businessman, and public servant.

On November 6, 2018, he was elected as Georgia's 83rd Governor, earning more votes than any gubernatorial candidate in state history.

Governor Kemp built his first business – Kemp Development and Construction Company – with a pick-up truck and a shovel. Over thirty years later, he is a successful entrepreneur with businesses and investments in banking, farming, timber, manufacturing, and real estate.

Kemp served on the Board of Suncrest Stone in Tifton, as a Founding Director of First Madison Bank, and on the St. Mary’s Hospital Board in Athens. From the backhoe to the Board Room, Governor Kemp understands how to successfully create jobs, grow companies, recruit start-ups, and make deals on the international stage while also providing opportunities for hundreds of hardworking Georgians.

Out of frustration with government, Brian Kemp ran for public office in the early 2000s.

In the State Senate, Kemp was instrumental in fighting to cut fees, taxes, and mandates on job creators and Georgia families. As Secretary of State, Kemp utilized technology and innovation to cut bureaucratic red tape, slash spending, and streamline government.

As Governor, Brian Kemp will fight to make Georgia #1 for small business through regulatory reform. He will ensure that all parts of our state - including rural Georgia - have opportunities to grow and thrive. Kemp will fundamentally reform state government, keep our families safe, and always put hardworking Georgians first.

Kemp, 55, is married to the former Marty Argo of Athens. They are the proud parents of three daughters – Jarrett, Lucy, and Amy Porter - and are active members of Emmanuel Episcopal Church.

 

Burt Jones
Lieutenant Governor

Burt Jones is a successful businessman, community leader, former State Senator and the 13th Lieutenant Governor of the state of Georgia.

Burt Jones is a successful businessman, community leader, former State Senator and the 13th Lieutenant Governor of the state of Georgia. Burt has a proven record of creating jobs, growing a successful business, and delivering results for Georgia families. A sixth-generation Jackson native, Burt works with his family’s business, Jones Petroleum, where he has served as an integral part of growing the diverse, multi-faceted company, employing nearly 2,000 Georgians. Burt also founded JP Capital & Insurance, Inc., a risk-management company specializing in retail insurance brokerage. Through hard work and dedication, Burt built this start-up agency into an established insurance brokerage house founded on dedication, professionalism, and client service.

Before his business career, Burt was a student-athlete and a four-year letterman for the University of Georgia football team. As a former walk-on, Senator Jones was elected by his teammates as permanent team captain for the 2002 season, helping guide the team to its first SEC Championship in 20 years. In 2014, UGA named Burt a Distinguished Alumni and named him to its “40 Under 40” list. Answering a call to service, Burt was elected to the State Senate for Georgia’s 25th District in 2012. During his time in the State Senate, Burt delivered significant wins for his district, including the creation of hundreds of news jobs, two new rural hospitals, and helping grow educational opportunities with 8 career and technical colleges. Burt’s successful campaign for Lieutenant Governor focused on lowering taxes, improving our K-12 and higher education system, standing with law enforcement to strengthen public safety, and create more opportunities for every family in Georgia to succeed—all things he will work to accomplish as our next Lieutenant Governor.

Burt lives in Jackson with his wife, Jan, and their two children, Stella and Banks, where they are active members of Rock Springs Church.

 

Jon Burns
Speaker of The Georgia House of Representatives

Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) was elected as Georgia’s 75th Speaker of the House of Representatives in January 2023. He represents the 159th legislative district of Georgia that includes Screven County and portions of Effingham and Bulloch Counties. He was first elected to the House in 2004.

As Speaker, he serves as the House’s chief administrative officer. Speaker Burns also presides over House floor sessions, assigns bills to committees, and calls matters before the House for debate.

As a legislator, Speaker Burns has worked to bring sound environmentally balanced economic development, world class healthcare, quality education, and improved transportation to Georgia.

Speaker Burns served as House Majority Leader from 2015 until his nomination as Speaker. He previously served as Chairman of the House Game, Fish & Parks Committee and as Chairman of the House Special Rules Committee.

No stranger to public service, Speaker Burns was the 12th Congressional District member on the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) Board prior to serving in the State House.

Speaker Burns was born and raised in Effingham County. He graduated from Effingham County High School and earned his Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Georgia Southern College. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from John Marshall Law School.

Speaker Burns and his wife, Dayle, live on the family farm in northern Effingham County. Mrs. Burns is a retired educator. Speaker Burns is an active member and Sunday School Superintendent at Mizpah Church. They have two grown sons, two lovely daughter-in-laws, and five beautiful grandchildren.

 

Christopher Nunn
Commissioner, Georgia Department of Community Affairs

Christopher Nunn was appointed Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) by Governor Nathan Deal in September 2017. At DCA, he leads state efforts to ensure that by creating and supporting workforce housing, community infrastructure, downtown development and economic development, communities are prepared for opportunities to meet Governor Deal’s top priority of creating jobs across the state. DCA manages nearly $300 million each year of state and federal dollars through its 65 programs, providing funding and technical assistance throughout Georgia, and partnering with local communities to create a climate of success for Georgia’s families and businesses.

Prior to his role at DCA, Commissioner Nunn served as Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services (DOAS). And before joining DOAS, Commissioner Nunn was Deputy Commissioner for Community Development & Finance at DCA, where he led efforts to support community and economic development activities.

