Governor Perdue Appoints Nels Peterson as Executive Counsel

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that he has appointed Nels Peterson as Executive Counsel for the Office of the Governor. Peterson has served as Deputy Executive Counsel since July 2008.

“Nels has staked out a reputation as a talented, hard-working member of our team,” said Governor Perdue. “His work on water, education and other major policy issues has been valuable to my office and our state.”

Peterson is replacing Josh Belinfante, who is returning to private practice at RobbinsLaw LLC. Belinfante joined the Governor’s Office as Deputy Executive Counsel in January 2007 and was appointed Executive Counsel in May 2008.

“We wish Josh well as he returns to private practice and I greatly appreciate his outstanding service to Georgia,” Governor Perdue added.

The Governor also announced today the appointment of Ryan Teague as Deputy Executive Counsel, following the selection of Peterson as Executive Counsel. A brief biography of Ryan Teague is below:

Ryan Teague:   Teague most recently served as General Counsel to Freedom’s Watch, Inc., an issue advocacy organization based out of Washington, DC. Teague also represented various other clients on matters relating to campaign finance, issue advocacy and government ethics. Prior to his work with Freedom’s Watch, Teague was in private practice in Atlanta with McKenna Long & Aldridge, LLP. He also served as a law clerk to Chief Judge J.L. Edmondson of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. His civic involvement includes service on the board of the Atlanta Chapter of the Federalist Society. Teague received his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law and his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Clemson University.

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