Before entering public service, Commissioner Nunn provided professional services and leadership in the private sector. He held the role of Chief Operating Officer for an Atlanta-based accounting firm, where he was responsible for all business aspects of the $25-million, 150-person firm. At Windham Brannon, Commissioner Nunn’s primary focus included strategic planning, financial management, new business development, and organizational development. He also provided day-to-day oversight for HR, accounting, and IT. Under his leadership, the firm expanded its service offerings, grew nearly 25 percent, and developed a talented next generation of leaders. Commissioner Nunn also spent 8 years with Russell Reynolds Associates, a global leader in executive recruitment and assessment, where he led the Southeast CFO practice and worked closely with clients around the world, including successfully completing more than 120 assignments to identify and attract Board and C-level corporate leadership. Commissioner Nunn’s private sector career began at Arthur Andersen as a strategy consultant.

Originally from Perry, Georgia, he graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Emory University with a B.A. in Political Science. He later earned a Master of International Relations degree from the University of St. Andrews in St. Andrews, Scotland. Commissioner Nunn serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Wesley Woods, a senior living ministry that serves more than 1,800 individuals through 10 facilities across North Georgia. He is also active on the Board of Advisors to the Robert T. Jones, Jr. Scholarship Trust at Emory University, and he is a member of Emory’s Board of Visitors. Commissioner Nunn is an involved member of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, and resides in Atlanta with his wife, Nancy, and their two children.

 

Frank M. O'Connell
State Revenue Commissioner, Georgia Department of Revenue

Frank M. O’Connell was previously General Counsel and Director of Legal Affairs & Tax Policy for the Georgia Department of Revenue. He began his 18+ years of service with the State of Georgia in the Compliance Division and transferred to Legal Affairs & Tax Policy as Assistant Director.

As Director of Legal Affairs & Tax Policy (LATP), Mr. O’Connell led a division that is responsible for holding administrative conferences for taxpayers who wish to protest either a proposed assessment of additional tax or the denial of a refund claim. LATP also provides written guidance in the form of letter rulings requested by individual taxpayers, as well as more general guidance such as policy bulletins and agency regulations that are subject to a public hearing and comment process. During the Legislative Session, LATP drafts legislative bills for the Department’s annual legislative package and analyzes all the tax bills proposed by lawmakers in the General Assembly. Finally, LATP provides in-house legal guidance to the Department. This consists of the drafting & reviewing of agency contracts, responding to Open Records Act requests, advising on confidentiality laws protecting taxpayer data, and responding to subpoena requests for DOR records. Prior to joining the Department in 2003, Mr. O’Connell consulted in state and local taxation for ten years in two “Big Four” accounting firms. A member of the Tax Section of the Georgia Bar Association, Mr. O’Connell received his law degree from the University of Notre Dame and his LL.M. (in Taxation) from New York University.

 

Kelly Farr
Director of The Governor's Office of Planning and Budget

Hometown: Martinez, Georgia

Kelly Farr holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Augusta University. Farr resides in Cumming with his wife, Jennifer, and two children, Trey and Sydney. Farr offers significant expertise in business development from his work at Lucent Technologies, Capgemini, and most recently, SAS Institute. In these capacities, Farr worked extensively with various state agencies to implement technological advances and improve constituent service. Farr also previously served as Deputy Secretary of State for the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, responsible for budget management and oversight of daily operations.

 

Pat Wilson
Commissioner, Georgia Department of Economic Development

Pat Wilson was appointed Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) by Governor Nathan Deal in November 2016. As Commissioner, he leads the state agency responsible for creating jobs and investment opportunities in Georgia through business recruitmentand expansion, international trade and tourism, as well as the arts, film and music industries.

Mr. Wilson previously served as Chief Operating Officer of GDEcD from January 2011 until his appointment as Commissioner. As COO, he managed the daily operations of the agency, directed long-term strategy, managed the agency’s legislative priorities and served as the department’s liaison with the Georgia Congressional delegation and federal government partners. In this role, Mr. Wilson served as GDEcD’s intergovernmental liaison, working with other state government departments and

agencies to streamline and navigate regulations for major project locations, expansions and film productions. Pat was also involved in the department’s international strategy, taking a particular interest in overseeing trade and foreign direct investment for China. In addition, this position doubles as Executive Director of the Georgia Allies, a public-private marketing partnership between state government and 16 private corporations that pools resources to aggressively promote the state’s business development priorities.

Mr. Wilson joined GDEcD as Deputy Commissioner for Global Commerce in 2010. Prior to that, he served on the staff of Governor Sonny Perdue as the director of government affairs. In that position, he led efforts to promote Governor Perdue’s legislative agenda at the State Capitol and managed federal affairs for the state of Georgia. He previously served as director of federal affairs for the state, opening the Washington, D.C. office in 2005. There he worked to promote the state’s agenda with the U.S. Congress and federal agencies as the Governor’s representative to the Georgia congressional delegation. Prior to his work in state government, Mr. Wilson was director of governmental affairs for Greenberg Traurig, LLP, in Washington. He served under the late Sen. Paul Coverdell and under then-Rep. Nathan Deal, now Governor of Georgia.

He is a Franklin Springs, Georgia native, and holds an undergraduate degree in political science with a focus on international relations from the University of Georgia. He and his wife Melissa and their two children, Padgett and Carter reside in Sandy Springs.

 

Overview Committee

  • Senator Blake Tillery, District 19
  • Representative Matt Hatchett, District 155
  • Representative Butch Parrish, District 158
  • Brent Churchwell, Senate Budget and Evaluation Office
  • Christine Murdock, House Budget and Research Office